Holiday message from Team Buckley commander Published Nov. 20, 2012 By Col. Daniel Dant 460th Space Wing Commander BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Team Buckley--The upcoming Thanksgiving holiday allows Americans an opportunity to reflect and appreciate the incredible blessings we enjoy in this great country of ours...blessings made especially poignant after recent events; namely, the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy and the immediate, resultant response of assistance from neighbors, communities, and fellow citizens across the country; as well as the successful completion of yet another national election, the bedrock of our democracy. If you and your family will be part of the nearly 44 million Americans who will travel over 50 miles from home over this holiday, I strongly encourage you to create and utilize a smart and safe travel plan, get your vehicle checked out before you leave, and have an emergency kit on hand, to include inclement weather gear, food, water and a first aid kit. Hopefully you won't find yourself needing to react to an emergency; but, as we in the military know too well, our best opportunity for successful emergency response comes when we've prepared for it. Whether you're traveling or not, make good decisions during your time off. Relax, enjoy time with family, don't drop a frozen turkey into a pot of boiling oil...use common sense. And as always, please, please, please...DO NOT drink and drive...have a plan and stick to it. Diana and I are very thankful to have the opportunity to serve daily with the incredible men and women on Buckley Air Force Base. Each one of you is a critical member of Team Buckley. I encourage you, over the holiday, to please relax, watch some football, eat too much food...then take a few moments to reflect on the wonderful things we enjoy in this great nation of ours. Finally, come back to us safely, so we can continue getting the mission successfully accomplished!