Ave Atque Vale
Leave a commentNovember 22, 2012 by Mindgobble
Ave Atque Vale
Through many countries and over many seas
I have come, Brother, to these melancholy rites,
to show this final honour to the dead,
and speak (to what purpose?) to your silent ashes,
since now fate takes you, even you, from me.
Oh, Brother, ripped away from me so cruelly,
now at least take these last offerings, blessed
by the tradition of our parents, gifts to the dead.
Accept, by custom, what a brother’s tears drown,
and, for eternity, Brother, ‘Hail and Farewell’.
Gaius Valerius Catullus
After a search that lasted just over 3 weeks, my friend and his dad’s plane were finally found by a Mozambican villager. Unfortunately neither of them had survived the crash. They had some engine trouble while flying down from Uganda to Lanseria in Johannesburg, and went missing over Mozambique. I have never seen public support on the same scale as we did in this case for missing pilots. Many people gave up so much of their time and money to help find Rob and Bryan. To all who helped, we will all be forever thankful.
I am so glad that the family has found closure even though it is not the kind of closure anyone hopes for. RIP Robbie, I feel privileged to have known you for the last 13 years, and may you keep soaring for eternity.
Ave Atque Vale. Lost but never forgotten. Always in our hearts.
mindgobble 