A Look Back at 2012

I haven’t written much about TJ’s “comings and goings” this year, and it isn’t because he hasn’t done a lot of it. He has kept quite busy and has made me one proud Mama! I just didn’t keep up on the blog as well as I could have and should have. Therefore, as 2012 becomes history, I decided to provide a look back at his year. And I’d better warn you - TJ did a lot this year, so this review has become a lengthy blog!

TJ signs the papers for another four years.

TJ was assigned to Malmstrom AFB when he completed his tech training in 2007. Throughout his years on the base he has “applied” (the layman’s term) to other positions and jobs, all in an effort to allow him to “see the world”. In the spring he requested the opportunity to shadow other MTLs. “MTL” stands for “Military Training Leader.” TJ described the position as being a “dormitory manager”. He said the MTLs oversee the lodging for the Airmen attending tech school and, if needed, some Airmen may regard an MTL as a counselor. TJ was allowed to go for an entire week at the end of May. (Just a side note: To shadow someone, somewhere else in the Air Force, he pays for everything: his plane ticket, transportation to and from the airports, any lodging needed, etc.).  

He arrived for his week of “shadowing” just as a new group of Airmen were coming for their tech training, so the base had him work with this particular flight. TJ spent time drilling them with their PT (physical training) and seeing to other needs they may have.  He also found time to talk with three Sergeants he was shadowing. One Master Sgt that TJ worked with and spent time talking to was extremely impressed with TJ and the questions TJ had for him. As TJ’s week drew to an end the Master Sgt. told him, “When you put in your application you let me know. I want to tell them about you and how they can’t afford not to have you as an MTL.”

On his last day shadowing, TJ pulled together the flight group he had been working with to say good-bye to them. The Airmen had not realized that TJ was only there temporarily, so they were extremely upset and disappointed when he explained all of this to them. He gave them a final challenge to excel and to serve with pride. (It’s the only way TJ knows how to serve.)

Since being assigned to Malmstrom, TJ has been keenly aware of the Security Force Airmen from this base that have paid the ultimate price for our safety.  But to the best of his knowledge the base had never honored or recognized them. This does not sit well with TJ. He is not only very patriotic, but he is the best example I’ve ever met of someone who wants to show his gratitude for those who are serving or have served. This year TJ was finally inspired and felt God leading him to organize and conduct a Memorial Service for these Airmen. Because he would be gone on Memorial Day (his week of MTL shadowing), he scheduled the service for the Thursday prior. I wrote about this service in my blog on Memorial Day and encourage you to read it.

However, that service of remembrance was not all he did for Memorial Day. Prior to this service he recruited a few of his friends to join him at the local cemetery where they placed flags at all of the gravesites. I believe they placed about 800 flags that morning. (He paid for all of this - the things done for the Memorial Service and the flags for the cemetery - on his own).

During the summer, he completed his application for a position as an MTL. And then the infamous “waiting” began. Finally, he sent a text that said, “I’ve got new orders!” He was sure that it was the orders for his new MTL position. But alas, it was not. He had received orders to go to Turkey for eighteen months. (Whenever he is given orders, like this, he has approximately two weeks to accept or refuse them.) He was thrilled with the idea of heading to Turkey, but he wanted to know what had happened with the MTL request. Another Sgt began helping him look into the matter and could only figure out that someone, somewhere along the line, “dropped the ball” and the whole application was still in limbo. He had to make the choice of accepting the orders to Turkey, which he now knew would become eighteen months in Turkey and then three years in England, or decline them with the hope that his application as an MTL would still come through. He chose not to wait and accepted the orders for Turkey. He was scheduled to report on base in January, 2013.

Then in October he wrote, “Well, I’ve been thrown another curveball.” This prompted a phone call from Mom to find out what this all meant! His orders to Turkey and then England had been cancelled. He was now being ordered to report to duty at Vandenberg AFB on June 1, 2013, as an MTL. It is still unclear who or what happened to change the orders, but this is all just part of military life and it apparently happens quite often. TJ will actually leave Malmstrom in May, moving to California and getting himself settled there, and then travel to Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX for two weeks of training before he actually begins at Vandenberg. We know he was disappointed with the change of plans – he has always been about “action!” But, we told him, “You are so good at leading and encouraging those under you.  The position of MTL is who you are.”

