The following is a joint message from
Gen. Tom Hobbins, Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, and Chief
Master Sgt. Gary G. Coleman, USAFE Command Chief Master Sergeant.
Every year on this date, we gather with family and friends to
commemorate the anniversary of the signing of our Declaration of
Independence. We celebrate the men and women who, more than two
centuries ago, took up arms to fight for their freedom. The Fourth of
July is a unique holiday – the only one celebrating our nation as a
whole. As our nation’s birthday, Independence Day represents, according
to former President Ronald Reagan, “the birth of patriotism.”
The unmatched drive and determination that possessed our founding
generation still fuels the American spirit today. Our American military
has been called on to serve and sacrifice around the world in the name
of those ideals that first inspired us – hope, human dignity, justice,
freedom. Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines have been successful in
that service all over the world. Because of their sacrifices, we have
accomplished major victories in places like Afghanistan, where citizens
held the country’s first democratic presidential election in October
2004, and in Iraq, which held free elections in January 2005. Despite
the accomplishments that have been made, much work has yet to be done.
We have approximately 2,100 USAFE Airmen deployed to locations around
the globe, separated from family and loved ones. Without their, and
our, continued commitment to the effort, oppression and violent
extremism would go unopposed.
How and when our fight against terrorism ends remains to be seen, but
our nation’s history proves dedicated warriors are willing to risk
everything to defend freedom.
The Fourth of July has become a family day. As you enjoy the summer
activities, stay safe and watch out for one another. Revel in the time
you spend together with loved ones, and remember that it was bought at
great cost, and that we continue to pay the price to ensure freedom’s
future.
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The following is a joint message from
Gen. Tom Hobbins, Commander, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, and Chief
Master Sgt. Gary G. Coleman, USAFE Command Chief Master Sergeant.
Every year on this date, we gather with family and friends to
commemorate the anniversary of the signing of our Declaration of
Independence. We celebrate the men and women who, more than two
centuries ago, took up arms to fight for their freedom. The Fourth of
July is a unique holiday – the only one celebrating our nation as a
whole. As our nation’s birthday, Independence Day represents, according
to former President Ronald Reagan, “the birth of patriotism.”
The unmatched drive and determination that possessed our founding
generation still fuels the American spirit today. Our American military
has been called on to serve and sacrifice around the world in the name
of those ideals that first inspired us – hope, human dignity, justice,
freedom. Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines have been successful in
that service all over the world. Because of their sacrifices, we have
accomplished major victories in places like Afghanistan, where citizens
held the country’s first democratic presidential election in October
2004, and in Iraq, which held free elections in January 2005. Despite
the accomplishments that have been made, much work has yet to be done.
We have approximately 2,100 USAFE Airmen deployed to locations around
the globe, separated from family and loved ones. Without their, and
our, continued commitment to the effort, oppression and violent
extremism would go unopposed.
How and when our fight against terrorism ends remains to be seen, but
our nation’s history proves dedicated warriors are willing to risk
everything to defend freedom.
The Fourth of July has become a family day. As you enjoy the summer
activities, stay safe and watch out for one another. Revel in the time
you spend together with loved ones, and remember that it was bought at
great cost, and that we continue to pay the price to ensure freedom’s
future.