February 25, 2005 - Typo

Soldiers
continue to
return to
Bamberg
See page 14
The Point
Vol. 13, No. 4
Serving the 98th ASG and the 235th, 279th, 280th and 417th BSBs – Army communities of excellence
February 25, 2005
Ansbach • Bad Kissingen • Bamberg • Giebelstadt • Illesheim • Kitzingen • Schweinfurt • Wuerzburg
Essay winners
selected
Winners in the first
Big Red One Writing
Contest were: 0 to 12year-old category, 1stplace winner ($500)
was Megan Herron
from Wuerzburg for her
essay entitled “My Life
During the Deployment,” 2nd-place winner ($330) was Anna
Cressler from Vilseck for her essay “While
You Were Gone”; 13 to 19-year-old category: 1st-place winner was Tiana Grey
from Bamberg for her essay entitled,
“While You Were Deployed,” 2nd-place
winner was Zachary Samson, attending
college in Arkansas, for his essay “Being in
college thousands of miles away from my
parents”; adult family member category:
1st-place winner was Tammie Smith from
Illesheim for “Am I Ready?” and the 2ndplace winner was Kristin Huey from Vilseck for her essay “T-Bar Thingies.”
Get your badge
The U.S. Army announced a new badge
for selected combat arms Soldiers in combat arms brigades who engage in active
ground combat. The Close Combat Badge
will provide special recognition to ground
combat arms Soldiers who are trained and
employed in direct combat missions similar
to infantry and Special Forces. The Army
will award the CCB to armor, cavalry,
combat engineer, and field artillery Soldiers
or corresponding officer branch/specialties
recognized as having a high probability to
routinely engage in direct combat, and they
must be assigned or attached to an Army
unit of brigade or below that is purposefully
organized to routinely conduct close combat operations and engage in direct combat
in accordance with existing rules and
policy.
Apply now
for benefits
When military retirees apply for Combat
Related Service Compensation, their applications will now be processed within 30
days of when received. The CRSC benefit
is for military retirees, active or reserve,
who have 20 years or more of service and a
Veteran’s Administration disability rating
of 10 percent or more. Applicants must
have a VA waiver. For more information
about the CRSC benefit, or to determine
eligibility, visit the CRSC website at
www.crsc.army.mil.
Paper tickets cost
more
Commercial airlines are beginning to
charge a $20 fee for paper tickets on routes
offering electronic ticketing. Department of
Defense official travelers will be charged a
paper ticket fee of $20 if the traveler requests a paper ticket where electronic
ticketing is offered. This fee will apply to
each paper ticket requested, regardless of
the type of travel. This fee will only be
reimbursed if a paper ticket is required to
complete the mission, reimbursement is
authorized by the traveler’s order issuing
official, and the authorization is documented on the traveler’s orders.
Get walking
for free
Sun. Feb. 27 is International Tour Guide
Day. U.S. Military, their families and employees of the military are invited for free
walking tours of Wuerzburg. The tours will
be given in English. Times are 2 p.m. and
3:30 p.m. and will meet at the Falkenhaus,
in the upper market square in Wuerzburg.
Donations will go to the Adopt a City
Fountain project.
Photos by Scott Rouch
Karin Stoiber, wife of Bavarian Minister-President Dr. Edmund Stoiber, welcomes families of 1st Infantry Division Soldiers and
98th ASG personnel to the State Chancellery Building in Munich.
Division families are recognized
by Scott Rouch
The Point
In the continuing spirit of friendship between
the two nations, leaders from the German
government took time out to meet with families
of 1st Infantry Division Soldiers serving in Iraq,
at a reception in Munich, Feb. 11.
A group of about 70, comprised of 1st Inf.
Div. families and personnel from the 98th ASG,
loaded onto buses from Wuerzburg, Schweinfurt
and Bamberg and made the four-hour trip to the
historic southern Bavarian city.
They were received by Erwin Huber, the head
of the Bavarian State Chancellery, as well as
Karin Stoiber, wife of Bavarian MinisterPresident Dr. Edmund Stoiber.
The families were honored at the Bavarian
State Chancellery building, described by Huber
as the “Bavarian White House.” Speaking for
the Minister-President, Huber thanked the
families for their sacrifices and those of their
spouses in Iraq, and expressed sympathy and
condolences to the families of Soldiers who
will not return.
“We’re very grateful for the graciousness of
the Bavarian government to invite us here
today,” said Jeff Nielsen from the Schweinfurt
Army Community Service.
Following Huber’s remarks, Pat Santala, wife
of 98th ASG Commander Col. Russel D.
Santala, took to the podium. She thanked the
Germans for their support and friendship on
behalf of the 1st Inf. Div. Soldiers and their
families.
The group was served lunch, received a tour
of the Bavarian State Chancellery building and
then were treated to a tour of the nearby Munich
Residence, where Senator Hiliary Clinton dined
the following evening.
“I’m happy we made the trip,” said Mandy
Freds, wife of Capt. Will Freds, 1st Battalion,
33rd Field Artillery, Bamberg. “I’m glad William got the experience to come out and see
southern Germany,” she added about her son.
Moore is found not guilty
by Scott Rouch
The Point
At his court martial Feb. 9 in Wuerzburg, Pfc.
Larry D. Moore was found not guilty of committing indecent acts with a child under 16 years
of age.
The nine-member panel of both officers and
enlisted heard evidence and closing arguments
during the afternoon, then deliberated for just
over an hour before finding Moore, from
Company B, 701st Main Support Battalion,
Kitzingen, not guilty.
The case boiled down to a “he-said, she-said”
situation between Moore and his stepdaughter,
who alleged that Moore committed an indecent
act on her while he was home on leave in
DeLeon, Texas, between Dec. 1, 2001 and Jan.
15, 2002.
The stepdaughter never reported the alleged
misconduct or told anyone about it until it came
to light in January 2004, while she alleged
another incident between her and Moore to
Military Police and Criminal Investigation Division investigators.
That night, after waiving his rights, Moore
confessed to CID investigator Jerry Frasier,
having molested his stepdaughter between four
and 20 times prior to entering the Army in 2001.
He was never specifically asked about any
incident that occurred after he enlisted in the
Army.
The prosecution had no direct evidence to
support their case and used the confession to the
prior occurrences to set the groundwork for the
stepdaughter’s allegation. They were hampered
by inconsistencies in her statement.
Mike Clidas, left, Erwin Huber, head of
the Bavarian State Chancellery and
Matthew Rooney, the Munich General
Counsel, right, enjoy the hats presented
to the attendees.
Community focus
How we eat apples
Almost five in 10 Americans
say they prefer to eat an
apple by biting into it whole.
p Bite into it
47%
p Cut into slices
39%
p Peel it
11%
p Don’t know
3%
Source: Opinion Research
for Splenda
By: Scott Rouch
March is American Red Cross Month
2
Team of Teams!
The Point, February 25, 2005
Recycling
and water
conservation
help save the
environment
Americans are realizing recycling is an effective way of
dealing with the huge amount of trash which is discarded from
the average American household every year. However, less than
half of our community members are recycling.
Our German hosts deal very effectively with the problem even
though they use tiny trash cans. When all those bottles, cans,
biodegradables, plastics and paper have been separated from the
regular household trash, there’s really not much left.
Special recycling containers are located in every German and
American military neighborhood. The bins in German neighborhoods are compartmentalized to hold different colored glass,
while separate bins are used for cans and paper. The can
container can also be used to recycle scrap metal and tin foil.
Plastics should be collected separately in yellow plastic bags
that are available from self-help stores. In some communities,
coated containers are collected in blue plastic bags.
What goes into these plastic bags can vary from community
to community, but the bags usually have pictures or words
printed on the side saying what should go into them.
Another area where we can pitch in to help save our environmental resources is with water conservation. Done ef-
fectively, it can also help the Army save money which can be
directed to projects to improve our communities.
There are simple ways to help conserve water; from washing
a full load of clothes to turning the water off when you shave or
wash dishes. A leaky faucet may seem like an annoyance, but it
is also one that can cost money in the long run. If you need help
fixing a leaky faucet, call your local Directorate of Public Works
office.
