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Show 6 HILLTOP TIMES TIMES May 31, 2012 Share the road safely with all Military Family Life Consultant Mental Health/ADAPT Sexual Assault Response Coordinator Airman & Family Readiness Canter 801-586-8582 / 801-388-2501 801 777 7909 (For Active Duty During Duty Hours) 801-777-1985 / 801-920-9179 801-777-4681 Employee Assistance Program (Civilian Assistance): Military One Source Northern Utah Suicide Hotline 800-342-9647 24 hr line: 801 625 3700 800 222 0364 - - - r.grudtLss of your health coverage) Team Hill Chaplain - - - Wingman Advocate Family Advocacy 801-777-CAL1. 801-777-3497 (2255) - 801 777 3007 00-ALc1 W NGMAN Aloft ADVOCATE 111 PROGRAM - 801.777.2255 BY ALLAN WOODS Installation Motorcycle Safety Officer U tah experienced 28 motorcycle rider fatalities during 2011, which is up from 21 in 2010. In Utah, there have been four riders killed during 2012, and the Air Force has already lost five riders this year. This is unacceptable! We all need to work together to make changes to help avoid the unnecessary accidents happening on our roadways that are taking lives. The "See Me Save Me Campaign" kicks off with a ride on June 13 and is designed to show vehicle operators there are many motorcycles using the road with them. This campaign is a motivational tool to help vehicle operators realize we are sharing the road in large numbers and they all need to look specifically for us before pulling out of the driveway, changing lanes or turning a corner. I challenge each base rider to join us for the See Me Save Me Campaign ride. The route will include Roy, Ogden, South Ogden, Layton, Clearfield and Sunset. There will be a motor police, and local police support. Summer is here and we are seeing more and more motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians during our daily travel. We need to be aware they are out there and make the extra effort to look, look and look again. Sometimes it is all too easy to overlook the smaller traffic because of the size differ- HESS From 1 that had been built by French colonists and was later used by North Vietnam for housing POWs. Hess began his talk by recognizing those with whom he had served. "With the Memorial Day weekend coming up I want to take a second to pay tribute to the guys I served with, and particularly those who didn't come back," said Hess. He also thanked those who currently serve. Seven hundred people were held as POWs during the Vietnam War and 113 died while in captivity. While Hess knows these numbers well, he believes that the count is not accurate. "I don't think anyone has quantified the tears, quantified the blood, quantified the sweat and the sorrow," said Hess. Hess then went on to tell the story of his capture. He ejected from his F-105 after his plane had been hit, and said that during the parachute ride down he "fell asleep." When he regained consciousness, he was on a trail. It was there he was captured and taken to the Hanoi Critical SERSONAIIIRMIIMORA,GEMIENT Take a little time to evaluate what you are doing. welly Identify the hazards you are exposed to. S~T EP,y', Assess the Risks. PaBilli Analyze the Risk and consider the options. agr ottj Make the right decision. If not for yourself then for others. ence. Slow down and pay attention — besides saving gas, you may save a life by slowing down and enjoying the ride; and you'll reach your destination in a much more relaxed state of mind. It doesn't matter what type of vehicle we drive or ride, we all need to pay closer attention to those who are sharing the road with us. This advice is for riders, too. We all need to respect those who are sharing the road and not become part of the problem. Generally when a vehicle versus motorcycle accident happens; the driver of the vehicle will say, "I didn't see him or her." This is not an acceptable response under any condition. There is no excuse for not seeing every vehicle around us while we are driving, no matter what size it may be. It is simple, either you are paying attention or you are not. If not, secure a ride with a Hilton. During his time there, he was interrogated and tortured by his captors. But through all of this the internees managed to keep in contact with those on opposite sides of the prison walls. "We used a tap code to communicate by tapping through walls," said Hess. "It's what kept us together." Their daily rations consisted of a bowl of rice twice a day and occasionally a bowl of soup which they called "Swamp Green Soup." Hess went on to explain how after eating this day after day for five years it made him realize that variety is the spice of life. Hess gave the recipe for the swamp soup: "Take dandelions, boil them in water and you have swamp green soup," he chuckled. The conditions at Hanoi Hilton were worse earlier in the war, Hess described it as a horror, like screaming in the night, irons banging and men crying. He went on to tell stories of his fellow POWs during his time there including one man named Jerry who on some occasions pretended he was riding his motorcycle confusing their captors. Hess described the relief of responsible driver and save a life. The most common accident motorcyclist's encounter is when a vehicle makes a left hand turn in front of them. This generally doesn't turn out well for the motorcyclist. Driving requires a lot of concentration and when we attempt to do anything that may cause a distraction while driving, we are no longer being a responsible driver. Please put the cell phones away and drive. The phone message and the text message will be there when you reach your destination. Texting while driving is against the law for a good reason — it helps to save lives. The See Me Save Me Campaign is your opportunity to help make a difference. Let's all ride together and show our support for this important ride for life. RIDE From page 1 made. Allan Woods, installation motorcycle safety officer said, "We will have the ability to enhance awareness of all who share the road." During previous rides, with the help of motor police escort riders, along with local police staged at key intersections, the riders were able to complete the entire ride without any delays. Every intersection along the entire ride route was blocked, allowing uninterrupted travel to maintain the integrity of the campaign giving the group complete control of the road. With local newspaper and live media coverage the group was able to reach out and touch the entire state of Utah with the awareness message. The first part of the ride will begin on base with a 75th Security Forces escort along with Utah Highway Patrol and local community police riders. Staging will begin at 10:30 a.m. for all Hill AFB riders who are interested in joining the campaign. The group will meet at the motorcycle training range east of the South Gate Visitor Center. The ride will begin at 11 a.m. All riders who do not have access to the base and who are interested in participating in this awareness campaign may meet at the Hill AFB Aerospace Museum on 5600 South Roy near the Hill AFB Roy gate (East of 1-15, off base). These riders will need to be staged by 10:45 a.m. The route will include Roy, West Haven, Ogden, South Ogden, Uintah, South Weber, Layton, Clearfield and Sunset. Ride together and show support for this important ride for life. "The lives we save may be our own," said Woods. MARY LOU GORNY/Hilltop Times Jay Hess, former Vietnam War POW, presents information about his time in the Hanoi Hilton at Warrior Call, May 24, to a large crowd. release day when they were all freed from the prison. He said it was shocking to see real color for the first time in years and although it was 5 years for Hess, he said that some of the men had been in Hanoi Hilton for more than 9 years. He described his homecoming. He said he couldn't believe how good he could feel or realize how important and amazing freedom really is. When Hess returned home he later went on to help establish the ROTC program at Clearfield High School and served as the instructor there from 19731995. Hess finished his talk by summing up his experience," I went in a fighter pilot and came out an American." |