November 19, 2004 - Typo

Transcription

Ansbach
American
Middle High
School
Cougars win
Division III
title
See page 14
Get a new SOFA
U.S. Forces family members and civilian
employees based in Germany, must obtain
a new Status of Forces Agreement, or
SOFA, before Jan. 15th, 2005, if they will
be in Germany after that date. After that,
German officials will not recognize the
former rubber stamp entries or paper
certificates. Uniformed members of the
U.S. Forces in Germany do not need these
SOFA certificates. Neither do family members or civilian employees who have an
official State Department-issued passport
with a SOFA stamp inside. The new
certificate is a laminated document to be
carried with the passport. People requiring
the new certificate should contact their
local passport processing office to make
arrangements for certificate replacement.
The Point
Vol. 12, No. 22
Serving the 98th ASG and the 235th, 279th, 280th and 417th BSBs – Army communities of excellence
Ansbach • Bad Kissingen • Bamberg • Giebelstadt • Illesheim • Kitzingen • Schweinfurt • Wuerzburg
Feher mourned by community
by Scott Rouch
The Point
The world of Army journalism will never be
the same.
After battling illness for some time, Olivia
Feher, editor of The Point, passed away
Nov. 9.
“I’m devastated. She was a professional’s
professional. She was superb,” said Sgt. Maj.
(Ret.) Gary Beylickian, who publishes Post-30
for the Army and who has been reading and
critiquing Army publications in his official
capacity for years.
Her wall is lined with awards; testimony to
her excellence in journalism while working for
the U.S. Army, in Nuernberg, and then for just
under 10 years in Wuerzburg.
During that time she took away three
Department of the Army-level first place Keith
L. Ware awards, recognizing the Army’s best
Calling home
for less
Army and Air Force Exchange Service,
or AAFES, offers reduced calling card rates
for the holidays for deployed personnel in
Iraq and Afghanistan when using the
Military Exchange 550 unit prepaid phone
card. Rates will be reduced from Nov. 24
through Jan. 5. During the timeframe, a call
home from Iraq or Afghanistan made on a
card purchased in those locations will cost
19 cents a minute, while calls made on 550
unit cards purchased outside those areas
cost 21 cents a minute. The calling card is
$35 downrange and is available for $39 at
other AAFES facilities and online at
aafes.com.
Children can apply
early
The fifth year of Scholarships for
Military Children is underway, and at least
one $1,500 scholarship will be awarded at
every commissary location with qualified
applicants. Applicants and their sponsor
must be enrolled in the Defense Enrollment
Eligibility Reporting System. For more
information, go to www.militaryscholar.
org.
Want to become a
teacher?
Department of Defense Dependents
Schools are recruiting substitute teachers.
A college degree is preferred but not required. For more information or to apply,
contact your local school.
Keep your
preference
Under the new Military Spouse Preference Choice program, military spouses
can accept an unlimited number of temporary, intermittent or flexible schedule
positions without the loss of their military
spouse preference. For more information,
call Tina Schroeder at 06214872537.
civilian tabloid newspaper and six different
first place awards at the USAREUR level.
“She kept up a standard that other newspapers looked up to,” said Larry Reilly,
journalist for the 417th BSB, who competed
against Feher while editor of the Training
Times in Grafenwoehr. “The newspaper suffered a great loss of wealth of knowledge.”
Born in Irvine Scotland, Feher worked as a
journalist for the Glasgow Herald, the Glasgow
Evening Times and the Sunday Times in
London. She was also a foreign correspondent
in Bonn for the Sunday Times.
She was old-school, and went grudgingly
into the technological age, preferring to lay out
her pages by hand up to the end. She could be
tough with her journalists, but the kind of tough
a parent uses on a child.
Raise issues
The Army Family
Action Plan, or
AFAP, is input from
people to Army
leadership. Get involved and become
part of the process,
which begins soon
throughout the 98th
ASG. For more information in your BSB call the following
numbers: In Bamberg, call Army Community Service at 469-8664/7777 or (0951)
3008664/7777; in Schweinfurt call Diane
Mansfield Williams, AFAP Program manager at 354-7078 or (09721) 967078; in the
417th BSB, call 350-7103 or (0931)
8897103, 352-7877 or (09334) 877877, or
e-mail [email protected].
mil.
November 19, 2004
“She always had a standard that she expected
us to live up to and became feisty when we
didn’t. The most important thing about her,
though, was that she cared about us as people,
not just professionals,” said Lisa Eichhorn,
235th BSB Command Information officer.
She always got the most important information to the people who read newspaper, first
The Marneland Crusader, which became the
Crusader and ultimately led to The Point.
Michelle Aguilar
Olivia Feher was the editor of the 98th ASG community newspaper for close to 10
years. She trained a number of young journalists who have gone on to establish
themselves in the world of journalism.
“She was a world-class professional who
honestly cared about the people she worked
with and the people she wrote for,” said Don
Klinger, 98th Area Support Group Public
Affairs Officer.
USAREUR honors host nation cooperation
by Scott Rouch
The Point
While Germans aren’t downrange in Iraq,
that doesn’t mean they aren’t supporting the
Global War on Terrorism.
To thank the host nation for its efforts since
9/11, USAREUR hosted a Force Protection
Appreciation Reception Nov. 8 at the Cantigny
Club on Leighton Barracks.
Among the 150 people in attendance were
representatives from the German military, the
German Federal Border Police, the German
government and the German police.
They, along with the American military
community, had the opportunity to go through
a receiving line and meet the honored speaker
of the event, U.S. Army Europe and 7th Army
Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff, Lt.
Gen. William Ward.
In his speech, Ward thanked those in attendance for their continued support.
“We are still thankful for your assistance in
protecting our installations and communities.
Regardless of the weather, daytime, nighttime,
weekdays, weekends, 24/7, your forces are
highly visible and willing to protect us,” Ward
said.
While Bundeswehr troops will be drawn
down with the build up of a guard force, Ward
emphasized that it is not the end of the collaborative effort, but in fact the opposite.
“It’s really a great honor for us,” said Bruno
Hasenpusch, Commander VBK 67, the 98th
ASG’s partner unit, referring to the ceremony.
“I think there is no disturbance in our close
allianceship and our friendship,” he added.
Boxtops help students
by Scott Rouch
The Point
Getting the munchies can help pave the way
for future generations.
With the “Boxtops for Education” program,
no donations are actively solicited. It just
requires paying attention to the food you eat,
tearing off boxtops from General Mills and
Betty Crocker products, and depositing them in
the appropriate boxes on Leighton Barracks in
Wuerzburg.
“Three of four of us decided this was easy
money, why not do it?” said Cindi Frazier,
Parent-Teacher Student Association, or PTSA,
board member for the middle and high school.
“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to make a box
and put it out there. It’s another way the
community can support our kids and the future,
and we’re proud of our kids,” she added.
The boxes are located in the commissary, and
inside the elementary and middle schools, which
are splitting the boxtops.
The elementary school’s goal is to raise
$4,000 while the middle school is shooting for
$1,000. Since the program started in the middle
of September, Frazier has collected, clipped, and
sent in about 1,400 boxtops to General Mills for
redemption.
“Each boxtop is worth a dime, and dimes add
up,” Frazier said.
Money generated by the program goes back
into the coffers of the PTSA, which will then put
it back into different school programs, such as
music composition, creative writing and art.
The program will run year-round, allowing
children the chance to maximize their earnings.
General Mills has donated over $100 million
to participating schools since the program’s
inception in 1996. For more information and a
list of General Mills and Betty Crocker products,
as well as downloadable coupons, go to www.
boxtops4education.com.
Scott Rouch
USAREUR Deputy Commander Lt. Gen.
William Ward, left, gives a Scroll of
Appreciation to Col. Bruno Hasenpusch,
Commander, VBK 67, the 98th Area
Support Group’s partnership unit.
Community focus
Calories consumed
at a
traditional
Thanksgiving
dinner
p Turkey, 3.5 ozs.
p Stuffing
p Mashed potatoes
with butter
p Pumpkin pie
p Ice cream
Source: U.S. Army Hospital,
Wuerzburg
170 cal.
180 cal.
200 cal.
300 cal.
132 cal.
By: Scott Rouch
Use common sense – don’t drink and drive
2
Team of Teams!
The Point, November 19, 2004
Thanksgiving
is a time to
reflect,
count our
blessings
and give
thanks
Thanksgiving is the one special day in the year when Americans reflect on their blessings and give thanks for all they have
as individuals, families, and as a nation.
Our nation has survived many difficulties and hardships since
that first Thanksgiving in 1621. More than ever in these days, we
face clear threats to those freedoms that the Pilgrims set out to
find in the New World.
You have proved again with your vigilance and dedication that
you are our nation’s strength. Through your professionalism and
patriotism, our nation inspires freedom-loving people everywhere.
Wherever you celebrate this Thanksgiving, I hope you will
join me in sharing your thankfulness. Consider those single
Soldiers who are away from their families this holiday or families who have a loved one deployed, and invite them to share in
your celebration.
As the holiday season approaches, I also want to remind all
members of the 98th ASG to use common sense and make this
holiday season a happy and safe one.
Ice, fog, snow and alcohol are all factors that can turn a happy
holiday into a tragic one. We can’t control the weather, but we
can control how we react to it. Keep your distance, slow down,
be alert to road conditions, and be willing to change your plans.
To all of you in uniform, to civilian employees, and to your
families, I appreciate your efforts and contributions to protecting
and maintaining our precious way of life.
I offer you my very best wishes for a happy and safe
Thanksgiving holiday.
Team of Teams!
RUSSEL D. SANTALA
Colonel, Air Defense Artillery
98th Area Support Group
Thumbs up – Thumbs down
Thumbs up to Bonnie and her staff
at the Child and Youth Services,
Schweinfurt. Their support of the
cavalry family activities has been
most appreciated. The spur ride, ladies dining in,
and family readiness activities were successful
in part by your contribution to the welfare of our
families. A huge thank you for working long
hours with a staffing shortage to provide quality
care for our community children.
