When the Music Stopped!

When the Music Stopped...

by Chaplain Jim Higgins, LSA Anaconda is at the Ballad Airport in Iraq, north of Baghdad

For those who are unaware, at all military base theaters, the National Anthem is played before the movie begins.

I recently attended a showing of 'Superman 3' here at LSA Anaconda. We have a large auditorium that we use for movies as well as memorial services and other large gatherings.  As is the custom at all military bases, we stood to attention when The National Anthem began before the main feature.  All was going well until three-quarters of the way through The National Anthem, the music stopped.

Now, what would happen if this occurred with 1,000 18-to-22-year-olds back in the States?  I imagine that there would be hoots, catcalls, laughter, a few rude comments, and everyone would sit down and yell for the movie to begin. Of course, that is, only if they had stood for The National Anthem in the first place.

Here in Iraq 1,000 soldiers continued to stand at attention, eyes fixed forward. The music started again, and the soldiers continued to quietly stand at attention.  Again, though, at the same point, the music stopped. What would you expect 1,000 soldiers standing at attention to do? Frankly, I expected some laughter, and everyone would eventually sit down and wait for the movie to start.

 No!!. . . You could have heard a pin drop while every soldier continued to stand at attention.

Suddenly, there was a lone voice from the front of the auditorium, then a dozen voices, and soon the room was filled with the voices of a thousand soldiers, finishing where the recording left off:

"And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say, does that Star-spangled Banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave."

It was the most inspiring moment I have had in Iraq, and I wanted you to know what kind of U.S. Soldiers are serving you! 

Remember them as they fight for us!

Pass this along as a reminder to others to be ever in prayer for all our soldiers serving us here at home and abroad.  Many have already paid the ultimate price.

Shared by Bruce Douglas

 

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing” Edmund Burke

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017 January #3

Beware of the Slip, Trip and Fall Hazards
The two most dangerous kinds of floor surfaces are most common in winter: frozen and wet. Both are treacherously slippery but thankfully, there is something you can do about.

A few things to remember:

-Watch the temps many days will get warm enough to melt and then refreeze icy spots so be extremely careful at Dawn & Dusk.  If you have to be out in the hours of darkness take a flashlight with you to light your way.

-It is important to slow your speed and to take smaller steps to maintain your balance and avoid slips, trips and falls. It is also advisable to do the duck walk or walk like a penguin with your toes pointing at an outward angle for better balance.

-Invest in properly gripping footwear and clean you boots/shoes regularly.

-Use extra care climbing up and down ladders, going up and down stairways and always use 3 points of contact\control.

-Finally, keep your eyes focused on your path – that way you will be able to spot and mitigate any hazards that are in your way.

 

Fall Protection leads the way on OSHA’s Top 10 violations

OSHA announced its most frequently cited violations for fiscal year 2016 and for the sixth year in a row, Fall Protection is number one.

Speaking at the 2016 National Safety Council (NSC) Congress & Expo, Patrick Kapust, deputy director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs, and Tom Musick, associate editor for Safety & Health magazine, presented the preliminary data.

“The Top 10 gives employers a place to start for finding and fixing hazards,” Kapust said during the presentation. Rounding out the top 5 were Hazard Communication in the second slot, followed by Scaffolding at No. 3, Respiratory Protection in fourth and Lockout/Tagout at No. 5.

“Every year, the OSHA Top 10 serves as a guide for employers to address the biggest safety risks facing their employees,” Deborah A.P. Hersman, president and CEO of NSC, said in a press release. “We look forward to working with employers to reduce these incidents and ensure every workplace is on a Journey to Safety Excellence.” Here is the rest of the list. 6. Powered Industrial Trucks: 7. Ladders: 8. Machine Guarding: 9. Electrical - Wiring Methods: 10. Electrical - General Requirements:

Mobile Equipment and Vehicle Hazards

Ground personnel must remember to watch out for equipment & vehicle traffic. Look both ways when crossing a roadway and be on constant lookout for overhead work as well. Big cranes can move suspended loads over a wide radius so it is important to pay attention on job sites. Never assume an equipment\vehicle operator sees you and never walk in front of moving equipment. All equipment creates blind spots for the operator & larger equipment takes longer to stop.