If all of this were not enough, TJ continues to organize/plan leadership seminars for younger Airmen. This is all done voluntarily on his part. It is just something that he believes needs to be done to assist and train the others. After his first seminar, word spread so quickly about what he had done and how well it was conducted, that when he posted information about his next one, the class was filled within the first day and still other officers came asking if he couldn’t please open up a place for one of their Airmen to attend.  He has developed quite the reputation of - well, of doing things according to the Air Force’s motto – with excellence.

TJ's 2012 AFS Chapter 1156 NCO of the Year Award

Therefore it really wasn’t a surprise when he announced that he had received the 2012 AFSA Chapter 1156, NCO of the Year Award. When he told others he said, “I have to thank my Savior for giving me the strength to have accomplished all the events I did. I am also grateful for A1C Elizabeth Jacobson, who still inspires me to this day, and for Master Sgt Colin Crandall and Master Sgt Jane Pullo for all the encouragement and support throughout the year. I could not have done any of these things if it wasn't for their help and mentorship! Many thanks.”  

"Playing" War Games

TJ’s year has included many other highlights such as completing his associate’s degree (only to begin studying for his Tech Sgt test which he will take in February), spending a month in Wyoming to be part of a training program where he played the part of the terrorist, serving as an Honor Guard, and by no means the least of which was deciding to “re-up” for another four years of service! His Dad and I are extremely proud of his accomplishments and his continued dedication to all that he does.

As we bid good-bye to 2012 and welcome in 2013 I know that TJ will continue to excel in whatever endeavors lie ahead of him. He tells me that he has several very rough months ahead of him before heading to his new assignment. The cutbacks to our military are being felt as our troops are reduced in numbers. Within his own particular area of responsibility, duties and jobs that were handled by two sections of thirteen Airmen each, have just been reduced to one section of about ten to twelve. His desire to serve with excellence causes him to be concerned with how to meet the demands, deadlines, and responsibilities of this section. Yet, knowing TJ, he will continue to persevere, giving his very best and continuing to make me one very proud Mom.

TJ, may you continue to know God’s richest blessing upon you as you serve Him and your country in 2013.

Memorial Day, 2012

My husband found a picture of a woman lying face down on a blanket that had been laid on the ground in front of a white cross in a military cemetery. The caption on the picture said, “Remember, this is Memorial Day, not National Bar-B-Que Day”. Simple and to the point – today we are to be remembering the heroes who have given their lives for our freedom. I’ll be the first to admit that for many years I did not do a whole lot of remembering but a lot of focusing on the preparations for the bar-b-que.

TJ’s military service has changed my perspective on many of these national holidays. But even more than his military service, through his own actions I am finding myself being taught what it means to recognize, honor, and thank those who have or are serving.

Several weeks, maybe even a few months ago, TJ felt that something needed to be done on his base to honor and remember several of the Security Force members that have died while serving. TJ took it upon himself to plan, organize, and prepare a service for them during the Memorial Day weekend.

Now, when TJ takes it upon himself to do something like this, he is going to make sure that it is the very best service possible for these heroes. He secured the use of a large room on base. He had 8x10 pictures printed and framed of each Airman. Each picture was hung on a wooden cross and a vase with a single rose and a small American flag was in front. When possible, TJ had a second picture of the Airman just to the side of the cross. There was also another framed piece on the other side of the cross. This piece was some type of writing. I am not sure if this was a poem or the Airman’s story, but TJ had one at each man’s place. And finally, there was a notebook with a pen on it beside each Airman’s place. We assume this was for people to write their own remembrances.

It was obvious from the pictures that a few of these fallen heroes served with military dogs. On the floor, beside their place, was an empty kennel, a dog toy on the top, and the empty feeding bucket at the kennel’s opening – all symbols of the special member of this Security Force team.

At the front of the platform, TJ had the bayonets displayed in military memorial fashion; a bayonet stuck into a wooden platform, dogtags hanging over the end with the military helmet over that, and a pair of boots in front of the bayonet. I counted nine in all.

From the pictures, it appeared that as you entered the room TJ had a “head table” of sort. A flag folded in the customary triangle sat in a stand to one side with the Security Force’s dress-blue military hat on the other side. Between these two was a beautiful bouquet of roses, a written document, possibly the same one that was displayed at each Airman’s site and another book of some type.

TJ invited his fellow Security Force Airmen to join him for this service to honor those their base had lost. It is obvious from his pictures that there was time for those who came to simply walk through the room, stopping at each Airman’s site to pay tribute to them and reflect on the service each man gave to their base and more so, to their country. At some point, there was a service. I don’t know much about the service, but I do know that TJ stood and spoke at it. He was in full military dress blues and had written his speech out, yet he still had difficulty getting through it without choking up at the thought that they were paying tribute to his fellow Airmen, from his base, who gave the ultimate sacrifice for his freedom.

