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  • Learning opportunities abound in life, work

    It's interesting to think throughout the nearly 25 years of my life, there's not been a time where learning was not a part of my day. From learning to say "mama," to taking my first steps, through school and into my Air Force career, I have not stopped learning.It's safe to say everyone learns

  • What the FY13 Budget means to USAFE

    Since the first Gulf War, the U.S. has been engaged continuously in combat operations and U.S. Air Forces in Europe have played a critical role. Not only have we deployed thousands of our Airmen and assets, we have also served as an essential support platform enabling the long-term projection and

  • CSAF reading list: Combining TED, Hollywood and the written word

    Over the last few years, I've become incredibly aware of the vast information scurrying across my desktop: frequent fleeting e-mails, vexing electronic staff summary sheets, appointment requests and copious article suggestions. There is one bit of information, though, that I'm looking forward to

  • Embrace fellow Airmen during holiday season

    I remember when I joined the Air Force five years ago thinking the worst thing I might endure during my enlistment was not the carrying of arms, blistering heat in the desert or bureaucracy - rather, I dreaded not being home for the holidays.Coming from a large and close extended family, we not only

  • Remembering, honoring Ataturk

    When you travel in Turkey you will see the photos in various sizes and exposures at stores, offices, even at small village coffee houses of a man. He is Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey.Mustafa Kemal Ataturk stands as an historic figure who totally dedicated his life to his

  • Constitution reigns overseas, in garrison

    Eleven years after our nation claimed its independence from Britain with signing of one of the greatest documents in the history of the United States, yet another significant document was forged - the Constitution of the United States. Whereas the Declaration of Independence established our nation,

  • Turkish Victory Day honors past, present armed forces

    In honor of the final victory of national Turkish forces over Greek invaders in 1922, all Turkish armed forces promotions, enlistments and commissions occur Aug. 30, also known as the national holiday Victory Day.The High Military Council convenes the first week of August every year when the

  • Sugar Festival marks end of Ramadan

    The Sugar Festival is a celebration held at the end of Ramadan, the fasting month for Muslims. The three-and-a-half-day celebration begins noon Aug. 29, the last day of Ramadan and continues through Sept. 1.Schools and government offices are closed during those days, as it is a national religious

  • Turkey celebrates Ataturk's Memorial; Youth and Sports Day

    In Turkey, May 19 marks the celebration of Ataturk's Memorial, Youth and Sports Day.This special day is the 92nd anniversary of when the country's War of Independence was ignited.Mustafa Kemal founded the Republic of Turkey on the ashes of a collapsed empire and started civil reforms to westernize

  • The significance of Children's Day in Turkey

    Children are our hope and our future.They are like the flowers blooming in April--a sign of new beginnings. Turkey emphasizes the love, hope and future of children by proclaiming a national holiday for them. As far as I know, Turkey is the first country to proclaim a national holiday just for