Journal

There was a parade one year - I don't remember the year, my age, month, or even what the parade was for. That stuff didn't matter, what did was that the air force recruiter was there in the coolest float ever! It was a miniature plane & he was sitting in the cockpit. After about 20 minutes of staring in fascination I left our float and went over to talk to him. I don't remmeber most of what I talked about (and I am sure I was the only one talking) But I do remember suggesting that I look into the Junior Civil Air Patrol (JACP) as a stepping stone.
I went back to my float, eyes aglow, I spent all day throwing candy and daydreaming about flying.
I spemt weeks going to the library reasearching the JACP and having my parents call around to find out when and where they met.
We eventually got the dates, times, and locations for a couple of upcoming meetings. They were at the community college the next town over Twin Falls. That was a big deal becouse every other time we went to twin falls it was an adventure- the drive in, the cinema, the chuck wagon, the mandrin house, or Annie and Goldies house. That my parents were willing to take me there not once but twice was amazing. That is probably why when both times we were unable to find the meeting. After that I had no time for them.

Journal

I have always wanted to fly. One of my earliest memories is me standing in the side yard of our house in Filer, Id. I am looking up watching a jet fly overhead, convinced that it was an F-111. It may well have been - I had been collecting anything with planes on them for years & one of my favorites was a deck of cards with a different silouhette and designation of US fighting aircraft.
I don't really remember when my obsession with aircraft began, though. Its always just been there and it wasn't just any aircraft, it was military. I am the only kid I knew that had made up their mind about what he was going to be when he grew up. I knew I was going to be career military. I shared this dream with everyone. I am sure most adults laughted & shook their heads, thinking it just one of those temporary fancies most kids get. It wasn't.
I spent a lot of time in the Air Force recruiters' office growing up. Why the Air Force? Because they had the planes. At that age the services were completely compartmentalized. Air Force had planes, Navy had boats, Army had tanks, Marines had guns & cool uniforms. The Coast Guard was never really thought of.
Both of my parents were veterans - my dad was in the Army-Air Corp, my mom was in both the Army & Navy. My mom never talked about her experiences, but my dad shared a lot of his. I grew up with stories of his tour in France - fascinating stuff, especially to a kid already enamoured with the military.

NaNoWriMo

Ok, so I am not going to make it. I like where the story is going, but I won't be able to get 50,000 words in by Friday. I plan on finishing it though.
In the meantime I will start putting my poems back up. I have also started journaling my time in the Navy and will be posting those entries as well.