June 18, 2004 - Typo

Transcription

Children
round up
safety
tips
at rodeo
See Page 17
The Point
Vol. 12, No. 12
Serving the 98th ASG and the 235th, 279th, 280th and 417th BSBs – Army communities of excellence
June 18, 2004
Ansbach • Bad Kissingen • Bamberg • Giebelstadt • Illesheim • Kitzingen • Schweinfurt • Wuerzburg
ADA supports
D-Day events
See downrange
To get a close look at what’s happening
with the 1st Infantry Division downrange,
check out “Danger Forward Magazine”
on the Internet. The site is full of stories and
photos about Soldiers and events as well as
messages from 1st Inf. Div. leaders. Go to
www.1id.army.mil and click on Danger
Forward Magazine.
by Cheryl Boujnida
Get needed help
The Point
USA Cares is committed to helping
families who’ve run into financial troubles
while their family member serves the
country. The help can run the gamut from
advice about where to go for assistance to
outright payments for housing, food,
vehicle repairs or other necessities. USA
Cares helps to direct families to military
and other charitable organizations or
corporate sponsors looking for ways to
support American troops. For information,
call (800) 7730387 or visit www.usacares.
us.
Know rule changes
Recent changes affect passport and naturalization rules including: family members may not travel on their no-fee passport
for leisure travel; children under the age of
14 must be present when applying for an
initial or renewed passport; only a notarized
letter of Special Power of Attorney will be
accepted for a parent unable to appear;
original documents must be submitted
when applying for an initial passport; and
parents applying for a social security card
for dependents under the age of 13 must
appear in person at the U.S. Consulate in
Frankfurt. For more information, contact
your local passport office.
Shipping home costs
When you move,
if you want to take
your alcohol collection, you must
find a commercial
exporter to ship it
and comply with
individual state and
Internal Revenue
Service rules, since alcohol cannot be
shipped as part of household goods nor
through the U.S. postal service. Before, the
government reimbursed for the entire cost
of that separate shipment, but that has
changed. The government will now only
reimburse up to the amount it would have
cost to ship the same weight of household
goods with a government carrier. To find
out more about shipping liquor products to
the United States, go to www.atf.treas.
gov/alcohol/info/persimp.htm.
U.S. Army Hospital
section accredited
The mammography section of the U.S.
Army Hospital, Wuerzburg, has been
accredited for the next three years by the
American College of Radiology. The
accreditation came on the heels of an
exacting inspection of all hospital functions. It was earned by the efforts of Tracy
Compton, who performs most mammography functions for the hospital, according
to the radiology department’s noncommissioned officer in charge, Staff Sgt. Scott
Goble.
Calling summer hires
Department of Defense family members
who are taking part in the Summer Hire
Program should receive notification of
placement by June 21. Those summer hires
who have not received notification by this
date should contact the summer hire coordinators Brenda Russell or Kallie Mints
at 351-4674 or (0931) 2964674. All summer hires start work June 28, and will begin
the day with an orientation where they will
meet their supervisors who will take them
to their place of work.
Mindy Campbell
Remember the past
Ronald Smith, 417th BSB community mail room
director, a Vietnam veteran who retired in 1991
after 24 years of service, and a member of VFW
Post 10436, salutes after laying one of four
wreaths during the 1st Infantry Division’s
Memorial Day ceremony at Victory Park May 27.
For some Soldiers, the 60th Anniversary of D-Day in Normandy has
special meaning. More than 1,100 servicemembers with 69th Air Defense
Artillery, Giebelstadt, provided ceremonial support for anniversary events in
France June 5 and 6.
“This is not a typical tasking – many
Soldiers will be sure to remember this as
a highlight in their career,” said Capt.
Julie Craig, Task Force 60 assistant
operations officer.
Commanded by Col. R. Kirk Lawrence, about 75 percent of the brigade
deployed to Normandy’s Omaha and
Utah Beaches. They were responsible
for command and control and overall
operations for three U.S. national events,
a joint event with the French government
at the Normandy American Cemetery
and two life support areas at Omaha and
Utah Beaches, which supported approximately 1,500 Soldiers.
“We spent a lot of time on the ground
to determine which land could be used.
Between reconnaissance missions, coordination with local mayors, permission from farmers to use fields, and
USAREUR coordination, we were busy.
Just when you think you’ve got it all
locked in, another person steps up and
adds their two cents in. The important
thing is to remain flexible,” said Capt.
Tom Troyn, Task Force 60 logistics and
supplies officer.
Coordination with White House staff
for President George Bush and French
President Jacques Chirac to attend DDay events was also required, but Troyn
stressed the main focus is not on the
dignitaries but on the veterans.
“We’re expecting 1,100 veterans.
Once they’re here they are given VIP
treatment,” said Marine Lance Cpl.
Philip Wightman at the Veteran’s Assistance Center near the Normandy
American Cemetery
Craig noted that she was impressed by
the cemetery’s appearance when she first
entered it. “It’s very well maintained and
I’m happy to know all those servicemembers are so well taken care of,” she
said.
There’s not much difference between
Soldiers yesterday and Soldiers today.
“It’s a core element that makes us
similar. Sixty years ago, when our
country called they had a calling and we
share in that same patriotic calling to
serve today,” Troyn said.
Normandy ceremony honors veterans
by Cheryl Boujnida
The Point
On the bluffs of the Normandy coastline
overlooking Omaha Beach, 1,500 people reflected on the contributions of past and future
veterans.
“Here we feel the enormity of the loss and
presence of these heroes, and we remember. The
day will never come when America forgets what
they did for this nation,” said Lt. Gen. John
Sylvester, U.S. European Command chief of
staff, addressing Memorial Day ceremony attendees in the Normandy American Cemetery in
Coleville Sur Mer, France, May 30.
Sylvester stressed America’s greatest and
most costly gift given is the lives of its youth for
the freedom of others. The remains of 9,387
servicemen and servicewomen are marked by
granite white crosses or Stars of David. In the
Garden of the Missing, names and particulars are
engraved on stone tablets of 1,557 servicemembers who gave their lives in the service of
their country, but whose remains have not been
recovered or positively identified.
Eighty-five-year-old James Eudy closed his
eyes and wept as Sylvester spoke. Eudy served
with 264th Regiment, 66th Infantry Division, 60
years ago.
“Crossing the channel, one of our ships was
torpedoed and we lost 803 men. That was Christmas Eve, 1944. It’s extremely important that
young Soldiers today understand what my
generation experienced – our servicemembers
are a great group and I’m proud of every one of
them,” Eudy said.
Deployment at midpoint
by Brian Olden
U.S. Army Hospital, Wuerzburg
Many Soldiers and families in the 1st Infantry
Division and 67th Combat Support Hospital will
soon reach the halfway point of a planned yearlong deployment.
For most, this is new territory. Up until now,
most deployments were limited to six months.
It’s time to see how we’re doing – physically,
mentally and spiritually. What should we be
feeling? What are normal responses to what’s
being called deployment stress?
It is helpful to refer to the “Cycles of Deployment,” information available at Army Community Service offices.
The past two months have been difficult due
to the level of violence troops in Iraq have
experienced. People have every right to be
stressed, to want to talk about their feelings, and
to cry. These are normal reactions in times
of stress. Children also experience this stress,
and it’s normal for them to have the same
reactions.
It is vitally important for us to be good
listeners, to listen to our children and to our
friends. We also need to recognize the need for
additional help.
When reactions turn for the worse, when a
person is unable to sleep, when their eating
habits are affected, or when taking care of everyday routines becomes difficult, professional help
is a good idea.
Chaplains, social work services counselors,
community counseling centers, and the hospital’s psychiatry department are ready to help
people come to grips with issues.
Involvement in community activities is also
important and helpful. The Kinderfests recently
held in Wuerzburg are great for both children
and adults. With summer here, families should
plan trips and get together with friends. Finally,
we all need to acknowledge Army families for
the sacrifices they make every day their Soldier
is deployed. Say “thank you” to each other for
the contributions each of us make to keep our
community safe and secure.
Cheryl Boujnida
Dressed in his World War II uniform
issued 60 years ago, James Eudy, 85,
reflects on his wartime experiences.
Community focus
How often we summer
BBQ
p Once a week 54%
p 2-3 times
a month 18%
p Never
14%
p Once a
month 8%
p Less
than
once a
month
6%
Source: American Plastics
Council
By: Olivia Feher
Downrange up close – go to www.1id.army.mil
2
Team of Teams!
The Point, June 18, 2004
Make your
vote count
in this
year’s
national
election
also send a written request for a ballot to your county, city, town
or parish clerk.
Remember, for voting purposes, your “legal state of
residence” can be the state where you last resided prior to leaving
the United States. This right extends to overseas citizens even
though they may not have property or other ties in their last state
of residence, and their intent to return to that state may be
uncertain.
Rules and guidelines for voting overseas are all available from
your unit or community VAO. While voting by absentee ballot
does not feel like going to the polling booth, your vote counts just
as much.
The officials elected will most definitely affect our lives as
servicemembers and citizens of the United States. Please
exercise this very important right that we defend every day. Get
out and VOTE!
Team of Teams!
This November, U.S. citizens all over the globe will go to the
polls, not only to select a new president, but senators, U.S. representatives and several state governors.
Only 61 percent of eligible Army voters participated in the last
election of 2000. The Federal Voting Assistance Program, or
FVAP, fosters voting participation by providing a wide range of
services to absentee voters covered by the Uniformed and
Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
Resources are readily available from your unit and community
voting assistance officers, or VAO, who have been trained to help
you register and apply for an absentee ballot.
