November 3, 2006

Inside:
Cougars
roar
Ansbach faces
AFNORTH in
a battle of
unbeatens in
Saturday’s
Division III
final.
See page 19
for area sports
coverage.
Vol. 14, No. 21
November 3, 2006
Ansbach • Bamberg • Illesheim • Schweinfurt • Wuerzburg
New ‘Team of Teams’ emerging
Relationship between ETG,
USAG Schweinfurt develops
Jim Hughes
by Mark Heeter
The Point
‘All the
way’
More than
700 Soldiers
from the
173rd
Airborne
Brigade Combat Team
dropped from
the sky at
Grafenwoehr.
See page 18
Arthur McQueen
Pumpkin
magic
Move over,
Linus. Jamaal
Evans, Manny
Gomez and
Gabby Ramos
and other
youth
discovered a
great pumpkin
patch near
Wuerzburg.
See page 16.
“Team of Teams” is not a new concept to military communities in
Lower Franconia. It’s been the motto here for years.
But things changed when U.S. Army Garrison Franconia became the
Europe Region Transformation Group (Nord Bayern) (Provisional), or
ETG, Oct. 15. The ETG’s mission, in part, is to bring Army garrisons
in Ansbach, Bamberg and Schweinfurt up to speed as direct reporting
elements to the recently renamed Installation Management Command
– Europe Region, or IMCOM-Europe, formerly known as Installation
Management Agency-Europe. The garrisons will likely begin reporting directly to their higher headquarters in spring 2007.
The ETG headquarters remains in Wuerzburg’s Faulenberg Kaserne
and is commanded by Col. Russel Santala. The ETG’s existence is temporary and will dissolve next summer.
In the meantime, control of community services that remain at
Wuerzburg’s Leighton Barracks are now the responsibility of USAG
Schweinfurt.
“The biggest goal is to keep in mind that we’re one community.
There can be no difference between us and Leighton,” said Lt. Col. Anthony Haager, USAG Schweinfurt commander, recently.
An immediate goal, he added, is to eliminate the “us” and “them”
mentality that has defined the Wuerzburg/Schweinfurt relationship
since the days of the 98th Area Support Group.
“It’s a paradigm that we’ve got to break. The mountain isn’t
Wuerzburg, and the mountain isn’t Schweinfurt. We are one community,” Haager said.
“Cooperation has been great. The key is communication,” Haager
added, noting that his staff and directors have been working transition
issues with their Wuerzburg counterparts for several months.
See Community on page 14
Scott Rouch
Leighton in transition
War casualties
Schweinfurt fondly remembered Staff Sgt. Joe A.
Narvaez, Mortar Platoon, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry
Regiment and part of Task Force Spader in a memorial
ceremony at Ledward Chapel Oct. 11. Narvaez was
killed in action by small arms fire Oct. 2 in Baghdad,
Iraq. Remembered as “a kid magnet,” Narvaez was described as a solid friend and Soldier.
The Department of Defense recently announced the
death of two Soldiers from Schweinfurt’s 1st Battalion,
26th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team,
supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom:
Staff Sgt. Garth D. Sizemore, 31, of Mount Sterling,
Ky., died Oct. 17 in Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries
suffered when his patrol came in contact with enemy
forces using small arms fire. Sizemore, a two-time
recipient of the Bronze Star Medal, is survived by his
wife, Nedelko, and parents Glen and Caroline Sizemore.
Sgt. Willsun M. Mock, 23, of Harper, Kan., died
Oct. 22 in Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries suffered when
an improvised explosive device detonated near his
vehicle.
File photo by Mindy Campbell
Scott Rouch
An emotional Leslie Garza-Munoz, left, touches her son’s
stone following dedication ceremonies for the Fallen Soldier Memorial on June 6, 2005. The stones with names of
the 193 Soldiers who died during the 1st Infantry Division’s
deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom were shipped last
week to Fort Riley, Kansas, where the monument will be reerected.
Town hall meetings to introduce new personnel system
by Sgt. Aimee Millham
USAREUR Public Affairs
For U.S. civil servants in Europe needing information about the new
National Security Personnel System (NSPS), clarity is on its way.
About 55 town hall meetings will be held at various sites over the
next few months to educate Army civilian employees and their managers – including servicemembers and local national supervisors – on
the ins and outs of NSPS.
“We will answer everything we can,” Brig. Gen. Rusty Frutiger,
U.S. Army, Europe deputy chief of staff for personnel and NSPS transition manager, said during the initial meeting Oct. 20 at Mannheim.
“If we don’t have the answer we’ll take your questions and e-mail you
a response.”
Jennifer Tavares of the ETG civilian personnel office said she had
not received dates and times of NSPS town hall meetings for the readership area, but said she would announce them once they are received.
USAREUR and 5th Signal Command’s conversion to NSPS – a Department of Defense initiative to replace the current, seniority-based
pay system with a performance-based one – is scheduled to begin October 2007, according to Jim Biggs, assistant deputy chief of staff for
USAREUR personnel transformation. Other Army commands in Europe will convert to NSPS over the following six months
The town hall meetings are part of DoD’s plan to flow NSPS infor-
mation to the workforce, Biggs said.
A panel of experts will answer questions at every meeting. At
Mannheim, this included officials from USAREUR’s Civilian Personnel Directorate, the Heidelberg Civilian Personnel Advisory Center
and the Civilian Human Resources Agency-Europe. Their presence
was effective considering the variety of questions posed.
“I wanted to know if I’ll lose my (living quarters allowance),” said
Rich Glass, an engineer with Mannheim’s Directorate of Public Works.
He was relieved to learn that NSPS will not affect overseas housing
pay.
Glass also wanted an explanation of the NSPS pay band system,
which allows for the flexibility to adjust salaries to be competitive with
private industry.
A military spouse asked whether the family member priority in the
hiring process would be threatened. Again, the answer was “no impact” as NSPS will not affect any of the current priorities for family
members and veterans.
Biggs encourages all employees to seek information or training
through web-based resources, noting they are authorized a reasonable
amount of time to do research during work hours. The following websites have more information on the program: www.per.hqusareur.army.
mil/cpd; http://cpol.army.mil/library/general/nsps; and www.cpms.
osd.mil/nsps.
Calendar
Thru Nov. 5
Mark Heeter
Nov. 3-8
Nov. 5
A Soldier pays final respects to Staff Sgt. Garth
D. Sizemore at a memorial service in Schweinfurt Oct. 24.
Nov. 5-6
– Nuernberg Consumenta, a consumers’ goods show, at
Messe Nuernberg, offers more than 1,000 international
vendors. E-mail [email protected] for info.
– Dinkelsbuehl’s 21st annual Fish Harvest, in the Weinmarkt, featuring farmer’s markets and entertainment.
Call 09851-90240 for info.
– Volkach wine fest
– Irish folk-rock music, Studio 13, Bamberg, Luitpold Str.
40, 8 p.m. Cost €11. Info: www.studio13bamberg.de
– Martini market in Iphofen, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 100 vendors
and children’s rides. Stores open Sunday. Call 09323870306 for info.
Nov. 6
– Martin’s Market/Fair, Rathausplatz in Bad Kissingen 8
a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 10
– Blue Train Orchestra performs big band, swing, Latin
and modern funk music at Bamberg’s Jazz Keller, Obere
Sand Str. 18. Doors open at 8 p.m.
Nov. 11
– Autumn Concert by Hammelburg city band, HeinrichKöppler-Haus, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 18
– Country blues singer Willie Salomon performs during
Bamberg’s “12 Guitar Days” at the Neue Palais, Luitpold
Str. 40a, at 8 p.m. Ticket €15. Info: www.bvd-ticket.de
Nov. 25-Dec. 3 – “Wuerzburger Bachtage”, classical music concerts, St.
Johanniskirche, see: www.bachtage-wuerzburg.de
2
Team of Teams!
The Point, November 3, 2006
Thank a
vet and
stay safe
World War I officially ended
when the Treaty of Versailles
was signed on June 28, 1919,
outside the town of Versailles,
France. Fighting had ceased
seven months earlier when an
armistice – a temporary cessation of hostilities – between the
Allied nations and Germany
went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the
eleventh month.
For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as
the day that “the war to end all wars” officially ended.
In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed
Nov. 11 as the first Armistice Day. The original concept was for
the day to be observed with parades and public meetings and a
brief suspension of business beginning at 11 a.m.
Veterans Day as we know it today came into being on June 1,
1954, when Congress officially changed the holiday from
Armistice Day to Veterans Day, a day to honor American veterans of all wars.
Throughout the Army and here in U.S. Army, Europe, we
enjoy a four-day weekend during the Veterans Day observance.
During this weekend I ask each of you in all our Army Garrisons
to make the following commitments: to take a moment to thank
a veteran for his or her service to our nation, to remember our
newest generation of veterans, and to ask a family member of a
deployed Soldier how they are doing.
I also ask that you make a personal promise to be safe throughout the long weekend and throughout the year. Be aware of potential hazards. We need to “own the edge” when it comes to our
personal safety and the safety of our families.
In The Point and through other command information channels, we constantly address the dangers of winter driving and
other seasonal hazards. Regrettably, we all too often lose Soldiers and family members in preventable accidents.
Run Your Own Life
by Russell B. Hall
Region Director, IMCOM-Europe
Street talk:
Capt. Stephen Short, USAG
Ansbach Directorate of Emergency Services, Barton Barracks
“To me, Army Strong is
what we are. Army of
One could be misconstrued as being more
about the individual
rather than the team.”
by Luqman Alhaj
8th Grader, Wuerzburg American Middle School
Man has been created with perfect mind to reason and
instincts to differentiate between right and wrong, good and
evil.
Adolescence is almost like a midpoint in one’s life; when a
person is neither a kid nor an adult. At this period, teens have
passed the age when they were called kids but not yet qualified
to be adults. Teenagers want to think like adults, behave like
adults and also start to view themselves as independent beings in
decision making.
Peer pressure plays a major role in the harmful behavior of
teens. Teens who want to fit in among their friends are most especially prone to this. They try to make friends as much as possible by drinking and using drugs. These are not true friends because they are bad influences and lead to failure.
In life we all go through our bad moments. Being bored does
not mean one should explore harmful material. Although schools
try to fill most youths’ brains with extra-curricular activities,
many teens find this association boring and repetitive.
Think about it, how much fun one can actually have at
school?
Sports and other curriculums are shunned by many teens because of the appearance they give off. They want something new
in their lives. Teens tend to feel drugs can make them feel like
they are important because they are on something.
When you say “no” to drugs and alcohol, you are saying “no”
to ignorance and hopelessness and taking control of one’s own
life. The difference between man and animal, in my opinion, is
the ability to make choices and have the willpower to say no to
temptations and desires.
By consuming alcohol or drugs, one loses their ability to concentrate and make decisions, and because that is what makes a
person lose their willpower and alertness, is not good for you and
leads to trouble at home and school.
Staying away from drugs and alcohol prolongs life and reduces crime rate, violence, accidents and prevents abuse. The
whole society will benefit from young adults because they are
the cornerstone of the future.
Therefore, I have already decided to run my own life by staying awake and conscious, and I am sure I will succeed in life.
Milestones
Congratulations to all Red Ribbon Week participants. At Wuerzburg
Elementary School, first grader (age 6) Carter Blunden wrote an essay
entirely on his own. He was awarded a prize for his initiative. Other winners were:
Wuerzburg Middle School: Essay contest – Luqman Alhaj, first
place, Bakisu Jobe second, Kirby Eavey, third. Poster contest – Caroline Jones, first, Rhett Newton, second, Michaele Lemmons, third,
Bobbie Manchester, honorable mention. Madison Queen won the
graphic design flyer award.
Wuerzburg High School: Essay contest – Lindsey Cole, first, LoriAnn Daley, second, Zach Smith, third.
