As we daily witness the courageous and professional efforts of our armed forces engaged in Iraq, Afghanistan and in Southeast Asia, we are all reminded of the tremendous sacrifices our veterans have made on our behalf.

As The Perspective honors an African-American of the year as the individual or group of individuals making the most positive impact in the community,  I can think of no group or individual that has made a greater sacrifice this year than the men and women of our armed forces.

Whether we agree or disagree with the war we must support the men and women who are standing in harm's way on behalf of our nation.

Captain April Restine, is The Perspective's African-American of the year as she is representing her fellow members of the armed forces.  April graduated from Radford High school in Honolulu, Hawaii, and received a bachelor’s degree from Fayetteville.  State University in Fayetteville, North Carolina.   April graduated from both high school and college with academic honors.  She was exceedingly active in high school as she was involved in track and field, student body secretary; drama club, and a newspaper staff writer.  She was also in multiple honor societies and received a 4-year academic scholarship to Fayetteville State University. 

Although she received other 4-year academic scholarship offers, to remain close to her family she made the decision to attend Fayetteville State.   April shared why she decided to go into the Air Force.  “During my father’s  years in the Air Force he constantly talked about the benefits and opportunities of an Air Force career. Growing up as an Air Force dependant I was exposed to the quality of life the Air Force provided for family and military members and decided that was the life I wanted as well.” 

 April’s father Henry Marshall retired from the Air Force after 22 years of service in  1994.  After graduating from Fayetteville State University, she went into the Air Force ROTC who offered her a 4-year scholarship. 

 April's first duty assignment was in Moody AFB in Valdosta, GA where she was the Maintenance Flight Commander in the base Communications Squadron.  From there she attended Basic Communications Officer Training in Biloxi AFB, MS.  Her next assignment brought her to Kirtland FB, NM as a software tester.  She is currently an executive officer and has been in Albuquerque for four years. 

 In her six years in the Air Force she has been on temporary duty assignments to over 15 states and 5 countries including Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Qatar, and Iraq.

 April describes her tour in Iraq as follows, "Iraq as very challenging and difficult at most times.  From an Air Force perspective I was assigned to an Army element and had to rapidly adjust to the Army concept of operations.  As a communication officer in the command center I also had to learn the intricacies of Army communications and support. My deployment to Iraq taught me to work as part of a coalition force.  We worked 12 hour or longer shifts every day including all holidays and weekends.  Adjusting to the intense heat of the dessert and sand storms was a growing experience although the landscape in New Mexico is similar to that in parts of Iraq.”

 When asked how her experiences in Iraq had changed her life, April responded, " Being in a combat zone was life altering experience that made me appreciate the freedom and security that we have here in America…freedom that our nation’s military protects and ensures."

 April shared that Individuals can send care packages, letters of support, and thank you: cards of appreciation to military members for their service to our nation.  “Just showing support for our troops is a simple way to say thanks to our military members for all the sacrifices that are made daily by our active duty, reserve, and guard troops.”  Said April.

 April is pursuing a masters degree and considering joining the Air Force reserves.  Additionally she is getting licensed to teach.  “I’d eventually like to teach at the university level. I feel with my experiences in the military I have a rich and varied perspective to share with students.” April shared.

 She closed with, “I’ve been in the Air Force 6 years and each assignment and deployment has proved to be a challenge and a learning opportunity.”