From the Air Force to France, with Love

By M. D. Lacey

After retiring from the air force after twenty-five years of service, Major Denise Terry is finally going on her long-awaited retirement vacation to France. Accompanying her is her busybody Aunt Cookie and her easygoing twins, Ava and Aaron. Before leaving, Denise realizes she has to put some things to rest so she can let go and let God for the rest of her life. She knows God protected her so far and will continue to do so if she just listens to His voice.

While enjoying the sights and sounds of the new culture, Denise meets Xavier while shopping at the local corner store. A by-chance meeting was only supposed to be a one-time encounter, but that changed after Aunt Cookie heard about him.

Surrounded by all the newness can be too much too soon for someone who's used to rules and regulations. Denial becomes too easy when listening to what God is telling her. His words become blurred when she doesn't know if it's what she wants.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 17, 2024
• ISBN: 9798888327807

Book preview

cover.jpg

From the Air Force to France, with Love

M. D. Lacey

ISBN 979-8-88832-779-1 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88832-780-7 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by M. D. Lacey

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Epilogue

About the Author

Acknowledgments

I would first like to give honor to our Lord and Savior for saving me, then blessing me with an awesome life. Without Him, I wouldn't have been able to have a successful military career, a wonderful family, and the desire to write this book.

Words cannot express my sincere thanks and love for my dearly departed aunt, Diane Brown, who Aunt Cookie is based on. Her love, support, and prayers helped me become the woman I am today. I miss her so much.

My career would not have been as remarkable without the following great examples of dedication and professionalism.

Major Darlean M. Basuedayva, USAF, Ret. Thank you for your support and being one of my top three bosses in the AF and the best godmother two children could have. Thank you for being a child of God and knowing His voice. Thank you for listening to Him tell you to get her that day in the parking lot. Our life is so much better with you in it.

Colonel Tommie Williams, USAF, Ret. Thank you for being my first example of what a commander should be. You impacted a lot of military careers, including mine, for the better. Thank you for always being the example, even when you didn't think no one was watching.

Colonel Diann Latham, USAF, Ret. You were the first and only African American female officer I saw in a flight suit. I was in awe of you when I first saw you at the gas station. I made sure to give you the proper respect even though I was staring at you like you were a unicorn. You took the time to introduce yourself and smiled while you talked. In all the years since I've known you, you've always acknowledged Jesus Christ in your life. You've always supported my family from near and now afar. May He continue to bless you as you have blessed us.

Major Christina M. Hills, USAFR, Ret. God has blessed me with the best sister-chic (sister in Christ) a girl could have. Thank you for your words of wisdom and advice. I enjoy our daily talks about everything and especially how good God is. I'm so blessed to have you as a part of my life's journey.

Lieutenant Colonel Brenda Morris, Army Ret. Life at one command would have been unbearable without you. I'm so glad to know the wonderful person you are. You have always been my confidant, supporter, cheerleader, and travel buddy. Thank you for your wisdom and encouragement in everything I do.

Colonel Cynthia Cook, USAR, and Lieutenant Colonel Diane Meleen, USAR, Ret. Words can't express how much I love our friendship. I am so grateful for getting to know you while working. Now that Diane and I are retired, I always look forward to our quarterly get-togethers to bless each other. I am blessed with your knowledge, kindness, love, support, and your laughter. You both know how to make me laugh until I'm in tears.

Colonel Steve Jones, USAFR, Ret. One of my three favorite commanders in my AF career. Your intelligence, wit, foresight, and support showed that you were a loving and caring commander. Your dedication to your troops and the AF showed in the number of people who were at your retirement ceremony and those who wanted to come. I never wanted to say goodbye to you because of the love and respect I have for you. Time fades, but never my respect and appreciation for you.

Senior Master Sergeant Indira Veitch, USAFR. Chica, you will always be my sister from another mother. Thank you for always treating my family as your family. Your encouragement and love over the years have always been appreciated and adored.

My pastor and first lady, Marcus Sr. and Valencia Wright, and church family at Word of Truth Ministries. I appreciate the love of Christ you all exude and pour on us daily. Being able to reach out to you for anything is always comforting and appreciated. I know God put us there to be part of your flock.

