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A publication of the 502nd Air Base Wing – Joint Base San Antonio JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH No. 50 • DECEMBER 14, 2012 Page 3 INSIDE ... T-38 MILESTONE, P5 ... TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS, P7 ... KEEPING THE HOLIDAYS IN BALANCE, P9 PAGE 2 WINGSPREAD DECEMBER 14, 2012 COMMENTARY ON THE COVER Funeral services for retired Col. Ralph Parr, the only American pilot to be awarded both NO JOKE the Distinguished Service Cross and the Air Fo rce Cro s s, take s place at JBSA - Randolph and Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery NCO tells of hurt caused by drunk driver Monday. See articles on pages 3 and 4. Photo by Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr. By Tech. Sgt. Crystal Lee Armed Forces Network - Incirlik When someone abuses alcohol it affects Some things occur in life that you never forget, things that leave a scar more than just that individual. It has a rip- and others that never even heal. There are lessons to be learned from ple effect to everyone who cares about that those experiences, and I learned a person, those they hurt, and the people who big lesson on drinking responsibly at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph the tender age of 11. are left behind to pick up the pieces. Editorial Staff I volunteered to share a part of Brig. Gen. Theresa C. Carter my life normally reserved for those JBSA/502nd Air Base Wing Commander close to me – to share a time that Todd G. White will never leave me, in hopes others I picked up the phone to call my whole situation was funny." JBSA/502nd ABW Public Affairs Director don't have to experience the pain it grandpa and found it had been off Our lives drastically changed. No Marilyn C. Holliday brought. People who know me, know the hook since last night. That's when more family outings to the park, no JBSA-Randolph Public Affairs Chief I keep family matters private. This he told me mom and dad were hit by more fun or normal things for kids Airman 1st Class Lincoln Korver account, however, may help sway a drunk driver. He said it happened our ages. Instead, the next several Editor someone's decision and prevent an around 1 a.m. and he had tried to months consisted of Jen and me tak- Robert Goetz alcohol-related incident. call us. Grandpa was the one knock- ing care of our parents. Alex Salinas It was Friday, date night for my ing on the windows and doors. What upsets me the most is that Staff Writers parents. Once we got to our grandparents this didn't need to happen; respon- Maggie Armstrong I was 11 and my little sister, Jen, house, we were told the details of the sible decisions could have prevented Graphic Designer was 9. We were at the age many par- accident. My father was driving home the entire event. ents start letting their kids stay home when a drunk driver swerved into When someone abuses alcohol it Wingspread Offi ce alone. Mom and dad were invited their lane and sideswiped them. Dad affects more than just that individual. 1150 5th Street East to a party which was about an hour hit a telephone pole head on. Mom It has a ripple effect to everyone who Randolph AFB, Texas 78150 away. wasn't wearing her safety belt and cares about that person, those they Phone: (210) 652-4410 It was awesome! Jen and I had her face went through the windshield. hurt, and the people who are left Wingspread email the whole house to ourselves. We Dad had this crazy adrenaline rush behind to pick up the pieces. [email protected] proceeded to, you know, do typical and pulled my mom out of the car. Take ownership and responsibility Wingspread Advertisement Offi ce kid activities. At around 2 a.m., we We found out later that his back was for your actions and what you put in Prime Time Military Newspapers heard knocking at the door. I didn't broken. He was out of commission for your body. There are other things you Avenue E at Third Street grow up in the best neighborhood, about six to seven months. can do besides drink excessively. Find San Antonio, Texas 78205 so there was no way I was opening After my grandpa gave us the that niche that makes you happy – go (210) 250-2024 that door. The knocking persisted news, Jen started to freak out and I to school, play video games, travel, This newspaper is published by Prime Time Military News- and we were terrifi ed. Jen and I started crying. I'm not sure if I was etc. If you do drink, know your limit. papers, a private fi rm in no way connected with the U.S. Air actually hid under the bed because crying due to sadness or because I Know when