Carefree Truth
Issue #702, November 25, 2018
Mr. Dimon introduced the next speaker, Captain Ausborn.
"Captain Suzanne L. Ausborn, was born in Camp Pendleton, CA. She is the widow of Major Jeffrey “Oz” Ausborn, killed in action on April 27, 2011 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Suzanne is a mother of two adult children and is now a grandmother. She is also a Gold Star daughter; her father, a United States Marine, was a Vietnam Veteran who died of complications from Agent Orange."
"Captain Ausborn served 23 years in the United States Air Force, beginning as an enlisted airman in the New Mexico Air National Guard, serving as an Air Operations Sergeantsupporting F-16s and serving as a Support Group Commander’s Secretary. She then was selected for and completed officer basic training, after which she served as an Executive Officer, Aircraft Maintenance Officer and Antiterrorism Officer. She deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom as an Explosive Safety Officer atAli Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait."
"During the Global War on Terrorism, Captain Ausborn transitioned to active duty USAF, specializing in ground, explosive and weapons’ safety. She eventually transitioned to the US Air Force Reserve providing explosive expertise as an antiterrorism advisor."
"Captain Ausborn has assisted the following non-profit organizations in fund-raising, ceremony preparation, government liaison, and volunteer coordination:
The Veterans Heritage Project, Gold Star Wives of America, Folds of Honor, Wounded Warriors, and several non-military organizations, as well."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that I present Capt. Suzanne Ausborn!"
Issue #702, November 25, 2018
Mr. Dimon introduced the next speaker, Captain Ausborn.
"Captain Suzanne L. Ausborn, was born in Camp Pendleton, CA. She is the widow of Major Jeffrey “Oz” Ausborn, killed in action on April 27, 2011 in Kabul, Afghanistan. Suzanne is a mother of two adult children and is now a grandmother. She is also a Gold Star daughter; her father, a United States Marine, was a Vietnam Veteran who died of complications from Agent Orange."
"Captain Ausborn served 23 years in the United States Air Force, beginning as an enlisted airman in the New Mexico Air National Guard, serving as an Air Operations Sergeantsupporting F-16s and serving as a Support Group Commander’s Secretary. She then was selected for and completed officer basic training, after which she served as an Executive Officer, Aircraft Maintenance Officer and Antiterrorism Officer. She deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom as an Explosive Safety Officer atAli Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait."
"During the Global War on Terrorism, Captain Ausborn transitioned to active duty USAF, specializing in ground, explosive and weapons’ safety. She eventually transitioned to the US Air Force Reserve providing explosive expertise as an antiterrorism advisor."
"Captain Ausborn has assisted the following non-profit organizations in fund-raising, ceremony preparation, government liaison, and volunteer coordination:
The Veterans Heritage Project, Gold Star Wives of America, Folds of Honor, Wounded Warriors, and several non-military organizations, as well."
"Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that I present Capt. Suzanne Ausborn!"
Captain Suzzane Ausborn
Screen shot by Herbert Hitchon
The name of Capt. Ausborn's biographic essay is "From High Heels to Combat Boots". One she wore for a short while and the other she wears for a lifetime. She can't tell you much about what she learned from wearing high heels, but can tell you about the lifetime of pride she derived from wearing combat boots.
Her father served in the U.S. Marine Corps during Vietnam, but she never imagined that his service would guide her life for 23 years in the military. She joined to help fund her college education but after a few years, realized that being in the military was her passion, pride and purpose. In May of 1987, she raised her right hand and swore to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic, never realizing that statement would impact the rest of her life.
Basic training, also known as Boot Camp, meant learning a whole new language. "The Latrine Queen" was the person in charge of cleaning the toilets. "The Chow Hall" was the place where you got your food. 2 glasses of water, and you ate it all within 5 minutes, no more than 2 chews per bite. "Double Time" meant when your name was called, you'd better run as fast as you can and report in. Wearing combat boots, at this stage, she thought would be the end of her sanity. She had always thought that shining your shoes meant you put a little polish on a cloth and rubbed it. "That's not the case." There's actually a way to use women's stockings to shine your boots. The goal was literally to see your reflection. She struggled with this task daily, not realizing until later that it was part of the bigger picture, The discipline, tenacity and obtaining goals were necessary for shining your boots or going to war.
