Continuing on from last week’s post today we take a look at
the core value of “Service Before Self”.
With that in mind I want to focus on some of the people I have been
blessed to meet during my short time with the Air Force who have put service
before self.
Standing in line to pick up my dry cleaning last week I
overhear an Airman in front of me. I
catch part of what he says and realize he is Haitian; what are the odds? Over the past week I have had a chance to
speak with Kender. A man from
Massachusetts proud of his family and more than happy to discuss the
intricacies of communicating whether it be body language, English, or French. Someone who has dreams; dreams that include
serving those in his family, in his neighborhood back home and this country.
Switching gears slightly.
I am staring at my training plan and am distracted by the pain in my
foot while I wonder how to keep up my training without causing a more serious injury. Ask and you shall receive. Along with a number of tips from friends from
back home I also meet Airman Ehler from Ohio.
I realize he is a former Division I long distance runner. What are the odds? After further discussion with him I gain a
friend willing to coach me on running and someone here to serve his country
plain and simple.
The fact I am in the same squadron at Keesler with a Haitian
and an experienced long distance runner while training for a marathon to
support a Haitian orphanage may be chalked up as a cool coincidence. The fact I run into Airmen daily who are here
to serve others is not a coincidence. I
am very proud to be a part of the Air Force and have learned a lot about
service from those around me. Seeing
others serve inspires oneself to serve others.
That creates a service snowball effect that has the potential to grow
and grow. Notice those serving around you
and let it build you, but don’t let the snowball stop with you; keep rolling
along and serve others. Who knows, you
might be the start of an avalanche.
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