In the background – Making a huge difference Published Feb. 23, 2010 By Col. John Sell 21st Medical Group commander PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- It was the greatest sporting event I have ever witnessed - and I am not even a big fan of the sport. I would argue that you most likely will remember where you were when you watched it. I was tending bar on a Friday night at my brother in-law's bowling alley in Milwaukee and the place with a couple of hundred patrons came to a complete standstill - all eyes fixed on the television and everyone was wildly cheering for the same team. This was bigger than the Super Bowl, the World Series, and The Masters - combined! It was Feb. 22, 1980, and the sports venue was Lake Placid, N.Y., which hosted the 13th Winter Olympics. The United States was playing the heavily favored Soviet Union. As team captain Mike Eruzione fired in the go-ahead goal with 10 minutes left in the final period, goalie Jim Craig deflected a fury of shots by the aggressive Russians. The U.S. team won this incredible David versus Goliath contest sending off a celebration not only in the Milwaukee bowling alley but throughout the entire country. It was only a few weeks earlier that this same U.S. hockey team was playing an exhibition game at the World Arena here in Colorado Springs as they tuned up for the Olympics. Also on the ice that evening, out of the limelight, and probably unnoticed, was a member of the 21st Medical Group. Our health benefits advisor, Mr. Ric Carlson, was a hockey referee for that exhibition game skating with the likes of Neal Broten, Mark Johnson, Mark Pavelich, and Ken Morrow while legendary head coach Herb Brooks barked at his players trying to get them to perform at their very best before descending on Lake Placid. Ask Ric Carlson about it and he still beams with pride stating it was an honor to be selected to officiate this game and "it was his job to do his best for the players on the ice." It's no different how Ric Carlson approached his job in the Air Force. He served in uniform for seven years including combat time during the Vietnam War. He then exchanged his Air Force blues to civilian attire and for the next 21 years, including the last 17 at the 21st Medical Group, Ric served honorably as a civil servant and he "did his best" for the many thousands of beneficiaries who received care at the 21st MDG. Chances are you've met Ric. He's the guy who gives the health benefits newcomer's brief, works out the problems with medical specialty appointments referred to a downtown provider, explains and ensures coverage as the NATO medical liaison for our Canadian forces at NORAD/NORTHCOM, delivers updates to the Retirees Activity Council, and is the person who could write volumes on "How to Properly Treat the Customer." Ric Carlson is the epitome of customer service. As he humbly gave his best to the 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team as a referee working in the background at the World Arena, Ric has done the same to his country and specifically to the many patients who have received medical care here at Peterson AFB. Ric will officially retire from government service Feb. 26, almost 30 years to the day of America's greatest sports contest at Lake Placid. He won't be moving very far; an avid golfer and single digit handicap golfer, he's taking a "job" at the Silver Spruce Golf Course. Ric, your work in the background has not gone unnoticed and has made a huge difference in the patients we serve. Thank you for a job, well-done.