Memorial Day Tribute

Many years ago my oldest daughter, Lyssha, married a nice young man who subsequently joined the Air Force. Last year, my Nicole married a fine man who was on his way to Basic Military Training just weeks after they married. And late last year, we lost our baby, Natalie, when she married a good man who’d courted her while he completed his aircraft maintenance training with the Navy.

It seems that quite unwittingly, I created the Non-Commissioned branch of the Tibbitts Family – my Father, Uncle and Brother all being retired Air Force Majors and aircrew. I chose to enter as an E-1, and while I still technically out-rank all my sons-in-law, I suspect it won’t be for long.

I’m very proud of all of these men for a number of reasons. First, they are fine young men, honorable and capable. Second, they love my daughters and do their best to look after them. And lastly, they are all patriots.

Jacob, the eldest, just left for his second tour in Afghanistan and his three daughters miss him dreadfully. He is a great father, but also very good at what he does, and what he does is support Army Rangers, embedded with them to call in close air support. He’s also been in Iraq twice, and spent a year without his family, on the border between North and South Korea.

Dan is a member of the Utah Air Guard. He was actually headed for an Army Enlistment when his future Father-in-Law (ah, yes that’s me) let him know that we are an Air Force Family. He agreed to speak with a family friend who happens to be both a Lt. Colonel in the Utah Air Guard and the head of Personnel.

Danny finished all his schools last year and does his duty while finishing his degree. He may well be called upon to rotate to Afghanistan later this year. He manages emergency situations – especially those related to chemical, nuclear, or biological warfare, and has special training in road side bombs events.

Nate is a radar and cockpit tech assigned to the Navy Growler (a very special version of the F-18) in Washington. When he asked for my daughters hand (as they all did --- and not at my insistence!) I noted that we could probably relax the Air Force Family rule to allow him because of his association with jet aircraft. It’s only fair; we share a specialty (my entire career was as an aircraft maintenance mechanic, technician, instructor and manager for the F4 and F16.)

There is a good chance that Nate will have to make a very long voyage at sea with a Carrier Group without my Natalie, or that he will leave the country for an assignment in Asia (and take her with him) next year.

As proud as I am of them, I also want to pay tribute to their wives and in Jake’s case, children. In addition to being a Vet, I am also a military brat – to be quite precise, I was an Officers Brat. I noted at Dan and Nicole’s wedding luncheon in my remarks that when Dan put on the uniform he was part of the fourth generation of our family to do so.

I know from my experiences that those who are left behind also serve but are rarely acknowledged. It appears to me that the Armed Services are doing a bit better with support and recognition of this fact, but it is still far from what is needed. Of course, one thing an Air Force Brat learns early is that it takes the government to really screw up something simple. And the complicated … well, they have a two-word phrase for what that looks like but it’s completely inappropriate for me to share it with you.

I’m proud of the sacrifices my Mother, sisters, brothers, daughters and grandchildren make. They also do, or have done, things that require courage and fortitude. They are often lonely. They worry and fret. And they aren’t the same until they are reunited, whether it is a normal day at the base, a training assignment or a conflict that takes their service member from them.

I’m grateful for the commitment of those who serve today, among them my three sons-in-law. I’m so thankful for the sacrifices of their parents, spouses, and children. I’m grateful for all those who have served. And I appreciate the opportunity I had to put on the uniform of my beloved nation for a decade.

I hope you will take some time to think about those who have served this great nation, those who now serve, and the families who support and love them this weekend. And I hope you will be filled with gratitude and appreciation.