Commentary Search

  • General Sherman or Bonsai?

    There is a tree called a Bonsai tree. It is beautiful and perfectly formed although its height is measured in inches. In California, we find a forest of giant trees called sequoias. One of these giants has been named the General Sherman. Extending into the sky 272 feet and measuring 79 feet in

  • Efficiency, innovation: Lessons we can learn from the past

    When a holiday comes around, I'll admit I don't normally spend much time commemorating the day's founding event. I'm usually more concerned with how much sleep I can make up on my extra day off. Periodically, though, I'll find myself reflecting on the holiday at hand, and such was the case Monday as

  • Alcohol can change your life

    I didn't think. I didn't do the right thing. I threw it all away. Respect, trust, integrity ... all washed away with each tip of the bottle. It all happened because I decided to drink the morning of May 28 and tried to go to work while I was legally drunk. I made it worse by trying to drive a

  • Take joy in the seeing

     In John Newton's well-known hymn "Amazing Grace" we read these words: "I once was blind but now I see." Newton referred, of course, to spiritual insight gained as a result of his conversion to the Christian faith. Sight, whether physical or spiritual, is vitally important to one's quality of life.

  • Optimist or Pessimist?

    How many people do you know who are pessimists? To many people, looking at the negative is so much easier than looking at the positive. For some the good in our world is hard to see. There is much in our world to give a person reason to be a pessimist. Here are some words from John R. Gunn: "With so

  • Create results through action with CFC

    Most people have a philanthropic soft spot, a surge of concern for a particular topic, problem, group of people, etc. Mine is for people suffering in third-world or warring countries. Children who are impoverished from birth with little hope of opportunity ... Single mothers in war-torn countries

  • Top Priority: Our People

    I would first like to say that I am humbled to be the commander of the awesome men and women at the 92nd Air Refueling Wing. Over the next few weeks, I would like to share some insight into my priorities for the wing: People, Mission, Family and Community - including Smart Operations and Safety. My

  • Don’t take the shortcut to life

    Life is a marathon race and sometimes the going can get tough. We sometimes want to take a shortcut through life's difficulties. This is illustrated in the life of the man whose farm was failing, his wife needed surgery and his bills were all past due. His credit wasn't strong enough for a loan so

  • Patriots for a lifetime

    In preparation for the Sept. 11 Patriot's Day Parade in Spokane, I found myself marching on the lot across from the White House. The sun blazed down on the backs of the flight in formation, the heat permeated our uniforms and our skin became moist with perspiration. Falling into the steps with ease,

  • AMC commander’s greeting

    To the Men and Women of Air Mobility Command: As we return to AMC, my wife, Chris, and I are humbled and honored to serve beside the professional and dedicated mobility warriors who make our nation's Global Reach a reality. As your new commander, I look forward to serving with you as we carry