OCR Text |
Show Hilltop Times March 4. 2004 Commentary Our liberties came with a high price to know more about our flag. A quick internet search took me to a poem written by Ruth Apperson Rous. "I am the flag of the United States of America. I was born on June 14, 1777, in Philadelphia. There the Continental Congress adopted my stars and stripes as the national flag. My thirteen stripes alternating red and white, with a union of thirteen white stars in a field of blue, represented by a new constellation, a new nation dedicated to the personal and religious liberty of mankind. Today fifty stars signal from my union, one for each fifty sovereign states in the greatest constitutional republic the world has ever known. My colors symbolize the patriotic ideals and the spiritual qualities of the citizens of my country. My red stripes proclaim the fearless courage and integrity of American men by Kari Tilton well-know- Hilltop Times assistant editor Today started out to be "one of those days." My inability to roll out of bed to my blaring alarm at 5:30 a.m., sharp, snowballed. The outfit I was planning to wear had a stain that I didn't notice yesterday, and wouldn't you know it, everything else in my closet was wrinkled. Ironing at 5:45 a.m. isn't usually on my list. But I was pleased to be able to watch the morning news while I did my chores. "Politics, politics, politics," I sigh to myself. "Can't we just all get along?" When I let my dog out to take care of her morning must-doshe quickly began barking at something lurking in the bushes. Sworn to protect our family at any cost and ignorant to my reassurances, she refused to come in the house. Hot steam poured from my flaring nostrils as I chased her around the back yard, yelling in a whisper as to not wake the neighbors. Did I mention it was 21 degrees outside? My daughter, age 5, was less than cooperative in getting herself dressed for school. Of course, I can't blame her. She's in kindergarten now and has a lot on her mind. Where did she put the stuffed kitten that she wanted to take for today? d While she searched, I scanned the cupboards, looking for something she might actually eat. We settled on an instant breakfast shake and an apple she didn't want the skin to keep the peace, I peeled. Finally in the car and on our way, I gave myself a little internal pat on the back, impressed by my ability to pull things together and get out the door only 10 minutes late. As we sat at our fourth I always get the red ones when I'm stoplight of the morning running late my daughter pointed out a large flag, illuminated and swaying in the light morning breeze. "Mom, the red stripes are for all the blood shed for our country," she said. "My teacher told me. I can't remember what the white stripes are for, though, mom. Do you know?" In an instant, my thoughts did an about-fac- e as I stumbled to answer her question. "I think the white stripes stand for our nation's pure ideals," I said. I tried to keep it simple ... "That means EVERYONE has the same rights. We are all allowed to believe what we want, to say what we feel, to go to church where we choose, to learn, to have dreams and to have jobs. Some people, in other countries, don't have those rights. Our country is special," I added. "Oh," she says staring out the car window. I don't think she to-d-o s, POP -- Bfl n and devotion of American and boys and the mothers and daughters. My white stripes stand for liberty and equality for all. My blue is the blue of heaven, loyalty and faith. I represent these eternal principles; liberty, justice and humanity... The poem reads on ... "Americans, I am the sacred emblem of your country. I symbolize your birthright, your heritage of liberty purchased with blood and sorrow..." The poem ends with these words ..."God grant that I may spend eternity in my 'land of the free and the home of the brave' and that I shall ever be known as 'Old Glory,' the flag of the United States of America." What an inspired work of art. I plan to share this poem in its entirety with my daughter when she is a bit older. Right now, she's too young to understand. The depth of our flag runs far too deep. Today, my daughter helped me realize just how lucky I am. It seems that so many of us take our liberties for granted. Caught up in the whirl of daily activities, we complain about our "problems" - the housework, our jobs, our politicians. We get tired and we don't want to cook, so we eat out. We should be thankful to carry burdens like these. Most of us have plenty of food to eat, a roof over our heads and the opportunity to provide for our children, so they can dream the great dreams intended by our forbearers. As the red stripes in our flag remind us, we shouldn't forget that our liberties came with a high price. Many have, as my daughter said, shed their blood, to guarantee these freedoms. The United States flag is both a symbol of triumph and that of great sacrifice. And, while we enjoy the spoils of the triumph, we should never forget the painful sacrifices made by so self-sacrifi- show-and-te- ll fully-stocke- understood. "Mom, she continued, did you put a good juice box in my backpack, or one of those yucky ones?" attention span Her had shifted. I sat in silence for the rest of our drive together and I pondered the flag. My daughter hummed quietly, without a care in the world. "What a lucky little girl she is to have been born under this flag," I thought to myself. Sitting in front of my computer, gulping down my first cup of coffee, I couldn't shake our early morning discussion. I wanted many. Action Line hours work. If the employee candidate to be selected. of Federal Regulations. Generally speaking, a identifies pensated Experience vs. education to work compensated time or valid need a has is to