Maj. Gen. Bennie E. Williams
21st Theater Support Command
Veterans Day has withstood changes to both its name and observance date, yet the basic sentiment behind this period of reverence has remained constant
November 5, 2004 ×
Brig. Gen. Rosanne Bailey
435th Air Base Wing commander, KMC commander
Over the past century, the U.S. Armed Forces have fought in conflicts around the world to preserve freedom and peace.
Without the devotion of the men and women who protect our ideals, our world would be a drastically different place.
It is on Veterans Day that we take the time to honor and pay tribute to all who have traded personal freedoms to serve.
November 5, 2004 ×
Col. Robert C. Kane
86th Airlift Wing commander
The 11th of November had originally been dedicated as Armistice Day in 1938 to commemorate the cessation of World War I hostilities on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Since it has evolved into a day of remembrance for all veterans who have served our nation so proudly and so selflessly.
I recently had the honor of meeting several Berlin Airlifters as they celebrated the 55th anniversary of their incredible feat. Those men and women were responsible for the freedom of West Berlin and had an enormous impact in preventing communist expansion into Western Europe. Twenty-two U.S. Air Force pilots gave their lives defending freedom as the joint U.S. and British operation flew 277,569 sorties and transported over 2.3 million tons of cargo to Berlin from 1948 to 1949. These brave men and women completed the largest airlift operation to date
November 5, 2004 ×