A Family affaire: Retirement ceremony marks end of family tradition

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Steve Lewis
  • 512th Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  When a child loses a parent at an early age, many times, a grandparent steps in to provide care and guidance. 

This is the case for one 512th Airlift Wing reservist who found support at the age of 15 in the loving arms of "Mama Lucy" Minnick when his mother died of cancer. 

Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Beasley, 512th Logistics Readiness Flight, said his grandmother was always there to take care of him and his brother. 

"She would take two buses from Capitol Hill just to make sure we got to school," said Sergeant Beasley, who grew up in Washington D.C., before joining the Air Force. 

With 28 years of combined service in both the active duty and the Reserve, Sergeant Beasley is retiring in December. His grandmother, who's now 98, is making the trip from D.C. to Dover Air Force Base to witness her grandson's final day as an Air Force reservist at his ceremony. 

"She was very proud of me when I joined the Air Force," said Sergeant Beasley. "You can't put a price tag on the support she gave me," he said. 

In 1980, Sergeant Beasley pursued a family tradition of military service and joined the active-duty Air Force. Ms. Minnick's two sons were previously in the Air Force and Sergeant Beasley wanted to follow in the footsteps of his uncles. 

During almost eight years as an information management specialist, Sergeant Beasley went on deployments to Turkey and Saudi Arabia. In 1988, he left active duty for the Reserve, joining the ranks of the 512th AW. 

While part of the wing's logistics unit, Sergeant Beasley worked in inventory management and as a supply chief. He was activated twice, for Operation Desert Storm and Operation Enduring Freedom. 

"By the time I was called up for Enduring Freedom, my grandmother wanted me to get out of the Air Force," said Sergeant Beasley. "She was afraid I was going to be sent to Iraq." 

"I felt nervous and always prayed," said Ms. Minnick. "Eventually, it was all right."
During his active-duty time, Sergeant Beasley said he kept in constant contact with his grandmother. 

"I always looked to her for advice," said Sergeant Beasley. "She gave me guidance on how to treat people," he added, recalling his experiences as a supervisor. 

With all the support his grandmother gave him, Sergeant Beasley said he wanted to make a career out the Air Force in honor of his two uncles who couldn't finish. 

So far, the only military function Ms. Minnick has ever attended was the burial of her son Vannie Minnick in Arlington National Cemetery,Va. While serving on active duty at Lackland AFB, Texas, Vannie died in an automobile accident. 

"That was the worst time in my life when he died," said Ms. Minnick. 

She said she was extremely hurt when the government notified her about Vannie's death. 

Shortly after a term of enlistment in the Air Force, Ms. Minnick's other son, Clyde, died from cancer. 

Sergeant Beasley said he's glad to have his grandmother see him retire after all she's been through with his uncles. 

"I'm proud I am able to finish the job that they couldn't," he said. 

As for his retirement plans, Sergeant Beasley said he's happy to have more weekends available to spend time with his family, especially his grandmother. 

After the 28 years Sergeant Beasley completed in the Air Force, Ms. Minnick said she's glad to have more time to be with her grandson. 

"I'm proud that he stayed in," she said. "And, I thank God for bringing Kevin through without danger." 

Sergeant Beasley's retirement ceremony Dec. 6 marks only the second Air Force function his grandmother will have ever been to. This day will complete a family tradition of military service more than 50 years in the making.