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Members of Tyndall’s Base Honor Guard show their respect and support for wounded veterans during the Annual Wounded Warrior Salute in downtown Panama City, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photos by Susan Trahan)
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A day in our shoes
Posted 8/14/2012 Updated 8/15/2012
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by Airman 1st Class Christopher Reel
325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
8/14/2012 - TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- It all began with an oath, an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. We swore to bear true faith and allegiance to the same and obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over us.
We are members of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Our daily responsibilities are often quite similar to those of a civilian; packing lunches for the kids, going to work, helping the kids with homework, or studying for college classes, however, at any given moment we could be asked to answer our nation's call to fight in the line of duty for our freedoms and for the welfare of future generations.
There are times when members of our Armed Forces don't return from the deployed theatre the same way they left; many may pay the ultimate price and many more may have life-changing injuries, mentally or physically.
It is every serviceman's job to take care of their wingmen. We as a force are a military family, and we take care of each other. We take care of our wingmen's families when a spouse is on a temporary duty assignment, deployment, or when they just need a helping hand.
"Knowing that the families I help by performing their final honors at a funeral while in Honor Guard is one of the most rewarding things I can do," said Senior Airman Jeremy Boston, 325th Operational Support Squadron air traffic control journeyman and honor guard member. "I get to first-hand thank veterans and retirees from the Air Force and Army Air Corps.
"After handing off the flag and giving our last statement of condolences to the family we simply walk away but no family forgets it. I have had multiple people come up to me and thank me for what I do in Honor Guard. They've either recognized me presenting the colors at an event or parade or at a funeral service. Seeing the public's appreciation is the greatest feeling of all."
When Airman Boston isn't performing his Honor Guard duties, he is working in the Air Traffic Control Tower monitoring flight patterns and managing the airfield complex.
Even though he has yet to be home for a Thanksgiving or Christmas in three years, the things he does in the service is worth the pay off, he explained.
"I get phone calls from old friends back home saying 'We're proud of you,' those words will never get old and will continue to be my driving force forward every day to serve," he added.
Pride and sacrifice are common driving emotions for many service members.
"Serving in the U.S. Air Force is a big sacrifice," explained Tech. Sgt. Nathan Spradley, 325th Security Forces Squadron flight chief. "But at the same time I am honored and humbled to be in the armed forces that protect this great nation we call America."
Sergeant Spradley has been in the Air Force for more than 10 years, and has served in Kuwait, Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Joint Base Balad, Iraq, and Shindand Air Base, Afghanistan.
"I have spent more than two years in combat zones away from my country, family, and friends," he said. "I left for my last deployment to Shindad when my daughter was only three weeks old. I returned when she was eight months old. However, I know that the sacrifices my family and I make, and the sacrifices that the men and women of the armed forces are making, are noble, honorable, and appreciated by the American people."
He also said he understands the need to protect our allies and those who cannot defend themselves.
"Frequently foreign wars are not about America," said Sergeant Spradley. "It is often about the well-being of citizens in distant lands (sometimes countries we have never heard of). Nevertheless, we as Americans have a duty to protect and serve those who simply can't do it themselves. We as Americans have been blessed with so much; it is only right and just that we help those who are not as fortunate as we are. Therefore, I know the sacrifices that my family and I make are being made because of an honorable cause."
Though Sergeant Spradley has missed many opportunities to make memories with his family, he appreciates the time he does have with them.
Colonel Bradley Bird, former commander of the 43rd Fighter Squadron, is currently at The Eisenhower School, part of the National Defense University, Washington, D.C., for a year to complete a master's degree in National Strategic Studies, also understands what it means to be separated from your family for long durations.
While Colonel Bird attends the university, his family will remain in Panama City, Fla., so that his son can finish his senior year of high school.
"I hated to pull him out of his senior year," said Colonel Bird. "We have been here the past four years and it would have been hard on him to go to a new school his last year of high school."
Colonel Bird will graduate in June 2013, but will not learn of his next assignment until the end of March 2013.
"I could end up anywhere," he said. "I might be in the U.S. or it could be overseas. It might even be a remote."
A remote assignment would mean that he wouldn't be able to bring his family with him while he completes a one-year assignment.
"Sometimes what is right for your family and the needs of the military don't always match up, so sacrifices have to be made," said Colonel Bird. "I've been in the Air Force for more than 20 years, and I hope to continue on the track of what the Air Force gives me. I signed up for this."
Every Airman, from new to the service to those who have retired may have a different story but all of them share one characteristic: pride. It is this pride that drives the force to exceed beyond expectations, and unites us as a family, in and out of uniform.
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