Commentary Search

  • 'The cause is the reward'

    The best advice I have ever heard about serving our nation, was told to me quite recently, "The cause is the reward." I learned that lesson in a wonderful way this year on the Fourth of July. I contemplated a transfer to an Air Force Reserve unit closer to my home, at the beginning of this year; I

  • What are the building blocks of character?

    According to the dictionary, the word "character" means "the combination of qualities or features that distinguishes one person, group, or thing from another." These qualities separate individuals in their jobs, performances, and in their personal and professional relationships. In today's world, I

  • Take control of your destiny

    I don't know about you, but I love a good underdog story. One where a person comes from relative obscurity and against all odds, changes the rest of their life. Why do I love these stories? Because they give me hope, hope that I can and should do anything. One example of this kind of success, began

  • Why not the Air Force Marathon in 2012?

    In 2011, I set a personal goal of attending and completing the Air Force Half Marathon which is held each year in September at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. At the time, 13.1 miles seemed like something that was totally out of reach. I had signed up for my first 5K in January of 2011 to

  • First impressions in the Land of Lincoln

    They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Well, the men and women of the 932 AW don't need a second chance with me. As I complete my first full month on station it is apparent that the pride and professionalism I have witnessed over the past several weeks is the hallmark of

  • To dream the impossible dream

    When I was in college, I heard a motivational speaker talk about making a list of all the things we would like to do and accomplish in our life. He encouraged us to be bold; dare to dream big; name places we would like to go; list things we would love to experience. I don't know about others in the

  • Life jackets, helmets, chainsaws, grills, sunscreen

    OK, well at least you are probablyreading this next linejust to see where this isgoing...but while you have probably heardthe first part of this list more times than youcan now count (...at least without takingyour shoes off)...you have probably notheard that last one very often. Yes, it made this

  • Memorial Day-- time to pause, reflect

    Monday, May 30 is Memorial Day. For many, it means a long weekend, family gatherings, hot grills, and auto racing. However, thetrue meaning of this day is a bit more somber and reverent. For some it's a day spent in one of countless cemeteries across the country and on foreign soil in remembrance of

  • Maintaining balance in your life

    I just wanted to take a few minutes of your life that you will not get back. Directly that is...because what I want to share with you can be applied to so many parts of our lives that maybe you can reclaim some of the time wasted on superfluous, tedious and unnecessarily stressful tasks in life.Now