Morgan O'Brien's WiGO 02.20.09

Fort Lewis Update
An update to a story we posted earlier this week. Our thoughts are with the family of Leah King, who died on Fort Lewis earlier this week in what appears to be a drug-related incident.

Unfortunately, without even knowing the details, I would have bet that the events that lead to her death played out just like this. Young GIs plus High School Girls too often equals trouble.

Girl in Fort Lewis incident is being released from hospital
By Seattle Times staff
A 16-year-old girl was being released from Madigan Army Medical Center today, after she was admitted early Sunday when she was found unconscious in a Fort Lewis barracks, a hospital spokesperson said this afternoon.

Another 16-year-old with her, Leah King, died Sunday in the case authorities say is drug-related. (link)

Young kids make stupid mistakes (just ask A-Rod). And when military members make mistakes, they're going to be magnified because we're called to adhere to a higher standard. We're supposed to be protectors and if people are to feel safe anywhere, it should be when they're in the company of our armed forces.

Speaking of protectors failing to protect...

Ex-airman guilty in wrong-way crash
Deal limits jail sentence

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - A former airman from Kirtland Air Force Base admitted in court Thursday that she drove drunk two years ago and rammed head-on into another driver on Interstate 25.

Danielle Best, 23, pleaded guilty to one count of great bodily injury by DWI, a third-degree felony.

In February 2007 Best crashed her pickup truck into a small car near Gibson Boulevard critically injuring Michael Hauser.

Best will be sentenced on March 23. The district attorney and the defense agreed she would receive no more than 18 months in jail. (link)

18 months...wow. God bless New Mexico's stringent drunk driving laws!

I distinctly remember a couple of things about this case. First, I was so happy not to be working at Kirtland when this happened. Second, the event happened on Mardi Gras, and I'm told that Best was wearing her beads when she critically injured Hauser. Finally, I remember that this came in a bunch of other drunk-driving related incidents (2, IIRC) surrounding Kirtland airmen.

And finally, in other Kirtland related news.

Welcome to the Desert

How sad it must have been for BG Voldemort to be separated from his loved ones and serving overseas during the holidays. However, I have to point out that a week-long trip to desert garden spots on the arm of a 4-star does not a war veteran make.

Oh, and Valentine's Day shouldn't really count as a holiday:


There he is on the left...only 7 years late to the party!

Gee, I'd really love to hear his war stories upon his triumphant return. We'll keep an eye out for the inevitable editorial in Hanscom's paper.

As always, with my greatest respect,
xOxO
Morgan