One person's actions ripple across time

  • Published
  • By Col. David Coley
  • 60th Maintenance Group
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  As Airmen in the Profession of Arms, it is imperative for us to understand our past so we can remain superior in the future.

The power of choice and the power of action are two enduring decisions that can change the world. Unfortunately, in our fast-paced society, it is easy to become overwhelmed or task saturated with the myriad of challenges, decisions and obstacles we face every day, but having a deep sense of purpose can make this daunting task easier. This is particularly true of those of us who have the privilege to serve our nation in the military.

In a few weeks, most Americans will gather with family and friends in backyards and public parks across America. They'll barbeque hamburgers and hot dogs, launch or watch fireworks--all in the summer time tradition of celebrating Independence Day. Truthfully, most will never comprehend the courage it took to stand for freedom or the sacrifice required to preserve it. More importantly, as members of the Armed Forces, we must understand that our actions, even those of one Airman, can impact the world.

This was evident when three simple words, a command, was given by Union Colonel Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain during the battle of Gettysburg. While defending the hill known as Little Round Top, his regiment out of ammunition and about to be overrun by the Confederate Army, Colonel Chamberlain shouted, "Fix bayonets charge!" He was a man of action who understood the price of freedom. Had Chamberlain not made the decision to charge that day at Gettysburg, the Confederacy would have won the battle and ultimately the Civil War. Thus, today we would not be one united country. When there was a need for a superpower to protect the world from such men as Adolf Hitler and Saddam Hussein--the United States would not have existed. When natural disasters occurred in third world countries and the world needed military to provide aid, the United States would not be available. What a different place in which we live, and all because one man of action had the courage to charge!

Today our battle cry is different. Encompassing an enduring statement of Airmen's pride in their service, the motto is a two-part expression--a call to action, with a response of commitment. Aim High; Fly, Fight and Win!

As we continue to maintain the high operational deployments, extended working hours, short-notice taskings and exhaustive list of obligations required of today's Airmen, we must always remember those who came before also paid a great price for freedom. Our motto is indicative of an Airman's commitment to preserve our way of life by defending our great nation. To live the Air Force motto requires the same action and impactful commitment of each Airman, rivaling the actions taken by Colonel Chamberlain on Little Round Top.

In many ways, today's Global War on Terrorism is our Civil War of yesterday. While the Civil War attempted to tear apart the United States, the Global War on Terrorism is attempting to rip the fabric of freedom from us that we fought and died for many years ago. Airmen of Travis have earned the reputation of "America's First Choice" because they embody the commitment of the Air Force motto: Aim High; Fly, Fight and Win!