Newly-minted Lt. Parker Hammond overcame stage-3 cancer to graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy, thanks to his fellow cadets. Lt. Hammond receives a handshake and salute from his Commander in Chief. Right Angle looks at what this story says about the human spirit, as well as about President Trump.
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Trump Salutes Air Force Academy Grad Who Overcame Stage 3 Cancer
Newly-minted Lt. Parker Hammond overcame stage-3 cancer to graduate from the U.S. Air Force Academy, thanks to his fellow cadets. Lt. Hammond receives a handshake and salute from his Commander in Chief. Right Angle looks at what this story says about the human spirit, as well as about President Trump.
22 replies on “Trump Salutes Air Force Academy Grad Who Overcame Stage 3 Cancer”
Wonderful story. Just one more reason why I love our President.
Team esprit de corps is very important in the military. When I was in ROTC we had an orienteering FTX (Field Training Exercise). I was paired up with the only other student from my class who attended. At the end, we had to go up a very steep hill to the finish desk to get our order of completion. My partner was pooped. They told me to go on ahead to lock in our spot since we could see some other teams catching up with us. I said “Nope, we are a team. We finish together or not at all!” I don’t know if that bouyed up my partner, but the other teams quit catching up. The closest team sent their strongest person to pass us and secure one spot better. We were right behind him at the finish table. He was asked where his teammate was. When he said “Back there”, they told him to get his partner and then they would check him in. I believe the comment was “You don’t leave your team behind”. We were duly logged after that and it turned out we were the third group to finish. Our class instructor (Maj. Bartkostski) was very pleased and impressed. We were just regular students in our first semester of ROTC.
I am not surprised by the rest of this young man’s class. It is a relief that these men still exist in America’s youth and an honor to have them in America’s military. As long as we have men like this defending us, we will never have to worry about defeat from all enemies, foreign or domestic. My hat is off to them and I salute them!
Obama shakes ten hands for appearances sakes. President Trump shakes the hands of all 900+ graduates. That’s the difference between a sleazy, hack politician and a leader!
I watched the recording of the handshakes, it lasted an hour and a half, President Trump took maybe 2 breaks. He saluted, shook hands and had a word with each and every one of them, first to last… Amazing, such grace and gratitude…
Scott, you may need to change the filter in your AC–it’s getting a bit dusty in the studio.
Steve, you too..
I just recently attended the swearing of the Oath for my nephew 2nd Lt. USMC. That salute is a big deal. What a great day for each and every one of these USAF Officers–and don’t forget that awesome flyover as the hats (covers, ahem) fly!
You hit a home run, Steve. One of your best! And it worked because of the 3 of you.
Thank you so much.
Thanks for sharing this and your personal insight into this young man. So proud of our President and the respect he shows to our military. Now to go dry my eyes!
That is an amazing story. Thank you Steve. What an incredible young man. <3
And Scott, your words came during a difficult week. Thank you for them, as well. They helped. <3
Prayers for you!
Awww, thank you, Ralph! Just a tough week at work, but I’m hanging in there. One more week and I’ll be on vacation for the summer. I cannot wait!
Hope you are doing well. <3
Hopefully with the respect that Trump is giving to the military (not seen since GW was Pres) and the new Top Gun movie coming out, we’ll get a new crop of badly needed pilots. My cousin and his buddy saw Top Gun in ‘86, quit their corporate jobs, enlisted with the USAF (sorry Navy) & both ended up flying F-16s.
Lots of 80s synergy going on. Guess that’s why they called.
Top Gun is Navy! F-16’s are Air Force… such a loss, Navy has so much more fun, and difficulty (think carrier landings).
I worked for the Navy as a civilian and then part-time contractor, and we had Top Gun come out to fly our ranges several times a year. The best part of the flight was at the end, when they’d do a ‘low pass’ over our facility to say thanks and goodbye! Whew! The afterburners!
It’s ok, Steve. It got a little dusty in my office, too.
What a difference to see CIC who genuinely likes being around our military. That is refreshing to say the least.
I really thought I was going to make it through, but once Scott lost it I knew that was a total BS hope!
Honestly, when you said that your wife knew his parents, I thought that’s where you were going to lose it.
Nothing to be ashamed of, Stephen. Real men can show emotion. The shortest verse in the Bible is profound: John 11:35
Steve, the story choked me up, too–twice. First, when I was watching Trump call the cadet up on stage, and then again hearing that Trump shook hands with all 900 graduates. I know a young man who is entering the Air Force academy this fall and I hope Trump is re-elected so that he will be there to shake the hand of my young friend when he graduates.
“When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” –Harriet Beecher Stowe
Great people live among us.
Wow!