Thank you for caring for others. I want to share a brief story.
During a large scale exercise in 1987 I stood behind a rock mound covered in snow in Iceland. I was part of a poorly equipped security response team because we literally had no other means of defense for our long range air defense site. We were the long range eyes warning NORAD of what's to come. As I peered out across the snow with only an M16 in hand, I thought of the men and woman who stood there before me, doing the task. Standing watch, and I thought of those who would come after me. Each taking a turn, standing a post, while watching the American flag blow fiercely from the winds coming off the Atlantic ocean. We all knew a special forces team would wipe us out if that point ever came. Eventually I would rotate back inside providing close air support to our fighter aircraft intercepting and escorting Russian bears making their practice runs. We were expendable, yet knowing this each man and woman served their respective time did their duty and thankfully things never got too dangerous. I share this as a thank you to each of you taking your time, standing in your place, watching the flag wave, for those who went before you. Doing what some call duty, some call service, some call respect, whichever applies to you, I thank each of you. I will be standing tall and proud out of respect to each of you who have taken your time to stand the post once more for a fellow soldier.
Respectfully Mike Jensen
US AF 1982-1990
