Posted by Lieutenant-Colonel Ronald H.J. Ruiters (CA A) on March 23, 2008:

The great khan breathed his last and they laid him to rest for eternity in a place few would ever know. His chieftains gathered at his monument and broke their swords. For though it took two years to craft a great sword and they loved their swords before their women, they would serve no other master and had no need of swords. And so it passed that this warrior’s great heart beat no more. But his legend lived as long as men told tales. Edward was not a fanciful man, but there was a part of him that loved history and admired great tales of prowess and nobility. I come before you today to break my sword and I will never know the like of this warrior and very human man – Edward Mason. I know that there are his fellows out there with whom Ed served or were his contemporaries. And I am humbled to know that I am in their company. One of your own poet laureates eloquently wrote that the eulogy is the moment at which the deceased is brought close, and a time when he or she steps away. It is at once a greeting and a letting go. In that sense, I believe that Ed is here now. (And I better get this right because I know he’s watching.) But Ed is not judging us. Ed did not judge others. Rather he would be curious. I can hear his voice asking in that quietly intelligent way he has “Why did you do that….” Edward Jones Mason, 83, took off on his last flight on Friday, Dec. 14, 2007. Ed lived life. He had been going to the gym that week and researching his new big screen television. He took everything in stride and as always looked forward. I like to think that God decided that this good man would leave as he lived – quietly, with dignity and peacefully. The family was with him at the end. Edward was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri. His parents were Margaret Jones and Williams "Bill" Sinclair Mason. 14947 Colonel Edward Jones Mason graduated from West Point in 1945 (Cadet Company C2) and continued his career by serving as a pilot in the United States Air Force. He served in the Korean War and flew P51Mustangs, F86 Sabres - and Banshees when he flew off carriers while on exchange with the Navy. Friends, colleagues and associates included General Hal Moore and Chuck Yeager. After a full military career, Ed settled in the Clear Lake area near Houston, Texas. He was a member of the Lutheran House of Prayer for over thirty years. He is survived by his soul mate, Paula; his daughters, Ingrid and Elisa Mason; grandson, Asher Mason Ramirez. He will also be missed by his step-daughters, Deborah and Brenda and their children, Ayla, Skyler, Nyka, and Thor, Peter Maraman, and Jamie Bly. I knew Ed most of my adult life. The thing that struck me about Ed over everything else about him - and there were a lot of parts to him – was his unquenchable thirst for knowledge. He exhibited that curiosity that we have as children and all too-often put behind us. Not Ed. And I found that example both grounding and humbling. Among his many talents he was a hell of a bridge player, golfer, tennis player, orator, an historian….and he read everything. He was also fascinated with what made things work. Not among his talents seemed to be anything that required tools. But he would toil at something all day rather than call a workman. His philosophy was simple: it was broken, fix it and why spend money to do it. Ed was not a physically imposing man. But between his commanding look and deep baritone voice, you knew that he was in command. I recall many times when Ed and I discussed our two common passions – books and soldiers. I loved to draw out his tales of when he flew the big fighters. He could tell a story in that deep baritone. And books – we shared our love of history. It is comforting to know that Ed is remembered here in Arlington National Cemetery, this hallowed ground that is the final resting place of the American nation’s leaders and warriors. It is also satisfying to know that flyers will pay final respect to Ed in the Missing Man formation that was introduced by Ed’s fellows during the Korean War. Edward Jones Mason. We have broken our swords. Thank you for being with us today on this hallowed ground. Sleep … and we will toast your immortal memory.

admin