Going 'Above and Beyond' on the Fourth

Boeing Defense, Space & Security President and CEO Dennis Muilenburg shares his thoughts on celebrating the Fourth of July and how America's military personnel continue to go "above and beyond" to protect our freedoms.

Last week I had the awesome privilege of spending time with our U.S. Marine Corps customer during Marine Week activities in the St. Louis area. Coupled with this was the thrill of a demonstration flight on-board an MV-22 Osprey. Every time I get even a little bit of an opportunity to experience the lives of our customers, I grab it. This was no exception, and I was so proud to hear their comments about our workmanship and how important the V-22 is to their operations. One of the other highlights for me this week was when George Roman, our company's leader for State and Local Government Relations, laid a wreath of honor at the St. Louis War Memorial.

I have to admit that whenever I'm together with America's men and women in uniform I am both humbled and impressed. Humbled because of their willingness to risk making the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our nation and its allies, and impressed because I know that with the caliber of young people America is fielding as warfighters, this generation is in good hands.

Every time I think of how our military personnel go "above and beyond" for us, my confidence in the future is bolstered. It got me to thinking about what we really celebrate when we picnic and parade and launch fireworks this coming weekend - and part of that is the history and legacy of American people who have gone "above and beyond" before us.

Alongside and in addition to our customer, I see our teammates going "above and beyond" all the time, too. Our customers and their missions inspire that sense of excellence in what we do. During this Fourth of July, we will keep in mind our servicemen and women who have given so much to defend our freedoms.

-- Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing Defense, Space & Security President & CEO