Hello everyone,
Hope this update reaches you well.
For your information, I'm still here and I have not given up on our campaign. I took the liberty of writing to Captain Chelsely Sullenberger through his press media to kindly ask for his support to help achieve our primary goal to have Captain Kevin Sullivan, First Officer Peter Lipsett, and Second Officer Ross Hayes officially acknowledged and recognised for their heroism. I hope to receive a response at his earliest opportunity and will gladly let you all know. Until then be safe.
20/02/2019
Dear Captain Chesley Sullenberger,
My name is Fuzzy Maiava and I'm respectfully writing to ask for your support to help a fellow American namely Captain Kevin Sullivan who was medically retired for something he dearly loved doing and that was flying aeroplanes and for saving the lives of 315 passengers and crew on board an Airbus A330 Qantas Flight QF72 on 7 October 2008 from certain death. 119 passengers and crew were mentally and physically injured with 9 seriously.
Captain Kevin Sullivan (Ret.) and his flight crew namely First Officer Peter Lipsett, and Second Officer Ross Hayes still to this day have not been publicly acknowledged or recognised for their heroic actions in pulling a falling aircraft from the sky not once but twice when all they could see was the Indian Ocean. I am completely at a loss as to how an horrific incident such as this could have been overlooked for public acknowledgement for well over 10 years now.
There is absolutely no question or debate that Captain Kevin Sullivan who served in the U.S. Navy during the Iran-Contra Crisis in the 1980's as a Fighter Pilot courageously led from the front in saving our lives in a very short window. Captain Kevin Sullivan also had the distinction of graduating as an elite Top Gun Fighter
Pilot.
I'm one of the survivors from that Terror Flight from Hell and the reason I'm so passionate about seeing Captain Sullivan and his men officially recognised by the Australian Government and the Qantas Group is because he is the reason I'm still alive and here today to be able to care for my youngest daughter who was hit and run over by a speeding motorist when she was crossing the road on her way home. The accident happened on the 10th anniversary 7.10.2018 to the day of the QF72 incident 7.10.2008. My daughter requires around the clock care and I'm very thankful to the Lord our Saviour and Captain Kevin Sullivan and his men that I’m here by my daughter’s side.
I've been told many times from close family and friends to give up the fight and that I was wasting my time and to just focus all my energy on my daughter's well-being but I cannot and I will not. I owe it to these courageous men and no matter how long it takes I have a duty of care to ensure that these brave men are officially recognised for bringing 315 passengers and crew home alive to their loved ones and not in body bags. Every breath I take is because of these remarkable individuals. They are what TRUE HEROES are made of.
I have started a petition on the Change.org website for public support and awareness for your information please: https://www.change.org/p/australian-government-qantas-group-real-heroes-need-to-be-officially-recognised
It would be an honour and a great privilege to lend your voice of support as you are a great role model and an incredible inspiration to everyone globally for saving the lives of 155 passengers and crew on board U.S Airways Flight 1549 on January 15, 2009. It is pilots like yourself and Captain Kevin Sullivan that we put our trust and faith in every time we board your aircraft every day.
I’m proud that the U.S. Government take care of their own and leave no one behind. My wish is that the Australian Government and the Qantas Group can do the same.
I thank you for your time Captain and sincerely hope that you will be able to join me and five thousand plus petitioners in persuading the powers that be to do the right thing in seeing these three courageous individuals receive Australia’s highest Civilian Bravery Award “THE CROSS OF VALOUR” for ACTS OF THE MOST CONSPICUOUS COURAGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES OF EXTREME PERIL!” for their outstanding contribution to Australian Aviation.
God Bless you and your Family Sir �
Fuzzy Maiava
QF72 Flight Attendant (Medically Retired)