Commentary: Answering the call to arms

  • Published
  • By Ellen L. Hatfield
  • 349th Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  On the eve of the rebellion that gave birth to this nation, Thomas Paine wrote "These are the times that try men's souls." Prophetic words, as we flash forward more than two hundred and thirty-five years.

As we wind down the last twelve years of war, the world is on fire in Syria and Egypt. We're literally on fire at home, as devastating wild fires have swept California, Colorado, and Arizona, and with unrelenting fury, killed 19 elite fire fighters protecting lives and homes. Oklahoma has been flattened by tornados; Texas and the Southeast have battled torrential rains and flooding. And the hurricane season is in full swing, with the experts predicting an active, and potentially dangerous year. Not to mention the recent government shutdown.

Those of us who serve and wear the uniform have our own battles to fight, with an epidemic of sexual assaults that have diminished our reputation as the finest air force in the world, and left our Airmen with the task of rebuilding our character.

Character. It's what defines us as individuals, and as brothers and sisters in arms, a group with just one percent membership in the United States. Our character drives us to do the right thing, to know what that right thing is. Integrity is not on a sliding scale, you either have it, or you don't. If you don't, we'll find you, and your membership will be revoked.

We are living in stressful times beyond all this, with an uncertain economy, a burgeoning crop of new wounded warriors and veterans desperate for help and hope for their futures, budgets cuts and aging aircraft. With so much suffering all around us, coping can be difficult, and more military members turn to suicide to end their pain.

I would suggest that without suffering, there would be no compassion. As people of character and compassion, we need to care more now than ever. As a team, and a family, we need to make the time to talk to each other and know when one of our own needs help.

Little did Thomas Paine know, when he wrote the words, that every decade of our history would bear witness to times that try the nation's souls. But when he wrote "...the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph," I believe he captured the true character of our Airmen. We are fighters. We are warriors for the common good. Because of our character, we will prevail.