Back in journalism school our instructors would often lecture us about the “Power of the Pen”, which meant that as a journalist you take caution to make sure that you did not misuse your forum, which was the newspaper you were working for, to give an opinion or attack someone.

Later, as I expanded my career to include broadcast journalism, the Power of the Pen was replaced by the “Power of the Mic”. The Power of the Mic also included speaking at public forums, in addition to sharing your thoughts and opinions on the broadcast airwaves with no chance for the person you might be attacking to respond.

At a recent Honorary Commander recognition event, Mayor Tom Ross took the podium for his remarks. Mayor Ross and I have known each other for many, several, OK-a lot of years. I am not sure if Mayor Ross missed the lecture on using the “Power of the Mic” on folks in the audience. On this particular night during his remarks he singled me out, as a staff member of the Northern Sentry, for a bit of a roast. On several occasions Mayor Ross and I have met in social situations, and he has had his mother with him. She will always say to me, “If you need something scandalous about Tom, just give me a call…I would be glad to share.”

So, Mayor Ross, I say…very tongue in cheek, that you may have had the Power of the Mic on the occasion of the Honorary Commanders event, but 52 weeks of the year I maintain the Power of the Pen in the Northern Sentry. I also think I maintain a distinct advantage, as my Mom has passed on several years ago, and well…enough said.

So, folks, if after reading this column, and you have occasion to run into Mayor Ross; give him a bit of good hearted ribbing about him taking advantage of the Power of the Mic, and roasting a poor, poor, defenseless journalist who in Mayor Ross’s words “doesn’t have the talent to write the speech” that the emcee used that night which included a plug for the Northern Sentry. To Maj Tom Barger, head of 5th BW Public Affairs, THANK YOU, for the special plug you gave the Northern Sentry, and the check is in the mail. As my Dad used to tell me, “don’t get mad…get even” LOL.

What It Takes
I am not sure that I can explain in words the special atmosphere created at the Honorary Commander recognition evening. First, it was really great to see so many new Honorary Commander volunteers be given the opportunity to host a Minot AFB commander. On the other hand, there were several new faces on the Minot AFB side, too. The time that most active duty Air Force commanders spend in Minot is limited. By that very nature there will be a need to re-assign those who are or have been Honorary Commanders to new commanders as the arrive in Minot.

Honorary Commanders come from all walks of life. They can be a journalist or an attorney; they can be young or more mature (a nice way of saying older); they may or may not have been in the military; the point is that the common thread is the passion they have to help keep the ties between Minot and the Minot Air Force Base strong. Every time Mark McDonald, Director of Staff for the 91st MW and my commander, and I meet up we talk about family, we talk about the community, and we talk about what is happening on Minot AFB. We have become, and will always be, very close friends. Our spouses are also friends, and that makes the bond even more special. (We both have grandchildren-a pretty common ground for stories and communication).
But beyond recognition of the new Honorary Commanders, there was that electricity in the room that what we are accomplishing between the community and base is truly special, and the Honorary Commander program is a small, albeit an important, part of the success in Minot that is talked about throughout the Air Force.
Team Minot is recognized as having what it takes to accomplish our goals. Thank you to the men and women who serve our country, and to their families. What you do is so very important. You really do have what it takes…

Best Kept Secrets
I want to give a shout out to all of the merchants “downtown” that help out the various committees that work with the Minot AFB. Recently I was asked to help out with prizes for a squadron’s Christmas party and with a couple of phone calls had them secured. Most businesses offer a military discount to active duty military and their families. It may not necessarily fall into the best kept secret category, but it’s important to give recognition where recognition is due.

Today’s Chuckle
A procrastinator is someone who won’t take “now” for an answer.