CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Dozens of Charleston AFB Airmen had the honor of visiting the Naval Weapons Station Charleston last month to attend the dedication of the Space and Naval Warfare Center's new Engineering Laboratory Center named in honor of retired Brig. Gen. Tom Mikolajcik. General Mikolajcik was the 437th Airlift Wing commander at Charleston AFB from July 1991 to June 1994. I was one of the Charleston AFB Airmen in attendance, and two things struck me as I listened to the ceremony.
First was the number of high-level government and military leaders who were present to honor General Mikolajcik. The governor of South Carolina, one former and one sitting U.S. Senator, and a four-star general all attended and had heartfelt and glowing remarks for General Mikolajcik.
The second thing that struck me was most of the accomplishments of General Mikolajcik the speakers mentioned occurred after his retirement from the Air Force. Since he was selected to be a wing commander during his career, it is obvious his time on active duty was full of accomplishments that set him apart from his peers. An example of his accomplishments include a big role in making the C-17 Globemaster III a reality. However, in the minds of the speakers, General Mikolajcik's actions after retirement eclipsed his stellar military career.
What a great legacy! Not only did he start strong, but he also finished strong. This is especially impressive because General Mikolajcik has done this despite suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease. The disease is a debilitating illness that slowly kills nerve cells until a person loses muscle control and eventually becomes paralyzed. He has remained relentless despite major obstacles and is finishing strong.
Although a lifelong legacy of starting strong and finishing strong is most impressive, finishing strong can also be evident over a shorter period of time.
I recently attended a going away lunch for an 437th Operations Support Squadron member who was separating from the Air Force and I saw another example of finishing strong. As the individual's flight commander presented farewell remarks, she took time to recount how the member had spent their last week before leaving the Air Force. The individual had been at work 13 to 14 hours a day to ensure all duties and additional duties were in order to be handed off. He also stayed up until 2 a.m. making food to support our wing's monthly Airman Appreciation Dinner. This was an Airman who in two days was no longer going to be in the Air Force, who had her final performance report and award completed, and was still searching for her post-Air Force employment. She had nothing to gain from finishing strong the way she did other than the intrinsic knowledge that it was the right thing to do. She finished strong and left a legacy for those who worked with her and stood as an example to those who attended her farewell lunch.
Similarly, as a military, we are involved in a war that may have a positive, long lasting historical impact - if we finish strong. I am reminded of President Kennedy's words from the Cold War era that remain relevant today. He cautioned the graduates of the U.S. Naval Academy that "When there is a visible enemy to fight in open combat ... many serve, all applaud and the tide of patriotism runs high. But when there is a long, slow struggle with no immediate, visible foe, your choice will seem hard indeed." For those of us who were in the military in October of 2001 or March of 2003, we remember the strong start to Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. Now is the time to ensure we stay strong and ultimately finish strong against an enemy that seems tireless and is not always readily visible.
So whether your point of reference is a lifetime, a career, an assignment or a deployment, reflect on the legacy of those that have walked this path before us like General Mikolajcik. Start strong, stay strong and finish strong.