Joint Base Journal Vol. 5, No. 44
October 31, 2014
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J OINT B ASE A NACOSTIA-B OLLING
www.cnic.navy.mil/jbab
Beware of haunted Joint Base jet on Halloween night TRANSCRIBED BY MICHELLE L. GORDON JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Editor’s Note - This story originally appeared in the Bolling Air Force Base (BAFB) newspaper, Bolling Beam, on October 31, 1997. Minimal edits were made to ensure the transcription conforms to current newswriting standards. BAFB is one of three military properties that now constitute Joint Base AnacostiaBolling (JBAB). Although the ghost of the Bolling Air Force Base F-105 [supersonic fighter-bomber, on display just inside at the Arnold gate] hasn’t shown its skeletal face in more than a decade, rumor has it that the fighter plane that majestically guards the main gate is indeed still haunted. According to legend, the last sighting was on Oct. 31, 1980. As the story goes, it was an eerie moon-veiled night when a lone security policeman, Airman 1st Class Jess Kidding, was drawn to the aircraft by a compelling, but uneasy force. As he stepped from the blue and white patrol car, for a rea-
son he could not understand, he thought he felt the icy touch of a skeletal finger lightly scratch the back of his neck. He turned, expecting to see a person, but noticed only the unnatural redwhite glow cast by the revolving light of his patrol car on the grassy island just beyond the aircraft. Still a little spooked, he turned to look at the main gate. To his horror, it suddenly appeared miles away. Closing his eyes and shaking his head, he reasoned that he must be tired or have eaten something bad. Opening his eyes again, he was relieved to find everything looked normal. He promised himself a long bath and a good night’s sleep when his shift was over. It had already been a long Halloween night for Kidding. He’d responded to calls of cars being egged, homes being toilet papered, and little trick-ortreaters losing their goodies to no-good goblins. But this didn’t feel like a Halloween trick. Returning to his vehicle, Kidding turned to look one last time at the plane. To his horror, again
See JET, Page 3
Joint Base teaches kids that hands are not for hitting BY NICOLE M. WOODS JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING PUBLIC AFFAIRS
U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY NICOLE M. WOODS
Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB) Commander, Navy Capt. Frank Mays, visited a JBAB Child Development Center (CDC) Oct. 21 to read a children’s book to a group of energetic 3-to-5-year olds, teaching kids that hands are not for hitting and that there are other ways to manage anger and stress.
A group of energetic 3-to-5year olds, along with staff at the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB) Child Development Center (CDC) Three, welcomed JBAB Commander, Navy Capt. Frank Mays, to their classroom Oct. 21 for a reading on why hands are not for hitting. Mays and JBAB Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate, Amelia Flores, visited the preschoolers to read a children’s book which teaches kids that violence is never okay. Mays read aloud to the enthusiastic children and discussed other ways they could use their hands, from greeting people with a friendly handshake or a wave, to drawing pictures and writing words. Throughout the reading, a
few kids interjected, “no fighting,” “no biting,” “no hitting on the head,” as they interpreted the meaning of the book. Flores explained that she puts on these types of events for the kids because it is a form of prevention. “This is not only prevention at home with their siblings and other family members, but it’s also prevention for them here at school,” she said. “It’s anti-violence.” The idea for this event came from Flores’ determination to find activities that involve the JBAB community and have a positive influence. Following the reading and several high-fives from the little audience members, Mays and the children joined Flores to color their hands with blue, red, yellow and purple paint, placing colorful hand prints on a poster that reads
“Hands are not for Hitting.” The posters will be hung around the CDC and other facilities here on JBAB. “When adults see the display, they can see that the kids are learning at a young age that hands are not for hitting,” said Flores. “It also acts as a reminder to the community, bringing awareness to domestic violence prevention.” “Because they will hurt. Just give them a hug,” said four-yearold Vivian Lynch, while explaining that hands are not for hitting. “Sometimes your nails can get really sharp, and when you hit someone, it can give them a booboo,” said four-year-old Kai Ellis. “If somebody hits me, I tell the teacher.” The children eagerly took turns sharing their thoughts with Mays, explaining why they should
See KIDS, Page 2