Heritage committee preserves enlisted legacy

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Gino Mattorano
  • USAFE Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  The U.S. Air Forces in Europe Enlisted Heritage Committee is dedicated to preserving the history of enlisted Airmen and recently presented its accomplishments and plans for the future to Gen. Roger A. Brady, USAFE commander.

The committee's primary goal is to collect and preserve enlisted information on USAFE's past, present and future enlisted Airmen, according to Tech. Sgt. Jacob Peeterse, committee chair.

Along with preserving enlisted heritage, the committee is also focused on educating others about enlisted achievements.

Under the direction of Chief Master Sgt. Pamela Derrow, USAFE command chief, the committee maintains and updates the USAFE Enlisted Heritage Hall in the USAFE Headquarters building, and is in the process of producing enlisted heritage kiosks around the base that will promote knowledge of enlisted issues.

And for the electronically minded, the committee is aggressively expanding its presence on the internet, starting with the EHC Web site as well as social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook.

"Preserving the legacy of USAFE Airmen is vitally important to the Airmen who follow in our footsteps," Chief Derrow said. "Understanding where we've been will help us develop our path to the future."

General Brady was equally impressed with the committee's achievements.

"This reminds us of who we are, and what we are," Gen. Brady said. "I would also challenge you to find ways to tell the stories of excellence among our Airmen, certainly in combat situations, but also in humanitarian operations, in partner building efforts and in their everyday lives on our bases and in our communities. It is the totality of everyday excellence that makes us the Air Force we are for today and tomorrow."

Enlisted Heritage Committee Members are: Executive Chair - Chief Master Sgt. Pamela Derrow; Chair - Tech Sgt. Jacob Peeterse; Co-Chair - Senior Master Sgt. J. Lee Phillips; Heritage Walk Primary - Master Sgt. Chris Daniels; Heritage Walk Alternate - Master Sgt. Jessie Castillo, Jr; Virtual Hall Primary (Website) - Master Sgt. Scott Wagers; Virtual Hall Alternate (Website) - Staff Sgt. Eric Helgeson; Chief Master Sgt. Of the Air Force Parish Enlisted Hall Primary - Tech. Sgt. Jacob Peeterse; CMSAF Parish Enlisted Hall Alternate - Staff Sgt. Chris Stahr; Data Collection Primary - Master Sgt. Darlene Bolton; Satellite Hall Primary - Master Sgt. Joseph York.

To learn more about the committee, or to join in the effort to preserve enlisted heritage, email a committee member at admin@usafeenlistedheritage.org, or visit the Web site at http://www.usafeenlistedheritage.org.