The FVAP also has a website to provide election information
on a national and state level as well as links to state governments
and how to get in touch with your elected officials that represent
you. The site can be found at www.fvap.gov.
Generally, all U.S. citizens 18 years or older who reside
outside the United States during an election period are eligible to
vote absentee in any election for federal office. All members of
the Armed Forces and their family members, who are U.S.
citizens, may also vote absentee in state and local elections.
The Federal Post Card Application, which is available from
your unit VAO, is accepted by all states as either an application
for registration or as a request for an absentee ballot. You may
DENNIS W. DINGLE
Colonel, Air Defense Artillery
98th Area Support Group Commander
Thumbs up – Thumbs down
Thumbs up to the family housing
department. The customer service I
received in the Bamberg Housing
Office was the best that I have ever
dealt with. Give all the employees a raise!
Marlene was extremely pleasant and willing to
help however she could and I am extremely
grateful.
Sgt. Eric Claunch, Bamberg
A huge thumbs up to Capt. Sucharski, former brigade S-2 here in Schweinfurt. He overheard me at self-help saying I needed some help
getting a lawnmower to my house. He volunteered to go out of his way and return to his house,
get his truck, return to self-help and follow me
out to Hambach and deliver the lawnmower.
This was a great help to me and I appreciate it
greatly.
Krista Morrison, Schweinfurt
Thumbs up to Dennis Sullivan and Kraft
Foods for donating to the German-American
Society of Wuerzburg, the much needed hot
dogs, condiments, and muffin/brownie/cookie
mixes for the annual festival of international
societies, which was held Sunday May 23 on the
grounds of the former garden show near the
Talavera. We wanted something very American
for our German counterparts to sample. What is
more American than these items that Dennis so
willingly donated. Many thanks.
Thumbs up to Mr. Yocum at the legal office
in Wuerzburg. He always finds a way to handle
even the most difficult questions. Thank you
very much for all the help you provided for us.
Ilse Baker, Fuerth
Thumbs up to Alma Peterson, 98th ASG
Directorate of Resource Management, for constantly using her rare gift of cheerfully and
politely enlightening people about her professional arena without making them feel or look
ignorant. It makes life a lot more enjoyable to
have professionals with a big heart around.
Sabine Hanbury, Wuerzburg
Thumbs up to those who assisted us in our
time of need. On May 1, we lost our home due
to a fire in the Upper Bleidorn Housing Area.
Since we weren’t home at the time no one in the
family was harmed. It was truly a blessing to see
how the community all came together as one,
and blessed our family with their support, and
donations. I would like to express our appreciation and thanks to all of those who have assisted during our time of need.
Yvette Kittell, Ansbach
Thumbs way up to all involved in creating the
Illesheim drive-in movie! This fantastic idea
was presented and the community leadership
picked it up and made it happen. It was a great
idea and so much fun. Thank you.
Gary Kleeman, Wuerzburg
Street talk:
Jacqueline Spence, Central Processing Facility Clerk, Barton
Barracks, Ansbach
“Because we all have the
right to choose, voting
means freedom. Everyone has their own opinion
and this is their chance to
express it.”
Stacey Haynes, Illesheim
Thumbs down to the organization that
flashed the “you suck” sign for the cars that
didn’t stop for its car wash. Not only was that
wrong, but it was very rude, crude and inconsiderate.
Cindi Frazier, Wuerzburg
❋ ❋ ❋
“Thumbs up – Thumbs down” is about people
who do a good job. It’s also about people who
need to be more considerate of others. This
column is not about institutions, units, agencies
or situations that could be subject to legal action
under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Submissions must be brief and include the
writer’s name and telephone number, and must
include the first and last name of the person
identified. The identity of the submitter will be
published along with the comments.
Send comments to Thumbs up-Thumbs down:
The Point; 98th ASG PAO; Unit 26622; APO
AE 09244-6622. Or bring them to room 216,
building 208, Faulenberg Kaserne, Wuerzburg.
Phone-in submissions will not be accepted.
Congratulations to the following students for being the local Defense Commissary Agency’s Scholarship for Military
Children winners: LaChe Sykes (Ansbach), Kimberly May (Bamberg), Nicole
Crooke, (Illesheim), Jessica Branch (Kitzingen), and Michael Lembke (Schweinfurt). Each student will receive $1,500
towards payment of tuition, books, lab fees
and room and board at the college or university of their choice.
Congratulation to Randall Ries for
being chosen the 106th Finance Battalion’s
2003 Civilian of the Year. In 22 years of
service to the battalion, Ries has developed,
coached and assisted hundreds of finance
specialists. He continues to demonstrate
unparalleled dedication to conserving taxpayer dollars while ensuring Soldiers receive consistently accurate pay and entitlements.
Congratulations to the “Dragon’s Lair”
Dining Facility, 4th Brigade, 1st Infantry
Division, Katterbach. They were the
Installation Management Agency-Europe,
2004 Philip A. Connelly Awards Program
for Garrison Dining Facility Operations,
large category, runner-up. Their high
standards of excellence and professionalism assisted their daily contributions to
improving the quality of life for our
Soldiers.
Why do you think voting is important?
Nadia Figueroa, Operations
Assistant, 279th Base Support
Battalion, Warner Barracks,
Bamberg
“Because so many people are fighting for freedom and we have that
freedom to vote, we
should take advantage of
it.”
Ramona Daughtery, Family
Member, Headquarters and
Headquarters Company, 1st
Battalion, 26th Infantry, Conn
Barracks, Schweinfurt
“It’s a basic right given in
the United States. One
should exercise the right
to state their opinion.
Some people don’t have
that right. It shouldn’t be
taken for granted. That’s
why our forces are in
another country.”
The Point
Ansbach • Bad Kissingen • Bamberg • Giebelstadt • Illesheim • Kitzingen • Schweinfurt • Wuerzburg
Producer: MILCOM Advertising Agency
Roswitha Lehner
Zeilaeckerstrasse 35 · 92637 Weiden
Telefax (0961) 67050-32
Internet:
Thumbs down to the bike thief in
Marshall Heights. My son’s bike has
been stolen twice in the last two
weeks after being locked and secured
in our basement on Marshall Heights. A child
should be able to ride and store his bike safely at
home. We are all living here together as Army
families, struggling, sacrificing and coping as
best we can. It is a disgrace, an absolute disgrace!
Marion Wetherbee, Kitzingen
Milestones
www.milcom.de
Free classifieds (0931) 2964397 · Fax The Point (0931) 2964626
Photos by The Point staff
Sgt. Sheron Powell, Company
B, 701st Main Support Battalion, Harvey Barracks, Kitzingen
Maj. Jeff King, 235th Base Support Battalion Directorate of
Public Works Commander, Bismarck Kaserne, Katterbach
“Voting is important due
to what is going on in society and the economy,
like gas prices and the
school system.
“When we don’t vote we’re
giving up our representative democracy and
allowing elected officials
to do what they want. It’s
our best chance to
change things, especially
in a country as big as
ours.”
Kristin Valdez, 279th BSB,
Business Recreation Division
Secretary, 279th Base Support
Battalion, Warner Barracks,
Bamberg
“If you want your voice to
be heard, and want to
make a difference in your
country, you need to vote
and not just complain.”
“The Point” is an authorized unofficial newspaper, published every two weeks under the
provisions of AR 360-1 for the members of the 98th Area Support Group.
“The Point” is a commercial enterprise newspaper printed by the “MILCOM Advertising
Agency”, a private firm, in no way connected with the United States Government or
Department of Defense.
The contents of “The Point” do not necessarily reflect the official views or endorsement of
the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Army or the 98th Area Support
Group.
The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, does
not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense.
Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or
patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status,
physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other nonmerit characteristic of the
purchaser, user or patron.
Circulation is 16,000 copies per issue.
Editorial content is provided, prepared and edited by the Public Affairs Office of the 98th
Area Support Group. The 98th ASG hot line is 351-4800 or (0931) 296-4800.
The editorial offices are located in building 208, Faulenberg Kaserne, Wuerzburg,
telephone 351-4564 or (0931) 2964564.
Mailing address:
Editor – The Point, 98th ASG-PAO, Unit 26622, APO AE 09244-6622.
email: fehero@cmtymail.98asg.army.mil
Chief Warrant Officer Michael
Rundell, Troop E, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, Conn Barracks, Schweinfurt
“It’s important to vote
because your voice is
heard. As a member of a
free nation, it’s a citizen’s
obligation to vote, because apathy breeds destruction. Freedoms have
to be guarded.”
Bob Haisler, Social Work Services, Harvey Barracks, Kitzingen
“Voting gives me the
opportunity to reflect or
cast my views and ideas,
so it’s important.”
The Ansbach, editorial office is located in building 5257, Barton Barracks, Ansbach,
telephone 468-7649 or (0981) 183649.
The Bamberg editorial office is located in building 7089, Warner Barracks, Bamberg,
telephone 469-7581 or (0951) 3007581.
The Kitzingen editorial office is located in building 145, Harvey Barracks, telephone 3558575 or (09321) 3058575.
The Schweinfurt editorial office is located in Robertson Hall, Ledward Barracks,
Schweinfurt, telephone 354-6381 or (09721) 966381.
