This happened early Saturday afternoon as 2 other airmen and I were walking across the infield at Daytona International Speedway. We had volunteered to help unfurl the football field sized American flag during the pre-race ceremony and were dressed in our Blues, doing the typical fan thing: Taking pictures, signing the start/finish line, commenting on how great of experience it was thus far, etc.

As the 3 of us were standing at the bottom of the track, a woman approached us and asked if we would be so kind as to have our picture taken with her. Of course we agreed without hesitation but before going further, she started telling us a small bit of her family history...

It seems she had an 11 year old nephew who loved airplanes and wanted nothing more than to join the United States Air Force one day. It was his boyhood dream, she said... She paused for a moment and took a deep breath... and went on to tell us how her nephew passed away recently in a tragic accident (the details of which I wont get into here). She said that it would be a great honor to her if we would stand for the picture so she could post it on her nephew's memorial page on Facebook.

We posed for the photo and expressed our condolences for her loss. She thanked us from the bottom of her heart and was practically in tears, hugging us and saying how much she appreciates what we do. We didn't ask her name. We each just gave her a hug, waved, and went about our business.


It's the little things like this that are so very humbling. To think that in that small moment and with a simple gesture... we provided a stranger with some measure of comfort in the face of a horrible loss.... all because we were wearing the uniform and represented something great, memorable and inspiring.

Never underestimate what you do or the impact you have, especially on the civilian population. Wear the uniform with pride and remember that it stands for alot more than you might think.

Just thought I'd share that tidbit.

~NCOIC