Short_Operation Badger History

In the middle of scattered dairy farms and clustered forests lays a gravel hard packed airfield. Young Field, a small air strip tucked away within Fort McCoy would be the focal point for the 270^th Air Traffic Control Squadron as they wrote their names within the history books for the Air National Guard and their own unit.

As you slowly drive to the Western end of the airfield you’d hear Credence Clearwater Rival’s “Fortunate Son” blasting over a Bluetooth speaker. In a perfect example of irony; a song dedicated to an anti-war movement would be one of the most favored songs played as the military maintainers completed their work. As you exited your vehicle, with the chorus blaring, “I ain’t no fortunate one…” you could have sworn you were teleported back in time to an era that established the 270th’s mission.

The hot summer heat of the remote Wisconsin farmland left everyone’s mind with hopes of some cloud cover, a cool breeze to blow across the airfield and for the equipment to function as expected. The hard working maintainers are not the Airmen seen on recruiting posters, or highlighted in commercials, but their iron willed spirits are what built the core values of the Air Force. Their pride is what drives them. 16 hour long days became a normal for some maintainers. Their daily scent was a mixture between salty sweat stained uniforms with a concentrated fusion of bug spray and sunscreen. All simply to ensure the equipment worked without failure and all with smiles on their faces and laughter in the air. The type of morale that only comes from a hard day’s work and a close nit team bonding together through it all.

The tactical air navigation system, or “TACAN” and the airfields Instrument Landing System, “ILS” were quickly built and operational. Simultaneously back at the main site location Airmen worked relentlessly to establish the radio and radar communications for the air traffic controllers to perform their mission. In the background a loud warning chime cried out as the 10k all-terrain fork lift drove air conditioner units throughout the work site. Electrical grounding rods were being pounded in to the ground with an echoing syncopated rhythm. If you were to be looking from far above the worksite, it’d look like a dozen carpenter ants going at high speed as they construct the operational site for the air traffic control tower. Teams of maintainers and controllers working together, as power lines and junction boxes were setup, collapsible tents were erected and hundreds of neon flagging were placed throughout the area.

Though empty military containers were still lying about the area; a simple folding table was the main desk and focal point. The radar approach control, known as “RAPCON” was powered up and operated by SrA Woodhams, “Woody” (later promoted that week to Staff Sergeant). Woody keyed up his microphone and called over the radio frequency. The Boeing C-17 Globe Master III out of Scott AFB, replied to the transmission that they understood the instruction Woody had just given them. “HECK YEAH!” filled the room as MSgt Quinn Craig raised his fist up and slapped Woody on his back shoulder. To the average person, it may seem odd. “Why celebrate such a simple radio communication?” Leading up to this moment, the 270th could not find a single recorded incident in history where the Air National Guard had an Airmen that conducted a RAPCON mission control. All other previous recorded moments were where Guardsman had conducted such operations while in an Active Duty capacity in deployed theaters. This was the first moment that an Air National Guard mission was conducted solely by Air National Guard assets in an Air National Guard operation for the RAPCON.

As the RAPCON stood up and began the radar control operations the air traffic control tower had been erected off the rear Humvee bed and became the beacon for helicopters conducting medical evacuation, or “medivac” operations. The medivac’s flying in and bringing simulated casualty patients in to the casualty collection point, “CCP” brought multiple loud crackles over the radio,

“Young Tower, Rescue 138” (The call sign of the control tower and the medivac).

“Rescue 138, Young Tower” The tower responding to the helicopter pilot.

“Young Tower, Rescue 138 is inbound from Check Point Swampy now and requesting left base entry to LZ”

“Rescue 138, make left traffic. Traffic, Cessna orbiting 1 mile north of the field, at or above 4000ft.”

“Young Tower, Rescue 13 roger, we’ll keep our eyes open.”

The focal point of the exercise continued onward where “simulated” victims were treated for injuries; but for an Air Traffic Controller, every moment involved real lives and real consequences should something go wrong. This responsibility comes in a shared balance of trust, communication and respect for one another. This operation wouldn’t get accomplished if it wasn’t for teamwork between two totally different sections. Senior Master Sergeant Moore and Senior Master Sergeant Wyman created a cohesive working environment that not only accomplished the goal, but furthermore strengthened the bond within this badger family.

