Two Stars in the Window

Family Service Flag

It will be eight years this coming July when we had two Blue Stars in our home's front window in Annapolis - a bridge between the continuum of a single blue star for nearly eleven years - we are a military family. Michael, out for more than seven years now, was in his last year of duty at Arlington National Cemetery - Tim was just beginning his military duty at the U.S. Naval Academy, and now has been a Naval Aviator for more than a year. The times then and now stand out when we get to see them together, are special, even when only by text message or in photographs.

Service brothers - Portland 2014

This weekend, Tim's squadron flew a cross-country exercise to Portland - I can imagine what it looked like to him as he approached PDX, but on his own. That provided the opportunity for our daughter, her family, and Mike to drive up and see him. Mike joining the Army had a great influence on Tim - was a significant contributor to his choosing to go to the Naval Academy and be a naval officer. Both have a bond, two of a special band of brothers - a continuation in the line of other family service members. These two continue to have a great influence on us and the rest of the family - pride.
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As a side note: Tim gave our grandson Jace a Navy flight suit for his fourth birthday - size appropriate. Normally, this should not be have been all that notable, other than Jace was anxious when he drove with his folks and Tim to the Portland airport to see the E-2 Hawkeye - he thought if he wore the suit, he would have to fly the plane. Nice photograph by Dan Kuttel - lots of other aviation shots for viewing on his Flickr site.