Dispatch 16:  ‘My God, What a Wrenching Loss’
Everest Basecamp Rongbuk Glacier
September 18, 2001

Hello everyone. I returned here from advanced basecamp three days ago for a few days of rest and some thick air. While here, I’ve spent a good deal of time alone thinking of the tragedy that has fallen upon our country and the company that I work for, American Airlines.

How strange I thought it to be, that here I am living the great dream of my life, sitting alone staring across a vast glacial moraine at age 45 and wiping away tears that I tried to convince myself were caused by the hard dry wind that always sweeps Tibet. It could have something to do with my own thoughts.

The mountain stands as truth, and so I admitted the truth of my tears. As for my thoughts, those who know me also know I seldom share them in detail. I now feel compelled to share them with people I don’t even know and may never even meet over the course of my life. In doing this I will be no more embarrassed than the admitted truth and cause of the tears I shed.

The expedition is doing well. However, there will be no update at this time because it would seem selfish and unjust to speak of triumph in the midst of so much tragedy.

I am here on the Rongbuk just standing alone
Before a Tibetan carin of hand-piled stone.

Behind, Everest dominates in silent dusk of day sky.
In silence I view both with glassy, saddened eyes.

Within the carin, lashed wood serves as a cross.
Secured to its base a list of names.
My God, what a wrenching loss.

They helped make us great.
Their destiny unfairly cast
By those of senseless hate.

Within winds most will never see
I see your spirits this close of day.
I glimpse you now far away
In wisps of snow and dancing mist.
Embraced by Changste, Nuptse and Everest.

Axe and rope upward one step at a time.
Each one painful grief entwined.

My friends I so humbly mark your shrine
On Everest this close of day.

It’s just an old tan flying cap
On its front embroidered the letters AA.

These timeless pieces of stone and simple cross are in memory of the wonderful co-workers at American Airlines that I have lost. May their spirits now dwell in high and beautiful places.

Capt. Charles Burlingame
Capt. John Ogonowski
F.O. David Charlebois
F.O. Thomas McGuinness
Barbara Arestegui
Jeffery Collman
Sara Low
Karen Martin
Kathleen Nicosia
Betty Ong
Jean Roger
Dianne Snyder
Madeline Sweeny
Michele Heidenberger
Jennifer Lewis
Keneth Lewis
Renee May

From the entire team in Tibet, our most sincere condolences.

--American / Canadian Everest Expedition
--MD-80 F/O E. Hommer, Expd. Leader

Ed Hommer (is a pilot at American Airlines)

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