Gold Star Families were honored guests at the 2024 AFSOC (Air Force Special Operations Command) Run to Honor.
The Air Force Families Forever did an excellent job of making us feel honored, starting at the beginning of the day. Having submitted the requested information to be on the Base Access List and notified we were on the list, with ID’s in hand we approached Hurlburt Field anticipating a quick stop at the gate and on to the event. Not so. At the gate we were told they had not received a list and we would need to go to the visitor’s center to get a pass. Not a problem as we were about 30 minutes early and should make it by 6:30 a.m. as requested. Not so. The visitor’s center was very busy. After about 40 minutes and several phone calls to the event coordinators we were informed the list was at the gate, returning to the gate we were allowed to proceed. To our surprise, the event was delayed until we arrived! We truly felt honored (and a little embarrassed.)
While the comrades and others ran, walked and rucked (running while carrying a loaded back pack,)
and hung out with other Gold Star Families.
We are very proud of our daughter-in-law, Holly, who is currently a member of the Air Force Survivor Advocacy Council, advocating for families of the fallen.
After the run, the participants performed 22 memorial push-ups in remembrance of the fallen. The number 22 is significant because that is the current daily average number of veterans who die by suicide.
At the 2023 Run our ballerina granddaughter joined the group doing push-ups.
Following the run we were invited to a brunch in our honor.
The evening before the event Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, and his wife, Tricia held a reception in their home for the Gold Star Families,
We decided while we were in the Florida Panhandle we would visit the Loftis Auditorium in the USAF Special Operations School.
We had not visited since the dedication in 2013. It was known we would be stopping by but not known exactly what day or time. To our surprise, as we entered the lobby, we were greeted by Commandant Clayton Pasco from Kentucky. While he had not known Darin, he had family connections in Darin’s home town of Murray and had visited there many times over the years. He was very gracious and seemed eager to meet us. Also, we were surprised that two of Darin’s former co-workers, one who was a close friend, were also in the lobby. They assured us Darin had not been forgotten and is remembered every year with a slide show in the school lobby during the week of February 25th, the day on which he was killed.
We ended the week feeling for the first time we are truly members of The Air Force Families Forever.
Our wish for you is to enjoy this holiday weekend that kicks off the beginning of summer. We feel like those who gave their lives so you could enjoy yours would want you to head to the lake, fire up the barbecue, gather with friends and family and enjoy yourself. As families of the fallen, we ask that you take a moment to reflect and refrain from saying “Happy Memorial Day.” (Perhaps “Enjoy the Holiday Weekend” or maybe “Best Wishes for a summer full of happiness” would be more appropriate.)
We can’t travel I-65 south through Alabama without stopping in at a favorite nursery, Petals from the Past and catch up with old family friends, the Powells, who own the nursery. ABN was able to find the needed plants to finish this year’s butterfly and hummingbird garden. We were pleased to see a much better selection of plants at a lower price than found in our hometown.
Birmingham has become a favorite stop over on our trips south as we have found a couple of breweries near the UAB campus that pleased our palates.
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| Display at Monday Night |
We were definitely the oldest patrons, but we are used to that.
And Birmingham has a Trader Joe’s!
Love what Tennessee is doing at their rest stops!
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| ABN's garden has 4 out of the 5 pollinators listed here. Now to find a Rough Blazing Star! |
Update on garden coming soon!
