Celebrating the Air Force Legacy - The Wild Blue Yonder

Today is the 63rd birthday of the United States Air Force.  It was born aboard a Douglas C-54 Skymaster when President Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947.   The Air Force literally breathed life in the air.  The history-making Skymaster was affectionately nicknamed the Sacred Cow.

File courtesy of Frank Lowe



To celebrate the Air Force's birthday this weekend, Airmen will don their Mess Dress and attend the Air Force Balls at their bases.  The evening will include singing the Air Force Song: 

Off we go into the wild blue yonder,

Climbing high into the sun;

Here they come zooming to meet our thunder,

At 'em boys, Give 'er the gun! (Give 'er the gun now!)

Down we dive, spouting our flame from under,

Off with one helluva roar!

We live in fame or go down in flame. Hey!

Nothing'll stop the U.S. Air Force!

In honor of the Air Force's birthday, I asked authors connected to the Air Force what those words mean to them. 

Anne Elizabeth, Navy Spouse, RT Columnist, and SOS partner, http://www.anneelizabeth.net/, http://www.pulseofpower.com/:

“When I hear the Air Force song, it reminds me of my uncle who retired as a Lt. Colonel. He has always been a man of great kindness and strength. In his name and those wonderful souls who serve or have served, hearing the Air Force song reminds me of great bravery, dignity, and innovation.” ~ Anne Elizabeth

Susan Grant, USAF pilot, Rita Award Winner, and New York Times' Bestselling author, http://www.susangrant.com/, "I just love our Air Force song! Guts and glory and never give up--that's what it means to me."

 

 
Larissa Ione, Air Force Meteorologist, Coast Guard Spouse, and New York Times' Bestselling author,
http://www.larissaione.com/, "The Air Force song always gives me chills. It's incredibly uplifting, and to me it means that the sky is the limit when it comes to how far our fighting men and women will go to defend our country and our families."

Merline Lovelace, Air Fore trailblazer, Rita Award Winner, and USA Today's Bestselling author, http://www.merlinelovelace.com/, "That song is in my blood--literally. My dad served in the Army Air Corps in WWII and stayed to make a career of the Air Force. I grew up at Air Force bases all around the world, joined right out of college and met my handsome husband my second day on active duty.

      So when I hear the Air Force song, I just about bust my buttons with pride when I think of all the brave aviators and maintainers who went before us, the veterans and men and women serving today who put their lives on the line to keep us safe, and the families who sacrifice so much while their loved one serve." 

Catherine Mann, Air Force spouse, Rita Award Winner, and USA Today's Bestselling author,
http://www.catherinemann.com/:  "The Air Force song speaks to me of patriotism, camaraderie, bravery, sacrifice and tradition, whether sung by my grandfather or by my husband.  Both of them Air Force aviators who served many years apart, they embody the same timeless heroic spirit captured so well in the last lines of the final verse, 'In echelon we carry on.  Nothing can stop the US Air Force!'"

Thank you, Anne Elizabeth, Susan, Larissa, Merline, and Catherine, for your Air Force service!

To learn more about other Air Force veterans, log onto http://www.romvets.com/ and click on the Company Roster.  Or check out the "Before and After" photos.   You might be surprised to learn your favorite author is a military veteran!

To celebrate the Air Force's birthday, I am giving books from authors related to the Air Force on a first come, first service basis.   To request a book:

1.  Leave a comment about the Air Force and/or the authors connected to it.

2.  Send me your top three requests and mailing address to sos.america@yahoo.com.

3.  When you receive the books via media mail (slow boat on Pacific cruise), please e-mail the author to thank her for supporing SOS.

This book giveaway is only open to US residents.  But I will send an Air Force treat to any US or international reader who sends their mailing address to sos.america@yahoo.com.

Join us on Sunday, September19, as I share my family's connection with the Air Force.    

Fly, fight, win ... and read!

Mahalo,

Kim in Hawaii

Books available for Air Force Giveaway (mulitple copies of most titles):

Anne Elizabeth, http://www.anneelizabeth.net/, Air Force niece (and Navy spouse)

For Your Heart Only, Holiday Op

Victoria Alexander, http://www.victoriaalexander.com/, Air Force Brat

The Perfect Wife  

Cindy Dees, http://www.cindydees.com/, Air Force Veteran

The Longest Night

Delores Foseen, http://www.dfossen.com/, Air Fiorce Veteran

The Intrigue Collection wtih Debra Webb and Alice Sharpe

Alissa Johnson, http://www.alissajohnson.com/, Air Force Brat

Tempting Fate

Catherine Mann, http://www.catherinemann.com/, Air Force Spouse 

Awaken to Danger, Defender, Private Maneuvers, Pursued, Renegade