Inspirational Mementos

Lt. Col. David Austin credits being selected as 605th Test and Evaluation Squadron commander from the inspirational stories, examples and support he received by family and friends. Displayed during the 605th TES Change of Command ceremony May 27 at Hurlburt Field, Fla., were cherished mementos. The two sabers, cap, freshman-year white ?rat belt? and senior-year collar brass are items of Austin or his father Robert, who passed away in 1992, during their time as Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets. Other items pictured are: three black and white photos (near sabers) of Austin?s father during his time at Virginia Tech; photo of his grandfather, T.E. Kent (bottom right), a Naval Academy and Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate who died during Navy service; a newspaper clipping (bottom center) of Austin?s step father Roy Massie, a Virginia State Police dispatcher who expertly handled rescue efforts during 1969?s disastrous Hurricane Camille; boot gaiters and photos of relative Clarence Harris who was wounded during World War I; and a picture of the 391st Fighter Squadron that Austin flew sorties with in Afghanistan following the September 11 attacks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Arnaldo Fonseca)