June 28, 2013 - San Antonio News

PAGE 2
By Brig. Gen. Bob LaBrutta
Joint Base San Antonio and
502nd Air Base Wing commander
Next Thursday, we will gather with
friends and family to celebrate the
birth of our nation – the United States
of America – and our Declaration of
Independence that
was based on the
foundation of freedom
for all!
What could be
better than paying
tribute to our nation,
while enjoying
the fruits of an
extended holiday
weekend as we begin
the summer?
As we take time
to commemorate
our Fourth of July
holiday, let’s take a
moment to consider
the courage it
took for the founders
of our country
to make a formal
break from Great
Britain and the risks our forefathers
took in suggesting such a bold act.
The message from King George
III was very clear and unambiguous
– that treason would be met with
death. However, following lengthy –
often contentious and emotional arguments
– on July 2, 1776, the founders
of our nation voted and the Declaration
of Independence was read aloud
in public on July 4, 1776.
If we think back even further to
the days before the Declaration, following
the bloody battles at Lexington
and Concord in 1775, it became
clear that in order to secure our
independence, an organized army
needed to be formed.
WINGSPREAD
COMMENTARY
Fourth of July a time to remember, reflect
The torch of freedom was lit by our
forefathers through the Declaration of
Independence and you and I proudly carry
the torch forward today.
The Continental
Congress
approved the
Continental Army
on June 14,
1775. John Adams
nominated
then Col. George
Washington to
command it. The
newly appointed
General Washington
accepted the
nomination and
we just celebrated
the 238th
birthday of the
U.S. Army two
weeks ago.
Regardless of service component, all
of us should stand proud that our Army
was the fulcrum that secured our independence
and today is an integral team
member and mission partner of Joint
Base San Antonio!
All of us who are serving our country
as Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen,
Coast Guardsmen and Department of
Defense civilians now carry the responsibility
and tradition of our founders,
sharing the hardships and sacrifices
often required of those who serve this
great country.
Spouses and children share that
sacrifice, anxiously waiting for parents
who are currently deployed to distant
regions around the world, frequently in
harm’s way.
Just like those who served before us,
Battle Buddies, Devil Dogs, Shipmates
and Wingmen watch over one another
and our families both on the home front
and down range.
During this 4th of July holiday weekend,
I ask you to join me in ensuring we
keep all of those members and families
in our thoughts and prayers as we celebrate
the freedoms they are securing
for all of us at home.
On July 4th and throughout the weekend,
amid the barbecues, pool parties
and mega-sales at area stores, please
take time to reflect on the true meaning
of the holiday.
The torch of freedom was lit by our
forefathers through the Declaration of
Independence and you and I proudly
carry the torch forward today.
In closing, I leave you with the last
couple of stanzas from a poem written
by Ralph Waldo Emerson in 1904. It’s
called “A Nation’s Strength”:
“Not gold but only men can make
A people great and strong;
Men who for truth and honor’s sake
Stand fast and suffer long.
Brave men who work while others
sleep,
Who dare while others fly…
They build a nation’s pillars deep
And lift them to the sky.”
Let’s take time to remember and reflect!
Have a safe and wonderful Fourth
of July holiday!
The Wingspread, commander's action line, public affairs and marquee
request inboxes have been consolidated to a single email address
at randolphpublicaffairs@us.af.mil.
JUNE 28, 2013
ON THE COVER
Maj. Gregory Bodenstein, 902nd Security
Forces Squadron commander, Staff Sgt.
Johnathan Royce, 902nd SFS Military
Working Dog handler, with his adopted
MWD, Teri, and Staff Sgt. Matthew Phillips,
902nd SFS MWD handler, prepare for
the MWD retirement ceremony Tuesday at
the Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph
MWD kennel. For the complete story, see
next week's Wingspread.
Photo by Rich McFadden
Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph
Editorial Staff
Brig. Gen. Bob LaBrutta
JBSA/502nd Air Base Wing Commander
Todd G. White
JBSA/502nd ABW Public Affairs Director
Marilyn C. Holliday
JBSA-Randolph Public Affairs Chief
Airman 1st Class Lincoln Korver
Editor
Airman 1st Class Alexandria Slade
Robert Goetz
Alex Salinas
Staff Writers
Maggie Armstrong
Graphic Designer
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