Commentary: Hold the line by holding conversation Published June 3, 2011 By Chief Master Sgt. William W. Thomaston Command Chief, 95th Air Base Wing EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- I can't recall where I first heard the story of Navy Captain Charles Plumb, his riveting account of being shot down in Vietnam and how decades later he and his wife were dining stateside when a stranger approached and announced, "You're Captain Plumb." The captain had no idea who this stranger was and was intrigued by the detailed information the man had about the captain's being shot down, his six years as a prisoner of war and his service aboard the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk. With his response -- "Yes, I'm Captain Plumb. How do you know that?" -- the stranger answered, "I packed your parachute." Hearing this story, my heart sinks. I picture these sailors side by side on the carrier, never being introduced or exchanging a simple "Hello." They probably crossed each other's path a dozen times without an understanding of how they would impact each other's lives. How sad, this Sailor's efforts weren't understood sooner. How wonderful his life-saving service proved to be! My mind's eye goes to our Airmen rushing each day to meet their obligations, each packing the proverbial parachute for the other, too many going unrecognized or unseen. I stop. I make a point to greet people along the way and thank them for their service each day. This is one way I hold the line. This is how I would like others to hold the line as well. Appreciation means a lot. Our Warrior Airmen don't defend our nation seeking appreciation, but no doubt, they deserve it, and they appreciate it when received. Our team is made up of thousands of Airmen doing specialized tasks to support the mission -- each task vital and each person critical. I ask each of you to look around and ask yourself, "Who's packing MY parachute?" Thank the people supporting you each day: your colleagues, your customer service representative, your family, your subordinates and the people around you. Talk to each other, gain understanding of your team and how each person is tied to the mission of our United States Air Force. Hold the line by holding conversation. I will close by telling you another account. As I spoke with an Airman recently, she shared with me her meeting of Marcus Luttrell, another retired member of our U.S. Navy, and how by meeting him and seeing his wounds she finally understood what was on the other side of her maintainer's wrench. "There is someone standing on the side of a mountain somewhere, with his clothes blown off and his legs shattered, waiting on us," said this Airman. "This is happening right now, real time. Someone is standing there, looking for that beacon of hope that says 'U.S. Air Force,' coming to carry him home safely. Warriors are out there right now counting on us to show up. They are treated by an Air Force medical evacuation mission or a hospital our people put on the ground somewhere. They are hanging on the side of a mountain waiting for us. I have to connect my job to this importance, yet it surprises me each time someone thanks me for my service, and brings my awareness back to the fact that what I do makes a difference. I am re-blued when I think of Marcus Luttrell." Thank you for your service, Air Force Materiel Command warriors! Each of you is valuable and whether military, civilian, contractor or family, YOU are packing the parachutes of your wingmen every day, and YOU are holding the line!