Oetoser 4, 2131 Commentary Actions after tragedy show Time to foster desire, ability, courage to act energy security by LL Col. Theresa C. Carter 355th Civil Engineer Squadron HAN AFB, Ariz. (AFPN) I developed the idea for this commentary while attending the DoD fire conference a few weeks ago. "The desire to serve, the ability to perform, the courage to act," is the motto of Air Force firefighters. Before I could put the finishing touches on the article, the terrorist attacks in New York City and at the Pentagon forever changed the world as we know it After watching those events, it was clear to me that the motto has a much broader application. The desire to serve. Each of us wearing a military uniform decided to serve our country for a variety of reasons. Perhaps it was patriotism, a desire to travel, or a chance to acquire new skills and an education. Regardless of the reason, we all belong to an organization, and to a way of life, that is bigger than we are. We are a team of more than a million dedicated soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. As the nation watched in horror the events following the Sept 1 1 attacks, nothing brought us closer to tears than the image of firefighters and police officers rushing to provide assistance while everyone else was fleeing the crumbling World Trade Center. Hundreds of emergency responders lost their lives as a result of their desire to serve and their placing service before DAY1S-M0N- 1 self. The ability to perform. One of the most basic responsibilities of supervisors and leaders is to ensure the people entrusted to their care are ready to perform their duties when called upon. In the military, these duties are performed across the full spectrum of conflict from daily peacetime activities to armed conflict against our nation's enemies. The training we do every day ensures we are prepared for any situation, anytime. In addition, each of us has a personal responsibility to Exchange and Class prices risen so drastically? The liquor prices have almost doubled, and the beer prices are outrageous. It just seems that there are no good deals for the military QWhy store A the men and women of the 388th Fighter Wing and the 75th Air Base Wing for making Sept. 5 a special day for the family and friends of Staff Sgt. Clark A. Holmes. You gave life and honor to our uncle and brother who served In the Philippines during World War II and died In a prison camp after the Bataan Death March. We found the Hill Aerospace Museum a wonderful setting for the posthumous Bronze Star presentation. All those Involved seemed to bend over backwards to make this a day to be remembered. For 59 years, our family has had nothing but the telegram announcing his death. You've given him military honor and made his life and death worth the sacrifice. We're moved by your willingness to honor him and your sincere words of comfort. And we were awed by the way In which the Air Force shows respect and honor for "one of their own." the family of Clark A. Holmes Flag display doesn't base have flags QWhyflag holders for housing residents like other Air Force bases? We can't even drill holes in the exterior walls to hang our own. I think the base housing staff could do this relatively small thing for the morale of all residents and to let them show their support In our current national crisis. doesn't allow spending housing residents can display their own flags at their quarters. Residents should place flag brackets on the quarters' exterior support posts. When you terminate housing, you can AWhile policy on flags, 1 m imiiiiit vmhiwU) for (itmiwnal - . - ' either leave the bracket in place or remove it and repair the holes. For more information, call the housing office at Ext I'd like to give a big pat on the back to the manager and employees of the Burger King on base. During the New York crisis, we were concerned about going off base to have lunch, and went instead to Burger King. The place was packed and the line to place orders was doubled In their store and extended out to the parking lot. I was amazed at the speed and efficiency these people showed in serving their customers. This allowed many other civilians, military people and me to get back to our duty stations at a time of national crisis. Please forward my thanks to them! The General Manager of Utah Exchanges, Tom Fredin, is very proud of the service Burger King provides to members of Team Hill. I join him in thanking the Burger King employees for doing such a great job of taking care of customers during heightened force protection conditions and when it was very inconvenient for our employees to leave the base. Kudo want to commend the 75th Security Forces Squadron for the very professional and courI teous manner which their people have conducted themselves at the various gates. Trying to get on and off base could be extremely frustrating, given the heightened state of alert we are currently experiencing; however, the folks staffing the gates show grace under pressure. Just wanted to say thanks. In I the vote of confidence youVe our given Security Forces troops. During the recent period of heightened force protection conditions, they've done an outstanding job of keeping Hill's high volume of traffic moving while enforcing some very, demanding entry control A I appreciate ZSULTUWU Quality Systems for America 's Air Force Hilltop Times Published by MorMedia, Inc., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force.under exclusive written contract with Hill AFB. