Dyan and all, Yes, it is a tragedy for Desmond, the mechanic, and their families. We are grieving in this family but can in no way compare it to the grief of their families. The police and the Air National Guard have truly lost a remarkable officer and pilot. The flag at headquarters building on base is flying at half in honor of Desmond.
And knowing Desmond, and in truth, the "mentality" of any of the rescue pilots I know (he was also a rescue pilot in the Air National Guard)the bravery he exhibited and it seems as though he sacrificed himself & the life of the mechanic to protect those on the ground and in surrounding buildings. His bravery doesn't surprise me. I just saw him last in SF at Marina Green for the Loma Prieta commemoration. In air rescue there is a saying "These Things We Do So That Others May Live". And in this case it seems he even gave his own life so that others would not be hurt or killed. My heartfelt prayers go out to his fiance, his family, and the family of the mechanic. Lucinda