Last week I shared that the Air & Space Forces Association convention and conference was as the old saying goes, “like trying to drink out of a firehose.” Educational conferences are by their very nature that way. Evenings we spend looking through the agenda and trying to decide which of topics most interests me, and more importantly you, the Northern Sentry readers.
At the AFA convention and conference I am lucky to not be on an island, meaning that I’m not the only one here from Minot. On Sunday, Col Schlabach and his spouse Monica flagged us down (my spouse Sue was here, too) in the hotel lobby. Col Schlabach said that Col Lamarand was at the conference, too, as they were both on the same flight out of Minot and ultimately into DC.
Col Schlabach and I agree on the atmosphere of the AFA Conference and being “kind of indescribable. You connect industry with active duty and you have an exchange of information. Not only that but you re-connect with networks you may not have seen for quite a while. How important can those contacts be? Well at the time you least expect it you find yourself reaching out to them for help or assistance” says Col Schlabach.
Both Col Lamarand and Col Schlabach talked about the ability to not only be ready for what happens today, but even more important is what may happen 5-10 years down the road.
My AFA partner throughout the convention and conference has been ND State AFA President and National AFA Member of the Year Jim Simons. Jim has been to so many AFA conferences that just mentioning Minot, or Minot Air Force Base will bring a smile and “so you’re here with Jim Simons?” I can’t thank Jim enough for taking me under his wing and guiding me through the convention and conference. As well, I can’t thank the staff of the 5th BW and 91st MW who are in attendance, and again who offer their assistance in bringing the messages down to ground level…where people like me, albeit I am exposed to almost daily information about Minot Air Force Base, can grasp and understand the messages.
An Editorial Comment
Why an AFA convention and conference? A year ago, I really couldn’t have answered that question, and I may not have the most perfect, well defined answer even today. Walking through the convention center venue today, now empty as the conference is over, there was a noticeable difference. Yes, now void of people, but also now absent of the energy that kept these hallways and conference rooms alive. I can’t tell you the number of times that I stopped outside of one of the seminars and visited with someone about the end result of what we had just heard and experienced. The AFA (Air & Space Forces Association) is many small voices, combining into one large voice, to let people like you know the everyday challenges of our Airmen and their families.
The AFA creates a venue, if you will, for high level discussion and education to take place. My Dad used to say to me “if you went to school and didn’t learn anything, Rod, it’s because you forgot to listen.” I am in no way saying that anyone who attended the AFA conference forgot how to listen, in fact, it is quite the opposite. What part of the AFA are we going to take home? As active duty military, Col Schlabach and Col Lamarand feel that our nation’s leaders are listening and making changes. But as the AFA we need to champion their (our Airmen’s) cause. One small whisper, with enough voices becomes a roar. That, my friends, was what was missing today. For 3 days it was a roar…applause…sharing…and it can’t stop here. Our security and our freedom depend on us supporting our military, our Air Force, with the resources they need to do their job, and do it well.
I met some amazing Airmen and Guardians (Space Force). They are the ones that will carry the message back to their bases and families. I know they will share the same experiences that I will, with all of my peers.
Jim’s Passion…Geocaching
Jim Simons is a true geocaching fanatic, well at least he is to me. Driving hundreds of miles to find a pill bottle stuck in a lamppost base. Not once, but as Jim shared with me, over 20,000 times. “And I know people who have uncovered over 200,000 geocache locations” according to Jim. Not that I don’t recommend geocaching for those who want to find themselves in sometimes obscure locations, but in order to catch Jim, you best get started today…
The Pumpkin Patch(es) Are Open!
Easy to find, just go to Facebook and type in pumpkin patches…WOW, there are quite a few. I drive by Berry Acres Pumpkin Patch almost daily. The pumpkins are piled high and ready to go…
Today’s Chuckle
OLE’S WIFE, Lena: “There’s trouble with the car, sweetheart. It has water in the carburetor.”
Ole: “Water in the carburetor? That’s ridiculous.”
Lena: “Ole, I tell you the car has water in the carburetor.”
Ole: “You don’t even know what a carburetor is. I’ll check it out. Where’s the car?”
Lena: “In the lake.”
