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COMMENTARIES

  • Remember our heroes, and their families, this Memorial Day

    In 2008, I went to a military funeral at Arlington National Cemetery for an American hero. The hero I saw laid to rest that day was surrounded by many, many more heroes -- his family.That funeral was held on April 9, 2008, for Maj. Robert F. Woods -- a former missing in action Airman who was buried

  • Building ‘bridges’ to a brighter future

    I can easily reach back 24 years and recall how exhilarated I was feeling when I was handed my high school diploma during graduation ceremonies at Wakefield (Mich.) High School on May 24, 1987. I also remember the dread I was feeling in knowing that life was about to get tougher.Every year, I'm sure

  • Birdstrike on a Harley

    When the sun finally broke through the clouds here recently, legions of motorcyclists took to the road. The temperature wasn't what anyone would call balmy, so most of them were wearing leathers and decent lids. But this being the Pacific Northwest, I noticed several Darwin Award candidates riding

  • Teamwork, toughness, positive mental attitude: Keys to our nation's demands

    "Tough times don't last. Tough people do," said Fisher DeBerry, one of the Air Force Academy's most memorable football coaches, who used this as a catch phrase to inspire his players to dig deep when the odds were stacked against us or when our team was facing overwhelming challenges. Though we

  • Perspectives on leadership: Comprehensive Airman Fitness -- Daring to care

    Air Mobility Command recently called up hundreds of Guard, Reserve and active duty Airmen to support Operations Odyssey Dawn and Unified Protector. We gave these Airmen between 4 and 36 hours notice to get on an aircraft and forward deploy. These amazing Airmen answered the call to protect freedom

  • Embrace change

    One of my favorite quotes comes from Jerry Rice -- "Today I will do what others won't, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can't." In order to accomplish greater feats, changes are often required.Change is something we hear about and must deal with all the time. Generally, people do not like

  • Military mom: Supporting military families year round

    During the Month of the Military Child in April, there were picnics and parades, fairs and festivals in communities across the country -- all to recognize and honor military children for their special contributions to our nation.There is no issue nearer or dearer to my heart than reinforcing to our

  • Achieving greatness through effective decisions

    New commanders traditionally provide their squadrons a road map for organizational success. Most road maps incorporate mission statements and visions to help unit members understand the part they play in the larger team effort. Squadron objectives naturally nestle under group objectives to ensure a

  • Everything happens for a reason

    I have thought long and hard about how to use my "350 words or less" for this commentary. I read through many of the commentaries from years passed to ensure I not reiterate what others have said. I perused through my saved computer files of things I found interesting in hopes that it would spark

  • The day autism was made into a fool

    It was April 1, also known as "April Fool's Day," and I saw a 14-year-old boy make autism into a fool.The 14-year-old is my son Jackson. On April 1, 2011, he was competing in the Chicago area as an Illinois state finalist for the National Geography Bee representing the entire Mascoutah, Ill., School