Traditions - Faithful to a proud heritage

  • Published
  • By Col. Scott Fox
  • 90th Missile Wing vice commander
F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo. --  As the final championship buckle was presented at the rodeo Sunday afternoon and 114th "Daddy of 'em All" became the next entry in the rich history of Cheyenne Frontier Days, I had cause to think about what had just taken place over the past 10 days.

Members of the Mighty Ninety and the F. E. Warren community participated in a variety of events that have come to define what we know today as CFD. Free pancake breakfasts for tens of thousands, the United States Air Force Thunderbirds performing in the only show they've done every year of their 57-year existence, grand parades with more horses than most people have seen in one place, night shows with big name performers, and of course you can't forget the rodeos! There is truly something for everyone.

Thousands of volunteers, many of whom are part of our active and retired military communities, devoted countless hours and thousands more attended each and every event. No matter what their role, each individual who took part in this year's CFD found themselves as part of a tradition - a tradition that has been repeated, improved on and celebrated every summer since 1897!

Webster tells us "tradition" is the passing of elements of a culture from one generation to another; a set of time honored beliefs, customs and practices. There is no doubt in my mind the culture of the Old West was shared and passed down over the past two weeks. Reflecting on CFD and the associated traditions, reminded me about another set of traditions - those of the United States Air Force and more generally the Profession of Arms.

As I walked from my vehicle to the headquarters building Monday morning, I stopped and set down my bag as the first notes of "Reveille" played in the clear Wyoming morning. As I saluted at the first note of "To the Colors," I was once again reminded of the great honor to serve my country. That brief ceremony, even though it occurred while I stood entirely alone, made me feel a part of something bigger than myself. It is part of the culture of the Profession of Arms. It is a tradition.

Think about all the traditions we have in the military. Uniforms visibly identify members of the profession and salutes are exchanged as a means of showing respect. During the change-of-command ceremony, the unit flag is passed to the individual assuming the command in front of the unit. And to show respect for a fallen Soldier, Sailor, Airmen or Marine you will often find a rifle with bayonet fixed stuck in the ground next to the individual's boots with their helmet on top and identification tags hanging from the rifle.

Military life is full of ceremonies. Ceremonies mark promotions and retirements; they highlight superior performance and memorialize a hero's sacrifice; and they form the basis for many of our operational activities. Here in the 90th Missile Wing, for example, our security forces conduct a "guardmount" before a new team of defenders take their posts. Missile combat crews assemble every morning for mission planning and then formally attend a group pre-departure briefing. The examples go on and on. Some ceremonies are formal, others not, but all are part of the customs and practices that form the basis for the military tradition.

Some of you by now might be wondering, "What's the point? These are things I already know."

Just as the traditions of CFD shape the culture of Cheyenne and have affected the local way of life, our military traditions shape and affect the way of life for those of us in the Profession of Arms. Also like CFD, these traditions don't just happen on their own - it takes personal action and commitment to carry on the traditions.

In 2007, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force identified one of his top priorities was to "reinvigorate the warrior ethos in every Airman," and he introduced the Airman's Creed. Though he acknowledged ours is the youngest of America's military services, he highlighted we are an heir to a proud heritage - citing traditions built by heroic visionaries and practitioners like Generals Mitchell, Arnold, Chennault, Doolittle, LeMay and Schriever.

Other names jump to my mind; Airman 1st Class William Pitsenbarger, Senior Airman Jason Cunningham, Tech. Sgt. John Chapman and Staff Sgt. Zachary Rhyner. While not the founders of the Air Force, each of these heroes demonstrated through personal action and dedication what it means to be "faithful to a proud heritage, a tradition of honor, and a legacy of valor."

Are traditions important for today's Air Force? I absolutely think so.

Military service is not just another job. Each person who puts on the uniform and swears to support and defend the Constitution of the United States made the choice to be part of something larger. The traditions that define our culture and shape our military way of life are the embodiment of that "larger something" - the Profession of Arms. By carrying on the traditions and heritage that go along with this great profession, and passing those traditions on to our newest generation of Airmen, we will continue to be the best Air Force the world has ever seen.