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Show Page 2A Commentary- Fighter Country - Are you a patriot By Col. Con nee Lloyd Logistics Group commander About 10 years ago, Lee Greenwood wrote a song that became a rally cry for renewed pride in our country and recognition of the principles of freedom that the United States epitomizes to the rest of the world. That song, "God Bless the USA," immediately came to mind as I began thinking about the subject of my commentary, patriotism. According to my dictionary, patriotism is a love for and devotion to one's country. There was a time not too long ago when patriotism was not in vogue. The war in Vietnam made many Americans question the role of the United States in relation to the rest of the world. Some Americans lost faith in our country's leadership. Individuals were so concerned with their daily lives that they didn't have time for their country. Even in the armed forces we seemed to drift away "A patriot is someone ? from the idea of service to our country. Recruiting focused on education, a great way of life, and seeing the world, not defense of our nation. It was a rude shock to many in this country and even some in our ranks when we were sent into harm's way in places like Granada, Panama, Bosnia, and Southwest Asia. Many political leaders, remembering the devisiveness of Vietnam, feared there would again be civil turmoil throughout the country. But the willingness of airmen like you to put yourselves in mortal danger in the defense of the country spurred not only a renewed respect for the armed forces, but also a renewed appreciation for our country and the freedoms it stands for. A patriot is someone who loves his country and is willing to give his or her life for it. Each of us swear to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic. We also swear to obey the her life for orders of the President of the United States and the officers appointed over us. Many of us have put our lives in jeopardy to uphold this sacred obligation. A year ago, a member of Congress questioned the fitness of President Clinton to be the commander in chief and speculated that the members of the military might not follow his orders if he sent us into combat. Immediately, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff publicly stated that President Clinton was the elected leader of the United States and commander in chief and that he and every other soldier, sailor, airman and marine would of course follow the president's orders. At the time, I remember thinking how foolish the congressman was to think that we who had given our oath would not follow our cemmander. I wanted to close this commentary with some thoughts on the freedoms that we as patriots have obligated ourselves to protect But in listening once again to Lee Greenwood, I knew he had said it far better than I. ... Where at least I know I'm free I won't forget the men who died Who gave that right to me. And I gladly stand up next to you And defend her still today. 'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land God bless the USA. Overall Top Squadron 2nd-421- Overall 1st stFS Top Maintenance 1st -- 4th FS 2n- d- 421st FS 3rd -- 34th FS Best Integrated Combat Turn TSgL Richard Herming SSgL David James SSgt Chad Iloman SrA. Bffly Wilson SrA. Anthony Griffin A1C Dylan Hulbert Cmnte is edited, prepared and provided by the 388th Ffchter Wing copy to: 388 FW7PA (Bk. .20. Room 13) at on. week month s issue. For more Information, call the public affairs office at Fighter Country for that WkSsUeS ecf-tor- 777-320- CoL Bentley Rayburn 0 TSj DarWJ. Ernst Commander, 388th fighter Wing 1st Lt. John CapL CapL 42 FS 3rd-3- 4th Gun - 4FS TopTodd Higgs 2nd - 4FS Rod Gard 3rd - IFS CapL Pat Wade FS 1st-- 4th LOH Submit I'm proud to be an American Turkey shoot winners the coMMANoen "Survey ...Fecdback..Action." That's the theme for our 1995 Air Combat Command Culture and Leadership Survey starting in May. The survey is important because it tells us how we're doing and where we can improve. It helps us build a better roadmap for the future. So I want to tell you more about it Fust, it's automated and easy to take. It's also a key indicator we use to measure the health of the command, although it's not the only one. We have hundreds of Quality Performance Measures to assess our key processes and outputs, but the survey gives you a chance to get in the act The survey looks for your feedback in six key areas, including the work environment, job satisfaction, the mission, communication, ACC Quality and leadership. Ovce you've taken the time to complete the survey, it's our job as leaders to get the results out We do it at every level through briefings, publications, meetings, etc. One squadron commander told me that everyone "opened up" when he briefed his people on the survey results. More ideas began to flow on how to make things better. The key is that everyone got involved. That's what it's all about After we publish the survey results, it's time to take action. We use your feedback to better focus limits resources. We use it to conduct unit We use it to develop strategic plans at every level as well as local action plans. Then things begin to happen. One unit started an aggressive local awards program because their people didn't fed their work was appreciated. It is now, and they know it. That's powerful. The important thing to remember is involvement from the airman who fills out the survey and share her ideas, to the commander who reads a stack of comments and gains valuable insight from his people. Everyone's a key player in this process. I strongly encourage you to take the survey , you are making a difference. JOHXmCHAIX Gmrl,VSAF it. " CoL Connee Lloyd Logistics Group commander AM COMBAT COMHOMC onc is who loves his country and is willing to give his or NCOICrvblkAnbki Sr A. J.C.Wood rln J.Thorraa StaffWrJsw Chief, PuMc Affain t AlCAImMCroben Editor Fighter Country is a supplement to the Hilltop Times, published by MorMedia, Inc, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with the Ogden ALC Public Affairs Office. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of Fighter Country are not necessarily the official views of, or Aic!! Department of Defense or the Department of the UiAir Fore, photos. Advertise-COmtitUte HJorsnent of or HiflAFB Everything advertised is NibbleDepartment Defense, povmment Unless otherwise indicated, all photo, are STu t?Ur AjUi - sex. or . nrkr ..n,rC, w.i. ti.or oit tne purcnaser, wcegard or patron. user to |