I’m Dave Pond, I’m a San Francisco-based 787 First Officer, and I’ve been a pilot at United for over 20 years.
I was a member of the Air Force Reserve for almost 17 of the 20 years I’ve been at United.
In the summer of 2006,
I was stationed in the Darfur region of Sudan.
I commanded a small U.S. military advisor team.
My team – the best men that I’ve ever known in my life.
Rob Williams – 6’9” Marine.
One of the wisest men I’ve known.
Always had my back.
Captain Mike Martin – Mike was an Army Cavalry Scout,
and built like a linebacker.
And then I had Major Brent Gilion. An Army Engineer,
and just one of the kindest men I’ve ever known.
They had my back every single day, and I love them.
In the Summer of 2006, I was stationed in the Darfur region of Sudan.
The U.S. Ambassador called me on the phone one day
and said, “Dave, there’s an American citizen missing in Darfur"
"and his name is Paul Salopek. He’s a journalist with National Geographic."
"Go find him.”
The same government officials that told us they didn’t have him, were holding him.
And we burst through a door, and found them holding Paul.
He had a driver and a translator with him, and they were all charged with espionage.
We came to a negotiated settlement, where they would put Paul on trial for espionage,
the judge would declare a recess in the trial,
and then my team and I would take Paul and his driver and translator,
go out the back door of the courthouse, and leave.
I had healthy skepticism as to whether it would go that way.
But it did.
And so, then we spirited Paul away in our vehicles.
Paul sent a letter, and if I can share it with you, and – read it for us.
“I can say a lot of nice things about Colonel Pond as a courageous warrior,"
"or as model citizen who has served his country both in and out of uniform."
"But instead I’d like to say that as a human being he transcends labels such as"
"branch of military service or even nationality."
"He is one of the most humane and caring individuals I know."
"He always stands with the weak."
"He stood with me at my weakest hour."
"I’m alive today largely because of him. I am honored to call him my brother."
"Paul."
For the first time that we were in Sudan, we’d done something good.
My team did the most honorable things and the bravest things with absolutely no hope of success.
What would if feel like if you had the team here, what would you say to them? How would it make you feel?
There isn’t a group of men that I’ve ever served with that I’m more proud of and more attached to.
We may not see each other, but certainly they’re in my thoughts all the time.
I love them.
Aw, jeez.
He’s one of the rare leaders that truly cares about his people and acts upon it.
When you’re doing the positions that he’s done, when you volunteer for the missions he’s done, you give up a lot.
He absolutely is committed to his country, and to our team. I really appreciate all the things he’s done for me.
You!
In a 24-year military career, I’ve worked with a lot of people in a lot of places, and Dave has always stood out to me.
He carried the full weight of the United States government with him everywhere he went, and he let people know about it.
These men are the very best that America has.
They represent a million men and women standing behind them,
and millions of men and women who’ve gone before us, so that we have the blessing to live in this great land.
So, just take that second to pause. Say a silent thank you.
And thank you to United.
I can’t think of any better way to unite the world today then to bring these three men to me. Thank you.