"Your vision is not limited by what your eyes can see, but by what your mind can imagine. Many things that you take for granted were considered unrealistic dreams by previous generations. If you accept these past accomplishments as commonplace then think of the new horizons you can explore.

From your vantage point, your education and imagination will carry you to places which we won't believe possible. Make your life count---and the world will be a better place because you tried."

Ellison S. Onizuka 1980

Guam 1980 I was assigned by the government as personal security for Lt.Col. Ellison Onizuka on his tour in the Micronesia Islands. In the past I was assigned security for many visiting dignitaries. But I was very excited when I got the assignment E.S.O. Ellison flew over 1700 hours, 43 different aircraft, he was what we today call "the extreme; Ellison was a test pilot. Think about that?

When Ellison arrived at the Guam Airport, he walked off the plane as if he never left a place he never lived. The common element was Ellison was an island boy from Hawaii.

From the moment he stepped off the aircraft onto Guam soil. I was the unidentified shadow no less than 2 feet away from him at all times. Every now and then I could catch his side glance at me. Probably wondering who this civilian dressed female? She isn't wearing a hula skirt, no smile, no eye contact, and obvious has permission to be here. Wanting to do my best job, my eyes appeared to be everywhere but him, but I will confess that during those moments , having 100% perfect peripheral vision, my eyes never left him either. I knew a lot about Ellison his background and was as excited as any kid with box seats at the world series.

After the governor, senators, bishops, top ranking military officials finished greeting him, Ellison turned around and looked at me and said, " I can only guess you have been assigned security for me, I love you Guam!" I couldn't help but laugh because Ellison had such expression in his face, he had a passion for life. And I knew he did not feel insulted at having a government assigned female bodyguard. Quite the opposite, he loved to see anyone achieve what was considered "less acceptable"...acceptable.

I was trying my best not to bow to him, and say "thank you , thank you, thank you" I just responded, that it was a honor and privilege to get this assignment and would do my best to make his tour a safe and a comfortable one.

I have to tell you, Ellison Onizuka was a down to earth person with a sense of humor, and quick wit that could melt down even the strongest actor. He was an island boy though and though.. After all the official business was over, Ellison and Jon made it our obligation to visit the Hilton Hotel Nightclub for some drinks. I was off duty, and thrilled that I would share the company of these men. Ellison and I became friends from then on.

We talked about island life, food, family, the future, the hopes for humanity and the unlimited possibilities in space travel. Although I had what seemed like hundreds of questions for Ellison, he in all modesty and curiosity had his own questions about me. He knew I had certain skills to do what I do and just had to know what motivated me to go beyond the norm, into the unacceptable occupation that women were not suppose to do. I felt unworthy to even be sitting there let alone listening to him sincerely interested in who I was. He sensed this and then asked me what I drank when off duty at fiesta's (Island parties) ( I was drinking 7 up then) I told him I usually drank what ever was being passed around, from Jim Beam, to Jack Daniel, to tuba (local drink) Jack Daniel is was! with beer chaser. Both of us. We both bragged about our families. Ellison loved his family. He wanted to know everything about my two sons. My plans for them, everything. Then he did the hero thing. He asked if it would be possible to greet and meet my sons before he left his tour. ( I was beyond myself, I couldn't wait to tell my boys, who still have the huge package of signed photos of Ellison and the projects he was involved in) He mailed this package within the week he was back to Nasa.

Funny, Ellison was a funny guy, I mean you have to remember above all, Ellison was a pilot, pilots are special skilled, intelligent, strong, quick, and creative beings. Most of all, knowing that each of us are blessed at birth with gifts, it is not the gift that counts, it is that we use the gifts. So Ellison was a man of his word to God, and used what he was blessed with.

I never laughed so hard for a week straight, he had a file in his brain of humor that fit every situation. I was in responsible for his safety by day, and his pal at the Hilton at night. If you think I am kidding, I found a picture on the net to give you an idea of what a beautiful balanced human being he was.

I can't help but have tears running down my face at this very moment as I am writing this, because this is Ellison being Ellison. I had many letters from Ellison over the years, and due to a typhoon, lost all but one which I am going to enclose. It was his first letter to me, I will always treasure it.

I found it going though that box of stuff at moms.

Jan 28th 1986.

Six years later, I was on my way to work. I was listening to the radio for the mission to take off. I had a party planned after work to celebrate the shuttle's take off. I could just picture Ellison wide eyed, smiling at the rest of the crew. But then the image changed as I was listening to the radio, and the disaster was happening, I had to pull over. I was in shock. THIS COULD NOT BE TRUE. Crying and in dis-belief I went on to work to ask the day off, and went home and watched the news, only once, and never again, have I watched it again, or even looked at a picture of that tragic day my friend died.

But I recall the words he says in his quote above where one part says, " Think of the new horizons you can explore"

I know Ellison is having a blast where ever he is, and he is including anyone one around him, no matter who they are. He is an island boy.