98th Area Support Group Commander . . Col. Dennis W. Dingle
98th ASG Public Affairs Officer . . . . . . . . . Donald Klinger
Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Olivia Feher
Assistant Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott Rouch
Journalist (Ansbach) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Claudette Roulo
Journalist (Bamberg) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cheryl Boujnida
Journalist (Schweinfurt) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Margot Cornelius
Journalist (Kitzingen). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Larry Reilly
Reader contributions are welcome but will be published at the discretion of the editor.
235th Base Support Battalion: Ansbach, Illesheim
Join jamboree
A limited number of spaces are available
for scouts from Europe at the 2005 National
Jamboree. Come join approximately
40,000 other scouts in creating the tenthlargest city in Virginia at Fort A.P. Hill. To
be eligible, you must be a First-Class Scout
and at least 12 years old by July 1, 2005, or
turn 18 years old after Aug. 3, 2005. For
more information, call (0621) 4874011.
Get support
Are you an adoptive parent or just
thinking about it? If so, the Adoption
Support Group is for you. Meetings are held
the last Thursday of every month from 6 to
8 p.m. at the 417th BSB Army Community
Service, or ACS, office located in building
14 on Leighton Barracks. For more
information, call Michele Hitchcock at
355-2848 or (09321) 7022848.
Donate items
The Ansbach American Red Cross needs
donations of toiletry items. The items will
be added to comfort kits to be distributed to
members of the 235th BSB community who
are staying in local hospitals. For more
information, call 467-2136 or (09802)
832136.
Wear a toga
Illesheim Apache Lanes and Morale,
Welfare and Recreation sponsor a cosmic
bowling toga bash June 26, from 7 p.m.
until closing. Wear a toga and bowl for
$1.25 each game. For more information,
call 467-4530.
Wander Germany
Outdoor recreation will take you and
your family on one-day wanders each
month to a variety of locations in Germany.
Travel to Mistelgau and experience their
thermal springs and water park, June 24
from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., or travel with the
family to the Frankfurt Zoo July 9. For
more information, or to sign up, call
(09802) 833225 or 467-3225
Keith and Nugent delight crowd
Country, rock stars
play Storck Barracks
by Lisa Eichhorn
The Point
It was a packed house when county music’s
entertainer of the year Toby Keith took the stage
in 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry hangar on Storck
Barracks Memorial Day. And the cheers just got
louder as his special guest, rock legend Ted
Nugent emerged just after. From there it was an
afternoon to remember for the audience.
After months of petitioning the United
Services Organization, or USO, and Installation
Management Agency-Europe, or IMA-E, Entertainment, the 235th BSB and the 11th Aviation
Regiment were told just weeks before, the concert was a go.
“It took a lot of planning and we were just
thrilled to be able to host such great entertainers,” said Vikki Hanrahan, 235th BSB entertainment director.
Keith and his band have been doing USO
tours for the last several years and he said it was
time to do another. Nugent has long been a
staunch supporter of the military and added he
was here to say thank you to the troops and their
families. Before the concert, the two took time to
reflect on their trip.
“We’ve actually been planning this trip for a
long time, but then the firefights started in Iraq.
So instead of chickening out and not comin’ at
all, I got Nugent to come with me,” Keith joked.
But the joking died down when the two talked
about their visit the day before to the Landstuhl
Regional Medical Center. It was a trip that took
an emotional toll on both men.
“We saw some incredible warrior spirit in the
wounded, spirit that’s definitely inspiring some
songs,” Nugent said.
Claudette Roulo
Ted Nugent, left, and Toby Keith jam onstage in front of a crowd of 5,000 at Storck
Barracks.
“There was one young Soldier we couldn’t
get to smile for a picture with us because her
doctor wouldn’t release her to go back to her
unit. That’s the kind of attitude we saw the entire
visit. It was an awful quiet ride back, a very
emotional time. A reality check on steroids,”
Keith added.
When asked about his current hit “American
Soldier” Keith said he wrote it after being
around Soldiers for the last two years.
“I realized after meeting so many Soldiers,
that they’re just workin’ folks like you and
me. But they understand their mission and
they do what their country asks of them,” Keith
said.
The concert was a hit with nearly 5,000 people in attendance. It was made possible by the
generosity of USO and hard work by many in the
11th Regiment, 235th BSB and IMA-E Entertainment.
Reforestation underway
Manage finances
at ACS
by Claudette Roulo
The Point
The Illesheim
ACS is offering
brown-bag financial readiness classes all month.
Classes are held
from noon to 1
p.m. Sign up for checkbook management
June 22; credit management and debt
consolidation June 23; or investment basics
and thrift savings June 24. Prepare for
PCSing June 22 from 2 to 3 p.m.
235th BSB
The Point, 235th Base Support Battalion,
editorial office is located in building
5257, Barton Barracks, telephone 4687649 or (0981) 183649. Mailing address
is PAO, The Point, 235th Base Support
Battalion, CMR 463, APO AE 09177-0463.
Internet web site address http:\\www.ansbach.
army.mil
The 235th BSB hotline is 468-7800 or (0981)
183800. The patient liaison number is (09841) 83512.
235th BSB
Commander ........................ Lt. Col. Parker Schenecker
Public Affairs Officer ............................ Frauke Davis
Command Information Officer ............ Lisa Eichhorn
Journalist ............................................ Claudette Roulo
3
Stay safe
Claudette Roulo
Rainbow Elementary School first- and secondgraders play during recess on one of their last days
of class. Summer vacation began June 10 throughout the 235th BSB. The command group reminds
motorists to please drive carefully, especially
through housing areas and near athletic fields, and
wherever children might be playing.
It might seem that 10,000 trees are
enough to make a forest, but in an area
the size of Urlas Training Area, they’re
a drop in the bucket.
The Stockdorf Bundesforstamt, or
Federal Forest Office, is responsible for
the forested areas on military bases in
southern Bavaria. Through the local
forest office representative, they have
begun a five-year reforestation project
on Urlas.
About 50 acres will be replanted with
a total of 10,000 oak, linden, beech and
maple trees. Bushes are being planted
around each plot to act as a natural wind
barrier. “About 12 to 15 types of bush
were planted, and each will grow to be
one to three meters high,” said Jens
Breuer, the Stockdorf-area forest
representative.
A fence is also being built around
each plot. “We have to build a fence,
otherwise the deer come and eat the
young trees,” Breuer said.
The spruce and fir trees being
replaced were planted on Urlas about 40
years ago. They are the wrong type of
trees for the soil, and because of this,
they are now weakened or dead. After
every big storm, several trees are
knocked down, damaging the surrounding trees, Breuer said.
They were also planted too densely,
which makes them disease-prone. Pine
bark beetles now infest the trees, which
must be cut down before they all
become infected. The trees are still
good for making paper, but they won’t
be if the beetle spreads too far, he added.
“I think it’s a good project, because
it’s the right type of planting for this
soil. There is not much topsoil here and
it made digging very difficult, but after
the trees were planted it rained nearly
50 liters per cubic meter,” said Hermann Hütter, a Stockdorf-area forest
manager.
Once the trees are planted, they require next to no maintenance. Regular
trimming of the surrounding grasses
during the first two years after planting
will allow the trees to receive enough
sunlight to thrive.
At the request of the 7th Army Training Command, a few spruce and fir trees
are being planted along with the hardwood trees to block certain areas from
view of the road.
According to Breuer, the new evergreens are being planted in a mix of
other trees and spaced far apart to diminish the chance of spreading disease.
German-American unity equals a long marriage
by Claudette Roulo
The Point
Every couple has a “how we met” story. Some are cute, some
are funny, and a rare few are even interesting to people who don’t
know the couple.
Charles and Renate Thorpe are such a couple. Married for 55
years, the Thorpes met after World War II when Charles was
stationed at Storck Barracks.
Col. George Bilafer, 11th Aviation Regiment commander,
hosted the couple on their first visit to the installation since their
wedding.
Renate fled Leipzig after the Soviets took control of East
Germany. After moving in with her uncle, she was turned in by
a neighbor to the American military.
The military police informed her that she could stay in West
Germany only if she could prove she had means of support. She
applied at the European Exchange in Katterbach, where
Germans were hired to work on American military posts.
She said she was sent to the traffic section, where the officer
in charge told her, “I know you can’t type, and don’t tell me your
sob story, but you’re hired.”
She met Charles at a Christmas party in Bad Windsheim. “The
other Soldiers made him sit beside me, on a wooden bench,” she
said.
On their first date, Charles brought her a cake of Sweetheart
soap. “To this day I still have this cake of soap,” Renate said.
They married in 1949, in the original Storck Barracks chapel,
long since demolished. Charles’ unit was on maneuvers and was
restricted to post, so after the ceremony they went to the movies.
“We decided we should spend some time together on our
wedding day. There was a theater, and they could go to the
movies, but they couldn’t go off the base,” she said.
“I drove there in the ambulance,” Charles said.
“I don’t think we watched the movie,” added Renate.
Charles and Renate moved to Kansas soon after their
wedding, where they had a son and daughter, three grandsons
and two great-grandsons.
Claudette Roulo
Charles and Renate Thorpe react as an Apache is
wheeled onto the tarmac at Storck Barracks, as Col.
George Bilafer, explains some of its features.
6
Bikers take a challenging course
by Scott Rouch
The Point
Mountain bikers proved they are a tough
bunch of mudders.
The June 5 U.S. Forces European mountain
bike championship race series in Kitzingen may
not have been as technically challenging as some
of the others on the series tour, but it was one of
the longest.
The women turned two laps on the 7.5 kilometer course set on the “Back 40” behind Larson
Barracks, while the men completed four circuits.
