Warrior Week Warrior Week

Transcription

Volume 1, Issue 7
‘Sharpen the Sword’
June 2007
INSIDE:
Schinnen MP
MP wins
wins Soldier
Soldier of
of the
the Year
Year
Schinnen
Brussels receives
receives first
first CSM
CSM
Brussels
Soldiers share
share ‘street
‘street smarts’
smarts’
Soldiers
Iron Shapian
Shapian competitors
competitors go
go for
for the
the gold
gold
Iron
Earth Day
Day observed
observed
Earth
Anti-terrorism training
training at
at Schinnen
Schinnen
Anti-terrorism
Warrior Week
Benelux
Benelux Soldiers
Soldiers train,
train, refresh
refresh skills
skills
June 2007
www.usagbenelux.eur.army.mil
1
Nowowiejski Notes
There are several ways customers may submit to have their voices and concerns heard.
One is through the U.S. Army Garrison
Benelux Interactive Customer Evaluation
(I.C.E.) system with responses to your questions coming from the service provider.
You’ve Been ICEed!
Here’s a sampling of what people are
saying on the USAG Benelux communities Interactive Customer Evaluation
(ICE) system:
USAG Schinnen (O&M)
DPW Operations and Maintenance
“Excellent service! No problems!
Thank you!!”
“The delivery of my freezer was
prompt and professional. Thanks for
the great service.”
“Fast, efficient, Thank you!”
“Quick, professional work!”
(USAG BENELUX at SHAPE)
USAG Benelux Education Center
“Thank you, very polite and
helpful.”
“The Ed center here at SHAPE
has been really helpful in my meeting
my deadline for my exams. With no
advance notice I was able to not only
obtain my exams but complete them
within 24 hours.”
“Staff is very helpful and courteous. Everyone was real anxious to
help.”
USAG Brussels
Outbound Transportation Assistance
“Professional attitude and quick
action.”
Keep those great comments, kudos,
concerns, and questions coming by
going to http://ice.disa.mil or http://
www.usagbenelux.eur.army.mil and
clicking the ICE link to tell us what
you think!
2
Summer is here, and with it PCS (permanent change of station) season.
We will focus in this set of Notes on a few
reminders, and then some information that
will help all of us to welcome the new members of our communities, as well as make
the quality of life better for those who have
lived here for years.
First, the reminders for June. June is National Safety Month.
In the Benelux, we have two current safety
emphases. For all POV (privately-owned
vehicle) drivers, please use the POV risk
assessment tool, TRiPS (Travel Risk Planning System), whenever you take a trip in
Europe this summer.
TRiP is designed to be used by service
members and civilians of all services. It is a
joint tool. The assessment is easy and quick
to take, includes travel planning information
such as maps and routes, and can be accessed with a link at www.usagbenelux.
eur.army.mil. You will receive a personal
risk assessment for your own planned trip
with TRiPS.
Our second safety emphasis is for all motorcycle riders to take the basic or advanced,
newly revised Motorcycle Safety Foundation courses available via your local garrison. Contact your local Military Police desk
or check the web page for details and schedule.
For those of you with school age children,
particularly kindergarten, please insure you
have visited your local school at SHAPE,
Brussels, or AFNORTH and register your
children for fall classes.
Help your school help you: register your
children early, please.
The number of teachers at each school is
determined by projected enrollments, and
this is usually finalized over the summer. If
you wait until school starts, your child may
be in a crowded class because you didn’t
register for school before coming or on arrival.
Here’s some
information
to make your
quality of life
better:
Empower yourself with information. Because of the distributed nature of our communities, it is hard to get the word out about
upcoming activities.
There is a system of information. You can
capitalize on it like this:
1) If you are new, get a copy of The Best
COVER
PHOTO:
PHOTO: Steven Hoover
Col. Dean A. Nowowiejski
USAG Benelux Commander
of the Benelux Newcomer’s Guide from
your local Morale, Welfare and Recreation
office.
2) Next, everyone should check this
Benelux Edge thoroughly for news and announcements for the month.
3) Then, check the U.S. Army Garrison
Benelux webpage for daily, newcomers, or
sponsorship information.
For local information, you can find links to
your community web pages on the Benelux
main page: Chièvres Garrison (SHAPE
area), USAG Brussels
Brussels, and USAG
Schinnen (JFC Brunssum area). The NATO
headquarters across the Benelux have their
own installation commands, public information offices, and websites.
For daily Benelux news, tune in to AFN
Benelux radio on your local frequency.
AFN radio and television studios is currently
undergoing a comprehensive overhaul of all
broadcast equipment that is scheduled for
completion June. 23.
While the upgrades are ongoing, the only
local programming will be the live morning
show with Airman 1st Class Tommy Moore,
from 6 - 10 a.m., Monday through Friday.
Once the new equipment is in place, listen
to “The Voice of the Benelux” local programming, or better yet, tune in to Channel 21
on your AFN decoder
decoder. AFN Benelux has
its own satellite channel with all your local information.
Finally, for upcoming MWR events, if you
don’t find the information you are looking for,
call MWR marketing at DSN 361-5167 or
commercial 32 68 27 5167. They can provide
you the latest event announcement or flyer.
For your own best quality of life, stay informed and take advantage of the opportunities here in the Benelux.
Sgt. Rosemary Huff, USAG Schinnen, slips through a tunnel-type
obstacle while completing the conditioning course during Warrior
Week.
June 2007
MCKIERNAN SENDS
Well-Being
Survey 2007
In This Issue
Commander’s Notes......................inside front cover
Schinnen MP wins SOY......................................... 4
Brussels welcomes first CSM................................. 6
Schinnen conducts anti-terrorism training............... 9
Motorcycle Safety................................................. 11
Law Day at Schinnen............................................ 12
Chièvres/SHAPE Town Hall................................ 16
Liberation of Bonsecours..................................... 17
Wereth 11 remembered...................................... 18
Make-A-Wish.................................................. 20-21
Community Events & Services........................ 20-27
Classifieds............................................................ 30
Commanders
Col. Dean A. Nowowiejski ....................... .USAG Benelux
Lt. Col. Eric D. Tilley ......................................USAG Schinnen
Lt. Col. Patrick J. Kilroy ................................. USAG Brussels
Lt. Col. John G. Romero ............................... Chièvres Garrison
Public Affairs officers and personnel
Marie-Lise Baneton ...................................... USAG Benelux
Thad Moyseowicz ........................................... USAG Brussels
Cis Spook ....................................................... Chièvres Garrison
J.D. Hardesty .................................................. Editor
LaDonna Davis ............................................... Writer
Steven Hoover ............................................... Writer
Morale,Welfare and Recreation Marketing
Kim Wayland................................................... USAG Benelux
Johanna Krause ............................................. Benelux Marketing
William Audretsch ........................................ Benelux Marketing
Isabelle Gillet ................................................ Brussels Marketing
Ellison Meier ................................................. Schinnen Marketing
Salvador Espinoza .......................................... Schinnen Marketing
The Benelux EDGE is an authorized unofficial newsmagazine published under the
provisions of AR 360-1 for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of
the Benelux EDGE are not necessarily the official views of or endorsed by the U.S.
