To the 'Fly Boys'..."

...and the soldiers, the sailors, the Coast Guard, and the Marines

(My dad's flight notes above...the plane he flew below)

of generations past... ...and generations present.
You are honored here today, this Veterans Day 2008,

for your bravery and selflessness.

And, you are thanked...for all you have done...and continue to do.

May your have peace in your hearts

and

know that your efforts make a difference in our lives.

God bless!

Daily...over our home in Surprise, Arizona
we see the young F-16 pilots based at Luke Air Force Base, just south of us,
winging their way through the dry desert air, piercing the sky
through sunlight and clouds,
honing their skills and making themselves combat "ready"
for eventual deployment to areas of crisis and conflict world wide.
Every time they fly over we look skyward, take a gulp, and feel so proud of them.
There is certain power and beauty
in the flawless precision of their formations
and aerobatic maneuvers.
Yet,
my wish for them is for a future world
where their skills are no longer needed for war.

My drawing today honors the "Beauty of Flight"
and
celebrates the 50th year anniversary of the design of the peace sign
by
Gary Holtom...February 21, 1958

"If we are to reach real peace in the world, we shall have to begin
with the children."
~Gandhi

"My soul is in the sky." ~William Shakespeare

B/W PHOTO CREDIT: NATS
COLOR PHOTO CREDITS: USAF