A Letter for TOPS IN BLUE 2014 Team, As I close out the anniversary of my 29th year in the Air Force, I can only think of what a great career Ive had. My career has been great because of the leaders I had who showed me how to be a good leader, and those supervisors who have shown me examples of what I should not be. Ive also learned, that through adversity, we are sharpened with great resolve. As we continue through staging and see our first show on the horizon, I can only imagine what could be going through your minds with all that we still have to accomplish, the negative press thats emerged recently, and the fear of not being ready. My point of this letter is to let you know that despite the few grumblers, TOPS IN BLUE is still a valuable commodity to the United States Air Force. As with any program in the military, or anything in life, not everyone will see the value...but that does not mean its not valuable. The value comes from the countless lives weve touched, changed, or gave purpose to...and TOPS IN BLUE does that for countless people. --Think about the soldier who gave a bullet to the team because he no longer needed it to take his life, and thanked them for giving him purpose to go on. --Think about the woman who on her death bed, told her daughter that she wanted to see a TOPS IN BLUE show one last time...and the joy she received when watching a DVD of a recent show that she received from Air Force Entertainment. --Think about the base commander in Ali el Salem that wanted to cancel a show because he had just lost some of his team in a convoy attack, and how his airmen wanted the show to continue because it would bring a piece of home to them. --Think of the 4year old that saw a TOPS IN BLUE show, and danced around the house chanting tops in blueover and over again. --Think about the Chaplain that was accompanying one of our fallen soldiers back to his family when TOPS IN BLUE decided to honor the soldier with the Irish Blessing and received an unexpected blessing of peace. The stories are endless and will have an impact on us as we depart to carry out our mission as expeditionary entertainers. Our mission may seem pointless to some, but thats ok. We are here for those who need us the most; those stationed worldwide at deployed and remote locations...our total Air Force family, including our retirees who have paved the way for us to continue our quest for freedom across the globe. As we get ready for our journey, rest assured that the hard work and sleepless nights will not be in vain. We have a 60 year legacy built on the backs of those Priors that have gone before us and those who continue to give of themselves for the sake of taking care of Airmen, joint partners, their families, and the community. Family taking care of family is not a slogan...its our way of life; and our mission. On May 24th, our journey begins. Its awe inspiring that we would begin our tour on Memorial Day weekend so that we can remember the sacrifices of those whove come before us. This helps me to put in to perspective that were not the best Air Force in the world because of our numbers, we are the best Air Force in the wold because of airmen like you...airmen who go out and execute their mission w/excellence, despite the obstacles that may come their way. Airmen with the Tops In Blue can do mantra. Airmen who have a great resolve to persist despite what others think. TIB 2014, we have a mission to accomplish...LETS FOCUS...LETS DO THIS! CMSgt Andrea L. Falcher, USAF Superintendent, Tops In Blue 2014
Posted on: Thu, 15 May 2014 21:48:02 +0000
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