As Lt. Col. Dwayne T. McCullion retired from 23 years of service in the Air Force on Friday, he carried with him a message for anyone who may think America is no longer the greatest country in the world.

"The majority of the world that I have seen and served still holds an ultimate respect for the United States of America," he said.McCullion, a Marian High School graduate and former Summit Hill resident, ends a career that began as a freshman at the U.S. Air Force Academy and finishes as a deputy environmental engineer in the Pentagon.Growing up, McCullion saw life in the military through the eyes of John Wayne in his war movies and through the history of much of his family who also served their country.Two uncles, one a Navy commander, as well as his sister, Diane, who recently retired from the Air Force Reserves, influenced his path of life."I wanted to be a Marine, but after graduating from Marian High School in 1988, I was recruited by the Air Force."Entrance into the Academy required much more than having McCullion fill out an application. He needed nominations and sponsorship from local people who had high standing in civic or military operations."My family was my backbone, too," said McCullion, who now holds a master of business in aeronautics and aviation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University."My parents, Lawrence and Stephanie, reinforced their philosophy of life early on. They said, 'you can do anything you want to do, but first, you have to put aside any passions you enjoy right now so you can concentrate on your most important goal.' "Following their advice, McCullion, who currently lives in Woodbridge, Virginia, completed a "very challenging" training program at the Academy."No doubt the Academy weeds out those who are not mentally, physically and emotionally strong," he said. "I have to admit there was a time or two I wished I was back in Lehighton working at L&S Electrical, our family business. I didn't want to disappoint everyone who stuck their neck out for me to make a career in the military."He completed his education with a degree in civil engineering at the Academy, and then it was onto a career that took him around the country and around the world. From Florida to Korea to two tours of Iraq, to Turkey, to Afghanistan and then to the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., McCullion spearheaded environmental and construction projects that benefited both military operations and civilian life."I'm a boots on the ground type of guy," he said. "I like to get out with the people and work with them. I've learned so much working with people of different cultures who hold so much respect for America."In Turkey, so many of the people have so little to live on, yet they show appreciation for all that we did in teaching them how to build and how to install material that will improve their lifestyle."He added with an emphasis, "When you see that much of the world lacks the wealth and resources our country has, you come to realize how fortunate we are living where we do. And when you experience so many different cultures working together for the benefit of everyone, it's a wonderful thing to see."Not everything has brought satisfaction to the former Marian football and track star with his life in the military. He has witnessed the horrors of war in Iraq that he has not shared with his family.His awards include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorius Service Medal, six Meritorius service medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and four Air Force Commendation Medals.The constant travel and displacement of his wife, the former Lisa Kravelk, and children have been difficult for everyone."My wife, Lisa, has made tremendous sacrifices for me and for our three kids, Patrick, Keely and Connor. She truly is the backbone and rock of our family, and though it's not easy for the kids to move and to change schools so often, they have developed an inner strength from making adjustments and dealing with different circumstances so often."Working at the Pentagon for the past four years, where all the armed services join efforts to administer the policies of the Department of Defense, has reinforced McCullion's belief in the greatness of the United States."Every day, 25,000 people become an advocacy for our armed services to acquire what we need to improve our ability to protect and to serve."McCullion offered strong words to contradict what the media and some politicians say about the current state of our military."I see people give 110 percent to keep our military to be the best in the world. The intelligence and ingenuity of our leaders have never been at a higher level. Perceptions put out there by the media especially, are twisting the truth. I may be an optimist, but I hold a firm belief based upon where I've served and what I have seen done that we should feel proud and secure living in this country."McCullion retired with full military honors in the Joint Chiefs of Staff Flag Room in the Pentagon before his friends, family, and leaders of the armed services.As he moves forward with the hopes of working in the aerospace industry or an electrical energy company, he holds no regrets about putting his two other passions aside for the past two decades."I'd love to find some time now to go hunting and fishing," he said.