USMA grad killed in crash

scoutpilot

scoutpilot

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http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2011/08/10/1688315/aviators-die-in-helicopter-crash.html

John D. "Dave" Hortman was a great man. Accomplished beyond belief, but humble to a fault. We were classmates, flight school compatriots, coworkers, and friends. He was a good man, and his loss is tragic. He marks the 13th member of our class to be killed in the line of duty in only 7 years. Whatever happened in those final moments, we know that they did the very best they could with what fate dealt them.

Grip hands.
 
God Bless the men and their families and friends.
 
Scoutpilot - my condolences on the loss of your friend. My thoughts and prayers go out to their family and friends.
 
My prayers with you and the rest of his friends and family.
 
Scout...

As a fellow aviator, I know the pain...as a grad, I know the loss of a classmate...

In the AF...especially among grads, we have a simple ceremony...we gather together and raise a glass; preferably that of our departed comrades favorite...

"A Toast!"

It's from the 3rd verse of the AF Song...tonight I hoist a glass of Lagavulin...

Captain Dave Hortman and CWO3 Steve Redd

"A Toast!"

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Scout-

Sorry for your loss. 160 SOAR- These guys were obviously cream of the crop type folks.

I'm '81 and we have lost 4 or 5 aviators to crashes. We lost 2 in one crash in flight school (along with the IP).

Be thou at Peace!
 
"The air is an extremely dangerous, jealous and exacting mistress. Once under the spell most lovers are faithful to the end, which is not always old age. Even those masters and princes of aerial fighting, the survivors of fifty mortal duels in the high air who have come scatheless through the War and all its perils, have returned again and again to their love and perished too often in some ordinary commonplace flight..." -Sir Winston Churchill

The above quote sums up the realities of aviation quite well. An airplane is very unlikely to hurt you, it has been said. But it is quite likely to kill you. Try as we might to drive the risk of unforeseen catastrophe from the equation with training, the reality is that there will always be moments when the invisible hand of fate reaches out and steals away a young life from us. I can only hope that in the final moments of their journey on earth, they found peace and comfort in the knowledge that they were loved and had done their very best to leave our pale blue planet a better place.

Their memorial service will be held tomorrow. Many of us will be in attendance.
 
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