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Serving through the season: Major Joni Clemens

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Joseph Kapinos
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --  This holiday season, it will be a sure bet that Major Joni Clemens will be a true angel of mercy as she tends to America's finest in their hour of need.

Of course, like other Airmen serving their country in the far corners of the globe, she would rather be spending time with her family--not on the other side of the world.

"Being away from home is hard because my dad recently turned 80 and he isn't getting any younger, and Christmas Eve was my brother Tim's birthday," said the 2002 University of New Mexico graduate.

"It also doesn't get any easier being away from my daughter Bonnie and granddaughter Lilly," she said.

But knowing that her mission is one of the most important in the theater drives this Sioux City, Iowa, native to do her best despite the obstacles and loneliness during the holiday season.

"Flight nurses are highly trained, skilled and are valued members of an interdependent, but joint force transporting wounded troops to more definitive health care," she said.

Although her mission is a serious one, Major Clemens does take the time to add festive cheer whenever she is able. She decorated the flight's work center with luminaries made from paper bags and candles provided to the flight from various friends in the state. She also tried to give her co-workers some much needed time off.

"This holiday season, our crew volunteered to fly if needed during any missions on Christmas Day, so other crews could have some time off that day if they so desired," said Major Clemens with a smile.

During the holidays, Major Clemens said she will fill the long hours by honoring hers and other's traditions, eating chocolate, reading emails and remembering all those little reminders you get about what the season really means.

"This helps with keeping the holidays in perspective," said the major.

While her mission is one of mercy, this major from Pope Air Force Base, N.C. stands ready to take on any challenge presented to her.

"Flight nurses are always ready to do the job, no matter what day it is," she said.