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Hoosier Musings on the Road to Emmaus

Thursday, June 23, 2005

Air Force Museum


This is the reason the last quiz was dedicated to my favorite military chaplain. Mark is doing his summer reserve duty at Wright-Patterson AFB this year, located a scant 4 1/2 hour drive from our home. We went over to see him at the beginning of the week (just a short overnight) and our visit included a couple hours at the National Air Force Museum.

It was cool-- a fascinating tour thorugh the history of aviation, as well as the military use thereof. We saw only a small portion of the planes exhibited there (the place is huge!), took turns sitting in an F-16 cockpit (pilots are small people-- I fit just fine, as did our 5'1" daughter), and enjoyed a simulator ride in some jet whose letters I do not at present recall.


Being the sewing geek that I am, I think this was my favorite item on display: An absolutely enormous quilt, assembled in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Air Force. You can read more about its construction here. It is a gorgeous piece of needlework.

I know there are those among my readers who deplore the use of any sort of military force, and who would likely not consider this display... well, attractive. Truth be told, there is often much about that stance with which I agree. At the same time, this is a legitimate part of our nation's history and culture, and I think denying the positive effects that have come from the defense of this country is as shortsighted and inaccurate as anything coming out of the more hawkish crowd.

I'm glad we went.

3 Comments:

Blogger Reverend Ref + said...

I am SOOOO jealous. I tried that quiz btw -- couldn't get it copied to my blog. For what it's worth, I was classified as an F-15.

Something about "good looking, but getting beyond your years."

June 24, 2005 3:12 PM  

Blogger Ryan said...

I also was the F-15...to which I took offense. If I'm going to be an older model, at least indulge my historical side and make me an F-4E Phantom or perhaps a Thunderbird. Don't call me outdated though - I'm 24 for crying out loud! What would have been really cool to be was the SU-37 Flanker, but I don't suppose they include those sorts of planes on this kind of quiz.

-R

June 24, 2005 10:37 PM  

Blogger Jane Ellen+ said...

"You are an F-15. Your record in combat is spotless; you've never been defeated. You possess good looks, but are not flashy about it. You prefer to let your reputation do the talking. You are fast, agile, and loud, but reaching the end of your stardom."

I wouldn't worry about the "end of your stardom" reference, either of you-- the teenager here was also classified as an F-15, and thinks that's "tight." (This, for the uninitiated, is high praise)

June 25, 2005 9:02 PM  

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