# @israeldavidgroveman on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CuA-OR_JzjG
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/68821526-israeldavidgroveman-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/24103a97b5.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-06-28T01:13:19.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Israel David Groveman (@israeldavidgroveman) — https://gondola.cc/israeldavidgroveman

## Caption

“Abe,” I said to my younger brother. “Should I tell Mom that’s the plane Uncle Stephen went down in.” “Are you sure?” he said. “Yes, I again checked the report my wife Leah finally got from the Air Force just two days ago.” “Yes, you should” said Abe.

Mom was already having a hard time at the museum because the Bell South X-1 that Grandpa worked on had been moved and the visit with the museum grandchildren was different than hoped for. 

“Mom” I said quietly- “that’s the kind of plane Stephen flew on his last flight.” She got very quiet and moved closer to the railing and said nothing for minutes. I asked if I could take a photo and then gave long hugs afterwards.

My short film about veterans I dedicated to my uncle had already gone farther than expected and taken me all over the world, but making it had forced me to visit it on a tangible and emotional level that floored me. I knew I could only feel a slight ripple of the decades of sadness borne by those closest; but the experience of it being so immediate has changed me forever.

I was today years old when I discovered that upon moving to Los Angeles in 2013, exactly ten years ago on June 27th, it just happened to be the exact same day and anniversary of his death. The first thing I did ten years ago, having no idea it was the same day, and no idea what unpredictable stories lay ahead in filmmaking, was drive to Malibu only a few miles from where he died and where we eventually filmed “A Mighty Endeavor” 5 years later, and take photo number 3 in this post. 

Stephen died right out over that ocean, and we’ve all been missing him ever since.

#fate #june27 #honorthefallen #veterans #america #freedom #predestination #usaf #usairforce

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## Tags

honorthefallen, usairforce, america, fate, predestination, june27, usaf, freedom, veterans

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