My Veteran

While a lot of people are celebrating an extra day off work, today I celebrate my father.

As a graduate of Washburn University in 1966 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, it was either try to become the next Bob Ross, or enter the Army. Dad chose to give back to his country and entered basic training in Missouri. Shortly after, he was off to Officer Candidate School in Virginia where he utilized his degree painting murals in the latrines instead of running miles outside in the heat. Upon graduation from OCS, he went on to flight schools in both Georgia and Alabama until he was called to duty. Deployed at age 24 in March of 1968, he served as a Captain and flew planes over hostile grounds in and around Southeast Asia dropping cargo and people. He was part of the 54th Utility Aircraft Company, flying De Havilland DHC-3 Otters and even designed their logo for the aircrafts.

Once his time in Vietnam was over, he came back stateside and was a Flights Instructor and Check Pilot for a couple of years in Ft. Stewart, Georgia.

I'm so proud to call this man my father. He, and all of the other Veteran's out there deserve to be recognized today for their service to our country! Without them, our freedom just wouldn't be the same.

Love you dad and am so proud of you! 

Happy Veterans Day to all the other veterans out there!