Schweinfurt Middle School: Essay contest – Charles Jacobi, first,
Wilson Hall, second, Joshua Tyus, third. Poster contest – Melissa
Thompson, first, Amani Core, second, Bailey Reynolds, third, and
Harley Carlos, honorable mention.
❋ ❋ ❋
Congratulations to Chaplain (Col.) David Bates who received the Meritorious Service Medal for service as USAG Franconia command chaplain from June 2005 to October 2006. His
dedication to duty and outstanding leadership ensured all Soldiers in the garrison were cared for.
Congratulations to Mrs. Jane Bates who was awarded the
Flying Eagle Award for her exemplary and untiring volunteer
support to the USAG Franconia military community from June
2005 to October 2006. The spirit of her helpfulness and genuine
concern for the community enhanced the quality of life for many
Soldiers, family members, civilians and retirees.
What are your thoughts on the Army’s new advertising slogan – Army Strong?
Staff Sgt. Jose Montero, 200th
Theater Distribution Brigade,
Warner Barracks, Bamberg
“I think Army Strong is a
great motivational campaign for Soldiers and
it’s something new for
them. I watched a video
recently that looked really good, too.”
Pfc. John McManus, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment,
Ledward Barracks, Schweinfurt.
“It’s appropriate. To be
in the Army you have to
be physically and mentally strong. So the new
slogan represents our
lifestyle.”
Ansbach • Bad Kissingen • Bamberg • Giebelstadt • Illesheim • Kitzingen • Schweinfurt • Wuerzburg
Producer: MILCOM Advertising Agency
Roswitha Lehner
Zeilaeckerstrasse 35 · 92637 Weiden
Telefax 0961-67050-32
Internet:
RUSSEL D. SANTALA
Colonel, Air Defense Artillery
Commander, U.S. Army Europe Region
Transformation Group
(Nord Bayern)(Provisional)
Red Ribbon Week Essay Winner
American generosity
As Americans, a key part of our national identity is generosity toward others. Nowhere is this trait more evident
than in the contributions being made every day by our Soldiers and civilians here at Installation Management Command-Europe Region.
Each year we demonstrate our
support to dozens of hard-working
research, educational and charitable
organizations through the Combined Federal Campaign. The CFC
enables Soldiers and civilians to
help these organizations make an
enormous – possibly lifesaving –
difference in the lives of our fellow
Americans and people around the
globe.
You will be contacted by your CFC representative. He or
she will provide a booklet listing CFC agencies as well as
the forms necessary to make an annual gift or to pledge your
continuing support through payroll deductions.
Please take a close look at the array of organizations
listed in your CFC booklet. It’s hard to image a broader
spectrum of groups and agencies working to better the lives
of our families, our nation and our world.
One of the things I like most about CFC is its flexibility.
We can make a single contribution to one organization or
smaller amounts to several.
We live in challenging and exciting times. As members
of the Army team, we’ve chosen to make a difference; to
help those around us. And we back our beliefs through service, commitment and tangible actions.
One of those actions, one of the “extra miles” we take to
help those around us is annual CFC campaign.
Let’s continue our tradition of generosity this year.
Whether your contribution to the Combined Federal Campaign is large or small, I urge you to join me in supporting
this worthy effort.
Thank you for your service and your generosity.
Let’s make a conscious decision to do our very best to stop
these accidents.
Safety basics will certainly help: slow down, get plenty of rest
before a long drive, take regular stretch breaks, and stay alert for
changing weather and road conditions during your travels.
Check your vehicle’s lights, windshield wipers and washer fluid
levels so you can see and be seen. Keep your vehicle in top condition by having your brakes, exhaust and coolant systems serviced regularly.
Let’s make this Veterans Day weekend especially meaningful,
and make a personal commitment to be accident free.
Team of Teams!
www.milcom.de
Free classifieds 0931-2964397 · Fax The Point 0931-2964626
Sgt. John Queen, 69th Air Defense Artillery PAO, Wuerzburg
“The motto has got its
purpose. It can be a
good recruiting tool.”
Sgt. James Miller, USAG Ansbach Headquarters Detachment, Barton Barracks
“We are one of the
strongest armed forces
in the world and the
Army is all about team
effort. I think this is a
good slogan that represents that.”
Dennis Bolenbarker, retiree,
Warner Barracks, Bamberg
“The campaign promotes a Soldier’s character traits and that’s
exactly what we need
right now.”
THE POINT is an authorized unofficial Army newspaper, published every two weeks
under provisions of AR 360-1, for members of U.S. Army Garrisons Ansbach, Bamberg, Schweinfurt and Franconia. A commercial enterprise, THE POINT is printed by
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, or the U.S. Army.
The appearance of advertising, including inserts and supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense. Everything advertised in THE
POINT 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 non-merit characteristic of the purchaser, user or
patron.
Editorial content is provided, prepared and edited by the Public Affairs Office of the
European Transformation Group. Editorial offices are located in building 208,
Faulenberg Kaserne, Wuerzburg, Germany, telephone DSN 351-4564 or CIV 0931296-4564. Mailing address: Editor – THE POINT, European Transformation Group
PAO, CMR 475, APO AE 09036. By e-mail: [email protected] or scott.
[email protected]. Circulation is 8,000 copies per issue.
Pvt. Reuben Shurtleff, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment,
Ledward Barracks, Schweinfurt.
“It sounds better than
Army of One because it’s
like it’s more of a team
effort, being in the
Army. It’s not an individual job; it’s about being
a team, strong together.”
Col. Russel D. Santala
Donald Klinger
Commander
Public Affairs Officer
Roger Teel
Scott Rouch
Editor
Assistant Editor
Photos by The Point staff
Sgt. Javier Rodriguez, Headquarters and Headquarters
Company, Wuerzburg
“Army Strong sounds
better than An Army of
One. When civilians
hear An Army of One, it
sounds like a selfish
Army. Strong is more
like the Army should
be.”
European Transformation Group – Faulenberg Kaserne, 351-4749 or 0931-296-4749
Command Information Officer ................................................................. Larry Reilly
USAG Ansbach – Building 5257, Barton Barracks, 468-7649 or 0981-183-649
Command Information Officer ................................................................. Jim Hughes
Volunteer Journalist.................................................................................. Emily Gourgues
USAG Bamberg – Building 7089, Warner Barracks, 469-7581 or 0951-300-7581
Command Information Officer ................................................................. Cheryl Boujnida
USAG Schweinfurt – Building 354-6381, CIV 09721-96-6381)
Command Information Officer ................................................................. Mark Heeter
Journalist ................................................................................................... Kimberly Gearhart
Focal Points
Vaccinated
The Point, November 3, 2006
3
Courtesy photo
Schweinfurt Middle School student Bailey Reynolds
gets an inoculation Oct. 5 from Robin Stworzydlak, a
registered nurse from the USAG Schweinfurt health
clinic. Soldiers from Company D, 9th Engineers, spent
the day at the school, helping the school nurse and
health clinic medics vaccinate grades 6-8.
Scott Rouch
Having a ball
Sabertooth Ammon Scott, with ball, looks to teammate Austin Jannotti, left, as Little Strykers Lexy Cole,
Nicholas Cousin and Dominic Gomez give chase during the last day of Child and Youth Services peewee soccer Oct. 26. The Little Strykersʼ volunteer coach Victor Gomez helped keep the action under control.
Carving a new slogan
Leslie Gordnier
Military Academy Cadet Third Class Jason Schreuder,
a member of the class of 2009, decided to honor the
Armyʼs new advertising slogan, which will kick off nationwide just before Veterans Day. Schreuder spent
approximately 12 hours creating the pumpkin, complete with a detailed Abrams Main Battle Tank and the
“Army Strong” campaign slogan.
Get a taste
Scott Rouch
Antonio Pecoraro of the Wuerzburg City Council gets
a sample of what the Leighton Commissary has to offer during a tour of the post with the rest of the city
council Oct. 24.
What a deal!
Checking choppers
Winners
Scott Rouch
Poster and essay contest winners at Wuerzburg American Middle School pose with guest speaker Bob Mortimer during Red Ribbon Week activites. The winners
are listed on page 2.
Taking command
Capt. Scott Preusker
Maj. Michael Cohen, right, takes command of the newly activated Wuerzburg Health Clinic Oct. 30. Clinic
noncommissioned officer in charge Staff Sgt. Jeffery
Johnson and Spc. Maria Nunez are also pictured.
Scott Rouch
Eighth-grader Adam Tavares has his teeth checked by
Spc. James Larsen at Wuerzburg Middle School Oct.
16 on Dental Health Day. The Wuerzburg Dental Activity checked all sixth through eighth-graders for dental
problems visible to the naked eye and sent evaluations home for parents.
Holiday greetings
Jim Hughes
Chief Warrant Officer Steven Conway shops with his
son, Elijah, and wife, Natasha, at the USAG Ansbach
Holidays in Bavaria Bazaar Oct. 20 on Katterbach
Kaserne. Hundreds of people got an early start on
their Christmas shopping. Ansbach Spousesʼ and
Civiliansʼ Club officials, who sponsored the event
along with USAG Ansbach Morale, Welfare and Recreation, said more than $127,000, was spent at the event
with $17,000 earmarked for the community via Ansbach Spousesʼ and Civilians Clubʼ grants to non-profit agencies.
Kimberly Gearhart
Lacy Alvira and 3-month-old Faith, right, record a holiday greeting with Rick Baumgardner, Heidelberg public
affairs, Oct. 18 in Schweinfurt. Alvira recorded greetings for her husband who is deployed with 1st Battalion,
77th Armor Regiment, and for her family in Texas. Baumgardner recorded a number of Schweinfurt families,
most of whom sent messages to loved ones in the U.S. and downrange.
6
Health & Fitness
The Point, November 3, 2006
Aaah-choo!
by Johanna L. Edwards
Wuerzburg Health Promotion Coordinator
The leaves are turning colors, the
weather is turning cooler, and cold and
flu season is upon us.
The single best way to prevent getting the flu is to get an annual flu shot.
Every year, according to the Center for
Disease Control, more than 200,000
hospitalizations are attributed to the flu
virus, with an estimated 30,000 deaths
per year.
The flu virus is highly contagious
and easily passes from person to person. Certain groups of individuals are
considered at high risk and encouraged
to get their flu shot early, including
people with chronic medical illnesses,
such as diabetes and asthma, health
care workers, adults over the age of 50,
children from 6 months to 6 years,
women who will be pregnant during
the flu season and those on immune
suppressed medication.
Good hygiene habits are also a must:
Avoid close contact with others who
are sick. Keep your distance from those
Protect yourself and your family
from easily transmitted diseases
with a cold or cough, and do the same
when you have a cold.
Stay home from school or work
when you are sick. It is much better to
take a few days off or keep your kids
home than pass your germs around the
office or classroom.
Cover your mouth and nose when
you cough or sneeze.
Wash your hands, as often as you can
when you have a cold or any virus.
Avoid touching items around you
without first washing your hands. It is
easy to pass germs along to others
through contamination of toys, office
supplies or home products.
Take care of yourself with good
health habits like getting plenty of rest,
staying physically active, drinking
plenty of fluids and practicing good nutrition.
Health care clinics in the area will
post their vaccination schedules as
soon as the serum becomes available.
Call your local health clinic to find out
more about the availability of the flu
vaccine.
Sgt. Melinda
Braithwaite
administers one of
the first flu shots
of the year to
Spc. Michelle
Bailey at
Wuerzburg Health
Clinic. Considered
“at high risk,”
health care personnel such as
Bailey are among
the first to receive
the immunization
each year.
Johanna L. Edwards
Do you see what I see?
Vision screening is an integral part of Soldier readiness
by Johanna L. Edwards
Wuerzburg Health Promotion Coordinator
Vision readiness is an integral component to deployment
readiness. All the best training in the world will not help a Soldier who can’t see the target.