Government or the Department of Defense, Department of the Army or the
USAG Benelux. Editorial content is edited and provided by USAG Benelux,
USAG Schinnen and USAG Brussels public affairs and Morale, Welfare and Recreation offices. Submissions are welcome, but will be edited for accuracy, brevity,
clarity and journalistic style. Submissions are due on the first day of the month,
one month prior to publication date. The Benelux EDGE is published monthly.
Printed circulation is 5,000. Our mailing address is Benelux EDGE, USAG Benelux,
Unit 21419, Public Affairs Office, APO AE 09708. Telephone: (0032) 068-275419/DSN 361-5419; fax: DSN 361-5106.
Policy
• We encourage letters to the editor, but they must be signed.We will consider
withholding the name of the author upon request. Letters regarding an issue
should contribute to informational interest.
• We reserve the right to edit all material for style, to fit available space, to
resolve libel, force protection and grammar.
USAG Benelux is a direct reporting garrison to the
Installation Management Command-Europe
June 2007
1. Each year we conduct a survey to measure the well-being
of the force and to determine whether or not you are
satisfied with the programs, facilities, services, and other
aspects of working and living in Europe. Last year more than
6,000 Soldiers, civilian employees, retirees, and family
members took part in the survey. Thank you for your
valuable input!
2. We need your support again. The 2007 Well-Being
Survey will be conducted from 14 May though 15 June 2007.
This year we want to significantly increase the number of
participants. In particular, we would like to have more family
members take part in the survey.
3. The survey takes about 30 minutes to complete. Surveys
and answer sheets are located at convenient places
throughout the community, such as Army Community
Service centers, fitness centers, and libraries. Answer sheets
must be returned to these facilities or to the administering
unit for collection and forwarding. The USAREUR Modular
Survey System website at http://www.per.hqusareur.army.mil/
umss/wbs.htm provides more information.
4. As with last year’s survey, you will be asked to rate the
services and programs in the following areas:
Childcare and Youth Programs
Family Readiness
Financial Readiness
Healthcare
Recreation
Relocation
Schools and Education
Spouse Employment
5. I strongly encourage you to participate in the survey and to
ask your neighbors, friends, and retirees who may not have
heard about it to do the same. This is your opportunity to
indicate your level of satisfaction with the communities in
which you live and to rate the overall effectiveness of the
services they provide.
3
USAG Benelux Solider of the Year
By LaDonna Davis
Schinnen Public Affairs Office
A U.S. Army Garrison Schinnen military policeman battled against other Soldiers in tests of mental and physical
strength to win the Benelux Soldier of the
Year competition April 4, in Chièvres,
Belgium.
Spc. Christopher Cortez, a native of
San Antonio, Texas, went through a rigorous three days of competition April 24, that included physical training testing,
land navigation, a six-mile ruck march,
and written and oral exams to be named
the Benelux Soldier of the Year.
“I was excited when I heard I won. I
knew that I had messed up on a few
things, but I guess I won overall so it was
really surprising to hear my name,” said
Cortez. “The competition was hard especially because you’re going up against so
many other Soldiers who are in such great
shape, but I just did my best and fortunately for me, it worked in my favor, but
it was definitely hard.”
Going through the Army competition
takes a lot of strength, a lot of skill and a
lot of hard work. But like many challenges
in life, having good mentors and a strong
support system is a key component to success.
“My team leader, Sgt. Thomas Achten
really helped me get through the competition. He’s the one that motivated me,
helped me study, and made sure I got my
uniform right,” he said. “But, really, all of my fellow
MPs helped me out. They all cheered me on and helped
me get through it.”
Although Cortez was competing against other Soldiers across the Benelux, his main competition came
from someone right in his own unit.
“I just wanted to beat out my homeboy, Sgt. Glen
Jones, a fellow MP. It was cool because we would study
together, yet we still had some competition within the
unit,” he says. “It definitely made the whole challenge
that much more interesting.”
This marks the second year in a row that a Schinnen
Soldier earned USAG Benelux Soldier of the Year
award.
“The best part about being named Soldier of the
Year is that I get to represent Schinnen. People don’t
know much about [our garrison] and this is the second
Soldier of the Year so we’re making a name for
Schinnen,” Cortez says.
Schinnen Soldiers continue to represent the garrison well. Last year, Sgt. 1st Class Antonio Mariscal
Guzman won the Installation Management Agency-Europe Noncommissioned Officer of the Year award.
Even though this marks the Texas natives first Soldier competition, being a contender in the Army-wide
challenge seems to run in the Cortez family blood.
4
PHOTO: Staff Sgt. Malcolm Fleming
Schinnen MP wins competition
Spc. Christopher Cortez
USAG Benelux Soldier of the Year
“A few years ago my brother went through the competition and got second place for the whole U.S. Army.
So, hopefully, if I keep doing well, I will catch up to
him-that’s my goal.”
The Soldier and NCO of the year competition is
an annual Army tradition where the best of the best
Army warriors are challenged to test their skills and
knowledge against, not only themselves and each
other, but against Army standards as well.
Cortez competed in May for the Installation Management Command Europe’s Soldier of the Year competition in Stuttgart, Germany in May; however, results were not available at press time.
The winners at each echelon continue to battle for
the ultimate titles of Department of the Army Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year.
For now though, Cortez is taking his win all in
stride, preparing for the next level of competition and
hoping to gain a little more exposure for a future
challenge.
“I’ve been studying, and doing PT to get my PT
score up and ruck marching to get that score up too,”
Cortez says about his preparation for the IMCOMEurope boards. “I’m going to have the promotion
board in June, so this board will prepare me for that,
which is good.”
June 2007
USAG
USAG Benelux
Benelux
WARRIOR
WARRIOR
WEEK
WEEK
By Steven Hoover
Benelux Public Affairs Office
Every Soldier, regardless of Military Occupational Specialty or unit affiliation, is a
Soldier first.
