Page 6 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, February 2022

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February 2022
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Chaplain’s thoughts ... Pilot for a Day

Spiritual “Check Engine Light” turn into a fireball at any moment if you light has not been serviced. Put them
leave with it unrepaired.” away, find time to connect with a friend,
Chaplain, Capt. If our souls had visual dashboards, for to meditate, or pray. You’ll struggle at
ChASe RoTmAn some of us the check engine light would first but give it time and you will see the
be shining brightly. Too often, like me and positive impact.
IMA, 56th Fighter Wing
my vehicle-illiterate friends, we ignore 2. Forgive someone who has hurt
When it comes to vehicles, I am illiter- that light until it is too late. Maybe we you
ate. I can change my oil, replace wiper have a devastating interaction with our In my faith tradition, forgiveness is
blades, and put air into my tires, but spouse that leaves us thinking, “There is at the core of how someone lives. The
outside of that, I am lost and hopeless. no way to repair this.” Or you made some instruction I have been given in how to
So, when my check engine light came on financial decisions that are finally catch- pray includes the phrase, “forgive us our
and the mechanic said, “we won’t touch ing up to you and now your commander sins, as we forgive those who have sinned
your engine, you will need to take it to is involved. Or maybe you think you have against us.” When Jesus’ disciples ask
the dealership for repair, but it should failed as a parent because your child has him how many times they should forgive
be good to drive for a little while,” I took made some unchangeable decisions that someone, Jesus replied, “seventy times
this timeline a little too far. Perhaps this greatly impact their future. seven.” Forgiveness can help us heal,
scenario is one that painfully resonates If you are sensing that your soul’s reset, and recognize why the soul’s check
with you. Day-to-day life gets busy and check engine light is on, here are some engine light is on. Courtesy photo
going to the dealership will turn into a suggestions to resolve the issues before 3. Celebrate the victories of people Capt. Chase Rotman, Chaplain
full day trip; something I do not have they can cause harm: you care about we can choose how we respond to any
time for. I foolishly pushed forward 1. Put your phone down Celebration does not depend on perfect particular moment.
with the check engine light on. After six Simon Sinek writes in Leaders Eat circumstances or happy feelings. The Fellow Airmen, take time to check on the
months of ignoring it, I decided that an Last, “Just as an alcoholic removes the prophet Jeremiah, known as the weep- condition of your soul before a major prob-
additional twenty hours to my parents’ alcohol from their house because they ing prophet, wrote, “My soul is downcast lem happens. Find quiet, forgive someone,
house in Florida would not be that bad. can’t rely on their willpower not to drink, within me, yet this I call to mind and and celebrate a victory today. For infor-
Frankly, I was wrong! My vehicle made you need to find ways to keep yourself therefore I have hope: Because of the mation about Luke AFB Chaplain Corps
it to my parents, but it was forced to away from the addictive power of your Lord’s great love we are not consumed, programs & events, “like” us on Facebook
remain at the dealership. According to devices.” Your devices are likely one key for his compassions never fail.” To set @ Luke AFB Chapel. Feeling like you need Courtesy photo
the mechanic, the diesel fuel filter “could reason why your soul’s check engine ourselves on this joy reminds us that to talk? Give us a call: 623-856-6211. Pilot for a Day Nicholas Thomas, tries on the high-tech hel-
met worn by F-35A Lightning II pilots during a recent tour of
the 62nd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Courtesy photo
GoAlS (from Page 2) Thomas learned about the helmets and how pilots use the Luke’s newest Pilot for a Day, Nicholas Thomas, gets an up-close and personal look at the F-35A Light-
Patriot All-America golf tournament faced a significant challenge when obtain enhanced situational awareness of the battlefield. ning II during a recent tour of the 62nd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.
helmet’s display to view mission-critical information and
During the bike race, Fernandez
his nutrition fell from his bike after
members honor, tour Luke AFB hitting a bump, losing it for good.
This would affect his performance as
he neared the end of the race.
Fernandez says that sometimes
the final push to completing a goal
Patriot All- not only comes from a desire to fin-
America golf ish for yourself, but to also finish for
tournament others who have supported you along
members place the way. While the overall goal might
their right hand be defined in the beginning, the real
over their hearts reward is often realized once you
pass the finish line.
during an honor “I wanted to mention that I strug-
guard ceremony gled from [mile] 17 to 22 and then
Dec. 29, 2021, at from mile 22 to 26 I felt decent and
Luke Air Force I finished, but Luke was waiting for
Base, Arizona. me at the finish line,” said Fernan-
Every year, the dez. “He stayed there and waited for
Wigwam Resort me to finish. And I just remember he
in Litchfield was waiting there and he gave me
Park hosts the biggest bear hug ever and his
the Patriot All- face was pure joy and exhilaration.
America golf But it wasn’t for himself, he was
tournament in happy to see me cross. That says a
honor of fallen lot about the bonds that we form in
and severely the military, as brothers in arms and
wounded ser- I thought that was really cool.”
vice members. Casper emphasized that when set-
Golfers received ting out to accomplish a goal, it’s im-
a base tour that portant to see it through to the end.
included a 56th “You can do anything you put
Security Forces your mind to [considering] that you
Squadron work- have to have some level of physical
ing dog demon- capability, but you can build into
stration and an that,” said Casper. “I truly believe
F-16 Fighting that the way our Airmen come in,
Falcon and F-35 smarter and better at some of the
Lightning II things we were as young adults, that
aircraft display, they can accomplish much more than
to showcase we ever could. They just need to set
the 56th Fighter a goal for themselves, have a method
Photo by Staff Sgt. Collette Brooks Wing mission. by which way to achieve it, and then
don’t stop.”