Victim of drunken driver speaks to Airmen about making safe decisions

Vanessa Braggs, Mothers Against Drunk Driving northern Louisiana chapter president, speaks to Airmen during a Wing Safety Day briefing on Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, May 15, 2015. Braggs shared her tragic story of how her husband and two young children lost their lives when her family's vehicle was struck by a drunk driver. She shares her story with audiences multiple times each month so that people will think twice before getting behind the wheel after drinking. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagán Jr.)

Victim of drunken driver speaks to Airmen about making safe decisions

Louisiana State Trooper Matt Harris, Troop G, speaks to Airmen of the 2nd Bomb Wing during a Wing Safety Day briefing on Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, May 15, 2015. Harris spoke about how many lives are lost each year due to impaired driving and texting and driving. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagán Jr.)

Victim of drunken driver speaks to Airmen about making safe decisions

Col. Kristin Goodwin, 2nd Bomb Wing commander, speaks with Airmen during a Wing Safety Day briefing on Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, May 15, 2015. Goodwin expressed how proud she is of Barksdale Airmen, how important the bomber mission is and how critical it is to make safe decisions. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Joseph A. Pagán Jr.)

Victim of drunken driver speaks to Airmen about making safe decisions

Published May 19, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Curt Beach
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- With Memorial Day weekend and the 101 Critical Days of Summer on the horizon, special guests visited Barksdale to speak with Airmen about making safe and responsible decisions as part of Wing Safety Day, May 15.

To remind Airmen of the importance of making responsible decisions before they get too involved with their plans for the long weekend, Col. Kristin Goodwin, 2nd Bomb Wing commander, called for safety day to be a week earlier than usual.

"Safety Day is an opportunity for us to take a moment to re-focus and know that at any moment things can happen that change our lives," said Goodwin. "Let's make sure we're being safe and making the right choices."

To reach as many Airmen as possible, the safety briefing was presented three times throughout the day.

Initial topics covered in the presentation included seatbelt awareness and statistics, mishap reporting procedures and a reminder from the Airmen Against Drunk Driving council about having a plan in place when going out to drink.

Next, Louisiana State Trooper Matt Harris, Troop G, shared videos showing how lives have been destroyed as a result of drunk driving.

The briefing culminated with a presentation by Vanessa Braggs, Mothers Against Drunk Driving northern Louisiana chapter president.

Braggs shared her story about how her life was forever changed when her family's vehicle was struck by a drunk driver, ultimately claiming the lives of her husband and two young children.

Now she travels the state, sharing her testimony with audiences each month, emphasizing how a single poor decision can result in devastating consequences.

"I relive this experience over and over again because I care," she said. "I don't want your family to have to go through what my family went through. I don't want your family to have to answer the door in the middle of the night with news that a family member's life has been taken."

In closing, Goodwin reiterated the importance of making safe decisions.

"Each and every one of you in this room is a warrior. You're warriors the Air Force needs to do this very important mission. We can't do it without you."

Keywords: Safety Day, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, MADD