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Show HILLTOP TIMES Time remains for absentee voting, official says BY KAREN PARRISH American Forces Press Service W ASHINGTON — Absentee Voting Week is a reminder that it's still possible for eligible U.S. voters overseas to register and to vote, the acting director of the department's Federal Voting Assistance Program said Oct. 2. "It's not too late to vote," Pamela S. Mitchell told reporters during a telephone news conference. Mitchell said that during Absentee Voting Week, which runs through Oct. 4, FVAP's staff encourages all service members, spouses, voting-age family mem- bers and overseas civilians who haven't already done so to visit the program's web site, http:// www.fvap.gov , register to vote and request an absentee ballot. "It's important to note that military voters and their families can certainly participate in this election," Mitchell said. "It's not too late to vote." Registration and ballot deadlines vary by state, she noted. "We encourage everyone to double-check those state-specific deadlines," Mitchell added. "However, in no case is there a deadline any longer than 30 days prior to the (Nov. 6) election to register. So again, there is still time to register and to request a ballot." As a backup, she said, voters may submit a federal write-in absentee ballot any time after they submit a federal postcard application to register. More than 600,000 of the postcard applications have been downloaded from the FVAP site, she noted. "You can use this write-in ballot as long as you follow the state deadlines," Mitchell said. Those who need help can visit one of more than 220 voting assistance offices at installations around the globe, she said, or can speak to one of thousands of unit assistance officers in place to help military voters. Absentee voters, in- . cluding those deployed or at sea, also can contact their state board of elections directly, visit the FVAP site or call 800438-VOTE(8683), Mitchell added. Registering to vote is "very expeditious and very easy" through the FVAP web site, Mitchell said. The program staff will continue to provide assistance to overseas voters through the end of the election season, she added. As a 25-year Army veteran, Mitchell said she's ""very aware how important it is to be able to exercise your right to vote when you're away from home. ... I'm confident that voting assistance is the best it has ever been." 117 1 MES Oct. 4, 2012 RESULTS From page 7 (9)Seth Smith, 309th CMXG (10)Dustin Troyer, 309th CMXG (11)Dave Jenkins, 519th CBSS (12) Duane Gustafson, 372nd TRS (13)Amanda Booth, 729th ACS (14) Branden Reynolds, 729th ACS (15)Jeremy Coffman, 729th ACS (16)Joshua Bryant, 309th CMXG (17) Kirk Duncan, 372nd TRS (18)Zachary Johnston, 388th CMS (19) Damian Carbajal, 388th CMS (20)Shannon Rock, 519th CBSS (21)Travis Ng, 729th ACS (22)Anakapon Patikamanant, 388th CMS (23)Jason Jensen, 372nd TRS (24) Rose Stamp, 388th CMS (26)Quayden Berry, 309th CMXG (27) David Antes, 309th CMXG (28) David Tarver, 372nd TRS (29) Bruce Ginkel, 372nd TRS (30)Vanessa Mason, 729th ACS (31) Patricia Berry, 309th CMXG (32)Tytan Berry, 309th CMXG (33) Kim Graff, 519th CBSS (34) Michelle Thomas, 309th CMXG (35)Chelly, 309th CMXG (36) Melody Thomas, 309th CMXG M.. .1. roc:0,y MIKAYLA BEYER/HILLTOP TIMES (Left) Scrapbooks with stories and former workers obituaries were on hand to keep everyone up-to-date. Above, attendees gathered to reminisce and talk in small groups informally. REUNION From page 7 to be a machinist. I spent two years in the Navy and went back to the machinist job. I love building things," said Joseph Allen, a former machinist foreman. Former production branch chief Dave Powers also expressed his satisfaction with the experience. "It was very rewarding, watching them take off into the air and come back when they were done," Powers said. Knowing the importance of their work and sharing it with their coworkers was a key element in the success of Hill AFB's aircraft maintenance team members, and they take pride in what they accomplished. "You couldn't fly a plane without the electronics. People in avionics had to know about new hydrolics, how the airplane flew, and communication," said Jim Hitchens, a former ATE (Au- tomated Test Equipment) worker. Joseph Bailey, who served as the C-130 director for 35 years and is a Vietnam veteran, can still name his favorite part of working without hesitation. "The