TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Thirty-seven Airmen and two Sailors graduated from Tinker’s Airman Leadership School last week.
Graduates are:
137th Aeromed Evacuation Squadron
Senior Airman Chelsea Cummings, Sharp Image Award Winner, Distinguished Graduate
161st Intelligence Squadron
Senior Airman Jared Stevens
164th Civil Engineering Squadron
Senior Airman Derrick Woods, Flight Leader
190th Civil Engineering Squadron
Senior Airman Brandon McKenna
452nd Civil Engineering Squadron
Senior Airman Antonio Tyler
507th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Senior Airman Dallas Smith
Senior Airman Travis Krause
507th Security Forces Squadron
Cenecia Booker
552nd Air Control/Networks Squadron
Senior Airman Joshua Carter
Senior Airman Christopher Harner
552nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
Senior Airman James Kemp, Flight Leader
Senior Airman Steven Peters
Senior Airman Keenan Stanton, Flight Leader
552nd Maintenance Group
Senior Airman Michael Mohammed, Freedom Citation Winner
Senior Airman Michael Pennington
552nd Maintenance Squadron
Senior Airman Zachary Becker, John L. Levitow Award Winner
Senior Airman Richard Flower
Senior Airman Kara Zens
Senior Airman Nigel Sams
Senior Airman Matthew Michael
Senior Airman Nicholas Poultney
552nd Operations Support Squadron
Senior Airman Remicajhen Dela Cruz, Academic Award Winner, Distiguished Graduate
Senior Airman Tyrail Toney
Senior Airman Brandon Dozier
72nd Air Base Wing
Senior Airman Lisa Elijah
72nd Logistics Readiness Squadron
Senior Airman Jamaria Rose
72nd Medical Support Squadron
Senior Airman Petra Smith, Class Leader
72nd Security Forces Squadron
Senior Airman Jordan Chadwick
Senior Airman Andrew Coughlin
Senior Airman Dustin Davis
Senior Airman Brandon Elliott
Senior Airman Zhennan Zhong
Senior Airman Aaron Gray
960th Airborne Air Control Squadron
Senior Airman Russell Denis
965th Airborne Air Control Squadron
Senior Airman Linsie Rice
966th Airborne Air Control Squadron
Senior Airman Seth Franks
Air Force Sustainment Center
Senior Airman Joseph Rippinger, Leadership Award Winner, Distiguished Graduate
Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron FOUR
Petty Officer 3rd Class Jonah Cash
Petty Officer 3rd Class Taylor Reeves
Freedom Citation: What does Freedom mean to me?
Written by Senior Airman Michael Mohammed, 552nd Maintenance Group
Have you ever wondered what your ultimate purpose is in this life? Have you considered what future generations will remember or be told about you — what you accomplished, who you were? Will they be told of how your actions and resolve inspired and continues to inspire? These are things that I never really gave much thought to, in all honesty… not until that fateful day.
Most of us lived out youth without a care in the world, but on my first day of second grade, the unimaginable happened. I witnessed a huge plume of smoke climbing into the sky from the direction of Manhattan, where both of my parents had earlier headed, as they did every day, to work. My seven-year-old self believed my seven-year-old friends when they insisted a volcano was erupting in downtown Manhattan. We were all evacuated to our homes, which in my case was my Grandma’s, who cared for me daily after school. She tried and failed to remain calm, as she insisted I stay away from the windows. For the remainder of the morning and afternoon, I couldn’t eat, because I had finally learned through the news on TV that the “volcano” was in fact the smoke rising from the burning World Trade Center. I sat on the shoe rack in our pitch-black closet absolutely terrified that my parents were among the thousands presumed dead from the tower collapses. Even at seven years old, the depth of what had happened slapped me in the face the same way it does now. In the evening, when my mother, after walking for hours in heels, finally made it to my Grandma’s, I was able to release my breath and function normally again, being a momma’s boy and all. My dad was still heavily on my mind, though. He called later to inform us that he was OK - but it would be weeks before I saw him again.
At the time, my dad was an active duty infantry E-8 in the Army, stationed at the Lexington avenue armory in midtown Manhattan, a couple miles from where the towers were located. His mission was Search and Rescue, and his unit had mobilized to the site of the attacks immediately following the collapse of the towers. It was clear at this point that it had been a terror attack. They were authorized by the President to maintain martial law. It was over a decade later, after I was already in the military, that he finally shared what he saw at Ground Zero in the immediate aftermath. The details were horrific and unfathomable. I will always remember with a heavy heart how afraid I was for my parents, not knowing if they were among the thousands who so tragically perished that day. I wouldn’t wish that level of fear on anyone. It was partially for this reason that I initially considered fighting the people I saw as being responsible for the attacks, by joining the U.S Army. My actual reason had yet to make itself apparent.
Directly following the attacks, my dad, who was operating in the Ground Zero area for eight months in the aftermath, detailed to me what he described as the greatest thing he’d seen in his 27-year military career. There was nationwide unity following the attacks, one that saw people of all different backgrounds, races and religions stand together to support each other in the face of such overwhelming grief and shock. Bodegas and corner stores were open 24/7, handing out food and water to the workers at Ground Zero. Groups like Muslim and Jewish people, who previously despised each other, joined arms to escape the carnage. American flags flew in front of most homes and from so many vehicles in absolute solidarity. Us New Yorkers displayed to the whole planet that we would not be intimidated in the face of terror.
As I grew older in the city, I noticed that this same solidarity had begun to fade, nearly disappearing completely over time. My middle and high school years were full of conflict over my last name, regardless of my actual race, background or belief system. The unification the country developed after the attacks crumbled into the epidemic of racism and divisiveness that was so prevalent prior to this horrific event — yet somehow worse. My last name now painted a target on my back. I’ve lost count of the number of physical and verbal altercations I was subjected to over those few years simply due to my last name and what people in their ignorance assumed about me. We had bonded so well in the face of tragedy, but it was lost as we once again disintegrated into a bunch of fools squabbling in the street over petty differences.
As I prepared to graduate, my dad told me about the Air Force and how he would have gone that route if he could do all 27 years over again. He taught me that it didn’t matter what service you were in, what color your skin was, or what your name was. At the end of the day, we all stood by and defended one flag. Freedom belonged to each and every one of us. Unfortunately, joining the military didn’t mark an end to the prejudice I faced, but my decision to fight for my country showed the world where I stood. It allowed me to encourage others like myself, solidifying the concept that this nation stands for freedom and there is every opportunity to succeed, regardless of what others think of you. I wanted and still want my legacy to be reflected in the lives of others I’ve encouraged and empowered to stand up for what they believe in, despite any odds facing them. That is the true meaning of freedom to me. The freedom to stand tall in the face of adversity and walk on is an indispensable and unique aspect to life in America. Everyone has a story, and my experience has encouraged others to fearlessly follow their dreams. For that, I will be forever humbled and grateful.