The spirit of the season: giving
Commentary by Lt. Col. Joseph Rushlau
376th Expeditionary Maintenance Group commander
12/12/2008 - MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFNS) -- Those
of us deployed to Manas Air Base are rolling into the holiday season.
We just passed Thanksgiving, which most of us would normally like to
celebrate with family and friends back in the United States.
While I think most of us had a great time celebrating here with
wonderful food and plenty of fellowship, I'm sure most of the Airmen,
like me, couldn't help but think of the typical Thanksgiving at home.
Spending time with my wife, children and our friends is always a good
time, especially during the holidays.
With the advent of the holiday season, Airmen here may wonder how
exactly they will get to celebrate so far from home and their loved
ones. I would challenge you to think about the spirit of the holiday
season we have just entered. You may not realize that Manas AB
Airmen are celebrating every day because the true spirit of this season
is about GIVING and that is exactly what we do here.
Think about it. The mission at Manas AB is aerial refueling, passenger
movement and warrior care. We give to support many different people day
in and day out. The season of giving is a year round experience at
Manas AB.
We also get support from many different people -- not just our
co-workers in the 376th Air Expeditionary Wing. We all know that some
of our comrades have given their lives to ensure the rest of us keep
the gift of freedom. To sacrifice is to give, and there is no greater
act of giving than what these warriors have done for their nation and
the cause of freedom.
We may not face the same level of dangers at Manas AB, but we do
sacrifice. We have all given up time at home with our families and
friends so we can give support to our brothers and sisters in arms
during this time of war. What a great example of the holiday spirit of
giving.
I see giving from the heart every day with the service so many of the
base Airmen provide to our great outreach organizations on off-duty
time, including the Manas Service Organization and Manas Air Base
Outreach Society. Many Airmen here have gone out and given time to the
people in the local communities. If you don't think this is a great
example of holiday spirit, look again -- it's there in the smiles on
the faces of the children. If you think you are going to miss the
smiles around the Christmas tree this holiday season, spend some time
at a local school or orphanage and I think you will be satisfied.
In our culture, we sometimes get focused on the material things we give
and get, but what is the most precious gift you can give another
person? The answer is your time and your attention. At Manas AB, we
give our time and attention to people as part of our jobs. Offer some
of your personal time and spend a few minutes outside work with your
co-workers and neighbors in the local communities. The gift of one's
attention and time is not soon forgotten.
A famous philosopher, Francis of Assisi, once said, "It is in giving
that we receive." So, if you want to feel the holiday spirit of giving,
I encourage you to give some of your own time to help someone else. By
taking care of one another, everyone will feel the spirit of the
holiday season.