Air Force Family
by Hope H
Before “we” (and I say we because as each of us knows, the spouses and children are serving as well through the sacrifices they make in supporting our servicemembers) joined the Air Force, when I heard the word family I only thought of the sibling, parent, grandparents, cousins sense of the word. When presented with this opportunity to really assess what Air Force life means to me, I took it upon myself to look-up the word family in Webster’s and found the definition to be, “A group of people united by certain convictions (as of religion or philosophy).” This really hit home as I think about my Air Force family and how I’ve grown united to a group of Air Force people with certain convictions, namely, Integrity 1st, service before self, and excellence in all we do. This philosophy of core values the Air Force has given us are not just something my husband lives during the duty day and then leaves at work until the next morning. These are values that we live at home as well and in turn use to raise our daughter to live as well. Whatever stresses life may bring or demands my husband’s Air Force service may put on him and our family, I know my larger Air Force family is always there to support me. It is comforting knowing whatever corner of the globe we may be sent to that there is already a group of people united by those Air Force core value convictions that have become so integral to our lives at the nearest Air Force base. Though my husband is my ultimate wingman, I have learned and come to realize during our time in the Air Force that I have hundreds if not thousands of caring wingmen to lean on.