Thunderbolt 8/10/2023

Vol. 51, No. 32

Thursday, August 10, 2023

News/Features: page 3 Japanese civic leaders visit

News/Features: page 3 From grief to gratitude

Week in photos: page 4 Images from the week

Super Guppy Turbine stopover at MacDill Photo by Senior Airman Joshua Hastings

Community: page 11 Events, Chapel, more...

A NASA B-377-SGT Super Guppy Turbine from NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Texas is shown on the flight line at MacDill Air Force Base Aug. 1. The Super Guppy Turbine was in transit to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida, and was carrying the Orion Heat Shield. The 16.5-foot-wide heat shield is one of the most important systems on the Artemis II Orion spacecraft and will help ensure a safe return of astronauts on board. NASA’s Artemis program aims to return humans to the moon for long-term exploration and future missions.

NEWS/FEATURES

New youth football camps deliver life, team skills to military youths

by Debbie Aragon AFIMSC Public Affairs JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas—New youth football camps are delivering life and teambuilding skills at installations to rave reviews.

The camps, centrally funded by the Air Force Services Center’s child and youth programs, are at four installations for 2023 and are expected to grow significantly to 20-25 Department of the Air Force locations for summer 2024, including some overseas.

“We’ve been requesting new sports camps for a while and were able to make it happen,” said Kevin Hansen, AFSVC CYP specialist. “The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive … some of our staff have even said that this has been the most successful youth sports camp that AFSVC has ever sponsored.”

The camps, for youth 9-18, are delivered by MVP 360, a Philadelphiabased company affiliated with the NFL Play 60 organization and taught, in some cases, by youth coaches with NCAA and NFL experience.

Felix Agosto, a retired Air Force senior NCO and military dad, is the founder and CEO of the company, and said he recognizes the hardships military children and families endure.

“My program is built on lessons learned during the time I spent serving my country,” he said. “There is a strategy behind what we do that fits within the resiliency culture. There’s very little downtime by design.”

During the camps, “there’s a focus on teamwork, situational leadership, problem solving, peer-to-peer support and character development, in addition to the sport’s specific skills development such as strength, conditioning, speed, catching and throwing,” Hansen said. “Thus, this positive, interactive camp and uniquely set-up program adapts to inclu-

Courtesy photo

MVP 360 Coach Travis Proctor high-fives a camp participant at a youth football camp in Florida. The new camps, funded by the Air Force Services Center’s child and youth programs, are at four installations for 2023 and are expected to grow significantly to 20-25 Department of the Air Force locations for summer 2024, including some overseas. sive surroundings and skill levels for all participants leading to a more resilient military youth.”

Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland was the first stop in the program.

“The team of coaches and trainers motivated the youth to develop

COMMANDER’S ACTION LINE The Action Line provides two-way communication between the 6th Air Refueling Wing commander and the MacDill community. Personnel may submit questions, concerns or comments via email to macdillwingcommander@us.af.mil or Facebook @6thARWCommandTeam

MacDill Thunderbolt Publisher: Joe Deluca Editor: Nick Stubbs The MacDill Thunderbolt is published by the Times Publishing Company, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force. This commercial enterprise newspaper is an authorized publication for distribution to members of the U.S. military services on MacDill. Contents of the MacDill Thunderbolt are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by the U.S. government, the Department of Defense,

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the Department of the Air Force or the 6th Air Refueling Wing.

The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force, 6th Air Refueling Wing or the Publishing Company of the products or service advertised.

For retail advertising, call (813) 226-3318.

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See FOOTBALL, Page 8

MacDill on the web Website: www.macdill.af.mil Facebook: www.facebook.com/ MacDillAirForceBase Instagram: macdill_afb Twitter: @macdill_afb News items for the MacDill Thunderbolt can be submitted to the 6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs office, 8208 Hangar Loop Dr., suite 14, MacDill AFB, FL 33621. Call the Thunderbolt at 828-2215. Email: 6arw.pa.macdillthunderbolt@ us.af.mil.

Deadline for article submissions is noon, Wednesdays to appear in the next week’s publication. Articles received after deadline may be considered for future use. All submissions are considered for publication based on news value and timeliness.

Every article and photograph is edited for accuracy, clarity, brevity, conformance with the “Associated Press Stylebook and Libel Manual” and Air Force Instruction 35-101.

