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Show COMMENTARY TIMES December 11, 2008 America, land of the free and pursuit of happiness Hilltop TIMES WVokly Smtx UH8 Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: Lee Carter... Standard-Examiner publisher Mary Lou Gorny Hilltop Times Editor Lee Anne Hensley Hilltop Times Writer Deadlines: Editorial and news items are due by noon on the Friday prior to the Thursday print date. To submit news items e-mail hilltoptimes9standard.net or call 625-4273. For Classified Advertising, call 625-4300. For Retail Advertising, call 625-4388. The Hilltop Times is published by Ogden Publishing Corporation, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under, and in compliance with, a Memorandum of Understanding with Hill Air Force Base. The content of the Hilltop Times does not necessarily represent the views of, nor is it endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or Hill Air Force Base (collectively, the Government). The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Government 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 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 625-4273 with story ideas or comments, or send e-mail to Editor Mary Lou Gorny at mgorny@standard. net. Call 625-4300 for Classified Advertising or 625-4388 for Retail Advertising. COMMENTARY BY 1 ST LT. KYLE SUCK 84th Combat Sustainment Wing executive officer L ately, I've spent a lot of time reflecting on where we are as a country. It discourages me to see the economy taking such a sharp fall in the past few months. Life went from "manageable" to "difficult" for a lot of our citizens. I just looked outside my window, though, and saw cars still driving on the road. I opened my refrigerator and the food is still cold. Apparently, life is still going on. While I may be discouraged, I'm certainly not worried about my future or the future of the United States. I haven't had an opportunity to talk with every individual in our country about this subject but I hope that they all look at the future with optimism. Anyone that doesn't should just look at our track record for success! This is NOT the first hiccup that we've had in our 230-plus years of existence. We've fought like hell, kicking and screaming the entire way, to get where we are now. Every time a situation arose that threatened our freedom as a nation, we not only overcame that threat but grew stronger because of it. This week marked a truly infamous day in our history. On Dec. 7,1941, our will and courage were tested in the extreme. American soil was attacked, Americans were killed. We took that all in, Lt. Slick stood up and said "No more." In less than four years, we forced the aggressors of that attack into unconditional surrender. Hell hath no fury like an American scorned, a fact that we've had to prove over and over again and a fact that many people across the world have learned the hard way. So where does that leave us now? It would appear that lately we're becoming our own greatest enemy. Does that mean we should start fighting ourselves? I'm not sure. Since Day One, we've fought for democracy, which is one way of saying that we've fought to get the things we want. The pursuit of happiness is guaranteed to every American but many people forget the key word: pursuit. Happiness is not some- Every time a situation arose that threatened our freedom as a nation, we not only overcame that threat but grew stronger because of it. thing that falls into your lap upon birth in the United States. It's something attained by using the proper application of hard work and strong morals. Sure, I've lost some cash in the past few months as a result of the economy crashing. I'll be damned if I'm just going to throw in the towel and tell myself it's never going to get better, though. If 1941 America can put on the rally cap after ten years of economic depression followed by a crippling attack, I don't see any reason that we shouldn't be able to do the same thing. While this doesn't mean I'll be in any public protests for economic reform, I'll always have a place in my heart for protestors that are taking advantage of the freedoms afforded to them. 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 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. Report suspicious activity via the AFOSI EAGLE EYES program Dial: 777-3056/3057/3058. Watch - Report - Protect Force Protection is Our Business - Everyone is a Sensor Security Forces ::l;.....i.:: Phone numbers 24-hr. Crisis Information 777-3056 —The base agenciesForce Support Squadron 777-4134 listed can be Base Restaurants 777-2043 contacted directly if Retirement/Compensation 777-6142 (civilian) you have a complaintSocial Actions 777-3516 or a problem with Employer Relations ...777-7129 their services: Military Pay.,.;.^^E!'^:::!;: .777^1851 Civilian Pay 777-6246 Air Force Suggestion 777-6901 Program Hill Straight Talk 777-9696 IC Complaints 777-5305 (for appointment) IC Complaints 777-5361 (after hours) SENIOR AIRMAN HEATHER SKINKLE/U.S. Air Force Capt. Kyle Hosmaa new 419th Maintenance Operations Flight commander, salutes Col. Steve Mittuch, 419th Maintenance Group commander, before accepting the unit flag at a change-ofcommand ceremony Dec. 6. Fraud, Waste or Abuse.: .777-5361 (recording) Loud Noise 1-877-885-9595 (complaints) 75th Medical Group 777-4918 Civil Engineering 777-1856 Hill Pride Hotline 777-7433 Public Affairs : 777-5333 Military Housing ^fi1^ -825-9392 Maintenance Safety Office 777-3333 Safety Office Hotline 586-9300 Union 777-3257 AFOSI Narcotics Hotline 777-1852 Family Assistance Center 777-3090 (when activated) % Where is your favorite place to go skiing or snowboarding? FitnesiTip from the Health and WdHncn Center In order to avoid back injuries, ask yourself if it is easy to reach a load. • You can be injured if you arch your back when lifting a load over your head. • To avoid hurting your back, use a ladder when you're lifting something over your head. THINK SAFETY Hill's Total 2008 DUIs: 32 Hills Last DUI: Ttovemfet J5 Unit Involved: Airmen Against Drinking and Driving provide rides when designated drivers are unavailable. Call 777-1111 any time to request Bride. Tyler Sheets Recreation Aide, 75th Mission Support Group Outdoor Hecreation Center "Powder Mountain, because it is close and it's very big, and the Canyons, because it is also big and has really nice runs. Both have good terrain parks, too." Greg Wescott 309th Maintenance Group "Powder Mountain is great. It's close and it's reasonably priced. I prefer Snowbasin, but they're all good. If I lived closer I'd go to Alta, Snowbird and Wolf Mountain." Billie Lafigura 558th Aircraft Sustainment Group "We all go to Snowbasin. We've gone to Powder Mountain — I prefer Powder Mountain but my kids prefer Snowbasin. I learned to ski at Wolf Mountain and I really liked it there." Steve Penhorwood Recreation Specialist, 75th Mission Support Group Outdoor Recreation Center "Snowbasin. I skied there 60 days last year. It's close. It has the best mountain, best service and food. Military people can ski there for more than half off a regular priced season pass, just like Powder Mountain." |