My family home — where my parents still live today — is right in front of the Columbus Metropolitan Airport on Britt David Road. My brother and I and all our barefooted, shirtless friends would ride our bicycles over to the terminal, sneak into the FAA offices upstairs and tap on the glass door that led to our childhood nirvana — the control tower.
Billy McGee was in charge up there and I spent untold hours standing in the background while Mr. McGee and his colleagues talked those shiny Douglas DC-3s onto the strip and then up to the terminal. The DC-3 was a “tail-dragger” twin-propped plane and I was in that control tower for hundreds of take-offs and landings over my years as an airport rat.
When I was 15, I landed a job driving a tractor cutting grass beside the runways. More than a couple of times, I knew I was in trouble when that “government” car rolled alongside me and the guy with the crew cut would tell me to stop popping wheelies.
I’d tone it down, get my job done and wander into the terminal looking for a cold drink from the beautiful woman who ran the gift shop. I had a huge crush on Marcella Henderson, wife of Berry and mother of City Counselor Skip. She was — and is — a beautiful woman who was so kind to put up with me during those summer respites in the air conditioned terminal building.
One strong airport memory was on holidays or any other day when my father would walk back across the street to our home with four or five uniformed guys in tow. He gave them rides to Ft. Benning, we fed them on holidays or other days and I learned to respect — really respect — the people who wear that uniform.
Yesterday at our Rotary Club of Columbus meeting, Commanding Gen. Barbero brought and introduced eight heroes to us. As he introduced them he told their story of valor. How they looked death in the eye and put themselves in harm’s way to save one or two fellow soldiers or to be shot down trying to keep others safe.
I confess here that I didn’t yesterday — and I don’t now — have dry eyes. My awe and respect for these men goes well beyond my ability to describe it. My father instilled in me his love for soldiers and am glad that love is part of my spirit. I have bought lunches and dinners and I have, in the best way I knew how, thanked them for their service to my country.
As we plan for the arrival of the armor school and as Ft. Benning becomes the Maneuver Center of Excellence, we’ll have several thousands more people to thank walking around our beautiful city. Be generous with your thanks.
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Anonymous says
You have a way of bringing back memories!! Family means a lot to you and to your Dad and me. I’m so proud of what you and Jill have done with the magazines and all the other things you are involved with. I saw Kerry and Cynthia Epting today and they said they see you round and about quite often. They said “HI”. Have a good “family outing” this week-end. Love, Mom