RIP Dad

[SFC Hiatt]

‎12 years ago today I lost my Dad, lost him without him being able to see that I made something of myself, without him seeing me fly, without him getting to know my family, without him knowing just how much I wanted to be like him, without him knowing how much I loved him. RIP Dad

N5600 was the last Stearman he restored.

Chris

[pilotspeedo]

This says it all, Chris. Your dad knows how you feel. That's a great tribute to him.

[Nathan K. Hammond]

That's a great memorial Chris. Rest assured, he's seen it all and been there with you the whole time.

nkh

[SFC Hiatt]

Thanks for the kind words.

[flyboy1964]

Thats awesome chris, He would be proud of you I'm sure.

[lewislech]

Very nice tribute to your dad!

[joea]

He is watching down on you and the family. You two will eventually fly together again... as we all will.

[james gevay]

He knows, because he's watching down on you, and he's very proud.

[badger bob]

Chris happy 4th and thank you for your service. every time i fly the champ solow i know that my ol man is siting in the back. there never to far away. Bob

[Red(neck) Barron]

I wonder how many of us was introduced to flying by our Dad? I know I was although, you know how kids and their Dad's never seem to agree. My Dad was a J-3 kind of guy but I liked Champs. I guess that's not too bad of a difference. That's a nice tribute Chris.

[MikeB]

I don't think my dad ever had time. He worked two jobs with the tire factory and the home farm. Having said that, I do have a picture of my dad as a young man standing next to an old Bellanca with a radial engine. The date has to be in the 1930's as he was born in 1911. He passed away in 1992 and I still miss him (and Mom). Just watered their flowers at the cemetery this morning on the way to the airport, then flew the Champ for an hour (they would have approved).

Anyway, great tribute Chris!

Mikeb

[SFC Hiatt]

I wonder how many of us was introduced to flying by our Dad? I know I was although, you know how kids and their Dad's never seem to agree. My Dad was a J-3 kind of guy but I liked Champs. I guess that's not too bad of a difference. That's a nice tribute Chris.

My Dad introduced me to flying on his knee in a Stearman when I was 5 years old. Been hooked ever since.

[Captgrumps]

My dad was never home, but Jack Armstrong, the All American Wheaties boy, did via his radio program in 1946. They had a "Name The Plane" contest--1st prize was a new Cub and flying lessons. Being a 12 year old I entered and won a 4th place prize, ten bucks or a one hour flying lesson. I took the flying lesson. My grandfather matched it and it all began. Still have the winning certificate framed in my office some 30,000 hours+ and 65 years later.

Doug

[Holcombe]

My Dad, in a Stinson Voyager.
He quit flying in 1951 but I remember well flying with him, and some of the hanger talk/lessons he had learned. He flys with me also.

[SFC Hiatt]

I almost forgot to mention that when I got this tattoo I was representing the NAA.