Posted by Seamus on March 04, 2001 at 05:40:42:
This note was sent to me yesterday and really puts a lot of things in
perspective. Not to take away from the loss in the Earnhardt family, but we all sometime forget about things that are just as important. I blame our wonderful news media for so much of this, too!
Subject: NASCAR and Perspective
A friend sent this note. I think this puts things into perspective for
mainstream America...
On 18 February 2001, while racing for fame and fortune, Dale Earnhardt died in the last lap of the Daytona 500. It was surely a tragedy for his family, friends and fans. He was 49 years old with grown children, one, which was in the race. I am new to the NASCAR culture so much of what I know has come from the newspaper and TV. He was a winner and earned everything he had. This included more than "$41 million in winnings and ten times that from endorsements and souvenir sales". He had a beautiful home and a private jet. He drove the most sophisticated cars allowed and every part was inspected and replaced as soon as there was any evidence of wear. This is normally fully funded by the car and team sponsors. Today, there is no TV station that does not constantly remind us of his tragic end and the radio already has a song of tribute to this winning driver. Nothing should be taken away from this man, he was a professional and the best in his profession. He was in a very
dangerous business but the rewards were great.
Two weeks ago seven U.S. Army soldiers died in a training accident
when two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters collided during night maneuvers in Hawaii. The soldiers were all in their twenties, pilots, crewchiefs and infantrymen. Most of them lived in sub-standard housing. If you add their actual duty hours (in the field, deployed) they probably earn something close to minimum wage. The aircraft they were in were between 15 and 20 years old. Many times parts were not available to keep them in good shape due to funding. They were involved in the extremely dangerous business of flying in the Kuhuku mountains at night. It only gets worse when the weather moves in as it did that night. Most times no one is there with a yellow or red flag to slow things down when it gets critical. Their children where mostly toddlers who will lose all memory of who "Daddy" was as they grow up. They died training to defend our freedom.
I take nothing away from Dale Earnhardt but ask you to perform this
simple test. Ask any of your friends if they know who was the NASCAR
driver killed on 18 February 2001. Then ask them if they can name one of the seven soldiers who died in Hawaii two weeks ago.
18 February 2001, Dale Earnhardt died driving for fame and glory at
the Daytona 500. The nation mourns. Seven soldiers died training to
protect our freedom. No one can remember their names and most don't
even remember the incident.