HILL AIR FORCE BASE – For the last six months, it’s been my privilege to call Hill AFB my home and my honor to serve here alongside you. All through 2022, Team Hill accomplished amazing things, often without fanfare and rarely with recognition of all the effort that made success look easy.
You’ve shared in each other’s successes, celebrated individual and team wins, learned from losses, and comforted one another in moments of need. You’ve proved yourselves trusted Airmen, possessing the critical qualities of competence, commitment, courage, and compassion. That last quality, compassion, our willingness to suffer together, grows in importance this time of year.
From Thanksgiving’s end through New Year’s Day, we string lights in and outside our homes, along streets and around shops to cut through winter’s encroach and bring joy and happiness to a darkening world.
The impact of these displays is so real that we celebrate the biggest, brightest lights and we seek them out, enjoying decorated city halls and parks, landmarks, and Griswald-esque neighborhoods. Despite all this artificial illumination, we—individually and collectively—are the true lights of the season.
This holiday season, I encourage you to share your light. Be fast to compliment, quick to thank and eager to serve others. Remember that little acts matter, often more than elaborate ones and always more than you think. Seek opportunities to serve those around you, especially those who may be struggling with the hard challenges life throws at us.
If you’re not feeling bright enough to light another’s life, know you’re not alone. Please reach out to someone you trust, be it a friend, a supervisor, a first sergeant, a counselor, medical provider, or chaplain. I also encourage you to find others to serve. Our lives often improve when we focus on making others’ better.
Regardless of your circumstance, know that your light matters. Take time to recharge between now and the New Year. Connect to your family and friends and celebrate the good of 2022.
Take time to remember those serving away from friends and family and wish them well.
Please be safe and be ready for an even greater 2023.
Happy Holidays!