An Invitation To All Readers

I would like to invite all of my readers to interact with my website. I have implemented Mission Monday, Wordless Wednesday, and Freedom Friday. It is pretty self explanatory as to what each day brings. If you are involved in a mission that you would like to have posted and need to raise funds you can send me a message directly through this web site. The mission can be local, national, or international. If you have a photograph that you have personally taken that you think is extraordinary or beyond words and is worthy of posting send me a message. No nudity or adult content please. For Freedom Friday, I am highlighting anyone who is a patriot, someone who is a hero or who stands for America. If you have someone in mind and can tell me why they should have their story posted send me a message. I would love to hear from you! Thank you and may God bless you and may God bless American.

So Proud to Be an American

Celebrating the Independence of America couldn't be any better than doing it with your church family on a picnic. That's exactly what we did on Friday night the 3rd of July. Our church has a picnic every year and opens it up to the public. Over a thousand people show up. We ended the celebration with a spectacular fireworks display. There is just something about fireworks. I always get such a feeling of awe, excitement, deep down pride, love for my country, nostalgia, memories of childhood, and I could go on. So many thoughts go through my head. The amazing colors and explosions of sound sparkle. The vibrating thunder that rocks your feet and brings you back to the days of Civil War. Days of men fighting for freedom, for the very freedom we have today that we seem to take for granted. Before the fireworks began last night the Star Spangled Banner played. I stood with my right hand over my heart. I teach my kids to do the same. I noticed though, there were few who were doing the same. Most were at least facing the flag. But few had their heart covered. Hardly anyone was singing. Then, before the anthem ended the fireworks began. Nearly everyone turned around and faced the fireworks. Which, is understandable. There were few of us who remained facing the flag, covering our hearts, and singing the anthem. It saddened me to see that so many people just seemed to not care or have respect for the honoring of our traditions as a free nation. How many of us know the pledge of allegiance to the flag, the national anthem, what about any portion of the declaration of Independence, or the Constitution? When I was younger this would not have been the case. When, I as was younger, during the days of Ronald Reagan, everyone, old and young alike, would have been at attention honoring that flag. Not for one second would they have flinched at the fireworks. They would have finished out the national anthem first. Every child knew the pledge. Why? Because it was taught, it was practiced, it was learned. It was said proudly everyday in every school, in every church, in every court house and at every meeting. One of the reasons I enjoyed living on the military base was it seemed that there was still a sense of patriotism. When that five o'clock cannon shot off and Revele played, you could witness soldiers in uniform or not, stop their car and get out, face the flag, whether they could see it or not, and salute it for the duration of the song. That is patriotism. That is taught, learned and practiced. I guess when you no longer have to fight for something it is no longer as valued. All I know is when I was a little girl it sure seemed that America was a lot more proud and now we seem to have politicians who are putting America down and apologizing for America over and over. America is the greatest nation in the world. We didn't get this way because we were meager and weak. We didn't get this way from being a nation who had no pride. We didn't get this way from being a nation who didn't know how to fight not only for ourselves, but for others who could defend themselves. We have a reason to be proud. We shouldn't be ashamed of who we are. We shouldn't apologize for who we are or for what we have done. What we should be doing is restoring America's freedoms the way they were intended to be when originally founded by our forefathers. This can easily be understood by reading the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. I was proud to be an American as a little girl. I am more proud to be an American today. But, I am also enraged at the turns we are taking and mistakes we are making. We are losing our civil liberties and losing what America is all about. Stay informed friends. Vote in every election you can vote in, but don't just stop there, stay informed about what is going on in congress. What are they voting on? What bills are they trying to pass? Don't just trust them to do the job right. You still have a say and an influence. You can still participate. Be informed. Don't allow someone else to make decisions for you. I love America and everything it stands for. I hope America will always be what I've known it to be. That can only happen if other people who feel the same way stand up and fight for America. May God bless you and may God bless America!

Freedom Friday-Honoring Pat McAdoo

Freedom Friday

Our first honoree of Freedom Friday is Patrick G. McAdoo, call sign “Gums”. He was born and reared in New Orleans, LA on 05JAN1943. Pat graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School. He wanted to build a clear path for his goal of flying fighters and set out to be an astronaut. He never volunteered to be a warrior but he knew that combat was always a possibility. Additionally, his family could not afford to pay his way through college, so a scholarship was the only option. He applied for a scholarship to the Airforce Academy Westpoiont Annapolis, USMA (United States Marine Academy), USNA (United States Naval Academy), for ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps), and for scholarships to several universities. Pat graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1964 and went into the United States Air Force serving for four active years and twenty as a commissioned officer. He also attended Troy State University and graduated from there in 1979.