Throw in rainstorms that lasted until just after
the beginning of the women’s competition,
resulting in muddy trails, and the degree of
difficulty was raised a notch.
“Specifically, the mud added an extra element
of challenge to the race,” said Jessica Frost, who
works as a health administrator at the U.S. Army
Hospital, Wuerzburg.
“The course drew energy out every lap. There
were a couple of places to rest, but the mud was
energy-sapping,” said men’s overall winner
Staff Sgt. Michael Gallagher, who finished in
1:01.32.
In just her third race, Frost took first place
overall with a time of 46:09.
The women’s race featured five riders,
including one boy in the junior category, and had
a local flavor to it.
Frost competed against Angelia Cartwright,
wife of Capt. Jack Cartwright, 701st Main
Support Battalion Task Force Main Team
executive officer, Kitzingen. He is the series
leader in the men’s active duty open side and
taught cycling to Frost. Also joining in from the
U.S. Army Hospital, Wuerzburg, for her first
race was Julia Kim, a secretary for social work
services.
Mud-splattered Spc. Katherine Freasier, with
the 105th Military Intelligence Battalion,
Darmstadt, took second overall in the race, while
Cartwright and Kim were third and fourth,
respectively.
Jack Cartwright saw his series lead eaten into
a bit as he did not take first place for the first
time, finishing second in his category. He was
seconds behind Gallagher when he got a flat tire
at the beginning of the third lap and his 10minute tire change was the margin between the
two.
Scott Rouch
Lee Semonsky, right, and Staff Sgt. Michael Gallagher battle the elements and each
other at the USFE mountain bike championship race in Kitzingen.
Preparing Soldiers for life after the Army
Local ACAP offices
help transitioning
by Margot Cornelius
The Point
It takes nine weeks of basic training to turn a
civilian into a Soldier, and a lot more preparation
for a Soldier to reenter civilian life. Soldiers
preparing to leave the Army need to visit their
local Army Career and Alumni Program, or
ACAP, offices to prepare for the transition.
Returning to civilian life might seem daunting, but many Soldiers have acquired skills that
can be used in the corporate sector. Together
with the Soldier, ACAP identifies these skills
and focuses on life after the Army.
Mandated by Congress in 1995, ACAP offers
Soldiers two-day, job-assistance workshops
where they can learn interviewing and networking skills, salary negotiation skills and
receive a rough draft of their resume by the end
of the workshop.
The Soldier can then use the ACAP computer
system, which is fully equipped with a resume
writer where information is entered and a
formatted resume is created automatically.
ACAP counselors guide Soldiers through the
process of translating their military skills into
the civilian equivalent using a military to civilian thesaurus.
“If he was a commanding officer, then he
would put ‘executive manager.’ We help them
with the terminology,” said Tammy Hodo,
ACAP counselor.
For others, a career might be a minor priority on their list of goals to achieve with taking
care of family needs, financial readiness, education, or even starting a business. ACAP counselors can help make sense of the many decisions that need to be made, through various
programs.
“Soldiers who are willing to put the work in,
find that they are a lot more ready to transfer to
the civilian world than they thought,” said
Christine Miller, ACAP counselor.
The land of tulips is worth a weekend trip
by Scott Rouch
The Point
A quick weekend trip to the Netherlands may have you going
back for more.
The most difficult choice may be where to start, but whatever
the decision, you won’t be disappointed.
In Amsterdam, a good jumping-off spot is Dam Square, which
was once the city center. In the center of the square is an
imposing white monument, which is dedicated to the memory of
soldiers who died during World War II, and across from the
monument is the stunning Royal Palace.
For history buffs, Anne Franks’ house is just blocks from Dam
Square, but be prepared to wait in long lines for the hour-long
tour.
To get a view of the city and some of its distinctive architecture, a boat ride through some of the 102 canals is a must.
To get a good impression of painting styles, the Van Gogh
Museum awaits, as does the Stedelijk Museum, which contains
paintings from some of Holland and France’s best painters from
the 19th and 20th centuries.
For those with money to spare, the Amstel Hotel sits right on
the water and is a place where Brad Pitt and George Clooney
have stayed while filming movies in Amsterdam.
If your wallet is still heavy, try visiting the diamond-polishing
factory of Stoeltie Diamonds. Both loose and set diamonds can
be viewed, tried on and purchased, as well as a number of other
pieces of men’s and women’s watches and jewelry.
A visit to Keukenhof Gardens, in Lisse, Holland, is a definite
must-see. It houses millions of flowers, including 1,000 different
varieties of tulips, covering 70 acres of landscaped gardens. You
can walk the paths through the site and discover the windmill that
offers a view of a tulip field that is spectacular when the tulips
are in bloom.
At shops in various locations inside the gardens, visitors are
able to buy their own tulip bulbs at reasonable prices. Its beauty
brings millions of visitors each year and it claims to be one of the
three most photographed sites in the world.
And what would a trip to Holland be without heading to
Ratterman to see a wooden shoe factory?
To get a preview, or as a good last stop to catch what you may
not have had time to visit, the miniature city of Madurodam
offers some of the most impressive sights of the Netherlands.
Visitors can walk through the city, which has been open for 42
years, viewing the scaled models that represent the best
examples of Dutch architecture through a span of centuries.
The Keukenhof Gardens, in Holland, houses millions
of tulips and other bulb flowers in landscaped
gardens.
Photos by Scott Rouch
Housing models of the most impressive structures in the Netherlands, Madurodam is a sightseer’s one-stopshop. Its also an inexpensive and a fun way to catch all the sights.
A ride on one of the many canals is a way to see the
historic city of Amsterdam.
8
279th Base Support Battalion: Bamberg
Register for camp
Registration for
child youth
services, or
CYS, summer camp
programs
is happening now. Take part in the school
age services 12 weeks of hip-hop summer
fun. For more information, call 469-8698 or
(0951) 3008698. Also offered, is the youth
services 10 weeks of the wild world of
sports and drama. This features day and
evening programs to include basketball,
soccer, hiking and more. For more information, call 469-8871 or (0951) 3008871.
Dads bowl free
Take dad out for good family fun at the
Birchview Bowling Center June 20 from 2
to 8 p.m. Dads bowl free and kids cost $1
per game.
Enjoy dinner
Enjoy dinner while learning about the
“Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families” with chapel services July 1 from 5 to 7
p.m. with free day care and dinner at a local
restaurant. Reservations must be made. For
more information, call Rosetta Dimeglio at
469-9026 or (0951) 3009026.
Register for school
Don’t forget to register your child for the
next school year 04/05. The elementary
school registration office is open Monday
to Friday from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30
to 3 p.m. Registration is required for all new
and returning students. Please bring your
child’s shot record. For families who are
returning to the United States this summer,
please contact the registration office as
soon as possible at 469-7616 or (0951)
3007616.
Take a class
If your spouse is deployed, come to the
auto crafts shop for a free repair and maintenance class. They are every Thursday at 6
p.m. and Saturday at 11 a.m. For general
attendance class cost is $1.
Take care of pets
Stop by the Bamberg Veterinary Clinic
for all of your pet’s needs, whether it is
registration, exams or microchips. For more
information on services offered, call 4697972 or (0951) 3007972.
Celebrate
Independence Day
ID cardholders can have fun all day at the
Independence Day celebration this year at
Friendship Park July 4. Live music, fun run,
games, basketball, bingo, food and more
are will be offered. The 5K and 10K fun
runs begin at 9 a.m. Awards for the top three
finishers along with the opening ceremony
will be at 11 a.m. Live music will begin at
6 p.m. and will end with fireworks at 10 p.m.
Fitness center opens January
by Lisa Moore
The Point
During the holidays, you will be able eat a
little more than usual because the long-awaited,
new state-of-the-art Warner Barracks Fitness
Center will open just in time for you to work off
that extra poundage.
The 79,000 square foot gymnasium will
probably make even the laziest person want to
work out.
“All of its features have the Soldier in mind,
from the ventilation system to the design of the
floor,” said George Bermudez, 279th BSB community sports director.
The new $11 million split-level gym, which
has not been named yet, will offer a variety of
exercise options for all who use it. Each side of
the gym will have its own specialty, like cardio
and strength training, aerobics, racquetball,
boxing and wrestling.
Everything fitness related will be handled
under one roof. There are classrooms for training
such as first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
For some, the main attraction is the courts.
Not only will there be two racquetball courts on
one side, with space for viewing, but the main
court floor offers three basketball courts. Two
regular-size courts can be used at the same time
for basketball or volleyball, with the option of
closing one off.
The main basketball court will be set to collegiate regulations and when the time comes, the
forum-style arena can make the transition to a
boxing ring complete with lighting.
There will be space for a minimum of 1,600
spectators, separate game clocks, four sets of
dressing rooms/locker rooms, a sauna, an elevator and climate control. The whole facility will
have closed circuit television and an alarm system; there is an access road for deliveries and a
Lisa Moore
George Bermudez, community sports director, stands on the second floor of the new
Warner Barracks Fitness Center.
concession stand with kitchen, as well as a lofted
cooling and relaxation lounge.
The cardio room will have elliptical training
machines, treadmills and bicycles. There are
stretching rooms in which Soldiers can do physical training, and a circuit and weight room for
strength and resistance training.
A full aerobics center, located upstairs, will
feature its own sound system and spin bikes.
Also upstairs will be a three-lane indoor track,
and a boxing and wrestling room that will allow
four boxers to train at once.
When asked what his favorite feature is about
the new gymnasium, Bermudez replied, “I have
no favorite feature but I love the fact that we will
not have to turn Soldiers away just because we
have one event happening.
