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Show 2 TIMES COMMENTARY July 17, 2014 THANK YOU, FOR NOW Honoring the service of those in uniform 442, TIME ekly Since 194 Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: BY MAJ. JEREMIAH HAMMILL 821st Support Squadron commander Charles Horton Standard-Examiner publisher Mitch Shaw Hilltop Times Writer Sarah Stoll Hilltop Times Correspondent Dana Rimington Hilltop Times Correspondent Deadlines: Editorial and news items are due by noon on the Friday prior to the Thursday print date. To submit news items email 75abw.pa@us.af.mil or call 801-777-1902. For Classified Advertising, call 801-625-4300. For Retail Advertising, call 801-625-4388. The Hilltop Times is published by Ogden Publishing Corp., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under, and in compliance with, a Memorandum of Understanding with Hill Air Force Base. The content of the Hilltop Times does not necessarily represent the views of, nor is it endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or Hill Air Force Base (collectively, the Government). The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Government 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. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Standard-Examiner, 332 Standard Way, Ogden, Utah, 84404. Additional editorial content is provided by various military and civilian wire services and Hill Air Force Base public affairs departments. Call 801-777-1902 with story ideas or comments, or email 75abw.pa@us.af.mil . Call 801-625-4300 for Classified Advertising or 801-6254388 for Retail Advertising. HAWC Nest Fitness Tip from the Health and Wellness Center It is never too late to quit tobacco products. Smoking causes serious health hazards. It's bad for your heart, lungs, brain and appearances. QUIT TODAY. You can afford to quit smoking. Call 801-777 1215 for assistance. HULE AIR BASE, Greenland — Capt. Thomas Hammill was a Green Beret who served in Vietnam and Cambodia. I knew him as an uncle and hero; however, society had a different perception of him and the rest of the men and women who fought in Vietnam. Vietnam veterans returned to America and found protests, hate and labels such as "baby killer." Thankfully, those days are over, but could we return to those perceptions in similar form or fashion today? Today's military is able to enjoy a society that supports the troops. While that is fantastic, my hope is that we don't take that for granted. My desire is that we do what is needed, on and off duty, to prove ourselves worthy of the support and adoration we receive from our nation. Today, applause fills airports when service members return from overseas. Today, someone may just pick up your check if they see you grabbing lunch in uniform. Today, you get care packages and letters from school children while you are deployed. Today, professional sports teams and large corporations have military appreciation events. No, none of those things are why we serve. They are the result of a society that trusts us with its freedom and protection. So how do we preserve the trust that is at the core of the relationship between the military and American people? How do we ensure that our service and sacrifice will be met with appreciation instead of distaste? Well, I believe that falls squarely on our shoulders. Every single one of us has a part to play in building and maintaining this trust. The dreaded acts of a few can stain the reputation of the entire military and erode the Today's military is able to enjoy a society that supports the troops. While that is fantastic, my hope is that we don't take that for granted. trust that has been built over decades. This is especially true in our present information age with social media and smart phones. Bad news spreads like a wild fire. The vast majority of military men and women live their lives in a manner that does nothing but reinforce the reasons why the American people place their trust in the military; however, there is a major issue that we need to attack: sexual assault. We can't just stand on the sidelines for this one. We all have to be fully engaged. Sexual assault must be stomped out of the Air Force and Department of Defense. Political leaders have taken a tough stance on the military's handling and prevention of sexual assaults. It is up to every one of us to fight this disease that has been among our ranks for much too long. It will take more than the occasional Sexual Assault Prevention and Response day. It will take outstanding wingmen. It will take work places that promote mutual respect and dignity. It will take personal courage. It will take compassion and support. It will take committed action to prevent sexual assaults and support the victims. Only then will the perception change. No doubt, this issue will be played out in the media. What story will be told? Will it be a story of vulgarity and indifference or will it be a story of a committed and trustworthy military that takes care of its own? We must prove to the American people that their sons and daughters will be safe within our ranks. We must prove to our government officials that we are serious. One is definitely too many. Millions of Americans chose to put on the uniform and defend the United States of America. A great number paid the ultimate price. Let's honor their service and sacrifice by taking care of our brothers and sisters in arms. Let's preserve the opportunity for our troops to hear "thank you" instead of disparaging remarks from a society who lost trust. Running: Chasing the high BY SENIOR AIRMAN MICHAEL SMITH 17th Training Wing Public Affairs G OODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas — I hear it all the time: "I hate running." To be honest, I didn't like it too much either, until five years ago when it was taken away from me. My only goals back then were to run track for Clemson University and make it to the Olympics — running consumed me. I pushed myself to train six days a week, even through shin splints. Then, before I knew it, I had stress fractures, sidelining me for six months. Within the first month, I realized how much running was a part of my life, not only for physical fitness, but also mental fitness. Without having an outlet for my stress and anxiety, I quickly found myself falling down a spiral of depression. It was the longest six months of my life. When the healing process was finally over, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. I was literally ready to hit the ground running. I started off slowly with a couple of laps at the local track and slowly increased the distance week by week, until I felt comfortable enough to do a road run. I challenged myself to beat my personal record and run nonstop for six miles. Everything was going great, until mile three when I hit the proverbial wall. It felt like I had just been paid a visit by a dementor, a psycheconsuming being from the Harry Potter series. I didn't want to go any further. I felt defeated. That is when I decided to dig deep and push through the pain. All of a sudden, the pain went away. One of the greatest feelings ever was running without even thinking about it. Before I knew it I was on the final stretch, and at that moment I was hooked on the runner's high. According to researcher David A. Raichlen, humans report a wide range of neurobiological rewards following moderate and intense aerobic activity, also referred to as the "runner's high," which can encourage habitual aerobic exercise. Now, I run for an hour or more, multiple times a week. I love the euphoric feeling of my mind being free of any worries. No matter what happens at home or work, running is my number one self-prescribed medication. Nothing works better to get me at ease and put everything into a better perspective. There are plenty of times where I grudgingly force myself to go on a short run, and end up running double what I had planned because of the high. No matter if I'm stressed, sad, angry, energetic, confused or happy — the runner's high is my goto drug, so to speak. Running, for me, has changed from a burden to a gift, and I have become a better person because of it. Marathoner Gail W. Kislevitz said it best: "Running is my private time, my therapy, my religion." THINK SAFETY Hill's Total 2014 DUls: 5 Hill's Last DUI: fa* 14 Unit Involved: 75e foetroade Airmen Against Drinking and Driving provide rides when designated drivers are unavailable. Call 801-777-1111 to request a ride anytime. Hours of operation: Fridays-Saturdays 10 p.m.- 6 a.m. Sundays 9 p.m.-midnight. Report suspicious activity via the AFOSI EAGLE EYES program Dial: 777-3056 / 3057/ 3058. watch — Report — Protect Force Protection is Our Business — Everyone is a Sensor Civil Engineering 777-1856 777-3056 Program Security Forces 777-3056 Hill Straight Talk 777-9696 Public Affairs 777-5333 24-hr. 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