Trick or treat was tonight here in our neck of the woods. Girls had fun, and we went with another family so that ALWAYS makes it fun!! Enjoy the pics!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Cutie-a-tooties!
Trick or treat was tonight here in our neck of the woods. Girls had fun, and we went with another family so that ALWAYS makes it fun!! Enjoy the pics!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
A tribute, to my Friend Nick!
Gentlemen,
As you know the Gamblers lost a fighter pilot and brother in arms on the 15th of Oct. Since each of you contacted me to offer your support over the past week, and many of you did not personally know Nick, I wanted to take the time give you a little background on him, and let you know how the Gamblers are doing.
Nicholas T. Giglio was killed in the line of duty, piloting a Viper, while training for the defense of our country. While an SIB will attempt to determine why, and hopefully help us deter future mishaps, this email is not about the investigation. It is about Nick and the Gamblers.
The Gamblers honored Nick with a wing wide memorial on 22 Oct that was a celebration on his life as a fighter pilot, husband and a father. His fellow Captains in charge (Deacon Williams, Zocho Zielinski, Snip Moss, Chaplin Campbell and many more) performed admirably. The missing man formation, lead by Hobs Crofton, was a fantastic sight to see. Both Kelly and Sheppard AFB, sent jets to his memorial. A T-6 with his name on the side accompanied them, a true testament to the kind of man Nick Giglio was.
I meet Nick at a SQ H&F in July, he and Leigh had just arrived that week and were eager to be a part of the squadron. He was the first new pilot to come to the squadron since I took command. I immediately knew he was going to be an asset and that his maturity and confidence were going to make him a leader in the Gamblers. When I asked the stay-behind Gamblers to clean the bar while we were TDY to Combat Hammer in Aug, Nick actually took the popcorn machine home to ‘degrease’ it with some special solution. I never knew you could actually get a popcorn machine that clean!
Nick graduated from Lacy High School in New Jersey, in 1995 where he and his wife Leigh were high school sweet hearts. After high school, he answered the call of his nation by enlisting in the AF where he was stationed as a C141 avionics specialist at McGuire AFB. He spent 3 years enlisted, then was accepted to the AFROTC program at Embry Riddle University (yes they have a real campus). There he married Leigh graduated with a pilot slot and went to Sheppard as a student pilot. He was so well liked at Sheppard, that he was kept there as a FAIP in T-37s. His maturity and competence continued and he earned a F-16 assignment and went to RTU at Kelly AFB, Tx. He finished RTU and came to Shaw on 23 July 2009. He blazed through the F-16CJ, MQT program and was awaiting his fighter pilot callsign when the accident occurred.
So, on 23 Oct, 8 days after his death, the 77th FS named its newest Gambler in the squadron bar and toasted the life of Nick “REV” Giglio. We then drove to his house and were meet by his wife Leigh, daughter Grace, Father Jerry, Mother Helen, many uncles, cousins and family friends. Capt Thrust Johnson had the honor of informing the Giglio family of Nick’s name, Rev. They said he would have been proud to carry it and that it was fitting for a man who had a genuine love for other people.
His wife Leigh, daughter Grace and unborn son Caleb, will endure his lose for the rest of their lives. Leigh is a special woman and stronger than any I have seen in such a difficult time. The Gambler families have been there for her with an outpouring of support I could only have imagined. What a great group of men and women.
Rev will be missed, and each Gambler will remember him in their own way. Flying is a serious business and Rev knew what he signed up for, just as every fighter pilot does. While it is a great loss, we can find consolation in our faith and our friendships and know that he will forever be safe in God’s grace.
I have spoken to all the Gamblers and told them that this is not a time to mourn, but a time to celebrate Rev’s life, for he died doing what he loved. So, the Gamblers are moving forward by continuing to train and prepare for our upcoming combat deployment and will do so with a clear goal and a determination to succeed.
Rev will be buried in Arlington, date set, but not yet released by the Family.
A College Fund has been set up with the Help of the River Rats at www.AirWarriorCourage.org <http://www.airwarriorcourage.org/> . I am attaching a flier. Please feel free to forward it.
Gents, thanks for letting me share this with each of you and thanks for the support each of you showed myself, the Giglio Family, and the 77th FS.
Cajun "Double Down"
Lance "Cajun" Kildron, Lt Col, USAF
77th Fighter Squadron Commander
DSN: 965-3502/1328 (803-895-3502/1328 Comm)
Cell: 803-840-5626 803-840-5626
Unclass: lance.kildron@us.af.mil
SIPERNET: lance.kildron@shaw.af.smil.mil
As you know the Gamblers lost a fighter pilot and brother in arms on the 15th of Oct. Since each of you contacted me to offer your support over the past week, and many of you did not personally know Nick, I wanted to take the time give you a little background on him, and let you know how the Gamblers are doing.
