General Handy focuses on serving the nation during Sept. 11 ceremony
The commander in chief of U.S. Transportation Command and commander of Air Mobility Command led the pledge for a gathering of military and civilian personnel, so “we could stand shoulder-to-shoulder to reflect on our flag.”
This came after a patriotic musical presentation by the U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America and posting of the colors by a joint service color guard. Handy then thanked all those present for the service they’ve rendered the country during the past year.
“I often think back over the years that I have worn a uniform, and when asked what do you do for a living, I pause for a minute. I pause even longer now. For the longest time I would say rather quickly, ‘I’m in the Air Force.’ Many of you would say I’m in the Army, the Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard or . . . I’m an Air Force civilian. And, we tend to regard ourselves as being ‘in’ the service that we are associated with. Well, that term ‘in the service’ has a special meaning to us all, and now I say ‘I am in the service.’
He spoke of service to one’s country, service to family, service to each other. And encompassing those thoughts are the words he cherishes from the oath of office to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic,” which he recited.
He said, “That oath is more important today than ever before, and I thank you all for that sort of commitment. We’re in this Global War on Terrorism and terrorists for the long haul. This last year is but a reminder of what the future has in store for every one of us. It’s going to be a long haul.”
He said his reflections on this day turned to a staff sergeant in the Air National Guard whom he met recently during his travels. The sergeant told him he was on duty in his civilian job in New York City, just blocks from the World Trade Center at the time of the attacks. He rushed to the scene, his training as an Air Force firefighter enabling him to help some of the victims of that day, but not without witnessing the death of other firefighters he was working with. He said that helping a severely burned young woman out of the building actually saved his life, because he had made it outside with her when the building collapsed.
“And he looked at me with tears in his eyes, and he said ‘I have my guardian angel.’ I looked around the room, and certainly I couldn’t talk. The folks who had heard this many, many times stood there with tears in their eyes, too--every single one of us--because we knew exactly what he meant and what service is all about.”
Handy also reflected on his own family and two granddaughters, and how thousands of children were left without parents that day, and that those serving this nation should carry on the fight for them.
“We are engaged, at U.S. Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command, in a path of action. I’m so very, very proud of each and every one you. We will prevail in this endeavor. It’s not going to be easy, but with your help and the guiding light of the Almighty, we will prevail. You’ve demonstrated your ability time and time again, and the past can only predict that that’s the way it will be in the future. God bless each and every one of you, and God bless the United States of America.”
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