Province needs water bombers

EDITOR’S NOTE: This was the final letter to the editor penned by Tom Isherwood that he submitted to The Herald/Courier shortly before being hospitalized. Isherwood, a regular on this page for years, died this week at age 85.

Dear Editor:

Attached is a poem I wrote in 2003 in honour of the crew of Spacecraft Columbia. With the 50-year anniversary reminding the world’s people of man on the moon, I would like to add a few words of my own.

To the 2003 Spacecraft Columbia crew who never made it quite home from their mission in outer space.

Salute to the Brave 2003 crew of Spacecraft Columbia

“Blast off the land and beyond the sky, How the astronauts loved to fly,

To float through the universe of endless space, a happy look upon their face.

Closer to God than most folks have been.

Columbia rocket fulfilled their dream. Sixteen days have come to pass, homeward bound was here at last.

Upon re-entry to Mother Earth, alarm bells rang followed by a mighty bang.

Columbia could not meet the strain, seven brave lives were lost in vain.

To a place in history where few have trod, whisked away by almighty God.

In my kingdom you shall rest, as mere mortals you did your best.

Since time began, others will come, to explore the vastness beyond the sun.”

Tom Isherwood

Olalla Dear Editor:

I have sent a suggestion to the Premier and to the Forest Minister that the BC Government take the lead in establishing a fleet of six large volume water bombers to fight fires.

I realize that would be expensive but consider that against the many millions of dollars spent each year towards fighting fires with minimal effectiveness. There are signs that the federal government is facing pressure to establish a federal unit to fight forest fires. Surely it would make sense for them to contribute towards the proposed fleet. Perhaps even some insurance companies might consider a contribution; in their own interest.

I believe that a fleet of six such high capacity water bombers, one behind the other, would curtail the advancement of even a large fire; or extinguish a smaller one. And there is also the possibility for successive runs if needed.

The savings in yearly costs, the savings of properties, and the saving of valuable forests would be well worth the costs of assembling and maintaining such a proposed fleet. One such fleet could serve the needs of at least several provinces. A second fleet also located in Eastern Canada would cover the whole country.

Anthony Brummet

Osoyoos