(Senior Master Sergeant Moore, (LEFT) and Senior Master Sergeant Wyman, (RIGHT))

The men and women of the 270^th have devoted themselves to a higher purpose. A calling of service and sacrifice.  While many American’s enjoyed the luxuries of being at home without many cares or concerns of life, these Airmen of the Oregon Air National Guard spent 12 hour days in 90+ degree heat with 80% humidity ensuring their equipment operated as expected. They proved to the Air National Guard and Military Community that within 72 hours they could rapidly deploy to any location in the world and establish airfield operations, radar control and emergency response to domestic and humanitarian aid requests. They set forth a goal to ensure their names were written down in the history books and all along the way they did it with a smile on their face and laughter in the air.

When the situation calls for an emergency response, everyone can rest assured that when the 270th Air Traffic Control Squadron is called upon and requested; the world’s greatest Airmen are responding. They won’t stop till the job is done, they give their best till the mission is complete. This is the badger family and this is their badger history.

(This article is a personal reflection and the personal opinion of the author. This article does not represent the opinions, views, stance, or policy of the United States Government, Department of Defense, United States Air Force, or the Oregon Air National Guard and its component members.)

SHORT_The God Who Fights For Us!

The God Who Fights For Us!

“Wake up Liam! Your father is waiting for you at the meeting grounds!”  The young boy rolls over on his bed mat, brushing his eyes to shake the sleepiness. He sits up, his copper colored eyes focusing in on his mother. She reaches out and shakes his hair, with a small plume of dust lifting off his head. “The dust rolled in with the breeze last night I see… Tell me child… Why the sleepiness?  It wouldn’t be that my dreamer stayed up in to the early morning hours gazing up at the heavens again would it?” Liam’s mother razing her eye brown in parental judgement, as all mothers and children know all too well. The young boy clears his throat, “The heavens call to me, and I simply cannot deny its’ voice.” Liam slowly stood to his feet, waving his arms in crossing patterns as he shuffled his feet to the front of their tent. Liam’s mother placing her hand upon his back with her soft gentle touch. “This can’t be what life has intended for us…” Liam said with a heavy voice. “Gathering birds of the desert floor, only to do so once more the next?  The heavens speak words of hope to me each night, yet every morning arises to the same.” Liam’s head sunk low. Liam’s mother frowned; her sadness matched his, for she was born in this same environment as he was, and yet, she only wanted what every mother wishes for their children. A bright future of hope, joy, and destiny. Yet after an entire lifetime of wandering in a desert wilderness, her faith of believing in the promises from Elder Moses had faded over the years, yet something inside her continued to cling on to the promises. “One day my son, Jehovah will make our way known. His promises will be brought true.” Liam looked up while squinting out the rays of the morning sun. “Now go help your father… and look, Binah is going there too, go with him.”  Binah; a name given with the meaning of “wisdom”. Binah was 14 years old and though he had already started his family, he always looked to Liam as his little brother. Binah’s brother passed away many years back from sickness, so Liam was a renewed blessing on to him and he always watched over Liam.

Liam took a few shuffled steps forward and then started a light jog over to Binah who had his gatherers bag resting on his shoulders. Liam catching up to Binah as they headed to that meeting grounds. “Good morning young lion! Ready to gather this daily blessing?” Liam rolling his eyes and tossing his hands up towards the heavens, “Why yes wise Binah! How blessed I am to receive this great gift of more dusty bird wings!” Liam dropping his arms and whipping his head towards Binah with a scowl, as his sarcasm still lofted heavily in the air. Binah chuckling at Liam’s colorful expressions and demeanor. “Clearly I must remind you of your name… L-I-A-M… one who is resolute! determined! and unwavering! You are a protector and will hold the line, when others lose their footing upon the ground!” Binah proclaiming all this with his hands shooting forth as if speaking to a captive audience.  Binah looked down to Liam, as Liam simply stuck his tongue out and made a face reassembling the dead, “Blahhhhhhhhhhhhh”. And finished with a raised eye brow that proclaimed, “BULLSHIT BINAH!” Binah chuckled once more.

