U.S. Ambassador visits JBSA-Lackland

  • Published
  • By By Senior Airman Stormy Archer
  • 502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

The honorable W. Stuart Symington, U.S. ambassador to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, attended basic military training graduation and toured 37th Training Wing facilities April 5 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland.

Symington is the grandson of William Stuart Symington Jr., the first Secretary of the Air Force.

“Service in the Air Force today opens up a world of opportunity to do good and take care of yourself while you taking care of others,” Symington said.

During his visit, Symington also visited the Defense Language Institute English Language Center and Inter-American Air Forces Academy. He also had the chance to speak to leaders from across the 37th TRW.

“It is not a given that freedom wins,” Symington said. “It is the natural order for suns to capture moons and for the powerful to enthrall the weak. It is not the natural order of things for the weak to vote and for the rights of the weak to be defended by the strong. So, while we might think of freedom not being free in the context of going to a fight, we should think of freedom not being free in the context of what we do every day.”

A career diplomat, Symington was formerly ambassador to Rwanda and Djibouti. Recently, he was deputy assistant secretary for Central Africa and African Security Affairs. Before that, he was the U.S. special representative for the Central African Republic.