In order to be deployment ready, Soldiers are required to complete a vision screening and classification every year.
A vision screening is different than an eye exam. A vision
screening is a test of eye acuity with the reading of an eye chart.
It is a quick test to detect any vision problems that might need to
be referred to a health care professional for further evaluation.
Soldiers take this eye screening wearing any usual eye correction glasses that they routinely wear everyday. Contact lenses will not be worn during a vision readiness screening unless
they are mission/operationally required. Servicemembers who
are required to wear contact lenses must have his/her visual acuity screened twice, once with contact lenses and once with glasses. All those Soldiers who fail this initial eye screening with a visual acuity of less than 20/40 corrected vision are then referred
for a full eye exam to either an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
It is only with a follow-up appointment that Soldiers will receive
a full exam and any needed eyeglass prescription.
Soldiers will see a reminder notice pop up in through their
AKO account when they are due for their annual eye screening.
Vision readiness is classified in one of 4 categories:
Soldiers whose vision is 20/20 or better on all visual acuity
screenings.
Soldiers whose corrected vision is at least 20/40 in all visual
acuity screenings. They also have all their required mask inserts
and eyeglasses needed for routine use and deployment.
Soldiers whose corrected vision is at least 20/40 for all required visual acuity screenings, but does not have the needed optical devices for deployment.
Soldiers whose vision is worse than 20/40 in the required vi-
Johanna L. Edwards
Staff Sgt. Danny Castro, noncommissioned officer in
charge of the Wuerzburg Optometry Clinic, performs a
vision screening on Sgt. Jason Bemak, 412th Maintenance Company.
sual acuity screenings, and does not have any of the necessary
optical devices for deployment.
Soldiers classified in Class 1 and 2 are considered fully optically ready. Soldiers in class 3 or 4 are considered not optically
ready and deficient in their deployment readiness. All such Soldiers need to follow-up and make an eye exam appointment to
have their eyes fully examined and obtain the needed optical materials to correct their vision readiness to Class 1 or 2.
The responsibility for insuring that Soldiers are screened annually is a unit-level responsibility, with unit-level vision screeners conducting these annual screening tests for their Soldiers. In
April 2005, the Department of the Army directed that all units
appoint unit-level vision screeners to perform the annual required vision screening on their Soldiers.
“We are here to support and train unit-level personnel in the
vision-screening process. Units are welcome to contact us at the
Wuerzburg Clinic, and we will provide the necessary training
and educational materials needed for vision screenings at their
unit. This is an annual requirement, and it is recommended that
units include vision screening as part of their regular SRP
process,” said Maj. Jeffrey Blunden, chief of the Wuerzburg Optometry Clinic.
Blunden also reminds units that all vision screening updates
must also be entered in MEDPROS to ensure the Soldier’s medical readiness. Units needing training for their personnel can contact the Wuerzburg Optometry Clinic at 350-3870 or, for Schweinfurt units, call the Schweinfurt Health Clinic at 354-6501.
Units outside the Wuerzburg or Schweinfurt area should contact
their local health clinic for assistance and information.
Poison control prevention is in your hands
Follow tips for safe use, post
poison control hotline number
by Johanna L. Edwards
Wuerzburg Health Promotion Coordinator
There is nothing that scares a parent more than walking in on
a toddler with an empty pill bottle in their small hands, or not
knowing where to turn or who to call when a chemical splashes your spouse in the eyes.
Many of the usual household substances you use for treating
colds and flu, cleaning your house, or doing craft projects are
poisonous when ingested or used improperly.
Every household substance is labeled with the contents of
the package and instructions on proper dosage for safe use.
These instructions should be followed carefully to avoid turning an everyday material into a potentially hazardous – and
possibly lethal – substance.
Following are safety tips adapted from the American Association of Poison Control Centers and the Center for Disease
Control:
– Always use poisonous products safely.
– Always store household products in their original containers. Do not use food containers such as cups or bottles to store
chemical products such as cleaning solutions or cosmetic products.
– Always read the labels before using a potentially poisonous product.
– Never leave the product unattended while using it and al-
ways return the product to a locked cabinet when you are finished.
– Make sure you have plenty of light when using any hazardous substance so you can clearly read the label and see what
you are doing.
– Do not call medicine candy or any type of sweets.
– Avoid taking medicine in front of children because they
tend to imitate adults.
– Follow directions on the label when taking any medication. Be aware of potential interactions with other medications
or alcohol and never share your prescription drugs with anyone
else.
– Turn on a fan and open the windows when using potentially hazardous chemical products.
– Wear protective clothing, such as gloves, long pants and
long sleeves, when spraying pesticides and other harmful
chemical materials.
– Never mix household and chemical products together as
this may cause poisonous fumes or fires.
– Do not burn fuels or charcoal or use gasoline-powered engines in a confined space such as garages, tents, or poorly ventilated areas.
If a poisoning occurs
Remain calm. If you have a poison emergency and the victim has collapsed, or is not breathing, immediately call 112, the
emergency line in Europe. If you have a poison exposure and
the victim is alert, call either 486-7070 or 00-800-444-88-4444
in Germany for immediate poison control assistance. These
numbers, when called in Germany only, roll over to the Poison
Control number in Washington, D.C., when dialed directly.
Have as much information available as possible to give to
the emergency responders:
Name of the person, their age and approximate weight.
The name of the substance used, or medicine consumed.
The container or bottle of the poisonous product, if available, noting how much of the product remains and any amount
of spillage in the area of the victim.
Follow the instructions from the emergency operator or poison control center and stay with the victim and assist as directed.
Safeguard your home
Post the poison control number in an obvious place for all to
see and recognize in time of an emergency. In Germany, the
poison control number is 486-7070 from a military line or
00800-444-88-4444 from a home or civilian line.
Store all medicines, household products and chemicals out
of reach and locked away from small children.
Know the type of plants in your home, and also place them
out of reach of young children.
Talk to your children about the safe way to use substances
around the home and make them alert to the potential danger
when products are inhaled, swallowed, or splashed onto the
skin.
Take precautions to guard against poisons, and make sure
everyone in the family knows the Poison Control number to
call in an emergency.
Stay safe, stay alert and stay healthy.
8
U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach (Illesheim, Katterbach)
The Point, November 3, 2006
Schools celebrate Red Ribbon Week with flair
ner from each class will have
their essays printed in the school
newspaper.
Students in USAG Ansbach
area schools reaffirmed their
The highlight of the week
anti-drug stance during Red
came on Wednesday with
Ribbon Week Oct. 23-27.
“Planting the promise.”
Red Ribbon Week is a naKindergarteners, assisted by
tionally-recognized anti-drug
the
sixth-grade class, planted
campaign that began in rered
tulips
in the school’s courtsponse to the death of Drug Enyard
as
a
visible
reminder of the
forcement Agent Enrique
school’s
stand
against drugs.
“Kiki” Camarena who died
Oberschlake
said
the tulips will
while fighting the war on drugs
bloom
in
February,
which is alin Mexico.
cohol awareness month, serving
Since Camarena’s death in
as a double reminder for the stu1985, Red Ribbon Week has
dents.
grown into the biggest antiCarl McClelland, principal of
drug campaign in the country,
Ansbach Elementary School,
according the U.S. Drug Ensaid Red Ribbon Week is an exforcement Administration.
tension of the DARE program
Ansbach Elementary School’s
that is taught by the military pomotto this year: “I’ve got better
lice to the sixth-grade class for
things to do than drugs,” inone semester.
cluded events aimed at creating
celebrations each day of the
Red Ribbon Week “is a way
week to blend in with the imfor all grades to get involved in
portant messages.
drug education. It’s already part
“I like wearing mismatched
of the sixth-grade curriculum,
socks to school,” said Brianna
but this extends to the whole
Ferguson, a third-grader referschool,” he said.
ring to Tuesday’s theme, “Sock
Ansbach High School had
it to drugs.”
special events in honor of Red
Fellow third-grader Natalia
Ribbon Week, including an asCorrea said, “I’m looking forsembly featuring anti-drug preward to wearing my shirt backEmily Gourgues sentations by Club Beyond,
wards,” for Thursday’s “TurnChild and Youth Services, the
ing our backs on drugs.”
Ansbach Elementary School third-graders Miranda Texeira, Natalia Correa and Gerard Peacock pose in front band “Static Image” and speaker
Other activities included of one of the posters they designed that were displayed throughout the school during Red Ribbon Week.
Bob Mortimer.
“Hats off to a drug free lifeMortimer, a triple amputee as
Rainbow Elementary School celebrated Red
style,” where students could wear a crazy hat members, mostly third-grade students, had been
busy preparing for the week by making posters, Ribbon Week with special daily activities to in- a result of a drug- and alcohol-related accident,
and also “Wear something red day.”
spire and educate students, said Jenny Ober- passed his anti-drug message to the middle and
The celebration culminated on Friday with a banners and information packets.
school-wide “Walk away from drugs.”
“It was really fun making all the signs we put schlake, school nurse and Red Ribbon Week co- high school students.
The Ambassador Club, a student-run service up in the cafeteria. I hope everybody will like ordinator.
“Alcohol and drugs is a handicap; it cripples
organization led by Julia Winslow, was orga- what we’ve been doing,” said third-grader MiThe week began with an essay contest to dis- you. You cannot use alcohol and other drugs and
nizer of the week’s activities. Winslow said club randa Texeira.
cuss the dangers of drugs and alcohol. The win- be at your best, period.”
by Emily Gourgues
The Point
‘New and improved’ Katterbach gate opens Nov. 11
by Jim Hughes
The Point
Drivers entering Katterbach Kaserne will have more
choices beginning Nov. 11 when a new access control point
(ACP) opens near the old high school gate.
German road construction followed by work on the new
ACP kept the back road to the installation closed for about
six months.
The new gate is being described by area officials as safer,
more secure, more visually appealing, more convenient and
more comfortable for security guards.
“It helps the community by providing another entrance
and exit,” said Patrick Willhoite, Securitas site manager in
Ansbach. “It’s more convenient for people in housing, the
schools, school buses and also gives the installation a more
equal traffic flow so everyone’s not bunched up at one gate.”
The guards will be more comfortable, too. The guardhouse and lanes are now heated, which will make the coming winter months more bearable. Bathroom facilities are
also now on site.
“I’m sure we will have plenty of volunteers who’ll want
to work here, but we’ll rotate everyone through,” Willhoite
said. “Our people will need a little additional training for the
technical side of the barriers and overall operations of the
ACP.”
The project took 2 1⁄2 years from design to completion at
a cost of about $1.5 million, said Falk Staeublin, chief en-
Jim Hughes
Securitas, garrison, contractor and U.S. Army Europe Region
Transformation Group officials watch as Falk Staeublin, chief
engineer for the ETG, tests the clearance of his car against the
“tire killer” system during an Oct. 24 on-site inspection of the
new access control point on Katterbach Kaserne. The new
ACP is scheduled to open Nov. 11.
gineer for the U.S. Army Europe Region Transformation
Group (formerly known as USAG Franconia, also called the
ETG).
“The project went very well,” he said. “It was a complicated project with a lot of agencies – on both the German
and American sides – involved. That is why it took so long.”
Staeublin said a good plan, lessons learned from building
other ACPs in the region, good work from a good contractor and stellar coordination from all sides made the project
work.
The payoff will be fully realized when the gate opens,
said Curtiss Johnson, USAG Ansbach force protection officer.
“The new ACP will allow more efficient ingress and
egress while providing enhanced security to the installation,” Johnson said. “It is also more aesthetically pleasing
compared to the old one. I’m comfortable with the new
ACP. It will provide the proper protection for the community and the contract security guards, and it meets or exceeds all Department of Defense standards.”
Johnson said the ACP will be turned over to Securitas
Nov. 7 and open for use Nov. 11. That date could still slide
to a later date, he added, if any technical problems arise. No
issues are expected following an on-site inspection by all
agencies Oct. 24.
