Trip Wire :: Part the Second

It's official

I was up early on Friday, March 4, 2022, the morning of Andrew's graduation from UPT 2.5 (Undergraduate Pilot Training).

Being careful not to make any noise and wake Ember, who was in for a long day, I took a shower, then made coffee.

While I toasted one of those Aldi L'Oven Fresh Keto Friendly bagels that are impossible to find (and yet Brittany did), Rambo begged for a treat and got one. I had already let him outside to check his messages.

If I was not on the sofa, Rambo lounged against the wall

I settled onto the sofa in the quiet and read my Bible. Rambo settled on the floor beside me.

Before I knew it, everyone was up and it was time to get all the way ready.

The men left first, in our car, so that TG could save us a few seats toward the front of the Base Auditorium.

Let me call you sweetheart

Brittany and I blew over there -- the wind was a presence determined to disturb everything from hairdos to hemlines, and succeeding -- in her Jeep, and were seated for less than ten minutes before the ceremony began.

Ember, at two years and three months old, needed lots of distractions, and her mother was prepared: fruit snacks, small toys, a pink-edged screen loaded with cartoons and games.

A pilot and his parents, one of which is a pirate

In addition to earning his wings, Andrew was a recipient of the Flight Commander Award -- although that achievement was not recognized at the ceremony. None of us understand it; do not get me started.

At the conclusion of the fifty-minute graduation, an Ember-shaped squall appeared on the horizon. She was struggling to forcibly exit her mother's arms and a friend, endeavoring to take her so that Brittany could get to Andrew, was having zero luck convincing the child to chill.

One for the family photo album

I motioned to TG, who strode forward and took Ember, who instantly ceased wriggling and became quiet. I think the grandkids all like the height from which being held by Papaw allows them to see the world. Then there is the fact that it's Papaw and somehow they know that means, less nonsense will serve you better than more.

At any rate we did not stay in there for long; the lighting was murky and no good for pictures.

I took this epic shot using Brittany's phone

Andrew found his wife and pressed something into her hand. It turned out to be half of a pair of wings, which had been scored so as to be easily broken. Each one of them keeps their half until death do they part.

Then Andrew and his classmates formed up for a group photo on the stage, and someone read a poem and the new pilots sang a song, and we all headed out into the warm, cloudy, windy day.

See? I can get on a plane

Since the wives do not pin their men's wings on during the ceremony, it's done immediately afterwards. Andrew was offering his pocket ruler to others to get their wings level, and then it was Brittany's turn.

She pinned his pilot wings directly above his boom operator wings, which he has had for years, denoting his service around the world refueling airplanes while in flight.

There's a lot of waiting in the Air Force ...

I love the way he looked at her when she pinned them on.

Eventually we returned to our cars and drove to where the three types of airplanes flown on that base, were poised on display.

... and a lot of sitting

All of the pilots train in the T-6 Texan II. Subsequently, depending on what was revealed to them in the meeting on the previous day regarding which plane they will fly permanently, they train in either the T-38 Talon (fighter pilot) or the T-1 Jayhawk (heavy pilot).

(Heavy aircraft include tankers and transports).

The T-1 Jayhawk is Andrew's next flight training aircraft

Since Andrew is set to fly the KC-135 Stratotanker for his unit, the 134th Air Refueling Wing of the Tennessee Air National Guard, he will next train in the T-1 Jayhawk.

I took pictures of Andrew and Brittany standing on the wing of the displayed T-6, then someone took a picture of me and TG standing on it.

There's a certain glamour to airplanes; I won't deny it. It's exciting to be so close to one that you can feel the steel beneath your feet, and peer through the canopy into the impossibly small interior.

Silver wings on my son's chest

We took more pictures -- of TG sitting in one of the pilot seats of the T-1 Jayhawk (yes it was difficult but he folded his six-foot-four frame and managed to fit), and Andrew with his family, beside it.

All the while, there was thunder in the sky as planes took off (it was a regular training day for some) and entered the Vance pattern.

An instant heirloom

Having the collective conviction that it was time to regroup, we drove the three minutes to home and changed into more comfortable clothes. It had been decided that we would have lunch at McAlister's Deli. I was starving so that plan got a booyah from me.

Andrew, still dashing in dress blues but announcing his intention to change into his flight suit, was just inside the door when I asked him to hang on for a minute.

He read the words meant for his private inspiration

I wanted him to open his gift from his dad and me, meant to commemorate both his graduation and his upcoming birthday.

I'd asked Brittany several weeks earlier what I should get him, and she had suggested a pubs (publications) bag, in which pilots carry their essential flight materials.

We sent this one to the maker of the pubs bag

He had been using a cheap black canvas one for training, and it was frayed. Real pilots have pubs bags of genuine leather. 

The one she pointed me towards was so great, I knew right away that it was the gift we wanted to give Andrew on this momentous occasion.

So tired from all this to-do, Daddy

The bag was custom made by Jake Jelineo of Aerodrome Leather Works, and he could not have been more accommodating, nor more prompt in delivery of an item of consummate workmanship.