Equipment & vehicle operators must keep an eye out for other equipment in addition to pedestrians. Typically, we yield to the larger equipment. Sometimes, when an equipment operator sees you they may signal you to walk or drive in front of them.

Parking lots pose another hazard to both drivers & pedestrians, whether coming to work or heading home. Many people are thinking about what they’re going to do later in the day or that evening -- some are on cell phones others may be conversing with co-workers. So, it is critically important that drivers use caution when pulling out of parking spots (check your mirrors and proceed slowly). Stay Safe - Focus on what you’re doing.

Dehyration a Concern in Winter too!

Stay Hydrated Cold weather can lead to more problems if we ignore it. The common cold, frostbite and hypothermia are some of the well-known dangers stemming from cold working conditions. However, it is important to remember that cold working conditions can also lead to dehydration, something that workers should bear in mind to ensure they drink enough water.  Physical labor can help workers stay warm, but workers should still take breaks routinely. It is always best to break in heated or wind-sheltered areas so they can get a chance to warm up. It is also important to dress in layers as some days the winds will die down and the sun will come out. When that happens, you’ll want to be able to peel off a layer or two to avoid getting overheated and minimize sweating. If clothing becomes wet from sweat the cooling process can lead to chills.    Warm it up Be sure to let your vehicle warm up a few minutes before heading off to work on frosty mornings.  Defrost or scrape your windows so you’ll have good visibility. Watch out for other drivers who may not take time to defrost or scrape their windows – they may not see you. And Keep headlights on from Dusk to Dawn.   Why did the chimp sell his banana store? He was tired of all the monkey business.

The Cost of Courage

A Courageous Man

 

Who was United States Senator Edmund G. Ross of Kansas? I suppose you could call him a "Mr. Nobody." No law bears his name. Not a single list of Senate "greats" mentions his service. Yet when Ross entered the Senate in 1866, he was considered the man to watch. He seemed destined to surpass his colleagues, but he tossed it all away by one courageous act of conscience.
 

Let's set the stage. Conflict was dividing our government in the wake of the Civil War. President Andrew Johnson was determined to follow Lincoln's policy of reconciliation toward the defeated South. Congress, however, wanted to rule the downtrodden Confederate states with an iron hand. Congress decided to strike first. Shortly after Senator Ross was seated, the Senate introduced impeachment proceedings against the hated President. The radicals calculated that they needed thirty-six votes, and smiled as they concluded that the thirty-sixth was none other than Ross'. The new senator listened to the vigilante talk. But to the surprise of many, he declared that the president "deserved as fair a trial as any accused man has ever had on earth." The word immediately went out that his vote was "shaky." Ross received an avalanche of anti-Johnson telegrams from every section of the country. Radical senators badgered him to "come to his senses."

The fateful day of the vote arrived. The courtroom galleries were packed. Tickets for admission were at an enormous premium. As a deathlike stillness fell over the Senate chamber, the vote began. By the time they reached Ross, twenty-four "guilties" had been announced. Eleven more were certain. Only Ross' vote was needed to impeach the President. Unable to conceal his emotion, the Chief Justice asked in a trembling voice, "Mr. Senator Ross, how vote you? Is the respondent Andrew Johnson guilty as charged?" Ross later explained, at that moment, "I looked into my open grave. Friendships, position, fortune, and everything that makes life desirable to an ambitions man were about to be swept away by the breath of my mouth, perhaps forever." Then, the answer came -- unhesitating, unmistakable: "Not guilty!" With that, the trial was over. And the response was as predicted.

A high public official from Kansas wired Ross to say: "Kansas repudiates you as she does all perjurers and skunks." The "open grave" vision had become a reality. Ross' political career was in ruins. Extreme ostracism, and even physical attack awaited his family upon their return home. One gloomy day Ross turned to his faithful wife and said, "Millions cursing me today will bless me tomorrow...though not but God can know the struggle it has cost me." It was a prophetic declaration.