Never has that been more apparent than
since the U.S. military has become engaged
in the War on Terror.
Many Soldiers, including those in Installation Management Command units around
the world, have deployed to either Iraq or
Afghanistan; even more have done so two
or three times.
With that in mind, U.S. Army Garrison
Benelux Soldiers participated in Warrior
Week May 14-18 at Camp Roi Albert, a
Belgian Army installation in Marche-enFemenne; about 90 minutes drive southeast
of Chièvres.
June 2007
5
PHOTOS: Steven Hoover
Sgt. Min Huynh, assigned to USAG Schinnen, prepares to scale one of 20-plus obstacles while completing the conditioning course at Camp Roi Albert, a Belgian Army installation. Huynh and Soldiers from
all three garrisons across USAG Benelux participated in Warrior Week training May 14-18.
Benelux Soldiers train at
host nation Army installation
The week-long training provides Soldiers
with realistic training in order to maintain a
combat ready posture. The training was conducted in four lanes, or phases: team building
activities such as conditioning courses and
combatives (hand-to-hand) training; weapons
ranges; Warrior Leader Tasks and Military
Operations Urban Terrain (MOUT) training.
Michael Laney, the garrison’s host nation
liaison officer, coordinated with the Belgian
Army giving Benelux Soldiers a place to conduct meaningful training in a conducive environment - the third time Benelux Soldiers had
used the Belgian installation.
“This was an opportunity to get our Soldiers
some training outside, away from the garrison
environment,” he said. “We are leveraging our
host nation partnership using their installation.
In Germany and other places, our Soldiers
have U.S.-run training areas to use. Here, we
don’t have the capability.”
On the first day, the Soldiers were put
through a “conditioning course” that included
about 20 different obstacles to test their strength
and agility.
“Each Soldier went through the course twice,
the first time for familiarization and the second for speed,” said Sgt. 1st Class Philip
Thornton, who served as USAG Benelux noncommissioned officer-in-charge of the course
for the day. “Other than some minor bumps
and bruises, I think things went pretty well and
we got the desired effect from the training.”
In the afternoon, the gymnasium at Camp
Roi Albert was used for combatives, or handto-hand training.
Sgt. Thomas Taylor, from USAG Brussels,
6
teamed with Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Kloss from USAG
Benelux, to teach participating Soldiers basic
hand-to-hand maneuvers all the way through
going full speed combative skills and letting them
switch after a victor was declared.
Thomas explained how the old Army fighting style had very few ground tactics. The new
style, developed at Fort Benning, Ga., focuses
“This was an opportunity to get our
Soldiers some training outside, away
from the garrison environment. We are
leveraging our host nation partnership
using their installation. In Germany and
other places, our Soldiers have U.S.run training areas to use. Here, we
don’t have the capability.”
Mike Laney
Host Nation Liaison Officer
USAG Benelux
on ground fighting skills and saving energy to
“finish the fight” on the battlefield.
“A majority of the battles fought in Iraq are
in urban terrain, where hand-to-hand combat
is very likely,” he said. This fighting style, derived mainly from Gracie Jiu Jitsu from Brazil,
allows Soldiers to disable the enemy without
lethally finishing them.
“This week’s training is especially good and
needed for Soldiers who have never been in a
field environment,” Kloss said. “And, for those
of us who have, it’s good because if you don’t
use it, you lose it.”
He added that the combatives training is eswww.usagbenelux.eur.army.mil
Spc. Charles Fridline, assigned to USAG Brussels, makes his way into the building during building clearance training at the Camp Roi Albert
MOUT site.
pecially needed for those who are not used to
defending themselves while on the ground.
Day two was spent primarily at the weapons
range training reflexive and controlled fire and
then firing at pop-up targets, according to Maj.
Sonja Granger, Directorate of Plans, Mobilization and Security operations officer.
While at the range, they also conducted Improvised Explosive Device training.
“Many of the Soldiers in the garrison have
experience in identifying and reacting to IEDs
from Operation Iraqi Freedom,” Granger said.
Days three and four concentrated on some
40 Warrior Leader Tasks, including building
clearance procedures, raids and searches at
the Military Operations Urban Terrain site.
While the Soldiers were training at the
MOUT site, civilian employees from all three
garrisons visited Camp Roi Albert to witness
the training. Even though May 17 was a Belgian holiday (Ascension Day), several host nation employees attended.... Little did they know
that they’d be asked to participate.
After receiving a briefing by Granger, the
civilians were taken to the MOUT site where
some were asked to participate as local villagers, while others were members of the opposing forces, or OPFOR.
“I had no idea we were going to get to participate in the training,” said Patsy Herbaut, USAG
Benelux acting Equal Employment OpportuJune 2007
Sergeant 1st Class David Williams (in soft cap), first sergeant for USAG
Schinnen and the training NCOIC at the MOUT site, does a quick After
Action Review with Soldiers who completed their first attempt at clearing
buildings.
Pfc. Gerardo Razo, assigned to USAG Benelux, keeps an eye out for his
fellow squad member and the OPFOR during building clearing training May
17 at the Military Operations Urban Terrain site on Camp Roi Albert, a
Belgian Army installation.
Patsy Herbaut, USAG Benelux acting Equal Employment
Opportunity manager, is one of several civilian employees
that attended the MOUT training and participated as villagers or OPFOR.
Sgt. Jeremy Ringo, assigned to USAG Benelux, practices throwing hand grenades into a building.
Opposition forces, including Staff. Sgt. Patrick McDonough, USAG Benelux, did their best to make life
difficult for the Soldiers conducting building clearance training at Camp Roi Albert.
nity manager. “But, it was fun to do.”
Later, some of them were taken to the conditioning course where they had an opportunity to attempt some of the obstacles the Soldiers had done earlier in the week.
“I think that Warrior Week was a great success,” said Spc. Charles Fridline, from USAG
Brussels, “as not only a USAG Brussels Sol-
dier. I am part of the Benelux and was able to
bond with the other garrison Soldiers.
“The goal of this training was for us to accomplish our tasks and not be trained to do
them,” he added. “In my opinion, the greatest
accomplishment was being able to bond together as friends and Soldiers as part of the
Benelux and not separate garrisons.”
June 2007
Throughout the week, USAG Benelux
Command Sgt. Maj. Ralph Ford, observed
the training. He said that Soldiers who have
recently been “down range” sharing their
experiences with those who, as of yet, haven’t
been is an important aspect during training.
