Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Meet the General(s)

Well I have never seen so many Generals in 1 place at the same time. In fact, I'm not certain how many there really were! I personally met 4 of them - and there were at least a couple more. And there were only about 130 people in the room. Some of you may not understand why it's so exciting to see one - but honestly, it's not everyday you get in the same room with a 3 star - and several brigadier generals! On top of that, they asked ME to have dinner with them (and of course a bunch of others). Well - I sat directly across the table from General Stenner and we had a nice conversation!

A couple of Airmen in our squadron were coined. That is also something that doesn't happen much. I've been in the AF 27 years and I have 1 Commander coin (from our current LtCol) and that's basically it! You won't find many Airmen with a 3 star coin!!!

http://picasaweb.google.com/mark.schubert/BAF2

I suppose there will be a few comments on why the Chief has his hands in his pockets - not to worry, no - I do NOT stand like that - I was getting my keys to escort the General to dinner. That's a pic of him in my truck with our 1st Sgt.

So that was a lot of fun! All great guys - very genuine and you could really tell they cared about what was going on. They reiterated time and time again how proud they were of what we are doing and thanked us repeatedly on behalf of the nation - it was really very special. All nice guys that deserve to represent our top AF leadership.

Here are the bio's of the two Generals that were key for us:

LIEUTENANT GENERAL CHARLES E. STENNER JR.
http://www.af.mil/bios/bio.asp?bioID=7710

BRIGADIER GENERAL ROBERT E. BAILEY
http://www.af.mil/bios/bio.asp?bioID=8923

Gen Stenner is the AFRC Commander - and Gen Bailey is responsible for organizing, training and equipping the command's expeditionary combat support - that's US! :-)

Oh - and the sky was beautiful again this evening!!! Got a few good shot of that too.

Mark.

3 comments:

  1. Mark,

    Just finished reading your posts. Glad to hear that everything is going so well. I had no idea how beautiful it was there. Keep the pictures coming.

    Lily talks about you often. Especially when we drive by what she calls the "Grape Garden." Next time we go there, dinner is on us.

    Also, please post your mailing address or shoot me a note on FB or my e-mail.

    We all keep you in our thoughts and look forward to your safe return.

    All the best,

    Ben & Colleen

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  2. Hi Mark:

    It's wonderful to read that you are still so positive and encouraged. Your team is very lucky to have a leader like you. I continue to pray for you and the family and I'm checking one month off of the calendar. Only a few more to go.

    I can't remember if you gave us the mailing address, but reading that a package is so uplifting makes me definitely want to send something. Maybe you could put the address in your next post and somehow get us the names of the soldiers on your team...even if it is in an e-mail to me.

    I miss you my brotha!

    Doug

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  3. Mark - thanks for continuing to post such great updates and wonderful pictures. Hope your fast went well on Wednesday! HAPPY EASTER!!

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