Once opened, the ACP will be open for entry and exit at
Katterbach from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.
Self help shop helps people help themselves
by Emily Gourgues
The Point
When it comes to home improvements like sprucing up the
yard, steam cleaning the carpet or touching up the paint on the
walls, the self help shop has what you need.
But for bigger projects like constructing a gazebo, spackling
walls or retiling floors, call on the extended self help shop for assistance.
The extended self help shop is a free service provided by the
Army that offers the necessary tools, supplies, assistance and instruction to accomplish projects that benefit the community and
military units.
Harry Heiselbetz, Illesheim’s repair and utility coordinator,
said extended self help differs from the regular self help shop in
that projects are usually of a grander scope, and only military
units and community organizations can use the service.
“We’ve done all sorts of projects for units, like building bulletin boards, map boards and partition walls in offices. We’ve
also built things for the community like picnic tables and a deck
for Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers,” he said.
Because the shop’s services don’t extend to personal projects,
Heiselbetz suggests that people go to the directorate of public
works for assistance with projects around the house.
To get extended self help to take on a project, Heiselbetz said
a plan must be submitted for approval. Once approved, the
amount and type of materials needed for the project is estimated
and sent to the Katterbach warehouse.
Customers are responsible for picking up the free materials
Project Tips:
1. Write your plan in the form of a memorandum
2. A viable plan you are willing to follow
through with is needed for approval.
3. Be open to suggestions and learning new
things.
from the warehouse. From there, repair and utility coordinators
assist in completing their project.
Jeffery Skeete, the Katterbach repair and utility coordinator,
emphasized, “I assist. I do not do the project for you.”
Customers, like Capt. Kevin Woolf from Illesheim’s 2nd Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, said it is a great way to learn
the ins and outs of do-it-yourself repairs and woodworking.
“We used the extended self help office while 2-159 Attack was
in the field and completely renovated the basement of our headquarters, repaired walls in the hangar and built a work bench for
a new repair office,” he said.
Though he expected it to be a daunting task, Woolf said that,
“using the extended self help office is easy and Harry was a huge
help.”
For more information about what is available or to get started
on a project of your own, call Heiselbetz in Illesheim Monday
through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 467-4637 or 0984183-4637. In Katterbach, call Jeffery Skeete at the same times at
467-2149 or 09802-832-149.
Garrison Roundup
The Point, November 3, 2006
11
USAG Ansbach
YRR relocates
The Katterbach Yellow Ribbon Room has
moved to building 5845 on Bismarck Kaserne.
Hours are Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. and 2-6 p.m.
For more information call 467-2775 or 09802-832775.
Shuttle stops running
The Wuerzburg clinic shuttle run will be discontinued Nov. 15. Call John Davis at 468-7957 or
0981-183-957.
Who bought your car?
A permit of transfer is required if you sell your
vehicle to a German junkyard or sell other used
personal property to non-ID card holders. Stop by
the U.S. Forces Customs-Europe, Ansbach Field
Office on Barton Barracks, building 5251, room
13, open Mon–Fri, 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., or call 4687842 or 0981-183-842.
See Europe
Outdoor Recreation offers a one-day trip to
Dresden Nov. 5, a three-day trip to Budapest Nov.
11-13, and a three-day ski trip to Taxenbach, Austria, Nov. 10-12. Cost of the ski trip is $219 per person including rentals, hotel room, two-day ski pass
and two meals a day. Those who sign up after Oct.
31 pay an additional $15. For more info or to sign
up, call 467-3225 or 09802-83-3225.
Stay informed
The USAG Ansbach Public Affairs Office produces a weekly “On the Scene” e-mail newsletter
designed to keep people informed. To receive the
newsletter, send your e-mail address to Jim
Hughes at [email protected].
mil or Rabia Nombamba at rabia.nombamba@
cmtymail.98asg.army.mil. PAO also produces a
monthly Cultural Calendar that offers details on
upcoming concerts, flea markets, travel highlights
and other things to do in the local area. To subscribe, send an e-mail to [email protected].
Club Beyond
Club Beyond holds weekly meetings for sixthto eighth-graders Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
in Katterbach, and Tuesdays from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in
Illesheim. Weekly meetings for ninth- to 12thgraders are Wednesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the
middle/high school cafeteria. For more Club Beyond information, call 467-2685 or 09802-832685.
German-American Club
The German-American Club Ansbach offers
an opportunity to make German friends and learn
more about host-nation culture. Activities range
from tours of local sights to arts and crafts projects
and German cooking classes. Monthly meetings
are at Gasthaus Kern in Lehrberg the second
Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call Brigitte Meske at 0981-65184, or email: [email protected].
Craft your presents
Cobbled Corner Crafts on Barton Barracks offers opportunities to craft your own Christmas
presents. Classes through November include
sewing, pottery, framing and matting, wood shop
safety and a Christmas quilting class. For more information, call 468-7627 or 0981-183-627.
One-day excursions
Outdoor Recreation offers several one-day
shopping trips. The first is to a crystal factory
Nov.4. The bus leaves ODR on Katterbach
Kaserne at 8 a.m. and returns at 5 p.m. Cost for
Kathryn DeBoer
It’s your career
Clare Sowinski talks with Soldiers about transitioning into the civilian world. Soldiers
one year from possible separation or two years from possible retirement should contact their Army Career and Alumni Program representative for a pre-separation counseling appointment. Upcoming ACAP briefings in Ansbach include a job search workshop Dec. 12-13, a resume writing lab Dec. 18, and a separation brief Dec. 19. VA benefit briefings will resume in January or February. Soldiers who may be stop-lossed
prior to their scheduled ETS should attend all ACAP appointments prior to deployment. For more information, call Sowinski at 467-3312 or 09802-833-312.
adults is $38, children age 4-11 are $23 and children under the age of 4 are $5. The next trip is to
a nutcracker and stuffed animal factory Nov. 15.
Bus departs ODR at 9 a.m. and returns at 2 p.m.
Cost is $20 per person. Sign up by Nov. 10. For
more information, call 467-3225 or 09802-833225.
Sing like a star
If you love to sing or just have fun watching
others, don’t miss the Karaoke Bash at the Underground Club on Bismarck Kaserne. Karaoke is
held every Thursday at 7 p.m. For more information on events at the Underground, call 467-2935
or 09802-832-935.
USAG Bamberg
Counselor services
BSCC holds auction
Military Family Life Consultants are available
for drop-in appointments at Bamberg Elementary School every Thursday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Discuss parenting concerns or daily life issues
such as homework struggles, hassle-free bed and
mealtime routines, strategies to reduce discipline
problems and learn to help your children gain the
skills to make friends and work through conflicts. Consultants are licensed mental health professionals and offer confidential assistance.
Counselors rotate out of the community on a
monthly basis. No records are kept. To schedule
an appointment, call 0175-600-8373 or 0151-16989433.
Don’t miss the annual Bamberg Spouses’ and
Civilians’ Club charity basket auction at the
Warner Club Nov. 17. This year’s theme is “A
Night in Las Vegas” and doors open at 6 p.m. Cost
is $12 per person and includes a Vegas-style buffet and bidding paddle. Guests can enjoy dinner,
preview the live and silent auction items or shop
at displaying vendors and crafters. Buy a ticket at
the thrift shop or make reservations by sending an
e-mail to [email protected] or call
0951-209-9210. RSVP by Nov. 14. Attire: cocktail
dresses or khakis. All Elvis and showgirl impersonators welcome.
Warner Club brunch
The Warner Club offers an all-you-can-eat
brunch buffet the first and third Sunday of each
month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is $7.50 per adult,
$4.50 for children under 12, or $22 for families
(two adults, two children). Reservations are recommended. Call 469-7596 or 0951-300-7596.
Nicole Karsch-Meibom
A salute to all Vets
Girl Scouts march in the annual Veteranʼs Day parade on Warner Barracks in
Bamberg. This yearʼs parade, organized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post
10592, is Nov. 11 at 10 a.m., starting at the VFW building near the recycling center. Marchers will go down JFK Boulevard to Memorial Park where Lt. Col. Mark
Gatto, USAG Bamberg commander, will address those in attendance. For more
information call Tim Gallton, 469-9058 or 0951-300-9058.
Annie takes stage
See performances of Annie at Bamberg’s Stable Theater Nov. 9–12 and 16–19. Performances
begin at 7:30 p.m. except Sundays which has a 5:30
p.m. curtain. Tickets are $9 for adults, $7 for students and Soldiers E-4 and below. Buy a family
ticket for $25. Group rates are also available. For
more information or to make a reservation, call
469-8647 or 0951-300-8647.
USAG Schweinfurt/Leighton
Winterize, stay safe
USAG Schweinfurt/Leighton offers free winterization vehicle inspections at building 53,
Leighton Barracks, Nov. 9 from 8 a.m. to noon and
12:30 to 3 p.m. A special team of auto mechanics
will inspect your vehicle before winter sets in.
Kids’ night at DFAC
The Vanguard dining facility, building 167,
Conn Barracks, hosts kids’ night the second and
fourth Thursday of every month. Enjoy a kidfriendly dinner from 4 to 6 p.m., then settle in for
an after-meal movie from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information, contact Sgt. 1st Class Williams, dining
facility manager, at 353-8261 or 0160-924-15184.
Parent’s night out
Child and Youth Services Outreach Services is
giving parents a night off Nov. 17 from 6:30-11
p.m. in Wuerzburg and Schweinfurt. Give yourself
a break, see a movie, or go on a date with your
spouse. Child care is free for children 6 weeks old
through fifth grade. Space is limited, register in advance. If you plan on drinking, have a designated
driver. Register in person at Central Registration
(Schweinfurt) or the Child Development Center
(Wuerzburg) no later than the close of business
Nov. 15. Phone requests for reservations will not
be accepted. For more information, call 354-6517
or 09721-96-6517 in Schweinfurt, or 350-7762 or
0931-889-7762 in Wuerzburg.
and learn about the local community and culture.
Children are welcome! RSVP with ACSC at 3546751 or 09721-96-6751 by Nov. 17.
tion call 354-6751 or 09721-966751 in Schweinfurt,
and 350-7103 or 0931-889-7103 in Wuerzburg.
Get kids moving
Wuerzburg Health Clinic will be at Wuerzburg
American High School Nov. 13-14 to immunize
students in need of shots. Janean Linder, school
nurse, checked all student health files for specific
needs with letters and permission forms being
sent home to parents. Those who do not get their
immunizations at school will have to arrange for
them on their own by Nov. 30.
KIDS In Motion is an after-school exercise
program for kids with a BMI of over 85 percent
and an opportunity for them to have fun while
learning healthy habits. Held at the Leighton
track or gym every Mon, Wed, Fri, with elementary school sessions at 2:45 p.m. and middle school
at 3:15 p.m. Parents and children must attend an
informational meeting before beginning the program. Call 0931-804-3801 for more information.
Sign up for sports
USAG Schweinfurt/Leighton youth basketball
and cheerleading registration ends Nov. 15. Sign
up in The Commons, building 224, Ledward Barracks, at Child and Youth Services Central Registration, or at the Child Development Center in
Wuerzburg. Call 354-6822 or 09721-96-6822.
SNAPS NOW
USAG Schweinfurt ACS offers the Schweinfurt Newcomer Awareness Program for Spouses
(SNAPS) and the Newcomer Orientation and
Welcome (NOW) for Wuerzburg monthly to help
newly arriving families become comfortable in
their community. November’s program is Nov. 1317. Child care is provided for children registered
with Child and Youth Services. For more informa-
Student immunizations
Book fair
Wuerzburg Elementary School hosts a scholastic book fair Nov. 14-15 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and
Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The fair will be in
the PTA room across from the large gym.
