Under Their Wings

A L O H A !

"I will do my best

to be honest & fair,

friendly & helpful,

considerate and caring,

courageous & strong. . . 

. . . and to make the world a better place."

The Girl Scout Oath

What is that tiny, loud thing up there glinting in the sun?

The skies always please.

You needn't own something

to derive pleasure from it.

Do you own a sunset

or a song?

F-22 Raptor

"When the power of love

overcomes the love of power, 

the world will know peace."

Jimi Hendrix

F-22 above Hawaii

"It may be laid down as a primary position,

and the basis of our system,

that every Citizen who enjoys the protection
of a Free Government,

owes not only a proportion of his property,

but even of his personal services

to the defense of it."

 
George Washington,

First President of the United States &
'Father of His Country' 

<<:>> 

 

When I'm walking on Waikiki beach

and war planes zoom over,

or US Navy ships

silhouette themselves against the horizon

beyond the surfers and pleasure boats,

it always makes a powerful statement.

  As people from all over the world

relax together here in amity, 

the globe is still a place full of threats

and weapons.

  While we play others defend.
Even, or especially at this holiday season.

The last two Hawaii Air National Guard
F-15 Eagles

made their final flights

from Hickam Air Force Base here 

this past Summer.

The familiar F-15s  have been part of the Honolulu's 
daily scene for a long time.

The pilots who flew those last sorties were in grade school

when the planes were brand-new back inn 1975.

New F-22 Raptors

are already here in Hawaii.

Our rough & ready local Air National Guard

will eventually get 20 of the new jets,

(which cost $361 million each!)

  They seem much louder than the Eagles, but that's OK.

  Harley riders claim that "loud pipes save lives." 

I hope that the loud planes will keep the peace.

In times of insecurity that roar is a 

 powerful confidence builder.

  And here at home,

it is important to be reminded of the awesome power wielded in our name. 

It is a momentous responsibility.

Several hundred US Marines

have recently returned to their families

here on this island.

To see those reunions on our TV news

could make a statue cry!

Are YOU or your family member(s) military veterans

or perhaps veterans of other sorts of social service?

     Thanks for visiting today! cloudia