Coming Home
On the final day of my last Air Force flying tour, I made my way out to the flight line very early in the morning. O-dark-thirty early. No jets running, only a few maintainers and the ever-present Security Police.
For some reason, I was drawn to make one last trip to the Blue Section where “my” F-111, tail number 886, was resting gracefully.
All fighter jets are tri-polar—one part serious and lethal war machine, one part treasured travel companion, and one part personal office. I tapped her nose cone and mumbled something like, “Thanks for the memories.” She thanked me and promised to keep those who followed me safe. We both knew we had flown our last sortie together.
The trip was not easy, but it was worth it. I have those memories stored in a box in the attic. I visit that attic often.
The flight line and my jet are the environment that shaped me. They are a familiar place, and in that familiarity I find peace, strength, and purpose.
In very much the same fashion, five Wabash alumni and their spouses returned this year to Homecoming: Beth and Dick Griesser ’51, Appleton, WI; Paula and Warren Jackson ’51, Fort Mill, SC; Fran and Don Martin ’51, Bloomington, IN; Nancy and Bob Morris ’50, Franklin, TN; Mary and Paul Jones ’51, Normal, IL.
2012 marks their 40th straight Homecoming returning together! Their journeys back started in 1972, but friendships go back much farther. All five are members of Phi Kappa Psi and World War II veterans.
Paul wrote me to tell me they were coming. His words reminded me of my trip back in 1995 to the flight line and 886:
? “There were times when we weren’t sure we would make it (to Homecoming), but somehow we did…
? “Homecoming has been an integral part of our college experience. If we had
our college days to live over, we would not change a thing.
? “Thank you Wabash!”
I caught up with Dick Griesser in the stands right before the football game. Dick noted he was the only one staying for the game. We both decided, in silence, that this was perfectly fine. After all, the game didn’t make or break Homecoming. Coming home made Homecoming.
—Tom Runge ’71, Director of Alumni and Parent Programs