“Just wait young Liam…  Our Jehovah is leading us!” Binah said with a calming peace guiding his words.  “How????  How Binah???? How are you so certain of this!?” Liam raising his arms once more… “These promises spoken of by the elders, by my family… and by you… Where are these promises???”  Binah looked up to the morning sky, “I saw you in the late hours of the night you know… Gazing upon the heavens… I do the same thing you know.”  Liam slowly matched his eyes to Binah’s with a look of curiousness. “You did…. Well… what do the heavens tell you?” Liam asked. Binah gazed upon the horizon, “Our Jehovah is the one who fights for us… for me… He has torn apart the seas and has led us through the deep waters of death and destruction…”

“Our Jehovah is delivering us… for we are not lost, as long as our faith stays true to his name… For years may have past for us, yet it is only moments to Him… For our Jehovah is stepping amongst us, taking our hands and guiding us through this desolate land… We should not fear for tomorrow, because He has marched us out of captivity and in to a freedom our great elders only dreamed of.”

“Every victory given to us is from his direct hand… For freedom is now ours! A vast future awaits us, because our God stepped in to the darkness to ignite this light of hope and guidance!”

Liam and Binah looking eye to eye… “Jehovah is our God who fights for us… and He weathers through every storm right alongside us dear brother. Cling tight to the heavens at night, and stay true to Jehovah throughout the heat of the day. This wilderness will not defeat us, stay strong.”

For forty years the children of Israel wondered in the wilderness. Many died, and many were born in to a life of wondering how long they would be looking for the guidance and answers from above. Yet they stayed the course. Today in 2020, our wifi goes out and we are lost to immediate despair. Do not lose your resiliency in a world of insta-fulfillment, but remember that our time is commanded by one who created it, and all things happen at the moment of his choosing. He will lead us, for he walks alongside us. He will bring us our victory.

Short_The Barber

As you drive towards the center of town, you’d find it on the outskirts. It’s so small in size that one could easily pass right by it and not even notice. The dirt and gravel parking lot surrounds it, with the red, white, and blue striped barbers pole swirling outside; a historic symbol reaching back to the Middle Ages. As you walked up to the door, a firm and hardy push was required to open it. Your nose was filled with a warm aromatic mixture of leather, cedar, pine, and of course the morning coffee which was either currently brewing, or sitting in its pot ready for the next cup to be poured.

Immediately to the left was an old wooden rocking chair, the type that gave a light squeak with every rock its participant put in to it. The left side of the room held a wooden bench that resembled that of a old church pew and park bench combined. It also had that warm wooden creak sound to it that was only perfected over the many years it settled in to its existence. The wall behind and above the wooden bench was filled with old photographs. Photographs of memories long ago, polaroids and captured snapshots in time. Many with dates written on the button and a brief title, “John’s first steelhead trout.” or something similar to that effect.

The small wood fireplace was in the right corner of the room. The crackling pops of the fire made it feel like your escape cabin. You weren’t in the small town rustling and bustling; when you were in the barber shop you seemed to be teleported out in to the backwoods. The small cabin that was designed for a man and his dog to escape to on a weekend where they just needed to decompress. Spend a day reflecting, an hour cussing the good Lord, another hour apologizing to the good Lord for the cussing, an hour getting ready to throw your fishing line in the water, and two hours trying to get your favorite lure unstuck from the submerged log you didn’t know was there. A place where you could just let the cell phone buzz away with messages while you blocked out the every day life for just a few moments.

In the center of the room was the barber chair; behind it was the back wall with the mirror and the tools of the trade. If a customer wasn’t there getting a trim, you could find him sitting in the barber chair. Sipping on his cup of coffee and reading through the local paper, a new book he had picked up or been given as a gift, or the good book itself. Sometimes people just went in there for the coffee and conversation. At this point in history, I’d say its safe to say that there have been over a million cups of coffee poured in that small tiny house, but it was always amongst good company.

The barbers chair where you took your son for his first hair cut. And slowly continued on through his years. He got to watch young boys turn in to boys. Boys turn in to young men, and young men turn in to men. He was there for you over the years. Through all your troubles and all your successes. The high times just as much as the low ones. He would tell you where the fish were biting that day, or where Jerry had just shot the giant buck of the season.  He kept you up to speed on what the local school teams were doing, and reminded you that them kids need encouragement just like anyone else in town.

You didn’t just get a hair cut when you went in; you got a mentorship lesson from a guidance counselor. A word of encouragement when your plan just didn’t turn out the way you’d thought it would. A deacon who could help provide healing to a broken heart. A quite, gentle, reassuring ear to listen for those who needed to tell the horrors of war to someone who wouldn’t judge them. A prayer to those who simply were lost and needed to remember to turn towards His light. He wasn’t just a barber to many of us, he was family.

