WHY I SERVE: Miss America Published Dec. 13, 2024 By Miriam A. Thurber HQ Air Force Accessions Center JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas -- 01:07 Second Lt. Madison Marsh, crowned Miss America 2024, explains why she joined the Air Force and why she stays. Although her dreams of becoming an astronaut have changed, she continues to serve because of the people and sense of community the Air Force offers. (U.S. Air Force video by Miriam Thurber; b-roll courtesy of Air Force Recruiting Service)