As this Memorial Day comes to a close and the bar-b-ques are cooled and cleaned, I am not only thankful to the countless men and women who have given their lives securing my freedom but I am deeply grateful for a son who voluntarily is serving to ensure we remain free and continues to remind me, through his own actions, how to recognize, honor, and pay tribute to our military armed forces.  

A Hallmark Moment – December, 2011

The Hallmark card company is notorious for its holiday commercials that have always made me cry. (Folders Coffee has got a few, too!) As I have mentioned in a few of my blogs, my boys love to tease their Mom when any of these ads come on because I am such a “softy.” Hallmark is famous for the sentimental story-lines with their ads during the Christmas season, so I get plenty of Kleenex ready and prepare myself for a lot of teasing from the guys.

I suppose these commercials hit their mark with me even more because we have celebrated Christmas the past two years without TJ at home. I think I began praying back in June that somehow he would be able to be home this year. Once again, TJ just wasn’t sure that he would be granted the leave time.

On Monday, December 12^th, TJ texted wanting to know if we would be at home watching the football game. I replied that we’d be at home and then asked him, “why?” He replied, “Need to call and talk about Christmas.” I didn’t know if I should get excited that he might have good news about getting to come home or if I should prepare myself for the disappointing news that he had not been granted leave time. My emotions just didn’t know which way to go, so I worked at trying to forget that he would be calling.

With supper finished, we sat down to watch the second half of the football game. The St. Louis Rams were playing the Seattle Seahawks, but it had been a long day and neither of these teams were MY team. I just wasn’t as interested as I normally am with football and once again my mind had returned to TJ’s promised phone call. What kind of news would his call bring?

It was in the third quarter when my phone went off. TJ was texting wanting to know what the score was. I was a bit baffled with his text because I had assumed he’d be watching it himself. But, I responded with the score figuring he may have been called back to the armory. A few minutes later Joe looked at me and said, “Did I hear a car door?” And then a second text arrived from TJ, “Well, are you going to open the door so I can come and watch it with you?”

I had my hands full with a crochet project and said to Joe, “Get the door! Open the door!” The doorbell had not rung, nor had anyone knocked on the door and so he did not understand why he needed to open the door. [I suppose if I’d told him what TJ’s text said it would have helped.] I grab what was in my lap and threw to the side as I jumped up to race to the front door. By now Sadie, our dog, was jumping around the room not really sure what the excitement was about but wanting to make sure that she didn’t miss out on it.

The front door is only a few feet away from where I’d been sitting but it was one of those moments that happened in ultra-slow motion and I just couldn’t get to the door fast enough. I opened the door and there he stood! That crazy kid of ours with that silly grin on his face – he was home for Christmas!

I threw my arms around him making sure that my Christmas miracle was really here.  I found out later that his brother knew about this surprise homecoming and had been told not to tell us because TJ wanted it to be “a Hallmark moment.” And, yes, I needed my Kleenex for it!

TJ checks out one of his gifts on Christmas morning.

When he stood there in our doorway, the two weeks granted us more time with TJ than I had ever hoped for. But, once again the time has flown by way too fast! He left yesterday, stopping to visit a friend who completed their service with the Air Force this past year. After that visit, he was on his way back to base. This morning we received a text from him – his drive was over, he was back safely, and he was dead tired.

The Hallmark commercials will always tug at my heart with their sentimental story-line and I will still need to reach for my Kleenex. However, now they will always be the reminder of our own “Hallmark moment" with TJ! Tease me if you want, I’ll just smile and say another prayer of thanks for our Christmas with TJ!   

Guns

He was one tough cowboy with
his double-holster!

Our boys were preschool age when they began playing with guns. I suppose some would find that alarming – and even shocking - that we had allowed it at such a young age. As one good friend once said to me as she lifted her hand up, her index finger pointed straight out and the rest curled into a fist, “they have one built in.” Her point was that whether we give them one or not, they will find a way to play “guns.” And she was right. The boys often built elaborate guns out of their Legos, even though they had some very nice toy guns that we had bought for them. So, the issue wasn’t playing with them. It was teaching them what they were (and were not) for and how to handle them carefully.