Major Ausborn started her military career during the Cold War. She was training with chemical warfare gear, mask, gloves and a jacket and pants consisting of charcoal to help in case of a chemical attack. They trained constantly to prepare, and took it very seriously. They took it so seriously that one time she was in an out-house when the bombing started. She wasn't sure if she should put on a gas mask or pull up her pants. "To say I was scared was an understatement."
While moving up the enlisted ranks structure, she got married and had 2 children, which changed her life on so many levels. She was fortunate to have the opportunity to have children, stay in the military and teach them about patriotism, pride in our military and sacrifice, which they learned and excelled at. They understood it was for an important reason each time she had to leave, and they would explain to their friends, "My Mom's in the Air Force", with such pride. About that time, the phrase came out, "Your momma wears combat boots". Her kids were proud to say that their mother wore combat boots.
Unfortunately, the marriage didn't survive. Deployment, training or TDY (temporary duty) are difficult on a marriage, particularly when it's the female who is leaving. She pressed on as a single mom and was able to complete Officer Training School. But then, September 11, 2001 changed not only the civilian world but definitely changed the military world. They transitioned to a new type of combat boots that no longer had to be shined because the boots had to be lighter and more durable to withstand the sand and the extreme heat. They had to learn new terms. The Middle East, the Taliban, al Qaeda, burn pits and the Global War on Terrorism.
She went to war. It was last minute, secret kind of stuff. No one could be told where she was going. But due to a mix up in the transportation, she ended up flying commercial on American Airlines. It sounds better than flying in a C-130 but she was a female, alone in an unknown country where she didn't speak the language. As she got off the plane and into the airport, she saw a line of women in black burkas with only their eyes showing. She looked and felt like a fish out of water.
But Major Ausborn adapted and overcame the situation. She was a Weapons Safety Officer at the Ali Al Salem base in Kuwait, ensuring that they didn't accidentally blow up each other, the equipment or the aircraft. She worked with all branches of the U.S. military, the Brits and Aussies, and some troops from France, Poland and Japan. It was an eye opener to go to war and use her training. Discipline, tenacity and reaching goals. She wasn't shining boots; she was leading troops.
She met and later married the most wonderful fellow airman. He also served his country. His name was Major Jeff Ausborn. He flew C-130s and trained other military pilots. 6 months after she retired in 2010 from the Air Force Reserves, her husband was serving on his last deployment when he and 8 other American officers were killed by an Afghan pilot. April 27th, 2011 was one of the deadliest green on blue attacks thus far during the war in Afghanistan.
But her story doesn't end on a sad note because of her husband's death. She was lucky enough to have a wonderful marriage where both were committed to serving their country, and loving their country enough to make the ultimate sacrifice. "All the veterans and their family members here today understand sacrifice. We currently have 1.4 million people on active duty. The United States still maintains nearly 800 military bases in over 70 countries and territories abroad. We must never forget these service members. Never forget that we are still at war. And never forget their sacrifices. I must say a huge thanks to Barbara Hatch, Michelle DiMuro and the young people at the Veterans Heritage Project for ensuring that the veterans' stories are captured, printed and maintained in the National Archives. We all stand together as one family, celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the end of WWI. Although not all veterans have worn high heels, we have all worn combat boots and share our pride and patriotism in the United States of America. Thank you."
https://vimeo.com/300492267
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.
Screen shot by Herbert Hitchon
The name of Capt. Ausborn's biographic essay is "From High Heels to Combat Boots". One she wore for a short while and the other she wears for a lifetime. She can't tell you much about what she learned from wearing high heels, but can tell you about the lifetime of pride she derived from wearing combat boots.
Her father served in the U.S. Marine Corps during Vietnam, but she never imagined that his service would guide her life for 23 years in the military. She joined to help fund her college education but after a few years, realized that being in the military was her passion, pride and purpose. In May of 1987, she raised her right hand and swore to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic, never realizing that statement would impact the rest of her life.
