What's not to love about kentucky? Horse racing, liquor, guns, and good hills. What more do you need?
This thread reminds me of my one experience I had of a 5-day emergency trip to KY. March of 1970, just started my tour as ShipsCo. USS MIDWAY @ NAS Alameda. Got word that my roomie in VA-146 for 2 combat cruises & best friend CDR Bob "Boo Boo" Kemper, then XO & PCO VT-7 @ Meridian, had been killed on an Inst. approach to Meridian in a T-2. They encountered severe icing close in on an actual GCA, and unable to maintain GS w/ full power, he ejected his student who survived, hesitating his own punchout until student was clear, then ejected but too late for full chute deployment. It is believed he sacrificed his life for his Student. He was that type.
Bob was a native of Shelbyville, KY and was the local hero of that city, per his performance during the "Rolling Thunder" period early in the air war. Among his local fans, was Col. Harland Sanders KFC founder (KFC Corp. Hdqtrs was/is in Shelbyville).
I contacted Bob's Widow & his CO and received permission to come out on emergency leave to assist getting the family (w/ 3 young Daughters) through the difficult period of military funeral & interment. Even in the sadness of that time, I couldn't help but think, how green & beautiful it was in that kind of rural area between Frankfort & Louisville. Bob's Skipper, CDR "Joe" xxx, did what we could to help the family through this difficult time. Col. Sanders, though in his 80th year, was a constant visitor at the family home & did whatever he could to help out, a true "Country Gentleman" and great storyteller. He was sooo proud of his "hometown hero" and so was I! That's it for now, too painful.
* Photo of Bob & the Col. on his X/C to Standiford Field several years prior (tasting some KFC together).
BzB
