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COMMENTARIES

  • Why we should be thankful for those around us

    Around every Thanksgiving, we look to find the reasons we are thankful. It may be about what we have in life -- or for someone like me -- we are thankful for the family who surrounds us.As a near 19-year veteran of the Air Force, my family has always been a military family since it began in the same

  • Veterans Day: 'Find ways to express our gratitude for veterans'

    11.11.11. These numbers have significant meaning for most of us because we recognize it immediately as the time, date and month that marked the end of World War I. For those living 92 years ago, it meant an immediate end to a global conflict and hope for a future filled with negotiations, not

  • A bass or a catfish -- which are you?

    Part of being a leader is finding effective ways to impart key concepts into the hearts and minds of those we lead.  One way to do this is through the use of comparative word pictures, or metaphors. When briefing my squadron, I often only display pictures or images since most people remember more of

  • It's not the desk that matters

    "Golembeski!" he bellowed. He didn't say my name right, but I heard him loud and clear, and I knew who he was talking to. Still, I looked down and stepped backwards, positioning myself so that a fellow Airman was between me and the owner of the thundering voice."Golembeski," he repeated loudly,

  • Shape your life with values

    Take a minute and reminisce back to the day when you first put on your military uniform. For many it was probably basic training, Reserve Officer Training Corps or the Air Force Academy. Can you recall the sense of pride you felt at the time? As I often recall, it was a feeling of pride, honor,

  • Push yourself to the max!

    At 6 a.m. Sept. 23, Lt. Col. Patrick Castle lined up on the James Gym track for his 1 1/2-mile run portion of the Air Force's annual fitness test, having just completed a marathon 11 days previously. Normally this is the time period for athletes to recover and slowly rebuild their muscles, not push

  • One Airman at a time

    Have you ever had a supervisor that seemed to do all the right things? One that was caring and compassionate yet firm when it came to the standards? Highly involved in your career and genuinely concerned for your well being? Decisive and accountable? The example for all? How about a supervisor that

  • Mention the word

    Mention the word "deployment" to any military member or their family and there is a knowing look that crosses their faces. It is a look of resolution mixed with sadness and empathy. It's the "I've been there, done that" look. Deployments are difficult. They strain the military members and their

  • Why patriotism matters

    The sun glistened off of Sunday Lake in my hometown of Wakefield, Mich., as I sat there in my 30-year-old, 14-foot aluminum boat and watched my 12-year-old granddaughter Lyla Gale carefully cast a fishing line next to a weed bed."How's my casting Grampa?" Lyla asked me."Perfect," I replied, thinking