"I don't want to hurt no one. I just want you to whisper sweet nothings into my ear." A real human being, and a real hero.

Rich Russell represents the modern man in every way. Hopeless meaningless life, discarded by an ungrateful world. A man who couldn't find meaning in life, confused and driven by existential suffering, so he decided to go out in a spectacular way. But his innocent, self aware and lighthearted demeanour reminded us of ourselves when we too suffer in silence.
Always wanted to be a pilot, never had the opportunity, so he simply did it. He didn't go up there to die. He went up there to see if he was ever really alive. See you on the other side, Sky King.

"And tonight when I, at last, God behold, my salute will sweep his blue threshhold with something spotless. A diamond in the ash which I take in spite of you; and that is my panache." -Cyrano de Bergerac

That is not an ordinary star, my son. That star is the tear of a warrior.
A lost soul who has finished his battles somewhere on this planet. A pitiful soul who could not find his way to the lofty realm where the great spirit awaits us all.

"I have now reached a bizarre peace. I no longer resent this world... I was able to meet a wonderful, kind man like you in the last moments of my final hours... I shall now journey off to meet my queen... Friend of a world 300 years in the future from mine. Let me hear your name." - Bruford