Perseverance - changes can only happen with you Published Jan. 7, 2011 By Chief Master Sgt. Victor Camacho 349th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron flight superintendent TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- You asked me about my thoughts. Do you really want to hear what I have to say? That was my response when asked to write something in this months' issue of the Tailwind. I felt how Chief Master Sgt. Kathleen Buckner said she felt in the first paragraph of her piece in the December 2010 issue of the Contact: How do you select one that would send a message for all to try and use on a daily basis! I tossed many words around and was finally inspired by someone right under my nose: Giovanna Camacho, my daughter. Perseverance. When I looked up perseverance, I found the words insistence and resolve. I liked the word resolve because it encompassed all the ideas I was looking for. It gave me a root word, which I really wanted to talk about. The word resolve is described in the dictionary as resolution, determination, steadfastness, tenacity, doggedness and firmness. People said it would be difficult, almost impossible, but Giovanna did it. She was accepted into West Point at the age of 17. In less than two years, she raised the funds, secured the gym, gained the interest of 15 women and started the first women's boxing team in West Point history. Again, people said it would be difficult, almost impossible, but against the odds, she did it. If she had given up, her dreams would have never come true. Those are just a couple of examples of what I believe the word perseverance is when put into positive action. Positive action and respect are the key words here. When things are going wrong or bad, you need to know you are right and have justification, then you need to seek resolution. Within proper protocol, use tenacity, have doggedness and be firm. Most problems arise out of acceptance in things that were not addressed, such as finances and personal problems just to mention the most common. I bring this topic up because our military is faced with its highest levels of suicides, depression and personal problems, which were caused by not having proper resolution to the problem or despair that a resolution cannot be found. My message to all, especially after this holiday season, when you look at all the weight you may have gained, or the money spent and maybe the loved ones you missed spending time with, shake it off. Sit down and think about those who are worse off than you. There will always be someone. This may not be an easy task, but you dust yourself off and pick yourself up. Keep in mind we can all use help from time to time and there are many sources that will provide them. Help is sometimes not an easy thing to ask for but, if asked, can be easily acquired. Our military has many sources dedicated to assisting both members and their families. Military One Source is an excellent place to start. You can find virtually every agency you can think of. Military one source (1-800-342-9647) gets a five -star rating from me -- it is an outstanding jumping off point for military resources. Making things better and changes can only happen with your good ideas, so get out there and make a difference. Persevere! Lastly, I would be remiss if I didn't say thanks to the entire Travis team and their families for all they do. I want to leave you with a quote I keep in a frame on my wall to help you remember that no job is too small or insignificant. "If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, 'Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.'" -- Martin Luther King Jr. Thank you, daughter, for your inspiration. I love you and am very proud to be called your dad!