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Speaker challenges Airmen to "live the dream" during Wingman Day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Joe McFadden
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
11/16/2009 --  More than 1,000 Airmen gathered at Freedom Hangar during Hurlburt Field's Wingman Day Nov. 16 to listen to a motivational speaker talk about the importance of determination and having a positive attitude.

Curtis Zimmerman, who is also a juggler and author, has spoken about reinforcing the wingman concept to more than 14,000 Airmen since 2005.

"Wingman Day doesn't end when you leave here, it's the way you live your life," he said. "If it means taking the keys from your friend after drinking or being responsible with your choices, it's a state of mind every single day."

Mr. Zimmerman began his presentation with coordination exercises like having the Airman make a circle in the air with their right hand while making a square with their left.

After leading the audience in a session of Simon says, he selected Senior Airman Joshua Hedden, 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, to attempt to juggle three balls onstage, a feat the Airman had never done before. But with instructions from Mr. Zimmerman, he was able to juggle three balls for eight throws.

"It felt awesome, and I was so glad I could do it," Airman Hedden said. "You can do whatever you put your mind to, if you don't let anything stop you."

Mr. Zimmerman said it was an honor to speak at Hurlburt Field and that he appreciates everything the Airmen do.

"The speech I gave here today meant more to me than any other one I've given," Mr. Zimmerman said. "If the Airmen took this message for them to step up in their jobs to either save a life or to prevent them from one day reporting to the commander's office thinking, 'My life is over,' then it was time well spent."

Wingman Day was created to strengthen the morale and welfare of units by devoting time to building relationships between co-workers and discussing topics like suicide prevention, responsible drinking behavior, financial management, and identification and intervention of troubled Airmen.

"Wingman Day is about making smart choices and looking out for each other," said Col. Greg Lengyel, 1st Special Operations Wing commander. "But we don't just want to limit it to today. We want this message to stick with you, and we want you to carry it forward, not just for today, but for the future."