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The Away Game +

Sun, 09 Mar 2008 15:18:59 GMT

Some of you will undoubtedly get this amazing essay twice, but it bears repeating, and since Brett's heart and mine beat in tandem on this issue, well enough said. Here is the first part of my little report for you:

The Away Game

First year cadets at the Air Force Academy are allowed to leave the Academy without penalty up through the end of first-year Christmas break. Those who came back were assigned to write a paper on why they chose to return. Here is one young cadet's masterpiece, which has begun to be widely publicized...

Why return to the Air Force Academy after Winter Break?

So after our sunburns have faded and the memories of our winter break have been reduced to pictures we've pinned on our desk boards, and once again we've exchanged T-shirts and swim suits for flight suits and camouflage, there still remains the question that every cadet at U.S.Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs has asked themselves at some point: Why did we come back? Why, after spending two weeks with our family would we return to one of the most demanding lifestyles in the country?

After listening to our 'friends' who are home from State or Ivy League schools chock full of wisdom about how our war in Iraq is unjust and unworldly, why would we return? And after watching the news and reading the papers which only seem to condemn the military's every mistake and shadow every victory, why would we continue to think it is worth the sacrifice of a normal college life?

Is it because the institution to which we belong is tuition-free? Anyone who claims this has forgotten that we will, by the time we graduate, repay the US taxpayer many times over in blood, sweat, and tears. Is it because the schooling we are receiving is one of the best undergraduate educations in the country? While the quality of the education is second to none, anyone who provides this as a main reason has lost sight of the awesome responsibility that awaits those who are tough enough to graduate and become commissioned officers in the U.S. Air Force.

I come back to the Academy because I want to have the training necessary so that one day I'll have the incredible responsibility of leading the sons and daughters of America in combat. These men and women will never ask about my Academy grade point average, their only concern will be that I have the ability to lead them expertly; I will be humbled to earn their respect. I come back to the Academy because I want to be the commander who saves lives by negotiating with Arab leaders... in their own language.

I come back to the Academy because, if called upon, I want to be the pilot who flies half way around the world with three mid-air refuelings to send a bomb from 30,000 feet into a basement housing the enemy...through a ventilation shaft two feet wide. Becoming an officer in today's modern Air Force is so much more than just command; it is being a diplomat, a strategist, a communicator, a moral compass, but always a warrior first.

I come back to the Air Force Academy because, right now, the United States is fighting a global war that is an 'away game' in Iraq - taking the fight to the terrorists.
Whether or not we think the terrorists were in Iraq before our invasion, they are unquestionably there now. And if there is any doubt as to whether this is a global war, just ask the people in Amman, in London, in Madrid, in Casablanca, in Riyadh, and in Bali.

This war must remain an away game because we have seen what happens when it becomes a home game... I come back to the Academy because I want to be a part of that fight.
I come back to the Academy because I don't want my vacationing family to board a bus in Paris that gets blown away by someone who thinks that it would be a good idea to convert the Western world to Islam.

I come back to the Academy because I don't want the woman I love to be the one who dials her last frantic cell phone call while huddled in the back of an airliner with a hundred other people seconds away from slamming into the Capitol building.

I come back to the Academy because during my freshman year of high school I sat in a geometry class and watched nineteen terrorists change the course of history live on television. For the first time, every class currently at a U.S. Service Academy made the decision to join after the 2001 terror attacks.

Some have said that the U.S. invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan only created more terrorists... I say that the attacks of September 11th, 2001 created an untold more number of American soldiers; I go to school with 4,000 of them. And that's worth more than missing a few frat parties.

Joseph R. Tomczak Cadet, Fourth Class United States Air Force Academy

(U.S. Senator Wayne Allard (R-Colorado) had Cadet Tomczak's essay read into the Congressional Record, and at a meeting of the Air Force Academy Board of Visitors he presented Cadet Tomczak with a framed copy of the essay.)

This essay could have been writen by any number of the dedicated men and women whom I have had the pleasure to meet who call themselves Cadets at the United States Air Force Academy. It is truely one of the best places totake stock of our future and have a positive outlook. I am proud to be the mother of one of them!

