Roger Hershner Memorial Thread

[AdminLB]

God Speed Mr. Hershner!

[captkirkyota]

Very sad that another pilot died, but forgive me, who is he? I'd like to know.

[Linc]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29585571/

 

found through Google News

[Linc]

I understand he was from Washington state, and a member of HAI since late 2003. Apparently, he had been flying since at least 1987, and made an impact on those he flew and worked with.

 

Wildlandfire.com:

 

I am Rogers stepdaughter, and on behalf of my mom Holly Bliss, Roger's wife,

I would like to extend an invitation to anyone who would like to join the celebration

of Roger's life. Here is the information:

 

Please join us in a Celebration of Roger Hershner's Life

Saturday, March 14th, 1-4pm

Pioneer Park - 387 E. Washington St Sequim, WA

 

Roger flew for us (Angeles Helitack) during the 2003 fire season.

 

He was a pilot with invaluable hours of experience, a man that would make you feel

superior when you flew with him; he always gave you his best. I will always remember

his smile and how much he truly loved being a pilot...

In 1987 Roger flew relief for us in Grants Pass. One thing that still stands out was

the (fact?) that Roger was the actual pilot who flew the escape helicopter that was

the basis for the Charles Bronson movie Breakout. Where he flew into Mexico to

rescue a senator's son.

Godspeed!

Edited March 12, 2009 by Linc

[crashresidue]

Old Aviators

 

I hope there's a place way up in the sky, where old flyers can go on the day that they die.

A place where a guy can buy a cold beer, for a friend and a comrade, whose memory is dear.

 

A place where no doctor or lawyer can tread,

nor an FAA type would 'ere be caught dead.

Just a quaint little place, kind of dark, full of smoke,

where they like to sing loud, and love a good joke.

 

Here must be a place where old flyers would go,

when their flying is finished, and their airspeed gets low.

The kind of a place where a lady could go,

and feel safe and protected by the men she would know.

 

Where the whiskey is old, and the women are young,

and songs about flying and dying are sung.

Where you'd see all the fellows who'd flown west before,

Who would buy you a drink, if your thirst should be bad, and relate to others, "He was quite a good lad".

 

And then through the mist, you'd spot an old guy,

you had not seen in years, though he taught you to fly.

He'd nod his old head, and grin ear to ear,

And say, "Welcome, my son, I'm pleased that you're here.

 

For this is the place where the true flyers come,

when their journey is over, and their war has been won.

They've come here at last to be safe and alone,

from the government clerks, and the management clones.

Politicians and lawyers, the Feds and the noise,

where all hours are happy, and they're all good ole' boys.

You can relax with a cold one, maybe deal from a deck,

this is heaven my son.....You've passed your last check!"

 

unknown author

 

Well, my friend - we both figured that we'd die "with one strapped on" and probably with a "string hanging".

 

It seems I ran out of eyesight before you ran out of luck. Now you've "gone West" and I'm going to be stuck here for a while longer. I'll try to do it with the same style you would, but don't hold your breath - you were always better dealing with people than I am.

 

We all miss your grin, your laugh, and the way you always seems to take the sh*tty jobs and get them done with a smile and a laugh.

 

Genlte winds, my brother. Your "lei" will float Sunday at sunset.

 

cr

[wingman206]

Goodbye dear friend - there are too many things to say. I cannot express the sadness I felt when I got that dreaded call from your sister on Monday. Such a great loss.

 

Roger, we were best friends. Too many words to say, too many thoughts to give, but the most important comes out to be a very short message - I will miss you, god speed. -Ed