And with the spring season just around the corner, it is important to remember that it is permissible to use water on your
garden, but against regulation to wash your car in housing areas.
Instead, use the designated areas on or off post.
I challenge every 98th ASG member to pitch in. Our planet’s
resources are limited and we need to do what we can for ourselves and future generations.
Team of Teams!
RUSSEL D. SANTALA
Colonel, Air Defense Artillery
98th Area Support Group Commander
Thumbs-up
Nine hundred thumbs up to the
Wuerzburg area Kraft foods distributor, Dennis Sullivan, who on more
than one occasion contributed food,
snacks, and beverages to the 67th Combat
Support Hospital Family Readiness Group that
our Single Soldier program was able to extend to
all our heroes who returned safely from a
yearlong deployment in Iraq. Both the Wuerzburg Girl Scout Daisy Troop #10 and Brownie
Troop #733 spent many hours painting and
decorating the boxes we placed in the single
Soldiers’ rooms at the barracks, deservedly
earning a patch for community service. We also
give honorable mention to Chris Wolff, the
Giebelstadt School Age Services director, whose
children sponsored our returning single Soldiers
and really gave our program a boost with
generous donations. Accept our heartfelt thanks
from all of the 67th CSH Soldiers and family
members.
Connie Zottola, Wuerzburg
– Correction –
In the January 28th edition on page 6, Mrs. Kamena should have been referred to as the wife of
the 1st. Inf. Div. commander’s former chief of staff.
Street talk:
Recardo Alexander, 235th BSB
EEO, Barton Barracks, Ansbach
You always need a plan
even though it doesn’t
necessarily mean things
work out the way you
planned it, but at least
you have something to
work with. It all comes
back to the simple fact
that nothing is going to be
given to you. You always
have to work for it.”
Thumbs up to the spouses who took the time to
greet some single Soldiers who returned to
Schweinfurt. At times their own husbands were
not home yet, but they still went to the welcome
receptions to make sure these single Soldiers
knew they were appreciated. A simple handshake or hug created the biggest smiles on some
of the most battle-weary faces. Thank you!
Margot Cornelius, Schweinfurt
❋ ❋ ❋
“Thumbs up – Thumbs down” is about people
who do a good job. It’s also about people who
need to be more considerate of others. This
column is not about institutions, units, agencies
or situations that could be subject to legal action
under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Submissions must be brief and include the
writer’s name and telephone number, and must
include the first and last name of the person
identified. The identity of the submitter will be
published along with the comments.
Send comments to Thumbs up-Thumbs
down: The Point; 98th ASG PAO; Unit 26622;
APO AE 09244-6622. Or bring them to room
216, building 208, Faulenberg Kaserne, Wuerzburg. Phone-in submissions will not be accepted.
What’s a lesson you had to learn the hard way?
Spc. Kristopher Odems, Bravo
2, 122nd Field Artillery Military
Police Provisional, Warner
Barracks, Bamberg
“I learned to value quality leadership and that
leaders are not born, but
rather they are made. It’s
up to those more experienced individuals to
share their experience
and knowledge with
those who are less experienced.”
Ruth Veldhuizen, Family Member, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 299th
Forward Support Battalion,
Conn Barracks, Schweinfurt
“That my parents were
right all along. Most of
the advice they gave
about decisions and the
future ended up being
right. They give you advice and you do your own
thing, and you come back
to – their way was right
after all.”
Ansbach • Bad Kissingen • Bamberg • Giebelstadt • Illesheim • Kitzingen • Schweinfurt • Wuerzburg
Producer: MILCOM Advertising Agency
Roswitha Lehner
Zeilaeckerstrasse 35 · 92637 Weiden
Telefax (0961) 67050-32
Internet:
Thumbs up to Elizabeth Herms, Lonnie
Reece and all the checkers at the Wuerzburg
Commissary for all their assistance with
Operation Holiday 2004. Without their help, we
would have had a much harder time serving the
families of the 417th BSB and the 1st Infantry
Division.
Kaethe Pittman, President, Community
Service Private Organization, Wuerzburg
Thumbs up to Sgt. 1st Class Jason Fitzpatrick. On Nov. 29, 2004, Sgt. 1st Class
Fitzpatrick responded to a medical emergency
my son was having. He rendered service which
contributed to my son’s medical condition being
upgraded. His quick reaction assured me that my
son was going to be OK. I feel he is a hero
because my husband is deployed and my son’s
life was in danger and Sgt. 1st Class Fitzpatrick
went out of his way to ensure my family was
taken care of. I would like to see him get some
type of hero’s award for his bravery and
knowledge in giving medical aid to my son. We
thank him so much.
Theresa Coward, Bamberg
www.milcom.de
Free classifieds (0931) 2964397 · Fax The Point (0931) 2964626
Staff Sgt. Adam Ybarra, Company E, 701st Main Support
Battalion, Harvey Barracks, Kitzingen
“I have learned to be
more open-minded. This
helps in both marriage
and life and helps you
understand where people
are coming from.”
Capt. Tresa VanHeusen, 235th
BSB Assistant S-3, Barton Barracks
Listening to my parents is
something I really had to
learn the hard way. It took
me more then a few years
to figure out that they are
usually right.
Photos by The Point staff
Spc. Nicholas McGehee, Headquarters and Headquarters
Company, 54th Engineer Battalion, Warner Barracks, Bamberg
Jennifer Jones, Family Member, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron,
4th Cavalry Regiment, Conn
Barracks, Schweinfurt
“I learned about marriage the hard way. Now
in my second marriage, I
have come to appreciate
mutual understanding and
respect.”
“Not putting my kids in
their own beds from birth,
because they still sleep
in my bed. It was something I know I should have
done, but I didn’t and now
I wish I had.”
“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]
Anette Fleet, Family Member,
4th Battalion 3rd Air Defense
Artillery, Larson Barracks, Kitzingen
“With my husband’s deployment to Iraq, I have
learned the hard way not
to take my family for
granted. I have learned to
appreciate the time we do
have together and to
enjoy it.”
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
Acting Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Scott Rouch
Journalist (Ansbach) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rabia Nombamda
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.
6
The Point, February 25, 2005
VICTORY-gram #26
Combat Operational Stress: An injury that can heal
by Lt. Col. Christopher Kolenda
Commander, 1st Infantry Division Rear Detachment
Combat Operational Stress is a reality of war. It is a struggle
for many Soldiers as they re-experience the war after
redeployment. Dealing with it effectively is critical to successful
reintegration and the long-term health of our Soldiers. Helpseeking behavior is a sign of strength and common sense. We all
have a role to play in this effort.
Combat Operational Stress is a challenging issue. It is not
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which is an extreme form that
occurs in very few Soldiers. Combat Operational Stress is a
normal reaction to traumatic and difficult experiences.
It is useful to treat Combat Operational Stress as an injury, a
wound that must heal. Physical wounds can be seen and are easy
to understand. Minor injuries often heal on their own. More
significant injuries require time and medical assistance. Having
a more significant injury does not mean an individual is weak.
It would be foolish to consider someone who went to see a
doctor for a gunshot or shrapnel wound as somehow less of a
man or a woman. We would think a person who walks around
with a broken leg and refuses treatment was ridiculous. With the
right assistance and rehabilitation, physical injuries heal.
Soldiers can get psychological injuries as well. These are
normal in combat or any other traumatic event. Some wounds
are minor and heal quickly by themselves. Others are more
significant and require time and assistance. Like with the
physical wounds, the fact of being injured is not the measure of
the person – the response is. Those who respond by seeking the
right assistance demonstrate strength and sound judgment. They
are already on the road to recovery. Those who refuse treatment
are just like the individual who walks around with a broken leg.
With the right assistance and rehabilitation, psychological
injuries heal as well.
We need your assistance as leaders, friends, and families to
help wounded Soldiers get the assistance and rehabilitation they
need. Help us get rid of any “stigma” attached to this normal
response to combat. There are no career consequences to
seeking assistance. Having worked in Human Resources
Command and having prepared hundreds of files for
Department of the Army promotion boards, I can tell you that
medical records or mental health screening documents are not
considered.
