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Show TIMES May 27, 2010 MES " Weekly .Since 1948 imes Editorial Staff: jite Carter... Standard-Examiner publisher tyry Lou Gomy Hilltop Times Editor tjjftherine McNally Hilltop Times Writer 'Lee Anne Hensley Hilltop Times Correspondent Deadlines: Editorial and news items are due by noon on the Friday prior to the Thursday print date. To submit news items e-mail hilltoptimesestondard.net or call (BOl) 625-4273. For Gasified Advertising, call (801) 625-4300. For Retail Advertising, calf (801) 625-4388. r', >ae Hilltop Times is published bjitOgden Publishing Corporation, a private firm in no way connected wrth the U.S. Air Force, under, and in compliance with, a Memorandum of Understanding wrth Hill Air Force Base. The content of the {Hilltop Times does not necessarily represent the views of, nor is fendorsed by, the U.S. Government the Department of Defense, me Department of the Air Force or Hill Air Force Base (collectively, the Government). The appearance of advertising in this publication, ^eluding inserts or supplements, 0oes not constitute endorsement (agr the Government of the products ^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 honmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. < Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Standard-Examiner, 332 Standard Way, Ogden, Utah, 84404. Additional editorial content is provided by various military and civilian wire services and Hill Air Force Base public affairs departments. I Call (801) 625-4273 wrth story deas or comments, or contact Jhe editor, Mary Lou Gomy, at. higorny@standard.net. ! Call (801) 62S4300 for Classified Advertising or <801) 625-4388 for detail Advertising. WC Nest COMMENTARY Day calls for reflection on service, sacrifice of others lives, and we have asked for r nothing except enough ground to bury them in, and otherwise we have returned home to '•;-• seek our own lives in peace."! On Memorial Day, we value the peace, prosperity and vo freedom to live our lives as rni we choose, which have been purchased with the lives of iJ" America's military men and nwomen. We owe them more <\i'> than a few words in speeches >* and a day off of work. I plan n to stop whatever I'm doing on Memorial Day at 3 p.m. for the National Moment of Remem- < brance. I hope you will too. ; Take a moment to reflect on ui the sacrifices and service ourf-' heroes in uniform, and their n families, have made. When the Moment of Re- • "*' membrance is over, and we go back to thinking about the heat or the traffic or how quickly '•• even three-day weekends M seem to go, let's try to put our own situations into perspec- •;: tive. The number of men and women who have died in the •: line of duty continues to grow; we are still losing Americansin combat today. To these > • fallen warriors, and all those i who went before them, we owe a debt that cannot truly be ^ repaid. . ; BY GEN. DONALD J. HOFFMAN Commander, Air Force Materiel Command w RIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio — Throughout my Air Force career, I've often reflected on the meanings of service and sacrifice. I'm proud of the service and sacrifices our men and women in uniform make every day so we, and all Americans, can enjoy our many freedoms. However, when I attended the reunion of the famed Doolittle Raiders last month, I was sharply reminded of just how great the sacrifice is for some. Eighty brave Airmen took off on the Raiders' mission, but not all returned. Since that famous mission in which the Raiders, under the command of Lt. Col. Jimmy Doolittle, bombed Tokyo, all but eight men who survived the raid have passed away. Because the Doolittle Raid sent the nation's morale sky high, and because the men who flew that mission displayed such daring and courage, they are enshrined for posterity in countless historical narratives. As I continued to reflect on service and sacrifice since the reunion, I thought about the countless men and women who've died no less honorably, but who are largely unknown. More than 626,000 Americans have died in combat on foreign soil since the American Civil War. We may not know their names, but we can honor them by remembering, or if need be, learning about, what they accomplished in service to the United States of America and its democratic values. One of the criticisms I've heard leveled at the United States military is that it is an instrument of imperialism, that is, the force that has built and sustains an American empire. This view is misguided at best. Secretary of State Colin Powell spoke powerfully in response to this critique at the 