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2A ♦ SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2006 Holiday deployments prove tough on families By Jennifer Bugay Journal Correspondent Christmas is just around the corner. While many families are preparing to celebrate with family and friends, military families aren’t blessed to have all their loved ones with them this time of year. For some families, the holi days are incomplete because spouses, brothers and sister are away on military deploy ments and TDY assignments. These families celebrate the holidays through email and by telephone. Those left behind find missing someone during the holidays is hard. For them, the holiday season is not a joyful time of year. Georgia National Fairgrounds Events Jan, 5-6, 2007 Georgia Farm Credit Winter Pig Classic ■ New South Arena/Sheep & Swine Barn 1 Estimated number of peo ple is set at 3,465 Information: 912-248- 2236 Jan. 5-7, 2007 U.S. Team Roping Championships ■ Horse Barn/Covered Horse Arena/Reaves Arena Estimated number of peo ple is set at 2,715 Information: 386-546- 3210 Jan. 6. 2007 Houston County Junior Commercial Dairy Heifer Show ■ Beef Dairy Arena/Beef Dairy Barn Estimated number of peo ple is set at 275 Information: 478-988- 6312 Community Events ■ CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE -Center Stage for Christ presents “Jesus 8.C.” at the Christmas Eve morning service at Perry United Methodist Church from 9-11 a.m. ■ WORK SESSION - The Warner Robins City Council work session is scheduled for Dec. 28 at 4 p.m. in the upstairs confer ence room, Warner Robins City Hall. 800 Watson Blvd. H SELF MANAGEMENT CLASS - A hypertension self-man agement class will be held Jan. 3, 2007 from 4-5 p.m. at the Houston Health Pavilion EduCare Center. Gain the knowledge and skills you need to control your high blood pressure (hypertension). This class is comprised of an initial one-hour session followed by five monthly weight and blood pressure screenings. Educational materials will be available. Call 478-923- 9771 to pre-register. ■ REPUBLICAN How to Submit ■ To submit your event for the Community Calendar, fax the details to (478) 988-1181, e mail to jtidwell(a evansnewspapers.com or mail to Houston Daily Journal, EO. Box 1910, Perrv, GA 31069 Airman Aviles graduates from basic Special to the Journal Air Force Airman Josueli A. Aviles has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. During the six weeks of training, Aviles studied the Air Force mission, organiza tion, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marks manship, field train ing exercis es, and spe cial training in human AVILES relations. In addition, those who complete basic train- Because many deploy ments are classified, con tact is limited. Units on the Robins Air Force Base who have members deployed or TDY to a classified loca tion have support systems for the families left behind. These support groups help with transportation, house hold chores and other small everyday needs. Those help greatly but they don’t replace the sad ness. “My husband will be deployed all through Christmas,” said one spouse. “It’s hard on my children who see their father in and out of their lives. They are too young to understand their father’s job and why he is always on call. - Jan. 8, 2007 Go Tell Crusades with Rick Cage ■ Miller Hall Estimated number of peo ple is set at 1,000 Information: 478-953- 7480 Jan. 11-19, 2007 WBCCI Airstream RV Meeting ■ Georgia Bldg./Heritage Hall/Roquemore/McGill Mkt. Estimated number of peo ple is set at 800 Information: 757-646- 4300 Jan.l2-14, 2007 Georgia Horse Council & Southern States NBHA ■ Reaves Arena/Covered Horse Arena/Horse Barn/ Multi Purpose Bldg Estimated number of peo ple is set at 4,635 Information: 770-922- 3350 BREAKFAST - The Republican breakfast meet ing will be held Jan. 6, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. at Sonny’s Real Pit BBQ on Russell Parkway in Warner Robins. No reservations necessary. Continental breakfast avail able at a cost of $3.25. ■ TABACCO CESSATION - A tobacco cessation course will be held Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 29, 2007 from 4:30-6:30 p.m.i n the Houston Health Pavilion EduCare Center. The free four-session course to help you quit smoking and/or using tobacco. Call 478-923- 9771 to pre-register. ■ C HAMBER MEETING - The Georgia Chamber of Commerce will host its annual meeting dinner and Eggs & Issues breakfast Jan. 8-9, 2007 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. Ron Galloway, a pro-business author, film maker and speaker will headline the dinner the first day (Monday). That Tuesday more than 2,500 business ing earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Avies Jimenez of COMPUTER REPAIR ! I i f 1 HNSTALLATIiNIUPGRADES •NETWOR|II^^^^)EVELOPMENT www.ThoiiiasComputeffßeiiair.com _987-9489' 396-2814 "* "" 41502 “One day I will explain it to them,” she added, “but for right now, it’s best the way it is. I know what we believe in as a family. This woman is raising her two children on her own with the support of her hus band’s unit. The unit helps out with babysitting and transportation. “My husband’s job is defending our beliefs; there fore, I can’t complain,” she said. “Yes I want him home for the holidays, but I think I would be acting selfish. His duty to our country is important to him, so that alone makes it important to me. “Freedom isn’t free so I ask people to please pray for the soldiers fighting for it. Jan. 19-21, 2007 Georgia Reined Cow Horse Show ■ Covered Horse Arena/ Horse Barn Estimated number of peo ple is set at 380 Information: 229-317- 3921 Jan. 26-28, 2007 HQHA Winter Classic Quarter Horse Show ■ Reaves Arena/Covered Horse Arena/Horse Barn Estimated number of peo ple is set at 1,845 Information: 770-227- 2159 Jan. 26-28, 2007 National Swine Registry Swine Show ■ New South Arena/Sheep & Swine Barn/Hoof & Horn Room Estimated number of peo ple is set at 1,000 Information: 765-463- 3594 and community leaders and elected officials will gath er again for the breakfast. Newly re-elected Gov. Sonny Perdue, Lt. Gov.