Cause regardless of connection

Carlotta Schiavon, a non-profit medical assistance company representative, delivers a speech before the start of a Relay for Life event, Aug. 7, 2015, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Schiavon spoke about her personal experiences battling cancer and how others can continue to stay strong through hardships. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cary Smith/Released)

Cause regardless of connection

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Darius Charles, 31st Communications Squadron client systems technician, holds a donation box during a Relay for Life event, Aug. 7, 2015, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Charles built the box in honor of his aunt who recently passed away from cancer. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cary Smith/Released)

Cause regardless of connection

U.S. Air Force Col. Bryan Wolford, 31st Fighter Wing vice commander, delivers a speech at a Relay for Life event, Aug. 7, 2015, at Aviano Air Base, Italy. Wolford thanked the attendees for participating in the event and talked about the importance of resiliency and helping one another. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Cary Smith/Released)

Cause regardless of connection

Published Aug. 14, 2015
By Senior Airman Austin Harvill
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- Honestly, I couldn't remember why I chose the 2 to 4 a.m. time slot as I slipped out of my car and into the pitch-black, early morning of Aug. 8. The roads near base were lightless, especially near where I stood.

I braced myself for the two-hour walk around an overgrown baseball field. I was joined by two friends before we walked in support of Relay for Life, an event created by the American Cancer Society. Every year, Aviano's Relay for Life council hosts a 24-hour walkathon.

During our shift, signs leaned against empty chairs that adorned the abandoned food stations that were bristling with activity the previous day.

Obviously, participants must have had a close connection with the cause. Well, the three of us didn't. Sure, we each knew people who had suffered from cancer, but none made a life-changing impact on us. We walked not for our personal experiences, but to show our fellow Airmen, those who've lost a close one or even suffered the affliction themselves, that we cared for them unconditionally.

None of us need a personal, deeply impactful moment in our lives to realize another person's struggle. Support doesn't just stem from shared pain. True wingmanship means supporting your brothers- and sisters-in-arms, and their families and friends, even if their burdens are foreign to you. How else could such a diverse group of people maintain such a standard of excellence?

I've seen this unique wingmanship practiced every day when I visit other offices during my day-to-day job. If an Airman encounters a problem, his or her supervisor will jump in and dig through pages of Air Force Instructions to resolve the issue.

Yet when we attend events out of uniform that revolve around life-changing issues, the first question tends to be, "How has [insert issue here] affected you?" rather than, "Why are you here?"

I'm all for connecting with my fellow supporters, and I have no issue saying, "It doesn't really affect me," in response. Usually I receive a quizzical look, followed by another query.

"Oh, so is the whole office participating? Does someone in your shop have a connection?"

With that wingman concept and sense of community in mind, I hope others will join me in my response:

"No, we came out here because you are here. We want you to know you have our support, always."