“That’s where training like this is beneficial to everyone,” he added.
7
Brussels receives first CSM
PHOTO: Isabelle Gillet
Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Cordova speaks to guests after his change of
responsibility ceremony April 27. Cordova became U.S. Army Garrison
Brussels first command sergeant major.
By Thad Moyseowicz
Brussels Public Affairs office
The U.S. Army Garrison Brussels made history of sorts recently as
the Installation Management Command Europe’s smallest garrison received its first command sergeant major.
Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Cordova assumed his new responsibilities as the garrison’s first-ever command sergeant major during a
change of responsibility ceremony April 27.
“This is a watershed event in our Garrison’s history,” explained USAG
Brussels Commander, Lt. Col. Pat Kilroy, to the many guests and garrison staff assembled for the change of responsibility ceremony. “This
garrison and its predecessor activity has always been small, and its very
“smallness” has tended to be an argument used to justify a less-thanstandard Army organization. The assignment of Command Sgt. Maj.
Cordova is a sign that the U.S. Army recognizes Brussels as a robust,
perhaps small, but still robust, Army command. I couldn’t be more
delighted.”
USAG Brussels has had “acting” command sergeants major in times
past, and, in fact, Cordova assumed the responsibilities of his position
from Master Sgt. Leroy Lee. Kilroy paid tribute both to Lee and Brussels’ sister garrison, USAG Schinnen, which generously provided Lee
to fill an urgent Brussels need. But Cordova is the first centrally-selected command sergeant major in Brussels’ history.
Cordova hails from La Mirada, California. He enlisted in the Army
at age 18, in 1982, and is frank that he did so because he needed a job.
“The recruiter looked me and my test scores over and said I could be
an X-Ray technician. Great, I said!” When the recruiter told him it
would be 12 months before he could actually put on the uniform,
Cordova told him he couldn’t wait that long because of a pressing need
to put bread on the table. The recruiter then offered him other specialization options, each of which involved deferred entry on active duty,
albeit with decreasing delay.
8
He chuckles: “I was getting desperate. Even the infantry branch involved six months delayed entry. The recruiter must have sensed my
desperation, because he finally found me a branch which would put me
on active duty within two weeks. And that’s how I became a member of
the Adjutant General’s Corps!”
After completing basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., Cordova
reported to Fort Bragg, N.C., as a member of the 82nd Airborne
Division’s AG Company. The five years he spent at Fort Bragg were
notable for two reasons, he says.
“First, I found I really enjoyed being a Soldier,” he says. “Sure, the
Army provided me a paying job, but, more important, I really appreciated the camaraderie, the caring leadership, and the clear signs that this
was an organization in which advancement came from hard work and
merit.”
The second reason for the assignment’s being memorable is because
it was where Cordova met and married his wife, Michelle. “Michelle
was the sister of my then-room mate,” says Cordova. “He was getting
married, and his family came down from Philadelphia for the wedding,
and, well, the rest is history!” The couple now have three children, ages
17, 10 and 8.
The Cordovas departed Fort Bragg for their first overseas assignment in 1987 to Neu Ulm, Germany, near Munich. After three years,
Cordova was posted to Fort Jackson as a Drill Instructor, or “DI.”
“Being a DI was an incredibly intense experience,” he says. “But I
gained a new appreciation for the great personal rewards of training
Soldiers.” He also earned a promotion to the rank of sergeant first
class.
Cordova’s status as a newly-minted E-7 also earned him a return to
Europe and the operating Army. Assigned to the 1st Armored Division’s
Engineer Brigade as the brigade S-1 (personnel), noncommissioned
officer-in-charge, the Cordova’s spent four years in Bad Kreuznach one year of which Cordova spent in Bosnia where his unit was deployed in support of NATO’s Implementation Force (IFOR).
He recalls the incredible devastation of the Bosnian countryside, and
the positive impact U.S. and allied Soldiers had on the locals and their
way of life.
“My unit built the bridge over the Sava river. You don’t appreciate
how much we depend upon infrastructure until you have to help rebuild a country,” he says. The IFOR deployment was also Cordova’s
first experience with “Jointness.”
“We worked closely, as a team, with Navy Seabees and Air Force
engineers,” he says. “It was a really great experience.”
Leaving the 1st Armored Division, the Cordovas moved to Heidelberg, where he became first sergeant of 1st Personnel Command for a
year. Selected for the prestigious Sergeants Major Academy, Cordova
was a student at the Academy when the 9/11 attacks happened.
“A fair number of my classmates wanted to quit the academy then
and there and return to the ‘muddy boots’ Army,” he says. “But I recall
the commandant gathering us together, and telling us that there would
be plenty of opportunities to serve the Army and the nation.”
Having graduated from the academy, Cordova was then assigned to
the National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin.
Still an E-8, he received a vote of confidence from his seniors when
the retiring garrison sergeant major recommended that Cordova be his
replacement. “I really appreciated that sergeant major’s having gone to
bat for me,” he says. The confidence must not have been misplaced,
for, after a year, Cordova found himself promoted to E-9, and, eventually, selected as Brussels’ first Command Sergeant Major.
Cordova says he is delighted to be in Brussels as a part of the Installation Management Command Europe’s team.
How does Brussels differ from his last assignment? “At Fort Irwin,
the Morale, Welfare and Recreation directorate alone had some 300
people,” he says. “That’s triple our entire Brussels garrison numbers.
But we’ve got a high-visibility mission, supporting Americans working at
NATO headquarters. And we’re dedicated to serving a very joint community.”
June 2007
Schinnen conducts anti-terrorism training
By LaDonna Davis
In an ever-changing warfare climate, it is
crucial all U.S. military forces be prepared
and educated on what to do in the face of a
terrorist threat.
On April 27, U.S. Army Garrison Schinnen
personnel got a lesson in force protection procedures by simulating a terrorist threat during the garrison’s emergency response exercise.
The exercise involved several local emergency response teams from different regions
across the Netherlands, including the fire department, a hazardous material (HAZMAT)
team, paramedics, members of the Dutch
army and Dutch military police.
Dutch actors along with Schinnen employees simulated the wounded in an effort to
make the exercise as true-to-life as possible.
“The intent of this exercise is to test all of the
garrison’s resources to the maximum extent
possible in cooperation with available Dutch
emergency and military resources,” said Randal
Garfield, Schinnen’s plans and operations officer. “By conducting anti-terrorism exercises
on a yearly basis, we foster a professional and
safe environment for all who participate; leading to enhanced working relationships with
Dutch emergency services and a safer, more
secure garrison.”
