Tag: In Memoriam

In Memoriam: Ferdinand Alexander Porsche

The designer of the iconic Porsche 911 sports car, Dr. Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, has died. He was 76 years old. CNN reports: Porsche gained worldwide recognition at the age of 27 when he unveiled the first Porsche 911 at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1963. Recalling the design process, Porsche said: “Right from the start… Continue reading In Memoriam: Ferdinand Alexander Porsche

More on the death of ‘Neptunus Lex’

Readers will recall the tragic death last week, in an aircraft accident, of retired US Navy Captain Carroll LeFon, known in the blogosphere as ‘Neptunus Lex‘. There have been a number of developments in this case. First, arrangements have been made for Capt. LeFon’s funeral service. His colleague ‘Whisper’ posted on the late Captain’s blog:… Continue reading More on the death of ‘Neptunus Lex’

Thoughts on the loss of a good man

I’m not in the mood for ‘general’ blogging tonight. I’m still mourning the loss of Captain Carroll LeFon, a.k.a. ‘Neptunus Lex‘, about whom I wrote earlier today. There are some people who have an innate quality of leadership, of strength. Capt. LeFon was one of them, and added to those attributes a quality of personal… Continue reading Thoughts on the loss of a good man

In Memoriam: Captain Carroll LeFon, US Navy (retired), AKA ‘Neptunus Lex’

There’s terrible news from Nevada. Fellow blogger ‘Neptunus Lex‘, in real life retired US Navy Captain Carroll LeFon, was killed yesterday when his Kfir fighter crashed (shown below). At the time, he was engaged in an ‘adversary’ mission to train US military pilots. (Picture received via e-mail: source and copyright unknown) Military.com (to which Capt.… Continue reading In Memoriam: Captain Carroll LeFon, US Navy (retired), AKA ‘Neptunus Lex’

In Memoriam: Jimmie Storie, Special Air Service (SAS)

I’m sure there’s a wake going on at the headquarters of Britain’s Special Air Service Regiment in Hereford tonight. The last surviving ‘founding member’ of the SAS in World War II died earlier this month. The Telegraph reports: Jimmy Storie [shown in 1941, at left], who has died aged 92, was the last surviving member… Continue reading In Memoriam: Jimmie Storie, Special Air Service (SAS)

Remembering a hero of the French Resistance

I was greatly moved to read a BBC interview with Raymond Aubrac, one of the heroes of the French Resistance during World War II. The subject of the interview wasn’t M. Aubrac, however; it was perhaps the greatest of French Resistance leaders, a man very little known outside France, but whose courage and leadership rival… Continue reading Remembering a hero of the French Resistance

A musical blast from the past

Readers may be familiar with the ‘Concert for George‘. It was held at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England, on November 29th, 2002, one year after the death of Beatle George Harrison, to honor his memory and his music. Harrison’s wife Olivia organized the concert, which saw appearances from many top musicians such as… Continue reading A musical blast from the past

The lethal perils of wingsuit flying

I’ve posted several video clips of BASE jumping and wingsuit flying on this blog. I’ve commented repeatedly that I regard them as very dangerous sports, in which I wouldn’t choose to participate. That was driven home for me in a terribly graphic way today. I came across a photo spread in the Telegraph about ‘The… Continue reading The lethal perils of wingsuit flying