Memorial Day observations

Last year, with the COVID-19 pandemic driving all of us mad, there was no Memorial Day event at the cemetery. In lieu of a speech, I provided an article for the Enterprise that was traditional and historical, and I thank the Enterprise for allowing me to do so. Fortunately, this year I was able to speak to many of you at the cemetery; however, I also wanted to supply the Enterprise with the information I delivered for those who were unable to make the ceremony.

First of all, during the pandemic, I continually read the statistics in The Holyoke Enterprise that showed the COVID-19 effect on northeast Colorado, Phillips County, the U.S. and world. Perhaps it would be of interest for you to know how it has affected our defense posture. The following was reported by the Air Force Magazine, one of the publications I get regularly.

At the end of 2020, there were 110,000 cases of the virus spread over the four services. Of this, around 19,000 men and women (about 17%) were Air Force folks, spread among active duty, reservists, dependents and civilian contractors. In the Department of Defense, 141 people died from the disease; in the Air Force, we were fortunate in that NO active duty airmen died (in 2020); however, 32 dependents and civilians did succumb to the virus last year. Research shows that the National Guard has lost one member.

Let us pray that vaccinations and defense measures we are taking will address COVID-19 viruses (including new strains) in the future. We are all tired of masks, gloves, social distancing, closed businesses and all the other effects of this virus. I would like to provide you some information this year that might be of interest and lead us away from constant discussions about COVID-19.

One of the newest things in the Defense Department is the founding of another major service related to the Air Force mission in times past but separate now from the other agencies: Space Force. Not only are Air Force members applying to be part of this new agency, but Army, Navy and Marine men and women are volunteering. It will be some time before we fully understand the mission and significance of this force. Currently, the Space Force headquarters is at the Pentagon, but plans are to move it to Alabama; however, your Colorado legislators are pushing to have it moved to Colorado Springs.

I thought I would also comment a little on how the political issues of 2020 have impacted the Air Force. I don’t have all the information for the other services, but want to show you how the Air Force is adapting to the changing environment. Our country went through a number of allegations about “systemic racism,” which was augmented by violent protests and loud commentary by groups like “Black Lives Matter” or “Antifa.” Dozens of historical statues have been torn down, at least one NFL football team has had its name changed, and other changes are in the making.

Thinking back, my 20 years in the Air Force seemed fairly “equal” in the treatment of men and women challenged by race and ethnicity. I observed some prejudices but not flagrant — though I won’t argue that it could have happened in other areas of the services. Still, the Air Force is doing whatever they can to teach racial equality and gender recognition throughout the service. I am sure the Army, Navy and Marines are doing the same. In fact, the Air Force established an “Office of Diversity and Inclusion” recently.

Leadership positions are the first thing one can observe in this wave of equality that is permeating the Air Force and the Department of Defense. For example, Retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin became the first Black secretary of defense earlier this year. Kathleen Hicks, a senior vice president of an international security program, was approved as the deputy secretary of defense, the first time in history a woman has been placed in this role.

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