Thunderbolt 10/05/2023

News/Features:page2

Aleap of faith

News/Features:page3

Gold Star Mom’s honored

Flyoverfor NFL fans

Week in photos:page4

Images fromthe week

A KC-135Stratotankerassigned to the63rd AirRefuelingSquadron performsaflyoverforMonday NightFootballin TampaSept.25.ThousandsofNationalFootball League fans viewedtheflyoverfromRaymond JamesStadiumprior toagamecontestedbetween the TampaBayBuccaneers andthePhiladelphiaEagles.

Community: page 15

Events, Chapel, more...

ReligiousAffairsAirmantakes‘leapoffaith’enlistinginAirForce

byAirman1stClassZacharyFoster 6thAirRefuelingWing,PublicAffairs

ForAirmanNyaHargis, a6thAirRefueling Wing chaplain’sassistant, thecallto serve camethroughdeeplyrootedfamilyties.

Hermotherservedasacivilian chapelsecretaryatDavisMonthanAir Force Base, Tucson,Arizona,andherfatherretiredafterserving20yearsas an Air Forceengineer.

Althoughherparentsdivorcedearlyin her life, theyremained“bestfriends” andcommittedtosettingapositiveexampleforHargis. She wasbornandraisedwithhermotherin Tucson,whereshe wasindoctrinatedintothe church.Herfathertraveledforwork,occasionallybringingHargisandhersiblings alongto seetheworld.

Gainingasenseofadventurefromherfather’smilitaryservice, andasenseofdevotionfromhermother, Hargisfoundapaththat wouldpaytributetobothofher parent’s contributionstotheAir Force, asa chaplain’sassistant.

“Ifeeleveryoneinmysupportsystem helpedmethroughtheprocess,” Hargissaid. “Myfriends, family, God—they’veallhelped

SeeFAITH, Page11

U.S.AirForce AirmanNyaHargis,6thAirRefueling Wingchaplain’sassistant, poses for a photoatMacDillAirForceBaseSept.19.Hargisiscontinuingalegacyof service, following herfather’scareerasanAirmenandhermother’sservicetothechapel.

COMMANDER’SACTIONLINE

TheActionLineprovidestwo-waycommunicationbetweenthe 6thAirRefueling Wingcommander and theMacDillcommunity. Personnelmaysubmitquestions,concernsorcommentsviaemailto macdillwingcommander@us.af.mil or Facebook@6thARWCommandTeam

MacDill Thunderbolt

Publisher: Joe Deluca

Editor: Nick Stubbs

The MacDillThunderbolt ispublishedby the Times Publishing Company, a private firm in no wayconnected with the U.S. Air Force. This commercial enterprise newspaper is anauthorized publication for distribution to members of the U.S. militaryservices on MacDill. Contents of the MacDill Thunderbolt are notnecessarily the officialviews of,or endorsed by the U.S. government,the Departmentof Defense,

the Departmentof the Air Force or the6th Air Refueling Wing.

The appearance of advertisingin thispublication,includinginserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsementby the Departmentof Defense, the Departmentof the Air Force,6th Air Refueling Wingor the Publishing Companyof the products or serviceadvertised.

For retail advertising, call (813)226-3318.

Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use, orpatronagewithout regard to race,color, religion, sex, nationalorigin, age, marital status, physical handicap,politicalaffiliationor any other non-merit factorof the purchaser,user,orpatron.

MacDillontheweb

Website: www.macdill.af.mil

Facebook: www.facebook.com/

MacDillAirForceBase

Instagram: macdill_afb

Twitter: @macdill_afb

Newsitems for the MacDillThunderbolt can be submitted tothe6th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs office,8208 Hangar Loop Dr., suite14, MacDill AFB, FL 33621. Call the Thunderbolt at 828-2215. Email: 6arw.pa.macdillthunderbolt@ us.af.mil.

Deadline forarticle submissions isnoon, Wednesdays to appear in the next week’s publication. Articlesreceived after deadline may be considered for future use. All submissions areconsidered for publicationbased onnews value and timeliness.

Everyarticleandphotographis edited for accuracy, clarity, brevity, conformance with the “Associated Press Stylebook andLibel Manual” and Air Force Instruction 35-101.

