11-11-2019, 04:11 PM
I was born in 1947, of parents who both served in the Army during WWII. In those years, young men were expected to serve in the military - and those who did not were looked down upon as shameful shirkers of their natural duty. My formative years were filled with those wonderful patriotic movies of the past war such as Flattop, Midway, Run Silent Run Deep, Twelve O'Clock High, and many more. I knew from the age of five that I wanted to be "John Wayne Fighter Pilot." Seeing brand new and sexy T-33 jets flying low over my house into the nearby Air Force Base reinforced that desire.
I was fortunate enough to do all that - I even logged some 60 hours in the attack trainer version of the AT-33/F-80 I had watched as a kid, earning the rating of Ground Attack Fighter Pilot. I ended up serving 10 years active and then 13 years Reserve, to complete a full career, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Thanks are not necessary. I have been the very first molecule at the tip of the spear, and I have trained others to be the same. I have felt monsoonal misery and stratospheric ecstasy. My heart is already warmed with the knowledge that I did my duty, helped preserve my country, and experienced things along the way that simply cannot be gotten any other way. It was an honor.
But you are most sincerely welcome for your thoughts.
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I was fortunate enough to do all that - I even logged some 60 hours in the attack trainer version of the AT-33/F-80 I had watched as a kid, earning the rating of Ground Attack Fighter Pilot. I ended up serving 10 years active and then 13 years Reserve, to complete a full career, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Thanks are not necessary. I have been the very first molecule at the tip of the spear, and I have trained others to be the same. I have felt monsoonal misery and stratospheric ecstasy. My heart is already warmed with the knowledge that I did my duty, helped preserve my country, and experienced things along the way that simply cannot be gotten any other way. It was an honor.
But you are most sincerely welcome for your thoughts.
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