Leap of faith: RAF Mildenhall Airmen share personal experiences as part of ‘Storytellers’ event

U.S. Air Force Col. Thomas D. Torkelson, 100th Air Refueling Wing commander, shares his personal story of former struggles with alcohol with Team Mildenhall Airmen Feb. 22, 2016, at “Storytellers” on RAF Mildenhall, England. The motto of Storytellers is, “Every Airman has a story,” and the event is an avenue for Airmen to share their stories with others. Torkelson told how his drinking at an early age led to a partying lifestyle before and during his first few years in the Air Force. He said Debbie, his wife, is his rock and stood by him and along with God, they helped turn his life around. The commander shared how he hasn’t had a drink since January 2004. (U.S. Air Force photo by Karen Abeyasekere/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Leap of faith: RAF Mildenhall Airmen share personal experiences as part of ‘Storytellers’ event

Debbie Torkelson, left, wife of U.S. Air Force Col. Thomas D. Torkelson, 100th Air Refueling Wing commander, looks at her husband as he shares his personal story of former struggles with alcohol with Team Mildenhall Airmen Feb. 22, 2016, at the “Storytellers” event on RAF Mildenhall, England. The commander shared how he hasn’t had a drink since January 2004. The motto of Storytellers is, “Every Airman has a story” and the event is an avenue for them to share their stories with others. (U.S. Air Force photo by Karen Abeyasekere)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Leap of faith: RAF Mildenhall Airmen share personal experiences as part of ‘Storytellers’ event

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jason Gamble, right, 100th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron production expediter, talks to U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Brandon Harris, 100th Maintenance Squadron AGE craftsman, as he shares his personal story about dealing with the loss of his parents Feb. 22, 2016, at the “Storytellers” event on RAF Mildenhall, England. The motto of Storytellers is, “Every Airman has a story,” and is an avenue for Airmen to share their stories with others. (U.S. Air Force photo by Karen Abeyasekere)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Leap of faith: RAF Mildenhall Airmen share personal experiences as part of ‘Storytellers’ event

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Cameron Cofer, right, 100th Maintenance Squadron NCO in charge of AGE services, shares his experiences with Team Mildenhall Airmen about being brought up in a broken, abusive home, and his daughter being born with two holes in her heart, during a “Storytellers” event Feb. 22, 2016, on RAF Mildenhall, England. The motto of Storytellers is, “Every Airman has a story,” and is an avenue for Airmen to share their stories with others. (U.S. Air Force photo by Karen Abeyasekere)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
Leap of faith: RAF Mildenhall Airmen share personal experiences as part of ‘Storytellers’ event

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Monica Alonzo, right, 100th Logistics Readiness Squadron individual protective equipment journeyman, answers questions from U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Brandon Harris, 100th Maintenance Squadron AGE craftsman, as she shares her story with Team Mildenhall about her very restrictive upbringing as a child, her arranged marriage, and how she found the courage to get through it all during a “Storytellers” event Feb. 22, 2016, on RAF Mildenhall, England. Alonzo said she was treated very badly by family. After a visit from one of her uncles – a colonel in the Air Force – she finally found the courage to make a decision for herself and joined the Air Force at age 26. She said it was the most liberating thing she’s done in her life. (U.S. Air Force photo by Karen Abeyasekere/Released)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Leap of faith: RAF Mildenhall Airmen share personal experiences as part of ‘Storytellers’ event

Published Feb. 26, 2016
By 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

RAF Mildenhall -- We've all heard the phrase, "every Airman has a story," but not many actually tell them.

Four Airmen told their story during a "Storytellers" event Feb. 22, 2016, on RAF Mildenhall. The four Airmen shared their past of how they overcame struggles with alcohol, loss of parents, abuse and disadvantaged circumstances.

Storytellers was created to encourage Airmen to share their experiences, get them out in the open and to watch them change lives.

The event is an avenue for Airmen to share their path of resilience with others.