PhotobyAirman1stClassZacharyFoster

SealedwithaStar

MacDill recognizesGold StarMothers,families

byAirman1stClassSterlingSutton 6thAirRefuelingWingPublicAffairs

GoldStarMothers Inc., Tampa Bay and MacDill AFB leadershiphonoredthefamilies offallenmilitaryservicemembers, byhosting aGoldStarMothersand Families Dayevent onSept.24,2023.

Originallyimplementedon June23,1936, apresidentialproclamationdeclaredthelast SundayinSeptembertoberecognizedasGold StarMothersand FamilyDay.

ForthoseGoldStar Familiesinattendance, havingtheopportunitytobothsharetheirstories, andtooffersupporttoothers givesthem a senseofcommunity.

“Thedeepestlossamothercansuffer isthe lossofabelovedsonordaughter,” said Toni Gross, aGoldStarMotherof U.S. ArmyCorporal FrankR.Gross. “Asthemotherofafallen soldier, Ihavefoundhealingthroughserviceto others.”

Duringtheevent,leadersfrom U.S. Central

SeeGOLDSTAR,Page13

GoldStarMothersandFamilyMembersposeforaphotofollowingaGoldStarFamilyDayceremonyatMacDillAirForceBaseSept.24.Since1936,GoldStarMother’sandFamilyDay has takenplaceto recognizethelovedonesofthosewhohavelosttheirlivesinthelineofduty.

DODannouncesnewactionstopreventsuicideinthemilitary

WASHINGTON(AFNS)—OnSeptember28,2023,SecretaryofDefenseLloydAustinreleasedamemodirectingurgentactionstoaddresssuicideinthemilitarycommunity, buildingupontwoyearsof significantworktowardssuicidepreventionacrosstheDepartmentof Defense.

FollowingtheSecretary’sestablishmentoftheSuicidePrevention and ResponseIndependent ReviewCommitteein2022,the SPRIRC conductedinternalreviewsof11militaryinstallationsconsistingof 457focusgroupsandinterviewswith2,106Service membersand 670 civilianstaff Guidedbythis reviewandexistingresearch,theSPRIRC made127near- andlong-termrecommendationstoaddressthiscritical problemwithintheranks.

TheSecretary’smemooutlinestheDepartment’scampaignto reduce thenumberofsuicidesthroughoutthearmedforces across fivelines ofeffort— FosteraSupportive Environment, Improve the Delivery ofMentalHealthCare, AddressStigmaand Other BarrierstoCare, ReviseSuicidePreventionTraining, andPromoteaCultureofLethal MeansSafety. Thelinesofeffortaresupportedbynumerousenabling tasksthatwilltransformtheDepartment’seffortsonsuicideprevention.TheselinesofeffortareinlinewiththeSecretary’s TakingCareof Our PeopleinitiativeandemphasizetheDepartment’scommitmentto thewell-beingofthe Total Force.

TheDepartmentremainscommittedtoreducingthenumberof deathsbysuicidethroughoutthearmedforcesandispursuinganaggressivetimelineforplanningandimplementationoftheSecretary’s fivelinesofeffort,prioritizingthemostimpactfulactionstosetasolid

PhotobyAirman1stClassSterlingSutton

DoDNews

WEEKINPHOTOS

U.S.AirForceAirmenassignedtothe91stAirRefuelingSquadronposeforagroupphotoatMacDillAirForceBaseSept.29.The91stARSoperatesunderthe6thAirRefuelingWingwiththeKC-135Stratotanker.

PhotobyAirman1stClassZacharyFoster

AKC-135Stratotankerassignedto the63rd AirRefuelingSquadron completesaflyoveratRaymondJamesStadium, Tampa,Sept.25.The flyovertookplaceduringtheNationalAnthemandwasaccompaniedby a recognitionduringthegame.The63rdARSisassignedtothe927th AirRefuelingWing.

PhotobyAirman1stClassZacharyFoster

U.S.AirForceStaffSgt.DavonSaulsberry,6thMaintenanceGroupnondestructiveinspectiontechnician,notesradiationstatussurvey results atMacDillAirForceBaseSept.26. Technicianswith the6thMedical Groupcompleteradiationsurveysannuallytoensurethesafetyofpersonnelontheinstallation.

PhotobyAirman1stClassDerrickBole

Dedicationtoservice

byAirman1stClassDerrickBole 6thAirRefuelingWingPublicAffairs

AsaSecurity ForcesAirmanandacommand teamexecutivewithmorethan11 yearsofservice, oneAirman wasinspiredtotraintobecomeapilotandtoserveforaslongashecan.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt.CraigPiazza, 6th AirRefueling Wingseniorenlistedexecutive assistanttothecommander, wasrecently promotedtosecondlieutenantbyGen. DavidAllvin, vice chiefof staff oftheAir Force.