On another note, there are still a few behind, at least in my family, who are showing their own dedication to leadership and learning, even if it is not convenient or comfortable. Most of you know we mooved here in 2005 from sunny CA, and this issue wouldn't come up there at all, but yesterday I had the pleasure of standing for 20 minutes in sub zero weather with 25+ young men who were waiting to be loaded into cars and driven to Merit Badge University in Iowa City at the University of Iowa campus. This for the blessing of earning one of the highly coveted Boy Scout merit badges in a day. As I drove home, I realized that these young men were already showing the gist of what it will take to be leaders in the greatest country in the free world. And I so respect all the 8 or so dads who gave up there Saturday plans to be there with them, not to mention the 100's of other people who did the same to organize and teach for the day. I am so proud to be a part of this organization as well.

Tenacity under any circumstances, not just when convenient, comfortable or fun. That's what I want my boys to keep learning. These are two examples.

The promise.

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:12:21 GMT

Super Tuesday. That's what Joseph told me tomorrow is. I knew CA (Is it June already?) was voting their primary but didn't realize there were so many others. It seems like the election will be over tomorrow night! All that will be left is the Republicans VS. the Democrats. For nine long months. What will we do? How will we decide? It is really already done. I don't predict all too many people suddenly changing party affiliations, do you? What a strange picture this is to me. A somewhat disturbing one, actually. So tonight I am holding onto the promise of Romans 13:1- "Everyone must submit himself (No, I am NOT offended by the masculine wording, I know God means me too!) to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." I will be praying for you tomorrow, CA and all you others too. God's will, will be done. Amen

Since I have your attention....

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:38:35 GMT

A good friend of mine sent this to me today. It's worth the read and the chuckle, ironic tho' it be. Enjoy!

*22 Ways to be a good Democrat*:

1. You have to be against capital punishment, but support abortion on demand.

2. You have to believe that businesses create oppression and governments create prosperity.

3. You have to believe that guns in the hands of law-abiding Americans are more of a threat than U.S. nuclear weapons technology in the hands of Chinese and North Korean communists.

4. You have to believe that there was no art before Federal funding.

5. You have to believe that global temperatures are less affected by cyclical documented changes in the earth's climate an d more affected by soccer moms driving SUV's.

6. You have to believe that gender roles are artificial but being homosexual is natural.

7. You have to believe that the AIDS virus is spread by a lack of federal funding.

8. You have to believe that the same teacher who can't teach 4th-graders how to read is somehow qualified to teach those same kids about sex.

9. You have to believe that hunters don't care about nature, but loony activists who have never been outside of San Francisco do.

10. You have to believe that self-esteem is more important than actually doing something to earn it.

11. You have to believe that Mel Gibson spent $25 million of his own money to make The Passion of the Christ for financial gain only.

12. You have to believe the NRA is bad because it supports certain parts of the Constitution, while the ACLU is good because it supports certain parts of t he Constitution.

13. You have to believe that taxes are too low, but ATM fees are too high.

14. You have to believe that Margaret Sanger and Gloria Steinem are more important to American history than Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Gen. Robert E. Lee, Thomas Edison and A.G. Bell.

15. You have to believe that standardized tests are racist, but racial quotas and set-asides are not.

16. You have to believe that Hillary Clinton is normal and is a very nice person.

17. You have to believe that the only reason socialism hasn't worked anywhere it's been tried is because the right people haven't been in charge.

18. You have to believe conservatives telling the truth belong in jail, but a liar and a sex offender belonged in the White House.

19. You have to believe that homosexual parades displaying drag queens, transvestites, and bestiality should be constitutionally protected, and manger scenes at Christmas should be illegal.

20. You have to believe that illegal Democratic Party funding by the Chinese Government is somehow in the best interest of the United States.

21. You have to believe that it's okay to give Federal workers the day off on Christmas Day but it's not okay to say "Merry Christmas."

*Last but not least --
*
22. You have to believe that this message is a part of a vast, right wing conspiracy.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 13:53:01 GMT

Okay, okay, I have been remiss in keeping this weblog up. But recently something is really bothering me so I am going to vent a bit here about it. And since I feel so strongly about raising my boys to be respectful patriots and citizens it actually does belong on my site about mothering my boys.

