A pride that sustains

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Over the past several years, the men and women of the active-duty and reserve components of all branches of the military have been packing up and deploying to support operations throughout the world. They have been joined by civilian members of the Defense Department and other agencies as well as civilian contractors. They have left home, family and work behind and answered the call to preserve the freedom of not only the United States but nations throughout the world.

Many of those deploying have never done so before. They have never experienced the separation from family. They have never known what it is to be sent to a foreign land to live in tents and endure the hardship of deployed status. They do not know how to cope with the strange sights, sounds, smells and customs they are faced with each day. The family members left behind have never had to handle the major issues of life on their own. This thing called “deployment” is totally foreign to many of those deploying and those remaining at home.

The mission of our military today demands that our men and women be deployed much of the time somewhere in the world. When you talk to those preparing to deploy, you find that many have been deployed multiple times. It is a way of life that would destroy many persons and families.

The men and women of Team Shaw have developed something that sustains them through all the adversity that comes with deployment. It is expressed in a poem by an unknown author entitled “I Got Your Back.”

The poem speaks of that ingredient that sustains the men, women and families of Team Shaw. That ingredient is pride. Pride in the work that we do. Pride in our ability to serve our nation with such professionalism that anyone who would dare to seek harm to our nation would pay the price. Pride in our ability to defend not only the ideals and freedoms of our nation but those of all nations including those who disagree or even oppose ours.

The demands that are put on us today cannot help but exact a heavy toll. When you find yourself tired, weary and, yes, even discouraged, remember that you are playing a vital role in the defense of freedom and promotion of peace throughout the world. Take pride in what you accomplish as a member of the Team Shaw family. That pride can sustain you through all the difficulties that are bound to come.

I've Got Your Back:
I am a small and precious child, my dad’s been sent to fight.
The only place I'll see his face, is in my dreams at night.
He will be gone too many days for my young mind to keep track.
I may be sad, but I am proud. My daddy's got your back.

I  am a caring mother. My son has gone to war.
My mind is filled with worries that I have never known before.
Every day I try to keep my thoughts from turning black.
I may be scared, but I am proud. My son has got your back.

I am a strong and loving wife, with a husband soon to go.
There are times I'm terrified in a way most never know.
I bite my lip, and force a smile as I watch my husband pack.
My heart may break, but I am proud, for my husband’s got your back.

I am a soldier ... serving proudly, standing tall.
 fight for freedom, yours and mine, by answering this call.
I do my job while knowing, the thanks it sometimes lacks.
Say a prayer that I'll come home, it's me who's got your back.
-Anonymous