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Show COMMENTARY O Hilltop Times June 9, 2005 Tragic Time HILM Holiday weekend starts with 5 fatalities What would you teach your kids about the flag? BY GEN. GREGORYS, MARTIN AFMC Commander Our Air Force experienced what I consider a tragic start to the 101 Critical Days of Summer when we lost five Airmen Memorial Day weekend - one to a motorcycle accident, two to vehicle accidents, one to a June 14 is Flag Day, for more see next page. drowning incident, and one to suicide. We know alcohol was a factor in at least one .of the vehicle fatalities, but are Staff Sgt. Jeremy Trlplett awaiting specific details on aircraft fuel systems the other incidents. Our Air craftsman Force has not experienced a 649th Combat Logistics more tragic Memorial Day Support Squadron weekend in recent history. As I've often said, nothing "I would tell my kids to be is more important to me perproud of our flag." sonally than the safety and well being of our Air Force Materiel Command people and their families. I mean that with all sincerity. Our outstanding people - stand behind every weapon system we develop, field, operate, Staff Sgt. Martin Hanenburg and sustain. The loss of one heat, ventilation and air of those people impacts our conditioning technician ability to accomplish the mis75th Civil Engineer sion and causes significant Squadron pain and suffering to family members and coworkers. While the five Airmen who "I would say to respect died this past weekend were it because it represents not assigned to AFMC, we everything our forefathers all feel the pain when we lose established in our country." dedicated Air Force members to preventable accidents. According to the May 31 edition of Air Force's Aim Points: "More Airmen die from prePeter Wimbrough ventable accidents during the retired lieutenant colonel 101 Critical Days of Summer - the period between Memo"I would teach them the rial Day and.Labor Day - than proper handling and display at any ot^eafime of the year!" of the flag. When people That's why inspiring leaderdon't respect the flag it ship in this area is critical. annoys me to the extent of Our goal is clear: Tonotlosea putting;*-(information) on single Airman, military or Air how to handle the flag in . ForcexivilianrJ:o a preventable JU -'people's 'aecMent drmishap. - • It's, helpful to look at .«,«,..._*£ preventable1 * mishaps from previous years. Back in the Bobbl Peterson summer of 2001, an Airman Army and Air Force Exchange Service vendor "Our flag stands for freedom and liberty. It represents freedom, not just for America but for the whole world. My daughter was the third woman killed in Iraq. She lived and died for our flag. We're very proud of her and all of our military." Dave Stookey retired Army master sergeant "To me, the flag stands for liberty, freedom and the right to choose. It's something that I look forward to when I return from another country." Gen. Gregory S. Martin went hiking with a group of friends up a popular canyon. A couple miles into the canyon the group took a break. The Airman, who was in very good physical condition, decided to climb a nearby rocky cliff that was wet from an earlier rain. He was nearly to the top when he slipped and fell 20 feet to his death. His actions were spur of the moment - no safety gear, no experience, no recognition of local conditions ... in effect, no risk assessment. The group included several friends from the Airman's unit - no one warned him or tried to stop him. In a more recent incident from the Summer of 2003, a married Air Force couple were on their way to a motorcycle rally in the Midwest when they stopped to stay with friends overnight. The couple stayed up most of the night and into the next morning drinking and partying with their friends. They then climbed aboard their motorcycle and continued the journey - only to take a wrong turn and run head-on into a truck. The woman died at the scene; her husband died a short time later - he had elevated bloodalcohol levels. Again, no risk assessment... and the couple's friends took no apparent action to stop them or at least delay their departure. Both of these tragic mishaps - and the three resulting deaths - were clearly preventable. Enjoy the Summer, but please follow basic common sense and avoid obvious risks: • Wear seat belts and ensure all passengers wear seat belts. • Get plenty of rest while traveling - never drink and drive. • Don't swim alone or in unknown waters. • Use life vests when boating. • Don't overexert yourself during athletic events stretch thoroughly and drink plenty of water. • Use sunscreen during outdoor activities. • Worth Repeating: Never drink and drive - cars, motorcycles, boats, e.tc. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, be a good Wingman! Intervene when your fellow Airman' or friend has had too much to drink or is about to make a bad decision. 777-7000 * action.line.pa@hill.af.mil When you call or send an e-mail, your comments will be recorded and staffed through the agency responsible for action. Please give your supervisor and chain of command the opportunity to work with you Col. Sharon Dunbar "The. American flag represents our freedom. It's more important now than ever to. recognize our flag because we have deployed troops fighting for freedom in another country." — Gen. Gregory S. Martin Action Line D'lene Gifford daughter of military servicemember "N othing is more important to me personally than the saftey and well being of our Air Force Materiel Command people, and their families." Right of Way Q in answering questions and solving problems before calling the Action Line. This will help me better serve your interests. Items of basewide interest will be published in the Hilltop Times. ;^> ; • CONTACT NUMBERS The base agencies listed below can be contacted directly if you have a complaint or a problem with their services: Near Bldg. 503 on Hill Pride Hotline 7-7433 Air Force Suggestion 7-6901 Security Forces .. .... 7-5550 Southgate Avenue, Public Affairs 7-5201 24-hr. Crisis Information .. .7-3056 Program pedestrians often do Services 7-4134 Military Housing 7-2963 IG Complaints 7-5305 not pause and allow drivers Base Restaurants 7-2043 Maintenance (for appointment) Safety Office 7-3333 IG Complaints 7-5361 to see them before they step Retirement/Compensation ... 7-6142 Union 7-3257 (after hours) out into the street There were (civilian) AFOSI Narcotics Hotline .. .7-1852 Fraud, Waste or Abuse 7-5361 Social Actions 7-3516 two people who were upset Family Assistance Center.. 5-3090 (recording) with me recently because I Employee Relations 7-7M9 (when activated) 75th Medical Group ......7-4918 Military Pay 7-1851 didn't stop to let them cross. Civilian :Civil.Engineering '.. .7-1856 Pay 7-6246 I didn't have enough time to stop when they stepped into the street. It's not like I into an intersection even if there crosswalk, all lanes of traffic look for traffic before entering almost hit them because theyis not a painted crosswalk. the crosswalk or crossing a may resume. were three lanes away. What What this means is that street. While they may be well The 75th Civil Engineer is your view on this? Group is looking into adding within their rights to not look drivers must strictly adhere both ways for traffic first, close pedestrian controlled stopto posted speed limits on Thank you for taking timebase (off base as well) and be lights at walkways that have calls and accidents are a painto voice an important very vigilant in watching for sufficient pedestrian traffic to ful way to prove a point. support them. Even if lights Your inquiry highlights how safety concern. Legally, pedestrians seeking to cross each of us needs to exercise pedestrians have the right ofthe street. Once a pedestrian are added, pedestrian safety way. Pedestrians can step into is in the crosswalk, vehicles in will continue to require a con- personal responsibility by proall lanes are required to stop, certed effort from pedestrians tecting ourselves and others the crosswalk at any time without from avoidable harm. Thank having to look for traffic headedregardless of whether the pe- and motorists alike. destrian is in their lane. Once you again for sharing your their way. While not at all encourAlthough not legally required, concern. aged, pedestrians can also step the pedestrian has left the the prudent pedestrian should A "The U.S. Air Force — meeting the challenge through Global Vigilance, Reach and Power" ftMES Weekly Since 1948 Published by Ogclcn Publishing Corp., 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, ihe 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 b*y 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 nonmerir factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Fditorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office staff in Bldg 152. Call Ext. 7-4598 with story ideas or comments, or send e-mail to "hilltop.pa(«.hill.af.mil", Unless otherwise indicated, all photos are U.S. Air Force photos. Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: Col. Sharon Dunbar 75th ABW Commander Charles Freeman Chief, Public Affairs Barbara Fisher Editor Senior Airman Micah Garbarino, 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 |