My dad died while in the service of his country

http://www.bermuda-triangle.org/html/flight_441.html

After 50 years (OK, I am old, but I was a baby when he was declared dead)I was able to get him a grave site at Arlington National Cemetery in 2004. This happened on Oct 31, 1954.

They never found any trace of his aircraft or any survivors.

The story doesn't say but this flight was taken by my dad who was finished with his service (our house was packed) because a friend of his asked him to because his wife was in labor.

The first plane went out and started having instrument problems, so returned, replaned with another plane, took off, and checked in a couple of times, then nothing. My dad was the radioman, and he would have been the one to signal for help if he could.

I missed out-my stepfather was an asshole. I try not to dwell on it, but I really missed out. My dad was a very intelligent man that was supposedly an electronics genius. He got nominated for sailor of the month that month too. My life would have been so different.

Someday before I die, I would like for them to find his plane. Would it still be there after 50+ years in salt water?

I'm sure others have stories too, but I just felt the need to share.

Where there's life, there's hope. And a loss is a loss, so I'm very sorry for yours. If life wasn't so hurtful at times, it could be funny, or at least ironic. :hug:

Memorial Day memories: After 67 years, a ray of hope

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/68756.html

One time I had a dream that he returned (like Close Encounters of the Third Kind)and I had to show him around.

The Titanic was found in salt water, so if the plane remained intact as it headed towards the bottom of the sea (and given that no debris was found, it may well have) it's entirely possible, indeed, likely, that it is still there.

That was one of the most compelling mysteries of Naval aviation, that flight. I'm sure you've heard about the science fiction scenarios that have grown up around that incident, to include aliens taking the aircraft and all within it and so forth.

I hope you find an answer--I'd certainly like to know, as well, what happened.

This is a photo of a plane sunk at Truk Lagoon during WWII.

but that is encouraging to me. Thanks

What a terrible loss for you and your family.

"WAR IS A RACKET!"

-90% jimmy

Your father -- and all the men and women we honor on Memorial Day -- are the reason ours is a free country.

He must have been a truly wonderful and incredible person. Words cannot express what his loss means.

During the tail end of the Eisenhower administration when the US was still claiming that we weren't there, my dad was shot...he died as a direct result of those wounds a couple of years later-when I was 7. I got to see his name on the "The Wall" for the first time this last February!

I was able to see all the memorials. It was overwhelming-especially the Vietnam one. I told my sister my husbands' name was there, and she looked at me funny, and I told her that I didn't get to meet him.

That wall was HUGE. Way too many deaths-and for what?

War, what is it good for-absolutely nothing.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b82Czp2suqM

destroyer that carried all kinds of vile chemicals over there (the handling of which caused permanent disabilities). It's all in his records, they just deny the time frame "officially". My dad served from 1963-67.

we still miss our parents. My dad has been gone for 40 years and I still wonder what my life would have been like had he not died.

This is a day for remembering. Cherish the memories you have. :patriot:

And thank you to your Dad for making the ultimate sacrifice.

even this, .... will stay with us.

Exactly what we should be remembering today.

My father returned from that same war. He was badly traumatized physically and mentally and 8 chldren missed out because of the wreck of a human being that was returned to us. Years of abuse and neglect from a man who could no longer take care of his own needs, let alone of the family he created. He was damaged by war and service and we were too.

I have watched the enlisted men of my extended family in the wars since WWII return to their homes. Some successlly reintegrate and are productive members of their society. The greater number of them have that haunted look in their eyes.

There is no honor in war. Period.

“Why can’t we all just get along?”
Just imagine-like John Lennon sang.
And, all the dang money that's been spent.

Thank you for sharing too.

Titanic. Water has a preservative effect, even salt water. Probably it's covered with various kinds of sea life that have converted it into a home, so it wouldn't readily be noticed. However, if the plane disintegrated before it reached the bottom, finding bits and pieces would be harder and it would be harder for them to last long enough to be preserved.

Thank you for sharing your loss. My sympathy to you.

in salt water. There is a guy who searches for them. There was an article in my local paper about him, but all I remember is that it was in the Pacific.

Fifty is not old, especially when it comes for grieving for a parent.

Thank you for making this post. I don't enough to address the salt issue.

You were very young when you lost your dad. I'm so sorry.

ON EDIT:

Kick and Rec!

Did you name yourself after the Bob Dylan song? Just curious.

but someone else named me that a long time ago. Many people don't know that song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdj69PZ5sBw