VOL. 64 N O. 21
T H U R S DAY, M AY 21, 2020
SPACE OBSERVER P E T E R S O N
A I R
F O R C E
B A S E
Built
to last By CMSgt Jacob Simmons
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — What does it mean to be “Built To Last.”? Over the past ten months, many of us have been pressed to think more deeply, stretched to lead more uncomfortably and challenged to act more greatly in an effort to reach toward the standard of being “Built To Last.” When Col. Thomas George Falzarano took command of the 21st Space Wing on July 10, 2019, his first order of business was
not to change our mission or our vision, but to change our thinking. In his very first commander’s call, Col. Falzarano set one singular standard to which all things during his command would be measured – are we “Built To Last”? He would always ask, “Are we doing this in a way that will outlive us?”, “Will those that come after us say we did what was right…and not just what was right now?” As intensely as he cared about how we were each doing, he
INSIDE
MILITARY CAREGIVER MONTH: HIDDEN HEROES PAGE 2
cared even more profoundly about where we individually and collectively were going. He was not about what would be “instant” but what was being “invested.” What was being “Built To Last.” Those three words have defined who we are as the 21st Space Wing. They have been a constant reminder to us that no matter what happens, the 21st Space Wing remains ready for anything because we could get through anything. Then last week, on May 12, 2020, our resolve
as a wing was tested in an unimaginable way. Our leader, our commander, our heart, stopped beating. Being “Built To Last” begins at the foundation; the strength, the security and the integrity inside us; it begins in the heart where character is constructed. The Holy Word where the colonel drew his strength and faith, tells us in Matthew 7:24-25 that See Built to last page 9
NEWS 1-12 | CLASSIFIED 13 | CROSSWORD 15
EQUIPPED TO PROTECT PATIENTS AND PROVIDERS PAGE 5
SPACE FORCE FLAG UNVEILED AT WHITE HOUSE PAGE 6
REFLECTING UPON 28.5 YEAR SPACE CAREER PAGE 12