Our friend, Brig. Gen. Richard F. Abel, now in his 80’s, retired after serving his country for thirty years, proudly wearing the uniform with integrity.   

With Ann, his faithful Texas belle, on his arm, Dick led the Air Force’s Warhawks acrobatic jet team and coached the Academy’s Falcons. His Pentagon tour was as Director of Public Relations under the Secretary of the Air Force.   

His remarkable career included Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs under two Presidents.  Perhaps his most historic assignment was leading five missions to escort our valiant POWs from the Hanoi Hilton to freedom. 

In retirement he has become an author, founded a leadership training organization and was President of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes assisted by the Dallas Cowboys’ famed Head Coach, Tom Landry.  Wearing yet another, globally strategic hat, he headed up Campus Crusade for Christ’s “Military Ministry,” encouraging chaplains from many nations.   

Recently, despite health issues, the General has produced two podcast series – Vector Connector and Vector Reflector. Fittingly, Dick’s personal flight plan still keeps him on course until God calls him up into the wild blue yonder. 

Who’s keeping you on course? 

 “For the Lord Himself will appear with the declaration of victory, the shout of an archangel and the trumpet blast of God.  He will descend from the heavenly realm and command the dead in Christ to rise first. Then we who are alive will join them, transported together in clouds to have an encounter with the Lord in the air, and we will be forever joined with the Lord. So  encourage one another with these truths.”

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

General Abel at His Deal on September 9, 2020

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