HULMAN FIELD, Ind. -- "Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen" according to the 19th century poet and lecturer, Ralph Waldo Emerson. As I prepare to retire from the military that pretty much sums up how I got here. There I was at the University of Evansville in 1967 as a brand new freshman and there was a United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel speaking about something called ROTC or Reserve Officer Training Corps. It was the 1960's with Hippies, long hair, and a country divided about a war in Southeast Asia at a place called Vietnam. I knew military service was in my future because just about every male in my family had served in the armed services. So I stepped up and joined. This caused some interesting family discussions because all my relatives who had served were Army and the thought of joining such a junior service was kin to blasphemy. Graduating in 1971 with a promise to serve 4 years it is difficult to believe how fast the time has passed.
My message to you today is to sincerely thank you for your service and the honor it has been to be the Assistant Adjutant for Air and Commander of the Indiana Air National Guard. There is simply no way for me to comprehend how I have been so blessed to serve with you and all the accomplishments that our great organization has successfully completed. However, there is something that I have full conscience of and that is that I did not get here by myself. And that is where you come into the picture.
It would take all of the space that has been allotted to write this note, and to be honest I know I would leave someone's name out because there have simply been so many over the years that have mentored me and influenced my thinking. I truly believe we are the product of the people we have relationships with throughout our life, and that is where I struck gold. Even if we have never met personally, I have immense respect for your military service and the fact we serve together in defense of the greatest nation this world has ever seen has been great motivation to me. There is a bond between us and it stretches much farther than the boundaries of Indiana. This relationship is what allows us to succeed during the tough times.
Every day at the Indiana War Memorial I have the privilege and honor to meet Veterans from WW II through today. Even if it is our first encounter, we share an immediate special bond because of our service along with a deep respect that if they had not served as they did we would not have the freedoms we have today or the opportunity to serve. Those who serve are special and I would ask that you never forget that. Less than 1% of the nation's population is serving in uniform today.
In closing, I want to thank you again for your service and friendship. Words alone could never express how blessed, grateful, and proud I am to have served in all three components of our Air Force with the greatest service members in the world. I leave you with a quote from a Five Star General of the Army and first Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Omar Bradley who said, "I am convinced that the best service a retired General can perform is to turn in his tongue along with his suit and to mothball his opinions". So as I retire I offer this. God bless those who have served and to those of you still serving as you protect the freedoms of the United States of America. It has been a great ride. Thanks for the memories.