Job performance is the key factor in
any promotion board. Those who
refuse to seek assistance to injuries out
of some misguided notion of manhood
or womanhood do tend to perform
poorly. They have not healed properly.
Add a broken family and lost
friendships and we have someone who
has paid a pretty high price for false
pride. Those who seek the right
assistance and rehabilitation recover from
their injuries and continue to perform well.
What kind of future do we want our Soldiers to
have?
You are our first line of defense. You are the greatest resource
for our Soldiers. Read the wealth of information on this critical
subject available through your rear detachment and family
readiness group. Attend the Soldier-spouse day during
Reintegration. Get our wounded Soldiers who need healing in
contact with the trained professionals at social work services.
Your marriage, your friendship, your Soldier’s well-being
depend on it. You can make the difference.
Big Red One transfers authority to 42nd Inf.
by Spc. Joe Alger
1st Infantry Division PAO
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DANGER, TIKRIT, Iraq –
The 1st Infantry Division topped off a successful year in Iraq by
handing the reins to the 42nd Infantry Division in a transfer of
authority ceremony Feb. 14.
Outside the division main headquarters, which served as the
base for the Big Red One over the past year, 1st Inf. Div.
commander, Maj. Gen. John R.S. Batiste, reflected on Operation
Iraqi Freedom II and the task ahead.
Photos courtesy of the U.S. Army
Maj. Gen. John Batiste, 1st Inf. Div. commander,
speaks at a transfer of authority ceremony. The 1st Inf.
Div. transferred authority to the 42nd Inf. Div.
“Our successes over the past year have been achieved in
partnership with the people of Iraq, most notably with the Iraqi
Security Forces,” Batiste said. “Together, we have achieved
irreversible momentum. On the one hand, we have worked
together to empower Iraqi Security Forces to defeat the insurgency and have conducted combined operations to kill or capture
the enemy. On the other hand, we have built the foundation of a
new beginning by developing relationships based on trust and
confidence, by changing people’s attitudes, and by giving the
good people of Iraq alternatives to the insurgency.”
Batiste noted that in the past year, Iraqis have seen an
improvement in their quality of life, the creation of jobs, and
their first free election in decades.
“Together, we have given the people the freedom to make their
own choices about who their leaders will be and how their
country will be governed,” Batiste said.
The general took time to acknowledge the work of Iraqi
Soldiers, police officers, and border control workers.
“There is no shortage of brave men and women who are
willing to serve Iraq,” he said.
Batiste also recognized the sacrifice made by many Americans and Iraqis along the way.
“Many American and Iraqi Soldiers and policemen have given
their full measure during this just and honorable cause,” he said.
“These brave American and Iraqi men and women will forever
be on the honor rolls on the 1st Infantry Division, the 4th Iraqi
Army Division, and police departments across north-central
Iraq. We pray for their families and take comfort in knowing they
are in God’s hands. They did not die in vain.”
Batiste thanked the Soldiers who worked under him in OIF II,
then welcomed the 42nd Inf. Div. “The 1st and 42nd Infantry
Divisions have crossed paths before,” Batiste said. “Both divisions were activated in 1917 and took part in the most difficult
fighting in World War I. During World War II, the Rainbow
The color guard from the 1st Inf. Div. and 42nd Inf. Div.
render a salute during the transfer of authority
ceremony.
Division liberated Wuerzburg and Schweinfurt, along with other
areas so familiar to the Big Red One. So it is only fitting that our
paths cross again and the Rainbow Division relieves the Big Red
One on the front lines of the war to defend our way of life.”
The 42nd Inf. Div. Commander, Maj. Gen. Joseph J. Taluto,
thanked 1st Inf. Div. Soldiers for helping prime the Rainbow
Division for success in OIF III.
“The Big Red One and the Rainbow Division have served
together and continue to,” he said. “The 42nd is ready, willing,
and able to assume the mission.”
New runways
help redeployment
A special
welcome
home
present
for dad
by Sgt. W. Wayne Marlow.
1st Inf. Div. PAO
Maj. Shane Bartee,
Headquarters and
Headquarters
Company, 1st Infantry
Division, meets
Samuel, the newest
addition to his family,
after he traveled 27
hours from Forward
Operating Base
Speicher to the
hospital in Bad
Windsheim. He was
hours away from
boarding his flight
home from Iraq, and
would have been on
time for the joyous
event, had his wife,
Susanna, not given
birth six days early
Jan. 16.
Susanna Bartee
FORWARD OPERATING BASE DANGER,
Tikrit, Iraq – Redeployment is being made easier
for 1st Infantry Division Soldiers thanks to the
reconstruction of two runways at Forward
Operating Base Speicher’s airfield.
Instead of convoying to Kuwait, Soldiers
need only take a short ride to Speicher before
flying.
“It is a much easier and much safer way to get
Soldiers back to their families,” said Brig. Gen.
Stephen D. Mundt, 1st Inf. Div. assistant division commander-support. “It is part of a major
initiative to ease the pressure on Kuwait.”
Speicher can accommodate C130 Hercules,
C17 Globemasters, C23s, and UC35s as well as
commercial planes, he said.
The runways were bombed in the first Persian
Gulf War and getting them back in shape took
months, and included electrical repairs, trash
removal, and surface repairs.
While 1st Inf. Div. Soldiers are currently enjoying the runway’s benefits, Iraqis will be the
long-term winners, Mundt said.
“It was built in a way that will allow it to
become an industrial park for the Iraqi people,”
Mundt said. “It’s all part of the plan to eventually
have Iraqi Security Forces take over for the
United States,” he added.
235th Base Support Battalion: Ansbach, Illesheim
Keep reading
Congratulations to all
students and their families who have reached
the Commander’s Council of Readers Program
reading goal during this
school quarter. The program is an ongoing command initiative providing both support and
command recognition to parents and students who actively make reading a priority
at home as part of the Department of Defense Dependents Schools “Reading Starts
With Us” literacy program. For information
on the Commander’s Council of Readers
Program, contact the school liaison officer
at (09802) 832098 or e-mail trude.
[email protected].
Stop for traffic
The 235th BSB is adding two stop signs
at the intersection of the Katterbach High
School gate on Katterbach Kaserne. This
will replace the yield sign that is currently
in place for the westbound traffic and adds
a stop sign for the eastbound traffic.
The Point, February 25, 2005
11
Make a plan to ship your pets
Planning ahead can
reduce future problems
by Frauke Davis
235th BSB PAO
As it has been, shipping a pet continues to be
the owner’s responsibility.
“The Army will not send your pet home for
you, but we at the transportation office will be
glad to provide the necessary information to our
customers to make this transaction as easy as
possible,” said John Davis, 235th BSB transportation officer.
His advice is simple. As soon as you receive
your Permanent Change of Station orders, see
your transportation office to assist you in
making arrangements for your airline tickets
through the authorized Military and Government Travel Agency, which also can advise you
if the carrier your tickets are booked with will be
able to ship your pet.
There are limitations as to the numbers of pets
a carrier can transport on each flight, and
temperature can play a part as well. Pets will not
be boarded if ground temperature at any segment
of your trip is over 85 degrees.
You can avoid the hassle of last-minute
cancellations if you ship your pet with a company that specializes in this unique service, and
has pressurized and heated/cooled cabins. The
service includes daily departures and same-day
arrivals with over 200 U.S. airports to chose
from.
Whichever way you decide on, you will always need a health certificate from your
veterinarian that is less than nine days old at the
time of the flight, and a rabies-vaccination
certificate from at least 30 days prior to but not
longer than one year ago. And for your pets’
comfort, bring a small blanket or cushion with
the scent of the family for the bottom of the
travel kennel.
It is just as important to plan ahead if you
cannot take “man’s best friend” with you to your
new duty station as a new home needs to be
found for him or her. The local Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or Tierheim,
has been working closely with the military
community to place unwanted pets into new
homes.
