Was going to skip the racing this week to travel to Council Bluffs Iowa for a reunion of stock car racers. The track was built in the 40's as a dog track and then converted to midgets and stock cars. !/4 mile asphalt oval, which I ran on a lot of years. Is now a soccer field but the memory is kept alive by a fellow whose dad raced there into the 70's when it was closed. Plans have changed, very dear friend and fellow drag racer here, who was a disabled Nam vet, has passed away. He drove a 85 Mustang with only the use of one arm. Never complained or considered himself handicapped. That car ran consistnetly and when he was on the tree, he beat some of the best. He was ambushed and shot up pretty bad but always had a good outlook on life, then the cancer took hold and he fought it till the end. Am working with his family for a celebration of his life and I think his son is going to bring his car to the track for memorial type service etc. Just thought I would pass this on, as I have said many times, live everyday to it's fullest and enjoy life the best you can. For Charlie, at 57, he certainly did and never complained about anything except his bad lights on certain days. Have put a picture of him in my race car so he will ride along until my end comes near. Thanks for listening, it helps the saddness I feel to tell someone about it.
Dave, I'm very sorry to hear of the passing of your friend. I'm sure you'll honor him well at the 'Celebration of Life'. That sounds like an awsome thing to do. From motorheads everywhere, wish his family well for us. Rick
My thoughts are with you, and his family. That is a nice patronage that you are doing for your friend with him riding with you, and the Celebration of Life.
Dave, I am so sorry for the loss of your friend Charlie. He obviously was a geat man. People like him are very few and far between. You and his family are in our prayers. Dan
dave,sorry to hear about the passing of your friend,charlie.sounds like he was a great guy,who was taken way too soon.that is nice,that you will carry a picture of him along with you.the celebration of life is a great way to look back at ones life,their goals,accomplishments,and achievements.honor your old friend well,and god bless. chuck.
I share in your loss of a freind. I had a very good, maybe even a best friend, get murdered in 1991. He had just seen my first daughter, but all four of them know who Big George was and all wish they could have known him. Thankfully, memory is a good thing for the loss of friend. I'm not sure I ever really mourned him, because he was too special to send away. I've still got the stories and the memories. Take comfort in those about your dear friend.
All my sympathies on this tragic loss. By remembering the best and honoring this guardian of our Nation, he will never be truly gone. This man exemplifies the best of the best in all of us. He triumphed over his own personal adversity, both physical and emotional ( I never saw any coming home from Nam that hadn't suffered emotionally) and persevered. Old Guy...you are certainly a better person for knowing him and honoring him like you are. I know I would be.
Sorry to hear that Dave. My brother is still with me, thank the Lord, but his dog tags are in the car and his name on the passenger window. He will always be riding with me.
Remembering Friends & Family I think the memorial idea sounds nice. I can relate to your sadness, because I lost my brother to cancer this last December. He was only 34 and like me a real Maverick nut. For his memorial service we skipped most of the normal choir music, and replaced it with Stevie Ray Vaughn, Robin Trower and Jimi Hendrix. For his funeral precession I followed directly behind the hurst in my Maverick (complete with open headers). Once at the cemetary I let the car idle a radical lope as the pallbearers slowly carried the casket to the pedestal located just above the grave. Once the casket was in place I slowly brought my RPMs up to around 3000, and then quickly stabbed the throttle three times, revving the engine to @ 7000 RPM. You've all heard of a 21 gun salute, well this was my 7000 RPM salute to my brother. Initially I thought some of my family might have been offended by my actions, but instead everyone was very pleased. They said Jeff was probably looking down on us and grinning from ear to ear. As a final tribute several other friends, who cared enough to bring out there precious hot rods and motor cycles on a cold winter day, paid their last respects by smoking their tires off as they pulled away from the cemetary. I'm sure some might think this was a tacky service, but to me it was an honorable tribute to a life I'm proud to have been a part of.
sorry to hear of the loss of your friend dave. it seems the good ones go young. i too lost a friend last season. he was in his 40's and would help anyone anytime. he had just bought a maverick. died of a heart attack at the track. ran 3 classes at the track. missed the last 2 races and still won the championship.
Thanks for all the support, I think most of us have seen this type of thing before and it never gets easier to deal with. Johnnyholeshot, his family is going to have the same type service. Parade of cars, music etc. don't know if some of the church friends will understand but thats ok, Charlie will. Spent most of yesterday making displays for the funeral home and track, steel pot, canteen, mess kit and a license plate "U.S. Army" Also attached a nice embroidered patch "Vietnam Veteran" Got some pictures of him at the track in a folder and some in frames. Being he was most comfortable in bib overhalls, a few of us are going to wear some at the mortuary tonight. Tacky? who cares, it is our way of saying goodbye to someone who was part of our racing family. Loved the story of the open headers at the cemetary. I am going to block off his spot at the track, and set up a flowered U.S. Flag with white cross and a sign I made that reads " We'll Miss You Fuzz" that was his nickname because he always sported a beard. The track owners are going to have children on Sunday, release 100 balloons and there are some T's being made with his picture overlaying "Vietnam Veteran" on them." Even though he was not a drinker of the golden brew, there may be a toast or two after the races to his memory. A lot of people can't realize the bond between veterans and also gear heads. Almost like second families, and in some cases our only families. For all that have passed before us, God Bless and keep and eye on us down here till we meet again. Thanks again to all of you here for your caring remarks and wonderful storys.
Dave, sorry to hear about the loss of your friend Charlie. I think it is a great way to have a memorial in his name, I think it is wonderful to celebrate the life that he lived. Sounds like quite a guy. Take care,
