Not Forgotten

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,)

 we walked the track and read the names of the fallen from Hurlburt Field

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.)

 It has been a roller coaster week as we revisited the profound grief of 12 years ago, yet  refreshing to see our daughter-in-law using her grief experience to help other Gold Star families. We enjoyed a little jaunt down to Santa Rosa Beach to catch our favorite Panhandle band, Coconut Radio, playing at Red Fish Taco. Y’all, Sue is one of the best fiddlers we have ever heard.

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.

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!

ABN's garden has 4 out of the 5 pollinators listed here. Now to find a Rough Blazing Star!

Update on garden coming soon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

71st Birthday Bash!

 

Consolidated High School class of '71 celebrated their 71st birthdays and of course we were there.

Photo credits to event organizer, Judy Ondrasek Hare

What a fun group! While most grew up to be well-rounded, accomplished adults, some regressed to their teenage years upon retirement. (We won't mentioned names.) But all have a great sense of humor.

We couldn't be in College Station, without joining the 'book club' at Carney's

and spending some time with brother, Rex and wife, Anna.

Happy Hour at the Hilton Rooftop Lounge

Five years post kidney transplant, Rex is living an active, healthy life. They recently traded lawn mowing and home maintenance for more time in which to play golf and pickleball by buying a new, low maintenance efficient patio home. It is beautiful!

We leave College Station with a final toast,

and with this challenge.

Look what welcomed us home!

Spring has arrived in our hometown!

Photo credit to Nancy Duff

You know spring has arrived when the dogwoods, cherry trees, azaleas and red buds bloom; when folks are driving and bicycling the Dogwood Trail; when the sounds of sneezing and coughing are heard everywhere (it’s also called Spring Allergy Season;) when more than 35,000 quilters invade the city for the annual American Quilters Society quilt show and when persons over a certain age complain about aches and pains from gardening and home renovation projects (especially around our house.)

It just so happened this year a solar eclipse brought thousands more visitors to our beautiful little city.

Including our friends, Carol and Lee from South Carolina along with daughter, Sarah and friend, Andy. Joining us for a watch party were other former co-workers and friends.

Photo Credit Dylan Payne, The Paducah Sun

In addition to all the festivities, we had a delightful visit with our daughter-in-law (can we just say daughter?), Holly, from Florida.

And our friends, Nita and Peggy, from Frederick, Maryland, stopped for a couple of days.

Fortunately the new fence was installed a few days before our first guests arrived.

And the much in demand plaster craftsman began the plaster repair a few days after our last guests departed.

We didn’t let the chaos from the renovation keep us from catching up with a fellow Gold Star mom, Gail, from Florida over a simple dinner.

Could we possibly add one more activity in the Month of April? How about a road trip?

Yep, after being in storage for over a year, The Wanderer wandered down to Texas. More about that later.

For now, we wish everyone good health and a lovely spring.