Lorie Haney Mcdonald and I had the awesome opportunity to walk with the "Carry The Load" crew on the Georgia National Cemetery leg of their relay today. What an awesome group of patriots that are paying tribute to the fallen and raising awareness and money for the issues that veterans and first responders and their families often face. Check out their Facebook page and see if the relay may be coming close to you before they finish in Dallas on Memorial Day. This group we walked with today were absolute rock stars and genuine humans, as my friend Amanda would say. The way they showed respect for Zane Colby Mc Donald as we reached his headstone was pure and heartwarming. (Doc) was the medic. An Army vet and current paramedic. Drew is a Marine Corps vet and current firefighter who is also serving in the Air National Guard. Ed is a police officer with the Dallas Police Department and has the most amazing story of survival and perseverance. A story that is too long to tell now. Maybe on my weekly livestream. As Ed and I walked and talked and once I learned he was with the Dallas PD, I mentioned that I'm an old Air Force buddy of the father-in-law of the officer recently killed in Dallas. He said no way! You mean Mitchell Penton, right? I said yes, his father-in-law Gregory R. Soule is a friend of mine. He said Mitchell is one the fallen that he is walking to honor and pulled out the race bib with Mitchell's name on it. I said no freaking way! What are the odds? Remember, I don't believe in coincidences. What an awesome time we had with some fellow patriots. They will make their way to Chattanooga National Cemetery tomorrow. Godspeed gentlemen.
Friday, May 21, 2021
Saturday, February 27, 2021
Thursday, February 25, 2021
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
New Weather Station Up and Running
Sunday, January 24, 2021
Radio as a Back Up Mode of Communication
Check out the session I did this evening on leveraging radio as a back up form of communication.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xghcNmcpHhI
Friday, January 22, 2021
Very Cool To Be Featured In Our Company Employee Resource Group Newsletter
ERG Spotlight: Guy McDonald
Guy, a proud U.S. Air Force veteran who served as a crew member aboard the Airborne Command Post aircraft, has been with WWT for almost nine years. Recently promoted to Engineering Manager, Field Enablement, Guy is responsible for building and leading a new program for Early-in-Career associate level engineers. Not only is Guy an active member of VETS, WWT’s veterans ERG, his passion for veteran-related activities and support extends to his family and community.
Guy and his family recently received local news coverage for organizing an annual Memorial Day event to place American Flags at the headstones of veterans buried at Georgia National Cemetery. Guy also led WWT’s effort to organize and promote a WWT-sponsored group for Wreaths Across America,and he's known for championing and encouraging co-workers and fellow VETS members to share and participate in events like Veterans Day and St. Patrick’s Veterans Day 5K Run.
Guy is particularly passionate about veteran suicide awareness and prevention. He hosts a weekly Sunday session on Facebook Live called “Speaking of Zane,” in which he seeks to keep the memory of his son, Army Specialist Zane Colby McDonald, alive and raise awareness for military family and veterans issues.
Service runs in Guy’s family: His entire family are veterans or work in public service. Guy’s father is a decorated Marine Corps Vietnam vet and a member of the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame. Guy met his wife, Lorie, when they were both serving in the Air Force. They've been married for 36 years. Three of their children have followed in their footsteps, two having served in the Army and one in the Air Force. Guy's youngest daughter recently graduated from the FBI Academy and is serving as an Intelligence Analyst. You can keep up with Guy on his blog, LinkedIn or on the VETS Teams site. Guy is admired by his community and by WWT for his commitment, talent and big heart. We feel very lucky to have Guy as part of the WWT and ERG family.