Friday, Nov. 20, 2009

What’sInside...

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Traffic constructionbypass on Altus Air Force Base

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NoteworthyTips...

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Women’s selfdefense class held

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Family fun run

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Native AmericanHeritage Luncheon

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Notes & Events

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A note from theCommander

All enlisted airmenand their families areinvited to a free lunch-eon held at the FreedomCommunity Center onthe first Thursday ofeach month. It is spon-sored by the ArmedServices YMCA.

For more informationcall 481-6523.

Free luncheon heldmonthly for enlistedAltus AFB families

Freedom FlyerSupplement to the Altus Times, Altus, Oklahoma

The

Strategic Military Planning Commission LuncheonMitch Meador, right, interviews United States Senator James Inhofe, far left, and United States Senator ThomasCoburn, center, on the topics of Oklahoma Strategic Military Planning Commission and the Base Realignment andClosure(BRAC). They also discussed funding for military members in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force Photo/Airman FirstClass Christopher A. Arnold)

Lighting of Christmas in the Park to be held Sat., Nov. 215:30-6:45 p.m.....Christmas music providedby Kitty Huey and the All That Jazz Band6:50 p.m............History of Christmas in the

Park by Randy Marple7:05 p.m............Invocation by Mark Olson7:10 p.m............National Anthem by Edie

Lazenby & All That Jazz Band

7:15 p.m............Comments from Mayor7:20 p.m.........Vice-Wing Commander,

Stuart Shaw from Altus AAFB comments7:25 p.m..........Mayor & Shaw turn on lights7:30 p.m.............Santa arrives at west

gate of park

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The Freedom Flyer is a product of, and a supplement to, the Altus Times,218-220 W. Commerce, Altus, OK 73521. (580) 482-1221, Fax (580) 482-5709 or visit www.altustimes.com.

BILL MURPHYPublisher

MICHAEL BUSHManaging Editor

EDITORIAL STAFF

Paula PetersonDamon McGuire

ADVERTISING SALES

Carla Fancher

Adam Saavedra

For more information, call 580-482-1221

The Freedom Flyer

Recycling thought of the day Did you know recycling reduces our reliance on landfills and incinerators, protects our

health and the environment, and it conserves natural resources by reducing the need forraw materials. Help your family, humanity and the environment by Recycling today.

Waste Management TipSpent silver tip fluorescent bulbs are managed as a Universal Waste. When removing

a silver tip fluorescent light bulb, it must be stored in a container that can be closed. Whenthe first bulb is placed in the container, write the start date on the container. The contain-er must be turned in to 97 Civil Engineering Squadron/Civil Engineering AssetManagement Natural Resources within six months of the start date, whether it is full ornot. The container must be closed at all times, except when adding or removing bulbs. Ifyou prefer not to store bulbs in a container, once removed from socket, call 97CES/CEAN, at 481-7345 or 481-6198, for instructions on where to take the bulb for turn-in.

Noteworthy Tips...

Earlier this year Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartzand Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley designated July 2009to July 2010 as the "Year of the Air Force Family," a year-long focuson Air Force programs highlighting the importance of, and commit-ment to, the entire Air Force family: airmen, married and single;spouses; children; Air Force civilians; extended families; andretirees.

DID YOU KNOW?

Traffic construction bypass on Altus AFBDue to construction, the portion of L Avenue extending from themain gate traffic circle to 6th St will temporarily close from Nov. 23to Dec. 4. The map above shows the exact location of the road clo-sure. If you have any questions or concerns contactPat Campbellat 481-7169.

Need to talk? Call 649-9218

A Military & Family LifeConsultant is now available tolisten and help. Consultations

are free andanonymous.

No records are kept.

482-6222714 N. Main

BARTLETT AGENCY, INC.

