I’m “Spawn”

As you see in the picture above, my dad was a fighter pilot in the Air Force, which makes me an unruly “military brat.” But I prefer the term old pilots at his squadron reunions favor: spawn. I’m spawn, my husband’s spawn, and because both of us were in the Air Force, our kids are jointly spawned.

Two Sons Are Serving

In fact, we would have three generations of Air Force service, but two of our sons chose the Navy. One’s a Marine, the other a Submariner. When the Navy offers your spawn ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) scholarships to college, wise “parental unit” spawners go with the junior spawns’ choices. (Sorry, Air Force) Because free is good.

My Fighter Pilot Dad

He flew not one but two tours during the Vietnam War. A tour was 100 combat missions, which usually took just under a year to accomplish.Only one tour was required, because they were so dangerous. But he volunteered for the second. I’m proud of my dad’s courage and service, though it came at great cost to us. And I’m grateful we spawn (my sisters and I) learned that despite the family’s hardship, it’s important to serve and value our country. 

The Air Force Academy

That ‘service’, patriotism, and the education, drew me to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy.  After graduating from USAFA, I fulfilled my 5 year commitment, and got out, or separated, from the Air Force in 1988. My 5, or 10-year military career (if you count the 4 years of the academy and a year of civilian preparatory school) was not happy or fulfilling. It colors my view of government and the military, but I still believe in serving one’s country, and the need for the professional armed forces. I have a dream that one day our military will be effective, efficient, and led by a qualified military and civilians who know what the services and nation need, and have the will to get it. It’s a dream.

 The Air Force Academy Chapel, Colorado Springs, CO

My Husband

My husband served in the Air Force (Logistics) for 27 years, including being a squadron commander three times, and a group (many squadrons) once. That made me the boss’s wife. (Oh boy). On September 11, 2001, he was deployed to Turkey, supporting the troops to ensure Saddam Hussein didn’t violate the “no fly-zone” we were imposing. I knew enough about the military that after 9-11, my husband might not be home for quite a while. Those were good times for no one on the home front. 

Veterans

Since I’ve been looking at the military all my life, and exploring a small bit of the world of serving Wounded Warriors, and veterans, this is a passion of mine.  It’s also a God-given interest, because without that gift (of interest in the military) I would not be able to handle well having sons in the military, and would probably put my head in the sand till these interminable wars are over. 

I have a dream that one day our military will be effective, efficient, and led by a qualified military and civilians who know what the services and nation need, and have the will to get it.