Living and dying by Air Force core values

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Bob Sommer
  • 934th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Minneapolis-St. Paul --  A year has passed since my wife died. She fought bravely for 16 months with stomach cancer. As I reflect on a year of firsts--first year as a single parent first incomplete family holidays and first "family" school functions, I remember the road that lead me to this chapter in my life. 

I remember trying to hold true to the Air Force Core Values, responsibilities and commitments while still trying to take care of my wife and family. Now looking back I see all the others who lived those values along side of me by helping me and my family in our time of need. Integrity: As I worked through my chain of command on how best to handle my family issues and live up to my commitments I watched as amazing things happened. 

My commanders, supervisors and fellow Airmen bent over backwards to be sure I could get my job done while still taking care of the home front, whether it was taking on extra work on their shoulders to relieve me or finding ways to work with me to achieve completion of all work required. 

Service before self: This core value was hard for me to do at that moment in time because "self" seemed to be overriding "service".
Within the 934th community though Service before Self seemed easy and willingly done time and again. After my wife's initial diagnosis, one of my first calls was to the Airman and Family Readiness. Without a blink of an eye I was covered in support. I was given phone numbers, contacts and help in arranging everything from a second opinion and finding transportation for my wife to the Mayo Clinic to receiving guidance from a base chaplain. 

I also learned that if you have spouse SGLI coverage and there is an expectancy of less than 12 months of life an Airman is able to cash in half the policy to help cover expenses.
Finance stepped up and got immediate answers, forms and contacts to get money to me quickly. So in my wife's final weeks and days I could just be her husband and not need to be in constant fear of bills. Commanders of units around the base, many of who had no idea who I was, supervisors and fellow Airman called, emailed or texted me just to make sure I was okay or if there was anything we needed. Many people I asked questions of got answers immediately regardless of whether it was during duty hours or at 11 p.m. on a Saturday night. 

Excellence in All We Do: This was no small feat but was always the rule. I was never told "sorry we can't do that" or "I don't have the time right now". Everything was taken care of above reproach. 

To my fellow men and women of the 934th AW my advice to you is during events large or small, whether they may change the course of your life forever, be sure to keep your chain of command informed, they want to know. There may be answers to questions you may have not even thought to ask. 

If you are in the chain or know of someone who needs help, remember to stand tall to the challenge and live the Core Values as everyone in the 934th family has always done and I know will continue to do.