civilian PME of one must candidate Many employees. specialized open possess year the past, education has been an such as supervisors believe participate in PME gives overtime, they are obligated to justify this need for entry level positions with experience at the next lower grade one year of specialized experience as a GS-- 1 to civilian candidates a broader overview of the to their supervisor. If their justification warrants knowledge and experience being a promito be qualified for Air Force mission that is valuable at any grade the need, the supervisor must prepare an AF position nent qualifier for promotions. Now it seems qualify for a Form 428 requesting approval for compensated are oth- level. As candidates the as long that experience is no longer a considerat- promotion. time or overtime. No bargaining unit employwho the those erwise eligible, to possess seems based be Advancement ion. solely ees will work compensated time or overtime work Weekend are of Mil"qualified." specialized experience on education, including Professional the-on- Qln after-dut- y e 1 GS-1- 2 one-ye- itary Education which attracts prior military. I believe PME is a requirement for a military command position and fail to see the value and below. for civilian in the grades Is it the intention of the government to now disregard knowledge and experience obtained over many years and base merit promotion for all manager positions solely on college and professional military education? All candidates referred for consideration GS-1- 4 A under merit promotion must meet minimum ence and, experi- if applicable, requirements education requirements established by the Office of Personnel Management in addition to any requirements described in 5 Code time-in-gra- ar However, OPM also allows candidates to sub- -' stitute education for required experience for r most occupations. Depending on the applicant's grade point average, four years of college or a bachelor's degree may fully substitute for the required experience for grades GS-or 7; a master's degree for the required experience for grade GS-9-; and a doctorate for the required experience for grade GS-1When a selecting supervisor receives a certificate of qualified candidates, he or she must determine which one to select. Using selective factors, such as education, appraisal score, PME, training, interview score, etc., the selecting supervisor "ranks" the qualified candidates and white-colla- 5 1. until division approval is obtained When approval is obtained, schedule to be worked is at the super- to there a policy pertaining Qls coming out on weekends to work themselves? visors' discretion. Although no policy exists to prevent employees from working alone, supervisory discretion should be used in scheduling employees for compensated time or overtime work in situations where it could be considered unsafe. Contractor employees' access to buildings, equipment, and networks is governed by the requirements of the particular contract. The designated Quality Assurance Personnel for your division is responsible for contract sur- by A review of policies and discussion with Civilian Personnel indicates there is neither a directive nor written policy to prevent A gov-ernme-nt employees from working alone or requiring a supervisor to be on duty during approved compensated time or overtime. However, from a safety and security perspective it is considered unsafe to allow employees to work alone due to possible harm or injury without assistance. Current policy; no bargaining unit employee will be permitted to perform unofficial or uncom veillance and knowledgeable of contract 'Do you want more snow or are you ready for spring?' "1 - N Hill Street Views 1 TM A v"" - S-- I l y7'"'xi Group "I'm from Montana so the cold doesn't bother me, but Fm ready for some nicer weather so I can take my truck up into retired don't like snow all that has been cold enough long enough, I am ready for spring." Air Force Quality Systems for America's Air Force Hilltop Times Published by Ogden Publishing Corp., a private firm in no way connected with commerthe U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with Hill AFB. This cial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the rh. 1 : 'tn "I much and it the mountains." "The U.S. - Jeff Johnson Contract Training Instructor with Lear Siegler Inc. Walt Beaty Senior Airman Jacob Sheppard Personnel 75th Medical ready for spring. I hate the cold." "I am ' A t'w in VfV Sheena Trowbridge Services Recreational Aide v Ir Kacey Blunck BYU student who starts Officer Training School in May "We could use some more "I'd like it to warm up a bit. snow to get away from this snow gets in the way, but The snow A little extra drought. shoveling is worth not having it's fun to play in. It's been a to worry about water short- nice winter but I'm ready for spring." ages later on." meeting the challenge through Global Vigilance, Reach and Power." 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 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 Ogden Air Logistics with story ideas Center Public Affairs Office staff in Bldg. 1 102. Call Ext. to "hilltop.pahill.af.mir. or comments, or send Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are U.S. Air Force photos. TO PLACE AN ADVERTISEMENT, CALL 625-430- 0 Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: Maj. Gen. Kevin Sullivan Maj. Shawn Mecham Bill Orndorff Commander, Director, Public Attain Editor .Assistant Editor OO-AL- C Kari Tilton Gary Boyle, Beth Young, 1st LL Sean Carter .Staff writers Airman 1st Class Micah Garbarino Deadlines: Editorial and "Around the Hill" items, 3 p.m. Friday, sports articles, 9 a.m. Monday, classified ads, 2 p.m. Tuesday, week of publication. For more information, call the editor, Ext. |