Who is your Wingman?

Little Diver, and every one else, if you are feeling like you just need visual beauty today, do yourself a favor and please check out this website: Akaine

I heard about this little girl last year through an old friend that knows her parents. When I saw her art I was totally blown away. This art is inspiring and beautiful by any standards, but knowing her age makes it all the more wondrous. It's humbling really, to see such talent at work.

Today, my command practiced what they call Wingman Day. This is really just a fancy way to explain the Air Force culture that we practice every day. The idea is that everyone has one person whom they can count on come hell or high water, whatever the circumstances, and at any hour of the day. Along with this, we get to know our co-workers and subordinates on a more personal level, learn what their goals and ambitions are, and generally what makes them tick. We set aside 3 hours to talk to each other and learn. It was a great opportunity and I appreciated the time. I now know why my troops enlisted, what they hope to do with their careers, and what their goals are. I think this will make me a better supervisor, and more understanding of my troops. And my supervisor now knows the same about me, and what makes me tick. How often do you get a chance to really know your people? I know it sounds cheesy, but the Wingman concept is a great idea. Someone (outside your immediate family) to count on in a time of need. We all have one anyway, mine happens to be my brother. He is stationed here too, so we are in a great position to help each other. When we first got here 3 years ago, my oldest boy got sick before Christmas, and ended up needing an emergency appendectomy on Christmas Eve. Wonderdad and I were panicked, but I knew my brother was there to help. He did not hesitate to take my other 2 kids into his house overnight, share his Christmas morning with them, and treat them like his own. I know if I ever need him, he is there to the best of his ability. By the same token, I would walk through fire for him and his family as well. Most military people do not have the luxury of having family nearby, and we have been there too. We have always found a good friend where ever we were that is was in effect our Wingman. Who is your Wingman? When you need a ride because your running late for work and the car won't start, who do you call? When you're running late or feeling sick, and need your kids picked up from Daycare, who do you call? Are you a someone's wingman? Wow, look at me, I sound like a recruiting commercial! Sorry.

3 Day weekend! Whoohooo! I'll try to run a couple of miles tonight, but I'm thinking I'm feeling kind of lazy. We'll see. I got in 1.75 miles last night. Have a great night!