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Show COMMENTARY Hilltop Times March 10. 2005 Honoring traditions honors all who serve Hill Street Views "What is the most annoying thing that you routinely encounter on base?" Airman 1st Class Stefan Toth Utilities apprentice 75th Civil Engineer Squadron "The most annoying tiling is the heavy traffic during peak hours." Staff Sgt. Curtis Sutton Utilities systetns craftsman 75th Civil Engineer Squadron "A gym that isn't open 24/7. I never get to work out." Airman 1st Class Kenneth Larmon Plumber 75th Civil Engineer Squadron "I just don't get annoyed. Nothing bothers me on this base." John Ruiz Integrated electronic technician 75th Civil Engineer Squadron "I think that the most annoying thing is contractors speeding all over the base." Retreat, other ceremonies call for respect BY STAFF SGI STEPHANI BAIR Airman Leadership School instructor FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. (AFPN) — One cold and rainy day I stood in the parking lot across the street from the wing headquarters building with two of my Iroops to participate in retreat. While we stood firmly at parade rest, waiting for the flag to lower in honor of our great nation and in memory of the courageous men and women who served before us, we observed the group of noncommissioned officers preparing for the detail, Three of the NCOs stood at the pole and appeared to be greatly enjoying a conversation. Even though they had taken the halyards into their hands they continued to talk and laugh. Nine other NCOs lined up shoulder to shoulder just off the curb in front of the steps to the wing headquarters building. Some of them stood at parade rest, some at attention, and others hung out casually, hands in pockets, all of them still talking. What could be more important to 12 NCOs than the privilege of lowering our nation's flag in honor of those that have given their all? At the Airman Leadership School, we perform reveille and retreat with our students several times during the course. I will be the first to admit that our performance at the Air Force photo flag pole is not always flaw- FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. — Standing under a half-moon at dusk, Airmen from the 92nd Aircraft less. Sometimes students find Maintenance Squadron participate in a retreat ceremony. it impossible to remain steady Better yet, take your troops how people could show such sisters fighting the war today at parade rest and they shift to wipe the sweat from their little regard, or lose their mil- are doing so for a noble rea- and family to the parade grounds or wherever the brow, or they get distracted itary bearing during such an son. retreat ceremony is held at Talk to your troops about important and meaningful by traffic passing by. your base and watch a how it should be a privilege Students have chuckled and ceremony. squadron perform the detail. to stand tall and proudly salute We are out of practice. shaken their heads at countThink about what it means to our nation's flag. We are out of practice of perless incidents happening be an American fighting in Explain a detail; out to them that when forming such across the street. forces that guard our counin uniform and the first note of practice in giving time to Pedestrians, both uniformed try and our way of life. of reveille or retreat sounds, observe such a detail; out of and in civilian attire, stroll by You have pledged your life they should be at parade rest. practice in teaching our troops, without even pausing to in the defense of this great family and guests what reveille And when To the Colors acknowledge the music on and retreat are all about. or the National Anthem plays, nation. Take responsibility the loud speaker system. This week, take a few min- come to attention and salute for your actions; be proud Motorists and pedestrians pass by without a care in the utes and talk with your troops, smartly. For those in civilian and teach others the imporworld that the flag which rep- your family and your guests attire, it is as simple as stop- tance of demonstrating the about a truly meaningful way ping and standing still dur- pride and professionalism resents sacrifice, bloodshed that make us, not only the to celebrate the accomplish- ing Reveille or Retreat and and freedom is calling the world's supreme air power, placing their hand over their ments of our military memend to yet another day. but the greatest nation on heart for the playing of To the bers past and present. Tell For many years I found it Earth. Colors or the National Anthem. them how our brothers and very difficult to understand A voice given to widow's pain, loss Bruce Owen Work leader 75th Civil Engineer Squadron "The aircrafts flying around, because of noise hazards." Jerry Sheen Work leader 75th Civil Engineer Squadron "I think the most annoying thing is civilians not being able to go to the BX or the commissary. You're not allowed to buy anything, because you're not military yet you work with them." Silence is not golden had been many years in the making, and he had sought medical help. There is surely some guilt in living with this tragedy, but to all those who subtly look askance at her BYCQLLELAHO_LDEN__.._.. and ask, "Couldn't you have done more?" the answer is "no." Office of the Air Force Surgeon General Second, she needed then and needs now support and compassion, not pity. BOLLING AIR FORCE BASE, D.C. (AFPN) — I am But most of all, she needs more than silence. She has been speaking for my friend. I am speaking for her because astonished that so many who knew both of them have been she won't speak for herself. The pain and conflict surunable to simply say: "I'm sorry for your loss." This conrounding her husband's suicide a number of months ago dolence and compassion would have come if he had dropped drags on her spirit and her voice. She has given me perdead of a heart attack. Her loss and grief are no less intense mission to speak for her. The message is simple and because of the method by which he died. She lost her brief. husband much sooner than she expected in the natural First, let me provide some important details that offer context but hopefully do not violate her privacy. She is active course of life. This is one of the painful mysteries of this life: none of us can ultimately say why things happen. To duty Air Force. Her husband was active duty but had left acknowledge her loss and pain is the compassionate thing the service. They are both over 40. On the day he killed himself, he used the gun he insisted on having in the house. to do. She is astonished that so many say nothing. So, to all of us who want to do the right thing related to And he used that gun impulsively. She does not believe he intended to kill himself the day he pulled the trigger in suicide, to reach out to those at risk, let us not forget the a fit of anger. Finally, she experienced his suicide within ones left behind when these tragedies occur. Spouses, the context of the intense efforts on the part of the Air Force friends, supervisors, mental health professionals who did try to help, all who are left behind need to hear that ultito reduce suicides. Certainly there are few goals more wormately they did not kill Joe, or Pete, or Mary. Joe or Pete thy. So, what does she want her military and civilian colleagues or Mary killed him or herself. And we need to reach out to those left behind and say to know, within this drive and focus in our Air Force to something simple, sincere, and helpful: "I know this is a reduce these tragic events? difficult time for you. I'm very sorry for your loss." There First, she went to extensive lengths to try to help him but are many things we cannot do. That, we can do. ultimately could not prevent this tragic act. His problems "The U.S. Air Force — meeting the challenge through Global Vigilance, Reach and Power." Quality Systems for America s Atr Force Hilltop Times Published by Ogden Publishing Corp., a private linn in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with Hill AFB. Tim commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication Tor 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 ihis publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Air Force or Ogdcn Publishing Corp.. of the products or services advertised. 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