Take time to reflect, learn

  • Published
  • By Brig. Gen. Mark T. Matthews
  • 48th Fighter Wing commander
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England (AFPN) --  In 1980 it seemed improbable to me that an actor I remembered most as host of “Death Valley Days” might get elected, much less succeed, as president of the United States. But I and a lot of other Americans were mightily surprised.

What I failed to understand at the time was the importance of not only communicating, but selling, a vision of where you wanted to lead people. I’ve met a lot of smart folks over the years, but only a few had this rare gift as did our 40th President. How did he do it?

Most importantly, I think it was his sincerity; his sincerity in the love for his country and the sincerity of the love for his wife. Like every president in my lifetime, he had his detractors as well as his fierce proponents, but only the most cynical of pundits doubted his heartfelt belief in what the United States stood for, his love of the American people and his commitment to the first lady.

Regardless of your own political viewpoints, I think these characteristics are instructive for all of us. As members of the United States Air Force, we define ourselves by our commitment to defend the liberties guaranteed by our Constitution.

But do you project that commitment in the way you comport yourself on a daily basis? Do those around you see in you that fervor as manifested by your commitment to know your job and do it well? Do they sense your sincerity by the way you treat and talk of those officers and NCOs appointed above you? Do you show yourself as one who holds sacred the values of loyalty and honesty in the way you keep the trust of your spouse and others close to you?

If not, then your words will ring hollow and your actions will be suspect. Your apparent commitment, unmasked by your insincerity, will be seen as nothing more than a superficial facade worn as a means to some self-serving goal.

Don’t misunderstand. It’s not wrong to use your military service as a way to gain an education, learn a life-long skill, or just as an opportunity to go out and do something really interesting while you figure out how you want to spend the rest of your life. But while you do this, if you’re not equally as committed, as demonstrated by your sincerity, in preparing yourself for what we all took an oath to do -- defend liberty, with our lives if necessary -- then you will fall short of the standard our citizens, and those who would follow you, expect.

June 11 is a day of national mourning. We have this day to reflect on the life and many achievements of President Ronald Reagan. Most importantly, we have this time for introspection and before us an example of a great American who simply loved his country and its people. "Win one for the Gipper.” Learn from him.