The Bucket List
Our trip to Hawaii had a couple of bucket list items, the first being my wife, Sue, was able to check off her 50th state visited, including Puerto Rico so really 51, and me being able to visit Pearl Harbor. There is a saying that goes something like this “I have more days behind me than I do in front of me”, so it seemed that timing was right. There were a lot of other details that fell into line to make the trip a reality. The first being my son, Nathan and his wife, Krystal had some companion passes on Southwest Airlines that had to be redeemed, and that allowed Nathan (our driver) and Krystal (our navigator) to join us for the trip. Would not have been the same without them.

Our trip was limited to the island of Oahu, but with the time we had, 4 days, we had a full itinerary. I had kind of set a goal when I was in journalism school to visit Pearl Harbor. My writing teacher told us that there would be events in history that would mark our calendar in life. She explained that she was a young co-ed studying in her room on December 7th, 1941. She normally did not have a radio on in her room, but on that particular Sunday she was listening to a local church service when Edward R. Muro (some of you may know the name) broke in with the now famous announcement of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Mrs. Heiman (my teacher) said because it was only a radio broadcast she tried to imagine what it looked like in real life. “I did so underestimate the horror and the destruction” Mrs. Heiman said, “as a young journalist I made the vow to never go to press without the full details of any event, and neither should you!”

Mrs. Heiman also said that as of 1974, she had not made the trip to Pearl Harbor and really didn’t think it would happen. She challenged each and every one of us to make the trip someday on behalf of Hazel Heiman, young journalist and writing professor. After some 51 years I have finally closed the loop. What a great teacher she was and she set the journalism standards I have followed throughout my career.

A Firefighter’s Reunion
Jim Clifford, a good friend of mine, was the Fire Chief at Minot Air Force Base for a number of years. In a recent conversation he invited me to a retired fire fighter’s lunch on base. Knowing that my schedule would not allow it, I asked Jim to take a photo and send a short description. “12 retirees attend the event on the invite of CMSgt Anik Emery. Chief Emery made Tuscany soup for the on duty shift and the retirees” shared Jim
Then some of the on duty firefighters gave a tour of the station. Lots of stories were exchanged.”
I am sure Jim shared stories, as he did with me, of young fire fighters who worked under his watch who went on to also become Fire Chiefs. Jim would beam with pride when he told me about the young kids, who had the talent and desire to become Chiefs. Thanks Jim, and of course thanks to the Minot AFB firefighters.

General Bussiere Will Be Missed
It was a cold, blustery day when General Thomas Bussiere visited Minot Air Force Base, and the conditions outside were certainly not improving, in fact they were getting worse. Falling snow and wind would make travel difficult. The window of opportunity to accommodate my interview with Gen Bussiere was at the end of his very, very busy day. The Public Affairs staff person who was travelling with Gen Bussiere suggested that perhaps we could forego my interview with Gen Bussiere, to which I agreed. When Gen Bussiere entered the flight center he was informed that the “The Northern Sentry guy was here, but he should probably get into the air as soon as possible” to which he said “nope, we will do the interview and then make decisions”.
Gen Bussiere answered all of my questions and left an opportunity for other questions if I had them. I had from that day, and I always will have, a lot of admiration for General Thomas Bussiere. When I asked him about the importance of Minot Air Force Base he answered “I have said it often. As goes Minot Air Force Base, so goes the Air Force. As goes the Air Force, so goes our country. Minot Air Force Base is of ultimate importance to the defense of our country.”

A Great Sunrise
I am able to watch a beautiful sunrise this morning as I write this article. Hawaii has been great, albeit, it will be great to get home, too. I love fall, and the weather has been amazing in North Dakota.

Where Should You Be?
When I return to Minot I will be part of a Brass Band of Minot concert on Sunday, October 12th at Ann Nicole Nelson Hall. It is our “Salute To Veterans” concert and it starts at 4 PM. Our special guests are the 188th Military Band group, “No Brass No Ammo”. It’s a free concert, and I hope you can attend.

Today’s Chuckle
Man does not live by bread alone. That’s why he’s always getting into some kind of jam.