OCR Text |
Show omtnsntai'y Character forms essence lasting contribution to humanity. Some were extremely brilliant while others were courageous. But one characteristic will by Chaplain (Col.) John Blair Air Education and Training Command chaplain be present in every case: character. Every person who achieves RANDOLPH AFB, Texas (AFPN) As I reflect upon the SepL 1 1 attacks on our great country, I have to ask: what intangibles do we possess to carry us through this terrible crisis? What provides us with our courage, strength, faith and resolve? What makes us who we are? The answer is our character. Character can be described in many different ways, but there is one person who brings it into focus for me: Rocky Blier. He was a halfback for the Pittsburgh Steelers and is a living legend. Each time he ran, a miracle unfolded before your eyes. Blier was a monument to courage and character. Professional football scouts tagged him as follows: "Can't win in the NFL with this kid," "Is not capable of playing professional football" and "I don't think this man can make a pro club." However, Blier was selected 417 out of 441 football players drafted in the NFL in 1968. The Steelers picked 18 players and Blier was the 18th. He was the only one of the 18 who made it in pro football. Blier was drafted into the Army that same year and later had a foot, leg and thigh severely injured during combat in the Vietnam War. He was separated from the Army with 40 percent disability. After returning from Vietnam, Blier attended the Steelers' Hill true heroes off greatness possesses it. Character is what Dr. George Sheehan. in his book "Running and Being," refers to when he writes, "I have character which is simply the decision to stand pain." He further states, "Some think of character as sprinting at the end of a race, but character is what gets you there to begin with. Character starts back in the hills with six miles still to go and you are thinking of how you can get out of it without anyone noticing. Character begins when you have 40 minutes of torture left and you're already hurting more than you ever remember." Character is also what Sheehan calls the "wall" the psymark of a chological breaking point that comes at the marathon. The wall is where the runner begins to fall apart. From the wall, the runner goes it all alone. We have all been witnesses to many courageous acts during the past few weeks by people we can only classify as true heroes. So many displayed character and gave their lives in order to save others. I challenge you to reflect on the true greatness of our Air Force. Remember, America cannot be measured by its productivity or national resources, but only by its character. May God bless you. Character is that intangible force that retrieves shattered dreams and deflated hopes. Chaplain (Col.) John Blair training camp. Despite the odds being stacked against him, due to his injured leg and time away from the game, Blier skills working in his favor. One coach called had it heart, another courage and a third suggested character. Character is that intangible force that retrieves shattered dreams and deflated hopes. Blier's fortitude to persevere embodies the words of Joshua 1:9, "Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed; for the Lord your God is with you wherever 20-mil- 26-mil- non-physic- al you go." Pick the biography of any man or woman who has made a e e Street Views 'How do you feel about 1 Stop-Loss- ?' ; Airman 1st Class Lysaner Clark 729th Air Control Squadron Airman 1st Class James Buys 729th Air Control Squadron Really it hasn't affected me too much. But I think it's a I think if s a bad idea because they have a lot of people coming in right now since Sept. 11. So if someone is going to get out, I think they should let them do that because they have enough people to make up for it. good thing because they've got to look at how many people they've got for each job. I don't think it's a bad thing at : all with what's going on. u Lt. Col. Al Hawlay Operations Group Maj. Lynne Hull 466th Fighter Squadron Tech. Sgt. Karen Hancock 383th Operations Support Squadron Staff Sgt. LaRue Holliday 388th Operations Support Squadron 4 19th We have people it affects and it's kept a lot of experience in the wing. If we lost it's going to have some impact that experience and had to because there are pay issues deploy it would hurt usf Jts dis that we'll have to deal with. rupted some lives, but when There are people tnat we may have to dffsojfle position swaps you're talking about the what's going on with in order to deaf with the ' in the world, it's a small price stop loss and it may generate to pay. In this wing there are a additional OPRs. It's a little bit lot of guys retiring that don't of a hassle, but overall it's a want to, so they're liking it. good thing keeping combat capability on the ramp and I think , ef -- It isn't going to take that long so I think people should go with it It cuts back on job oppor-tuniti- es because some people were supposed to retire, but now those who didn't have an opportunity to look for a job will