Congratulations award winners!

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Michael Williams
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing command chief
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Tonight we, the 60th Air Mobility Wing, culminate the year 2008 with our Annual Awards Banquet; our theme "Back-to-Basics; Honoring a Tradition of Excellence." I know you've purchased your ticket for tonight's event and dusted off your mess dress/semi-formal attire or purchased a new gown or suit for what is certain to be an electrifying evening. 

Our nominees will be overflowing with both excitement and nervousness as they prepare to graciously take center stage. I can see them now rushing around the house in what appears to be a comical panic searching; for a tie or tab, a shoe, sock or stocking. 

Finally, a sense of calm captures the moment as someone asks, "How do I look?" Moments later they emerge from their vehicle at the Delta Breeze Club in the likeness of champions and true professionals. 

The DBC will be decorated like never before and the ambiance will be that of elegance. Our Annual Awards Banquet Committee, led by Master Sgt. Holbert, anchored by Mrs. Dillon, Mrs. Williams and a host of others, unselfishly dedicated their time and labored tirelessly to make this a memorable occasion for all that will attend ... thank you! I'd also like to extend my deepest gratitude and thanks to; the authors of the Air Force Form 1206 (nomination forms), board members for scoring the packages, executive assistance for editing the 1206s and the many contributors, because ultimately you made tonight's banquet possible. 

We're faced with some extremely busy and challenging times. And yet, it's important we pause for a few hours to support and recognize our superior performers. We're so focused on mission accomplishment we often forget or take for granted the personal and professional sacrifices our people make every day for this great nation; losing sight of just how far a simple thank you or a pat on the back for a job well done will go. 

Recognizing our people for their outstanding contributions must be of primary importance. We must understand recognition stimulates professional pride in those that witness the recognition and those we honor; it's a means to reinforce our organization's culture, and to retain our top performers. "Taking care of our Airmen and their families" must be more than a place holder in our top five priorities - the idealism of people being the top priority must permeate from the wing commanders down to the lowest ranking Airmen. 

We have people disbursed across the globe, from sea to shinning sea, doing great things for this sweet land of liberty. Airmen don't do what they do because they expect or want recognition. They do it because they're American Airmen. Some of us fail to nominate our people for awards because we're too busy and others approach attending an awards banquet as if it's a chore to don the uniform, and that's a shame! 

To our nominees I say, "well done"... each of you are winners and should be proud of your accomplishments. Continue shooting for the stars and use "Excellence in All You Do" to propel you to new heights. Team Travis have a great weekend; be safe, make responsible choices and I'll see you around campus!