Though it has been many years sense I’ve seen you, or even spoken to you. Thank you for all your prayers, support, and encouragement of the years Uncle Mike. God bless you, and I hope this finds you well.

Love, TJ

 

Short_JAT: Operation Mighty Griffin, 2019

The phone began to ring on the other end of the line that early afternoon,

TSgt Brady Mueller

“Security Forces Training, Tech Sergeant Mueller.” Came the reply on the other end of the
line.

“Hey Tech Sergeant, this is Tech Sergeant Lombardi with the 173d Security Forces Squadron out in Klamath Falls, Oregon.”

“Well how’s it going sir?”

“It’s another day in Awesome’ville out here, how about you?”

A light hearted laugh came over the phone, “Awesome’ville! I like it! … Man we’re just plugging away at another day out here in Boise. Living the dream and enjoying life.”

“Hell’z yeah! That’s great to hear! Well… the reason I’m calling today. I have two of my DSG guys that keep pestering us for coming out to Boise and doing a joint Annual Training event, your squadron and mine. What do you think?”

There was a slight pause on the phone before the exhaled breath came across, “Yeah, your Master Sergeant called me the other day to ask about that… Do they realize how much planning and hours we’re gonna have to do to accomplish this idea?”

I then let out my own large breath before I continued, “No… I don’t think they do. But, that’s why there is us. If we start planning this now… A year in advanced, I think we might just be able to pull this stunt off.” 

Another pause came across the phone. “Alright brother… Let’s go ahead and start working this. I will bring it up to my leadership here within the next week and we can simply start working it from there.”

“Sounds good Bro-Bro, I’ll do the same thing on my end, start working some concepts here and send them your way. We’ll just tag-team this thing till the end.”

The phone call ended, and my mind started grinding gears for how we would accomplish something that neither of our units had ever done before, working together, but also a large scale event of this magnitude that had not been done in almost 10 years for the 173 SFS.

The first thing I wanted to do however, was give it meaning… The name, the imagery, the concept… it had to have honor and heritage… it had to be there. I thought about one of our reoccurring events at Kingsley Field, “Sentry Eagle”.  I went through multiple ideas using those power phrases known for military operations. Sentry, Thunder, Northern, Centurion, Guardian, Defender, Eagle, Badger, Warrior…  no combination or concept seemed to stick.

I looked down at my KIA bracelet. “SSgt Travis L. Griffin… USAF KIA 4/3/2008”  I sat there, wrapped my hand around the bracelet and squeezed it tighter against my wrist. “Man… Trav would love this type of event…” I thought to myself for a moment; my mind connected to Travis’s last name. “Griffin… two great creatures that were merged in to one. That is exactly what we’re trying to do here! Operation Mighty Griffin! Oregon and Idaho… 173 SFS and 124 SFS… This is our concept, and this is how were not only going to honor Travis but all 14 of our fallen family members.”

The crest came shortly after I had set my thoughts on Operation Mighty Griffin. Ensuring that I captured both units in a way that would always show the unity and teamwork we wanted to accomplish.

Over the next year we went through the training objectives / classes we wanted our CADRE to teach and instruct. We discussed over 35 different topic areas. In reality the entire Security Forces Training Catalog was on the table; and every topic seemed to be a great choice.  Yet in the end, we simply had to limit items until we had a core foundation that we wanted to utilize for training our personnel. The overall training if taught down to the bare bone concepts and brought to full fruition would have needed multiple weeks of training to get them engrained with full force proficiency.

This is exactly the traditional issue that Air National Guard members are faced with. We don’t have weeks to train, we simply have a matter of days. Eight days to be exact. Eight days to provide the best training we could, and then get SF Defenders in to the field for a three day Field Training Exercise, (FTX).

FTX Plan of Events Meeting, 5 days before FTX kick-off.

Our operation was only able to be accomplished due to over 29 Security Force Defenders from two completely separate units working over 200+ hrs behind the scenes. Many of them never meeting their counter-part in person until the first day of training taking place. This also taking in to consideration the fact that over 37x separate units… Air Force, Air National Guard, Army National Guard, Marine Reserve, all had to be coordinated with, prior to mission launch. All throughout the event, one small change could not only be a major impact to one of those 37 other units, but could create an avalanche of impacts upon another one of the 37.

