Memorial Day challenge

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Westermeyer
  • Air Armament Center Command Chief
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Team Eglin supports our local communities year after year during significant
national holidays by providing speakers, Honor Guard and aircraft flyovers.

However, sadly the show of force on the ground is a little less "blue" than
one would expect considering the sacrifices of the heroes we honor those
days.

This Memorial Day I challenge you to take a different look on what Memorial
day means to you...is it a "day off" or a "day to remember"? I challenge
you to wake up early on "Our" Memorial Day, put on your service dress and
represent our Air Force, our Military and all those that serve, have served
or those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving by attending
any one of the services in town. For several years, I have found the
motivation to do this and all I can say is that it is very humbling and
extremely rewarding.

At 11 a.m. May 31 there are three ceremonies you can attend. In
Niceville, go to Doolittle Park. In Destin, go to the Destin Ceremony. In
Fort Walton Beach, go to Beal Memorial Cemetery.

Call me "old school" but there is something to be said for the time honored
traditions we value in our service to this great nation.

Every ceremony will provide the opportunity to commemorate the names of
those who have served before us, lay a wreath, take a moment of silence and
enjoy the sound of freedom as a 46th Test Wing aircraft flies over head.