“Our current facility is out of date and is
limited in capacity. This facility is large enough
to fit every Soldier on Warner Barracks into it at
one time. There is no comparison between the
two. The parking lot alone will hold 250 cars.
The JFK Gym can fit comfortably inside with
plenty of room to grow,” Bermudez said.
Facilities nab food-service awards
by Lisa Moore
The Point
Two of Bamberg’s dining facilities now have
their accolades in hand.
1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery, and 82nd
Engineer Battalion, received trophies and
plaques June 1 for winning and placing second
in the 2003-04 annual 1st Infantry Division
Commanding General’s Best Mess competitions, repectively.
The 1st Bn., 6th FA dining facility, also
known as Ray’s Diner, won the large category
dining facility award, and the 82nd Eng. Bn.,
was the runner up for two trophies, the small
category dining facility award and the Best
Thanksgiving Day decoration competition.
“We knew that everyone one was very
entrenched with preparations for wartime missions. During our visits to the dining facilities
we saw initiative, caring and cohesiveness. It
was fantastic,” said Chief Warrant Officer 04
Shirley Ashley, 1st Inf. Div. command food
advisor.
She noted both units were preparing for deployments at the time of the competition, but
they still put forth their best effort and came out
on top.
“It was truly a great effort put forth by our
dining facilities. They are the hardest working
Soldiers in the Army,” said Command Sgt. Maj.
John Gioia, 82nd Eng. Bn.
He stressed all Soldiers deployed perform at
high standards on the job in Iraq, too.
“The dining facilities did a great job not only
on the food but also on the decorations. I’m
confident they won because they continue to do
a fantastic job and they care,” said Capt.
Shavoka Douglas, 82nd Eng. Bn. rear detachment commander.
It’s story time
Story hour at the Bamberg
library is exciting, educational
and good old-fashioned fun.
Here, storyteller Diedre McKannay brings to life the tale of
“Nate the Great and the Musical
Note” by Marjorie and Craig
Sharmat. Mckannay not only
reads books to the children, but
sometimes may surprise them
with playing musical instruments. Currently held every
Thursday at 11:30 a.m., beginning June 29, the story hour
day will be every Tuesday at the
same time. For more information contact the Bamberg
Library at 469-1740 or (0951)
3001740.
279th BSB
editorial office is located in building
7089, room 423, Warner Barracks,
Bamberg, telephone 469-7581 or (0951)
3007581. Mailing address is PAO, The
Point, 279th Base Support Battalion, Unit 27535,
Warner Barracks, APO AE 09139-7535.
3004800. Patient liaison number is (0951) 3007492.
Internet web site 279th BSB:
http://www.bamberg.army.mil
279th BSB
Commander ............................ Lt. Col. Daniel Thomas
Public Affairs Officer .......................... Renate Bohlen
Journalist ........................................... Cheryl Boujnida
Lisa Moore
Enjoy local events for free with family card
by Renate Bohlen
279th BSB Public Affairs Officer
With rising temperatures, swimming becomes more and more
popular with Soldiers and family members. Even more so, if you
can go to the pool for free.
Soldiers and families in Bamberg can still pick up a family
card and get great deals on recreational activities in the host
nation community.
“We encourage people to get them, especially now with
school getting out. There are a lot of activities for kids,” said
Kate Rouchka, a mobilization and deployment assistant, who
works in the Bamberg Yellow Ribbon Room.
“People are definitely coming to pick them up, but we still
have plenty left,” Rouchka said.
She added that feedback from families who have already
picked up a family card was very positive.
The pools that offer free entrance are, of course, authorized
swimming areas. Participating communities who offer this
special treat to Soldiers and families are the cities of Bamberg,
Gaustadt, Hallstadt, Hirschaid, and Zapfendorf.
Unauthorized swimming areas are all open bodies of fresh
water, which means that lakes, rivers, streams, ponds and quarries are off limits. These areas have been placed off limits since
there are usually no lifeguards on duty, plus many of them are
contaminated with chemicals and/or organic waste.
In the past, swimming fatalities have occurred in unauthorized
swimming areas where alcohol was involved. Alcohol and water
don’t mix.
“Also, never swim alone, even if you are an experienced
swimmer. Swim only in U.S. or German-operated indoor and
outdoor pools where lifeguards are present,” said Chief Warrant
Officer 03 Pete Roderick, 98th ASG Safety Office.
“Use the ‘buddy system’ to look out for and support each
other. Drowning accidents can be avoided if you learn to swim
before taking up water sports like boating, water skiing and
surfing,” he added.
To pick up your family card just go to the Bamberg Yellow
Ribbon Room. They are open Monday through Friday from 8
a.m. to 4.30 p.m. and can be reached at 469-7622 or (0951)
3007622.
12
280th Base Support Battalion: Bad Kissingen, Schweinfurt
What’s up Doc?
The Schweinfurt
community welcomes
Dr. Aris Calhoun, a
new family practice
physician
at
the
Schweinfurt Health
Clinic. Calhoun is
from North Little
Rock, Ark., where she
was in private practice
for over two years.
She also worked at
Baptist Hospital, an Calhoun
outpatient clinic in
Arkansas. This is her first time working
with the military and her first time in
Europe.
Two armor wives assist wounded
by Margot Cornelius
The Point
One visit to Staff Sgt. Eugene Simpson of 1st
Battalion, 77th Armor, at the European Regional
Medical Center in Landstuhl changed Sandra
Hummel and Heather Twist forever.
What started off as a show of support for
Simpson, who was wounded in Iraq and left
paralyzed, turned into a project – Friends Aid
Injured Troops Hospitalized, or simply, FAITH.
“We arrived at the hospital when Soldiers
were coming in. There were like 50 or so men
coming in. All these medics were standing by
with empty stretchers waiting to help unload
them. It was like ‘ER,’ except it was the real
thing,” said Twist, family member, Co. C, 1st
Bn., 77th Ar.
After two months of commuting from Schwein-
Join Camp Adventure
Join the school age services, or SAS,
Camp Adventure Program. There will be
adventure-filled activities and many clubs
children can choose to join. Transportation,
all entrance fees, meals and snacks, and fun
activities are provided for weekly and
monthly users. Daily users must pay entrance fees for field trips. For more information, call 354-6974 or (09721) 82181.
Visit theme park
Teens and parents are invited on a trip
with the teen center to Warner Brothers
Theme Park June 26, leaving at 6 a.m. The
cost is $15 per person plus €23 for the
entrance fee. For information, call 3546732 or (09721) 88382.
Read this summer
Come and join the Ledward Library’s
“Join the Winner’s Circle” summer reading
camp every Wed. at 10 a.m. starting June
23. For the younger children, the library has
a preschool storytime. For more information, call 354-1740 or (09721) 961740.
Bowl dad over
All dads can bowl for free at the Kessler
Bowling Center June 20 from 6 to 10 p.m.
in celebration of Father’s Day. Dads must
be ID cardholders and 18 years of age or
older. For more information, call 354-6332
or (09721) 83391.
Attend play mornings
Parents can attend regular play mornings
at the school age services gym every Thursday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The play group is
for families with children up to 5 years.
Meet other parents, build your child’s social
skills, play games and participate in developmental activities. For more information,
call 354-6751 or (09721) 966751.
Get the know-how
Attend the Army Community Service
Center, or ACS, financial readiness class at
the ACS classroom every Friday from 9
a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Understand the military
pay system, planning and budgeting, banking and checking accounts, using credit
wisely, insurance, and saving and investing.
For more information, call 354-6751 or
(09721) 966751.
Kristen Toth
Sandra Hummel, left, and Heather Twist hand out an updated list of items needed by
injured Soldiers.
furt to Landstuhl to visit Soldiers, they approached the Office of the Community Chaplain to find
out how they could help more.
It was Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Keith Wright, 280th
BSB Community Chaplain, who connected
FAITH with the hospital’s clothing closet that
clothes Soldiers within 24 to 48 hours of their
arrival at the hospital.
“These are things the Soldier needs immediately because some of these servicemembers
come off the aircraft with hardly any clothes left
on their backs, if they’ve been injured, they have
been cut away or destroyed,” Wright said.
FAITH has rose to the challenge of outfitting
the clothing closet and has set up a table inside
the Schweinfurt Post Exchange, or PX, every
Thursday from noon to 4 p.m. collecting donations from the community. They receive an updated list weekly of things the hospitalized
Soldiers need, from extra large underwear to
comic books.
Besides clothing Soldiers, FAITH reaches out
in the most meaningful way – lending an ear to
those who want to talk.
“It can happen that in one room we laugh
together and in another room we cry together.
Holding the hand of a private and opening his
wallet to look at pictures of his daughter whom
he hasn’t seen in six months and who can’t come
see him, those are good things,” said Hummel, a
family member with Co. A, 1st Bn., 77th Ar.
The community can donate items every
Thursday at the PX.
Program prepares children for school
Students can learn
for next level at
their own pace
by Margot Cornelius
The Point
The first years of school set the tone for
a child’s educational future. In the
Schweinfurt Elementary School, or SES,
Sure Start Program, the family and the
school collaborate to prepare the child for
the first school year.
The program teaches through play, so
children can learn at their own pace and
take their social, emotional, cognitive and
other skills to the next level.
“There’s no worksheet. It’s through
their interaction that they’re learning to
count, they’re learning their shapes,
they’re learning their colors,” said Bergen
Rigby, Sure Start teacher.