“For years this cooperation has been working
out perfectly and we want to keep it that way,”
said Guenter Pfisterer, the Ansbach Tierheim
president. “We have a small animal shelter, but
we work together with others to ensure pets will
not be abandoned, which is not only cruel but
also a criminal offense in Germany, and also in
the United States.”
If you know you will be leaving within the
next few months and that you will not be able to
take your pet with you, contact the Ansbach
Tierheim now as they might have to make prior
arrangements with other animal shelters to
ensure all pets will be placed. To reach the
Ansbach Tierheim, call (0981) 62170, Mon-Fri
between 10 a.m. and noon and English-speaking
personnel will assist you.
Receive food
assistance
The 235th BSB Women, Infants and
Children is an educational and supplemental nutrition program is funded by the
United States Department of Agriculture.
An independent contractor manages the
WIC Overseas program, and is available to
receive applications for eligible families.
The WIC staff asks anybody that is interested to call and schedule an appointment at 468-7739 or (0981) 831739.
Training facility
available
Looking for a place to take your online
classes. The new Distributed Learning System Training Facility in Illesheim, in building 6541 is now available. Call Annette
Walker at 467-4373 or (09841) 83373.
Enjoy Cole Porter
The 235th BSB’s Terrace Playhouse presents the Cole Porter musical “Anything
Goes.” Performances are March 11-12, 18
and 19, at 7:30 p.m. each night. Two matinees are also scheduled, March 13 and 30
at 2 p.m. The cost is $8 for adults and $6 for
students. For information or for reservations, call 467-7636 or (0981) 183636.
Join story hour
The Illesheim Library offers story hour
each Thu at 3 p.m. with Ansbach hosting it
Wed at 12 p.m. at Bleidorn Library. Call the
Illesheim Library at 467-4675 or (09841)
83675 or the Ansbach Library at 468-1740
or (0981) 183740
Photos by Rhonda Podrazda
Agnes Allman, Tierheim part-time employee spends time with her buddy Cara.
Facility welcomes its 10,000th visitor
by Donna Bond
235th BSB ACS Director
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
Journalist ......................................... Rabia Nombamda
Agnes Allman gets a handshake from
Ule, who isn’t fazed by the snow on the
ground.
Natasha Cooper walked through a door and
earned a spot in Katterbach history.
On Thursday, Feb. 10, around 11:45 a.m., the
staff of the Katterbach Yellow Ribbon Room
proudly presented Cooper, a 6th Battalion, 52nd
Air Defense Artillery spouse, with a bouquet of
yellow flowers for being the 10,000th visitor to
their facility.
Staff Sgt. Jesus Jimenez
Natasha Cooper shows off the flowers
she got for being the 10,000th person at
the Katterbach Yellow Ribbon Room.
“The yellow ribbon room has been such a
great place,” Cooper said. “It is in the perfect
location, and Nitzilenny (Jimenez) and Renee
(Gross) make you feel at home when you walk
in the door.”
The facility opened January 26, 2004. Located next to the Katterbach Commissary with
accessible parking just steps from the front door,
the facility has been a smashing success.
Family readiness groups use the facility for
meetings, busy moms stop by to communicate
with their deployed spouses and families in the
United States, and kids keep busy in the play
areas filled with fun, educational toys.
The recent redeployment of 4th Brigade has
kept the yellow ribbon room as busy as ever.
Between 60 and 80 Soldiers and families per day
keep all six computers in use from 9 a.m. to 6
p.m.
The Army Community Service staff and the
officials at the 235th BSB say that they are
ecstatic that the Katterbach Yellow Ribbon
Room has helped so many FRGs, Soldiers, and
family members throughout the deployment of
the 1st Infantry Division.
The 235th BSB is looking out for the environment
by Frauke Davis
235th BSB PAO
The 235th BSB Command is actively implementing an Environmental Management System, which is a system that integrates environmental concerns and responsibilities into the
235th BSB mission planning and execution.
Many elements of an EMS are already in
place at the 235th BSB. Organizing these elements into a formalized EMS assists the 235th
BSB in defining environmental objectives and
targets, and in documenting the processes used
and progress made in achieving these objectives
and targets. EMS allows the 235th BSB to
achieve and demonstrate sound environmental
stewardship by controlling the environmental
impacts of 235th BSB activities, products, and
services.
EMS is required to be implemented at appropriate U.S. military installations as a result of
a Presidential Executive Order, however, implementing EMS will provide the 235th BSB
with benefits to include: creating consistent processes, reducing operating costs, improving regulatory compliance, fostering planning rather
than reaction, and enhancing the BSB’s public
image.
EMS addresses all aspects of the 235th BSB
operations to include organizational structure,
planning, practices and procedures, and resources. It is a system of continuous improvement
that follows the general principles of: identify,
plan, do, check, act.
The initial step in the implementation of the
235th BSB EMS was the promulgation of the
235th BSB Environmental Policy by Lt. Col.
Parker B. Schenecker in September 2003. The
235th BSB Environmental Policy was recently
improved upon and reissued under the signature
of Lt. Col. John G. Reilly, the current 235th BSB
commander. A copy of this policy is available to
the public through the 235th BSB Public Affairs
Office.
The next step in EMS implementation was the
designation of an EMS Management Representative, or EMSMR, and the creation of an EMS
Implementation Cross-functional Team, or CFT.
These individuals are tasked with coordinating
and actively implementing EMS throughout all
235th BSB functional areas and directorates. Mr.
Jürgen Stöhr, Directorate of Public Works, Environmental Management Office, is serving as
the EMSMR.
The 235th BSB EMSMR and the CFT are
currently in the process of reviewing 235th BSB
environmental aspects, such as the elements of
the BSB’s activities, products or services that
can interact with the environment, and identifying the associated environmental impacts.
Following this effort, the environmental aspects
will be prioritized and the 235th BSB will set
environmental objectives and targets for all environmental aspects that are considered significant.
14
279th Base Support Battalion: Bamberg
The Point, February 25, 2005
Become financially
savvy
Army Community Service offers
financial readiness
classes at the ACS
Building throughout
March to assist families and Soldiers.
Learn
budgeting
techniques in money
matters after reintegration class every
Thursday in March from 9 to 10 a.m. Acquire financial readiness skills at an investment basics class, March 9 from 1:30 to
3 p.m. Participate in a women and money
class, March 16 from 1 to 2 p.m., a newlywed financial planning course, March 22
from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and a financial
retirement planning class, March 31 from 1
to 2 p.m. To sign up, call Vanessia Holland
at 469-7777 or (0951) 3007777.
Youth learn to cope
Families welcome returning troops
by Cheryl Boujnida
The Point
There’s reason to rejoice in Bamberg – Soldiers are steadily returning home after a oneyear deployment.
Approximately 150 Soldiers with Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 38th Personnel Service Battalion, 1st Infantry Division
Band, Engineer Brigade, Headquarters and
Headquarters Service Battery, 1st Battalion,
33rd Field Artillery and Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, Division Artillery returned to
Bamberg in February.
“Now that I know he has touched ground in
Germany, I can relax and wait for him to arrive.
I was not at ease even when I knew he was on the
flight because even then, something could happen,” said Malette Hawes, while waiting in the
JFK Welcome Home Center for her husband
Master Sgt. Bobby Hawes to arrive. “It’s been
such a long time, but we are all fine,” Hawes
said.
She and their daughters, Trenicia, 16, and
Melissa, 11, got through the year like many families did. They kept busy at work, home and were
active in church activities. “It’s hard to believe
he’s here. The first thing we plan to do is eat a
meal together. I missed my dad’s cooking,”
Trenicia said.
Ten-year-old Jonathon Glantz clutches an
American flag and his eyes light up when returning Soldiers enter. “I was the man of the
house while my dad was away and I tried hard to
take good care of my mom. I got through by
helping out and spending time with my dog, Lu
Lu,” he said.
The reunited Frazier family is already planning. “For starters we will travel to Paris – that’s
a dream we want to fulfill together,” said Aklemia Frazier.
Renate Bohlen
Capt. Jeffrey Holt embraces his wife after
arriving at the JFK Welcome Home Center.