The bag is of saddle-colored leather and features Andrew's name burned into the front flap, along with the wings insignia. Beneath that is an image of the tanker, and on the back is the Air National Guard logo.

It's like they knew I was coming

Inside the flap, where only Andrew can see it, we asked Jake to engrave these words from High Flight:

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth

Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

(Never mind that the author of these words, John Gillespie Magee, Jr., died at the age of nineteen in a training exercise while a pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force during WWII; it is the definitive pilot poem. I have placed it in full on my own late pilot dad's Find a Grave page.)

Victor November

Andrew was pretty bowled over by the pubs bag; he wanted one so badly that he told me he probably would have bought it for himself if we had not given him one. He dubbed it an instant heirloom, something that, if his son or daughter were to become pilots, they could carry like their father before them.

So we took some pictures both before and after he changed from his blues to the flight suit, and then we went to lunch.

Andrew on the flight line, talking airplane

We relaxed in the afternoon; when Ember had gone down for a nap, we urged Brittany to put her feet up while Andrew took me and TG on an informal tour of the base.

I sat in a simulator and "flew" a T-6, and I even did a loop-the-loop and did not crash, although I did have a hard time maintaining level flight, and we will not talk about either my takeoff or my landing.

It was a splendid snack

The pirate is no pilot.

TG was next and he did much better than me. Hand-eye coordination? Hunny you're born with it. Or you're not.

That evening, we went out again -- for supper at El Patio in Enid. Then Andrew took us for a nighttime cruise around Enid. Which took all of seven minutes.

Ain't that the truth

Once back home, we were all pretty well wiped out -- and full -- but Brittany had ordered a huge, beautifully decorated cookie from a lady on base who custom-makes the confections, and in due course we broke that out and all had a piece. It was delicious.

Ember brought me a few books to read -- I don't remember whether it was before or after cookie consumption -- and then she was off to bath and bed, and without too much more ado, I followed suit.

It was a wonderful, joy-filled day and one that we will never forget.

More to come! Stay tuned.

And that is all for now.

=0=0=0=

Happy Friday :: Happy Weekend

Comments

[Ginny Hartzler]

You have a gorgeous family! What a momentous event, and you found the perfect gift. Brittany is dressed so cute, I love her dress. And all the photos are so good, especially the ones on the plane wing!

[Mari]

Oh Jenny! This is the best post! A handsome pilot, his beautiful wife, and darling little girl - even though she causes a squall sometimes. :) Not to mention the parents.
Seriously, these photos are heirlooms too. The one of Andrew and Brittany on the plane is gorgeous!
Congratulations to Andrew for all his hard work - and his award should have been mentioned!
Also, pirates don't fly, so of course you aren't a pilot.

[Bijoux]

Fabulous! But boy, it sure looks windy! What a special day you all had. You did take an epic shot of your son and his bride on that plane. Just beautiful! And what a wonderful gift. The day looks perfect. You must be so proud!!!

Would you believe I only recently learned of refueling planes in flight? It was on some reality show and I was completely amazed. How am I this old and I never knew that happened? Lol, I have a lot left to learn in this life. Enjoy your weekend, my friend!

[Jennifer]

@Ginny ... Brittany did look adorable, but of course she always does, haaaha! I'm so thankful for the memories and especially for the photos! xoxo

@Mari ... Seriously I think I will have to have a canvas made of the picture of Andrew and Brittany on the plane wing. We were passing our phones back and forth and taking so many pictures that when I saw that one I blurted out, WHO took this picture??? And Brittany said, YOU did! BUT I must point out that I was using her phone and she has the iPhone 13 Pro and the camera is MUCH MORE BETTER than the one on my iPhone 10! Now I'm looking into how to trade my phone for one just like hers! But what beautiful subjects they make! Her legs are so pretty, I am going to suggest that when she has grandkids, they call her Gam Gam. Haaahahaha! Pirate grounded, that's for sure. xoxo

@Bijoux ... GIRL don't feel bad! Until our son was in training to become a boom operator, TG and I were not aware that they did that, either! I mean, we may have sort of known that they sort of did it, but we had no idea what really went on. Most people don't realize that planes are being refueled in flight over their heads most days. It's so commonplace. You have a great weekend too! xoxo

[Diana]

I must say, Jenny, how much I throroughly enjoyed this post! I don't know if I've gotten around to telling you, I've been a reader of your blog for a while, just hadn't commented yet... or maybe once, can't remember. You have such a handsome and beautiful family. I totally love the stunning photo of Andrew and Brittany on the wing of the plane! Whata great capture! And the look on his face as she pinned him,oh my, that boy loves her. And that little one, Miss Ember, is a doll! Such an adorable photo of daddy holding her as she sleeps. I thought your profile photo looked familiar, I've run across it on Find A Grave! Blessings to you and your lovely family!

