KADD volunteers save lives

  • Published
  • By Michael P. Kleiman
  • 377th ABW/PA
KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. --  For the past eight years, five volunteers have staffed an office on the bottom floor of dormitory 20352 every Friday and Saturday from 10:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., waiting for the telephone to ring to achieve the next save.

In 2012, 777 intoxicated individuals have received a ride home, but each program participant sitting in a KADD volunteer's vehicle had the potential to negatively affect the lives of countless others, had their wise decision to call not occurred.

A more staggering number to contemplate involves the more than 5,000 people KADD has assisted since its inception in 2004, and the possible effect these thousands would have had in destroying other's lives and their own.

KADD's current primary manager, Master Sgt. David Honaker, first sergeant, 377th Maintenance Group, experience firsthand the tragedy of drinking and driving when at age 16, his father died by the wheel after being hit by a drunk driver.

"Obviously, being a teenager and losing your dad is a pretty big impact in your life. A male figure is just not there in your life anymore. My dad was my best friend, and I lost him 30 years ago," said Honaker. "When I come into a new organization as a first sergeant, the very first thing I do is let my fellow Airmen know where I am coming from. I usually have my family there when the talk is conducted. I let them know because of this incident, the havoc it caused my family and me is unimaginable -- my dad will never know that I became a first sergeant, he will never get the opportunity to see his grandchildren or meet my wife, as well as be proud that I joined the Air Force to serve my country."

Each weekend, KADD assists 20 to 25 people over the eight-hour shift. After fielding a call by the program operator, the assigned two-person team leaves the base to pick up individuals anywhere within 25 miles and take them, free of charge, to their residence. Program volunteers consist of Airmen and civilians representing Team Kirtland units, which provide personnel on a rotating basis every couple of months. Honaker highly recommends individuals planning to imbibe on weekend nights have a primary plan on how to get home without using the keys to their own vehicle. Use a designated driver. On the other hand, KADD remains ready when the best-laid plans go awry.

"Active-duty, Guard, Reserve, as well as civilians and their dependents - if they are affiliated with Kirtland Air Force Base, KADD will be there for them if they've had too much to drink," said Honaker.

Base professional organizations such as the Kirtland Top Three (senior noncommissioned officers) and the Rising Six (airmen basic through technical sergeant) also support KADD. For example, the former provides snacks and drinks to the volunteers, as well as fuel cards to military members participating in the project in the ranks of senior airman and below, while the latter helps staff KADD with volunteers.

"Organizing volunteers and running KADD a few times for the Rising Six has been very enjoyable and rewarding. I personally believe that volunteering for KADD is extremely easy because it is simply the right thing to do," said Staff Sgt. Nicholas Vincent, contract specialist, Installation Support Branch, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center. "Every time the Rising Six has had KADD duty, we've always had more than enough volunteers. I know our Airmen volunteer every weekend because they care about others in our community and want to ensure everyone returns home safely."
Since July, Honaker has held the one-year-tour KADD leadership position. He has also served as first sergeant for two other base units before his present stint in almost three years stationed at Kirtland AFB. His dual responsibilities both focus on helping people.

"KADD is here every weekend, ready, willing and able to help those who, because of drinking too much, cannot help themselves. With the holiday season just around the corner, the need for KADD will be even greater," Honaker said. "Thanks to our selfless volunteers, that need will be met then and for many weekend nights to come. It is all about saving lives."

If you have had one too many and should not be on the road, call KADD at 853-8888. Other weekend evening options include Tavern Taxi at 999-1400 and the Safe Ride Home program at 242-7433.