The AIG, Christmas,

The AIG, Christmas, - 2020

Published: Thu, 12/24/20

PJ Association.com

The AIG, Christmas, 2020

"Once a PJ/CRO, Always a PJ/CRO"

"Please share with your network so everyone is signed up for the AIG, we are stronger in numbers"

The Presidents Message

As we spend the day preparing to celebrate the Holidays and Christmas with friends and family, the sacrifices and hard work to over come the issues that 2020 has thrust upon us all, I look back on a time when a few great men sat around a table in a home out-side of Eglin AFB some 45 years ago, and lead the way in the creation of this great organization. I give thanks for what they started and set in motion. Without Legacy's and Heros, we would not be where we are today. To the women and their families that stood behind them and gave them the strength and support to make what we have today.

To those that made the ultimate sacrifices for this country and the creation of the Creed that we all live by and strive to carry-on, I salute them and their families.

I give thanks for everything this Career-field and Origination has given me and my family. I hope that one day I can give back to the Organization that has given me and each of us so much. The Friendships, relationships and memories that will last a lifetime are what I will treasure for a Lifetime.

For those that are standing guard tonight and every night for this great Nation, I say thank you and god bless you and your families.

"For these Things We Do... That Others May Live"

"Hooyah"

The bravest man I’ve ever known

William "Pits" Pitsenbarger, USAF

Dedicated to the PJ’s - USAF By Ron “Trash” Haley Mudsoldiers - C 2/16 Rangers 65 - 66

A letter to my son, Cole Haley:

Son, I'd like to introduce you to the bravest man I have ever known, William "Pits" Pitsenbarger, USAF. This story is true, I was there. I didn't know Pits personally, he wasn't in Charlie Company. He was in the Air Force, like you are. We didn't know each other, he and I, all he knew of any of us was that we were but a few, fighting against many, that we were losing, and that we needed help. We had too many dead and wounded to even try to break out. He didn't have to come down through that jungle canopy to help us, but he did. What kind of courage was it that made him enter such a one sided fight as we were in? I have seen the youthful, ignorant, "I'm too tough to die" kind of courage, and that wasn't it. When one has seen good friends die in bad ways, there is a vengeance seeking insanity that turns normal men into mad dog killers eager to join such a fight. But that isn't courage, that is hate. Pits wasn't a mad dog killer, nor was he driven by hate. There is another kind of warrior that, in the face of danger, when most would be frozen in panic, they become calm, focused, and clear thinking enough to see what they must do to survive. But Pits didn't come to fight (though he did fight), and he wasn't motivated by fear or driven my the intent to get "pay back." If it were his own survival he sought, he wouldn't even have left his helicopter. Once on the battlefield, once he saw the situation, saw the carnage all around him, he could have just turned around and went right back up to his chopper .. but he didn't. His courage wasn't born of self preservation, fear, hate, or meanness. Nor was he ignorant, vengeful or crazy. He was a young man who wanted to save the lives of other men. He was moved by what is "best" in men. The unselfish love of his fellow man. Son, I'd like to introduce you to the bravest man I have ever known, but I can't, just yet. He died that day, April 11, 1966, on the field of battle. I know where he is now, and I hope you and I will be able to join him there one day. I'd like to thank him for doing what he did, and to introduce him to you, my son. I'm sure we will become friends.

The Great Hall By Trash

There will be a Great Hall in the Afterlife Where all true warriors meet
To tell in thunderous voices tales
Of their victories, and their defeat

Tales of dogfights, hand-to-hand Of battles won at sea
By skill, by will, by guts and by God As such is meant to be

Then flyboys, grunts, and sailors Great warriors one and all
As one will stand and salute the heart Of the PJ’s who saved us all

Thank you PJ's for doing what you did

Still Time to add a last minute Christmas Gift

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Its On,

Tucson AZ will be the new location for the 2021 PJ Rodeo and Reunion

Thank you to the

68th FTU

306th and 48th RQS's

For accepting the challenge to host and support the 2021 Rodeo and Reunion

Dates are being finalized and will be late August or early September.

With before, we are still dealing with Covid related issues and the back log of Hotels and dates available as everyone has rolled over to 2021.

We are currently looking at August 23-29th 2021 respectively, with the

Reunion starting on the Wednesday 25th - Sunday 29th

As soon as we finalize a contract with a Hotel we will post the official dates.

Lots of new things on the website...

Hats, stickers, Tee shirts and more...

Here now at the PJA Store

Velcro backing PVC rubber 2 x 3.5 With or Without Hat

Interview with CMSgt. (RET) Retired Dave Milsten

https://youtu.be/bk1EjWL2FpQ

How to navigate the website and access your Membership

Click Here!

Special thanks to our sponsor that helped make the Graduation Family day a great success. Your donation will help with a Family and staff Luncheon or Breakfast gathering.

Without them, we could not pull this off. The families, Staff and Graduates all wanted to say thank you so much for being a part of this great event.