WCSC events
The Wuerzburg Community Spouses’ Club’s
Fall Celebration is at the Kirschbaum in Rottendorf Nov. 14. For reservations e-mail: [email protected] by Nov. 8. The WCSC dining
out series presents dinner at the Würzburger
Ratskeller Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. For reservations email: [email protected]. For more
information on WCSC events call 350-7103 or
0931-889-7103 or 354-6933 or 09721-96-6933.
CAC carves dinner
Thanksgiving dinner will be served at the
DoDEA surveys
The Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) will administer its bi-annual Customer Satisfaction Survey at Schweinfurt Middle
School Nov. 8. The survey provides feedback
about the quality of education being provided and
identifies areas needing improvement. Surveys
will be given to teachers, parents and students in
grades 6-8. Officials estimate surveys take 20 minutes to complete. For more information call
09721-804301, e-mail [email protected]
or go to www.dodea.edu/css/.
Marriage retreat
The Chaplain Family Life Center hosts a free
marriage retreat weekend Dec. 1-3 at Edelweiss
Lodge and Resort in Garmisch. Free onsite child
care will be provided. To register or for more information, call 453-6135 or 09721-96-6135. Priority is given to couples in reintegrating units.
Leighton has room
Effective Dec. 1, the Leighton Yellow Ribbon
Room will serve as a 24-hour checkout facility for
family readiness groups and community organization needs. To reserve meeting space, call or stop
by the Leighton Army Community Service
(building 14) during business hours. For more information, call 0931-889-7103.
School celebrates Native American
Heritage Month
Wuerzburg American Middle School celebrates Native American Heritage Month with
events that culminate in an assembly in the multipurpose room Nov. 21 at 1:50 p.m. Parents are invited to attend. Presentations on the folklore, traditions, dance, and food of various Indian nations
are planned. Special guests – the Native American
Dancers – will perform a Fancy Shawl dance. A
school-wide essay contest is being held in conjunction with the annual celebration. This year’s
theme – “A Warrior’s Tradition: Contributing to
Our Nation’s Freedom.” For more information
call 351-4631 or 0931-296-4631.
ADHD information and management
Join ‘Lunch Bunch’
USAG Schweinfurt/Leighton Army Community Service Center invites everyone to lunch on
the economy Nov. 21. Meet old friends and make
new ones while dining in a local restaurant with
the support of German-speaking ACSC employee Monika Goodman. Get out of the house
Wuerzburg Community Activity Center on
Leighton Barracks Nov. 23 from 11:30 a.m. to 2
p.m. Reservations will be taken until Nov. 16. Cost
is €12 a person and €5 for E-5 and below. Call
350-6305 or 0931-889-6305 for more information
or to make your reservation.
Join the Lunch Bunch on their next outing.
Courtesy photo
A class designed for parents of children with
ADHD, presented by Brian Olden, LCSW, Behavioral Health Clinic, Nov. 15, 10 a.m. to noon at
the Abrams Entertainment Center across from
Ledward Barracks in Schweinfurt. Call the ACS
office in Schweinfurt or Leighton Barracks. for
more information or to register. Schweinfurt: 3546751 or 09721-96-6751; Leighton: 350-7103 or
0931-889-7103.
12
U.S. Army Garrison Bamberg
The Point, November 3, 2006
Bamberg support, maintenance Soldiers return
by Cheryl Boujnida
The Point
More than 250 Soldiers with 3rd Corps Support Command (COSCOM) are back in Bamberg after a one-year
deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom IV.
Families and friends greeted approximately 65 Soldiers with 71st Corps Support Battalion (CSB) at a welcome home ceremony in the Freedom Fitness Facility
Oct. 7, and 220 Soldiers with 317th Maintenance Company were hailed at homecoming ceremonies Oct. 18
and 19.
Soldiers with 71st CSB deployed in October 2005 and
set up operations at Forward Operating Base Endurance
in northern Iraq.
Col. Martin Pitts, 7th Corps Support Group commander, addressed Soldiers and family members highlighting the battalion’s accomplishments.
“Tremendous statistics have redefined the history and
legacy of the 71st CSB,” he said.
Pitts noted the battalion planned the execution of
more than 1,800 combat logistics patrols with transportation companies and accumulated over 6 million driven miles.
“This ensured the delivery of over 11,000 pieces of
equipment, over 11,000 flatbed loads of classes I, II, IV
and IX and over 38 million gallons of petroleum products,” he said. “Thirty-three percent of the battalion’s
transportation assets were used in direct support of the
historic Iraqi elections ensuring millions of Iraqi citizens
the opportunity to safely cast their votes.”
In 2007, the 71st CSB will convert to a Brigade Support Battalion and 240th Quartermaster and 317th Maintenance Company units will be reassigned within Germany. The 71st CSB will gain command and control of
additional units under the new structure.
At 317th Maintenance Company’s ceremonies, Pitts
emphasized the significance of the unit’s role in Iraq.
“You are truly the model of what Army transformation is all about – returning home to Germany with all
your Soldiers is a remarkable achievement and speaks
volumes to the caliber of young first-line leaders facing
combat conditions for the first time in the Army
careers,” he said. “You were the backbone and standard
bearer for the 71st CSB while deployed and I’m proud to
stand before you as the model company for the future.”
Pitts said the company of “warriors” accomplished
many great tasks while serving in Iraq.
Cheryl Boujnida
Family members greet Soldiers with 317th Maintenance Company at the Freedom Fitness Facility Oct. 18.
“Everything from installing up-armoring packages
that directly resulted in the saving of Soldier’ lives to fixing the power generation pumps that supplied the QWest base complex with water,” Pitts said. “Outside the
wire, these Soldiers recovered vehicles and aircraft and
always met their 30 minute response limit routinely beating the quick reaction force to the scene.”
First Lt.
David Kelley,
71st Corps
Support Battalion, hugs
his wife and
daughter at
a welcome
home ceremony Oct. 7.
Sgt. Antonio Epps returns to his wife and daughters
after a second deployment with the company. He plans
to visit family in Florida during his block leave. Epps
said reintegration practices are a vital part of coming
home.
“It’s important because the process helps Soldiers
readapt to changes in their environment regardless of
how prepared we think we are,” he said. “Family is the
heart of the military and reintegration is important when
you look at the big picture.”
Maj. Madelyn Gainey
Engineers conduct final missions before redeploying
by Spc. Walton McJordan
V Corps PAO
Spc. Walton McJordan
Sgt. Roy Nichols checks his headset in
the cockpit of a Husky before a mission.
Soldiers from the 54th Engineer Battalion
conducted one of their final missions in Iraq
before redeploying to Bamberg while showing
their replacements the area during a route-clearing mission Oct. 11.
The 321st Combat Engineers took over the
mission requirements the battalion executed
during the past year in support of MultinationalForce-West.
During the deployment, 54th Eng. Bn. conducted 1,290 route clearance missions, encountering enemy contact through small arms fire,
IED attacks and RPG attacks on more than 150
missions.
The unit cleared approximately 60,000 kilometers of road, and removed over 1,000 explosive devices. This allowed coalition and Iraqi
forces to move freely in the area while forcing
terrorists to change their tactics.
Second Lt. Tyson Behnke led those types of
missions on a regular basis while riding in his
Buffalo, the largest of all the specialized vehi-
cles employed by the battalion. Behnke said he
felt safe riding in the Buffalo despite a few close
calls.
“When we find explosive devices and destroy
them, we know those devices could have injured
Soldiers on a mission,” he said. “We feel good
knowing that we have removed the threat once it
is discovered.”
Spc. Jared Revard with 321st Combat Engineers is a team combat medic and rides in the primary casualty evacuation vehicle. “We are out
here doing our job – as long as we are finding
explosive devices, our job is being done successfully,” he said.
Revard said that during the mission, he felt
very safe in the Cougar, but it was mainly the
anticipation of staring out of the window waiting
for something to happen that was difficult for
him.
Sgt. 1st Class Robert Estep, assistant patrol
leader with 54th Eng. Bn., said on an average
mission the team found several explosive
devices and destroyed them. “Finding as many
as seven or eight on one mission is not uncom-
mon, which makes for a really long night,” he
said.
“The most difficult part for me is the time it
takes – you can’t speed it up”, Estep said referring to the tedious process that follows after an
explosive device is located.
Estep said he has confidence in finding explosive devices in his Cougar, but the vehicle
received minor damage during a recent mission.
“The vehicle is a well built piece of equipment that can take direct hits and keep on
going,” he said.
As Soldiers with 54th Engineer Battalion look
back at their time in Iraq they know their job prevented the injuries of countless coalition Soldiers.
“We know the 321st Combat Engineers will
continue to keep the routes safe for all servicemembers while fighting against terrorism,”
Estep said.
About 500 Soldiers returned to Warner Barracks greeted by family and friends at welcome
home ceremonies in the Freedom Fitness Facility Oct. 7, 24, 26-27.
Clinic increases staff, adjusts appointment schedule
by Cheryl Boujnida
The Point
Bamberg’s Health Clinic has increased its medical staffing
structure with the addition of two medical providers and a dermatologist.
Dr. Barbara Yu-Strobel, a general practitioner, Dr. Aris Calhoun, family-medicine, and Dr. (Capt.) Jonathan Hindman, dermatologist, recently came to the clinic.
“These new hires give our community a total of six providers
now,” said 2nd Lt. Amanda Benko, Bamberg Health Clinic
executive officer.
She noted in addition to the staffing increase, changes in
scheduling will add about 40 new appointments each week.
“In the past, our providers were on a 30-minute appointment
template, and now they are on 20-minute templates, except for
wellness appointments,” Benko said.
With this adjustment, the number of acute visits a provider
can see in one day increases, however for wellness and preventive medicine visits the numbers remain the same.
Patients can also expect to see improvements in advanced
booking times too.
“Prior to, patients could only book appointments in the afternoons up to two weeks in advance, and morning appointments
were same-day bookings, giving preference to active-duty sick
call,” Benko said. “Now we are allotting one provider for
advanced bookings in the mornings with same day booking in
the afternoon, and all routine appointments can now be booked
up to 30 days in advance.”
Maj. James Stein, Bamberg Health Clinic commander, said
Yu-Strobel
Calhoun
Hindman
the changes impact positively for several reasons.
“It provides more appointments overall, thus increasing
access. The additional providers enhance our capability to offer
our female population a visit to a female provider,” he said. “By
allowing up to 30 days to book routine and wellness, it allows
our patients greater flexibility in accessing care at our facility on
the day and time that is most convenient for them.”
Stein said community members requested advance bookings
for well-women appointments in order to arrange child care during the visit.
“This allows for that and we have teamed up with Child and
Youth Services to make it easier too. We schedule well-women
appointments on Tuesdays, which is the day hourly care has
extended hours,” he said.
With the transition of the Wuerzburg Hospital to a clinic, the
dermatology slot was moved to Bamberg to provide support for
the footprint from a more central location.
“He will see patients in Bamberg and travel to the communities of Katterbach and Illesheim, Schweinfurt, Hohenfels and
Grafenwoehr and Vilseck to see patients on a regular schedule,”
Stein said.
14
U.S. Army Garrison Schweinfurt
The Point, November 3, 2006
Vanguards ready, push into Iraq
by Pfc. Jake Wisneiwski
2d BCT Public Affairs
Addressing Task Force 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment Vanguards prior to their departure from Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Col. J.B.
Burton, 2nd Brigade Combat Team commander,
got right to the point.
“When I look at these Soldiers, I see a formation of disciplined, prideful, and well-trained
Soldiers,” Burton said Oct. 13 as the unit prepared to move into Iraq.
Burton drove three main points home to his
audience. First, always to ensure everyone –
down to the lowest-ranking Soldier – understands the mission, whether they leave the forward operating base or not, he said.
“We take pride and teamwork wherever we
go,” Burton said.
Second, Vanguards must ensure pre-combat
checks and inspections are completed for personnel and equipment prior to moving out on
any mission.
