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Show TIMES January 17, 2008 *$+ COMMENTARY We shouldn't forget the reasons we serve BY COL. GARY BATINICH TIMES W 419th Fighter Wing Commander WW-Ulv Sun f Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: Lee Carter... Standard-Examiner publisher Tom Busselbcrg Hilltop Times editor Deadlines: Editorial and news items are due by noon on the Friday prior to the Thursday print date. To submit news ftems e-mail hilrtoptimes&standjrd.net or call 629-5250. For advertising, call 625-4300. The Hill Top Times is published by Ogden Publishing Corp. in cooperation with Hill Air Force Base. Ogden Publishing is a private company in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force and is solely responsible for the content and advertising. Contents of the Hill Top Times are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the Air Force. The appearance of advertisements in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Air Force. 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 Standard-Examiner's Davis County Office, 67 S. Main St., Suite 140, Layton, Utah, 84040. Additional editorial content is provided by various military and civilian wire services and Hill Air Force Base public affairs departments. Call 629-5250 with story ideas or comments, or send e-mail to Editor Tom Busselberg at tbusselberg® standard.net. Call 625-4300 for advertising needs. hen turning on the TV, radio, or surfing the Web, it's often challenging to find stories that highlight our efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Instead, stories about pop culture icons and entertainment news fill the airwaves. In a society seemingly caught up in sensational, tabloid news, one almost wouldn't know we are a nation at war. Talk around the office water cooler centers on the hottest reality show or the latest scandal involving a big name in sports or entertainment. While news reports portraying our successes may not be publicized as often as I believe they should, there are some stories and images that give me a great sense of purpose. Reports of New York firefighters who never returned after rushing into the World Trade Towers on Sept. 11, 2001 ... photos of Iraqi women proudly holding up their ink-stained fingers after casting votes for the first time ... accounts from young Afghani girls who may now legally pursue an education ... pictures of Iraqi children with big smiles on their faces as they kick a soccer ball across a dusty field with U.S. soldiers. These stories and images are etched in my Col. Batinich memory and serve as a constant reminder that we are engaged in an important mission. As Americans we often take for granted the ability to elect our leaders, attend the religious worship service of our choice, and openly share our views and opinions. While enjoying this country's freedoms, it's easy to forget there are tyrannical dictators half a world away who control the lives of their citizens, and fundamental extremists who tie explosives to their bodies and board buses full of innocent civilians. Yet, on Sept. 11, 2001, our sense of safety and security was shattered as the World Trade Towers fell to the ground. In fighting the Global War on Terrorism, we have taken on aggressive militants who are bound together by fanatical ideology but represent no nation and . wear no uniform. We are engaged in a war like no other in our history. But, as in wars past, we are fighting for the cause of freedom. The GWOT is a war we cannot afford to lose. And, frankly, it doesn't'matter if our efforts make front-page headlines or are lauded on the evening news. Serving one's country isn't about notoriety, praise, or recognition. It is about something greater. In the words of Winston Churchill, "All great things are simple, and many can be expressed in single words: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope." More than anything our efforts represent the only hope to millions around the world that we will likely never get to . meet face to face. But we must remember that these hopeful millions are real and they are pulling for us even if their fear-enforced silence is never heard. It is for all of these reasons and many more that we serve. 777-7000 action.line.pa@hill.af.mil When you call or send an email, 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 in answering questions and solving problems before calling the Action Courtesy photo Line. This will help me better serve The Thaden family (from left) Elizabeth, Benjamin, Emily, Sarah, Lt. Col. your interests. Items of basewide Frederick Thaden and Joseph (top), stand in front of an igloo they built after the heavy snowfall Jan. 4-5. The igloo was large enough to fit the interest will be published in the entire family in and the children slept in it Jan. 11. Thaden's wife, DeeDee, other daughter, Amanda and family friend, Megan Toman, also helped Hilltop Times. build the igloo. Military Pay 777-1851 Phone numbers — The Security Forces 777-5550 24-hr. Crisis Information.. 777-3056 Civilian Pay 777-6246 base agencies listed can Services 777-4134 Air Force Suggestion 777-6901 be contacted directly if Base Restaurants 777-2043 Program you have a complaint or a Retirernent/Cornpensation...777-6142 IC Complaints 777-5305 (civilian) ((or appointment) problem with their services: IC Complaints 777-5361 Social Actions 777-3516 Employer Relations 777-7129 (after hours) Fraud, Waste or Abuse 777-5361 (recording) 75th Medical Croup 777-4918 Civil Engineering 777-1856 Hill Pride Hotline 777-7433 Public Affairs 777-5201 Public Affairs Information ..777-%% Control Line Military Housing 777-2963 Maintenance Safety Office 777-3333 Union ...777-3257 AFOSI Narcotics Hotline....777-1852 Family Assistance Center.. 777-3090 (when activated) What are you doing to prepare for the Commander in Chief installations visit Jan. 20 through Feb. 2? All fat is not created equal. Unsaturated fats and omega-3 fats are heart healthy and can help lower cholesterol and risk of heart disease. Minimal amounts of fat should come from saturated and trans fats because these fats can raise cholesterol and risk of heart disease. THINK SAFETY Hill's Total 2008 DUIs: 1 Hill's Last DUI: Unit Involved: 75t& Airmen Against Drinking and Driving provide rides when designated drivers ar« unavailable. Call 777-1111 any time to requests ride. Capt. Ryan LeBlanc 388th Fighter Wing "I coordinate all facilities improvements for 388th FW buildings, so I'm providing info on what we've accomplished this year." David Page Ogden Air Logistics Center "I'm going to make sure my facility looks nice for when the team gets here." Airman Guadalupe Quinonez 75th Mission Support Squadron "I'm going to make sure other airmen are taking care of each other by following the VVingman concepts." Valerie Burke 75th Air Base Wing "I'm going out and letting the community around the base know the team is coming in and trying to get them involved." |