Students whose parent is returning from
deployment can learn coping skills by attending youth adjusting to change, or YAC,
classes offered by child and youth services. Sixth- through 12th-graders learn integration and reunion tips at the Oasis,
March 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 from 3:30 to 4:30
p.m. Call Kim Kozel at 469-7891 or (0951)
3007891.
Report unregistered
cars
All cars must be registered. If you notice
an unregistered car parked in housing areas,
notify the military police at 469-8700 or
(0951) 39999.
Clean up, play golf
The Whispering Pines Golf Course hosts
a spring cleanup and nine-hole tournament
March 26 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Help clean
your community and enjoy golfing, with
lunch included. For information, call Russ
Cunningham at 469-8953 or (0951)
3008953.
See live
performances
Attend the Stable Theater’s production
of “Red Herring,” a comedy, March 3-5 at
7:30 p.m. Final performance is March 6 at
5 p.m. To reserve seats, call 469-8647 or
(0951) 3008647.
See sights, shop
Join the community activity center staff
in March. Go crystal shopping in Karlovy
Vary, March 5; take a free trip through
Wuerzburg’s Residence, March 9; head out
to Spain’s Lloret de Mar resort area during
spring break, March 13-19. For information, call the CAC at 469-8659 or (0951)
3008659.
279th BSB
The Point, 279th Base Support Battalion,
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.
The 279th BSB hotline is 469-4800 or (0951)
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
Diane Gawkins
Renate Bohlen
Spc. Tyrone Goudy, proposes to his girlfriend upon arriving home from his one-year
deployment to Iraq.
Ellis Allums waves the American flag to
welcome home 38th Personnel Service
Battalion Soldiers.
Students spearheading relief efforts
by Cheryl Boujnida
The Point
Bamberg students have come to realize the
power of a penny, and how to affect people’s
lives regardless of age.
Bamberg students from preschoolers to seniors turned over their pocket money and piggybank savings to contribute to tsunami disasterrelief efforts.
Relief efforts began when Bamberg American
Elementary School third-grade students and
teachers initiated a penny drop, consisting of
small canisters distributed throughout the
school, which accepted dollars and euros. Each
day, third-grade students collected all types of
coins and came up with a sizable sum to donate.
“In eight school days, we collected $1,000.02
to donate to the Save the Children Foundation
for Tsunami victims. It is amazing how many
students felt compassion to contribute – we
collected much more than we ever expected,”
said Martha Howell, third-grade teacher.
Students were proud of assisting those so
faraway in need.
“It felt great to help other children. I am sure
they know how much they matter and that they
are loved,” said Isabella Carter, 8. Kindergarten
teacher Jen Yoder noted a student, Jonathan
Odem, emptied his piggy bank in the jar along
with a consent note from his mother. At the
preschool level, Sure Start teacher Jeannette Fry
hosted a used book sale and collected $485,
which was donated to the Save the Children
foundation for Tsunami relief efforts also.
At Bamberg American High School, Towanda Friday collected clothing for children in
need, and Brittany Weeks, 16, spearheaded a
relief campaign. She collected $475 to donate to
the American Red Cross.
Cheryl Boujnida
Bamberg High School student Marvin Gholston makes a donation to the Tsunami
relief project spearheaded by Brittany Weeks who looks on.
Bamberg dodge ball fosters rivalry, comradeship
by Cheryl Boujnida
The Point
It’s fast-paced action on the court that sparks friendly rivalry,
and the name of the game is dodge ball.
During the opening week of the Freedom Fitness Facility,
approximately 120 people on 19 teams competed in a dodge ball
tournament with 200 spectators cheering them on.
“It was a fabulous show of community interest coupled with
enthusiasm that made the event so successful,” said Capt. Emmit
Osborne, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 279th
BSB commander, who assisted with tournament coordination.
Osborne noted that dodge ball is very competitive in the United
States at intramural and youth levels, and now the fever has
caught on in Bamberg. He plans to head monthly team com-
petitions.
“We are presently preparing for a May tournament. Teams are
being coordinated now so they have the opportunity to play and
scrimmage prior to the big tourney,” he said.
Teams need a minimum of six players, and up to 10, a team
captain, and a referee to assist with officiating games.
“Monthly competitions will be organized under a ladder system similar to that used in tennis matches. Teams will challenge
other teams and be forced to protect their standing. It’s a great
opportunity within our community to be part of and combines
sports, fun and friendship,” Osborne said.
Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 33rd Field Artillery used the
tournament as a staging ground for reintegration.
“It was highly successful for our unit because it was a perfect
way to initiate the teamwork process by competing in a fun
sporting event,” said Sgt. 1st Class Peter Pulli.
The May tournament will be hosted over two days because the
level of interest is expected to peak.
“Dodge ball is a great sport because everyone can play it
regardless of their skill level. It’s not intimidating at all and really
gets people revved up. I’m very pleased with the community
response – it shows just how much support is out there,” said Sgt.
1st Class James Jenkins.
Team captains should attend a meeting at the Freedom Fitness
Facility conference room March 1 at 10 a.m. To be a part, call
Osborne at 469-7489 or (0951) 3007489.
16
280th Base Support Battalion: Bad Kissingen, Schweinfurt
The Point, February 25, 2005
Become a Soldier
Idol
Want to be the next
Soldier Idol? Compete with the best at
the 280th BSB Soldier
Idol competition at the
Finney Sports and
Leisure Center, building 64, on Conn Barracks. There are three
phases: preliminary
auditions March 9;
semi-finals April 20;
and finals April 29 at 7
Klotz
p.m. The winner will
perform live at the 280th BSB welcome
home celebration May 6, according to
Colleen Klotz, program coordinator for
Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers.
For more information call 354-6467/6270
or (09721) 966467/966270.
Repair vehicles
Repair your vehicle at the auto skills
center on Conn Barracks, March 5, from 9
a.m. to 9 p.m. Take advantage of the long
hours and ensure your vehicle passes
inspection. The auto skills center also offers
free brake testing. For more information,
call 353-8224 or (09721) 968224.
Attend marriage
seminar
Attend a marriage seminar at the family
life center March 4 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Spend time with your spouse and learn how
to improve your marriage after a yearlong
deployment. Free child care is available as
is breakfast and lunch. Call 354-6135 or
(09721) 966135.
Troops trained to help
by Kristen Chandler Toth
The Point
Soldiers from Schweinfurt teamed up with
mental health professionals to learn how to help
returning Soldiers deal with their combat experiences.
On January 31 and Feb. 1, Schweinfurt Health
Clinic Social Work Services sponsored a “Critical Incident Stress Management” course in
which Soldiers and counselors were trained in a
number of techniques for managing stress
caused by traumatic events.
“Critical Incident Stress Management is
widely used with emergency response personnel, like firefighters. These CISM classes are
structured discussions about an event,” said
Justin Thomas, a Schweinfurt Health Clinic
social worker.
Recognizing the need for Soldiers to have an
outlet for their emotions and combat experiences, Thomas pushed to have the CISM
training held in Schweinfurt.
“The ‘critical incident’ for these Soldiers occurs over a long period of time and could last the
whole deployment. Soldiers hold their reactions
in check and don’t express themselves because
they go right back out,” said Tom AppleSchumacher, critical incident stress trainer.
The Soldiers that attended the training will
become “peers.” Peers are people who have had
similar experiences as those in the CISM class,
Kristen Chandler Toth
Trainee Hugh Lynch, foreground, acts in
a mock debriefing session as Capt. Peter
Linnerooth, a doctor with the 1st Division Mental Health office, dispenses advice.
directly call Social Work Services at 354-6276
or (09721) 966276.
“The reason for these classes is to keep Soldiers healthy, strong and capable of duty,”
Apple-Schumacher said.
Volunteers give Schweinfurt its heart
Visit Easter market
at Schloss Zeilitzheim
by Tanya Bolton
[email protected].
280th BSB Army Community Service Center
“Reporting volunteer hours is important because it allows the community to measure how
much money it saves each year with the use of
volunteer time, and it shows a need for certain
positions, thus creating more jobs within the
community,” Williams said.
