General Discussion

Oh yes, I loved being a USAF military kid. It was an education on so many levels, yes.

Would not trade it for the world, despite the hardship at times living
in isolated overseas military locations during war time. And fathers being
in a job where planes went down, and were killed or taken prisoner.

I loved living in foreign countries, it was so exciting and interesting.
And loved living with military families.

Not to brag on the US Air Force, but we knew we were the smartest, most educated,
nicest people around. There was not a lot of military decorum or frills. We were mission
oriented and got the job done without blowing bugles and getting feathers rubbed.

Once on a USAF military plane, the family was being moved from one location to another,
one of the engines blew out, the other looked like it was on fire. The USAF pilot
calmly got on the speaker and said, no problem, I have enough engine power to keep
flying.

The adults on board looked worried, but the military kids had no worries.
We knew Air Force flight crews, many had flown combat in WWII or Korea
and now Viet Nam. We knew without a doubt they were smart, brave and talented.
If an Air Force pilot said every thing was under control, we believed it. We knew he could
land the plane in his sleep.

We were flying over water, but luckily after some time we diverted to a military base
for an emergency landing. The firetrucks and medics rushing to our plane when we landed,
spraying foam every where, was quite spectacular and the highlight of our trip.
The mothers were saying a prayer, but the kids loved all of it.

Also the military diversity was amazing.
Some of the men had married women from all over the world.
The US military had been integrated since 1948 with Truman's executive order.
Especially during wartime, every military person is mission critical.
No time for racist nonsense. Lives are at stake.

If my Dad ever heard any hint of racism or making any group an "other," he blew a gasket.
He said every single person in the USAF, even those flying a desk, keeps the planes in the air.
Without them I can not do my job.

In hindsight, it was remarkable. The son of Irish immigrants to the US,
they viewed any one not white Irish Catholic with a great deal of skepticism.
So Dad did a 180 from his parents.

One of the hardest things coming back stateside and integrating with the civilian community
was the racism. I was shocked.

Oh japple, I never thought about something you just said.
DU reminding us of the US military.

Oh yes you are so right. It feels like home to us.