Speeches
Survival Flight Memorial Dedication
June 3, 2009
I want to join Dr. Kelch in thanking all of you for being here today. I especially want to welcome the families of our transplant–Survival Flight crew. This is a special day, made all the more significant by your presence.
As patients and their families walk through the doors of our hospital, they will turn and look at this sculpture and most likely ask, "What is that?"
The answer is as complex as the six individuals it honors.
This is a work of light, and inspiration, and creativity – all of which our transplant–Survival Flight crew brought to our patients, our hospital and our university community.
This sculpture catches our eyes with hundreds of moving elements that take us in different directions each time we see it. Such were the personalities of these six men, who we knew in so many different ways. They were colleagues, healers, friends, husbands, parents, and heroes.
Most significantly, this memorial is a work of art. And as with a work of art, our Survival Flight team – Martin, Ricky, Bill, David, Richard and Dennis – will always be treasured by the University of Michigan. Their invaluable gift of personal sacrifice continues to demonstrate the extraordinary level of care and hope provided by our community.
We will always remember them, and the beauty they brought to our lives.