Major Ronald Dutrell Milam ~ I Remember

Major Ronald Dutrell Milam

August 11, 1968 - September 11, 2001 - The Pentagon

Major Ronald Dutrell Milam, son of Tommie and Effie Milam of Muskogee, Oklahoma, husband of Jacqueline Link Milam, who is Captain in the Air Force, and father of daughter Myejoi Olivia Link and his son Ronald Dutrell Milam, Jr, who was born after his death, was killed in the attack on the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. He rests in Section 64 of Arlington National Cemetery, in the shadow of the Pentagon and with those who perished with him that day.

Ronald graduated from Muskogee High School and Eastern New Mexico University. He earned his Bachelors degree and was a member of the Greyhound basketball team. He also participated in ROTC and was commissioned through that program. His alma mater has set up a scholarship in his name.


Later in life, he became passionate about golf. His father told the Washington Post, "He really did love golf. That was his true passion—after his wife, Jacqueline, and daughter, Myejoi. [A son, Ron Jr., was born posthumously.] He came home to Tulsa on leave at one point, and he purchased this custom set of clubs. He just couldn’t put them down. Even when he went on business trips, he’d always have his clubs with him.”




Ronald was the military assistant to one of the deputy assistant secretaries of the Army. A meeting that morning took him to the area of the Pentagon hit by Flight 77.



Jacqueline and Ronald met while on deployment in Korea - she with the Air Force and he with the Army. Their assignments kept them apart, but they stayed in touch and were married January 15, 2000. They had started their family with a daughter, Myejoi, and had just learned that the new baby was going to be a boy - the son who will never meet his father.

This post is part of Project 2996

 

Home Again!!

We are home from our vacation!

We had a wonderful time exploring the history of our country and visiting with some of our "adopted" military family. I will share our discoveries and pictures in future posts.

Sadly, Oregon lost some more of our military men while we were away. Tributes to them will be posted this weekend.

Gone for Awhile

I will be away from the computer for a couple of weeks.
Please come back to visit when I return.

I have left the post above to honor one of our many allies - unilateral my *&%*#

The Brits have done amazing work in Southern Iraq - thank you and God Bless!!!

Traveling, and Home Again!

I just had a busy and interesting weekend. I flew to Colorado Springs/Pueblo for a business trip. Then, I had the joy of staying with a friend for a few days. I learned much, experienced much, and enjoyed observing different things.

On the trip out, I had the joy of sitting next to a man who was headed to "Parent's Weekend" at the Air Force Academy. We had a wonderful conversation about his daughter - in her second year at the Academy - and, his pride in her could have powered the plane! I shared some of my experiences with the wonderful people in service to our country. We agreed, 100%, that the young people serving our country are the finest we have. When we deplaned, I asked him to thank his daughter for me for her service to our country, and he got tears in his eyes.

The friend I stayed with was a pen pal during her deployment to Iraq. She was stationed in Mosul in 2003-4. We wrote letters, emailed, and, of course, care packages!!! We became quite close, and last year I was invited to her wedding. This year, her husband is in Iraq. So, I write letters and email and send care packages to him, too! We visited her neighbor and her new baby - Dad is in Afghanistan, and has yet to see the baby. I sat and watched and listened as these ladies held down the home front and lived for the brief communications from the war zone. They are never very far from the cell phone or the computer - waiting for that call or email or chance to chat. When the phone rings, their eyes light up when the display tells them who it is. The joy on their faces is priceless. Many people support the troops, but few know the families that are left at home. It is seemingly endless waiting. It is pride. It is hope. It is pushing worry to the farthest recesses of their minds. I also got to watch the community that they become with one another. My friend needed some help with the lawn, and a neighbor stepped in. A father of a deployed soldier came to fix the toilet. They have created their own support system. It is amazing to watch. They carry the concern and helpfulness that America used to have in its neighborhoods. They haven't forgotten how to care about one another.

On the way home, I got stopped by security for an extra search. I'm 5' tall, fair, blond and 54 years old. Nope, in case you are worried, we aren't profiling!! When they were finally finished with me, I thanked them for doing their job and keeping us all safe. They looked at me like I should be locked up.

The plane was full of parents returning from parents weekend. They were easily identifiable, as they were all carrying bags from the Air Force Academy. It was a joy to watch. New friendships had been formed, enthusiasm and pride filled the air. They were anxious to share their stories and brag about their kids!

After connections were delayed, I finally got home! Waiting for me were several letters from my current pen pals.

I will never serve in the military. I will never be part of their special family. But, I will always be grateful for those I know, who allow me a glimpse of who they are, who allow me to briefly share in their lives. They are our shining stars.

Support Our Troops - Where Ever You Go!!!

Not all of our troops (or even many) get this kind of reception in the airports of this country!

In fact, most of them don't even get a smile or a nod of the head. We all cried at the Budweiser Superbowl Commercial when the troops received a standing ovation, but the truth is, we are not those people - we choose not to be those people. For the most part, we are selfish and self-absorbed. We don't take the time out of our day to make anyone's day any better, let alone the troops. Well...STOP IT!

I have had the privilege of doing quite a bit of traveling the past few years. It is easy to get lost in the confusion of the airport terminals and people rushing to do what they need to do, get where they need to get. But, more often than not, we end up sitting and waiting somewhere. It is easy to go into an insulated shell and pretend all of those other people aren't there. It is easy not to smile at the person next to you. It is easy to ignore the many young men and women in uniform that are walking by. In fact, I've watched people go out of their way not to make eye contact with the troops. GEEZ!

I go out of my way to go up to ANYONE in a uniform. I smile and I say, "I would like to thank you for your service to our country!" Some smile back, and say "thank you", some shake my hand, some have provided a good conversation, and some have given me some real bear hugs...a very few wish I would go away. "Have safe travels," I say and leave them alone. But, the vast majority are pleased that I did it. And, I feel pretty good, too!

Earlier this summer, I was sitting in the 'hurry up and wait' area at a gate, when the lady next to me leaned over and said, "They are so young." When I looked up, I saw two sergeants had come into the area. I got up and walked over to them and thanked them. They each gave me a big hug. When I went back to my seat, the same lady said, "Do you know those boys?" I said, "I do now! And, so do you, they are the men who allow you to sleep safely at night." She got up and moved - obviously not part of the standing ovation crowd. (Unfortunately, she had to deal with me again later.)

I have heard too many stories of military personnel in uniform who are treated like they are invisible in our airports...shame on you, America. The next time you travel, give them a smile, say something nice, let them know that you appreciate what they are doing for you. Be part of the standing ovation crowd!