NEWS/FEATURES

Japanese civic leaders learn from 6th CES environmental flight

by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster 6th Air Refueling Wing, Public Affairs The 6th Civil Engineer Squadron environmental flight hosted civic leaders from across central Japan, July 25.

The visiting group consisted of Keisuke Satomura, Ginowan City Office military base affairs section subsection chief, Masashi Toguchi, Chatan Town mayor, Shintaro Yamaguchi, Fukuoka Head Office reporter, and Junya Yamatoto, Yokosuka crisis management division staff.

The tour kicked off with an open dialogue between the civic leaders and the 6th CES environmental team focusing on the role of volunteers and mitigation, and sources of funding.

“Our goal with all of our volunteer opportunities is to create an environment where people can just show up and work,” said Danielle Clooney, 6th CES natural and cultural resource manager. “We take care of the logistics, coordination and anything else that could deter someone from attending, and it’s worked. It feels more like you’re participating in a team building event rather than doing a chore.”

Photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster

Japanese civic leaders and 6th Civil Engineer Squadron flight members pose for a group photo following a tour of MacDill Air Force Base July 25. The visiting group consisted of Keisuke Satomura, Ginowan City Office military base affairs section subsection chief, Masashi Toguchi, Chatan Town mayor, Shintaro Yamaguchi, Fukuoka Head Office reporter, and Junya Yamatoto, Yokosuka crisis management division staff. The team learned environmental best practices, procedures for cultural and historical preservation and the role of community outreach in developSee JAPAN, Page 9 ing a strong voluntary force.

A journey from grief to gratitude

by Airman 1st Class Sterling Sutton 6th Air Refueling Wing, Public Affairs In our dining room, the decorations are still on display. The motivation to remove them had not yet arisen. The candles were lit on a cake, and all of his siblings blew them out while we sang to him in heaven. In my experience as a mother who has lost a child, two days are the most difficult.

Birthdays and, as my children refer to them, “death days.”

In reality, I have not seen him since I left for basic training in 2021. As a mother, I knew I wanted to give my seven children the opportunity to experience a wide variety of cultures and meet new people from all over the world.

I was disheartened on graduation day realizing that a snowstorm had prevented my family from attending the ceremony on Feb. 3, 2022. I showed my children they can do hard things with passion, sacrifice, and determination to never give up and yet I was proud to be part of something bigger than myself.

Telephone and video calls with my children and husband were enjoyable for me as we continued to adjust to military life. The fact that I had See JOURNEY, Page 10

Courtesy Photo

Mackinley Mallott-Sutton poses for a photo, in Missouri in 2021. U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Sterling Sutton shares her journey from grief to gratitude to inspire others to seek mental health resources they may need.

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WEEK IN PHOTOS

Photo by Airman 1st Class Sterling Sutton

General Clarence Tinker K-8 School teachers pose for a photo during a tour of MacDill Air Force Base on Aug. 1. Tinker houses approximately 600 students and has been a part of the Hillsborough County Public School district for 71 years.

Photo by Airman 1st Class Zachary Foster

Photo by Senior Airman Joshua Hastings

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Chris A. McPhillips, incoming commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Central Command, front, stands at attention during a change of command ceremony at MacDill Air Force Base Aug. 1. USMARCENT is designated as the Marine Corps service component for U.S. Central Command and is responsible for all Marine Corps forces in the CENTCOM area of responsibility.

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U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. John Williams, outgoing 50th Air Refueling Squadron commander, right, is recognized by Col. Jeff Mrazik, 6th Operations Group commander, earning an Air Force Commendation Medal during the 50th ARS change of command ceremony at MacDill Air Force Base Aug. 1. Williams completed multiple nuclear operational readiness exercises, led Mobility Guardian as the lead flying squadron and facilitated a 72 hour nonstop agile combat employment capstone flight.

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NEWS/FEATURES McConnell KC-46 endurance missions strengthen U.S., Allied presence in Indo-Pacific Tech. Sgt. Nathan Eckert 22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii—In the vast expanse of the Pacific theater, distance, austerity and competition pose challenges to the ability of the United States and its Allies to project airpower. U.S. and coalition forces participating in Mobility Guardian 23 demonstrated how endurance refueling operations could overcome such limits.

