AFSC News

From the Commander: Memorial Day Message 2022

  • Published
  • Air Force Sustainment Center

Over the past 75 years, thousands of Airmen have given their lives to preserve the freedom we enjoy today. In life, these Airmen loved wholly, fought fiercely, and felt deeply the emotion of serving a concept greater than self.

This Memorial Day we pause in gratitude to those Airmen, as well as all other service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom. This year as we commemorate the Air Force’s 75th anniversary, we also remember retired Col. Gail Halvorsen, better known by many as the “Candy Bomber.” Col. Halvorsen passed away just a few months ago at the age of 101.

While Col. Halvorsen did not perish in combat, he died serving our nation in many other ways. In 1948, during the Berlin Airlift, the young pilot met several German children through a fence at an airfield. When he saw how the group appreciated just a couple pieces of gum, he was moved to drop parcels of candy from his aircraft during his missions.

That small act of kindness began a movement taken up by other pilots and fortified by American people who made candy donations from all parts of the United States. Col. Halvorsen continued to spread his message of gratitude, hope and service before self his entire life.

Integrity, service, and excellence are the principles Airmen have lived and died by for generations. On Monday, I encourage you to set aside a moment to earnestly remember those who came before us and exemplified those traits to the end.

TOM D. MILLER

Lieutenant General, USAF

Commander

Over the past 75 years, thousands of Airmen have given their lives to preserve the freedom we enjoy today. In life, these Airmen loved wholly, fought fiercely, and felt deeply the emotion of serving a concept greater than self.

 

This Memorial Day we pause in gratitude to those Airmen, as well as all other service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom.

This year as we commemorate the Air Force’s 75th anniversary, we also remember retired Col. Gail Halvorsen, better known by many as the “Candy Bomber.” Col. Halvorsen passed away just a few months ago at the age of 101.

 

While Col. Halvorsen did not perish in combat, he died serving our nation in many other ways. In 1948, during the Berlin Airlift, the young pilot met several German children through a fence at an airfield. When he saw how the group appreciated just a couple pieces of gum, he was moved to drop parcels of candy from his aircraft during his missions.

 

That small act of kindness began a movement taken up by other pilots and fortified by American people who made candy donations from all parts of the United States. Col. Halvorsen continued to spread his message of gratitude, hope and service before self his entire life.

 

Integrity, service, and excellence are the principles Airmen have lived and died by for generations. On Monday, I encourage you to set aside a moment to earnestly remember those who came before us and exemplified those traits to the end.

 

TOM D. MILLER

Lieutenant General, USAF

Commander

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