Straight Talk: Be aware of and help prevent domestic violence Published Oct. 13, 2011 By Col. Stacy L. Yike 66th Air Base Group commander HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- October is turning into another busy month. Great events are happening all over the area to celebrate the harvest season and beautiful fall color. If you want to get the latest gauge on base activities, then come to the Base Residents Information Fair Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Minuteman Commons. Formerly known as my Town Hall meeting, the discussion will focus primarily on activities and events that impact those of you that live on the base. Come early for Wings Night and check out our huge information fair with lots of giveaways and prizes. While the event is geared to adults, kids are always welcome. We will stop serving wings at 6:30 p.m., but the pub menu will still be available if you are looking for munchies before the meeting. This is not an Air Force event, but rather a resident event, so I encourage everyone to attend to get the latest news and share any issues or ideas you have. For those of you unable to attend, please send your questions and ideas to Straight Talk beforehand by emailing hanscom.straighttalk@hanscom.af.mil or calling 781-225-1380. This month I signed two proclamations -- National Employee Disability Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Prevention and Awareness Month -- two issues deserving of recognition. Disability continues to climb in the U.S. workforce and many of these people are military veterans. All of us can improve our awareness of the workplace impacts faced by those with disabilities. Domestic violence also continues to plague our lives. There are many signs of an abusive relationship, but fear of your partner is the most telling. If you feel like you have to walk on eggshells--constantly watching what you say and do in order to avoid a blow up--chances are your relationship is unhealthy and abusive. Domestic abuse can happen to anyone, regardless of size, gender or strength, yet the problem is too often overlooked, excused or denied. This is especially true when the abuse is psychological, but emotional abuse leaves deep and lasting scars, too. Noticing and acknowledging the warning signs and symptoms of domestic violence is the first step to ending it. No one should live in fear of the person they love. If you recognize yourself or someone you know in these descriptions of abuse, please reach out for help. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 to learn more. I did not receive any questions this week so I will just share the fabulous responses I received from so many readers in regards to the cost cutting measures we are taking across the base. Within an hour of posting the article, the Straight Talk mailbox was humming with all kinds of additional cost saving measures -- from reducing the boiler temperatures to emptying the dumpsters less often. I was simply awed by the sheer number of people who took the time to write in and share an idea. You all are the heart of Hanscom! Thank you for all you do for the base!