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NCR AF Family Continues Legacy

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher Ruano
  • Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. --  It is not uncommon for a family to have a legacy of military service; however, this typically comes with long periods of separation. For the Edgar family, service to their country has actually brought them closer together.

The current family service members alone have 36 years of cumulative service.

This legacy began decades ago in Germany, when the two U.S. Army dependents met in a Department of Defense high school.

"We kind of separated when our parents moved but we stayed in touch," said Tech. Sgt. Katharine Edgar, 844th Communication Group training manager.

After graduating from high school, Edward Edgar joined the U.S. Air Force. He is now a Senior Master Sergeant in the 319th recruiting squadron acting as a production superintendent. But before he hit this point in his career he spent a few years in Chyenne Wyo., when, as fate would have it, he reconnected with Katherine and the two married.

She was used to the military life style, which helped her make the decision to join the USAF with the help of her husband's expertise.

"I joined the USAF while my husband was a recruiter. Every time we moved he mentioned I had to quit my job and that he could possibly get me into the USAF. I said let's do it and I got in. I should have done it a long time ago before then," Katherine said.

Katherine enjoys serving in the Air Force and feels she has found a second family.

"I like everything about the Air Force. I like the structure and the family atmosphere," Katherine said. "When you see another Airman wherever you are, you say hi because it's a family environment. We try to take care of our people and not just look out for the individual, but the family."

Katherine's son, Ashton Spurr, was there to congratulate his mom at her basic military graduation. They didn't know their roles would be reversed years later.

"My son came to my graduation and I just remember him marching around Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, saying how much he liked to march and liked the uniforms," Katherine said.

Almost a decade to the day later the Edgar's son graduated BMT with his parents in the crowd.

"It was nice having them there. It made me feel like I was making them proud," said Airman 1st Class Ashton Spurr, an 11th Logistics Readiness Squadron, logistics planner.

Spurr had an interest in joining the military at a young age. After graduating technical training, he arrived at his first duty station, Joint Base Andrews, Md., where his parents are also stationed.

"Growing up with my parents it [the military lifestyle] was just a lifestyle that I enjoyed. I liked it so I wanted to continue it," he said. "I wanted to move around and see the world. I am really hoping to deploy or for a permanent change of station."

The family tradition may continue when their 15-year-old daughter, Victoria Edgar, graduates high school soon.

"It is now definitely a family tradition and we will definitely continue to serve," Edward said.

Reflecting on her family service is something that gives Katherine great pride.

"I am proud of my dad's Army career and my grandfather's Army career. I just think it's something carried through on our family on both sides. We all kind of embraced it and really we don't know much else. I don't know what I would do outside the military," Katherine said.