Joint Base Charleston, S.C.
Patriot
Vol. 4, No. 27
Team Charleston – One Family, One Mission, One Fight!
Friday, July 26, 2013
Moonlighting at JB Charleston
U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Dennis Sloan
The moon rises as West Virginia Air National Guard aircrew members with the 167th Airlift Wing out of Martinsburg, W. Va., perform post flight checks inside the cockpit of a C-5 Galaxy, July 22, 2013, at Joint Base Charleston – Air Base, S.C. Airmen from the 167th AW loaded cargo onto the C-5 to be used to support Operation Enduring Freedom. The C-5 is one of the largest aircraft in the world and the largest airlifter in the Air Force inventory. See more photos on Page 6.
The road to fitness: One Airman's drive to get fit, inspire others
INSIDE
SAFETY
SFS tips to keep valuables safe
Story and photo by Airman 1st Class Tom Brading Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs
See page 4
TOUCHDOWN
Pro football player hosts youth camp See page 12
UEI COUNTDOWN 130 Days Begins December 2, 2013
Weekend Weather Update JB CHS, SC
Friday, July 26
Isolated T-Storms (30% precip)
High 90º Low 72º
Saturday, July 27
Scattered T-Storms (40% precip)
"Losing weight isn't easy," said Senior Airman Jared Trimarchi, 628th Air Base Wing Public Affairs photojournalist. "But, nothing worth having in life is." Since Trimarchi began his fitness journey a little more than a year ago, he's lost more than 60 pounds. His road to fitness is paved in hard work and discipline, all to improve his health. Today, the road he travelled, and continues to travel, inspires others to start their own journey. But, it wasn't always that way. Trimarchi's road was filled with painful humiliation, regret and disappointment. The only glimmer of hope he had was the courage to remain volatile in the face of adversity. When the weight of his world was pressing against his shoulders, he was left with one option - just keep running. "My weight gain was my fault," said Trimarchi, thinking back to his initial weight gain. "I was stuck in my old eating habits. Obviously, that is no excuse ... but U.S. Air Force photo / Senior Airman Melissa Goslin / U.S. Air Force graphic Airman 1st Class Tom Brading it was mine. I had more excuses, too. I blamed my leaderSenior Airman Jared Trimarchi, 628th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Public Affairs ship, my genetics and even my wife's cooking skills." photojournalist, completes a set of push-ups at the Joint Base Charleston – Air Base fitness None of those excuses mattered the day his world center. Trimarchi lost 62 pounds on his road to fitness, and continues to work out, eat changed forever, and fault could only be found in his own healthy and help others reach their goals. reflection. And, the mirror made no alibis the day Trimarchi received a disappointing reality check. He was The battle raged in Trimarchi for the upcoming weeks, and his mental removed from the JB Charleston Honor Guard team due to his appearance. At 250 pounds, it was safe to say Trimarchi fit a little too snuggly in his and physical resiliency became stronger with the passing days. JB Charleston Honor Guard ceremonials. He noticed he had gained Overcoming temptations such as sweets, fast food and soda, and replacing weight, but fell back on his old excuses. His dress and appearance negat- them with lean meat, fresh fruits and water was challenging, but Trimarchi ed his excellent work on the Honor Guard and he stood out in comparison never gave up on himself. "I didn't falter. Going back to the Honor Guard was my only option," to his fellow honor guardsmen. Being removed from the team hit Trimarchi like a ton of bricks; it took the air out of his lungs and left him said Trimarchi. "I could've come up with excuses why getting out of bed emotionally crushed to be separated from something that gave him so at 4 a.m. to run was a bad idea, or why I deserved a 'cheat meal' - but I was done with the excuses. Making excuses, and not taking personal responsimuch pride. "I was devastated," said Trimarchi. "Being a member of the Honor bility, is what got me into the mess I was in at the time." On cue, after the allotted two months passed, Trimarchi returned. Guard team meant the world to me. From presenting the colors at ceremonies on base, to giving full military honors at a fallen hero's funeral - it Nobody knew if he would ever button up his ceremonial service uniform was the most rewarding experience I've had in the Air Force, and one of and take part in Honor Guard details again; that was, until he walked in the Honor Guard building. my most rewarding experiences in my life." He looked different, physically and mentally. He had a confidence that For Trimarchi, the worst part of the ordeal was feeling like the Honor seemed to radiate off him, and he looked half the size he had been just two Guard was better off without him. "Due to the Honor Guard dress and appearance standards, Airman months earlier. Trimarchi was able to complete his rotation as a JB Trimarchi had to be temporarily removed from the team," said Master Sgt. Charleston Base Honor Guardsman. See The Road To Fitness, Page 9 John Gott, 628th Air Base Wing Public Affairs superintendent. "I was confident he would return to Honor Guard after losing weight and maintaining the proper appearance. We never gave up on him, and he didn't give up on himself." Every journey begins with that first step, and for Trimarchi that step was found at the JB Charleston - Air Base PT track, and with every mile Air Base Rivers Gate Lane Closures - There will be an after he put behind him, he became one step closer to his goal of returning as duty hours Dorchester gate closure for the 628th Civil an Honor Guardsman. What nobody realized at the time, was this heartEngineer Squadron to perform quarterly maintenance and breaking experience ignited a fire within Trimarchi, a fire that has yet to inspections of active barrier systems on the following date be extinguished. and times: Rivers Gate will be closed from 6 to 9 p.m. on "I started by simply eating smaller meal portions," said Trimarchi. "My Wednesday, July 31, 2013. One lane will be closed at a time body was trying to convince me I was hungry. I wasn't. For me, the pain for maintenance. Inbound/outbound traffic will utilize the free was just the mind trying to fight my body. I had to be stronger, mentally lane with direction of the 628th Security Forces Squadron. and physically."
Notice: Joint Base Charleston Personnel
High 91º Low 74º
Sunday, July 28
Scattered T-Storms (50% precip)
High 87º Low 75º
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