Basic training, also known as Boot Camp, meant learning a whole new language. "The Latrine Queen" was the person in charge of cleaning the toilets. "The Chow Hall" was the place where you got your food. 2 glasses of water, and you ate it all within 5 minutes, no more than 2 chews per bite. "Double Time" meant when your name was called, you'd better run as fast as you can and report in. Wearing combat boots, at this stage, she thought would be the end of her sanity. She had always thought that shining your shoes meant you put a little polish on a cloth and rubbed it. "That's not the case." There's actually a way to use women's stockings to shine your boots. The goal was literally to see your reflection. She struggled with this task daily, not realizing until later that it was part of the bigger picture, The discipline, tenacity and obtaining goals were necessary for shining your boots or going to war.
Major Ausborn started her military career during the Cold War. She was training with chemical warfare gear, mask, gloves and a jacket and pants consisting of charcoal to help in case of a chemical attack. They trained constantly to prepare, and took it very seriously. They took it so seriously that one time she was in an out-house when the bombing started. She wasn't sure if she should put on a gas mask or pull up her pants. "To say I was scared was an understatement."
While moving up the enlisted ranks structure, she got married and had 2 children, which changed her life on so many levels. She was fortunate to have the opportunity to have children, stay in the military and teach them about patriotism, pride in our military and sacrifice, which they learned and excelled at. They understood it was for an important reason each time she had to leave, and they would explain to their friends, "My Mom's in the Air Force", with such pride. About that time, the phrase came out, "Your momma wears combat boots". Her kids were proud to say that their mother wore combat boots.
Unfortunately, the marriage didn't survive. Deployment, training or TDY (temporary duty) are difficult on a marriage, particularly when it's the female who is leaving. She pressed on as a single mom and was able to complete Officer Training School. But then, September 11, 2001 changed not only the civilian world but definitely changed the military world. They transitioned to a new type of combat boots that no longer had to be shined because the boots had to be lighter and more durable to withstand the sand and the extreme heat. They had to learn new terms. The Middle East, the Taliban, al Qaeda, burn pits and the Global War on Terrorism.
She went to war. It was last minute, secret kind of stuff. No one could be told where she was going. But due to a mix up in the transportation, she ended up flying commercial on American Airlines. It sounds better than flying in a C-130 but she was a female, alone in an unknown country where she didn't speak the language. As she got off the plane and into the airport, she saw a line of women in black burkas with only their eyes showing. She looked and felt like a fish out of water.
But Major Ausborn adapted and overcame the situation. She was a Weapons Safety Officer at the Ali Al Salem base in Kuwait, ensuring that they didn't accidentally blow up each other, the equipment or the aircraft. She worked with all branches of the U.S. military, the Brits and Aussies, and some troops from France, Poland and Japan. It was an eye opener to go to war and use her training. Discipline, tenacity and reaching goals. She wasn't shining boots; she was leading troops.
She met and later married the most wonderful fellow airman. He also served his country. His name was Major Jeff Ausborn. He flew C-130s and trained other military pilots. 6 months after she retired in 2010 from the Air Force Reserves, her husband was serving on his last deployment when he and 8 other American officers were killed by an Afghan pilot. April 27th, 2011 was one of the deadliest green on blue attacks thus far during the war in Afghanistan.
But her story doesn't end on a sad note because of her husband's death. She was lucky enough to have a wonderful marriage where both were committed to serving their country, and loving their country enough to make the ultimate sacrifice. "All the veterans and their family members here today understand sacrifice. We currently have 1.4 million people on active duty. The United States still maintains nearly 800 military bases in over 70 countries and territories abroad. We must never forget these service members. Never forget that we are still at war. And never forget their sacrifices. I must say a huge thanks to Barbara Hatch, Michelle DiMuro and the young people at the Veterans Heritage Project for ensuring that the veterans' stories are captured, printed and maintained in the National Archives. We all stand together as one family, celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the end of WWI. Although not all veterans have worn high heels, we have all worn combat boots and share our pride and patriotism in the United States of America. Thank you."
https://vimeo.com/300492267
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.