“Craighasimpressedmefromdayone,” said Bingham.“He leadsunafraidand ismotivated tosucceedinanysituation.”

Piazzaplanstoserveforatotalof5480 yearstoearnthetitleofthelongestserving Airman.

“Ilovethisuniform,” Piazzasaid.“I’m going towearituntiltheymakemetake it off. That’s myideaofbeingabletogivebacktothepeople aroundme, totheAirmenthatmakethis Air Forcegreat.”

Piazzaservedasadefenderfor10 yearsbeforebecominganexecutiveforthe6thARW command chief. Aftercompletingtheassigned oneyearinthisrole, Air ForceCol AdamBingham,6thARWcommander, offeredPiazza a positionasseniorenlisted chiefexecutiveto thecommander Recently, Piazza wasaccepted

SeeDEDICATION,Page6

U.S.AirForce Tech.Sgt.CraigPiazza,6thAirRefuelingWingseniorenlistedexecutiveassistant tothecommander, receivesnewsthathehasbeenacceptedintoOfficer TrainingSchoolat MacDillAirForceBaseSept.28.Piazzahasservedfor11years,andwas recentlyacceptedinto OTStobeginthenext chapterof hiscareer.

PhotobyAirman1stClassDerrickBole

U.S.AirForce Tech.Sgt.CraigPiazza,6thAirRefuelingWingseniorenlistedexecutiveassistanttothecommander, receivesnewsthathehas beenacceptedintoOfficer TrainingSchoolbyGen.DavidAllvin,vicechiefofstaffoftheAirForceatMacDillAirForceBaseSept.28.Piazzahas servedfor11years,andwas recentlyacceptedintoOTStobeginthenextchapterofhiscareer.

totrainattheAir ForceOfficerTrainingSchooltocompletehiscommission.

“EverydayIamsohappytoputonthisuniformknowingthatIam workingwithafantasticteam,” Piazzasaid. “Overthispastyearanda half, Ihaveworkedwithateamthathasshownmehow awesomeourAir ForceandourAirmenreallyare. Ihaveseenindividualscommittedto greatnessthroughoutmytimeintheAir Force, buttoseeawholeteam asdedicatedas[the6thARW]whogivestheiralleverydaytobetterthe livesofthepeoplethatliveandworkhereatMacDillistrulygreat.”

BeingapartofthisteamhasinspiredPiazzatotrainoutsideduty hourstopursuehisprivatepilot’slicensetogivehimthebest chanceat makinghisdreamcometrue.

“WhenIfirstassumedmypositionascommand chiefexecutive, Igot tositinthecockpitofaKC-135Stratotankerwith[Air Force]Col.Ben-

jamin Jonsson,theformer6thARWcommander,” Piazzasaid.“Ihad wantedtobecomeapilotforalongtimebeforethat,butbeingin that cockpitforthefirsttime reallygotmestarstruck.”

Piazza’svisionforhiscareercontinuestobroadenwitheachexperiencetheAir Forceaffords him.His dreamaircrafttoflywouldbethe C-17Globemaster. To him,itshighlyadaptivemissionsetrelatestothe multi-capabilityoftoday’sAirmen,andthejet’sroleinAMCasamissionsupportaircrafthelpshimtogivebacktotheAir Forcethathas givenhimeverything.

“Hehasbigdreams, andthe passionandtenacitytomakethemall cometrue,” saidBingham.“Noonecanknowexactlyhowalifeorcareer willturnout,butI’mquitecertainofthis: regardlessofthe pathCraig goesdown…thewinningwillcontinue. I’mexcitedforwhatthisgreat AirmanwillcontinuetodofortheUnitedStatesofAmerica.

PhotobyAirman1stClassDerrickBole

HelpforDAFAirmen,Guardians,civiliansineventoflapseinappropriations

SecretaryoftheAirForcePublicAffairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS)-- Assistancetoreducepotentialimpactsintheeventofa governmentshutdown onAirmen, Guardians, civilians, andtheir familiesis availablethroughvarious means.

Thoseexperiencingfinancialdifficultiesshouldcontacttheir chainofcommand,whocanprovidemoreinformationonthefinancialaidorganizationsbelow.

