8/29/18 Chatterbox
Betty Kaiser
 |
| Colonel Kirsten M. Palmer |
This year, Kirsten’s parents, Ron and Linda Palmer, were
thrilled to learn that a promotion and a new duty station for her will be on
the west coast. On Aug. 5, 2018, they, along with other family members and
invited friends, attended an Assumption of Command Ceremony for their daughter
at McChord Field in Washington State.
Col. Palmer is the new commander of the 446th
Maintenance Group, Joint Base Lewis-McChord. She is now responsible for
directing all aircraft and equipment maintenance support for three squadrons of
C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. She will also oversee the quality and quantity
of training for over 400 Reservists, ensuring they are prepared to perform the
wing’s mission in peacetime and during combat. Very impressive.
On the lighter side, her promotion means that for the first
time since her career began, her parents will be close enough to often visit Addyson,
their now 9-year old granddaughter, and her parents on a regular basis. Another
change in the family life is that dad, Col. Roger Lang, a former USAF pilot has
retired and is now a pilot for United Airlines. They will be living in Gig
Harbor, WA. It doesn’t get much better than that. Congratulations, Kirsten!
On another note, I would like to say a few words about the
passing of local resident Leonard Waitman. His military service reads like a
page out of Tom Brokaw’s book “The Greatest Generation.”
Leonard was both a soldier and scholar. His time as a
soldier began before his graduation from Grant Union High in Sacramento. The
day that WWII was declared, his entire class of seniors went down to enlist. He
received his high school diploma while in training and served in the U.S. Army
Air Corps, a precursor to the U.S. Air Force.
His obituary related some of his 3 1/2 years of service
without liberty in the war zone. At his memorial service those stories came
alive. He had first-hand experience with people and situations that we’ve only
read about in books: Invasions of countries, aiding Col. Doolittle, Gen. George
Patton, blessed by Pope Pious XII, seeing the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. etc. Each
one gave him insights into the real world of war that would be with him forever.
Leonard’s years as a scholar came after the war. His degrees
and accomplishments are impressive. His education included both a Bachelor’s
and Master’s Degrees and a PhD. He
taught for 32 years and wrote several books. He was a dedicated Christian and served
as president of Bethesda Bible College. He and his wife retired to Cottage
Grove.
I met Leonard around the time of the 9/11 attacks. He and
his fellow Veteran of Foreign Wars buddies were fountains of information for me
as I struggled with what was happening and how to communicate it to my readers.
A gifted communicator, he was front and center at every CG Memorial Day
remembrance ceremony. Our city was blessed for having him amongst us and he
will be missed.
I recently read that for many Americans, today’s wars are
closer to Reality TV than to reality. War is not at our back door so we’re
oblivious. Some of the hotspots around the world where we send our young men
and women in the armed forces are Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Niger, the
Philippines, Somalia and Syria. Many of us don’t know where those countries are
or why we are there.
At Leonard Waitman’s memorial, little toy soldiers were
given to each person who walked in the door. We were asked to put the soldier
in a conspicuous place in our house to remind us that freedom is not free.
Somewhere in the world, right now, real people are fighting, dying and being
maimed in real battles. The toy soldier can be a reminder to pray for their
protection and wisdom on the part of those who send them to war.
Finally, as I put this column to bed, news came over the
airwaves that Sen. John McCain has died. He was a good man. Whether you liked
or disliked his politics, he served his country well. God rest his soul.
Betty Kaiser’s
Chatterbox at
email bchatty@bettykaiser.com
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