I first became aware of Brian Shul by way of an e-mail I
received from a fellow submarine veteran and then I found his web site
through Google. Brian's speeches are powerful and filled with words,
thoughts and emotions all Americans need to hear - particularly at this time
in our country's history. Please take a few minutes to read what I have
posted here, and when you have finished, please visit Brian's web site, the
address for which is included at the bottom of the next page.
But first - some background information on Brian Shul:
Brian Shul was born in Quantico, Virginia, in 1948 He
graduated from East Carolina University in 1970 with a degree in History.
That same year he joined the Air Force and attended pilot training at Reese
AFB in Texas.
Brian served as a Foreign Air Advisor in the Vietnam conflict, flying 212
close air support missions in conjunction with Air America. Near the end of
all hostilities, his AT-28 aircraft was shot down near the Cambodian border.
Unable to eject from the aircraft, Brian was forced to crash land into the
jungle. Miraculously surviving, he was severely burned in the ensuing
fireball. Crawling from the burning wreckage, he was finally found and
rescued by special forces.
He was evacuated to a military hospital in Okinawa where he was expected
to die. Barely surviving 2 months of intensive care, in 1974 he was flown to
the Institute of Surgical Research at Ft Sam Houston, Texas, where he spent
one year, and underwent 15 major operations. During this time he was told
he’d never fly again and just lucky to be alive. Months of physical therapy
followed, enabling Brian to eventually pass a flight physical and return to
active flying duty.
Two days after being released from the hospital, Brian was back flying
Air Force fighter jet aircraft. He went on to fly the A-7D, and was then
selected to be a part of the first operational A-10 squadron at Myrtle
Beach, SC, where he was on the first A-10 air show demonstration team. After
a tour as an A-10 Instructor Pilot in Arizona, he went on to instruct at the
Air Force’s Fighter Lead-In School as the Chief of Air-to-Ground Academics.
As a final assignment in his career, Brian volunteered for and was selected
to fly the super secret spy plane, the SR-71. This assignment required an
astronaut type physical just to qualify, and Brian passed with no waivers.
Brian’s phenomenal comeback story from laying near dead in the jungle of
Southeast Asia, to later flying the world’s fastest, highest flying jet, has
been the subject of numerous magazine articles and an inspiration to many.
After 20 years and 5000 hours in fighter jets, Brian retired from the Air
Force in 1990. He went on to pursue his writing and photographic interests.
In addition to running his own photo studio in northern California, he has
authored 5 books on flying, for which he did all the writing and
photography.
His first two books are about flying the SR-71 Blackbird. Written in a
very non-technical style, these books give the reader a first hand account
of being in the cockpit of the world’s fastest jet throughout a variety of
interesting missions. The books are filled with stunning photos from the
author’s personal collection and have become the most popular SR-71 books
ever done. Brian’s 3rd and 4th books are about America’s air demonstration
teams, the Air Force Thunderbirds, and the Navy Blue Angels. Again filled
with unique aerial images, these books take the reader into the dynamic
formations of these world famous teams. Brian is now the only man in America
to have flown with both the Thunderbirds and the Blue Angels extensively as
a guest in the making of his colorful books. His 5th book is a special
remake of his original SR-71 book, entitled Sled Driver, issued in a very
richly crafted Limited Edition of only 3500 copies to commemorate the
Centennial of Flight in 2003.
Brian’s story is unique, and he has been asked to speak at numerous
functions nationwide on his varied experiences. His entertaining slide show
and dynamic message make for an unforgettable presentation. He has been the
featured speaker for medical groups, aviation safety seminars, air museum
programs, and frequently has been a motivational keynote speaker for a
variety of corporations across America. Most recently his patriotic talks
concerning terrorist attacks against America have received national acclaim.
Brian was recently honored as an Outstanding Alumni from East Carolina
University. He owns Gallery One, a photo studio in northern California, and
divides his time between writing, photography, public speaking, and
backpacking in the high Sierras.
What they are saying about Brian
I've also included some prefacing remarks from a couple of people in the
line who passed it on to me.
"If I had the power to do so, I would make this article "Mandatory"-- no,
Not Required, but Mandatory Reading for every man, woman and child over 7,
in our whole country; and for those who were not literate, I'd have it read
to them. It will probably take you about 5 minutes to read, but it is well
worth it."
"I saw Brian Shul speak once (at the NAS Jax Naval Hospital Christmas
Ball). He spoke that day about the value of compassion in medicine. He
talked about how he was so horribly burned and disfigured that even the docs
and the nurses turned away from him, and about how the human attention meant
so much to him at that point that he would resort to trickery to try and
engage the medical staff. The example he gave was of the time he had someone
make a large sign that said "kisses $1" which was then placed next to his
bed. The smiles that folks flashed after reading the sign was enough to keep
him going. It took him a year to get out of the hospital and yet he went on
to fly A-7s, A-10s, and finally the SR-71. If you're a fan of Naval Aviation
and the Blue Angels and you don't own a copy of his photo album "Blue Angels
a Portrait in Gold" you are missing out on some of the best photographs ever
taken of the world's best formation aerobatic team. At any rate, the
attached speech by Brian is right on and should be posted on every bulletin
board."
