Down here in the lower 48, all we knew was that an F-22 Raptor went down. For a long time, we knew little other than it was missing. For far too long this past week, all we knew was the aircraft was lost from radar and did not return to base.
Many stood vigil, waiting and looking for the lost aircraft and the pilot. Many more prayed and hoped as they continued to wait.
For a country, the loss is substantial. The aircraft is the most sophisticated fighter ever developed. Its role is complete air dominance and each aircraft costs $150 million in 2009 dollars. However, the loss of the airplane pales compared to the loss of the man.
For seemingly an eternity, we did not know what happened to the pilot.
Now, of course, we know.
The true tragedy in this event is the loss of a fine, young American. Captain Jeffrey Haney, 31, leaves behind his wife, Anna, and two young daughters.
A graduate of Western Michigan University, Haney chose the military over an airline career after 9/11. Like many in the WMU flight program and other young men and women from around the country who are aviators, Haney lived to fly.
As a young flight student, Haney quickly differentiated himself from others by excelling in the flight program as well as in the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corps. According to the chief flight instructor at WMU, Tom Grossman, Haney was a natural born leader who led by example, “by doing the right thing at the right time.”
Many of those who knew him from those college days spoke of his dedication to duty and his devotion to his country as well as those he loved. Haney wanted to fly fighters and he wanted to go to Alaska, said his friend, Chris Westcott.
Jeffrey Haney may have passed from this earth a little too soon, but he left his mark. He lived life to the fullest and he dedicated himself to preserving his way of life for his daughters and others throughout this land.
Thank you, Captain Haney. Rest easy.
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© 2010 J. Clark
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