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Show HILLTOP TIMES Hilltop TIMES Nov. 21, 2013 CENTENARIAN November honors military families sacrifices and contributions From page 7 where injuries involved fatalities, or near fatalities. Those memories are harder to carry. When all the others were running away from a fire, Ball and others like him, were running to it. Ball worked as a fire inspector for 31 years at the base. During that span of time he led a crash team for 10 years. His service was recognized with three award badges, bronze, silver and gold, for the lowest fire loss in all command. During his tenure at the base, he perfected a 15-point safety system for the depodding of the electrical resealing on the F-16 aircraft because of the salt and corrosion the aircraft faced in Vietnam. His fire loss rating of 2.2 percent led the command, the nearest base in numbers at 6.3 percent. The honorary fire chief seemed content to receive the honor, recalling three times he considered the job of fire chief but for one reason or another, not accepting three different job offers for the position. During the ceremony, Fire Chief Erickson did say he was going to consider adding one thing to his job duties at Hill AFB after researching "Grandpa Ball." Because the honorary fire chief had cut everyone's hair every three weeks, Erickson said he was thinking about it. Ball recommends three things for anyone who wants to live a long, healthy life. Stay busy, have a good attitude about most things, and get a social life. At his age, he has a 99-year-old girlfriend, after the loss of his wife, Doris, and he still mows the lawn, works on the sprinkler system, clears weeds and makes sure his grandchildren and great-grandchildren know how to do it correctly. Family members, including his daughter, Cheryl, came to the ceremony. He has lived with Cheryl for the last three years. BY TERRI MOON CRONK American Forces Press Service W ALEX R. LLOYD/U.S. Air Force Honorary Hill AFB Fire Chief, Shirley LeRoy Ball, blows out the candles on his cake during a ceremony at Hill AFB as he celebrated his 100th birthday on Nov. 13 at Fire House No. 1. Hill AFB Fire Chief Paul Erickson watches his back as a fellow firefighter while the candles are blown out. Ball served for 33 years as a member of the fire department or in the crash unit. 775th FES replaces one of its front line responders T 775th FES 66 he 775th CEF Fire and Emergency Services flight (FES) has taken delivery of a new piece of firefighting equipment," reported the base fire chief, Paul J. Erickson. Being replaced is the now 21-year-old "mini-pumper" Engine 21, which was systematically stripped of all its equipment on Oct. 29, then started and driven out of the fire house for the very last time. Then, in front of a small crowd of onlookers its replacement was backed into the readied position then slowly and symbolically, pushed into its new home ... by hand. Assigned to an outlying station located approximately 23 miles northwest of the main base, "Brush 3" as it is now designated, will be permanently housed at Hill Air Force Base's Fire Station No. 3 where it has been specially equipped for the multipurpose role it plays in the protection and safety of those who live and work in the remote area of the Little Mountain Test Facility. Alongside a 1989 full-size fire engine apparatus, the new vehicle, a 2008 Ram Quadcab turbo diesel (reinforced frame, flatbed utility) has been custom outfitted with a 120 gallon per minute pump, a 300 gallon water tank, 12 gallons of Class-A firefighting foam with multiple large exterior storage compartments for various rescue and firefighting equipment. ourtesy photo Hill Air Force Base firefighters push the new fire truck into the bay at the Little Mountain fire facility in a welcoming ceremony. "Having both water and foam available to us at all times is such a great combination for our needs" said Battalion Chief Jeff Herriott. "The various missions that we serve out here dictate that we need to be ready for just about anything from an unknown fire event to a medical emergency where someone may need to be cut out from a vehicle or piece of machinery. Our capability and response times to the customer will certainly benefit from it's being in place," said Herriott. According to the department's vehicle control officer, the previous unit had been in use since 1992 and had over the last few years, been in and out of service for various mechanical problems and ongoing engine wear and tear. Michael Gypp, one of the two captains assigned with the operational crews at Little Mountain said, "It (E-21) had done its job very well for a lot of years seeing plenty of grassfires, medicals, rollovers, etc., but we've outgrown its design and it was just time to replace her." When asked what he thought of the new truck, FF/DriverOperator Cody Garrett said, "It's not very often that you get a new vehicle to use, so when you do it's pretty exciting. It works better for us and it sure looks good too." Herriott says although the vehicle is used, its fully equipped with the latest in warning devices, has a full complement of fire attack and rescue equipment and will be staffed by at least two firefighters around the clock. In addition, the station is currently scheduled to also receive a new full-size engine apparatus sometime next year. "It's been a great ride and we all have our own memories in this old thing but at the same time, we're OK with saying goodbye and putting this new one to work." NEWS BRIEFS Volunteers for Asian Pacific culture sought Take the opportunity to get involved, learn about the Asian-Pacific culture and make a difference. Use your skills, obtain valuable experience and earn recognition that could assist with self-development, EPR/OPR and/ orpersonal self-assessment. The Equal Opportunity Office is 9 calling for volunteers to assist with the Asian-Pacific Islander Observance. Committees are open to all base personnel, their family members, retirees and civilians. You do not have to ascribe to a particular group to participate. All that is required is a passion to enlighten and educate others on the contributions this group have made to society. To volunteer or for more information, contact Tech. Sgt. Melanie Aytch at 777-4858 or Melanie. Aytch@hill.af.mil . Holiday Card Lane contest under way soon Build a giant holiday greeting card that represents your squadron or organization. Entries will be judged on originality, squadron/division representation, and technical aspects. The winning entry will receive a prize valued at $500. To be eligible for judging the card must be registered and in place no later than close of business on Dec. 2 on South Gate Drive. Cards should be posted starting Nov. 25. Entires will be judged on originality, squadron/division representation and technical aspects. Paint and decorations should be waterproof and weather resistant. ASHINGTON — Service members' families also serve the nation and are the force behind the total force, a senior Defense Department official said Nov. 13. "Our military members are as effective as they can be because of the support their families provide them," Barbara Thompson, the director of DOD's office of family policy and children and youth told American Forces Press Service and the Pentagon Channel. "(DoD) wants to make sure the people who are important in the lives of our service members — spouses, children, parents, partners, aunts, uncles, siblings and cousins — are part of the military family." Military Family Month recognizes the sacrifices and contributions that family members make for national security, Thompson said, adding that it's important for families to know the country appreciates their tireless efforts to support their service members and communities. During Military Family Month, military installations will schedule celebrations to recognize families, and family support centers will offer information on what's available, Thompson said. Year-round, however, support services exist through the Family Readiness System to help family members navigate any challenges they might face in their military lifestyle, she added. The system also includes resources for families who don't live on military installations. And that's where there's a growing need for community support of military households, Thompson said. For example, DoD offers a system involving professionals in a variety of fields, agencies, programs and services who are educated to meet the needs of military families. Two other initiatives that bring civilian resources together with military needs are the Military Families Learning Network and the How to Help program. The network comprises programs, services, people and agencies that promote quality of life for service members and their families, Thompson explained. Through the network, service members and families learn to take on new skills and challenges in an stages of their military life. The network primarily focuses on personal finance, child care, family development and network literacy, she added, but it is expected to expand to include military caregivers, community capacity building and relocation services. In the How to Help proSee FAMILIES I page 10 |