Letters, Jul. 10, 1995

• Share

A PILOT'S STORY

"What a thrilling event: heroic Captain O'Grady and his courageous rescuers. Make room for the real thing, Schwarzenegger and Willis!" Cleary Hinton Lake Charles, Louisiana

Congratulations to Captain Scott O'Grady [COVER STORY, June 19] on keeping his cool and doing the right things in Bosnia after he was shot down. What he did was what he had been trained to do, and he is a credit to the military. The procedures that O'Grady followed after he got on the ground were similar to the steps I took almost 51 years ago when I evaded capture in the same general area. They worked then, and still do today. In 1944 it took 13 days to extract three of us from among my crew, but then we had no radios or helicopters. O'Grady survived in a very hostile area, and fully deserves the accolades given him. Harry D. Whye, Colonel, U.S.A.F. (ret.) Bellevue, Nebraska

Like everyone else, I am relieved that there was no loss of life during O'Grady's ordeal and rescue. However, I agree with the captain in asking for recognition for the many other pilots and service personnel who continue to put their lives on the line for the U.N. peacekeeping effort. What kind of role model is the media presenting to pilots who have the skill-and good fortune-to keep their jets intact and continue flying the same dangerous missions day after day? Get shot down, and you too can have lunch with the President? Alan Cardenas Breckenridge, Colorado

"One amazing kid" is Captain O'Grady. World War II Air Force veterans, rest assured; they do still make 'em like they used to. (T. Sgt.) Frank J. Pagano, U.S.A.F. (ret.) San Rafael, California

To my long list of American heroes I add Captain O'Grady. But he comes only after his parents, who raised a courageous, compassionate, resourceful and quick-witted son. Zan Jedde Haleem Berkeley Lake, Georgia

"A Pilot's Story" was one of the best. Your writers took me to Bosnia. I was in the dirt, my face down, right along with O'Grady. I was crying with Captain Thomas Hanford when he flew over the Adriatic and heard O'Grady's radio signal. My heart was pounding along with Marine Sergeant Major Angel Castro's after the successful chopper rescue. I made the helicopter ride of a lifetime with Marines Paul Bruce and Michael Pevear. And finally, I too smelled the cypress and pine trees of the Dalmatian coast. It made me feel great. Joe Raymond Long Beach, California

While the courage of O'Grady and his rescuers is nothing short of exemplary, let us also express our gratitude for the everyday heroes of the armed forces who have fought to preserve the freedoms many baby boomers and Generation Xers take for granted. Somehow Memorial Day and Veterans Day seem to have woefully little significance to the average American today. We should seek out World War II, Korean War or Vietnam-era veterans. They have their own incredible stories of survival and valor to tell. Ann V. Lombardi Atlanta

Did O'Grady save a nation? did he get a child out of a burning building? Did he even climb a tree to rescue a stranded cat? No. All he did was hide until he could be found. You might call him a smart guy, but not a hero. I am amused at Americans and their ability to worship anything the government decides they should. Wake up! Paul Mankelow Calgary, Alberta