Veteran's Day Message from the Commander

  • Published
  • By Col. Anthony Polashek
  • 934th Airlift Wing
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL AIR RESERVE STATION, Minn. --  At the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month of 1918, an armistice was signed by leaders representing the Allies and Germany, ending what we now refer to as World War I. Armistice Day was commemorated in the years following, and became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. After the largest mobilization in our nation’s history for WW II (over 16 million) and the Korean conflict (about 5.7 million more), Congress amended the legislation to change the name to Veterans Day in 1954 to include American veterans of all wars.

According to Gallup’s “Confidence in Institutions” poll, which they’ve been doing since 1973, there is no institution in America that averages in these polls higher than our nation’s military. This June, the numbers indicated that 73% of respondents either had a “Great deal” or “Quite a lot” of confidence in our military. (http://www.gallup.com/poll/1597/Confidence-Institutions.aspx)

We enjoy the high regard and great respect of our fellow citizens, and that is due to the tremendous service of our predecessors and some great comrades of our era, such as the amazing national heroes that were here last month for the Medal of Honor Society Convention. It is also due to the outstanding performance that you all have helped earn by your excellent conduct and performance on behalf of our nation, and I know that service is not always easy. Thank you for that. Thank you for raising your hand, and taking our oath, to protect and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that you will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. Thank you for serving so very, very well here in the 934th, and for being excellent comrades to each other in this faithful service.

In honor of this Friday’s Veteran’s Day holiday, and the one later this month dedicated to giving thanks for the many blessings we receive, I’d like to say how sincerely thankful I am for all of you, and for the opportunity to serve with you here in a truly outstanding unit. So please have a safe and happy weekend, and THANK YOU!

Skol Vikings!

ANTHONY G. POLASHEK, Col, USAF
Commander, 934th Airlift Wing