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Show QHilkop Times May 23, 2002 Commentary pause emphasizes freedom Three-minut- e by Bill Orndorff Hilltop Times editor Old Glory has drawn a lot of attention in the past eight months. Following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the American flag was displayed more than ever before from porches, autos, buildings and poles by citizens determined to say "we're not defeated." It's still showing up on jackets, hats and newspaper pages. And when the tattered banner rescued from the World Trade Center site was carried into Olympic Stadium during the Winter Games opening ceremonies, there wasn't anyone who didn't stand and quietly, reverently watch. The flags we fly at Hill AFB are no different than those seen everywhere else. They're the symbol of our nation. The colors stand for purity and innocence (white), hardiness and valor (red), and vigilance, perseverance and justice (blue). The stars represent the 50 states that are united as one country and symbolize the heavens and man's divine goal. The stripes suggest rays of light emanating from the sun. o why is there a question about what to do during reveille and retreat? The patriotic among us staunchly defend their right to stop, face the flag and pause for about three minutes while the music plays. Others express their right to duck inside a building, keep driving or ignore the recorded bugle sounds for a variety of reasons. Pausing for the flag salute may not be strictly enforced the flag police aren't likely to come up and yank you out of your car and make you stand at attention. But honoring the flag is a matter of respect, pride and patriotism. 'One Army post lowers its flag with precision ceremony and a loud bang daily. The soldiers usually military police march in careful cadence toward the flagpole, pausing as each takes his position. Two step forward and lower the flag in time to the music; if the flag is large, two or more come forward to keep the flag from touching the ground. Once the flag is down, others in the unit fire the post's ceremonial cannon, its exploding round audible for miles. Rice-Eccl- . es Besides the cannon, what's the difference between the Army's ceremony and ours? The Army post residents are aware and even prepared to pause for the ceremony. In fact, a softball game that was in progress during one retreat ceremony abruptly stopped with the first note of music. The players and spectators immediately turned in the direction of the even though they couldn't see it and waited respect-flag po00 " : File photo Units stand at attention as the American flag is folded following a retreat ceremony In front of Bldg. 180. fully until the final cannon salute. Afterward, the ball was located and pitched again, and the game went on. Do we pause when weekdays when reveille is played at 7:30 a.m. and retreat at 4:30 p.m.? Many do, and many don't. But with the expansion of "giant voice" capability so ceremonies can be heard in both the West and East areas of the base, the "I didn't hear the music" excuse just isn't valid anymore. And what should be done once the music starts? The rules are found in the Promotion Fitness Examination Study Guide section 7C, paragraph 7.4 "Respect (Air Force pamphlet for the Flag" for those who want to look it up). Basically: Everyone that's outside and wearing a uniform must face the flag and salute when it's being raised or lowered. If you can't see the flag, face the music and salute. The salute is held from the first note to the last. If you're in a car, pull over, stop and sit quietly until the music ends. If you're in civilian clothes, stop, face the flag and stand at attention with your right hand over your heart. If you're inside, saluting or pausing isn't required. One local colonel took the instructions to heart. He bravely stood in the middle of the crosswalk on D Avenue in front of the 388th Fighter Wing headquarters building, saluting as the music played and while cars cautiously drove around him. fi-- cr never spoken and I hope youH agree we'd be better off if we shook our heads in frustration less and got involved more. jSmall wonder that poor workmanship, untimely service or substandard uniform wear thrive if that is what we've tolerated in the past. Seems reasonable that if we regularly accept mediocrity we should expect it to become the norm. Won't we all be worse off for it? We condone and validate substandard performance each time we choose not to highlight behavior and actions we know are improper. Sadly that makes us part of the problem when we should be part of the solution. No crystal ball is required to see what's coming next. Continued failure to act can only lead to more consternation and com- required to address an issue face to face, to let someone know you're not satisfied with a service or product. When we get involved we're undoubtedly better off. Call it an ounce of prevention that benefits both the person providing the service and the customers that follow. Oddly, you won't immediately benefit from getting involved which makes it a selfless act and why an epidemic must start. Force of numbers speeds the process of returning to acceptable levels of call it a quality epiperformance demic. As more people voice their displeasure, we raise the bar of acceptable performance to help ensure the next customer (and maybe that's you) receives better products and services. Frequently, involvement requires only a minute and a few carefully chosen words a small investment that's well worth the effort. Consider this. Talk to the restaurant manager if you receive partic- The corrective action requires force of character and of numbers. No one ularly good or bad service. Managers can't fix a problem they're unaware of and it isn't a problem until someone complains. Get involved next time you see a GI not wearing the uniform properly or failing to render proper customs or courtesies. Pick a problem and work to make the situation better as opposed to shrugging it off as just the way things are. Making things better is not only personally satisfying, but is imperative to mission accomplishment and to taking pride in our service. We deserve better. The warfight-er- s enjoys pointing out a poor service or product until we get among friends or family then we can't stop talkit! about Strong character is ing with tolerating less. The resultant change epidemic will transform our command and our Air Force. placency as substandard products or services are offered and accepted. We perpetuate such performance each time we tolerate its existence and in doing so, predispose the next person to receive the same lackluster service. Fortunately, inherent in this catchy phrase is not solution. the but only the problem five-wor- d deserve better ... and it starts Quality Systems for