Good Post Alert: Shaun Mullen and The Legacy of Paul Tibbets,The Enola Gay & Separating the Warrior From the War

It was an obituary noted in the news last week, no big fanfare or outcry.

It was much more a typical, perfunctory, historical notation of a significant figure of another era who has passed away.

No editorials, or flaming rhetoric ... No tying him into our ongoing invasion and occupation of Iraq.

I learned of Paul Tibbits, and the Enola Gay, oh, back in the 5th or 6th grade and it was one of those things that stuck with me.

Much like Tenzing Norgay, the Sherpa guide who peaked Mount Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary.

Just one of those esoteric, arcane facts absorbed as a youngster that managed to find safe haven in the depths of my memory (and to be pulled out to win bar bets, or gloat when coveting the Trivial Pursuit pie, the only one to know the answer)

But there was always a certain fascination with Tibbits.

He was a mystery man and the Enola Gay loomed larger than the Spruce Goose.

What was he like? How could he do it? The Enola Gay, where did that name come from? What was it like to release the bomb? What was it like to see the destruction it caused?

As I got older, every so often (typically around August 6th), I would dredge up those thoughts about Tibbits, more facts and info acquired about him, but the fascination and mystery, the youthful awe, remaining intact.

Shaun Mullen, over on his blog, Kiko's House (as well as cross-posted on The Moderate Voice, who we are encouraging you to vote for in the Weblog Awards), has a great account of Paul Tibbits today;

The Legacy of Paul Tibbets,The Enola Gay & Separating the Warrior From the War

Check it out, it's a good read.