Among national treasures, Airmen pledge to serve

  • Published
  • By Maj. Kelly Charland
  • 514th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
PHILADELPHIA, PA --  Nine Airmen and fourteen new recruits gave their oath of enlistment to the Air Force during a ceremony at the Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia, Pa., March 24.

The Airmen and the recruits were from the Philadelphia metropolitan area and southern New Jersey.

Colonel Michael Underkofler, 514th Air Mobility Wing commander, served as the ceremonies presiding official. He was joined by a special guest, Mayor of Philadelphia Michael Nutter.

"Attending the enlistment ceremony was a privilege because I was engaged with men and women who make protecting our nation, our values and our institutions their priority," Nutter said. "The 514th Air Mobility Wing is dedicated to serving our nation with dignity and respect, and our entire city supports and salutes their commitment as they enlist and re-enlist in the Air Force Reserve."

Underkofler said that while every enlistment ceremony is memorable, this one was even more so because of the location.

"To think that the mayor of one of the nation's largest cities would spend so much time with us demonstrates the high regard he and the city of Philadelphia hold for the military," he said. "I can't thank Mayor Nutter and the leaders of the National Park Service enough for their willingness to make this event so special."

Senior Master Sgt. Alexander Brown, the wing's senior recruiter, was instrumental in arranging the ceremony at the Liberty Bell Center, which is located just across the street from Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed.

"We wanted to recognize these citizen-Airmen who made a commitment to support and defend our country," Brown said. "The Liberty Bell represents freedom and liberty for all, the cornerstone of America. It was the best place to recognize them."

Staff Sergeant Juliana Avila, 514th Security Forces Squadron, said she was grateful to get the opportunity to re-enlist at the historic site but didn't realize how moving the ceremony would be until she arrived at the Liberty Bell Center.

"It was so intimate to be standing there with the Liberty Bell right in front of us as we were reenlisting," she said. "It was awesome."

Anthony Fortino, a new recruit from Philadelphia, said the ceremony was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

"This is where America started, and now I'll remember this as being where I started my career in the Air Force Reserve," he said.