"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.
"On 12 February 2001, six 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, crew chiefs 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 on 12 February 2001.
"18 February 2001, Dale Earnhardt died driving for fame and glory at the Daytona 500. The nation mourns. Six soldiers died training to protect our freedom. No one can remember their names and most don't even remember the incident."
Six Schofield Barracks soldiers were killed and four were injured when two Army Black Hawk helicopters crashed last night at the Kahuku Military Training Reservation on Oahu's North Shore.The crash may be the Army's worst training accident here.
At a Pentagon news briefing in Washington today, Rear Adm. Craig Quigley said the two helicopters "somehow came in contact" with one another.
Here are the six soldiers killed in the crashes of two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters yesterday near Sunset Beach: Dead soldiers identified
Maj. Robert L. Olson, a native of Minnesota. He was a member of Headquarters and Headquarters Service Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, and was assigned as the battalion operations officer.
Quigley said all six died in one helicopter. He said it appeared the two choppers were not in the air at the same time. He did not elaborate and the cause is still under investigation. Seventeen soldiers, including four Army aviators, were involved in the crash, which happened at 7:40 p.m. during a night air assault exercise, said Maj. Cynthia Teramae, 25th Infantry Division spokeswoman.
The names of the victims have not been released, pending notification of their families.
Four soldiers are in stable condition at Tripler Army Medical Center today, Teramae said. The nature and extent of their injuries were not revealed by the Army.
This is the second major training accident involving the 25th Division in the past year.Following last night's accident, President Bush led U.S. service men and women in a moment of silent prayer.
"Just this morning, we were reminded of the risks of your duty and the sacrifices that you make," Bush told a gathering of Navy and Defense Department personnel at headquarters for the Allied Command Atlantic, U.S. Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Va.
Wreckage in remote area
Also extending his condolences today was Gov. Ben Cayetano: "Hawaii is shocked and deeply saddened by the crash, which is especially painful in light of the collision between Ehime Maru and the USS Greeneville just three days ago off Diamond Head on Oahu's south shore. Our hearts go out to the loved ones of the six Hawaii-based soldiers who gave their lives in service to our country, and to the families of those injured."
The wrecked helicopters are on top of a hill in a remote area of the Koolau Mountains accessible only by four-wheel drive vehicles, near an area used by motocross riders.Photos of the crash site show that the tail rotor of one of the Black Hawks was severed.
Teramae said the aviation portions of the training exercise, dubbed "Lightning Thrust Warrior," were suspended. The annual North Shore training exercise, involving elements of the 25th Division's 2nd and 3rd Brigades and the 25th Aviation Brigade, will end Friday.
"Our hearts are very heavy tonight as we grieve with the families of these soldiers," Army spokeswoman Maj. Nancy Makowski said.
"Our focus is the needs of the families and making sure that the injured get the best possible care."
Crash in landing zone
Teramae said last night's accident occurred as 2nd and 3rd Brigade soldiers began a night air assault mission at 7:30 p.m. in one area of the Kahuku military range.Ten minutes later, the helicopters crashed in a landing zone in an area Teramae described as "rugged, but level."
Firefighters described the area as muddy because of yesterday's heavy rain.
Teramae said she didn't know the condition of the two helicopters, which are the military's major work horses supporting troops and equipment. More than 30 Black Hawks were supposed to transport 1,000 soldiers in last night's exercise.She also said she didn't know if the helicopters were landing or taking off when the accident occurred or how many soldiers were in each helicopter. Normally, each Black Hawk is crewed by a pilot, co-pilot and crew chief. Each can carry six to eight passengers.
Investigators will arrive today
Honolulu Fire Department spokesman Richard Soo said the two separate crash sites were several hundred yards apart. Firefighters used the jaws of life and ropes to remove soldiers from the helicopters.More will be known after investigators from the Army Safety Center at Fort Rucker, Ala., visit the site, Teramae said. They were to arrive later today.
Since the crash involved two military aircraft, the investigation will not involve the National Transportation Safety Board, NTSB spokesman Keith Holloway said.Three helicopter flights took the victims to Queen's Medical Center and Tripler last night. Initially, 11 soldiers were hospitalized. Seven were treated and released.
Soo said the crash report came in about 8:15 p.m. and that the accident had occurred on military property about one mile above the Kahuku Motocross Track parking lot.
District Chief Mandy Shiraki of city Emergency Medical Services said the search effort was hampered by difficult terrain, rainfall and darkness.
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