Independence Day message from the commander

  • Published
  • By Col. Phil Stewart
  • 9th Reconnaissance Wing commander
BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  In July of 1776, representatives of the 13 colonies gathered together to debate a resolution. On July 4th, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson. This date is affectionately referred to as the birthday of America, and it's important to take a step back and appreciate its significance.

On that date, our founding fathers dedicated themselves and our newborn nation to a set of principles guided by the notion that people should be free and governed by institutions established with the consent of the people.

This holiday I encourage you all to read the Declaration of Independence for yourselves. What to us may seem obvious was radical and even heretical just 237 years ago. The idea that all people are created equal, with certain unalienable rights, changed the world.

Take a moment and consider those around you. You, Team Beale, are the embodiment of these ideals. Our institution, the United States Air Force, thrives on its greatest resource: our people. Our people thrive because we nurture an environment where your performance, and your performance alone, determines your success. Here in America, people are free to choose their own path, or put more eloquently, we are entitled to "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Just look at the headlines today from around the world, and it's easy to find places where people are not afforded those freedoms. To be sure, there has been tremendous progress worldwide, but the world has a long way to go. Many fledgling governments base their constitutions and institutions on ours, something in which we as Americans should all take pride.

Look at those headlines and you'll also see that our freedoms are constantly under threat. That's where you, Team Beale, really shine. Many of you might be surprised to know that the United States Navy was created to fight pirates off the coast of Africa. Today, over 200 years later, Team Beale is helping support another fight against pirates off the coast of Africa.

From helping to hunt for insurgents in Afghanistan, to tracking down those who would commit genocide, members of Team Beale defend our liberty and our ideals across the globe. You truly are the guardians of freedom, standing watch, protecting our nation and allowing our people to pursue happiness. To all my brothers and sisters in arms, Thomas Jefferson captured this dedication better than I ever could when he concluded the declaration with:

"We mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

I wish you all a very happy Independence Day, and hope you have a wonderful (and safe) holiday!