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3-Star Pinning Ceremony at AFV When Joe Goldfein served his country as a bosun's mate 1st class in World War I, he could not have known he was inaugurating a tradition of military service that would continue for generations. Recently, Joe's grandson David was pinned with a lieutenant general's third star in a joyful and poignant ceremony at Air Force Village II. General Goldfein noted that he selected the site because he considers AFV an important Air Force venue; he wanted to honor each of the retired residents of AF Village "for their service and sacrifice;" and he said, "to honor my Air Force Family and friends here today who have touched our lives over the years."
Among the special guests were, he said, "my best friend in high school and my first and second squadron commanders who took me to war in Desert Storm and showed me what combat command is all about." General Goldfein singled out many friends, including the rescue pilot who brought him out of Serbia during the Kosovo War, an ambassador classmate in the State Department Senior School, and nearly all of the family in his wife's home town, as well as his parents, whom he thanked personally for being role models and inspirations for all of the families. His father, Colonel William "Goldie" Goldfein, served as a reconnaissance pilot and fighter pilot in the USAF. Col Goldfein, who continued the tradition of his father, served in Korea, throughout the Cold War in Europe and in combat in Southeast Asia. He is a resident at Air Force Village II and is the father of three sons who were all Eagle Scouts, Air Force Academy graduates, fighter pilots and career military officers. One of those sons, Major General (Ret) Steve Goldfein, was one of the youngest officers ever to graduate from the Academy and to earn two stars. His third son, Lt Col (Ret) Mike Goldfein, was an F-16 instructor pilot and is now a pilot for Southwest Airlines. "Goldie" and his wife, nicknamed "Saint" Mary, can't contain their pride in their sons and their families - which have expanded into a fourth generation of military officers. "The words love and pride describe our feelings toward our family," he says. When asked if his buttons keep popping off with pride, he says, "They sure do!" Our kids and grandkids just keep coming home with awards, promotions and commendations. They seem to achieve everything they attempt. They're true patriots who love their careers in our military." Addressing Air Force Village residents at the ceremony, General Goldfein also said he chose AF Village II as a venue for his ceremony because "those of us privileged to wear our nation's uniform today enjoy the trust and confidence of a grateful nation, not only because of what we are doing around the world today ... more so it is due to what you did as you built us into the greatest Air Force the world has ever known." He added, "Perhaps the greatest tribute I could make is to tell you I want to be part of this community after we leave here today," and he presented a check to Lt Gen (Ret) Chip Utterback, AF Village President and CEO, "to reserve a spot for Dawn (his wife) and me in this Village." As he prepares to assume command of Headquarters AFCENT (Air Forces Central Command), the headquarters for the Air Component Commander of all air forces in Southwest Asia, Lt Gen Goldfein commented, "This third star is about the past and the great Air Force I am privileged to lead in as a lieutenant general ... and it is about the future and the challenges and opportunities ahead, not only in Central Command but across the globe as we continue to bring vigilance, reach and power for our nation and the joint team." He concluded the ceremony by reciting the oath of his office to three family members he selected to symbolize the past, the present and the future. His father, "Goldie," represented the past; his daughter, 2nd Lieutenant Danielle Fleming, the present; and his nephew AFJROTC Cadet Hunter Soward, a high school student, represented the future. Everyone present showed their appreciation with a standing ovation as the ceremony concluded. The Goldfein family expressed its gratitude to Fred Ryder, Lori DeWitt, David Weidner and Matt Richards "for the superb setup and reception provided by fine AF Village II staff for this memorable ceremony."
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