I am so SO proud !!!! My son joined the Air Force today !!!!!

[clarice]

After much deliberation, He decided to answer the call for his Country. As a Mother, my first reaction was of course, to be concerned, but to hear my son proclaim that his Country was worth the sacrifice, swelled me with a pride that I haven't felt in many years. God's speed Son.

[femmocrat]

1. Best wishes to your son, clarice.

[clarice]

2. Thank you...nt

[Maeve]

3. Welcome to the club of military families!

Yeah, it's scary--especially when they are sent into harm's way. But you also know they are doing what they feel is right and good for the nation. (son and DIL are Air National Guard)

[clarice]

4. Thanks.... I needed that. nt

[braddy]

5. That is wonderful, good man.

[clarice]

6. Thanks B. nt

[imanamerican63]

7. He will be a fine Airmen!

Godspeed and safe journey!

[clarice]

10. He is a wonderful boy. thanks./ nt

[sufrommich]

8. Congratulations. You must be very proud.

[clarice]

12. I'm torn...but it's a Mom thing. nt

[Bucky]

9. I hope we can earn his trust by keeping a nutjob out of the White House

It's our patriotic duty to keep our country safe and strong. Your son does a beautiful thing by playing his part in this country. I hope we honor him with a worthy C-in-C

[clarice]

11. Thanks so much Buck-Buck. nt

[B Calm]

13. Should of joined the navy and seen the world instead of the Air Force. Just kidding

I know you're proud of him.

[clarice]

14. LOL. That was the next choice. nt

[Travis_0004]

35. The Navy is very important.

When there is actual work to be done, sombody has to transport the marines to take care of business.

[HubertHeaver]

39. Join the Navy to see the world.

But all you see is water.

[kentauros]

52. Join the Air Force. See the Solar System - Space Command

Space Command - Space capabilities

Spacelift operations at the East and West Coast launch bases provide services, facilities and range safety control for the conduct of DOD, NASA and commercial launches. Through the command and control of all DOD satellites, satellite operators provide force-multiplying effects—continuous global coverage, low vulnerability and autonomous operations. Satellites provide essential in-theater secure communications, weather and navigational data for ground, air and fleet operations and threat warning. Ground-based radar and Defense Support Program satellites monitor ballistic missile launches around the world to guard against a surprise missile attack on North America. Space surveillance radars provide vital information on the location of satellites and space debris for the nation and the world.

[B Calm]

59. Navy Captain Astronaut Scott Kelly returns from outer space today.

[kentauros]

60. So-o,

I wonder how many AF personnel kept the Navy Capt. from getting hit by space debris

[B Calm]

62. LOL

[kentauros]

65. They all work together, no matter what their branch.

Civilians, too!

[Skittles]

15. congrats to him and you, clarice

FROM FORMER AIRGAL SKITTLES

[CherokeeDem]

16. Congrats!!!

To your son and to you!

My cousin is in the Air Force and we just came back from Tyndall AFB, where he's stationed. He got permission for us to be on the flight line when a squadron of jets was taking off. So cool.. he loves it just re-upped for ten more years.

May your son enjoy his career equally as well.

Go Air Force!!!

[DashOneBravo]

17. Congrats

If I had to recommend a branch of service to my child. I'd pick the Air Force and that's coming from a second generation Army guy.

These young people who sign up after 9/11 are really special. Thanks to both of you.

Godspeed

[Lochloosa]

18. Like my brother said when he joined the Air Force

They send the Officers to fight.

[tabasco]

19. He's in for some great experiences.

He'll make a lot of friends and see some interesting places. The Air Force has some great duty stations (Florida, etc.). Not like the camp swampies I was sent to in the Army.

[KamaAina]

20. I assume you will be voting accordingly.

For the candidate who you deem most likely not to send him in harm's way unless our national interests clearly require it.

[SooJSJ]

21. Best Wishes

As a mom I would be torn. Proud he was following his own path but worried, too.

[oldandhappy]

22. Congratulations, Mom!!

Best wishes to both of you. I send hope and prayers for a good boot camp experience and a future post where he will make a contribution making both of you proud.

[Quackers]

23. Congrats!

I served 8 years in the Army. I always wished I had went Airforce instead.

[mountain grammy]

24. I must admit, I wasn't happy when my son joined the Navy

but it turned out to be a good thing for him and I, too, was so proud. Congratulations, clarice. May peace prevail.

[xmas74]

25. I live within a few miles of Whiteman.

He'll love the Air Force. Maybe he'll come here. Even though it's not exciting we do have a university here and he'd be able to take classes while serving.

[Depaysement]

26. There's only one appropriate response

[retrowire]

27. Terrific! I thank and salute your son for his sacrifice.

He is braver than many. Thank you!

[Siwsan]

28. I just had dinner with my nephew, who is also in the Air Force

I was so thrilled when he asked me to attend his graduation from basic training. He told me, not so long ago, how proud he was to have a Navy Veteran for an Auntie. Service has definitely given us a special bond.

I hope you can go to the graduation ceremony. The pride you feel now will be ten fold, when you see him marching in formation.

[datguy_6]

29. Congrats...he's in good company (present poster included)

[Boudica the Lyoness]

30. My son retired from the air force a few years ago.

He went all over the world and really enjoyed it all.