In the exercise scenario an anti-military radical group gained access to the post and crashed
into a fence releasing an unidentified white substance and causing multiple injuries to innocent bystanders.
To make the exercise work, the scenario had
to play in real-time and all Schinnen employees had to role-play as if the threat were real.
This included staying indoors until HAZMAT
PHOTO: Jan Maessen
Paramedics from the municipality Sittard-Geleen,
NL simulate triaging an evacuation victim to get
the maximum benefit of the force protection
exercises.
Local Dutch actors simulate injuries during a mass casualty force protection exercise held April 27
at USAG Schinnen.
teams could identify the white substance, closing off access to the base, opening up a casualty collection center and calling the pertinent
off-post emergency services in a timely-manner.
Working for the military overseas can often
times present challenging and unfamiliar situations. That’s why these exercises are so imperative, not just so the employees on post can
become familiar with how to proceed in the
case of a threat, but so emergency services offpost can also become familiar with what actions to take in the case of a terrorism emergency.
“This exercise and any others that follow
are precautionary measures in the instance a
terrorist attack occurs,” said USAG Schinnen
Garrison Commander Lt. Col. Eric Tilley. “Today we are able to see what we’re doing right,
what we need to work on and how all of the
various players- from the local emergency services, to the Schinnen employees- work together
in a worst-case-scenario so that we can be prepared.”
“ I think the exercise went really well. Everybody learned a lot and it prepared us for how
to plan for next year’s event,” said Garfield.
“This year’s exercise really helped us because
it was done on such a large scale compared to
past years. Schinnen and its Dutch partners
are committed to each other to continue these
opportunities to train and work together for
the protection of all our employees on post
and our neighbors in the community.”
PHOTOS: Sylvia Bowron
Left: Local HAZMAT and Firefighter teams collaborate on rescue efforts during the 2007 USAG
Schinnen mass casualty exercise.
June 2007
9
Earth Day
Editor’s Note:
Community members across U.S.
Army Garrison Benelux’s three garrisons participated in Earth Day activities. USAG Brussels, USAG Schinnen
and Chièvres Garrison Public Affairs
Offices provided the following information as a snapshot of the Earth Day celebrations in their communities.
Brussels American School students
converted environmental talk into action April 27th as they participated in
Earth Day
“We actually combined a couple of
observances into one,” says BAS
teacher Donna McVicker. “We celebrated Earth Day with Arbor Day”
McVicker engaged her students as
well as other teachers in designing a
comprehensive half-day program dedicated to campus-wide trash pick-up,
planting flowers and other live “greenery,” watching a film on battery recycling, and, finally, putting up the bird,
bat and insect “houses” provided by
Dumont.
Eighth-grader Patrick Morrison’s campus-wide sweep for trash bagged his impressions of Earth Day. “There’s too
much plastic trash that blows around
campus,” he said as he deposited a plastic scrap he’d found into a trash can. “The plastic, unfortunately, doesn’t decompose.”
In Schinnen, elementary students from AFNORTH International School opened the day-long celebration with
an assembly which included poems, songs and cheers from
the cheerleaders.
This year, Schinnen’s Environmental Division provided
two different environmental topics:
1) Potential Soil and Groundwater Contamination
2) Trash Sorting Program
In Chièvres Garrison, local Boy Scouts teamed with
Chièvres Garrison Commander Lt. Col. John G. Romero
and community leaders to plant trees around Chièvres
Air Base as one of the Earth Day awareness activities
within the SHAPE/Chièvres area.
Top:
PHOTO: Courtesy Schinnen Environmental Division
AFNORTH International School elementary students kicked off Earth Day in the Schinnen community with an assembly to “Rock Mother Earth.”
Above:
PHOTO: Jim Ferris
Sixth-graders Megan Lotze and Alex Georges
planting flowers as part of Brussels American
School’s Earth Day celebration.
Left:
PHOTO: Cis Spook
Chièvres Garrison’s Boy Scouts team with community leaders to plant trees on Chièvres Air Base as
just one of the Earth Day awareness activities
10
June 2007
Soldiers share street smarts
PHOTO: J.D. Hardesty
Director of Emergency Services and SHAPE Harley-Davidison Club member Lt. Col. Dennis Zink
leads 31 fellow “bikers” from across the Chièvres Garrison community on a Motorcycle Safety
Sunday “road out” and “toy ride” May 20 on Caserne Daumerie.
One of the Harley-Davidsons carried its own
safety message.
Where it matters
most… with
motorcycle safety
By J.D. Hardesty
Benelux EDGE Editor
Some Soldiers attend the school of hard
knocks. Others prefer their street smarts to
text books. Still others take the “lessons learn”
approach to increasing their operational knowledge.
Where does the “book smart” blend with
experience…? Where it matters most… with
motorcycle safety.
According to Rudy Magain, Safety Officer
for U.S. Army Garrison Benelux, the number
of Soldiers killed on motorcycles has doubled
within the past five years.
“In 2001, 15 Soldiers were killed Army-wide
riding motorcycles, though there were no motorcycle fatalities in the U.S. Army in Europe,”
he said. “That number continues to grow every year. In 2005, motorcycle fatalities sur-
PHOTO: Cis Spook
Gary Wilson, a member of the SHAPE Harley
Davidson Club, shows Jordan from the Orphanage La Maison at Ostiches how to play with the
toy he just received.
June 2007
Hondas, Kawasakis, BMWs, Harley “fatboys” and “Indians” – a total of 32 bikes lined the streets as
their owners went through a safety checklist provided by the Safety Office.
passed private-owned vehicle fatalities with 40
riders dying in crashes that year.”
The Army has armed communities with
motorcycle safety campaigns to help save Soldiers lives.
Bikers across the three Chièvres Garrison
communities joined the SHAPE HarleyDavidson Club on May 20 for a Motorcycle
Safety Sunday at Caserne Daumerie as part of
a “toy ride” and “road out” and safety day.
Many of the members kicked off the motorcycle fellowship by attending a chapel service
and barbecue. Hondas, Kawasakis, BMWs,
Harley “fatboys” and “Indians” – a total of 32
bikes lined the streets as their owners went
through a Safety Office sponsored checklist.
Representatives from the Motorcycle Safety
Foundation shared a few quick tips for the
group ride before the bikers hit the Belgian
streets:
Arrive on time with a full tank of gas
Hold a riders’ meeting to discuss the route,
rest and fuel stops, hand signals, etc.
