Every year on September 18th, the United States Air Force celebrates its birthday – a day that honors not just the institution, but the people whose lives have been forever shaped by service. For Lee, an Air Force veteran who spent 20 years and 14 days (he stopped counting the minutes) in uniform, that day is deeply personal. It’s a reminder of the calling that defined his life and the pride he still carries.
Lee grew up in the shadow of service. His father wore the uniform during Vietnam, and from and early age Lee knew the military would one day be part of his own story. “I always knew I was going to be in the military,” he said. That certainly became reality at age 24, when he raised his right hand and stepped into a life built on discipline, duty, and sacrifice.
His journey began as an avionics specialist on B-52 bombers, but it didn’t stop there. Lee’s career took him to England with the 95th Reconnaissance Squadron, across continents on real-world reconnaissance missions, and eventually to the halls of the prestigious Air Force Academy, where he trained and mentored future officers. Each chapter brought challenges – long hours, deployments, heavy responsibilities – but also moments of growth and deep fulfillment. “The most rewarding part was watching people grow,” Lee recalled. For him, the Air Force wasn’t just about aircraft and missions. It was about people, and the chance to leave them stronger than he found them.
Looking back, Lee says the Air Force gave him more than a career. It gave him values such as integrity, character, and accountability, all of which he carries with him to this day. Those values became his compass through deployments, transitions, and even civilian life. Though the shift out of uniform came with struggles, he found strength in the discipline and pride that had been etched into him through years of service.
When asked what the Air Force’s birthday means to him, Lee’s answer was simple but powerful: pride. Pride in belonging to a force that shaped history, pride in the technology and missions that protect our nation, and pride in being part of something greater than himself.
“It invokes that pride that I was a member of something bigger,” he said.
Lee’s story is one of dedication, resilience, and love for his Air Force family. As we celebrate the Air Force’s birthday, we honor not just the legacy of service, but also the voices of veterans like Lee – men and women who answered the call, served with pride, and carry that bond for life.
