OCR Text |
Show 8 HILLTOP TIMES TIMES April 16,2009 ileens add unique aspect to April, Month of the Military Child BY DEBORAH RAMSAY fepeak Out for Military Kids Adult Leader pril is the month of the Military Child and here in Utah •there are nearly 17,000 military children to recognize. Five thousand children have parents Serving in the five branches of military service and almost 12,000 children have parents serving in the Utah Guard and Reserves. ^i Recently, some Utah Air and Army National Guard teens came together t?> form a Speak Out for Military Kids team as part of the national program Operation Military Kids. The teens' goal is to share their experiences with others of what it's like when a parent is sent away on a deployment. The SOMK team discussed some of leir biggest challenges as military Children. "What makes deployment so hard is see your dad or brother walk away rom you, not knowing if they will come back safe," said 16-year-old Jessica Bills whose father also serves in the Utah Army National Guard. . The teens talked about their sacrifices during deployments. "Deployment is so hard because you lose someone who is important to you for a long period of time," said 13-year old Zoe DeWitt whose mother is in the Utah ARNG. "I lost my mom for 18 months, I lost one of my role models and it's changed me. " Change is a common struggle military children cope with during a deployment. "It affected me so much," said 14year-old Aubrey Williams whose dad serves in the Utah ARNG. "I started hanging around bad people; J started getting involved in horrible activities. I thought that if I had gotten in enough trouble he would realize that it was his fault and he would come home." During deployments family milestones are missed. Even with Internet communication, kids sometimes just want their parent home. "My dad missed my 12th and 13th birthdays and it was really hard for me because I really wanted him to be there," said 16-year old Katie Scoresby whose father is a member of the Utah Air National Guard. "About the same time as my 13th birthday, my cat died and he wasn't there to comfort me and I really needed it." Interview advice given today l Hi ave you ever had a job interview go badly? Have you ever had feelings of ! awkwardness, nervousness, or j anxiety before or during a job !; interview? Do you wish that you r could get some advice from a \ professional who knows their way : around the interview process? If : you answered yes to any of these • questions or would simply like to improve your interview skills come to this year's first session of the Team Hill Junior Force Council Spring Speaker Series today at 10 a.m. at the Base Theater. The speaker will be Andrew Flowers, director of Manpower, Personnel and IVairtirtg fbr^hfe Ogdefl Air Logistics Center. Flowers will be presenting the following topics: preparation, organizing skills, tips on saying what you want to say, and self assessment. All base personnel both military and civilian are welcome and highly encouraged to attend. Time off for this event has been authorized in a release letter by Mark Johnson Ogden Air Logistics Center executive director. The Junior Force Council Spring Speaker Series will take place every third Thursday in April, May and June. On May 21, Scott Stein will be presenting "Cyber and the Future of Technology." On June 18, Mary Hill and Lt. Lisa Whaling will be providing insight into Career Transitions; from wage grade to GS and from enlisted to officer. All three events will take place at the Base Theater located in Building 441'off of 6th Street and E Avenue. For more information about Junior Force Council please visit their Web site at httpsy/afkm.wpafb.af.mil/ THJFC. You can also contact the organization by e-mail at Hill.JFC@hill.af.mil. Furnace and Air Conditioning Deployments give military youth opportunities to become more independent and self-confident, but they can • also force them to take on extra responsibilities. "Not having my dad home and being the oldest son, I felt like I had to step up and take the dad role," said 16-yearold Kyler Brunson whose father serves in the Utah ARNG. "I couldn't spend as much time with my friends and I didn't really express my feelings because I wanted to make everyone else feel better, and like he was safe." Simple acts of kindness from the community can help make the time apart easier. "We had neighbors bring us meals," said 16-year-old Jamie Eisert who had to take on the responsibility of cooking meals while her mom was deployed for the UANG. "It was great when I didn't have to cook all the time." The challenges don't end when the parent comes back home. The transition back into regular family life often means adjusting to the "new normal." Time