What else does an octogenarian wish for life after blissful years of existence?
There are many ways to skin the cat.
For Retired Colonel Severina Anacion Rojas—a native of Lopez, Quezon and therefore, a bona fide resident of CALABARZON region, also a multimedia affiliate being associated with this writer as kin in the Villasanta family tree—to ride again in a military aircraft is her ultimate dream.
Ret. Col. Rojas, 84, also known among her friends, relatives and associates as Ate (a term of endearment to an elder woman or sister by blood or by affinity) Vener, has been in service most of her life but she just hung up her military hat in the advent of the millennium.
Ate Vener, as a military nurse, has been a veteran of the Vietnam War in the early 70s and the Jolo, Sulu battle against the rebels.
During operations, Ate Vener was always flown to the battlefield in helicopters, eight-seater military planes, C-7 and other types of military air transport systems.
“I live in the vicinity of Camp Aguinaldo and whenever an aircraft hovers over our house, I always feel the courage to get to a destination where I can cure and heal our freedom fighters.
“My wish at this age is to ride again in a military aircraft,” Ate Vener said with a smile.