COMMENTARY >> 'You complete me' – A tribute to our unsung heroes

By Maj. Deborah Dusek
314th Communications Squadron commander


At one point in the movie, "Jerry McGuire," Tom Cruise looks at Renée Zellweger and says to her, “You complete me.”
I know that for some people, this line in the movie is extremely tawdry, however, for others it rings true to how they feel about their spouses and children.

Even though I do not have a spouse or children, I believe the support of spouses and children does complete our Airmen in today’s Air Force.

The Air Force family is a wonderful body and we would not be nearly as happy, productive or driven if not for the wonderful people who stand beside us each day.

Just look around you at all the love and support during the last six months (give or take a few months) as Little Rock Air Force Base prepared for the Operational Readiness Inspection.

Even as our Airmen put in overtime, their spouses and children were too. They were relegated to do more errands, cook more meals and tend to their children’s needs even more so than when the pace on base is a bit slower.

Now some spouses may feel their efforts are in vain, or they are not recognized for what they are doing beside their spouses or that their efforts do not help the morale and welfare of others around the different organizations on the base. I beg to differ; being a commander, I hear from many different Airmen just how wonderful his or her spouse is every day. They rave about the fact their wife made the entire shop muffins one morning, or that “without her in my life, I would not be able to function.”

It is so fulfilling for me, as commander, to hear such pride and love rolling off the tongues of my Airmen.

I just love walking around the Communications Squadron and gazing at all the photos of loved ones at home.

Because we work such long hours and spend more time here at work, it is important for the Airmen to glance down at their photos every so often to remember why they raised their right hand and why they decided to reenlist for another four years.
It is because they want to provide a nice home for their families and to ensure that our nation is kept free from tyranny and terrorism for future decades.

I definitely believe in Tom Cruise’s line ... our military spouses and children do “complete” the men and women of our Air Force.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our military members’ spouses and children of for all they do behind the scenes, for the squadron and especially for standing proud beside their spouses and parents everyday.