people. Excellent work force full of really down-to-earth people. Hill has a very long history of high quality and great people," Bailey said. The event had an air of friendliness and camaraderie, with attendees free to mingle and make conversation with each other. Nellis announces acts for Aviation Nation 2012 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs N ELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — A preliminary Aviation Nation 2012 demonstration lineup has been announced for the show Nov. 10 and 11 The acts are as follows: • Air attack in Korean Conflict reenactment with an F-86 Sabre, MiG-15, T-33 Shooting Star, A-1 Skyraider, and T-6 Texan • A T-33 Shooting Star demonstration • A Desert Rat Formation with four CJ-6 Nanchang • Ed Hamill and the Dream Machine (biplane) • LearJet demonstration • Horseman Demonstration Team with three F-86 Sabres • Air-to-air demonstration with two F-15 Eagles and two F-16 Fighting Falcons • B-1 Lancer flyby with pyrotechnics • Air-to-ground demonstration with A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, F-16 Fighting Falcons and F-15E Strike Eagles • F-22 Raptor demonstration • Heritage Flight with F-22, two F-86 Sabres and P-51 Mustang • U.S. Air Force Airl Demonstration Squadron "Thunderbirds" Gates open at 9 a.m., and general admission and public parking at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway is free, where free roundtrip shuttle bus transportation to and from Nellis AFB will also be available. A handicapped parking area will be designated at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, and handicapped-accessible shuttle buses will be provided. Due to security reasons, the recommended access route to the show for the general public is the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The general public must process through security lines and ride buses from the speedway to Nellis AFB. However, people using public transportation to get to the event can take a shuttle bus from the base's front gate to the Thun- derbird's entry control point. This shuttle will be running back and forth to the front gate throughout the day. People riding this shuttle will process through security at the main gate. The following is a list of banned items that will be confiscated or cause attendees to be turned away at the gate if brought to Aviation Nation: • Coolers, grills, glasses containers, and large lawn chairs. • Weapons, illegal drugs, fireworks, scanners, laser pointers, fixed blade knives and folding knives longer than 3 inches. • Pets, except for service animals. • Excessively large storage items and bags. The only exceptions are diaper bags, small purses and small camera bags. • Bicycles, scooters, skateboards and rollerblades/skates For the latest information on Aviation Nation, visit the Aviation Nation website at www.nellis. af.mil or call (702) 652-2750. The event, which has taken place annually since 1992, originally had a more formal portion to the event, but the organizers felt that allowing the retirees to mingle and reminisce would be more enjoyable. "It's just a reminder and reunion of the older people," said Joe Sapp, who helped organize the invitations for the event and is an aircraft maintenance retiree himself. Such a positive response to the reunion should ensure that it continues for years to come. Nominations open for military child of the year 0 peration Homefront, the national nonprofit dedicated to providing emergency financial and other assistance to military families, has announced that nominations for the Military Child of the Year Awards are being accepted online at MilitaryChildOfTheYear.org through Dec. 15. Winners will be recognized in April 2013. The Military Child of the Year Award recognizes children who stand out among their peers. Ideal candidates for the award demonstrate resilience, strength of character and thrive in the face of the challenges of military life. These young heroes embody leadership within their families and communities. This award is presented to an outstanding child from each branch of service — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. The winners each receive $5,000 and a laptop, and are flown with a parent or guardian to Washington, D.C., for a special recognition ceremony on April 11. For information on how to nominate a child in your community, to become a sponsor or to see photos, log on to Mili. taryChild0fTheYear.org |