Americans live the dream, guard the homeland

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. James M. Hamrick
  • Headquarters Air Combat Command
As we watched the horrific events of Sept. 11 unfold, we witnessed the first major attack on the continental United States since the War of 1812. We asked ourselves, "What can we do?"

For those of us in the military that question was answered for us. We are at war against terrorism. We will either provide support for those who are deployed or strike the enemy directly.

As we all know, we have an extended American military family. We are a collection of active duty, reservists, National Guard members, retirees, civil servants, spouses and children. Our family gets larger when we include our parents, aunts and uncles, grandparents and wonderful citizens of our local communities. Each of them wants to know what they can do to guard our homeland.

My family asked that question. The answer from my wife and our two older children was a vow not to succumb to the terrorists' desire to change the American way of life. My wife travels with her friends. My teenagers carry on with high school and university life. My little girl's answer was to make a donation to the White House fund for Afghan children.

My grandmother and her husband, a highly decorated World War II enlisted pilot, asked, "What can we do?" After I convinced Stanley that openings for 80-something combat pilots were pretty rare, their answer was to keep an eye out on the comings and goings of folks in their neighborhood. I guarantee they'll report anything suspicious.

My mother and father, a former Marine and a retired Marine, asked, "What can we do?" All I can say is bin Laden better not get within about 400 yards of their house! My sister, a nurse, has her guard up for suspicious diseases.

My neighbors all asked me, "What can I do?" Now they all know that if they see something suspicious they can let me know and I'll ensure the appropriate federal authorities are notified.

Each member of our immediate and extended military family has a role to play in our war against terrorism. Our vast military family has a presence in every government, educational institution, business and region of America. This new enemy needs to know that every member of our family will carry on with the normal activities of American life. And that now every member of our extended military family is on guard. We will not be taken advantage of again. (Courtesy of Air Combat Command News Service)