I’ve been pondering doing a blog called Monday Digressions for a while now because I have a lot of interests, and some of these don’t pertain to SETX. So, when I get hardcore into Welshyness, those there for SETX history on Sunday’s blog won’t have to read my constant digressions. But they get what they pay for. So, this week I thought I would test the waters. However, I really wasn’t expecting the topic.

I spent most of the morning finishing up my thoughts and ramblings. It was all about the Beaumont Boys and those who died. Twenty-four came home to be buried here, but others didn’t, and it affected their loved ones. I won’t even go into the lecture much, but I assume it went well for most people. I believe it was the most attended lecture for the McFaddin-Ward House this year. It was a great chance to throw me up front and make me talk about things that I don’t usually discuss. Well, at least it’s over, and Kelli and Judy did a great job. In contrast, on Thursday I spent all day at Ford Park with a bunch of Aggies, freezing my butt off, because someone there puts locks on the thermostats. Of course, farmer Brown and old McDonald had a jacket, but I’m not as smart as them, so now I’m sick. One thing I will tell you is that when those folks on I-10 were doing their usual something and a tanker truck caught fire, I wanted to run over there, not because the people in the accident needed help (they were fine), but because I was freezing. Let that sit there if you want to judge my capitulation at the lecture. I’m glad everyone showed up; at least I got my stuff together in the end.

A few hours after I finished this Sunday’s blog, I checked my social media and saw that the Tora Airshow and the Commemorative Air Force had posted a thoughts and prayers tweet. That always sucks. Dammit, this hit hard. Six people are dead, and they are volunteers who fly those planes and teach the history of what those relics did in their era.

I’ve seen the videos and won’t comment on what happened until those doing the investigation have finished. It is a tragedy, and I grieve for the families of all those lost. They were not paid to do these shows. They flew these planes out of love, wanting to bring history to life.

As a kid and a teenager in the 1980s, I’ve been inside the Texas Raiders B-17 at the Jefferson County Airport, and I have seen it fly many times. I love the old planes; they’re almost family to me, so this hurts.

I’m tired and sick, and part of me died Saturday, but I digress.

Blue skies and tailwinds guys!