Several years later, when they were in their later grade school years, we visited some friends at their home in Idaho. They had eight beautiful acres, most of it wooded, and part of it bordered the Pond Oreille River. The husband was an avid hunter who owned several different types of guns, and had built his own shooting range. One afternoon during our visit, he asked if it would be okay to let the boys shoot one or two of his guns. It was the perfect opportunity for us to teach them gun safety and allow them to experience the power of a real gun.

The shooting range was a long, narrow clearing. We grabbed a lot of empty pop cans and set them up at the end of the range. The boys were given a lesson on how to hold the guns, how to aim them, and how to fire them. They were repeatedly warned never to point a gun at anybody. Then they were each given a turn with a rifle.

Our oldest son enjoyed the experience and had a lot of fun. But TJ … TJ blew all of us out of the water (figuratively speaking, that is)! He seemed to have perfect aim no matter which gun he was allowed to use and no matter where we set the pop cans. He hit each and every one on the first shot. So, our friend finally decided TJ had to be given the opportunity to use one of his special handguns. He was actually testing TJ’s ability to aim so accurately. Up to this point he’d been using the scopes on the rifles. The handgun didn’t have a scope and would force TJ’s accuracy to be based solely upon his ability to aim the gun on his own. We encouraged him to go for a pop can that was closer to him. We figured it would be an easy target. He nailed it. As he moved from one target to another, each and every time he hit his mark dead on and sent the can flying. TJ has never forgotten that afternoon and neither have we!

When we moved to Michigan we moved into the heart of hunting country! November 15^th was the official opening day of deer hunting season (with rifles) and it should have been a state holiday. School attendance dropped almost in half and anybody who could took the day off from work. They were all out in their hunting blinds looking for their deer. TJ loved the idea and took his hunter’s safety class as soon as somebody offered to take him hunting with them. Since then he has gone hunting with friends about three or four times. Each and every time he has never even seen a deer, much less been able to use that incredible aim of his. But, none of this has diminished his love for guns.

TJ continued to go to shooting ranges with friends throughout his high school years and prior to enlisting with the Air Force. He is not afraid of them and most importantly, he does “respect” them, handling them with extreme care.

When he entered Basic Military Training his prior experience with guns proved very useful. He quickly picked up the training he was given. His final shooting exam was a timed exam. I don’t know the specifics of what was expected, but what I do know is that his gun jammed three times during his exam. He not only fixed the problem but he was able to complete what was expected of him, and that perfect aim from long ago at our friend’s shooting range … well, he put it to use once again and earned his expert marksmanship bar. He was so excited!

TJ, right, on guard duty in Kuwait.
His gun has gotten much bigger!

He continued to learn all he could about the guns he is required to use and handle in the Air Force. He knows how to take them apart and reassemble them in pretty quick time. He now works in the armory and oversees the lower ranking members. Many airmen treat their work in the armory as something akin to checking in books at the local library. Not TJ. As military weapons are checked in at the armory, he makes sure they are properly cleaned and stored. He understands that he puts his fellow airmen in harms way if those weapons are not in top condition each and every time they are taken out into the field. TJ takes that responsibility very seriously.

TJ has never abused a firearm and has a very healthy respect for them. I believe much of this goes back to those early years when we took two small boys who wanted to play “guns” and gave them a healthy understanding and appreciation of, and respect for guns. One of those boys laid down the toy guns and picked up a guitar. The other, TJ, took his love for his country and his knowledge and respect of guns and is using both to serve and protect us.

The Smell of Brown Bread Baking

The cooler and wetter weather of the northwest autumn seems to have settled in upon us. Sweatshirts are being pulled from the closet far more often during the evenings and early mornings and I’m enjoying the warmth of having a scented candle burning. Fall is here and I love it! It has always been my favorite season.

One of the ladies in our neighborhood organized a fall soup luncheon and asked if I’d bring a loaf of bread. I enjoy baking but just don’t do it very often anymore, so I welcomed the “excuse” to pull out the bread pans and turn on the oven. I quickly decided to use a recipe that had been given to me almost twenty years ago. It is a sweet bread that makes an excellent side dish to just about any meal. So, this morning I set out the ingredients on the kitchen counter and began to mix them together. What fun to be using this favorite recipe again!

What I was not prepared for was the flood of memories that came rushing in upon me as the kitchen warmed and the smell of that bread baking filled the room. We had been living in the desert of Southern California about three years when I began a home business of painting sweatshirts and selling them at a craft fair that was held once a month, from October through March during the height of the snowbird season, in one of the many RV parks in our area.