When did President Bush lose his title and position and become a normal guy called Mr. Bush!!!!!! The trailers at the bottom of the morning news shows apparently believe he is no longer the leader of the strongest, greatest nation in the free world and has gone to calling him just "Mr. Bush". How can we expect the rest of the world to take this country and our leaders seriously if the media portrays them so disrespectfully??!! We are so blessed to be able to live here and take advantage of all the U.S. of A. offers us, including free speech, but really!! We continue to enjoy these privileges because of the leadership of this country, and men and women of principle and integrity who are willing to put it all on the line and serve.

President Bush, keep up the good fight, continue to serve and lead and you will always, just as your father before you, be President Bush to me and mine. We remember your leadership through all the ups and downs of the last 7+ years and applaud you for hanging in there and doing your best to do what you think was/is best. We elected you to do just that. And I thank you for giving up these years of your life to lead. Thank you, President Bush!

Getting to know you...

Wed, 20 Sep 2006 12:36:09 GMT

Would that it could be different, but it is not. Hard, painful, difficult times afford the opportunity to get to know our children in ways that are pretty special. Case in point is Joel's recent football injury.

Wed. evening he came home from practice having made the down, but in pain from the catch and subsequent fall when tackled from behind. We went to urgent care checking for broken ribs, and there were none. Still I wanted to check with our own doc and Joel started feeling pain in his diaphram area when we got home anyway. No school Thurs. and a trip to the doctors, then to radiology for a CT scan, then admission to ICU for observation for a "fractured " spleen, as Jonas called. Pretty accurate description, actually. Like a tomato that gets squished and kind of cracks and leaks.

The blessing that has come out of this, one of a few probably, is watching this fine young man deal with what is surely a disappointing and extremely difficult, painful situation with grace and humor and even kindness. He was polite and well spoken with all the hospital personnel he came in contact with, explaining what happened umpteen times clearly and carefully. He always thanked everyone, joked with most, and never really complained except to ask for pain meds and answer questions about his pain level. It was a joy to be with him throughout the whole experience, despite the loss of sleep, disruption of life and of course the worry about him!

The hospital has a program where patients are able to give "kudos" of a sort to hospital staff by filling out a little paper about them. I noticed these and felt myself that some of the staff kind of deserved one, so I mentioned to Joel, "Gee, the hospital has those little forms to say how you appreciate the staff, I was thinking that maybe a couple of the nurses you've had would deserve them" to which he said "Yeah, I was thinking about that too." So before we left he filled them out for some of the people that had really touched him with special care. I was impressed that he would even think about it, let alone take the time to do it.

We have had some fun times, looking for ways to make him smile and laugh, like when we went back to the ER Mon. night. I've had time with him, going through his room, cleaning out stuff and helping him get organized (taking advantage of a captive audience!) and all dusted and vacumed and clothes clean. Watching him interact with visitors and concerned friends, do schoolwork, even when it is hard to concentrate, and deal with the boredom of no activity except walking around the house . He is such a great person and I am honored to be his mother and I hope his friend.

Would that he had never been injured, again! Toe last year, tragedy in Florida and now major injury and loss of this years football season where he was really excelling and doing so well! But a blessing to see what he is made of, to watch his responses and be so darned proud.

Wallking with a purpose.

Sat, 09 Sep 2006 15:27:03 GMT

Our family did a lot of walking this morning. I just got home from the Memory Walk here in Cedar Rapids. Creative Memories is a huge sponsor of the walk which is put on by the Alzheimer's Association to raise awareness and money for support, research and hopefully a cure someday. I had a team of 4 others join me and we walked three miles each and have raised over $700 so far.

Brett and the other four youngest are all still at the Swamp Fox Parade in Marion. Jonas and Joash are walking the parade with the Cub Scout Pack, under duress this year. But Dad explained that this is what we do. We support the community and the organizations we are a part of, even when it won't be particularly "fun" for us. And attitude has a lot to do with how fun it is anyway, because the same boy who doesn't want to walk in the parade today is VERY excited about walking in the Homecoming Parade next month. Good day for some life lessons.

