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Show ^Hilltop Times October 14, 2004 Commentary Why Despite efforts, some still decide that suicide is only option by Col. Theresa C. Carter 42nd Mission Support Group commander MAXWELL AFB, Ala. (AFPN) - Sept. 2. 1985. I remember the day like it was yesterday. It was Labor Day and my second day on active duty. I was filled with excitement, nervousness and anticipation as I started my Air Force career at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. After several hours looking for an apartment, I returned to lodging and noticed the message light on my phone was flashing. The clerk at the front desk told me to call home immediately. Fearing the worst, I dialed the number in Albuquerque. After a few rings, my dad answered. He asked me if I was sitting down and told me my younger sister had committed suicide that morning. Shock, guilt, anger, sadness and a thousand other emotions went through me .as I slumped to the floor. How could this be? She was only 21. I just had dinner with her two days ago. She didn't seem sad or depressed, didn't say she was thinking of killing herself. Was I to blame? If anyone should have seen this coming, it was me. We shared a room growing up and did everything together. We played on the same high school sports teams and had the same friends. How could she be so selfish? Didn't she know how much she meant to me, my family and to others? Didn't she realize how empty our lives would be without her? Each time I hear that a member of our Air Force family has committed suicide, I think of my sister. I then wonder why he or she made that decision and how we could have prevented it. Action Line The Air Force suicide prevention and aware- Decal details ACTION LINE ness program is one of the most aggressive is your opportunity programs around. Commanders, first sergeants Many In our unit are having trouble to make Hill AFB a and supervisors as well as medical persongetting decals for our vehicles. I let better place to live, nel and chaplains invest countless hours my Airmen go to get decals on duty, but work and play. educating our Airmen and supporting them they have to wait at the visitor center for When you call Ext. through difficult circumstances. We brief a couple of hours. 7-7000 or send eeveryone annually how to spot those who mail on Outlook to may be at risk and where to turn for help. I understand your frustration, unfortu"HILL ACTION We pull out all stops to provide counseling nately construction at the South Gate Vis- LINE," your comand intervene in crisis situations. Yet, despite itor Center has caused increased wait times. ments wiD be recorded our best efforts, some still decide that suiThe West Gate Visitor Center and South Gate and staffed through cide is their only option. I shake my head trailer handle more than 5,000 customers the agency responand wonder why, every month. This sheer volume of personsible for action. Gol. Sharon Dunbar I'm convinced that in that moment of truth, nel has an effect on speed of service. I recPlease give your that instant when an individual chooses to ognize that all customers, both military and supervisor and chain of command the opportunity^. live or die, those that choose to live think civilian have important jobs to do, and we ask to work with you in answering questions and solvof those they will leave behind - family, for their patience as we progress towards i.ng problems before calling ACTION LINE. This 1 friends and co-workers - rather than themexpansion. The South Gate Visitor Center is will help me better serve your interests. Items of ' selves. Instead of thinking about their own expected to open later this week, which will basewide interest to the Hill workforce will be j pain or difficulties, they think about how allow faster service and relieve much of the published in the Hilltop Times. -.* their death would hurt and sadden their congestion at the West Gate Visitor Center. I loved ones. They think about opportunities ask all base personnel to please be patient Phone numbers lost, celebrations that would be less festive with the clerks at the service centers as they The base agencies listed below can be contacted without their participation and burdens that are doing a fantastic job daily under some directly if you have a complaint or a problem with would be more difficult for their family to very challenging conditions. If you have other their services: - * ' Security Forces 7-5550bear without them. questions or concerns in this area, contact Crisis Information 7-3056 Tech. Sgt Mike Clancy, Pass and Registration 24-hr. Not a day goes by that I don't think about Services '. .*. 7-4134 NCOIC. at Ext. 7-6614. my sister and wish she we.re here to share Base Restaurants..... 7-2043 Retirement/Compensation (civilian) 7-6142 the highs and lows, joys and sorrows I've Social Actions :...... 7-3516 experienced the last 18 and a half years. Kudo Employee Relations.... ......7-7129 So if you have friends, family members or Military Pay. :'. 7-1851 co-workers who are having a tough time My heartfelt thanks, on behalf of the Civilian Pay. 7-6246 Air Force Suggestion Program 7-6901 dealing with stress and the demands of every- widow of retired Senior Master Sgt. IG Complaints (for appointment)......... 7-5305 day life, take time to remind them how impor- Magnus "Jay" Ahlstromer, for the IG Complaints (after hoursj...;:...^...;....'. 7-5361 tant they are. Let them know they are not outstanding performance of duty at his Fraud, Waste or Abuse (recording) 7-5361 alone and that no situation is so hopeless funeral. The comments from everyone In 75th Medical Group .7-4918 that suicide is the only answer. attendance - more than 100 - signifies Civil Engineering 7-1856 Hill Pride Hotline .,7-7433 But, most of all, simply ask them to remem- the importance of the service that the Hill Public Affairs... ....7-5201 ber those they will leave behind. AFB Honor Guard provides to the families Military Housing Maintenance 7-2963 and community. Safety Office 7-3333 Mr. Ahlstromer was a personal friend of Union ....7-3257 AFOSI Narcotics Hotline .....7-1852 two of the Honor Guard members and Family Assistance Center... 