Posted by Bradley A. Blakeman, a resident of another community, on Jan 24, 2009 at 7:55 pm

I knew it was just a matter of time when a politician would find a way to politicize the heroism of US Air Captain Sullenberger. Like millions of Americans I tuned into Saturday's live television coverage of the Danville Hometown Ceremonies honoring their most famous resident, Captain Sullenberger. The Master of Ceremonies was Mayor Newell Arnerich a Democrat. The tragic accident occurred on January 18, 2009. President Bush while still our President called Captain Sullenberger to offer his congratulations. Yet, mysteriously there was no mention of President Bush in the Proclamation read by Mayor Arnerich. Curiously, there was the mention and inclusion of President Obama. The omission of President Bush was intentional and political. The Mayor and the City Council should be ashamed of themselves. To politicize this event is a disgrace and brings great shame on their town.

Posted by Taxpayer, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Jan 25, 2009 at 9:56 am

Shame on you!

Hopefully no one else will respond to your attempt to make this another one of YOUR forums for more your old divisive republican rhetoric. Last I checked a new movement is in town, maybe try a unified approach. Sorry your old boss & party is out of the office.

Posted by Steve Fenton, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Jan 25, 2009 at 4:09 pm

What many readers may not realize what made Sully's skill such a unique and herculian accomplishment was the fact that the aircraft, with both engines out is like trying to fly a bathtub. The commercial jet had becom a simple "glider". The only way to maintain any response over the air control-surfaces (the wings and tail) was to maintain a steady and rapid decent of the aircraft. Sully's training would have had him, by second nature, noting alternate landing zones the moment after takeoff. What is noteable is the experience Sully demonstrated by ditching the plane with the rear of the fuselage making first contact with the water to instantly bleed-off as much airspeed as possible (a fraction of a second) before the wings with the heavy engines crashed downward. While the engines are somewhat aero dynamic they are not water dynamic and could have torn both wings off at any greater speed than Sullyy put it down at, creating a body count instead of a live-soul passenger manifest.

I have known the Sullenberger family for years. Knowing Sully, the overwhelming attention for his heroics is not his cup-of-chowder. He is a mild-mannered, soft spoken man, yet "sharp as an arrow in a pile of glass". His intuition surfaced in the wake of years of ambition. It was comforting to see Lorrie describing to the world what she has known about Sully all along. Only one question remains: "Did U.S. Air charge the passengers for a boat ride on top of the airfare?"

Steve Fenton

Posted by Amory Gutierrez, Danville Weekly, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Jan 26, 2009 at 12:39 pm

Here is a poem sent by Garry Souders, a resident from Oklahoma. Really shows how Sully has put Danville on the map! Enjoy!

"A Pilot so Bold

Oh man that guy could fly

He glided that thing right out of the sky

Onto the Hudson the river so cold

He landed right there this man so bold

His engines were clogged with geese galore

So he aimed the plane at the rivers shore

Calm cool and collected was he

The plane simply glided power free

Skip skip slosh and splash

Passengers out on the wing in a dash

There they stood all in a row

Waiting for someone to give them a tow

Boats from all over the place

Running to help, joining the race

Passengers brave, crewman smart

All out the windows with pounding heart

Rescued each and every one

To live on and see againthe sun

To the pilot we turn in awe

The best damn flying we ever saw"

Posted by Amory Gutierrez, Danville Weekly, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Jan 26, 2009 at 12:40 pm

The Germans join us in honoring our world hero. Visit:

www.ngz-online.de/public/article/aktuelles/panorama/ausland/664991

Posted by B Lynn Goodwin, a resident of the Danville neighborhood, on Jan 31, 2009 at 10:27 pm

I understand the controversy over financial concerns, but I am glad that we had the joy of honoring a hometown hero. Kudos to all who contributed on such short notice. Thank you, Captain Sullenberger for bringing positive national coverage to Danville.

B. Lynn Goodwin

www.writeradvice.com