"Off We Go...

…into the wild blue yonder!”

Today, the USAF is 73 years old. I pause to reflect on this because—even though I was a drama queen who failed to see the opportunity that being a Brat presented me—I confess I am proud of that distinction. I didn’t understand all of it. I knew I missed my dad when he was away, but I didn’t understand the tension that would fill the neighborhood when we lived on March AFB in California….when one by one the telephones would ring in most (but not all) of the houses with their front doors open to let in the breeze. I didn’t understand why it was scary when the chaplain’s car started down your street. Later, after one of our many moves, I didn’t understand why Daddy was gone, but I remember not being sure whose rules I had to follow…his or Mom’s.

I whined about the absence of a Taco Bell (or even a McDonalds) when we were stationed overseas. I wish someone had told me to embrace the adventure…I would do such a better job now than I did then…I would explore and learn the language and eat more of the local cuisine…

I vaguely understood from my indifferent high school US history teacher that the Cold War was a thing that I was living in. I remember watching a TV show about a post-apocalyptic America, and then hiding in my closet scanning the Book of Revelation because the show scared the crap out of me. I kind of knew that tensions between the US and the Soviet Union were getting intense again (if they ever let up), but that was far away. I didn’t understand what Daddy did to protect, not just us, but ALL of us.

I knew he took great personal risks. He demonstrated duty and honor.. It wasn’t until after he was gone that I learned about what he gave to the Air Force. I faxed his information to the appropriate office at Fort Sam Houston (where the National Cemetery in San Antonio is). You could almost hear the airman on the other end of the phone snap to attention. “Meaning no disrespect, ma’am…but your dad was a badass.” It was a bright spot in an otherwise grim conversation. Much of what his medals were for is still classified…someday I will investigate, but for now I will take today to celebrate the Firm that drove our lives for thirty-one years.

“…we live in fame or go down in flames, Oh! Nothing can stop the US Air Force!”

Happy Birthday.