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. mil . and antiterrorism procedures. Has it been inconvenient at times for our employees, family members and retirees? You bet But most folks like you have gladly accepted that inconvenience as the price we pay for ensuring the safety of our base's populace and have cooperated well with our Security Forces. Vehicle misuse After talking to us about misuse of government vehicles, our supervisor used one to pull a privately owned vehicle out of the sand. It doesn't seem fair that he can counsel us on a rule one day and break the very same rule the next. This act was not in any way a misuse of government vehicles for personal use. On the date in question, the supervisor was working with a grader and was asked if he could help pull out a vehicle that was buried in the sand a short distance away. The buried vehicle belonged to a contractor collecting soil samples for the Environmental Management Directorate. The supervisor checked the ID badges and determined the contractor did have a purpose to be where he was and do what he was doing. A quick, Q What an exceptional planting year It was for Hill AFB. Everyone Involved worked and had a great desire to beautify the base and It shows. A special thanks to MaJ. Gen. Scott Bergren for letting our nursery help. Our thanks also to 2nd Lt. Ted Romaine and the Self Help Center staff Master Sgt. Fred Lee, Melba Crittenton and Taya Judkins. You have once again worked hard to make planting easy for everyone. I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting and working with everyone during Hill Pride Day and base spring and fall planting. I hope everyone Is enjoying the newly designed areas throughout the base and look forward to seeing everyone next year for spring planting. Brenda Roberts and staff J&J Nursery and Garden Center ACTION LINE opportunity to make ffillAFBa better place to live, is your work and play. When you call Ext.' or send on Outlook to "HILL fv (f ACTION LINE," your comments will be recorded and staffed through the agency responsible for action. Please give your supervisor and chain of command the A Col. David Beecroft opportunity to work with you in answer- 75th ABW Commander ing questions and solving problems before calling ACTION LINE. This will help me better serve your interests. Items of basewide interest to the Hill workforce will be published in the Hilltop Times. Phone numbers The base agencies listed below can be contacted directly if you have a complaint or a problem with their services: . and in my opinion, appropriate decision was made to help the contractor. The grader was in operation at the time and the operator pulled the truck out of the soft sand and onto a graveled road. Security Forces r. Crisis Information 24-h- Services Base Restaurants RetirementCompensation (civilian) .... Social Actions Employee Relations Military Pay Civilian Pay Air Force Suggestion Program IG Complaints (for appointment) IG Complaints (after hours) Fraud, Waste or Abuse (recording) 75th Medical Group Civil Engineering Hill Pride Hotlir.e Public Affairs Military Housing Maintenance Safety Office Union AFOSI Narcotics Hotline Family Assistance Center (when activated). Since the stranded contractor was working a bona fide government project, and if the vehicle wasn't stuck due to gross negligence or intentional actions, he could have passed the costs of extracting his vehicle from the sand on to the government, thereby increasing the project's cost, not to mention the possible delay that could have been incurred by securing outside towing assistance. The action is similar to using a Security Forces vehicle to pull stranded POVs from snow banks during a winter storm. These types of uses are much different than "misusing" a gov-- ..... 8 Global Power and Reach for America. " itary services. Contents of the Hilltop Times are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. The appearance of advertisements in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Air Force or MorMedia, Inc., of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. i Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Ogden Air Logistics Center Public Affairs Office staff in Bldg. 11 02, second floor. Call Ext. with to "hintop.pahill.af.mil". story ideas or comments, or send Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are U.S. Air Force photos. TO PLACE AN ADVERTISEMENT, CALL or gmh mum Kudo , nrirn COPY of Energy's Federal Energy Management Program, "America can no longer rely on foreign sources to fuel our country s growing energy needs." Now is the time for us to foster energy security. We have a choice to make: Save now or pay later? We need to work together to save America's energy and environmental future. October is Energy Awareness Month, a perfect time to make a difference in this effort to conserve. What you do now can save us from paying later. Organize a project or raise awareness by putting up posters (available at the Base Energy Management Office) in your work area, report a leaking faucet or turn off your computer monitor. There are so many little things you can do that can really add up if we all work together. October is also the time of year when the weather changes and Civil Engineering HVAC maintenance workers start the transition from cooling to heating in base