-----

Twenty years later Congress and the Supreme Court verified the wisdom of his position, by changing the laws related to impeachment. Ross was appointed Territorial Governor of New Mexico. Then, just prior to his death, he was awarded a special pension by Congress. The press and country took this opportunity to honor his courage which, they finally concluded, had saved our country from crisis and division. 

 

 Source: Jon Johnston, Courage - You Can Stand Strong in the Face of Fear, SP Publications, pp. 56-58.

Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them.  -Ralph Waldo Emerson.

2017 January 1

EPA amends RMP Regulations The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule amending its Risk Management Program (RMP) regulations  to reduce the likelihood of accidental releases at chemical facilities and improve emergency response activities when those releases occur. The rule is the latest in a series of actions the federal government has taken to improve chemical process safety, assist local emergency authorities in planning for, and responding to, accidents, and improve public a wareness of chemical hazards at regulated sources.   Mathy Stanislaus, EPA's Assistant Administrator for the Office of Land and Emergency Management said, “These changes are intended to protect the lives of emergency responders and the public, while preserving information security.”   This rule will help prevent chemical accidents, such as the explosion in West Texas in 2013, and their devastating effects. While numerous chemical plans are operated safely, in the last 10 years more than 1,500 accidents were reported by RMP facilities. These accidents are responsible for causing nearly 60 deaths; some 17,000 people being injured or seeking medical treatment; almost 500,000 people being evacuated or sheltered-in-place; and more than $2 billion in property damages. For more information about the final amendments to the RMP rule: http://www.epa.gov/rmp/final-amendments-risk- management-program-rmp-rule   Pay attention when Crossing Streets... Parking lots, roadways and other congested areas can be especially dangerous during the winter months due to the increased hazard of slippery spots. Besides the hazard of slips and falls, pedestrians must remember that vehicles may take a lot longer to stop.  So please remind friends, family and co-workers to pay attention when crossing the street, parking lot or congested areas and NEVER TEXT while crossing roadways or walking across a parking lot. Be a defensive walker and a defensive driver. To keep yourself safe, stay alert and keep an eye on what is going on around you at all times.   Drivers: Be extra careful when backing up and reduce your speed in parking lots to avoid a fender bender. Keep your focus on the road and be on the lookout for pedestrians that might not be paying attention to their surroundings. Resist the urge to make a call or send a text and JUST DRIVE!   January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month Glaucoma is called "the sneak thief of sight" since there are no symptoms and once vision is lost, it's permanent. As much as 40% of vision can be lost without a person noticing.   Currently, more than 3 million people in the United States have   glaucoma (and approximately 120,000 are blind from disease which accounts for 9 to 12% of all cases of blindness). The National Eye Institute projects this number will reach 4.2 million by 2030, a 58% increase.   Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness. Moreover, among African American and Latino populations, glaucoma is more prevalent. Glaucoma is 6 to 8 times more common in African Americans than Caucasians.   Over 3 million Americans, and over 60 million people worldwide, have glaucoma. Experts estimate that half of them don’t know they have it. Combined with our aging population, we can see an epidemic of blindness looming if we don’t raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations to preserve vision. The World Health Organization estimates that 4.5 million people worldwide are blind due to glaucoma. The best way to protect your sight from glaucoma is to get a comprehensive eye examination, annually. Then, if you have glaucoma, treatment can begin immediately.

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is Silent & Deadly
The risk of Carbon Monoxide death increases during the winter months. If fact, over 200 people across the nation are known to die each year from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning caused by problems in the venting – out of their homes – of toxic gases produced by their heating systems. This is according to statistics compiled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Other agencies estimate actual numbers at between 2,000 and 4,000.
In addition, around 10,000 cases of carbon monoxide-related "injuries" are diagnosed each year. Because the symptoms of prolonged, low-level carbon monoxide poisoning "mimic" the symptoms of common winter ailments (headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and even seasonal depression), many cases are not detected until permanent, subtle damage to the brain, heart and other organs and tissues has occurred. The difficulty of diagnosis also means the numbers of people affected may be even higher.


