I am well aware of the toil, and blood, and treasure, that it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states. Yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of light and glory; I can see that the end is more than worth all the means, and that posterity will triumph. John Adams letter to Abigail Adams, July 3, 1776 Tomorrow is the 4th of July. My ‘orders’ from my trusted wingman and business ...
Lack of communication can take the most carefully laid plans and destroy them with the corrosion of doubt. It can transform the most confident person into a “second-guesser” and that’s bad for everyone on your team. I remember flying a combat mission in Iraq when I lost radio contact with my wingmen. I was flying in the “dark.” Having no radio contact at 20,000 feet and separated from my wingmen by 10 miles on a night combat mission in hostile territory ...
When your squadron commander meets you at your jet, it’s normally not a good sign. “Waldo, we need to talk,” he said as he headed for the aircraft hangar. Had I messed up? Was I in trouble? I gulped. Was something wrong at home? “Waldo, Sgt. Tyler told me what happened before you took off this afternoon, and I am not impressed.” In an instant I knew what he was referring to. Just a few hours earlier before taking off on ...
"We’re each of us angels with one wing, and can only fly by embracing each other" Luciano De Crecenzo Mayday is the universally recognized call of distress. It’s a call you never want to make, but it could be the most important call of your life. Fighter pilots use it during extreme emergency situations – when we lose an engine, are getting prepared to eject from an un-flyable aircraft, or even when witnessing an emergency of one of our wingmen. Mayday translates to ...
“I need help!” In my opinion, the three most important words in the English language other than “I love you.” Since the beginning of September 2005, we have all witnessed our fellow citizens trapped in a sea of desperation, fear and helplessness as Hurricane Katrina literally swept away their lives, homes, and dreams. As a nation, we have heeded their call for help and have responded with our wallets, prayers, and compassion. It’s been far from perfect, but slowly, hope ...
“I never doubted not only that I would get out, but also that I would prevail in the end and turn the experience into the defining event of my life.” Admiral James Stockdale Admiral Stockdale was the highest ranking U.S. officer at the “Hanoi Hilton” POW camp during Vietnam. A navy fighter pilot, he was shot down and endured brutal torture, all while doing everything possible to inspire and strengthen the spirit of his fellow prisoners. When he returned a free ...