SES has two Sure Start classes where
children participate in activities such as
cooking, painting and computer work,
which allows them to problem solve,
follow directions, and work with others.
The overall result is an increase in understanding of language, math and social
skills.
Children must be 4 years old by Oct. 31
to enroll in Sure Start, and a family
member of an enlisted Soldier. Other
criteria include: a single-parent or dualmilitary family, a parent whose primary
language is not English, a parent who did
not graduate from high school, the parent
was a teenager when the first child was
born, the prospective student was of low
birth weight, has three or more siblings
close in age, or an older sibling with a
disability.
Applications for the Sure Start program
are accepted year-round, but there is a
limit of 18 children per class. Prospective
students must be toilet trained to be
eligible for the program.
“The reward is seeing them accomplish
something. At the end of the year you take
out their portfolio and you see where they
were in the beginning and you see the
growth over the year, that’s rewarding to
me; and the hugs of course,” said Michelle
Alexander, Sure Start teacher.
Margot Cornelius
Kailynn Reyes counts the legs of a paper spider
under the watchful eye of teacher Michelle
Alexander.
280th BSB
Running
in the rain
editorial office is located in Robertson
Hall on Ledward Barracks, Schweinfurt,
telephone 354-6381 or (09721) 966381.
Dedicated runners warm
up in the rain at the starting line of the annual
280th BSB 10K D-Day
memorial run June 5. The
run commemorated the
60th anniversary of the
Allies invasion at Normandy in World War II. The
winners each received a
trophy for their efforts.
Mailing address is PAO, The Point, 280th Base
Support Battalion, CMR 457, APO AE 09033-0457.
964800.
Internet web site 280th BSB:
http://www.schweinfurt.army.mil
280th BSB
Commander ......................... Lt. Col. Edward Manning
Public Affairs Officer ................................ George Ohl
Journalist .......................................... Margot Cornelius
Jamie Montgomery
School accreditation improves learning techniques
by Susan Knight
Bad Kissingen American Elementary School
The Bad Kissingen American Elementary School, or BKES,
received its five-year visit from the North Central AssociationCommission on Accreditation and School Improvement, or
NCA CASI, in April.
NCA CASI is a non-governmental voluntary organization that
accredits Department of Defense Dependents Schools, or
DoDDS, worldwide.
The visit is part of an ongoing school-improvement process
for schools to retain membership in NCA-CASI.
Accreditation is valuable to schools and students; it improves
learning and enhances student performance.
During the school’s three-day visit, a team of two stateside
augmenters and three DoDDS educators examined the school, its
climate and achievement toward student success.
“What we found at BKES is what we want to find everywhere;
kids learning and teachers teaching. Bad Kissingen demonstrated how it should be done,” said Catherine Baird, ex-assistant
executive director of NCA.
Teachers, students, and community members were interviewed to review the school’s progress. Classrooms were ob-
served to assess the learning climate and ensure the needs of all
students are met. The team met several times to share insights
regarding the school improvement plan.
“Developing the best school improvement plan means nothing
unless there is a commitment by the teachers and parents to
achieve the goal,” said Letch Connell, BKES principal, who was
praised as an educational leader and visionary in sharing what
learning should be like in a school setting.
Just last year, BKES was slated for closure. Its dedication to
student achievement and commitment to the community were
key factors in the District Superintendent Dr. Ronald McIntire’s
decision to keep the school open for another school year.
417th Base Support Battalion: Giebelstadt, Kitzingen, Wuerzburg
Celebrate
independence
The 417th BSB is
hosting an Independence Day celebration at Dickman Field
on Leighton Barracks,
Wuerzburg,
Thursday, July 1 from
5:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. The celebration will include fireworks, food, live music and children’s activities. For more information, call
355-1550 or (09321) 3051550.
Drilling practice makes perfect
by Mindy Campbell
The Point
For the past seven years, the Wuerzburg
American High School Junior Reserve Officers’
Training Corps, or JROTC, drill team has captured first place overall in the European championships.
This year proved to be no different as the
Wolves took first place, and their eighth-consecutive title, among 10 teams competing at the
Department of Defense Dependents Schools, or
DoDDS, European drill competition May 15 at
the Giebelstadt Army Airfield.
“This has been just an awesome, awesome
year. I am so proud of the team,” said Jack Wayne,
JROTC first sergeant and drill team coach.
Welcome home set
The 417th BSB will host a welcome back
celebration at the Giebelstadt Army Airfield June 19 from noon to 8 p.m. The
celebration is being held to officially welcome back Soldiers who recently returned
from a deployment to Iraq. The day’s events
will include karaoke, kids activities, live
music, sand pit volleyball and a dunk tank.
For more information, call 355-1550 or
(09321) 3051550.
Nominate now
Army Community Service is now accepting nominations for Volunteer of the
Quarter. Submission packets will be accepted until June 25. For more information,
call Elizabeth White at 350-7103 or (0931)
8897103.
Tuition assistance
available
Army Tuition Assistance is currently
available to Soldiers for the rest of the fiscal
year. Soldiers qualify for $250 per semester
hour in tuition assistance with a maximum
expenditure of $4,500 for the fiscal year.
For more information, contact the Army
Education Center at Larson Barracks at
355-2774 or (09321) 7022774; Leighton
Barracks at 350-7181 or (0931) 8897181;
or Giebelstadt at 352-7291 or (09334)
877291.
Tierheim gets
donations
Sgt. Vera McKenzie, a 417th BSB
D.A.R.E. officer, delivered more than 585
pounds of dog and cat food, 60 pounds of
cat litter, 60 cans of canned food, five bags
of snacks and three bags of towels and
blankets to the Kitzingen Tierheim June 3.
The supplies were donated during a twoweek pet supply drive held at the Kitzingen
and Wuerzburg commissaries and military
police station in each of the communities in
May.
Training set
The 417th’s Army Community Service
has Army Family Team Building level 1
training June 22 to 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For information, call (0931) 8897103 or
(09321) 7022848.
15
Mindy Campbell
The JROTC Wuerzburg American High School drill team performs a routine during
the Memorial Day service May 27 on Leighton Barracks.
The 26-member team competed in both the
individual and group events during the tournament, which they hosted. Collectively, the
Wolves captured first place in all but one of the
seven events.
For Wayne, the key to the Wolves’ success is
the great time they have together as a team.
“I try to make it as fun as possible,” Wayne
said, who hosts overnights and barbecues before
each competition.
But when the time comes, the team buckles
down and takes its practice sessions seriously.
“When we practice, we practice real hard,”
Wayne said.
Robert Tucker, a junior, attributes the team’s
success to hard work and having good coaches.
“We have the best instructors,” Tucker said,
who will take the reigns as team captain next
year.
As the season closes out, Wayne and his
coaching staff will be losing several key members of the team.
“We are losing a lot of really great kids like
(team captain) Jason Collins. He is absolutely
awesome. It’s really heart-breaking,” Wayne
said.
Renaud Marshall, a junior and first-year
member of the drill team, enjoyed the espirit de
corps of the team.
“It really is an entire team effort,” Marshall
said, who has his sights already set on next
year’s season.
“We were hoping to make a clean sweep at
championships this year. We will remedy that
next year,” he said.
For more information about the drill team,
contact Jack Wayne at 350-7230 or (0931)
8897230.
Brigade keeps on running
by Mindy Campbell
The Point
As the sun slowly rose over the Giebelstadt
Army Airfield, hundreds of 12th Aviation
Brigade Soldiers stretched out their muscles in
preparation for a brigade run.
The May 27 run, in which about 800 Soldiers
participated, was a special event for the brigade.
It was the first mass activity the brigade has held
since returning from a year-long deployment to
Iraq.
After a call to attention, the Soldiers were off
and running, following their unit guidons as they
passed Blackhawks and Chinook helicopters
while singing cadences.
After the three-mile run, the companies lined
back up on the airfield. Col. Raymond Palumbo,
12th Avn. Bde. commander, called everyone to
attention and officially welcomed back the 3rd
Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, one of the
last units to return from Iraq in April.
“The main goal here today was not physical
fitness, but to increase morale and teamwork,”
Palumbo told the troops.
According to Palumbo, who intends to hold
brigade runs monthly, the event builds cohesiveness among the Soldiers.
“It is great to see the brigade all at once,”
Palumbo said, who has units in Italy and
throughout Germany in addition to Giebelstadt.
“We don’t get a chance to come together very
often.”
Sgt. James Jenkins, 3rd Bn., 158th Avn. Regt.,
had a great time during the run.“It’s nice to get
together. It really promotes esprit de corps,” he
said.
Although not a challenging run, Spc. Rita
Hurt, HHC, 5th Bn., 158th Avn Regt., enjoyed
the camaraderie at the event.
“The pace was slow so we all could stick
together. It really helps the company get closer
because everyone is helping each other out and
singing cadences,” she said.
Turning tassels
417th BSB
editorial office is located in building 109,
Harvey Barracks, telephone 355-8575 or
(09321) 3058575. Mailing address is
PAO, The Point, 417th Base Support Battalion, Unit 26124, APO AE 09031-6124.
3058999.
Phone numbers for patient liaisons are: Kitzingen,
355-8415 or (09321) 3058415; Wuerzburg and Giebelstadt, call the 67th Combat Support Hospital, 350-3874
or (0931) 8043874.
417th BSB
Commander ................................. Lt. Col. Thomas Fass
Public Affairs Officer ........................... Gabriele Drake
Journalists .................... Larry Reilly, Mindy Campbell
Mindy Campbell
The 5th Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, stands in formation after a brigade
run held May 27.
