Another Loss back then of the Red Tail family

Bill Greenwood · **Posted:** Fri Jan 08, 2010 1:33 pm

This may not be new to others, but it was to me.

I was looking on Google for info on Don Hinz who was lost in the crash of Red Tail, the P-51C.
I knew Don,but not well, and never knew about his Son.

A year after Don was killed his Son Kelly Hinz, 30 who was lost as one of two F-18 Marine pilots shot down over Iraq.

It is a lot of sorrow, more than the share for any one family to have to bear. It struck me particularly when I read that the young man had helped his team win the state ski championship. My oldest Son Charles, is not a Marine, he has just graduated from C U law school, but he is 26 and he did help his high school ski team win the state championship, and he is dear to me. It would take more than I can readily imagine to give him up. Those of us who are parents will know what I mean.

I am not a advocate of most wars, certainly not as ones in my lifetime are done. And much of the rah rah talk on the air, in Washington, in the press, is by people who aren't and never did put their lives on the line, but they are willing to let OPK, other people's kids, do the fighting and dying. So I feel a special sorrow when I see a young man, or woman like this lost with so much
of their life ahead of them. And beyond the sense of loss, I also feel some extra respect for someone like Kelly who walked the walk, and gave all he had.

I hope Red Tail flys safely for many years and I will think of Don and his Son whenever I see it.