Burton’s third point was to make sure Soldiers
don’t fall into a routine. Routines can become
deadly, he said.
“The speech was good about telling Soldiers
where and how to keep their mindset and to keep
everyone safe,” said Sgt. Kyle Watkins, Company A, 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment, attached to Task Force 1-18.
“(Burton) didn’t beat around the bush and
went straight to the point,” said Staff Sgt. Clifford Gabriel, Co. A, 1st Bn, 18th Inf. Reg.,
adding that his unit is more prepared than in his
two previous deployments, and better trained.
For Watkins, Burton’s speech reiterated exactly what he is there to do.
“My job is to keep my guys sharp and prepared with everything they do,” Watkins said.
Burton’s final words of encouragement
echoed these sentiments and reminded the Soldiers that they are not alone.
“When you get to (your final destination),
take with you the hopes and pride of our small
community in Europe,” Burton said.
Sgt. Lance Wail
Col. J.B. Burton addresses Task Force 1-18 prior to their movement into Iraq.
Blue Spader off to Military Idol finals
by Kimberly Gearhart
The Point
Pfc. Randy Holmes always loved to sing, but
never really considered entering the Military
Idol. He certainly never expected to win.
“I heard about it from a friend who had entered and decided to give it a try,” said Holmes,
adding he hadn’t competed since third grade.
As a cook with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, Holmes was scheduled to deploy with
Task Force 1-26, but was allowed to stay back to
be present for the birth of his third child. The delay coincided with the timeframe for the Military
Idol competition.
“My wife (Lucinda) didn’t know about the
Military Idol until after I’d entered. I didn’t find
out until just a couple of days before the tryouts,” Holmes said.
Without any coaching and not much time to
prepare, Holmes figured it would be a fun way
to pass the time while waiting for Lucinda to
give birth.
Kimberly Gearhart
Pfc. Randy Holmes performs during
Schweinfurtʼs Military Idol competition.
“I was supposed to leave the week after the
Schweinfurt competition ended,” he said. “My
baby was born the night of the last show. I never
figured I’d actually win.”
With the win, Holmes was selected for the MI
finals in Fort Belvoir, Va. Holmes left Oct. 27 to
take part in the finals held Oct. 28 to Nov. 6.
Twelve finalists will compete in Virginia for
Military Idol 2006, four coming from Europe.
“My company commander and first sergeant
have been really understanding and supportive.
Command Sgt. Maj. (Keith) McMullen, too.
They’re all behind me,” Holmes said. McMullen, USAG Schweinfurt’s senior enlisted advisor, was a judge during the local competition.
As an added surprise, members of Holmes’
family from Texas planned to vacation in Virginia to visit an aunt who lives near Fort Belvoir.
“It worked out so well. They may even be
there to cheer me on,” Holmes said.
Area supporters can also cheer Holmes on as
the Military Idol finals will be broadcast via
Army Knowledge Online.
‘Shuffle out the door …’
Sgt. 1st Class Johnny Holley, left,
of Troop A, 1st Squadron, 91st
U.S. Cavalry, and Capt. Peter
Gilbert, 1-91 Cavʼs Forward Support Troop commander, wait for
the green light on a recent
airborne jump at Grafenwoehr. In
their first drop at the training
areaʼs bunker drop zone, 1-91
Cav dropped 138 troops out of
the sky as part of their
transformation into Sky Soldiers
of the 173rd Airborne Brigade.
See story on page 18.
1st Sgt. Kevin Briody
Community
from page 1
Noting how simple economics have
dictated that some concessionaires close
or reduce hours, Haager encourages customers to continue supporting the programs they have always used on Leighton
Barracks.
“You vote with your feet or your money.
The way to keep things open is to use
them,” he said.
One organization greatly affected by the
transition is the Morale, Welfare and
Recreation Division.
“The population is reduced but we are
trying to maintain everything we had on a
smaller scale,” said Charlemagne Tertulien, USAG Schweinfurt MWR director
who spent several years working in
Wuerzburg.
“As a government organization, even
when we are losing money, if we have a
market base – Soldiers and family members – we are going to continue to provide
services. It’s not just the bottom line,” Tertulien said.
“You want me to provide a service to
you. I provide that service, but you need to
support that service,” Tertulien said, echoing Haager’s advice.
“We’re going to provide services and
look forward to finding out what (people)
need, but we need their support,” he said.
The direction USAG Schweinfurt and
the ETG take are in the hands of the people who work and live here, according to
Haager.
“We can either shape the future the way
we want it shaped, or we can allow someone else to shape our destiny. I would prefer that (those of us) in the Schweinfurt
garrison, the community we represent,
shape the destiny ourselves instead of allowing somebody else to do it,” he said.
“We need that to-and-from communication, so that we understand where they’re
coming from and they understand what we
can provide them and what our limitations
are,” he said.
Schweinfurt ACSC moves to bigger offices
by Kimberly Gearhart
The Point
Schweinfurt’s Army Community Service Center was always
tight for space, and with expanded responsibilities coming with
the addition of Wuerzburg services, it was time for a change.
“As the Army transforms, ACSC is being resourced with more
services and more people. The timing was right for the command, who have always been supportive, to say ‘make this happen’,” said Hal Snyder, USAG Schweinfurt ACSC director.
ACSC didn’t move far. It swapped offices with the education
center next to it in building 242 on Ledward Barracks.
“The redesign allows the center to be front-door customer service friendly,” Snyder said. A large reception area with restroom
facilities and ample seating is immediately noticeable.
“It is a much more comfortable waiting area, and we have
more room to display program information,” Snyder said. “We
plan to have DSN lines for Soldiers to use, and we will move the
Coupon Connection here, too.”
Out front are some of the most-used programs ACSC has to
offer. The information referral desk, Army Emergency Relief,
Financial Readiness, Employment Readiness, and Exceptional
Kimberly Gearhart
Marcia Palmer assists Capt. James Harville at the reception desk in Schweinfurtʼs redesigned Army Community Service Center.
Family Member Program offices are in an open office space just
inside the main entrance.
“The loan closet, which was the main push for the move, is
much more accessible and has a much greater inventory now,”
Snyder said.
ACSC now offers a greater variety of lending items, including
microwaves and vacuum cleaners.
ACSC will continue its partnership with the chapel in providing child care for participants in ACSC classes. Thanks to the
move, ACSC classrooms are now located within the center.
Snyder’s office is upstairs, as is the Family Advocacy Program (FAP) that needs a bit more privacy as well as more space.
“Before, the space was unusable and cramped. Now we can
display our information and help people,” said Suzanne Mikkelson, FAP educator.
“People can visit and breathe and browse materials and not
feel like they’re taking up someone else’s space,” Snyder added.
The move and redesign are a work in progress, but ACSC is
still open.
“We could have gotten this done much faster if we’d closed
our doors, but that’s not what we wanted. We’re here for the community,” said Snyder.
ACSC can be reached at 354-6751 or 09721-96-6751.
16
The Point, November 3, 2006
e
v
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g
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A
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e
n
O
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K
s
e
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c
cat
by Roger Teel
The Point
Courtesy KOJAK
Briefs
Audience survey
AFN Europe is surveying its radio audience
to see how they like AFN, The Eagle. The network is taking comments on its website –
www.afneurope.net – until Nov. 19.
Winter tires
Tires “suitable to the weather” are now
required by German law. Driving with summer
tires on icy or snowy roads is an offense, and can
lead to a fine of €20-40. Insurance companies
may deny coverage to motorists who drive with
summer tires on winter roads. In a winter accident, police can assign blame to a motorist without snow tires, regardless of fault.
Tires labeled “M+S” or with a “snowflake”
are legal if their tread pattern is at least 1.6 millimeters. It is best, however, if winter tires with
a tread pattern of less than 4 millimeters be
replaced. Tires can be safety inspected at
AAFES garages, tire shops or road service
providers such as ADAC. Experienced motorists
put winter tires on at first snow and leave them
on until early spring.
‘Unhook’ cell phone
AAFES reminds customers with cell phone
contracts that T-Mobile requires a three-month
written cancellation notice. Two-year contracts
have termination provisions that customers are
informed of at the time of purchase.
If a two-year contract is not cancelled and is
extended, T-Mobile still requires the same threemonth written notice to terminate. Customers
who receive PCS orders during their contract
may be released with shorter notifications.
Retiree fair
A Retiree Appreciation Day health and dental
fair is Nov. 9 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Wuerzburg
Health Clinic. Dental exams will only be performed from 8 to 11 a.m. Evaluations, medical
screenings, and other diagnostic screenings such
as cholesterol, vision and hearing tests will be
conducted. If blood needs to be drawn, such as
for the cholesterol check, do not eat or drink
after 10 p.m. the night before. Refreshments will
be available. Services are offered free to all
retiree ID card holders.
Rock ‘n roll aficionados know a good sound when
they hear one, and for alternative rock fans in and
around Lower Franconia, the name KOJAK now gets
them jumping.
The band formed in early 2005 and features three
Army and Air Force Exchange Service employees and
a German drummer.
Fronting the band is the volatile Jamie Vox, brother
of “human jukebox” Donnie Vox, from Los Angeles
who works days at AAFES central vending on Conn
Barracks. On bass is steady Sid Harris, safety and
security manager for AAFES facilities in Wuerzburg,
Schweinfurt and Bamberg for the past six years. Guitarist Bernard Engel hails from Eritrea, Ethiopia, and
has worked at Schweinfurt’s Ledward Shoppette the
past 15 years. Tapping skins for KOJAK is Schweinfurt native Daniel Gruenewald.
Things are looking bright for the band. They recently won a Global Battle of the Bands (GBOB) regional
title in Cologne, where they will return Nov. 4 to battle again in the German national finals. The winners
advance to the GBOB international finals in London
Dec. 2, where the winners pocket $100,000 and a lot
of lucrative press.
“Three of us are Army brats,” confides bassist Sid.
“When we met and first started playing we just wanted to enjoy what we were doing, to explore our own
diversity. We come from so many different parts of the
world we wanted that to bring a musical influence to
the group.”
The band is cooking on other fronts, too.
MTV recently signed KOJAK to a licensing deal to
have their original songs “Jumpback,” “Cry,” “Holding On,” and “Waiting for your Heart to Bleed” used
in their reality/dating shows “NEXT” and “Date my
Mom.” The four tunes are from the group’s first album,
“Simply Complicated.”
There’s also a second album in the works, one that
promises greater depth.
KOJAK’s music recently captured the attention of
producer Wade Norton from NRG Studios (producers
of bands such as Linkin Park, Incubus, Hoobastank,
KORN, and others). Norton was in Germany in October to help the band record and produce their second
album.
Norton has worked with many successful artists
including Hootie and the Blowfish, White Zombie,
Static-X and others. He is on the inside with producers
like Rick Rubin (Red Hot Chili Peppers, System of a
Down) and artists like Beck who rely him on for his
technical expertise.
“We’ve been inspired by our people,” Harris said.
“The German response to our music has been larger
than we ever expected.”
Sing-along anthems like “Jumpback” deliver
KOJAK’s signature formula of angry guitars, silly
melodies, and lots of punk rebellion. But it’s their outrageous on-stage energy that has earned them the following and status they now enjoy.
“They have a very distinctive sound,” said fan Bob
Gordon after a recent show. “They certainly get your
attention and hold it.”
“It’s their energy,” said Jim Wagner, owner of
Wuerzburg pub “Jimmy’z” where the band regularly
performs. “People are just hypnotized when they see
them perform live. You can’t take your eyes off them.”
The band is on the road nearly every weekend, rocking in clubs throughout Germany.
“We didn’t start out as a business venture,” Harris
said. “But it looks like were headed that direction.”