Compensation:

TheMilitaryLeadersEconomicSecurity Toolkit,locatedontheMilitaryOneSourcewebsite, offersinformationandsupport.Thesiteisupdatedregularlytoreflect challengesandpolicy changesrelatedtoeconomicsecurity

UnemploymentBenefits:

Furloughedemployeesare eligibletoapplyfor unemploymentbenefits, butexceptedemployeesworkingon a full-timebasis aregenerallynoteligible. Employeeswho wishtofileshoulddosowiththeUnemploymentOffice forthestatewheretheemployeeworked(i.e., lastofficial dutystationpriortofurlough).Pleasebeadvised,however, thatwhenemployeesreceiveretroactive pay, they willberequiredtopaybackanyunemployment benefits theyreceived,inaccordancewithStatelaw. Formore

information,seeOPMguidanceandthe U.S. Department ofLabor’sUnemploymentCompensationfor FederalEmployees.

Personal FinancialReadiness:

TheMilitaryand FamilyReadinessCenterpersonal financialreadinessprogramsustainsandimprovesfinancialliteracyandreadinessbyofferinginformation, education,training, andfreepersonalfinancialcounselingtoAirmen,Guardians, andtheirfamilies. TheDAF hasalsoincreasedthenumberof Personal Financial Managers availabletoassistandenhancefinancialreadinessandmoneymanagementskillsformembersand theirfamilies.

TheAir ForceAidSociety continuestosupportemergentneedssuchasbasiclivingexpenses(e.g., food, rent/ mortgage, utilities),vehicleexpenses(e.g.,payments, repairs, insurance),and childcarecosts. Airmenand GuardianscansubmitrequeststhroughlocalMilitary and FamilyReadinessCentersandAirmanand Family ReadinessCenters.

IfAirmen,Guardians, ortheirfamiliesarenotnear anaidorganization,theymayseekfinancialassistance fromtheRedCross.

MilitaryworkingdogEnrico recoversfromabiopsy procedureatMacDillAFBSept.5.MWDEnrico’s appointmenttookplacetoensurehislegwas healthy. Doghandlersassistveterinaryclinicstaff duringappointmentsandare requiredtoknowvarioushealthcareproceduressuchasdrawing blood,insertingcathetersandgiving fluids.

Caringhandsandcanineheroes

storyandphotosbySeniorAirmanLaurenCobin

AtMacDillAir ForceBase,thewelfareofmilitaryworkingdogsis imperative.Theseloyalcanines,alongsidetheirhandlers,play an integralroleinensuringthesafetyandsecurityofmilitaryinstallationseveryday.

Preservingthehealthandwell-beingofeach MWDisadedicatedteam ofveterinaryprofessionalsworkingwithhighlytrainedhandlerstosupportandtrainMWDoperationsonaregularbasis.

U.S. ArmySpc.KaylahBrowne,ananimalcarespecialistassignedto theveterinary clinic,hasbeencaringforMWDsfornearlytwoyears.She sharesheradmirationforeach dog’spersonality,highlightingthatunderstandingtheiruniquetraits,isessentialtothe clinic’smission.

The clinicstaffregularly checksonthekennels,performssemi-annual check-upsandis readily availabletotreatanymedicalissuesonsite. Additionally,the clinicstaffcontinuouslyeducatesandtrainsMWDhandlersonspecializedmedicalcare.

We makesurethatweprovidequalitycaretoourdogs,regardlessof location,saidBrowne.

Havingpriorexperienceasaveterinarytechnicianbeforeenlisting,

SeniorAirmanMickaylaStark,aMWDhandlerassignedtothe6thSecurity ForcesSquadron,understandstheinterdependentrelationship betweenhandlersandtheircaninepartners.

Everymission,trainingexerciseandpatrolisajointeffort.Thesepairs trainrigorously-buildingtrustandunderstandingeverydaytokeep eachothersafe. Withthis, handlersmustbeattunedtothedog’ssignals, reactionsandneedstoprovideimmediatecareonstationorinthefield.

Starkemphasizedthatthehealthofeverydogiscrucialtomaintain missionreadiness.

WhenStarkbroughtinhercaninecounterpart,MWDEnrico,shedisplayedawealthofknowledge,workingalongside clinicstaff.

“Handlersaretrainedtodrawblood,insertcatheters,givefluidsand performothermedicalcarepractices,” shesaid.“IlovetoeducatemyfellowhandlersonthemedicalcareeachMWDneeds.”

