Focus | ‘Selfless service’ motivates lieutenant colonel

Story by Chris Graham
With AFP Video

William Coffin has seen Iraq twice now, spanning two decades. And he’d go back again, no question, not a moment’s hesitation.

After speaking to cadets at Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro at a Veterans Day ceremony, I asked Lt. Col. Coffin, a 26-year military veteran now serving as the deputy commander of the 116th Brigade Combat Team, also known as the Stonewall Brigade, based in Staunton, what it is about the men and women who serve in our nation’s military that makes them willing to give their lives in service of their country.

“It’s a commitment, it’s selfless service, it’s service to our country, it’s service to our fellow brothers and sisters in arms. And it’s a sense of community. The military is a community. It’s a sense of belonging, and that’s part of every servicemember’s desire to stay and serve,” said Coffin, who served as a platoon leader in Operation Desert Storm in Iraq in 1990-1991 and then returned to Iraq in 2006 as the executive officer of the 116th during its tour in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

AFP Video: Interview with Lt. Col. William Coffin

Morale in the military is “very high,” Coffin said, even with the challenges being faced by today’s military forces, who are fighting simultaneous wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that seem to have no end in sight.

“The war on global terrorism has been going on for several years now. The soldiers that I work with, anyway, have adjusted. They’re very proud of their service. They’ve certainly had the opportunity to leave over the past eight, nine, ten years, but they still continue to serve because they believe in what they’re doing, believe in service to their country and to the communities,” Coffin said.

Every Veterans Day is special. I asked Coffin what makes this Veterans Day special for him.

“It’s always a special day to recognize all of our veterans, both the ones serving overseas right now, and the soldiers, airmen and marines here at home,” he said. “It’s special for me because I have a chance here to spend a day with these young students, who may or may not be future members of our military, but are still very committed to community service, just like our veterans today.”