Showing posts with label patriotism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label patriotism. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Congratulations and thank you, Airmen!




I was honored to attend the Air Force Boot Camp graduation last weekend of my daughter's boyfriend. It was two days of ceremonies plus leave, then two days of leave.
A lot of time to be away from home and my business, but who knows when they'll see each other again?

The actual Graduation Day fell on September 11.



It was a reminder that there are a lot of people working hard to ensure the freedoms we enjoy and take for granted every day. 



And for some reason, every day more young men and women sign up to do it, even though they don't get paid much, they are ordered around, and have to pay for things they are required to have. 


Most of us would raise hell if that happened in our jobs. 



They just feel it's an honor to serve.



Very humbling.



All I can offer are photos. 

The drummers caught my eye, of course.





These two young men fulfilled their requirements to become United States citizens while also performing the challenges of boot camp. 
They were sworn in during the ceremonies of the first day. 
A wonderful thing to witness!





Each new airman was awarded a coin to commemorate the end of boot camp. 






After the ceremony, the airmen had to remain standing at attention until they were tapped out by a friend or family member. 




On the second day, they donned their blues and hit the parade ground for the graduation ceremony. 





It is often a life of separation from loved ones, for loved ones. 
Kisses and hugs aren't taken for granted. 



My prayers and gratitude go with them all!





Monday, July 4, 2011

On this 4th of July, just remember...


"Just remember, as you celebrate the 4th of July weekend that there are 6,118 between Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, and members of the Navy that paid the ultimate cost for you to be able to...This Shit Ain't Free (TSAF)! We are very blessed to be from the USA!" ~ Heath Williamson, United States Army 

Heath, the son of one of my dearest friends, has served two tours in Iraq. He posted this on Facebook last night and when I saw it, I knew I needed to share it.

Happy birthday to the United States of America. I may grumble about you at times, but I'm always grateful to call you my homeland.

Thank you, Heath, and all of the others who serve so valiantly to guard the freedom we too often take for granted.

(Click HERE to read more about TSAF.)




Ours is the only country deliberately founded on a good idea.  ~John Gunther

I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives.  I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.  ~Abraham Lincoln



Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime. ~ Adlai E. Stevenson



What is the essence of America?  Finding and maintaining that perfect, delicate balance between freedom "to" and freedom "from."  ~Marilyn vos Savant, in Parade



And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died,who gave that right to me. ~ Lee Greenwood




Intellectually I know that America is no better than any other country; emotionally I know she is better than every other country.  ~Sinclair Lewis