-elect Casey Cagle and Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson will all be on hand to speak. According to Georgia Chamber President & CEO, George Israel, “Each year’s Eggs & Issues Breakfast seems to get larger and take on more importance, and we expect the 2007 events to be especially significant follow ing the elections.” Tickets are SIOO each with tables of 10 available for SI,OOO. Eggs & Issues breakfast tickets are SSO with tables of 10 available for SSOO. For more information, visit www.gachamber.com, or con tact the Georgia Chamber at 404-223-2264 or toll free at 1-800-241-2286. ■ SUPPORT GROUP - A multiple sclerosis sup port group will meet Jan. 9, 2007 at 7 p.m. in the Houston Health Pavilion EduCare Center. Quebradillas, Puerto Rico, and brother of Jesuan Aviles of Castle Pines, Bonaire. Aviles is a 2005 graduate of Manuel Ramos Hernandez High School, Quebradillas. LOCAL Help us by praying to bring them all home safely.” Another Air Force wife is having a hard time with her husband’s TDY assignment. She said that he is TDY every holiday and family event. He was deployed for their son’s birthday and has spent little time with his son since. The one thing she does like is having her husband’s unit support group because she does not think she could make it through the holi days again without him. “E-mails and short phone conversations just are not enough during this time of year. I want him home so bad that it hurts,” she said. “Our son is growing up with out his father. “Our son does not rec McDonald promoted to commander Special to the Jumasl R.G. Scott McDonald was recently promoted to com mander in the U.S. Navy. McDonald assumed the duties of executive officer of the Strike Fighter Weapons School Atlantic, Nov 17. After graduating from Troy State University, Troy, Ala., McDonald entered Aviation Officer Candidate School and was commis sioned in June, 1990. Over the next several months McDonald completed Naval Flight Officer Training at NAS Pensacola and was selected to fly in the F-14 jet fighter aircraft. He was transferred to NAS Oceana, Virginia Beach, Va., where he was assigned to VF-143 fighter squadron. In 2000 McDonald successfully completed the U.S. Navy Weapons School (TOPGUN) and was assigned to VF -121, “The Diamond backs,” another F-14 fighter squad ron. He has accumulated 2,500 flying hours in an F-14 fighter aircraft, and has completed tours of duty in Iraq operating from the USS George Washington, USS Kennedy and the USS Kitty Hawk. He also participated in the shakedown cruise of the Ocmulgee SURVEYORS ♦ ENGINEERS* CONSULTANTS ♦ RUNNERS 213 Wes Park Drive Perry, GA 31069 Surveying, Engineering, Annexation & Zoning “Specilizing in commercial and residential design. ” DONATE TO GOODWILL. A A * A www.goodwillworks.org Buildinglives, families, anil A Come Home [SUMMERHIIL j 0 Summerhill! ■*m*r pS®A' ;; W ifA'' ognize his own father yet. I wish just one year they wouldn’t deploy him, so he can spend the time with us. There hasn’t been a holiday with my husband since we got married.” She made it a point to say that she understands how important her husband’s job is but that family is just as important, too. “It hurts. It’s painful and scary. Some days I think I’m going to get a call telling me that my husband is badly hurt or even dead,” she said. “Every time he is sent to the desert my heart drops. I know I’m being self-cen tered, but I just want my husband home.” She pointed out that, unfortunately, the support g n 'it* % f ji * ■ m ; .-y-.. Contributed R.G. Scott McDonald USS Harry Truman. In preparation for his new duties, he qualified in the F-18 Super Hornet fighter aircraft which is the air craft assigned to the Strike Fighter Weapons School. McDonald graduated from Mount de Sales High School, Macon. He and his Office: 478-224-7070 Fax: 478-224-7072 Email: info@ocmulgeesite.com For more information or a tour ot Summerhill Call Carol Baxter at: (4”8) 98“’-3100 500 Stanley Street • Perry, GA 31069 Security, Service, and Southern Hospitality Offering Independent Living Villas, Assisted Living Secure Alzheimer's Care, and Skilled Nursing. Summer Special at Summerhill at Assisted Living • Move in Assistance within 30 mile radius • 7 certificates for free beauty salon services • 15% discount for first 3 months rent HOUSTON DAILY JOURNAL unit can only do some much. It cannot replace that empty feeling caused by a missing family member. Families who have fam ily members deployed are celebrating the holidays the best way they know how. Short conversations and emails are the main com munication because most deployments are classified for safety reasons. The units’ support sys tems do everything they can but often, it is not enough to help with the mixed emo tions. While celebrating with family and friends this holi day season, remember the airmen, soldiers, Marines and sailors serving away from home. wife Carol and three chil dren live in Virginia Beach, Va. He is the son of Vera and Bobby McDonald of Warner Robins. I WARNER ROBINS SUPPLY I WE RENT I Trenchers-generators M nail guns-compressors -log splitters I "perry WARNER ROBINS SM 612 BALI ST 2?58 WATSON BLVD I 987-2334 953-4199 [41017 40204