Beyondduty,thepartnershipbetweenMWDsandtheirhandlersremainsunbreakable. Exceptionalcareisnotonlyaduty,butapersonal commitmenttothosewhoserveselflesslytoprotectthebase.

BrowneandStarkareatestamenttothelevelofcommitmentbase personnelshowtotheMWDpack. Personalizedcare,regular check-ups andin-houseexpertiseensurethesecaninesstayinpeakcondition.

MilitaryworkingdogHannesis nessexamatMacDillAirForceBaseSept.5.Uponhi ment,MWDHanneswasassessedbyveterinaryclinicstaffandmilitaryworkingdoghandlerswhocheckedhisoverallhealth,includingblood,weight, ears,eyesandteeth.

Membersofthe6thSecurityForcesSquadronandMacDillAirForce BaseveterinaryclinicpreparemilitaryworkingdogEnricoforabiopsy atMacDillAFBSept.5.Doghandlersassistveterinaryclinicstaffduring appointmentsandare requiredtoknowvarioushealthcareprocedures suchasdrawingblood,insertingcathetersandgivingfluids.

MilitaryworkingdogHannesis rewardedwithpeanutbutterfollowingawellnessexamatMacDillAirForceBaseSept.5.Uponhis returnfromdeployment,MWDHanneswasassessedbyveterinaryclinicstaffandmilitaryworkingdoghandlerswhocheckedhisoverallhealth,includingblood,weight, ears,eyesandteeth.

MilitaryworkingdogHannesis rewardedwithpeanutbutterfollowing a wellnessexamatMacDillAirForceBaseSept.5.Uponhis returnfrom deployment,MWD Hanneswas assessedbyveterinary clinicstaff and militaryworkingdoghandlerswhocheckedhisoverallhealth,including blood,weight,ears,eyesandteeth.

mealongthispathandguidedmetowhereIneededtobe. Righthereat the chapel,andI wanttodo thesamefor others.”

NotonlydidHargis’parentsprovidea positiveinfluenceto join, but shealsohadhelpfromher childhoodbestfriend, U.S. Air ForceAirman RachelleBrown,adefenderwiththe91stMissileSecurity Operations Squadron,MinotAFB, NorthDakota.

“MybestfriendandIactuallyjoinedatthesametime,” Hargissaid. “Wedidtheentireprocesstogether. She wastheonewhopushedmeto finallytakethatfirststeptojustseetherecruiter.”

TheAir Force’s“buddysystem”allowed HargisandBrowntobetogetherthrougheverystepoftheprocess. Fromtherecruitmentcenter tobasictraining, they’drelyononeanother, usingtheirpreviousconnectiontoface challengesheadon.

“Becomingpartofsomethinggreaterthanmyselfhasbeensuchan accomplishment,” Brownsaid.“To not letfearoftheunknownovercome mebutpushmeinstead.”

Followingbasictraining, theduowouldpart waysastheypursued theirindividualcareers.

Brownworkedinsecurityforces, honingherprotectionskills, and

Hargisenteredreligiousaffairswhereshecouldhelpothersfind clarity the wayshehad.

HargishasservedintheAir Forceforjustayear, butduringthat timeshe’ddiscoveredalife-longpassion,to“helpasmanypeople”as shecanforaslongasshecan.

“It’sbeenareallygreatyearintheAir Force,” Hargissaid.“I wantto beabletoinspiresomehopetosomeonewhoisinasimilarposition as I wasin,howeverIcan.”

Now, Hargisisworkingtodevelophertechnicalskills, usinghertime hereatMacDillasasteppingstonetowardsacareerdevotedtohelping othersintheirtimeofneed.

“TheexperienceI’mgettingrightnowislayingtheframeworkfor a life-longcareerhelpingothers,” Hargissaid.“Thehands-onexperience ofgettingtoknowpeopleandunderstanding how tohelpthemdeal withlifeisinvaluable.”

HargisisoneexampleofAirmeneverywherewho’vetakenthe“leap offaith”byenlistingintheAir Force. Formoreinformationonhowto takethefirststepstowardsmilitaryservice, visit https://www.airforce. com/careers

PhotobyAirman1stClassZacharyFoster

U.S.AirForceAirmanNyaHargis,6thAirRefuelingWingchaplain’s assistant,posesforaphotoatMacDillAirForceBaseSept.19.Hargisiscontinuingalegacyofservice,followingherfather’scareerasanAirmenandhermother’sservicetothechapel.

