Honoring past, present

Brig. Gen. Rosanne Bailey
435th Air Base Wing commander, KMC commander


***image1***Over the past century, the U.S. Armed Forces have fought in conflicts around the world to preserve freedom and peace.
Without the devotion of the men and women who protect our ideals, our world would be a drastically different place.
It is on Veterans Day that we take the time to honor and pay tribute to all who have traded personal freedoms to serve.

With the evolution of threats following the Cold War, we no longer can focus our efforts against one identifiable adversary. Instead, we face an enemy without country or border, one whose highly distributed bases mean our Airmen are sent to new, worldwide locations.

We ask our men and women not only to defend our own physical boundaries, but to defend the rights of freedom and democracy everywhere. In doing so, they miss children’s birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays. They leave friends, family and normalcy, and sometimes they give up their lives. In return they and their families get the pride and satisfaction of knowing that they are making the world a better place.

Over the past year the KMC has deployed thousands of people to support our nation’s efforts in fighting the Global War on Terrorism. Right now, Ramstein has hundreds of people deployed who will not return until after the holidays.

The families, friends and co-workers left behind do a fabulous job supporting our warfighters from afar, as well as supporting one another.

I can’t emphasize enough how critical that mutual support is and how much it means to our deployed members.
On Veterans Day, I urge you to take a moment to reflect on those who have served, those who continue to serve and those left behind.

It gives me great pleasure to serve amongst you who have devoted your lives to ensure the protection of our country. I salute each and every one of you.