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FINALLY, these sit proudly on my desk never to be worn again...
My daughter FINALLY separated form the AF just a little while back ending my time of sleepless nights and added grey hairs. Of the two kids serving she was the one that managed to get herself assigned to Special Ops Command and getting frequently deployed to REALLY bad places. I never expected when I took her to the AF recruiting station she would end up spending months at a time sleeping with an M4 by her bunk. When some folks say the AF does not park expensive airplanes in places where they can get shot at they don't know what they are taking about... Anyway it's all over now and she is safely tucked-in back at home while she and her boyfriend make plans for "next steps".
yesterday she was going through her old stuff and gave me these for my collection of "souvenirs". The patch and IR flag went to Afghanistan and some "side trips" to places she can't tell me about on three deployments that lasted 6-(well beyond that) months each. And the badge is from her stateside stint when she was asked to be part of her Base's Honor Guard, a tough job for sure but one that she took as a personal honor.
I'm really proud of her service and just damn happy that at least for the time being she is sleeping in a bedroom only a few feet from mine. Life is good!
I also owe a debt of gratitude to a very good man that made sure that before she left home she was well able to take care of herself and went out into the world with the right frame of mind. She told me the other day she has never forgotten what you taught her. Thank you...
I can't believe it's been over 10 years since this picture was taken...
yesterday she was going through her old stuff and gave me these for my collection of "souvenirs". The patch and IR flag went to Afghanistan and some "side trips" to places she can't tell me about on three deployments that lasted 6-(well beyond that) months each. And the badge is from her stateside stint when she was asked to be part of her Base's Honor Guard, a tough job for sure but one that she took as a personal honor.
I'm really proud of her service and just damn happy that at least for the time being she is sleeping in a bedroom only a few feet from mine. Life is good!
I also owe a debt of gratitude to a very good man that made sure that before she left home she was well able to take care of herself and went out into the world with the right frame of mind. She told me the other day she has never forgotten what you taught her. Thank you...
I can't believe it's been over 10 years since this picture was taken...
Replies
She definitely was not a REMF.
Gun control laws make about as much sense as taking ex-lax to cure a cough.
I never thought my father a sentimental man. Life was what it threw at you, and you move on. On leave after bootcamp I laid the typical 8x11 portrait of me in Dress Blues on the nightstand in my old bedroom.
A year or so later, on another leave, I got back home and was astonished to see that portrait not only framed, but prominently displayed on the wall of the living room. It was the only "hanging" picture my Dad ever put up.
Once I was out of the service, My Dad moved 3 more times. That pic was always back on the wall as soon as the furniture was in place and before the silverware was unloaded. Though neither of us mentioned it....his actions spoke louder than words.
You are a good Dad. Thanks for sharing.
Mike
N454casull
Her years on active duty have left their mark on her. She needs one shoulder operated on and at least one of the knees too. That's a lot of wear and tear on someone her age, but she's never had any quit in her demeanor. She certainly didn't spend her time idly.
We'll be looking to schedule those procedures soon, one reason she is home with us, and after the surgeries we will spoil her to no end when she comes home from the hospital. Mom is already on point!
Semper Fi
Winston Churchill
There's a face in that pic that seems familiar.
Both your kids are special!!
Thank your daughter for her service for us please.
A few years ago her and her boyfriend were driving headed to my house to celebrate my birthday with us. A call caught them about 10 hours into a 16 hour drive. A swift U-Turn and a quick call to dad to let me know not to wait up was all that followed.
I can count on my fingers in one hand with plenty of leftovers the Christmases and Thanksgivings we got to spend together for the 10 years she was in.
They do tend to get better food though 🤣
I should have known where we were headed when she was just a kid. This picture is still in the now buried archives of the old G&A online magazine. I posted it here when she shot her first deer at 14 and Dan Johnson asked me if he could use it for his blog on the magazine website. Perfect shot right under the neck on the off side, blew the top of the heart and exited right behind the ribs on the side showing. Needless to say I said yes. She was SO proud when I showed the blog to her!
Here she is on an outing with Junkcollector. Notice @Zee, no chicken wings!
Same day, .41 Mag full power loads . She took it to heart when she was told "You control recoil or recoil controls you."
Sorry I'm bragging a little, just a mixture of joy and relief that this chapter is really over. I'll just shut up now and go back to my corner now. Thanks for putting up with me...
Gun control laws make about as much sense as taking ex-lax to cure a cough.
When you land (and sometimes base) one of these in unfriendly places you feel compelled to defend the US Air Force Property that needs to get everyone home. Some of those folks have multiple Purple Hearts.
As a nation, we are very good at electing idiots. Idiots that end up with control over where these young men and women get told to risk everything.
I've worked for idiots in environments where you DON'T have the possibility of getting shot at. To sign on to work for idiots who may send you to a place where you will get shot at takes a special person.
As the collective electors of the idiots, we truly do not deserve those that sign on the line. Thanks to your lil' gal, & welcome home!
"Nothing is safe from stupid." - Zee