COMMENTARY: DIGNIFIED TRANSFER MISSION - PAGE 3 Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Thursday, May 24, 2012 Vol. 56 No. 21 Spiritual faith turns tragedy upside down By Lea Johnson 21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — The First Amendment, Freedom of Religion, is one of the most treasured freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution. To honor this freedom, the Peterson Air Force Base Chapel hosted a National Prayer Luncheon May 3 at The Club. The history of Peterson’s National Prayer Luncheon goes all the way back to the National Prayer Breakfast in 1942 when prayer groups were inaugurated by the Senate and the House of Representatives. In 1953, members of the Senate and House prayer groups joined with President Dwight D. Eisenhower for the first Presidential Prayer Breakfast. Every year since, the meal has drawn together the president, members of his Cabinet, the Supreme Court, Congress and many others to seek divine guid- ance for our government and to reaffirm faith and dependence upon God. This year, readings from different religious beliefs, including Buddhist, Christian, Hebrew, and Native American, were read during the luncheon. Chaplain (Capt.) Onyema Okorie, said the military supports a culture of mutual respect for one another’s right to believe and express their own religious beliefs. A special guest was in attendance at the luncheon to share his story. Jerry Schemmel is one of the radio voices for the Colorado Rockies baseball team in Denver and a survivor of a major tragedy. On July 19, 1989, Schemmel boarded United Airlines Flight 232, originat- ing in Denver and bound for Chicago. At the time, Schemmel was working (U.S. Air Force photo/Dennis Howk) for the Continental Basketball Association and was traveling with his boss Peterson Air Force Base hosted a National Prayer Luncheon May 3 at The Club. Guest speaker was Jerry Schemmel, one of the radio that day. The 7 a.m. flight they were booked to be on was cancelled, leading voices for the Colorado Rockies baseball team in Denver and a survivor of United Airlines Flight 232 airline crash. See Faith page 16 Health and Wellness Fair provides comprehensive health information By Lea Johnson 21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — Health is more than physical fitness. At the fitness center’s annual Health and Wellness Fair April 11, there were nearly 35 vendors in attendance to take care of all aspects of fitness; including the four Comprehensive Airman Fitness pillars- physical, social, mental and spiritual health. Senior Airman Ladashia McKoy, fitness center fitness specialist, planned this year’s Health and Wellness Fair. McKoy said that many people only think of physical health and nutrition when they think of a health fair. “There’s more to health than just that. Massages are great for your health; it helps you to relieve stress,” she said. “People don’t look at it like that and I wish they would. That’s why we brought such a broad genre of (vendors) here.” Some of the vendors have been at the fair in the past, but McKoy wanted to expand the fair. “I asked people if there was anything not at last year’s health fair that they wanted to see at this one,” she said. McKoy scoured the phone books and Internet for local businesses that might be interested. A variety of vendors, including churches, grocery stores, gyms, massage (U.S. Air Force photo/Robb Lingley) therapists, medical institutes, the 21st Dental Squadron, outdoor recreation The fitness center held its annual Health and Wellness Fair April 11. There were nearly 35 vendors in attendance to take care and others attended the event. of all aspects of fitness, including churches, grocery stores, gyms, massage therapists, medical institutes, the 21st Dental The fitness center provided hotdogs, popcorn and beverages. Squadron, outdoor recreation and others. INSIDE News 1-14 Briefs 15 Classifieds 17 Fallen Wing Soldier Turns 20 Wingman Page 4 Page 8 Page 10 Space ObServer 2 Thursday, May 24, 2012 www.peterson.af.mil Space ObServer www.peterson.af.mil Thursday, May 24, 2012 3 COMMentarY 21st Space Wing Commander Col. Chris Crawford Fairchild senior NCO reflects on dignified transfer mission Chief of Public Affairs 1st Lt. Holly Hess FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. cameras, one camera on the flightline and Editorial Staff (AFNS) — I could hear the voice over the Master Sgt. one in the transfer vehicle. Once inside the Chief of Internal Information two-way radio call out “wheels rolling.” That Michael vehicle, I was required to set up and level my Mr. Steve Brady was everyone’s cue to get into position and tripod; frame and focus my camera; adjust not move. Everyone was at parade rest wait- Stewart exposure and white balance; and check my Staff Writer ing for the families to arrive. 