419th Fighter Wing Outstanding Airmen of the Year Banquet!

We attended the 419th Fighter Wing Outstanding Airmen of the Year Banquet!

It is always such an honor to be able to witness first hand our Military Men and Women and all the sacrifice and dedication that they give to our country.

I always get emotional when I see so many amazing men and women in uniform.
Two of Russ' men received awards (which is a huge accomplishment)!
Sterling Broadhead received the Airmen of the Year and Justin Adams (who is deployed) received the "Chiefs Award"!



Jeff, Alan, Russ, Evan and Paul.




The 67th Aerial Port Squadron of the 419th Fighter Wing!




Chief Sill, Justin Adams Father-in-Law and Wife, Chief Johnston




Some of the best!!!




SrA Sterling J Broadhead and his wife!  Congrats to Sterling!





Chief and Smitty!




Chief Sill announcing the "Chief's Award".  All the Chiefs up on stage, Russ is the very left.




Chief Johnston, Terese and Command Chief George!





Lucky me!!!



Chief Sill, Lt. Col. Howard and Chief Johnston



POW/MIA Table





Smitty, Noah and Kim





Love a man in Uniform!!!



The Airman’s Creed

I am an American Airman

I am a Warrior

I have answered my Nation’s call

I am an American Airman

My mission is to fly, fight, and win

I am faithful to a proud heritage

A tradition of honor

And a legacy of Valor

I am an American Airman

Guardian of Freedom and Justice

My Nation’s sword and shield

Its sentry and avenger

I defend my country with my life

I am an American Airman

Wingman, Leader, Warrior

I will never leave an Airman behind

I will never falter and I will NOT fail

Another thing that I love is the:

 POW/MIA Table Ceremony

Those who have served ...

and those currently serving in the Armed Forces of the United States ...

are ever mindful that the sweetness of enduring peace ...

has always been tainted by the bitterness of personal sacrifice.

We are compelled to never forget ...

that while we enjoy our daily pleasures ...

there are others who have endured ...

and may still be enduring ...

the agonies of pain, deprivation and internment.

Before we begin our activities this evening ...

we will pause to recognize our POWs and MIAs.

We call your attention to this small table ...

which occupies the place of dignity and honor.

It is set for one ...

symbolizing the fact that members of our Armed Forces ...

are missing from our ranks.

We call them POWs and MIAs.

We call them comrades.

They are unable to be with their loved ones and families tonight ...

so we join together to pay a humble tribute to them ...

and bear witness to their continued absence.

This table, set for one, is small ...

symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner ...

alone against his or her suppressors.

The table cloth is white ...

symbolic of the purity of their intentions to respond to their Country's call to arms.

The single red rose in the vase ...

signifies the blood they have shed ...

to ensure the freedom of our beloved United States of America.

The rose also reminds us of the family and friends ...

who keep the faith ...

while awaiting their return.

The yellow ribbon on the vase represents those who demand a final accounting of our comrades who are not among us tonight.

The slice of lemon on the plate reminds us of their bitter fate.

The salt, when sprinkled onto the plate ...

reminds us of the countless fallen tears of families as they wait.

The glass is inverted ...

they cannot toast with us this night.

The chair is empty ...

they are not here.

The candle is reminiscent of the light of hope ...

which lives in our hearts to illuminate their way home ...

away from their captors ...

and into the open arms of a grateful Nation.

Let us pray to the Supreme Commander that all of our comrades will soon be back within our ranks.

Let us remember them and never forget their sacrifices.

May God forever watch over them ...

and protect them and their families.