2009 AFAF Campaign Kicks
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Energy Savings Tip of the Week Partly Cloudy Partly Cloudy Windy 69 40 68 39 69 36 Replace washers when faucets begin to drip. Vol. 49 No. 11 March 20, 2009 Reaching new heights Rock climbing wall opened to club, availability to expand Page 3 Budget conscious Commissary tour to promote awareness, savings Page 6 Photo by Dave Ahlschwede Recognition Upperclassmen render salutes to recognize Cadet 4th bers of the Cadet Wing during Recognition. Many Class Tate Montgomery as he works his way down a members of the Class of 2012 said they were espe- darkened hallway during the traditional prop and cially eager to enjoy spring break next week after wings ceremony held in Cadet Squadron 3. The what they referred to as their toughest week to date. fourth-classmen earned their way to becoming mem- See more Recognition coverage on Pages 10 and 11. Women’s History Month Academy members share personal 2009 AFAF campaign kicks off thoughts Page 9 The Air Force The USAFA monetary goal is: $50,328 CS Assistance Fund is Francisco Molina one of only two The USAFA Installation Project Officers Air Force-wide an- are: Master Sergeants Robert Hill 10th Medical Group nual fundraising and Keith Fields Master Sgt. Steve Baker appeals. Staff Sgt. Brandon Mosher It supports the following: Unit Project Officers include: Staff Sgt. Michael Holt The Air Force Village provides 10th Air Base Wing Staff Sgt. Melinda Atencio cost-effective living options to widows Lt. Stephanie Downs Senior Amn. Laura Molina or widowers of career retired Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matt Hummel officers. SFS The Air Force Aid Society is the Jeff Thoma USAFA/DRU MWC basketball official charity of the Air Force which Tech. Sgt. Tiffany Smith assists in relieving financial emergen- CES Falcon men wrap up tourney Cadet Wing falling to #1 seed, BYU cies faced by active-duty members and Airman 1st Class Jessica Morehouse Master Sgt. Jerry Molina Page 12 their families. The Air Force Enlisted Village LGC Tech. Sgt. Mike Anderson provides homes to dire-need enlisted Christopher Wilson surviving spouses. Dean of Faculty The LeMay Foundation provides LGR Capt. Sonja Pasquantano INSIDE financial assistance to widows of all Steven Norman Senior Master Sgt. Ricardo Melendez Commentary 2 retired Air Force personnel. News 3 MSS Athletic Department Features 9 Here are some Academy quick facts Chief Master Sgt. Gerardo Tapia Capt. Jason Kneuer Sports 12 and points of contact. Community 13 Team USAFA campaign runs: SVS 306th FTG Classifieds 14 Today through May 1 Keith Oda Tech. Sgt. Tim Rivera 2 March 20, 2009 Station promotes character around world To responsibly inform and educate the By Elyse White the show, for all who tune in. helps to equalize the information Academy community and the public Contributing writer “I would recommend the show to pushed out there.” about the Air Force Academy cadets because it’s basically a show about “For cadets, it’s a way to be inspired Lt. Gen. John Regni — It’s 8 p.m. and the radio is tuned to Academy Superintendent them, their lives, and their purpose at as well as to get an idea of what is ahead Lt. Col. Brett Ashworth — 97.7 KAFA-FM. A catchy tune leads to the Academy; to develop into officers of of them and how character plays a role Director of Public Affairs the announcer asking, “Isn’t it a great character,” said Cadet 2nd Class Andrew in the future,” Dave West, KAFA advisor, Tech. Sgt. Cortchie Welch — day to be an American Warrior?” While Volkening. “And I would recommend it said. “For others it’s an inside look at Chief of Internal Information Ken Carter — Editor the announcer asks the question, the to those on the outside so they could what our military people are all about; [email protected] listener asks, “What am I listening to?” maybe better understand what we’re serving our country with character.” Butch Wehry — Senior Staff Writer The answer: “Character Matters.” really trying to do at this institution.” Mr. West and Mr. Vasquez want the [email protected] Character Matters is a radio show Cadet Volkening is an avid program aired at 8 a.m and again at 8 Ann Patton — Staff Writer [email protected] hosted by the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Character Matters listener and has been p.m. each Wednesday to make a differ- Denise Navoy — Graphic Designer very own retired Chief Master Sgt. Bob a guest on the program as well. ence in the lives of others by stressing The Academy Spirit is published by Colorado Vasquez. Regarding his experience on the show, the importance of having