Dear Editor,

My name id Cecyli C. Edwards, I’m 20 years old and I’m from Verbena. My parents are Lorenzo and Janis Edwards. My brother is Nick and my sister Angel and my grandparents are Josephine McDaniel and Mrs. Willie Mae Goodson.

On May 31, 2007, I graduated from Verbena High School where Mr. Larry Raines is the principal.

Not knowing what I wanted to do with my life, on Oct. 18, 2007 I decided to follow in my brothers footsteps and join the United States Air Force. After being put on a waiting list for a couple of months, my recruiter finally called and gave me a date to leave for basic training, July 8. At the time it seemed to far away but before I knew it the day had came.

Basic training takes place at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. I can still remember getting off the bus with so many different emotions. At first I thought it was going to be the worst six and a half weeks of my life but after I started getting over my homesickness and started getting used to everything it was ok. The day would begin at 4:45 a.m. and end around 8 p.m. It got very stressful at times, but because I was constantly praying nothing could stand in my way. On Aug. 22 I graduated with an Honor Flight, meaning we were the best at everything out of all the other groups. A special thanks to my MTI, Technical Joshua Philpott.

Now, I’m currently in Biloxi Miss, at Keesler Air Force Base, attending tech school to become a knowledge operations manager. I graduate from here on Oct. 23, then I will be on my way back to “Sweet Home Alabama” to visit before I leave for my first duty station, which will be in Tampa Fla. at Macdill Air Force Base.

I want to thank everyone for their love, support and prayers. I love you all.

– Airman Cecyli Edwards, Verbena