GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- As Exodus quickly approaches, many of our students are going to return home for the holidays. They may expect everything to stay the same. Looking back 20 years, I remember having a difficult time adjusting to my first visit home and I was expecting everything to be the same, but it wasn't. I was never briefed that going home could be a difficult transition and expectation management wasn't yet a buzzword. I'm hoping this poem will help mentally prepare our Airmen for their first visit home with some expectation management.
This short poem was inspired by the newest Airmen at Goodfellow that are preparing to head home for Exodus, many for the first time since joining. They are our best and brightest that have moved on in life. They may encounter family and friends from their past that didn't necessarily move on at the same pace.
I’m standing strong with my chest held high,
A proud young American, my future is nigh!
Ready for combat, to fly, fight, and win,
To defend the U.S. of A and the Constitution!
I’m an American Airman now!
My life has moved on, I’m no longer the same,
My past memories, just that, captured in frames
Eager to move forward, yet honoring the past,
With a faithful proud heritage and new skills amassed!
I’m an American Airman now!
I’m not the old me, like my buddies once knew,
I’m an American Airman, blood flowing blue!
I stand tall and salute, the American Flag,
I’m ready to show you, my new Air Force swag!
I’m an American Airman now!
My identity has changed, from that of the old,
To a new young Airman, mighty and bold!
Watch out friends and family, I’m coming home,
There’s pep in my step and flare in my tone!
I’m an American Airman now!
I’m standing strong with my chest held high,
A proud young American, my future is nigh!
Ready for combat, to fly, fight, and win,
To defend the U.S. of A and the Constitution!
I’m an American Airman now!