Moose In a Sprinkler

I don't know where this took place.  In it, a baby moose wanders into a lawn sprinkler. Shortly, its sibling and mother join in the fun.  Do you remember running through a sprinkler when you were a child?

[My thanks to Jennie Montoya for forwarding this video]

USAFA Class of 2015 Acceptance Parade

On Wednesday, August 3rd, after completing the demanding rigors of basic training, a proud Class of 2015 at the United States Air Force Academy was accepted into the Cadet Wing. To commemorate this occasion all 4,000 cadets participated in a parade at Stillman Field in which the new cadets marched to and joined their new squadrons. I was privileged to be one of 10 members of the class of '75 to present the top 10 basic training graduates with an award. Then, the entire class of 2015 took their "Honor Oath of Allegiance", marched to and joined their new squadrons as full-fledged Air Force Cadets!

I have included, below, some pictures of this event, followed by a video of Larry Fariss delivering the Acceptance speech to the basics on behalf of their "Legacy Class", the class of '75.

The Basics March On for Their Acceptance Parade

Basics March By as Members of their "Legacy Class" of '75 Look On

View of the Assembled Cadet Wing with Color Guard in the Center

Class of '75 Presents Awards to the Top 10 Basic Training Graduates

Basics Take Their "Honor Oath of Allegiance"

New Cadets March in "V" Formation to Join the Cadet Wing

The New Cadet Wing Passes in Review

Larry Farris, '75, Delivers Acceptance Speech to the Class of 2015

[My thanks to Loretta Montoya for the photos and "The Webguy" for the video]

USAFA Class of 2015 Swearing In Ceremony

On June 23rd, the Class of 2015 entered the Air Force Academy for basic training.  One of the first items on the agenda was a parade during which the new cadets were administered the Oath of Allegiance.  Although the video, below, omitted the actual administering of the oath, it shows most of rest the event.

[My thanks to Maverick3825 of YouTube for posting this video]

Return to Jack's Valley

Several weeks ago I was invited to participate in Honor lessons with the basics of the Class of 2015 at the Air Force Academy. The intent was to show these future cadets and officers that Academy grads feel the Cadet Honor Code is important enough for us to take the time to discuss it with them.

Yesterday, I taught my first lesson. Twenty of us (Air Force Academy grads of many different graduating classes) met at the B-52 static display and were bussed to Jack's Valley, the cadet field encampment area. This is where the basics spend the second half of their basic training, and it was the first time I'd been back to Jack's Valley since I was a basic in 1969. It was unbelievably nostalgic. Jack’s Valley, for me, was a good experience. I lived in a tent with my element of 10 fellow basics, qualified expert in the M-16 and the Air Force sidearm of the time (Smith & Wesson .38 cal Combat Masterpiece), learned survival techniques and land navigation, conquered the Bayonet Assault Course, the Group Reactions Course and more.

The lesson was very simple. I met with six basics in a relaxed, informal setting, sat down and discussed honor and integrity with them for an hour. I stressed the importance of honor and integrity at the Academy, in the Air Force and in their personal lives, and answered many questions. The last 20 minutes I answered questions on any subjects and told stories of my experiences in the Air Force and life. I believe it was a good lesson for the basics, and it was very rewarding for me. I’m looking forward to doing it again next Tuesday and Thursday.

I have included, below, some pics I took in Jack's Valley yesterday. (Click to view full size)

The Basics' Tents

Basics Marching to Training

More Marching

Inside the Compound

An Element of Basics Marching

Another Look at the Compound

I'm Alive Airshow

This exhilarating video is a repost from my blog in 2009 and is most definitely worth another look. It not only has great flying scenes, but is synchronized to Celine Dion singing "I'm Alive". You will be treated to a breath taking experience definitely worth a few minutes of your time.

Take a break, turn up your speaker volume and enjoy it!



[Once again, my thanks to Phil Upman for forwarding this video]