The thread that binds

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Paul Dean
  • 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., --  More than 200 people from the local community and Altus Air Force Base shared a common bond at a ceremony and luncheon to honor the nation's service members, their sacrifices and the sacrifices of their families Nov. 11.

Col. Stuart Shaw, 97th Air Mobility Wing vice commander, helped place a memorial wreath at the Jackson County War Memorial and also gave the keynote speech at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4876 luncheon.

The ceremony and luncheon were attended by veterans who served in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Shield/Storm and the current war on terrorism campaigns. Each group hailed comrades from campaigns and eras other than their own as the true heroes; and the overtone of the day was a sense of looking up and respect for others. The day honored selflessness.

Col. (ret.) Aaron "Burley" Burleson, Altus Air Force Base commander from September 1973 through July 1974, and a command pilot who flew bombers in WWII, offered his praise and respect for service members who followed his generation, the "Greatest Generation." "[Veterans Day] brings back memories of my service in the Pacific Theatre and how we were just a bunch of kids having a good time," he said, downplaying the immense sacrifices he and his peers made. The retired colonel believes today's Airmen and Soldiers have a much tougher job.

Taking the opposite, yet mutually respectful perspective, Senior Airman Robert M. Uhlemeyer, 97th AMW Logistics Readiness Squadron, looks to his veteran predecessors as those who gave the most. Airman Uhlemeyer set his sights on military service at a young age, 13, because of the respect he had for his grandfather, who served in WWII and Korea. "The things they had to go through were much harder than for us," he said. The Airman remembers stories of his grandfather and the hardships he faced. "We have a lot more technology today, things are easier," said Airman Uhlemeyer. "But one thing that's the same is that I serve hoping that the next guy won't have to."

There are common themes to each of these perspectives and all those in their orbit: Service before self and the commitment to stand up when the nation calls. Tech. Sgt. Romney Sheirer, 97th AMW, labeled this commonality patriotism, a binding mechanism regardless of the generation or conflict. "We are better trained today and have better benefits. But we are also all volunteers today," she said. There are many reasons and events that lead up to a person performing military service, said the Sergeant. "But in the end it all comes down to patriotism," she added.

Colonel Shaw distilled the viewpoints into a single, common denominator: "Every generation has faced unique challenges," he said. "What brings each of these [veterans, families and supporters] together is the simple fact that every one of them stepped up and served when the nation called." The colonel also emphasized the role of those "who serve in the background," the families who make equal, if not greater sacrifices.

After noting several examples of men and women who do extraordinary things for the nation, day in and out, while proclaiming it "Just in a day's work," the Colonel offered a simple yet robust proclamation: "From one [veteran] to another, no matter what age you are, each of us shares a common bond: service to our nation. I salute you."