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Show COMMENTARY I IiIltop 2 TIMES February 10, 2011 Our stories are being written 4then and now THil top BY RICHARD LEON ES Hilltop Times Editorial Staff: Lee Carter ... Standard-Examiner publisher Mary Lou Gorny Hilltop Times Editor Catherine McNally 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 hilltoptimesqstandard.net or call (801) 625-4273. For Classified Advertising, call (801) 625-4300. For Retail Advertising, call (801) 625-4388. The Hilltop Times is published by Ogden Publishing Corp., 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 limes 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). 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Call 801-625-4300 for Classified Advertising or 801-6254388 for Retail Advertising. •A Chairman, African-American History Month Committee 0 ne day not long ago, as I was sorting through the mail, I noticed a large brown envelope. As I inspected it a little closer, I saw that it was from a family friend back in San Antonio. I opened the envelope and pulled out a spiral-bound notebook. On the front was a clear protective cover. On the page under the cover was a head and shoulder photo of my friend Jim in his Air Force uniform, complete with the now retired Air Force Service Cap. At the top of the page was the title, "Autobiography." Underneath the photo was Jim's full name with "Jim" inserted in parenthesis. Under his name was the date Jan. 6, 1921, followed by a dash. I studied the picture for a while. I saw the face of a strong, yet gentle, patriot who was obviously proud of having served his country. Little did I know of the details behind my friend's pride until I had read the story of his dash. A quick skim through the notebook revealed several pages of photos and details of Jim's life. There were pictures of his grandmothers taken back in the 1800s all the way to a current picture of his wedding anniversary in 2010. The majority of the pictures were military and I could tell he was very proud of his military career. In a family photo taken in the mid-1950s, there were five male siblings standing. Five females sat around their mother, who sat in the middle. Jim was the tallest among the males and appeared even taller in his crisp military uniform with his head held high. As I read through the pages, I began to get a picture of how Jim's life unfolded. I saw that he attended an all Negro elementary school where all grades were taught by the same teacher. The school was sponsored by the neighborhood because the state of South Carolina would not support it. He later quit high school to enroll in a newly opened vocational school where he excelled in patternmaking. He also garnered praise for his boxing skills in the amateur golden gloves ranks as a light heavyweight. Jim graduated from the vocational school and joined the Army with the 95th Engineers Battalion in 1941. Two of the greatest accomplishments of his unit were the building of the Alaskan Highway and repairing destroyed roads and bridges on Normandy Beach during the invasion. His unit was also sent to Germany during the Battle of the Bulge. When World War II ended, he separated and returned home to Philadelphia where his family had moved to join his father. Shortly after returning home, Jim and three other veterans were invited to go on the radio to talk about their service careers and qualifications for employment. After the program, they were sent letters for a job interview as patternmakers. Once the employer learned Jim was black, they refused to allow him to complete the interview. Jim reLeon solved to working part time for the post office. Some days, he was only given two hours of work. Three months after his discharge, he walked across the street from the post office and joined the Army Air Corps. The Air Corp was segregated at the time, and Jim's first commanding officer was Lt. Benjamin 0. Davis Jr. (who would later become the first black general in the U.S. Air Force) at Fort Knox, Ky. Jim later transferred to McChord Field,Wash., where he completed his first accounting course at the University of Tacoma. He then applied for the Air Force Accounting School in Denver, Colo., but was denied. From all appearances, the denial was based purely on racial bias. Jim persisted though, and after several applications, was finally approved. In the seven months that followed, he completed both the basic and advanced courses. While Jim was in Denver, segregation ended. He returned to his unit at McChord Field, but most of his black colleagues had volunteered for overseas assignments rather than face the racial hatred being fueled by desegregation. Shortly thereafter, he followed suit and received orders to Japan. Immediately after boarding the overseas-bound ship, Jim learned he would be the sergeant major onboard. Because the ship was largely made up of white soldiers, in order to calm the racial tensions, Jim sought out the assistance of a white master sergeant to funnel directions through. While en route to Japan, the Korean War broke out. Upon arrival in Japan, Jim learned his office in downtown Tokyo was just three blocks from Gen. Douglas MacArthur's headquarters. After a short time in Japan, the Korean War escalated and he was reassigned to Okinawa in support of the war. His next assignment was Ethan Allen Air Force Base, Vt., where he was first sergeant of a unit of 90 white and 12 black troops. The winters at Ethan Allen were extremely brutal and Jim requested a reassignment. After three years there, he was reassigned