Airmen witness history from Southwest Asia

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  Thousands of miles from home, members of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing at this air base in Southwest Asia were still able to witness history being made as they watched the inauguration of President Barack Obama live Jan. 20 here.

The inauguration was not scheduled to start until 7 p.m., but by 6:30 p.m., Airmen and civilian contractors were already filling the base theater seats waiting for history to begin.

"We think it's a historic event," said Maj. Sean Marler, the 386th Expeditionary Force Support Squadron commander. "Not just for the change of commander in chief, but also a change for civil rights in the United States."

Senior Airman Charlene Rockett, a 386th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, is a Chicago native deployed from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. She said the moment was moving for her.

"I'm going to cry tonight," she said. "I'm proud. Some people didn't think this would ever happen. I just wish I could be home for this moment to share it with my sisters."

Manu Thacher, a civilian with the 386th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron said Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream had finally come true.

"It's one of the most historical days in the history of the U.S.," he said. "I never thought I'd see it. Now it's reality. Martin Luther King has now become reality."

For some, the historic occasion was a first.

"I think it's pretty cool," said 1st Lt. Alan Marks, a 386th EFSS operations officer. "The last time we had a new president, I was 16. I'm excited to get to watch it on the big screen. I wish him the best of luck."

Master Sgt. Michael Aumack, the 386th EFSS recreation section chief, was the NCO in charge of making the inauguration available in the theater. He said it was important to give Airmen the opportunity to see history unfold.

"You only get one crack at history," he said. "If we can centralize it, it will be something they'll remember for the rest of their lives." 

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