As we began our training courses, MSgt Matthew Quinlan reminded all of us. “Remember your audience… We have some brand new troops in our squads directly out of Technical Training Academy, and we are using some really big words, that even I sometimes get confused on… Don’t use $20 words for a $2 concept. We are teaching the basics to our guys, and keep it basic, simple and make sure they understand the concepts.”

 

SrA Jason D. Nathan

Leading up to the training, and triple checking my calendar, I knew we had one KIA Anniversary coming up, SrA Jason Nathan, KIA 23 Jun, 2007. Making sure we honored our fallen family members, we also wanted to make sure we continued to share stories of courage, honor, and perseverance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We shared stories of Security Forces Defenders like Sgt Kimberling,

Sgt Kimberling

who would simply tell people, “I’m just a regular guy.” As MSgt Lambrecht would go on to say… “There are hundreds of stories like Sgt Kimberling in our career field… we need to make sure we keep sharing their stories and reminding our young SF Defenders about their stories.” Sgt Kimberling, a Bronze Star, Air Force Combat Action Medal, and Army Commendation Medal recipient, is the humble warrior that would simply say, “I will go… I will fight.” But at no time did he want a spotlight placed upon him.

 

As Lt. Annelise Rowe would remind our members, “Even a regular guy, can do extradorinaiy things.”

 

 

SSgt Jonathan Finer

As SSgt Jonathan Finer shared his story with members in training, “I’m passionate about 9-Line Medevacs, and want to make sure every single person knows how to call them in… it takes on a different meaning for some people when you have to call them in on your brothers whose only hope of survival is that helicopter getting to them as soon as possible.”

 

 

These Security Forces professionals set out to make sure Operation Mighty Griffin wasn’t some classroom experience where all you see are photos on a power point presentation. They coordinated air assets to match the real-world experiences they had all lived through in their military careers.

TSgt Adis Sisic

“I kid you not TJ… there we were on a mission when we got hit, and got hit hard… RPG’s, Machine Guns… we get on the radio and call out TIC, (Troops in Contact.).

I had no TACP/JTAC experience… I had never talked to an air asset before and called in an air strike. I was simply with my guys and knew that we needed Air Support as soon as possible.

As soon as I get on the radio to call for help, this voice comes across the radio waves and says, “This is the Polish Air Force, we’re on our way now! Where are you guys at?”  We popped smoke to mark our location… and the next thing we see is this Polish Attack Helicopter comes screaming over the hillside next to us, and provided our overwatch and support as we regathered our forces once the firefight was over. Bad ass man, bad ass!”

 

A-10’s Call sign Tank-1 and Tank-2 doing simulated attack runs for the Op: Mighty Griffin members to see first hand what it looks like.

Coordinating with the 190th Fighter Squadron and the 168th General Support Aviation Battalion; Operation Mighty Griffin members got a first hand experience to have Emergency Close Air Support, (eCAS) from A-10 Warthogs but also UH-60 Black Hawks for a hands on 9-Line Medevac.

 

 

 

A fireteam prepares to carry their “Simulated” wounded team member on the Medevac after their trained RTO directly coordinated the pickup with the pilot.

 

As the last day of the FTX came to a close. We had one final major event to conduct. An award and recognition ceremony.

With all the squad members packed in to a stuffy classroom. We stood on stage, and started with reading off the title of the Award, the fallen SF Defender it was named after, recapped their story, and then explained why the member or team was selected.

As the members came up on stage they were handed off a piece of paper… colored toner printed across the sheet… and an engraved A-10 Anti-Tank round casing.

 

 

 

 

SrA Elisabeth Leonard shared it best on her social media page.

SrA Elisabeth Leonard’s social media post after receiving her award and recognition.

Though Travis was the one who inspired us to title our Annual Training, “Operation Mighty Griffin” We wanted to make sure that our Airmen always had something to carry each one of our fourteen fallen family members memories on with them. That we always honor them and keep their stories and memories alive and within us. Seeing posts like SrA Leonard’s, TSgt Jesus Guevara’s and many more was that validation that not only did we provide awesome training, but training with meaning… heritage… and honor. It wasn’t the colored paper that made it mean something… it was the name that was printed on that paper that means everything.

