August 'Forty-Nine, north Montana
The hottest day on record, the forest tinder dry
Lightning strikes in the mountains
I was crew chief at the jump base, I prepared the boys to fly
Pick the drop zone, C-47 comes in low
Feel the tap upon your leg that tells you go
See the circle of the fire down below
Fifteen of us dropped above the cold Missouri waters
A sunrise, the birds, Glacier Two Med hike
7 hours ago
My friend Trudi who I believe you've met's father was on that team, but was sick and didn't get dispatched to the fire. He's been interviewed many times regarding the incident.
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah ... I think I remember you saying that. There probably aren't too many from that era left; anyone who was, would be pushing 80 by now.
ReplyDeleteYou should read Young Men and Fire sometime if you haven't ... it's pretty cool stuff. And it's got a short story in the beginning of it that just breaks my heart.