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Show ,;t 1. 2001 Military spouses' sacrifice keeps families together by Gen. Lester L. Lyles Command?r. Ar Fore h'a'eef Ccrnmand AFB. Ohio (AFM-CNSacrifice is a concept familiar to military people. We live it every day as we carry out our global mission. It's an established part of service to our country, whether we wear a military uniform or serve as civilians. Often overlooked, though, are our spouses, who often bear the brunt of our choice to follow the higher calling of military and government service. In this, AFMCs Year of the Family, let's remember the special role our spouses carry out to make our lives, our families and our homes a special place of refuge. The following editorial by retired Lt. Gen. Edward J. Heinz captures the essence of the significant role our spouses perform, day in and day out It touched me and caused me to look back in wonder at the way my wife, Mina, kept the Lyles family intact through a career that has spanned more than three decades. I hope it does the same for you! WRIGHT-PATTERSO- S) N "The Difference" by retired LL Gen. Edward J. Heinz Over the years, I've talked a lot about military spouses ... how special they are and the price they pay for freedom, too. The funny thing about it is most military spouses don't consider themselves different from other spouses. , They do what they have to do, bound together not by blood or merely friendship, but with a shared spirit whose origin is in the very essence of what love truly is. Is there truly a difference? I think there is. You have to decide for yourself. Other spouses get married and look for ward to building equity in a home and putting down family roots. Military spouses get married and know they'll live in base housing or rent, and their roots must be short so they can be transplanted frequently. Other spouses decorate a home with flair and personality that will last a lifetime. Military spouses decorate a home with flair tempered with the knowledge that no two base houses have the same size windows or same size rooms. Curtains have to be flexible and multiple sets are a plus. Furniture must fit like puzzle pieces. Other spouses have living rooms that are immaculate and seldom used. Military spouses room comhave immaculate living room-dinin- g bos. The coffee table got a scratch or two moving from Germany, but it still looks pretty good. Other spouses say goodbye to their spouse for a business trip and know they wont see them for a week. They are lonely, but can survive. Military spouses say goodbye to their deploying spouse and know they won't see them for months, or for a remote, a year. They are lonely, but will survive. Other spouses, when a washer hose blows off, call Maytag and then write a check out forget- ting the hose reconnected. Military spouses will cut the water off and fix it themselves. Other spouses get used to saying "hello" to friends they see all the time. Military spouses get used to saying "goodbye" to friends made the last two years. Other spouses worry about whether their child will be class president next year. Military spouses worry about whether their child will be accepted in yet another new school next year. Other spouses can count on spouse participation in special events ... birthdays, anniver- - W saries, concerts, football games, graduation, and even the birth of a child. Military spouses only count on each other; because they realize that the Flag has to come first if freedom is to survive. It has to be that way. Other spouses put up yellow ribbons when the troops are imperiled across the globe and take them down when the troops come home. Military spouses wear yellow ribbons around their hearts and they never go away. Other spouses worry about being late for mom's Thanksgiving dinner. Military spouses worry about getting back from Japan in time for dad's funeral. And the television program showing an elderly lady putting a card down in front of a long, black wall that has names on it touches other spouses. The card simply says "Happy Birthday, Sweetheart You would have been 60 today." A mili Suummeir Beating safety the odds isn 't Chief of Ground Safety The 101 critical days of summer is a time of year when the num- ber of outdoor activities increases and so do mishaps. Since the safety campaign began on Memorial Day, Hill AFB lias had one fatal accident and some other serious incidents. The Air Force has had 16 fatalities going into week 11 of this summer season. What can people do to drive home the importance of summer safety) so there are no more mishaps? Some people fail to consider safety limits because they think that somehow they're different. Somecommon myths that may cause us to ignore safety are: j Myth: It won't happen to me someone else it always happens to Reality: Summer activities can be dangerous. unmmintr ViiVinor rlimWncr hUrintranrl hnarinor nrp- nil" nrtiv. ' """'"Gt ".&, """" "0 """"ft iQes with huge potential for mishap. Looking at past summer rhishaps at Hill AFB shows that individuals hurt or killed were just like you and me they didn't think they were going to die that day. If they thought they were going to die, they would have used available safety measures. If you engage in these activities and ignore safety, it can happen to you too. You're like a sooner or later, your goose in the flock if you ignore safety turn will come. J" Myth: I'm young and fit, indestructible handling these situations. and capable of Reality: Just because you're young and fit doesn't mean you're not vulnerable to the limits of nature. j This year's fatality and past fatalities involved young, physically fit individuals performing activities beyond their limits or without regard for safety measures. and can beat the odds. RealityHf you're reasoning in your mind with your Photographs: The Hilltop Times uses both photographic prints and digital photos. Send prints through distribution or bring them by our office in Bldg. 1102, room 217. Digital photos can be sent by and reproduce best if they are in the jpg or tif format Color slides can be used, but they take longer to process for publication. The Hilltop Times can provide a photographer for an event, ail lim- its, you re setting yourself up for an accident A young man knows his limits with alcohol, has only a couple drinks, gets on his motorcycle, loses control and is injured. A young man on leave doesn't want to waste the day driving and thinks he won't get tired while driving at night However, after working all day, he starts to drive, falls asleep and the car goes off me road, rolls and kills him. How often do we hear "I only had one beer" or "I can drive all night to get there I've made it before. I never fall asleep while driving." The scenarios always paint pictures of people getting together to have a good time, never anticipating doing unsafe things that