 

Our Security Forces Family

It wasn’t just training we accomplished, nor an award that was earned. It was a new extended family we gained. A group of men and women, that I am proud to call a part of my military family. When you can sit around a table with them, pour out your heart, with tears in your eyes, and know that they have your back. Through thick, and thin, in battle and once the firefights are all over with.

It is this extended family that made it all worth it. The long hours spent in the office by yourself late in to the night. The multiple phone calls and emails asking, and answering questions. The metric ton of stress on your shoulders, the sleepless nights… Was it worth it? EVERY FUCKING SECOND.  Thanks to my new family in the 124th Security Forces Squadron. I love you guys, and will always have your back. This was Operation Mighty Griffin.

 

 

Short_PATRIOT SOUTH 2019

Chalk 1 and Chalk 2 loaded on to their respective KC-135 cargo transport aircraft. The 14 members of the 173 Security Forces Squadron members returning home alongside their 142 Security Forces Squadron brothers and sisters in arms, as well as forging a new bond with the 142 CERFP medical staff.

The 2019 Patriot South exercise kicked off in full swing on March 1st when Air National Guard and Army National Guard units all across the nation converged on Georgia for a simulated natural disaster recovery and response exercise.

After three days of classroom instruction and refresher training ranging from National Guard Policy 500-5, Medical Recovery and Response, to Crowd Control, the ORANG SFS and CERFP teams linked with their Georgia State Patrol, (GSP) Officers who acted as their On-Scene Law Enforcement Liaisons for the exercises.

The team was split in to two squads. Squad A and B was then paired with three to four GSP officers, as day one and two of the Patriot South exercises focused on Airfield Security Operations and Urban City Search and Rescue as well as Law Enforcement Mission Support.

The teams having to quickly unify with their GSP Law Enforcement counter parts, found ways around tactical communication differences, personnel utilization and multi-task challenges as each exercise inject was inspired by real world incidents scene across the nation and reported to the ANG Crisis Action Team at NGB headquarters during Domestic Operations and Humanitarian Mission Tasks Security Forces has faced in the past.

Day three culminated in a five staged, final crowd control scenario, where all role playing and responding personnel were utilized. The SFS, CERFP, and GSP put all their training and teamwork to use as smoke grenades, flash bangs, RBM stingball grenades, and FN303 Less-Than-Leathal rounds were utilized to maintain and restore law and order in the exercise scenario.

When the yellow colored smoke had faded away from the city streets and all the gear stowed away, the intermixed Oregon Air Gaurd stood proud when SFS Crisis Action Team Manager stated, “This team is by far the best Crowd Control Team we’ve ever seen at a Patriot South or Pateiot North exercise! They did outstanding, and it is clearly seen how quickly and unified they were with their GSP counterparts, and that is exactly what they will see in real world operations. We couldn’t be more happy to have this team of ANG members attend.”

Hugs, high fives, and contact information exchanged as new friendships emerged from the exercise, the ORANG members fly home with excitement to be returned to their families, but also knowing that they showcased who they are as a team, and what they are capable to bring to the table. When our National calls on us in a moment of crisis, the ORANG is able, willing, and ready, to answer the call and provide the care, comfort, and support needed to repair, restore, and heal communities.

Short_The Nurse

She looked down at her phone and began typing away at the small keypad. “I should be home around 9:30.” She glanced up at the clock hanging on the wall, 8:30… “Only an hour to go.” She thought to herself.

Her mind was interrupted though when her senses kicked in; she snapped her head down the hallway. “Mr. Johnson I told you that you need to rest! Now get your ass back in bed!” The elderly patient just twisted his head as he lowered his eyebrows with a firm scowl across his face. “Well…. I uhh….”  She started to walk down towards her patient from the nurses station. “I can’t sleep….. It’s just uhh…”  She reached out and latched on to his arm, almost in the same manner a young adult clings on to their loving grandparent. “It’s just what Mr. Johnson?” He raised his head up so he could look her in the eyes. “It’s just so quite and lonely in there.”

All she could do was smile, but it wasn’t a smile of all joy and happiness, there was still a stubborn old man who didn’t want to listen. Yet, deep down, her sympathy and empathy reminded her of her grandparents. “Well, you need to get in bed Mr. Johnson… you need your rest.” She sternly insisted as she helped him back to his room. He shuffled his way back in to the room. It was dark. As he slowly maneuvered his way back on to the bed, she walked over to the large window and pulled back the curtains.

