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Show COMMENTARY Hilltop Times April 21, 2005 Hill Street Views "What did you do with the best weather we've had so far? David Perry Visual information specialist 75th Communications Squadron "I've been training for a marathon." Quinn Jacobson Photographer 75th Communications Squadron "I have a mobile darkroom and I made wet plate photographs." Airmen supply freedom to all BYMAJ.JOELFORTENBERRY 509th Contracting Squadron commander WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. (AFPN) — Leon Alton Palmer was born April 27, 1945, in Mableton, Ga., the son of Nelly and Arvel Palmer. On Aug. 17, 1968. Sgt. Leon A. Palmer, C Company, 3rd Battalion, 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, was killed in Gia Dinh Province, South Vietnam. He was 23 years old and left behind a daughter, Linda, and son, Tony. Over 8,000 miles away on that same August Saturday, I was born in Tyler, Texas. I was born free and have known nothing but freedom for all 36 years of my life. On Sept. 15, 2003, Army Staff Sgt Kevin C. Kimmerly, of North Creek, N.Y., was killed when his vehicle was hit by a rocket propelled grenade while on patrol in Baghdad. Later that same day, far from the chaos of Iraq, my son was born in Dayton, Ohio. He was born free and has known nothing but freedom for all 19 months of his short life. Because you serve today, on the flight line or off, in a flight suit, BDUs or civilian clothes, a child whose name you may never know was born free. Because you repaired a network or guided a convoy, because you corrected a personnel record and made sure Airmen were paid, because you stood watch at the base perimeter, because you built a base exchange facility in the desert, because you wrote the contract and repaired a runway, because you flew a mission or repaired the aircraft with unmatched skill and expertise, a child was born free today. What an honor and privilege we have in this Air Force and this nation to ensure freedom is the birthright to new generations of Americans. Because of you, a child was born free today in Tyler, Texas; in Dayton, Ohio; in towns all over this country. But also because of you, children were born free today in cities called Kabul and Bagram, Baghdad and Talil. Freedom isn't earned and its survival isn't guaranteed. Rather freedom is given to us by the grace of God and the character of those willing to sacrifice all to see it live on. Those like Leon Palmer, Kevin Kimmerly and you. Thank you. Every Airman Every Job Gregg Wlxom Photographer 75th Communications Squadron "I rode my Harley and went on a hike in the mountains." Confessions of a reality TV addict Airman 1st Class Robert Davis Utilities systems journeyman 75th Civil Engineer Squadron " My co-workers and I went shooting guns near Salt Lake." Airman 1st Class Patrick Smith Special actions technician 75th Comptroller Squadron "I played some softball and had a barbeque. I also went skiing and got sunburned." Airman 1st Class Gregory Minor Electrical and environmental technician 388th Component Maintenance Squadron "I stayed in the house and watched TV" BY MAJ. DANUOHNSON 5th Bomb Wing Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.Dii .(AFPN)—I have to admit it.'It's tough to say out in the open, but I'm one of those — a reality TV addict. I must watch each week, and if I'm out of town, most of the ones I watch are taped so I don't miss a thing. I'm so bad that on a recent temporary duty, when I realized that I had only taped one of my shows for an hour and it was going to run two hours, I actually talked a friend through reprogramming my VCR so I didn't miss a single minute. How can an educated, intelligent Air Force officer such as me succumb to such a level? I usually use the excuse that when I returned from my overseas assignment, I was behind in all the series so I started watching. Actually, while that is somewhat true, honestly, I like the idea of "normal" people achieving a goal and the drama of watching what people do to each other in stressful situations. It's a study in human behavior tome. Honestly, it's not about who wins the money for me, but how they relate with each other. I have the ones I hate and the ones I root for no matter what. I've also learned some f who succeed bounce back ifter having a com — Mai. Dani Johnson things from watching that can help me be a better leader. As Airmen, we can learn from TV's latest fad. Each day is a race, a challenge. How we act determines whether we will be around for one more day and stay a part of the best Air Force in the world or take the ultimate fall and be voted off or the last one to arrive because we didn't apply what we knew. First, perseverance. Whether it's "Amazing Race," "Survivor" or "American Idol," those who succeed are the ones who bounce back the next episode after having a completely rotten previous episode and barely make it to the next round. Second, how would I react or should one react in the situation? It could be walking across a suspension bridge in a foreign country, tackling a team puzzle or receiving the harshest criticism possible. I determine what would be the best avenue for me if I was in the situation. This is important because I'm learning to put myself in another person's shoes and think about the pros and cons of the situation. Lastly, not every day is going to be great, but if you are with your loved ones, teammates or know what you are doing will achieve your final goal or dream, it's worth it. I'm constantly amazed with the support people give each other in extreme situations. I'm also amazed at the lack of" support many times. Stressful situations tell you who you can depend on. It reminds you of the importance of creating strong relations with people. Yes, I'm a reality TV addict,' but I can't talk any more, one' of my shows is on. "The U.S. Air Force — meeting the challenge through Global Vigilance, Reach and Power" Hilltop TIMES Weekly Sintr HM8 Published by Ogdcn Publishing Corp , a private firm in no way connected witli the U.S. Air Poree, under exclusive written contract with Mill Apft. This commercial enterprise Air i-"orce newspaper is an authorized publication for members ol the U.S. military services Contents of the Hilltop Times are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the US Government, ihe Department of Defense or the Department ol the Air Puree The appearante of advertisements in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Air Porce or Ogden Publishing Corp , of the products or services advertised Pverything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use vr patronage without regard to rate, color, religion, se\, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmern factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the 75th Air Rase Wing. Public Affairs Office staff in Uklg 152 Call lixi. 7-4598 with story ideas or comments, or send e-mail to "hilltop pat'/ hill.af mil". Unless otherwise induaied, all photos are U'S Air Porce photos Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: Col. Sharon Dunbar 75th ABW Commander Charles Freeman ?. Chief, Public Affairs Senior Airman MIcah Garbarino Editor Beth Young, Shad West, Airman Jenny Chong Staff Writers Deadlines: Editorial and "Around the Hill" items, 3 p.m. Friday; sports articles, 9 a.m Monday; classified ads, 5 p.m. Tuesday, week of publication. For more information, call the editor, Ext. 7-4598. TO PLACE AN ADVERTISEMENT, CALL 625-4300 |