HELP

From Page 7

Several banking institutions, such as USAA, Navy Federal Credit Union, and Marine Federal Credit Union, have been known to advance military pay to their customers during government shutdowns. Contact your bank to inquire about their policies for situations like these.

Food Insecurity:

First sergeants and Military and Family Readiness Centers assist Airmen, Guardians, and their families in need of food security-related grants and loans with referrals to programs such as: U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the Federal Subsistence Supplemental Allowance program, and the Air Force Aid Society.

The FY22 National Defense Authorization Act established a Basic Needs Allowance The BNA Program provides supplemental income for military members and dependents whose gross household income falls below 130% of federal poverty guidelines.

TRICARE:

In response to the ongoing possibilities of a government shutdown, the Defense Health Agency (DHA) has authorized its TRICARE contractors to continue delivering health care to the 9.4 million beneficiaries of TRICARE. TRICARE beneficiaries seeking medical care from private providers should feel no significant effects. Care at military hospitals and clinics would remain largely unaffected. The TRICARE website in-

SUICIDE

From Page 3 foundation for long-term progress. The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness will oversee implementation efforts across the Department and will ensure implementation is conducted expediently and methodically. DoD aims to have full implementation of each line of effort by the end of fiscal year 2030.

cludescurrentinformationabouttheimpactoftheshutdownonTRICAREhealthplansandmilitaryhospitalsand clinics.

OverseasandRemoteCommissaries:

Check statusoflocalcommissariestodeterminethestatusofyour localstore. Duringashutdownsomenon-appropriatedfundservices maycontinuetooperate Checkwithyourlocalinstallation’swebsite todeterminewhichserviceswillremainopenin your area.Ifable, plan aheadandminimizeitsimpactonday-to-dayroutine.

To seecontingencyplansforfederal governmentagencies visit: https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/agency-contingency-plans/

AdditionalHelpfulLinks:

CONTINGENCYPLANGUIDANCEFORCONTINUATIONOFESSENTIALOPERATIONSINTHEABSENCEOF AVAILABLEAPPROPRIATIONS:https://media.defense.gov/2023/Sep/12/2003299418/-1/-1/1/ GUIDANCE-FOR-CONTINUATION-OF-OPERATIONS-DURING-ALAPSE-IN-APPROPRIATIONS.PDF

AFPC TOTALFORCESERVICECENTER:http://www.afpc.af.mil/ U.S. OFFICEOFPERSONNELMANAGEMENT: http://www.opm. gov/furlough

OMB OVERVIEW& FAQS:http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/furlough-guidance/guidance-for-shutdown-furloughs.pdf

Thememo“NewDoDActionstoPreventSuicideintheMilitary” can befoundhere.

SeptemberisNationalSuicidePreventionMonth.Ifyouoralovedone areexperiencingthoughtsofsuicide, youarenotalone. Callthe Veteran’s CrisisHotlineat9-8-8andvisithttps://www.veteranscrisisline.net/

Besuretovisittheofficial6thAirRefuelingWingwebsiteatwww.macdill.af.mil

Command,the6thAirRefueling Wingand GoldStar FamiliesInc., TampaBay, delivered remarksandreflectedonthecontributionsof theservicememberswhohavepaidtheultimatepriceinthelineofduty.

“Weareheretodaytorecognizeandhonorthefamilymemberswhohavelostalove whoservedourcountryintheUnitedStates Armed Forces,” saidNefertiti Barnes, 6th ForceSupportSquadroncommunityreadinessconsultant.

AlthoughthelivesofGoldStar Families are changedforever, manyhaveleanedon eachotherforsupport.

“Afterallthatthey’vedoneforme, andall I’vebeenabletodotohelpothergrieving mothers, IwouldsaythatGoldStarMothersareindeedanationaltreasure,” saidEvelynBrady, GoldStarMotherof U.S. Navy AircrewmanThirdClassMohammed“MO” Haitham.

GoldStarMothersInc. hasearnedfederal charterfromCongresssinceit wasincorporatedin1929.Thegroupbeganwith25motherslivinginthe Washington, D.C. areaand soonspreadacrossthe nation.

GoldStarMothersInc., TampaBayisaprivatenonprofitorganizationofmotherswho areinvolvedinthecommunityandhonoring thelivesofthoselost.

