Honoring a debt that can never be repaid

I never grow tired of listening to their stories. There has hardly been a year go by in my 26 years in this business where I haven’t had the privilege of interviewing U.S. veterans, especially those who served during World War II.

Many of their names and faces have faded from my memory, but their courage and valor are engraved in my heart. I’ve met the very guys who literally saved the world and changed the course of history. From Pearl Harbor to nearly every major battle in the Pacific Theater to the shores of Normandy and on through the Berlin Airlift, I have been honored to share and tell their tales.

I’ve never been a war correspondent, but I’ve written a lot about the warriors who have defended freedom across the globe. That includes the Korean, Vietnam and Gulf wars.

As I write this column, I’m fresh off an interview with Carl Nastoupil of Sealy who flew B-17s over Germany during World War II. He is a high caliber man of integrity, as are nearly every veteran I’ve been honored to interview. Hearing his story reminds me of the incredible sacrifice men and women have made to make this country great.

I never did serve in the military. My brother and father did, though they never went to war. I have relatives who fought for this country, and want to give a special shout-out to my cousin, Rich Ekborg, who is one tough Marine. I also want to salute my brother-in-law, Maj. Brandon Moore. He is an Army chaplain who served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

As a youngster, I grew up in the era when ill feelings about the military and the Vietnam War prevailed. That was in the days when the guys not smart enough to go to college went into the military. Or at least that was the common misconception.

Today I live in a house once owned by my wife’s late grandfather, Leonard Flemmons. He was a World War II veteran and a true hero in many ways. He was a great man and I miss him terribly.

My family history does not have many ties to American wars. In recent years I have come across evidence that an ancestor of mine fought in the Revolutionary War. I’ve been told, but have not found any proof, that my great-grandfather fought in the Spanish-American War as a Rough Rider.

Beyond that, I have to look at my wife’s family for a history of military service. We have tracked it back to Goliad during the Texas War for Independence. It continues through the major wars from the Civil War to the two world wars and beyond.

I don’t know what it is about wars that seem to tie us to the country. I guess it’s the pride and the history. They are milestones across time that most people can understand and relate to.

While I may have never served in the military, I am an Eagle Scout and have developed a great pride in service to my country in other ways. As a reporter, I can share the stories of our great warriors, which I can only hope honors them and inspires another generation into service. While it might not be much, I feel it’s the least I can do for those who put their lives on the line for the freedom I enjoy today.

May God bless all of you who have ever worn the uniform in service to this great country. I salute you!

Let’s make beautiful music together

Music is something of an enigma to me.

I have no musical talent whatsoever. I do not like to sing and I don’t play any musical instruments. I have no sense of rhythm and I can’t keep a beat. I can’t even properly tune my radio.

Still, I like to listen to music. I have a very eclectic taste. When I’m trying to write or do other work, I prefer instrumental music, especially movie soundtracks. I find the music relaxing and inspiring. It takes me to my happy place. Give me the big, brassy John Williams orchestra doing the “Star Wars” theme and I’m good to go.

I grew up in the 1970s on what is now called classic country. Back in the day it was country and western music. I was opposed to rock and roll. I hated it. That changed when I got to high school in the 1980s. I started hanging out with a different crowd and got hooked on rock.

By the 1990s I was not happy with the direction that rock music took. I was, however, caught up by Garth Brooks and made a sharp turn back to my country roots. That lasted until the late 1990s when I discovered a love for contemporary Christian music. I was going through a major faith-strengthening transition in life and the music spoke powerfully to me.

There are times when I like to lose myself in the music of the ’70s and ’80s. I find the memories and emotions of that music to be intoxicating, which is why I don’t listen to it when I write. I become too distracted.

Part of the problem I have with that music now is that a lot of what I liked turns me off because I find the lyrics offensive. Even so, there are many pleasant memories associated with those old tunes, so I’m often conflicted when I hear them.

It used to be that the most popular music had some kind of a story or message that gave it meaning. The stuff today called music is generally an affront to intellect. Case in point: Miley Cyrus.

The other day at Relay for Life, I had the misfortune of having to listen to the lyrics of some songs I had heard of but was unfamiliar with. I found them to be appallingly immoral, indecent and complete drivel.

