Warbirds

SmileyTFJ · Post by **SmileyTFJ** » February 7th, 2006, 10:27 am

My grandfather, aviator LTC(R) LB Carney died this morning. As I watch him and his friends fade away, I realize what a treasure they gave me. I grew up listening to their "No shit there I was stories..." They were all self made men, coming from different backgrounds...just living to fly, not caring that they were a part of aviation history.

The Warbirds of America association and regional museums like the Lone Star Flight Museum are dedicated to the memories of these pilots and keeping the birds they flew in the air. If you ever have a chance to meet these men, their stories are all incredible.

Mom in Texas · Post by **Mom in Texas** » February 7th, 2006, 11:48 am

Smiley, I am so sorry for your loss. My heartfelt prayers and condolences go out to you and your family.

Aviator Heaven

I hope there's a place, way up in the sky,
Where pilots can go, when they have to 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 a management 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;
The kind of a place where a lady could go
And feel safe and protected, by the men she would know
There must be a place where old pilots go,
When their paining is finished, and their airspeed gets low
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,
And they'd call out your name, as you came through the door.
Who would buy you a drink, if your thirst should be bad,
And relate to the 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 true flyers come,"
"When their journey is over, and the war has been won."
"They've come here at last to be safe and alone"
"From the government clerks and the management clone,"
"Politicians and lawyers, the Feds and the noise,"
"Where all hours are happy, and these good ole boys"
"Can relax with a cool one, and a well deserved rest;"
â€œThis is heaven, my son â€¦You've passed your last test"

---Unknown

LTC Carney, clear, blue skies forever.......RIP.

Chiron · Post by **Chiron** » February 7th, 2006, 12:58 pm

Smiley my sincere condolences to you and your family, if only people were as dedicated and proud as they were and are.

R.I.P. ~S~

AbnRgr289 · Post by **AbnRgr289** » February 7th, 2006, 1:13 pm

My condolences Smiley.

LTC(R) LB Carney may you Rest in Peace. ~

last.tango · Post by **last.tango** » February 7th, 2006, 2:37 pm

Smiley, my deepest sympathies to you and your family.

rgrpuck · Post by **rgrpuck** » February 7th, 2006, 2:45 pm

My condolences smiley.....

Out of curiosity what did He fly ?

My Grandfather was a WWII flyer as well. Nothing was more entertaining than listening to stories of him flying over the roof of the world. It wasnt untill I was much older that I realized that he was a 21 year old CPT in charge of one of the most advanced AC of his time, and scared shit less.

We are losseing the greatest generation at the rate of over a 1000 a day. Most never had a thought that they would make it this far .....it is sad non the less.

Cat · Post by **Cat** » February 7th, 2006, 2:50 pm

RIP LTC

Another one of our Greatest Generation gone.....

KW Driver · Post by **KW Driver** » February 7th, 2006, 2:53 pm

Severe clear LTC...

SmileyTFJ · Post by **SmileyTFJ** » February 7th, 2006, 2:55 pm

Ranger RgrPuck,

Originally he flew crop dusters over cotton fields in Louisiana.

His military career started out flying and teaching in the B-26 Marauder. Then he flew the B-24 Liberator. After that he taught the B-32 Dominator. He came in second in the '48 Bendix in a modified P51-C Mustang named, ironically, the "Houstonian."

Corporate he flew a Lockheed-18 Lodestar, Douglas DC-3, and DeHaviland DH-125.

Kilted Heathen · Post by **Kilted Heathen** » February 7th, 2006, 3:27 pm

Our condolences Smiley.

But hey....look what a fuckin' poet "Unknown" turned out to be!

VAK · Post by **VAK** » February 7th, 2006, 4:52 pm

rgrpuck wrote:My condolences smiley.....

Out of curiosity what did He fly ?

My Grandfather was a WWII flyer as well. Nothing was more entertaining than listening to stories of him flying over the roof of the world. It wasnt untill I was much older that I realized that he was a 21 year old CPT in charge of one of the most advanced AC of his time, and scared shit less.

We are losseing the greatest generation at the rate of over a 1000 a day. Most never had a thought that they would make it this far .....it is sad non the less.

My condolences as well. Obviously I too I have the same feeling for those WWII aviator's and veteran's as a whole. They are an amazing breed. I had a grandfather who served in the Navy and another who enlisted at 14 in the Guard before joining the Marine Corps at 16 and leaving for the Pacific. Both amazing men.

Keep the faith Smiley. If you have chance Bob Dole's done a lot to keep their stories alive. You may want to consider looking into it. I think you can get information at the Dole Insitute of Politics. I saw something about it there the last time I was there for a speaking engagement.

Godspeed.

Warriorwife · Post by **Warriorwife** » February 7th, 2006, 4:56 pm

My deepest Condolences Smiley.

RIP LTC(R) LB Carney

RTO · Post by **RTO** » February 7th, 2006, 6:04 pm

Smiley,
I am proud and honored to have met your Grandfather in person and to hear him tell a few of his stories. I was able to see his eyes sparkle and light up as only an avatior's can. Your Grandfather shared a few memories of flying on a day I will never forget. I got to see firsthand what a great family tradition and legacy he has left behind for generations to come.

Godspeed, LTC! Your memory will never be forgotten and has been my privelage to have known you and your entire family.

RIP, Sir