More detail on this person: I am sending this
especially to you for the USAFHPA with a cc to
Syd's Dadaelian Flight 29. Only this sending will
have Syd's poem, written years ago but I believe
only known by me and our children until it was
printed in his order of service at children's
request. High Flight was chosen for the pew card.
This is a verse Syd wrote for his helicopter
comrades. Use any or all of my previous fwd
messages as you wish along with the poem to the
USAFHPA and/or the VHPA of which was also a
member. Shirley Pool (wife)
(Quote Syd) I have seen several answers to High
Flight by helicopter pilots. This is my light and
bouncy version: LOW FLIGHT by Syd Pool
Now I have flown where the air's so thin
Oxygen masks are needed by men.
And I have looped and rolled and soared
And leaned on Mach - and come home bored.
Sooooo
Give others-greedy that Icarian stuff,
I'd rather drive the Sikorsky buff
Or woppity-wop in a bird from Bell;
That stiff-wing stuff just doesn't jel.
No "Contact!...Judy!" you'll hear from me.
But a chopper-duck dogfight's a sight to see.
On herding moose I could write a tome;
I've even helped the buffalo roam.
Yes, passenger-pilot is a fat occupation,
But I get my kicks with an auto-rotation.
No G-wrung piles will be my ration;
And low freq. rattles end constipation.
Someone said flight is high and fast
But seeing the world is a greater blast.
So let me hover for all I'm worth,
Reach out my hand, and touch the face of earth.
As you read below, many of our friends rec'd the
following message from me concerning Syd's
passing. I did not want it to be the main news in
the Christmas letter. The reaction has been very
interesting and heartwarming! Thus I wanted to
share it with family and friends who rec'd a phone
call - all at different times - in the days
following Syd's demise. Hope this fills any gaps
of info I dispensed over the phone.
Peace, Shirley
Because I would have wished to call you with this
news if time had allowed and because I wish no
further time to escape before you know that Syd
passed this life - peacefully and at home - Wed.
Sept 5, 2007. Very little time elapsed between
getting into the car to go for a coumadin check
(Tue afternoon) and his final breath the next
evening with two of the children and church
friends here at home. Ironically (?) it was the
same 'crew' who waited during surgery in June '06.
When his sled hit the slope it was very steep and
very slippery - a good going after a long
struggle. Please rejoice with us that he was with
us for so long. Remember him with a smile and
warmth however his life crossed yours. What a
great guy, who loved his Lord, his family and his
country...along with many other phases of his
life. I don't think he ever left Alaska! Now his
ashes are in our parish columbarium.
There was a Requiem Mass at the Episcopal
Church of the Good Shepherd on Wed Sep 12th
with 'his' choir singing plus others from our
former parish choir plus music colleagues of mine
who asked/volunteered from other churches, the
USAF Honor Guard from SAFB did their flag folding
and volley, a professional trumpeter (who plays in
Yanni's band) played taps. He is a HS friend of
our two elder children and 'happened' to be on
break in WF. The day was glorious. Every member
of our family was here plus my siblings from FL,
also my dear sis in law and elder son (nephew) who
is our godchild. Each of our children's spouse
had family members here.
Syd's way with words was a trademark...know that
June '06 when he made his first and only visit to
an OR, I asked him how he felt about the surgery.
His reply: "Either way I win". The padre used
this phrase as the intro for the homily...actually
he quoted Syd in part: 'I win' and then related
the above and the complete phrase.
So while we are missing him and will miss him
greatly as the days lengthen, know that we are of
good spirit, warmed by our faith, hope and love in
Christ Jesus, buoyed by friends and relatives
alike. You are part of that glorious company of
folks who we have had the good pleasure to know
over the years whether related to us or in our
life as special friends...a really good journey.
May your days also be filled with joy for knowing
Syd/Skip and now remembering him, each in your
unique way. Give rest, O Christ, to your servant
with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no
more, neither sighing, but life everlasting. BCP
Rite I
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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