I've never given them much thought but as I've grown older I've seemed to have gained a greater appreciation for those that blazed the trail before us. Especially those that were put in such precarious positions.
Several years ago I went to an all P-51 Mustang show at the Kissimmee FL airport. There were some on display including an all chrome one and it was cool to walk between them and see their proud owners. In front of me a crowd quickly grew as they followed a man along the tarmac over to a VIP area. I asked someone who is that and they looked at me and said " That's Chuck Yeager ". A true american hero.
Somewhere I have a few VHS-C tapes I took from that day as I walked around. Now I wish I had that appreciation back then and the camera gear to go with it.