For more information and play dates, check
KOJAK’s website at: www.kojakonline.com
Pumpkin magic
Youth discover a great pumpkin patch
by Roger Teel
and the little flowers and all the
different kinds of pumpkins,” he
said.
Give it up, Linus. The Great
SURE Start assistant Jackie
Pumpkin has already been picked
Simpson explained that kids learn
this Halloween.
pumpkins are vegetables and used
Fifth-graders from Wuerzburg
in pies and other dishes.
Elementary School joined forces
“They learn that they don’t just
with area SURE Start kids to carry
come from the commissary,” Simpout a four-day raid on a 21⁄2 hecson added.
tacre pumpkin patch in the German
village of Duellstadt, about a 20“All the kids talk about is the size
minute drive east of Wuerzburg.
of their pumpkins,” said Tom
The patch has been home to great
Williams, USAG Schweinfurt
pumpkins for many years.
Child and Youth Services coordinator. “We don’t measure them, but
Owned and operated by Andreas
the kids do, in their hearts and
and Carola Pauly and their son Marminds.
cus, the patch offers many varieties
of kurbis, that’s German for pump“Actually, what they’re getting
Scott Rouch (2) out of it is that they’re out of the
kin.
This year the Paulys noticed the Autumn Alford, left, and Jessica Martin make off with their classroom and interacting with
nature and with each other. You
loss of Soldiers and their families pumpkins after a visit to “the great pumpkin patch.”
can see in their faces how much
from Army installations in nearby
they love it. I enjoy watching them having a
Kitzingen, but said their field continues to be change from their normal routine,” she said.
visited by people from throughout the UnterFifth-grade teacher Al Rumsch brought his good time… Just look at them,” he said as
the kids paraded by with their new-found treafranken region.
class to the patch for the first time.
sures.
They know Halloween is coming when peo“We’ve been studying how pumpkins grow.
Fifth-grader Evi McKearn already had
ple start shopping for pumpkins.
We went on the Internet and looked at how
SURE Start teacher Peggy Olden has taken they’re planted, how they’re pollinated, how designs for her pumpkin.
“I’m gonna carve it,” she said.
kids to the patch the past 15 years.
long it took them to grow and their other
That’s what Linus would’ve done, too.
“They all love it. It’s a great experience and a uses. Today they actually saw the big long vines
The Point
Task Force 1-26 in Iraq
Battery recall
Sony Electronics Inc. is recalling rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in VAIO Notebook computers due to overheating, which can
be a fire hazard. Sony sold the battery packs
from December 2004 through October 2006.
Contact Sony at (888) 476-6972 or log on to
http://esupport.Sony.com/battery to see affected
batteries and computer models.
Courtesy 2d BCT Public Affairs
Sgt. Lance Wail
Schweinfurt Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st
Infantry Division, Multi-National Division – Baghdad, release
cargo straps and access their personal baggage following
their flight from Kuwait to Baghdad International Airport on
Oct. 19.
Capt. Mike Baka, commander, Company C, Task Force 1-26,
hands out school supplies to elementary school children in
Adhamiyah during the unit’s first few days in Iraq. Other members of TF 1-26 performed health screenings on Iraqi children
at local clinics, conducted dismounted patrols through area
neighborhoods, and provided improved security around
schools and other public areas.
The Point, November 3, 2006
Customs
pamphlet
eases holiday
mail rush
by Robert Szostek
U.S. European Command
MANNHEIM, Germany – Mailing
packages stateside from Europe involves
many prohibitions, restrictions and import
duty rules. U.S. personnel can avoid the pitfalls by getting the “International Mail
Imports” pamphlet from a military customs
office.
“Many people do not know that Customs
and Border Protection may fine you at least
$100 if you mail meat or any meat products
to the States,” said Bill Johnson, director of
the U.S. European Command Customs and
Border Clearance Agency. Banned products include canned meats, pâté, salami,
sausage and soup mixes containing meat. It
is also illegal to mail handguns, alcoholic
beverages and a whole list of other items to
the United States. Other articles not on the
banned list may be restricted and need special import permits.
A customs declaration must be fixed to
every parcel going to the States and falsifying it is a federal crime. “You must also
realize that foreign-made goods sent to the
United States are subject to the payment of
duty,” Johnson cautioned. “Even if you
mail the items to yourself or buy them in a
military exchange, the recipient may still
have to pay duty and the customs user fee,”
he explained. U.S. residents may receive up
to $100 worth of foreign-made goods per
day, but have to pay duty on the total value
of gifts exceeding that amount.
The International Mail Imports pamphlet
is available at any military customs office
and online at www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/
travel/.
17
Customs guide for the holidays
Shipping banned food items carries
$100 fine, deliberate smugglers jailed
by Robert Szostek
U.S. European Command
MANNHEIM, Germany – Some people are just not good at buying
the right gifts. While this is usually a matter of taste, many items available
in Europe that seem like good Christmas presents violate U.S. customs
rules.
Some products are banned from the United States and others may be carried in baggage, but not mailed. Violations of customs, agriculture or
postal regulations can lead to hefty fines and confiscation of the goods.
Meat and meat products are the biggest problems, said William Manning, Department of Agriculture attaché to the U.S. European Command.
File photo
Holiday shopping on the economy is a wonderful experience,
but shoppers should be mindful of what they can legally ship
to the States.
Sought-after items
“European delicacies like French pâté, German wurst, Spanish chorizo
salami and Italian Parma ham are here for the buying and much soughtafter in the States,” he said. “Unfortunately, they can also carry the spores
of Foot and Mouth Disease, a virulent livestock ailment eradicated in the
United States.” These products are therefore banned, as are canned meats
and even soup mixes or pasta containing meat. Fresh fruits and vegetables
are also prohibited because they could harbor pests like the Mediterranean
fruit fly.
The threat to U.S. agriculture is so great that Customs and Border Protection fine people who mail or take banned foods to the States a minimum
of $100 and a maximum of $250 as a deterrent. Criminal action for deliberate cases of smuggling can result in a $5,000 fine and a year in jail.
Europe boasts many fine wines, spirits and liquor-filled candies that
make original Christmas gifts. Unfortunately the U.S. Postal Service bans
all liquor from being mailed, even if it is inside a piece of candy. However, customs allows travelers over 21 years of age to import one liter of dutyfree liquor. Manning said the federal taxes and duties are currently low
enough to make it worthwhile to take more than one liter of beer or wine
stateside as gifts. However, state laws must also be met which can add to
the cost. Taxes on distilled spirits like Scotch whiskey are generally considered high, he noted.
Cuban cigars prohibited
Cuban rum and cigars are also available in Europe but prohibited from
import stateside by economic sanctions.
Wildlife products also present problems. Buying ivory as a gift is a bad
idea, according to customs officials.
“Only ivory pieces previously registered with Customs and Border Protection may be imported,” said Bill Johnson, director of the European
Command’s Customs and Border Clearance Agency. Whale teeth carvings, known as netsuke or scrimshaw, are also prohibited from import.
When buying furs, shoppers should insist on a certificate of origin stating
the animal’s scientific name to avoid buying prohibited endangered
species products. The movement of caviar is also restricted.
Many European countries have a tradition of making nativity scenes that
Americans love to buy. However, the natural products used to make them
are often banned from import to the United States because of the agricultural pests that could be nested in them, Johnson noted. Shoppers should
realize that they can be fined $100 or more if they mail scenes that contain
moss, bark, pinecones, untreated straw or other materials found to contain
insects. However, agriculture officials say nativity scenes that are produced using stripped wood, plastic, or commercially cleaned and lacquered straw are fine to mail.
Military customs offices can provide more advice on these and other
holiday mail questions. There are many informative pamphlets available
from Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Agriculture to
ensure holiday gifts don’t present problems stateside. Information is also
available at www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/travel/.
18
The Point, November 3, 2006
173rd BCT paratroopers
jump en masse at Graf
by Arthur McQueen
U.S. Army, Europe Public Affairs
GRAFENWOEHR Germany – As eight C-130 Hercules transports slowed to 130 knots 800
feet above the ground, more than 700 U.S. and German paratroopers jumped from the aircraft.
The Oct. 16-17 jumps marked the first mass tactical jump by the four Germany-based battalions of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team since the BCT’s Sept. 15 designation as a
modular unit.
The exercise will not be the last for the troops in Bamberg and Schweinfurt, who are part of
a 173rd ABCT that is now six battalions strong. The headquarters and two remaining
battalions are based in Vicenza, Italy.
“This is just the beginning,” said Col. Chip Preysler, 173rd commander.
The jumps kicked off a series of training events meant to build teams and mold unit leaders
into an effective combat force, Preysler said, as the battalions progressed through small-unit
live fire and artillery training on Joint Multinational Training Command ranges in
Grafenwoehr.
These exercises “are the building blocks that enable our Soldiers to progress in their critical
skills,” Preysler said. “Getting boots on the ground safely is essential to being a paratrooper.”
On the first day’s jump, Soldiers contended with overcast skies, a slight breeze and communication problems.
The second day, however, was nearly perfect with minimal winds and few issues, according
to combat jump veteran Sgt. 1st Class Michael Levesque.
“It was a textbook operation,” said Levesque, who in his five years with the 173rd has run
more than 30 drop zones.
Levesque’s team, which organized and oversaw the jump, included Air Force liaison officers from the 37th Airlift Squadron out of Ramstein, medics, and a detail of troops collecting
parachutes on the drop zone.
“It was beautiful jump,” said German Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore Grillo. “It’s a beautiful day
to be a Soldier.”
Grillo was one of 29 from the German Army Parachute School to join the second day’s
jump.
The combined jump enabled the German Soldiers to earn American jump wings – officially
the U.S. Army Parachutist Badge.
“We have been working with the German Airborne for quite a while, using their 34-foot
jump tower,” Preysler said. “Thanks to them, we have been able to complete all our Basic Airborne Refresher training.”
Preysler also noted the value of JMTC’s facilities.
“This is one of the premier training spots in the world. It offers us a very large drop zone,
and offers live-fire training in conjunction with this airborne operation,” he said. “We really
couldn’t do that anywhere but here.”
One of many recently-assigned 173rd Soldiers who participated in the event, 1st Sgt.
William Groene of Headquarters and Headquarters Troop 1-91 Cav., critiqued the exercise
with the enthusiasm of a relatively novice jumper with the perspective of a senior NCO.
Groene, completing his first jump since he earned his wings in 1986, said, “I waited 20
years to do
this again. I volunteered for it. This jump is getting us one step
closer to
being combat ready.”
Arthur McQueen
Above: Soldiers from the 173rd
Airborne Brigade Combat Team
exit a C-130 Hercules transport.
Gary Kieffer
Right: Paratroopers from the
173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team gather their chutes
after the redesignated unit’s
first mass tactical jump.
Army activates IMCOM to improve support to Soldiers
U.S. Army MWR release
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Army activated the Installation
Management Command Oct. 24 to consolidate and strengthen
installation support services to Soldiers and their families
through the full authority of command.
Lt. Gen. Robert Wilson assumed the IMCOM command at a
Pentagon ceremony hosted by Lt. Gen. James Campbell, Director of the Army Staff. The new command places the former
Installation Management Agency, the former Community and
Family Support Center and the Former Army Environmental
Center under a single command as a direct reporting unit.
“Today we take the next step in the evolution of Army installation management … in order to create a more efficient, effective and agile organization to ensure the best Army in the world
is supported by the best installations in the world,” Wilson said.
In keynote remarks, Campbell drew a parallel between the
IMCOM and the new Army advertising slogan, “Army Strong.”
He defined “strong” as the ability to take stand up for oneself,
while “Army Strong” is the ability to stand up for everyone else.
“In my mind, the Installation Management Command shows
that it is Army Strong each and every day,” Campbell said, “with
the strength to make an installation a community; a set of quarters a home; and complete strangers, friends.
