VOL. 46 NO.25 JUNE 23, 2006 Services programs best in AF By Butch Wehry Academy Spirit staff Each year, the Air Force recognizes its best Services units and the Academy’s outdoor recreation and golf programs are winners. Mr. Chuck Alfultis, 10th Mission Support Group’s Outdoor Recreation Center director, and Mr. Ed Ainsworth, Academy Golf Club, received the trophies at the Air Force’s Services Worldwide Conference in Keystone, Colo., June 14. Outdoor recreation won the same award in 1996 and Mr. Alfultis shared some thoughts about why the Academy wins. “There are three key factors that make for an outstanding outdoor recre- ation program,” he said. “They are base location, facility and staff. First, we are located in an area with an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities. Second, we are centrally located on the Academy and have the space to accom- modate the storage of our more than $2 million worth of equipment and supplies. Finally, not only do we have the right Photo by Staff Sgt. Monte J. Volk number of people, they are experienced, Youthful exuberance highly trained and dedicated.” Children play under a parachute in Pine Valley Park Tuesday as part of Fit for the Future, a free Family Child Care Another key to outdoor rec’s success program that promotes fitness by offering fun activities and healthy snacks for children.The program, now in its is providing a niche. third year at the Academy, is held in Pine Valley on Tuesdays and Douglass Valley on Thursdays from 9-11 a.m., “You have to offer activities that and is open to all DoD ID card holders and their families. people can’t or won’t go out and do on their own and our prices are generally about 25 percent below those of compa- rable services in the community,” Mr. Academy welcomes back deployed Airmen Alfultis noted. A trophy also went to the By Eddie Kovsky advocacy, child development center, youth experienced soldiers who had been down- Eisenhower Golf Club for the second Academy Spirit staff center and the education center to help range before. For them, the hard part wasn’t time in four years. families with the transition back into home being deployed, but the absence of a spouse. “Our entire staff does not rest on its The Academy held a welcome home life. Free food and children’s entertainment “I haven’t had any issues,” said Staff past accomplishments,” said Mr. event June 14 for returning Airmen and were also provided. Sgt. Ty Jones, a network administrator who Ainsworth. “Because of our staff’s dedi- their families. Master Sgt. Terry Blansett, family was away four months. “I’ve been away cation to constantly improve our In January, the Academy filled a large readiness program manager, kicked off the before so it probably helps. Support here programs and their commitment to deployment tasking, sending more than event, followed by an introduction by Col. is exceptional. They took care of my family excellence there was clearly no other 100 people to roughly a dozen locations, Jimmy McMillian, 10th Air Base Wing while I was gone.” choice but the Eisenhower Golf Club for mostly in the Middle East. Personnel from commander. “It was hard sometimes,” said his wife this award.” the 10th Medical Group filled the majority “Any time you have to deploy it’s a Jennifer. “Sergeant Blansett was there to The golf course has many popular of those slots, though Airmen also deployed trying time,” said Colonel McMillian. “The answer my questions.” programs, which led to more than 66,000 from headquarters, 10th Security Forces real heroes are those who put their lives on “It’s great to be back with family,” said rounds of golf played there last year. Squadron and the 10th Communications the line. I’m proud of what you’ve done for Capt. Walter Heathcoat, 10th Mission Check out the golf course’s Web site at Squadron. the Air Force and our nation. Welcome Support Group chief of customer support. www.eisenhowergolfclub.com to learn Staff was on hand from the family home.” “It’s nice to get a break from the AOR. It more. support center, services, red cross, family Most of the returning Airmen were See WELCOME, Page 5 I News Feature Sports N S OPS AF BCT preps for TRW rolls I excellerates new class D Page 6 Pages 16-17 Page 19 E Academy Spirit 2 COMMENTARY June 23, 2006 Son remembers his father’s, family’s journey By Maj. Miklos Kiss one could cross via farmland, there were open 374th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron My dad took free passage on a U.S. plains, a freezing stream and Russian patrols. A “ daytime crossing would result in being shot. The YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan (AFPN) — We all troop ship across the Atlantic in cover of darkness offered the only chance to carry the baggage and lessons of our ancestors. escape, and thousands did. They shape and mold who we are. I thought it February 1957. He was 16 years old After the sun went down my dad headed would be fitting on Father’s Day to share my immi- when he steamed past the Statue of toward the Austrian border. Stripping down he grant father’s story with you. His journey inspired waded across an icy stream with his clothes in a my Air Force service, and I hope it will make you Liberty. He remembers arriving in bundle held above his head. After crossing, he put proud to be an American, grateful for your free- his clothes back on. Still reasonably wet he began doms, and consider that immigration and diversity America with only the clothes on his the final run. During his night dash across the make America stronger. back, $1.17 in his pocket and a bottle border my father still remembers every fourth My father was born in Budapest, Hungary, in bullet out of the machine gun was a tracer. 1940 into a world engulfed in war. His father of baby shampoo given to him at the My dad still loves Austrian farmers. Once Karoly, my grandfather, fought in World War II — across the border he was literally put up in a barn refugee camp. He spoke no English, “ on the other side. hayloft. Kind-hearted Austrians repeated similar Grandfather Karoly survived a winter on the and had no high school diploma. gestures for weeks along the Hungarian border. Russian front fighting alongside the German army The Americans, having somewhat spurred the and an 800-kilometer march through the Ukraine Hungarian revolution of 1956, set up refugee where one out of three men died. I remember him Life was tough for my dad in post-war camps for the exodus and arranged transportation telling me he, too, would have died had not a Hungary. My dad being the oldest, with his mother to the United States. It is here that my family’s German NCO violently kicked him in the behind to dead, was loaded with burdens. The most memo- loyalty to this generous nation begins. rouse him from a roadside nap that would have rable were carrying the coal up five flights of stairs My dad took free passage on a U.S. troop ship surely ended in freezing to death. and riding his bicycle out of the city to bring home across the Atlantic in February 1957. He was 16 Karoly was released from the Army and milk for his little brother. Despite hardships, Dad years old when he steamed past the Statue of returned to Budapest in early 1944 only to have his still found time to play water polo at his city high Liberty. He remembers arriving in America with neighborhood bombed by American B-24s. In the school and dream of a better life. only the clothes on his back, $1.17 in his pocket summer of 1944, my dad can still remember the That opportunity came to him and all and a bottle of baby shampoo given to him at the day a German officer knocked on the door asking Hungarians in November 1956. A student uprising refugee camp. He spoke no English, and had no for his father’s and the family’s identity papers to grew into popular revolution against the Soviet- high school diploma. prove they were not Jews. My grandfather could backed government. Taking over armories, the The rest of the story offers a glimpse of why retell the visit like it was yesterday. revolution was initially successful and the Soviets America can be a beacon of hope. In a thick “I’ve never seen such an immaculate uniform were ousted from Budapest. For a few glorious Hungarian accent my dad will state: “Anyone who in my entire life — pressed black fabric, dual light- days Hungary was free. wants to work can make it in America.” Living in ening bolts on the collar. The officer was blond A week later the Soviets came back — with the basement of an uncle who immigrated to the with blue eyes. He stood erect and proper. I was tanks. No matter how fervent the desire to be free, U.S. in the 1930s, my dad took the train from New quite impressed, and he was rather nice to me,” he it means little in the face of a tank battalion. It was Jersey to New York every day to work in would tell me. under these circumstances my father, then 16 years Manhattan’s kitchens. He worked constantly, took Grandfather also nearly wet his pants.