Kimberly Hickey, Schweinfurt
Thumbs up to Staff Sgt. Thomas Dignan and
his team of volunteer coaches for the 235th BSB
Youth Services tackle football team. Their outstanding commitment to the players is evidenced
in the countless hours they have put into practices and traveling all over Germany for games.
They have developed a team that promotes
camaraderie, respect, and self-confidence in the
players. The team and the entire 235th BSB are
privileged to have such motivated and dedicated
volunteers.
Christine Duer, Ansbach
Thumbs up to Karrie Morris of 6th
Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery and all the
Operation Holiday Bingo volunteers for the time
and effort they put into planning the Operation
Holiday International Pottery Bingo fundraiser
in Ansbach, Oct. 7. Karrie took on the chairperson position with only one month’s notice,
and executed a very successful and enjoyable
event for the Ansbach community. The funds
raised through Operation Holiday Bingo are
given back to the community in the form of food
vouchers and gifts for our military families who
need a financial boost during the holiday season.
Christine Duer, Ansbach
Thumbs up to the Directorate of Public
Works, facility engineers for their outstanding
effort in the temporary move of the dining
facility to the Cantigny Club. Without their
Street talk:
expertise and quick professional work, the move
would not have been possible.
Jimmy Collins, Wuerzburg
Thumbs up to the following individuals for
their support of the recent CB Booster Club Golf
Tournament: Dennis Sullivan (Kraft Foods),
Joe Comisky (BMW Military Sales),
Samantha Moore (Coca-Cola), Christina
Moritz (Charisma Jewelry), Steve Thomas
(PGA Pro Kitzingen Golf Club), Clair
Ramberg, Dave Crockett, Jim, Cindy and
Angel Ayres, Jeff and MaryAnn Nelson, Dan
Berry, and Ida Voce. Their support and
contribution made this year’s tournament a huge
success for all that participated and for
supporting the ongoing activities of the CB
Booster Club with the kids in our communities.
We appreciate your selfless support and help,
and thank you for all that you did.
Robert Voce, Schweinfurt
Thumbs up to everyone who helped make
Club Beyond’s annual Powder Puff football
tournament a success. Special thanks go out to
Sgt. Maj. Esters and Raz from the Ansbach/
Illesheim area for serving as referees. Wuerzburg’s middle and high schools contributed with
the use of their facilities and sporting equipment;
Leighton Chapel and the 280th BSB Outdoor
Recreation office also provided invaluable
support. Congratulations to all the guys and girls
who performed and played so well!
Dusty Overby, Club Beyond, Wuerzburg
Thumbs up to Tamela McDonald, Robert
Gosha, Alonso Blackman, and Morris Jones,
who work at the Leighton Barracks Post Office.
They are more than willing to help customers
when they need help with boxes or filling out
paperwork. You all do a great job. Keep up the
good customer service.
Soraida Lee, Giebelstadt
Thumbs up to Dorothy Williams, 98th ASG
Department of Logistics, Property Management
Office, for her continuous outstanding customer
service. It is always a pleasure to conduct business with her. Her courteous, efficient response
to my needs are coupled with a warm smile,
epitomizing customer service at its very best.
Thank you for a job well done.
Sabine Hanbury, Wuerzburg
Thumbs up to Larry Robinson of the 98th
ASG and the entire 98th ASG help desk in
Wuerzburg. The entire help desk staff went out
of their way to expedite closing my e-mail account at one site in order for me to receive some
missing e-mail messages. Specifically, Larry
went out of his way to ensure that each detail was
rectified. Not only did Larry help me from losing
any of my e-mails, be he also demonstrated
much compassion and friendliness throughout
the process.
Laura Cobb, Illesheim
Thumbs up to the volunteer American Red
Cross Santa fundraising committee members;
Alison Diefenderfer, Ellen Gabel, Scott
Rouch, Allyson Valadez, Heidi Custer and
Brooke Browne. Volunteers are the lifeline to
our community, and your enthusiasm, care and
concern regarding the families in the community
is greatly appreciated. Thank you for volunteering and supporting American Red Cross programs. It is rewarding to work with you all, keep
up the great work!
Angelia Cartwright, Wuerzburg
Thumbs down to the University of
Maryland-Wuerzburg office. The
customer service I received while
buying books for me and another
student was inappropriate. What should have
been a simple business transaction turned into
over an hour’s worth of trouble and aggravation.
I believe this office should learn what “customer
service” really means.
Staff Sgt. Richard Werschin, Schweinfurt
Milestones
Congratulations to Anita Raddatz who
received a Lifetime Membership to the
“Team of Teams” for contributions to the
98th Area Support Group and a Certificate
of Appreciation for exceptional contributions to the Office of Staff Judge
Advocate, Headquarters, 1st Infantry
Division, and the 98th ASG, Her competent and timely legal advice had a
tangible impact on the community’s
quality of life. Her talent, effort, and
selfless service have been beneficial for
all who seek her legal council and
assistance in the 98th ASG footprint. Her
cooperative can-do attitude, high standards of work, and enthusiastic support
was an inspiration to others.
Congratulations to Eliezer Torres who
received a Lifetime Membership to the
“Team of Teams” for contributions to the
98th Area Support Group and a Certificate
of Appreciation for outstanding performance of duty from Sept. 30, 2001- May
16, 2004 and dedication to duty, attention
to detail, and expertise while serving as
COMSEC Custodian for the 98th ASG. In
every aspect of his duties, Mr. Torres
demonstrated the highest level of dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment to
excellence. The high standards he has set
for himself in keeping with the finest
traditions of the DPTMS, reflects great
credit upon himself, the 98th Area
Support Group and the United States
Army.
Correction
In the previous issue, the photo credit on
page 16 for the “Division shop has unique
items” article should have read: Kent Bolke,
1st Infantry Division Museum.
How do you deal with peer pressure at school?
Photos by The Point staff
Brittney Britton, Ansbach American Middle High School, Ansbach
Ashlee Kozel, Bamberg American High School, Warner Barracks, Bamberg
Jasmine Bratton, Schweinfurt
American Middle School,
Schweinfurt
Tacquan Haskins, Wuerzburg
American High School, Leighton Barracks, Wuerzburg
Tyrone Moore, Ansbach American Middle High School, Ansbach
Natasha Black, Bamberg American High School, Warner Barracks, Bamberg
Marcus Coleman, Schweinfurt
American Middle School,
Schweinfurt
Tomaine Perez, Wuerzburg
American High School, Leighton Barracks, Wuerzburg
“I don’t really get much
peer pressure because I
think people know I’m my
own person and I don’t
give in to that kind of
thing.”
“I ignore it. I don’t listen
to other people trying to
get you to do something
you don’t want to do.”
“I don’t let it get to me. I
just try to be honest and
tell them how I feel. I
would say it’s not right
and I don’t want to get
into trouble. My friends
know where I stand and I
don’t have to worry about
them pressuring me
much.”
“I put myself in a good
environment. I hang out
with people who have the
same goals and values as
I do, so I don’t put myself
into a situation that could
cause problems for me.”
“If you hang around the
right people, true friends,
then you won’t have to
deal with it much because they won’t ask you
to do things like drugs
and drinking.”
“I don’t mess with the
problems at school. I
deal with my own problems!”
“I think peer pressure
sometimes causes trouble. I don’t give in to it because I tell a person
straight and tell them the
consequences of what
could happen. I wouldn’t
go along with a person
trying to pressure me and
I would tell others what
he’s trying to do.”
“I avoid it if it is bad peer
pressure. However, if it is
good peer pressure that
pushes me to do better
things, then I try it. If I do
give in to the bad peer
pressure, then I learn
from my mistakes and
don’t do it again.”
The Point
Ansbach • Bad Kissingen • Bamberg • Giebelstadt • Illesheim • Kitzingen • Schweinfurt • Wuerzburg
Producer: MILCOM Advertising Agency
Roswitha Lehner
Zeilaeckerstrasse 35 · 92637 Weiden
Telefax (0961) 67050-32
Internet:
www.milcom.de
Free classifieds (0931) 2964397 · Fax The Point (0931) 2964626
“The Point” is an authorized unofficial newspaper, published every two weeks under the
provisions of AR 360-1 for the members of the 98th Area Support Group.
“The Point” is a commercial enterprise newspaper printed by the “MILCOM Advertising
Agency”, a private firm, in no way connected with the United States Government or
Department of Defense.
The contents of “The Point” do not necessarily reflect the official views or endorsement of
the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Army or the 98th Area Support
Group.
The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, does
not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense.
Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or
patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status,
physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other nonmerit characteristic of the
purchaser, user or patron.
Circulation is 16,000 copies per issue.
Editorial content is provided, prepared and edited by the Public Affairs Office of the 98th
Area Support Group. The 98th ASG hot line is 351-4800 or (0931) 296-4800.
The editorial offices are located in building 208, Faulenberg Kaserne, Wuerzburg,
telephone 351-4564 or (0931) 2964564.
Mailing address:
Editor – The Point, 98th ASG-PAO, Unit 26622, APO AE 09244-6622.
email: [email protected]
The Ansbach, editorial office is located in building 5257, Barton Barracks, Ansbach,
telephone 468-7649 or (0981) 183649.
The Bamberg editorial office is located in building 7089, Warner Barracks, Bamberg,
telephone 469-7581 or (0951) 3007581.
The Kitzingen editorial office is located in building 114, Harvey Barracks, telephone 3558575 or (09321) 3058575.
The Schweinfurt editorial office is located in Robertson Hall, Ledward Barracks,
Schweinfurt, telephone 354-6381 or (09721) 966381.
98th Area Support Group Commander . . Col. Russel D. Santala
98th ASG Public Affairs Officer . . . . . . . . . Donald Klinger
Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Olivia Feher
Assistant Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott Rouch
Journalist (Bamberg) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cheryl Boujnida
Journalist (Schweinfurt) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Margot Cornelius
Journalist (Kitzingen). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Larry Reilly
Reader contributions are welcome but will be published at the discretion of the editor.