facilities. Because of the cool mornings and warm afternoons, we experience a few weeks of no heating or cooling. This saves the Air Force energy costs and provides HVAC personnel with the time to make the transition. However, it also creates a problem for personal comfort Base personnel should keep this in mind and be prepared for the weather change. Dress appropriately to accommodate personal comfort If you have an idea or project to conserve energy, call Kent Nomura, Dave Abbott or 2nd Lt Daniel Ferris at the Energy Management Of fice, Ext Next: tips and advice for winter conservation. nt "Air Force people building the world's most respected Air and Space Force ;; Increasing demands for power have sparked concern among the federal government to increase the national energy supply through greater energy efficiency. "More than ever before, our energy future depends on our own energy security," says Beth Shearer, director of the Department heavy-hearte- d Kudo Kudo We'd like to say a very heartfelt thanks to Engineering assistant To the men and women of the U.S. armed enemies. But because of you, civilized people are protected from thugs and bullies. forces: I wish that I could express my gratitude for Since the terrorist attack here on American with grief your sacrifices and the hard thankless work soil, people have been and fear. What a tremendous comfort it is that that you do. All I can say is thank you from we are blessed with each and every one of you the bottom of my heart and that you are in my whose contributions help make the U.S. mil- prayers and in the prayers of thousands of others. . itary forcethe mighty strength that it is. Thank you for all you have done and all you My confidence in your dedication and ability allows me to say with 1 certainty that will do in the future. May God protect and richly our United States will prevail during these dif- bless each of you and your families. M i! ' ficult times, and that our country will continue .it,,f i r ' to grow and thrive. Without the precious peo- - j t A grateful U.S. citizen, v pie, who make up our armed forces, we would KrisBakerr .v;. . . : i be at the mercy of cruel criminals and brutal Bloomington, Ind. anymore. Ext ht by Airman Angela Holt Acttiom Line Citizen thanks armed forces Rising prices have the Base Class Six stores in states where liquor stores such as Utah are operated by the state set their prices at 10 percent below the state price. In noncontrolled states, items are priced 5 percent below the lowest price surveyed. As with other merchandise sold by AAFES, if a customer sees an identical item advertised by another retail store in the local area for less than the AAFES price, they will match the price. AAFES asks that the customer bring in the ad and give them the chance to match theprice. However, if the price difference is less than $5, AAFES will lower the no ad price for the customer immediately required. For more information about Class Six pricing, or AAFES issues in general, call Tom Fredin, general manager of Utah Exchanges, at ensure we are physically and mentally prepared to answer the call We achieve excellence in all we do through the collective efforts of individuals and supervisors. In the coming weeks, our military may be asked to respond to the barbaric act of terrorism inflicted on us. I'm confident in our ability to perform. The courage to act. Courage involves not only physical courage, but moral as well. Our military history is filled with stories of incredible physical courage, from the first shots fired at (the battle of) Lexington and Concord to the beaches of Normandy (to the) sands of Iraq and Kuwait indiWe have also heard stories of great moral courage viduals who had the integrity to do the right thing, regardless of the personal consequences. People like John Hancock and the other signers of the Declaration of Independence, who knew that placing their signature on that sacred document could be the equivalent of signing their own death certificate. People like Sen. John McCain, who refused early release as a prisoner of war in Hanoi because he feared the North Vietnamese would use it for propaganda purposes. Those in the fire service, both military and civilian, demonstrate the courage to act every day, whether they are respondemergency on a military ing to a structural fire, an aircraft, or to the unspeakable horror that we saw Sept 11. As the granddaughter, niece and cousin of several Los Angeles firefighters and as the base fire marshal here, I have a special appreciation for firefighters and their desire to serve, ability to perform, and courage to act. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives in an attempt to save others in New York, and with all of the victims and their families in this tragic and cowardly act of terrorism. My faith, however, in our nation's resolve and in the ability of our military to successfully respond to these attacks remains unshakeable. May God bless the land of the free and the home of the brave 625-430- 0 Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: Ma, Gen. Scott Bergren Maj. Shawn Mecham Bill Orndorff Sue Berk Mary Gaibraith, Gary Boyle Deadlines: Commander, Director, Public Affairs Editor Assistant Editor OO-AL- C Staff writers Editorial and "Around the Hill" Items, 3 p.m. Friday, sports articles, 9 a.m. Monday, classified ads, 2 p.m. Tuesday, week of publication. For more Information, call the editor, Ext.