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  • Remember why you're a patriot

    I stepped outside my home one recent August evening to catch some cool night air. Suddenly, the melancholy notes of "Taps" filled the air. I had forgotten that at 10 p.m. every day at McGuire Air Force Base, N.J., as in most military installations at nondeployed locations, the lone bugler or trumpet

  • Leaders at NFL training camp highlight appreciation for military duty

    It was my first time seeing a National Football League team in a training camp venue. For being nearly 40 years old and an avid fan of the NFL, I thought for sure that day would have been sooner but at least it finally happened. On Aug. 5, along with seven other Airmen from the U.S. Air Force

  • Civil Air Patrol: A foundation for leadership, education

    Finishing my duty one recent August day, I could hear the echo of enthusiastic chants from the cadets of the New Jersey Civil Air Patrol encampment hosted by the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center. Their chants recalled my own memories as a CAP cadet and senior member from years past.  It also got

  • Marching among heroes

    "Left. Left. Left-right-left."  It was the first time I wore a flag harness and I didn't quite realize how much the heat would affect me as I marched in my Airman Battle Uniform. Marching in temperatures of 85 degrees Fahrenheit with high humidity is somewhat unusual for this area of the Upper

  • Four more years of honor

    Every time I cite the words, "to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States," I am reminded of what an honor it is to serve in the military. I said those words for what most likely will be the last time during my reenlistment ceremony here in front of the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary

  • It's all because of dad

    This past Father's Day, when I opened cards and gifts from my children and grandchildren, it showed me how appreciated I am to those I'm lucky enough to call my family. Growing up, however, I had a model and a mentor to whom I've never publicly given a lot of credit to but I believe is one of the

  • When reducing energy use, knowledge is power

    Here at our "center of excellence," the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center, we impart knowledge to our students so they may be better able to perform their mission. Hopefully we are also absorbing the knowledge that is flowing all around us. Recently, during an Air Force Week in Philadelphia event

  • USAF EC commander: 'We move as a team'

    Since the resignation of our top two Air Force leaders, there have been some questions as to the impact on our Service. Gen. Arthur Lichte, Air Mobility Command commander, provides us a well drafted letter from his post on where we are and where we need to focus.  (See

  • AMC commander: SECAF, CSAF resignations are a call to return to basics

    Last week, our Air Force and Nation learned that our Secretary and Chief of Staff will soon step down from their leadership posts. In resigning, they accepted responsibility and held themselves accountable for recent Air Force mission failures. In accepting their resignations, the Secretary of

  • A day at Arlington is a day for remembering heroes

    The alarm clock chimed at 3 a.m. on April 9 just like it was supposed to do. My wife hit the off button and the next two minutes before I stirred seemed like an eternity. This was going to be the start of a busy day. I had to get up early to beat the morning traffic between McGuire Air Force Base,