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Show Q Hilltop Times September Commentary Look around 86th Security Forces Squadron RAMSTEIN AB, Germany I hear the word "American" and the first things (AFPN) that come to mind for me are the "Stars and Bars," the Bald Eagle and the Statue of Liberty. These are all signs of our great nation, and most of us can relate to these images. But what does it mean to be an American? I struggled with this recently. Three times a year Memorial Day, Veteran's Day and Fourth of July we reflect on the sacrifices of the men and women who have gone before us. ' On these days, Americans come together to honor those who have done so much for our nation and who have united Americans through hardships. Sept. 11, 2001, should also have close to the same significance. With the unbearable grief it brought, a sense of unity began to emerge too. People were proud to be American even though they were going through one of our nation's roughest times. mammmmm But does it take an event as devastating as that to get people to took place about whether or not we should go into Iraq. After we attacked Iraq, again a sense of unity rose and most It is your see what is and to produce Ameri cans that are proud of extend Patriot Day message little about 100-plu- heat. It is the teacher who makes them. started writing this commentary, had lost Capt. Tim Heintzelman of the sight true began try? - meaning of to think that was the case until I really Americans were concerned being an American. I also became disheartened to the for and proud of their looked around. fact that maybe for Amerithe nation After Sept. 11, the fighting cans, patriotism and love of rallied around the goal of war. Now that the war is over, country had diminished. combating terrorism. Then But, it is the little things I people began to take our pres- many Americans again view ence in Afghanistan as rou- our presence in Iraq as rou- see as I look around me in everyday life that remind me tine, even as Americans were tine. that it is still there. You just the councan in this Yet, up pick you foreign dying paper almost everyday and have to look for it. try. It is your daughNext, the build up outside read about one of our fellow counin this ter antiAmericans and Debates reciting the Pledge of dying Iraq began. that she learned in war demonstrations, many try far from the borders of school. of them in our own nation, our great nation. Alle-gian- ce Click it continue to call in maintenance issues to Ext. "you toUnfortunately, customer service was unable to find your original call in their work order logs and were unaware of the problem. Once notified, the contractor responded and made the asphalt repair within two days. Phone numbers The base agencies listed below can be contacted directly if you have a complaint or a problem with their services: IG . Complaints ... . . . ... ... (after hours) Fraud, Waste or Abuse (recording) 75th Medical Group ........ . Public Affairs Military Housing Safety Office Union Maintenance7-296- 3 life-changi- proud of? (Courtesy ofUSAFE News Service) Security Forces Squadron increasing enforcement of seat belt use As American troops risk their lives in com- bat overseas, it is ironic that they also face a tremendous risk right here at home. by Tech. Sgt. Mark A. That's why the 75th Secu- rity Forces Squadron is continuing its efforts to enforce seat belt laws. Drivers failing to restrain themselves and their child passengers will be ticketed according to the law. Military personnel by virtue of age and gender typically epitomize the low belt user which males ages is why teens and young adults will continue to be a key target of the "Click It or Ticket" campaign. According to new data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 7,772 died in trafteens, ages fic crashes in 2002 nearly a six percent increase from and thousands more 2001 were injured. We are committed to high 18-3- 4 Borgerding 75th Security Forces Squadron other cause. In fiscal 2002, 321 military personnel across all services died in traffic crashes. Tragically, nearly half of those young servicemen and women who failed to wear their seat Narcotics Hotline . . Family Assistance Center . (when activated) AFOSI sure that our children are prepared for the future. And, it is the mechanic who works diligently to fix a vehicle or airplane so that the mission can get done. I could go on and on. Pride in America means so many different things to different people. It is all based on one's perspective. Pride is an individual feeling and doesn't have to come from a event. Pride in being an American can be evident in even the smallest, most obscure places. I realized there are so many things that make me proud to be an American, but the what are you question is or ticket We are losing more men and women in uniform to personal automobile crashes than any ....7-536- 1 Civil Engineering Hill Pride Hotline (civilian) Social Actions Employee Relations Military Pay Civilian Pay Air Force Suggestion Program IG Complaints (for appointment) Hill "war" is over, you hear very I fThe ................ who flies all night and unloads s an aircraft in degree John P. Jumper "The second anniversary of the tragic events of Sept 11, 2001, provides us all an opportunity to remember those mur dered in New York, at the sleeps well at night because they keep the base safe. It is the aircrew member their coun- road paving at the intersection of Wardleigh IsfRoad and Georgia Street needs to be fixed. This area has been worked on before, but the paving was so thin that it came apart and now there are patches of dirt. I've called Civil Engineers but nothing has been done. A You took the right steps by notifying CE and we ask Security Forces Crisis Information . Services Base Restaurants RetirementCompensation bers who ensure everyone tinction, but because the As I WASHINGTON (AFPN) The following is a Patriot Day message from Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche I began to wonder if we Worn-ou- t 24-h- r. It is the security forces mem- Americans transiting in and out of our military hospitals who serve America with reciting the Pledge of Allegiance that she learned in school. around them Action Line 1 There are still wounded daughter 6-year- -old Leaders AF Reminders of American pride are everywhere by Capt. Tim Heintzelman 11. 2003 16-2- 0, belt could have survived if visibility enforcement because it works. Years of research they had buckled up. show that for most people who don t wear seat belts especially teens and young adults the possibility of receiving a ticket is a more powerfu incentive than the threat of injury or death. Safety mes sages don't work. Enforcement messages, backed up by strong enforcement activities do. The 75th Security Forces Squadron is doing everything it can to get the word out to those who face the greatest risk. While our armed forces wil do everything they can to pro- tect families from unpredictable threats, we must address the most predictable and leading risk our families and military face every day traffic acci - dents. We don't enjoy writing tick ets, but we'll do it to save lives and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Pentagon and in Pennsylvania, as well as those patriots who have sacrificed their lives in the war on terror. "Through tragedy, our nation renewed its unending resolve to fight terrorism, to defend our way of life and to give hope to others suffering under repres sive regimes that support terror. Patriot Day reaffirms the airman's obligation to fight for whaf s right obliterating terrorism on every front to ensure a safe tomorrow for future generations ofAmericans and freedom-loving people around the world. "You America's finest men and women who comprise our Air Force are doing absolutely remarkable work around the globe. From our own skies to the front lines in Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations around the world, our superior Total Force of active-dutGuard, Reserve and civilian airmen continues to respond brilliantly as the world's greatest air and space force. Rest assured, you're making it more difficult every day for terrorists to have their way. "On this Patriot Day, let's y, remember those who are deployed in harm's way. Just as important, let's renew our commit- ment to the families of those who are deployed. The unwavering commitment to their loved ones far from home is phenomenal; the cause for which their loved ones serve is noble and just. j "As we've seen, winning the war on terrorism is a long and deliberate journey we're confident you are up to the task. Be patient and stay the course we will continue to face challenges and overcome obstacles as we win the war on terrorism. Thanks for all you do for America and our Air Force. "May God bless you, and may God bless America." Street views 'Where were you when you heard about the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks?' IUU T-T-- T- m Jl sJ i Ar A-- r si. ti - II. W)WMIIWlWWWB..ll.li ' . 4 V ' Senior Master Sgt. Renate Hittle Tom Hittle Spouse Munitions Material Superintendent 649th MUNS "I was at Mountain Home AFB getting ready for a meet- 5 ing when someone said that we had been attacked. We did- n't believe them. Initially we thought it was an accident." 2nd Lt. Nicklaus Walker Wing Weapons Officer sitting at home and decided to call a friend, but did not have the television on. She was crying and she said that something horrible hap"I was pened. I tried to calm her down when she told me to turn on the TV. I got goosebumps immediately it was Assistant 388th Operations Support Squadron "I was getting ready for school and my wife told me to turn on the TV. We thought it was unreal, something out of a movie. It was pretty emotional and we knew things were going Senior Airman Leianne Connie Hanson Program Assistant Alternate Dispute Resolution Office "I was in the bank and it was on a television. I didn't believe it I thought it was phony. My husband asked me if it was from a movie they were Published by Ogden Publishing Corp., 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 Information Manager 75th Mission Support Squadron "We were in Seattle, Washington visiting. We learned it "I was in my car. I was on my way back to base and lost my ID card in the dash of my car. (My initial reaction was) Wow! from watching television. It was unbelievable. I felt angry." It really happened here!' It was all overwhelming." Air and Space Force Global Power and Reach for America." U.S. military services. Contents of the Hilltop Times are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Department 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 Ogden Publishing Corp., of the products or services Hilltop Times Bill Herrington Retired Military to get serious pretty quick." 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