Pat's tours of duty include combat – Bien Hoa, RVN 1967-1968; Korat RTAB, Thailand 1972 – 1973 and 1975, numerous other tours as an instructor and line pilot or “staff weenie”, in his own words. Pat has received the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, 20 Air Medals, and numerous ‘service’ badges. Pat's expectations going into the service were that he would go through a tough time getting prepared for his job, that he would not always have an easy time, that he might get shot at or worse, and that he would likely meet some neat folks that he would never forget. All of those expectations were indeed met. I'll have to add right here that I personally know Pat McAdoo as a long time family friend. He and my father grew up together and have remained friends ever since. I have had the great privilege of hearing many of his war stories and such. He tells quite a story by the way. I admire the the amount of experience that Pat has. One of Pat's most memorable moments was a tie between hearing the general at USAFA tell them “Gentlemen, you’re dismissed”, and the day he flew his last mission in a jet fighter and retired right there in the flight line. I asked Pat what his best and worst memories were and he said this, “Best was my retirement on the flight line after a super career that was mostly rewarding, but sometimes sad, as I was the first Lt Col to walk out the gate alive in over two years. We had lost four LTC’s, all due to pilot error. Worst was about two months before retirement when another LTC my age and same experience killed himself doing something stupid on a night ground attack mission. I went home, walked out on the deck, raised my arms, screamed and cried like a baby.” The most admirable quality Pat found in his comrades was the confidence he found in them that they would do their jobs as well as they could. When I asked...”What is the most important thing you learned from being in the military or war? He said 'I learned that you have to absolutely trust that the other soldier, airman, sailor, marine will do the job to the best of their ability. There’s no time to have second thoughts when the bullets start flying, or to “train” them.'” Pat said they had great communications except when deployed to remote locations. When he went to Vietnam the first two times he did not have satellite communications. Snail mail was very slow and unreliable. Their personal relationships and communications were as good as they got.

I asked Pat how he felt about America during his service and he had this to say, “I felt that we were always trying to do the right thing, even if it did not all work out as neatly as we hoped.” He still feels that way today by the way. He flies Ole' Glory, that's the American Flag for those of you who may not be aware. Pat volunteers at Benjamin Franklin High School and U.S.A.F. for several activities such as career day and summer training of the new cadets to help with Honor Code instruction. I asked, “What are your hopes for America's future? He replied 'I mainly hope the citizens would be better informed about political and social issues for the primary, essential purpose of casting an “intelligent” vote. I would hope that our government would step back and let us pass or fail as individuals, families and groups according to our abilities multiplied by our motivation.'” Pat doesn't believe in a mandatory military or a draft. Pat's hope for America's future is that we can continue to help wounded warriors and their families because that is the only way we can really ever repay them. He says the benefits medical and prescription benefits that they receive are so important and helpful and very necessary. More importantly, they deserve it. But it doesn’t take a whole lot of folks that put service before self, have a high degree of integrity, and pursue excellence in all they do to keep this country going as it has for over two hundred years.” Pat wants this poem to go on his grave:

“Airpower is confidence in the plane you fly, confidence in the "old man" who sent you on the mission, confidence in yourself.

Airpower is the skill and devotion of a crew chief, the respect of your squadron mates, the lift

of love in the letters from home.

Airpower is a million little things which merge like molecules of molten metal to form a spar for the wings of your spirit.

But there is something more to add, the final thing that tempers all the rest.

You must believe that, bigger than yourself, enduring when you're gone, surviving though you perish, your cause is right and just.

There is no power on earth or sea or sky that can be power such as the airman needs without convictions.

The integration of his faith with all his skills of trade - well, such is power aloft.

God in your guts, good men at your back, wings that stay on - and Tally Ho! “

Pat McAdoo is a true American Hero still active in his community and contributing to the future of America. I have always looked up to him as a child but even now more so from a new perspective. Being the wife of a soldier I now understand the reality of what putting their life on the line actually means. But I also realize the importance of fighting for the freedom of what America stands for. I have a deeper understanding of what his service really means to me personally and to our country. My respect for him has only deepened. My loyalty has only strengthened. So today, this Freedom Friday, I honor...Patrick G. McAdoo. Thank you for your service to this country and for putting your life on the line for my very freedom. May God bless you and may God bless America.

You can view more of "Gums" interviews and war stories at the following links, including interviews by Reuters and Newsweek.

www.f-16.net/interviews_article28.html

www.sluf.org/misc_pages/dragons.doc

www.sluf.org/misc_pages/flameout.doc

www.sluf.org/misc_pages/hue_citadel.doc

www.sluf.org/misc_pages/axioms.pdf

Is Somebody Filming This?

