Off we go, into the Wild Blue Yonder… (Stranded in Sonoma) Reprinted from iowntheworld 2013 is the first Air Force graduation on record that has occurred under a Sequester created by a non functioning Congress and an unyielding Obama Administration. Due to operating under this Sequester the ceremonies proceeded as follows: President Obama regretfully declined the kind invitation of the Commandant of the Air Force Academy to be speak to the graduates and their families on the occasion of their graduation saying he was committed to addressing the graduates at West Point. Instead it was established that Vice President Biden was free and he would come to Colorado Springs. And, as to the request for the usual fly-over by the US Air Force Thunderbirds, that was declined again due to the Sequester. After consultation with his chain of command, the Commandant of the Air Force Academy notified the White House that due to the Sequester cancelling the traditional fly-over of the Thunderbirds that he was confident that the nation didn’t need the added $1 million + expense to fly Air Force 2, of any configuration or model, and the added expense of the Secret Service and their entourage required when the Vice President traveled. So just cancel the initial request for a speaker from the White House for the commencement. So the commencement went off as planned sans representation from the Obama Administration. It looked like this: The featured speaker was an Under Secretary of the Air Force, who is a decorated Viet Nam veteran. The Secretary flew back and forth from Andrews AFB to Peterson AFB In Colorado Springs on routine training flight conducted by the Air Force thus costing the American tax payers nothing extra in the way of expenses. It appeared that there were nearly as many Air Force General Officers in attendance as there were family members. There may have been a dozen or more 4 Star Generals, three or four times as many 2 and 3 Star Generals and an untold number of 1 Star Generals. And, of course, countless Colonels and below. Most of these officers were themselves alumni of the Air Force Academy and wanted nothing less than to present a perfect program for the graduating class. Since the Congress and the Obama Administration could not see fit to allow for a fly-over by the Thunderbirds, a number of the senior generals took matters into their own hands. And so, when the speeches were done, the hats were all thrown into the air, and all the family hugs were all made and it became time for the fly-over a roar of engines was detected from the West of the air strip and parade grounds there at the facility and everyone was treated to a fly-over by the Texas Flying Legends Museum and the National Museum of World War II Aviation. Looking up they saw vintage aircraft; a B-25 Mitchell and a TBF Avenger (both bombers), two P-51 Mustangs, a P-40 Warhawk, an F4U Corsair, and an F4F Wildcat (all fighters). It was a wonderful experience for all who were there. I am sure you will join me in offering a salute to these serving officers who saw fit not to rob the 2013 graduating class of their day of celebration, and to our heroes who flew the planes for this worthy occasion and, oh yes, to the many private donors who pitched in and covered the expenses involved in bringing these aircraft in to Colorado Springs from various locations across the country. Here is a video of the flyover. (You may have to skip past a ad first) youtube/watch?v=cK1gvYdpnGo
Posted on: Mon, 10 Jun 2013 04:20:15 +0000
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