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15 Lessons I Learned As An Air Force Brat

Although it might have been a challenge at the moment, I wouldn't trade my experiences for the world.

laurengrattopp

Oct 24, 2018

Arizona State University

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15 Lessons I Learned As An Air Force Brat

Lauren Grattopp

Ever since I was a little girl my dad taught me the importance of our country and the military. Some of his lessons he spoke to me directly, others were non-verbal. No matter how I learned it, these fifteen things will stick with me forever.

Freedom is not free

True statement.

Always respect the flag

Peterson Air Force Base

No matter where you are when the National Anthem is played, you stand up, take your hat off, and stare at the flag until the song is over. No exceptions.

Say "Thank you for your service."

It's the least you can do for the people who are dedicating their lives to serving our country.

Be humble

My dad never bragged about being an accomplished veteran and almost never wore his uniform out in public so that people would not look at him any differently. He believed being in the Air Force was his duty to the country and that he should not be treated differently than anyone else.

Help your mom

Since my dad was gone a lot, my brothers and I had to pick up a lot of the slack when he was not at home. We learned that we needed be extra helpful for our mom so as not to put added stress on her as she was a single mom for pretty much half the year.

The sound of freedom

Lauren Grattopp

You know that sound when a jet roars through the sky at 750 miles per hour? That's the sound of freedom.

Be respectful towards our leaders

Even if we don't agree with them, and don't necessarily like them, be respectful towards them because of the office they hold.

Be proud of our country

Even with all the controversy going on in our nation, we should still be proud to live here. No other country does more good in this world than the United States of America.

Military spouses deserve as much recognition as the soldier themself

Lauren Grattopp

The ones who stay at home are the ones who make it possible for the soldier to be overseas and fight without worrying about the situation back at home. My mom was an amazing role model for me of a strong woman who ran the house so that my dad could serve our country. She is now the master of mowing lawns and fixing sink pipes and toilets and so much more that I may never know how to do. She also never misses an opportunity to remind us how she is the one who taught my brother how to slide into the base while my dad was gone.

Serve others

There is always someone that has it harder than me, so even if I'm not serving in the military, I can find a way to serve people in my community.

Work hard

Everything my dad does he puts 110% of his effort into. Whether it was doing the yard or helping with our homework or flying a plane, he threw his entire being into it.

Family is a top priority

Lauren Grattopp

There were countless times when my mom, brothers and I huddled around the computer late at night in order to Skype my dad who was in other countries all the way across the globe. My mom even decided to homeschool us through our entire elementary school years so that when my dad was home we would have time with him. I learned that family is the most important thing.

Relationships are everything

Military forms friendships that will last a lifetime.

Our military is made up of some the bravest people in the world

Enough said.

Never watch "Top Gun" with my dad

giphy.com

Unless I want the entire movie narrated word by word and acted out scene by scene, I probably won't be watching this movie with him again anytime soon.

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15 Lessons I Learned As An Air Force Brat

Although it might have been a challenge at the moment, I wouldn't trade my experiences for the world.

Freedom is not free

Always respect the flag

Say "Thank you for your service."

Be humble

Help your mom

The sound of freedom

Be respectful towards our leaders

Be proud of our country

Military spouses deserve as much recognition as the soldier themself

Serve others

Work hard

Family is a top priority

Relationships are everything

Our military is made up of some the bravest people in the world

Never watch "Top Gun" with my dad

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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