The Air Force Ball

Saturday night was the Air Force Ball here at Whiteman.  It is the 70th anniversary of the Air Force. Crazy to think that when Joe joined the AF hadn't even turned 50!  It is a fun evening to get dressed up and go on a date with my handsome man.  This was the second year in a row they had the ball in a hangar on the flight line with a B-2 parked right outside. Not a bad backdrop for our evening.

The weather was pretty toasty but a breeze and the shade kept it bearable. 

Our key note speaker was a veteran of the Vietnam war.  He was the 6th soldier to be captured by the Viet Kong when his plane was shot down.  He spent 8 years in the "Hanoi Hilton".  His story was unbelievable and hard to listen to at times.  For 8 years he was tortured daily.  He NEVER got to go outside.  He was only with 3 other prisoners for 4 days otherwise he was in solitary confinement.  With those few days with the 2 other guys he taught them a tap code so they would be able to communicate.  They were severely punished when the Vietnamese realized what they were doing. They kept doing it. By coughing, sweeping in whatever way they could make noise to communicate with one another.  He testified of turning to God and praying with all his might.  He testified he knew there was a supreme being because all of their prayers were answered "not in our time, but in His."  He said he would not trade his experience for anything.  He learned how resilient he was and built his relationship with Heavenly Father.  It was inspiring and humbling to hear his story.  We had the privelege of meeting him after the program potion of the ball was over. His name is Col. Harris.  His sweet wife was with him and she was a delight.  

When her husband was shot down she came back to the states from Okinawa pregnant and with her two young sons. The Air Force told her they would put her husbands checks into a savings account so he could

have that when he got home. She told them that she and her husband had made arrangements that she would receive his checks if he were captured. They told her the Secretary of the Air Force had decreed this new plan and she could not have the money.  She told them to get him on the phone. When they told her she couldn't just call the Secretary of the Air Force she said "oh yes I can.  You get him on the phone right now." They did as she told them and the checks were then dispersed into an account for her to use right away.  What a fiesty lady.  I loved hearing that story. 

Here are some more pictures of us: 

At home before we left 

Me and my friend Nicole.  I adore her. 

My handsome. Last event with his Senior stripes on.  That Chief stripe goes on on a few weeks!  

After dragging Joe out to take pictures more than once due to lighting changes.  We were headed back in the last time when I asked if he would dance with me in front of the plane.  Who gets to dance in front of a B-2? He is the best hubby ever.  Instead of saying No way crazy lady.  He said "Sure!" I love that he is such a good sport.  No one else was dancing we may look a little crazy but true love is going along with your wife's silly ideas and then getting one of the best pictures ever:

I love that photo.  He makes me laugh every day and I am so grateful that he is mine.  One last pic close up.  Sure love that handsome guy. 

The Air Force has blessed our lives so much.  I am so grateful to be a part of a global military family.