Flight of the Phoenix: A Wandering Soldier Returns to the National Museum of the US Air Force

DAYTON, Ohio — Stepping into the National Museum of the United States Air Force this week felt like stepping into a time machine. As the Wandering Soldier, my travels have taken me to many museums, but returning here for the first time since 1998 was a deeply personal homecoming. The sheer physical growth of this aviation mecca over the last nearly three decades is staggering. The addition of the massive 224,000-square-foot fourth building has completely transformed the footprint, turning what was already a world-class collection into an absolute titan of aerospace history.

The absolute highlight of my return was the rare privilege of walking through the cockpits of two legendary giants: the B-29 Superfortress and the B-52 Stratofortress. As I stood inside them, the stark generational leap in technology was mesmerizing. The B-29, a marvel of World War II, felt raw and mechanical. Moving into the B-52, however, revealed a massive leap forward in complexity and engineering. The rows of advanced gauges, switches, and early electronic warfare stations showed a whole new era of global reach. Amidst all that devastating Cold War power, one human detail caught my eye and made me smile: a built-in coffee pot right there in the B-52 cockpit. It was a poignant reminder of the grueling, marathon missions these crews endured.

Seeing these cockpits up close brought back a flood of memories from the 1980s, when I took a few flying lessons. I learned firsthand back then that keeping an aircraft in the sky is an unforgiving, complex discipline. Looking at these massive bombers, my respect for the pilots who tamed them doubled.

It also stirred up one of my genuine regrets in life. Due to financial constraints at the time, I discontinued my lessons and did not complete my pilot's license. Standing beneath those wings, that old ache returned. Yet, looking out at the sprawling, expanded museum, I felt a deep sense of gratitude. I may not have earned my wings, but as a soldier, walking through these living legends allowed me to touch the sky one more time.

The museum has grown to match that ambition. The exhibits are no longer just rows of planes; they are masterfully curated stories of survival, engineering triumphs, and technological leaps. For a Wandering Soldier who understands just a fraction of what it takes to leave the ground, this return trip was a humbling reminder that the sky is never truly conquered—it is merely negotiated with, by the very best of us.

A Wandering Soldier Finds Unexpected Adventure in his Hometown

Clarksville, TN - For years, I've been a wandering soldier, deployed overseas, traveling as a contractor, and now traveling for recreation. Using Clarksville as a quiet, unchanging place, as our home base. I have been visiting new places around town recently. It has felt like I was stepping into a completely new world. It is proof that new adventures await around every corner.

My reconnaissance led me to a cluster of new businesses I barely recognized. Walking into "Firepot Korean Barbecue and Hot Pot" gave me an eye-opening glimpse into our changing city. The sheer scale of the restaurant's buffets blew me away. Rows of metal trays filled with noodles, fried rice, and savory chicken dishes. The industrial expansion has completely transformed our local culinary scene.

The quiet streets I settled in are bustling with new construction. Clarksville is really coming up in the world, largely thanks to the massive Samsung and Hankook factories that recently opened in our industrial park. With these massive companies came a wave of Korean managers and engineers, and thankfully, they brought their incredible food culture with them. Intrigued by the changes in my own backyard, I set out to explore these new experiences.

But the main objective for the day was trying something totally new to me: Korean Hot Pot. We grabbed a table equipped with its own integrated induction burner. I sat back and watched as my dining companion showed me the ropes, expertly snipping fresh ingredients into the simmering broth with scissors.

Learning the local techniques: using scissors to prep ingredients for the bubbling, spicy broth. The fiery red broth was rich and complex, making a perfect base for our meal. I loaded up my plate with a beautifully glazed pork rib and some massive shrimp to enjoy on the side. The perfect combo: A pot of bubbling stew right next to my plate of expertly grilled pork ribs and large shrimp. Our raw ingredients are ready to be cooked at the table.

For the main event, we had an incredible spread of fresh ingredients to cook in the broth, including a huge variety of seafood, clams, squid, and lotus root. Cooking it all right in front of us made the whole experience feel interactive and exotic, yet firmly rooted in the modern town that Clarksville is quickly becoming. The food was, without a doubt, unbelievably good.

I'm already planning my next mission back here. Next time we go, we are definitely getting the Korean BBQ so we can grill our own meat right at the table. Who knew that after traveling the world, some of my favorite adventures would be waiting for me right down the street?

A Journey Through the Ozarks: Tracing the Bloodshed and Bravery of Wilson’s Creek and Pea Ridge

THE OZARKS —We recently embarked on a moving journey through the rolling hills of Missouri and Arkansas, tracing the intense and often overlooked Trans-Mississippi Theater of the American Civil War.

Our latest expedition took us to two of the most pivotal battlegrounds in the Western theater: Wilson’s Creek and Pea Ridge. Through our camera lens, we captured the stark contrast between the peaceful, sun-drenched landscapes of today and the brutal history that unfolded there over 160 years ago.

Wilson’s Creek: The First Major Battle of the West
  

The journey began in Republic, Missouri, at the Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield. Fought on August 10, 1861, just weeks after the Battle of Bull Run in the East, the Battle of Wilson’s Creek was the first major military engagement west of the Mississippi River. Union forces, led by Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon, launched a surprise attack on a much larger encamped force of Confederate troops and Missouri State Guard.

Though the battle was a tactical victory for the South—and resulted in the death of General Lyon, the first Union general killed in action during the war—it failed to secure Missouri for the Confederacy. The fierce fighting bought the Union time to organize and ultimately keep the critical border state under federal control. While exploring the grounds, we could see where the heavy artillery that defined these engagements.

Pea Ridge: The Battle that Saved Missouri

Following the historical timeline, we traveled south across the border into Arkansas to visit Pea Ridge National Military Park. By early 1862, the war that many thought would last only 90 days had dragged on, and control of Missouri remained a highly contested prize.

Fought on March 7–8, 1862, the Battle of Pea Ridge (also known as the Battle of Elkhorn Tavern) was a decisive clash. A severely outnumbered Union Army of the Southwest, commanded by Brigadier General Samuel R. Curtis, managed to outmaneuver and defeat Major General Earl Van Dorn’s Confederate forces.

We looked upon sweeping views of the battleground from a high rocky overlook, illustrating the challenging, heavily wooded, and mountainous terrain both armies had to navigate.

The Union victory at Pea Ridge was monumental. It permanently cemented Union control over Missouri for the remainder of the war and opened the door for federal forces to push deeper into Arkansas.

A Somber Reflection

For us, walking the silent fields—now marked by wooden split-rail fences and silent iron cannons—was a stark reminder of the cost of a united nation. Through their travels, they continue to ensure that the sacrifices made in the rugged hills of the Ozarks are not forgotten by modern generations.