In this holiday season where military
action dominates the news, I was encouraged by a reminder of a story that filled
the first couple weeks of April. On the 1st of that month, a U.S. EP-3 Navy patrol
aircraft, on a "routine surveillance" mission over the South China Sea, was involved in
a collision with a Chinese fighter jet. The U.S. plane made an emergency landing on the
southern Chinese island of Hainan without permission. China and the United States
immediately blamed the incident on each other as the world watched nervously for nearly
two weeks. If you are looking for a true American
hero, take a look at the pilot
of that EP-3, Lt. Shane Osborn.
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld
awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross to Lt. Osborn at an Andrews Air Force Base ceremony
in May. Osborn, 26, won the award for wrestling his heavily damaged EP-3 aircraft safely
to the ground with 23 other crew members on board. Despite extreme damage to the aircraft,
including loss of an engine, nose radome, all airspeed and altitude information and
structural damage to the forward portions of the fuselage and control surfaces, he
heroically regained control, directed appropriate emergency procedures and coordinated
the crew's efforts to safely land the aircraft.
As commander of the mission, Osborn
also won the Meritorious Service award for his conduct during the 11 days he and his
crew were held in detention by Chinese authorities. Although isolated throughout much
of his detention, "Lt. Osborn displayed a positive attitude and forceful leadership in
the face of uncertainty and possible long-term detention, inspiring the entire crew to
remain steadfast and diligent." This brave young man is an inspiration for all of us.
The following Aortal link tells the story of several more.
Anyone
who may have been watching probably thought I was some loon, but I don't care. As I was
out walking tonight in the early evening darkness, I found myself first having a
conversation with me, then later on singing too, out loud. It got really bizarre when I
started tripping the night fantastic on about 28th Street, as I gave it my best Fred
Astaire impression. Yep, I was turning and floating and hoofing, just like in the
movies.
In America, 'tis the season for
giving of thanks. It's a long standing tradition here, one that began in the 17th
century. In this year that started out so stressful for me, I find myself happier
than I have been in a long, long time. I feel better physically than I have in well
over a year. I am motivated and goal oriented once again. I am filled with acceptance,
and ready for change. Oh, and did I mention that I am happy?
It has been awhile. It is remarkable
what can happen when I fill my heart and mind with an attitude of gratitude, and
Thanksgiving is the time to feel the energy. So I did tonight. Y'know, I'm thankful that
everyone in my family is safe and healthy this holiday season ... that none of them
were hurt in the September terrorist attacks. I am thankful I can make a fresh
start in my relationships, in my career, even in my philosophy. That's a big change
for me ... acceptance doesn't come easy. I am thankful for the unity on display by the
people of this great nation of ours. Mostly, I am thankful for you, my friends. You've
kept me going onward and upward. You make me feel like dancing.
Computer Operations Management:
where proven strengths in perception of requirements, observation of results, analysis
of trends, and problem solving combined with expertise in systems administration will
contribute to streamlined and effective service, as well as increased productivity and
profitability.
Anyone
who may have been watching probably thought I was some loon, but I don't care. As I was
out walking tonight in the early evening darkness, I found myself first having a
conversation with me, then later on singing too, out loud. It got really bizarre when I
started tripping the night fantastic on about 28th Street, as I gave it my best Fred
Astaire impression. Yep, I was turning and floating and hoofing, just like in the
movies.