Opinion: Gathering of eagles

Opinion piece by Ramon Farolan in the Philippine Daily Inquirer (Jun 7): Gathering of eagles

TRADITIONS ARE beliefs or practices with symbolic meaning or special significance, passed down within a group or society. The word “tradition” comes from the Latin word “tradere,” meaning to transmit, to hand over, to give for safekeeping. While it is commonly assumed that traditions have ancient history, many traditions, customs and practices have been created over relatively short periods of time.

In the Philippine Air Force family, one such tradition has been “A Night with the Air Chiefs,” an annual gathering of former commanding generals of the Air Force and their ladies. It is one of several activities culminating with the celebration of Air Force Day in early July.

Last Wednesday, the current Air Force commanding general, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey F. Delgado, and his lady, Maria Raquel, welcomed the chiefs to their residence in Villamor Air Base for an evening of fine dining with music provided by Air Force minstrels.

This year the dinner started on a somber note as we remembered Maj. Gen. Vicente Piccio Jr., the 15th PAF chief, who passed away a few weeks ago.

For the first time since the practice was started more than 20 years ago, all the living former Air Force chiefs were accounted for. They were joined by Amelia Lapeña and Julie de Leon, widows, respectively, of former Air Force chiefs Petronio Lapeña and Jose de Leon.

To my knowledge, this tradition exists only in the Air Force, although the Army, Navy and possibly the Philippine National Police have their own variations of a similar gathering. Someone said that the strength of an organization can be measured by how the members remember and honor their leaders from the past. The Air Force continues to build on similar traditions that can only bring out the best in the fellowship of airmen.......

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http://opinion.inquirer.net/85590/gathering-of-eagles