The Honorable Michael, J Scionti, staff and mentors of the Veterans Treatment Court of Hillsborough County, Tampa, Florida. Your honest desire to help our fellow veterans succeed shows every day you enter the courtroom. So many veterans owe their appreciation to you for saving their lives. I am honored and blessed to be a part of this great organization.

If you are a veteran or know a veteran who suffers from military-service-related mental illness, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse disorder, or psychological problems who enter the criminal justice system, eligible veterans are diverted to a specialized court division that will increase the efficiency of the criminal court system and permit veterans access to state, local, and federal services and resources by utilizing Veterans Administration and Veteran Mentor Volunteer resources and support systems.

If you would like more information about this program, please contact the Administrative Office of the Courts or Veterans Treatment Court: [e-mail] or call [phone].

Mike, Vince, RJ, Jim, Joe, Rich, and Susi of the Hillsborough County Veterans Helping Veterans. Your undying commitment to veterans in need is commendable. You all embody the mission statement, which is to provide timely, temporary emergency assistance to needy local Bay Area veterans as a last resort when no other resources are available while bridging the gap with federal, state, and county veteran programs; provide assistance with necessary utilities, transportation, food, shelter, and clothing to meet a veteran's basic needs; and support the mission of local veteran programs. I am so proud to be a part of this organization. To donate and/or become a member, please look at this Facebook page: hcveteranshelpingveterans.org/home.html. One hundred percent of all donations go to our deserving veterans.

Last but not least, to my wonderfully awesome family. My mother Martha Lacey and brothers, David, Chris, and Charles. Thanks for supporting and loving me throughout my life. Aunts Shirley, Yvonne, and Vicki, thank you for being the most loving examples of strength. My uncles, Ricky and Larry, you are both loved for your uniqueness and dedication to the betterment of our family. To my awesome children, when I look at you all, I know I am blessed. Always remember, MISP = Mom is so proud.

If you or someone you know is feeling depressed or suicidal, contact the national depression hotlines and the national suicide prevention lifeline (1-800-273-8255), the Samaritans (1-877-870-4673), or the National Hopeline Network (1800-422-4673).

Never leave your wingman alone. Stay with them until they get help.

Chapter 1

"Off we go into the wild blue yonder,

Climbing high into the sun;

Here they come, zooming to meet our thunder,

At 'em boys, Give 'er the gun! (Give 'er the fun now!)

Down we dive, spouting our flame from under,

Down they dive, zooming to meet our thunder, off with one hell of a roar.

We go down in flames or end in fame,

Hey nothing can stop the U.S. Air Fooooorrrrce!"

I sang, loud and proud, then ended with a huge smile. I did it! I sang the Air Force song at my retirement ceremony for the whole world to hear and see , I thought. I made myself memorize it after all these years of just singing the chorus and acting like I was singing the rest of the words. I practiced so much in the last couple of weeks. My children even knew it by heart. I laughed at the thought as I looked around the audience to see all my family and friends who traveled from near and far, looking at me with smiles and hands applauding at the end of the ceremony. Some were dressed in civilian clothes and others in their military uniforms of either ABUs or their military service blues.

The commander's hall, at the officer's club on the Norfolk naval base, was standing room only. All the one hundred and fifty chairs had an occupant. Those who arrived a little late had to stand in the back or in the side isles. It was the perfect setting of burgundy carpets and mahogany-trimmed windows and floors. The walls were lined with beautiful pictures of the ocean and sea vessels in various stages. From the ceiling hung perfectly spaced antique-looking chandeliers. The walls had expensive-looking wallpaper patterned with gold paisley flowers with a burgundy background that matched the carpet and window trim. It beautifully highlighted the wall of glass doors that led out to the deck, which showed off the dancing ocean on this beautiful sunny day.

