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COMMENTARIES

  • Memorial Day begins Critical Days of Summer campaign

    Memorial Day weekend officially marks the beginning of the Air Force Critical Days of Summer safety campaign. This is historically the period in which the Air Force experiences the most mishaps, particularly during off-duty activities. Increased daylight hours and better weather provide more

  • Make safe choices, easily prevent mishaps

    If you had the chance to make a decision that would save your family and friends untold heartache and pain, would you? I think the answer is a resounding, "Yes!" Yet, with all too common frequency, Airmen make choices and decisions that can cost them pain and suffering, their careers, or even their

  • 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