My Dad, Billy Joe McKinney served in the Air Force as an air traffic controller. He was a 20 year man. So yes, I grew up as an Air Force Brat, and am very proud of that! Every 2 to 3 years it was time to move. Spent 4 years in Germany as a teen. Started school when we lived in the Philippians as a little kid.
I am so very proud of my Dad! I miss him daily too as he passed away in May of 2002.
He was born in Texas. Lost his Dad at a very early age. His mother could not take care of him and his 3 brothers and 1 sister so she placed all but the baby (Uncle Johnny) in an orphanage in Waco, Texas, the Methodist Home.
I believe he was about 3 or 4 at that time and saw his mother only once when he was 8. I grew up thinking my grandmother was dead. I found a letter when I was about 12 or 13 and found out she was actually alive but was told to never talk to Dad about her. As far as he was concerned, she was dead to him.
When he was 17 he joined the Air Force. When he was 18, he went back for my mother, who also lived at the Methodist Home. She ran away with him to Monterey, Mexico to get married. She was 16. They lived in San Antonio where I was born a year later.
I learned so much from my Dad. He use to tell me that I could do what ever I wanted to do as long as I was willing to accept the consequences whether they be good or bad. That took me a while before I truly understood that one. He taught me honor, respect, work ethics, love, family values and so much more.
I love and honor you Dad! Miss you more each day!
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Just some of my thoughts and actions,
Elizabeth
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