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Airman Leadership School opens new heritage display

  • Published
  • By Bud Andrews Airman Leadership School
Scott Air Force Base, Ill. --  What once started as a simple, yet respectful display of military heritage from the Vietnam and Korean era has now been transformed to incorporate current operations and recent changes and updates within the Air Force.

The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Bud Andrews Airman Leadership School recently completed their lobby display project to promote a sense of enlisted heritage upon entry into the school house.

The focal point of the numerous displays is a solemn photo depicting the Scott Air Force Base Honor Guard folding the American Flag during a funeral ceremony. On one side of the photo is a display of all seven Air Force enlisted Medal of Honor recipients with a description of when the Medal of Honor was created and how it is earned. Below the photo is the POW/MIA tribute with each branch's service cap honoring servicemembers who were held captive or are still missing in foreign lands. To the left are the six articles of the Code of Conduct, laying out guidelines for servicemembers to return home from captivity with honor.

On the lower part of the wall is a glass case divided into four sections with each section honoring a different time or operation in military history. Starting on the left is the tribute to the Vietnam/Korean era; then there is a remembrance of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001; next is the tribute to Operation Enduring Freedom; and finally the tribute to Operation Iraqi Freedom/New Dawn.

"The majority of the items in the display case were donated by students that they acquired through their deployments and have graciously donated to our display, which gives them ownership, and overall that's what we want." said Master Sgt. Eric Matzek, Commandant of the Airman Leadership School.

Not only have the students donated memorabilia to the display, but the faculty provided articles as well.

"I donated what I could since most of my trinkets have been sitting in a box for years collecting dust," said Staff Sgt. Casey Jensen, Flight Instructor. "At least this way it can play a role in driving home the point about our heritage. It's my honor to donate to such a worthy cause like this."

On the other side of the entry way is the tribute to those who served in the highest enlisted position: the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. This display honors all of the CMSAFs, particularly the seventh CMSAF, Arthur "Bud" Andrews, to whom the school house is dedicated. It contains his actual mess dress, certificate of retirement, and a biography.

"This was a project that I wanted to update for a while now and thanks to my dedicated instructors, it came to realization," said Matzek. "It is our belief that we should be honoring those who served in the past, as well as current operations."

Jensen said,"It was a lot of work, but completely worth it when we see the look on our Airmen's faces when they walk around and realize that this is part of their current lives. Understanding our heritage past and present is an imperative part of being a great Airman."

From the detailed displays to the background music, the lobby truly honors the enlisted heritage and sets the professional atmosphere of the CMSAF Bud Andrews Airman Leadership School.