It’s a fact – volunteers in Schweinfurt donate
thousands of hours each year to improve the
community and make it a better place to live.
Go with the arts and crafts studio to the
traditional Easter market at Schloss Zeilitzheim, March 6. The trip leaves the studio at
9 a.m. and returns about 5 p.m. The market
features decorated eggs, pottery, artwork,
puppets and bears. Also visit the book
market at the Gasthaus by the schloss. For
information, call 354-6903 or (09721)
966903.
This year, the more than 1,100 registered
volunteers who put their hearts and souls into
improving the community’s quality of life will
be honored at the 280th BSB’s volunteer recognition ceremony at the Abrams Entertainment Center, April 18 at 10 a.m.
Awards will be presented in six categories:
active duty, family member, outstanding agency,
individual unit, and youth and civilian volunteer
of the year. Soldiers receiving the military outstanding volunteer service medal will also be
honored.
Learn smooth moves
from ACS
Attend the smooth move seminar at the
Army Community Service Center classroom in room 11 at the education center on
Ledward Barracks, March 16 from 9 to 11
a.m. This seminar will help you plan and
transition. Learn about financial benefits,
military entitlements, websites, employment opportunities, housing, and more.
Limited free child care is available. For
more information, call 354-6751 or (09721)
966751.
but weren’t involved in the same traumatic event
as those attending the class.
A CISM class includes people who experienced the same traumatic event and trained
peers. A trained leader guides the participants to
talk honestly about the event.
“The way to help people through a traumatic
event is to have people there that they can relate
to,” Thomas said.
Staff Sgt. Michael Sampsel, 1st Squadron, 4th
Cavalry, was wounded in Iraq and returned to
Schweinfurt early. He volunteered to participate
in the training.
“A lot of the things covered in this class were
things I dealt with. This training enables me to
help the other guys,” Sampsel said.
Drexel Warner, a counselor at the Kitzingen
Community Counseling Center and a Vietnam
vet, found that he could relate to the Soldiers’
experiences.
“Anyone who has been to extended combat
brings issues back with them that need to be
addressed. Maybe I can bring understanding and
comfort to the situation,” Warner said.
CISM will be implemented in the Schweinfurt community as needed. Unit and rear detachment commanders can identify platoons that
went through extremely stressful experiences
and suggest that those units participate in a
CISM class.
Anyone desiring to attend or hold a CISM
class should contact their unit commander or
To ensure that all volunteers are recognized,
submit all service hours and volunteer of the
year nominations to the Army Volunteer Corps
coordinator, or AVCC, by April 1.
Kristen Chandler Toth
Betty Haywood was the 280th BSB
Civilian Volunteer of the Year last year.
Nomination packets can be picked up at the
Army Community Service Center or obtained
electronically by e-mailing Diane MansfieldWilliams, Schweinfurt’s AVCC, at Diane.
The Points of Light Foundation has designated the entire week of April 17-23 as
National Volunteer Week.
The theme of the week is “Inspire by
Example” which reflects the power volunteers
have to inspire the people they help, as well as to
inspire others to serve.
For more information on National Volunteer
Week, call 354-7078 or (09721) 967078.
Getting boxed in
280th BSB
The Point, 280th Base Support Battalion,
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.
The 280th BSB hotline is 354-4800 or (09721)
964800.
Internet web site 280th BSB:
http://www.schweinfurt.army.mil
280th BSB
Commander ......................... Lt. Col. Jeffrey Feldman
Public Affairs Officer ................................ George Ohl
Journalists .............. Margot Cornelius, Kristen Golby,
Kristen Toth
Between 2003 and 2005, Schweinfurt volunteers donated more than 54,385 hours saving
the community approximately $777,172. In
addition to working with family readiness
groups, coaching youth sports teams, teaching
Sunday school and leading Boy and Girl Scout
groups, volunteers worked at agencies such as
the American Red Cross, the veterinary clinic,
the Thrift Shop and a variety of others.
Kristen Chandler Toth
Spc. Samuel Carnes, right, from 1st
Squadron, 4th Cavalry, and Pfc. Elidio
Avila, from 1st Battalion, 77th Armor,
sort through boxes arriving at the Conn
Barracks Community Mail Room. In
addition to normal deliveries, hundreds
of footlockers and packages have arrived
from Soldiers downrange. As a result, the
storage areas of the mail room are not
only crowded, but are overflowing. Some
footlockers and boxes are being stored in
an adjacent facility because of the lack of
space. Community members are encouraged to pick up mail daily to help
ease the crowding and to ensure faster
delivery.
Schweinfurt education center is giving online help
by Margot Cornelius
The Point
Technology has come to aid Schweinfurt students once again
in the form of a new education center website.
The site, www.schweinfurt-education.com, is the brainchild
of John Felter, an education counselor at the Ledward Barracks
Education Center, and aims to decrease the time students spend
on accessing educational information. This valuable resource
tool compiles the nuts and bolts needed to pursue educational
goals from school listings to language testing.
“Some of these Soldiers really lack information; they did not
know what schools were there, what tests were involved, or how
to request tuition assistance,” Felter said.
This is just a click away on the website, complete with ap-
plication forms, testing services, financial aid information,
special school procedures and other features.
All this is readily available when you visit your education
counselor, but now its easy web access cuts down the time spent
making a decision about your degree path.
“…So that people don’t go down the wrong path and spend
time on something that might use up valuable time in their studies or their course,” Felter said.
While the website remains a resource tool, it does not replace
the education counselor.
“We don’t want to now or ever de-emphasize the human or
personal element in the education service. This is an outreach
tool and we want to encourage people to come into the education
centers and discuss their needs with us,” said James Reilly, edu-
cation services officer at the Ledward Education Center.
This type of website is especially valuable to deployed Soldiers who continue to work toward their degrees while deployed
without an on-site education center or face-to-face contact with
an education counselor. Some of their administrative needs can
be addressed through the website.
“We have some Soldiers saying they stood in line (to use a
computer) for five minutes at a keyboard and the rest of the week
almost cut off,” Felter said.
There is a wealth of information for both Soldiers and family
members on the website and this is just the start.
“I view it as a work in progress and I invite people to suggest
ways to improve it,” Felter said.
18
The Point, February 25, 2005
Fathers and daughters dance
Alexis Michel, 10, left, with Ashley, 8, and Isha Bangura, 11, lead the troop in karaoke during a break from dancing.
Photos by Scott Rouch
Chief Warrant Officer James Dowdy dances cheek-to
cheek with his daughter Samantha, 5, while 2nd Lt.
Dave Newhouse dances with his daughter Bailey.
by Scott Rouch
The Point
This time mom had to stay home.
That was the rule when Daisy Girl Scout Troop 810 held their
father-daughter dance at the Giebelstadt Community Center,
Feb. 12.
While troop leaders originally planned for 50 people, 77
showed up as part of a goodbye/welcome tribute to those in the
12th Aviation Brigade, though it was not limited strictly to those
members.
“Andrea (Harris) and I thought we needed to have a nice
memory for those who are leaving and those who are coming
back,” said Lorra-Lee Legoas, troop leader, who said they plan
on making it an annual event.
The event, which lasted from 5 to 8 p.m., featured a disc
jockey playing music, a limbo contest, karaoke and line dances
including the Macarena and the Electric Slide. There were no
Girl Scout cookies to be found, but there was plenty of food for
all.
It also gave daughters a chance to put on their best clothes and
spend a few precious hours alone with their fathers.
“This is great. It’s a morale booster, especially for units that
are getting ready to deploy, who can spend some quality time
with their daughters,” said 2nd Lt. Dave Newhouse, who
accompanied his daughter Bailey. “She’s been talking about this
since December,” he added.
“This is great. Most of the time I don’t have time to spend time
with them together,” said Spc. Moses Bangura, 5th Battalion,
158th Aviation, who came with his daughters Ashley, 8, and Isha,
11.
Towards the end of the evening, the girls lined up and
serenaded their fathers to Toby Keith’s “American Soldier,”
giving the men one more chance to break out the video cameras
and capture a moment for posterity.
