News Search

Grand Forks AFB Ball features speech from Expeditionary Center commander

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Wayne Clark
  • 319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Nearly 500 Warriors of the North gathered at the 3-Bay Hangar here Sept. 19, 2014, to celebrate the Air Force's 67th birthday with a ball whose theme was "Then and Now."

Maj. Gen. Frederick Martin, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center commander, was the guest speaker for the evening's events.

Martin told a story from his days as a cadet at the U.S. Air Force Academy about a squadron janitor named Bill Crawford, who worked at the academy in the 1970s.  Martin explained that Crawford kept to himself and no one really noticed him much until some cadets there discovered he had been recognized for acts of heroism while serving as a private in the Army during World War II, and was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Martin used the anecdote to outline 10 separate life lessons he hoped the audience would take away from the story.

The first lesson Martin imparted in his speech was to be cautious of labels.

"Be cautious of anyone that's says 'hey I'm just an Airman,' or 'I'm just a spouse.'"

Martin also explained take time to know your people.

"Do you have a hero in your midst or a person hurting?"

Martin also advised his audience to look for excellence, not glory.

"Life doesn't always hand you what you think you deserve," he said.

The speech received a standing ovation by those in attendance. Airman 1st Class Robert Bales, 319th Logistics Readiness Squadron, said he thought the speech was outstanding, and Martin's advice to look for excellence particularly stood out to him.

"General Martin's speech was truly inspiring," he said. "It made me more motivated to serve with honor."