Hometown News gets the news where it’s needed

  • Published
  • By Daryl Mayer
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  "It will be marvelous, just a wonderful, wonderful thing to read about in my hometown paper," said Wilma Viereckl from her home in Arlington Heights, Ill.

But, this isn't the article Mrs. Viereckl is waiting to read about her son. They don't deliver the Skywrighter to the suburbs northwest of Chicago.

For her to read about the son she is so proud of will take the assistance of the Hometown News Program.

When Lt. Col. Joe Viereckl recently retired from active duty, he took a few minutes to fill out a Hometown News Release form.

"I believe I did one once a long time ago when I got my first medal," he said. "I recall everybody being excited about something not nearly as important as retiring, so I decided to do it again."

His mother is anxiously awaiting the chance to read about him in the Arlington Heights Post.

"To know he came from immigrant parents and he has achieved so much makes us proud beyond words," Mrs. Viereckl said. "It is great to see such a story in the paper where you grew up, so you can keep up with the neighbor children, how they used their education and what became of them."

The Hometown News Release program is a service offered by Air Force Public Affairs to keep families back home in touch with Airmen around the world. When a form is filled out about a particular event - promotion, quarterly award, new assignment, etc. - the information is sent to the Air Force News Agency in San Antonio, where a news release is written. That release is then sent to the participating civilian newspapers in the area you designate on your form. They run the release, including pictures if space allows, so the folks back home can read all about you in their hometown paper.

A few years ago the Air Force scrapped the old paper forms and went to a web-based system that makes it even easier to submit.

"I was anticipating paper forms and not being sure who to contact," said Colonel Viereckl. "But there was a link on the web site that took you to the right spot. Then it was just a few clicks. You can attach files, so I attached a photo and a biography for background information. It was very simple to do."

The effort required was small, but the impact is much larger.

"It is wonderful to see your children fulfill the dream you have for them. I know it couldn't have happened over there because Europe was too poor after the war. It could only happen here in America."

And she can only read about her son's achievements through the Hometown News Program.

If you would like to submit a Hometown News Release, visit the Public Affairs web site at http://www.wpafb.af.mil/units/pa/index.asp.