I had never heard the song “Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-A-Lot before. Most people know it by its opening line, “I like big butts.” I cannot lie; I was disgusted and filled with righteous indignation. It was sickening to see teenage girls gyrating their fannies to the beat and to watch little kids dancing to it.

I’m all for free speech and the first amendment, but I thought Sealy had higher community standards than that. To see young children with carnal knowledge of the song tells me there is a serious parenting crisis in this country.

People need to pay attention to what is going into their minds and those of their family members. It’s true that what you put into your mind is what comes out of it. Once you get a lot of garbage into your head it can be near impossible to clean it out. All you can hope to do is overwhelm it with something positive and encouraging.

The repetitive nature of music causes it to lodge in your memory faster and firmer than most media. That’s why songs get stuck in our heads and we can sing lyrics we haven’t heard in years but we can’t recall what we had for breakfast.

Your mind will lead your thoughts, actions and ultimately your reality and reputation. If you fill your head with immorality, it will lead you to a place you don’t want to go. Likewise, if your fill it with the good stuff, there is no end to the places it can take you. This is true for all people, even if you’re like me and you can’t carry a tune in a bucket.

The sensation of skydiving is unbeatable

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A while ago I wrote about making and taking opportunities and how life is what you make of it.

I have an amazing follow-up example of that. On Friday, April 25, I went out to the Gloster Aerodome to do a story about Westside Skydivers Houston. They’ve been in business here for a year and a half, but apparently few people outside the skydiving community knows about them.

When Westside Skydivers owner Joe Johnson graciously offered me a tandem jump, I jumped at it. How often do you get an opportunity to literally take a flying leap out the back of an airplane?

I was paired up with tandem master Anthony “Pinky” Gelleny, a 24-year-old native of Canada who has more than 1,500 jumps to his credit. He was very professional and enthusiastic. He got me strapped in to my harness and fully explained the procedure to me.

As we jump, I must hold my head to the side, arch my back, bend my legs at the knees and hold onto my harness straps until he gives me a signal. After we fall from 14,000 feet to 6,000 feet, I am to reach back with my right hand and pull the cable more commonly known as a ripcord.

Attached to his left hand was a small video camera. Attached to mine was an altimeter, so I would know when the crucial moment arrived to do my important task. When the big moment arrived and we perched on the back door of the plane, he gave a gentle push and my mind went blank.

I was so in awe of the multitude of sensations that went through me that I couldn’t tell you if I remembered to cock my head, arch my back, bend my knees or anything else. The view, the speed, the breathtaking wind (literally), seized my senses and drew me into a place I could only imagine.

Then Pinky flipped us over and I was watching the plane we just left shrink away into the wild, blue yonder. When Pinky flipped us back over, I came to my senses, arched my back, bent my legs and all that stuff. I also recalled his second order of the day – have fun.

With his camera rolling, I made faces and flashed the only “gang” sign I felt comfortable with – the Vulcan hand sign. I didn’t know at that point if I would Live Long and Prosper, but I was living large for the moment.

When the time came, Pinky gave me the sign and I reached back and let ’er rip with the ripcord. There is a slight jerk as the parachute opens and your speed suddenly drops from about 60 mph to 20 and your legs kick out. Within a second or two you go from a blinding and deafening wind-whipped environment to the most peaceful and serene feelings I’ve ever known.

Floating under the canopy, it is incredibly quiet and the view spectacular. It’s how I imagine astronauts in zero-G must feel, because you really don’t feel the pull of gravity, or at least notice it as much. It’s ironic because gravity should be foremost on your mind!

The sensation of the whole experience is something I’ll never for get. It’s something I never want to forget. I may not be athletic or have an A-type personality, but I am a thrill seeker. I’ve experienced a lot of wild things in my life. None, however, compare to what we did up there.

Whenever I share my tale, I usually get one of two responses from people. “I’d love to do that” or “You could never get me to jump out of a perfectly good airplane.” To those who have even the remotest inclination to try skydiving, I highly recommend it.

After all, you only live once. You can’t go back and take a try again if you’ve missed your opportunity. Life is what you make of it. Make the most of it!