National holiday represents time to give thanks

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Jamie Vanoss
  • 571st Contingency Response Group chief enlisted manager
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  With bellies full and the effects of tryptophan inching you ever closer to a comatose state, be sure you take time out of your day to give thanks.

Perhaps that full belly left your mind at a less than-functioning capacity. To help, I developed a list of those things I am thankful for.

Start by giving thanks to our veterans both past and present. These heroes wrote the United States a blank check payable with an amount up to and including his or her life to defend our nation. Remember both them, and their families who today morn their absence or wear a yellow ribbon as they pray for their safe return. Remember that some gave some, but many gave all.

Give thanks to those who wore this uniform before us. These selfless warriors paved the road of service, sacrifice and honor for us and the generations of young men and women who will follow us in defending our way of life against those enemies hell-bent on trying to knock us down.

Give thanks to those you work with. This all-volunteer force equates to less than 1 percent of the United States population who will ever raise their hand before our flag, vowing to defend it with their lives.

Give thanks to your supervisor for his or her leadership, guidance, and inspiration. As the person who believes in you appreciate them for believing in you even when you may not have believed in yourself.

If you are a leader, thank your Airman for his or her hard work and steadfast dedication to mission accomplishment. The tireless professionals who become your extended family form a bond many in the civilian sector simply cannot understand.

Give thanks to your family for its unwavering support of you while deployed in harm's way or while at home station, performing your vital mission, their silent vigil while waiting for you to come home safely as they selflessly forgive missed anniversaries, birthdays, and special occasions.

Give thanks to those defending our country at this very moment. Whether on the flightline or in an office, at a sentry post or on the battlefield, they continue our great mission of delivering air, space and cyberspace dominance to the farthest corners of the earth and far above it.

Give thanks to the teachers of our children. These professions who have a herculean task of developing our children into intelligent and productive members of society.

Give thanks to our civilian populace who wave flags of support as we fulfill our solemn promise to protect them. They sleep soundly at night knowing we are on watch to protect our nation from those who would so gladly do us harm if given the chance.

While this list is not meant to be all-inclusive, it is my greatest hope this helps trigger your efforts to both appreciate and thank those who impact your life. I wish you all a happy Thanksgiving holiday and offer my thanks for your service.