CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
It's absolutely amazing to me how time flies.
Even with temperatures rising and baseball season in full swing, it hasn't registered to me that summer is almost here. Sunday drives up and down the coast, afternoons fishing and skiing out in Charleston's beautiful harbor, camping trips, barbecues, outdoor recreational sports and those sometimes regrettable, but unforgettable family vacations are just a few examples of why summer is a favorite time of year for Americans.
Yes, summer is near and will be upon us for 101 days. Although summer presents us with numerous opportunities to enjoy family, friends and just life in general, summer has also earned those preceding words so repeatedly stamped before it in our Air Force culture ... The 101 Critical Days of Summer.
Summer is the tourist season here in Charleston, and with it brings more traffic congestion and imminently more danger. As we enter our 101 critical days, we will hear the words "don't drink and drive" and "wear your seatbelt" hundreds of times, but unfortunately there are people, including some of us, guilty of only hearing and not listening. This could be a mistake that proves fatal.
Unfortunately, the tri-county area around Charleston, has the highest combined traffic fatality rate of anywhere in the state. Just think of how many accidents you have seen on Dorchester Road alone. I have seen firsthand the tragic results of a traffic accident and the toll it takes on a family for many years.
We all know that seatbelts save lives and that drinking and driving is a sure way to lose one. Even a quick trip to the store without a seatbelt, or a drive home after a few beers, could cost you your life. The simple fact is, automobile accidents are continually the number one killer of our Air Force members and no one is immune. I beg you to please listen when you hear "don't drink and drive" and "wear your seatbelt."
Another crucial safety concern in the surrounding coastal area is water safety. The Charleston shoreline is unique in that there are many inlets, islands and rivers. These factors alone can cause deadly rip currents and dangerous surf. If you add in bad weather, alcohol or fatigue, the potential for drowning becomes a real possibility. We haven't even hit the peak of the beach and boating season and we have already lost two fellow Air Force members to water accidents this year.
Does my family know what to do if one of them is caught in a rip current? How many personal flotation devices does my boat have? What are the current water conditions? These are just a few of the questions you should ask yourself before you head out to enjoy the water. Dangerous surf conditions are especially hazardous to young children who do not know how to recognize the dangers. In fact, last week a Marine drowned while saving two young boys from hazardous surf at a beach in North Carolina. Please, go that extra mile, take all necessary precautions and be aware of your surroundings before you hit the water this summer.
Finally, incorporated into the 101 Critical Days of Summer campaign is a program called "That Guy." I encourage each of you to become familiar with this program as it deals directly with the negative effects of over-indulging in adult beverages. Although the campaign presents the information in a lighthearted way, the message is clear. Please don't be "That Guy." I bid each of you a memorable but more importantly, a safe 101 Critical Days of Summer.