Apple pie and fields of grain.

There are a few instances in life which should seem a bit more poignant… carry a bit more weight and that you won’t forget ever. Listening to a choir sing the National Anthem at a baseball game in the U.S. while standing at attention should be touching. Add this… it was the night before I departed on this summer vacation. I went with my family to see the Nationals play the Braves in D.C.. America’s pastime in our Nation’s capital listening to that choir the day before I went to war while 2 Soldiers on R&R from the hospital, each missing a leg, sat a row away from me and were paid a tribute.

Today, though, I stood at attention in a packed and hot theater on the other side of the world. The 3-star general in charge of all air operations in the war on terror – my ultimate boss over here – gave a short speech while officiating at a change of command where my previous boss twice over in 2 previous assignments took command of the wing here. This time when our nation’s Anthem was sung – it was by a lone pilot wearing a muted tan flight suit, faded by the hot desert sun. The only time I’ve ever seen a fighter pilot sing is at the bar belting raunchy songs about women and wine. I don’t know what he flies… Last night, this man could have been flying a mission over Afghanistan delivering much needed supplies to Soldiers rooting out Taliban and Anti-Coalition forces. Or he could have been flying in an F-16, circling… waiting to provide close air support to Marines in a fire fight with Anti-Iraqi insurgents. But here he was today in front of this audience of Airmen singing our National Anthem.

All those who spoke today talked of accomplishments in the war to bring democracy to Afghanistan and Iraq. I can’t make an opinion on whether we are supposed to be here or not… I’ve put my faith in our country’s leadership on that one… But I do know we’ve made a difference in a lot of people’s lives. Is this our global role? I’m not one to ask such questions. All I know is that since I’ve been here, I’ve been frustrated numerous times about my ability to make a difference here. When these great Airmen Generals spoke today… they spoke of the collective accomplishments of the Coalition efforts in both wars and how we here… at this base helped bring about elections in both Iraq and Afghanistan… The first democratic elections in Afghanistan ever. Turning the government of Iraq over to the Iraqis after years under a tyrannical leader. The people here had an effect on that. The little pogs and widgets everywhere over here have come together to make that mission happen and I guess I’m one of those pogs.

I didn’t join the Air Force for any patriotic reason or for any payment I felt I owed my country… I just saw the opportunity. I don’t consider myself a patriotic person because I’m not out there waving the American Flag on the 4^th of July in some parade or volunteering in some grass roots cause to make our country better. But I guess it isn’t that true that I’m not patriotic if I think of myself as one of these pogs… and that a single tribute by our National Anthem can stick in my mind so…

Maybe when I go home, I’ll put a flag on my front porch. Like my grandpa.

d