[betty]

Again, congrats to Andrew and to Brittany too since they are a team and it takes a team effort to do such a thing! I laughed out loud when you wrote "see, I can get on a plane". You go girl! What a special day that you got to enjoy with Andrew, Brittany and Ember. One for the memory books. Loved all the pictures but the one that brought tears to my eyes was Andrew holding Ember. The best job and perhaps most challenging job he'll ever do is being a daddy and it seems like he aced that already! Great gift idea with the pubs bag too! You guys rock! Looking forward to hearing the next part of your adventure as you share it with us!

betty

[Lori]

Oh what fabulous memories and beautiful photos. You all look so wonderful. The gift was perfect Jenny. Something he'll treasure forever and yes an heirloom. How awesome it is to be able to celebrate these moments together. Such a beautiful family.
Have a wonderful weekend my friend.

[Jeanette]

What a great post and congratulations to your handsome son! That is a fantastic gift you gave him! A family heirloom for sure! You and TG look great and Ember is adorable!!!

[Mari-Nanci]

Oh yes, the way he is looking at her, when she is pinning his wings on....!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a beautiful family they are. What a beautiful family, you all are. :-)

You know how to pick out a memorable gift, my Dear.

Another lovely, lovely post, from the lovely, lovely Pirate. :-)

Gentle hugs,
Mari-Nanci
🌸🌼🌺🌷

[Mari-Nanci]

8424 LIMA

Will always remember the call letters of the little Cessna, we owned, back in the day.

And the flying we did, in it.

Memories....

Mari-Nanci
🌸🌼🌺🌷

[Jennifer]

@Diana ... welcome aboard, and thank you so much for being a reader! I appreciate it more than you know. Thank you too for your kind words about our family. We really do love being together and it was SO special to be able to go to Oklahoma and be there for the festivities. Normally there are lunches and parties and get-togethers on base surrounding graduation, but they've scaled back on those and there were none to speak of ... but we were just so happy that only the week before, they'd rescinded the on-base indoor mask mandate. We were dreading wearing masks for the ceremony! It was all so good. xoxo

@betty ... isn't that picture of Andrew and Ember just wonderful? That's exactly how he is with her too, except of course he is sterner than that when he has to be, haaha! But she adores him and that's the part that makes my heart so glad. I never knew my dad so it resonates with me in a special way. And if you could have seen how he made over that pubs bag like it was crafted from solid gold! He really loves it and that was so great to see. Love to Winslow! xoxo

@Lori ... it truly was a fantastic visit and one that I will never forget. What a privilege to be able to share these important moments with our children! You have a great weekend too! xoxo

@Jeanette ... awww thank you! We just lived it up the whole time, haaha! xoxo

@Mari-Nanci ... I know, RIGHT? He looks at her the way every woman wants her man to look at her. And it is genuine. Thank you for your always-too-kind words and wishes. And YES I am so happy that you had so many glorious times in the air in your beloved Cessna, 8425 LIMA. So few get to have that privilege and I know you made the most of it without ever taking it for granted! xoxo

[Carla TePaske]

Hello,
Thank you for part two. I love the gift you gave your son.
Your photos are fantastic, you capture your family so well.
Thank you for sharing all of them with us.

[Jennifer]

@Carla ... you are most welcome, my friend. Thank you for reading! I am still praying for your Sam. xoxo

[Donna (Texas)]

Aww!! An Angel Always gets his wings!! I know you are SO proud of your Andrew!
There's two beautiful couples dancing on the plane's wings...
hughugs
Donna

[Jennifer]

@Donna ... girl we were about to shout, we were so proud of him. And I was finally airborne! Sort of, haaaha xoxo

[Terra]

This is a beautiful post and gives me vast hope for America. Exciting times for your son, his pilot achievement and that handmade pilot bag. These are happy times and you all celebrated well.

[Jennifer]

@Terra ... Yes! There is hope because there are still many true patriots, and young men and women putting their lives on the line for our freedoms. It was thrilling to see how much Andrew loved that pubs bag! Definitely happy times! xoxo

[Gayla]

Congratulations! This was a powerful day. That bag is perfect. I know it's a treasure already. That poem is so beautiful. It used to be recited as my TV station signed off for the night and Blue Angels-like squadron left a trail across the screen.

[Jennifer]

@Gayla ... Andrew has refueled the Blue Angels, back when he was a boom operator! Now he will be flying the tanker that serves as the in-air filling station, haaaha! And the other day, Andrew texted me with a picture of his bag in the back seat of the car. He said it is his most treasured tangible possession and he receives compliments on it almost daily. It already looks nicely broken in! xoxo

[Barb]

I was excited to read about Andrew's graduation. I can only imagine the pride of his family in his accomplishments. The photos after the ceremony are wonderful. A day of cherished memories. HIs flight bag is indeed a heirloom made more special since it is a gift from his parents. I see the wind was constant as always in OK! You're lucky the simulator didn't blow skyward!

[Jennifer]

@Barb ... I'm lucky I still have eyelashes! Haahaaa! Andrew loves that bag. I'm so glad I texted Brittany that night and asked what he wanted rather than just picking something out! xoxo