Continuing Service
by Robert G
It was Mother’s Day 1981 when I left the crime-ridden, drug-infested neighborhoods of the big city, with little more than faith in my God and country, to answer a call to join the military. Little did I know that by stepping onto that bus, I would learn, see, and interact with such diverse cultures in South Korea, Philippines, Italy, Kuwait, and Iraq. This service strengthened my patriotic beliefs and reaffirmed how our commitment to the ideals set forth in the Constitution provides a beacon of hope for those seeking liberty and justice. I witnessed firsthand the gratitude overseas citizens have for the U.S. military. We provide a much desired stability—a secured environment allowing them to provide for their family, to afford their children safety from greed and oppression. It is said military service is not for everyone—I believe it is less for military spouses. I am grateful to any spouse who stands by their husband/wife for an entire career. Thanks to the Air Forces family programs we are able to utilize technological advances to communicate with our families while serving halfway around the globe—this is a significant advance from the limited once a month 30-minute morale call we could make from South Korea just 15 years ago. Now, retired from active duty, I am answering a new calling—to help those who served before and lay the groundwork for today’s military service members through serving with local veterans groups. With the number of WWII veterans passing away daily, it falls on this generation to help the aging Korean and Vietnam War veterans and families, to recognize and promote the welfare of those physically and mentally injured who also answered their country’s call, and ensure these programs are in place for the next generation.