The other day while at the beach I looked skyward on hearing the drone of an approaching helicopter gas turbine engine, and accompanying “chopping” sound of its rotors. The helicopter slowed, hovered and then a harness was lowered down by cable attached to the helicopter. A ‘stranded’ surfer was lifted from his board and winched up into the chopper hovering overhead, thus completing a simulated rescue right before my eyes. The helicopter crew were training for real life rescues. We can be so thankful having trained personnel and equipment available to help people in need these days. But it hasn’t always been so. 

The “Chicago Tribune” tells us that it was around 2 am on September 8th 186