General Devereaux sends holiday message to Sheppard

  • Published
  • By Brig. Gen. Richard Devereaux
  • 82nd Training Wing commander
Team Sheppard officers, NCOs, Airmen, and civilians; I wanted to meet briefly with you today and pass along some thoughts before we all take some well-deserved time off for the holidays. Thanks for taking the time out of your day to listen.

As your commander, I want you to know how proud I am of each and every one of you. This past year you have worked very hard and enjoyed many successes, including an Excellent rating on our recent ORI.

You permanent party personnel have accomplished our training mission with true professionalism...in my book you are not just excellent, but outstanding! And you young Airmen-in-training - you too have worked hard to become the best airmen on the planet - as you head home for the holidays, you should be very proud of what you have accomplished.

Fact is, you all have sacrificed many hours away from your family, to do what the Air Force needed you to do. Now you're finally going to get some well-deserved time off to be with your families and friends and I want you to enjoy this time to the fullest!

Many of you will travel long distances to be with family and friends over the holidays. Unfortunately, automobile travel can be very risky. Over 40,000 traffic fatalities occur each year in the United States, yes 40,000 - our highways are a dangerous combat zone. In fiscal year 2006, the Air Force suffered 45 total motor vehicle fatalities. Five of those were during the holiday season.

And here at Sheppard AFB, we have lost 2 members since last November in traffic related accidents.

I have asked our commanders and supervisors to do everything within their power to ensure you are well rested, prepared, and ready to travel. Please, please always inject personal risk management into every activity you participate in during the holidays.

I don't want to insult anyone's intelligence or common sense, but bear with me a minute and listen to some straight talk about this greatest risk area - automobile safety. If you follow this advice, you'll drastically reduce your odds of getting involved in a serious accident.

· First, Buckle your seat belts
· Second, Don't drive tired
· Third, Don't speed
· Fourth, Don't drink and drive

I ask that you make the commitment right now to follow these four simple rules for this holiday period: wear your seat belts, don't drive tired, don't speed, and don't drink and drive.

Why do I want you to follow these rules? It's simple, because we need you, Team Sheppard needs you, your Air Force needs you, back here safely on the Jan. 3 as part of the world's best training team. The best gift, the best gift you can give during this holiday is to help Team Sheppard achieve an accident-free holiday period.

My wife, Elizabeth, and I want to wish each of you and your families a joyous, safe holiday season. Thanks for all you do for our Air Force, and our nation. Have a safe holiday. I'm looking forward to seeing you on the Jan. 3. Happy holidays!

Click here to view General Devereaux's holiday message.