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The Chicken Saga
Tributes to the chicken of the Department of Meterology...
My chicken is dead! She's out there somewhere in the wilderness, exposed to the sun and the elements, to die in the snow, 23 miles south of Winslow, Arizona. Last night, The Chicken was heard weeping in the woods above the moaning Arizona winds. Her fiancee, Rubber Rooster, is pining for her outside my office. He has nothing to crow about today. The Chicken paid the ultimate price in the service of Science, The Department of Meteorology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the Arizona Near Space Research organization. Her courageous, death-defying, record-breaking flight to 63,000 ft last December brought favorable publicity to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Her sleak rubber carcass and distinctive squawk will be fondly remembered by those on Floor 2, AC1. Alas, she is to be squeezed no more. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her. Grateful thanks to Jack Crabtree of the Arizona Near Space Research organization for herioc rescue attempts (see below) after her last flight last Friday at 5:30pm in support of Embry-Riddle's Sneak Preview Day. Jack and his colleagues were out at 3am in a snowstorm in rugged terrain attempting a rescue (seriously, they were!). They logged 500 miles in the search. Tributes and condolences can be sent to Rubber Rooster, at the above email address. Generous gifts of money in lieu of flowers would be appreciated. Tributes of poetry and art to honor her legacy are especially welcome. Grieving in Prescott, Mark Sinclair
Mark, So sorry to hear that. condolences to rubber Rooster and the molting (or is it motley) crew. Maybe some intrepid hiker or hunter will find her after the snow melts. Nika
There once was a fine weather chicken She flew to such heights in a lickin' That one day in the snow She outdistanced Winslow And now she's now longer tickin' Ken L.
Ode to a Chicken The chicken's not dead, Though that's what you said, He's finally free, Having afternoon tea. "How lucky I am" he says with a smile, And scratches some dirt in a very big pile. Editorial Note: The Chicken was a she (i.e., a hen)
What would Arthur Miller have done with this topic on stage? I regret that circumstances prevent me from offering my services as a member of the clergy to participate in the memorial service. Do we know the chicken's religion of choice? Allene
Mark, Since she was a Japanese Hen and failed to surpass her former record I suspect that she committed sepu-coup. My most heart-felt condolences. Steve p.s. Any idea how I can use all these rubber noodles? Another Editorial Note: Sepu-coup is the same as hari-kari
Oh no! I'm at a "loss for words!" My condolences in your loss! She gave it her all, I'm sure.
I offer my deepest sympathy and condolences. The check is in the mail. Val
Dear Mark, We extend our condolences for your tragic loss. Please rest assured we ALL share in your grievances. As Flight Supervisor I will order all flight operations at the flightline on Monday (12:00 noon) to be halted to observe one full minute of silence. Additionally, I will direct all department heads to ensure flags are flown at half-staff for one full week, beginning next Monday. Next Wednesday I will meet with the University Chancellor to make arrangements for a special Memorial for our departed Chicken. We will also discuss details for flying a "missing-man formation" at the Memorial. (Of course, we will pick only our best pilots for this operation.) Mark, we all know that there are risk in every facet of life. And unfortunately, aviation ranks at the very top second only to none! Ms. Rubber Chicken was no dummy, she was fondly aware of such risk. But she overlooked HER risk for OUR gain. Her motivations has always been for the betterment of mankind: no matter the challenge, no matter the cost! Oh, I could hardly hold back tears just thinking of her unselfish ambitions. We join you in this difficult times. With her passing away, many of us will never be the same. But we mustn't stop and we mustn't change course. We will pause and reflect, but we must carry on the torch and continue where she left off. To do so will ONLY be honoring her. Mark, we share your grief. Please, please call me if there's ANYTHING myself or my department can do for you. We stand at the ready! Your friend, NICK B Flight Supervisor ERAU Flightline P.S. The Department of Human Resources have informed me that special counselors are already on their way to help us cope with this tragedy. (We will give more details once the counselors arrive at our campus.)
Mark - Will you please announce the schedule for the memorial service. Will you be reading the Will in the DLC and when? Can your special fund handle the $100,000,000 in faculty/staff donations that Development will most certainly garner. Will the College of Aviation budget object code handle the 9 digits? Do you have a mistress in the wings for your rooster to "hold him over" until he finds another compatible soul-mate? I have my ghost writers preparing an appropriate poem with a new painting (of the deceased) to be unveiled at Development's dedication and groundbreaking ceremony for your new multi-story Meteorology Lab. Sorry about your loss but after the grieving period, I'm sure the Meteorology Department will get back on their feet with the acquaintance and adjustment to the replacement hen and the new lab. Ray
Mark, Just wanted you to know that I will be donating a poultry sum to the chicken memorial fund. Wes.
Subject: Chicken Search and Rescue? It looks like is there some interest in going back to the ANSR-23 landing area and conduct another search. I have received some predictions and perhaps we can refine them over the next few days. Michael, can we plug in what data we have and run your prediction algorithm as well? The area of interest is EAST of Clear Creek canyon which means going almost completely to Winslow and back down the other side. The road to the South, AZ 99 (Goes down to Canyon Lake) is closed at the National Forrest boundary -- I know because we tried it. Most certainly, the beacon battery is dead or will be by this weekend (Michael??). That means actually walking and finding the payload, chicken and parachute. Gary and I drove the roads around the area and never heard the beacon. I believe we were within a mile or two of it, so the package may have quit transmitting on landing or soon after. How many takers would we have to try again this Saturday? I would like to decide on this by Wednesday night. Jack, W7JLC
To send in your contributions, email sinclam@erau.edu
