Commentary

I sat at my desk feeling tired as the clock approached 5 p.m. It was a long day at work, and I was ready to go home.

As you go about your assigned daily duties in the Air Force, do you consider yourself a professional Airman? Why ask such an obvious question?

We have been celebrating Earth Day since 1970, when U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson realized the importance of environmental awareness and education and initiated an environmental teach-in day that in turn generated the Earth Day we know today, as well as the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts.

U.S. Air Forces in Europe recently gained more than 70 master resilience trainers; I count myself lucky to be one of them. However, some people would say the Air Force is lucky to count me as one of its MRTs.

Are you one of the millions of people who started this year with a resolution to improve your life?

About three years ago, I wrote a commentary about Black History Month, also referred to as African-American History Month. As I go back and look at it, I’ve realized it was horribly written, but I was so proud of it and myself.

Any service member who signed up after 9/11 did so knowing that they would likely deploy to a hostile environment. We all do so willing and eager to serve our country with honor. We read the stories of our courageous brothers and sisters standing up for what they think is right and just, and we gladly follow in their footsteps, fueled by inspiration and ready to take on the world.