be able to do that. It gives people a chance to plan for their future. I guess it's a good thing and can understand the reason behind it And it's helped maintain unit continuity. I ready to go. Action ID update anyone considered having the civilian QHas update its identification cards? If we were doing our security Job properly, most civilian workers wouldn't be allowed In base buildings because their pictures are so old they look nothing like the person carrying the card. I realize this Is an enormous undertaking, but perhaps each organization could screen their folks and start with the most outdated cards. Your suggestion is very well timed because our I.D. card system is undergoing major changes, especially for those issued to civilians. New computers and software have just been installed in our Mission Support Squadron that eventually will be used to produce the DoD's new Common Access Cards for military, civilian and contractor personnel. For now, A only military personnel are receiving the cards, which are issued in the east end of Bldg. 150. Civilians can still get their I.D. cards at the West Gate Visitors Center. By early 2002, we plan to issue the CACs to all Hill personnel and issue replacements by unit over a one- - to period. Additionally, we hope to have a traveling team from the Air Force Personnel Center, nicknamed the "CAC in a Box," set up on base with mobile machinery for a couple of weeks and do mass card issues. two-ye- ar checks ID aren't the guards at all gates requiring show their IDs instead of waving people In just because they have a base decal? I know people are tired of showing badges and the long lines at the gates, but I'd rather be inconvenienced than have a terrorist get through our gates. QWhy to A When you called, Hill AFB was in Force Protection Condition Bravo, and our Security Forces personnel were ELiime properly enforcing entry procedures. In Bravo, vehicles with DoD decals are sometimes allowed through the gates without the driver presenting an ID? at other times, the guards may check some or all IDs and search some vehicles. In other words, in FPCONs Bravo and Alpha, entry controllers use many techniques to remain unpredictable and prevent unauthorized entry. As you also noted, just because SF personnel might allow you on base by checking only your DoD decal in FPCON Bravo doesn't mean you can enter a building on base without showing a DoD ID card. This additional level of security checks at work centers is also in keeping with FPCON checklists. For more information about FPCON measures, call Senior Master Sgt. James LaRocque, 75th SFS Operations Superintendent, at Ext. Kudo like to commend the security forces and let them Ql'd know that people do respect and appreciate their efforts. I truly believe they are the most worked and under appreciated group of people on this base. A coworker recently discovered she had a flat tire when she drove up to the truck gate. She had 15 minutes to get to an Important Interview, and thanks to a security forces augmentee who normally works in the pharmacy and helped change her tire, she was on her way in 10 minutes. She also expresses her thanks. The men and women of the 75th Security Forces Squadron appreciate your kind words. They've been working awfully hard lately to keep our base secure during Hilltop Times 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. mil f Air Force Suggestion Program IG Complaints (for appointment) IG Complaints (after hours) Public Affairs Military Housing Maintenance Safety Office Union AFOSI Narcotics Hotline Family Assistance Center (when activated) Civil Engineering Hill Pride Hotline Global Power and Reach for America. 625-430- 0 . Military Pay Civilian Pay this time of heightened force protection conditions. Your comments also illustrate that it's not just our professional Security Forces who are doing a great job. The airmen who augment our Security Forces under the READY program are making a huge contribution as well. 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. 1 1 02, 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. if you 24-h- Fraud, Waste or Abuse (recording) 75th Medical Group TO PLACE AN ADVERTISEMENT, CALL POOR COPY Phone numbers The base agencies listed below can be contacted directly have a complaint or a problem with their services: Security Forces r. Crisis Information Services Base Restaurants RetirementCompensation (civilian) Social Actions Employee Relations A "Air Force people building the world's most respected Air and Space Force jLTULTUWU Quality Systems for America's Air Force 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 calling ACTION LINE. This will help me better serve your interCol. David Beecroft ests. Items of basewide interest to the Hill 75th ABW Commander workforce will be published in the Hill top Times. " Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: Scott Bergren Shawn Mecham Maj. Gen. Maj. Bill Orndorff Sue Berk Mary Galbralth, Gary Boyle Deadlines: Commander, OO-AL- C Director, Public Affairs dror 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. |