![Hold Back the Dawn [DVD] Charles Boyer; Olivia de Havilland; Paulette Goddard](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41AkExBJQsL._SL75_.jpg)
Come fly with me
Monday, August 10, 2020 at 10:44AM 
Photo courtesy Brittany Weber
Our son, Andrew, has served in the Tennessee Air National Guard since 2007.
From Airman he progressed to Staff Sergeant and then to his current rank of Tech Sergeant.
He has also been a boom operator (in-flight air refueler) for several years -- how many I can't really say, but I think it has been since around 2013.
At any rate, he has excelled at that endeavor while eventually also working a full-time "real" job and getting married and starting a family with his lovely wife, Brittany.
Last Friday, Andrew flew his last mission as a boom operator with the 134th Air Refueling Wing.
At the end of this month, he will begin Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama, from which he will emerge several weeks later as a Second Lieutenant.
Then he will begin training as a pilot.
In a few years he'll be flying the Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft on which for these years he has functioned as in-flight refueler.
Moving from the back of the plane to the front, as it were.
Brittany texted me on Friday as she and little Ember waited on the tarmac at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Knoxville, for Andrew's flight to land.
A short while later she sent me the above picture, which in my opinion ranks among the top three photographs ever taken since time began.
It figures that Andrew's baby can fly, taking to the air as though she were born to sail above the earth.
With a little help from Daddy.
Daddy's little girl
There is a lesson in these pictures, about trusting the one who loves us, and who has all the strength we lack.
Godspeed Andrew. May the skies be fair whenever and wherever you go, and may your beloveds always be watching those same skies for your safe return.
Thank you for your service. You're a true American hero.
And that is all for now.
=0=0=0=
Happy Monday
Reader Comments (10)
Fantastic photo!!!!!!!!!!!!! Times a 'couple of million'!!!!!! ~smile~
Congratulations to your son! Obviously, he is following his dream. He is "following his bliss" as Joseph Campbell said.
And Congratulations to his Mother and Father! For raising such a marvelous young man.
Plus, of course... I always say "Thank you for your Service" to all Warriors. And to their families. Because not only, the Warrior Serves. Those who are his family, are also Warriors, in their own way.
'Miss BB'
"Beside a babbling brook" blog
The first pcture is my favorite. You are right, it is an awesome picture! Everything about it is perfect, And i love her little outfit as well! You can tell she has totaltrust in her Dad, the one who will hold her up and never let her down. You must be so proud of him!
@MBB ... yes you are right -- we all serve in our way! And thank you for your kind words. He certainly is following his bliss. xoxo
@Ginny ... We sure are proud of him. These men make sacrifices that we can only imagine. But they love it! They love their country and they love aviation. I like that outfit on Ember too! She fills it out so well, I don't think she'll wear it many more times! xoxo
Congratulations to Andrew and a thank you for his service.
That photo is the best! It shows joy and trust and is made even better by Andrew in his uniform in front of the 134th emblem. I see the joy in Andrews face too - I can see he loves that little girl.
Congratulations to him for all he has accomplished and what he will do. Congrats to you and TG too - I know you are proud and you should be!
Thanks to Andrew for his service.
@Jane ... thanks friend, and I will tell him.
@Mari ... Isn't that the truth? It's writ large in their faces, all the love and trust that should exist between a child and its parent. We sure are proud of him. Like your Andrew, he's a faithful patriot. xoxo
What great photos Brittany took of Andrew and Ember! The one in front of the plane needs to be framed. Good for Andrew for continuing to strive toward his dreams. I thought of him a few days ago when I watched a hummingbird "refuel" at my container plants. I almost sent you a video.
@Barb ... I saw your Calliope refueling in a still photo on your blog! And this year for the first time, I have taken "slo-mo" video of my hummers. Fascinating! Thanks for thinking of Andrew. We are proud of him and hope all of the rest of his dreams come true. Surely his wife and baby daughter are dreams realized! God is so good. xoxo
Best of luck to your son! I agree, that is a pretty awesome picture and one that I am sure his daughter will treasure!
@Jeanette ... thank you and I will make sure she always has a framed version of that photo to keep in her room. It's a moment in time for them that should never be forgotten. xoxo