MacDill AFB AirFest & VAE

Take flight with the U.S. Air Force. Photo: Adrienne C. Wilson

Childhood memories took flight this weekend while working the Virtual Army Experience at the AirFest on MacDill AFB. My pops was stationed here 13 years ago on a joint assignment (Army/Air Force) at CENCOM. I never lived on MacDill AFB, but plenty of trips were made to the BX and the commissary in those days. My fuzzy memory won’t let me recall if we attended this particular airshow all those years back as one whole family. What I do know for certain is that my adrenaline junkie of a dad escorted us to one, if not two in my childhood.

However, the past two days weren’t completely fueled with nostalgia. I was working this event with a promo crew of approximately 16 people. Our mission: Register guests as they approach the entrance doors to the VAE and then de-register them on their way out. It is safe to say everyone I worked with accepted this mission, but some were moaning much more than others. The days were long. Saturday was filled with sunshine; Sunday was filled with t-showers and late afternoon sun. Both days were equally hot.

Lined up to participate in the Virtual Army Experience. Photo: Adrienne C. Wilson

Throughout each day several military related thoughts crossed my mind. My mother ceased her career in the U.S. Air Force after my bro was created in 84′ and my father did his Army time ending at Lt. Col. To some degree I am a product of the armed forces. I traveled the country, living in nine states on the coat tail of my parent’s careers. I loved each new move and awaited each departure. In short, I think my parents, our travels, and the military lifestyle molded me into a pretty well-rounded being. Which always brings people to the question:

“Why didn’t you join the Army?”

Who? Me? The answer to that question is a lot longer and not nearly developed as much as I would like for it to be, so I am going to refrain from trying to explain myself here. Ask me about it in person sometime if you really care to know. I can say, neither one of my parents would have wanted me to join in this day and age, but they would have respected my decision had I decided to do so.

Some other thoughts that came about was in response to the loud planes soaring above at ridiculous speeds in the sky. For instance, I’m not sure I think it is cool to waste fuel and cruise around in the sky for show; though I have to admit there was one plane that was flying so fast in the sky that it grabbed a cloud. I mean it literally took a chunk of the cloud with it for a while. Can you imagine it? My second thought about the incredible machinery up above was, it’s cool at an airshow, but picture being in an occupied country with fighter planes flying above almost day in and day out. That wouldn’t be so cool.

My heart strings have been torn in two directions regarding the military and military family life. I wish recruiting marketing tactics like that in which I was involved this weekend didn’t have to be like so. I wish that some of our past president’s hadn’t made defending out country look like such a horrific duty. I mean it can be if you aren’t certain of your true mission. I am proud to have a strong army in my country. I am proud of my friends who have served multiple times abroad in the least desirable locales. I welcome those coming home and pray for a safe return to those leaving once more.

I could go on for a lifetime talking about this subject. I lived a part of my lifetime being part of it. I know I have jumped around in this entry. I am sorry. I guess I should sort this thoughts out in private, but I just wanted to share where I’d been this weekend physically and mentally. If you’re a military brat out there share anything you’d like to share about your experiences. If you have a child deployed drop a line here too and I will keep them in my prayers. If you’ve decided to make the leap and join the big guns, then I commend you. If you just like airshows say you’re name and where you’re from.

Either way, thanks for checking in on me today and today, Adrienne is a military brat for life.