Remember our armed forces

There is a question that I am always asked, whether I am off base here locally or when I come back home to Jayland, and the question is: Why?

Why did I join the Air Force? With everything going on in the world, why join now? And I always answer with a question back to them, why not?

Yes, I know there is a chance of me having to be deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, but everyone deploys at any time, not just for wartime situations.

I know of several airmen who were deployed to the Bahamas to help out with cleanup efforts after being hit by a hurricane. I know of others who have been deployed to Hawaii just to assist others at the base to fulfill their mission.

But that’s why everyone who is in the military now signed on the dotted line when they joined — to help defend our great country and its allies in any way needed, fighting in war or help with humanitarian missions, and have to be ready at any time we are needed.

Case in point, Brandon Guingrich, who was told to go over and help with the wartime tasks in Iraq.

Yes, he was injured over there and received the Purple Heart, but that is just one of the many problems we face every day. I’m sure that he never planned on being deployed over there, and especially didn’t think he would be injured either.

But that is just one of the many risks and challenges to not only airmen, but also soldiers, Marines, and seamen as well. And as we come up to our day of freedom, Independence Day, if you happen to see someone who is back at home and is serving our great country, I have one request: Thank them for what they are doing to help keep our country safe.

Even though we hear it all the time wherever we are stationed, it’s always nice to hear it from people who we have known personally.

David N. Shauver,

U.S. Air Force

Wright Patterson

Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio

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