492. The Vegas Show, Part 2: Lance “Boomer” Dahl’s Exhibition Pipes (+Peterson Goes to the Movies)*)*
Public Service Announcements I received an email from Glen Whelan saying the PPN2025 POY is moving through production and it shouldn't be long now... THE TEXAS PIPE SHOW is next Saturday in Midlothian, Texas-- the Pete Geeks will meet for pancakes beforehand at the local IHOP, time & location forthcoming. LANCE "BOOMER" DAHL'S PETERSON EXHIBITION Veteran's Day is Tuesday, and every Veteran's Day I raise a pipe to thank the men I know and have known who've served their country. My uncles Glen, Jim, and Dale all served in the Army Air Force. Gigi's dad was navigator for the B29 "Gettin' Ready stationed on the famous North Field of Tinian base in WWII. My uncle Bill died on a routine flight training mission during the Korean conflict. Gigi's brother flew an A-10 Warthog during the Cold War. At 6 foot Something, his nickname was (understandably) "Tree." It seems right that so many airmen smoke a pipe, doesn't it? I didn't get permission to add "Boomer" to Lance's name this morning, and if he had a nickname in the service, he didn't tell me. But "Boomer" fits. Not just because that's what he's done for his country and later as a First Responder, but because it describes his intensity, precision, thoughtful integrity, and generosity as an absolutely stand-up guy. He's the guy I'd want around if I found myself in any type of dangerous situation. Lance's part of the exhibition begins at the Peterson's Patent strut sign and comes forward to the viewer. Before we look at the small part of Lance's collection he brought to Vegas (as those who were at this year's Chicago show know or have seen at Post #458), I asked him if he'd share just a little bit about his journey. Mark: I know you’ve had what I consider an amazing life and not just one but multiple careers of service, two running concurrently. The life of a Boomer (check out THIS exhibit) Lance: I have been fortunate. My journey in the military began when I was 19, joining the Air National Guard in 1987. In 1989, I cross-trained as an Inflight Air Refueling technician—a "Boomer"--and flew with the 116th Air Refueling squadron for 27 years. Mark: And a "Boomer," if you're not familiar with that line of military service, (and I quote from that eminent authority, A.I.) is “a highly skilled aircrew member in the U.S. Air Force who operates the refueling boom to transfer fuel to other aircraft during flight. This dangerous and complex job requires extensive training in maneuvering the boom, communicating with pilots, and managing in-flight operations. Boomers are responsible for safely guiding the aircraft, connecting the boom, and initiating the fuel transfer at high speeds and altitudes.” Lance: In that capacity, I deployed to just about every theater of operations from Desert Shield and Desert Storm to Kosovo and then back to the desert many times after 9/11. In 2013, I retired as an E-8 SMSGT. Assistant Fire Chief…