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Do not underestimate your contribution to the whole

  • Published
  • By Chief Master Sgt. Steve McDonald
  • 451st AEW Command Chief
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  There is a story that talks about how all the parts of the human body work together in order to function the way the body was intended. The story goes like this:

For in fact, the body is not one part but many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? For indeed there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you;" nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you."

The function of the body depends entirely on the existence of the individual parts.

Some of you may have experienced a time when your body did not function the way it is supposed to. I have had surgeries and not been able to use my arm or my leg for a certain amount of time. But I cannot begin to imagine what it must be like for people who lose an arm or a leg or their eyesight. Incredibly, they manage to continue to have a very rewarding life in some instances. It's inspiring. But it's not how the body was meant to work.

In the same way, the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing depends entirely on the existence of the individuals who make up the wing.

For in fact, the wing is not one specialty but many. If the mechanic should say "Because I am not a loadmaster, I am not part of the wing," is she therefore not of the wing? And if the engineer should say, "Because I am not a medic, I am not part of the wing," is he therefore not of the wing? If the whole wing were supply people, where would be the security? If the whole wing were CSAs, where would be the sensor operators? For indeed, there are many specialties, yet one wing. The pilot cannot say to the weather forecaster, "I have no need of you;" nor again the mechanic to the lodging manager, "I have no need of you."

Do not underestimate your contribution to the whole.