Veterans Day

I was aviation electricians mate. That photo is when I was a plane captain, Navy's version of a crew chief. My name is on that plane.

That was right about 30 years ago. At the time that was the oldest Tomcat in active service. And I believe that, cause we were forever wrenching on it lol.

 

I had the opportunity in Feb. 2001 to meet the general of Nellis AFB and the Thunderbirds commander. (I ran with a trail riding group that had some connections) About 20 of us were led into the briefing room & the general spoke for 15 minutes then the TBirds commander talked for awhile. Saw part of the base & a "special" room. When we left we were all speechless. Every one of us had developed a much greater respect of our military (we ALL had a lot already). The men that spoke to us had looks in their eyes and communication skills that demanded respect. Hard to explain. Went back to Vegas & drank to our Air Force. Salud!

 

I hated every second in the line shack. Now I look back on my time there with almost as much fondness as having my kids. Worked my butt off in 120* Mojave heat on a concrete slab with 170* exhaust blowing on you half the time. It was the hardest I ever played though. I'm still hearing stories of some of my shinanagans that I have no memory of.

Stuck doing a 34 here in Chicago but it couldn't have been on a better weekend. Two of my buddies from that squadron are now RDCs up here and we'll be able to hang out and put a few more nails in our livers tomorrow.

Sadly I don't have many photos of my navy days but this is my favorite. I'm on the bottom left about to shoot the camera cause I hate having my picture taken. We spent most weekends out in the desert playing paintball. Even got a bunch of townies to play us once. It was about 50 townies vs 50 navy.

 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Wq0X0b...layer_embedded

thankyou all

enough said