FRIDAY, NOV. 20, 2009 FREEDOM FLYER PAGE 3

Native American Heritage LuncheonErin Nevaquaya, a Native American profession-al dancer, performs a “fancy dance” during theNative American Heritage Luncheon Nov. 13.Erin is a member of the Comanche NationDance Troop and has won many awards for hiscultural dancing. U.S. Air Force photo/SeniorAirman Cherice Bryant)

Women's self defense classJason Greer and Darryl Knowles, Instructors at Wilcoxen’s Family Karate Academy, demon-strate a defensive wrist lock during a women’s self defense class on Oct. 30. The fitness cen-ter sponsored this class which covered a wide variety of tactics and maneuvers used toescape from a threatening or forceful situation. (U.S. Air Force photo/SrA Cherice Bryant)

Family Fun RunFamily members of base personnel participatein the women's mile run during the Family FunRun, Nov. 7. The run was a "Year of the AirForce Family" event sponsored by the 97 FSSFitness Center for Altus AFB personnel andtheir families.

(U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Cherice)

FRIDAY, NOV. 20, 2009 FREEDOM FLYER PAGE 5PAGE 4 FREEDOM FLYER FRIDAY, NOV. 20, 2009

“Boot Camp” FitnessImprovement Program

Take your training backto basics. Boot Camp is aCardiovascular and condi-tioning targeted trainingprogram based on your cur-rent fitness level. Trainingsessions are 7:30 a.m.,Monday and Wednesday atthe Fitness Center, and 7:30a.m., Friday at Alert Road.Individuals are providedpractice PT tests, core andagility training and more.Boot Camp is open toeveryone ages 16 and up,with priority given to activeduty personnel. Civiliansand dependants are wel-come to join on space avail-ability bases. For moreinformation or to scheduleyourself call the Health andWellness Center at 580-481-5013 or on line:https://www.php-ids.net/.

Christmas parade vol-unteers needed

The Altus Chamber ofCommerce is in need ofvolunteers to help with thisyear’s Christmas Parade on06 Dec. The Public AffairsOffice is looking for safetyvolunteers; times for volun-teers will vary from noon to5 p.m. There will be a meet-ing at a later date to decidewhich shift you want.Please email 2nd Lt.Taunton if you are interest-ed in volunteering.

Altus Armed ServicesYMCA Christmas DinnerLunch Bunch

The Altus ArmedServices YMCA greatlyappreciates our Air Forcetroops and families, so jointhe crowd for great foodand fellowship on 03 Dec.,11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at theFreedom CommunityCenter, Bldg. 148. Savor adelicious home cooked din-ner like Grandma serves,with succulent Roast Beef,Roast Medallions of Porktenderloin, Wild Rice,Mashed Potatoes withgravy, Macaroni andCheese, vegetable medleys,salads, fresh baked cob-blers, cakes, pies, andmore. Prepared by theamazing culinary expertiseof Chef Covington and ourwonderful volunteers, thismeal promises a tantalizingtreat of holiday goodness.

As is tradition, familiesof senior ranks, enlisted andofficer, are invited to joinus for lunch, and pleasebring a dessert or assistwith clean up. Please passthis information on to ourjunior enlisted families. Formore information, pleasecontact Joan Wilcoxen at481-6523.

Christmas parade floatentries

The Altus Christmasparade is a communityproject with the City ofAltus, WOSC, Altus AirForce Base and volunteers.There will be a $200 prizeawarded to the best floatfrom Altus AFB. If your

organization is interested insubmitting a float into theparade, which is hosted bythe Altus Chamber ofCommerce, please visit theChamber of Commercewebsite or email LelaJulian at lelal@altuscham-ber.com. The deadline forsubmissions is 30 Nov.

Magic 1-2-3 classThe Magic 1-2-3 class is

for parents with childrenunder age six. Topicsinclude: understandingyoung children and theirbehavior; building self-esteem; listening and talk-ing to your child; helpingyoung children learn tocooperate; discipline foryoung children; emotionaland social development.Please call 481-5376 toenroll or for more informa-tion.

Veterans’ benefitscounseling (no activeduty)

Veterans’ benefits coun-seling is every Monday,except holidays, 1:15 to3:15 p.m., at the Airman &Family Readiness Center,

Bldg. 52, Rm. 1201.Information is provided onState of OK VA benefits,pension benefits, educationbenefits, records location,survivor and burial bene-fits, upgrading discharges,and more for retirees, veter-ans and their families.Reservations are requiredand for additional informa-tion please call 481-6761.

