Ilan Ramon- A Personal
Encounter
by Chuck King, Jerusalem,
February 1, 2003
Dear Friends,
Two years ago, my daughter Kaitlyn and I were
on a return flight to Israel from the USA. A layover in Amsterdam
turned into a seven hour delay due to mechanical problems with the plane.
Vouchers for the various airport restaurants were distributed to calm the
weary and irritable passengers, but by that time, the only thing open was
the "snack bar". Kaitlyn and I found ourselves sharing our tiny table with
a rather inebriated, but congenial gentleman from Alaska.
Before long, a slightly built Israeli pulled up
a chair beside us. We quickly learned that the Israeli had been carefully
looking after our Scotch Whiskey loving friend throughout the previous
flight, making sure that he was hearing and understanding the announcements,
was remaining in the right terminal, etc. For this, the Alaskan was most
grateful, and we also couldn't help but be impressed by the presence of
this kind man with the fair complexion and sandy blonde hair, who was going
out of his way to help a stranger.
Forget every gross generalization you have ever
heard about Israelis...rude, pushy, demanding, and so on. This one broke
the mold. We immediately sensed that we were conversing with someone special,
for even though he was soft spoken, gentle, and
non-assuming, he also carried with him an air
of intelligence, dignity, and charisma.
He was at once personable, and following the line
of usual questions ("What are you doing in Israel?" "How long have you
lived in Jerusalem?" "Do you have other children?"), we found ourselves
comparing notes on raising children, and coming to the conclusion that
in spite of everything wonderful that America has to offer, Israel was
clearly the better place to be. I learned that he had been living in Houston
with his wife and young children for a little over a year, and that they
had been very much enjoying the hospitality and wide open spaces of Texas.
But when I asked what he was doing in Houston, the Alaskan chimed in with
slurred speech saying, "Oh, he's really tight lipped about that. I've been
trying to get him to tell me that for hours, but he won't budge."
I have visited the Israeli Consul General's office
in Houston, and so I immediately assumed that he must be connected with
Israeli intelligence or security, and felt it best not to follow that line
of conversation any further. It was well enough to be sharing our little
table and lively conversation with this gentleman, who understood, appreciated,
and shared our deep love and respect for his country.
The time passed quickly, and as the airline finally
called for our boarding, we agreed to keep a mutual eye on our dazed Alaskan
friend who was also Tel Aviv bound. Relieved to be in our seats and on
our way home, the conversation between Kaitlyn and I turned to the Israeli,
speculating on his actual occupation, and both agreeing that we hoped to
see him again one day. Its not so unlikely in a tiny country like Israel.
And to our surprise, there he was again, standing
sheepishly in the aisle beside our seats, with last minute words of goodbye
before the plane departed. He held something behind his back, and it was
immediately obvious as he leaned toward us, speaking in whispered tones,
that he did not wish to draw attention to himself in any way. Then
he pulled his hand from behind his back, and shyly presented us with a
gift...the photo that you are all seeing on the news networks, now hanging
near me on the office wall - Ilan Ramon in his NASA uniform, posed
proudly in front of the Israeli and American flags, with this personal
inscription in his loopy English handwriting:
"To All the King Family, May God help us all.
Ilan Ramon 5/11/01"
Genuinely great people never need to boast of
their own greatness. I knew that day that I had met a truly great person,
and I sensed that someday, our paths would cross again.
How much I appreciated the words I heard just
moments ago from President Bush as he quoted the Prophet Isaiah, and expressing
faith that each crew member of the lost Space Shuttle Columbia had been
brought "safely home."
Tonight, I grieve with Americans for their loss,
and I grieve with Israel, once again, this time for their fallen hero.
I pray that Ilan Ramon finds himself safely in
Abraham's Bosom, and I believe that one day, I will see him again.
Shalom from Jerusalem,
Chuck King
P.S. By the mercy of G-d, Ilan Ramon's remains were found
and positively identified, which allows for burial. We thank G-d for the
grace to enable the family and every sorrowing Israeli to visit the grave
of Ilan, saying a prayer and being comforted. More details are at the Israeli
Newspaper,
"HAARETZ.com"
Haaretz English Edition, entitled:
"Remains
of Ilan Ramon identified, to be buried in Israel"
More about the man and astronaut Ilan Ramon you find at the web site
of the Israeli Foreign Ministry,
at the page entitled:
Col.
Ilan Ramon Israel's First High-Tech
Ambassador
in Space 1954-2003
The exact same text copied for keeps is at http://www.ortzion.org/Columbia7_ramon.html
