Bon Voyage to the Gobi By Roger Latham

On the evening of January 8, 2008, Airpower Council member John Dean and his beautiful wife, Shirley, sponsored a wonderful party for an old friend of the Fort Worth Airpower Council. It was a farewell party for Senior Master Sergeant William Goben, and it was held in the 'Chapel" at Joe T's. Last night the “stars” fell on a Sergeant, like a heavenly cavalcade of meteors on a warm Texas night; it was amazing. Seven, retired or active general officers, including our own MG Ed Rafalko, and his bride Renee, came to pay richly deserved tribute to our guest of honor. Every seat in The Chapel was filled with an assortment of military and civilian patriots. The Council contingent was augmented by some of our friends and the family of Sgt. Goben. The festivities were opened by Chaplin Mike Hogg’s eloquent invocation. (He's a Navy guy, but obviously knows God) The Master of Ceremony duties were masterfully (no pun intended) handled by head PA Officer LtCol. Roberta Smith. She kept the house in stitches, telling stories ranging from fixing the occasional “Colonialistic” oversights to Gobi’s ability to keep the caravans moving by the use of carefully orchestrated road-rage. Then Brigadier General Pat Cord stood and gave an absolutely splendid example of fighter pilot panache . . . Whatever that might be? Something about swagger . . . I don’t know. His presentation was funny and poignant, as he spoke about Gobi’s immeasurable contributions to the success of the 10th. Colonial Kevin Pottinger presented Gobi his 9G pin and the women of the 10th AF presented him with an old photograph, taken when he was known as Billy Bob, and doing massive amounts of “AB Work” at the gym. (See attached) Billy Bob Goben signed autographed copies of the photo for hoards of loved starved women, who stormed his table when the picture was unveiled. Again, an amazing display of affection; totally emasculating to the rest of the men in the room. One of the gifts, given to Gobi, was a beautifully crystal award, etched with the Airman’s Creed. In his acceptance speech he started by saying, “I don’t know where these words come from.” Whereupon, from the back of the room, came a mysterious thundering voice, “THE LIPS OF GOD.” No one knew where the it came from, but there was no question Who said it. I guess Whomever owns that voice was not impressed by that Church/State deal. It was not an end for SMSGT Goben, it was a beginning. He is moving to Washington, D.C. to accept an increase in rank and pay. In his farewell address, he promised to never forget Texas and the stars that showered on him, at Joe T’s Garcia’s in the early days of 2008. He also swore to return as soon as he could escape the Pentagon’s mighty grip. The Fort Worth Airpower Council will look forward to welcoming him as a new member the minute he arrives.

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