|
|
Post by lesterpk on Feb 16, 2011 20:10:30 GMT 12
I was watching a couple of Skyhawks in Nowra practicing for an airshow....
He was....
....37.
.... an amazing man.
.... a respected leader.
He had...
.... an awesome wife.
.... two sweet girls, only 6 and 8.
.... a loving family.
.... a squadron of colleagues and friends.
.... an incredible life.
I remember...
.... that day like it was yesterday.
.... his smile.
.... Christmas at their house.
I learned....
.... to cherish those around me even more.
.... that you should never start a conversation with a work mates wife with "There's been an accident".
.... that only Muz could get away with saying "darker than Kamahl" on TV
.... that sometimes there are just no words.
It's been 10 years I still....
.... think of them often; husband, wife, and girls.
.... imagine him flying that Skyhawk across the heavens with my baby girl.
.... have no words that do justice to honouring him.
Squadron Leader Murray 'Muz' Nielson, RNZAF 2 Squadron.
18 February 1963 - 16 February 2001
|
|
|
|
Post by beagle on Feb 16, 2011 20:13:29 GMT 12
my god, has it been 10 years already.
Yes, i think there are a lot of people with the same testaments there Les.
nice one mate..
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 16, 2011 20:48:09 GMT 12
Superb post. Lest we forget.
|
|
|
|
Post by obiwan27 on Feb 16, 2011 20:56:26 GMT 12
Heart-felt post.
|
|
|
|
Post by strikemaster on Feb 16, 2011 23:45:06 GMT 12
I'll raise my glass to that.
|
|
|
|
Post by corsair67 on Feb 17, 2011 0:30:11 GMT 12
Gone, but defintely not forgotten by all his mates and colleagues.
|
|
|
|
Post by Calum on Feb 17, 2011 13:48:59 GMT 12
I walk around the scrub there each day. Yesterday I spent a couple moments thinking about him
|
|
|
|
Post by Chris F on Feb 17, 2011 14:01:23 GMT 12
A day I shall not forget either as my son was born on that day at that time.
|
|
|
|
Post by skyhawkdon on Feb 17, 2011 20:06:13 GMT 12
What a beautiful tribute Les.
It was at my Grandmother's 90th birthday that day and we were having a big family gathering to celebrate. My parents heard the news late afternoon but didn't tell me until after the party as they knew how upset I would be (I had known Muz since his Wings Course).
I hear Sandy and the girls are doing well.
Lest We Forget
|
|
|
|
Post by phil on Feb 17, 2011 20:12:17 GMT 12
Great post Les.
|
|
|
|
Post by matariki on Feb 18, 2011 10:23:04 GMT 12
Ten years...
Brings back memories.
|
|
|
|
Post by Gavin Conroy on Feb 18, 2011 19:17:11 GMT 12
Hard to believe it was 10 years ago, Murray was a great guy and a man to be inspired by.
Nice tribute Les.
|
|
|
|
Post by oldnavy on Feb 20, 2011 18:38:34 GMT 12
Les, apologies for not seeing this earlier. I didn't know the man...but your words bring a tear to my eye. Such a loss of a mate/colleague/loved one is very hard to bear for anyone concerned, and the all passage of time does is let you know that those who remain must learn to live with the pain.
I don't know your story either and I apologise if I am intruding...but the second to last point you make implies an even more personal loss. At such a difficult period of mourning I send my personal condolences to you and yours...
|
|
|
|
Post by Andy Wright on Feb 21, 2011 18:13:41 GMT 12
From the heart. Beautiful, Les.
|
|
|
|
Post by oggie2620 on Feb 21, 2011 21:42:35 GMT 12
RIP. Hes still flying high amongst the stars and all of his colleagues of any era who have died while in the air. What a lovely way to do a tribute.
|
|
|
|
Post by machpants on Feb 22, 2011 8:13:19 GMT 12
RIP 'Muz". And to all our colleagues lost.
Per Ardua Ad Astra
|
|
|
|
Post by lesterpk on Feb 23, 2011 18:03:37 GMT 12
OldNavy, thanks for your thoughts.
My posting to Nowra was definitely the highlight of my career, it was an awesome time and place but Muzz and my daughters death certainly changed our lives. My wife and I dont stress over the little things much because we know from experience there are worse things that can happen to you.
|
|
|
|
Post by oldnavy on Feb 24, 2011 10:50:53 GMT 12
Good on you, Les! You are a champion!
They say, "Worse things can happen at sea"...I am not so sure. Cherish the memories, live for the future.
|
|