Mindy Campbell
More than 90 seniors turned their tassels
on their graduation caps during the
Wuerzburg American High School 2004
commencement ceremony June 4. The
ceremony, was shown live to the many
parents who are currently deployed in
Iraq. Instead of a traditional commencement speaker, several dozen seniors
gave short messages to their families
and deployed parents. Major Gen. John
Batiste, 1st Infantry Division commander, congratulated the senior class
via a taped message. In addition, valedictorian Clayton Dingle and salutatorian
Samuel Ochinang addressed the seniors
and encouraged them to follow their
dreams.
Family-friendly weekly getaways make a big splash
by Cassandra Boyd
Media Center Intern
A June 3 Main River boat ride was the latest excursion in the
family-friendly getaways offered this summer by the 417th BSB
Outdoor Recreation Center.
Family-friendly getaways are local day trips geared toward
stay at home parents during the summer weeks. The trips are
free, although euros may be needed for lunch, shopping and
some entrance fees.
The getaway trips provide a way for those parents on a budget
to venture out with their children and see some of the country.
“These trips are something the little ones can get into,” said
Steve Gauthier, 417th BSB community recreation director.
Also, the time factors for the getaways are favorable for many
parents.
The trips leave the Leighton Fitness Center parking lot and
Marshall Heights Shoppette between 9 and 9:30 a.m. The familyfriendly getaways are scheduled for an hour and a half drive from
local installations; buses are scheduled to return that afternoon
around 1:30 and 2 p.m.
“It’s perfect. We get to have these trips before naptime,” said
Liliana Farrell, the wife of a Battery A, 4th Battalion, 3rd
Regiment Air Defense Artillery, Soldier.
According to Toniko Noland, a Kitzingen Child Development
Center employee, the trips give parents time with their children,
before the older ones get out of school.
The family-friendly getaway trips started in January and will
continue though December.
There are two getaway trips planned each month. One is
small, such as the Main River trip; while the second is a larger
trip combining the other BSBs within the 98th ASG.
Other upcoming getaway trips planned for the summer include a Nuernberg city tour; Frankfurt Zoo; and the Nuernberg
Zoo.
If interested, arrive early as the buses are limited to 50 passengers and are on a first-come, first-serve basis.
For more information, or to submit ideas for future trips, contact the outdoor recreation center at (09321) 3058629.
16
VICTORY-gram #11
Passing the torch to a new generation
by Lt. Col. Christopher Kolenda
Commander, 1st Infantry Division Rear Detachment
Photo courtesy of U.S. Army
Cars key to ceremony
Colonel Randall Dragon, 2nd Brigade Combat
Team, or BCT, commander, presents Brig. Gen.
Mazher Taha Ahmad, Salah Ad Din chief of police,
with a key in a ceremony May 20 at Forward Operating Base Orion, Balad, Iraq. The key symbolizes
the 24 police cars, bought from a local contractor,
provided for Iraqi police in that province by the
2nd BCT. Balad, Samarra, and Tikrit are all cities in
the province that will benefit. It is hoped that the
vehicles will be a step in the right direction for the
squads that fall short of having enough police
cars.
The guardian’s torch has passed to a new generation. Recently we celebrated Memorial Day and the 60th Anniversary
of the Normandy invasion. On June 6, 1944, the Big Red One
and other American and allied forces entered the continent of
Europe to rid the world of Nazi and fascist tyranny.
Our forefathers in the 1st Inf. Div. liberated millions as they
attacked through France, Germany, and into Czechoslovakia
where they joined hands with the Red Army. They fulfilled the
calling of each successive generation: to leave the world better
than they found it.
The threat this time, terrorism, presents an even greater
danger to our Constitution and our way of life. Our Soldiers
have entered the heart of darkness to take the fight to the enemy,
so terrorists cannot threaten our families and friends at home.
Simultaneously, our Soldiers are bringing the light of hope and
the flame of freedom to people long-sentenced to tyranny and
oppression.
The best way to undermine terrorism is to offer an alternative
to the hatred, repression and violence that has engulfed the
Middle East and provided a fertile ground for recruiting angry
young men and women.
Our stability and support operations are offering that attractive and viable alternative. Our Soldiers are rebuilding
schools and infrastructure. They are developing police forces
and legal institutions that respect the
rule of law. They are fostering political systems that seek to represent all
Iraqis and improve their quality of
life. The enlightened approach to this
mission, taken by our leaders and Soldiers, offers the best chance of ending
the insidious threat of terrorism to
America and the world.
The support of our families in this
mission remains crucial. In the hypercharged environment of election-year politics,
opposition candidates and news media will tend
to focus on the negative while ignoring the many great accomplishments our Soldiers make each day.
Take all the hyperventilating for what it is. At the same time,
keep the faith in knowing that our Soldiers are making a
tremendous difference to the people of Iraq. In so doing, they
are making the world better and safer for our children and our
children’s children. Your passion and commitment is vital to
our Soldiers accomplishing their mission and returning safely.
We each carry the guardian’s torch. Like the “greatest
generation” that won the World War II, we are fulfilling our
duty by making the world safer for our children. Your love and
support for our Soldiers and one another here keeps hope
burning brightly. Thank you for bringing us closer to Victory
each day.
Family readiness liaison plays important role
by Richard Henricks
1st Inf. Div., Rear Detachment Media Center
Richard Henricks
Scott Hamilton, second from left, hosts the Victory Radio Show with studio guests
1st. Lt. Richard Stearns, 1st MP Co., rear detachment commander, and Susan
Holmes, 1st MP Co. FRG leader, April 13.
Soldiers’ time in
service affected by
program change
Army News Service
Active-duty Soldiers nearing the end of their service
contract may not be getting out of the Army as soon as they
might have expected.
Army officials announced June 1 the latest Active Army
Stop Loss/Stop Movement Program for active Army units
preparing for deployment overseas in support of Operation
Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
The Active Army Stop Loss/Stop Movement program
will be effective 90 days prior to the Earliest Arrival Date,
or EAD, specified in the deployment order, according to Lt.
Col. Franklin Childress, public affairs officer with the
Army’s G-1. Soldiers will remain affected by Stop
Loss/Stop Movement under the program up to 90 days after
they redeploy to their home station.
The additional days following redeployment are to take
care of the Soldiers. The time will be used to allow for any
medical or dental needs to be taken care of as well as any
other out-processing that needs to be completed.
“The focus is on Soldiers taking care of Soldiers,” said
Childress.
Soldiers who have completed all of their out-processing
needs can get approval from their command to be released
in less than 90 days.
Name something that involves a family readiness group, or FRG, and the ongoing 1st Infantry
Division deployment, and Scott Hamilton, division rear detachment family readiness liaison, or
FRL, probably has his fingers in it.
Hamilton is the go-to person for 1st Inf. Div.
deployment briefs, roundups, off-site gatherings, volunteer recognition and command information dissemination to FRGs. He attends all
calendar scrubs and FRG steering committee
meetings, and maintains the FRG meeting
calendar for the division.
“I work for the 1st Inf. Div. Rear Detachment
Chief of Staff, Lt. Col. Timothy Whalen. I used
to be the division’s human services support
officer; now I’m the division’s family readiness
liaison. If you look at the words in my job title,
you can see that the majority of my job consists
of working between the 1st Inf. Div. rear
detachment command and the FRGs,” Hamilton
said.
“If there are family issues, I tend to be involved,” he added.
Hamilton is heavily involved in creating
standard operating procedures, or SOPs, to address rear detachment operations.
“My largest responsibility is trying to
implement family-friendly policies and procedures from the top down. I very much enjoy
doing my best to positively affect families’ lives
by testing the regulations to the utmost. I’m also
updating the family readiness portion of the
division’s rear detachment mission essential task
list, or METL,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton performs missions for the entire 1st
Inf. Div. family, as well.
“I coordinated and set up a recent off-site rear
detachment commander conference at Oberammergau in which 155 people attended from
within the command and from FRGs. We’ve also
had a sort of grassroots family readiness effort
spring up locally. We had our first Wuerzburg
community FRG meeting May 27 in the
Leighton Theater.
We had in attendance Billy Collins, who
talked force protection; Hal Snyder from family
advocacy who presented a program on vacation;
98th ASG Chaplain Lt. Col. Frederick Robinson
gave a class on stress management called cool as
a cucumber; and Steven Gauthier from 417th
BSB Outdoor Recreation gave a presentation
that wasn’t about soap, although it was called
Calgon take me away. Steven promoted families
with kids going on trips. The general idea was
that it’s not impossible to do so, you just have to
do it,” Hamilton said.
“We had about 30 people show up for the new
FRG meeting and I think it went off well. We’ll
probably do the meetings quarterly from now
on,” he added.
Breaking ground for new school
1st Infantry Division PAO Release
Ash Sharqat, Iraq – A groundbreaking ceremony was held here May 26 to mark the beginning
of construction for a new elementary school
building near Kassem Village in Ash Sharqat.
A bright, clear day dawned on a small cluster of
houses 200 kilometers north of Tikrit when Task
Force 1st Battalion 7th Field Artillery held the
ceremony to start work on the school.
Lt. Col. Kyle McClelland, Task Force 1st Bn.,
7th FA commander, spoke to students, parents
and officials who attended the ceremony. He
emphasized the importance of the youth and
the role a quality education will play in Iraq’s
future.
Sharqat mayor, the Honorable Muhsin Khalaf,
echoed McClelland’s words and extended his
appreciation to Task Force 1st Bn., 7th FA, for
their partnership with the community in this
important endeavor.
