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A world away
Thursday, August 10, 2017 at 12:44PM 
I blogged here, nearly three years ago, about visiting Andrew at the 134th Air Refueling Wing at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Knoxville, not long after he became a fully-fledged boom operator.
He treated me to a visit inside the "sim" -- simulator to civilians -- where I was allowed to watch what he does, and even pretend to do it myself.
You've got to be in awe of our American heroes.
Since forward-deploying from Qatar to Afghanistan a few days ago, Andrew has been sending me and his father the occasional photo.
In the first photo above, he (you can't see him but I promise he's there) is operating the fueling boom of a Maine Air National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker, giving a drink to a thirsty (and fully loaded) F-16 Fighting Falcon in the air over Afghanistan.
I've never understood how he both refuels the plane while they both are hurtling through airspace at six hundred miles per hour, and takes a picture at the same time. I mean, they are no more than thirty feet apart.
Once I asked him how he does it, and he told me, and I still don't understand.
Millennials.
Here's a short video showing exactly what happens:
How about that Stealth bomber? It reminds me of a sea creature. Kind of creepy; am I right?
Andrew arrived in Kandahar at around four o'clock local time one morning last week.
It's been a long day, he texted.
While waiting to be assigned to barracks, he and his buddies posed in front of a sign. If you'd like to know more about the name on that sign, go here.
Andrew said he and his friends were wanting to look cool but to me, they look weary. And brave.
Yesterday he sent me this picture, of himself in the USO building. I hope they gave him a donut and a cup of hot coffee.
I was reminded of the picture I posted a few weeks ago -- here -- of the boy walking into the USO San Antonio one decade ago, a day after graduating from Basic Military Training.
I don't know much about the United Services Organization but if they provide even one moment of homey comfort to a soldier so far away from the comforts of home -- and I know they do more than that -- I am grateful to them.
God Bless America and each one of those who serve. It's a sacrifice; a selfless and often thankless job that somebody has got to do.
And that is all for now.
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Happy Thursday
Reader Comments (5)
Oh Jenny!!!!! I am excited, and crying, and just over-come with all this. How, how, how does he do it?????
Oh mercy, I can't convey how grateful and proud and .... And everything, I am. To him. To you, who wait at home. to all of them. To all of them.
Gotta' get tears out of my eyes..... :-)))))))) sniff
Oh tell him, they look COOL!!! And weary. and so brave. yesssss!!!!!!
Luna Crone
@Luna ... I know, right? It's overwhelming if you think about it for very long. Thanks for being one of the grateful. I know he appreciates it. xoxo
Oh Miss Jenny, I'll be praying for Andrew... he did indeed look tired. Bless his heart and may God keep him in his arms and also all the men and women serving our country!
♥️🇺🇸💙
I get a little teary eye also when I see Andrew up "there" in the wild blue yonder. It must take tremendous nerves of steel, and lots of grit. I'm proud of Andrew! God keep him, and all the other heroes safe!
Thank you, Andrew and all of you. As a Navy brat, I remember Mom saying lots of prayers when Dad would be deployed, and taught us also when we were able to learn.
xoxo
Those "kids" look so big and strong and brave--like they could save the whole world just on their own. How proud and grateful I am to them. How nervous and scary it makes me. Andrew knows that God is all around him, that I am sure of and happy for. God continue to bless you, Andrew and Jenny and Greg!!!