Master Sergeant (Ret.) William Derrington is an Air Force veteran with 21 years of service as an Aircraft Electrician, Mobility NCO and an Aircraft Battle Damage Instructor. His assignments include Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento, California; Zweibrucken Air Base in Germany, MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida and Kunsan Air Base in South Korea. While assigned to the 4th Fighter Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, he participated in Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Southern Watch. “The Air Force taught me integrity and work ethic,” he said. “It taught me there was something bigger than just me living through life. Plus, the people that I got to meet made my life so rich.”
After he retired, Mr. Derrington continued to serve, working in the civil service. He is currently a member of the Patriot Guard Riders. The group attends the funeral services of fallen military members. Through strictly legal and non-violent means, they shield mourners from any interruptions created by protesters. “I think it’s important that when somebody comes back, that the fallen soldiers, Airmen and their families should have that time to themselves without someone bothering them.”