It’s our 4th of July edition of the Pulse, over one year since we launched in June of 2022! After spending a weekend celebrating what it means to be American, I have been thinking deeply about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…
I’ve spent the last 25+ years intimately involved with aircraft owners—with their training, aircraft, businesses, and often their personal lives. Though some share more than others, when I reflect over these relationships, they all have several things in common:
1. Every one of them places a very high value on the relationships around them. Obviously, this starts with their families, but more often than not, it extends to “work, family” and their business relationships, maybe even a demo/test pilot from Pilatus. 🙂
2. They surround themselves with people that enhance their lives, and who are smarter than they are. Yes, this sounds like the obvious, but these individuals specifically “know what they don’t know…” Sure, they’re smart, but they never let their egos get in the way of acknowledging ‘what they don’t know’ and thus, they surround themselves with best CFO’s, lawyers, and managers, etc.
3. They let their passion and perseverance AND “gut instinct” guide them through their life’s journey. Yes, there were mistakes and bad decisions, but by in large, they chose the correct path the overwhelming majority of the time.
I’m sure anyone reading this can relate. In these stories of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, there are many sleepless nights along the way—times of personal or financial hardships, but, in the end, they won. They succeeded. It is such an honor to witness the result of this hard work at the finish line with a new aircraft!
That said, I’d like to share a specific moment that I will always remember. I was visiting a customer’s company headquarters in a small town in the Midwest. I walked into the wood paneled lobby decorated with some things you might expect— a few plaques, old pictures, employee of the month, etc. My host, Gary, was consumed with saying hello to the admin and other employees that had worked there for 25+ years when I found myself drawn to one of the old black and white pictures on the wall. I asked Gary what it was and he said, “Oh, that’s my dad on the left, me sitting next to him, my brother next to me, and on the far right was Bill Johnson. Those are the four guys that started the company in 1969. That’s why the tail number on our Aircraft is N469xx.” (I won’t divulge the last two letters of the registration, but they were indicative of the company name). Wow. And there you have it!
So, fast-forward 40 years, many sleepless nights, possible bankruptcy, and over 1200 employees later, I’m at the finish line with Gary. He had a goal a long time ago. He may not have verbalized the common phrase of life liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in 1969, but he sure executed it well. Oh ya, he also raised a family, and dramatically influenced the other 1200 employee families along the way. Not bad.
This month’s cover picture exemplifies that same kind of story. Like I’ve said, these unique individuals all share a common bond and characteristics that are the backbone of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I don’t have space here to do his story justice, but let’s just say it reads like a true American story. Starting with his grandfather immigrating from Western Russia in 1912 and starting a small five and dime store, to the third generation today with over 80 convenience stores, and an LP gas business that heats 25,000 homes each winter. Not bad Krist! You and your family earned it!
Again, many of you reading this know exactly what I’m talking about and I’m sure you have your own unique circumstances to reflect upon. Speaking of reflection, I think it would be a great idea for us all to step back and give thanks for our life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We’ve all earned it but should never take it for granted.
God bless America, and happy 4th of July!
-Bub