Remember the Forgotten Mechanic

Through the history of world aviation, many names come to the fore, great deeds of the past on our memory will last as they're joined by more and more-

When man first started to labor in his quest to conquer the sky, he was designer, mechanic, and pilot, and he built a machine that could fly.

The pilot was everyone's hero, he was brave, he was bold, he was grand, as he stood by his battered biplane, with his goggles and helmet in hand-

But for each of these flying heroes, there were thousands little renowned, and these were the men who worked on the planes, but kept their feet on the ground.

We all know the name of Lindbergh and we've read of his flight to fame, but think, if you can, of his maintenance man; can you remember his name?

And think of those wartime heroes, Jabara, Novasell, and Scott, can you tell me the names of their crewchiefs? A thousand to one you cannot-

So when you see those aircraft, as they make their way through the air, remember the grease-stained man with a wrench in his hand, he's the man who put them there.

~Anonymous~