The lights of the city seemed extremely dim as a stormy sky came rolling across the heavens. Almost as if the clouds were ocean waves crashing over top of the hospital. Small rain drops pelted against the window. “This rain reminds me of my days in the Navy.” She turned around from the window to see him laying in bed gazing out towards the horizon. She walked over to him and sat in the chair next to the bed. “So you were in the Navy huh? Well thank you for your service Mr. Johnson. I do greatly appreciate it”. He smirked, “There’s no need to thank me doc.”  “Mr. Johnson, I’ve told you this already, I’m not a doctor, I’m a Certified Nurses Assistant. We normally just say CNA.”  “Honey… Im an old sea dog… and in the military, you don’t need a piece of paper, or a fancy title to be called doc… it is given to anyone who has the heart to help and heal others.” Her smile returned to her face, it was hard to stay angry at him for trying to escape from bed.

“Well what is it about this rain that makes you remember the Navy?” He took his eyes off the horizon and looked down at her, catching her eyes for a quick second before returning to the skyline. “We were sailing through the Nordic Seas’s when we hit a bad storm. The rain was coming down similar to this, but then the seas became violent.” He pressed down on his lips; he slowly shook his head before a rough coughing session came over him. He cleared his throat, “It was the worst storm I have ever been in. He looked back at her, “To be honest, it scared me half to death.” He let out two small coughs and went back in to his thousand yard stare out the window.

Now intrigued by her patient, “What happened after the storm?”  He slowly smiled, a glimmer in his eye, “I found my sunshine…” He could not hold back his smile any longer, “And she cast out every storm in my life from that day forward.” A smile now matched her face, “O really? And what was Mrs. Johnson’s first name?” Clearing his throat, “Her name was Allie… and she was the most beautiful thing I ever saw. She was as special as an Orchid Flower, more special than that one over there.” He pointed to the corner of the room. She was surprised by its presence, for she couldn’t recall ever seeing it before. “There are over 70,000 types of Orchids known to mankind, yet I tell you… my Allie was more special and rare than them all.” He smiled and rolled his head on the pillow.

“Well, where is this amazing Mrs. Johnson at now? Will she be coming in tomorrow to visit?” She asked. The smile began to fade, with a slow shaking of his head. “No doc… Mrs. Johnson is no longer with us… she’s waiting for me up there…” Her heart sank. No wonder he felt so alone in this giant hospital. He returned to gazing out the window. “Well, I’m sure she is missing you as well Mr. Johnson.” Trying to cheer him up. “Hell…. She’s not gonna shut up until she tells me all the stuff that has gone on up there for these years we’ve been apart. She may be my ray of sunshine, but that woman sometimes dosen’t know when to stop talking.” She placed her hand over her mouth trying to hide the smile.

He looked down at her, “It’s ok doc. It’s suppose to be funny.” They locked eyes again as he winked to her. “But… yes… I long to see her again… “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith…”  She smiled and turned her head, “Hmm… someone likes his 2 Timothy I see.” He slightly nodded. It’s helped over the years… She reached up and grabbed his hand, “For those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength and they will soar on wings like eagles…”  She tightened her grip on his hand as she rose up out of the chair, “Try to get some sleep Mr. Johnson. I will come check on you in the morning when I come back on shift.”  She made her way to the door when she heard, “Thanks doc… You were a shining light in the midst of a dark storm.”  She smiled and walked out the door.

Returning to the nurses station and grabbing her bag to head home, “Everything ok with Mr. Johnson?” the other nurse asked. “Yeah… he was just having trouble sleeping with the storm.”  The other nurse nodded, “Oh, ok. Well I’ll be sure to check in on him throughout the night for you.” She began walking towards the elevator, “Thanks Abigale… have a great shift.”

She walked to her car, and sent a text message, “On my way home” starting the car she received a quick response, “Drive safe! Love you.” The whole ride home all she could think about was Mr. Johnson. His wife was gone, no children there to sit by his side, his friends had all passed away, and he was all that remained. In that moment when all he needed was someone there to comfort his lonely spirit, she was there. It was not about what medicine he needed. It was not about a procedure that was suppose to be done. It was about being there to comfort an old soul. A kind, compassionate heart; who simply spent a few moments listening.

