A train of thought

This morning I went looking for a song; I didn’t know the name, but I knew two parts of the lyrics: Frank jumped in and bit my leg and But, she’s cherry. Turns out the song is Classified by C.W. McCall and I managed to find a YouTube version of it.

Now while I was over there at YouTube and in the country western song division, I looked over at the sidebar and saw some  videos of June Carter, before she was June Carter Cash. I listened to a few and then typed Johnny Cash into the search panel. Working my way through, I came to one about the flag – our flag, the U.S. flag – and I listened to it. I listened to it twice.

I thought about a lot of things, not the least of which are the people who have just been so upset with the United States and any show of allegiance. But thought gave way to just feeling and  I realized in my mind, I was back standing at the side of a runway – in the family visitors’ area on a SAC base. The klaxon had sounded and the crews had zoomed off in their blue pick-up.  I stood there with my four-year-old son, watching as B-52 after B-52 came down the runway and lifted into the sky.

I must have been aware of  the roar of the engines, but what struck me most was how the wings were so long, the flapped slightly at the ends. (There were actually little wheels to keep them from scraping the ground.) I was young, the sun was out, the wind up a bit and, for some reason, I just knew it was a drill. It was impressive but it was part of my everyday life.

Looking back, I realize I’m proud of what I witnessed – my husband and others taking responsibility for protecting what that flag stands for – my country, my heritage, and what was then, my future.

THE VIEDO:

VIDEO OF B-52 SCRAMBLE:

And here’s a video of a B-52 minimum time take-off: (It’s 10 minutes long)

2 thoughts on “A train of thought”

  1. I often get teary eyed when I hear our national anthem played. I’ll be at a ball game and getting all weepy, which embarrasses those I’m with. I can’t help it. I think of all the men, young and old who have given so much for our country. Whether in life or in death they serve/served with such honor and I appreciate it. I think I appreciate it more as I get older.

    My dad was in the Army Air Corp in World War II and he never really talked about his experiences. He was a navigator in B-17 bombers. At his funeral at age 78 we learned he had been in three airplane crashes, the only survivor of one. He had never told us.

    I remain grateful for his and many others service to our nation. I know you’ve read this old post of so long ago.

    http://puddlingabout.wordpress.com/2006/02/07/

    I still think it’s one of the most heartfelt I’ve written and often go back to remind myself of it.

    Many thank to your husband and your son and others you know who have served so valiantly for us.

Comments are closed.