Theorganization wasnamedafterthe gold starbannersthatfamiliesdrapedintheir windowsinhonorofthedeceasedveteran. Theflagisofficiallydefinedasa whitefield witharedborder, withabluestarforeach familymemberservingintheArmed Forces duringanyperiodof war. Agoldstarwith blueedgesrepresentsafamilymember who diedduringmilitaryservice.

AlongwiththenumerousAmericanswho gather, MacDillishonoredtohostevents suchasGoldStarMother’sand FamiliesDay eventstoshowsupport,andrespecttowards GoldStarMothersandtheirfamilies.

“Wearehumbledbythepresenceofallthe goldstarfamiliesinattendance,” said2nd Lt. LauraAnderson,6thAirRefueling Wingpublicaffairsofficer. “MacDillisforever indebt towhatthesefamilieshavegiventoour great nation.”

Picturesoffallenmilitarymembersaredisplayedonatableduringaceremonyfor Gold Star MothersandFamiliesDayat MacDill AirForce Base Sept.24.Since 1936,Gold StarMother’s andFamilyDayhastakenplaceto recognizetheloved onesof those whohavelost their lives inthelineofduty.

MacDillAirForceBaseHonorGuardsmen,presentthecolorspriorduringtheGoldStarMothers andFamiliesDayatMacDillAirForceBaseSept.24.AirForceHonorGuarddeliverpremierceremonialhonors,inspirethenation,and representallAirmenandGuardianstotheworld.

PhotobyAirman1stClassSterlingSutton

PhotobyAirman1stClassSterlingSutton

COMMUNITY

ExpandedhoursatSeaScapes

Takeinthebeautiful,scenicview of TampaBaysunsetsandthetropicalatmosphereatSeaScapes. Now openTuesday–Saturdayfrom3–9 p.m.Sipdeliciouscocktailsandgrab somefoodfromthebarmenuwhile enjoyingthespectacularviewsof thesettingsunonthebay. To find moreinformationandacomplete menu,visitmacdillfss.com/seascapes/.

ExpandedHoursatBoomers

ComeexploretheBounceBack menuatBoomers Wednesday- Fridayfrom3–8 p.m.BoomersislocatedinsidetheBreakawayEventCenterwithafullbar, multiplescreens, music, and pooltables Enjoy food anddrinkspecials Visitmacdillfss. com/boomers/formoreinformation.

FightingforaCause3K/5K

TheShort FitnessCenterwillbe ahostingabreastcancer awareness runonThursday, October12startingintheSouth Fieldat6:45a.m. Participantsareencouragedtowear pinkandwhite Thetopfemale/ maleinboththe3Kand5Kwillbe awardedaprize. Visitmacdillfss. com/short-fitness-center/fordetails.

Family First FridaysatSeaScapes

Comecelebrate Family First Fridays on Oct.13 at SeaScapesfrom 3–10 p.m.TherewillbeItalianfare andakiddiekravingsmenu,drink specials, aDJandkaraoke. Visit macdillfss.com/seascapes/for more information.

Findmoreeventsat:macdillfss.com

The Champ

U.S.AirForce Tech.Sgt.SamanthaPeck,6th CommunicationsSquadronprojectmanager,is recognizedasChampofthe Weekbythe6thAirRefuelingWingleadershipteamatMacDillAirForceBase Sept.26.PeckfilledinasthesuperintendentforherflightandtookchargetoleadherAirmenduring aNuclearOperationalReadinessInspection.

CHAPELSCHEDULE

Protestant services - Sunday - 11 a.m. Contact the Chapel at 828-3621or email at 6ARW.HCADMIN@us.af.mil for inquiries regarding Protestant religious education.

Monday-Wednesday Mass - 12:10p.m. www.macdill.af.mil/chapel

Catholic Mass - Sunday - 9:30 a.m. (confessionsby appointment)

Jewish - Monthly Lunch and Learn: For schedule &tojoin distro,pleasecontactelimelach.estrin@us.af.mil

Islamic Service - Friday 1:30p.m.(space reserved)

OtherFaith Groups - Pleasecontact the Chapelat (813)828-3621orviaemail at 6ARW.HCADMIN@us.af.mil

Formoredetailsandinformation,visittheChapelFacebookpageat http://www.facebook/6amwhc/or MacDill’s Chapel websiteis: https://www.macdill.af.mil/chapel

Normal Hours- Monday - Friday - 9 a.m.to 3p.m. After hours chaplain, callthe Command Post at 828-4362/4361.