Page 15 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt 7-17-15
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Thunderbolt COMMENTARY July 17, 2015
http://www.luke.af.mil
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Receiving, passing baton wins relay of life Chaplain’s thoughts ...
by Retired Master Sgt. tant to my father, I now see in my son. He On the brink of disaster noticed that the road ahead had been
JEROLD HAUPT has grown to be an amazing young man of washed out, leaving a chasm 200 yards
character and conviction and is determined I found myself this past week with an deep. In a panic he forgot his instructions
56th Security Forces Squadron to leave the world a better place than he unusual load of people going though “life and cried, “Whoa, whoa” in vain several
found it. Just as when he was a little boy, storms.” Dealing with those situations times. The horse just kept a steady gallop.
It’s funny, but as you grow older you we continue to have long talks about life ,·PUHPLQGHGRIWZRWKLQJVÀUVWZHQHHG At the very last moment he remembered
RFFDVLRQDOO\ÀQG\RXUVHOIUHÁHFWLQJRQWKH and the lessons we’ve learned through our to take time to be thankful for all the to cry, “Amen”… and the horse stopped
OLIH\RX·YHOHG7KURXJKWKDWUHÁHFWLRQ\RX experiences. Many of our talks rekindle blessings of life — big and little. Second, just short at the very brink of the chasm.
develop a deeper appreciation of the many memories of conversations I had with my sometimes when dealing with heavy The old preacher pulled a hanky out of
people who over the years have “passed dad. I see so much of my father through my emotional stuff, humor helps lighten that his pocket wiped the sweat from his brow
WKHEDWRQµRQWR\RX7KH\LQÁXHQFHG\RX son’s actions and realize, once again, the emotional burden. and in a relieved tone, sighed, “Praise
invested in you, encouraged you and most baton has been passed. the Lord!”
importantly believed in you. I reminded of a little joke that combines
I now clearly see that baton passes have both of these thoughts: Thankfulness should be a natural part
I’ve been thinking recently about the ba- helped me grow both personally and profes- of our lives as it was for this old preacher.
ton passes that have occurred throughout sionally. I owe so much to the many people There was old country preacher who It should be built into the very fabric of
my life. By that I’m referring to points in who invested in me over the years. These always praised the Lord for the blessings our lives. Thankfulness has a way of
your life that you continue on where your remarkable leaders wanted nothing more of life. One day he decided to buy himself removing the gloom from life. It is a way
predecessors left off. than to see me live up to my potential. They a horse. The dealer assured him that the of reminding ourselves and others that
were dedicated men and women who took one he selected was a perfect choice. things aren’t always as bad as they seem.
My father and I had many long con- the lessons passed on to them from previous It also tends to be infectious. A thankful
versations as I was growing up. Through generations of Airmen and ensured they “This here horse,” said the dealer, “has spirit seems to produce a thankful at-
these talks, he was passing on to me the were passed on to those who followed them. lived all his life in a religious atmosphere. titude in others.
life lessons his father had taught him. My So remember that he’ll never start if you
father was a man of honor, who saw each Each of us carry the responsibility to pass order ‘Giddyup.’ You’ve got to say, ‘Praise If nothing else, I hope the joke put a
new day as a true blessing. To dad, every batons to everyone we lead. The greatest the Lord.’ Likewise, a ‘Whoa’ will never smile on your face and lightened your
morning brought a new opportunity to make tribute to those who invested in us is our make him stop. You’ve got to say, ‘Amen.’” load for a brief moment.
a positive difference in the lives of others. mentorship to those inheriting our Air
My father died many years ago, but before Force from us. Helping our young leaders Having been warned, the preacher paid Courtesy of Chaplain (Maj.) David Barns
he departed, he made sure the baton was ÀQGWKHLUJUHDWQHVVZLOOHQVXUHWKH\JXLGH for the horse, got on, and with a cheery,
SODFHGÀUPO\LQP\KDQG future generations of Airmen to theirs. “Praise the Lord” took off in the direc- 56th Fighter Wing Chapel
tion of his home. Suddenly, however, he
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