4
VICTORY-gram #20
Setting the record straight
by Lt. Col. Christopher Kolenda
Commander, 1st Infantry Division Rear Detachment
As you may have heard or read, a Stars and Stripes article on
Oct. 31 published inaccuracies with respect to the 1st Infantry
Division redeployment plan. The article mentioned that 1st Inf.
Div. headquarters was scheduled to deploy for 10 months rather
than 12. This is not true.
Big Red One’s deployment was always planned for 12
months. The 42nd Inf. Div., our replacement unit, at first planned to begin deploying as early as November. However, they
would have had to sit idle in Kuwait for approximately 60 days.
The Department of Defense, or DoD, ordered 42nd Inf. Div. to
deploy later because of this, but the order has no effect on our
redeployment timeline.
1st Inf. Div. and Task Force Danger will complete a deliberate, staggered, relief in place, or RIP, with the 42nd Inf. Div.
and their Task Force Liberty. This process will begin in midDecember and is expected to last until late February.
The Transfer of Authority, or TOA, dates for 1st Inf. Div.
presented by Maj. Gen. John Batiste to senior family readiness
group, or FRG, leaders on Oct. 25 are the dates approved by
DoD. The Division TOA is scheduled for mid-February. Rear
detachments and FRGs are in the process of briefing specific
unit dates to you. As long as the security situation in Iraq
remains similar, the TOA dates or redeployment timelines are
not expected to change.
If there is a spike in violence, such as 1st Armored Division
experienced in April of this year, the leadership in Iraq may
consider extending units. More of our
Soldiers are alive and well today because the leaders on the ground made
the right call at the time to extend
1AD. The Big Red One will not leave
fellow Soldiers unprotected or the
mission at unnecessary risk. Our military is fortunate to have leaders with
the courage to make the right decisions.
Following redeployment, Soldiers and
family members will follow a deliberate
reintegration program to assist in the transition
back to community, family and friends. This
reintegration program will start with half-day schedules for the
first week, a 30-day block leave period and a 90-day stabilization in Germany.
I sincerely appreciate the continued support each and every
one of you shows on a daily basis for our Soldiers and families.
I know each day of the deployment is difficult and Task Force
Victory takes seriously any discussion of redeployment timlines and extensions. It is our inherent responsibility to ensure
that you have the most accurate and up-to-date information
available.
Task Force Victory and your FRG leaders are your official
sources of information. While information conveyed by media
outlets such as Stars and Stripes is valued, please also know that
the best source of information is the military chain of command
and your readiness group leadership.
Division moves
by Staff Sgt Raymond Drumsta
ARNEWS
FORT DRUM, N.Y. – The vanguard of the New York National
Guard’s 42nd Infantry Division and Task Force Liberty has
departed for Operation Iraqi Freedom-3.
More than 500 Soldiers of the Rainbow Division’s advance
party left at the end of October after training at Fort Drum and
Fort Dix, N.J.
They headed for staging areas in Kuwait, in order to smooth
the way for Task Force Liberty, according to Brig. Gen. Tom
Sullivan, 42nd Infantry Division assistant division commander
for support and command and control for the advance party.
Among other things, the advance party will draw equipment,
secure dining facilities, secure billeting and provide information
for the main party, Sullivan said.
Task Force Liberty Soldiers will deploy throughout the remainder of the year and early 2005.
“I think the advance party smoothes the way by taking the
unknowns out of the deployment,” Sullivan said. “In other
words, we’ll be over in Kuwait before the units. We’ll be able to
call back to the unit commanders and tell them what to expect.”
“The purpose of the advance party is to get everything prepared to receive units,” said Lt. Col. Mark Moser, deputy chief
of plans, G3 Section. “In this case, the advance party is setting
up RSOI in Kuwait.”
RSOI stands for Reception, Staging and Onward Integration
– the process by which equipment and personnel are broken out
and prepared for movement into Iraq.
“The advance party represents a little bit of everybody, but a
big chunk of Division Artillery,” Moser said.
A system helps
by Sgt. Lorie Jewell
ARNEWS
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Army’s new Disabled Soldier
Support System, or DS3, initiative is moving forward with plans
to develop a database of severely injured Soldiers and hire
caseworkers to help them navigate the system.
Army leadership announced the initiative in April and since
then, have secured nearly $5 million to finance the effort to support Soldiers and their family members from the time of injury,
through the recovery process and as they transition into civilian
life or return to active duty.
The database now includes 232 Soldiers out of roughly 880
who are classified as severely injured since Sept. 11, 2001, said
Col. (P) Robert Woods Jr., director of the human resources policy
directorate, in a Nov. 10 meeting with news reporters who cover
the Pentagon.
The intent is to have DS3 offices staffed with caseworkers in
other medical facilities throughout the Army, he added.
DS3 doesn’t create new processes, procedures or services for
Soldiers, but instead acts as an advocate to make sure the Soldier
and family members are educated about what they’ll be going
through, know their available options, and to be a resource for
solving problems they encounter.
“First and foremost, our intent is to maintain the dignity of the
Soldier and their family members throughout the process,”
Woods said.
The program staff works closely with agencies like the Veterans Administration, the Army Career and Alumni Program, and
civilian corporations in helping Soldiers who are medically
retired establish a new life outside of the military.
More information about the program is available at www.
ArmyDS3.org.
Mindy Campbell
A military thanks for serving your country
Billy Barber, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10436, renders honors during the 1st Infantry Division’s Veterans
Day Cermony at Victory Park on Leighton Barracks, in Wuerzburg, Nov. 4. The Wuerzburg American High
School Junior Officers Reserve Training Corps performed for the over 100 veterans, current military members
and civilians in attendance, before the posting of the colors. Col. George Lockwood, 1st Armored Division,
Lt. Col. Timothy Whalen, 1st Infantry Division, Melvin Cochran, American Legion Post GR 30 and Barber were
the ceremonial wreath layers. They were assisted by members of Girl Scout Brownie Troop 761.
67th Combat Support Hospital keeping fit in Tikrit
by Scott Rouch
The Point
U.S. Army courtesy photo
Capt. Erin Pope, left, and Sgt. Lisa Allen get into the Halloween-spirit at FOB
Speicher in Tikrit. The party ended a full month of activities.
As time goes by and seasons change, the job
still remains the same in Iraq.
The Soldiers of the 67th Combat Support
Hospital, or CSH, now in their ninth month of
the deployment, based at Forward Operating
Base, or FOB, Speicher, have seen the first of the
fall dust storms and experienced their first
rainfall in seven months.
And they are starting to prepare for their
eventual departure, but that has not taken away
the focus on their mission – taking care of Soldiers.
“One of the primary reasons Soldiers are so
willing to do what they do is that they know if
something bad does happen they will receive the
best healthcare on the planet,” said newly-promoted Maj. Jeff Zottola, Company A, commander.
While the CSH staff takes care of the Soldiers,
they are also taking care of themselves and
keeping fit.
On October 24, the 1st Infantry Division
sponsored the Army Ten-Miler on FOB Speicher,
with 16 members of the 67th CSH participating.
“For many of the Soldiers, the race offered a
challenge as many had not run more than two
miles in their life prior to deploying to Iraq,”
Zottola said.
In September, the rock group, Puddle of Mud,
made a trip to Iraq, and were able to stop by the
hospital before playing their concert on FOB
Speicher. They took time and signed autographs
and posed for pictures with patients on the
intermediate care ward.
In October, Sgt. 1st Class Woody Carter
helped those who have been keeping in shape
show it off, as he planned and held the 1st Annual FOB Speicher Body Building Championship.
They also got into the spirit of the month with
a Halloween celebration, featuring a number of
creative costumes.
While deployed, promotions have not stopped
as a number of those attached to the CSH have
advanced. Among those, William Wright, the
67th CSH Noncommissioned Officer of the
Year, was recently promoted to staff sergeant.
And as it has been the entire way, the members on FOB Speicher are energized with
support from the homefront.
“We are all extremely proud of these fine
Soldiers, and we want to thank their families for
all their support. We know our Soldiers could not
accomplish what they are doing without your
support,” Zottola said.
235th Base Support Battalion: Ansbach, Illesheim
Ski for Thanksgiving
weekend
This Thanksgiving, the 235th BSB Outdoor Recreation Division sponsors a ski trip
to Austria. Participants will ski the slopes,
while staying in a famous gasthaus. The
cost is $269 and includes transportation,
three nights in a three-star hotel, breakfast,
lift tickets and equipment rental. Sign up at
the Katterbach Outdoor Recreation center.
For information, call 467-3225 or (09802)
833225.
Call about the flu
The U.S. Army Hospital, Wuerzburg’s
has established a flu hotline.and callers to
this hotline may expect to receive specific
information about vaccination policies and
a number to call for questions regarding the
German influenza vaccine. For information, call 350-3240 or (0931) 8043240, or
check out www.wuerzburg.healthcare.
hqusaeur.army.mil.
Make homemade
holiday gifts
Learn how to make a seasonal pin or
magnet, perfect to wear for the holiday
season or to give as a gift. The craft project
will take place on Katterbach at the yellow
ribbon room, Dec. 6th from noon to 1 p.m.,
and in Illesheim, Dec. 9th from noon to 1
p.m. at the School Age Services building.
Come out and socialize with other parents
while participating in this great make-it and
take-it craft project. For more information,
call Outreach Services at 467-2533 or
(09802) 832533.
Get mail Dec. 24th
The Illesheim Community Mail Room,
or CMR, will be open Dec. 24th from 9 a.m.
to 4 p.m. The CMR staff wishes you a
happy holiday season and thanks you for
being great customers. For information, call
467-4515 or (09841) 83515.
