Sunday, May 27, 2012

Into the Wild Blue Yonder

Holding his niece prior to moving to Hawaii
My son, enlisted after 9/11 and serves in the Air Force, currently he is stationed at Hickam Air Force Base, Pearl Harbor. Don't let the base on the beach fool you, he works 12 hour shifts arriving 45 minutes early and staying 45 minutes late for briefings  He is my hero.  He spent his first four years of active duty in Tacoma, Washington; I figure he needs at least six more months of sun to dry out from the rain there!

He endured Basic Military Training in August in San Antonio; grueling days in the sun, running the required four miles per day at 4:00 a.m. because that's when it was cool.  He went to Texas at 155 lbs, he is 6' tall.  At graduation seven weeks later he weighed 142 lbs and his waist was smaller than mine!  As any mother will tell you, when your child is it training so are you.  He called home, told us what life was like and in the next five weeks I lost 10 pounds!  Torture the child and tell the Mom and they both think they're going to die!
He turned 21 while deployed to the Middle East.  His fellow Airmen served him  a bran muffin with 21 toothpicks in it!  You can only use what you've got and birthday cakes were sparse there. It was 130 degrees during the day cooling down to 80 degrees overnight.  


I have a Blue Star flag in my window, it's been 10 years now and I am very grateful and proud of all of the service men and women who sacrifice for our freedom.  I am also indebted to all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.


We miss our Airman, he is a Technical Sergeant now working the night shift, keeping our country safe.

10 comments:

  1. Please tell your son THANK YOU for his service. We appreciate him.

    Please pray for those that are serving our country & those that have gone before us.

    TTFN ~
    Happy holiday weekend ~
    Marydon

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  2. You have lots to be proud of!! What a great picture. It is a special person who serves our country. My Dad and Uncle served in WWII, my uncle also served in the Korean War and was awarded a Purple Star! Both amazing men!! Memorial Day certainley a day of reflection!

    Best, chris

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  3. I'm wiping away tears of gratitude. What a handsome young man. Please tell your son thank you for serving our country and keeping us safe.

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  4. Good Morning!

    So happy that you stopped by and I'm off to follow you too!

    Thanks to your son and all of those who serve. They are truly an inspiration. . .

    xo Patrice

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  5. A young man after my own heart...I have had the honor of visiting Pearl Harbor and that wonderful Air Base as my grandfather was stationed there for his retirement years. My father served as a engineer tech and my brother is a flight engineer on C-130's. It is an honor to watch the young men and women serve with such dignity and selflessness. They grow up so fast. Thank him for us and continued prayers of protection....smiles...on this Memorial Day...Renee

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  6. Many thanks to your son for the sacrifices he is making. And many thanks to you for raising such a fine young man. Praying for his protection.
    Julie

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  7. You should be a proud mama. Thank you to your son and others like him. Happy Memorial Day!
    Leslie

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  8. Oh my. What a wonderful young man! Many thanks for all the sacrifices you and your family have made for our freedom.

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  9. So wonderful Tammy!! Please tell your son Thank You for his service!! What a blessing he is to you, and to our country!! Will be praying for his protection!! Have a blessed day! xo Heather

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  10. A heartfelt thanks to your son and to you for raising such an honorable man. I sat at home when my husband served in Viet Nam, so I know that those of us at home make sacrifices too. The worry did make me lose weight, and although I need to lose some now, I don't want to have to do it that way! You have good reason to be proud. laurie

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