Hi All,
In light of everything that has transpired over the past few months, I felt compelled to share my feelings, of love and gratitude, concerning my Uncle's P-51B, and her incredible journey.
It has been just over seven years since 43-12252 was discovered in Lake Louisa, by two young boys.
At the memorial service held at the Lake on November 12, 2001, honoring Dean, and all the other aviators killed in Florida during WWII, and unveiling the monument with a tip of the propellor from 43-12252 in it, I remember the Lake County Sheriff's department advisor commenting to me, "Now if you can just find some incredibly wealthy person with an interest in Warplanes, maybe someday you can see her fly again." To be honest, I didn't think there was a snowball's chance in Hell that this would ever happen, and I am so thrilled that "someday" has arrived. We were so honored while we were in Florida, by the kindness of so many people who did not know Dean, or us, but who gave of themselves to honor him. The ceremony was very moving, and having the opportunity to have Kermit Weeks fly "Cripes Amighty" for us was a real treat!
I remember when I learned that Mr. Roush had purchased her how happy I was, and how much it meant to me to be able to share this news with my Dad. I also remember how concerned we were when we learned that Mr. Roush had been in an accident while flying another plane, shortly after he purchased 43-12252, and was nearly killed in the same way Dean had been! Daddy and I prayed for him to recover completely and to have nothing but safe flights in the future.
Over the years, I have been so blessed to meet so many of you, and form friendships that I will cherish for the rest of my life! So very many of you have given us so much, and given so much of your time to ensure that Dean's service, and his memory, will be remembered, that I could write a book on all you have done. Meer gratitude seems incredibly insufficient to describe what this has meant to my Dad and I. You are my "heros!"
My Dad was the last person in our area to see Dean fly that beautiful Mustang! Imagine in todays world, having one of our Air Force pilots tell his base commander that he was going to hop in his Mustang and fly 1200 miles to visit his family for a few days! That is exactly what Dean had the opportunity to do, and my Dad had the opportunity to witness, as Dean roared down the valley, and buzzed the house. I remember my Dad telling me that one of their neighbors was driving his truck near the house at the time, and nearly wrecked when Dean roared by!
By all accounts, Dean was a brilliant talented young man, who left us much too soon, but died doing what he dearly loved. I wonder how many of us will have the opportunity to leave this world doing what we love?
So here we are seven years later...... my beloved Daddy is gone, and Dean's Mustang has taken to the skies once more. Granted, she doesn't look like she did in 1944, and yes, I am disappointed at this, but since I lost Daddy a few weeks ago, it doesn't seem nearly as important as it once did. Since I have learned that Dean's story will be a part of 43-12252's legacy, I have realized that this is truly all we ever wanted in the first place.
I can't wait until the time comes when I am able to see her fly as Daddy did so many years ago! It breaks my heart that when this happens Daddy will not be by my side, as he had been through almost all of the incredible journey we have been on together. However, I bleieve that he will be with me in spirit, and that he is every bit as happy as I am, at how this has all turned out.
I pray that Mr. Roush has safe travels in her wherever he goes, and in my heart I truly believe he will, because he has one heck of a co-pilot watching over him!
Karen
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
