Friday, November 1, 2013
Please express my condolences to the family of Stanley B. Drew. His obit did not mention his rank at retirement, but when I knew him, he was a Master Sergeant.
I was on active duty with the USAF in Germany and came home in 1972. I was discharged at McGuire AFB (20 miles from home). That same day, I enlisted in the New Jersey Air National Guard. I was assigned to the 108th Communications Flight. Stan was an Air Technician and our "acting" First Sergeant. Stan was one cool guy and the first First Sgt. I got to know. I never saw him lose his temper - he was always a professional - and he was always fair with his troops. It made an impression on me of what a 1st Sgt. should be.
In 1976, I took a company transfer to the west coast and also transferred to the California Air National Guard. ( I read the BCT daily to keep up with things "back home.") I retired in 1997 as a Chief Master Sergeant with almost 30 years of service. I was acting 1st Sgt for the 129h Communications Flight for many years and was given the chance to be a full time 1st Sgt. (Unlike the Army, 1st Sgt is not a rank in the Air Force. It is a (usually) respected position as liaison between the unit commander and the enlisted personnel.) It was the most rewarding four years of my AF career. A 1st Sgt is many things to many people, counselor, disciplinarian, Father Confessor, mentor... Many times when I felt I was in unfamiliar territory, I thought to myself, "What would Stan do?" Stan was that good. He was the best 1st Sgt I ever served under and I like to think I maintained his standards when I had the job.
I haven't seen Stan in over 37 years, but he was not easily forgotten. May he rest in peace.
CMSgt. Gerald Craft, USAF, (Ret.)
Gerry
Thomas E. May, Founder 1946-2022