KCNET NEWSLETTER
07/15/07
& 07/22/07
COMMENTS
AND CLASS SCHEDULES
KCNET NEWSLETTER
07/15/07 & 07/22/07
COMMENTS AND CLASS SCHEDULES
MIKE'S COMMENTARY
COMPUTER CLASSES AND COURSES
ADVANCED USERS CLASS NOTES
NEWS & NOTES BY SUE FOUST
MIKE'S COMMENTARY AND SOME BITS OF WISDOM
This is a good little story about a vivid memory of a P-51 and its pilot by a fellow who was 12 years old in Canada in 1967. I got this one from a number of sources. Checking for validity and authorship I found it attributed to an unknown author. True or not, I think it is a super story. I'm there, holding a fire extinguisher, then watching with great anticipation while my Air Force uncle, my early years hero, makes the pass. I know you 'll enjoy the story and the feeling of USA pride it ignites. (Mike)
OLD AVIATORS AND OLD AIRPLANES NEVER DIE..... It was noon on a Sunday as I recall, the day a Mustang P-51 was to take to the air. They said it had flown in during the night from some U.S. airport, the pilot had been tired. I marveled at the size of the plane dwarfing the Pipers and Canucks tied down by her. It was much larger than in the movies. She glistened in the sun like a bulwark of security from days gone by.The pilot arrived by cab, paid the driver, and then stepped into the flight lounge. He was an older man; his wavy hair was gray and tossed. Looked like it might have been combed, say, around the turn of the century.
His flight jacket was checked, creased and worn - it smelled old and genuine. Old Glory was prominently sewn to its shoulders. He projected a quiet air of proficiency and pride devoid of arrogance. He filed a quick flight plan to Montreal (Expo-67, Air Show) then walked across the tarmac.
After taking several minutes to perform his walk-around check the pilot returned to the flight lounge to ask if anyone would be available to stand by with fire extinguishers while he "flashed the old bird up. Just to be safe."
Though only 12 at the time I was allowed to stand by with an extinguisher after brief instruction on its use -- "If you see a fire, point, then pull this lever!" I later became a firefighter, but that's another story.
The air around the exhaust manifolds shimmered like a mirror from fuel fumes as the huge prop started to rotate. One manifold, then another, and yet another barked -- I stepped back with the others. In moments the Packard-built Merlin engine came to life with a thunderous roar, blue flames knifed from her manifolds. I looked at the others' faces, there was no concern. I lowered the bell of my extinguisher. One of the guys signaled to walk back to the lounge. We did.
Several minutes later we could hear the pilot doing his pre flight run-up. He'd taxied to the end of runway 19, out of sight. All went quiet for several seconds; we raced from the lounge to the second story deck to see if we could catch a glimpse of the P-51 as she started down the runway. We could not.
There we stood, eyes fixed to a spot half way down 19. Then a roar ripped across the field, much louder than before, like a furious hell spawn set loose---something mighty this way was coming. "Listen to that thing!" said the controller. In seconds the Mustang burst into our line of sight.
It's tail was already off and it was moving faster than anything I'd ever seen by that point on 19. Two-thirds the way down 19 the Mustang was airborne with her gear going up The prop tips were supersonic; we clasped our ears as the Mustang climbed hellish fast into the circuit to be eaten up by the dog-day haze.
We stood for a few moments in stunned silence trying to digest what we'd just seen. The radio controller rushed by me to the radio. " Kingston tower calling Mustang?" He looked back to us as he waited for an acknowledgment.
The radio crackled, "Go ahead Kingston. "
"Roger Mustang. Kingston tower would like to advise the circuit is clear for a low level pass." I stood in shock because the controller had, more or less, just asked the pilot to return for an impromptu air show!
The controller looked at us. "What?" He asked. "I can't let that guy go without asking. I couldn't forgive myself!"
The radio crackled once again, "Kingston , do I have permission for a low level pass, east to west, across the field?"
"Roger Mustang, the circuit is clear for an east to west pass."
"Roger, Kingston , I'm coming out of 3000 feet, stand by."
We rushed back onto the second-story deck, eyes fixed toward the eastern haze. The sound was subtle at first, a high-pitched whine, a muffled screech, a distant scream. Moments later the P-51 burst through the haze. Her airframe straining against positive Gs and gravity, wing tips spilling contrails of condensed air, prop-tips again supersonic as the burnished bird blasted across the eastern margin of the field shredding and tearing the air.
At about 400 mph and 150 yards from where we stood she passed with the old American pilot saluting. Imagine. A salute! I felt like laughing, I felt like crying, she glistened, she screamed, the building shook, my heart pounded.
