27 Sep 2006

Summer is bittersweet time

The arrival of summer, normally a joyous time identified with nicer weather, the end of school and family vacations, is also a bittersweet time for Air Force members. Bitter-sweet because it signals the arrival of another "season," one unique to the military: the PCS season. I was reminded of this the other day when, driving up Gumwood, I watched

27 Sep 2006

Dorm dwellers rejoice

Ahhhhh . . . the good ol' days! How many times have we heard that? Fortunately, time has a way of making the old times seem much better than they actually were. But let's consider some of the things people reminisce about, like barracks life -- nope, they weren't "dormitories" in my day. Young men assigned to Great Falls Air Force Base in 1942 were

5 Sep 2006

Messages of Hope

Hope is something important -- something special. Sometimes I see it abundantly in people I meet. Sometimes it is sparse. But I know it exists and it is available. Tonight, I write from a missile alert facility. As I visited with folks here, I began to see and hear things that were hopeful and attitudes that were conducive to community. This night

5 Sep 2006

Pedestrians, drivers need to co-exist

We are enjoying nicer weather now which means there will be more people walking around and more children out and about so it is imperative everyone is thinking not only safety, but common courtesy. Give yourself enough time to get where you want to go without having to hurry. Plan ahead, and be prepared. Driving, whether on the highway or in town,