I stood on the small stage next to my favorite commander, Retired Colonel Johnny Combs, who was my first commander in the military. I didn't know it when I first joined the air force, but now I understand what it means when they say, First commanders can ruin, end, or inspire a first-termer's career. For me, it was the latter. He not only inspired me to make it a career but to become an officer just like him. He was fair but tough, kindhearted, and sincere. He always got the job done in a humanistic way by praising in public and counseling in private. He showed that you can be the leader and use the opinions of those around you and that it doesn't show weakness when you accept the ideas of others. Our hard work was rewarded with awards, commendations, and days off. He showed that you can work as a team to get the job done.

When I decided to have a retirement ceremony, I knew I had to have Commander Combs officiate the ceremony but didn't know how to find him. I hadn't seen him in over twenty years. I later learned that I could find past military members using the Air Force Worldwide Locator, so a week after I read about it, I mailed them a letter. In the letter, I told them who I was, who I was looking for, when I served with him, why I wanted to reach him, provided a contact number and address, and added a prayer that he would want to contact me. A month after I mailed the letter, I listened to a voice message he left for me indicating who he was and that he was calling to contact Denise Terry. I was so excited, I called him right away.

I was very doubtful that he would remember me, let alone be the officiating officer at my retirement ceremony, but I was willing to try. When he answered the phone, he said, Combs here.

I was so excited, I couldn't believe I had him on the phone. I said as quickly as possible, This is Denise Terry. Do you remember me? You were my commander at Barksdale AFB, during Desert Storm. Staff Sergeant Perry was my supervisor.

He let out a laugh and said, Denise, of course, I remember you! How are you? I've always wondered what happened to you. I knew you would do great things! You were one of the best comptrollers I had.

I was no longer scared that he wouldn't know me. I quickly responded, Sir, I'm so excited to have found you. I became a financial management officer because of you. I wanted to be just like you. You were my example of what an air force officer should be, so I've had a great career. I'm calling because I'm getting ready to retire and wanted to know if you will be the officiating officer at my retirement ceremony.

He asked, When is it? If I have nothing already scheduled. I will be there.

I answered, I'm planning it for May 31 about six months from now.

He responded, I don't have anything on my calendar for then, and I will be back in the States at that time so that's perfect timing. I live in Germany six months out of the year then return to the States for the other six. That's also enough time for me to get to exercising so I can fit back in my uniform. We both laughed.

We talked for an hour about our follow-on assignments, what we'd learned and experienced, what happened to our old coworkers, and how proud he was of my accomplishments. Before we ended our call, Colonel Combs said, I'm so glad you found me and asked me to be your officiating officer. I will be there. I wouldn't miss it for the world.

So here he stood on my left side, dressed in his service dress blues, retiring me, and proudly singing the Air Force song.

I faced the audience with my favorite supervisor of my entire career, Retired Major Delcine Bestavodo also standing on the stage but at the podium in her service blues to my far left. Delcine was beaming with pride as she began to read from the retirement script. She had enthusiastically agreed many years ago to be the mistress of ceremony whenever I'd have it. I was glad she wanted to do it because I couldn't think of anyone else I'd rather have sent me off into retirement. Delcine began to read at the end of the song. She announced, Ladies and gentleman, that concludes the retirement ceremony for Major Denise Terry and the end of me sucking in my gut in this tight skirt.

The entire audience roared with laughter and applause as she looked at me with a huge smile on her face. You may start a line to greet the retiree and her family followed by lunch in the lounge area.

I walked down two steps to the floor to stand in front of the stage followed by Colonel Combs and Delcine to accept greetings and presents from well-wishers. The first to arrive were my four children, who had been sitting in the front row. They all walked up to me and gave me a hug, then they each shook Colonel Combs hand and said, Thank you. They then stood to my left forming a line, just like we practiced, from the oldest to the youngest to shake the hands of the guests and to say Thank you as well. The guests were first greeted by my ten-year-old twins: Ava, who wore a light blue dress with a sheer, light blue, overlay; and Aaron, who wore a light blue shirt tucked into navy blue pants. He stood next to his twenty-one-year-old brother, Christopher (Chris for short), who wore navy blue pants, light blue shirt, and a navy tie with spots of light blue in it, and next to him stood my oldest son, Michael, who had just turned twenty-five. He wore his air force service dress uniform.

