In Memoriam

i miss my dad more than ever...

He was a great fellow, I am glad to have met him.

I never met the Captain, but I'll never forget the night we lost him. A terrible night on the flightline at MacDill.

I never had the chance to know him because I was not born until 4 years after his death! But my mother was a good friend of him, she told me his story, because I've always wanted to be a pilot! Since then, I stand almost every week in front of his grave - as well as today and laid a bouquet on his meager resting place, so that he can celebrate Christmas.

Rest in peace Captain Speidel! You're unforgotten!

I just stumbled over this page and it gave me the creeps. Ronald and I flew together in 741 Sqn, and we also spent a lot of time together off duty. Later I went to Sheppard, and he went to MacDill. We stayed in contact via phone, and he told me how happy he was flying the F-16. Shortly before his accident he had called me and invited me and my family to Florida...rip Ronald!

Ich hoffe, es geht dir gut, Loretta.

I was at the de-arm end at EOR that night. It was night flight training and we were just out at the shack waiting for the planes to land. At one point, we were checking in with MOCC and they told us that there were 2 still up in the air. I can't remember the time, but it was late and past the time the last plane should have landed. We called the MOCC again and got no ETA. We then got a visit from Pro Super and he advised us that there is one inbound, the other had crashed. it was a surreal feeling inside. I was crushed to hear that, the fact that we were waiting for the jet to come back. We finally got the last plane and left there with a huge emptiness in our hearts. Returning to the flightline, all the airmen had gathered in shock and grief to the news. The following day, we got together for a moment in silence for Capt Spiedel. I will never forget that night for as long as I live. Sgt Ortiz, 62nd AMU, 56 AGS.