Happy Holidays, Team Edwards

  • Published
  • By Col. Jerry Gandy
  • 95th Air Base Wing commander
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  It's the most wonderful time of the year. The time of year that gives us all the chance to relax, recharge, and refresh ourselves. This is the time of year for reflection. The holiday season is here.

In this season, I have a few reflections of my own:

From the time of our founding fathers through today, the holiday season has proven to be definitive for our servicemembers. From George Washington to our Airmen today, decade after decade, throughout the history of our country, our servicemembers have decided that liberty is a cause worth fighting for.

As the holidays approach, the weight of this decision can truly be felt by those who are deployed, by those who put in the long hours to make the mission successful, and by the friends and family members that support our Airmen.

Thank you. Thank you for your support, for your dedication, and your work in making our mission possible. Thank you for your service. Without those of you in the battle space and those of you at home supporting that effort, Team Edwards could not be successful. Without you, we could not set the standard. We could not be the world's best Air Force.

Because of that standard, we have been running hard every day. We have been supporting the present day war effort and have been preparing for our upcoming UCI. We have been ensuring that our standard levels of service do not falter, and we have been pressing onward with the mission.

Every day I come to work and I see professionalism and pride in a job being well done. I see leaders, motivators, hard workers, and wingmen.

Every day we have been working hard and every day we come closer to the biggest rock on our radar, the UCI. Because of the UCI, I've asked you to give more hours at work, more effort at training, and more of yourselves to the accomplishment of our goals.

Every day I come to work and I see you. I see your hard work and effort. You have made us successful throughout this year and will prepare us for success in the next.

As we move forward into the New Year, let's not forget the professionalism, leadership and camaraderie that are necessary to end the year safely. We must watch out for each other. Don't forget about safety this holiday season.

For some people, this is a wonderful time of year filled with happy memories and exciting events. For others the holiday season can be an emotional time that carries either bitterness or sadness. Be aware of our Team's Four Dimensions of Wellness. We should encourage and build each other up during this time.

Remember that during this time of year, driving safety is essential. Drive safely and make sure that you are properly rested when you are behind the wheel. Don't drink and drive, and don't assume that because you are sober that the other drivers on the road are too. Over half of the driving incidents that happen during this time of year are alcohol-related. With your help we can end the year safely and get ready for success in the upcoming year.

Use this holiday season to relax, refresh yourselves, and remember all that you have to be thankful for. Michelle and I wish you all the best! We are so honored to serve here with you, thank you again for all that you do and for choosing to fight for liberty as modern day patriots. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!