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COMMENTARIES

  • My talk with the chief: 'Do the right thing, for the right reason'

    It was a busy Wednesday afternoon. I was at work, just like any other day, never expecting to speak with retired eighth Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Sam Parish."Do the right thing, for the right reason," said Chief Parish. "And the right reason never entails 'I.' You do the right thing,

  • Honoring our fallen warriors, from a C-17 pilot's experience

    There is one thing that causes everything to pause in a deployed C-17 pilot's day -- a fallen American Hero. Usually the first indication that you will be transporting a Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine who has paid the ultimate price is your parking spot. Each parking spot is more or less useful

  • 'There I was ...' -- Afghanistan deployment an experience in job satisfaction

    There I was landing in Kandahar, Afghanistan, on Nov. 20, 2010, bracing myself for the arrival onto the airfield. I was a little nervous but excited to start a new experience. Kandahar was surprisingly quiet in the late hours of the night. As I walked off the airplane, I started to get excited and

  • Officer's journey for healing inspires others

    In case you have not had a chance to read the story about how one officer at Scott AFB sought help when he experienced thoughts of suicide and how he overcame a low point in his life, please ensure you take the time to read it now. I've included it in this week's paper, located just below this

  • Positive thinking proves to be powerful personal ally

    Upon entering 2011, I knew I had some tough personal choices to make immediately to start off the year. These choices were life-altering, and I knew I needed to find a way to gain the strength through the effects of these choices.Enter positive thinking. I knew the choices I was making were going to

  • The strength of our nation is founded in trust

    "Trust is a peculiar resource; it is built rather than depleted by use." -- UnknownThe past few weeks it has been impossible to pick up a paper without noticing the dramatic riots erupting in the Middle East. The people there grew so tired of the system they were living in that they resorted to

  • PT and personal responsibility

    Throughout my years I have been given many tasks, assignments, and projects. Personal responsibility is the guiding value that has driven me through to completion of the tasks I have been assigned.I strongly believe in personal responsibility. My leadership sums it best with the terms "fire and

  • A way out: My journey from the brink of suicide

    I recently celebrated two important anniversaries. On Jan. 30, 2010, I decided when and how I was going to end my life. The night before, I went to bed and slept for two hours, as I had for the previous nine or so months. Once I was sure my wife was asleep, I got out my laptop and researched how

  • Great thoughts from great presidents

    As our nation prepares to celebrate Presidents' Day, which was originally a commemoration of George Washington's birthday, I would like to take a few moments to celebrate not only the leadership qualities of the Father of our Country, but also some of the great men who have led our great nation

  • Communication is key to success in workplace

    My wife and I signed up for the Sweetheart Seminar hosted by the Joint Base Warfighter and Family Readiness Center this weekend to learn about effective communication skills and practices that could help strengthen our relationship.Not only did I learn skills to help on the home front, but learned