We also realized that the snowbirds, in their fifth wheels and travel trailers, didn’t really like to heat their “rigs” by doing a lot of baking. But, they still liked their baked goods!  We were looking for a way that the boys could earn a little bit of extra money and wondered what if they baked brown bread and sold it at the craft fair? It would teach them something about baking, how to manage the money they made, and would encourage interaction with the people as they sold the bread at the craft fair.

With a small amount of fear, we ventured forth and gave it a try. I measured out the dry ingredients on Thursday and on Friday the boys took turns mixing and baking a batch under the watchful eye of Mom! They made four loaves of bread with each batch and as soon as one batch came out of the oven, the next one was ready to go in. The kitchen sink was constantly in use washing the mixing bowl and bread pans. It was a steady assembly-line type of operation that produced 36 loaves of bread by the end of the day. We sliced two loaves to use as samples and the other 34 were sold for $3 a loaf.

As we approached the beginning of that first craft show I wondered how would these two grade school-aged boys do selling their bread and talking with the older adults at the fair? What would I do with the leftover loaves of bread? How would they react to the possibility of not selling very much? So many concerns!

I remember the other craft people smiling at us as the boys and I set our table up that first time. I think they were wondering the same things that I had been wondering the night before. And then the first flood of customers came through the door.  We had been given a table in one of the first aisles, a very good spot. But, it was the two young boys at the table that sparked an interest in what we had that really drew people to our table.

As people stopped to see what it was we were selling my heart slowly crept up into my throat. I was so anxious for the boys, concerned they would become nervous and fearful as they talked with their customers. To my surprise that was the last thing I needed to worry about! Our oldest son took charge immediately and would have put the best of any salesman to shame as he promoted their bread. TJ quietly allowed his older brother to take over this role and he simply maintained the sample dish and continued to replenish the loaves sitting on the table. And that fear of what we would do with all the left-over bread … that was truly wasted time and emotional energy on my part! The boys sold out within the first three hours of the six hour day!

The boys all ready to sell their bread.

The boys continued selling their bread for the next four years. They created a competition of sorts, seeing if they could sell out faster than when they had at the previous show. I think their record was selling out within an hour! The bread was so popular we began receiving calls the day before the shows asking if we were coming or if the caller could reserve a few loaves. One year the boys even received a request for a special order to be made just before Christmas! It became a very good business for them!

The last year the boys made bread was 1999, twelve years ago. I honestly don’t remember the last time my kitchen has been warmed by the oven, filling the house with the wonderful scent of brown bread. But, it was today. And, it was not just the kitchen that was warmed by the oven pushing the chills of the October morning out. It was my heart that was warmed with the memories of two boys working side-by-side as they made “The Dough Boys” Brown Bread.  

One Year Later

One year ago I started this blog to record/share the journey of a mom with a son who had deployed. I had no idea what to expect from his deployment and what uncharted territory it would take me into. I knew I was fortunate that his was only for six months and not the twelve or eighteen that many military are ordered to complete. And, I had been told that Kuwait wasn’t really considered “dangerous,” especially when compared with Iraq and Afghanistan. But, none of that seemed to matter too much when it was MY son deploying to the other side of the world. 

Standing guard at the main gate, Kuwait, 2010

It seemed so monumental when he deployed and on that day there was a heavy somberness of the unknown. We had no idea just how safe he would or would not be in Kuwait, regardless of what people told us. There was a growing unrest between Iran and Israel because of the nuclear power plant Iran was building, just 100 miles across the Gulf of Oman, and we were concerned what would happen if the situation escalated. When he first arrived and told us that he stood guard at the front gate, our thoughts raced to the suicide bombers who drove trucks of explosives through military bases’ front gates and we prayed that much more for his safety. When he told us of working in “the pit” looking for bombs that might have been planted underneath our own military trucks, I never dreamed that “the bad guys” would think or ever try to do something like that and then to come to terms with my son finding one! Those first few days and weeks truly opened our eyes to the world of “deployment.”

Now, a year later as I think back to those first few weeks, I realize just how much of a learning experience it was for all of us. TJ gained invaluable knowledge and experience for his military future. We grew stronger as we leaned on the Lord, trusting Him to keep TJ safe. And as TJ fell into his new pattern and the routines of his job in Kuwait, we, too, found that our lives settled back into their routines and it became just another part of our lives.

One year later as I write to recognize the “anniversary” of the month when TJ deployed, knowing that I didn’t even understand why I was blogging about it, I am thankful that I did record this journey. I am thankful to know my feelings, thoughts, and the experiences have been saved. My husband believes that somewhere down the road these blogs will serve a purpose, if only to become a unique scrapbook of this phase in our lives.

