COMMENTARY>>To mobility Airmen and their families on this Labor Day: Be proud, be safe

By Gen. Ray Johns


Air Mobility Command

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. – For over 100 years America has celebrated Labor Day as the first Monday in September. It is a day to pause and recognize the contributions of the American worker to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our great nation. It has also evolved to include a day of rest and signifies the end of summer. For Airmen in Air Mobility Command, Labor Day may not always be a day off work; however, it is a day to thank you and your families for all that you do to answer the call of others in need around the world.

Every day of the year mobility Airmen fuel the fight, deliver hope, and save lives. Each day is filled with service to country and service to others. After the privilege of nearly two years serving you as the commander of AMC, I continue to be inspired by the hard work and devotion of our Airmen. Recognizing your accomplishments this Labor Day is a small way of saying thank you to you and your families who sacrifice so muchand ask nothing in return.

The importance of your work and the AMC mission cannot be overstated. We continue to support the warfighter in Afghanistan and Iraq; we stopped a ruthless dictator from killing his people in Libya; and we gave hope to the people of Japan after a devastating earthquake and tsunami. To do this takes an extraordinary effort by Airmen across the Total Force -- active duty, Guard, Reserve as well as civilian employees, who make these selfless contributions to America and her Air Force. I am truly honored and proud to serve with all of you.

Along with the contributions of our Total Force team are the contributions made by the families and friends who support us every day. Your sacrifices and hard work are commendable, and let there be no doubt you are absolutely key to the success of everything we do.

As you celebrate some well-deserved time off with family and friends this weekend, please remember to keep safety as your top priority. Though this weekend marks the traditional end to the Critical Days of Summer, ensure safety and risk assessment remains a part of every decision you make. Remain alert at all times and please be good wingmen who dare to care about each other.

While enjoying the Labor Day festivities, don’t drink and drive, fasten your seatbelts, drive at reasonable speeds and avoid distracted driving. Calculate the risk and weigh your options in whatever you are doing because we cannot afford to lose anyone on our AMC team due to unwise decisions.

Diana and I thank you and your family for your service and sacrifices you make every day throughout the year. Please take time to remember our Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines deployed around the world on Labor Day. We are so very proud of the hard-working AMC team and their families and want you to know we cherish your contribution to our global mission every day.