Missing man
March 18th, 2007 | 
Author: 
I took this picture (above) today in Titusville on the last day of the three day ‘Tico Warbird Airshow’. It’s by no means a good picture (especially because I had to compress it this much), but it’s a picture of a special event.
What you see here is a snap shot of what is called a Missing-man formation. This is a formation flown to give a last salute to a fallen crew member, usually performed at a funeral or memorial event.
It’s not unusual (but not common either) to see a demonstration of this special formation during an airshow.
But this was no demonstration.
This was a real salute.
It was the salute to Eilon Krugman-Kadi, 58, a Gainesville attorney who, on the first day of this airshow, performed a loop in a Russian L-39 training jet, but did not have enough room to complete the maneuver.
During the flyby, solemn bagpipe music was played, everybody rose, men took off their hats and touched their hearts.
It was a very touching and moving moment.
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Posted in Emotions, Sad
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Hmm – got me thinking. Should pay the same hommage to collegues, who also (at an albeit much lower speed and on a machine with much less horsepower) performed a similarly dangerous manoeuvre and did not make it.
But strangely, in most if not all cases, they are just dismissed as reckless, stupid… motorcyclists.
Apparently there is a thin line between being a hero and a moron?
I must admit that I am drawn to the sentimental. I am also impressed that you got all four airplanes so clearly. My husband loves photography and has spent hours getting planes in flight. If only I could get him to make the time for Flickr. Also, FYI, I have to admit he helped me with your math problem on Rob’s blog. He is my hero 😉
@Kami .. Thanks for the compliment. In fact the picture I used isn’t even that sharp. I shot a few more at that air show that I’m really proud of (even got a compliment from a professional ‘airplane’ photographer) .. okay there was some luck involved too, but still.
I will put them on a website somewhere and publish the link here later.
And did you tell your husband that the units weren’t the problem? Just the squaring? 😉
Thanks for passing by, much appreciated.
Oh btw, regarding your last name, is there some Dutch or Belgian ancestry there? 😉
I actually think that is what he meant to be honest, but I am so math-challenged that I didn’t “get it.” Believe me, his math skills are completely solid. ha-ha.
And yes, Luc is a Belgian (first generation immigrant) and I am a wannabe 😉
Definitely publish them (the pics)> May I suggest Flickr? I love that site. LOL
@Kami .. Ah…had I known his first name, I would have KNOWN he was Belgian (and not Dutch). And of course his math-skills are rock solid! He’s European!
I’m Dutch myself, but lived in Belgium for 8 years. Moved to San Antonio in 1992 (and to Florida two years ago).
Will work on those pictures, hopefully, today.