Page 8 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, March 2020

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Goldfein approves changes to Air Force song

by CHARLES POPE to be balanced against what’s appropriate
for our Airmen who are in the Air Force
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
today,” he said. “So the world is changing.
ORLANDO, Fla. — Air Force Chief of The Air Force is changing. Lots of things are
Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein on Feb. 27 changing. We talk a lot about diversity and
approved immediately updating a crucial inclusion; we have to take a look at those
verse of the official Air Force song to make traditions that are written and unwritten.
it inclusive and to “reflect all of us and who “We got a lot of opinions from males and
we aspire to be.” females, young and old about this,” Wright
Goldfein made the announcement about said. Goldfein “made sure he had a real
changes to the third verse to more than kind of global perspective on this and what
2,000 Airmen, industry officials and retir- it might mean.”
ees during a joint appearance with Chief The discussion of the Air Force song was Tuskegee
Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth O. one part of a broader conversation and
Wright at the Air Force Association’s Air question period Goldfein and Wright had
Warfare Symposium. with those in the auditorium. The hour- Airmen speak
The third verse serves as the U.S. Air wayne Clark long session touched on topics as diverse
Force Academy’s school song and is sung Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David L. Goldfein and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air as leadership and what the Air Force is at Luke
after athletic games. Goldfein also sug- Force Kaleth O. Wright participate in a sit down discussion during the Air Force As- doing to reduce the number of suicides, to
gested further changes to the Air Force sociation’s Air Warfare Symposium, in Orlando, Fla., Feb. 27. The three-day event the legacy that Goldfein and Wright hope
song might be considered. is a professional development forum that offers the opportunity for Department of to leave when their tenures end (June 30 Retired Col. Richard Toliver, member
“I want to open a conversation here, Defense personnel to participate in forums, speeches, seminars and workshops with for Goldfein and in September for Wright.) of the Archer-Ragsdale Arizona chap-
which I hope to have over the next few defense industry professionals. How the change will ultimately be re- ter of Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated,
months about whether we also want to ceived is unclear, but when Goldfein an- shakes hands with Tracy McGregor,
update the first verse,” he said. “I can tell Force song, which includes the words, ‘A A toast to the host of those we boast, the nounced the new lyrics there was sustained 56th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire and
you a number of stories of women who have toast to the host of the men we boast’ and U.S. Air Force! applause in the auditorium. Emergency Services, Feb. 27, after a
been giving them the gun throughout the it was very clear to me it was an exclusive Goldfein said he moved slowly, recogniz- Goldfein also insisted that his personal Black History Month panel discussion
ages but especially most recently as all song,” Goldfein said. “Not intentionally, ing the status of the song and the emotions experience with modern warfare affirmed at Luke Air Force Base. Members of
combat positions are open. it was written at a different time. But it could trigger. “We started down this path his decision. the TAI visited Luke to educate Air-
“So I think it’s an important discussion it was exclusive. And the energy of that and I actually started having a lot of con- “As chief I visit Arlington a lot ... espe- men on the history of Tuskegee Air-
to have. I’m also very respectful of the fact team couldn’t have been lower. It was just versations with both men and women about cially on Memorial Day and I visit all the men and share their experiences from
we’ve been singing the song at funerals and wrong.” our Air Force song which is a part of who we Airmen I lost that were under my watch Airman 1st Class Leala Marquez their time in the Air Force.
different events. It’s part of who we are and Under the change, the lyrics to the new are and it defines us. The cadets themselves when I was a commander in Central Com-
I personally think it’s time to update that verse are: came up with what they thought was the mand,” Goldfein said in explaining why the
to reflect all of us,” Goldfein said. Here’s a toast to the host better third verse.” male-only references in the third version
Goldfein said he vividly understood Of those who love the vastness of the sky, Goldfein’s explanation during the session were replaced by lyrics that are gender
how the male-centric words clashed with To a friend we send a message of the brave with Wright mirrored a deeper discourse neutral.
the modern Air Force after the Academy’s who serve on high. he provided Thursday in a published com- “And side by side there were men and
women’s volleyball team won a tournament We drink to those who gave their all of old, mentary. women. Combat is like that. Combat doesn’t
that was held at the Pentagon. Then down we roar to score the rainbow’s Wright embraced the change as well. discriminate and neither should we,” he
“We (sang) our third verse of the Air pot of gold. “That is a relevant conversation but it has said.

Luke AFB Chapel Easter Schedule

Catholic Services Protestant Services

March 31: Lenten Reconciliation Service @ 6 p.m. April 5: Palm Sunday
April 4, 5: Palm Sunday (Weekend schedule) April 7: Seder Meal @ 6 p.m. (Ecumenical)

April 7: Seder Meal @ 6 p.m. (Ecumenical) April 12: Easter Sunrise Service @ 7:30 a.m.
• Breakfast following service
April 9: Mass of the Last Supper (Adoration of the Blessed • 9:15 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt
Sacrament) @ 7 p.m. April 12: Easter Combined Service @ 10 a.m.

April 10: Living Stations of the Cross @ 3 p.m. (Ecumenical)

• At the Chapel on the Mall and Air Park
April 10: Veneration of the Cross @ 7 p.m.

April 11: Easter Vigil @ 7:30 p.m.
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April 12: Easter Sunday Mass @ 10 a.m. Chapel on FB
• At the base theater

**All services at Luke Main Chapel unless otherwise noted. **
For more information, or religious accommodation, call 623‐ 856‐6211