“Long endurance sorties conducted during MG23 reinforced the operational relevance of the concept and validated Air Mobility Command’s ability to continue to be a force multiplier, even with the tyranny of distance in the Pacific,” said U.S. Air Force Major Jason Sewell, MG23 deputy director. “Long endurance missions allowed KC-135s and KC-46s to stay on station longer and offload more fuel to receivers

than would have otherwise been possible.”

Maximum Endurance Operations for tanker aircraft have emerged as a strategic imperative for the U.S., Allies and partners.

These missions, characterized by extended periods of aerial re-fueling without the need for landing, are crucial in bolstering military capabilities, enhancing interoperations and projecting global power. For MG23, aircraft received the necessary fuel to complete their objectives from aligned forces at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin.

“Our area of operations is approximately six hours away, which takes about 60,000 pounds of gas just to get there,” said U.S. Air Force Major Sean King of McConnell’s 349th Air Refueling Squadron and the KC-46 Pegasus Force Element commander at RAAF Base Darwin. “The purpose of MEO is to be able to stay out there longer and further the capabilities of our receivers as See ENDURANCE, Page 9

Photo by Tech. Sgt. Heather Clements

A U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker prepares to refuel a KC-46 Pegasus during Mobility Guardian 23 over the Indo-Pacific region, July 14. Three thousand personnel directly supported the large-scale mobility exercise.

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Travis AFB welcomes its first KC-46A Pegasus

by Chustine Minoda 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.—Travis AFB received its first KC-46A Pegasus July 28, 2023.

Maj. General Joel Jackson, Air Force District of Washington commander, and an aircrew made up of members from the 60th and 349th Air Mobility Wings delivered the first aircraft to Travis directly from Boeing Field, located in Seattle, Washington.

To commemorate this milestone, Team Travis hosted a celebratory event in the newly constructed three-bay hangar inviting base members and leaders from the local community.

During the event, key leaders provided remarks including a video presentation by John Garamendi, congressional representative of California’s 3rd District, and remarks by U.S. Air Force retired Lt. Gen. Samuel Cox, Boeing Air Force and Space Force Systems vice president, Maj. Gen. Corey Martin, 18th Air Force commander, Maj. Gen. Jackson, as well as Team Travis leadership including Col. Derek Salmi, 60th AMW commander, and Col. Terence McGee, 349th AMW vice commander.

“This has required the concerted effort of all who fly, fix, support and heal as part of the mobility mission here at Travis and has translated directly into today’s capabilities,” said Salmi.

The KC-46A aircraft will be operated by the 6th and 9th Air Refueling Squadrons for the active component and the 70th and 79th Air Refueling Squadrons for the Air Force Reserve Command.

“While we celebrate today, the great event of bringing in the KC-46, what we honor everyday is the culture of an Air mobility wing,” said Jackson. “The culture of what we have here at Travis AFB.” In January 2017, former Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James announced that Travis AFB was selected as a preferred location for the second round of KC-46A basing selections.

In preparation for the arrival of the KC-46A, the base commenced construction on the $136.2 million three-bay hangar in December 2018. Following five years of work, the project reached its completion in May 2023. This expansive hangar, spanning approximately 174,300 square feet, will serve as the Department of Defense’s exclusive KC-46A support facility on the west coast.

“The first feeling I feel is pride,” said Lt. Col. Paul Overdiek, 749th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander. “We’re ready to operate it [KC-46] and we’re ready to maintain it.”

The KC-46A is equipped with several self-protection, defensive and communication features making it more survivable in a contested environment. According to Boeing , recent contracts between Boeing and the Air Force will continue to invest in advanced data and communication capabilities.

“The KC-46A provides survivability, connectivity and situational awareness that are unprecedented in a tanker, allowing the crew to detect, identify, avoid and defeat threats in contested environments,” said Lynn Fox, Boeing vice president and KC-46A program manager.

“We’ll continue to partner with the Air Force to evolve the Pegasus’s capabilities to meet the needs of the mission.”

The KC-10 is planned for complete divestment by September 2024, making way for the KC46 to take over the role of being the air refueling aircraft of the Gateway to the Pacific. This transition will launch the KC-46A as the new face of air refueling operations, ensuring the continued readiness and effectiveness of air operations, worldwide.

“Beginning today, the KC-46 stands ready to take the baton pass from the most faithful of tankers, the KC-10 Extender, whose distinctive silhouette has graced the skies over Solano County for the past three decades and extended American power worldwide for more than forty years with its defining characteristics of strength and class,” said Salmi.

