Spy Plane Crew Member Speaks of Heroes

AP | 11/10/01

[kattracks]

EVERETT, Wash., Nov 10, 2001 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- A crew member on the spy plane that collided with a Chinese fighter jet and landed on Hainan island says no one on board was a hero.

Instead, the heroism of those combing the rubble of the World Trade Center in New York was hailed by Lt. j.g. Richard Payne at a veterans appreciation dinner Thursday night.

Payne was the tactical evaluator on the surveillance plane that made an emergency landing April 1 after the collision with the Chinese fighter. He and the other 23 crew members from the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station spent 11 days in Chinese custody.

Payne and his crew are now flying over the region around Afghanistan to gather information for U.S. and British missile attacks.

"When we returned from China, they called us heroes," he said. "We were not heroes. We still do not see ourselves as heroes. You can ask any member of the crew. We were just doing our job.

"True heroes are ordinary people who show uncommon valor during extraordinary times."

Police officers, firefighters and others who risked their lives to find survivors and recover bodies after the Sept. 11 attacks are an inspiration to the nation's military personnel, Payne said.

"They did not volunteer to fight a war. We look to them for strength today in every mission that we fly over Afghanistan."

Copyright 2001 Associated Press, All rights reserved

[RaceBannon]

"True heroes are ordinary people who show uncommon valor during extraordinary times

ANd you didn't?? I appreciate what you went through!

[Smiling-Face TIGER]

yes, indeed

anyone and everyone who serves his country, in whichever way, is a hero

[RaceBannon]

wow, where did you dig THIS one up??

We did a Freep of the Chinese embassy over this in DC

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

Race, thanks for the ping. Still remember you being assaulted by a local for protesting the Chicoms.

DC Chapter walk down memory lane.