I was going through some Commando Quilters’ files and found this letter from Scotty Fales. We presented Scotty with a quilt on November 2018, and he thanked us with this very thoughtful letter.

In re-reading this letter all these years later, it hit me how much history and how many heroes I had the opportunity to work with for almost 30 years in AFSOC! Not comprehending the strength and courage the people I worked with daily had accomplished in past missions or events. It is very humbling.

Anyway, I don’t think I shared this letter at the time and thought you would appreciate it as much as I do.
For me it was very impactful the first time I read it, and still is every time I read of the acts of bravery of our Air Commandos.

Sherri J. Hayes
Former Executive Director of Manpower, Personnel and Services, AFSOC, Hurlburt Field, FL

Hi Sherri, Cathy, Lynette, Laura, and Betty, a.k.a., the “Bad Ass Quilters”

First, let me say that I would have handwritten this, but then you probably wouldn’t be able to read it. My old and broken fingers don’t write so well these days. You folks are amazing quilters and I want to express my heartfelt and humble gratitude for the most beautiful quilt I have ever seen. It was truly a surprise and a gift for the soul.

Over a long active duty and civilian career I have been in a lot of tough spots. I’ve been on numerous rescue missions in the Pacific Ocean, Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains, in the North Atlantic and on the glaciers of Iceland. I’ve conducted combat operations on Operation Just Cause in Panama, Desert Storm in Iraq, and the battle of Mogadishu. And finally as a civilian, I have been on classified interagency operations in Columbia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. I only tell you this for perspective because nothing forces me to reflect or has impacted me more than the 1993 Battle in Mogadishu, Somalia.

October 3, 2017 was the 24th anniversary of Operation Gothic Serpent, often referred to as, “Black Hawk Down”. Each year on that day, I am always impacted by thoughts of my 18 friends, brothers, and teammates that lost their lives that day. As I think of them and ponder that tremendous loss I am reminded that they willingly and selflessly held “the line” side-by-side with the soldiers, sailors, and airman to their left and right. The line I referred to is “the line of service and sacrifice”. All of us in service, including the Air Commando Quilters hold that line. We place ourselves in a position between the challenge and the people of the United States. Whether it be supporting an organization like Air Commando Association or filling the breach in combat to stem the tide of evil; when people such as yourselves volunteer their time, talent, and treasure to contribute to a cause greater than yourselves, that’s holding the line. The Air Command Association is very lucky to have the Commando Quilters on their team!

Thank you again for the quilt but thank you even more for holding the line. Each time I look at this quilt I will remember you and thank you for your service and support to the Air Commando Association, veterans, families, and our nation.
In the box, you’ll find a small token of my appreciation. Each time you hold these in your hand, I want you to remember there are men and women out there somewhere in harm’s way, stemming the tide of evil, quietly, and professionally holding the line.

With heartfelt appreciation,
Scott Fales, MSgt, USAF (Retired)
Air Commando Hall of Fame recipient 2016