Amanda, Now and Once Upon a Time

Granddaughter Amanda, completed two years at Weber State College, now medical office receptionist in Denver, soon headed back to college.

Kim and Cliff Family Collage 2009

Aaron's ROTC drill competition results

Here are the results of Aaron's state drill competition, sent by Kim, who still needs another

hands on lesson on posting!

Aaron had his state drill competition yesterday.  That sure is fun to watch.  Aaron has been the commander for the team all year and this is how they placed:
1st place: state, overall
1st place:  12 man exhibition (this is an awesome performance)
1st place: inspection
2nd place: regulation
Aaron: 2nd place for his 1-man performance
Aaron and 3 others: 1st place for 4-man performance
Aaron: best commander for armed teams
Aaron's team: 1st place color guard
Aaron: 4th place in drilldown (this is where all 200 cadets are out there following command after command to see who lasts until the very end; something they do at the end of every competition).  So they did pretty well overall.

See the article in the Ogden Standard Examiner here with photos and more details.

Congratulations to Aaron from all of us!

Happy Birthday to Amanda

Happy Birthday Kim

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.

Kim the High School Graduate

Amanda in Deep Concentration