So, where does this blog go from here? I have no idea. Just as when I started it I didn’t know what it would evolve into; I’m just as unsure now of its future. What I do know is that I’ve had over 1000 views during this year! I don’t think I know that many people, so, many of you who have visited; we’ve never met and probably never will. I feel honored that even though you don’t know me, our family, or TJ, you have still taken the time to read our story.

This also seems to be a fitting time to say to each and every one of you who have “stopped by” or maybe faithfully followed me/us on this journey – thank you. Thank you for caring enough to share in our family’s “deployment” journey. Thank you for showing your support of our son, and our nation’s military family. To those who have left me comments, thank you for your words of encouragement and support. But most of all, thank you for praying with us for TJ’s safety and for our family as we walked the path of deployment.

One year later, I am one very proud and thankful mom. 

Independence Day, 2011

We celebrate our nation’s independence on the 4^th of July. It is a holiday that has been celebrated every year since 1776. John Adams, one of the authors of the Declaration of Independence, wrote to his wife Abigail reflecting upon their work on the Declaration of Independence and his excitement about our country’s independence. In that letter he said,

“The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”

When we lived in New Jersey, our town had a 4^th of July parade. I can clearly picture myself, Joe and our very young sons standing with the crowd along the parade route. It was a very typical procession with colorful floats and marching bands in it. I turned to look down the street to see what was coming next and saw a military troop marching toward us. I cannot recall what branch of the military they represented. I don’t know if they were a reserve group or on active duty. They were in their battle dress uniforms, walking in formation down the center of the avenue. By the time they were in front of us there were tears of gratitude rolling down my face. The boys, who were probably not much older than three and five, couldn’t figure out why Mommy was crying. It was probably the first time that TJ got any kind of “up close” look at the military.

Several years later, when we were living in Southern California, we attended summer concerts in the park. The city of Palm Springs would host various musicians or bands in the city park. I don’t know too many families with young children who turn down anything that is free, and we were no exception. We took the boys to several concerts each summer, but the one that we were always sure to attend was the very last one of the season. Each year the Marine band from Twenty-nine Palms came and performed. The band members looked so sharp in their dress blues and the boys, now grade school age, loved to see them and listen to their performance!

Each year the band would close out their program by honoring all of the vets in the crowd. They played the song for each of the branches of the military, moving from one into the next until all of them had been recognized. The veterans were to stand when the song of their particular branch was played. As each group of veterans stood to their feet the crowd cheered and applauded. I can’t even write about this without crying, so you can imagine what I was like sitting among the veterans we were acknowledging. [By now the boys understood why I cried, so at least I didn’t have to explain it all over again each year]. It seems that without fail, every year as we packed up the blankets and lawn chairs and headed for home, the boys talked about the day they were going to be soldiers. For TJ it was just another up-close and personal encounter with the military.

We didn’t always make it to a fireworks display on the 4^th of July. So, we began to watch some of the various specials on TV [although admittedly it cannot compare to being there in person!], One of my all-time favorites was the year we watched Disney’s celebration. Lee Greenwood was one of the special guests that year, which would have been in the early nineties. They had him placed in Frontier Land and he sang “I’m Proud to be an American.” By the time the song was finished, not only was I in tears, but I was standing in the middle of the living room singing with him, as best I could through my tears. Thankfully my family fully understands my deep patriotism and didn’t have me locked away for losing my mind. (You can watch one of Lee Greenwood’s early performances of this song here.)

A "Self-Portrait" that TJ Created

Sometimes I think back on these various events when TJ watched his mom unashamedly let her patriotism shine through, and I have to believe it was the planting of the seed in his own heart for his deep love of our country. TJ is deeply proud to be an American and to be serving his country! This year he will be ‘home’ in Montana, serving on base.

I have learned that most military bases will have a fifty gun salute at Noon on the 4^th of July. It is called “The Union’s Salute” to recognize each state. TJ has never mentioned this event, but I’m sure he would be extremely proud to be a part of it. To be sure, if I was standing in the crowd, I’d be in tears before the last gun shot.

When John Adams wrote to his wife back in 1776, he was off by two days with his thoughts about when our nation would celebrate her independence. But he was extremely accurate with the fact that we would indeed celebrate, and celebrate in a very big way, each and every year!

Happy Independence Day to each of you! And …    

God bless America!