He won't admit it, but my husband is a hero. In college he decided he wanted to serve his country by flying for the Air Force. He was already a fantastic pilot, good enough to train others as a flight instructor. He soon learned he would achieve his lifelong dream, not just as an Air Force pilot, but as one of the elite, training at the Euro NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training school. Yes, he is impressive.
Eyesight difficulties blew his dreams away as if they were wisps of smoke. But the Air Force didn't care. The Air Force still demanded his service and my husband stepped up to the plate. He wore his uniform proudly, stood his ground as an officer on the flight line. In Phoenix at Luke AFB he was in charge of maintenance workers and was around F-16s every day. Every day he had his hands on those very jets he had dreamed of flying. And still he stood proud.
On Veterans' Day he marched beside others and held overnight MIA/POW vigils. When the Air Force said go here, he went; when they said move to NC, he moved.
In 2006 the US Air Force decided they had too many officers and pruned the ranks. My husband wouldn't have been cut. But he was a man with an MBA and knew he could make it on the outside. He also knew there were others who wanted to be career military, so he volunteered to leave.
On this Veterans' Day I salute my husband, Russ Emrath. He is my hero, my rock, my support. He is the love of my life, my True Companion.
Lovely tribute, you're a lucky girl.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful and - such a moving post!
ReplyDeleteI commend and THANK your remarkable husband not only for being the stellar person you have described so lovingly, but for his patriotism, his sacrifices and his service to our country.
You are a very lucky lady.
Thank you, and you're right. ; )
ReplyDeleteMichele
Beautiful post, and quite commendable. If only more people understood sacrifices made by our service men and their families. I give you and your husband my thanks.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Thanks for your comment on my spur of the moment post. I'm working on a Crime Fiction novel. Takes place here, in Atlanta... I found some awful chapters that needed a re-write which I started almost completed yesterday. There is still more work to be done, as far as editing, but I am seeing light at the end of this tunnel.
This is such a great tribute to your husband! It sounds like you're both really fortunate people. Tell him thanks from us for his service!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
Russ Rocks! We are lucky to have all of you in our lives.. Wish we were closer, as usual.. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind comments about my husband. He deserves every word from those who know him, and those who know of his service.
ReplyDeleteJim, I always encourage! And I look forward to hearing (and reading!) more from you!
Elizabeth, I REALLY enjoyed your book. I'll be checking out more of yours when my book account fills up again. Though at my reading pace that may be a while!
Chas, we always wish we were closer. My sister is looking at Northwestern law, so there's hope that we have even more reason to hit the Midwest!
To hear about the other Emrath brother, read today's post: http://southerncitymysteries.blogspot.com/2009/11/i-have-brother-in-law-named-scott.html
Michele