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Show TIMES June 8, 2006 American Flag represents history of our nation In celebration of the flag's powerful meaning to Americans and its place in our culture While July Fourth is traditionally celebrated and history, Flag Day became a national as our nation's birthday, June 14 is the day to observance by Act of Congress in 1949 and was signed into law by President Harry celebrate its most cherished and recognizTruman. In 1966, the week of June 14 was able symbol: the American Flag. designated as National Flag Week. AmeriThis Wednesday, America recognizes the cans are encouraged to display their flags 229th birthday of Old Glory with its own prominently throughout Flag Week. holiday. The Continental Congress adopted "We rally behind the flag in times of ir-as the official flag of the new republic on hardship, because it represents everything June 14,1777. Flag Day was first celebrated in 1877 to mark the 100th anniversary of the that is wholesome and good about this nation." Lieutenant Loomis said. "The flag national symbol. In 1885, a Wisconsin school teacher named has stood the test of time as our nation has BJ. Cigrand a started a grassroots campaign constantly evolved to overcome oppression and tyranny. It is important for everyone that began with his students celebrating to display the Flag Day and flag with these ended with things in mind Mr. Cigrand this Flag Day, promoting his because we idea to national are the curnewspapers and rent bearers of making public the flag; our addresses on actions will the matter. A write the next small number chapter." of people in the At Hill, the Midwest and flag is recogNortheast benized every gan to celebrate The sun shines over the waving flag at 75th Air Base Wing headquarters. Wednesday Flag Day. After with a retreat nearly 30 years ceremony at the of state and 75th Air Base local celebraWing Headtions, President quarters buildWoodrow Wilson made Flag Members of the 84th RADES salute as the flag Is lowered duringing. Retreat is a ceremony in Day official in a formal retreat ceremony. which the U.S. 1916. Describing the flag back on that June 14 flag is honored when lowered in the evening. day in 1777, Congress wrote, "White signiA Retreat Ceremony includes the pUying fies purity and innocence; red, hardiness and of two songs — "Retreat" and "To the Colvalor; blue signifies vigilance, perseverance ors." During the playing of "Retreat," junior and justice." flag security detail members assume the position of attention and move to the base The words Congress used to describe the flag 229 years ago still ring true today; many flagstaff to arrange the halyards for proper lowering of the flag. Once the halyards are Americans look to the flag as a symbol of freedom and those who died to preserve that arranged, the flag is lowered slowly and with dignity. freedom. "The flag is a symbolic instrument of reflec- "The Retreat is very important," said Staff tion," said 1st Lt. Adam Loomis, a member of Sgt. Harry McClure, a fuels Journeyman the Hill Honor Guard. "All our nation's heroes with the 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron are connected to the flag, from the first patri- and an Honor Guard Member. "It protects ots to our mothers and fathers. The flag rep- the colors for the night and represents the resents all their hopes and dreams that now nation that we must protect." rest upon our shoulders. At the core of those For questions about the flag or flag cerdreams are the common desires to improve emonies, contact the Hill AFB Honor Guard During the ceremony, 84th RADES members, respectfully fold the flag with care. our world and take care of our neighbors." at Ext. 777-3967. BY MITCH SHAW Hilltop Times staff Chief Smith exit Continued from 1 a lot of historic changes happen at Hill. "When I first got here we stood up the new wings, which is a big change," Chief Smith said. "The new lean processes, downsizing of the Air Force and surviving the BRAC are all interesting changes that took effect (while I have been here)." Because Air Force Materiel Command was a new command for him, it was Chief Smith's goal to learn the AFMC mission while here. "It was a unique experience to work with the joint military and civilians among the different wings and learn how (they) interact," he said. "Hill is different because of the large civilian populous, but that is the thing that makes it so great, because we know that we are a major supporter of our warfighters out there. The relationship between the military and civilian is the biggest piece that anyone could learn here — that I will definitely take to my next base." Some of his accomplishments while at Hill include the hard work put into the Operational Readiness Inspection and his involvement in bringing the first ever Enlisted Dining Out to the base. "The chief spends lots of time with the troops from across the Air Logistics Center, which is exactly what you expect of a great leader," said Col. Scott Chambers, 75th Air Base Wing commander. "He takes the time to find issues and then solves them. I've been particularly impressed with his desire to always do the right thing - he never takes the easy way out and I greatly respect that in a leader. More importantly, both Chief Smith and Terri always have the troops and their families' best interest at heart/ While here, the people of Hill were Chief Smith's main focus. Chief Smith hopes that he will be remembered for helping to build bridges between the new wings by being approachable and easy to talk to. "I think it is all about the people, and it doesn't matter whose people they are," he said. "We shouldn't take care of one set of people — we need to take care of everybody. I hope I made an impact on the quality of life for all members of Team Hill." Chief Smith said the Hill moments he is most proud of involve the Airmen. "Most important is the work that we put into our troops who are being deployed to our war in Iraq and Afghanistan because that is really what it's all about," he said. "My proudest moments at Hill have been participating in bronze star presentation ceremonies. These tech sergeants and staff sergeants receiving a Bronze Star are totally amazing and'signify heroism in my eyes. These are our Airmen right here, and not just one or two but bunches of them." When asked about the worst part of being stationed at Hill, Chief Smith was hard pressed to come up with an answer, except for maybe the traffic. He said that he will miss Utah and take what he has learned here to his next base and newest opportunity in Wyoming. At Hill, his absence will be felt. "Chief Smith and his lovely bride Terry have been the perfect command chief team for the Air Logistics Center and Team Hill," Colonel Chambers said. "They have put forth 110 percent here and will be sorely missed." Photos by Beth Young Chief collects bits of history BYBETH YOUNG Hilltop Times staff As the movers load up the trucks for Chief Master Sgt. Franklin Smith, the heaviest one will not be the books or dishes, but the one marked "coins." More than 20 years ago Chief Smith began collecting military coins. His first coin, from the Security Police Academy and held together with super glue, he received in 1981. Since then his collection has grown to more than 400 coins. "This is my way of collecting history," he said. "And every one of these coins I have carried in my pocket before I put it on display." The coins have been collected throughout Chief Smith's career — 11 differPhoto by Beth Young ent bases from New Jersey Chief Master Sgt. Franklin Smith holds a 75th Air Base Wing coin as he sits behind his more than to Japan. He has coins from 400 other military coins he has collected throughout his career. all over the world and each branch of the military. He country," he said. "(I have) has even helped design a four-star and Chief Master few. Each coin represents Sergeant of the Air Force something for him. Some coins, but none mean as are for places, some for much to me as that gentleevents and some for peoman's coin." ple. Chief Smith doesn't just "This one is special," said enjoy collecting coins; he Chief Smith as he holds up loves to give them out. his favorite, a Marine Corps "The history of the coin — Chief Master Sgt Franklin Smith basic coin. He received it is to recognize our airmen in 2001 when he had the and they don't do any good opportunity to go to the when he gave me his coin," that he had earned the mer- sitting in a drawer," he said. Marine Corps Ball in St. Chief Smith said. "I shook its in World War II. "I try to find at least one perLouis. A Marine veteran his hand and noticed on his "Then I gave him my coin son a week to give a coin to approached him and gave suit coat he had two purple and thanked him for his and most of the time more him the coin. hearts." than that because there are service because my ser"He told me, lI want to Chief Smith asked about vice will never match what so many great people at Hill, thank you for your service* his experiences and learned he had to sacrifice for our it's hard not to do that." fnr\he history of the coin m is to recognize our J. airmen and they don't do any good sitting in a drawer." |