Hearts Apart equip-ment check out

The Airman & FamilyReadiness Center has digi-tal cameras, video cameras,web cams available forcheckout by families of ourmembers that are deployed,

on remote, or TDY. Pleasecall A&FRC at 481-6761.

Sponsorship training The Airman & Family

Readiness Center’sSponsorship training work-shop is 10 to 11 a.m., Tue.,Bldg. 39. Sponsorshiptraining provides informa-tion and tips to ensure spon-sors are providing the assis-tance newcomers need.First-time sponsors andthose who have not beentrained as a sponsor duringthe past year must receives p o n s o r s h i ptraining/refresher. For moreinformation, please callA&FRC at 481-6761.

It’s your move It’s your move is a

mandatory briefing forthose who will be relocat-ing. The next briefing is 10to 11 a.m., Wed., Bldg 39.The informative briefingincludes; Airman & FamilyReadiness, Legal, Financialinformation, websiteresources, and credit aware-ness. The briefing alsoincludes cultural adaptationfor those going overseas.Spouses are encouraged toattend. Please call A&FRCat 481-6761, for moreinformation.

Notes & Events7 p.m.: Zombieland (R)

2 p.m.: Love Happens (PG-13)

7 p.m.: Surrogates (R)

1:30 p.m.: Love Happens (PG-13)

PAGE 6 FREEDOM FLYER FRIDAY, NOV. 20, 2009

This holiday whichwe celebrate every yearon the last Thursday ofN o v e m b e r ,Thanksgiving, is a spe-cial and uniquelyAmerican event. The tra-dition dates back to thevery first "immigrants"to the North Americancontinent, who struggledto establish a colony freefrom the oppression theyfelt in the lands fromwhence they traveled.After a rough start, theharvest of 1621 was atime of celebration in thePlymouth colony, andfrom that thankful gath-ering sprung the traditionwhich we continue tothis day.

Our "harvest" may bedifferent today than itwas some 388 years ago,yet the need to givethanks doesn't change.So on this holiday, forwhat am I thankful? Letme start by simply say-ing "thanks" for the free-doms in this countrywhich we hold so dear.Enshrined in theConstitution, testedthroughout the centuries,and defended byAmericans against allchallenges. The right tospeak, to gather, to priva-cy, to bear arms, to dueprocess, and to practiceour own faith--thesefreedoms are at the cen-ter of what makes ourcountry great.

I am thankful for thoseAmericans who have inthe past and at the pres-ent defend those free-doms--Airmen, Soldiers,

Sailors, Marines, andCoast Guardsmen...inIraq, in Afghanistan,elsewhere across theglobe, and right here athome in the UnitedStates. And I am alsothankful for thoseAmerican citizens whosimply take pride in ourfreedoms and teach theirchildren to value them aswell.

I am thankful for the"Airmen" of the 97th AirMobility Wing--officer,enlisted civilian, andtheir families who alsoserve--for their dedica-tion, enthusiasm, perse-verance, and creativity inperforming the missionof our wing.

I am thankful for acommunity, of whichAltus is the center butwhich is composed by somany others, all of whichcontribute their supportto our Airmen and ourfamilies so that we canaccomplish our mission.

In all reality, we alsoneed to remember thatthere is a real "harvest"going on in our midst,and I am thankful for thebounty which comesfrom the fields surround-ing our base and ourcommunity through thework of our farmers.

I am thankful for myown family, whose loveand support have sus-tained me throughout theyears. And I am thankfulfor health, and good for-tune as well, since some-how I've "lucked into"the best job in our AirForce.

Finally, I am justthankful for the ability tosay "thank you"...as afriend once said, it cannever be said enough.

So on Thanksgiving,your list may be simi-lar...or it may be entirelydifferent. It really doesn'tmatter, as long as you dogive thanks...because allof us, no matter who we

are or from whence wecome, have something

for which to be thankful. Enjoy yourThanksgiving Day!

FRIDAY, NOV. 20, 2009 FREEDOM FLYER PAGE 7

A note from the Commander

618 North Main, Altus • 482-0523*Some restrictions apply

PAGE 8 FREEDOM FLYER FRIDAY, NOV. 20, 2009