Hero pilot named grand marshal of 2010 Rose Parade
Hero pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger has been named grand marshal of the 2010 Rose Parade, officials said today.
Sullenberger gained international fame for successfully landing his passenger plane on the Hudson River in New York City. The Tournament of Roses announced the selection on its Facebook page.
Sullenberger grew up in Denison, Texas, where his father was a dentist and his mother a teacher. He had a distinguished career flying for the military before his more than 40 years in commercial aviation, the last 29 as a captain with US Airways.
He also is a certified glider pilot and has served as a local safety chairman and accident investigator for the Air Line Pilots Assn., International.
Sullenberger's US Airways jet had just taken off from New York's LaGuardia Airport when it hit a flock of geese and lost power in both engines. Sullenberger, judging that the plane could not make it to an airport and could crash into an urban neighborhood, decided to ditch the plane in the Hudson River, deftly bringing it down intact on the water.
After passengers were evacuated, Sullenberger twice walked the sinking plane's watery aisle to make sure no one had been left behind. Once on shore, the consummate professional spoke with police, his navy blue suit barely wrinkled and his tie not even loosened.
—Shelby Grad
EDITOR'S PICKS:
OMG! The first deserving person to ever get the job.
Posted by: mizzle | November 05, 2009 at 04:01 PM
What fantastic news! This man is a true hero!
Posted by: Ann | November 05, 2009 at 04:14 PM
MOST apropos...and TRULY EARNED!
Posted by: Robert NO longer in LA | November 05, 2009 at 05:19 PM
Ok, ok the guy spalshed a plane in the river. Saved some lives. Did what he was trained to do. We got it. We got it months ago. Why not build himself a memorial? Write a book? Go on the speaking circuit? ENOUGH!!!! The 10 minutes are up, Mr. Sullenberger, back to obscurity please.
Posted by: Sick of "Sully" | November 05, 2009 at 05:42 PM
Can't think of a better selection-a hero to welcome in the New Year!
Posted by: jtbwriter | November 05, 2009 at 07:30 PM
A true hero!!!! I am so proud of our Rose Parade folks!!!
We need Captain Sully!!!
Posted by: Bob Poole | November 05, 2009 at 08:47 PM
its a good pick, a real person. people should not be negative on this, shame on them if they are. but i am a little let dwn b/c i was REALLY hoping it was gonna be ken lewis of bank of america.
Posted by: sancho-2 | November 05, 2009 at 10:32 PM
Awesome. I will definitely watch the parade this year - in person.
Posted by: Lysette | November 05, 2009 at 11:16 PM
This is a great idea!
Posted by: Steve | November 05, 2009 at 11:34 PM
What a surprise, an appropriate selection...This day and age you would think they would have selected some criminal thug rap artist who would talk about raping all of the women on the floats as they passed him...Maybe this will catch on across America....probably not....
Posted by: TheBigPicture | November 06, 2009 at 08:50 AM