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  • Airmen deliver hope

    Last week, I had the privilege of participating in the Falcon Heritage Forum at the United States Air Force Academy. The forum provides an opportunity for cadets to interact with people who have participated in operational missions, specifically, in this case, humanitarian airlift missions. A total

  • CFC: So much more than a pledge card

    How many times have we seen it? Americans banding together in the aftermath of a disaster: Hurricane Katrina, 9/11, the coal mine accident in West Virginia and earthquakes are but a few that come to mind. If you haven't fallen victim to a major disaster, consider yourself lucky. Disaster struck my

  • Good neighbor ethic portrayed in ‘60s TV programs still applies today

    Throughout my career, I have occasionally witnessed people behaving un-neighborly to each other, and I started wondering what happened to the days portrayed in 60s and 70s TV programs. Perhaps some of you remember characters such as June and Ward Cleaver, The Rutherfords, Andy Taylor and Aunt Bea

  • Reflecting back upon Sept. 11, 2001 through memories and songs

    As another year goes by, most of us can't help but reflect back to what we were doing five years ago on Sept. 11, 2001. I'm a country music fan, and many of the songs I hear on the radio make me often think back to that day. There is the Alan Jackson song that asks, "Where were you when the world

  • Surviving the “winds of change”

    I'm married, 58 years old, a mother of four and a proud grandmother of six lovely granddaughters. Over the years, it seems that the "winds of change" never stop blowing. The older I get, the more things seem to change - time refuses to stand still. Looking back, I can remember the days when I was a

  • The toughest word in the English language is yes

    The toughest word to say in the English language is yes. Everyone thinks you are tough and gruff if you say no, but when you say no you are not committed to do anything. When you say yes, you are committed to write a paper, fly a mission, give a speech or chair a committee. People and organizations

  • Speak Up! SARC urges community to voice their concerns

    I was chatting with a woman this morning while waiting for the pool to open. She said she was a spouse of a military retiree, I told her I worked at Dover Air Force Base. When she asked what my job was, I hesitated. Sexual assault is a tough subject at 5:30 a.m. Nonetheless, I forged ahead and told

  • Learning, leading and teaching opportunities repeat throughout career paths

    Recently, I heard a quote, "What you do for yourself dies with you...what you do for others lives forever." The quote brought up some interesting memories for me on mentorship and leadership I have learned throughout my lifetime. In high school, my band director offered me a position as the baritone

  • Chief says 'Every thing I needed to know, I learned in basic training'

    As I reflect back on the nearly 26 years spanning my military career, I have often thought about what lessons I have learned that have gotten me to where I am today. It occurred to me recently that the important things, the things that set me up for success and accolades in the Air Force, I learned

  • Air Force Smart Operations 21; A cultural change

    As each of you go about your daily routines around Dover Air Force Base, you have probably noticed signs or posters highlighting the Air Force Smart Operations 21 program. You might ask yourself: is it a new fitness program or maybe a way to quit smoking? What is AFSO 21? Actually, it is an