Military Thanksgiving family

  • Published
  • By Col. Mark Dillon
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The Thanksgiving holiday is synonymous with spending time with family and friends to celebrate the year's blessings. While many of you are away from your immediate families during this holiday, as Airmen you are a part of one of the largest and most respected families in the world - the military family. By the nature of our calling, we are brothers and sisters in arms embodying the warrior spirit and bonded by a proud heritage. 

Our military family tree has many branches. The broad limbs near the trunk represent our sister services and coalition partners for whom we have been working beside to defeat terrorism for the past seven years. Over the course of this lengthy campaign, Airmen are serving valiantly in combat roles along side Soldiers, Sailors and Marines. 

The Air Force branch of our military family includes active duty, Reserve, National Guard and civilian Airmen, our family members, and our retired heroes. Together, our Airmen family kinfolk work seamlessly to sustain the world's most dominant air, space and cyberspace power. Within the Air Force, tightly knit unit families accomplish the mission by means of trust, professionalism and technical expertise. It is these family principles that enable us to overcome every challenge we've faced in our 61-year history. 

As with any family, the military family shares life's highs and lows. Through the accessions, promotions, separations and retirements, we are there for one another. As Team Travis' family "father," I get to share these moments with you. On Nov. 24 and Nov. 26, I had the opportunity to attend the promotions of our newest Chief Master Sergeants Bruce Swanson and Joseph Cabral. The office Thanksgiving potluck on Nov. 25 - a cherished Air Force ritual - was a great opportunity to share great food and quality time with coworkers. Later that evening, expectations and quality of life improvements were discussed at the Georgetown town hall meeting. I commend the newly elected Georgetown mayors for stepping-up to inspire our Georgetown residents to new heights. 

The command chief and I carved and served turkey to Airmen past and present on Thanksgiving Day. Day-in and day-out, Team Travis exemplifies Airmen taking care of Airmen and that great Air Force family spirit. 

I salute each and every one of you for serving this great nation. We have much to be thankful for and the Dillon family would like to wish the entire Team Travis family a happy and safe Thanksgiving. May God continue to bless our Air Force and its outstanding families.