Serving our country - Kyle childers - Indianapolis

Thursday, October 14, 2010
Ohare Airport

I met Kyle Childers in the G concourse at Ohare airport where he was awaiting a flight to Wisconsin.  He was headed to Fort McCoy, WI, for training.  Kyle is a computer guy

Kyle hails from Indianapolis, IN and has served our country for 13 years.  He has been overseas in Kososvos and Afghanistan.   While in Afghanistan, Kyle participated in a half marathon - the same day Indianapolis had its half marathon.

Kyle, thank you for serving our county and keeping us safe!

From the Indiana National Guard website:

"OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini Marathon Remote Race at Camp Phoenix, Afghanistan
posted on May 13, 2010 3:51 AM

Story by Spc. William E. Henry, Task Force Cyclone, 38th Infantry Division

CAMP PHOENIX, Afghanistan – Just over 300 Coalition Forces and civilians stationed at Camp Phoenix, Afghanistan, participated in the OneAmerica 500 Festival Remote Mini-Marathon, May 8, 2010.

This remote race is designed to bring the race to those deployed overseas around the world. Of the participants, 110 runners completed the 13.1 mi. run and the remainder participated in the 5 km run.

The course was laid out in laps within the boundary of the military base and was a mixture of cross-country and street running. The remote race conditions were unlike the version held in Indianapolis, with gravel covering a large percentage of the course and the base sitting at around 6,000 ft. above sea level.

The 38th Infantry Division Headquarters Company, Indiana Army National Guard, planned and coordinated all support for this event. This included the promotion and registration at Camp Phoenix, the receipt and issue of all mini-marathon supplies shipped from Indiana, and the coordination with various supporting units, including the camp garrison command and medical and traffic support.

The 38th Infantry Division Headquarters Company commander, Indiana Army National Guard, Capt. Kevin Stephenson, Fortville, Ind., said he was thanked by many participants who were grateful for the opportunity to partake in the run, even if they were not from Indiana.

“Not only does the remote mini-marathon and 5K provide an opportunity for our Indiana Soldiers to still participate in the runs, but it also promotes cohesion and friendly competition amongst different units and nationalities,” said Stephenson. “Additionally, this event affords an opportunity to promote the great state of Indiana, and I was approached by several Soldiers and civilians from other states who were very appreciative of this run.”

Serving our country: Andrew King - Navy

Thursday, October 14, 2010
Ohare Airport

Andrew King has served in the United States Navy for 6 months.  He completed basic training at Great Lakes Navy base.  He was enroute to Mayport (near Jacksonville, FL) where he will be trained to work on engines in large ships.  Mayport Naval base has the third largest fleet concentration in the U.S.

From the base's website:
"Mayport is unique in that it is home to a busy seaport as well as an air facility. At Mayport, we sustain and enhance warfighter readiness by providing support to the Fleet and to Sailors. We are the "Finest Service to the Finest Fleet."

Andrew's home town is Jeffersonville, IN.  H plans to make the Navy his career.

Andrew, thank you for serving our country and keeping us safe!!

Great job American Airlines (Ohare airport) - supporting Breast Cancer Awareness

Thursday, October 14, 2010
I flew from Charlotte, NC to Chicago today.  Walking through the H/K concourse, I noticed the gates were decorated with a lot of  pink.  Upon closer inspection, it became clear - staff had taken time to decorate for breast cancer awareness.  I don't know if there was a competition or not, but some of the gates were amazing.   Kudos to American Airlines!!  What a great way to raise awareness.  Here are a few pictures.

This was hanging on the wall at one of the gates. 

The photo below shows how that entire gate was decorated.  It was amazing.

The photo below shows a gate decorated like the sidewalks in Hollywood.  I believe the names on each star were breast cancer survivors.

The pink balloons below were at the entrance to the G concourse.

I read that 77,000,000 passengers passed through Ohare airport in  2009.  Say 1/4 of them use American Airlines.  That's breast cancer awareness exposure to potentially > 50,000 people!!

Its only fair to share that some Delta Airlines staff were also supporting breast cancer awareness this week.  I saw pilots in pink ties and flight attendants in pink uniforms.