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A KC-46A Pegasus taxis at Boeing Field, Seattle, Washi Wing at Travis Air Force Base, California.

Photo by Se

Ceremony attendees listen to speakers educating on th tion of aerial refueling at Travis Air Force Base, California During the event, Team Travis welcomed their first KC-46 celebrated the official beginning of the installation’s KC-4

Photo by Nicholas Pilch

Courtesy photo from Boeing Company

ington, July 28. The aircraft is the first KC-46A for the 60th Air Mobility

U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Marykathleen Olaes, 82nd Aerial Port Squadron manager, plays with her nephew during the KC-46 Pegasus arriv-al ceremony at Travis Air Force Base, California, July 28. During the event, Team Travis welcomed their first KC-46 and celebrated the official begin-ning of the installation’s KC-46 operations.

enior Airman Lauren Jacoby

he next generaa, July 28, 2023.

6A Pegasus and 46A operations.

Photo by Tech. Sgt. Levi Reynolds

The first 60th Air Mobility Wing KC-46A Pegasus arrives at Travis Air Force Base, California, July 28. Team Travis welcomed their first KC-46A and celebrated the official beginning of the installation’s KC-46A operations.

FOOTBALL From Page 2

their own personal goals, identify and complete daily objectives to reach their goal, and gain an understanding of team development and leadership,” said Tom Lynds, JBSALackland Youth Programs director. “The end-of-practice reflective question and answer periods reinforced team support concepts, working together on the same objective and personal responsibility.”

At the end of camp, Lynds said attendees left with “a toolbox of personal support, drills to build on team football and a personal physical fitness routine to maintain flexibility and strength.”

They also left the camp as a more well-rounded youth, he said.

“The main objective is to ensure the flag football camp receives maximum exposure to provide as many youth as possible the opportunity to participate and experience the skill development of all facets of the game, while enhancing all areas of their skills and fundamentals for various new sports,” said William Crockett, a member of the youth programs team at Joint Base McGire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey. “The ultimate goal is to instill leadership qualities in them not for just sports, but to help them prepare to be leaders in life as well.”

The camps were built around a “hit the ground running” mentality, Agosto said.

“The program is progressive in that we start with a heavy dose of strength and conditioning on day one, and end with a fun, competitive game,” he said. “Kids are guided through our system that encourages teamwork, participation and communication. The final day seems like fun because of all the work they’ve put in prior to it.”

Now that he’s been retired for 11 years, Agosto said he’s around parents who find it extremely difficult to leave their kids on a business trip for five days.

“Air Force parents leave for up to six months at a time, yet they return to a family waiting for them with open arms both at home and at work,” he said. “There is nothing easy about it in either scenario but there is something to be said about the parent and child who overcome the hardships of the separation, reunite and move on in life.”

The camps began in June with JBSA-Lackland, followed by MacDill AFB and Hurlburt Field, Florida, and ending with JB MDL in August.

In addition to life lessons, youth attending the camps receive an NFL jersey from their local area and the youth camp sites get new youth football gear and equipment to supplement their sports programs.

Look for more on the expanded camps in Spring 2024 and visit www.myairforcelife. com for Air Force services program updates.

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Courtesy photo

MVP 360 Coach Alex Roman and a youth football camp participant go up for a catch during a drill at a Florida base. The camps, centrally funded by the Air Force Services Center’s child and youth programs, are at four installations for 2023 and are expected to grow significantly to 20-25 Department of the Air Force locations for summer 2024, including some overseas.

JAPAN From Page 3

MacDill Air Force Base relies on community volunteers for support in preventing and reversing damage to the environment, according to Clooney. The installation’s biggest volunteer organization, Tampa Bay Watch, contributes volunteers to work alongside service members in shoreline restoration efforts.

“From our discussion, the oyster reef [restoration] project was really interesting,” said Toguchi. “After talking with Kadena Air Base [Japan], they mentioned wanting to help the environment; I think this initiative could be beneficial to the area.”

According to Jason Kirkpatrick, 6th CES environmental manager, funding for environmental preservation and stabilization efforts comes primarily from the Department of Defense with $820,000 having been allocated so far. Supplemental funding comes from federal and local programs such as the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, as well as community non-profits. In total, $1,336,200 has been allocated or donated towards the cause over the past 20 years.

