TRIBUTE

I am learning new things every day.  Some things I don't understand.  This is one of them.  Have you ever met someone for the first time, and felt like you've known them for years?  Maybe you have.  As a pagan, I believe in reincarnation.  I feel like I've known some of my friends for longer than I've known them physically.  But in this case, I never actually got to meet him.  I saw his picture on the web, and thought to myself, "I know him.  Somehow, I know him."  I never got a chance to find out.  Blue Angel Lt. Cmdr. Kieron O'Connor was killed on 28 Oct 1999 at approximately 12:20 PM EST.  This page is dedicated to his memory, for the inspiration he gave me.  

Fly free, Angel.  Fly free.

In Loving Memory Of:

 

 
FLY FREE, ANGEL

Fly free, angel, fly
No one can ground you now
I saw the blue streak race by
I blinked, and it was gone
I thought I'd meet you in this life
I blinked, and you were gone

Fly free, angel, fly
Higher than you've ever flown before
Watch over your family
Watch over your friends

I'll be seeing you around, angel...

 

 

 

I CRY

I cry for a man I never met
Never saw in person, never touched
I cry for an inspiration lost
An angel gained

I cry because I did not get the chance
To say everything I could

I cry for a face on a video,
A biography on a web page

I cry because he did what I could not
I flew through him, I lived through him

I loved him

So I cry for him...


Blue Angels Press Statement October 28, 1999

BLUE ANGELS MISHAP 

MOODY AFB, GA - (CMDR. Patrick Driscoll, Blue Angel #1 speaking): "I am
deeply saddened to report that a Blue Angels aircraft, with two pilots onboard,
crashed approximately two miles north of Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta,
GA. Killed in the crash were LCDR Kieron O'Connor and Lt. Kevin Colling.

The mishap occurred at approximately 12:20 p.m. EST during a routine
training flight in preparation for the upcoming "Community Appreciation"
airshow being held this weekend at Moody AFB. We have canceled our
participation in the airshow for this weekend. A mishap investigation is being
conducted at this time to determine the cause of the crash.

The entire Blue Angels team expresses it's heartfelt sympathy and prayers to
the O'Connor and Colling families." 

-BLUE ANGELS-


Blue Angels Press Statement October 29, 1999

PENSACOLA, FL - The following statement was read by the Blue Angels
Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Patrick Driscoll, today at 2 p.m. CST at Naval Air
Station Pensacola, Fl. "Good afternoon. I am Cmdr. Patrick Driscoll, flight
leader of the Blue Angels. Yesterday, the Blue Angels family and the Naval
service lost two superb Naval aviators, Lt. Cmdr. Kieron O'Connor and Lt. Kevin
Colling. 

They were flying one of our Blue Angels aircraft when it crashed
approximately two miles north of Moody AFB in Valdosta, Ga. The crash
occurred at approximately 12:20 p.m. during a routine training flight in
preparation for the upcoming "community appreciation" airshow being held this
weekend at Moody AFB.

A mishap board has been convened and is currently investigating the cause of
the crash.

The Blue Angels thank all those who have provided us with great support
during this difficult time, especially Brig. Gen. Renualt and all the U.S. Air
Force personnel at Moody AFB. We ask for your continued thoughts and prayers
for the O'Connor and Colling families as they deal with this tragic loss of two
great Americans." 

-BLUE ANGELS-

Donations to O'Connor and Colling Families

Donations in lieu of flowers may be directed to "First Navy Bank." Please specify either the
O'Connor or Colling family. Send donations to:

First Navy Bank
C/O Mr. Jim Durr
180 Taylor Road
Pensacola, Fl 32508

-BLUE ANGELS-

On this page

Fly Free, Angel (poem)

I Cry (poem)

Press Release 1

Press Release 2

Donations

Graphics, page layout, writing and javascript © 1999, Moyra/MysticPC. All Rights Reserved.

Web content, poems, stories and noted graphics © 1999, Gryphon Illustrations

Questions, comments or suggestions?
Send an e-mail to the WebWitch.