“[IMCOM has the strength] to ease separation and connect
the Soldier on point with a family at home; the strength to genuinely care for the loved ones back home so that young Soldier
facing life and death can focus on the mission at hand.”
As IMCOM commander, Wilson is dual-hatted as the Army’s
Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management, reporting
directly to the Army Chief of Staff. Brig. Gen. John A. Macdonald, former IMA director, became IMCOM’s deputy commander.
Under IMCOM, CFSC is renamed the Family and Morale,
Welfare and Recreation Command, and becomes a subordinate
command of IMCOM, commanded by Brig. Gen. Belinda
Pinckney, with its own flag. The AEC is now the Army Environmental Command–also a subordinate command, commanded by Col. Michael O’Keefe, and with its own flag.
The flag casings and uncasings were a symbolic focal point
of the activation ceremony and the three gold and red flags,
standing together in a rank, seemed to further underscore the
unity of purpose inherent in the new organization.
“The Army has never been in greater need of installations as
flagships of readiness than it is now,” Wilson said, citing the
construction, personnel and equipment realignments required to
support Base Realignment and Closure, Army Modular Force,
and Global Defense Posture Repositioning. He said BRAC
alone accounts for more than 1,200 actions that impact the
IMCOM mission.
The Army announced the establishment of the Installation
Management Command as a direct reporting unit in August.
This initiative is part of Army efforts to reorganize its commands and specified headquarters to obtain the most agile command and control structures to support the expeditionary, modular force.
The new command, currently headquartered in Virginia and
Maryland, will relocate in 2010 to Fort Sam Houston, Texas, in
accordance with requirements of the 2005 Base Realignment
and Closure round. The deputy commanding general will locate
in Texas, while the commanding general and ACSIM functions
remain at the Pentagon.
Sports
The Point, November 3, 2006
19
Cougars rout Rota, eye championship again
by Jim Hughes
to the first championship game. There are great
expectations in Ansbach. We’re expected to play
well and to be in the show.”
Playing in front of a home crowd, the AnsDespite the final score, the Admirals made
bach Cougars swamped the Rota Admirals 34-0
Oct. 28 to earn a berth in the Department of De- waves in the first quarter, forcing three-consecfense Dependents Schools Division III champi- utive Cougars’ punts. But led by quarterback
John Willis-Morris and running back Xavier
onship game versus AFNORTH.
Sheppard, the Cougars hit their stride in the secThe game will be played at Baumholder high ond quarter.
school’s football stadium Saturday, Nov. 4, at 4
“Our passing game opened things up for our
p.m.
running game; John threw the ball really well,”
The trip to Baumholder marks the fifth- George said. “And that’s what we needed to do.
straight DoDDS-Europe Super Six appearance Rota’s a very good ball club and they gave us the
by the Cougars, who won titles in 2002-2004, test we needed going into the championship
but fell to Hohenfels last year.
game.”
Mike Gourgues
Ansbach running back Xavier Sheppard
Willis-Morris and Sheppard each had two
“The kids are excited,” said head coach Marshreds the Rota defense on this gain in cus George. “They don’t know anything else. touchdown runs and the quarterback threw for
the Cougars’ 34-0 win.
The seniors were in seventh grade when we went an additional score to Josh Hale.
On defense
the Cougars
were led by
Jacob Burnside who registered
11
tackles and
forced a fumble.
“It
was
tough for the
first two quarters,”
said
Hale, who recovered the
Admirals
fumble. “We
Emily Gourgues
made some
Ansbach quarterback John Willis-Morris threw for a touchdown and ran for two more.
The Point
Roundup
Tennis
Wuerzburg and Bamberg squads had their seasons end at the
DoDDS-E Tennis Championships in Wiesbaden Oct. 26.
Wuerzburg’s Lori-Ann Daley was toppled in the second round
by Vittoria Musotto (Milan), 6-0, 6-2 while Sean Danganan was
beaten 6-2, 6-1 by Felipe Diaz (Vicenza). In doubles, Kelli and
Stefanie Montano were toppled 6-2, 6-1 by Angela Conner/Stefanie Fair (Aviano).
Bamberg’s Andrew Duque defeated Dylan Blomgren
(Sigonella) 6-0, 6-0 in the second round before falling 6-1, 6-0
to Ryan Umstaedter (Naples) in the quarterfinals. Ashlee
Kozel/Sofia Engel were first-round victors beating Melissa Seidow/Brooke Gillespie (Incirlik), 6-2, 6-1, losing 6-2, 6-2, to
Jackie Ventrice/Lindsey Jones (Ramstein) in round two.
Volleyball
Oct. 21 – The Ansbach Lady Cougars defeated Bitburg 19-25,
25-6, 27-25, 18-25, 15-8 and swept Mannheim 25-21, 25-14,
25-17.
Wolves, Barons exit early
Similarities abound about the Wuerzburg Wolves and Bamberg Barons football seasons.
Both had their seasons end in the first round of the DoDDSEurope Division II and III playoffs, and both lost by courtesy rule
39-0 scores. The Wolves were ousted by top-seeded Bitburg
while the Barons were beat by finalist AFNORTH.
The Wolves (2-4) ended on a three-game losing streak while
the Barons (2-4) finished with four-consecutive losses following
a 2-0 start.
Wolves head coach Eric Mead was proud of what his team his
team accomplished in its year of transition.
“We had little experience returning; only five players returned
from last year,” he said. “We had no shortage of heart though.
The guys worked their butts off and played hard each weekend.
Anthony Miles and Sean Hipe led the defense while Donald
Bryant was our rock on offense.”
Bryant finished the season with 1,110 yards on 116 carries (9.4
yards per carry).
“Bryant was able to do this behind our great o-line, led by
Blake Whitemire and Taylor Dallen,” Mead said.
mistakes, and then we came back and fixed
them.”
George, who preaches the need for players to
always get better, loved seeing his team overcome a challenge.
“I was impressed with how the team closed
ranks to win the game. We have to learn from our
mistakes and grow,” he said. “After the game, I
told the kids to enjoy the win, but to get up on
Sunday focused on AFNORTH. We can’t live on
what we did Saturday.”
George said unbeaten AFNORTH, who
downed Hanau 17-8 in the Netherlands to earn
its place in the championship, has a decisive size
advantage. The Cougars are giving an average of
about 70 pounds per player on the offensive and
defensive sides of the line.
“We’ve been outsized all year,” George said.
“We have to keep our defense off the field because we have no depth. We have nice athletes,
just not a lot of them. We’re a young and inexperienced team.”
George reminded the Cougars of last year’s
mistakes (five turnovers in the championship
game) during the week’s practice and it seems to
have sunk in.
“We’re excited and happy to be back in the
Super Six,” Hale said. “We worked hard all
week and we’ll do the same thing we always do,
work to get better every day.”
That’s music to the coach’s ears.
“I always tell the players we’re our own worst
enemy,” he said. “If we play the football we’re
capable of playing and correct our mistakes then
we can beat AFNORTH – even if on paper we
shouldn’t.”
Lady Wolves peaking for playoffs
by Scott Rouch
The Point
The Wuerzburg American High School
Lady Wolves volleyball team headed into
the Department of Defense Dependents
Schools-Europe Division II playoffs having won four of their last five matches.
After beating the Bamberg Lady Barons
and Hohenfels Lady Tigers at home Oct.
21, the Lady Wolves finished the regular
season with road wins against Hanau and
Mannheim while losing to Vilseck Oct. 28.
Seeded 5th in the tournament, the Lady
Wolves opened pool play against
Mannheim Nov. 2, followed by matches
with Bitburg later that day and with Black
Forest Academy Nov. 3. Should they advance out of pool play, the Lady Wolves
would have to win two matches Friday to
advance to Saturday’s championship
round.
Wuerzburg’s sweep Oct. 21 was the
first time all season they walked away
from a weekend without a split.
The Lady Wolves (8-5) were too much
for Bamberg (25-13, 25-14, 25-13) and
Hohenfels (25-16, 25-19, 25-18) to handle, even after sophomore setter Jordan
Roberts sprained her ankle in the opening
match against the Barons.
Team captain Brittny Dallen took over
for Roberts, controlling the action with
well-placed sets, allowing Allison McKearn and Kristin Hickey to record kills
with strong spikes.
Hickey was especially dominant at the
net with seven kills and two blocks, and
kept the pressure on her opponents with
strong serves, recording two aces.
Kaylah Cousin and Anne Goho chipped
in with two kills along with three and two
aces, respectively.
“I think the biggest difference today
was our setting. Brittny Dallen, she really
set, especially Kristen (Hickey) and Allie
(McKearn) where they needed to be set,”
said coach John Sullivan. “I thought Kristen did a really good job today, and she’s
been doing a good job all year. Last week
when we got beat by Hohenfels, she
wasn’t there, she was taking the SATs, so I
was really happy to have her back.”
While missing a match she could have
influenced for the SATs, it gave Hickey a
chance to come back stronger.
“I was able to focus a little bit more on
the court today,” Hickey said. “I think it
gave me time to rest my shoulder. I had a
shoulder injury a couple of weeks back but
it’s fine now.”
McKearn had another strong day with
nine kills while Dallen recorded 12 assists
to accompany her three kills and three
aces.
While Bamberg’s Lady Barons dropped
their second match of the day against
Giessen (23-25, 22-25, 25-22, 18-25),
first-year head coach Wade Krauchi was
pleased with the way his team has come
along during the season.
“They’ve actually won their first competition in two years, which is their dream,
so their dream came true,” Krauchi said,
referring to the Lady Barons’ previous
wins over Ansbach and Giessen. “I think
we have the largest team ever – we have
Scott Rouch
Kristen Hickey rifles the ball over
the net during the Lady Wolves victory against Hohenfels Oct. 21 in
Wuerzburg.
over 18 girls out for volleyball. They’re
just a wonderful group to work with. I’m
having such a good time this year I might
even apply to do it next year.”
Having notched some wins while competing hard has given the team a strong
sense of confidence.
“We’re ready to beat some butt out there
(Europeans),” said co-captain Vanessa
Hernandez. “We lost some games last year
and some games this year, but we’re getting there.”
Aerobathon on tap
Work off Thanksgiving dinner with USAG Schweinfurt’s
Turkey Blow Out Aerobathon Nov. 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at
the Leighton Fitness Center in Wuerzburg. Free T-shits will be
given out and all will be entered to win a Proform C700 dumbbell weight bench. For more, call 350-6115 or 0931-889-6115.
Turkey Trot
Bamberg’s Turkey Trot 5 and 10K fun run is Nov. 18 on
Warner Barracks beginning at the Freedom Fitness Facility at 10
a.m. Same-day registration is 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Open to ID card
holders only. Registration can be paid by donating any type of
pet food. Walkers, strollers and pets are welcome in the 5K run.
Trophies will be awarded to the top two finishers in the 10K race
in each category. Call 469-8890 or 0951-300-8890.
Flag football
The 2006 Army Europe MWR flag football championship
will be held on Bamberg’s Pendleton Field Nov. 17-19. Opening
ceremony is Nov. 17 at 9:30 a.m.; games begin at 10 a.m. For
more information, call 469-7597 or 0951-300-7597.
Steven Kuduk
Bowling upgrades
Flagging excitement
Bamberg’s Birchview Lanes Bowling Center re-opened Oct.
25, following renovations. The center now has new lane maskings, front counter, restrooms, food concessionaire and party,
video and recreation rooms. For more information on events call
469-7722 or 0951-300-7722.
69th Air Defense Artilleryʼs Christopher Hall (#23) stretches the ball toward teammate Walter Minor (#2) while
MEDDACʼs Jason Bernard (#3) goes for his flag. 69th ADA came from behind to beat MEDDAC, 30-22, in the
USAG Schweinfurt Flag Football playoffs on Leighton Barracks Oct. 21-22. The ADA exacted a measure of
revenge, beating the MEDDAC twice in the playoffs after losing to them three times in the regular season.