Proud fathers watch their daughters out on the dance
floor and record the moment.
Chief Warrant Officer Ed Maynard and daughter
Morgan, 8, pose for a formal picture.
No dance is too hard for the troop as they break out
and perform the Macarena.
1st Infantry Division Headquarters Company returns
by Scott Rouch
The Point
Not even a snowy night was going to keep the
family and friends of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Infantry Division, from
turning out to welcome home their loved ones,
which numbered close to 100.
The ceremony, which was slated to start at
midnight Feb. 17, started 45 minutes late, but no
one in the reception tent on Leighton Barracks in
Wuerzburg seemed to care – especially when the
curtain that separated the Soldiers from the
crowd was raised, bring those in attendance to a
cheering, standing ovation.
After the invocation, greetings from Lt. Col.
Christopher Kolenda, the 1st Inf. Div. Rear
Detachment commander and remarks from Maj.
Gen. John R.S. Batiste, 1st Inf. Div. commander,
the company was released.
Cameras flashed as friends helped record
each other’s special moment, many using the
huge American flag as a backdrop.
Photos by Scott Rouch
Maddie, 6, and Abbey Nettleton, 3, try to
sneak a peek under the curtain to see
their father, Maj. Steven Nettleton.
The Soldiers bow their heads during the invocation. They were reunited with families
shortly thereafter.
Marianthe Snyder has no poker face as
she and her daughter, Lydia, await the
arrival of Maj. Michael Snyder.
417th Base Support Battalion: Giebelstadt, Kitzingen, Wuerzburg
Auditions held
Morale, Welfare and Recreation’s Act 1
Community Theatre will have auditions for
the “Great American Game Show” comedy-mystery, March 7 at the Cantigny
Club at 6 p.m. The comedy is an interactive
show performed by community members.
The show will be cast on Monday and
rehearsals will be held during the week,
ending with a weekend performance. For
more information, call Garland Travis at
355-8370 or (09321) 3058370 or e-mail
[email protected].
Relief campaign
starts
The Army Emergency Relief campaign
2005 will kickoff March 1 and will continue
until May 15. AER helps Soldiers and their
families, reserve Soldiers on continuous
active duty for more than 30 days, retirees,
and widows and orphans of Soldiers. For
more information, call 355-8733 or (09321)
3058733 or your unit AER coordinator.
Parents’ night out
Treat yourself to a night out and let the
kids hang out with the child and youth services staff. The Leighton Child Development Center will host a Parent’s Night Out,
Saturday, March 19 from 6 p.m. to midnight. The cost is $12 per child. To make
reservations call (0931) 8896175.
Tax centers open
The 417th BSB tax centers are ready to
help you with your taxes. The Giebelstadt
Tax Center is located in building 609 and is
open Mon-Fri from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The
Harvey Tax Center is located in building
170 and is open Mon-Friday from 9 a.m. to
4 p.m. The Leighton Tax Center is located
in building 14a and is open Mon-Fri from 8
a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call
the Giebelstadt Tax Center at 352-7639,
Harvey Tax Center at 355-8291 or Leighton
Tax Center at 350-6292.
Send a love message
The Giebelstadt Army Community Service is offering community members a
chance to videotape a message to their
loved ones before they deploy downrange.
Taping will be Tuesdays and Wednesdays
from 9 to 11 a.m. and Thursdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information, call 352-7877 or (09334) 877877.
417th BSB
The Point, 417th Base Support Battalion,
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.
The 417th BSB hotline is 355-5999 or (09321)
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.
Internet web site 417th BSB:
http://www.98asg.wuerzburg.army.mil/417/
417th BSB
Commander ................................. Lt. Col. Thomas Fass
Public Affairs Officer ........................... Gabriele Drake
Journalists .................... Larry Reilly, Mindy Campbell
21
Chinook unit prepares to leave
Aviators begin to
deploy to Afghanistan
by Mindy Campbell
The Point
During the past few months, Chanin Rodriguez and her husband Sgt. Nestor Rodriquez
have been preparing for the 12th Aviation
Brigade’s upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.
The couple discussed the deployment with
their children and bought web cameras for the
family computer and his laptop.
With preparations complete, Chanin Rodriguez and other Company F, 159th Aviation
spouses sat in the Big Windy hanger Feb. 17 and
watched as the unit cased its colors during a
deployment ceremony. The CH-47 Chinook unit
will uncase the colors once it arrives in
Afghanistan and begins its mission.
In the following weeks, additional 12th Avn.
Bde. units will follow with similar deployment
ceremonies. The brigade is expected to be in
Afghanistan by mid-April.
“We are deploying to ensure that the people of
Afghanistan continue to enjoy freedom and
prosperity,” said Col. Mark J. McKearn, 12th
Mindy Campbell
Maj. Craig Wilhelm, left, holds the unit’s
flag while it is cased during a deployment ceremony in the Big Windy
hanger.
Avn. Bde., commander, during the ceremony.
“We will defeat threats to their security and deter
the re-emergence of terrorism.”
For the brigade, the deployment to Afgha-
nistan follows on the heels of a yearlong deployment to Iraq. Since its return, the brigade has
been preparing for another deployment.
According to 1st Sgt. David Wagner, the unit
is well-prepared for Afghanistan.
“We were able to communicate with the unit
who was there previously and so we know what
to expect and have an idea of what the mission
will be. We have had the opportunity to do a lot
of training this year,” Wagner said.
Due to Afghanistan’s mountainous region, the
Chinook unit received special high-altitude
training.
“Instructors from the Army’s high-altitude
training institute came for two weeks and trained
us,” Wagner said.
Maj. Craig Wilhelm, the Co. F, 159th Avn.
commander, has been impressed with his Soldiers’ dedication and hard work.
“They are resilient and disciplined,” Wilhelm
said. “They are a true testament of commitment
to the Army. Their patriotism is incredible. They
motivate me.”
Wilhelm also credits the support of family
members for being the backbone of his unit.
“They endure the forthcoming deployment –
for many the second in three years – with grace,
courage and positive attitudes,” Wilhelm said.
Bazaar will have international flavor
by Larry Reilly
The Point
Marriage seminar
to be held
The 417th BSB Chaplain Family Life
Center is hosting a one-day marriage/
family workshop, Friday, March 11 from 10
a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Leighton Chapel.
Lunch and child care will be provided. To
register, contact Angie Simpson at 3507273 or (0931) 8897273.
The Point, February 25, 2005
Mindy Campbell
Last year’s Wuerzburg bazaar on Leighton Barracks drew more than 65 international vendors and thousands of
customers. The bazaar will be held this
year from March 11-13.
The Wuerzburg Community Spouses’ Club
will host its annual spring bazaar, March 11-13
at the Leighton Barracks Physical Fitness Center.
The three-day bazaar offers an array of items
offered by more than 75 international vendors.
“The bazaar is a one-stop shopping opportunity to get the European gifts you’ve always
wanted,” said Nancy Lembke, bazaar chairperson. “We hope people will look at the bazaar
as an extension to the reintegration process and
stop by. It may be the last chance to shop if they
are PCSing.”
Although many WCSC members volunteer
during the bazaar, it will take the efforts of many
others to be a success.
“We need help in many areas, not only during
the bazaar, but also to set up and take down the
many tables and chairs,” Lembke said.
Benefits of volunteering at the bazaar include
shopping prior to everyone else and receiving
free child care.
“We give all volunteers an opportunity to
shop 30 minutes prior to the opening ceremonies
and we will pay child-care costs during the time
they volunteer,” Lembke said.
Along with those who volunteer, many agencies and organizations will benefit from the
bazaar.
“The spring bazaar is by far our largest
fundraising event of the year and all the funds we
collect are disbursed back to private organizations and agencies within the community,”
said Denita Barclay, WCSC president.
The bazaar’s opening ceremony will be
March 11 at 9:45 a.m. The bazaar will stay open
until 7 p.m. that Friday evening. It will reopen
Saturday, March 12, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and
Sunday, March 13, the bazaar will be open from
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information on the bazaar or to
volunteer, call Nancy Lembke at 01779684159.
