Mike Beehn, 68-years-old, retired as manager of Southern Illinois Lumber Company in 2011. He now has time for his hobbies which include spending time with his family, painting, photography, woodworking, and reading about military aircraft. His love of aircraft is a result of his years as a crew chief on a B52 in the United States Air Force. He decided to write his memories of these years in the USAF so his grandchildren would understand why he is called a veteran.