Color Scheme

Subscribe now

This column reflects the opinion of the writer. Learn about the differences between a news story and an opinion column.

Remembering base tragedies

I was working on the landscaping crew at Fairchild Air Force Base the week of the Dean Mellberg shootings and B-52 crash. If it weren’t for the grace of God I would be dead right now.

My assignment the day of the shooting was to trim the front beds of the entrance outside of the hospital. Just minutes before the rampage my boss called my partner and me and told us to wait until morning. We were at the back entrance of the base when we heard the shots.

I also witnessed the crash of the plane as I was cleaning up the weeds from the flight line blacktop. I saw the plane hit the telephone line and explode: a frightening sight, one I will never forget as long as I live. I was so close I was lucky not to get hit by parts of the aircraft that were on fire.

The Spokesman-Review’s article was spot-on as far as the details. It really hit home.

Amy Rowe

Spokane

Letters Policy

The Spokesman-Review invites original letters on local topics of public interest. Your letter must adhere to the following rules:

  • No more than 250 words
  • We reserve the right to reject letters that are not factually correct, racist or are written with malice.
  • We cannot accept more than one letter a month from the same writer.
  • With each letter, include your daytime phone number and street address.
  • The Spokesman-Review retains the nonexclusive right to archive and re-publish any material submitted for publication.

Unfortunately, we don’t have space to publish all letters received, nor are we able to acknowledge their receipt. (Learn more.)

Submit letters using any of the following:

Our online form
Submit your letter here
Mail
Letters to the Editor
The Spokesman-Review
999 W. Riverside Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
Email
editor@spokesman.com
Fax
(509) 459-3815
Phone
(509) 459-5430

Read more about how we crafted our Letters to the Editor policy