Laughlin Commentary -- Giving your life for your country Published Sept. 16, 2010 By Lt. Col. John Cinnamon 86th Flying Training Squadron commander LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Often times, you will hear someone say that one of the unique characteristics of the military profession is that those who wear the uniform are willing to give their life for their country. The image created in the mind is typically of brave sacrifice in the face of enemy actions or a dangerous mission that required the ultimate commitment with heroic results and a fatal outcome. This type of scenario has certainly been played out in the history of our armed forces and it is unfortunately an almost daily occurrence in our current combat engagements around the globe. While that kind of sacrifice can never be honored too much, the call to give your life for your country means far more than a heroic death for our nation. General George S. Patton said in World War II that no one wins a war by dying for their country, but making others die for theirs. His point was that the sacrifice required to win our nation's wars isn't in losing one's life, but using it to serve our country every day. Every single member of our military makes daily sacrifices - some large, some small, some with careful thought, some instinctively - for our great nation. Many of these proud servants would never think that they are giving their life for their country - but they truly are. They are giving of themselves, their families, their comfort, their potential and many other aspects of their life to place Service before Self. This is done without hesitation and it is so very essential to the success of our military and our nation. This quality of service is the most critical element of followership. These service members absolutely know that there are greater concerns than themselves. That our country needs those who are willing to follow and sacrifice of themselves, that only in giving of their life can our nation continue to ensure liberty and freedom. Followership and sacrifice are not qualities solely found in our military. Recently, I was humbled by the sacrifice that Mr. Jeremy McGill makes for his nation and Laughlin AFB. Mr. McGill owns a business in Lafayette, La. Every year, he stops his production line of precision machining to make our Adventure Race trophies. He does this simply because he loves his country, supports his military and feels a real need to contribute. His gift to us costs him not only the materials and production costs for those trophies, but he forgoes other paying orders to make this happen. He is a proud American who is giving of his life for his country. No, he hasn't been called to make the ultimate sacrifice. He is, however, following the same calling to serve others before himself and to give of his livelihood. Mr. McGill is not alone. Most of us at Laughlin know firsthand the contributions, sacrifices and support that Americans in Del Rio make for us and for our mission. They have heard the calling. They are following their nation's call in their own way. They are giving of their lives also. Military members are, without question, willing to lay down their life for their country. Equally important, is their desire to follow their nation's call to daily give of their lives for their country. Giving your life for your country is not a singular final act, but a continual state of mind and action. This followership, "Service before Self" and sacrifice are qualities that can be found in proud Americans every day, in our military and in our civilian communities.