Faith and fan mail

I'd like to share some interesting "fan mail" concerning my column this past week. First there was a nice letter from a gentleman in Hayes County saying he envies me my chance to fly to interesting places around the country. He was drafted into the Army in 1957 and thought his wish fulfilled when sent to aircraft mechanic's school. That completed he was sent to a base in Germany where they had absolutely no need for his aviation expertise. Then in the best tradition of the military they put him to work in the motor pool using skills that he already had, being raised on a farm, and so the technical training was pretty much wasted.

Another gent, a long time friend, from Danbury used to fly F-100's during a peacetime tour in the Air Force. Raymond just wrote nice words of encouragement to keep writing about flying. Yep I envy him the chance to fly the "Hun" as most of my friends lucky enough to fly them considered the F-100 a great ride. We tanker crews were less impressed because most F-100 pilots had a hard time sitting stabile behind us long enough to take on the required amount of fuel. The Thunderbird Aerial Demonstration team flew the "Hun" for years and I particularly liked that show as the airplane was big, boisterous and, best of all, loud.

Raymond and the thousands just like him, citizens soldiers that stepped up to serve in whatever capacity they could and then went back home to their communities to continue serving their friends and neighbors, are truly a part of our Greatest Generation. Tom Brokaw wrote of those who served in World War II but in my opinion their grand tradition continues today with those who volunteer in the Guard and Reserve as well as in the regular military for less than a career. We careerists filled a less altruistic niche.

I was tickled by a letter from "Mexifornia, U.S. Obama Marxist Republic." Obvious from his rant this gent wasn't exactly thrilled with the performance of one of our current Senators whom he referred as "Saint Ben." The author served in the Army in the early 1960's and states that he didn't serve this great nation to see it turn into another Soviet Union by a bunch of traitors!" I tend to agree with that author yet his colloquial style of writing sounds quite drastic! How in the world he found my address I'll never know but I appreciated the letter as it was simply fun to read.

For those who catch my column on line you will have noticed a comment from my sister who thought I unfairly tend to rule out those of no faith from positions of leadership in our modern military. Her heartfelt feelings I suspect stem from an incident several years ago when her granddaughter applied for an appointment to the Air Force Academy. The beautiful young lady had the high school grades to qualify her for appointment and probably would have been a shoo-in except for a final face to face interview with a board of officers. The story relayed to me by my niece was that when asked about her faith she informed those present that she thought religious belief trivial and a bit of nonsense. End of the road! Her appointment was not tendered. Whether her statement concerning lack of belief was pivotal, no one knows as the reason for non-selection was not given. In the family's mind her honest answer was probably key but there is no official record one way or the other.

Was my grand niece's rejection appropriate? I would honestly say yes but I was terribly saddened to see her rejected. I personally think that persons of faith make better leaders. But my opinion doesn't count for much and it will be interesting to note what our liberal leaning President and Congress force down the throats of our military in the near future.

In yesterday's post to the Gazette's blog there was a thoughtful answer to my sis stating "Yes, Virginia, there is a God. But, you don't have to believe in him; it's your choice. Because, you are precious and valuable as a person whether you believe or not."

Speaking of faith, Sunday, Ann and I attended the church in Moore, Okla., where we had been members before leaving some 35 years ago. We slipped in the back as service started and try as we might we could only find one familiar face. The sanctuary was as beautiful as ever and the church is growing but our experience brought home the adage that the Church is the people, the members, not the building. Actually we found later that the group that we had associated with all those years ago normally attends "early church" and so we simply missed seeing them.

Our experience of being strangers among what had been warm friends reminds me of the illustration of how important one is in community. When you get to thinking that you are important and your presence will be missed, all one has to do is take a bucket of water and stick your finger below the surface. Then carefully withdraw the finger from the water and note how large a hole you leave. A humbling experience that works for me.

That is the way I saw it.