July 4 brings reflection on nation's independence, sacrifice

  • Published
  • By Col. Jeffrey Mayo
  • 66th Air Base Wing Vice Commander
Hanscom AFB --  Next week we'll pause as a nation to reflect on and celebrate the 231st anniversary of our nation's birth. This is a to time reflect on the freedom we enjoy and to remember and honor all those who have sacrificed to give us that freedom. 

Even before I put on a uniform, I considered myself to be a patriot. My family has always viewed the military as an honorable profession and understood the importance of service. I always took time to reflect on our freedom and the service and sacrifice of our military men and women, but it was during an assignment in Europe that my understanding of the high cost of freedom and great sacrifices of our military were magnified. 

While in Europe I was able to attend a remembrance ceremony at the National Military Cemetery in Normandy, France. As I stood on the steps of the memorial and looked out over acres of precisely positioned white crosses, the magnitude of what our nation, our individual service members and the families of those service members sacrificed for freedom was almost overwhelming. Each of us can imagine losing a loved one but multiplying that loss by the thousands of crosses covering the manicured grounds gave me reason to pause. It provided a much more concrete understanding of service and sacrifice. I also took pride in that more than a half century after this historic event, many Americans and people from all over the world, were taking time to visit and honor those that gave their lives in June of 1944 for the cause of freedom. 

Also, during my European assignment, I led a group of Boy Scouts on a march along the Bastogne Historical trail. Bastogne was the site where the 101st Airborne Division was encircled by the German Army during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. Many lost their lives holding back the German advance while others were lost as the 3rd Army Commanded by Gen. George S. Patton, valiantly came to the rescue of the 101st. I was cognizant of the heroic actions of our troops before embarking on the trip, but what I will never forget was the appreciation of the citizens of Bastogne. Many recognized us as Americans, came over and thanked us for what our Soldiers did more than 50 years before. The impact of our nation's sacrifice for the cause of freedom is truly enduring. 

Today our nation continues the fight for freedom around the world. Last week we honored some of our own Airmen who have deployed in support of this cause and their families, who have sacrificed to keep things going here on the home front. As we prepare to celebrate our Nation's independence we remember all those who are currently manning the battlefronts, defending freedom far away from the comforts of home and their families so that others too can enjoy what we hold so dear. 

As we head into the Fourth of July holiday, I urge you to celebrate our independence with your families and friends and honor those that have served and are serving, but please remember to be safe. Remember, we are in the midst of the 101 Critical Days of Summer. To date the Air Force has lost six Airmen since Memorial Day weekend. 

Remember that Wingman BOLDFACE didn't end with the conclusion of the Operational Readiness Inspection. It's an important part of who we are and how we care for one another. Don't forget your Wingman. At the end of the 101 Critical Days of Summer, we want to ensure that everyone is safe and continuing to do great things for our Air Force and our nation.