It's family business Published Jan. 5, 2011 By Col. Mark Allen 821st Air Base Group commander THULE AIR BASE, Greenland -- The Chief of Staff and his wife visited Thule's Airmen over Thanksgiving and repeatedly, when discussing our most important issues, he would refer to them as "family business." I was so impressed with the sincere use of that phrase, because it connotes the things dearest to us, that I wanted to humbly share some observations on family, especially at this time of year. In the United States, a family can mean many things. The operational definition of family here is: two or more people gathered together in the common interest of improving life for one another, that's a family. In some cases, the Air Force family may be better than the biological family we were issued. And, that's OK. Whatever the case, it's important for us to have that sense of community, particularly as we look forward to a New Year. In fact, before I go further, I need to tell you that I am the furthest from being qualified on the topic of family. I came from a broken home and a dysfunctional family. Food stamps and government cheese were not jokes in my house; instead of "beef, it's what's for dinner," my family found whatever could feed a step-family of 10 on a policeman's salary. I received a C+ in a class on "Marriage and the Family" at the Air Force Academy; my fiancée, now wife of 21 years, should have taken notice. And, my wife would tell you that I'm barely operating above that level today. Because of my early family observations, I have lived my life in search of creating good family experiences. Fortunately, there are pleasant family scenes you will find from around the world. We all know the song, "Auld Lang Syne" ... "Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind ... Should old acquaintance be forgot la la la la, Auld Lang Syne." At least, that's the way we sing it in my house. No one can ever remember the other parts, but the point is that this is the time of year that our families all get together to remember our past and look forward to new beginnings. Within our globally postured wing, it's fitting to join in on a global, annual tradition of reflecting on the past and hoping for the future. For example, referencing New Year's celebrations, in places where 21st Space Wing members reside, did you know that? · Thule's Danish hosts have known and celebrated the "Auld Lang Syne" tradition well before we did; it's a Scottish poem by Robert Burns, 1788 · In Spain, families get together and each person has to eat 12 grapes upon each chime of the clock, and be finished by the time the clock strikes twelve, ringing in the new year · In Hawaii, they celebrate New Year's Day by pounding rice into Mochi and eating the traditional Japanese rice cake · In Great Britain, the arrival of the new year is signified when Big Ben's chimes are heard the 13th time, the only time Ben chimes past 12 This past December, Chaplain Jeromy Wells led Thule's Chapel team to Qaanaaq, Greenland, for OPERATION JULEMAND (Santa Claus), for which our base raised $10,000. (By the way, Danish and Greenlandic children are taught that Santa Claus lives in Greenland, not at the North Pole -- imagine Santa as a neighbor.) The base donates toys to the boys and girls of Qaanaaq, a poor Eskimo village of 600 people; we use the word "Inuit" for "Eskimo" these days. The town is unreachable by road; we flew by helicopter. The people and children were so warm and friendly, the excitement filled the village as Julemand approached the gathering. As the children circled a large Christmas tree and sang a traditional song, loud enough to evoke Julemand's entrance, I imagined being in any small village in the world. I guarantee you that we would witness a little different tradition, but the same elements of a family gathering. It struck me that no matter where, this time of year is about families. So, let me just close by sharing some reminders upon which it helps to occasionally reflect to ensure my family remains a priority: · Happiness is wanting the family you have, not having the family you want · Your family will be all you have left after that last Air Force ceremony ... that, and fighting for parking spaces at the commissary. By the way, did you know that the last handicap spot is closer than the first general officer spot? · Take care of the big rocks first ... your family is a big rock; the rest is sand · If you don't have what others call family, you have a family of friends made available by your calling to be in the Air Force; the best people I know are in the Air Force · If you can't take care of your own family, why should we trust you to take care of America ... something intangible like the concept of freedom and democracy, when you cannot care for the most precious tangibles, your family members · A happy family is but an earlier heaven ... George Bernard Shaw · The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof ... Richard Bach, Author of Illusions May your 2011 be filled with family and joy.