America 's Air Force Hilltop Times Puhlished by Ogden Publishing Corp., a privale firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with Hill AFB. This commer- dial enlerprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the three-minut- e respect our flag with pride, patriotism and a twice-dail- y pause, why should we expect future gen- erations to do so? A Parking aroundcars Bldg. 503 is at a premium for vehicle or motorcycles since the any events of Sept. 11. The designated motorcycle parking areas near Bldg. 503 are about 20 yards northwest of the building, and about 100 yards south in front of Bldg. 507. Both areas are marked for motorcycle parking. We're working on a safety barricade system to protect both property and personnel in the motorcycle parking area northwest of Bldg. 503. In order to change a parking area, management is required to follow Article 10 (s) of the Master Labor Agreement. If you think the current motorcycle parking is inadequate, contact the AFGE Local 1592 local union, at Ext. to bargain for a change in motorcycle parking. area. Dry cleaning prices of The I ; not satisfied with services in any AAFES facility or contract operations, don't leave without talking with the manager or the AAFES manager, Tom AAFES is here to provide serFredin at Ext. vices to authorized customers and will work to satisfy your needs. on-du- ty Truck Gate twice in U-tur- ns U turns authorized at the Truck Gate? Cars are entering the base and making U turns into oncoming traffic. There's going to be a serious accident if this continues. Are the time you asked the question, permitted because there was no sign prohibiting them. We intended to restrict U turns by putting cones to keep traffic entering through the Truck Gate moving east on 6th Street. We've extended the cones further east to restrict all and will install a "No sign. For more information on security or traffic enforcement, call Senior Master Sgt. James LaRocque, 75th Security Forces Squadron operations superintendent, at Ext. J& At 3were dry cleaning has increased the last year and I feel the quality price nutrition of dry cleaning isn't acceptable. I have gotten Gym While playing In the AFMC Softball my uniform back from the cleaners on numerTournament at Robins AFB, Ga., last year, ous occasions with starch stains, and some- I noticed that the gym there had a nutritional times after I pick up my cleaning, I iron them supplement center that serves smoothies and again at home. I have been off base to find shakes. My teammates and I bought several of another dry cleaners, but the couple of places I and thought how convenient It the shakes found don't starch uniforms. Has their conwould be to have a nutrition center at Hill AFB. tract been reviewed or the quality of their work A Great question and even better timing. Our being monitored? JJfc Services Division is proud to announce that by A Every year AAFES conducts a price survey of July we will have a Health Connection local commercial establishments to set Juice Bar at the Hess Fitness Center. The new juice cleaning prices. The past three years have all indibar will offer a variety of health and sports supplecated a price increase was necessary; however, no ments for our Hess Center customers to enjoy.. increases were made in until November 2001. drinks, smoothies, shakes, protein powders Sports Prices are based on the average costs at five local and foods such as fruits and bagels will also healthy businesses minus 20 percent. The exception is bat- be offered. We look forward to opening this operatle dress uniforms. They are priced by taking the will and it be we think a tion, big hit with our fitness lower of either the average price minus 30 percent center customers. If you have other questions or or the lowest price surveyed. comments about Hess Fitness Center, contact Karen AAFES opted to do two increases in interor Wright, director, at Ext. vals rather than have one large increase last November. The second increment of the price increase takes effect in May and will increase the price of Kudos to the outstanding service the tax cenBDU cleaning from $6.25 to $6.75 a set. ter provided this year. As always, the volunIn regards to the starch stains, the dry cleaner was teers saved all the folks who used their services using a new kind of starch at the time of your call time and money. This Is a great program that but has changed back to the original starch. If you're I hope the base will continue each year. J4 full-servi- on-ba- six-mon- th Kudos Global Power and Reach for America. 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 Center Public Affairs Office staff in Bldg. 1 102, second floor. Call Ext. with to "hilltnp.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 COPY If we don't assigned motorcycle parking around Bldg. 503 Is totally unsafe and unacceptable. There are better places where motorcycle parking could be allowed. "Air Force people building the world's most respected Air and Space Force zmcrTJurrQ sequences. woes Motorcycle parking for The area Do we tolerate too much of it? HANSCOM AFB, Mass. (AFM-CjN- I'd just finished venting about having to stop and ask a junior of to render a proper hand salute w.hen someone in the group said, "You deserve what you tolerate." Exactly right! Truer words were He never flinched and maintained a fixed gaze, though he probably had a few choice words for those who drove by. It seems it all boils down to freedom. The one side remembers "that our flag was still there" through war and peace, flood and famine, and other conflicts that affected our rights. Those who gave their lives to defend our freedom are remembered and revered and flags are raised in their memory. or placed by a tombstone And the other side is exercising that freedom. America was founded on principles that don't force anyone to bow down to a leader or a symbol. The etiquette, regulations, rules and courtesy say "respect" instead of worship. Odd as it may sound, those who fought and died for freedom, made it possible for others to freely and willingly ignore the flag and its ceremonies. At the same time, we're asked to respect each other's opinion "with malice toward none." But like other freedoms that skate around what's "the proper thing to do" running a red light, taking too many packages of ketchup, keeping a library book too long, picking the neighbor's flowers then claiming the'dog did it there can be con- Action Line erfoirmamice AFMC Office of the Inspector General , ,4 ybsttaodard by Lt. Col. Nell Erno 'Ho 625-430- 0 Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: MaJ. Gen. Scott Bergren Ma). Shawn Mecham Bill Orndorff Gary Boyle, Beth Young 2nd Lt Garrett Grochowskl, Deadlines: Commander, OO-AL- C Director, Public Affairs 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. |