Okay... so today, I stop by the Air Force Recruiter's Office in Frederick, to follow up a phone call John had placed concerning RAP (I'll post on this next time!) The Airman behind the desk was in RAP, so we began to chat. This young man, was sharing that he had left for BMT on 12.18.2007, was able to spend Christmas and New Year's at Lackland. He then had the pleasure of attending Tech School at Lackland (tongue in cheek)... I chuckled with him, as he reflected on being able to hear his TI's voice each and every day! He asked about John's TI, I shared the name and this Airman's replied that this fine gentleman was THE toughest at Lackland! GULP!
John, my respect for what you endured those 6-1/2 weeks, went to the moon in that instant! Son, you are awesome!
I never, ever want or need to hear details... as I was told at Graduation...what goes on in the Dayroom, stays in the Dayroom. Uh-huh!
Hmmmm...what doesn't kill ya, makes ya stronger????
John, I do love you so!!!!!!!!!
~ ~ ~ ~
TI=Training Instructor
BMT=Basic Military Training
RAP=Recruiter Assistance Program
GULP=Mom's reaction
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Memorial Day 2008
I received this from John and felt the need to share:
To the Airmen of the United States Air Force and their Families:
This coming Monday, in an act of national unity, American men,women, and children will pauseto honor our fallen heroes in communities across the globe. MemorialDay offers a time for quietreflection and meaningful assembly as we remember and pay tribute tothose who made the ultimatesacrifice in the service of our grateful nation.
Our fallen acted selflessly to advance the cause of liberty. Theyleave behind families,friends, communities, and fellow warriors who rebuild and pressforward, yet forever feel thevacancy and sorrow that remain. To all who have lost a loved one inthe course of militaryservice, please know that the nearly 700,000 Airmen of the Total Force- Regular, Guard, Reserveand Civilian - share your sorrow. We understand your heartache on adeep personal level, and thededication of your loved ones to their country endures in our thoughtsand actions. We aregrateful for your resilience and your continued commitment tofundamental freedoms for allpeople.
The United States honors and respects the noble tradition ofmilitary service. It is animmense privilege to be entrusted with the preservation of America'sfreedom. Airmen embrace thisprivilege and recognize that we follow in the footsteps of ourcountry's courageous heroes, many ofwhom paid with their lives to turn back the forces of tyranny. Theircourage inspires andmotivates us as we face today's challenges.
Airmen will forever protect and defend American values and our wayof life against anyaggressor. Airmen serve with our Joint partners to secure the idealsembodied in ourConstitution. Airmen stand as America's sentinels in an unwaveringcommitment to the rule of law,individual human rights, and democratic governance.
Congress has asked Americans everywhere to pause at 3 p.m. onMonday to observe a NationalMoment of Remembrance. Whether you find yourself on or off base atthat moment, we ask for theAirmen of the world's greatest Air Force, and their families, to pausein reverence for ourfallen. In so doing, you stand with families, friends, communities,and fellow warriors to honorour departed heroes with respectful remembrance and thankful hearts.
To the Airmen of the United States Air Force and their Families:
This coming Monday, in an act of national unity, American men,women, and children will pauseto honor our fallen heroes in communities across the globe. MemorialDay offers a time for quietreflection and meaningful assembly as we remember and pay tribute tothose who made the ultimatesacrifice in the service of our grateful nation.
Our fallen acted selflessly to advance the cause of liberty. Theyleave behind families,friends, communities, and fellow warriors who rebuild and pressforward, yet forever feel thevacancy and sorrow that remain. To all who have lost a loved one inthe course of militaryservice, please know that the nearly 700,000 Airmen of the Total Force- Regular, Guard, Reserveand Civilian - share your sorrow. We understand your heartache on adeep personal level, and thededication of your loved ones to their country endures in our thoughtsand actions. We aregrateful for your resilience and your continued commitment tofundamental freedoms for allpeople.
