Tag: veteran

hope

April Is Here

Shaun Bradford

This morning, I thought I’d share a few of my Facebook memories with you. I’ll start with the oldest and work my way up.

April 1, 2011

I miss being in the Air Force and the Air National Guard. I did half of my time in one and the rest in the other. Enjoyed them both. I still don’t like wearing stud earrings. That’s why you’ll always see me in hoops. I also don’t miss the steel-toed boots. However, I do miss my Air Force family. I mistakenly tried to treat my civilian job and colleagues like family and quickly realized they were not the same. I miss watching and hearing the planes take off. I worked in Airfield Management, which meant we managed everything on the airfield. I loved watching the fighter jets take off at the break of dawn. Talk about beautiful! And I loved hearing the big-body aircraft take off. Soooo powerful! It’s fascinating how something so big can stay in the air. And the aircrews! I had to brief them before their flights. Y’all, I got to meet pilots from all over the world and astronauts! I still can’t believe that I walked into the recruiter’s office on an April afternoon and committed to serve. Wasn’t afraid at all. Never had second thoughts. I just did it, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Seems like a lifetime ago!☺️

April 1, 2021

This is a message from my momma. When I first read it, I read it from the point of four years ago. Then, I read it as if she tagged me in the post today. Today, I’m saying, “Father, thank You that You’re taking me where I couldn’t go on my own.” Amen. I have absolutely no idea where God is taking me, but I trust Him. I know He’s got me.🙏🏽

April 1, 2023

I must keep shining! God has blessed me with an AMAZING life. There’s absolutely no reason for me not to. I am truly, truly blessed! I can hear Janet Jackson singing, “I’ve seen the world, been to many places…” And I have. I am beyond blessed.

I pray you have a blessed, peaceful, and prosperous month. May your April be filled with lots of love and joy. You deserve it!♥️

Love you much,

Shaun

hope

My Journey With God, No. 70

Shaun Bradford

What a memory! Can’t believe I retired from the military 14 years ago. I still can’t believe I was actually in the military!🤯

You never know where life will take you or what you’re capable of doing until you do it.

What a journey it was!♥️

I did that!!🙌🏽🙌🏽

Happy Women’s History Month!!

hope

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning.☀️

Y’all, I am finally starting to socialize more, and lately it’s been with my fellow veterans. This year, I have attended at least four events, including a small social I attended last night in honor of Veterans Day. Typically, I attend one every other year. However, this year is different—maybe my age has something to do with it (Giggles). This year, I am finally fully embracing my veteran status. I realize I belong to a very special community, and it’s a community I look forward to serving, as well as serving with.

Here’s a picture of me with one of my favorite veterans and friends, Mrs. Raylawni Branch. She’s a retired Air Force nurse and a pillar in our community. I always have a great time when we’re together.

Mrs. Raylawni is a fascinating person. Fun facts, she loves to travel and she taught herself the Korean language by watching Korean movies. Beautiful being.🥰

So far, my Veterans Day weekend has been pretty good. Not sure what I’ll do today. However, tomorrow, which is Veterans Day, is when the real fun begins. People treat us so well on Veterans Day. Smiling

Are you a veteran? If so, what are your plans for tomorrow?

Mine—Breakfast at IHOP, lunch at Olive Garden or Chili’s, and I’m not sure about dinner yet.☺️

Well, that’s all for now. It’s raining good (which is why I’m posting a little late) and I am about to turn over and go back to sleep.

Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

Forever An Airman

Shaun Bradford
Lackland AFB, 1992

Here I am, 31 years after making one of the most pivotal decisions in my life, thanking God for so many wonderful experiences. I will forever be an Airman.

Prior to joining the Air Force, I wanted nothing to do with the military. My stepdad was in the Army so I spent most of my childhood surrounded by soldiers and military dependents. I knew what military life entailed and had no desire to be apart of it. Then…I changed my mind.

I had come to a point in my life where I had to decide if I was going to sink or swim. Yeah…I was drowning. I was 18 years old (just a baby), going to college, living at home, still being treated as a child/second mom (I was my siblings second mother), and yearning for freedom. My first boyfriend, who was seven years older, was going through his own issues and cheating left and right. Y’all, I had to get away!

So, one day in April 1992, I turned to the yellow pages of a phone book and found an Air Force recruiter. To this day I still don’t know what made me do it. I found the recruiter, visited his office and signed up for the delayed entry program (I was still in college). I remember him saying that they usually speak with the parents too but since I was 18 and sure of my decision, he would sign me up. A couple of months later, I officially joined.

Now, all of it seems like a lifetime ago. That one decision changed the trajectory of my life. Y’all, that one blind leap made me who I am today.

Again, here I am over 30 years later smiling about that decision. I did it and I retired! Never in my wildest dreams as a kid did I imagine I would be a veteran. Never! Life is truly interesting.

To all of my fellow veterans, Happy Veterans Day! Thank you so much for your service and sacrifices.♥️

Shaun