Starting
friendships
early
Karin Stoiber, wife of Dr.
Edmund Stoiber, the Bavarian Minister-President, greets
Lisa Merritt and her 10month-old son, Cole. Merritt
was one of about 70 1st
Infantry Division and 98th
Area Support Group spouses
who were invited to Munich
to meet with Stoiber and
Erwin Huber, the head of the
Bavarian State Chancellery
and State Minister for Federal
Affairs and Administrative
Reform. In addition to the
reception, the spouses were
taken on a tour of the State
Chancellery and of the Residence, the former home of
Bavarian kings.
Mindy Campbell
Dreams, big adventures highlight new school play
by Mindy Campbell
The Point
When two fresh-faced sisters step off the bus and onto the
bustling and somewhat seedy New York City streets, they are
filled with dreams and the promise of new adventures.
Those adventures, and often misadventures, make for a witty
and entertaining musical called “Wonderful Town,” which the
Wuerzburg American High School will perform March 3-5 and
9-11 at the school’s multi-purpose room.
The play, with musical score by Leonard Bernstein, centers on
sisters Ruth and Eileen who leave Ohio and move to Greenwich
Village to pursue their dreams. Older sister Ruth, played by
Angela Ayres, is an aspiring writer while younger sister Eileen,
played by Julianna Bradley, hopes to break into show business.
Despite sharing dreams of making it big in New York, the girls
are complete opposites. While Eileen’s beauty and flirty
personality attract men at every street corner, Ruth’s sarcastic wit
and ability to take care of herself turn them away.
“Ruth doesn’t really know how to handle guys which becomes
a running joke throughout the play,” Ayres said.
Eileen may attract more men then her sister, but not all of the
attention is good.
“Eileen is flirty and fun and comes to the city to be an actress
but ends up getting attacked by lots of men,” Bradley said.
For Ayres and Bradley, who are best friends in real life, the
characters they play are eerily familiar in many ways.
“I can relate to Ruth,” Ayres said. “We have had similar
scenarios happen to us in real life. Julianna is more flirty and
outgoing. I am more nerdy and sarcastic.”
Despite being set in 1935, the girls can relate to the idea of
moving from a small town to a big city.
“I am thinking of moving to New York City after college,”
Ayres, a senior, said. “I have never lived in a big city.”
“I think we can relate to the feeling of being overwhelmed and
yet still trying to make it your own,” Bradley added.
Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. nightly. Tickets prices are $8
for adults and $4 for students. To reserve tickets, call (0931)
8897176.
Sports
The Point, February 25, 2005
23
Davis wins his first European wrestling title
ASG wrestlers do well
at final tournament
by Scott Rouch
The Point
WIESBADEN – Wuerzburg American High
School’s Anthony Davis wasn’t named the
2004-2005 European Championships most
outstanding wrestler, but he more than staked his
claim to the title.
The freshman Davis entered as the numberone seed in the 103-pound weight class and
showed why, pinning all three of his opponents
in the two-day tournament, with no match going
past the second period. He concluded his firstever year of wrestling with a pin of Heidelberg’s
Chris Toner at 3:33 in the championship round.
Davis finished with a 17-1 record for the
season, his lone loss coming to Toner in the first
week of the season.
“I’m ecstatic, I can’t believe I’m a first-year
champion,” Davis said, who gave credit to his
coaches and teammates for helping him along
the way.
In addition to Davis, the 98th ASG had four
wrestlers in position to challenge for titles in
their respective weight classes, Sat. Feb 19.
Wuerzburg’s Jonathan and Jesse Painter took
second place in the 130- and 135-pound classes,
respectively; Ansbach’s Mike Ewing nabbed a
third-place finish at 215 pounds, and at 189
pounds, Wuerzburg’s Jim Curtis placed fourth.
Fighting from the consolation bracket,
Bamberg’s Daniel McElroy was fifth at 119
pounds, Ansbach’s Adam Golden was fifth in
the 189-pound category and Wuerzburg’s Mike
Burris was fourth at 275 pounds.
Jonathan Painter, who entered with a perfect
15-0 record, scored a takedown in the first 10
seconds of his championship match against
London Central’s Jonathan Scott, but that would
be his last lead. Scott would then take control
and had Painter in trouble a few times. Painter
fought until the third-period horn sounded,
losing 13-9.
Afterwards, Painter wasn’t crushed by the
defeat.
“It did end the way I wanted – I got a medal,”
Painter replied. “I’m pretty sure he worked just
as hard as I did,” he added, saying that Scott was
really, really strong and caught him with some
good switches.
Jesse Painter was just as magnanimous after
losing 9-2 to his friend Cody Reinhart from
Ramstein.
“Sometimes the other wrestler is better. I
stood up and I should never stand up and he got
me,” Jesse said, who finished 17-1 on the year.
“The Painter brothers, I just love them,” said
Wuerzburg’s first-year head coach Steve Kennedy. “Jonathan has the work ethic of a Clydesdale and Jesse always has a smile on his
face.”
“This year we had a lot of new kids and three
returners. I’d give us an A-, I thought we did
well. I couldn’t ask for a better bunch of kids.
The reason I’ll do this next year is them,”
Kennedy said.
Bamberg American High School coach Parrish Worrell brought just McElroy and 135pound Daniel Herring to the tournament, but he
was just as proud of them and the rest of his
team.
“They wrestled super hard and I’m proud of
them. The guys deserve to be here,” Worrell
said.
Ansbach head coach Gary Feletar was disappointed by some of the performances, pleased
by others, and was realistic about the competition.
“The competition level is better than we’ve
faced during the season,” Feletar said.
Ewing was poised to challenge for the top
Photos by Scott Rouch
Wuerzburg’s Anthony Davis takes down Chris Toner from Heidelberg enroute to his
103-pound championship victory.
spot in the 215-pound category, but was pinned
by Richard Rendon of Shape in the semi-finals.
Ewing rebounded from the loss to win his next
two matches and took home third place.
“I’m a little disappointed with my performance today, but there’s nothing I can do
about it now,” Ewing said, who said he was able
to put the loss behind him because wrestling is
about mentality.
Top: Wuerzburg’s Jim Curtis wraps up
Wiesbaden’s Chad Abramson in a
headlock while bottom: Bamberg’s
Daniel McElroy works his way out of
a hold against Heidelberg’s Michael
Zachar.
Jonathan Painter from Wuerzburg, placed second in the 130-pound category. It
was his first loss all season.
Ansbach’s Mike Ewing, bottom, can’t get away from Shape’s Richard Rendon in their
semi-final match.
Roundup
Spring festival
for youth
Making
new
connections
Schweinfurt youth are invited to join the
spring sports festival at the Ledward Gym,
March 14-17. Events are open to registered child
and youth sports members ages nine to 15. Call
354-6822 or (09721) 966822 for events and
more.
Joseph Smallwood (left) of
158th Aviation, Giebelstadt,
measures out a left jab at
German national Coskun
Cifci of the FriegerichtHanau Boxing Club. The
pair squared off during a
novice middleweight bout
Feb. 12 at the 18th Annual
Black History Month
Boxing Tournament at
Fliegerhorst Caserne
Fitness Center in Erlensee.
Smallwood captured the
decision when an
overwhelmed Cifci retired
in the third round.
Hike a mountain
Go hiking at the Kreuzberg Monastery with
the 280th BSB outdoor recreation, March 17.
The cost is $10 per person. It leaves the center
on Conn Barracks at 11 a.m., returning at 4 p.m.
Call 353-8080 or (09721) 968080.
Go skiing
in Austria
Bamberg’s Community Activity Center staff
has one-day ski trips to Austria, March 12 and
26. The bus departs from the CAC at 2 a.m. and
returns at approximately 11:30 p.m. Cost for
round-trip transportation is $54. Get a 50percent discount on ski rental equipment at the
CAC when booking a ski trip. Call the CAC at
469-8659 or (0951) 3008659.
Staff Sgt. Steven Kuduk