Joel is also making a sacrifice and missing something "fun" for service. He is out at the Boy Scout camp for an Order of the Arrow Conclave campout and they are roofing some shelter or building out there. He wanted to go air softing this afternoon, but as part of the OA and BS, he needed to go do this, and he did.

At the USAFA there is a wall with the words "Inregrity first, Service before self and Excellence in all we do". This is what the Air Force lives by, and we encourage all of our boys to do the same. Josh is serving by being at that Acadamy and being an exemplary Cadet and student and friend there. He is sacrificing personal wants and desires to serve there and ultimately for our country. It is what we do. Our Lord did not put us here on earth and sacrifice His own life for us so that we can just sit around and enjoy the blessings He gives us. So we walk...

Time with my boys...

Thu, 07 Sep 2006 12:33:11 GMT

The weekend was GREAT! One of my best memories is just sitting on the couch in the cabin and watching Brett, Jonathan, Joshua, Tim and Doug play poker, and then whatever else they played. It has been too long since I have had the pleasure of doing that. What a blessing. I enjoyed everything we did. The cabin was so easy to be in and take care of. A real treat.

Loved going to class and being on campus with Josh too. It is such an awesome place and so perfect for him. He is doing so.... well. I am so proud.

So great to talk to Jonathan and hear how he is doing , how responsible he is being and thoughtful about life. I am so.... proud of him too.

Everything went pretty well at home. Life is full, busy, crazy and I had better get to my to do list so I can go watch tennis later and then go to my meetings.

Visiting

Mon, 28 Aug 2006 22:11:42 GMT

Okay, it's been forever again, and I'm still not sure I have anything to say, but I'll try. We leave for CO on Thurs. It's Parent Weekend at the USAFA, and we et to see Josh again, and Jonathan, and two of our "other boys" Jo-Tim and Jo-Doug. It will fun. I'm a little worried about what we will do. I love the mountains and all, but what will we do? Hike, read? I know there will be o lot of game playing going on, and maybe some movie watching. It will be fun, I'm sure. I'll let you kow on Wed. next week!

Parenting... after they leave ?

Tue, 11 Jul 2006 22:57:12 GMT

I was informed that I had not written anything new on my blog for over ...well....a long time. So here goes.

It seemed to me that there just would not be much mothering to do for them once the older boys left home for college, or the Academy or , gulp, college graduation. But low and behold, I am still needed! I get to be involved in lots of nice and not so nice life occurrences. I get to help, listen , pray, make phone calls, listen and pray some more, and maybe help some more. And a lot more often than I thought I would. It has been busy and eye opening and a great privilege. And I still definitely am the mother of 7 boys, 24/7/365.

Are we there yet?

Wed, 31 May 2006 11:33:31 GMT

We "celebrated" our 1st Iowa anniversary this weekend. One year ago Friday (or Sat. by the calendar) I was asked the question by Brett "What would you think about moving to Iowa?" I remember it vividly because I was driving up to Mammoth Mountain with my mom, caravanning with my sister and brother in law, to surprise my other sister for her birthday. When we got to my sister's, we actually got out an atlas and looked up where Iowa was! And I thought, sure! Why not? We went to the Philippines, why not Iowa?

It was crazy, streessful, exciting, sad and many other things as we prepared to come out here, but it has all been great. We have now experienced all four seasons, and really liked them all. Summer rushed in, in a hurry to push a very short spring out of the way, and way too early for my CA calendar. (Yikes! School is out on Friday!) I need to get some more activities arranged for the kids, figure out what pool to join, and do it!

Flowers are everywhere! The weather is humid and warm/hot. People are outside and visiting, while working in the yard or just watching the kids play. And, yes, we are almost there! Only a few more boxes of photos to organize, a few walls to paint, workbenches to build, and things that don't fit in this house to pass on. It is really feeling like home!

Josh comes in on Sat. Day camp and troop summer camp are the next week, July 1&2 is a baseball tournament in Des Moines, and then....take a breather for a few days. I know the summer will rush by. Better enjoy it while we can!