Summer Mornings: September 2008

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

A little volleyball!

That's our girl!!

Sunday, September 28, 2008

A New Blog on International Religious Freedom

Here's the latest blog in our growing network of family blogs. Our son Jim Blood has started a blog on international religious freedom. Jim as a corporate attorney in the south San Francisco Bay Area. He holds degrees in economics from BYU; a master's in international relations from George Washington University; and a J.D. degree from George Washington University. His interests are religious freedom, tolerance, respect, and persecution. He provides links to many governmental and scholarly sources on these important topics.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Retirement Ceremony and Awards for MSGT Clifford M. Hamon

Master Sergeant Clifford M. Hamon retired from the 21 years of meritorious service with the United States Air Force on August 26 2008. When a young airman first showed up at our house two decades ago who wanted to marry our daughter, we weren't sure either one of them knew what they were doing. An airman isn't exactly rich. But after these years of sacrifice, outstanding service, and perseverance, Cliff and Kim have raised an outstanding family and earned the respect and admiration of his

Air Force family for an outstanding career, excelling in every assignment that he was given. I don't think many of us appreciate just how much sacrifice and discipline it takes to be a military family. All of the months and months of separation and struggles to survive, all of the lonely deployments, the difficult living circumstances, all of the usual risks of military assignments and military life were part of being an Air Force military man and a military wife with three children.

Now that those 21 years of service have gone by so quickly, we honor Cliff and Kim for their success throughout all of these years. We honor Cliff for being the best of what he was expected to do. Please read down the list of his assignments, major awards, and decorations. His award of the National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star is one of the capstone recognitions of his faithful and outstanding service. We honor Kim for her years of having a stiff backbone and an uncomplaining disposition.

We honor Aaron, Amanda, and Hayden as Air Force kids who grew up with exemplary standards and ideals. The entire extended Blood family sends our congratulations and appreciation to Cliff and his family for the contributions and sacrifices you have made to the military service, to our country, and to our family. We send our love and every good wish as you make the transition to civilian life.

Captain Emil Daily served with Cliff overseas and

as a close and respected friend made the trip from

his current assignment in Mountain Home ID to Hill

AFB to honor Cliff on his retirement.

Cliff received a boatload of commendations and letters,

including one from the Commander-in-Chief.

Kim was honored for 18 years of day care

service for Air Force families. Cliff is telling

her he should have bought more flowers for

her over the years.

Cliff's family at his Air Force Retirement Ceremony

Cliff and his Mom

Cliff's son Aaron, whose high school ROTC unit was

honored to present the colors at the ceremony.

Retirement Ceremony in Honor of MSGT Cliff Hamon, September 26 2008

Be sure to double click on the lists.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

More Tailgating BYU-U of Wyoming Football Game September 20 208

For more photos of the game, go to Curmudgeonly Professor blog, linked on the right, and then go to Photo Albums, BYU-U of Wyoming game, on the right in that blog.