When I started the Army's Rotary Wing course back in 1993, I bought my mom a T-shirt that read, "My Daughter is a helicopter pilot." I asked my dad if he wanted one, but he said that he'd never wear anything like that. Well, it only took a couple of weeks back at home before my dad called me up to say, "Can I have one of those t-shirts, too?" Guess he got tired of my mom getting all the attention and the opportunity to talk about this "abnomaly."

So, 15 years later, my dad still has that t-shirt, worn though it must be, and he says he loves to get people asking him if it's a joke.... I don't know if he admits to folks that I haven't actually flown the helicopter in a few years!