[Matrosov]

31. Congrats!

I know some progressives aren't fans of the military, but I think there's a huge difference between the young men and women who are willing to live (and die) for something bigger and the chickenhawks who love to send them to war.

[Basic LA]

32. It's a great outfit.

I'm a Navy vet, but I have seen that the Air Force treats its people with, I think, the most respect of all the services.

[mikehiggins]

33. Congratulations and best wishes to your son. n/t

[NeoGreen]

34. Tell him good luck...

...from an old sergeant.

Does he have an afsc (if that is what the job codes are still called)?

[Omaha Steve]

36. Congrats

K&R!

OS

[TipTok]

37. Be a JTAC and direct bombs and aircraft...

Love a good AF JTAC...

Additional duty in the Army. Career path in the AF.

[okaawhatever]

41. She's a mom, she'll want him to be a REMF LOL nt

[TipTok]

43. That time comes to us all...

Especially Officers but get out and do the fun stuff while you are young.

My $.02..

[Aerows]

38. Best wishes!

You should be a proud lady - you raised a good son!

[hfojvt]

40. the internet is so strange

I could have sworn that we liberals were against war.

I actually quit the Air Force myself in 1986 because I did not want to be part of the war machine.

That was before the Gulf War though, when the media declared that the War Machine was the bomb, and was defending our freedom and "serving".

As far as sacrifice. In many ways it is a good paying job with good benefits and early retirement. It also makes a person a "hero" in our war worshiping society.

Hoo rah.

[TipTok]

53. There are many democrats serving the armed forces...

There is even one at the top of the food chain so I'd be careful up on that high horse.

[Rex]

63. That one

always plays devils advocate, even over stupid shit we all agree on.

[okaawhatever]

42. I'm proud of you both and thrilled for you as well. My father was career AF. He flew C-130s except

for a 5 year stint as SAC HQ in computers. He loved it, loved flying, loved most everything about it. My grandfather was career Army and BIL 12 yrs active then reserves for a total of 30. None of them regretted their military experience and loved the work.

BTW when they declassified Area 51 my father told us he had flow into there several times in the 70's and 80's. We were at Norton in Southern California so I guess he would haul stuff into there. Anyway, he had to sign an extra agreement swearing he wouldn't reveal what he saw but he did say he never signed an agreement where he swore he wouldn't tell anyone about the aliens. (I don't remember how he worde it, but basically no aliens. Sorry)

[bigwillq]

44. All the best to you son.

Good for him. Give him my congrats.

[NaturalHigh]

45. I remember my first day like it was yesterday.

Tell him to try and relax and enjoy basic training. After the first couple of weeks you get the hang of it.

[nil desperandum]

46. Congratulations

I'm a former infantryman....I served a long, long, time ago...both my kids served, my son as SEAL until he was injured and unable to continue and my daughter as an analyst for the AirForce....when I've been asked the difference I am reminded of a humorous image I saw once....

[MineralMan]

47. I hope your son enjoys his time in the USAF.

I found it useful back in the mid to late 1960s, although not in the ways you'd expect.

[cherokeeprogressive]

48. Do this Veteran a favor...

and thank him for his service!

[VulgarPoet]

49. Do something fun, rainbow.

Whatever you do, do not get fucked into a Headquarters assignment. I trip over officers and play "glorified secretary" on a daily basis. After getting diverted from what was supposed to be a Combat Comms assignment.

[etherealtruth]

50. Wishes for peace, contentment and safety on his new journey

[Shadowflash]

51. As an Air Force veteran

I say congratulations. He'll enjoy his time.

[maxrandb]

54. Congratulations!

I just retired after 30 years in the Navy. When I joined, my mom cried and tried to convince me not to go. Within a year, she was so proud of me that I could barely wear anything but my dress uniform whenever I came home.

"We're going to church...did you bring your Dress Blues with you"?

[JohnyCanuck]

55. Will he be proud of himself?

Even if he is stationed at Diego Garcia?

End This British Atrocity

by craig on March 1, 2016 1:09 pm in Uncategorized

One of the worst atrocities of the British Empire occurred well within my own lifetime – the removal of an entire people, the Chagossians, from their homeland. Uprooted and deposited across the seas hundreds of miles away, many died from the physical and psychological effects of this crime against humanity. The thing is, it is still happening. The survivors have clung together as a community, and the British government are still actively preventing their return to their homeland – all to make way for an American military base on Diego Garcia. There is no reason other than simple Imperialism for America to maintain a military base in the middle of the Indian Ocean.

https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2016/03/end-this-british-atrocity/

[GGJohn]

56. Jeez dude,

quit crapping all over her thread and just wish him and her good luck.

[GGJohn]

57. From this retired vet,

tell your son god speed and stay safe.

[6chars]

58. Good for him. Nice to see all this support here too.

Puts the lie to some stereotypes.

[Rex]

61. Congrats clarice that is a big step in life!

[panader0]

64. Cool--I have two sons in the Coast Guard.

[clarice]

66. Too all... I am overwhelmed by all of the good wishes...restores a lot of my faith.....

Thanks to each and every one of you...except for that one asshole. lol