to the Tennessee State Reserve Officer gaining Corps unit. His highlight of that assignment was meeting Maj. Daniel "Chappie" James Jr., who would later become America's first African-American four-star general. His next assignment was supposed to be first sergeant of a medical unit at Randolph AFB, Texas, but once again, prejudice entered the picture. After finding out Jim was black, the commander refused to accept his position as first sergeant. As a result of this, Jim eventually wound up at NATO headquarters in Paris, France, for five years during which time he fell heads over heels in love with the country. His next two assignments were Kelly and Lackland Air Force Bases in Texas before retiring in 1971. Interestingly, Jim's story contained only three paragraphs about his life following military service. He is now ninety years old. Given the harsh realities he encountered in the military, you have to wonder why his cherished life story contains so much about the military and so little outside of it. My guess is that, despite the negative occurrences, he still loves his country and is extremely proud of having engaged in combat to protect the rights and freedoms of all Americans. Jim's story reminds me of the movie "Proud" in which the main character, about Jim's age, just wants the story of his military service, and those he served alongside, acknowledged and recognized. Having maintained integrity and professionalism through it all, Jim's military career would later pave the road to a new post-military career. His blemish-free record told potential employers that he was well-disciplined and had superb leadership abilities among many other desirable traits. Subsequently, his second retirement was as a successful realtor in 1986. Author and poet, Robert Frost, put it this way, "The best way out, is always through." Jim's dash was certainly a road through. February is African-American History Month. The local theme chosen by the base's African-American History Month Committee is: "The Content of Their Character." I can think of no finer example of inspiring character than in my friend Jim's story. It's a story many people, both minorities and non-minorities, can relate to from long ago until even today. Prejudice and other injustices are still alive and well. I've always found solace in the bible verse, Genesis 50:20: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done ..." If, in the end, we want to be as proud of our country and military service (or civil service) as Jim is of his, we must summon our inner strength and look beyond any current adversities or misfortunes to the day someone will read the story of our dash ... stories which are being written right now. Like Jim, we must stand tall, keep our uniforms crisp, our heads held high and continue to serve with "Integrity First," "Service Before Self" and "Excellence in All We Do." HAWC Nest Fitness Tip from the Health and Wellness Center The Freshstart program to quit tobacco is a four-part series that meets weekly for one month. All active duty, dependents, retirees, Department of Defense federal employees and contractors are eligible to attend. Call Pat Cerone Health and Wellness Center at (801) 777-1215 for more information. THINK SAFETY Hill's Total 2011 DUIs: 0 AIRMAN TO AIRMAN 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 4 Everyone is Senior Airman Melissa Lafeen 75th Medical Operations Squadron a Sensor Dec. 12 Unit Involved: 3rre i4c,totatit Naiategasice Squad/ma 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. Sundays 9 p.m.-midnight South Jordan, Utah. Who is your favorite band? I don't really What is your favorite quote or movie quote? have a favorite band, but I do like Rascal Flatts. Where are you from? Hill's Last DUI: Phone numbers 4 The base agencies listed can be contacted directly if you have a complaint or a problem with their services: SUICIDE PREVENTION ASSISTANCE 777-7909 Mental Health Clinic Chaplain 777-2106 Military OneSource (800) 342-9647 National Suicide (800) 273-8255 Prevention Line TriWest Crisis Line (866) 284-3743 TriWest Behavioral (866) 651-4970 Health Contact Center EAP (800) 222-0364 777-1163 Occupational Medicine Services Wingman Advocates 777-2255 Security Forces 24-hr. Crisis Information Force Support Squadron Base Restaurants Retirement/Compensation 777-3056 777-3056 777-4134 777-2043 777-6142 (civilian) Equal Opportunity Office 777-5455 Employer Relations Military Pay Civilian Pay Air Force Suggestion Program Hill Straight Talk IG Complaints 777-7129 777 1851 777-6246 777-6901 - "We all live with the objective of being happy; we are all different and yet the same." — Anne Frank. 777-9696 777-5305 (for appointment) IG Complaints 777-5361 777-5361 (recording) Loud Noise 1-877-885-9595 (complaints) 75th Medical Group Civil Engineering Hill Pride Hotline Public Affairs Military Housing Maintenance Safety Office Safety Office Hotline Union AFOSI Narcotics Hotline Family Assistance Center 777-4918 777-1856 777-7433 777-5333 825-9392 What is your favorite part about being in the Air Force? Knowing I'm going to be paid on the 1st and 15th. to go to Italy and see Rome. you were not in the Air Force, what would you want to be? I would Who is your celebrity crush? Dierks Bentley. like to be an elementary teacher. What is your favorite food? Indian food. If 777-3333 586-9300 777-3257 777-1852 777-3090 (when activated) • and watching movies. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why? I would love (after hours) Fraud, Waste or Abuse What are your hobbies? Eating, reading |