Serving through the season: Senior Airman Ryan Summers

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Korry Leverett
  • 341st Space Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. (AFPN) --  Of all the things he has done, Senior Airman Ryan Summers believes that working Christmas day was an honor like none other. He is a member of the 341st Security Support Squadron.

"Because of what we do, people have the freedom to celebrate whatever holiday they choose. I'm proud to be able to contribute to that," Airman Summers said . "I consider it an honor to serve my country on a holiday."

This doesn't mean that Airman Summers believed it would be easy to spend Christmas away from family and friends.

"I miss them, but I know what we do is important," he said.

Like Airmen in Iraq, Afghanistan, Ecuador, South Korea, other world hot spots and across the nation during the holiday season, Airman Summers knows about sacrifice. Airmen are warfighters. They are highly trained, skilled and valued members of the interdependent force fighting the war on terrorism. They are always ready to do their job, no matter what day it is.

Airman Summers, a 2004 graduate of Snohomish High School in Snohomish, Wash., is a keys and codes controller who has been in the Air Force more than two years. The job is tedious at times, but something he is proud to be a part of.

For Airman Summers the holiday season is an important time of year -- a time when family support is mission essential.

"Knowing that my family and friends support what we do and will be thinking of us helps me get through the holidays," he said.

Christmas was celebrated on a different day for Airman Summers, but it's not the day that matters. Whether it's celebrated on the 5th or the 15th, what matters are those you share it with, he said.

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