Bruce Lash

Served on active duty with the Air Force for 13 years, accumulated over 6000 hours flight time as an instructor in-flight refueler on KC-97 and KC-135 aircraft, experiencing many wonderful and challenging things including flying through the Aurora Borealis and over the North Pole.
After discharge from active duty in 1968, joined the Air Force Reserve and participated for another 15 years.
Graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1971 and was accepted for a civil service position as Youth Director at Offutt AFB, Nebraska, where I expanded a new base youth program, designed a new Youth Center and supervised a baseball program of over 90 teams. I also coached the Offutt AFB baseball team and the Bellevue, Nebraska semi-pro baseball team, coaching many outstanding athletes including Heisman Trophy winner, Johnny Rodgers.
In 1975, I was accepted for the position of Youth Director at Ramstein Air Base, Germany and was promoted to Ramstein Recreation Director in 1977. I lived in Germany for over 9 years, traveling throughout Europe,experiencing many wonderful events, including; traveling behind the Iron Curtain on a Russian train, standing on top of a mountain in the Alps while Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture crashed in my ears, shooting the rapids in a kayak in Southern France and being blessed by the Pope while in Rome (although I'm not a Catholic).
I was selected as Base Recreation Director at Homestead AFB, Florida and served in that position for a total of 4 years. In 1989 I was promoted to the position of Chief, Morale, Welfare and Recreation at McConnell AFB where I oversaw the operation of the base fitness programs, bowling center, golf course, child care programs, youth programs, Officers Club, NCO Club, Library, skills development programs, NAF financial management, and NAF personnel. A tornado in April 1991 destroyed many MWR Division facilities and I was responsible for the design of Emerald City, the replacement facility that has become a showcase for the Air Force recreation.
I retired in 1992 and Ute and I have enjoyed traveling around the United and Europe, occasionally catching `hops' on military aircraft to interesting destinations. I have had the privilege to work for, and with, some truly remarkable people; from Medal of Honor winners to `just plain country boys', all were dedicated to the cause of freedom. I am proud to have devoted my life in support of the defense of our country and to serve with the U.S. Air Force.

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Bruce

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Bruce and
wife, Ute