I am honored to be invited to see a friend promoted to Air Force Brigadier General on Sept 12th. Plan is to leave Wed 10th and drive to Salina Ks for the night, then on in to Col Springs next day. I-70 mostly, looks like a good bit of construction but driving a Sienna awd mini van, plenty of room and plenty of snacks so we'll be ok.

Young man worked for me at my fruit market for 4 years, freshman through senior and in fall 1996 he started Air Force Academy. Now at age 47 promoted to Brig General. Bio is amazing, 3 tours sandbox, MBA from Notre Dame, war college, doctorate in business administration and much more. We've remained close and I'm as proud as I can be.

He's a gun guy and has won several pistol competitions using a S&W 620 .357 revolver I sold him. Gifting him a Henry Golden Boy .22lr lever action to commemorate this occasion. Not sure where his future leads but I'd love to buy stock in it.

Drive around the base. It is awesome and even this retired squid was very impressed.

The cathedral (if the refurb is complete yet) and visitors’ center up on the ridge are spectacular with center giving some history.

You will want to check about gifting the firearm if on a base. Security protocols may be in effect. You might have to do that off base.

Enjoy the beautiful mountains while yer here. The drive to the top of Piles Peak is spectacular if you have the time! I second using caution with having a firearm when entering the military base.

If he is not also a resident of Kentucky you cannot directly give him the rifle. It has to be transferred through an FFL. Find a FFL locally who will do the transfer. You can show it to him, but you can’t leave it with him outside of a FFL transfer.

Congratulations to him, and to you for obviously being an influence in his life.