The United States honors and respects the noble tradition ofmilitary service. It is animmense privilege to be entrusted with the preservation of America'sfreedom. Airmen embrace thisprivilege and recognize that we follow in the footsteps of ourcountry's courageous heroes, many ofwhom paid with their lives to turn back the forces of tyranny. Theircourage inspires andmotivates us as we face today's challenges.
Airmen will forever protect and defend American values and our wayof life against anyaggressor. Airmen serve with our Joint partners to secure the idealsembodied in ourConstitution. Airmen stand as America's sentinels in an unwaveringcommitment to the rule of law,individual human rights, and democratic governance.
Congress has asked Americans everywhere to pause at 3 p.m. onMonday to observe a NationalMoment of Remembrance. Whether you find yourself on or off base atthat moment, we ask for theAirmen of the world's greatest Air Force, and their families, to pausein reverence for ourfallen. In so doing, you stand with families, friends, communities,and fellow warriors to honorour departed heroes with respectful remembrance and thankful hearts.
Colossal Week!
Good job, good job!
Despite oodles of hurdles, my son did extremely well on another Block Test! Congratulations, John. You fill my heart with pride and keep me in awe with your determination for excellence! My constant prayers for your continued success are answered each passing day!
Phone conversations this past week, revealed an extremely stressed Airman, overwhelmed with the duties of his new life. Bottom line...he did it, and he did it all well! May I add, he did it all in John-Style. Hurdles are nothing new to my son, he has known many bumps in the road and always overcomes whatever he meets. It is who he is, the core of my son.
So...he here is with another week of Tech School behind him, John is currently in Phase III...slowly reaching the final stretch! I've said it so many times before and will continue to repeat the simple truth...my son is where he is meant to be! He is living his dream, although I have no doubt he has questioned himself on many occassions! I appreciate his sacrifice and the sacrifice of each and every member of our military!
Good job! Good Job!
Pray Hard!
Stay Strong!
John, I do love you so!
Despite oodles of hurdles, my son did extremely well on another Block Test! Congratulations, John. You fill my heart with pride and keep me in awe with your determination for excellence! My constant prayers for your continued success are answered each passing day!
Phone conversations this past week, revealed an extremely stressed Airman, overwhelmed with the duties of his new life. Bottom line...he did it, and he did it all well! May I add, he did it all in John-Style. Hurdles are nothing new to my son, he has known many bumps in the road and always overcomes whatever he meets. It is who he is, the core of my son.
So...he here is with another week of Tech School behind him, John is currently in Phase III...slowly reaching the final stretch! I've said it so many times before and will continue to repeat the simple truth...my son is where he is meant to be! He is living his dream, although I have no doubt he has questioned himself on many occassions! I appreciate his sacrifice and the sacrifice of each and every member of our military!
Good job! Good Job!
Pray Hard!
Stay Strong!
John, I do love you so!
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Thank You From the Bottom of My Heart
The Gratitude Campaign
The sign we are using is intended to communicate
"thank you from the bottom of my heart. "
To make the sign simply place your hand on your heart
as though you're saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Then
pull your hand down and out, bending at the elbow
(not the wrist), stopping for a moment at about the belly button with your hand flat, palm up, angled toward the person you're thanking.
According to Norman Heimgartner, Ed.D., author of “Behavioral Traits of Deaf Children” and former Professor of Education at the University of Puget Sound, this sign originated in France in the late 1700’s, and was published in “Theorie des Signes”, a dictionary of signs by the Abbe Sicard. The sign was brought to the United States in 1816 by the Reverend Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, founder of Gallaudet University, who later modified it to start at the chin rather than at the heart. That sign is now the standard sign for “thank you” in American Sign Language. The original sign, starting at the heart, is less commonly known today and might now be considered “slang”. For more information on American Sign Language, please see http://www.aslta.org/.
For the past several years as I've been traveling around the country, I've been approaching Soldiers in airports and thanking them for serving for us. On several occasions I have noticed that it felt a little awkward for both of us. There are several reasons, some of which I am even just now learning as I produce this film and talk to more Service Men & Women and Veterans. But they have always appreciated being thanked, and I have always felt better having expressed my gratitude.