passed, events were missed and lives changed, but sharing the positive experiences helps. "It was fun to have souvenirs to take to NEWS BRIEFS Southgate Drive lane closures A road lane closure on Southgate Drive will continue until Tuesday, April 22, of the inbound west lane between Balmer Street and Weiner Street. A closure also began April 15 between Weiner Street and 6th Street. This work is for an integrity management study on a utility-owned high pressure natural gas line. WSU Davis to hold cancer 5K WSU Davis Campus will host a 5K run/walk to benefit the fight against cancer Saturay, April 18. The event will take place at the WSU Campus in Layton at 9 am Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. Registration is $20 and includes a T-shirt, refreshments and post-race raffle prize drawing. For information, e-mail carinamaughan@gmail. com or call (801) 660-7078. AFA appreciation event set The Air Force Association Ute/Rocky Mountain f6 lbiabli1 at the Hill Aerospace Museum Fighter Gallery on May 7. The event will run from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and will feature local meteorologist Sterling Poutson at 7 pm speaking on hurricane hunters. He also directs the Choral Arts Society of Utah. The Northridge High School ROTC will perform a drill team presentation, and the Civil Air Patroj Weber-Minuteman cadets will post the colors. The event is free. Food will be available. www.HilltopTimes.com What are you missing? Schedule your free bid and ask for thefiiil combo discount school and to have my daddy talk to my school class about Iraq and show them cool things from Iraq," said Brunson's younger sister, 11-year-old Kaisha The SOMK team agreed deployments were the worst part of being a military kid, but none of them wish their parents weren't in the military. Their sacrifices made them take pride in being a military child. "I'm much stronger now because I had to deal with things that normal 10-yearolds didn't have to deal with," said 16-yearold Rachel Green, who currently serves on the Utah National Guard Youth Council, SOMK and as a student body officer. "I now know the true meaning of 'freedom doesn't come free.'" Some of the youth have even decided to adopt the military lifestyle for themselves. "I have so much more respect for my dad now," said Williams, who struggled during her father's deployment. "He's my hero! I made a decision last summer that I would follow in my dad's footsteps and join the National Guard. I want to be someone's hero." For more information on how you can help OMK/SOMK or get your child involved check out www.operationmilitarykids.org or www.utah4-H.org. For more information, contact Zane Melaney at (801) 395-3233 orzmelaney@oecenter.com. Hill Enlisted Combat Dining-In A Team Hill Enlisted Combat Dining-In is set for May 1 at 5 p.m. at the BORTA. The menu will include pulled pork and brisket. Ticket prices are E-1 to E-4, $5; E-5 and E6, $10; E-7 to E-9, $15. Dress is battle dress uniform or Airman battle uniform (must meet 36-2903 dress and appearance standards). Attendees may wear face paint. See your first sergeant for tickets. FY09 Involuntary NCO Retraining Air Force officials have announced Phase I! of the Fiscal Year 09 Non-Commissioned Officer Retraining Program for retraining from Air Force Specialty Codes with overages to AFSCs with NCO shortages. The involuntary phase (Phase II) of the program runs through May 31. Contact your local MPS, Career Development at 777-1661 for complete details and a list of available retraining-in and retraining-out AFSCs. Announcement of death It is with deep regret that the commander of the 419th Fighter Wing announces the death of Col. Stephen E. Mittuch. Any person having claims for or against the estate of Col. Stephen E. Mittuch, please contact Col. Charles W. Mood, Summary Court Officer, at the 419th Mission Support Group at 777-2621. iWAINTBALF VMrst Annual Rookie Paint Ball Tournament : 'News •••••• ':":-: 0-:^iy- /^ARMSTRONG ' LifeTimes ' -V1.:. ";^| -n, ' Commentary . ;;•;; • Around the Hill JJ>H*. • Link to official Base site 1 Site Archive Easy Financing Options Search for free back to 1999! Full Service Solutions Previous sales excluded. Subject to credit approval. 520 South State, Clearfield 801-393-1265 Weber County 801-773-4836 Davis/Morgan County Lahfind it _-_ _»corti | MrvtcM | wfuimr See it all at www.HilltopTimes.com _^T Vfcekly Since 1W8 For More Info: Call Bill: (801) 915 6195 OR Don: (801) 573 8581 Want to Register? \fefc www.acDvibGSinutah.coin tahfind it restaurants | services | whatever Every Top of Utah business in the palm of your hand Businesses: call 801-625-4317 to update your data. See on your mobile at rn.utahfindit.com , 33306)3-21-09 |