Taking our nation's patriotism with us while we serve

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Paul A. Fazzini
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  While traveling across the country, or even while in their hometown, most people would agree there is an incredible amount of patriotism being displayed through the flying of our nation's flag. Since Sept. 11, that patriotism has been more apparent to me everywhere I turn, but never more so than in the men and women I serve with in the Air Force.

I've always thought my level of "gung ho" was higher than your average airman. I always enjoyed getting "caught" during retreat, saluting both senior officers and the most junior second lieutenants. I even enjoy calling those brand new airmen sir or ma'am, and then stand when they enter my office. While they are new to my Air Force, they are professionals and deserve the respect simply because they made the choice to serve this great country.

On a recent trip aboard one of Dover's C-5 (Galaxies) to the country of Kyrgyzstan, located in the former Soviet Union, I had several opportunities to speak with the aircrew members, both officer and enlisted. I found what they do for our nation, far and away, exceeds my level of patriotism. I'm not saying that as a journalist and former maintenance troop my job is less significant, but they really impressed me with their focus, resolve to serve and warrior spirit.

As I spent more time with them -- going through the motions of crew rest, eating when you can, sleeping when you can, and patiently waiting for the alert call to happen -- each brought a different experience level to the table. One loadmaster was on his very first mission overseas, while another was on one of many since beginning his flying career during the latter stages of the Vietnam War -- more than 20 years on board the C-5 alone.

But, it was during my conversation with a flight engineer that I realized something. The flags that wave in front of homes, businesses and schools may become tattered and torn from the elements, but our servicemembers -- these aircrew members -- continue to serve without getting torn apart by the daily grind. And, they never seem to waiver in their commitments, their patriotism.

That engineer told me his patriotism is the way it is because he's carrying our nation's patriotism, more specifically your patriotism, wherever he flies. He's taking it to foreign lands where other servicemembers are fighting this war against terrorism.

Are you taking his patriotism to your job? I may never get another opportunity to fly with these individuals again, but they can count on me to press on, to represent them in all I do.

When considering the core value of "service before self," patriotism is almost automatic. But it's really not. You have to want to take your teammate and your nation's patriotism with you. It's your choice and yours alone. (Courtesy of Air Mobility Command News Service)