Keep the group size manageable
Ride in a staggered formation that allows a
cushion of safety so motorcyclists have time
and space to react to dangers
Avoid side-by-side formations
As the Director of Emergency Services and
a member of the SHAPE Harley-Davidson
Club, Lt. Col. Dennis Zink set up the “group
ride” with a charity “toy run” to Orphanage La
Maison at Ostiches and Orphanage Le Clos
at Arbre, both located near Ath, to deliver toys
to the children during their ride from Chièvres
to Tournai, Belgium.
“It is a nice thing to do,” stated Anthony
Greco “and we’re bringing them some joy.
That’s why it is important for us to stop by
these two orphanages.”
The USAG Benelux Drivers Testing Station
will host several Motorcycle Safety Foundation
Classes during this coming spring and summer.
Sponsored by U.S. Army in Europe, the
classes will consist of a Basic Rider Course
and an Experienced Rider Course.
The training is offered to all military and
civilian personnel riding motorcycles in Europe.
Others may attend the classes on a space-available basis.
The Basic Rider Course will be offered June
8, 9 and Sept. 14, 15 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in
Building 105 on Chièvres Air Base.
The Experienced Rider Course will be offered July 21 and Aug. 25 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
in Building 105 on Chièvres Air Base.
There were five critical messages the Motorcycle Safety Foundation emphasized to anyone wanting to ride motorcycles in Europe.
Get trained and licensed
Wear protective gear
Ride unimpaired
Ride within your limits
Be a lifelong learner
“I am not aware of any motorcycle fatality in
the last few years across the Benelux,” Magain
said. “Motorcycle riders need to keep following the basic riding rules.”
11
AFNORTH International School
Goldilocks teaches a lesson in law
By LaDonna Davis
Elementary school children got a lesson in law
and choices May 9, from the Netherlands Law
Center Law Day presentation held at AFNORTH
International School in Brunssum, NL.
Law Day was established in the late 1950s by the
American Bar Association to draw attention to both
the principles and practice of law and justice in the
United States.
“We wanted to introduce the students to the practice of law and give them some appreciation for the
jury system by letting them weigh the evidence and
make a decision for themselves on the guilt or innocence of the defendant,” said Capt. Timothy
Gustafson, chief of client services at the NELC and
mock trial lawyer for Goldilocks. “We did this by
choosing a character that all the kids could relate to
and then giving the kids a chance to actually get
involved in the trial by being a part of the jury.”
PHOTO: LaDonna Davis
In order to teach the children about law, the NELC The staff of the Netherlands Law Center conducts a mock trial for the students of AFNORTH
acted out a mock trial of a classic children’s fairytale International School Elementary students May 9 in recognition of Law Day. Staff members used
novel, Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
the children’s fairytale “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” to demonstrate how the legal process
During the trial, the children served as the jury works by putting Goldilocks on trial for bad manners.
while members of the law center played judge, witnesses, prosecutor and defendant. At the end of the trial, it was up to manners and sentenced her to pay $1 million in damages to the three
the students to decide if Goldilocks was guilty of bad manners and what Bears.
“Aside from my client being found guilty, I think we at the law center
should be her punishment.
“I couldn’t believe the reactions of the students. When it came time accomplished what we set out to do and that was get the kids excited
for them to make their ruling, they all just started shouting out ‘guilty!’” about the legal process and help them to understand it a little bit better,”
said Gustafson. “I could hardly hear myself think; they started yelling said Gustafson.
As for Goldilocks, she’ll be working for a long, long, long time to pay
before I could even make my closing arguments.”
Unfortunately for Goldilocks, the students found her guilty of bad off her fine.
Brunssum Cub Scouts host international campout
By Tracy Ballard
Special to the EDGE
Over 150 Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Scouters from JFC Brunssum, the Netherlands,
Geilenkirchen, Germany, Klein Brogel, Belgium and Dutch Scout troop St. Vincentius from
Brunssum, gathered at the JFC Brunssum Sports Fields for an inaugural spring camp out April
20-22.
Brunssum Cub Scout Pack 100 hosted the event which included knot tying, rope bridge
building, Dutch games, Frisbee golf, first aid demonstrations and more.
After the opening ceremonies Saturday morning, the scouts were divided into groups which
rotated through 10 activity stations.
“The kids can’t stop talking about what a good time they had with the Dutch scouts and Pack
100,” said Dale Beaty, cub master for Geilenkirchen’s Pack 442. “I especially enjoyed the time
we spent with the Dutch Scout leaders, talking with them and learning new games and fun things
for our kids to do. I think overall the event was outstanding and showed what scouting is about
worldwide… teaching our kids to grow up to be good, caring citizens.”
“The great thing about our troop and pack is that while we all registered as Boy Scouts of
America, our organizations are made up of leaders and boys from almost all the NATO
nations because of where we are stationed,” said Chris Ballard, coordinator of the event and
assistant cubmaster to pack 100. “We have boys in our Boy Scout troop and Cub Scout pack
from Germany, Canada, the Netherlands, Japan and Czechoslovakia, just to name a few. This
is a great opportunity for our boys to interact with the Dutch Scouts and for the Dutch Scouts to
see how Scouting is done in the US.”
“This took a lot of effort to coordinate, and it is a unique opportunity to get together with
Scouts on an international level,” said Ralf Gers, assistant scoutmaster for troop 100. “This is
a chance that many Scouts may never have…a chance to interact with Scouts from other countries, share our experiences, learn their traditions, and all leave looking forward to the next time
we can do this again!”
12
PHOTO: Charlie Maurer
Chris Riedle, 7 a Tiger Cub Scout from JFC
Brunssum pack 100 in the Netherlands, plays a
traditional Dutch game, Sjoelen, during the
scouts first Spring Campout.
June 2007
NFL All-Pro Fitzgerald visits the Benelux
By Steven Hoover
Arizona Cardinals All-Pro wide receiver
Larry Fitzgerald made a lunch time appearance at the Prime Time Bar and Grill on
Caserne Daumerie April 30.
The 90-minute visit, where he took time to
speak with community members and sign autographs, was part of his tour with the U.S. Air
Forces Europe “Extreme Summer” program.
He also visited SHAPE American High School
later that afternoon.
This is the third consecutive year Fitzgerald
has participated in the program.
“Visiting the troops and Family members is
the highlight of my off-season,” he said. “I feel
fortunate to be a part of this tour. I have so
much respect for their (military personnel)
strong beliefs and values and I am thankful to
have them protecting our freedom.”
