AirMail - Letter to the Editor

After reading "Airmail," I felt the need to share this with everyone. I was checking my mail at the post office one day, and an elderly man came up to me, put his hand out and shook my hand. He looked me straight in the eye and said, "Thank you for keeping our country safe and for everything you do and stand for." I was so taken by surprise that all I could say was, "You're welcome, sir." I stood there for a while close to tears.

A few days later -- coming out of the grocery store, an elderly couple driving through the parking lot, stopped, looked at me and saluted -- both of them. This really made me think and look back at why I joined the Air Force 10 years ago, and why I am still in. I am proud to wear this uniform, and what it represents and stands for.

No matter what you do, where you're stationed, or if you're in the Guard or Reserve, rest assured we are very much appreciated and thought of. Just as much as we appreciate and thank the soldiers and airmen before us. Be proud of what you do, what you have accomplished and what you stand for.

-- Staff Sgt. Rowena Walden

Gulfport, Miss.

Great present

What a story ["A Christmas Story," December '00]! Thanks to you and of course Chaplain Blaisdell. I got the chills reading the story. It makes me feel good to read about our heroes knowing there have been a lot of sacrifices in the past. It makes me want to do a better job and be a better person. I would like to meet Chaplain Blaisdell and shake his hand. Those children you saved perhaps have families now, and they owe you a lot. I hope you know people all over believe you've done something great.

-- Airman 1st Class Sabahattin Ozan Senli

McConnell Air Force Base, Kan.

That is one of the most touching stories I have ever read in my life. It has made me want to join the Air Force even more now. I hope more stories like that are published in Airman.

-- Joe Lujano

Grand Prairie, Texas

These are the kind of stories we need to see more of -- examples of the human spirit that are embodied in the heart of all our sailors, soldiers and airmen. The courage and determination to do what is right in the face of adversity and most trying of times. Hats off to a wonderful and heartwarming story at a most appropriate time of year.

-- Capt. David E. Jividen

McChord Air Force Base, Wash.

The article was very inspirational. It gave a new spin on what the holidays are all about. I was raised at Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Mich., and I've seen the great gestures of the men and women in the Air Force. I think most civilians believe the military is nothing but a die-hard go-get-em group. They do not realize all the humanitarian things you do. Thank you for the article.

-- Richard D. Hebner

via e-mail

Flag mistake

I was reading "Waving the Flag" [September '00] and noticed you misidentified a photograph as an EA-6B Prowler participating in Red Flag. The photo should have been identified as a VMAQ-2 Marine Corps Prowler from Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, N.C. Our Marine EA-6B squadrons take great pride in participating in flag exercises, and as your article states, there are great training opportunities there, and we value our participation. Thanks for the magazine, and we hope to have as much fun and great training at the upcoming flag. Semper Fi.

-- Capt. Harold Qualkinbush

Marine Corps Air Station

Cherry Point, N.C.

Pits honors

I am extremely disappointed that Medal of Honor recipient, (December 8, 2000) Staff Sgt. Bill Pitsenbarger, did not find a place on the cover of January's issue. I would think our nation's highest military honor bestowed on an "airman" would have made the grade!

-- Staff Sgt. Justin Ivie

via email

Editors note: Air Force Print News covered the award immediately. However, we have a long production lead time -- two to three months -- to publish a feature story after an event occurs. You'll notice Pits is featured in this month's issue as our top story.

Cookin' insult

In response to Staff Sgt. David Coleman's letter ["Airmail," December '00] about how he was offended with the "Boom Knows What's Cooking" [October '00] article: What was so offensive about this story? You took it as a personal insult instead of what the true meaning of the article was. It was a human interest story about how two individuals have found an inventive and productive way to keep themselves occupied during their sometimes long and tedious missions. Not once did I get the impression that all boomers are stand-by cooks or in-flight stewardesses. Is this possibly a stigma that is associated with this career field? If so, ever heard of the saying, "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen?"

Staff Sgt. James P. Morrison

Yokota Air Base, Japan

Recruiting worries

I've heard a lot of complaints about the new recruiter selection process. I'm presently a recruiter and have been at the job since July 2000. I see no reason why we ever came to this point. There's no reason we shouldn't be able to fill the recruiting offices we already have, and have a waiting list for others to take the jobs. I've been in the Air Force five years, and love it. So much so, I wanted to give high school seniors and graduates the opportunities the service has given me. Now if for some reason you don't feel the same way I do, maybe you shouldn't be in the Air Force.