to stop. Ask yourself, Force, under exclusive written contract with Joint Base San we thought someone was trying to was angry as hell, probably both. "How are my actions going to impact Antonio-Randolph, Texas. This commercial enterprise Air Force newspaper is an authorized publication for members break into the house. Sunday evening at around 5 p.m. other people?" of the U.S. military services. Contents of the Wingspread are The next morning we woke up un- our parents came home. They were My life was affected by an irre- not necessarily the offi cial views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. der the bed. We got up and knocked lucky to survive. They recounted sponsibly selfi sh guy who couldn't government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the Air Force. on mom and dad's room door. No an- the events from that night. I asked make the right decision concerning The appearance of advertising in this publication, includ- swer. I opened the door; they hadn't dad if the drunk driver got hurt. alcohol and almost killed my parents. ing inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement come home. Dad said, "No. The guy thought the Don't be that person. by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or Prime Time Military Newspapers, of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affi liation, or any other nonmerit The Wingspread, commander's action line, public affairs and factor of the purchaser, user or patron. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public Affairs Offi ce of JBSA-Randolph. All photos, unless marquee request inboxes have been consolidated to a single otherwise indicated, are U.S. Air Force photos. The deadline for submissions is noon Wednesday the email address at [email protected]. week prior to publication. All submissions can be emailed to [email protected]. DECEMBER 14, 2012 WINGSPREAD PAGE 3 NEWS JBSA plans memorial service for double ace By Robert Goetz He was always well-re- Force captain in a fl ight of Universal City said he met Parr about Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs garded for his willingness suit at the Auger Inn on a 10 years ago at a meeting of the Order to share his wisdom and Friday evening,” he said. of Daedalians Stinson’s Flight No. 2 when Joint Base San Antonio will honor experience with younger “He was a modest man, he was developing “a serious interest in the legacy of one of the Air Force’s pilots.” but when he spoke, it was Vietnam air war history.” most celebrated pilots and a former Goodfellow said Parr worth listening to him.” Laymon said Parr’s aerial warfare 12th Tactical Fighter Wing com- “will always be remem- Baber, a Selma resi- prowess is well-documented, but he mander at a funeral service planned bered, honored and have dent, said Parr was an contributed to the Air Force in other for 11:30 a.m. Monday in the JBSA- a special place in the active member of the ways as well. Randolph theater. hearts of all 12th Flying Red River Valley Fighter “Less well known is his continu- The event will pay tribute to retired Training Wing Airmen.” Pilots Association, which ing contribution to military leadership Col. Ralph Parr, Korean War double ace Retired Col. Gary Bab- includes members of Air through his frequent Friday evening vis- and 12th TFW commander from 1970- er, president of the Red Force, Navy and Ma- its to the Randolph Offi cers Club Auger 71, who died Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Re- River Valley Fighter Pi- rine aircrews who fl ew Inn, Order of Daedalians functions and membrance Day, at the age of 88 in a lots Association chapter combat missions over other speaking opportunities,” he said. New Braunfels assisted-living facility. that bears Parr’s name, the Red River Valley of “Nothing brought more joy to Colonel Interment will follow the funeral ser- described his fellow “Riv- North Vietnam. He said Parr than to sit down next to a young vice at 2 p.m. at Fort Sam Houston Na- er Rat” as a “larger than Col. Ralph Parr the Parr chapter recently captain in a fl ight suit and discuss en- tional Cemetery. life” fi gure in the fi ghter installed a bronze bust of ergy maneuverability during a dogfi ght. Col. Gerald Goodfellow, 12th Flying pilot community “whose feats of heroism the legendary fi ghter pilot in the lobby of Who knows how much he inspired and Training Wing commander, said Parr left in Korea and Vietnam earned him the the Randolph Offi cers Club, which was motivated combat aviators and future “a special imprint” on the wing, which Distinguished Service Cross and Air Force named for Parr in 2008.