Caring counts more than money, awards or credentials

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Ionne Barnes-Joshua
  • First Sergeant, 452 AMXS
MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. --  Happy month of April fellow Airman! Welcome to the "Shirt's Corner" again. Your first sergeants sincerely hope each and every one of you had a wonderful Easter holiday, or welcomed this month in whichever fashion you do annually. Your first sergeants hope you enjoy the information we share with you each month and hope you take what you need from the items we share and pass on to non-military folks things that may be of use to them also. 

This week, we received an e-mail from a former March ARB troop who left to enhance his career at another base. Our email sender was, for those of you who may remember, Master Sgt. Matt Davis, (from the clinic). We do miss him. 

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. We added a few things to it to make it fit our point, but the main credit goes to him. 

You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read this straight through and you'll get the point. 

1. Can you name the five wealthiest people in the world? 

2. Do you remember the names of the last five Heisman trophy winners? 

3. Do you know the names of the last five winners of the Miss America pageant? 

4. Do you know the names of ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize? 

5. What about naming the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress. 

6. Who knows the names of the last decade's worth of World Series winners? 

How did you do? 

Okay, we did not do very well either. The point of this is none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. 

These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners. 

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one. 

1. List a few teachers who aided you in your journey through school. 

2. Name three of your friends who have helped you through a difficult time. 

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile. 

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special!! 

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with. 

Well, was that any easier? 

The lesson here is: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, or the most money or the most awards. They simply are the ones who show they care the most for you and others. 

You're commanders; senior enlisted and first sergeants want only the best for all of our men and women in our squadrons. Remember, you are our biggest and also our most precious asset!