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Show B November 21. 2001 Holiday greetings to Air First Lady sends holiday greeting for Reservists and National Guard I by Mrs. Laura Bush First Lady of the tinted States of America by LL Gen. James E. Sherrard III Commander of Air Force Reserve Command Hs I am delighted to wish you a happy Thanfcghing. 'ffiis year the holiday season folds special meaninq for Americans, and we are particularly grateful for members of our Rational (Juara and for members of our Armed 'forces 'Jtesen'es. .Is we continue to heal from the tragedies that began on September 11, your role become? more important - and more appreciated than ever. Our nation depends on the premiere, community-base- d force of L Reserve Command the Sational (juard and 'J(eserves. O'ou are America at its best. 'or many of you, this will be a season of Mrs. Laura Bush separation rrom tnenas ana tovca ones. mine First Lady of the United States '1 resident and 1 woreciate uour sacrifices and commend uour willinancss to serve and defend our country, from ensuring that our airports and ports of travel are safe, to protecting our nation's borders. )bur presence across our homeland and abroad is a source of pride and reassurance for all Americans. 'This holiday season, Americans are reflecting on what is most important to us: ourfaith, ourfamily andfriends, and ourfreedom, which you defend with honor and dignity. 'Thantyou again, and may Lod Bless you andyour families as you continue your servuze to America. WASHINGTON (AFRC News Service) One positive outcome of this year's tragic events is the way you have stepped forward to serve your country in its time of need. Whether as a volunteer or one of thousands called up to defend American soil or take the war to the terrorists, you have demonstrated great courage and resolve during these grave times. Your ability to serve is possible only because of the support and sacrifices made by your families and employers. They too are helping America and Air Force Reserve Command fight terrorism and protect our way of life. As we celebrate the holidays and look forward to a new year and the hopes that it brings, let us remember the words our f spoke Oct. 17 to troops and families at Travis Air Force Base, Calif. "We are determined," said President George W. Bush. "We are patient. We are steadfast. commander-in-chie- Remember your families during holidays by Brig. Gen. (Editor 's Note: Lisa Aschbrenner is married to Master Sgt. Michael Aschbrenner. Sergeant Aschbrenner is an inspection flight chief assigned to the 466th Fighter Squadron Williams 4 19th FW commander first glance, this holiday season may seem a poor time to reflect on many blessings of being an American. Our country has been attacked in the most cowardly manner, thousands of our citizens have been murdered, and our economy has been thrown into turmoil. Many of our w ing members have seen their civilian jobs affected by this sudden turn of events. Many others have been mobilized, and will spend their holidays far from home and family. Their loved ones are struggling to adjust to the myriad of problems that resulted from the mobilization. In spite of all this, the attacks have served to highlight the many things that are special about this nation, and reminded us of what is most important in our lives. We have come together as a citizenry more now than at any time in recent memory. We have witnessed heroism and sacrifice. We have opened our hearts to the victims of these terrible crimes, producing a charitable outflow unprecedented in history. Our leaders have moved quickly and forcefully on both the military and law enforcement fronts, while, at the same time respecting our traditional values as a nation. We drop food to the Afghan civilians even as we seek out and destroy the Taliban. We work hard to minimize collateral damage in our bombing campaign. At home, we continue to respect individual At rights and freedoms even as we aggressively pursue the terrorists and their accomplices. We remain acutely aware that many of our citizens are of Middle Eastern descent and of the Muslim faith, and Bank , Williams 419th FW commander that we must continue to guarantee their rights and freedoms. Few nations, if any, could mount such a powerful, yet measured response to these cowardly acts. The temptation is strong to resort to massive and indiscriminate force of the kind which would punish the innocent as well as the guilty. Your nation has not done this, and I think we can all be proud of that fact. Strength of this kind can never be defeated by terror and cowardice. In times like these, we are reminded more than ever of the importance of family, loved ones, and friends. Many of the trivial distractions of our daily lives have even revealed for just what they are: trivialities. As always, I urge you to spend as much time as possible with your loved ones this season. Our country is in difficult times, but we shall be successful, and we will remain the greatest country in the world. I am proud to serve and I know you are, too. Becky, Peter, Ryan, and happiest of holidays. I Maintenance). When Mike and I got married in Wisconsin nearly 22 years ago, we started out as the proverbial poor newlyweds. We managed to scrape by financially until the weather began to turn cold. We literally could not afford to buy fuel oil at a dollar per gallon for the two 500 gallon tanks in the basement. As we discussed our options, Mike asked me what I thought about him reenlisting in the Air Force. This was a comfortable option for me because I had been around the military all my life. Both of my parents are World War II veterans, my dad was career Air Force and my mom was a nurse in the Navy. Both of my sisters and my brother were active duty in the Coast Guard and the Air Force, respectively. We agreed it was a good opportunity and Mike raised his right hand again. I felt since the military had been so much a part of my life, I had a good grip on what Mike had signed up to. ..on the commitment we both had made. I was confident I was prepared for whatever might be asked of us. That's what I believed until September 1 1th. Reality had suddenly given