141st Air back-up recording device, all within five min- Lea Johnson I was nervous, more nervous than at any Refueling Wing utes. Even though it was very cold, I could not point in my military career. My heart was stop sweating from being so nervous. Published by Colorado Springs Military Newspapers pounding so loud I was sure everyone on the Public Affairs When the call came in over the radio for Group, 31 E. Platte Avenue, Suite 300, Colorado Springs, 80903, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. flightline could hear it. I even had to remind “wheels rolling,” no one was allowed to leave Air Force, under exclusive written contract with the myself to breathe. My ears could pick out their designated location or even move. If we 21st Space Wing. This commercial enterprise Air Force every little sound, from the faint hum of Dover AFB and already a call had come in forgot an item or had a camera malfunction, newspaper is an authorized publication for members of my camera’s internal motor, to the buzzing informing us that we would be receiving we only had access to what was in our camera the U.S. military services. of insects. six fallen soldiers later that night. That eve- Contents of the Space Observer are not necessarily the bag. There was no room for mistakes. official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Why was I so nervous? I knew I would ning, our public affairs team loaded up our In the distance I could see the flashing the Department of Defense or the Department of the have some nervousness, who wouldn’t? But gear and headed to the passenger terminal lights of the security-police vehicle escorting Air Force. I had no clue it would be this strong. I had to wait for the arrival of their remains. It the families out to the flightline. An Airman The appearance of advertising in this publication, double and triple checked everything on my was extremely cold and misty out when the including inserts or supplements, does not constitute with two lighted batons precisely guided the endorsement by DoD, the Department of the Air Force, equipment; I ran the process through my plane finally arrived. surrey bus transporting the families into final or CSMNG, of the products or services advertised. mind a hundred times. The one thing I kept I was surprised to see that it was a com- position close to the aircraft. As they drove Everything advertised in this publication shall be made reminding myself of was: “don’t forget to hit mercial airliner and not a military aircraft. up, the families could see the flag-draped available for purchase, use or patronage without regard the record button.” When I asked the other videographer why, to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital cases ready to be lowered. status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other I had heard about the dignified transfer he explained that the remains of the fallen As I waited, I wondered how I would react non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. mission at Dover Air Force Base, Del., while are returned to Dover AFB by the most ex- in their situation. Would I cry? And how Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by attending training in Tennessee. I was told pedient means possible, which may mean a would my family and friends respond if they the 21st Space Wing Public Affairs Office, 775 Loring it would be one of the most rewarding jobs direct flight from theater on a civilian air- were out in the cold waiting to watch me be- Ave., Suite 219, Peterson AFB, Colo., 80914-1294, (719) I could ever do as a combat correspondent craft. The mission, he continued, is to return 556-5185 or DSN 834-5185, fax (719) 556-7848 or DSN ing transferred to a military vehicle? 834-7848. All photographs are Air Force photographs and that it touches many people’s lives; but America’s fallen to their loved ones as quickly After about 10 minutes, I could see out the unless otherwise indicated. I never dreamed it would change my life, as possible. driver’s-side window some movement along The Space Observer is published every Thursday. forever. Once the aircraft taxied and parked at the See Dignified page 16 For advertising inquiries, call Colorado Springs Military It had been 16 hours since I arrived at designated spot, we drove out to set up our Newspapers, (719) 634-5905. Employees of Peterson Air Force Base who want to place a free classified advertise- ment should call (719) 329-5210. Articles, announcements, news briefs or feedback for the Space Observer should be submitted to the 21st SW/PA via [email protected].