My Dad used to school me daily about having an Attitude of Gratitude. About the time I was moping around the house because nothing in my life seemed to be going right, he would bring to my attention everything around me that I should be thankful for. First would be my Mom. “Just realize that you come home from school and your clothes are washed, there’s always supper on the table. During the summer she raises a garden and has the most beautiful flower beds in the entire town of Maddock (she was a green thumb), and all she expects is for you boys (2 boys and a sister) to take care of a few chores around the house.
The list would often include my teachers, my pastor, and the fact that I lived in a small town in North Dakota that allowed me to enjoy activities like hunting, and fishing, and camping; just to name a few.
Governor Doug Burgum would re-introduce me to that phrase when he took office some 8 years ago. He would use the phrase as the opening line in most of his speeches. Most recently Governor Burgum talked about gratitude when he toured the fire ravaged counties in Western North Dakota. We should, and most certainly I am, grateful for the first responders and volunteers who took on what is being call the largest rash of wildfires in North Dakota history. Without much hope on Saturday afternoon, hundreds of volunteers fought to save homes, farms, and lives. Next time you drive through small towns like Ray, Tioga and Mandaree, remember those volunteers who left their homes, farms, and businesses to fight those fires.
And then there are the folks at Minot Air Force Base. Col’s Lamarand and Schlabach, with the help of the 54th Helo Squadron, carried game balls to football games. I was on the sidelines for the delivery of the game ball to the Minot North homecoming game, and you could feel the excitement. Col Schlabach, Col Chapman, and Chief Thomas bounding off the Huey that had just landed at the 50 yard line on a perfect Friday night was an experience that I won’t forget. None of those who took part in this special event would ask for a thank you, but they certainly deserve one. Again, an attitude of gratitude.
Spin the clock forward to Sunday when the Brass Band of Minot had the pleasure of hosting Lt. Col. Richard Morrison, Commander of the 741st Missile Squadron, The Gravel Haulers, as our guest emcee. The concert, A Tribute to our Military, gave recognition for both our active duty and our military veterans. At one point the Brass Band played the service songs and asked those active duty and military veterans to stand and be recognized with a round of applause. This tradition will never get old for me. Every citizen of the United States should certainly have an Attitude of Gratitude for these great individuals who served and are serving their country as members of our military.
At the end of the selection Lt. Col. Morrison took a couple of minutes to once again thank those military and veterans in attendance. But then, in a true Attitude of Gratitude moment, he thanked the city of Minot for what they do for the Minot Air Force Base. “The city of Minot, hands down, is the best city for how they work and recognize the Minot Air Force Base.”
These 3 moments of gratitude are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the Minot Air Force Base joining with the city of Minot, and surrounding communities, to lend assistance to accomplish a common good. There is a Military Affairs Committee in the Minot Chamber of Commerce that meets once a month to have lunch, enjoy speakers of interest, and most important to hear about the missions on Minot Air Force Base and the added mission of the North Dakota National Guard. Right now, there is a lot to report, as the world around us is very volatile. Over and over again we hear that Minot Air Force Base, with its’ dual nuclear missions, is so very important to the defense of our freedom. In our Attitude of Gratitude salute, we should be grateful for the many young men and women who have chosen to serve our country.
We should feel lucky that Minot is the host city for Minot Air Force Base, and the missions they complete every day. Every time I see a B 52 fly over our city, or encounter a caravan as they move a missile or warhead, I am reminded that the mission of defending our country is very real. Today a B 52 flies over Minot, but tomorrow it may be deployed to another part of our world. The Minuteman III missiles may be tucked away silently waiting for a moment that we hope never happens. Yet deterrence is real. The missiles and B 52’s hold important squares on the chess game of national defense. Let us always have an Attitude of Gratitude that the lifestyle we live today is because of the missions assigned to the Minot Air Force Base.
Best Kept Secrets
It may not be a total secret, but the Downtown Minot Treat trail takes place on October 25th from 10 AM to 12 Noon. Maps of the businesses (usually over 30) that are taking part in the Treat Trail will be available at participating merchants. Park in either parking garage, FREE, for 2 hours and enjoy a nice, friendly, environment for those young trick or treaters. Don’t be surprised if someone quickly takes a photo of the little folks in their costumes.
Today’s Chuckle
Few of us have that many faults. It’s just that we make the most of the ones we have.