Calling numbers
for fun
Take off the winter chill with a fun night
of bingo. The 106th Finance Battalion
Family Readiness Group sponsors the fun
event, Dec. 17th. Doors open for card
purchase at 6 p.m. and bingo will begin
promptly at 7 p.m. ID cardholders only and
you must be 18 years or older to play. For
more information, call 468-7825 or (0981)
183825.
Send a message
downrange
The Ansbach American Middle High
School video classes would like to invite
students, families, staff and community
members to record a “Message to the
Front” for moms, dads and friends downrange. This can be a family message, an
individual message or a group or class
message. The students will film the messages, create DVDs and send them to our
deployed Soldiers. To sign up for a recording, call the school at 467-2808 or
(09802) 832808.
7
Aviator retires after 38 years
by Lisa Eichhorn
The Point
It was truly the end of an era for Army aviation as Chief Warrant Officer 05 Bobby McNeal
took his last flight in a AH-64D Apache helicopter, Nov. 4 in Illesheim.
Especially when you consider his first assignment with Army aviation was that of a crew
chief in Vietnam.
McNeal’s career began in 1966, and has
spanned some 38 years. Although his first 19
months in Vietnam were spent as a crew chief
and door gunner, he returned for another 19
months, but this time as an AH-1 Cobra pilot. He
has 4,000 combat hours, logging more than
1,700 hours in the Cobra during his last tour in
Vietnam.
During his final tour, he served as the 11th
Aviation Regiment’s Tactical Operations officer,
the Standardization officer and as of late, the
Illesheim Flight Operations officer at Storck
Barracks in Illesheim.
After completing that last flight, McNeal took
a few minutes to reminisce about his very colorful career.
“I’m from Las Vegas and when I was a kid I
used to watch the Thunderbirds fly across the
desert. I would walk across that desert to watch
them because my parents wouldn’t take me. I
knew from watching them that I was going to be
an aviator,” he said.
“When I decided it was time to join the Army
I went to the recruiter and told him all I wanted
to do was fly. Well, of course we were in the
middle of Vietnam and he suggested I do one
tour as a crew chief and then apply to flight
school. So that’s what I did and it worked out
great for me. After I went to flight school I went
back to see him. Well, I tried, as I walked up to
see him he was standing outside. When I yelled
to him he just took off running. I guess back in
those days recruiters got beat up a lot. But I just
wanted to thank him,” he laughed.
McNeal truly did blaze trails in his career. At
6 feet 5 inches tall, tall for an aviator, and an
African-American, he was definitely an enigma
for the time. But no mission was too hard or too
out of reach for him. He is also a very softspoken, humble man.
His friends say that if you didn’t know what a
true American hero he is, you’d never guess it.
Except for one thing they say, his incredible
story-telling. But let there be no mistake; this
man is a professional Soldier, combat- hardened
and experienced.
An old friend and fellow Vietnam veteran sent
this message to McNeal upon his retirement:
“War produces a rare camaraderie, that
of men who have been in battle together. And the intensity of that
camaraderie, even years later will defy
any rational explanation. It is a bond so
strong, so immediate, that it wipes
away all the normal barriers of class,
politics and race. Nothing in terms of
friendship need precede it, nothing
need follow it,” wrote Chief Warrant
Officer O5 Lance McElhiney.
But Vietnam was just the beginning
of his long career.
He flew the first AH-64 Apache
concept bird in 1976 with his co-pilot
Bob Stewart, who went on to be the
Army’s first astronaut.
Lisa Eichhorn
For McNeal, coming to Illesheim
was like coming full circle. He says he Chief Warrant Officer 05 Bobby McNeal greets
started his career in combat and ended fellow aviators gathered to greet him on the flight
it with combat in cavalry units as he line on Storck Barracks in Illesheim.
served for one year in Operation Iraqi
Freedom, or OIF, with the regiment.
The 11th Aviation Regiment Commander, Col. George Bilafer, attributes
a big part of the unit’s success during
the first part of OIF to McNeal’s quickthinking and Vietnam experience.
He reflected that after the March 23,
2003, battle when the regiment took
heavy damage to some aircraft, the unit
came back to regroup. He said it was
Bobby that stepped up and told the
leadership this was not the kind of
warfare the pilots trained for. McNeal
told them, “This is what I encountered
in Vietnam and I know how we can
fight them on their terms.”
“What he did for us was to create the
kind of teams they used in Vietnam.
We implemented a training program
which allowed the regiment to fight the
enemy, not fight our own tactics,”
Bilafer added. “Bobby will be missed,
but we will go on because he did his
job of coaching and mentoring Soldiers.”
With that on his mind, McNeal
talked about the thought of actually
hanging up his spurs.
Lisa Eichhorn
“I could stay another 10 years be- Fellow 11th Regiment aviators douse Chief Warcause of the professionals I work with; rant Officer 05 Bobby McNeal with champagne
I’ve never grown tired of flying. But after his last flight.
my body says it’s time to go. However,
my retirement should be hard for me, not for the step up. Because if a unit can’t replace one
unit. Because the Army will go on, they’ll person then someone isn’t doing something
continue to get better, and younger Soldiers will right,” he said.
School educates about being drug free
by Lisa Eichhorn
The Point
235th BSB
The Point, 235th Base Support Battalion,
editorial office is located in building
5257, Barton Barracks, telephone 4687649 or (0981) 183649. Mailing address
is PAO, The Point, 235th Base Support
Battalion, CMR 463, APO AE 09177-0463.
Internet web site address http:\\www.ansbach.
army.mil
The 235th BSB hotline is 468-7800 or (0981)
183800. The patient liaison number is (09841) 83512.
235th BSB
Commander .................................. Lt. Col. John Reilly
Public Affairs Officer ............................ Frauke Davis
Command Information Officer ............ Lisa Eichhorn
Journalist ............................................
Lisa Eichhorn
Michelle Speed demonstrates what peer
pressure can do during an assembly for
Red Ribbon Week activites.
Every year across the country, schools and
communities take a week in October to focus on
the issue of living a drug-free lifestyle as part of
Red Ribbon Week.
This year in the 235th BSB, programs in all
the schools showed their commitment to the
same.
According to the National Family Partnership, or NFP, website, the Red Ribbon Campaign was started when drug traffickers in
Mexico City murdered Kiki Camarena, a Drug
Enforcement Administration agent in 1985.
The NFP was created in 1980 by parents
across America in response to the rising level of
youth drug use. Their mission statement says
they will “lead and support our nation’s families
and communities to nurture the full potential of
healthy, drug-free youth.” Red Ribbon week is
one event they sponsor to accomplish their mission.
The Ansbach American Middle High School
created a comprehensive program with several
different activities for the children to become
involved in, from a writing contest and art contest to music and sporting events.
“I think that Red Ribbon Week helps mostly
with awareness,” said Dr Richard Hooker, Red
Ribbon Week coordinator and Adolescent Substance Abuse Counseling Service counselor at the
school. “The main focus this year was to help
students understand that it is their life, their
hopes, their dreams, their goals, their choices,
and their responsibility. Many times, adolescents don’t understand the amount of power and
control that they do have over their lives. They
can do many things to enrich their lives or grow
from times they experience heartaches,” he said.
The writing helped get the kids in tune with
their feelings and to understand why they might
give in to peer pressure.
In the winning essay, a student talked about
the pain he felt growing up without a father. He
wrote: “When I was born I never knew my dad.
My mom raised me till I was 9 years old. I left to
live with my aunt and uncle and this was hard for
me as I was the only child. Every night I pray and
tell God to watch over my mother and so far
God’s been doing a really nice job.”
“Anytime you can get kids thinking about
important things in their life it is positive. You
hope to plant some seeds that will have positive
outcomes,” Hooker added.
Veterans honored for answering the call to duty
by Lisa Eichhorn
The Point
A cool chill ran through the air as Soldiers of the 6th Battalion,
52nd Air Defense Artillery, gathered around their flagpole at
Shipton Kaserne in Ansbach to pay homage to fellow veterans.
The recent snow didn’t damper the camaraderie and Soldier
spirit apparent in the unit. This Veterans Day ceremony seemed
to hold a special meaning for them; one of an Army at war.
Once gathered at the flagpole, guest speakers talked not only
of the sacrifices of the servicemembers that responded to the call
of duty in combat, but of all veterans, including those members
who may never have fought on foreign soil.
“While every American has been exposed to this holiday,
there remains some confusion about just who we are honoring.
Clearly, we take this opportunity to honor those veterans who
fought in our nation’s wars. But a veteran is also that Soldier,
Sailor, Airman, Marine and Coast Guardsmen who has served
during peacetime, either on active duty or in the reserve compo-
nents. Our veterans represent those who were drafted and those
who voluntarily signed up,” said 235th BSB Commander John
Riley.
Veterans of Foreign Wars service officer Dale Nagan reminded the Soldiers that this day is about them. “Every one of
you, six months after you took your oath became a veteran. And
a veteran is a very special person because they give of themselves no matter if they volunteered or were drafted. They all
served and they did it with honor.”
8
279th Base Support Battalion: Bamberg
Place holiday ad
Send a holiday
greeting to your loved
one in the Christmas
eve issue of the Warner
Post. To place a sixline ad of 41 characters
per line, send an e-mail
to
[email protected] by Dec.
8. Submissions must include your first and
last name, Soldier’s full name and rank,
unit, contact name and telephone number.
Please specify who the message is from.
For more information, call Lisa Moore at
469-8112 or (0951) 3008112.
Watch idol contest
Support the talent in the final competition of the Bamberg idol contest at the
Stable Theater, Nov. 20 at 7:30 p.m. Audience members will participate by voting for
performers. Cost to attend the final competition is $5 per adult and $3 per student.
For information, call the Stable Theater at
469-8647 or (0951) 3008647.
Eat hotcakes
Enjoy a pancake breakfast, sponsored by
1st Battalion, 33rd Field Artillery, at the
community activity center, Nov. 21 from 9
a.m. to 2 p.m. Donations are suggested.