Nicholas T. Giglio was killed in the line of duty, piloting a Viper, while training for the defense of our country. While an SIB will attempt to determine why, and hopefully help us deter future mishaps, this email is not about the investigation. It is about Nick and the Gamblers.
The Gamblers honored Nick with a wing wide memorial on 22 Oct that was a celebration on his life as a fighter pilot, husband and a father. His fellow Captains in charge (Deacon Williams, Zocho Zielinski, Snip Moss, Chaplin Campbell and many more) performed admirably. The missing man formation, lead by Hobs Crofton, was a fantastic sight to see. Both Kelly and Sheppard AFB, sent jets to his memorial. A T-6 with his name on the side accompanied them, a true testament to the kind of man Nick Giglio was.
I meet Nick at a SQ H&F in July, he and Leigh had just arrived that week and were eager to be a part of the squadron. He was the first new pilot to come to the squadron since I took command. I immediately knew he was going to be an asset and that his maturity and confidence were going to make him a leader in the Gamblers. When I asked the stay-behind Gamblers to clean the bar while we were TDY to Combat Hammer in Aug, Nick actually took the popcorn machine home to ‘degrease’ it with some special solution. I never knew you could actually get a popcorn machine that clean!
Nick graduated from Lacy High School in New Jersey, in 1995 where he and his wife Leigh were high school sweet hearts. After high school, he answered the call of his nation by enlisting in the AF where he was stationed as a C141 avionics specialist at McGuire AFB. He spent 3 years enlisted, then was accepted to the AFROTC program at Embry Riddle University (yes they have a real campus). There he married Leigh graduated with a pilot slot and went to Sheppard as a student pilot. He was so well liked at Sheppard, that he was kept there as a FAIP in T-37s. His maturity and competence continued and he earned a F-16 assignment and went to RTU at Kelly AFB, Tx. He finished RTU and came to Shaw on 23 July 2009. He blazed through the F-16CJ, MQT program and was awaiting his fighter pilot callsign when the accident occurred.
So, on 23 Oct, 8 days after his death, the 77th FS named its newest Gambler in the squadron bar and toasted the life of Nick “REV” Giglio. We then drove to his house and were meet by his wife Leigh, daughter Grace, Father Jerry, Mother Helen, many uncles, cousins and family friends. Capt Thrust Johnson had the honor of informing the Giglio family of Nick’s name, Rev. They said he would have been proud to carry it and that it was fitting for a man who had a genuine love for other people.
His wife Leigh, daughter Grace and unborn son Caleb, will endure his lose for the rest of their lives. Leigh is a special woman and stronger than any I have seen in such a difficult time. The Gambler families have been there for her with an outpouring of support I could only have imagined. What a great group of men and women.
Rev will be missed, and each Gambler will remember him in their own way. Flying is a serious business and Rev knew what he signed up for, just as every fighter pilot does. While it is a great loss, we can find consolation in our faith and our friendships and know that he will forever be safe in God’s grace.
I have spoken to all the Gamblers and told them that this is not a time to mourn, but a time to celebrate Rev’s life, for he died doing what he loved. So, the Gamblers are moving forward by continuing to train and prepare for our upcoming combat deployment and will do so with a clear goal and a determination to succeed.
Rev will be buried in Arlington, date set, but not yet released by the Family.
A College Fund has been set up with the Help of the River Rats at www.AirWarriorCourage.org <http://www.airwarriorcourage.org/> . I am attaching a flier. Please feel free to forward it.
Gents, thanks for letting me share this with each of you and thanks for the support each of you showed myself, the Giglio Family, and the 77th FS.
Cajun "Double Down"
Lance "Cajun" Kildron, Lt Col, USAF
77th Fighter Squadron Commander
DSN: 965-3502/1328 (803-895-3502/1328 Comm)
Cell: 803-840-5626 803-840-5626
Unclass: lance.kildron@us.af.mil
SIPERNET: lance.kildron@shaw.af.smil.mil
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Little blessings
Since Skye has been home, he hasn't had a weekend off, let alone 2 days in a row. But God is good and since I hadn't complained about it he blessed us with a weekend off AND wonderful weather!! We went to a pumpkin FARM... not just a patch. We had hay rides, straw bale mazes, corn box (sand box minus sand plus corn)! The girls HAD A BLAST!! To top it off, there was a 15 acre CORN MAZE! It was SO much fun. Zoey and Skye were debating as to which way to go ( they are way to much alike ) and so he would go one way and I would follow Zoey and see who was right! It was so much fun!!