5- 3090 they expressed to me that, "they felt and thus they may tend to perpetuate a cycle privileged and honored to be of service to of violence in society," the proclamation you may have confused with "Retreat." The his family and friends at a tragic time." says. "We must continue to hold domestic I want to remind the community that the duty day ends each evening with the playing abusers accountable; we must punish them of "Retreat," followed immediately by the Hill AFB Honor Guard is a treasure and to the full extent of the law; and we must deserves all the accolades they receive. It national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner." prevent them from inflicting more abuse." doesn't feel adequate to say, "thank you" If you have any additional question regarding The proclamation notes that protective Hill's ceremonial music, contact the 75th Comto the Base Honor Guard. In return, I orders are helpful and are enforceable across wish to express that it is my honor to munications Squadron's Ground Radio work state lines and on tribal lands. Tljis legal center at Ext. 7-2669. :, :L^, ,T.:v; know and appreciate the selfless authority makes it easier for police and pros- contribution they make on behalf of all ecutors to keep aggressors away from their military members. Crosswalk safety intended targets. ,., ,... "During Domestic Violence Awareness For the last two years, I've almost been 'Morning music nu Month, I urge all Americans to join together hit while crossing H Street. There in recommitting themselves to eliminating are inattentive drivers that don't pay attenWhy is "Retreat" played following domestic violence and reaching out to its tion to the crosswalks. We've asked for "Reveille" in the morning? I thought victims, letting them know that help is avail- the retreat bugle call is reserved for the flashing lights to be Installed, but so far able," the president said. "With dedication none have. _ lowering of the flag at the end of the and vigilance, we can increase safety for duty day. thousands of our citizens and bring hope to The 75th Civil Engineer Squadron has countless Americans." studied this area and determined that The Giant Voice system here at Hill is an For additional information about domesautomated system for playing the appro- signs are indeed required. As a result, tic violence prevention, or to report suspriate ceremonial music. The duty day begins two solar powered pedestrian activated signs pected family maltreatment contact the base each morning with the playing of "Reveille," with flashing lights will be installed in the Family Advocacy Office at Ext. 7-3497. followed immediately by 'To the Colors," whichnear future. Q A Month promotes awareness by Daryl Sondrup Family Advocacy Outreach-Prevention Services October has been proclaimed as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month by the president. Every member of our military community is encouraged to assist in the fight against family violence. Be alert, be aware, and be willing to take action if you suspect family maltreatment is occurring. Early intervention can eliminate future violence which, if goes unchecked, tends to become increasingly more grievous. In his proclamation, President Bush noted that according to the 2000 National Crime Victimization Survey, almost 700,000 incidents of violence between partners were documented in our nation, and thousands more go unreported. And in the past quarter century, almost 57,000 Americans were murdered by a partner. "Children who witness domestic violence often grow up believing that physical cruelty in relationships is acceptable behavior, Q Q A A Hill Street views 'What are you doing for your boss in observance of Boss's Day?' Airman Charity Gray Electrical Systems Apprentice 75th Civil Engineer Squadron "I'll give my supervisor a card of appreciation." Andrew Becker Switchboard Operator Stacey Shapiro Switchboard Operator 75th Communications Squadron 75th Communications Squadron "I'll cook my boss lasagna." "I'm giving my boss a pie in the face (laughter). Just kidding." 2nd Lt. Lewis Taylor Deputy Branch Chief of Information Assurance Maj. Wade Hegele Communications systems flight commander 75th Communications Squadron 75th Communications Squadron "There's a Boss's Day?" Tech. Sgt. Matt Higglns Unit Deployment Manager 75th Communications Squadron "I wasn't planning on doing "Military protocol prohibits anything only because I did- us from giving gifts to our supen't know it was Boss's Day. I riors so I'll be sleeping in instead." know there's a Secretary's Day." "The U.S. Air Force — meeting the challenge through Global Vigilance, Reach and Power/' U.S. military services. Contents of the Hilltop Times are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U,S. 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This commer- ments, or send E-mail to "hilltop.pa@hni.af.mil". cial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the Unless otherwise indicated, all photos arc U.S. Air Force photos. Hilltop Times Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: Col. Sharon Dunbar 75th ABW commander Charles Freeman Chief, Public Affairs Bill Orndorff Editor Beth Young, Shad West, Airman Jenny Chong Airman 1st Class Micah Garbarino Staff Writers Sablna Golder Page Design Deadlines: Editorial and "Around the Hill" Items, 3 p.m. Friday; sports articles, 9 a.m Monday; classified ads, 5 p.m. Tuesday, week of publication. For more Information, call the editor, Ext. 7-4598. TO PLACE AN ADVERTISEMENT, CALL 625-4300 |