CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
When you hear the word "hero," who do you think of?
Your first thought might go to Purple Heart decorated veterans of past wars -- people like fighter pilot aces of World War II who risked almost certain death every mission of every day, and yet they continued to fight. Or, you might think of the prisoners of war from the Vietnam War who were held captive and tortured for years, not knowing if they would ever see home again. Books, movies and museums are all full of stories about the many heroes of these past wars.
As these generations of heroes slowly begin to pass away and become legends, we are reminded that these people weren't born heroes. Before they were legends and heroes, they were simply ordinary men and women who answered the call of military service. Today's military members also answer that call and probably do not think what they do is extraordinary. They simply think they're doing their job because that is what the uniformed member next to them is also doing. Little do they realize, they are tomorrow's heroes!
When our children and their children grow up and look back at the sacrifices our military members made to protect their way of life, they will want to know, what did grandma and grandpa do when they fought in the Global War on Terrorism? Their parents will tell them the stories, the future legends, of what you are doing every day, at home and abroad, in service to the nation.
Here, Team Charleston, like many units in the Air Force, is flying round-the-clock missions and deploying entire squadrons. We're on the front lines as convoy drivers, security forces members, combat camera photographers, explosive ordinance disposal Airmen and more. Whether you realize it now or not, we are the heroes of tomorrow. We are the ones who risk our lives and sacrifice time with our families, better paying jobs and more stable lives because we believe in what we do.
Monday, we dedicated our Visitor Control Center to a local hero, Samuel Lyons. Sam Lyons, as he's more commonly known, is often referred to as the "Godfather of Charleston AFB." Mr. Lyons, who passed away last year, was well-known throughout our community and was the Honorary Wing Commander of Charleston AFB. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, World War II and the Korean conflict, and an avid supporter of the Air Force base here. He was the first "Ambassador in Blue" and made numerous trips to the Pentagon and to Congress to speak about the importance of keeping a military presence in Charleston.
Sam Lyons would not have thought of himself as a hero, but that's exactly what he was. Not only a war hero, he was a hero for Charleston AFB and for the Air Force overall. Now his name will forever be associated with this base for all who stop in or drive by the new Samuel F. Lyons Visitor Control Center.
So, next time you see a photograph of yourself, working out on the flightline or at your computer, and it appears that you are simply doing your everyday military job, imagine that photo, one day in the future, in a history book or hanging on a wall in a museum. You deliver freedom and save lives everyday ... realize that future generations will one day call you a hero!
Team Charleston ... one family, one mission, one fight!