F15 Strike Eagle Picture

I couldn't take pictures of the hangar we were in due to security measures.

I was afraid to take a picture of the entire plane (I thought security forces might come out of somewhere and tackle me.)

As I mentioned earlier, Ryan made the right connections for us to "tag" onto the end of a fighter squadrons individual family photo shoots. We were impostors. We are from the 366th Medical Squadron. Doctors are on shortage in the Air Force- highly overworked and underpaid and statistically not known to re-enlist. But still, as I stood among all the pilots and their families waiting for out last turn, I couldn't help but feel privileged. In awe of the F15 and the Pilots and their families. The skill and training and sacrifice and talent that they have. The combat they have been through. The risks they have to make. How humble they are. I love our Country. I love that because I live here, the greatest place on earth, my children will have a quality of life and access to things that are privileges in other lands.

I had throwing up kids the day before. We weren't at our healthiest. After waiting an hour, restless kids at nap time, and Jackson's repeated questions of when are we, "going to blastoff?", we climbed the steps to the top. They let the kids pile into the pilots seat (the back seat pilot is the Wizzo). Heads are overlapped and interest was more in the buttons and instruments, but I got my picture.

I will forever have a memento of our time here active duty in Mountain Home. I'll always love the 5pm national anthem loudspeaker broadcast that calls all outside to stand and salute. Did you know they play it every day of the week? (That there is a 7:30am Reveille song and a 10pm Taps song too?) I have felt such gratitude for all the servicemen and women that have ever served this country. I am so grateful for just this little bit of time, to be able to have my husband serve with them.

God forever bless this great nation- the USA!