Scott Speicher: A Hero is Finally Home
Who was he?
Captain Scott Speicher was also known as decorated member of the military's elite group of fighter pilots aboard the Saratoga. In addition, he was a beloved son, loving husband, a proud father, and so much more. He taught Sunday school at Lake Shore Methodist Church, where a memorial has been placed to honor the fallen hero also. On Friday, August 14th, 2009"; the family was able let the captain finally rest in his own home town.
What happened to him?
In "1991", Captain Speicher aka "Spike" was the first plane to be shot down during the first night of the "Operation Desert Storm". Immediately, his wife and children suffered the blow 18 years ago, when his plane never returned home. First, he was listed as "Killed in Action", but the military changed his status to "Captured" and "Missing in Action" after the overthrow of Saddam. Now, he can finally rest in peace, since he has been discovered and identified.
How was he found?
A local tribe has claimed that they buried Captain Speicher soon after his accident, which explains why he was never found. The Iraqi locals could not help America's military without fear of repercussion during Desert Storm in 1991. His skeletal remains were indentified on 08-02-2009 and returned them home, once the military confirmed they had in fact found the captains remains. Many locals believe that his family and friends fight to keep his memory alive, allowed him to stay in the public spotlight.
Captain Scott Speicher was more than just a name on a wall to those people living in Jacksonville, Fl. His wife, children and close friends were proud to welcome him home as a hero, since his highly publicized death. The sidewalks lined up with thousands of people paying their respects and saying goodbye, yet many never knew the pilot. Many felt he was their adopted son or friend, who touched their hearts for 18 years and now they will remember him as the local pilot who gave all.
Reference:
POW Network (2009) Speicher, Michael Scott
http://www.pownetwork.org/saudi/sd017.htm
Published by Imogen Rayne AAB BSCOM
Crystal S. Kauffman is a Freelance Copywriter, Published Author, Poet, and Songwriter with 14 years of experience. Her chosen pen name is Imogen Rayne, since she first thought of it in 1995 and adopted the n... View profile
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13 Comments
Post a CommentI'm glad his family finally has closure. Hey - welcome back after your months-long absence.
Sad story--my heart goes out to his family. It's wonderful to read you after a long gap. I hope you're doing well.
How sad war is - it touches lives in so many ways, making orphans and widows. How sad that men and women make the ultimate sacrifice for their country. How lucky we should all feel that there are people out there willing to pay such a price for our freedom. Thanks to the writers who bring these stories to our attention.
I remember last year when they finally found him. Glad he's home. Too bad his family had to suffer all these years.
How hard that must have been and still be on his family.
Great article Crystal, but oh, so sad that he had to die. Glad that his family can finally get some closure to this.
Thank you for helping to keep the memory of this amazing man and the story of how he was finally laid to read, recognized and honored. It is encouraging to know he may have been found because his family never gave up on him.
Thank you for sharing this most touching of all the tributes published on the web in honor of Captain M. Scott Speicher! Readers may be interested to note Scott has 2 perpetual memorials online, where virtual flowers and notes may be placed for free: Honoring his remains final place of rest, in Florida's Jacksonville Memorial Garden -
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=40494103
Also at a memorial site in his honor at Arlington National Cemetery -
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=speicher&GSfn=michael&GSmn=scott&GSbyrel=in&GSdyrel=in&GSob=n&GRid=22942958&
Touching article, and nice to know he was never, and hopefully never will be forgotten
I remembered hearing about this man when I was in Jax. It amazed me that, in a city so big, folks still got emotional over someone they never knew. I'm glad he's finally home.