Proceeds will be for a welcome-home party
for 1st Bn., 33rd FA Soldiers.
Go skiing
Get on the road with community activity
center staff and ski Austria, Dec. 4 and 18.
For more December events and more
information, call 469-8659 or (0951)
3008659.
New terminal setting the standard
Deployed Soldiers
ease travel constraints
by Sgt. 1st Class Nancy McMillan
196th MPAD
For Soldiers going on leave, the trip just got
easier with the opening of the new Tailwind International Sherpa Passenger/Cargo Terminal in
Tikrit, Iraq.
What started off as an idea to have a “deployment only” terminal with a mid-September testrun of “leave” traffic, has now become the standard for flights of various natures.
The new terminal has four bunkers. One bunker serves as the passenger check-in with another as a briefing room. The two other bunkers
are designated as sleeping quarters for overnight
stays.
“As Soldiers start arriving, we escort them to
the first tent for sign-in,” said Staff Sgt. Bennie
Pringle, coordinator with the 536th Movement
Control Team. “It’s our first step in keeping track
of the Soldiers from arrival to departure,”
Pringle added.
In between those times, Sgt. Karen Alvarez
with Alpha Detachment, 38th Personnel Support
Battalion, takes over.
“We check dog tags, ID cards, weigh the
Soldier and their baggage, then input the information into the computer,” said Alvarez, a native
of Long Beach, Calif.
“This process is very important for accountability and flight purposes,” said Pfc. Nicholas
Lima of Company A, 1st Battalion, 33rd Field
Artillery, who works with Alvarez.
Sgt. 1st Class Nancy McMillan
Pfc. Nicholas Lima and Sgt. Karen Alvarez confirm a Soldier’s information for his
flight.
“Duffle bags and carry-ons are counted as a
person and take up seat space and adds weight to
the aircraft,” Lima said.
Once the Soldier is in the system, it’s only a
matter of time, most often within hours, before
they are loaded and on their way to Kuwait.
“In the interim, we provide MREs, water and
Gatorade to them,” Alvarez said.
The terminal runs a 24-hour operation in two
12-hour shifts, with more than 100 Soldiers pas-
sing through each day, according to Lima, an
Ararat, Va., native.
“On the average, five to eight Black Hawks,
two to three Chinooks, and at least one C-130
will land at this terminal throughout the day and
night,” Lima said.
“The new terminal may not be much right
now, but many Soldiers have commented on the
simplicity of going through here versus Balad,”
Lima said.
Enjoy parent time
Child and Youth Services, or CYS, child
development center and school age services
will host a parents’ day out, Dec. 4 from
noon to 4 p.m. and a parents’ night out Dec.
17 from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Child care will
be provided to CYS-enrolled children. Register for care by Nov. 30. For children six
weeks to five years old, call 469-8789 or
(0951) 3008789. For kindergartners to
fifth-graders, call 469-8698 or (0951)
3008698.
Spartans prepare to
support new mission
Pep yourself up
Attend a People Encouraging People
train trip to Nuernberg’s Christmas market,
Dec. 6, for €10 per person. The bus departs
the Army Community Service center at
7:30 a.m. Seats are limited. Call 469-7777
or (0951) 3007777.
Run for fun
Compete in a Turkey Trot 5/10K on
Bamberg’s Warner Barracks, starting from
Pendleton Field, Nov. 20 at 9 a.m. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the cost is $10.
Prizes will be awarded to the top three
places in the male and female categories.
For information, call 469-8890 or (0951)
3008890.
279th BSB
editorial office is located in building
7089, room 423, Warner Barracks,
Bamberg, telephone 469-7581 or (0951)
3007581. Mailing address is PAO, The
Point, 279th Base Support Battalion, Unit 27535,
Warner Barracks, APO AE 09139-7535.
3004800. Patient liaison number is (0951) 3007492.
Internet web site 279th BSB:
http://www.bamberg.army.mil
279th BSB
Commander ............................ Lt. Col. Daniel Thomas
Public Affairs Officer .......................... Renate Bohlen
Journalist ........................................... Cheryl Boujnida
Bernd Wedel
Soldiers with 793rd Military Police Battalion, otherwise known as the Spartans,
secure vehicles during a railhead loading
operation on MUNA Barracks. Readying
themselves for an upcoming deployment
to Iraq, Soldiers packed approximately 177
tons of equipment, personal supplies,
petroleum, lubricants, oil, weapons, radios
and batteries for shipment to Kuwait. The
279th BSB Safety Office provided guidance
on packing the containers according to the
international maritime dangerous-goods
code for smooth-shipping procedures.
Class offers youth chance to dialogue
by Cheryl Boujnida
The Point
Bamberg youth are wearing their hearts on
their sleeves. Approximately 13 students, anticipating the return of a parent from a yearlong deployment, are participating in Youth Adjusting
to Change, or YAC, classes.
“It’s a forum for students to discuss their feelings openly and honestly,” said Kim Kozel,
279th BSB school liaison officer. “Many teenagers have the tendency to internalize their feelings and the classes spark group discussion
through activities. A homecoming can bring
about many mixed emotions – it’s not always
rainbows and stars,” she added.
Held at the Child and Youth Services Oasis
middle school facility, students will attend five
classes through Nov. 24 for one hour after school
weekly. The initiative, spearheaded by Kozel
and Elizabeth Marriot, a family child care
trainer, provides youth opportunity to chat, cook
snacks, and create a photo journal for their
parent.
“Classes on reintegration are offered to
spouses, but it’s important students learn coping
techniques, too,” Marriot said. “Parents have
missed many momentous occasions, so we are
documenting them in a journal. In that book,
parents will be able focus on their child’s
achievements,” she said.
Sixth-grader Oscar Jimenez Jr., 12, anxiously
awaits the return of his father, Sgt. Oscar
Jimenez, who is deployed to Iraq with 1st Infantry Division, 1st Battalion, 33rd Field Artillery, Bamberg.
“On my dad’s first day back, I want to be at
home and talk about my school and grades. Then
I want our family to go on vacation to Orlando,
Fla.,” he said.
“Knowing 95 percent of the people there was
comforting to me. It’s helpful to discuss your
feelings and know others are going through
similar emotions,” Jimenez said.
The next YAC classes begin in January. For
more information, call 469-7891 or (0951)
3007891.
Cheryl Boujnida
Oscar Jimenez, 12, admires his handiwork at the Oasis middle school facility
during Youth Adjusting to Change class.
Soldier program fosters German-American relations
by Cheryl Boujnida and Simon Hupfer
The Point
Soldiers needn’t feel lonely during the holidays.
They can experience German traditions by participating in the
Christmas Good Cheer Program.
Sponsored by the German American Men’s Club and the
279th BSB Public Affairs Office, or PAO, the program links Soldiers with neighboring German families Dec. 24 and/or Dec. 25.
“It’s a good feeling to be a part of family activities during the
holidays and it’s a great opportunity to experience German culture first hand,” said Sibylle Schmitt, public affairs specialist.
She stressed speaking German is not a requirement to partici-
pate because most families have a good understanding of English
and many have visited the United States.
“German families openly welcome American Soldiers into
their homes. It is a real honor for them to have a special guest
taking part in their traditions,” Schmitt said.
“Commanders should encourage their Soldiers to take part in
the program because it strengthens the bonds between the military and German community. Soldiers who opt to sign up are
asked to be punctual when meeting German families, because the
families anticipate their arrival,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Thomas,
279th BSB commander.
Helmut Funke, German American Men’s Club vice president,
asks Bamberg servicemembers to take part because many lasting
Funke
friendships have developed between American and German families.
“The purpose of the program is to tie the
bonds between Germans and Americans
even stronger. We’d like to give Soldiers
the feeling that they are not alone, and provide them a home for the time they are
here,” Funke said.
Soldiers can get an application from their
unit sergeant major or the PAO office located in building 7089 in room 324.
For more information, call 469-1600 or
(0951) 3001600.
280th Base Support Battalion: Bad Kissingen, Schweinfurt
Light it up
Attend this year’s
Christmas tree- and
menorah-lighting
ceremony at Andrus
garden, in front of
building 206, Dec. 5
at 4:30 p.m. This is a
traditional event to
raise the spirits of
young and old, according to David
Luellwitz, 280th BSB
Luellwitz
Directorate of Community Activities administration officer.
The 1st Infantry Division Band will also
play. For information, call 354-6605
(09721) 966605.
Mail rooms open
Saturdays
Both Army Post Offices on Conn and
Ledward barracks will provide full services
every Saturday from Nov. 20 to Dec. 18,
from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 353-8208 or (09721) 968208.
Start writing
Enter the second Big Red One creative
writing contest from Nov. 15 to Jan. 15. The
topic is “When you come back.” Articles or
essays should be 500 words or less. For
more information or writer’s guidelines,
call 469-7024 or (0951) 3007024.
Be alarmed
The city of Schweinfurt will test its
sirens Nov. 24 at 10 a.m. There will be a
tone that will last for one minute. A oneminute continuing tone, interrupted twice,
means there is a fire alert. For more information call 354-1600 or (09721) 961600.
by Margot Cornelius
The Point
Ten 2nd Brigade Combat Team, or BCT,
Soldiers redeployed to the Schweinfurt community at the end of October after an eight-month
stint in Iraq.
The group of staff sergeants returned to
Germany to attend the highly-sought-after master gunners training course in Grafenwoehr,
Germany; one of the Army’s toughest schools
for noncommissioned officers.
The group went through seven half-days of
reintegration into the community in a classroom
setting. This same model will be used to reintegrate the entire 2nd BCT when they redeploy in
2005.
“We’re going to build a tent city on Conn
Barracks and we’re going to have two or three
sessions; one in the morning from 8 a.m. to
noon, and then from 1 to 5 p.m. and potentially
from 6 to 10 p.m. We plan to have 150 Soldiers
per session and a total of 450 Soldiers processed
each day in each tent. Tracking them and ensuring that everyone gets everything is a critical
piece of that,” said Justin Mitchell, 280th BSB
executive officer.