The ceremony was followed by a small
luncheon provided by the contractor for the new
school.
During the luncheon, Soldiers distributed
school supplies collected from friends and relatives at home to the excited and smiling students
of Othman School whom the Soldiers have noted
to be “well-behaved and learning a lot of English.”
The project is expected to be complete by
July 1.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Army
Soldiers from Task Force 1st Bn., 7th FA, hand out school supplies
to waiting students.
Sports
17
Women bring home title
by Lisa Moore
The Point
The Bamberg women’s volleyball team went
head-to-head with the best teams in USAREUR
to take the Army Europe volleyball championship title in Heidelberg.
It was three straight days of play throughout
the tournament. The stands were packed with
players and spectators that stayed to watch the
final playoff match. They were not disappointed
as the Bamberg team defeated Darmstadt,
Grafenwoehr and Ansbach. In the final match,
which was a great display of skill and heart from
both teams, Bamberg defeated the current, twotime Army Europe champions, Heidelberg team
by scores of 25-17, 29-27, 13-25, and 25-19.
The overall tournament pitted the top five
southern USAREUR teams against the top four
northern teams. All teams had been playing in a
round-robin format since March. The southern
teams consisted of Grafenwoehr, Ansbach,
Bamberg, Stuttgart, Kitzingen, Schweinfurt and
Vicenza.
The Bamberg team was represented by
Theresa Bodnar, Merita Cagle, Kelly Darden,
Heather Ekstrom, Mieko Jackson, Debra Mac-
‘The ladies played hard and
we are happy with our
success.’
– Shelly Muhlenkamp
Namara, Erin McLaughlin, Kelly Merrian, Carol
Morris, Shelly Muhlenkamp, Donna Nall,
Valisha Tolliver and Mandi Wakefield.
The Bamberg women went on to represent
USAREUR in the U.S. Forces Europe volleyball
tournament at Spangdahlem Air Force Base
from June 4 to June 6. There they took second
place.
The Bamberg women named to the
USAREUR all-tournament team are Debbie
MacNamara, Meiko Jackson and Shelly Muhlenkamp. Muhlenkamp was also named Most
Valuable Player for the USAREUR tournament.
“We had a great season, the ladies played hard
and we are happy with our success in both
tournaments,” said Muhlenkamp, Bamberg’s
team captain.
Dogs get their day
Mindy Campbell
Despite a dark and rainy morning, 18 people and eight of their four-legged
companions turned out for the Paws and Pals 5K fun run June 5 on Larson
Barracks in Kitzingen. At the end of the race, the dogs were awarded prizes in
three categories including small-, medium- and large-size dogs.
Softball ushers in summer
Unit level teams
vie for BSB title
by Claudette Roulo
The Point
Roger Teel
First tee shivers
Area golfers, from left, Dale Greenberg, Bill Newman, Heinz Struchholz, Marty
Dawson and Charles Stillman, prepare to tee off at the 98th ASG Commander’s
Cup golf tournament June 5. Waves of morning showers plagued the event, but
the 116 participants weathered the storms and enjoyed a barbecue and prizes
presented by Col. Dennis Dingle, 98th ASG commander, later in the day.
Roundup
Shape up at local
fitness centers
Let local fitness centers help you get into your
swimsuit. In Katterbach, aerobics classes are
held Tue and Thu at 6 p.m. In Illesheim, aerobics
classes are Mon, Wed and Fri at 9 a.m. For more
information, call 467-2771 in Katterbach, or
467-4582 in Illesheim.
Looking for adventure?
Try your hand at whitewater rafting in Taxenbach, Austria, June 19-20. The trip costs $149,
and all skill levels are welcome. However, participants must be able to swim. For more information, call 467-3225 or (09802) 833225.
Walk, run for fun
The 279th BSB Morale Welfare and Recreation hosts a 10K run July 4. Participants can
either run 10K or walk 5K. Registration starts at
8 a.m. at Friendship Park with the run starting at
9 a.m. An awards ceremony for the top finishers
will begin at 11 a.m., along with the official
opening of the 279th BSB July 4 celebration. For
more information, call 469-2000 or (0951)
3002000.
Go camping
The community activity center, or CAC, offers a camping trip to the Armed Forces Recreation Center in Garmisch June 26. The bus
departs Warner Barracks at 7 a.m. and returns at
9 p.m. the next day. The cost is $40 plus campsite admission, and rental camping equipment is
available at the CAC. For more information, call
469-7450 or (0951) 3007450.
Show your skills
Participate in the youth sports summer sports
fest at the Askren Manor baseball/soccer field
June 22 and 23 from 4 to 6 p.m. Children must
be ages eight to 14 to participate in the competition. For more information, call 354-6822 or
(09721) 966822.
Take a hike
Join the outdoor recreation center on a hiking
trip to the rock garden Sanspariel, near Hollfeld,
the devil’s cave in Pottenstein, and a fun outdoor
roller coaster June 20. The group will leave the
center at 8 a.m. and returns at 5 p.m. For more
information, call 353-8080 or (09721) 968080.
Fun run set
The 417th BSB’s Sports and Fitness Office
hosts an Independence Day 5K fun run July 1 at
Leighton Barracks. The entry fee for the run is
$10 and includes a T-shirt. For more information, call 355-8847 or (09321) 3058847.
Walk around Larson
Join fellow walkers every Tuesday for a 5K
walk on Larson Barracks. Walkers meet at the
Larson Physical Fitness Center at 10 a.m. Strollers are welcome. For more information, contact
Sylvia Nelson at (09321) 3052611.
Get fit
The 417th BSB Sports and Fitness office
hosts a variety of fitness classes at the Giebelstadt, Leighton and Larson gyms. For more
information about the classes, call 355-8473 or
(09321) 3058847.
Be a coach
Volunteers are needed to coach a variety of
youth sports programs. No experience is needed
and training will be provided. For more information, call Vince Sciuto at 355-3217 or (09321)
3053217.
The 2004 unit-level softball league season
began May 17 for teams in the 235th BSB.
Teams in the Katterbach and Illesheim divisions
are playing twice a week in a race for their
respective league championships.
“We’re having a great time. It’s great to get
some normalcy with all that’s been going on.
There are a lot of really good teams out there
this year,” said Capt. Paul Snyder, Detachment
C, 510th Personnel Services Battalion commander.
The Illesheim Division has five teams playing, while seven teams are playing in the Katterbach Division, including one civilian team.
Civilians are allowed to compete this year, but
they are restricted to an all-civilian team, and are
ineligible for awards or participation in the
championships.
Teams play a round-robin schedule, with the
installation champions to be determined by the
final league standings.
In the event of a tie for first or second place,
the tied teams will play each other to determine
final rankings.
Each game is limited to 60 minutes or seven
innings, whichever comes first, but once an inning is started, it must be completed – unless the
home team is leading.
The first- and second-place teams from both
leagues will participate in the 235th BSB championship, to be held at Illesheim between July 12
and 18.
The tentative date for the softball playoffs is
July 12.
“The final date depends on the field commitments of the teams that make it to the championships,” said Wolfgang Schmidt, 235th BSB
Sports and Fitness Branch chief.
The top two teams from the BSB championships will advance to the 98th Area Support
Group championships in Schweinfurt, to be
played July 24-25.
Games are played in Katterbach on Mondays
and Wednesdays beginning at 5:45 p.m. at the
multipurpose field. In Illesheim, games are
played at the multipurpose field on Tuesdays and
Thursdays, also beginning at 5:45 p.m. Three
games are played each night in both divisions.
Rodeo gives safety tips
by Kristen Golby
The Point
Outfitted with helmets and straddling their
bicycles, more than 160 children turned out to
test their skills and learn about safety at the
280th BSB Provost Marshal’s annual bike rodeo
May 27.
The children lined up to have their bicycles
inspected and registered with the provost
marshal’s office, or PMO, and to have their
helmets inspected for proper fit. They received a
brief course in road rules and bicycle safety and
then hit the child-sized obstacle course set up in
the Schweinfurt American Elementary School
parking lot. The PMO raffled off two girls’
bicycles, two boys’ bicycles, and several helmets to rodeo participants.
While their children were reminded about
safety rules, parents at the bike rodeo were given
a short excerpt from the Army regulation dealing
with bicycle safety.
“We’re just trying to promote safety,” said
Capt. Toni Archambault, provost marshal.
The message of safety is timely, especially as
warmer weather and school vacation find more
children outside.
“We’re stressing the importance, even when
it’s warmer and hotter, to be safe,” said Staff Sgt.
Sean Weaver, PMO, “Parents need to make sure
kids wear helmets.”
Among the children, the obstacle course was
the most popular part of the rodeo. Designed to
help improve children’s coordination and
balance, the obstacle course allowed children to
discover their ability to control their bicycles at
high and low speeds, and in some unusual
circumstances, as well. The children weaved
through small wooden blocks, snaked around
cones, crossed an uneven surface, and rode up
and down a small wooden see-saw.
Four-year-old Devin Booker came to the bike
rodeo with his mother, grandmother, and a bike
with training wheels. With some assistance from
Investigator Jermain Fox, PMO, Booker was
able to complete the obstacle course, an accomplishment that not only improved his
bicycling, but also boosted his self-esteem. “I
didn’t get scared on the log,” he said proudly,
referring to the see-saw portion of the event.
Kristen Golby
Devin Booker, 4, crosses a see-saw obstacle with a little help from Investigator
Jermain Fox.

June 18, 2004 - Typo

Transcription

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