Honoring our mothers Published May 7, 2008 By Col. Al Hunt 375th Airlift Wing commander SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- This Sunday, Americans will honor some of our most dedicated, selfless and often unsung heroes - our mothers. Be it breakfast in bed, a day at the spa or dinner at a nice restaurant, we all have different Mothers' Day traditions. No matter what gestures we make to show appreciation on Mothers' Day, these actions cannot compare to everything mothers have done to raise us and help shape our lives. From the time we are born, our mothers care for, nurture and support us. As adults, our mothers proudly watch as we achieve educational and career goals in addition to starting families of our own. Mothers' Day means more than just thanking our own moms, but is a time to honor the great mothers of the past and present. Not enough can be said about the particularly difficult job mothers of servicemembers face. They stand by and support their sons and daughters as we volunteer to serve our country. Often, this means their children move far away from home. Many of these young men and women will also risk their lives and deploy to hostile territories in an effort to make the world a safer place. This Mothers' Day, we must also remember the thousands of mothers who are themselves serving in the Armed Forces. The Air Force, for example, is comprised of nearly 25 percent women, many of whom have children. These women put in long hours at work and are committed to life in the military. Often, this means they sacrifice precious time away from home with their families. Military mothers also deploy and are separated from their children for months on end. I also say thank you to these women. By serving our country and living out the values of service, integrity and excellence, you serve as role models to your children and are helping to shape the next generation of leaders. This Mothers' Day and every day, I extend my sincerest thanks to all Joint Total Force Scott mothers for all they do to support us and our country.