2003 World Economic Forum when he said, "We have gone forth from our shores repeatedly over the last hundred years and we've done this as recently as the last year in Afghanistan and put wonderful young men and women at risk, many of whom have lost their 777-7000 action.line.pa@hill.af.mil I recently had an Extended Tour Decoration written on me, and I stopped by my supervisor to check the status Report suspicious on it as it has been approximately three months since it has been submitted but it is still pending approval due to activity vi3 the a Physical Training history review and analysis. My question is, why is physical fitness becoming a deciding factor on if a member's decoration is approved or not. I AFOSI EAGLE have not seen any guidance or a policy letter that states that a member's PT should be considered in the process. If the guidance is out there would rt be possible to receive a copy of it for future reference? Also, is this criteria standardized for other decoration requests such as permanent change of station, separation or retirement? Dial: 777-3056 Thank you for your question. While I don't have the specifics of your situation, generally speaking, in keeping with the Air Force's whole person concept every aspect of a member's tenure (on/off duty conduct, upgrade graining, job proficiency, fitness, etc.) is considered when recommending him for a decoration. Decorations are not meant to serve as a reward for just meeting standards, per AFl 36-2803, Chapter 2, Paragraph 3.3, extended tour medals are awarded for "clearly outstanding and unmistakably exceptional service." As far as the standardfor all decorations, Awards and Decorations guidance restricts PCS, PC A and Extended Tour decoration recommendations based on meritorious service — such as extended tour — are based upon a completed period of service clearly outstanding and unmistakably exceptional service for an extended period of at least three years. Our point of contact for personnel actions is Capt. Roderick Higghins, 75th FSS/FSM at (801) 586-8679. You matter! 7: / 3057/ 3058. W^tcb - Report Protect Force Protection is Our Business - Everyone is 3 Sensor When you call or send an e-mail, your, com- Please give your supervisor and chain of com- calling the Action Line. This will help me better ments will be recorded and staffed through the mand the opportunity to work with you in an- serve your interests. Items of basewide interest agency responsible for action. _^ swering questions and solving problems before will be published in the Hilltop 77mes. FitnMi Tip from ih« Hcilih ind Wellness frnier Make your family and friends happy and Sign up for the tobacco cessation classes at the Health and Wellness Center. Twelve weeks of free tobacco cessation medication will be provided to all Hill Air Force Base federal employees who participate in the program. Funding is limited. Call (801) 777-1215 for further information. Phone numbers — Security Forces...... 777-3056 T, , . ... , 24-hr. Crisis Information 777-3056 The base agencies listed Force Support Squadron 777-4134 can be contacted directly Base Restaurants 777-2043 tfyou have a complaint ^gmpensadon 777-6142 or a problem with their Equal Opportunity Office 777-5455 : cani-iroc. .y*s -v.---- •/..^Employer Relations 777-7129 services. ;.^r^,:;-;-^ •;, JMilbryPay...., 777-1851 Ovilian Pav 777-6246 Air Force Suggestion 777-6901 prOgram Hill Straight Talk 777-9696 ic Complaints ;...777-5305 (for appointment) ICCorT1 laints P - --: •••777-5361 (flftff/Kwrs>••••''•;; ;.•.V^vf ;>• 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 825-9392 Maintenance:. . •' - . Safety Office 'n..!.;:;^ 777-3333 Safety Office Hotline 586-9300 Union 777-3257 AFOSI Narcotics Hotline 777-1852 Family Assistance Center 777-3090 (whenactivated) \ . .,, . ..; What are your plans for % Memorial Day Weekend? THINK SAFETY Hill's Total 2010 DUIs:22 's Last DUI: Unit Involved: Airmen Against Drinking and Driving provide rides when designated drivers are unavailable. , Call 777-1111 to request a ride anytime. Hours of operation: , Fridays-Saturdays * 10 p.m.-6 a.m. S Sundays 9 p.m.-midnight Lareen Parkinson 75th Civil Engineer Group Capitol Asset manager for housing "Going to gravesrtes and decorating them, barbecuing and spending time with my family." , Senior Airman Corey Goodfellow 388th Equipment Maintenance Squadron • "I want to go to Yellowstone." work Rick Norstebon Security Specialist 75th Air Base Wing m going to catch up on Senior Airman Patrick Halberstadt 388th Equipment Maintenance Squadron "My parents are coming down and we are having a barbeq^ to kick off summer!" |