Living in this area of Florida we are surrounded by military bases. I always feel protected yet I think that if someone was going to attack us they would start here. Strange way to think at times I know.

When something happens to a member of our military family the whole area will either rejoice or mourn. When it happens that we lose someone fighting in the war that is bad but you can accept it a little easier then when it happens right here at home.

Yesterday during training we lost a fighter pilot in a mid-air collision with another plane. Two F-15s collided in mid-air during a training mission over the Gulf of Mexico. The second pilot survived and is in the hospital on base.

My heart goes out to the families. I sit and watch them on their training missions from my deck or on the beach. Even driving down the road. They look like they have the power of the skies and the protector of us all. Flying high to watch over us and looking like big powerful birds and now yesterday two crashed leaving one dead.

I already know how my town will mourn this untimely death but this morning I reflect on this and my heart and prayers go out to the family. Later I will embrace the community but for now…