Blue Ghosts

Monday, June 2, 2008

John Williamson, Blue Ghost 1972-73

Time: 10:33:00 PM PST US
From: "Ken Korenek"
Subject: Tragedy at Skinner Ranch, Jordan Valley, Oregon

Kolbers,
It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that John Williamson, Kolb
Kolbra, N49KK crashed and was killed just before 10 AM local time, Sunday,
May 25th at the Skinner Ranch Airport (12OR), Jordan Valley, Oregon.
(Skyvector Link: http://skyvector.com/#35-9-3-5601-1393)
>From information relayed from the remote area by the investigating Sherriff,
John was flying with two other airplanes. The other two planes landed and
were going to take pictures as John did a fly-by. As he flew by in a sharp
bank, something happened and he went down.
It is almost certain that he did not suffer.
All this information is very preliminary and the only thing certain is that
we lost a friend.
I am John's flying buddy here in Arlington and am trying my best to help the
family thru this tragedy. I was unaware of who was accompanying John after
the Monument Valley weekend, so if any of you know who the other two planes
and pilots might be, please relay any contact information you may have to
me.
I will keep you all posted as new information presents itself and will
advise you of funeral arrangements when they are final.
John was a really good guy and I am going to miss him.
Ken Korenek

Arlington, Texas

817-657-6500 cell

817-483-8054 home

972-641-5029 work

kkorenek(at)tx.rr.com

Blue Ghost Reunion Videos

Videos of the recent Blue Ghost reunion taken by Joe Brown.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs7lJL-W7XU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBkw7n1rXRw

Dan Buckley’s speech at the end of the second video merits comment. Buckley declares that there are three “major Blue Ghost web sites” which he proceeds to cite by naming the authors and further says “ we owe them a huge thank you.”

Without question those individuals have done an excellent job and deserve thanks, however, Buckley’s comments are unfortunate and somewhat misplaced because as of the last count there have been at least ten internet web sites authored by Blue Ghost veterans. All of those web sites demonstrated good intentions by portraying and promoting the Blue Ghost legacy in a positive manner. They certainly do not deserve to be thrown under the bus as Buckley has effectively done by inferring in a public forum that there are only “three major Blue Ghost web sites.” A statement such as this infers that all other Blue Ghost web sites are insignificant and not worth mentioning.

To selectively extend recognition to some veterans’ endeavors and not others seems arrogant and elitist and runs counter to what should be the objective of a veterans association. Buckley should consider his remarks more carefully before he makes another speech at a reunion.