10/04/2008

Max's Aeroplane

I went to the Miramar Air Show today with some buddies and my dad. This was a hard decision for me, as I had planned to attend with Max. This was to be the ultimate air show experience for Max. I had been working on some special angles through my buddy Brian, a Lieutenant Commander who happens to fly for the VFC-13 Saints adversary squadron at Fallon. Instead, I was walking through the show, swearing to myself every time I saw something that I knew Max would have loved to see himself.

As we walked around the tarmac looking at the static displays, we came upon the F5 Tigers that the Saints fly, one of which Brian had flown down for the air show.

I looked at Brian's plane (his call sign is "disco"... long story) and then looked at the other F5 next to his. This is what I saw.



Something on the plane caught my eye and I moved closer to the cockpit. This was a surprise Brian had cooked up for me last night.



I lost it momentarily. So cool. So Max. So perfect.

Thanks Brian. And thanks to the guys on the maintenance crew that did the actual work. The air show and my attitude improved considerably after this.

18 comments:

Hans Weberling said...

That is pretty cool - now I'm sure we're all losing it too as we read this.
Lara W.

Vickie said...

Max would love the tribute! So deserved.

Anonymous said...

How special. How perfect. I can see Max's smile now! How he would have loved this. Thanks Brian.

Nana

Shannon B. said...

Every time a jet has buzzed our house this weekend, I've thought of Max and how he would have loved it! I'm glad you went to the airshow, with Max's spirit right there with you. Brian and his buddies are awesome. Max is a true warrior and so is his Dad.
love to you, Shannon

Bree said...

How awesome. I can just picture sweet Max soaring through the sky with his sweet innocent smile.
Love,
Bree

Anonymous said...

Andy, beautiful story, one that we can file in our memories for future thought. Our thanks to Brian for his thoughtfulness in creating his master piece. I would like to add a quip here: in church this morning during the silent prayer time I was remembering Max with a prayer and I could feel him above me with a big smile on his face. I felt as though I could have reached up and touched him.

Tata

Anonymous said...

Wow...I saw some of the show on Friday afternoon and thought of Max. What an amazing tribute! Kristin Belsky

San Diego Mom said...

I can almost see Max in the cockpit. Very cool. San Francisco Fleet week starts next weekend. Maybe we will go too, in honor of Max.

Shiho

Talita said...

So Cool So Max So perfect and such an honour to have a child that moved so many people...
I have nou dout that Max loved the planes and was here with you having the time of his life...

Anonymous said...

andy, i salute and celebrate you for doing this. very cool.
love,
mooki

Anonymous said...

Andy - What an outstanding tribute. I know Max is beaming. Thanks for sharing.

Diane

Anonymous said...

That must have been really hard being there without Max; I admire your determination. I hope Max was looking down on you and he could take it all in.

Shirley
NJ

Anonymous said...

Okay. I just lost it momentarily, too. I'm grateful you continue to share your journey through the grief.

Peace,

Brian

deb schwedhelm photography said...

omg...how awesome. how special! and as brian said, thank you for continuing to share. wish i was sharing too!
many hugs,
deb
p.s. family photo is coming SOON!

Anonymous said...

Max is in deed an angel warrior in heaven. He surely loved the plane honoring him.Thank you for keep sharing his Journey.
God Bless,
The Aguilars.

Bree said...

Hi guys! I just wanted you to know that I still check in on you a couple times a day and you are never far from my thoughts!!
Love,
Bree

Anonymous said...

I love this so much! Very wonderful tribute to Mr. Max.

Max continues to touch lives. A friend of mine was going through some troubling moments and she looked up and saw a falcon in a very unexpected place and then heard the song Ring of Fire...

She thought of Max and how brave he was. She said it spoke volumes to her....

Anonymous said...

Whatever your need is today, I pray God will fulfill it - please know many people are still praying for you and thinking about your sweet family. Please update when you can about what Nicky and Hannah are up to --- ;).

Post a Comment