The Seagull

I want to talk today about your legacy, what are you doing to make a difference. For you in your life, for the wing, with your family, in your community and in the world.

First thing is Thank you all for your service, by serving in the military you are already making a difference, less than 1% of the US Population is serving in the military, you are part of an elite group of volunteers. My challenge to you is what can you do beyond your service to make a difference, what will your legacy be?

How can you make a difference? Let’s throw out some ideas.

Be a mentor, reach out to a fellow airman or a friend and make a difference in their life. Share your experiences both good and bad and you may just provide something that can be used to change someone’s life.

Be a blood or platelet donor if you can. Just to let you know how important blood donation is, did you know that one pint of blood helps four children and it takes less than 30 minutes to donate.

Along with becoming a blood donor I want to ask you to pull your license out now and look to see if you have a heart symbol on your license – I do. Have you thought about registering to become an organ donor? Please take time to look at Donate Life’s website for information on Organ Donation, right now there are over 110,000 people waiting for a lifesaving transplant and you could help save one of them.

I am not sure if you know this but there are current and former wing members who saved a life by being a living organ donor, this is the most amazing thing to know that our wing members gave the gift of life. While I was deployed to Germany in 2016, my wife Sandra saved a life by donating one of her kidneys anonymously to a child at Children’s Hospital Boston. My family experienced the gift of life when my son Matty received a liver transplant when he was five years old, giving us two more years of making memories with him.

Do you volunteer? Look for opportunities to volunteer at the 102nd and in your community. You can make a difference by volunteering and you will also make connections. Volunteerism is an important part of my family makeup allowing us to give back, meet new friends and make a difference in our community.

You don’t need to leave your keyboard to volunteer, a great example of this is 102nd Intel Runners Facebook group. What a great idea to provide tips, motivation and connection to your fellow wing members.

COVID has changed much of our everyday lives and many folks don’t venture out in order to stay safe. Are you reaching out to your friends and family? We can stay safe and connected at the same time – make a phone call, send a text message – reach out to someone that you have not seen in a while.

The last thing that I want to talk about is you. Take care of yourself and make sure you do something for you. Do you want to finish your degree? Sign up for an online class. Did you always want to learn a musical instrument? Buy a used instrument and take lessons (or take a free online lesson.) Join the 102nd Intel Runners Facebook group and become a runner! Do something that makes you happy.

Volunteer, reach out, stay connected and make a difference, this is about you!

Ms. Jill Garvin, the psychological health director at the 102nd Intelligence Wing, speaks to Dr. Jenny D'Olympia, PsyD, LMHC. She is the Chair, Counseling and Behavioral Health Department at William James College; Director, MA in Psychology Online Program; and Interim Director, Military and Veterans Psychology Concentration and the Train Vets to Treat Vets Program.

In this episode of the 102 IW Wellness Podcast, Ms. Jill Garvin, the psychological health director at the 102nd Intelligence Wing, and Stephanie Kelly, executive director of the suicide prevention organization The Samaritans on Cape Cod and the Islands, talk about suicide prevention and mental health and the mission of the Samaritans on Cape Cod and the Islands.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, September is designated as National Suicide Prevention Month. Ms. Jill Garvin, the psychological health director at the 102nd Intelligence Wing, and Stephanie Kelly, executive director of the suicide prevention organization The Samaritans on Cape Cod and the Islands, sat together for a podcast to talk about suicide prevention and mental health.

The 102 IW HRA, Senior Master Sgt. Luciana Hayner hosts a roundtable conversation with Colonel Melinda Sutton, wing Flight Surgeon; Major Erik Anker, 102 IW Director of Equal Opportunity; and Chief Master Sgt. Wing Ng, former HRA for the 102nd Intelligence Wing. In this episode the panel discusses having difficult conversations about racial inequality.

102nd Mission Support Group commander, Col. Timothy Gordon, delivers the monthly 102 IW Command Message to the Airmen of Otis Air National Guard Base.

On this episode of the 102 IW Wellness Podcast, Ms. Jill Garvin, Wing Director of Psychological Health, speaks to Col. Enrique Dovalo, 102nd Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group Commander and his wife, Ms. Christi Garner, one of the 102 ISRG’s Key Spouses and a licensed therapist. Together they discuss dispelling the myths around seeking mental health help having a negative impact on one’s career.

The 102nd Intelligence Wing welcomed three new unit commanders during a ceremony held on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020. Taking command of the 102nd Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group is Col. Enrique Dovalo; of the 102nd Operations Support Squadron is Lt. Col. Bethann Crouch; and of the 102nd Intelligence Support Squadron is Maj. Sean Andersen. The 102 ISRG change of command was officiated by 102 IW commander, Col. Sean Riley. The 102 OSS and 102 ISS changes of command were officiated by Col. Enrique Dovalo.

The 102 IW HRA, Senior Master Sgt. Luciana Hayner hosts a roundtable conversation with Colonel Melinda Sutton, wing Flight Surgeon; Army Lt. Colonel Paul Barnett, Installation Chaplain for Camp Edwards, Mass.; Major Erik Anker, 102 IW Director of Equal Opportunity; and Chief Master Sgt. Wing Ng, former HRA for the 102nd Intelligence Wing. In this episode the panel discusses having difficult conversations about race and equality, especially during these times of turmoil in the nation.

102nd Intelligence Wing commander, Col. Sean Riley, delivers the monthly 102 IW Command Message to the Airmen of Otis Air National Guard Base.