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Show HILLTOP TIMES TIMES December 31, 2008 Coat drive for homeless veterans BY LEE ANNE HENSLEY Hilltop Times staff "As the days remain cold, I ask you to remain vigilant on personal, home and work center safety. From wearing proper protective equipment, to making sure our sidewalks are free of slipping hazards, to registering our office space heaters with CES, make your safety and the safety of others a priority." Y I ^he Utah Veteran's 1 homepage, UtVet.com, .X. estimates that currently there are 2,395 homeless military veterans in Utah, with more than 5,000 veterans expected to be homeless at some point during the year. At this time of year, homelessness can be harsh and deadly. The Hill Ah' Force Base 729th Air Control Squadron and other supporting squadrons aim to alleviate some of the harshness of winter for their military predecessors by hosting a coat drive. "The coats on their backs are keeping them alive against the brutal winter we're in," says Tech. Sgt Jesse Bunck, one of the coat drive organizers for will be very diligent to make sure you and those around you never drink and drive. A safety initiative that requires killing From page 1 off those around you just to get your attention probably isn't the nobody plans to drink and drive; most effective way to save lives, so on to Plan B. therefore drinking and driving speeches must be aimed at What is Plan B? Well, part of someone else. the answer is to start spreading your own "There I was ..." Search the Internet for horstories. The stories don't have ror stories concerning drunken driving, and you will find plenty. to end in tragedy (in fact, it is better for everyone involved if However, only the especially they don't). Mishaps are genermacabre personalities search those stories out, and even when ally a chain of events. Break one link and you may prevent a they do, those victims are still mishap. Break several links and not "real." your odds get even better. Your Odds are that if you experistory should focus on what could ence a death due to a drunken driver in your personal life, you have gone wrong, how many DRINKING the 729th ACS. The 729th ACS and other squadrons are collecting warm clothing until Jan. 8 and will give all donations to the Ogden Homeless Veteran's Fellowship and the George E. Wahlen Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Salt Lake City. Tb find out where the nearest drop-off location is, contact the following organizers: • 729th ACS: Tech. Sgt. Jesse Bunck, 7774293, and Staff Sgt. Aileena Audiss, 777-0624. • 649th Combat Logistics Support Squadron: Master Sgt. James Jordan at 777-8072 • 75th Operations Support Squadron: Tech. Sgt. Susan Secora at 777-2018. • 388th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron: Senior Airman Jason Smith and Master Sgt. James Mysliwski at 777-6409. opportunities you had to break a link and why you didn't. "If I had been pulled over ..." or "If that six-year-old had run into the street..." What opportunities did you have to influence a better outcome? If you still aren't convinced you are a tragedy waiting to happen, the first step may be to tell those stories to yourself. If you have ever gone to a friend's house or a club, or to the corner hangout and driven yourself home when you shouldn't, there's probably a story. If you ever got home, but can't remember how you got there, there is probably a story with pictures on YouTube. If you ever let a friend drive when they maybe PETS From page 3 friendly skin healing brands. Check your car engine before starting the car "Cats are good at finding warm areas to rest, but sometimes that could mean they find warm car hoods and engine compartments," Zarndt says. "Knock on the hood of your car before starting your car to scare away any cats that could potentially be hiding there." Vaccinate before boarding "Make sure your dog is up to date on its bordetella vaccination before boarding," Zarndt advises. "Call your vet- erinarian if you are not sure when (your pet) is due. If it is coming up on the next vaccination, you might consider getting it early if you know you are going to board for awhile." Local groomers also require updated vaccine records, so keep current on your pet's vaccine cycle. For those with new puppies or kittens, see a veterinarian immediately to start the proper vaccination cycle and get the microchip implants. In general, keep an eye on your furry family member. Since they are unable to communicate, it is important to notice behavioral changes for any sign of distress. As their responsible caretaker, it is up to you keep them safe and warm during the cold, snowy season. if you had been drinking. Ever drive through the canyon, above the speed limit, in the middle of a snowstorm because you desperately needed to be the first one skiing the new powder? You probably can find a story or two to tell. "The hard part about playing 'chicken' is knowing when to flinch." Much like the 12step process, the hardest part about staying alive is admitting and believing there are risks that affect you personally. It isn't hard to reduce your risk; it just takes an effort. Please have a safe and happy new year, and please don't drink and drive. And don't run with scissors. shouldn't, there is probably a story. Once you have convinced yourself that your survival thus far has more to do with luck than your planning skills, tell your stories to those around you. I am sure there are some who don't have any stories because they don't drink. Unfortunately, . drunken drivers don't just hurt the people drinking. If they did, we would have a bit of a Darwinian advantage in the effort to eliminate drunken driving. You don't have to be drunk to do some damage with a motor vehicle. 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