“Everything” includes updating medical records, financial records, obtaining meal and ration cards, learning about mental health and
relationship health, and even a session on com-
by Margot Cornelius
The Point
Enjoy Thanksgiving
meal
Learn about the special European craft of
lace making at the Crafts Studio, Thursdays
from 6 to 8 p.m. The price of the class is $35
for 6 weeks. For more information call 3546903 or (09721) 966903.
280th BSB
editorial office is located in Robertson
Hall on Ledward Barracks, Schweinfurt,
telephone 354-6381 or (09721) 966381.
Mailing address is PAO, The Point, 280th
Base Support Battalion, CMR 457, APO AE 090330457.
964800.
http://www.schweinfurt.army.mil
280th BSB
Commander ......................... Lt. Col. Jeffrey Feldman
Public Affairs Officer ................................ George Ohl
Journalist .......................................... Margot Cornelius
bat stress and post-traumatic stress disorder.
There will also be onsite professionals to help
Soldiers.
Although spouses are invited to attend all
seven half-days of reintegration, the most relevant day for them is day two, which deals with
changes in relationships, communication in the
home, domestic violence, suicide and combat
stress.
While the topics are important under normal
conditions, the Army focuses on those even
more for redeployed Soldiers.
Fresh from their deployment, the Iraqi veterans have mixed reactions to being home again.
“Its kind of like a marriage. You’ve lived with
these guys all this time, their waking up, their
going to sleep, their entire life is in your hands,
and so you get really attached to them, and then
you gotta go,” said Staff Sgt. Todd Bair, Company C, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry.
Others had a different take on things.
“It’s cold! It’s nice to see clouds, I have not
seen clouds in like ten months. It’s nice to be
back, you’re not getting shot at,” said Staff Sgt.
Dominic Rymarczyk, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Bn., 26th Inf.
“My daughter is the hardest part. She doesn’t
feel like she’s spending enough time with me.
She goes to school, comes back and there’s only
Margot Cornelius
Foreground, Sgt. Robert Tanner helps
Staff Sgt. Joseph Mayo with a medical
survey as Staff Sgt. Todd Bair has blood
drawn by Sgt. Guillermo Vazquez.
six hours and if I’m not spending every minute
with her she’s sad,” said Staff Sgt. Frank
Mosher, Co. A, 1st Bn., 18th Inf.
High marks deliver even bigger rewards
Attend a Thanksgiving ecumenical service at the Ledward Chapel, Nov. 24 at 6
p.m. All community members are invited.
Call the chapel at 354-1570 or (09721)
961570.
Make handmade
lace
13
Troops go through reintegration
Give thanks
The 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry dining
facility on Conn Barracks will serve a special Thanksgiving meal Nov. 25. Single
Soldiers are served from 11 to 11:30 a.m.
and each unit has been assigned a specific
time to be served. Contact your family
readiness group for your designated time.
For more information call 353-8056 or
(09721) 968056.
Kristen Toth
Joni Starling, Spanish teacher at
Schweinfurt American Middle School,
helps seventh-grader Jonathan Diaz.
It pays to make the grade at school, and Army
and Air Force Exchange Service, or AAFES, is
making sure of that. Every quarter, AAFES
awards academic excellence through its “You
Made the Grade” competition.
Sixth- through 12th-graders attending public
or private schools, including Department of
Defense Dependents Schools, or DoDDS, and
home schools, can present their most recent
report card to the Schweinfurt AAFES Post Exchange, or PX, manager. The report card must
reflect an overall “B” average or a numerical
equivalent. Homeschooled students can present
a letter of certification confirming their “B”
average. Students will then receive a $50 coupon
book for purchases of big name brand items like
Adidas, Tommy Hilfiger, Taco Bell and more.
“It is important to recognize children who
excel. It gives them an incentive to get better
grades,” said Gail Langford, Schweinfurt
AAFES PX soft-line manager.
But that’s not all. The big money lies within
the coupon book. Each book contains an entry
form for a U.S. savings bond sweepstakes. Four
times a year, AAFES will award savings bonds
with face values of $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 to
three students.
“My daughter is 17 and she is finishing school
this year. She is applying for college. I think this
is a good idea what the PX is doing. A lot of
people don’t have that much money because
college is expensive. I think it’s wrong for our
teenagers to take out loans to pay for college and
pay back over years. My daughter is an ‘A’
student,” said Wilma Kuik, 280th BSB United
Service Organizations, operations coordinator.
The drawings for winners in the previous
quarter will be made in April, July, October and
January each year.
For more information about the AAFES “You
Made the Grade” competition, the Schweinfurt
PX has flyers at its customer service desk as well
as at the jewelry counter. You can also log onto
www.aafes.com and type in “You Made the
Grade”.
Students may enter the drawing once every
calendar quarter.
Fighting
fire with fire
Eight-year-old Emily Jahsman
attempts to extinguish the
flame of the candle Chaplain
(Lt. Col.) William Ralston
holds, with a water gun at the
Harvest Fest October 30. The
festival was sponsored by the
Ledward Chapel and featured
games, a climbing wall, and
an inflated moonwalk. Various
congregations in the community took part in helping
organize the event. Youth performers entertained children,
while volunteers painted
faces, supervised games, and
handed out candy. The harvest fest is a Christian alternative to Halloween.
Kristen Toth
Lost ID cards can create serious problems
by Margot Cornelius
The Point
Twenty six ID cards were reported missing in the 280th BSB
in the month of October, and these reports are commonplace at
BSBs throughout the 98th Area Support Group. It’s the very real
threat to security that has commanders repeating the “don’t lose
your ID card” message.
“The worst case scenario is Rhein Mein Air Force Base, where
they used military ID cards and USAREUR license plates to gain
access and they blew up a bomb on the installation itself,” said
Sgt. 1st Class Jeffery Flick, 280th BSB Provost Marshal’s Office
noncommissioned officer in charge, referring to an incident in
1985.
Losing your ID card poses this kind of potential danger. Not
immediately reporting the loss to the military police, or MP,
station and the chain of command increases the risk of the card
being misused.
Those who have not lost an ID card do not know the hassle
involved in getting a new one issued. You must report the loss to
the chain of command, fill out a report at the MP station, take the
MP form to the personnel services battalion where you are issued
a new ID card, before finally heading to the installation access
control system office to reregister in the system.
“The breakdown of who is losing ID cards is a 50-50 split
between Soldiers and family members; it’s also a 50-50 split with
males and females. There’s no clear demographic,” said Capt.
Matthew Hofmann, 280th BSB provost marshal.
If you find your ID card after reporting it lost, let the MP
station know. It will be noted as recovered on the report. Also, if
a card is lost over the weekend, report it to the MP station
immediately, do not wait until Monday. The longer the ID card
is missing, the more opportunity for it to be misused.
“Whether it’s an active duty or civilian ID card, never let it
leave your possession. It’s part of official Army business,” Hofmann said.
“Urinalysis, getting stopped by an MP, or at the installation
gates; those are the only times you should be relinquishing your
military ID card,” Flick added.
14
Ansbach Cougars win record-setting game
by Scott Rouch
The Point
The Ansbach American Middle High School
Cougars now own a piece of the Department of
Defense Dependents Schools record book.
The Cougars showed no mercy as they
thrashed the Bucs of Baumholder, 54-14, winning their third-consecutive Division III title,
joining three other schools across the three
divisions that have done so.
In the process, the Cougars also ran their
winning streak to 24 games and will have the
chance to break the mark of 26 early in the 2005
season.
Head coach Marcus George added his name
to the record book for a second time in the
category, having coached Fulda American High
School to three-consecutive championships
from 1988-90. George also led the Hoehenfels
High School squad to a championship in 1997.
During the preseason, George remarked that
he thought if the team could do the things they
were capable of, that things would take care of
themselves.
As they did throughout the season, the
Cougars jumped out to a commanding lead, 360, before the Bucs had an opportunity to catch
their breaths, and cruised to the mercy-rule win.
That was just the second time the Cougars
won by the rule during the season, but many
times they had to let up and not score to allow
the game to continue. They trailed just once at
halftime, 3-0, to Division II Vilseck in week
four, and averaged just over 43 points-per-game.
The Cougars had to get by the Barons of
Bamberg American High School the previous
week in order to advance to the championship.
They dominated from the beginning, jumping
out to a 39-0 first half lead and won 45-14.
The win was also the 100th-career win for
George, whose players were motivated to get
that for him as well.
The senior running backs paced the way for
the Cougars in the championship game,
accounting for 361 of their 485 rushing yards.
Dameon Outley rushed for 185 yards and three
touchdowns while James Esters chipped in with
176 yards.
Scott Rouch
The Cougars’ defense was stingy all year, allowing opponents an average of 10 points-per-game, holding teams to under 20
points for all but one game in the 2004 season. They allowed just 28 playoff points; scoring 99.
The Cougars will lose 14 seniors from this
year’s squad, but have talent ready for next year.
Freshman Dominique Whaley rushed for 75
yards on seven carries and George inserted
freshman quarterback John Willis-Morris, who
threw a touchdown pass after coming in for
senior Brandon Bachtel in the season finale.
Schools catch students’ eye
by Scott Rouch
The Point
Photos by Scott Rouch
Despite the inclement weather, Wuerzburg American High
School got a good turnout for its Department of Defense Dependents Schools College Day.
Over 100 people checked out the colleges and different
branches of service that displayed their materials in the high
school’s cafeteria for two hours.
Students were able to hear about the 28 varied colleges and
universities straight from the alums themselves.
Representing the schools were high school teachers and administrators, as well as local Army community leaders.
417th BSB Commander Lt. Col. Thomas Fass pulled double
duty as he was there representing his undergraduate and graduate
school alma maters, Virginia Tech University and Georgia Tech
University, respectively.
For those who missed the event, a good resource to find a
college or university is www.myroad.collegeboard.com.
