A MIRACOLOUS LANDING IN TORONTO AND THE LOSS OF AN EX-GOVERNOR IN ALASKA
Good evening. Well, there were two major stories in the news today. First, Air France Flight 308 from Paris -- an Airbus A340 -- skidded off the runway at Toronto's Pearson Airport late afternoon as thunderstorms crashed into Canada's largest city. But here's the big part: All 309 people survived the crash landing, with only 43 suffering minor injuries. Ironically, this came excatly 20 years after a Delta Airlines plane crashed at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport in which over 130 lives were lost.
The comparison between the two crash landings was purely different. Since the deadly 1985 crash, wind shear detectors were installed at all major U.S. airports. But as far as the Air France one was concerned, it's a miracle that it wasn't fatal.
Another major story is the loss of a great Alaskan. Jay Hammond, who served our state as Governor from 1974 to 1982 and was the architect of the Permanent Fund, died peacefully at the age of 83 this morning.
Without him, we wouldn't be receiving free money from the state every fall with our dividend, which started at $1,000 in 1982 with last year's payout being $919. Without him, Alaska would just be a boring state to live and work in if it wasn't for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Without him, nobody would come to visit Alaska if it wasn't for the tourism industry booming under his watch. And without him...well, I wouldn't be born here in 1978.
The last time I remember seeing Hammond was during the three-day Conference of Alaskans last year here in Fairbanks, where he decided to forgo his planned Hawaii vacation just to spectate. Even though his stamina and posture began to deteiorate a couple years before (which explained his customized cane; he was also a bush pilot), his mind was still as sharp till the end.
Alaska and U.S. flags are now at half mast and a private funeral service is set for tomorrow; public services are yet pending. But Jay Hammond will be remembered as not just one of the greatest governors we've ever had, but as just your basic Alaskan who helped shaped every life we lived during his eight-year term in this fine state.
Good evening. Well, there were two major stories in the news today. First, Air France Flight 308 from Paris -- an Airbus A340 -- skidded off the runway at Toronto's Pearson Airport late afternoon as thunderstorms crashed into Canada's largest city. But here's the big part: All 309 people survived the crash landing, with only 43 suffering minor injuries. Ironically, this came excatly 20 years after a Delta Airlines plane crashed at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport in which over 130 lives were lost.
The comparison between the two crash landings was purely different. Since the deadly 1985 crash, wind shear detectors were installed at all major U.S. airports. But as far as the Air France one was concerned, it's a miracle that it wasn't fatal.
Another major story is the loss of a great Alaskan. Jay Hammond, who served our state as Governor from 1974 to 1982 and was the architect of the Permanent Fund, died peacefully at the age of 83 this morning.
Without him, we wouldn't be receiving free money from the state every fall with our dividend, which started at $1,000 in 1982 with last year's payout being $919. Without him, Alaska would just be a boring state to live and work in if it wasn't for the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Without him, nobody would come to visit Alaska if it wasn't for the tourism industry booming under his watch. And without him...well, I wouldn't be born here in 1978.
The last time I remember seeing Hammond was during the three-day Conference of Alaskans last year here in Fairbanks, where he decided to forgo his planned Hawaii vacation just to spectate. Even though his stamina and posture began to deteiorate a couple years before (which explained his customized cane; he was also a bush pilot), his mind was still as sharp till the end.
Alaska and U.S. flags are now at half mast and a private funeral service is set for tomorrow; public services are yet pending. But Jay Hammond will be remembered as not just one of the greatest governors we've ever had, but as just your basic Alaskan who helped shaped every life we lived during his eight-year term in this fine state.
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