The honor of being a servicemember

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Michael Holmes
  • 60th Aerial Port Squadron commander
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  "The honor is all mine!"

These were my words as I carefully corrected my young Airman. I'll explain further, but first I have to provide a little background. It seems like just a short time ago the 60th Aerial Port Squadron sent off more than 170 Airmen in multiple waves to nine different locations in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom during AEF 3/4.

And like they departed, many of these warriors returned in small groups on various flights, over numerous days ... and nights.

My chief and I made so many trips to Sacramento Airport that we jokingly started calling it the 60th Aerial Port's north annex. Each trip was similar, we saw our troops descend on the escalator, some in desert camouflage uniforms and some in civilian clothes, but all wore smiles and were glad to be back after serving our great country in a very dangerous theater a world away. And each time we were there, I was absolutely amazed at how many strangers approached to say, "Thank you for your service!"

That same message came through time and time again while my family and I recently enjoyed some vacation time at Disneyland and San Diego. In fact, while we were waiting to watch Shamu do amazing feats at Sea World, the trainer opened the show by asking all military members and their families to stand to be recognized. The applause and gratitude were overwhelming.

A "Hero Salute" was their way to say, "Thank you for your service!"

After getting back to the hotel room, I did what all vacationing commanders do. I relaxed in a chair on the patio and enjoyed the sight and sound of the waves rolling towards the beach. And then I pulled out my Blackberry to catch up on some emails. Trust me, I'm very proficient at deleting emails, but one caught my eye.

There wasn't a subject line, but it was from one of my Airmen who had recently returned from his deployment. I read it and softly laughed at the words he wrote: "Sir, I am reenlisting and it would be an honor if you could do it." I knew I had some counseling to do!

We enjoyed the rest of our trip and shortly after I returned to work, I sat down with my Airman before the reenlistment ceremony to gain a little insight on the person I was about to reenlist. He had originally committed to the Air Force for six years and was going to reenlist for four more, but changed his mind to sign up for another six years.

I learned he had deployed four times in six years. I was amazed and asked why he decided to reenlist, curious to hear his rationale especially after continually hearing and reading about our increased operational tempo and repeated deployments and the impact on retention. He simply stated, "I love what I do!"

I can't begin to express how I felt, but I was certainly glad he asked me to do the reenlistment. He called his father and put his cell phone on speaker so his dad, although in San Antonio, could be part of the ceremony. He repeated the oath without hesitation, we signed the form and he respectfully thanked me.

Fresh in my memory were the words and applause of our communities for our service to the greatest country in the world. And I responded to Senior Airman Bedson, "Thank you. The honor is all mine!"