His visit was the Monday following the National Football League Draft weekend and he
admitted right away he hadn’t had much time
to keep up with who the Cardinals selected.
There were plenty of fans there who got him
caught up in a hurry.
The youngest visitor to the event was also the
only one wearing team colors. Tyler Deiwert,
the 18-month-old son of Perry and Sylvia
Deiwert, came decked out in his very own Cardinals outfit. Not only was it a Cardinals uniform, but it read Fitzgerald across the back.
“I’ve been a Cardinals fan for a long time,”
said Perry, originally from Glendale, Az., who
is currently a human resources specialist with
While community members were placing their
food orders, Larry Fitzgerald visited with those
in line, including Chièvres Garrison Commander
Lt. Col. John G. Romero.
the Benelux Civilian Personnel Advisory Center. “We got the outfits for when we watch games
during the season. It’s just a coincidence that
Tyler’s jersey said Fitzgerald on the back.”
Fitzgerald is the most decorated player to come
out of the University of Pittsburgh since Hall of
Fame running back Tony Dorsett in 1976. In
his last season with Pitt, in 2003, Fitzgerald finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting
behind Oklahoma quarterback Jason White.
Arizona Cardinals All-Pro wide receiver Larry
Fitzgerald visits with Tyler Deiwert, the son of
Perry and Sylvia Deiwert, during his April 30 appearance at the Prime Time Bar and Grill.
He was named the winner of the Walter
Camp Award which goes to the nation’s player
of the year. In addition, Fitzgerald also won the
Fred Biletnikoff Award which goes to the
nation’s top wide receiver.
Cinco de Mayo fiesta
PHOTOS: J.D. Hardesty
Above: More than 100 of the Chièvres Garrison community members celebrated Cinco De Mayo (Mexico’s
victory over Napoleon III’s Imperial French Army in the Battle of Pueblo in 1862), with a fiesta featuring rice,
beans, salsa, Cochinta Pibil, Pork Yucatan-style, Pozole Sonora-style, Calabacetas and several other dishes,
deserts and music which was co-sponsored by the Chièvres Garrison Family Readiness Group and the
Prime Time Bar and Grill. Left: Children took turns taking a wack at the pinata.
June 2007
13
PHOTO: Julie Gomez
SHAPE Players and supporters take center stage to claim a total of 13 awards during the annual Topper Awards held on April 26 in Heidelberg, Germany.
SHAPE Players claim 13 Topper awards
SHAPE Entertainment Center
The SHAPE Players production of Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple”
(Female Version) took top honors for Best Comedy at the 2007 Tournament of Plays “Topper” Awards Show held annually in Heidelberg,
Germany.
The production also earned Best Actress, Victoria M. Schehl; Best
Debut Performance, Sgt. 1st Class Vetta Lynne Stanley; Best Set Design Martin Mutke and Thomas Reich; Best Costume Design,
Gwendolyn Whitney; Best Stage Properties, Jennifer Howe; and Best
Stage Manager, Elina Kotlyar.
The SHAPE Players production of Disney’s “High School Musical,” which was the most nominated musical with 24 nominations, garnered six “Topper” Musical Awards. Those winning include: Best Actor Minor Role, Luke Lumsden; Best Outstanding Male Youth Performance, Bobby Jones; Best Sound Design, Richard Burn; Best Set Design, Thomas Reich; Best Stage Manager, Berwinne Johnson and
Gwendolyn Whitney; and Best Technical Director, Thomas Reich.
The Awards, sponsored by the Installation Management CommandEurope, included 22 musicals, comedies and dramas produced at communities in England, Belgium, Germany, Italy, and Turkey.
SHAPE Entertainment Centre
The Odd Couple” (Female Version)
Awards
Best Comedy
Best Actress in a Comedy: Victoria M. Schehl
Best Debut Performance in a Comedy: Sgt. 1st Class Vetta Lynne
Stanley
Best Costume Design in a Comedy: Gwendolyn Whitney
14
Best Stage Properties in a Comedy: Jennifer Howe
Best Set Design in a Comedy: Martin Mutke, Thomas Reich
Best Stage Manager in a Comedy: Elina Kotlyar
“High School Musical”
Awards
Best Actor in a Minor Role in a Musical: Luke Lumsden
Best Outstanding Male Youth Performance in a Musical: Bobby Jones
Best Sound Design in a Musical: Richard Burn
Best Set Design in a Musical: Reich
Best Stage Manager in a Musical: Whitney, Berwinne Johnson
Best Technical Director in a Musical: Reich
Theatre Summer Camp
“HONK Jr.”
Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Ugly Duckling”
26 June – 28 July (5 weeks - Mon, Tue, Thu and two Sat)
Han’s Christian Anderson’s classic tale has been transformed
into a modern musical comedy. Written by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, HONK! tells the story of Ugly, whose odd, gawky
looks instantly incite prejudice from his family and neighbors. Separated from the farm and pursued by a hungry Cat, Ugly must find
his way, while his loving mother, Ida, searches for him. Along his
journey he not only discovers his true beauty and glorious destiny,
but he also finds love and acceptance. Cost: 225,00 €
Group I: grades 5 – 8 meets 1230 - 1630
Group II: grades 8 – 12 meets 1730 – 2130
June 2007
First Sgt. Richard J. Haley, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, SHAPE Battalion first sergeant,
barks out the countdown as Iron Shapian contestants try to knock out the last of their pushups or
situps.
SHAPE Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Joseph Calloway, U.S. Army Garrison Benelux Chaplain (Lt.
Col.) Ronald Leininger, and AFNORTH Battalion’s Sgt. Nina Rodriguez look to be headed for a photo
finish during the run portion of the Iron Shapian. They were among the 30 participants that began the
four-mile run portion of the competition - 29 of the runners finished.
Staff Sgt. Brian Adams and Staff Sgt. Oswald Pascal, both of HHC, SHAPE Battalion, were two of many
who served as graders and counters during the Iron Shapian competition May 4. Besides their official
duties, they also provided encouragement to each of the participants, pushing them to do their best.
Sgt. 1st Class Marshon Broomer, assigned to HHC,
USAG Benelux, was one of four participants to
finish in the gold during the Iron Shapian May 4.
Iron Shapian allows competitors to ‘go for the gold’
By Steven Hoover
For the third consecutive year, the Iron
Shapian competition, sponsored by SHAPE
Battalion May 4 at SHAPE, saw the field of
participants double.
And, for the third consecutive year (although not by design), the person who developed the event wound up being the overall
champion.
