# @af_academy on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DKkkn0KtPoX
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/31513563-af-academy-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/fb3acbedc7.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-06-06T19:41:18.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** U.S. Air Force Academy (@af_academy) — https://gondola.cc/af_academy

## Caption

🏅 𝐄𝐱𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟 🇺🇸
 
Over the last three years, 2nd Lt. Billie Botes, Class of 2025, made it her mission to help Marine veteran Carl Lewis find a home after 25 years on the streets. 🏡
 
The memorable first salute 🫡 between the two at Billie's commissioning ceremony symbolizes not only her commitment to service, but also the power of human connection. ❤️
 
While a cadet at #USAFA, she lived her boxing team's motto, “𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭, 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐨” —a mindset she carries into the usairforce as an Information Operations Officer. 🥊
 
"I initially wanted to help Carl in honor of my dad's cousin, George 'Georgie' Botes, who was also a Marine. It wasn't about feeling sorry for Carl; it was about being able to relate to him as a veteran in need and wanting to offer the kind of support that could get him off the streets for good."
 
𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐢𝐨.
 
#ServiceBeforeSelf #USAFA2025 #NeverQuitNeverSettle #LeadersOfCharacterAndQuality #NeverForgotten #longblueline

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 4,313
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 20

## Tags

neverquitneversettle, usafa, longblueline, servicebeforeself, neverforgotten, leadersofcharacterandquality, usafa2025

---
Copyright (c) Gondola