Special connections made at Thunderbird Air Show

During the recent Thunderbirds Air Show, a family by the name of Leslie and Paul Reynolds was in attendance. I visited with Leslie about her family connections to the Air Force. The Reynolds family is from a long line of military people. Her father, John L. Mallar, retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the Air Force. In 1982, he was a maintenance commander for the A-10s. He was on one of the big teams as an engineer that helped design the A-10, with Fairchild Republic, back in the late sixties, early seventies. His big team won, because of the Gatling Gun on the front and the 50-caliber bullets. The family has a lot of the A-10 memorabilia, and all are just super proud of him.

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Left to right: Lt. Col. John Maller; Commemorative plaque award; Paul & Leslie (Mallar) Reynolds at the Air Show in Branson (Photos shared with permission from Leslie Reynolds) 

When Leslie was in elementary school, she would do reports on the A-10s, and receive all A+ grades. When I spoke with Leslie, she stated that grew up as a military child. Her father, mother Dorothy (Esquire) and siblings as a military family traveled together, wherever the military took them. 

She stated that some kids feel traumatized with all the challenges of moving often and starting over. Leslie stated that her brother never really thought much about it. Her sister felt she was traumatized because she didn't get to grow up in the same town for her school years. Leslie felt it as though it was an adventure. Before Leslie was twenty-one, the family had been on four continents, lived all over the world, went to high school in Europe and saw so many places and things to do—all the things that people today who are Leslie's age—still haven't accomplished.

Now married to Paul, a retired Navy man, they both enjoy attending the air shows and anything military related. Her list of military relatives is long, consisting of a father-in-law, sister, niece, brother-in-law –all who were in the Army. They love to support all military due to the many branches that are reflected in the family. 

While attending the show, Leslie and her husband were able to witness their own son, Michael, get to show his work. Michael is a firefighter and also works for a fireworks company here in Missouri. He was cross-trained to set off fireworks for the 4th of July display at his church, starting four years ago. So now Michael is involved with the holiday fireworks in Branson and the surrounding area. When they held the show at the Branson Landing for the Thunderbirds and they did the fireworks show, Michael was a part of that team. 

Leslie and her family would like to "thank" all who attend and support our military, veterans and all emergency personnel for all that they do. And a special "thanks" to Branson for bringing the Thunderbirds here and for all that they do for the veterans, military and emergency personnel.

It was a joy to visit with Leslie, and until the next time, good tidings to such a wonderful family.