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Show 4 HILL TOP TIMES Wdiwdoy, Nevwibw 26, 1986 news of the 388th tfw Thanksgivingls traditionally a time to share with family and friends! Don't allow problems with a lack of planning or preparation destroy this As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, let us reflect on our blessings: For all the friendships we have developed, both at work and in our com- munities. For TAC's proud people. For our families and the understanding they have given us through this demanding year of mission preparation and accomplishment. For our nation, its rich heritage, and promising future. Mrs. Russ and I wish you all a safe and happy holiday. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. Gen. Robert D. Russ Commander Tactical Air Command off-dut- ' 1 I llillliiBiBiPi-- Bfifiipiij 6" Jf J iTOMwwwiMilmiiiiml. & .tmmiii .5., mi - fl ra d 5 fl 5 jA . General Russ N holiday for you or your family. The two leading causes for mishaps during this past year have been private motor vehicle and snow skiing accidents. For those of you who plan to travel, check the weather and don't drink and drive. Above all, use your protective restraints and drive defensively: more people die on our nation's highways each year than were killed in the entire Vietnam conflict. For those of you going skiing, have your equipment checked, warm up, and don't overestimate your ability. Refresher lessons are a good idea regardless of your skiing ability. Specifically, remember that it can happen to you. We were successful over the Veterans Day weekend, and I ask each of you to continue exercising good judgment during this holi . day weekend. Have a super Thanksgiving weekend! Col. Lawrence E. Boese Commander 388th Tactical Fighter Wing y IlillllBIIIIlp' ' rfe&iy-t,.,- . Colonel Boese (U.S. Air Force Photos) o mi co 1. f ca mm i y 1 Tabachecks say special thanks on traditional feast day By A1C Brandy Joersz 388th Tactical Fighter Wing Thanksgiving is an American holiday traditionally spent with the family. Every year, MSgt. Joseph M. Tabacheck, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing's Type Four Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory superintendent, and his family, have something special to be thankful for. When Sergeant Tabacheck and his wife, Susan, were based at Clark AB, Philippines, with their children Tanya, 10, and Jason, 8, they experienced a new way of life. Everyday they saw homeless, starving children roaming the streets of Angeles City. It was then they decided to help. The Tabachecks went to the Ministry of Social Service Development where they asked about adopting children. They found out there was more to helping others than what appeared on the Next there was Victoria, who was two months old when the family received her. A barmaid from Angeles City offered her child to the Tabachecks. Victoria's mother had no way to take care of the child properly and wanted the girl to have a better way of life. The Tabachecks. already had taken in one more child than they had planned on. Then they saw Charles. Charles was special in his own way. When the Tabachecks first came in contact with him he was two months old and weighed only 2V2 pounds. Immediately, their hearts went out to the baby, whose mother was also a barmaid. "His mother gave him to us when he was very sick. We brought him home and prayed he would survive his misfortunes. Our new son cost us two housemaids who quit because of a Philippine belief that it's unlucky to be in a house when a baby dies," Sergeant Tabacheck said. It was found later that Charlie had hydrocephalus, a disease he acquired from a lack of food which left him with water on an unusually small brain; and cerebral palsy. Now there are six children in the Tabacheck family: Tanya, 14; Jason, 12; Rita, 10; Joseph, 4; Victoria, 3; and Charles, 2. "Finally, my wonderful family is complete," Mrs. Tabacheck said with a sense of pride in her voice. surface. Most of the children in the orphanages were born to unwed mothers who could not support their children. None of this mattered to the Tabachecks. They wanted to give their love to a deserving child. Daily, Mrs. Tabacheck went to the Immaculate Mary Orphanage, seeking the child right for them. "We already had two children and we felt two more were all we could handle, but deep in my heart I have always wanted a family with six children," she said. Finally, they found the perfect child. Joseph was two months old and needed a home. Joseph's adoption was much more complicated than the family anticipated. It took seven months for the whole process to be completed. Still it was not over. The Tabachecks found another child who needed love the Tabachecks could offer. Rita was the second child they adopted. She was 6 at the time and had difficulties with the change in her lifestyle. "Rita was very independent for her age. She was accustomed to taking care of her younger brothers and sisters. She didn't know how to be a child," Sergeant Tabacheck said. Of special note Members compete in Air Force contest ' ' The Tabacheck family: (back, (front, r) Jason and Joseph. (U.S. l-- r) Air" Force Photo by A1C Brandy Joersz) Tanya, Victoria, Joseph M., Charles, Susan and Rita; Three members of the 388th TFW stationed at Hill AFB will be among 39 enlisted members to participate in the 12th Air Force Outstanding Airmen Week at Bergstrom AFB, Texas. Twelve from the group will be selected as "Best in Twelfth," which will be announced at an awards banquet on Dec. 4. Those from here selected were: MSgt. Ernesto the Senior Noncommissioned Officer category; CMSgt. Thomas Moeglein, in the First Sergeant category; and SSgt. Kimberly L. Ochoa, in the Noncommissioned Officer category. O. Ward, who entered in |