could kill them. Many accidents result from decisions made by individuals out just having a good time. Be realistic; Don't assume that somehow you're different and not at risk when you ignore safety. When getting together with friends, think before making those snap decisions. Take extra safety precautions like wearing a life jacket before swimming or using proper safety equipment Know your limits and don't be afraid to say "that's not a good idea." Fatal and serious accidents continue to happen. Safety messages go out to the base with warnings about the importance of safety during our summer activities. We continue to plead with individuals to plan safe activities. People need to sit down and think about what they are doing. A good time can turn tragic with one , nt nt though the pictures will be for use in the newspaper. To arrange formal photographs, call Photographic Support at Ext. Our editorial policy shies away from photos; instead, we'd rather show people doing their jobs or the work that has made them outstanding. "grip-and-gri- Deadlines: Articles, news briefs or Around the Hill items must reach us by 3 p.m. Friday to give us time to prepare them for publication. Yeah, we can bend the rules once in awhile, but don't count on it plan ahead. Advertisements: Advertising for the Hilltop Times is handled through our pubr Inc., which is part of the lisher, Mor-Med- ia "Air Force people building the world's most respected Air -- ZTunruun Quality Systems for America's Air Force Hilltop Times Published by MorMcdia, 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. mil ElCOPYLi Standard-Examine- newspaper in Ogden. Classified ad deadline is Tuesday at 2 p.m. 0 Call (801) to place an ad, or send a fax to For display ads, call 6254340; and for church ads, call 6254373. 625-430- 625-438- 0. and Space Force it really This is a new policy. In recent months, the Hess Fitness Center has experienced items being stolen such as towels, dumbbells, wrist straps, weight belts and basketballs; overcrowding resulting from access by unauthorized patrons; and an increase in damaged equipment. To continue providing outstanding service to our authorized patrons, ew need one controlled entrance and exit. Staffing the rear exit is not feasible. A work request was submitted to have the outside running track and bubble area enclosed by a fence. By doing this, the rear door can be left open, and the front entrance will be the only entry control point. In the meantime, paved sidewalks were installed around the facility to allow easy access to the front entrance. Another reason for keeping the back door locked is to properly enforce safety and security at the center. With open access to the back of the building, any unauthorized person can easily enter and pose a security threat to the center's customers and staff. Providing a single entry point at Hill's fitness centers enhances force protection and was applauded by the Joint Staff Integrated Vulnerability Assessment conducted at Hill April 1. For more information, contact Karen Wright at Ext. A ACTION LINE is your opportunity to make Hill AFB a better place to live, work and play. When you call Ext. or send on Outlook to "HILL ACTION LINE," your comments will be recorded and staffed through the agency responsible for action. Please give your supervisor and chain of command the opportunity to work with you in answering questions and solving problems before Col. David Beecroft calling ACTION LINE. This will help me better serve your interests. Items 75th ABW Commander of basewide interest to the Hill workforce will be published in the Hilltop Times. Phone numbers The base agencies listed below can be contacted directly if you have a complaint or a problem with their services: Security Forces r. Crisis Information Services Base Restaurants RetirementCompensation (civilian) Social Actions Employee Relations Military Pay Civilian Pay Air Force Suggestion Program IG Complaints (for appointment) IG Complaints (after hours) Fraud, Waste or Abuse (recording) 75th Medical Group Civil Engineering 24-h- Hill Pride Hotline Public Affairs Military Housing Maintenance Safety Office Union AFOSI Narcotics Hotline Family Assistance Center (when activated) Global Power and Reach for America. " itary 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 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 Ogden Air Logistics Center Public Affairs Office staff in Bldg. 1102, second floor. Call Ext. with to "hilltop.pahill.af.mil". story ideas or comments, or send Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are U.S. Air Force photos. TO PLACE AN ADVERTISEMENT, CALL necessary for the Hess Fitness Center to the gym's back door that goes out to the track and bubble? Is this a new policy? Qls Getting your message to our readers iArticles: to hilltop.pahill.af.mil jSend stories or story ideas via or call us at Ext. We welcome story submissions and ask that the name and phone number for a point of contact be provided. The newspaper follows the Associated Press Stylebook for writing articles, and stories that are submitted will be changed to follow this style. iHilltop Times reporters can be assigned to cover a story, but we need at least a week's notice to schedule that military spouses than is asked of other spouses. And I will say, without hesitation, that military spouses pay just as high a price for freedom as do their active duty husbands or wives. Perhaps the price they pay is even higher. Dying in service to our country isn't near as hard as loving someone who has died in service to our country, and having to live without them. God bless our military spouses for all they freely give. And God bless America. (Editor's note: General Heinz retired April 1990. His last assignment was as director, intelligence community staff, Washington, D.C.) Locked backdoor A good example was the young airman who tried to swim across a cold lake without a life jacket Halfway across, he became tired, his muscles cramped and he disappeared below the water's surface and drowned. Also, a young airman out for a fun day with friends decided to climb a mountain's steep cliffs. Using no safety gear just muscle and energy he climbed within 20 feet of the top only to slip and fall to his death. Myth: I'm in control tary spouse is the one with the card. And the wall is the Vietnam Memorial. I would never say military spouses are better or worse than other spouses are. But I will say there is a difference. And I will say that our country asks more of Action Lime always possible by Ronald James , A 625-430- 0 Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: Scott Bergren Ma. Shawn Mecham MaJ. Gen. Bill Orndorff Sue Berk Mary Galbraith, Gary Boyle Deadlines: Commander, OO-AL- C Director, Public Affairs Editor Assistant Editor Staff writers 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. |