Airmen offer a safe ride home

  • Published
  • By Daryl Mayer
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  There is a small group of young men and women here willing to give up time with their families over the holidays so that others can come and go safely.

Apparently, they read the Air Force handbook on "Service before Self."

The Wright-Patterson group of Airmen Against Drunk Driving reports nearly 700 saves in the past year. They count every time they give an intoxicated person a ride home as a save. It makes perfect sense considering every time you get behind the wheel drunk you are not only endangering yourself, but everyone else on the road as well.

That is a fact Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Schetroma knows only too well. A self-described "wingman" his entire career and co-chair of the Wright-Patt group for the past six months, Sergeant Schetroma became good friends with a Texas State Trooper who was doing his reserve duty. When the trooper was later killed in the line of duty by a drunk driver, Sergeant Schetroma decided to make a difference.

To do just that this year, AADD will be open Thursday, Dec. 23, Friday, Dec. 24, and Saturday, Dec. 25, from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. each night. They will also be open Thursday, Dec. 30, Friday, Dec. 31, and Saturday, Jan. 1, from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. each night.

The numbers to call for a free ride are (937) 257-RIDE (7133) or (937) 257-AADD (2233).

Anyone that has an identification card for the base - active duty, civilian, dependant, reservist or national guard - is eligible for the free ride home. The group's area of operations is Huber Height to the north, Trotwood to the west, Miamisburg to the south and Xenia and Yellow Springs to the east. They will pick you up or take you home anywhere in that zone.

"We just won't take you from one bar to another," Sergeant Schetroma said.

The group is also looking for volunteer support over the holidays. If you are interested in volunteering, e-mail aadd@wpafb.af.mil or call (937) 257-3341.

Volunteers wait together for a call with an assortment of snacks and video games to pass the time. When the call does come, volunteers use their privately owned vehicles for the pickup. Gas cards donated by the Army and Air Force Exchange Service help defray the expense.

"The rides are absolutely free, we don't take tips or anything," Sergeant Schetroma said. "There are organizations on base that make donations to us to purchase snacks for volunteers along with the AAFES gas cards, but that is all we accept."

In this season of giving, these young leaders give of themselves so others can enjoy the holidays. If nothing else, they should also accept our thanks.