Commentary: Giving back

  • Published
  • By Col. Eric S. Overturf
  • 442nd Fighter Wing commander
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  My wife recently told me about a "grateful campaign" on Facebook. I managed to sign on to Facebook (with the help of my teenage daughter), and I found a lot of examples of people talking about good things going on around them. Some were thankful for the weather, others for their families, and one person was even grateful for HDTV football.

As a member of Team Whiteman, I don't have to look far to find good things happening. One of the Airmen in my wing recently lost almost everything he owned in a house fire. He contacted his supervisor who quickly got the first sergeants involved with a message asking for help.

Two days after that e-mail was sent, this Airman had everything he needed to start rebuilding his life with his wife and two young children. People from across the whole base and local community pitched in to help him get back on his feet. One 509th commander contributed an entire bedroom set. One civilian gave $500 cash. Operation Homefront provided furniture and the Red Cross pitched in vouchers and Walmart gift cards. One Reservist drove his truck more than 400 miles roundtrip to pick up Christmas Store donations for the Airman and other families who need a little help during the holiday season.

People from almost every unit answered that call for help-National Guard, Reserve, active duty, civilian and even other branches of the military, contributed in one way or another. None of these good Samaritans asked to be reimbursed for their contributions. None of them asked for recognition. None of them cared which unit the Airman worked for. Most of them never met him, and they won't get to see how their gifts will make this holiday season so much brighter for this Airman and his family. They only knew he was a wingman in need of help, and they did it because it was the right thing to do.

So if I did know how to post something on Facebook, I'd say I'm grateful for being a part of a unit, base, community and military family that takes care of each other. The random acts of kindness I see every day inspire me to try to live by the words of Sir Winston Churchill: "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."

During this year's holiday season I'm going to do my best to give back, from the little things like donating to the Operation Warmheart bell ringers at the commissary or the big things like helping an Airman who needs help. I encourage you to do the same - it will make someone else's holiday season better, and I guarantee it will make your holiday season brighter too.

Note: This commentary was published in the Whiteman Warrior, Dec. 2, 2011.