HCBA Lawyer Magazine Vol. 29, No. 5 | Page 51

Continued from page 48 summer season, the various retail store sales specials, the family barbeques, summer vacations, and just sitting on a beach and enjoying the warmth of the ocean water.” Attorney and Army Veteran Matthew F. Hall shared the following personal reflections and guidance: “When you have lost friends and buddies in <((&'$) combat, every 2%(()= =4% day and any day is Memorial Day. It is important for our country and citizens who aren’t so personally affected by combat to take time to think of the sacrifices that these young men and women have made in order for us to enjoy the freedoms of our everyday life. If you want to experience something powerful, look at the ages of the people who have died in combat. They are youths giving up promising futures for total strangers. For that, we should never forget them.” With the words of our courageous HCBA friends, colleagues, and judges as a starting point, may we all set aside some quiet moments to reflect upon what Memorial Day means — for our country and to us personally — and the ways we can ensure that the men and women who gave all are remembered and honored, and their sacrifices upheld. MVAC and Senior Counsel Joint Luncheon On January 30, the Military & Veterans Affairs Committee hosted a joint luncheon with the Senior Counsel Section to receive an interesting presentation from Vice Commander Colonel Troy Pananon with MacDill Air Force Base. As vice commander of the 6th Air Mobility Wing, he assists the wing commander in leading more than 3,000 people, overseeing base property and capital assets totaling more than $2.8 billion, and controlling an annual budget exceeding $249 million. Col. Pananon discussed MacDill’s refueling mission with a video of in-flight refueling and provided information on the new Boeing KC-46 tankers stationed at the base. HCBA is proud that Tampa has been home to MacDill Air Force Base and its personnel since 1939. Author: Colleen E. O’Brien, Esq. 2 <: = - = 3 / , ; = 7 9 8 6 *==45+<=.<0:;1 6