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Show to m merits HILL TOP TIMES July 17,-18- 7 ooCdOg n Capt. Donnis Baxter Office or By Special Projects early every edition of the Hill Top Times car ries an article about using safety belts, driving while intoxicated or the dangers of operating a motorcycle. But what what about being a responsible driver? Every state has set a limit on the age they consider you "old enough" to drive. They also give you a quick memory test before giving you a driver's license and ; allowing you to drive. However, none has a test to see how reliable a driver you will be. ji The reason I bring this up is because of an incident I witnessed not long ago. It was a warm, sunny day and I was returning home from a mountain reservoir after an outing with my family. As we drove around the reservoir, we were passed by a red Mustang and a maroon Cougar. Suddenly, the Cougar's tail lights lit up and its tires screamed as they tried to bite into the asphalt to keep from rear ending the Mustang. ' Both cars pulled off the road and I stopped thinking about them -- as I got into the long line of cars headed for home -- until about halfway down the canyon, when I glanced in my rearview mirror. There they were again, zipping around cars in front of them and weavlanes and, generaling in and out of traffic, in the long the drivers other to a hazard ly, creating stream of traffic. I'm not saying they were breaking any laws , but they were putting themselves and those around them in unnecessary danger just so they could improve their position in the line of cars. 7 the For exited the we canyon. They passed me as next five miles, driving through heavy traffic, I watched them weave in and out of traffic, speeding up, breaking and waving and laughing each time they ; could pass each other. t Then came the coup de grace. The driver of the owq70 Mustang tossed a beer can out of his window. The T Cougar driver dodged the can. It went bouncing under my car -- to be added to the other trash, thrown out by thoughtless people, that litters our roads. Judging by their appearance, I have no doubt they were airmen from Hill AFB. Under normal circum- stances, they may be rather responsible adults, but they weren't on that day. If I could ask them about that day, they would probV ably say nobody got hurt or that it was none of my ; business how they drove. Or they could have told me ; !; they were "just having a good time." A good time? Perhaps. But one that could have cost lives the lives of my family or anyone else in that j stream of traffic going down the canyon that day. The next time the guys in the Mustang or Cougar are out for a good time, or when any driver feels that i same way, do everyone a favor-- be responsible. which Check that part on the test says to stay off the road when your driving jeopardizes others. j; . ; 1 to stop heari ng excuses Writer recalls how drunks killed his friends By 1st Sheppard f LIGHT 5choo l 0 Lt. Brian AFB, Texas K. 1:'':;"; My anger didn 't allow 6 Murray know... you've heard it before. You're really getting tired of seeing these articles about drinking and driving. You know your limit and you know, I me to feel the sorrow I just wanted answers. I never them. got ExioectfoBna o hamr soodd 9' doesn'f heave io be loke o roller coosfer rode Dtf By Gina labor. Blonquist-Blac- k . Even though Civilian Recreation Office ixpecting a baby can be one of the most exciting times of your life. It is a time that produces a kaleidoscope of emotions. The emotions include happiness, anticipation, fear and worry, impatience and joy. Because there are so many emotional ups and downs, expectant parents often feel as if they are on a runaway roller coaster. A positive way to respond to all the changes expectant parents face is to try to gain as much knowledge about pregnancy and birth as possible. Increasing numbers of hopeful parents are having their educational needs met through attending Lamaze classes taught by highly qualified certified instructors. Lamaze preparation is important because it gives the family an idea of what usually happens during labor, and birth,, providing the tools for coping.; However, families need to be aware that the experience of childbirth varies from woman to woman and labor to all this information is designed to make the experience more pleasant, it is important for them to make sure their expectations are realistic. Obstetrics, like all medicine, is not an exact science that can always guarantee a good outcome. It is important for families to realize that Lamaze training for childbirth does not automatically promise an'easy delivery. Rather, it provides invaluable and individualized assets to use, helping the' woman through an exciting and often difficult task. Hill AFB civilian recreation sponsors Lamaze classes to all active duty, retired and civilian employees: To help educate expected parents, a class meets on Friday from p.m. and a is taught by registered nurse who is a certified instructor. There is a cost for. ' the class, but the opportunity for an easier childbirth is made possible. The next class starts July 24 at the Thornton. Recreation Center. For more information call civilian recreation at Ext. 73661. 30 "Quit hassling me," you say. "It's not going to happen to me. I'm a responsible drinker." Fine, I believe you, but what about the other guy? The person who is sitting next to you at the club right now. Or your buddy who just got promoted and wants to celebrate a little. ' Hey, we all enjoy a good time every now and then. No harm done, right? So when are we going to stop bugging you about DUIs? You ask, "Won't you people ever be satisfied? What is with this 'holier than thou' attitude anyway? What makes you the expert? Why do you always have to preach every time I have a beer? Why do you care what I do? It's my business, right?" Listen to my' side. It's September 1982 and, for the seven years I've known him, my friend Bob Gallant has wanted to be a state trooper. He's almost finished with his criminology degree at Portland University in Maine and is very proud of the fact he's on a local Maine police force. Labor Day is a big deal at our house, and this long weekend was also the last one we had before returning to college. After we went fishing, Bob and I joined the rest of the family for a cookout in the backyard. As always, we had a great time. About three weeks later, I was back at school and got a call from my mother. I remember standing in the dorm hallway, talking on the phone, all the guys kicking a soccer ball back and forth and the music up really loud. I could hardly hear my mother. She . 99 can handle it. "Harris! Get back In formation!'' ; was crying. She told me right up front, "Bob is dead." I didn't say anything. She said he was responding to a call in his police car when another car, swerved into his lane from the other direction, hitting his car head on. By the time the ambulance got there, Bob was already dead. The driver of the other car, drunk, was unhurt. At the funeral, they spoke of the potential Bob had. How tragic it was he was no longer with us. All I could think was the drunk who killed him. My anger didn't allow me to feel the sorrow I just wanted answers. I never got them. It didn't stop there. Two months ., r later, I got another phone call. Alex, 'another good friend, was in an "accident." He was changing a fla- t- he was well over on the soft shoulder of the highway. The drunk driver came across the inside lane all the way to the right, in broad daylight. The car hit Alex and dragged him 25 feet down the highway, never stopping. Reports indicated he was injured beyond recognition. Alex died two days later. I couldn't believe it happened again. There comes a time when you stop listening to excuses. When you stop be- ing tactful. When you stop being tolerant. Fair warning. I'm going to remind you , about the danger, take your keys away even drive you home. When you drink and drive, my friend, it is my business. Editor's not: This article is courte- . sy of the Sheppard Senator newspaper. r. 7 . Limes 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. military services. Contents of the Hill Top Times are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, the Department of Defense or the Depart . ment 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. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public Affairs Office of Ogden Air Logistics Center. ;. Hill AFB Editorial Staff: Lt. Col. Larry P. Summers s Editor SSgt. Louis A. Staff Writers: , . .Chris Baierschmidt '. Ernie Shannon ' Ralph C. Jensen .A1C Jay Joersz Deadlines: Editorial, 4 p.m. Monday, week of publication; "around the hill" items, 10 a.m. Monday, week of publication; classified ads, 2 p.m. Wednesday, week of publication. Public Affairs Officer Arana-Barrada- ; 1 . |