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Show HILLTOP TIMES TIMES November 25, 2009 SERVICE From page 9 Courtesy photo Chaplains (Capts.) Mark Nevius, Daniel Horgan, Daniel Waterman and William Brown recite a reading with the congregation during the econumenical service held at the Base Chapel. Commander, chaplain talk about stress of holidays was told. When he returned in a week, he complained about the smelly goat, and was happy to comply when the rabbi advised him to remove it and come and see him the following week. When he returned to see the rabbi, he was asked, "So how are things now?" Wonderful, he told the rabbi. As the chaplain explained, the conditions had not changed from the earlier situation, two weeks previous, but what had changed was the man's state of mind. Now he was experiencing gratefulness. Horgan asked the congregation to consider being sensitive to the power of Christ and being aware of the feeling of thankfulness. He cited the account of Luke of the grateful leper who was the only one of 10 healed to return and thank Jesus, falling on his feet and praising God. The chaplain encouraged all present to be aware of the presence of God, as had the leper who had been healed. Horgan compared the ability of the leper to turn around to thank Jesus to the state of being able to prioritize things in our lives. Horgan also recounted the words according to Luke, "Arise, your faith has made you whole," given to the leper. He talked of how gratefulness could be a way to gain faith in Christ. A combined Protestant and Catholic Hill AFB choir sang a special number, and scripture readings on gratitude were recited, including the account by Luke of the grateful leper. The meeting was a tradition started the year before by Horgan and Chaplain (Capt.) William Brown in Iraq. When Horgan, a Catholic priest, and Brown, a Protestant minister, became friends, they held a ecumenical service on Reformation Sunday, Oct. 30, 2008. When the two found out they would both be at Hill AFB the following year, the tradition continued but with a Thanksgiving twist. BY TECH. SGT. JOHN JUNG 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs B AGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — The holiday season is almost upon us and while many deployed Airmen are busy trying to find creative ways to brighten the season while away from loved ones, some Airmen may find themselves wrestling with a combination of stressors during the 40 or so days between Thanksgiving and the New Year. Many Airmen can find themselves overwhelmed with feelings of sadness or depression, because they miss friends and family back home and are struggling with personal relationships; or are dealing with financial problems that are difficult and weigh on them heavily. Whatever the case, all Airmen are strongly encouraged to seek out and help their fellow Airmen with holiday stress. "Our job during the days between Thanksgiving and the new year is to pay attention to one another, Airman to Airman," said Brig. Gen. Steven Kwast, commander of the 455th Air Expeditionary Wing. ,• Supervisors and wingmen should look out for signs of stress, and reach out to each other if things become even a little overwhelming. I "Make sure you're looking each other in the eye. If Somebody is struggling, make sure that you're there . and talking with them about it," Kwast said. \ Signs of stress may vary from person to person and situation to situation. Some significant signs of stress may include: .' • Behavioral changes such as social isolation, deterioration in an Airman's appearance or work performance : • Cognitive changes such as slow or poor decisionmaking, decreased memory or concentration • • Mood changes such as being constantly angry, sad or .irritable, and frequent mood fluctuations , • Expressed feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. • The key to stress management is early recognition. If you begin to feel "stretched thin" emotionally or physically, don't wait until you reach the point of helplessness or hopelessness. Seek help from a supervisor, friend or Saved one. You can also enhance your ability to mangge stress by eating healthy, exercising regularly, getting adequate rest and remaining within your financial njeans. f; "We've got organizations on base to help us with Stress — mental help professionals and chaplains —but there is nothing more important or powerful to solving this problem than one friend to another," said Gen. I£wast. .v "A friend who notices something isn't quite right and is there to listen and find assistance during tough times i$ what being a good Airman is all about. Be a good wingman and pay attention to your brothers and sisters, especially during this holiday season," he concluded. '• People may not believe it, but even chaplains can feel down with the onset of the holidays. , "I feel those same feelings of loneliness and wishing I were home with my family like anyone else," said t.t. Col. Randall Kitchens, 455th AEW chaplain. "I have $ 19-year old daughter and a 21-year old son. And I'm looking into the eyes of many of our Airmen here who are about that same age ... in their eyes I see my son and daughter and in that moment I think to myself that if they were here I hope someone is going to be here for them," he continued. \ "That thought redirects me, instead of me being gown on myself, I turn around and think how can I help Someone else. And generally when I go to help someone else I feel better. It lifts my spirits because that is part 6f who I am as a person," said the chaplain. All fresh ingredients Made in store from scratch 3518 W. 5600 S., Roy Located in front of Kent's Market 801-985-3031 Opeti. Mon-Sat 11:00am to 10:00pm 'M Buy one 12 inch, All American Classic Pizza and fountain drink; jj get one 10 inch, 3 topping pizza I FREE # Must show coupon. Expires 12-31-2009 43*00 MKJM This It the placo for fried chlckonl KEY BUR with purchase o Burger Value 698 N. Main, Layton • 444-3118 Military Discount All Day. Every Day. 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