Granted, I'm a few days early, but I'm in the process of preparing for a few upcoming deployments. The first is to Wright-Patterson AFB yet again. The second, three weeks after I return home from Wright-Patt, is overseas. All I can say about it right now is that it will be short, sweet, and it has something to do with NATO.
One of my fondest memories is from when I served on the Moody AFB Honor Guard. It was July 4th, and we had just posted the Colors at the fireworks display downtown. As the national anthem ended, a formation of four F-16C's roared overhead. On their second pass, the #3 aircraft peeled up and out of the group. For those who have never seen a missing man formation, rest assured that it is a sombering moment.
Here at the 927th ARW, we've revived the old Air Force tradition of aircraft nose art. Our planes bear names like "Hockeytown Express" and "Motown Magic". The most meaningful, though, is simply "Let's Roll".
Now then, a quote from the late Red Skelton. Sadly, Red never knew how telling his thoughts on the Pledge actually were.
<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> Since I was a small boy, two states have been added to our country, and two words have been added to the Pledge of Allegiance: Under God. Wouldn't it be a pity if someone said that is a prayer, and that would be eliminated from schools, too?
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
Freedom, by Father Dennis Edward O'Brien
<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE>It is the soldier, not the reporter,
who has given us the Freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet,
who has given us Freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
who has given us the Freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, who serves beneath the Flag,
who salutes the Flag,
whose coffin is draped by the Flag,
who allows the protester to burn the Flag.
It is the soldier, not the politician,
who has given his blood, his body, his life,
who has given us these FREEDOMS.
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
Patriotic Creed, by Edgar Guest
<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE>To serve my country day by day
At any humble post I may;
To honor and respect her flag,
To live the traits of which I brag;
To be American in deed
As well as in my printed creed.
To stand for truth and honest toil,
To till my little patch of soil,
And keep in mind the debt I owe
To them who died that I might know
My country, prosperous and free,
And passed this heritage to me.
I always must in trouble's hour
Be guided by the men in power;
For God and country I must live,
My best for God and country give;
No act of mine that men may scan
Must shame the name American.
To do my best and play my part,
American in mind and heart;
To serve the flag and bravely stand
To guard the glory of my land;
To be American in deed:
God grant me strength to keep this creed! </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>
_________________
Blaming guns for violence is like blaming spoons for Rosie O'Donnel being fat.
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