She pulled in to the driveway. An old song that she had grown up with as a child came over the radio… “I can only imagine… what it will be like, when I walk… by your side…” Her phone buzzed. Reaching down and swiping the screen to read the message. “I’m sorry Annie… Mr. Johnson just passed away in his sleep.” Her eyes teared up, and though her heart sank, her spirit felt joy knowing Mrs. Johnson was holding on to her husband once again.

She walked in the door of her house and walked in to the kitchen, setting her stuff down on the counter. “What’s wrong baby?”  “I just found out Mr. Johnson passed away while I was driving home.” He put down the cooking utensils, “What can I do?” He walked over to her, looking up at him and locking eyes. “Just hold me.” He wrapped his arms around her as they spent the next few moments embracing each other.

This was just a normal night… a night spent trying to simply care for those who are hurting. No medicine can cure a broken heart. No procedure can fix the lonely spirit, but for Nurses and Doctors, they will do what they can, to help heal the broken hearted as well as the damaged body that encompasses it. Be sure to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6

Short_The Waitress

The old diner door swings open as the gentleman shuffles in from the cold winter morning. The gentleman continued on through the entrance and shuffled past the wooden sign with the printing, “Please wait to be seated.”

Oldies music played from the jukebox. The wooden decor gave it that feeling of the past… when things weren’t as complicated… when you didn’t talk to someone with a piece of paper framed on their wall, you simply talked to your buddy Joe during your weekend fishing trip, or the cup of coffee with Bob you had every Wednesday morning at this same diner.

He went over to the booth along the windows. Same booth, every time, never fails. “Good morning Bill! I’ll be right there with your coffee!” She came from around the corner. She reached over to the coffee pot and whisked it away. If you watched her you’d swear she didn’t walk, it was almost as if she just glided all over the diner.

She had dark silky hair, that was always tide up just high enough to see the sparkle of her earring she had picked out for that day. Her voice was soft, but always had this joy that propelled itself inside you. She leaned over just slightly with her hips. “How’s the day starting out for you Bill?”

The old man looked up at the beautiful young lady standing over him. “Well sweetie… it’s just another day.” “Well did you see Greg yesterday at your guys get together?” “O uhh, no… he hasn’t been feeling well. He caught that bug thats been going around.”  “O no! Well I hope he gets better soon!”

The door swung open with another elderly gentleman shuffling in. “Hey Todd! Sit wherever you want hun!” She looked back at Bill. “You want your…” He cut her off, “You know what I order sweetie… same old, same old.” She just smiled, “Ok.” She glided over to the other gentleman, grabbing a coffee mug off of the counter as she made her way, “Here you go Todd. Is Jamie joining you this morning?”  Todd wrapped both hands around his coffee mug… “Uhh no, no… she had to take care of the little ones this morning and canceled. But uhh, I figured I’d still come in anyways.” “Well you know you’re always welcome here hun.” She smiled as she lightly placed her hand on his shoulder as she glided past him and placed Bill’s order in to the chef. Todd’s wife had passed away 6 years ago. His daughter Jamie tried to meet him for breakfast once a week, but it didn’t always work out, as seen today.

It was like this with what seemed to be hundreds of customers. If she was having a bad day, you’d hardly know it, for she always carried her smile with her, and her kind hearted soft voice was an empathetic and sympathetic comfort to those that walked through the door during a depressing moment of life. Many of the older people simply didn’t have anywhere else to go. Their loved ones were gone, either moved away or past away, and only remained in their hearts and memories. She knew all of those memories as well though. The countless days of listening to stories retold, and emotions shared. She was not just their waitress. She was their listening ear when they felt that no one else would listen to them. To many of them she became their adopted daughter, and they always wanted to know about her day. She was an uncertified therapist, but don’t tell them that… because she had just as many hours listening to people share their life problems, and every week they would discuss the updates and progress they had made.

To some she was an angel in the darkness. It’s incredible to watch and see when you actually look and see it for yourself. Some may look and see her, and only think of her as their waitress who brings them their food. But in reality she is so much more. For the kindness and sincerity of her heart is what made her not just a waitress. Sometimes you never know how far a smile will go, not just for you, but to those that receive that smile. She’s not just the person who brings you your food. She’s the example of how we all should also try to be like. Carrying, considerate, but mostly loving. That is who your waitress is.