February 6, 1980 – The Day a Fighter Pilot and His Music Died

February 6, 1980 – The Day a Fighter Pilot and His Music Died

Every Feb. 6, Tom and I remember our dear friend, USAF Capt. Roy Westerfield, killed in his F-111 as he made his final approach into Cannon Air Force Base, Feb. 6, 1980. Roy was a gifted musician, and he played the trumpet at our wedding just a few months before his final flight. His beautiful wife, Petey (Maryellen), took our wedding photos.

For us, Roy and Petey were always larger than life. Petey is gone now, too, but both of them will live on in my Air Force Times’ essay “Remembering Forgotten Fliers, Their Survivors” that will be republished in the new anthology Red, White and True forthcoming from Potomac Books this August. Thanks to editor Tracy Crow for including my essay in the collection. In some small way, my story will help keep their memories alive for future generations.

Petey’s poem “Taps” graces the opening pages of my first novel, The Final Salute. She did get to read the book before she passed in 2009. Her poem is a tribute to Roy.

Roy Westerfield’s death haunted me for years. With Petey’s permission, I gave Roy’s first and last name to two different characters in The Final Salute.  Tuck Westerfield and Roy “Wheaties” Wheaton carry on the legacy of so many fighter pilots who die in the prime of their lives…while flying peacetime training missions.

Kathleen M. Rodgers’ work has appeared in national and local publications. She is the author of the Amazon best-selling novel, The Final Salute, recently acquired by the Loiacono Literary Agency for republication in both paperback and e-book. Her second novel, Johnnie Come Lately, has been acquired by Coffeetown Press http://www.prlog.org/12265957-kathleen-rodgers-novel-johnnie-come-lately-has-been-acquired-by-coffeetown-press.html