Air Force Memorial: Inspiration leads to future success

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Shad Eidson
  • Air Force Print News
WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  The Air Force Memorial was designed by the Air Force Memorial Foundation to represent different things to different people. For Staff Sgt. Paul Piper, it's simple inspiration.

The sergeant can remember in the eighth grade when he was first inspired to serve his country during a visit to the D.C. area and seeing the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for the first time.

"It's about time the Air Force has a memorial," the command post controller with the Air Force District of Washington at Bolling Air Force Base, MD said. "To have a memorial to recognize so many people, is a requirement."

Sergeant Piper became involved with the event when he volunteered to coordinate and schedule volunteers for the AFDW information booth at the Air Force Open House that is coinciding with the memorial dedication ceremony Oct. 14.

"It's interesting to see how much work goes into it before the volunteers actually show up," said the sergeant who grew up in Union, N.J.

Sergeant Piper began his service to country as a unit supply specialist in the New Jersey Army National Guard for three years, until he decided to go active duty and switched to the Air Force.

"I'm always looking to challenge myself. If you don't, things can get boring," said the sergeant who has seen the Air Force core values and Army's values mirror each other during the five years since his transition.

While his path to the military began in Washington, Sergeant Piper hopes they will lead to an assignment as a military training instructor so he can "have a positive impact on some of the younger Airman coming into the service and maybe inspire them in turn."