Have your heating system, fireplace & chimney inspected or serviced annually by a reputable dealer and protect your family’s health. Failing to do so could bring heartbreak

The Cost of Non-Fatal Injuries

Non-fatal Injuries Cost Dearly The 2016 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index, based off 2013 injury data, reports the top 10 injuries cost U.S. businesses, workers and society over $51 billion in direct workers’ compensation expenses. The list, in order of direct costs of the most disabling injuries, includes: -Overexertion involving an outside source -Falls on the same level -Falls to a lower level  -Being struck by an object or equipment -Other exertions or body reactions -Roadway incidents involving a motorized land vehicle -Slipping\tripping – w/o a fall -Being caught in/compressed by equipment or objects -Being struck against an object or equipment -Repetitive motions involving micro-tasks   Why did the sheet music run away from the singer? She kept hitting all the notes!

2017 January Safety Tips 2

Why You Must Obtain and Read Chemical Safety Data Sheets Many have heard about this tragic event in Texas, which demonstrates what can happen if we use chemicals when we are unaware of the associated hazards.     The act of watering the ground after applying pesticide may seem innocuous, but it was enough to kill four children in Texas. One was a high school senior on the brink of graduation. The other three were her little brothers; the youngest was 7 years old.   Amarillo police explained what went wrong: Some of the family members started feeling sick after a pesticide was applied under their mobile home. So one of the residents tried to dilute it with water. It was fatal mistake.   After someone applied the pesticide -- aluminum phosphide -- under the mobile home, a family member tried to wash it away, said Capt. Larry Davis of the Amarillo Fire Department.  But aluminum   phosphide mixed with water creates toxic phosphine gas, which can cause excess fluid in the lungs and respiratory failure.   To avoid a mishap, it is imperative that you do your homework when using chemicals On or Off the job. Request an SDS from the safety department, the local hardware store where you purchase the chemical, or find the Safety Data Sheets online. Then, take time to review the hazards and warnings, and follow manufacturer’s recommendations before you begin.   January is National Volunteer Blood Donor Month Since 1970 January has been declared National Volunteer Blood Donor Month, and with good reason.  Above all other times of the year, it’s the month that presents the most challenges in recruiting   people to give blood. This January is no exception with the local Red Cross in an urgent need for more  donors.   Changing weather, busy holiday schedules, increased cold and flu symptoms and even the winter blues can keep the most dedicated blood donors from making or keeping an appointment to give. Yet winter weather can lead to more traumatic injuries on icy roads and may increase the need for blood.   “There are so many unpredictable factors at play that can affect the blood supply during January; it’s a critical time to remind the public of the need for more donors,” said Rodney Wilson, communications manager for the American Red Cross.  “If you are in good health, now is the time to share that good health with patients in need.”   Drug overdose deaths on the rise in the U.S. In 2015 more than 52,000 people died from a drug overdose; of those, 33,091 (63.1%) involved a prescription or illicit opioid. Since 2000, more than 300,000 Americans have lost their lives to an opioid overdose.   CDC’s latest national analyses indicate that the increase in opioid overdose death rates is driven in large part by illicit opioids, like heroin and illicitly manufactured fentanyl, a synthetic opioid. The new data show from 2014 to 2015:   • Death rates for synthetic opioids other than methadone (including drugs such as tramadol and fentanyl) increased 72.2%; • Heroin death rates increased 20.6%; • Synthetic opioid and heroin death rates increased across all age groups 15 and older, in both sexes, and among all races/ethnicities. • Methadone death rates declined 9.1%. • Natural opioids (including morphine and codeine) and semi-synthetic opioids (including commonly prescribed pain medications such as oxycodone and hydrocodone) were involved in more than 12,700 deaths in 2015.