My Control Line Thanksgiving Reflection

[Allen Eshleman]

This was my first Thanksgiving without my father.  He died four weeks ago tomorrow.  My father was a pastor and bishop in a Christian group that considered many things worldly or a waste of time and money.  However, when we boys (I have one brother) decided we wanted to try our hand in Control Line modeling, he was supportive.  We earned our money by delivering newspapers.  We soon bought 1/2 A models - my brother a Cessna and me a Zipper.  We learned to fly with those planes and then moved up to .35 powered Shoestring for him and a Ringmaster for me.  I am so thankful that our father allowed us to express our creative bents. But beyond that, he was a godly model for us in our lives and we are attempting to follow in his steps.  Thanks Dad!

I also want to thank a neighbor man, Dick Stepler, who flew a Ringmaster and a 19 powered trainer.  That's what inspired us so much.  Then there was the Chambersburg Modelairs and a gentleman who several years back gave us some of his old planes - for me - a Smoothie and a Magician.  Those have taken me to a higher level in flying, even though, my level still isn't very high.

Then I am thankful to Gary Lutz, a local flyer, who has helped us.   

Then I am thankful for this Stunthanger control line community which has given so much support and advice. 

I am also thankful for the gorgeous weather we had here today.  Sunny, in the 50's and no wind.  I got two of my better flights in on the Vector which my brother built out of an ARC kit which was smashed in a mail accident. I was trying to sell it to someone else.  Thanks so much to my brother who does some of my building and repairs. 

Finally, I am thankful to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for all the above mentioned blessings and for eternal life.

It's been a wonderful Thanksgiving day.

[john e. holliday]

I my self don't know where to really start.  Done the early plastic cars, electric train and model planes of all sorts.  My parents were my biggest supporters and then my brothers.  I could go on and on.  Thanks so much for your story and matbe we might meet some where.

[Jim Kraft]

Thank you Allen; My father was also a pastor. I thank God he did not try to make me perfect being his son and gave me quite a bit of freedom to try lots of different things as long as I was within the bounds he set for me. He taught me it is not so much what people think of you, but what God thinks of you.

He and my brothers had no interest in my modeling activities so I was pretty much on my own. But like you, I can thank my dad for allowing me to follow my own interests and many times investing in my interests with his own money which was not so much as he was raising us three plus not taking much from the church to live on.

I am also thankful for my wonderful wife of 56 years that has always supported me in what ever I do. My wife who loves me is worth more than all the gold in California.

I have many other things to be thankful for, and the list is to long. But, I am sure you will agree that Jesus paying the way to heaven for us sinners is still the best gift we will ever receive.

[Will Hinton]

I will ad an "Amen" to both, and the thing I can be most thankful for is the knowledge that my dear lady of 51 years of marriage is now in heaven since July.  No more pain, no more tears, just worshiping HIM.