Ever had one of those moments where you're pretty sure somebody has got to be filming you? Remember that show, America's Funniest Videos"? I actually believe that I might have my own film crew. Somehow I get into the most precarious predicaments. So it's very close to time for Hero to come home off of mission. It's December 2008. My oldest daughter is in school. The three young kids are home with me. Bobby and Lena are home schooled while Caroline Rose takes her naps. It's apparently flu season. It hits Caroline first, early in the morning. Fever sets in, aches, all over just not feeling good. This lasts for the entire day and into the night. I am praying that the other kids don't get it and more importantly that I don't get it. If I get it, who's going to take care of the kids? So far not so bad. I can tell when we need the bucket. I have covered the couch, the floors, got buckets out, Clorox wipes, Lysol spray, you name it. I have separate towels out for the kids and us to use. It's winter in Savannah, usually not too bad. This winter however, it was very cold. Well, for people in Savannah. We had the fire going non stop, which wasn't too bad. We make it into the night, her sick spells are getting further apart. Are we getting near the end? 0420hrs, Lena walks down the stairs whining. Before she can even say a word, she got sick. Oh no! Are you kidding? Caroline still on the couch not feeling well. She wakes up and decides she is not quite over it yet either. Nichole comes downstairs at 0545hrs, goes to the front porch and waits for her bus. She's smart. Go outside and get away from the germs. Bobby wakes up and comes down. He wants breakfast. Nu huh, no way. First, you have to pass the test. I asked him how he felt, did his tummy hurt, was he hot, did his body hurt, what did he "feel" like eating? He seemed fine. So, I let him eat. So far, two girls down. So far God is being very merciful and letting them get sick at separate times. Caroline seems to be coming out of hers. Noon rolls around, Bobby gets sick. Wow. I believe I am in hell. I know for a fact the cameras are rolling. Instead of Caroline and Lena now it's Lena and Bobby getting sick. However, Caroline is still not acting quite right. She is starting to want to eat though. The old mother instinct, if she "feels" like eating it should be OK. Well, later that evening the other "side" of the illness kicks in. Caroline now has diarrhea and in the worst way I have ever seen. I think at this point we may now be into day two. I have yet to have a shower or eaten. I haven't had an appetite anyway. I got a phone call that Hero should be on his way anytime now. Oh no. This is not how I want him to see me. The house isn't clean. Who was I kidding? I wasn't either. The third day rolls around. The lowest point. Hero is supposed to be walking in any time. I am in the bathroom with all three kids literally all sick at the same time. This is just not even funny. OK, maybe now looking back at it is. But I have to tell you, at the time, I was very sad and frustrated, not to mention exhausted and probably starving. One kid was on the toilet, one had their head in the bucket, the other was leaning over the bathtub, I was on the floor, crying out..."God, are you kidding me? What could you possibly be testing me for?" Then, I actually started laughing. Yes, you heard me, laughing. I remembered a verse out of Psalm 30:5b "weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." I knew that God would only test me with things that He knew I could handle. I wasn't about to let this beat me. So, I'm sitting there, laughing and crying at the time wondering about what God had planned for my future. Things began to get a little better that day. Bobby and Lena started their rounds of diarrhea and the vomiting ceased. This was about the eighth day, 0555hrs. All the babies were sleeping in the living room by the fire. I stepped out on the front porch with Nichole and the .40 caliber pistol in my robe pocket. Oh, I guess I could tell you the reason for the pistol. We had a rabid raccoon running about our yard and neighborhood. The little rascal would walk right up to you with no fear. Nichole was a little scared of it. So I'd go wait with her on the porch for the bus. While waiting that morning, Hero called to get clarification on directions to the house. You see, we moved while he was gone. Of course with his permission. We had moved off post out to the islands and it was a little tricky finding the house in the dark. He passed Nichole on the way in. He pulled up to the drive way. Shear relief just poured over my entire being. But I thought for a minute that maybe he might see how everything is going and decide to turn around go back where he just came from. But of course he didn't. Instead he wrapped his wonderful arms around me and just hugged me tight and told me how much he missed me. He came in and made a "real" fire for us. Daddy was home. Of course the kids started getting much better too, so he didn't get to witness just how bad it was. Where was my film crew? I wasn't sure I was going to make it through that. But, I did. I just remember praying an awful lot. I couldn't really read the bible much because I was constantly tending to the babies. I guess this is where scripture memorization comes in handy. Nichole and I never did end up getting sick. We washed our hands so much they were raw, literally. God provided for us. He brought us through it. I still am not quite sure what His plans are for me, only that He will carry me all the way. He increased my faith and my dependence on Him. God is amazing even in the midst of a trial. May God bless you and may God bless America.

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Fourth of July!