RIP Charlie

Charlie Aldinger was the real deal. This is a good obit but it leaves out my favourite Charlie Aldinger story: On 9/11, after the Pentagon was attacked, a security perimeter was put up, of course. Charlie was credentialed to enter the Pentagon whenever he wanted - but not on this day, and he knew it. So he ran towards an entrance and when challenged by base security he shouted “FBI”, didn’t break stride and, absolutely looking the part, got through. He filed some amazing, unmatched stuff that morning. RIP. ■