“Our installation has had great success looking to both the local and federal government to fund our projects,” said Kirkpatrick. “Our part-

nerships with local agencies have been able to extend DOD resources giving us the flexibility to take on projects that wouldn’t be possible otherwise.”

The final topic discussed was the concept of mitigation and its role in correcting damage done to the environment through mission necessary projects. According to Kirkpatrick, the team always looks for ways to complete a project by either avoiding or minimizing damage to the environment first.

“Mitigation is always different depending on the project and destruction necessary,” said Kirkpatrick. “For example, a building that unavoidably removes one acre of wetlands requires us to create at least an acre of new wetlands, sometimes more. Replacement of wetland systems through mitigation serves to balance ecosystem services that may be lost through wetlands destruction and helps to promote a healthier ecosystem.”

Following the discussion, the environmental team brought the civic leader group to coastal restoration sites across the installation to see the efforts firsthand.

ENDURANCE

From Page 5

well as our international partners.”

Endurance refueling is not a new mission set, but the duration and scope of flights achieved during MG23 are unprecedented. KC-135 Stratotankers conducted multiple flights lasting more than 48 hours.

At the same time, the KC-46, the USAF’s newest refueling platform, accomplished its longest operational flight to date with a 35-hour sortie Both aircraft utilize advanced capabilities to sustain military operations over vast distances. The Stratotanker has been the backbone of America’s refueling enterprise for nearly 60 years. With updated Real Time Information in the Cockpit system, it can receive, process and use real-time data that significantly increases survivability and mission effectiveness.

The KC-46 is the only refueling platform in the world that can offload fuel through the boom and a centerline drogue without landing to reconfigure, allowing it to offload fuel to most joint and Allied aircraft. Simul-

taneously, an enhanced refueling operator station and communications equipment give its crew unparalleled situational awareness, particularly vital for regions where the threat environment necessitates continuous presence and rapid response.

Moreover, MG23 facilitated cooperation and strengthened military al. liances through these missions. Forces from Australia, Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States integrated to conduct Joint and multinational operations seamlessly, enhancing collective defense capabilities.

“I’ve never been a part of something with such an intense focus on integration and interoperability,” said RAAF Flight Lieutenant Robert Bartholomew-Walsh, 13 Squadron movement officer. “Mobility Guardian has been a great, agile exercise for [the] Air Force to be a part of. Specifically, 13 Squadron has been able to work with a large USAF element here, and that involvement has been quite valuable.”

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JOURNEY From Page 3

a bunk bed tickled my sons, who thought it was hilarious that their mother was sleeping in a bed like theirs.

Then two weeks went by and on February 19th, our lives changed forever when I received a phone call from my 10-year-old daughter, Serenity.

“Mom, Mackinley is going to the hospital,” she frantically said. “Everyone is in my room staying out of the way because the ambulance is here!”

“Why, what happened?” I asked my voice shaking.

“Ezekiel said Mackinley had fallen asleep while watching a show,” Serenity hurriedly said, “He turned blue.”

“What?”, I exclaimed, “Let me talk to Dad!” “Dad is busy talking to the paramedics, he told me to call you.”

“Thank you for calling me, everything is going to be okay, please keep everyone calm and turn on your tv while I try to figure out what is going on,” I said reassuringly. “I love you, tell everyone I love them.”

As soon as the ambulance pulled away, my husband called me. “Is he still alive?”, I asked.

“He still had a pulse, and I was able to get his color back,” My husband said trembling. “He is alive and headed to the hospital, they wouldn’t let me go with him.”

I prayed for my son and cried for God’s will. Before my departure from training, I was informed that Mackinley’s brain had swelled. As a form of protection, while I traveled, no one would tell me if he had died when I asked, not my captain, not the American Red Cross, or my family already at the hospital, not even my husband.

“If Mackinley’s brain is swollen, why are they not operating?” I finally asked angrily while listening to silence on the other end of the phone. “Are they just keeping him alive for me to say goodbye?”

The silence was cut with a tearful response from See JOURNEY, Page 12

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COMMUNITY

EVENTS

Friday Stampede at Boomers Join the Boomers Stampede every Friday from 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. Boomer’s is located inside the Breakaway Event Center with a full bar, multiple screen’s, music, and pool tables. Enjoy complimentary snacks and drink specials every Friday. Visit macdillfss.com/boomers/ for more details.