Gillian Seely, left, talks to Ben West and Silke Chepnik
from Bamberg about the benefits of the University of
London.
Capt. Darrell Otto, right, extols the virtues of Florida
State University to Wuerzburg American High School’s
Joel Marbut, left, and Brad Brown.
Navy Fire Controlman 1st Class Diana Harrison makes her pitch to Wuerzburg’s Chris Pitcher, left, and Magdalene
Siebert at College Day in Wuerzburg.
Chaplains are still rocking the congregation
by Sgt. 1st Class Chuck Joseph
196th MPAD
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DANGER, TIKRIT, Iraq –
A group of Task Force Danger Soldiers, led by two Army
Chaplains, celebrated contemporary Christian services recently
with music and prayer during a program dubbed Relying on
Christ in Kombat, or “ROCK.”
Prior to arriving in Iraq, chaplains (Capt.) Bret Gilmore of the
121st Signal Battalion and (Capt.) Lane Creamer of the 4th
Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery, held joint services at their
units’ Kitzingen, Germany, location, where the services were
dubbed “ROCK” for Relying on Christ in Kitzingen.
The “K” was retained upon landing in Iraq. Thus, the preach-
ing duo referred to the service as “The ROCK Forward,” even
though it isn’t exactly the same. The Danger version has a group
of seven 1st Infantry Division band members leading the music.
In Germany, the music came from congregation members.
This congregation expanded to include Soldiers from FOB
Danger-based units. About 30 Soldiers and some civilian workers attended the service. As many as 50 people have attended the
service at one time, Gilmore said.
The contemporary celebration wasn’t like any traditional
Christian worship service. About two-thirds of the hour-long
session was Christian music. The lyrics were displayed on the
theater’s screen, and the congregation helped the band rock the
house.
Creamer, the Fort Myers, Fla., native, has told the faithful to
“Go after the Lord during worship. Don’t worry about the person
to your left or right.” The enthusiasm in the crowd proved they
listened. Hands clapped and hymns were belted out.
“We’re growing, so the Soldiers must be responding well,”
Gilmore said. “As I watch them worship, it seems to me they are
enjoying it,” the Walker, La., native added.
“It’s awesome and outstanding,” said Spc. James L. Cox Jr., a
driver from Headquarters, 1-21
“It’s good,” said Spc. Michael Jenson II, a training noncommissioned officer from Battery B, 4th Bn., 3rd ADA.
“Here, we’re able to keep the enjoyment of the music and stay
genuine to the worship,” he added.
417th Base Support Battalion: Giebelstadt, Kitzingen, Wuerzburg
Celebrate heritage
The 417th BSB Equal Opportunity and
Equal Employment Opportunity offices
will host a Native American heritage celebration at the Leighton Physical Fitness
Center, Nov. 27 at 5 p.m. The event will
feature the White Eagle dancers and Native
American artifacts. For more information,
call 355-8550 or (09321) 3058550.
Enjoy Thanksgiving
The 417th BSB invites all community
members to attend one of three Thanksgiving meals served in the dining facilities
Nov. 25. The Giebelstadt and Larson dining
facilities will be open 11 a.m.-2 p.m. The
Leighton meal will be at the Cantigny Club
from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Get briefed
Army Community Service, or ACS, will
host a mobilization and deployment briefing Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. on Leighton Barracks.
ACS will host an additional briefing at the
School Age Services building on Marshall
Heights, Dec. 9 at noon. For more, call 3507103 or (0931) 8897103.
Call the hotline
The Wuerzburg medical community has
established a flu hotline to help callers
receive specific flu vaccination information. To contact the hotline, call 350-3766
or (0931) 8043766, or for German influenza vaccine information, call 350-3240 or
(0931) 804-3240. For more information,
contact Maj. Robert Andrews, Preventive
Medicine Division at 350-3789.
Get a picture with
Santa
The American Red Cross is hosting its
annual Santa Photo Fundraiser, Dec. 4, 5,
11, 12, 18 and 19. The event will be held at
the BookMark on Leighton Barracks on
Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on
Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost for the
event is $5 for two photos. All proceeds
benefit the American Red Cross. For more
information, call 350-1760 or (0931)
8891760.
Hoops and Hugs scores with children
They learn about Iraq
and how to be a Soldier
by Mindy Campbell
The Point
The sergeant barked out commands to the
new Soldiers and ran them through a number of
marching drills. Some of the Soldiers got it;
others confused their left from their right and
giggled nervously.
These, however, weren’t your typical Soldiers; they were a group of fourth graders from
the Kitzingen Intermediate School, or KIS, who
were participating in a program called Hoops
and Hugs.
In its second year, Hoops and Hugs is one of
many initiatives underway in the Department of
Defense Dependents Schools-Europe to provide
support and assistance to military families
affected by deployments.
Hoops and Hugs incorporates Army involvement with academic activities and a basketball
competition for all of the third- through fifthgrade students at KIS. Officials began developing the program a little more then a year ago
when they realized an especially large number of
parents would be deploying.
According to Mary Zane, school nurse and
program co-chairman, more than 75 percent of
the KIS parent population has been deployed for
the last 10 months.
“We wanted to address issues the children
might have during that time,” Zane said.
Zane and her fellow school officials wanted to
come up with something that was fun, but also
followed some academic guidelines. Another
key component was to involve the Army and
tighten the link between the children and the
Soldiers.
“We wanted the children to have the opportunity to ask questions among their peers to Soldiers who have been in Iraq,” Zane said.
Hoops and Hugs kicked off this year with a
trip to Larson Barracks, where the 4th Battalion,
3rd Air Defense Artillery, Rear Detachment, the
school’s unit sponsor, had a program that included a Bradley vehicle inspection, a PowerPoint presentation with input from downrange
parents, a marching and cadence drill and the
trademark basketball competition.
While the highlight for Miranda Lands, 10,
was the basketball competition, she also gained
some insight into Iraq and the war.
“I learned that the Army is trying to make Iraq
a better place,” she said. “Saddam was very rich
and kept all the money to himself even though
the people in Iraq were poor.”
For Lewis Wetherbee, 9, the highlight of the
morning was getting up close to the Bradley.
“The best thing was going inside the Bradley.
I reckon I knew quite a bit about the military
by Mindy Campbell
The Point
When searching for gifts for those who have
it all, 417th BSB community members now have
a new place to shop.
The Hearts and Hands Boutique has reopened
its doors for business. The arts and crafts store is
located next to the thrift shop, building 9 on
Submit your idea
Hit the lanes
417th BSB
editorial office is located in building 114,
Harvey Barracks, telephone 355-8575 or
(09321) 3058575. Mailing address is
PAO, The Point, 417th Base Support Battalion, Unit 26124, APO AE 09031-6124.
3055999.
Phone numbers for patient liaisons are: Kitzingen,
355-8415 or (09321) 3058415; Wuerzburg and Giebelstadt, call the 67th Combat Support Hospital, 350-3874
or (0931) 8043874.
http://www.98asg.wuerzburg.army.mil/417/
417th BSB
Commander ................................. Lt. Col. Thomas Fass
Public Affairs Officer ........................... Gabriele Drake
Journalists .................... Larry Reilly, Mindy Campbell
Mindy Campbell
Mikayla Smith tries on a Kevlar helmet
while waiting in line to check out a
Bradley vehicle.
before coming here, but I learned a whole lot
more today.”
For more information about Hoops and Hugs,
contact Mary Zane at 355-8837 or (09321)
3058837.
Crafty buyers can resume shopping
The Army Family Action Plan, or AFAP,
program is currently soliciting issues for the
2005 AFAP Conference. AFAP issue forms
can be picked up at any Army Community
Service, or ACS, office or found on the
417th BSB website, under the ACS, link.
For more information, e-mail 417AFAP@
cmtymail.98asg.army.mil.
The Marshall Heights Bowling Center
now has new operating hours. The center
will be open Mon, Wed and Thu from 11
a.m. to 10 p.m., Fri and Sat from 11 a.m. to
midnight, Sun from 1 to 9 p.m. and Tue the
facility is closed. For more information, call
(09321) 21615.
19
Mindy Campbell
Mallie Campbell, left, discusses some items at the Hearts and Hands Boutique with
consigner Gaby Kosley.
Leighton Barracks in Wuerzburg.
According to Mallie Campbell, store manager, the shop has a wide array of items from
stuffed pillows to decorative signs to original
artwork. Everything in the shop is either handmade or is an antique that has been refinished.
“This is a great outlet for both the artist and
the people looking for an unusual gift to buy
someone,” Campbell said.
Hearts and Hands is operated by the Wuerzburg Community Spouses Club, or WCSC. The
shop, which closed in January for reorganization, has been around for several years.
“I am very excited to have the shop open
again and expect it to do great,” said Denita
Barclay, WCSC president.
The staff will host an official grand-opening
event Friday, Dec. 3 from 6 to 10 p.m. with a
wine-and-cheese event.
In addition to selling items, the staff also
plans on offering craft classes in the future, including sewing, decoupage, jewelry-making and
hand-painted eggs.
Hearts and Hands is open Tuesday and
Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.,
Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. and the first and third
Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.
For more information call 350-6688 or (0931)
8896688.
One more won’t
kill you … now
Martha Brewster, played by Jordan Kemplin,
center, and sister Abby Brewster, played by
Angela Ayres, offer Mr. Witherspoon, played
by Jacob Rosen, a glass of poisoned elderberry wine in the Joseph Kesselring comedy
“Arsenic and Old Lace.” The Wuerzburg
American High School performed the play
Nov. 11-13. The comedy follows the story of
the Brewster sisters who are secretly killing
off lonely bachelors by serving them elderberry wine spiked with arsenic. The murderous plot is discovered by Mortimer, the
sisters’ nephew, when he stumbles upon a
dead body in a window seat.
Mindy Campbell
Tree lightings usher in the holiday season
by Mindy Campbell
The Point
Santa Claus will make several early-season appearances
during 417th BSB Christmas tree-lighting ceremonies.
