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Show 'w- - HiSttopi June 8, 2000 What does pledging allegiance mean to over by a higher deity, thats fine. Perhaps it makes us all better people to believe so. by Steve VanWert 311th Human Systems Wing Public Affairs Brooks AFB, Texas L . "... indivisible , hear it every morning. Local elementary school children recite it on the radio, patriotic music playing in We We are the UNITED States of America. We are more than 250 million people united in supporting our government, the background. Weve heard it since we were children ourselves. Weve stood at attention if in uniform or placed our right hand above our hearts and defending our liberty, and sacrificing personal gain for the common good. But were not perfect. In the 1860s, we lost this cohesiveness, this unity. The immediate result was thousands of our fathers, sons and brothers dying so that following generations wouldnt make the same mistake. The long-terresult is that we know a house divided against itself cannot stand, and we resolve to stand together. repeated it, But have we really listened to, the words? What does the Pledge of Alle. giance mean? . word-for-wor- 1 d. us? . . m I pledge allegiance ... A pledge is a promise, taken faith- fully and with full realization that it r, time, may mean giving up everything property, even our lives in support of one thing. Its a promise millions of Americans have made throughout the last 230 years or so. Its a promise we ' keep every day. "... "... with liberty and justice U.S. Force ' to the flag of the United stands,,, Since Medieval times, feudal lords pledged their allegiance to the lord of their manor. Unfortunately, their allegiance tended to change according to who wore the crown at the time. In America, we promise to honor and defend one country America and one concept freedom. Our country, our republic, and the right to be free men and women are both embodied in our flag. As long as Old Glory waves, we promise to defend her, and through her, our nation and its ideals. "... one nation , Consider the tragic ethnic hostilities F-- 16 in Serbia and Kosovo, and in hundreds of other countries throughout the world since history began. Millions of people dont know the concept of one States of America and to the repub- lic for which it photo by Senior Airman Stan Parker pilot from the 23rd Fighter Squadron displays an American flag before flying a mission in Yugoslavia as part of NATO Operation Allied Force. targets against An . nation. Millions of people live in fear of their own government, their own, often elected, officials. In the United States, each changeover in government leadership is bloodless, coup- less and follows the rules of our " ' Constitution, the most important document ever written in the history of mankind. We dont live in fear that well awake one morning and find armed troops at our doors, ordering us to leave our possessions behind and march to oblivion. . "... under Qod, It doesnt matter what god you pray to, whether youre Catholic, Protestant, Mormon, Jewish, Muslim or Bud- dhist, or any of dozens of organizations seeking answers to eternal questions. It doesnt even matter if you havent yet found an organized religion to call your own. You can still call America home without fear of persecution for your beliefs. The United States, that country embodied by the flag to which we pledge allegiance, is the only country in history to actively try to live the Christian life, to recognize the dignity of the individual, to try to help the needy and provide peace, prosperity and understanding to all its citizens. This great experiment, as Benjamin Franklin called it, is ongoing and successful. If we believe it succeeds because its being watched for all, I think the most important part of this phrase is the last two words: for all. The world has often had liberty for some, justice for the few. History is replete with governments created with only the elite having rights. History is marked with persecuted minorities not having the same liberties and not finding justice. In America, we all live by the same laws, share the same opportunities, have equal chances to succeed Only in America, as Don King says. Of course, once again, were not perfect. Perhaps the rich get richer, but the poor dont have to get poorer. So, do me a favor: This Flag Day, as you see the flag flying freely in the breeze, stand at attention, place your hand above your heart and repeat, by rote, the Pledge of Allegiance. And listen to the words. They mean a lot. Using respirator correctly ensures employee safety Hygienists and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Specific Air Force guidance is published as an Air Force Occupational Safety and Health Standard. The base Bioenvironmental Engineering office uses these guides to specify respirators. . To ensure workers are properly protected, Bioenvironmental Engineering technicians measure poten- by Lt. Col. Mark H. Smith Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight Commander Hill AFB is home to a large number of industrial activities. Many of these activities are unique to depots and involve the use of hazardous chemicals' Chemicals used in processes such as stripping and painting aircraft can pose a health risk to workers. The base Bioenvironmental Engineering office assesses these workplace health hazards and rec- tial exposure and calculate protection factors required for keeping workers out of harms way. Each worker must annually undergo a respirator fit test on the respirator he or she will use. The fit test is normally done in conjunction with any other required annual ommends ways to reduce risk. Such methods may include chemical substitution; engineering controls, such as ventilation; or personal protective physical examination tests. The actual protection factor is measured using a device called a The mask is connected to the device and is donned by the worker. The equipment. Used properly, these controls reduce a workers exposure to an acceptable level. The lungs are typically the most vulnerable organ to a number of these health hazards. When the lungs are the target organ or route of exposure and substitution or engineering efforts cannot fully control exposure, Bioenvironmental will recommend an appropriate respirator. Respirators come in two general types air purifying and supplied air. Generally, a face piece or mask forms a tight seal with the face and breathing air is purified through a filter or supplied to the mask from a purified source. Several agencies govern or recommend safe exposure limits to hazardous substances, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, American Conference of Governmental Industrial Port-a-Coun- t. Port-a-Cou- nt measures the total number of particles inside and outside the mask as a series of exercises are performed. It then calculates the overall protection factor provided by the mask. The measured protection factor must match or exceed the previously determined factor for the worker to be protected. Workers and supervisors share responsibility for enforcing proper workplace respirator use. This includes ensuring that respirators are properly cleaned and stored, and filters are changed at scheduled intervals; that only recommended and fit-ve- r- Air Force people building the world's most respected Air and Space Force nil r'i i i I Quality Systems for Americas Air Force 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. 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 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. 102, second floor. Call Ext. with story ideas or comments, or send ail to hilltop.pahill.af.mil.5 , using respirators are properly trained and cleanshaven. To work properly, the respirator mask edge must form a tight seal with the workers face. Facial hair interferes with this mask-fac- e seal and places the worker at risk. seal might be achieved with Although a mask-fac- e difficulty on an unshaven face, it cannot be routinely attained. Unprotected, the lungs can be exposed to hazardous levels of chemicals, which can lead to emphysema, cancer, or other diseases. For this reason, Environmental has determined that workers n when using their respirators, must be n when they appear and that men not for their annual fit test wont be tested. This policy is a prudent step that places worker health as a first priority. Hill AFB has approximately 2,000 workers on the respiratory protection program. The goal of the respirator protection program is to maintain worker health throughout employment and into retirement. All potential exposures and required personal protective equipment are outlined in each shops Worker Right to Know Hazard Communication book. The HAZCOM book is freely accessible in the workplace to any worker at any time. For more information on respirator purpose, function and use, contact a shop supervisor or the base Bioenvironmental Engineering office. clean-shave- clean-shave- Global Power and Reach for America." 1 . ified respirators are used; and that the individuals Unless otherwise, indicated, all photos are U.S. Air Force photos. TO PLACE AN ADVERTISEMENT, CALL Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: Maj. Gen. Scott Bergren Maj. Sam Hudspath Bill Orndorff Senior Airman Russ Martin, Mary Galbraith, Steven R. Ford Deadlines: Commander, Director, Public Affairs Editor OO-AL- C . . Staff writers Editorial and Around the Hill items, 3 p.m. Thursday, seven days before publication; sports articles, 9 a.m. Monday, week of publication; classified ads, 2 p.m. Tuesday; week of publication. For more information, call the editor, Ext. 625-430- 0 |