WEBVTT

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(smoke whooshes)

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- Greetings and happy holidays
to you and your families.

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I begin this month with great news,

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and I'm happy to announce
that we were recently notified

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that the federal government has extended

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Title 32 502(f) orders

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for our troops on the front lines

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of the fight against COVID.

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This is a welcome
development for our state

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and our service members
who have worked so hard

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supporting Wisconsin
since the pandemic began.

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With this extension, we can
continue our testing mission

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and other COVID-19
pandemic support missions

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uninterrupted in the coming months.

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2020 has been the year of the guard,

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and you have been front and center.

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From leadership changes
to the countless missions

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you've all completed
both here and overseas,

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this year has been
unprecedented on so many levels.

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As we enter the holiday season,

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I encourage all of you to step back

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and take stock of all you
have to be grateful for.

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My hope is that you can
relax, unwind for a few days,

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rest and recover from what's been a long

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and challenging year.

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I personally am looking
forward to immersing myself

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in some of my family's holiday traditions

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and spending some quality time
with my wife and children.

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I hope that you too can take some time

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to enjoy your own family's traditions

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and celebrate this special time of year

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in a way that's meaningful
to you and your family.

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Your celebrations may
look a little different

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than in years past.

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Enjoy the holidays, but please be safe

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and follow the current
guidance about not gathering

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with too many people.

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I understand that after a tough year,

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we all want to gather and get started

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on what will hopefully be a brighter 2021,

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but our state and nation
still need us to be ready,

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so please be responsible

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as you hold your holiday celebrations.

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COVID is still a very real threat.

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In fact, it's never been as
dangerous as it is right now.

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So keep your distance, wear a mask,

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and avoid large gatherings.

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I know that this year has put

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a lot of strain on your families,

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and plenty of hard work
awaits us in 2021 as well.

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Please do your best to
show our appreciation

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for your families and loved ones

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who have supported you
throughout this trying year

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and throughout your
entire military careers.

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We simply couldn't do what we
do without their understanding

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and their love and their support.

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On a related note, I
know that the holidays

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can be a stressful and lonely time

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for some in our formations.

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Being told that we can't gather

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with loved ones doesn't help.

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Just remember that your military
family is here for you too.

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Don't hesitate to reach
out if you need help.

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If you're battling depression,

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having thoughts of
suicide, having problems

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with alcohol or finances,

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remember that we have an entire team,

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our service members' support division,

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standing by to support you at all times.

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And you have battle buddies

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and wing men who are here to help you too.

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The military is a second family,

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and you are never alone.

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As I close this month, I
want to once again highlight

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another individual who
is doing the right thing

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when it comes to advancing our sharp

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and sapper principles.

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This month, I'd like to give a shout-out

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to Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Bauer

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with the 115th Fighter Wing.

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Our equal opportunity program nominated

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Lieutenant Colonel Bauer
because he regularly seeks

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out guidance and support from the EO teams

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and makes equal opportunity for everyone,

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no matter their race, gender, or status,

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a top priority.

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The caring and professional
attitude he displays

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as a leader helps build a culture

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that does not tolerate
discrimination, harassment,

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or inappropriate conduct
in this organization.

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And my top priority is
ensuring that everyone

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in this organization is
treated with the respect

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and dignity they deserve.

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Thank you Lieutenant Colonel Bauer

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for being a champion of this cause.

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During the holidays, I like to reflect

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on what I'm grateful for,
and next to my own family,

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you are at the top of my list.

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Thank you for all you've done this year

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and what you continue to do.

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I hope you can enjoy this special season

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with those who mean the most to you.

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From my family to yours, Happy Holidays,

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and Happy New Year.

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Tag out.