November 2,
2008
Memorial
for Charley Fox in Ottawa
Ladies and
gentlemen, my name is Capt Chris Strawson and I have the privilege to briefly
go over the role of an HCol in the CF and to discuss some of the many
contributions Charley Fox made to 412 Sqn and the Canadian Forces.
I have to
say that there have been many kind words spoken of Charley today, however I
occasionally saw another side of him. For example, on a mission over to Pisa,
Italy in 2004 with Charley, he introduced me to his second vice. With ice cream
of course being his first, no this vice was instrumental in the development of
the Fox-Clutch! It was scotch. And I have to say that after being introduced by
Charley to this elixir, I am still a little fuzzy as to exactly how much that
famous tower in Pisa actually is leaning!
But let's
get back to the role of honoraries. The Canadian tradition of appointing
honoraries to units originated with the British military but has only been in
practice within Canada for a little over a century. Honorary rank is granted to
persons who have rendered distinguished service to the Canadian Forces (CF)!!! who,
from an educational or administrative point of view, are likely to promote the
well being of the CF. The Honorary Colonel of a unit is seen to be the guardian
of Squadron traditions and history, an advocate of the unit's identity and
ethos, and an advisor to the Commanding Officer on virtually all issues.
Did Charley
meet these prerequisites? Well let me say that it may have been his
distinguished service to the CF in World War II that got 412 Sqn excited about
this man; however it was the secondary prerequisite of promoting the well being
of the CF where he truly delivered.
Charley was one of few the few people that you'll meet
in your life that has "it"! And what is "it"?
In Jun
2004,412 Sqn had the opportunity to participate in some of the 60th D-Day
events that took place over in Normandy. Of course Charley was there and was
busily travelling from event to event and interview to interview on a non-stop
pace for days. As June 6th came, it was wonderful to participate and walk the
beaches of Juno with him. Through this
opportunity we were able to meet a couple of Charley’s 412 Sqn
mates from
the war. One of those men is here today, Barry Needham of Wynyard Sask. Barry
was another accomplished aviator of 412 Sqn with a distinguished record.
As luck
would have it, 412 Sqn was tasked to pre-position our challenger aircraft from
A to B the following day after the celebrations, which was the ? of June.
Because we had Charley's D-Day painted challenger over in France with us, we
thought it would be appropriate to take him for a quick jaunt across the
country-side. But as many of us know, Charley is a very busy man and would not
be able to make the flight. However he strongly thought we should take his
fellow 412 Sqn fighter pilot friend from Sask. Well I'm from a little town in
Sask as well. It's called Rose Valley (and there's no roses and no valley
there). And it's just north of Wynyard. And we used to just hate going to
Wynyard to play hockey because those guys were tough and the women were
tougher. Taking a guy up from Wynyard Sask in the challenger, I just wasn't
sure about that!
But Charley
had strongly recommended it, so we arranged it.
On the
morning of Jun 7th, 2004 we picked Barry Needham up and left for the airport.
Because the
Chief of the Air Staff is here today, I feel obligated to say that all flight
levels that day were well within the rules of safe flight, by D-Day 1944
standards! And Barry will attest to that!
When we
landed, the 412 Sqn members quickly disembarked the aircraft so we could greet
Barry at the bottom of the stairs. When Barry got to the bottom, he extended
his hand in gratitude.. ..but within seconds and before his hand could be
shook, he took it back sharply.
It was at
that that moment that it hit me. And it hit me like a 100b sledge hammer In
that two hours of flying, we had done something that was immeasurable. We had
given Barry what few aircrew had the opportunity to experience at war's end, a
last flight (or a victory flight). Although it was long overdue (exactly 59 years and 11
months to the day), it was deserved, it was important.
When Barry
pulled his hand back on the tarmac following that flight, it was because a shake
of the hand was not good enough to this man. He gave us all a hug.
I asked
before, what is "it"? That's "it". Charley could have gone
flying that day with us. But he saw the depth and importance in this act of
going flying with Barry. Many of us could see the hand-shake; Charley was able
to see the hug.
That's one
of the first things that Charley taught members of 412 Sqn, identify what's
truly important, focus your efforts, and influence those around you effectively
towards that goal. Leadership. It seems so easy, yet it is the most complex
element of command. Charley had "it". Thinking long-term success.
Hugs, not hand-shakes.
Another key
characteristic that Charley taught the members of 412 Sqn is knowing and
understanding your CENTER OF GRAVITY. It was very clear that Charley's Center
of Gravity was his family and friends. By ensuring that your core is strong,
you will never be limited by your reach. If you do not nurture and protect this
core, the balance in your life cannot be maintained. And although Charley's
life, at times may have seemed chaotic, there was always balance. Charley's
Center of Gravity was strong, deep, and aligned with success. Take a look
around at the success in these chairs, cadets, band, etc., you were all part of
this man's core of success. But I can also say that is part of ours!
412 Sqn is proud to be part of Charley's Center of
Gravity, and honored to be part of Charley's family. So Ryan, that makes you my
brother!
In
conclusion, I would like to pass on 2 words that were mentioned by one of
Charley's good friends on the day of Charley's funeral in London. I feel these
two words define Charley's success at 412 Sqn, his contributions to the Air
Force, and the impact that he has had on the Canadian Forces.
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