15 Sep 2022 - Last Day at Casper WY

 15 Sep

Last day at Casper WY.  Weather was cool, rainy, and overcast most of the day.  We pulled the plug on our plan to drive to Independence Rock State Historical Site.  It would have been a 60 mile drive one-way and the visibility was non-existent.  Part of the drive was going to be on dirt roads so we could view some swales, also called ruts, that were made by wagons traversing across the land here.   If/when we drive across northern Colorado again (we drove this in 2017) we may drive up to this landmark plus there are some other historical sites there relating to the Mormon trail.

Doreen did some laundry as Liberty's stomach was upset last night on her blanket.  I did my normal tank dump and rinse, and I checked our propane level too, since they have propane refill capabilities here, but we were fine.  We also made a run to the grocery store and refueled the truck prior to our drive tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow, we plan to depart here about 0900 hrs and head east into Nebraska to a town called Alliance!  No, there is no relation between Alliance NE and the Alliance fifth wheel we have been towing all over the country, but it seems only appropriate to stay there and get a picture of our Alliance coach in front of the Alliance water tower?  Why not!

So what does the Chief stripe picture have to do with today's post?  It's a slow news day LOL.  Actually, on this date, 15 Sep 1994 I started receiving Chief Master Sergeant (E9) pay.  That is called the "Date of Rank".  I did not start wearing the Chief stripes that day as it is traditional that you do not wear the stripe until you are officially "promoted", so the actually ceremony came on 21 Sept.  Col Don Armington was the officiating officer since he was our Wing Commander.  It is that retired Chief Master Sergeant pay that is partially making these journeys possible!

Doreen "pinning" my shoulder board rank while Col Armington assists

Daughter Jennifer (15), Doreen and son Dan (12).  Oldest daughter Michelle (18) was a freshman at the University of Northern Iowa and unable to attend.

Lt Col Harry Clark reading the promotion order

Other unit members and Chiefs attending the ceremony.

Three Airmen from the 218th Engineering and Installation Squadron, Jefferson Barracks MO where there doing some buried cable work and presented me with a bottle of bourbon with Chief's stripes attached.  We gathered at their hotel swimming pool and emptied that bottle.  I still have it.  R.I.P Jay Taylor.

I really thought that would be my last stripe, but little did I know......  So honored and so thankful to have been given the opportunities to serve our Airmen for so many years.  

Next report, Alliance NE!