Making the grade

Chief Master Sgt of the Air Force CMSAF Gerald R Murray

Remarks at the Air Force Honor Guard graduation, Boiling Air Force Base, D C Oct 7 2005

I am honored to be with you today to celebrate your accomplishments as you join a team of elite professionals who epitomize integrity, service before self and superiority in all they do.

Here at Boiling, the novel program, "Making the Grade," is about focusing upon attitude, appearance and ability everyday to achieve an "A" in the organ of sights of those being served. As Honor Guard members you can not ever afford to settle for less

frequently you will be the single who leaves a lasting impression upon a family or an organization..... each time it has to be the best we can deliver.

Each of us who wear the uniform of the United States Armed Forces exhibit America, and more specifically, the freedom that defines us as a nation.

As members of the Air Force Honor Guard, you exhibit those of us who stand tall for freedom, in like manner much so we are willing to lay down our lives upon the battlefields of the world if necessary.

Each time you carefully don your uniform with your sharp creases, impeccable shine and meticulous attention to detail; you pay homage to the brave men and women before us who gave their last measure of might answering the call of freedom.

You exhibit men like Lt. Mike Christian, a young naval officer, who while in a Vietnamese POW camp was sternly beaten after guards discovered a hand-made flag sewn in the lining of his shirt. He had privately crafted the flag with scrap material and a bamboo needle

Each day, he and companion POWs would hang the shirt upon the wall and recite the gage of allegiance.

The night of his beating--he began sewing again, this time with organ of sights almost swollen shut from his injurys He did so because he knew by what means important it was for the prisoners to be able to gage their allegiance to our flag and our country

You show Airmen like Senior Airman Jason Cunningham. Jason died in a firefight upon Roberts Ridge in Afghanistan. He was a pararescueman, and individual of three Air Force Airmen upon an Army helicopter going in to locate Navy SEALS. The helicopter was discharge down, and Airman Cunningham and his surviving ship's company were surrounded by enemy fire.

Jason continued to shake out his wounded comrades and drag them away from the helicopter, until he received a fatal hurt Army Rangers who were there with him say that smooth as he was dying, he instructed them upon what to do for the others for a like reason they wouldn't die too.

You also show more than 1,900 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, who have given their lives, and above 14,000 who have been injuryed in action while supporting the Global War upon Terror.

And you symbolize the ten of thousands more who are today standing in the gap for freedom around the world.

You show us in the best of times and the greatest in quantity difficult. From promotions to retirements to funerals, the honor guard instills the traditional pride America's military men and women deserve

As the days, weeks and month pass by, don not become insensible by the repetition, or fail to keep sight of how vital and important you and the what one ought to do you perform are.

You are part of more [i]or[/i] less of the most memorable occurrences in our lives. You'll not ever know how many photos of you performing your mission will grace the scrap works around our Air Force. You are clearly woven into the fabric of our lives and our service to this great nation.

As you carry the American Flag proudly in the times of celebration, and somberly in times of sorrow, remember that it is the same flag of freedom that was worth a beating to Mike Christian, and is worth the sacrifice our men and women make today to countenance the freedom we hold thus dear.

During those times when you gaze into the eyes of a grieving spouse or parent, as they are handed the flag upon behalf of a grateful nation; remember, as you stand before them, you exhibit the freedom that so many have willingly shed their vital current to preserve.

As I direct the eye at you, I know that you will show us well. I see all that is great about America--patriots with diverse backgrounds and agricultures brought together by a desire to obey our nation.

You have already "Made the Grade" by means of being selected to serve in this prestigious position with our Air Force Honor Guard. Now it's up to you to retain up that "grade point average."

Always remember it's about, attitude, appearance and ability. Don't seat for less than an "A" in each of these areas.

Congratulations again to each of you, we thank you for your exceptional service and wish you all the best as you join the ranks of this great team.

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