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Show 12 Hilltop Times ODD COMMENTS June 16, 1989 m Dq:qd gGiinmgi Eft GO 00 m Driving privileges revoked if caught by Sgt. Tamara Westerman 2849th Security Police Squadron UIs are no laughing matter. Did you know that if you get caught driving under the influence of alcoholdrugs, either on or off base, you automatically have your driving privileges revoked for one full year? The Crime Prevention Office did a little research and found that there were 32 reported DUI cases involving Hill AFB workers during the months of January-Maboth on and off base. The next finding was not hard to believe, but it y, is still an awfully high percentage. Of the 32 reported DUI cases, 28 were within one week of 88 percent. As you can see, there payday-abo- ut seems to be a rise in reported DUIs around payday. Before you drink and drive, you may want to take a few things into consideration: You could be killed or possibly kill someone else. driving privileges is not the only possible punishment for individuals convicted of driving under the influence of The loss of on-ba- se alcho-holdrug- s. You could also spend time in jail, have your vehicle towed, be placed on probation, assigned to provide community service, ordered to pay a fine and be required to attend some type of sub- - 17 stance abuse rehabilitation, That's a pretty long list of possible consequences for just a night on the town. If you are going to drink either stay home or have a designated driver chosen for the evening. Suppose you are at the club on base and drink a little more than you expected. Contact the manager and he will provide you with a ride. When you are at a club off base and have too much to drink, call a cab. If you don't, you are taking your life and everyone else's into your own hands. Is it worth it? Editor's note: Sergeant Westerman is the non- commissioned officer in charge of the base Crime Prevention Office. SDuDDi)3 SI)(3u(D SOGMluDfl ing legal custody of a child. It is more than providing food, clothes and shelter. Being a dad by Chaplain (Capt.) David G rover Hill AFB Chapel nyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad" is the saying printed on the plaque. And dads seem to be harder and harder to find. In some recent social work literature, the father is even referred to as the impregnator, which seems to describe the involvement of some fathers with their children very aptly. According to George Masnick and Mary Jo Bane, authors of The Nation's Families: the family of 1960-199- 0, father, mother and children will constitute a mere quarter of all households by 1990. While more than 4,630,000 children are being raised by divorced women, 1980 saw 503,000 children in single-parehomes headed by divorced men. This fairly recent documentation may signal the beginning of a new trend of, men demanding their equal paternal rights and flexing some serious legal muscle. But being a dad is more than gain nt means being responsible for the of our children. They will become what we are. Like Harry Chapin's song says, "I'm gonna be like you, dad, Ya know I'm gonna be like you." I am astonished sometimes to realize how many of my skills, mannerisms and even facial expressions have been patterned after my dad. I'm sure the process in most cases was not conscious, but by being with him, watching what he did, I becharacter-buildin- g came like him. I even clench my tongue between my teeth while hammering nails, just like he does. But more importantly, he taught me values, respect and responsibility. He taught me to appreciate that which was beautiful. He taught me to be gentle; to use my abilities responsibly; to love deeply and he taught me to respond to God. He didn't often lecture me. Instead he taught by his example. And I didn't really study or apply myself to learn from him I just followed his lead. Dad's job never over, ever changing by Ralph C. Jensen Hilltop Times'TBditor eing a father is not an easy In fact, it is a calling that never job. seems to end. One of the differences that separate my job as a father from that of my own dad, is that our problems are different. Fortunately our happinesses are much the same. They center around the successes and growth of our children. I've noticed when I enjoy success at home, work or play, my father enjoys life more. I enjoy the same feeling when my kids perform to their potential. And I suppose as I grow older, I will better understand what makes my dad happy. A father's job is never over, it is always in a changI ing mode. And I've figured out that in many cases, it is the children who have a direct bearing on a father's happiness. And it is the children who make sure Dad grows old in this vocation of child rearing. Aside from having children, I first realized I was a father growing older when I began looking forward to . " - Father's Day like the kids look forward to Christmas. I realized that fatherhood was a little like teen-ag- e dating, only now I stay awake in the living room waitto return home ing for the teen-ageafter an evening out on the town. At least I know I have something to do on the weekends. And, of course, there's nothing like having a who likes to tell the congregation at church he needs to go potty just like Daddy, in full detail. I've decided that fatherhood is a great business. When the kids shine, so do I. Despite all my flaws as a parent, when the children's performance level peaks, the audience looks at dear old Dad and says, "Yes, they belong to him. Those talented kids probably got it all from their mother, but he is the dad, nonetheless." Father's Day, like Mother's Day, comes all too infrequently. Many of the valuable lessons I have learned are a direct result of my father's patient persistence. My successes are directly related to the lessons he taught. And I figure I'm about the luckiest kid on the block to have a father like that. rs "You said you wanted it moosed. " nnual campaign under way worker: by Ross Day Kelly AFB, Texas here are things that come around every year like clockwork: Combined Federal Campaign, Air Force Association membership drive-a- nd now the annual U.S. Savings Bond drive. Savings Bond key workers will be contacting you soon to buy new ones or increase those you already have. Most of these people are young, energetic salespersons who are offering an item that is a good enough deal to sell itself; unless there is some slight miscommuni-cation. Key worker: "Would you like to buy a Savings Bomb?" Me: "A Savings Bomb?" Key worker: "Yes, a U.S. Savings Bomb. You can pay for it through the Payroll Savings Plan." Me: "I'm not sure I'm in the market for a bomb right now. Have you tried Muammar Qaddafi?" ., Key worker: "Libya belongs to another key worker. Do you presently have a bomb?" Me: "I don't think so, but I haven't looked under the bed lately." Key worker: "You shouldn't keep them under you bed. Safe deposit boxes are much better." Me: "Will these bombs fit in safe deposit boxes?" "Of course, and Key they're one of the safest investments you can make." Me: "I never thought of a bomb as a safe investment. It could blow up in your face." Key worker: "Not Savings Bombs; they're guaranteed by the federal government. And interest rises along with the prime rate." Me: "Great, bombs on the installment plan. Who is going to deliver these bombs?" Key worker: "The U.S. Postal Service, of course." Me: "I didn't know the postman was qualified to handle ordnance." Key worker: "Oh, there's no ordinance against Savings Bonds." Me: "Ordnance! Ordnance! You know-explosiv- es." Key worker: "What explosives?" Me: 'Tor the last five minutes you've been trying to sell me bombs manufactured by the United States and you ask 'What explosives?' " Key worker: "You really are hard of hearing. I've been trying to sell you Savings Bonds, Me: "Never mind." Thank you, Gilda Radner, for the many laughs you and the zany Roseanne Rosannadanna gave me. I miss you. Editor's note: Mr. Day is the editor of the Kelly Observer in the San Antonio ALC Office of Public Affairs. Article courtesy of AFLC News Service. |