What a memorable weekend at Nellis Air Force Base where the United States Air Force celebrated their 70 years of ‘Breaking Barriers’.   What made it even more memorable was that I was able to celebrate my Dad’s 70th Birthday week at the same time!

This last weekend was Veterans Day weekend and it was an honor to sit side by side with my Dad who in the late 60’s enlisted into the Marines by choice in order to go out to the Vietnam War.   Being an immigrant, he was faced with many challenges at a young age and for him to choose to serve this amazing country of the United States has always been an inspiration to me growing up.   I too enlisted into the Armed Forces, US Air Force, at the age of 17 and served as a reservist working as an avionics systems specials of the F-16 fighter jet.

‘Breaking Barrier’s’ was the theme at this year’s expo.   A barrier that I am passionate about and continue working on breaking is to find ways to UnPlug from the world and PlugIn to life.   There is so much to experience, so many memories to make, so many challenges to overcome, so much to do and if we waste our lives on social media; computer games; television; and all other sorts of technology distractions, I feel we will ‘miss out’ on life’s true journey.

As Peter Gersten, Major General, Commander, US Air Force Warfare Center stated ‘American Airmen have been breaking barriers for 70 years in air, space and cyberspace, resulting in global vigilance, reach and power.’  When I read this today, I recollected of how in awe my dad and I were with all of the airshows performed, the precision of the planes flying high above the sky; the amazing stunts and acrobatic maneuvers; the awe inspiring men and women who dedicated countless hours to be masters in their craft.   We too can break barriers throughout our lives resulting in our own predetermined ‘global vigilance, reach and power’!

So, let us Aim High and be off to to our own Wild Blue Yonder, Flying High into the Sun!  Happy flying all and a big Thank You to the servicemen and women who have served; currently serve; and will serve our country with honor and dedication!