A part of history

  • Published
  • By Capt. Toney Collins
  • 94th Logistics Readiness Squadron
In all honesty, I don't truly think it has hit me yet; that we actually have our first African American President. Yes, I have met and talked with him, but it will take some time for this to really soak in. 

I grew up in a school with a very small number of minority students and in a time when there was very limited visibility of successful African American role models. As we all know perception is huge(especially for any youngster that is learning and developing). 

What I mean by that is that when you don't see something for so long you eventually internalize it. People may say, 'maybe it can't or shouldn't happen so why bother?' I am saying all this to say that seeing a minority President gives a great amount of hope and pride to all minorities. 

The magnitude of this event is so great, I can't begin to express it in words. The great reality to all of this is that I am working on the Armed Forces Inaugural Committee for the 56th Presidential Inauguration Swearing-in Ceremony. This historical assignment is superior to anything I have accomplished or been a part of in my 14-year military career.