Then the old pilot pulled her up and rolled, and rolled, and rolled out of sight into the broken clouds and indelibly into my memory.
I've never wanted to be an American more than on that day. It was a time when many nations in the world looked to America as their big brother, a steady and even-handed beacon of security who navigated difficult political water with grace and style; not unlike the pilot who'd just flown into my memory. He was proud, not arrogant, humble, not a braggart, old and honest, projecting an aura of America at its best. That America will return one day, I know it will.
Until that time, I'll just send off this story; call it a reciprocal salute, to the old American pilot who wove a memory for a young Canadian that's lasted a lifetime.
This is without a doubt one of the best ideas I've ever heard!!!!!
Always keep several get well cards on the mantel.....
so if unexpected guests arrive,
they will think you've been sick and unable to clean.
COMPUTER CLASSES AND COURSES
Click here for Current Schedule and RegistrationADVANCED USER CLASS NOTES:
| KCnet Advanced Users Group:
Every
Wednesday
The starting time is 9:00 AM and we meet in Computer Lab 1 (The Big Room). Leadership is Mike Foust and anyone that wants to jump into the fray. Quite a day these past two Wednesdays. We got rollin' with some pics sent by Advanced User viewers and others gleaned by Mike. We then settled into our seats and took another wild tech ride. Among the many 'puter topics covered we... ... reviewed a number of email scams, phishing schemes, pump and drop and articles about arrests and convictions of hackers that employ these techniques for financial gain. ... reviewed the patches and fixes for Microsoft download Tuesday. ... viewed sites about the new Vista. ... explored a method to fix or replace missing or damaged .dll files. There were tons of handouts this week. Just ask at the next session if you were on vacation and want the handouts. We did some other interesting stuff too, but
you had to be there...
This class often becomes idea swapping and
we learn by sharing our many experiences and I'll tell you all again, that
really happened this week.
|
NEWS AND NOTES WITH SUE FOUST:
 Last
month, KCnet ended its fiscal year. On June 30, 2007, we wrapped
up a wonderfully exciting year. We became more proficient and capable.
Our technicians earned their A+ certifications, giving us credibility,
as far as our computer repair service is ranked. We started a few
new programs, upgraded and enhanced our Hypernet service at no cost to
our members, and bought another small Internet service, SunQwest, which
had originated in Sunbury, PA
You may remember, nearly 4 years ago, we bought PSULink. That gave us Nationwide service. SunQwest's members add a new layer of service - we have a Williamsport dialup number as well as 11 other dialup numbers in the 570 area code. Please share this information with any friends and relatives you may have who are still on dialup service. Our 800 number for them to call is 1-800-351-0013. Our network administrators are Kerry Clausen and Tim Snyder. Kerry's worked for KCnet, parttime, for about 8 years! He started out teaching our Advanced Users Class and was an instant hit. He's done a little of everything - computer repair, help desk, etc. But his expertise is really being put to work now as a KCnet network administrator. Tim started as a high school student, preparing for a 4-year stint at Penn Tech. He had some experience at another Internet service, repairing computers and serving on their help desk. He's just a natural. He does a lot of web page work in addition to the many hours he spends in our Network Operations Center. He's finished his classes after 4 years and now is our "network guy." In amongst all the exciting things happening at KCnet, our classes are continuing to grow . We've offered home networking, intermediate Excel, and Internet safety as new courses this year. Of course, our stand-bys are still going strong - PC Basics, Intermediate Windows, Advanced Users. We had 11 people attend the first-ever Art and Photo Camp, which was a 5-session series of classes and fun with art and photography. We've applied for another grant to have one during February and March next year. The election of Directors on the KCnet Board resulted in two new directors. Tom Piergallini and John Way were elected to serve 3-year terms. They both bring valued expertise to a board that is bulging with dedication and service. And, last but certainly not least, a new WiFi service for downtown Lock Haven is in its infancy. The 2-block area around KCnet is finished, as we move toward the University with laptop accessibility to the Internet. Open a laptop and find our network, currently called In-Tune Wireless. We're still working on a final name for the service - maybe just Lock Haven Wireless! All this, and KCnet ended the year in the black! You are supporting a very viable organization. Please continue to do so and stop in to sign up for a class. You can always learn something new! Until next time… KCnet Board Of Directors Officers: President Bill Raco, Vice President Bob Rolley, Secretary Jon Ahrens, Treasurer Don Miller and Past President Judy Yoho. Other members of the board: Carolyn Carl, Lori Hoy, R. Keith Kelly, Tom Livingston, Ray McGill, Tom Piergallini, Ray Rathmell, and John Way . |
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