CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
As we reflect on the life of our first Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Paul Airey, we hear the stories of the son, husband and father of three. His career took him from northern Africa to a German prison camp, to Okinawa, Japan and ultimately to the Pentagon as the voice advocate of enlisted Airmen.
After reading all the stories about this great leader, I became enamored by his accomplishments and inspired at the same time. I started to think, "What are my contributions to this U.S. Air Force and this great nation?"
As all of the brave men and women of this wonderful nation raised their hands to join the Air Force, we've contributed in a way a lot of people can only imagine. We live by a different creed then some of our friends we grew up with in school. We live by the core values of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all we do. We have no set schedules to work because we are Airmen 24/7/365.
As I started reflecting even further, I asked myself the same question I will pose to all of you "Is that enough? Have I done my part?" Our wing commander, Col. John "Red" Millander, stated in one of his commander's calls he wanted to leave every place better then he found it and those words were embedded in my mind since that day. Some of us may never get the opportunity to work at the Pentagon or have the extensive travels or be as decorated as our former chief master sergeant of the Air Force, but we still can leave a lasting legacy in our own right. We all can leave this place better then we found it.
As a first sergeant I receive and send out numerous e-mails soliciting help ranging from the local Habitat for Humanity, an organization building homes for the less fortunate, Air Force Sergeants Associates sponsored adopt-a-highway, cleaning the streets for our community, to requested visits to our Veterans Association hospital from our fellow servicemen and women. These are just a few examples of how you can contribute and leave this place better then you found it. This is how you build your legacy.
No matter the contributions we've made thus far in our careers, let's hope we've yet to achieve our greatest. I would like to believe we can always improve and our next contribution will be our best yet. As I think about my actions, I consider how they will make a difference and I focus on the changes will leave a legacy for the Airmen who have yet to even join the ranks of our Air Force.
I challenge you to channel and focus your actions. Find a way, no matter how small, every day to improve upon your legacy. Whether you choose to serve your country for four years or 30, leave your fellow Airmen with something greater than you began with. Leave your place better then you found it. Leave your legacy.