I started to think that it would be nice if civilians had a gesture or sign that they could use to say "thank you" quickly and easily without even having to approach. I did some research and found the sign that we are now using.
Is this limited to the military? Not at all. If you look around you I'm sure that you'll find lots of people who are serving their communities, from local to global. If you appreciate their service, give them a sign. Say "thank you from the bottom of my heart."
-Scott Truitt, FOUNDER, The Gratitude Campaign
Please take a moment and watch this movie...
above all... PLEASE say thank you!
http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/fullmovie.php
The sign we are using is intended to communicate
"thank you from the bottom of my heart. "
To make the sign simply place your hand on your heart
as though you're saying the Pledge of Allegiance. Then
pull your hand down and out, bending at the elbow
(not the wrist), stopping for a moment at about the belly button with your hand flat, palm up, angled toward the person you're thanking.
According to Norman Heimgartner, Ed.D., author of “Behavioral Traits of Deaf Children” and former Professor of Education at the University of Puget Sound, this sign originated in France in the late 1700’s, and was published in “Theorie des Signes”, a dictionary of signs by the Abbe Sicard. The sign was brought to the United States in 1816 by the Reverend Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, founder of Gallaudet University, who later modified it to start at the chin rather than at the heart. That sign is now the standard sign for “thank you” in American Sign Language. The original sign, starting at the heart, is less commonly known today and might now be considered “slang”. For more information on American Sign Language, please see http://www.aslta.org/.
For the past several years as I've been traveling around the country, I've been approaching Soldiers in airports and thanking them for serving for us. On several occasions I have noticed that it felt a little awkward for both of us. There are several reasons, some of which I am even just now learning as I produce this film and talk to more Service Men & Women and Veterans. But they have always appreciated being thanked, and I have always felt better having expressed my gratitude.
I started to think that it would be nice if civilians had a gesture or sign that they could use to say "thank you" quickly and easily without even having to approach. I did some research and found the sign that we are now using.
Is this limited to the military? Not at all. If you look around you I'm sure that you'll find lots of people who are serving their communities, from local to global. If you appreciate their service, give them a sign. Say "thank you from the bottom of my heart."
-Scott Truitt, FOUNDER, The Gratitude Campaign
Please take a moment and watch this movie...
above all... PLEASE say thank you!
http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/fullmovie.php
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
"President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.
On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department -- the Department of Defense."
Honor our troops!
Give thanks to those who serve!
On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department -- the Department of Defense."
Honor our troops!
Give thanks to those who serve!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Phase II
Congrats, My Son!
Not only have you advanced to Phase II, you scored well on the test! As a mom, watching on the sidelines as your child step by step places themselves right where they are meant to be...it takes my breath away. I know the challenges of the past eight weeks have been enormous...much more than most will ever endure. But here you are... doing it, because this is what you want. Many don't understand, why would anyone join the military during this "conflict". My answer, my thought...the reason my son graduated with 532 other Airmen a few weeks ago...they believe! They believe in what has made our country strong, they believe in our founding fathers, they believe in our flag, they believe in God. Simply, my message to those who see the world differently... please respect those who choose to fight for our freedoms. Not everyone agrees, so be it. Simple respect.
To my son, Gods Speed.
To all the other sons and daughters, thank you!
Pray hard!
Stay Strong!
John, I do love you so!
Not only have you advanced to Phase II, you scored well on the test! As a mom, watching on the sidelines as your child step by step places themselves right where they are meant to be...it takes my breath away. I know the challenges of the past eight weeks have been enormous...much more than most will ever endure. But here you are... doing it, because this is what you want. Many don't understand, why would anyone join the military during this "conflict". My answer, my thought...the reason my son graduated with 532 other Airmen a few weeks ago...they believe! They believe in what has made our country strong, they believe in our founding fathers, they believe in our flag, they believe in God. Simply, my message to those who see the world differently... please respect those who choose to fight for our freedoms. Not everyone agrees, so be it. Simple respect.
To my son, Gods Speed.
To all the other sons and daughters, thank you!
Pray hard!
Stay Strong!
John, I do love you so!
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