Holidays, observances are more than just a day off

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Michael Williams
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing command chief
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Did you make time to attend the Native American Pow-Wow celebration this past weekend?

For those of you that did not, you missed a fascinating celebration.

My family and I carved out a few minutes to observe what turned out to be a festive and unique experience.

I believe it's important for us to know and accept that we are a diverse nation and those differences are what makes this wonderful land we live in so majestic. This country was built on the fundamental principle that all men are created equal and possess the same rights.

It is well documented that we as a nation have experienced a great deal of humiliation and discomfort in trying to live up to the true meaning of that principle.

In fact, today we still don't consistently execute or practice what we preach when it comes to diverse cultures.

The reason I made time for my family and me to stop by to experience the Pow-Wow was to further educate my son on how every nationality has and will continue to contribute to our great nation.

Some of you refused to attend this particular event because you are not of Native American descendent.

The intent of the celebration was not just for those individuals of Native American descent; it was an educational opportunity for all.

This in my opinion is the reason we [Air Force] as an institution are dedicated to recognizing the seven "official" observances we celebrate: Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, Black Heritage Month, Women's History Month, Jewish Holocaust Remembrance, Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, and Native American Heritage Month.

Veterans Day is Saturday and the city of Fairfield has elected to display two all-female flights in their parade to pay tribute to women and recognizing their contributions.

Why? Because just as the other groups, they were, at one time, not afforded opportunities given to men.

So we accept our historic shortcomings, educate Americans and stand united as a nation that is deeply rooted in the principles in which Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton and others believed in when they authored the Constitution.

We observe these seven events because we are a nation founded on principles spelled out in our Constitution and Bill of Rights: equality, freedom, democracy and justice for all.

In other words, every man and woman is created equal and must be afforded the same rights.

Americans practice this belief better than any nation I know.

However, we can improve and will get better with awareness and education.

The next time you have an opportunity to learn about a different cultural, seize the moment.