good char- Springs Military Newspaper Group, a private firm in no “The show is what some may call a “It was really awesome,” he said. “Every acter, especially in the military. way connected with the U.S. Air Force, under exclusive written contract with the U.S. Air Force Academy. This feel-good talk show,” Mr. Vasquez said time I get a chance to work with and “USAFA is chock full of great civilian enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized regarding his purpose. “I don’t look to interact with the chief it’s amazing. It people who do great things,” Mr. publication for members of the U.S. military services. Contents of the Academy Spirit are not necessarily the be controversial. I look toward show- also felt great being a sort of representa- Vasquez said. “Often, the media gives official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, casing some of the great people at tive of the Academy hockey team.” USAFA negative publicity. There’s great the Department of Defense or the Department of the Air Force. USAFA, including cadets and leaders, Cadet Volkening isn’t the only cadet stuff happening here. This is one way to The appearance of advertising in this publication, and great things done as service to the who recommends listening. Michael hear about it.” including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the community at large.” Mayra sees it as more than just an ordi- Character Matters started out as a Department of the Air Force, or Colorado Springs Character Matters is all about nary radio show. “The show gives a locally broadcast radio show but now it Military Newspaper Group, of the products or services keeping cadets and any other listeners advertised. Everything advertised in this publication greater insight to the daily lives of cadets can be heard anywhere in the world shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage thinking and to make the point char- and all the things we go through,” he through the World Wide Web. without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national ori- acter does matter. While it is geared said. “People have a skewed perspective Now, isn’t it a great day to be an gin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, toward cadets, there is a lot to get out of because of the media, and this show American Warrior? user or patron. The printer reserves the right to reject any advertisements. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the U.S. Air Force Academy Directorate of Public Affairs. The editor reserves the right to edit articles Leadership: Learn to laugh through good, bad to conform to Air Force policy and Associated Press style. All photos are U.S. Air Force photos unless other- By Chief Master Sgt. Sean Meenagh mother. While the one or two of us were family? wise indicated. 3rd Aerospace Medical Squadron visiting with that wonderful lady, the rest I also believe that laughter fits right Submissions of her family was in the waiting room. We into leadership. I saw it in the leadership Send submissions to: HQ USAFA/PAI, 2304 Cadet ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, would go in and out every so often. of my father and mother all my life, as Drive, Suite 3100, U.S. Air Force Academy, CO 80840- Alaska (AFNS) — I was born in New The person or persons returning to well as many of my mentors throughout 5016 or deliver to Suite 3100 in Harmon Hall. Deadline for free classified ads on a space-avail- York, raised by an Irish cop, and went to the waiting room would be crying as you my Air Force career. able basis is noon every Tuesday for that week’s pub- Catholic School. I have four sisters and might expect, while the rest of us were We cherish the ideal of having a sense lication date. Paid classified advertising is accepted by one brother. Sounds like a stereotypical the publisher at 329-5236. The number to call for dis- reminiscing about “remember when this of humor in America. At the same time, play advertising is 634-5905. Irish Catholic family, and it is. We yelled, happened or when that happened.” We we’re highly suspicious of anything not Deadline for all stories is noon Friday, one week prayed and laughed a lot in my family. would laugh and laugh about the memo- serious. We are living in challenging and prior to the desired publication date. Refer questions to the Academy Spirit editor at 333-8823. The yelling was because there were ries. The laughing never bothered the serious times today. We must laugh just as The Academy Spirit also accepts story submis- eight of us. The praying because my family member who just returned from I did when my mother was dying.