11/19/2007

Happy Thanksgiving! 

My Dad was a US Retired Air Force Technical Sergeant. He was stationed around the world and served in both the Korean and Viet Nam wars.  My dad was a flight engineer in a SAC squadron assigned to  B52’s after logging tons of time is smaller aircraft.  I remember dad was gone much of the time and when dad was home he was always packed and ready to go in a moments notice. Dad loved his job and you could tell that he loved it.  The blood that flowed through his body was no different than many others who had the same level of commitment in his squadron.  The commitment to serve His country came natural with him. He was proud to say that he strapped that B52 to his rear end for a mission.

Dad’s proudest moments were when my brother and I followed his footsteps and joined the United States Air Force back in the early 70’s. He loved John Wayne and I must admit even after seeing all of his movies even in my adult life I too love John Wayne.  I gotta tell you pilgrim the Duke is an American ICON.

Dad would agree with me about the Dixie Chicks.  Even though I did not really care one way or the other for the Chicks, I believe they had bad timing and venue when they spoke out against Mr. Bush.  After all, they were on foreign soil at the beginning of a war.  I am certain their views were less than popular due to their immediate and continued lack of support, especially their peers. I know they have some value in speech and I along with the entire Military would fight to protect their freedom of speech. You can burn a flag; just don’t burn mine and you will have no problem.

Speaking of the President, as military training dictates the President is the Commander in Chief.  We as Americans elected him through our election process.  If he/she is elected, whether you voted for him/her or not he/she is our President. A person elected as President may not be who you voted for, but you should have respect for the office.  If you don’t respect the office, in my opinion you don’t respect our Country.  Don’t ever forget we elect while other countries have other methods. You should be thankful that the President does what he does and does not burden you with his day.  Who knows what he had to put up with that day.  It could have been war, some whiner about policy, maybe he was worn slap out and forgot what his wife or kids said to bring home for supper.  As Dad would say the President puts his pants on just like I do.

The President and the military are no different from anyone else they put their pants on the same as Dad and I.  The military just does more of the grunt work of preserving freedom for our country. They can and in fact pay the ultimate sacrifice for their occupation and sometimes get beat up by politics. Don’t get me wrong, we all in America do our part to preserve our great country.  Some farm so we have food, some teach so we have great technologies, some entertain to give us a break from the day to day routine.  We all have a part. What is your part?

In closing, the point of this editorial is to bring America to attention.  As you are with your families during this Thanksgiving Holiday, please remember our Military and their families.  They all are serving as we eat, watch football, play with kids and make more Holiday plans for Christmas.  Lift all of them up in prayer and don’t miss an opportunity to thank them when you see them and ask them how you can help them.  Let them know you are not just behind them, let them know you are with them. Americans it is time to unite.

I wish Happy Birthday to dad 11/26/1929 – 9/16-1980 and to my brother and best friend Bland.

Mike Brooks