OCR Text |
Show m ZH TOP TIMES Friday, March 1. 1985 HILL Drinking problembroughf tolighiby By Thomas H. Maske Office OO-AL- C Public Affairs "I am an alcoholic. I almost killed three children." These were the words of SSfft. Robert Flynn, NCOIC Flight Management, 4th Tactical Fighter Sauadron, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing here. Sergeant Flynn said he wanted to tell his story because he hoped it would help someone else. "Maybe by knowing some of the things I went through, people with a drinking problem will realize there are people who really care and are waiting to help. All they have to do is be asked," he said. "Flashing red lights, screeching tires, flying glass and a crash brought me back to reality. The police officer came up to the car and asked for my driver's license. This scene described by Sergeant Flynn happened about 9 p.m. Dec. 26, 1983. He had been hit in the side of his car by an oncoming motorist. "Even to this day I don't know for sure if I had run a red light or not," said Sergeant Flynn. After the cars had come to a stop against the curb, Sergeant Flynn got out of his car, went over to the other vehicle, opened the door and asked the driver if he was all right. The driver said he was OK, Sergeant Flynn then opened the back door of the car and saw three children in the back seat. "That's when it hit me," he said. "The three kids in that car were dressed just like my children had been dressed before I left home earlier that evening. "The accident really shook me up. It made me realize that I had a problem and needed help. I also knew that if I didn't get help fast I would probably kill someone. So far I had been lucky. When the police arrived on the scene, the officer asked me for my license and wanted me to take a sobriety test. 1 told him 1 couldn t pass the test be-cause I was drunk. I spent the night in jail." Does this sound like a familiar tune? You bet it does. Sergeant Flynn nearly killed himself before to himself that he had only disaster to look forward to unless he made some dramatic change in his life, and it had to be done quickly. After being released from jail the next day, Ser- - acciicleirri1 How did his wife react to his excessive drinking geant Flynn took his problem to his supervisors, habits? who suggested the sergeant get help. "That's when Office," Social Actions I decided to go to the Base Sergeant Flynn said his wife thought heavy drinksaid Sergeant Flynn. ing was just our way. "If you didn't drink every day realcohol He volunteered to enter the drug and you just weren't a true American. habilitation program Dec. 29, 1983. He was admit "As a matter of fact," said Sergeant Flynn, "I of week first the Januarya really can't remember any of the events on my wedted to the base hospital Bethes-dto transferred 1984, and was immediately ding day except that my wife and I were married Naval Hospital, Md. by a Justice of the Peace. eduDuring his six weeks there he received initial "Needless to say, as the drinking problem worcation about alcoholism, and was required to attend sened, my marriage deteriorated and ended in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings daily. divorce in 1979. However, it only lasted two months Before returning to duty. Sergeant Flynn asked and we got back together again. I also resumed my that he be reassigned to another duty station, as drinking until the accident. he did not want to return to Hill AFB. "Since my family, friends and "I guess I was apprehensive about whether I have beenthen, supportive in my effort to successfully would be accepted back into the squadron and how deal with the problem. my friends would treat me," he said. "But, after have also acquired some new friends and cut "I returning here everyone was extremely supportive, ties with some old drinking buddies. And I have "Returning here was when the real test began," been attending AA meetings regularly. I know I'm explained Sergeant Flynn. "Because you're always an alcoholic, and I accept it, and I also credit the a and alcoholic to it's around be beverages going Air Force with helping me do something about it. constant battle not to have a drink. It only takes "If someone has a drinking problem and doesn't one and you've lost the battle." think their supervisor will be receptive enough to Sergeant Flynn said he had started drinking when even though the Air Force says to, I believe he was about 14 years old. He explained how his help, they should go straight to the Social Actions Office. when beer of him his would take let sips grandfather are the experts," explained Sergeant Flynn. he was small. "I'm sure my grandfather wouldn't They He also went on to say that the Air Force should have given me the beer if he had known that things put more emphasis on educating commanders, first would turn out the way they have," he said. alHe reinforced his drinking habit by sneaking out sergeants and supervisors about alcoholism. The of the house to drink with some older fellows who coholic is a person with a sickness and should not lived across the street and would "drink until I was be punished but given help. drunk and sometimes passed out," he recalled. Sergeant Flynn has not had a drink of an alcoAfter graduating from high school he entered the holic beverage since he had the accident and spent Air Force, explaining, "I only enlisted because I was the night in jail. It has been a long dry spell, but told that being in the Air Force was just one big one that he hopes will last forever. continuous party." Is the Air Force or Department of Defense doing At the end of his first enlistment he decided the enough or all that can be done to help the alcoholic g or problem drinker? military wasn't so bad. "I drank as much as I ed and no one seemed to mind so I reenlisted for Yes, says Barry E. Hildebrandt, chief, Drug and a second term and received an assignment to Alcohol Section. "In light of the Air Force mission Thailand. While serving there, I met my wife," he we have one of the best programs in the Department said. of Defense." co-work- want-admittin- Furniture Eelofj Wholesale IPricesS FJeiv EXPERIENCE GRACIOUS CHINESE DINING IN A RELAXED ATMOSPHERE Furniture Factory Closeouts Manufacturers' Rep. Samples SPECIALIZING IN MANDARIN CUISINE PREPARED FRESH TO YOUR ORDER A NEW PEKING CHINESE RESTAURANT Open Monday thru Thursday 11 a.m.-1- 0 p.m. Friday and Saturday 11 a. m.-p.m. Sunday 5 p.m.-1- 0 p.m. Must Be Liquidated Immediately Hurry For Best Selection! SIC 1l iyPl TAKE mmh D.nina Rooms if 4 Wall Units Tables Lamps And much OUT SERVICE BANQUET ROOM AVAILABLE 5260 SOUTH 1900 WEST, lt ,llH-- Is LUNCHEON SPECIAL EVERY MONDAY & FRIDAY 11AM - 4PM SPECIAL FAMILY DINNERS Bedrooms ROY more! 71$ (BIS Bring in this coupon for 5 KJOU0C3G Off , any uiinici. 11 NEW PEKING CHINESE RESTAURANT (y Vfew V V a STORAGE 1150 W. Riverdale Rd. (Use South Entrance) OPEN SATURDAYS ONLY UH BY APPOINTMENT-627-1- 053 1 DLDGo Ogden 0:00-6:0- 0 |