Ferrell's farewell

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. William B. Ferrell
  • 94th Airlift Wing Chaplain Office
DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. --  Effective March 1, after a total of 33 years of service in the U.S. Air Force, five active duty enlisted and 28 as a Reserve chaplain, I will be retiring.

As I leave, I would like to take this last opportunity to share three thoughts with you from the perspective of where I am in my career and life.

First, I've had the opportunity to travel to some very interesting places during my career, including Honduras, Italy, Hawaii, Kuwait, Iraq, Guantanamo Bay, and even New Jersey.

I've spent the majority of my career here at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, four active duty and 17 as a Reservist, but more important than the places I have been are the people I have had the opportunity to meet, work and serve with.

Throughout your career and life, remember that the people you encounter are the most valuable treasures you will ever have. I've had numerous people give me support, encouragement, training and friendship that has blessed me and helped to make me who I am. I am also thankful for the opportunities I've had as a chaplain, to serve and hopefully be a blessing to others.

I would encourage each of you to nurture those relationships in your life that are positive and uplifting and take the opportunities that will come along to pass that on to others. Doing that will enrich your life more than any amount of material things you may acquire.

Second, I want to encourage you to bloom where you are planted. We all have our personal ambitions and plans about the job we want, but real life doesn't always work out the way we want it to.

You may feel frustrated because someone else got the job or promotion that you really wanted. You may not feel challenged or you may feel overwhelmed by the job you have been assigned to. This is where the Air Force core value, Service Before Self, comes into play and I want to encourage you to give your very best at the job you have been given, even when it is not what you wanted.

I never had any desire to be a wing chaplain, but one day I found myself in that position. I did not like the management responsibilities that came with the job, and was more interested in ministry. The experience of doing this job has resulted in personal and professional growth, and a wider range of ministry opportunities than I ever dreamed I could have. The job you are in right now may not be where you want to be, but give it your best.

The Air Force needs that from you, and I am convinced that you will reap some unexpected rewards from doing so.

Finally, I want to warn you that you don't have any time to waste, no matter where you are in your life or career. You may feel you have plenty of time. I'm telling you from experience, 33 years will fly by much more quickly than you can imagine.

Each day is a gift, and tomorrow's no guarantee. Even though you will have some extraordinary experiences, the vast majority of your career will be the unmemorable daily routine. Being faithful and giving your best will do more to build your character and give you a successful career than all the extraordinary experiences put together.

After the terrorist attacks in September 2001, and the start of the war in Afghanistan soon afterward, I determined that at every opportunity I had to pray publicly I would include a prayer for God's blessings on our deployed troops. I have done that and will continue even after my retirement. I want you to know that I will be praying the 94th Airlift Wing and each person associated with it for as long as God lets me live. This base, and more importantly the people here, has been a key part of my life for many years and will always have a special place in my heart.