Smash-up Comedy Tour Whether you are a fan of comedy, magic, or just looking for a unique and engaging experience, be sure to catch rePercussion and Derek Hughes in action on Sunday, August 20. This family-friendly show will take place at the MacDill Theater, doors open at 3:30 p.m., show starts at 4 p.m.

D.I.Y. Auto Hobby Shop Rent a bay with all the tools you need Wednesday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Upcoming events: Aug. 15 – Oil change class for Ladies Aug. 18 – Free 72-point vehicle inspection Visit macdillfss.com/arts-and-tradecrafts/ for more information.

Become a Secret Shopper Get paid to call or visit 6th FSS facilities. To learn more, call or email the 6th FSS Marketing Department at 828-2513 or sixfssfsk@ gmail.com.

Find more events at: macdillfss.com

The Champ!

Photo by Airman 1st Class Derrick Bole

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Alex Diego, 91st Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, was recognized as Champ of the Week by the 6th Air Refueling Wing leadership team at MacDill Air Force Base Aug. 1. Diego assumed multiple extra duties, including managing $80,000 in computer equipment and acquiring 20 new laptops for the unit.

CHAPEL SCHEDULE Normal Hours- Monday - Friday - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. After

hours chaplain, call the Command Post at 828-4362/4361.

Protestant virtual services - Sunday - 11 a.m. (www.facebook.com/6amwhc)

Jewish - Monthly Lunch and Learn: For schedule & to join Monday-Wednesday Mass - 12:10 p.m. www.macdill.af.mil/chapel

distro, please contact elimelach.estrin@us.af.mil

Islamic Service - Friday 1:30 p.m. (space reserved)

Catholic Mass - Sunday - 9:30 a.m. (confessions by appointment)

Other Faith Groups - Please contact the Chapel at (813) 828-3621 or via email at 6ARW.HCADMIN@us.af.mil

For more details and information, visit the Chapel Facebook page at http://www.facebook/6amwhc/ or MacDill’s Chapel website is: https://www.macdill.af.mil/chapel MACDILL THUNDERBOLT ◆ Thursday, August 10, 2023 ◆ WWW.MACDILLTHUNDERBOLT.COM ◆ 11

JOURNEY From Page 10

my husband, “Yes… he is on life support. I’m so sorry I couldn’t tell you while you were by yourself.”

As I began to process these words, a deep sadness overcame me. A cry like no other filled the car as my heart broke. I cried for my son who loved Elvis and danced with me to Patsy Cline’s music, realizing that he would never walk this earth again. Memories of us flooded my mind and the realization that I would never see him smile again set in.

Why? Why couldn’t it have been me instead? I would have given any part of me to keep him here. I lived my life; he was young and had a full life ahead of him.

When I finally arrived, his body was being kept alive by tubes and machines. However, he was no longer there. He was empty, and his soul had left. All I could do was hold my 8-year-old son’s lifeless body in my arms.

My tears fell onto his fair skin, and I brushed his deep brown hair to the side with my fingers, as mothers do.

I cried harder, knowing that he would not playfully pull away as young boys do when you fix a hair gone astray. I held him as long as I could, in disbelief and shock, I managed to put a brave face on for my family who came to say their goodbyes. One of the hardest things I had to do was to be strong and reassuring that his spirit went to heaven and that we were just saying goodbye to his body.

“We will see him again someday when we go to heaven I told my children.”

Before he was taken to the morgue, we spent some last moments with him, painting his hand and placing it on a canvas. The staff had made a sculpture mold of his hand and captured his heartbeat for a stuffed rabbit. The hospital staff allowed me to bathe my son with dignity, and dress him in a hospital gown, and gently tie the identification tag on his small toe.

How do you overcome this? How do you serve your country and provide a better life for your children when you do not feel like yourself? The new me was broken, and I knew I needed help to continue.

Our small hometown communities came together to show their compassion and share their deepest sympathies for our loss of Mackinley. The joyous opportunity for my return from the military was replaced by somber emotions as I tried to be a good daughter, sister, mother, friend, wife, and Airman.

After Mackinley’s private family visitation, he was cremated, and a Celebration of Life was held in the school gymnasium. He was not buried, but instead, his ashes travel with us and are placed on a special cabinet that will come to each new duty station with us. Now every day I kiss the top of a small urn and place it in my pocket. He has traveled with me every day during my military career following his death to keep my promise for an adventurous military journey.

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