Listers;
On 18 February 2001, while racing for fame and fortune, Dale Earnhardt died
in the last lap of the Daytona 500. It was surely a tragedy for his family,
friends and fans. He was 49 years old with grown children, one, which was in
the race. I am new to the NASCAR culture so much of what I know has come from
the newspaper and TV. He was a winner and earned everything he had. This
included more than "$41 million in winnings and ten times that from
endorsements and souvenir sales". He had a beautiful home and a private jet.
He drove the most sophisticated cars allowed and every part was inspected and
replaced as soon as there was any evidence of wear. This is normally fully
funded by the car and team sponsors. Today, there is no TV station that does
not constantly remind us of his tragic end and the radio already has a song
of tribute to this winning driver. Nothing should be taken away from this
man, he was a professional and the best in his profession. He was in a very
dangerous business but the rewards were great. Two weeks ago seven U.S. Army
soldiers died in a training accident when two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters
collided during night maneuvers in Hawaii. The soldiers were all in their
twenties, pilots, crewchiefs and infantrymen. Most of them lived in
sub-standard housing. If you add their actual duty hours (in the field,
deployed) they probably earn something close to minimum wage. The aircraft
they were in were between 15 and 20 years old. Many times parts were not
available to keep them in good shape due to funding. They were involved in
the extremely dangerous business of flying in the Kuhuku mountains at night.
It only gets worse when the weather moves in as it did that night. Most times
no one is there with a yellow or red flag to slow things down when it gets
critical. Their children where mostly toddlers who will lose all memory of
who "Daddy" was as they grow up. They died training to defend our freedom. I
take nothing away from Dale Earnhardt but ask you to perform this simple
test. Ask any of your friends if they know who was the NASCAR driver killed
on 18 February 2001. Then ask them if they can name one of the seven soldiers
who died in Hawaii two weeks ago. 18 February 2001, Dale Earnhardt died
driving for fame and glory at the Daytona 500. The nation mourns. Seven
soldiers died training to protect our freedom. No one can remember their
names.
Jefferson C. Stinson SFC, US Army, Active,
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