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Show HILLTOP TIMES MES Oct. 6 2011 ALEX R. LLOYD/U.S. Air Force LOGSTARS follow Breck Baker, squadron director for the 532nd CMMXS/CL, as they look at C-5 Galaxy landing gear, in Building 507 on Sept. 29. New LOGSTARS tour Hill Air Force Base as part of orientation 75th Air Base Wing Public Affairs A group of 11 community leaders have been inducted as special community partners, following a special "LOGSTAR" orientation here recently. LOGSTAR, a community relations FIRE From page 1 Fire!" seemed really basic. Still, this year's theme has generated more memories than any other. Memories of fire prevention lessons learned through pain. A memory of my father sitting in my room, talking about the matches he'd found hidden in my sock drawer. When my father was a young man in junior high, the farm house he lived in caught fire and burned to the ground. "I hope you never know," he said, "the pain of losing all of your possessions, depending on neighbors and strangers for shelter, clothes and food." His lesson was that matches are a tool not a toy and playing with matches can result in a lifechanging disaster. My father's family had to move into a nearby town, the farm slowly sold off or worked by others. A memory of heat on my face as I watched a barn burn to the ground due to two teenagers' sneaking cigarettes and smokThe memory ing in the hay loft. of squealing animals as the barn collapsed into itself. The smell of burning flesh as the barn and its contents burned to a smoldering pile of ash. Lesson learned through pain? Don't smoke in a hazardous environment and dispose of smoking materials in an approved container. A young man now, a soldier, a combat engineer participating in an exercise — posted as a guard at the gate of our encampment with my best friend. We both had M-16 rifles with M-203 grenade launchers attached. We both had 20mm flares loaded to provide early warning of exercise attacks. In the dark of night came the aggressors and we challenged them. The pops of blank ammunition filled the night. I was 18 years old, tired and nervous; my friend aimed his M-16 and pulled the wrong trigger. One of the aggressors screamed, turned in flames and ran back into the woods. The aggressor died of burns, an accident investigation later convicted my friend of involuntary manslaughter. A lot of lessons learned through pain about weapon safety, the effects of exhaustion and to stop, drop and roll when your clothes catch fire. Now a graduate from the fire program sponsored by the Air Force, pairs key military personnel and civilian leaders as partners in activities and social events. The program is designed to strengthen community relations and increase mutual understanding of each other's responsibilities. "Thanks to the LOGSTAR program, Hill has made many friends who have continued to support the base throughout the years," said Valerie Burke, Chief, of Community Relations at Hill. "Through collaborations and partnerships, the LOGSTAR program seeks to inspire and encourage community leadership partnerships across Utah and to help each of Hill Fire Prevention Week activities On Oct. 5, Hill Air Force Base firefighters participated in an open house at the Roy Fire Station to offer fire prevention information and support to local families near the base. The Hill AFB Fire Department coordinates the joint efforts to support those who work on the base and whose families reach out to their local fire departments for information. Thursday, Oct. 6, the firefighters will be at the Clinton Fire Station, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11, a Hill Field Elementary School Firefighter for a Day Poster Contest. Wednesday, Oct. 12, youth fire prevention activities will be held at the school including a fire prevention trailer which helps kids learn how to roll out of bed if they suspect a fire, check the door for heat, and other fire pre- academy my chosen profession, I could see the flames as we rolled up on scene. The homeowners were in a small huddle, hugging one another, happy they had escaped their burning home; happy no one was injured, full of adrenaline. Slowly, as they watched the firefighters attack the fire, their situation dawned on the adults. Their faces slowly melted into the hopeless stare of shock as they realized their every possession was going up in flames. Irreplaceable items like photographs, documents and memorabilia. As a firefighter, this scene would be repeated and the lesson painfully taught. Have an escape plan, know how to get out of your home. Have a meeting point where everyone will be safe then practice, practice, practice. Another lesson, have a working smoke detector. Test the detectors monthly, change the batteries semiannually and replace the detectors every 10 years. A final memory, responding to a cooking fire, light gray smoke coming from the front door, spouse with fire extinguisher sitting on the step, sobbing hysterically. The fire is