IN MEMORIAM

David Charlebois,* Yorktown Class of 1980, was the First Officer aboard
American Airlines Flight # 77 when it crashed into the Pentagon on Tuesday,
September 11, 2001. A graduate of the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
in Daytona Beach, Florida, David's dream was always to become a pilot for a
commercial airline. It is bittersweet that he lived and died fulfilling that
dream. Personally I will always remember David's sense of humor, warmth, and
friendship, and my condolences go out to his family in this terrible tragedy.

Submitted by Lindsay AMTHOR Yotsukura '80

* Photograph from the 1980 Grenadier

And a note of Sept. 18th, 2001 for those that could not attend the service from Lindsay:

Greetings, all,

David's service today was a beautiful commemoration of his life. St.
Matthew's Cathedral in Washington, D.C. was filled beyond capacity; one news
broadcast I heard estimated the crowd to be nearly 1000 people. Many of
those attending were David's colleagues from American Airlines, but there
was also a strong YHS contingent: (listed roughly in order of my having met
them) Robert Gibson, Chip Benjamin '81, Andrew and Paul Cain, Suzy Carstens,
Hilary Freer, Jim (Edwards-) Hewitt, Andy Parker, Dianne Childears, Jim
Jenkins, Karen Linkins, Steve Cauffman, and Stuart Riggs. His brother Don,
sister Denise, mother and father, and many nieces and one nephew were of
course there as well.

Among the more illustrious people who participated in the service was the
Mayor of Washington, D.C., Anthony Williams. He abandoned his prepared
remarks and instead spoke on the spot of the feelings the service brought to
mind and the need for this country to show its strength, especially through
aviation, something for which he said he personally, and the country as a
whole, seem to have a particular fascination. Throughout the service, many
references were made to David's being "raised on eagle's wings," "our
shining star," soaring high above us now.

David's partner, Tom Hay, also gave a moving tribute to who David was,
reading one card that he felt was especially appropriate from a contractor
who had been working on their house recently and who had only known David
for the 60 minutes he'd been at the house. He said there was something about
David that he couldn't put his finger on, but that made him want to spend
more time with him. When the news broke about last week's tragedy and he
learned that David had been on flight #77, he broke down and cried, to an
extent that amazed him given how little time he'd spent getting to know
David. I can't quite remember all the details of his note, but it was really
quite an apt description of what it is that was so appealing about David's
personality. Others commented on his love for life, sense of humor, warmth,
and kindness to others.

Near the end of the service, an announcement was made that David's parents
would like any donations to go to a fund that has been established in
David's name at his alma mater, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The
flyer we were given about it reads as follows:

"Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has pledged its uniquely applicable
resources, and has created the David Charlebois Memorial Fund, dedicated to
helping beat terrorism in the air, (like a life-threatening disease), so
that David shall not have died in vain. If you care to participate, make
checks payable to: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 600 S. Clyde Morris
Blvd., Daytona Beach, FL 32114-3900, Attn. Harry Jennings 386 226-6197." ...

There was a receiving line at the end of the service during which everyone
had an opportunity to meet David's parents and siblings. I took this
opportunity to pass along word of the Yorktown football game that will be
held in David's honor this Friday (I mentioned it to Don and Denise). I'm
guessing the family probably won't attend, but at least they have word about
it now.

                                                           * * *


Best wishes,

Lindsay [AMTHOR Yotsukura YHS 80]

Mourners comforted by these words posted Sept 19. 2001: