A Life of Service

I’ve been in the Air Force for more than 9 years now and it wasn’t until just recently that I’ve felt “military”.  Last month I volunteered to work on the B-17 display at Barksdale.  I had worked on it before but that day I went out in uniform for a few hours, and something about the task, running the guard rail rope around the display, and the WWII era music playing over the loud speaker, I felt a definite connection to my heritage.

On our way here I looked around.  I saw men and women from around the Air Force coming together to get a job done.  It was the first time I really felt that camaraderie that you see in those war movies.  The coolest part of the trip though was our stop in one Eastern European country.  We were several hours into our trip.  We landed in a small little airport and were bussed off the tarmac.  As several hundred of us flooded the shops and waiting areas, we were met with odd looks from men and women who looked like they were out of a movie.  We were all spread out throughout the terminal anxiously waiting the last leg of our trip, and some rest.  When the word came, we all rose and headed for the gate.  The sight of all of us uniformed personnel must have stirred something because suddenly someone started the “slow clap” which built until the entire terminal was applauding we American servicemen headed to war.  It was one of many surreal moments I’ve had on this deployment.

The other day I attended a Fallen Warrior ceremony.  I piled into a hot bus full of other service members.  We were hauled out to the flight line where we all stood around and waited for direction.  We were given instructions and when told, formed up behind a C-17.  I somehow ended up in the front of the detail.  When ordered, we rendered a slow, ceremonial solute.  I stood there shoulder to shoulder with men and women from all different branches, officer and enlisted alike, as the flag draped casket of a fallen soldier passed in front of me and into a truck then on to another plane for his final trip home to his family.  It was an event that I’m glad I attended but I probably won’t be attending any more, and unfortunately there will be more.  Others I’ve spoken to said they will not go at all but I think I owed it to “them” to be there once.  Pay my respects and know that this is real and what we’re doing here matters.

It's a Boy!

So I’m a dad again, this time the old fashioned way.  I got to watch (almost) the whole process via Skype so it was like I was there, only less messy.  All in all it went how I thought it would and now we have a cute little boy who’s all small and wrinkly. 

Skype was annoying me.  First when I finally was able to get on, which took some work, Skype decided then was the best time to shut down and install an update.  So I sit around for a painful 10 mins, that I used for some reflective prayer, and finally get in.  Then the “fun” started.  Gabe was very helpful and got the camera and some speakers into the bedroom so I could be apart as much as possible.  Holly was squirming and grunting and yelling and all I could do was sit there very antsy and in anguish.  I wanted so badly to be there and take the pain on for her, or at least squeeze her hand while she went through it.  When the little guy started coming, there was a head, then Skype died on me!  The people in the other room must have been very confused when I started yelling at the computer.  After what seem like 30 mins, which was probably only about 2, I got back in and I hear a crying baby.  Then I kept asking, “What is it” because I missed that part.  After about 12 tries I finally found out it was a boy!

Right after I was high on life and went back to work to share the good news but last night I got a bit depressed.  I let myself have a night of being lethargic and melancholy.  Only one night though.  Any more and it could really make this trip drag out.  So now I’m better this morning.  I have a cute little baby and a beautiful wife so life is good.  Speaking of my beautiful wife, she really did look quite stunning right after the little guy was out and she was holding him.  Of course it could be that I haven’t seen a woman in 6 weeks, but I think it’s the former.

Deployment Dialog - Day 45

When I talk to people back home, I’m asked, “What’s going on”, “What have you been up to”.  I thought I’d give a breakdown of my oh so exciting day.

0500 Wake up, shower, get ready for work

0530 Eat breakfast, usually a couple of fried egg sandwiches and orange juice

0600 Head to work, either ride bike or take the shuttle

0630 – 1830 Work keeping the network up and running

1830 Eat dinner

1900 Study for TSgt

2000 Computer time, games, movie, Skype

2200 Bed, read

2300 Sleep and get ready to do all again

It’s a good little routine and it keeps me busy which make the days go by faster.  There's also church, PT, and Margarita Monday with the shop thrown in there but it's still pretty routine.  My down day takes a bit of thinking but it’s usually restful.  All in all it’s been a good tour.  In a week I’ll be about 25% of the way done, not that I’m counting.