The Warrior Spirit Published Feb. 18, 2009 By Col. Gary Goldstone 375th Airlift Wing commander SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- I am an American Airman. I am a warrior. I have answered my nation's call. Those are the carefully chosen words in the first section of our Airman's Creed, which to me represent the blood of generations of patriots who've come before me and who now serve with me. I think of patriots such as Nathan Hale who at age 21 spoke with great composure before he was publicly hanged in September of 1776 for spying against the British. You may remember his words, "I regret that I have but one life to give for my country," which speaks volumes to his character, sense of duty and love of his new nation. What's not so well known is that a British officer named Frederick MacKensie wrote in his journal: "He behaved with great composure and resolution, saying he thought it the duty of every good Officer, to obey any orders given him by his Commander-in-Chief; and desired the spectators to be at all times prepared to meet death in whatever shape it might appear." A newspaper article later stated: "... at the gallows, he made a sensible and spirited speech; among other things, told them they were shedding the blood of the innocent, and that if he had ten thousand lives, he would lay them all down, if called to it, in defense of his injured, bleeding Country." In war there is one thing you cannot predict, and that is the will of the people. Americans have surprised many foes who thought it a simple matter to crush us. Though this young school-teacher-turned-American-spy paid for his inexperience with his life, his strength of character is still displayed for all the world and epitomizes what we call the Warrior Spirit. His was an extraordinary example of selflessness and sacrifice. Today there are many examples of selflessness and sacrifice documented in a project called "Warrior ... In Their Own Words," which is about military men and women who share their thoughts on what it means to be a warrior. Some share their ideas that it's not necessarily people doing their "best" but rather "what's required ... and sometimes that means taking out the trash." Another man says "some people were meant to call 911, and others are meant to be the 911." Whatever their definition, the common thread is that all these warriors did one thing: they answered their nation's call. Marine Col. James D. McGinley, said, "Warriors know the fullest extent of the human condition. We experience the height of glory in victory, and know the depths of despair in defeat ... We are chosen for our ability to function in the chaos and horror of war. "Our hallmark is determination. More than courage, more than ferocity, it is the determination that distinguishes a warrior. ... Those who have never worn the cloth of our nation may call it the military, but those in uniform will always say the service. "By serving, we have risked everything, even life itself, so that this great nation may be free. ... It is a privilege to be counted among those who answered the call to serve." It is indeed a privilege to serve, and I've seen first-hand many around me who embody the warrior spirit. When we recite the Airman's Creed, let us remember that we're not just Airmen. We're American Airmen. We are warriors with a moral code. We have answered, and will continue to answer, our nation's call. Air Power!