Thread by @SoCo_Lawyer

I’d like to share a story about my friend Dee “Piston” Imlay, who died in the cockpit of his F-15E Strike Eagle during a deployment over 7 years ago.

It contains a cameo by Kelis’s #Milkshake—more on that soon.

A brief thread for #MemorialDayWeekend

I first met Piston in the F-15E fighter training unit at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, NC. It's where Strike Eagle fighter pilots and WSOs (back-seaters) go to learn to fly the jet.

We were in the same class, assigned to the 333d Fighter Squadron Lancers.

#MemorialDayWeekend

After the FTU, nearly half the class got stationed at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. Piston and I were among them. But we went to different squadrons.

I went to the 389th Fighter Squadron (Thunderbolts), and he went to the 391st (Bold Tigers).

#MemorialDayWeekend

One of the first things you do in a new squadron is fill out a form that lists preferences for certain things if you die, including for your official memorial service.

One of those questions asks whether there is a song you would want played at that event.

#MemorialDayWeekend

Allow me to digress for a tweet...

Fighter pilots are total jokesters. Quick-witted, unserious jokesters (about non-flying things). It is often said that the best fighter pilot stories should contain no more than 10% truth--the rest should be exaggeration

#MemorialDayWeekend

Piston deployed with the Tigers in 2012. He died tragically during that deployment, the details of which I won’t recount now.

Here is the @TIME write up if you’re interested: nation.time.com/2012/08/24/dea…

#MemorialDayWeekend

Piston was a damn good fighter pilot, and an even better person, husband, and father.

But he saved his pièce de résistance until he could look down on the rest of us and laugh his ass off.

#MemorialDayWeekend

His official service at Mountain Home AFB included a full formation of Airmen. It included heartfelt speeches from those closest to him. It included F-15E Strike Eagles flying the “missing man” formation in his honor.

And it included a song…

#MemorialDayWeekend

During the silence before the song, the clergyman felt compelled to tell the hundreds in attendance that this song was Piston’s choice, & they “had” to play it according to his wishes.

And then it came:

♫ “My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard…” ♫

#MemorialDayWeekend

In the first few seconds, all of us standing at attention in formation began to sneak peeks at each other, slightly confused. The song continued.

We keep looking around, trying to hold back the laughter. More #Milkshake.

#MemorialDayWeekend

♫ "It's better than yours..." ♫

No more holding back now. Pure laughter, mixed with tears. Everyone in attendance. Everyone in formation. They played the Whole. Damn. Song.

Piston got us all. He got us laughing at his damn military memorial service.

#MemorialDayWeekend

People gave moving speeches, but I don’t really remember them.

But I’ll never forget looking at MadDog, Diablo, Galtzy, Locker, and everyone else who tried to keep it together when Piston’s #milkshake brought us all to the yard.

♫ “Lala-la la la.” ♫

#MemorialDayWeekend