Mom and I in front of the F-102 display, OTS, December 5, 1973

Mom arrived that morning, and at some point we hiked up to the display.  Mom obviously had gotten someone to take our picture.  It was in the classroom building behind the F-102 display where we would have our bars pinned on. 

However, there are a couple of additional photos inside the OTSOM that same day, before graduation, so I don't recall when this picture was taken as it relates to the several pictures inside our classroom when we actually said the oath and had our gold bars pinned on.

Air Force OTS, 1973 (Forbes Hall F-102)

I was a small part
of a greater diminishing
in barely noticed ways.
Numbers were not the need.
And there were enough weekends
through the window where I could see
fewer officers train to salute in passing.

We are more significant now;
Not like the powerless fighter on display
winged
without insides remaining sufficient to fly.

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