My dad, Glade, chased his dream of becoming a fighter pilot from growing up in a small farming town in Idaho. He realized that life-changing dream just months before I was born when he graduated from pilot training and was chosen to fly the F4 Phantom fighter jet. His journey was an example of boldness, purpose, and bravery that I have tried to emulate in my own ways. He taught me that no day is to be wasted–not one.
In 2016 I was invited to ride in a fighter jet with a former Blue Angel pilot. I jumped at the chance to prove that I could live up to my legacy as “Goose’s” daughter. (I am proud to say that I neither blacked out nor threw up!) This and many other moments of bravery I owe to my parents’ examples.
Happy Father’s Day weekend! I owe so much to you, Dad!