out, there's a pan in the sink, dinner's burned to a crisp, kitchen cabinets are scorched and a brown patina of smoke stain is on the ceiling. The us address issues of vital importance to our respective communities." As a community partner here, LOGSTARs have an opportunity to become familiar with the responsibilities of Hill Air Force Base and the unit to which WINGMEN From page 1 vention actions. Thursday, Oct. 13, the seventh annual Golf Tournament at Hubbard Golf course starts at 8 a.m. with check-in and a shotgun start at 9. The two-person scramble includes a $30 per team fee not including green fees. To sign up, call Bill Cochran at 775-3224 or Pat Vega at 586-4195, no later than Oct. 11. Friday, Oct. 14, Firefighter for a Day as the winners of the Hill Field Elementary contest get a tour of the fire station and spend time with the firefighters. Saturday, Oct. 15, the 10th annual Fire House Run will start at 8 a.m. Pre-registration required by Oct. 13. The free event features 5/10/15K distances. For those runners off-base visit www. utahrunning.com and follow the instructions. Call Breen Lowman or Jeffrey Beck at 801-777-3021. smell is terrible and the yellow talc-like powder coats everything, another unattended cooking fire. The interview invariably follows a predictable path, "I just turned my back," "left the room," "fell asleep" or "went to the store for a second." The reaction after the fire is out and the damage is being assessed usually involves concern over the spouse's career. Another painful lesson, never leave cooking unattended, put a lid on grease fires and turn off the burner and don't ever put water on a grease fire. Benjamin Franklin has been credited with saying, "Pain is only valuable once you've learned from it." In the fire service we talk about "Legislating through blood." Both mean the same thing. Life-changing moments are those that cause pain. Fire Prevention Week is our best attempt at teaching life-changing lessons while minimizing the pain. This year's Fire Prevention Week theme is about protecting your family from fire. Learning the lessons required to protect your family includes teaching the members of your family. Use memories, make them real and this year's theme will be a success. and effort into improving the quality of life of Hill Airmen," said Busch, commander of the Ogden Air Logistics Center. This year's recipients are Rick Hartle, Jodi Holmgren, Sue Munson and Barbara Riddle. Rick Hartle Hartle is a lifetime member of the Air Force Association who has served at the chapter, state and national levels. He's held leadership roles in the Utah Aerospace Education Foundation and the Aerospace Heritage Foundation. Rick led community efforts to help establish the Junior Enlisted Center at Hill AFB. Under his leadership and direction, the Salute to Our Nation's Defenders Picnic is now a landmark event. Jodi Holmgren Holmgren serves as the 388th Fighter Wing Falcons president, a program comprised of 388th Honorary Commander alumni who have served for two or more years. Her main focus consists of working closely with Airmen, facilitating volunteer opportunities and managing fundraising activities for quality of life programs. Jodi continues to strengthen the relationship between the Wing and local businesses through communication initiatives that maximize involvement and support various programs. Sue Munson Munson is the treasurer of the Wolf Creek Foundation, a nonprofit organization that funds Team Hill retreats for deploying Airmen and See LOGSTARS I page 10 their families. Sue was instrumental in forming the foundation, as well as the "Music in the Mountains" concert series which helps fund the retreats. She has enlisted the help of numerous corporate sponsors, and because of Sue's efforts, the Wolf Creek Foundation has served 735 military families in 21 retreats over its first five year period. Sue raises $50,000 per retreat and has given the residents of Ogden Valley a tangible way to support military families of Hill AFB. Barbara Riddle Riddle is a former LOGSTAR, a 388th Fighter Wing Honorary Commander and a current 388th Fighter Wing Falcon, previously serving as president of that organization. Barbara also serves as Chairwoman of the Quality of Life sub-committee for the Top of Utah Military Affairs Committee. She dramatically increased fundraising and expanded quality of life programs for Hill Airmen. She has organized three Salute to our Nation's Defenders picnics, helping the event grow to serve over 2,500 military members and their families. The strategy of having a good wingman reaches far beyond the arena of aerial assault. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. (Ret.) John P. Jumper initiated the Wingman concept in 2004. He emphasized the importance of Airmen looking out for one another. The chief highlighted working toward building a wingman culture across the service, a concept equally relevant to the relationship between the base and the surrounding community. 5 |