![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Happy 4th of July!
Jul. 4th, 2004 12:43 amBy the clock on this entry, we're 12 minutes into the Fourth of July (aka Independence Day)... and I have a few "notes in brief," as it were.
First, Friday: the PACAF commander, General Begert, retired in a ceremony that involved quite a bit of pomp and circumstance... when a 4-star retires, you'll have quite a lot of moving parts. I was initially volunteered to be an escort, but what I ended up doing was briefing the DVs (distinguished visitors) who were bussed from the Officers' Club to the parade grounds and back on what to expect for the ceremony. Still, it was pretty neat to see everything fall into place. I ended up standing for the ceremony, though there was ample seating. The problem was, since the area wasn't shaded, it was a choice between sitting in the sun and frying or standing in the shade... so I chose the latter.
But as it turned out, I probably shouldn't have bothered. I volunteered to represent Team Hickam and the Air Force in a small marching group for a 4th of July parade in Kailua. The only problem was, I neglected to put on sunscreen, figuring I wouldn't need it. Bad move... I got pretty badly sunburned on my face and neck, though my arms appeared to survive that okay.
One thing I will admit, though, is that I could not believe how much support the community gave to the military. I know people talk about it all the time, but when you're in a formation and see and hear just how much appreciation you get from John Q. Public, it's amazing. And even though I was out in the hot sun for about an hour and a half, I really had to feel for the Marine guy who was dressed in FFG (firefighting gear) and had on a head and paws to represent Sparky, the firefighting Dalmatian mascot. Though he was riding on a fire engine, I still had to feel for the guy.
Which brings me to last night (Saturday). I helped out with the church that I attend, and this week's message was a 4th of July special, one to not only provide a spiritual message but also to honor our military members. From what I understand, a lot of military personnel attend this particular church. Interestingly enough, I've found the main reason I keep attending it is because it, overall, keeps an underlying theme of constant humility. In the stories and lessons the pastors teach, they do their best not to come across as "holier than thou" and being judgmental. To me, that's one of the hardest things to do, especially as a Christian. And as for me, I keep failing in that department, or at least it seems that way. But I think Vince Lombardi says it best here: "The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall."
And that is all the theology I'll put forth in this entry.
Also forgot: saw "Spider Man 2" on Thursday. Is it better than the original? I think so. It at least felt far more developed than the original. And a possible spoiler: part of the movie reminded me of part of the Biblical story of Samson. You figure out which part of the movie, and which part of the story.
First, Friday: the PACAF commander, General Begert, retired in a ceremony that involved quite a bit of pomp and circumstance... when a 4-star retires, you'll have quite a lot of moving parts. I was initially volunteered to be an escort, but what I ended up doing was briefing the DVs (distinguished visitors) who were bussed from the Officers' Club to the parade grounds and back on what to expect for the ceremony. Still, it was pretty neat to see everything fall into place. I ended up standing for the ceremony, though there was ample seating. The problem was, since the area wasn't shaded, it was a choice between sitting in the sun and frying or standing in the shade... so I chose the latter.
But as it turned out, I probably shouldn't have bothered. I volunteered to represent Team Hickam and the Air Force in a small marching group for a 4th of July parade in Kailua. The only problem was, I neglected to put on sunscreen, figuring I wouldn't need it. Bad move... I got pretty badly sunburned on my face and neck, though my arms appeared to survive that okay.
One thing I will admit, though, is that I could not believe how much support the community gave to the military. I know people talk about it all the time, but when you're in a formation and see and hear just how much appreciation you get from John Q. Public, it's amazing. And even though I was out in the hot sun for about an hour and a half, I really had to feel for the Marine guy who was dressed in FFG (firefighting gear) and had on a head and paws to represent Sparky, the firefighting Dalmatian mascot. Though he was riding on a fire engine, I still had to feel for the guy.
Which brings me to last night (Saturday). I helped out with the church that I attend, and this week's message was a 4th of July special, one to not only provide a spiritual message but also to honor our military members. From what I understand, a lot of military personnel attend this particular church. Interestingly enough, I've found the main reason I keep attending it is because it, overall, keeps an underlying theme of constant humility. In the stories and lessons the pastors teach, they do their best not to come across as "holier than thou" and being judgmental. To me, that's one of the hardest things to do, especially as a Christian. And as for me, I keep failing in that department, or at least it seems that way. But I think Vince Lombardi says it best here: "The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall."
And that is all the theology I'll put forth in this entry.
Also forgot: saw "Spider Man 2" on Thursday. Is it better than the original? I think so. It at least felt far more developed than the original. And a possible spoiler: part of the movie reminded me of part of the Biblical story of Samson. You figure out which part of the movie, and which part of the story.
