When William Striegel looks back on his life, he knows that he has much to be thankful for - whether or not he knows it. He has a Nation grateful for his unwavering love, appreciation and loyalty to the military. Striegel joined ROTC from the University of Idaho in 1966 and served our Nation for over 27 years. To give back, Striegel currently serves as president of the Air Force Association in Washington.

But last weekend may mark his greatest achievement. Striegel pinned his original second lieutenant bars onto his son, William Hunter Striegel, II, as he was commissioned from Officer Training School at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama.

Striegel's own military career began in 1966 and he served in the Air Force as a pilot for 20 years before retiring. He then continued on with the Air National Guard with the 163rd Tactical Air Support, now known as the 163rd Reconnaissance Group in California, until he again retired in 1993. But retirement surely could not keep Striegel from doing what he loved and being in the air. He later went to work for Alaska Airlines for 14 years. Even in retirement, Striegel's commitment to the military has never waned. "I sure loved flying and I enjoyed everyone that I worked with," said Striegel. "The Air National Guard is a family - a very tight organization."

The appreciation and honor of being in the military has now passed onto the next generation. Striegel's son, who goes by Hunter, enlisted in the Air National Guard in 2012 as a Crew Chief with the 141st Air Refueling Wing after graduating from Washington State University. Striegel was able to give Hunter his enlistment oath with the Air National Guard.

"I took him out flying with me pretty often when he was young," said Striegel. "The love of flying was always there."

Striegel fondly remembers going to Hunter's class and discussing his career as a pilot during career days at school. "Hunter really loved military history as well," said Striegel.

That indoctrination has taken his son to new heights.

"Being able to pass my original second lieutenant bars on to Hunter is an honor and very humbling experience," Striegel proudly stated following the ceremony. "Hunter is part of the one-percent of Americans that serve in the military and this puts him in a small, unique group of Americans who are willing to serve their country."

While it is tradition for family members to attend commissioning ceremonies, for Hunter, this was a unique and unforgettable experience. "Not many people have this opportunity to have their father pin his original second lieutenant bars on them," said Hunter. "This is incredibly special to me."

Now that he has been commissioned, Hunter will head to Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi for graduate pilot training before he begins flying a KC-135 for the 141st Refueling Wing at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane. The training will take about 54 weeks and he is slated for graduation in April 2017.

"I was able to pin my second lieutenant bars on my son, forty-nine years, seven months, and twenty-three days after I first received them," said Striegel. "I will have my pilot wings waiting for him when he graduates in April."