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Show NEWS March 8, 1991 Hilltop Times 3 mme eif hme react to dDied vtefiwy by Donna Davis Hilltop Times staff writer Peace. It Suspension of hostile action. Cease-fire- . was called many names, but the announcement Feb. 27 by President George Bush that "Kuwait was in the hands of the Kuwaitis" signaled a dramatic shift in Desert Storm winds. Twelve hours later, less than 100 hours after the ground war began, the storm was over. At Hill AFB, everyone listened with cautious amazement. Reactions were as varied as the words used to describe victory, yet a common theme emerged. A patriotic home-fron- t hoped it was true. "I could hardly bring myself to believe that a conflict so long in coming was so quickly ended," said TSgt. Susie McEuen, Detachment 8, 1365th Audiovisual Squadron. A staff sergeant with the 4400th Maintenance Training Flight said he was relieved his wife would be coming home. "I've done everything possible so my wife wouldn't worry. I kept the home fires burning." Home fires were burning when news came of the Base personnel were driving anticipated cease-firkids to dance lessons, working on their taxes, out on dates, cooking dinner. Then came the emotional rush described as elation, relief, joy, an answer to prayer. But with the jubilation was wariness. "At first, I figured it was a diversion to create time for Saddam Hussein to regroup and fight again," said A1C Eddie Blue, 2892nd Distribution Squadron. e. Suspicions Hngor "I kept hoping it would keep going so well. When I saw the Marines going into Kuwait City on televi- sion I was really convinced that it was over," said Capt. Patricia Ridgway, a maintenance officer in the Aircraft Directorate who longed to be sent with her unit. "I saw Kuwaitis celebrating, jumping up and down, and thanking America over and over," said A1C Jeremy Henner, 2701st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron. "I think they'll be there for us if we ever need them. We've gone down in their history." Craig Stanger, an Aircraft Directorate worker, was at Cub Scouts when he learned of tentative peace. He believes it may take years for the Iraqis to play their final hand. Not everyone thought three days was fast. "Every day was one day too long. The announcement meant Saddam was finished," said MSgt. Gary Smith, of the 2952nd Combat Logistics Support Squadron. Low casualties Grateful relief that the casualty figures remained at Hill. "I watched the casualty count every day. Daily, low is a common theme hourly, every minute I thought Mark might die," said the wife of a deployed member of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing. "When I first had to wait in line to get on base because the identification check was intensive, I had eyes filled with tears. Now, I cry because I can just drive on base. And because I'm planning a coming home party." She closed reddened eyes for no more blink. When they opened, her than an extra-loneyes were clear. It seemed to be something she'd done many times before. "It is wonderful to get a good night's sleep again," said Diana Hadley, a Technology and Industrial Support Directorate worker. "We've been gladly shifts to get cargo received and working g 12-ho- ur shipped." Robert A. Koldewyn, Commodities Control Center hours, manager, said, "Many times during off-dut- y we called someone for support. There seemed to exist only a can-dattitude. Everyone, from upper management to parts chasers and mechanics, gave it his or her all." The overwhelming support from home surprised many. "Americans place more emphasis on the safety of the whole world, rather than on 'us' like they did after Vietnam," said Sergeant McEuen. "Americans have become wiser." o Element off surprise Brig. Gen. Forrest Weinbarger, commander of the 419th Tactical Fighter Wing, said "The freedom the military had to carry out its mission without direct political intervention was gratifying." Others were surprised at Saddam Hussein his inhumanity, his threats of chemical warfare, his ecological terror in his own homeland, "that one man could cause so many problems by thinking he could fight the world by himself," as one person put it. The ineffective fight put up by the Iraqis took others unaware. "I thought he would protect his power base at the expense of all his people," said Amn. Jeremy Henner. "I didn't think they were smart enough to pull out." "I was surprised at the complete lack of will of the Iraqi military to follow their leadership," said CMSgt. Thomas C. Moeglein, Ogden Air Logistics Center senior enlisted adviser. In contrast, the humble confidence of our leaders pleased Lowell Weed of the Aircraft Directorate. Finally, pride In the final analysis, Hill was proud. "At the end, we were doing upwards of 3,000 sorties a day and at the risk of pilots we were trying to guard against civilian deaths. We fought by our rules and didn't stray beyond that. 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