Commentary: Americans have opportunity to serve or be served

Nov. 8 and Nov. 11 were two very  special days in Clovis. On Nov. 8 there was a Saturday evening Military Appreciation Banquet prepared by members of the Faith Christian Family Church.

On Veterans Day, several Cannon AFB officers and senior NCOs were invited to speak and share some of their experiences with students at Clovis High School. 

 The banquet included the presentation of the Stars and Stripes, the National Anthem, video tributes to past and present service members and their families, and a moving speech about duty, honor and faith from Col. Timothy Leahy, 27th Special Operations wing commander.

This was the first time in my 20 years of military service that I had attended a banquet prepared by a local church that honored our military veterans.  The event, attended by approximately 175 guests, highlighted an outstanding and rewarding evening.  I couldn’t help but give my praise and thanks to the FCFC for its      

contribution and support; it was a reminder of selfless service and that you don’t have to wear a military uniform to serve your country or serve others.

An anonymous source once said: “What counts as a great deal in life is what we do for others.” What the FCFC did, and continues to do, for my family and the families of military veterans in the Clovis community, has earned my respect and admiration.

Three days after the banquet, I had the opportunity to visit CHS and speak to sophomores, juniors and seniors. It was an incredible experience to stand before America’s best and brightest, the next generation of leaders. The 60-minute Q&A in the lecture hall was enlightening and entertaining.    

The students had plenty of questions, and I was honored to share my military experiences, history and stories with them. I was also pleased to learn that several CHS students have decided on a future in the military after graduation.

After the lecture I met and shook the hands of several students expressing their gratitude, and one student asked me to come back to CHS and speak to her Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps class. I forwarded her request to her JROTC commander and I hope to have the opportunity to do so.

I was so thankful to be a part of these two events. They are positive examples that we, as Americans, have the opportunity to serve or be served, in and out of uniform, 365 days a year.  The personal and spiritual impact of service for others is immeasurable and no contribution, big or small, will be forgotten. We can all make a difference in our homes, schools, jobs, churches and neighborhoods.  

Martin Luther King Jr. once said: “Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve. You don’t need a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

Anybody can serve with pride and honor. Let’s make time to serve others.

Capt. Tyler Moore is the Equal Opportunity director, 27th Special Operations Wing, Cannon Air Force Base and the author of “Dear Captain Moore: Letters to a Service Member in the Middle East.” He is currently a resident of Clovis with his wife Dianna and two children. He can be contacted at: tyler.moore@cannon.af.mil