In Memory of CAPT Carroll “Lex” LeFon, and the Wonderful Community He Fostered

Welcome. The idea was floated that a ‘talk amongst yourselves’ blog would be a good addition to for the Non-Facebook Crowd. Here it is.

Another Memorial

In August 100 years will have passed since the start of the First World War, a war that took the lives of more than 10% of all men between the age of 15 and 49 in at least seven countries.

I visited The Somme five months ago. I published some photographs in the Neptunus Lex Facebook group. I’ll re-post them, and a few more, here shortly. They created quite a lot of comment and interest. History buffs and those with even a passing interest can see more on the BBC’s excellent website here.

Lex LeFon-Two Years

Today marks two years since CAPT Carroll “Lex” LeFon, USN (Ret.) passed in an accident at NAS Fallon.

We’ve talked about his accomplishments as an officer, an aviator, a family man.

We’ve praised his writings many times over the years.*

Let’s take a moment to discuss another aspect of his legacy.  He had a fantastically loyal cadre of readers and commenters.  To be sure, as a milblogger, a goodly number of them were fellow sailors and aviators, or otherwise connected with the service. But a large swath had no connection at all to the service beyond enjoying his writing. A large Facebook community sprang up, and is still going strong. Other Lexicans share on WordPress.

And this weekend, many will gather in San Diego at Shakespeare’s, Lex’s favorite pub, to remember Lex, enjoy time with Mary, his widow, and look to the future.

We miss you, Lex. And we thank God we had you in our lives, if far too briefly.

 

 

 

*Sadly, the blog is down. But I do know the family is working to restore it, and looking at publishing at least some of his works.

Cutaway Thursday: Lockheed F-104 Starfighter

My all time favorite of the “Century Series” fighters, the first flight of the F-104 was this week, on 4 March 1954. Strangely, it had a relatively short career with the USAF but enjoyed far more success with NATO countries.

You can learn more here at the International F-104 Society’s webpage.

23 Photos Taken By An Airline Captain That Will Blow Your Mind!

Originally posted on Among The Joshua Trees:

This was on FB. I figured it would be interesting for all.

Here are 23 of the most incredible photographs taken from the cockpit by an airline captain named Karim Nafatni. It’s hard to believe that he just got into art when he got his first DSLR camera in 2010.

Here are a couple from the article. Enjoy the rest at the link below the pics.

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User submit: surviving a suicide bomber (8 Photos and story)

ORPO1:

For all of those folks Stateside who think they are having a bad day………………..at work.

Originally posted on theBRIGADE:

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Driver: I was following GPS when I turned onto train tracks; Crash closed WB 6th Ave in Lake Worth |Video

ORPO1:

You can’t make this up! Funny and Sad at the same time.

Originally posted on Among The Joshua Trees:

Operation Lifesaver has this up on their Facebook Page. Industrial Grade Stupid at an Entirely New Level………………Blaming the GPS! What ever happened to one’s own Situational Awareness, for crying out loud! The dumb ass even said that he put on his four way flashers and said the train didn’t stop! No kidding Einstein!

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/traffic/crash-closes-6th-ave-south-westbound-at-interstate/nd3Jb/

Makes one go Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Is the Gene Pool going to become self cleaning? The World Wonders.

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Cutaway Thursday: Hawker Typhoon

Perhaps better known as the Tiffy to our cousins across the pond, this week, 24 February 1940, to be exact, marked the 74th anniversary of her first flight.

Learn more about her here.