new meaning to "reach out and touching someone," as I began to feel the effects of that day's events. Somewhere in between my moments of panic, I realized that I was not as prepared as I I the was for of thought my husband prospect going off to war. The thought of Michael being in harm's way scared the daylights out of agreements or does nc (make arrangements with the bank to setffe the account, the unpaid account balance will be submitted to DFAS for immediate involuntary payroll deduction, he said. This will result in the permanent termination of all government travel charge card privileges the offending cardholder. Additionally, Bank of will America begin reporting all delinquent government travel charge card accounts to the credit 'J. y oversight of the travel charge card program is needed to help combat current and future account delinquencies. "When commanders are more cognizant of their unit's program, we see a much lower delinquency rate among Air Force members," he said. "As more commanders have become involved, we have dropped from a delinquency rate to one much closer to the nationwide delinquency rate among Visa This financial and Master Card users." irresponsibility by Air "Although the Air Force Force members greatly has reduced the number of its impacts their ability to travel and to accomplish the mission." delinquent 775-602- , ill Commander Air Force Reserve Command & resolved. We will not tire, and we will not fail. The cause is just. And we will win." Marsha and I wish each of you, wherever you might be in the world, the best of the holiday season. May peace and joy find your families as well while you safeguard the freedoms and blessings of the United States. God bless each of you and God bless America. We are our kids and me. Immediately the kids wanted to know if their father was going to be deployed. His parents, my parents, other family members and friends began calling to see what was going on w ith Mike. The idea of him leaving was pretty overwhelming at first. But in the days and weeks that have passed since the attacks, we have settled into a new version of normalcy, if it can be called that. Our kids are calm and continue to do well in Mike and I check with them school. periodically to see if they have any questions or concerns, and then discuss them when they do. And I think I've quit having my moments of panic. Fear is turning to anger, determination, and resolve. If Mike were called to active duty, the kids and I would manage until he returned. We'd have a network of friends and of other families who would be in the same boat, and we'd be here to support each other. We've learned to deal with deployments and separation, It was something that's never been easy. especially difficult when the kids were little. When one parent is gone, the other does double duty. Sleep becomes a precious commodity. It can be very challenging some days, but definitely survivable. Mike could be gone for an indefinite amount of time, and that would be painfully different from his typical k tours. We would worry about him very much. Will the kids and I do our part to support Mike and his commitment to the Air Force and our country? Absolutely, and with great pride. If Mike gets deployed and sent away from us for an indefinite period of time, would we be comfortable with that? Not really, but we'd We stand behind him 100 cope with it. percent, and we are proud of him and of his role as a reservist in the U.S. Air Force. two-wee- accounts, the Technical Sergeant Stanley A. Mills The 4 19th Fighter Wing lost a member of its family when Tech. Sgt. Stanley Mills passed away on Oct. 28, 2001. Sergeant Mills served his country in the U.S. Air Force as an aircraft mechanic. He retired from the Air Force Reserve in May 2001 after 22 years of service. to Ramona, Calif., in to live with his daughter. August Funeral services were held on Nov. 5 in San Sergeant Mills moved Diego, Calif. Survivors include his wife, Pamela, his children, Madelyne Emerson, Robert, Deborah and Ryan Mills, and seven grandchildren. Sergeant Mills will be missed. 1. Force Reserve Command Mission Statement Citizen to defend the United States and Airmen provide its interests protect through aerospace power. Air 1 Sherrard, Memory of: - I y E. In lowest among any service, bureaus. we still have a long way to "This financial go," Weber said. "It's really Col. Gregory Morgan, Air irresponsibility by Air Force up to the person entrusted Force accounting, banking members greatly impacts with the government travel and comptroler support their ability to travel and to charge card to do the right director at the Pentagon. accomplish the mission," thing pay for what you said Col. Gregory Morgan, use." Air Force For more information on accounting, banking and comptroller support director at the government travel card program, contact the Pentagon. a unit first sergeant or the 419th Financial Colonel Morgan said increased unit Management office at To James wish you the continued from page A card privileges, Weber said. However, if a cardholder defaults on these for Brigadier General F. C. S ZZr War on terrorism brings new reality to 419th family by Lisa Aschbrenner 419th FW Spouse F. C. Lieutenant Genera! -- 419th Fighter Wing Mission Statement To Fly, HeadsUp Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the 419th Fighter Wing public Affairs Office. DEADLINE for submission of articles is to working days before each scheduled wing unit training on a assembly. Articles should be typed and double-space- d line HeadsUp is a Reserve supplement to the Hilltop times, published by Mor Media, Inc., a private firm in no way connected with the U S Air force, under exclusive written contract with the Ogden ALC Public Affairs Office, this civilian enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for Air Force Reserve members of the U.S. military services. Contents of HeadsUp are not necessarily the official views of or endorsed by the U.S. government, the Department of Defense or the Air Force. Fight 419th Brig. Gen. F.C. Williams Capt. James R. Wilson Senior Airman Lara Gale Stephanie Johns and Win! FW STAFF Commander Chief of Public Affairs Staff Writer Editor |