Give thanks for the young men, women who served Published May 23, 2012 By Col. David L. Almand 375th Air Mobility Wing commander SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- It's only been a few days since I took command, and I can already feel the high energy and see the excellence at work! The teams who put together the change of command last Friday did an outstanding job and everyone has made our family feel welcome! We're excited to begin our journey with you and feel it is a privilege to serve alongside you during this time in our Air Force history. The next few weeks will be spent absorbing and learning more about each of your roles in our mission. We look forward to meeting you, and with your inputs, I'll determine where our emphasis needs to be as we press ahead with the business of Enabling Combat Power while supporting and sustaining a healthy family life as well. As I look around this beautiful base, I'm constantly reminded of what it means to be an American and why I'm especially thankful this Memorial Day for all those who've served. Memorial Day is a time to pause and give thanks for the many sacrifices of the men and women who shaped our nation, fought our battles and left a legacy of valor. There are many whose names are not written in our history books or inscribed in our national cemeteries but whose efforts contributed to not only our missions of war, but also ones of humanitarian service as well. It's been said that our wars are fought by the young, and as I look around, I see these bright young faces who say they are glad to be part of something bigger than themselves. They are dedicated and willing to serve. They are accomplishing great things ... and we ask so much of them and their families. But, they do it with eagerness. To lead them is a huge responsibility and one that demands our best efforts ... and our best effort is what I know our wing leadership offers each day and what I pledge we will give each day we serve. Even though this Memorial Day weekend for my family involves still getting moved in and adjusted, part of my celebration always includes reflecting on or attending area Memorial Day remembrances. You'll see a list of area events listed on page A5 in which members of our Team Scott community will be guest speakers or participating in some fashion. Please take some time to attend if you can or be sure to thank these many organizations who do a great job of keeping our history alive, and who help us to "never forget" those to whom we are deeply indebted for our freedoms today. Perhaps because I'm new to this base, I'm especially sensitive to the young men and women who are serving in our armed forces, and when I think of the sacrifices of those who've gone before, I think of the many young men and women whose lives were cut short. I imagine this base opening up 95 years ago and the government naming it after one of its own young corporals who, at age 24, lost his life in an aircraft accident. Corporal Frank Scott was one of many brave pioneers during the age of early aviation and we all can agree it took a lot of guts to fly some of those early warbirds. Many aspects of flight were risky, but these young people stepped up to perform the mission, and we wouldn't be where we are today without the many successes--and failures--in our journey to become an independent Air Force. So this year, I am especially thankful for our young men and women ... so brave, so trusting, so eager to perform and in their eyes I see reflections of previous generations of the same young, brave and eager service men and women who have served our nation. I thank them for their service. I thank our current generation for their service and stand ready to work side-by-side as we continue to defend our nation and perform its global humanitarian, airlift, aeromedical evacuation, and air refueling missions each day!