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During his 20 years of service, Rick was a dedicated F-111D Crew Chief of the 27th Tactical Fighter Wing on the wing commander\u2019s aircraft at Cannon AFB in New Mexico. He also acted as production supervisor during the first leg of Operation Provide Comfort while stationed in Turkey. Being chosen for an incentive flight on the aircraft where he worked was a highlight of his career, as well as being stationed at the same U.S. Air Force Base as his brother, Steve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rick and Medina are still dedicated to those who serve, or who have served. Their commitment to veterans continues through organizations like Veterans of Foreign Wars, Tunnel to Towers, and Disabled American Veterans. Medina, after years of nurturing their children, shifted her care toward others. After spending 33 years in nursing, she is now planning her retirement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Medina said, \u201cI served in the U.S. Air Force from February 1979 – July 1981 at Cannon AFB in New Mexico. My dad was a chief master sergeant there, and I was able to serve alongside him. Having grown up in a military family, this was all I knew. Growing up, my dad and our family had been stationed in England, Germany, and many other stateside bases. I met Rick when I was on a delayed enlistment, and we were married in August 1979. I have always had a sense of patriotism. I\u2019m very proud to be an American.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The principles the Stackpoles passed down to their boys echo the lessons learned from their own upbringing. Honesty, respect, hard work \u2014 values that carried their son Ricky into the U.S. Army and then into the Tennessee Army National Guard, where he serves as a lieutenant colonel. Trevor followed his own path, rising to technical sergeant in the Air Force, and is stationed in Nashville as a recruiter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Decades have passed since Medina first sat down to write that letter, her words carrying well wishes across the miles. She once wondered if their boys would grow to understand the weight of service. Now, she watches them in uniform, following the same call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Service remains at the core of all four of their lives \u2014 not just in uniform, but in the values they uphold each day. As for their grandchildren, Medina says it\u2019s too soon to know which paths they\u2019ll take. GN<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Medina Stackpole fluffed her pillow, then jammed it between her aching back and the headboard. She patted the empty spot on the mattress and whispered, \u201cWe miss you, Rick.\u201d The words of her eldest son, Ricky, echoed in her mind: \u201cWhen I grow up, I\u2019m going to serve my country like Daddy, both my grandpas, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":23925,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23923","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cover"],"yoast_head":"\n