This year has been a life changing one. Not only in the physical and all the changes that way, but a new perspective and way of looking at things. Amazing how when you world changes, you change too. Thank you God, even in the hardest time, you are still chiseling away at me!
We also went up to DC again this past weekend and went to the "Natural History Museum" the one featured in the "Night at the Museum" movies! Good sight seeing... but NOT on a Saturday!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Tribute to Nick...
Here's a tribute to Nick that the news in Wichita Falls, TX did. That is where we met Nick and Leigh...at our church there. It will bring tears to your eyes...
Hannah
Hannah
Sunday, October 18, 2009
I couldn't think of anything to title this. After doing the premil-investigation they have decided that there was No chance for Nick to eject, he went down with the plane and died instantly. They are going to recover the jet, and hopefully Nick too. We will lay him to rest in Arrlington National Cemetery.
My heart hurts. I couldn't imagine having Zoey, and carrying Allie and Skye be gone and I have to walk without him though this. God has blessed me, and I will never take that for granted. Please pray for my dear friend Leigh, her daughter Grace, and their unborn son Caleb. Nick and Leigh's families, their friends, and just Leigh's life in general.
When Life seems hard, REMEMBER Someone always has it rougher than you!
It is well, with my soul!
My heart hurts. I couldn't imagine having Zoey, and carrying Allie and Skye be gone and I have to walk without him though this. God has blessed me, and I will never take that for granted. Please pray for my dear friend Leigh, her daughter Grace, and their unborn son Caleb. Nick and Leigh's families, their friends, and just Leigh's life in general.
When Life seems hard, REMEMBER Someone always has it rougher than you!
It is well, with my soul!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
A hard year!!
UPDATE: SUSPENDED SEARCH!
This has been a very hard year for me and Skye. On Thrusday Night our dear friend Nick, who we became friends with in TX, his plane went down in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of South Carolina. Nick is a F-16 pilot, we met him while he was an instructor pilot at Sheppard where Skye was stationed. Nick is a dear friend, sweet, kinds, funny. He and Leigh just called me the day before Skye came home from his deployment to have lunch while they were driving through Maryland. It was a huge surprise and a even bigger blessing to see that sweet family.
Please pray for Leigh, his wife. She is my dear friend and she has so much to deal with right now being 6mo pregnant with thier little boy Caleb and Grace is only 15 months. All the family is in SC with Leigh right now...overwhelming and wonderful at the same time. Please pray for strength for the rescuers, the families, Nick, and Leigh. Please pray...please!!
Here's a link if you'd like to read up... I'll post whatever I can... Skye and I are just so heartbroken.
This has been a very hard year for me and Skye. On Thrusday Night our dear friend Nick, who we became friends with in TX, his plane went down in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of South Carolina. Nick is a F-16 pilot, we met him while he was an instructor pilot at Sheppard where Skye was stationed. Nick is a dear friend, sweet, kinds, funny. He and Leigh just called me the day before Skye came home from his deployment to have lunch while they were driving through Maryland. It was a huge surprise and a even bigger blessing to see that sweet family.
Please pray for Leigh, his wife. She is my dear friend and she has so much to deal with right now being 6mo pregnant with thier little boy Caleb and Grace is only 15 months. All the family is in SC with Leigh right now...overwhelming and wonderful at the same time. Please pray for strength for the rescuers, the families, Nick, and Leigh. Please pray...please!!
Here's a link if you'd like to read up... I'll post whatever I can... Skye and I are just so heartbroken.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
2 wheeler
Zoey has been asking all summer long if when Daddy comes home can he teach her how to ride a 2-wheeler. I, of course, told her yes. Well, today was the day and I was honestly astonished that it took her like 5 minutes to learn. Skye took off the training wheels, had a talk with her, and boom, she was GONE! I was so shocked!! She rode all around the subdivision. We then all got on bikes (Allie on the back of Skye's) and took off for a family bike ride! IT WAS AMAZING, breath taking...a moment in time I'll not forget!! Made me think of all the times Daddy too us, and all the times I wished he would just pull me back to the house! After all was said and done, Zoey broke another record in this household tonight. She fell asleep in literally less than 5 minutes!! (Deep breath) She made my day! What a blessing that little girls is!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Update pics
We only live a bit over an hour from DC and have finally made it there....
and of course the girls...
and us...
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