Editor’s note: This article was written and submitted by Brian Shul’s sister, Maureen Shul. Clear skies. Low 36F. Winds light and variable.

During the early days of the Cold War, the U.S. relied on the U-2 as its reconnaissance airframe. Designed for the Central Intelligence Agency, the U-2 “Dragon Lady” was flown over the Soviet Union.

Pilot Brian Shul stands in front of a Blackbird SR-71 spy plane. He is scheduled to speak Oct. 10 in Grand Junction, but his talk will focus on his family's experience with pancreatic cancer more than ...