If you enjoyed Reflections, standby for the concluding volume in this series: Continuing the Journey

Excerpts:

· “Like a huge, voracious monster, the 5000’ black and gray vertical wall abruptly appeared out of nowhere. It chased our small plane across the landscape. Suddenly, it was upon us! The massive thunderstorm, in one ravenous gulp, swallowed us whole. Inside its belly, we were violently battered and tossed about like a piece of trash in a tropical hurricane. There was no doubt in our minds. We were dead!”

· “Thirty-five years ago the majority of shows were still in black and white. But, the dream of every American family was a color TV. By pinching pennies, my wife and I purchased one. A proud accomplishment for a $7,000 a year school teacher living in a tiny apartment.”

· “The whistle blew. The world around me disappeared. Like a laser beam, my mind focused totally on destroying my opponent. At breakneck speed we charged each other, swinging maniacally. There would be no draw. I would either win or lose. Survival was the name of the game!”

· Retired Master Sergeant James R. Whitlock was one of the finest soldiers I have ever known. This veteran of WWII and the Korean War and I had made a couple of skydives together a dozen years earlier. I hadn’t spoken to him since that time.

“Hey Top*, Frank Keefer.”

“Captain! How ya doin, Sir?”

“Magnificent! How’d ya like to make a parachute jump?”

“Great!”

“It’s an equipment jump.”

“I’m in!”                                                * “Top” - a term of respect for Master Sergeants

In little more than a dozen words, this man committed to trusting me with his life. The only equipment jumps are military, not skydives. Both of us were civilians. Why would we jump military gear? He didn’t ask.

Dignity, Pride, Tenacity and Leadership are just a few of the stops………..