I looked up at my older sons who towered over my five-foot-three frame. They are both six feet tall and very handsome. They are very good-hearted and kind young men who never gave me a day's trouble outside being normal military brats. Chris was an air force reservist serving in Texas. He was in his final month of completing his bachelor's degree at Texas A&M. Michael was in the air force serving on active duty in Japan. I looked proudly down the line at all my children from the oldest to youngest, standing next to each other and me, prepared to greet our guests, and I thought, Look at my greatest blessings.

My three brothers were the first to hug each of my children one at a time and then greet me with bright smiles and outstretched arms, each holding a bouquet of flowers. My youngest brother, Tye, stood on my right side and draped his left arm around my shoulder while my other brothers stood in front of me. He said, I'm so proud of you, girl! You did it, you did it! in a high-pitched voice. I never doubted you for one moment, and we know Mom is here just as happy as she can be.

We all looked over at the chair that held the ten by thirteen framed, picture of our smiling mother, which sat on a bouquet of red flowers. I made sure my mother was there in spirit and picture, proudly receiving her roses as did all my aunts and uncles. Yeah, baby girl, piped in my next-to-the-oldest brother Tim, who stood in front of me. Mom is so proud of you just like I am. You're the only one who joined the military and now retiring as an officer after twenty-five years. I wish it was me.

My oldest brother, Terrence, who was standing on my left side, squeezed me tighter around the waist and jokingly said, I'm so proud of you. You've always been the busy planner of the bunch. We all started laughing remembering all the trips and parties I'd planned over the years. Now you're old and retired, he continued.

We laughed and then I said, Not as old as you, you old fart.

We all laughed again, and then one by one, as if rehearsed, they each laid a bouquet of red, white, and pink roses in my arms. I kissed each one on their cheek and said thank you because my arms were too full to give them a hug. I then handed the flowers to Delcine who quickly walked to the awards table to set them down next to my retirement certificates and plaques, so she could return to get more gifts from me.

Hey, break it up! a voice yelled. Let us get in there too! We all turned toward the voice of our Aunt Cookie. She walked toward us pointing her cane at us and smiling. Our small circle opened up to let her come into the middle to give me a tight hug.

As we hugged, I thought about her outfit and how she showed off today. I pulled my head back from my aunt's shoulder but didn't let her go. I looked into her eyes and said to the crowd, Let me tell you, Aunt Cookie is clean, and she knows it. Aunt Cookie loosened her embrace when I said, Did y'all see her pimping during the ceremony?

We all laughed as we remembered seeing her enter the ceremony on the arm of a sergeant in her black-and-white tilted hat that matched her black-and-white polka-dot shirt and long black pencil skirt with a slit up the thigh and matching black and white mule heels with fringes.

That poor sergeant. Aunt Cookie was hanging on him like she wanted to take him home. You waved at everyone like you were a beauty queen in a parade, Tye said while imitating her wave.

Terrence said, Did you see the look on the sergeant's face when she gave him a kiss on the cheek? Aunt Cookie, we thought you couldn't shake anymore once you got that cane.

She said, Yes, I sure can. The cane just helps me shake a little harder. I would have walked even better than that, but these shoes are killing my feet. She pointed to her shoes with her cane.

We all roared with laughter. I laughed so hard I began to cry. Then Aunt Cookie said, I need to get my hug in now so I can go take these shoes off. Lord knows my corns hurt. She hugged me again.

After the embrace, I held her hand and said through tears of joy, Aunt Cookie, you are clean today! Then I threw two snaps in the air for her. Aunt Cookie smiled and did a model turn, placing one hand on her hip and the other firmly gripping the cane. My brothers clapped and hooted as she showed everyone her best poses. I yawned and thought, I know I'm going to be so exhausted when I leave this place. I always get tired when I cry, and today, I've cried so many tears of joy. It's starting to affect me.

Aunt Cookie hugged me again and said, I'm so proud of you. You did it. I always knew you would. Like I always say, ‘You put God first, everything you ask for will come to you.' See what trusting God will do for you?

Yes, Aunt Cookie, I know, I said, looking at her. God has been very good to me.

Aunt Cookie pointed her boney finger at me and said, All right, time to stop all that crying,