As the Newsletter Editor of Chapter 125, of the Experimental Aircraft Association, between
the period 1980 through 1992, I started to run out of sources for material for the newsletter.
After being embarrassed by the skimpiness of the newsletters I invented a Fictional Character
to relate aviation type stories I'd learned over the years, hoping to use short stories to
help fill in missing pages of the newsletter. I grabbed the name 'Whispering Smith' out of
thin air (There may have been a simular charactor in a western movie during the 50's),
and he is a composite of several people I have known, with a great deal of myself thrown in.
His memories are a mixture of these stories I've heard and a lot of 'What If - -' thoughts.
When I published the first couple of stories I was surprised to learn that everyone enjoyed it
and wanted more. So, I wrote more stories and published them in the Monthly Newsletters,
sending them to other Chapters in nearby states, as well as to E.A.A. Headquarters. After
attending Fly-In's at some of these neighboring Chapters I learned that many of these members
also enjoyed reading 'Whispering Smith'.

Being encouraged by friends and members to compile these stories and publish them as a
book, I gave some thought to it and decided that's what I would do. I hope they are received
with as much enthusiasm as these friends have said they would be. I wish to extend my
appreciation to all those friends who have been a source for these stories, and for their
unfailing support to me during this publication. I also must acknowledge the silent support
that my dear late wife, Donna, had given me in this endeavor. She tolerated my isolation during
these writing sessions, and deserved better. Thank you Honey!

With Appreciation;

Ed Gravley (Whispering Smith)

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