Wuerzburg will be kicking off the season Dec. 2 with its treelighting ceremony starting at 4:15 p.m. at Victory Park on Leighton Barracks.
The USAREUR chorus will perform Christmas songs, as will
several local elementary school classes, according to Don Smith,
Wuerzburg Area Support Team, or AST, commander.
Other highlights of the event include the arrival of Santa Claus
by fire truck, followed by hot chocolate and snacks.
“The highlight of the event is when you see the kids’ eyes light
up when they see Santa Claus,” Smith said.
According to Ken Emory, the Giebelstadt AST commander,
Giebelstadt will host their tree-lighting ceremony Dec. 3 at 5
p.m. at the flag pole. The event will be hosted by the 69th Air
Defense Artillery commander and will feature Christmas carols,
snacks and gluehwein.
“This event signifies the beginning of the season by turning on
the lights of the fir tree,” Emory said.
The Kitzingen community will round out the festivities when
it hosts a tree-lighting ceremony, Sunday, Dec. 5 on Harvey
Barracks in front of building 114 at 4 p.m.
According to Capt. Ken Wilson, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, commander, 417th BSB, a local German band
will provide Christmas music during the ceremony.
Following the tree lighting, a German-American church service will be held at 5 p.m. at the Evangelische Stadtkirche in
Kitzingen, commonly known as the “yellow” church. The bilingual service will have a Christmas theme and a reception at the
church will follow the service.
“If you don’t spend a lot of time in the community outside of
the installation, this is an opportunity to get to know the German
community,” Wilson said.
Sports
21
Soccer day helps create lasting friendship
by Cheryl Boujnida
The Point
Simon Hupfer
Goalie Christian Adams lunges toward the ball, fending off opponents at the soccer jamboree
in Bamberg. The jamboree concluded the soccer season.
Aviators soar to
Flag football win
by Mindy Campbell
The Point
Despite rain and muddy fields, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th
Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, Giebelstadt, claimed the top spot in the 98th
ASG flag football championship tournament
Oct. 30 on Leighton Barracks.
The aviators defeated Headquarters and
Headquarters Detachment, 38th Personnel
Services Battalion, Bamberg, 26-24. They
won on the last play of the game.
Headquarters and Headquarters Battery,
6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery
from Ansbach took third place. A total of six
teams competed in the tournament.
With the win, Giebelstadt advanced to the
Installation Agency Management-Europe,
competition.
by Kristen Toth
The Point
During a deployment, many normal processes
get disrupted, including the 280th BSB Youth
Sports, or YS, coaching program. Soldiers
usually make up more than half of the volunteer
coaches.
“This year, about 80 percent of our volunteers
are spouses. If it weren’t for the spouses stepping
up to coach and filling the void from the
deployment, it would be extremely difficult for
us as youth sports staff to offer a quality program,” said Kevin Halligan, 280th BSB Youth,
Sports, and Fitness assistant director.
Spouses volunteer for different reasons.
Many, like Rachel Walker, a family member
with Headquarters and Headquarters Company,
1st Infantry Division, have children playing and
want to help them.
“I coach both of my children’s teams because
they need it. Supporting our husbands from afar
by Scott Rouch
The Point
Scott Rouch
The jamboree was a culmination of
Bamberg’s soccer season. Approximately
140 youth played from September to
November. CYS staff provided instructional opportunities to about 140 youth
ages 5-15 to learn more about the sport.
“Playing sports provides youth learning
experiences. They learn to work with
others, develop teamwork and leadership
skills, and it keeps them healthy too,” said
Tony Puskorious, CYS sports director.
While youth have access to computer
games daily, playing sports provides students the opportunity to get physical.
“It’s good for children to be active.
Playing sports pushes their physical
capabilities. Rather than just sitting around,
youth really benefit from being more
physically fit. Starting a healthier lifestyle
at a young age can have an overall positive
effect on them too,” said Kathy McGill,
CYS sports program assistant.
Spouses pinch hit for deployed troops
Mauer
gives by
coaching
Volunteer coach Peter Mauer and
Andrew Laupati go one-on-one in a dribbling drill during soccer practice at
Larson Barracks.
Soccer players never let the weather
interfere with playing the game.
Despite gushing winds and torrential
rain, the Bamberg Child and Youth Services, or CYS, soccer jamboree drew about
75 participants. Six teams from Bamberg,
Katterbach and Drosendorf, played a series
of matches Oct. 30 and 31 on Pendleton
Field.
Drosendorf’s team, a local German
soccer club, prevailed as the champions of
the jamboree. Bamberg’s CYS teams also
placed in the jamboree with the bantam
three team taking second place and the
bantam one team third place.
“There is nothing better than children
playing soccer; it’s a team sport and they
get plenty of fresh air,” said Johann Georg
Welz, Drosendorf coach.
He noted German players were pleased
to participate in the jamboree. “We are very
interested in fostering good relations with
Americans. We have had American players
on our team, several years ago, and the
player and the club benefited from the
positive relations – we would like to see
these opportunities continue,” Welz said.
With the deployment ongoing, help is
needed in a number of arenas and there seems
to be no shortage of those willing to help.
And it doesn’t just come from the American side of the house, as evidenced by Kitzingen pee wee coach Peter Mauer.
Mauer, son of an American Soldier and
German mother, was looking to help out in
some way, and he was able to catch on with
Youth Services, or YS, as a volunteer soccer
coach.
“I liked to do something for my American
friends because they are a part of me and I am
a part of them, so we are one family,” Mauer
said.
That attitude is impressive enough, and
then even more so when you find he out he
never knew his father, but still wants to give
of himself and support the local military community.
“I like to make friends, I like to support the
parents and the kids because their fathers are
in Iraq. I want to give them strong support,” he
said.
At the pee wee age, there is only so much
teaching of soccer that can occur, so he gives
them the basics and makes it a fun experience.
A team favorite is the passing out of snacks at
the conclusion of practice.
“To have Peter come out and take the time
with his experience and be good with the
kids, we’re happy to have him,” said Scott
Gordon, who says that Mauer will also be a
coach at some level for the upcoming spring
season.
gives us more hours to spend with our children,”
Walker said.
Others coach for fun, or to be involved in the
community.
“I volunteered to coach because they needed
coaches and it seemed like fun. I was able to be
involved in the community without having too
much responsibility,” said Beth Walter, a family
member with 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery.
“I wanted to stay involved with the sport, so I
decided to coach,” said Joni Starling, a family
member with 1st Bn, 7th FA.
The YS basketball season starts soon and
there is a dire need for more coaches. Extensive
knowledge of the sport is not needed, and coaching the young age levels requires minimal experience.
“This was my first time coaching and the YS
team made it easy and convenient,” Starling
said.
“It was very rewarding and I will do it again,”
Walter said.
Kristen Toth
Coach Joni Starling has fun while she
assigns positions to her soccer team
during halftime.
Roundup
Golfing off
Run for fun
Join start smart junior golf at the child
development center gym, Nov. 22 from 3 to 3:45
p.m. This is a head start for kids who wish to
play organized sports without the threat of competition or fear of getting hurt. For more information, call 354-6822 or (09721) 966822.
The Turkey Trot 5/10K run or walk on Bamberg’s Warner Barracks, which starts from
Pendleton Field is Nov. 20 at 9 a.m. Register that
day at 8 a.m. Cost to enter is $10 or €10. Volunteers are needed; for more information, call
469-8890 or (0951) 3008890.
Play ball
Club offers lessons
The 235th BSB Sports branch is hosting a
Thanksgiving company-level basketball tournament at the Bunch Fitness Center in Illesheim,
Nov. 26-27. Only teams within the 235th BSB
are eligible to participate. No entry fee! Teams
must register at the Bunch Fitness Center by
Nov. 22
The 417th BSB Rod and Gun Club is offering
lessons for those interested in learning to shoot
skeet and trap, rifle, pistol and paintball guns.
Certification courses in hunting and fishing are
also offered. For information, call the club Thu,
Sat or Sun at 355-8609 or (09321) 3058609.
Seasons begin
The 417th BSB basketball and cheerleading
seasons begin Dec. 11 for children ages 6 to 15.
The cost is $30 for the first child and $27 for
each additional child. Sports registration is now
available at any child development center or
school age services facility. For more information, call 355-2876 or (09321) 7022876.
Ski in Austria
Spend Thanksgiving in Austria with the
outdoor recreation center, or ODR, Nov. 25-28.
The group leaves ODR at 2 p.m., Nov. 25, and
returns about midnight Nov. 28. Cost is $239 per
person, including transportation, and some
meals. For information, call 353-8080 or
(09721) 968080.
Run for turkeys
The 5th Annual Turkey Trot 5/10K fun run at
Kloster Forst in Kitzingen, is Nov. 20. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the race begins at
10 a.m. The cost is $10 and includes a T-shirt.
Turkeys will be given to the top finishers and
more will be raffled off at the event. For more
information, call 355-8847 or (09321) 3058847.
Go holiday bowling
Participate in holiday bowl at Bamberg’s
Birchview Lanes Bowling Center through Nov.
21. Between 7 p.m. and closing, bowl three
games and the highest two averages at the end of
the contest wins a turkey or a ham. For more
information, call 469-7722 or (0951) 3007722.
Coaches needed
The 417th BSB is seeking dedicated and
motivated volunteers to coach a variety of youth
sports programs. No experience necessary and
training will be provided. For more information,
call Vince Sciuto at (09321) 7023217 or (0170)
3163767.
Outdoor Recreation
extends hours
The 417th BSB Outdoor Recreation center
now has new hours of operation. Outdoor
Recreation, located on Larson Barracks, is now
open Monday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.,
Tuesday-Thursday from 11:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.,
Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and the center
will be closed on Saturday and Sunday. For more
information, call Outdoor Recreation at 3558629 or (09321) 3058629.

November 19, 2004 - Typo

Transcription

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