By Chief Master Sgt. Brooke McLean
314th Airlift Wing command chief
Staff Sgt. Christopher Slaydon knows what it is to keep the faith. He answered the call of his nation as an explosive ordinance disposal technician and nearly gave his life in the process.
On his third tour of duty in Iraq last year, Sergeant Slaydon was injured during a mission to clear a convoy route. I was honored to meet him and his wife, Annette, last week when I visited the Center for the Intrepid in San Antonio and, like many before and many yet to come, I was amazed at his devotion to duty dedication.
On varying levels, we all answer the call of our nation and it's not difficult to ring the bell of patriotism and service when life is going our way. But what about when the storm clouds of tragedy roll in and we’re faced with the harsh realities that the Air Force is a service that makes war and can be dangerous? If you want an answer to this tough question…if you want an example of how we should conduct ourselves, ask Chris Slaydon.
Because of an improvised explosive device, Sergeant Slaydon lost his left arm and is now blind. His life forever changed in ways too complicated to even start discussing.
His wife Annette stands by his side, her hand resting on his arm providing the constant touch and reassurance. Her life, too, is forever changed. Together, they keep the faith of service to our nation and provide a living example of what it means to serve in the good times and the difficult times.
The Slaydon family keeps the faith with our service and our nation, and we will keep the faith with them. It’s a vital part of our culture. When we recite the Airman’s Creed and declare “I will never leave an Airman behind” that means we will keep the faith.
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