3 minute read
The Last Full Measure of Devotion Ken Riege
By Ken Riege USAF Veteran
*This saying comes from what is considered the greatest speech ever written, “The Gettysburg Address”, which was delivered by our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln on 19 November 1863.
Lincoln himself even stated that “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here,” but as history has proven, his words have long since stood the test of time.
Just recently I watched a movie called “The Last Full Measure” which tells the amazing story of US Air Force Pararescue Jumper (PJ’s for short), Airman First Class William Pitsenbarger and the actions which earned him our nation’s greatest military award, The Medal of Honor. “Pits” as he was called, was originally put in for the Medal of Honor, which was downgraded to the Air Force Cross. But thanks to the work of several of the survivors of the battle in which “Pits” gave his last full measure of devotion, his Air Force Cross was upgraded to the Medal of Honor. For more information on William Pitsenbarger please visit: www.cmohs. org/recipients/william-h-pitsenbarger
Left is a list of all Air Force Medal of Honor Recipients . As you can see, there are only 4 enlisted MOH Recipients and all but John Levitow are posthumous. The most recent Air Force MOH was for Technical Sergeant John Chapman for his actions during the war in Afghanistan.
As of today, US Air Force Colonel (retired) James P. Fleming is the last living Air Force MOH Recipient.
I wanted to share some pictures of just a few of the many amazing displays of military memorabilia at the Comfort Suites in Gallup. These displays are specifically dedicated to those who gave their “Last Full Measure of Devotion” to our country.
The first one, above, is of Specialist Lori Ann Piestewa. I never met Lori, but after meeting members of her family have come to know the love she had of our country. We honor Lori and will always remember her dedication and sacrifice she made for us.
This display honors US Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Richard Etchberger. This display was provided by Mr. Cory Etchberger (his son). The recent Netflix series called “Medal of Honor” details the battle in which Chief Etchberger gave his last full measure of devotion.
The last picture I wanted to share honors those from within the city of Gallup (from WW1 to the Global War on Terror) who made the ultimate sacrifice giving their last full measure of devotion. These are not just names or a display, but young Americans who wanted nothing more than to live free in the greatest country in the world. This display is a reminder to all of us that “Freedom is not Free.”
There are many monuments, memorials and cemeteries around the world dedicated to those who gave their last full measure of devotion in the protection of our freedoms and liberties. Santa Fe, NM is the home to one our nation’s oldest national cemetery. My family and I have visited many times to walk those hallowed grounds honoring those forever interred there.
President Ronald Reagan once stated, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We do not pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.
In closing my wish is that everyone will remember and honor the sacrifices made by those who have, as President Lincoln stated so many years ago, “Given Their Last Full Measure of Devotion.” We must not allow their sacrifices to be in vain and always live our lives to the fullest.