The Iron Shapian is a physical fitness testtype competition with categories for pushups,
sit-ups, four-mile run, chin/pull-ups and dips.
June 2007
The challenge is for participants to achieve
personal bests in the events. For instance, the
minimum standards for men to attain gold are:
77 pushups; 85 sit-ups; 28 minutes on the fourmile run; 10 chin-ups; and 25 dips. However,
extra points are awarded for those who beat
those numbers and kept going, raising the bar
for the rest of the field.
With a total of 124 points, SHAPE Bn. Commander Lt. Col. Joseph Calloway topped the
field for the third straight time.
Although he has led the field each year
Calloway, an admitted physical fitness addict, said
the primary reason for the event was so “competitors could push their overall fitness.”
Following Calloway, finishing in the Gold were:
Capt. Michael Sieber, SHAPE Bn.; Sgt. 1st Class
Marshon Broomer, USAG Benelux; and Staff
Sgt. Marvin Moore, SHAPE Bn.
Bronze category winners were: Spc. Dujuan
Hunter, USAG Benelux; Rick Leung, 66th Military Intelligence; Cmdr. David Buonerba, U.S.
Navy; Spc. Shawnta Hernandez, AFNORTH
Bn.; Staff Sgt. William Miller, AFNORTH Bn.;
Cpl. Wezley Vegh, British Army; and Sgt. Chris
Winters, USANATO Brigade.
15
SHAPE welcomes Lt. Dan Band
Gary Sinise, aka “Lt. Dan” jams with trumpet player
Kirk Garrison during the Lt. Dan Band’s concert
at the SHAPE Fest Tent May 12. Sinise, who plays
bass guitar, put the band together after visiting
military personnel in various locations around the
world.
By Steven Hoover
Actor Gary Sinise, probably best known
for his role as “Lt. Dan” in the 1994 movie
“Forrest Gump,” brought the Lt. Dan Band
to SHAPE May 12 during their recent European USO tour.
The 12-member band performed before
a packed house in the SHAPE Fest Tent for
about two-and-a-half hours, playing everything from Springsteen to Linkin Park, from
Aretha to Hendrix.
Sinise, who plays bass guitar and currently
stars in the television crime drama “CSI-New
York,” formed the band in 2004 with longtime friend and musician Kimo Williams.
Williams is a Vietnam War veteran.
They had played together with other
friends “just for fun” for several years before exploring the possibility of working with
Armed Forces Entertainment and the USO.
“This is probably one of the most rewarding things I do,” Sinise said after the show.
“To get out there (with the band) and support our service members and help them and
their Families forget about things for awhile.
“I know it makes a difference and I feel
it’s my way of kind of giving back...that’s a
way I can serve and help people out who are
helping me (by serving our country).”
Besides his other endeavors, Sinise is cofounder of Operation Iraqi Children, a nonprofit organization that collects school supplies and other donations to give to schoolchildren in Iraq.
He said his involvement with television,
movies and the band has presented him with
opportunities most Americans don’t get.
“I’ve seen the military in a way most people
don’t get to,” he said. “I think most Americans don’t have a clear picture of who the
folks in the military are, or why they do what
they do.
“Another thing is to be able to play for
them and play for their Families and play for
the kids and see the kids just jumping up and
down and going crazy, smiling and having a
great time, and knowing that we are contributing to making a difference of raising some
morale and helping some folks out. That’s
extremely rewarding.”
Following the concert, after a brief rest, he
and the band signed autographs and visited
with those who remained.
Spring Town Hall
Community’s voice heard
By J.D. Hardesty
Benelux EDGE Editor
Why?
This simplest of words can often brew frustration and anxiety in Families and infect the
well-being of entire communities if left unanswered.
Chièvres Garrison’s Town Hall forum provides the entire SHAPE/Chièvres footprint
community with answers to their concerns.
Members of the SHAPE, Chièvres Air Base
and Caserne Daumerie communities discussed current issues and answer questions at
the Spring Town Hall quarterly meeting on
May 24 at the Hotel Le Maisières in Casteau,
Belgium. The Town Hall forum is just one of
the quality of life venues where Families can
talk face-to-face with commanders and decision
makers and effect change.
Issues such as child care for parents wanting
to attend Benelux Headstart classes – free
classes provided by the U.S. Army Garrison
Benelux Education Center to help Families
overcome initial language and cultural barriers upon their arrival. Or, taking on the issue
of building a program available 24/7 to serve
as a liaison between Families and local hospitals in the area.
“We are here to provide you with answers,”
Chièvres Garrison Commander Lt. Col. John
G. Romero said. “We will staff your issues and
concerns locally with our directors and staff
for resolution or send it up to the appropriate
16
Members of the SHAPE, Chièvres Air Base and Caserne Daumerie communities discuss current issues
and answer questions at the Spring Town Hall quarterly meeting May 24 at the Hotel Le Maisières in
Casteau, Belgium. The Town Hall is just one of the quality of life venues where Families can talk faceto-face with commanders and decision makers.
chain (of command) to where it may effect
change.”
Those who could not attend sent in questions via email to be addressed by the command.
One of those email queries - “For Soldiers
who do not have a vehicle and rely on the bus
for transportation, is there a way to change
the bus schedule so Soldiers do not have to
wake up at 4:20 a.m. to get to first formation
by 6:20? - was answered with a change in the
bus schedule to better fit Soldiers needs.
The following question will have to be sent to
the organization and responded to later. “Why
did Andrews Federal Credit Union’s Automated Teller Machine fee increase from $1.50
to $1.99? Is the bank not there for our convenience, since we cannot choose a certain branch
as we could in the states?”
The status of all issues and questions from
the Town Hall will be published in the next edition of the Benelux EDGE.
June 2007
Liberation of Bonsecours
PHOTOS: Cis Spook
U.S. Army Garrison Benelux Color Guard
Left: U.S. Army Benelux Color Guard members (right to
left) Pfc. Gerardo Razo, Sgt. Trevor Sahlstrom, Spc.
Benjamin C. Lowrance, Spc. Lance M. LeBlanc march
through a downpour May 13 during the Liberation of
Bonsecours reenactment ceremony in Bonsecours,
Belgium. After the reenactment scenes, the crowd paid
tribute to James W. Carroll, the first U.S. Soldier entering
Bonsecours on his Harley Davidson at the liberation of
the city.The Benelux Color Guard was under the direction
of Sgt. 1st Class Thomas E. Jessen.
M-8 Armored Vehicle
Above: A M-8 armored vehicle reenacts the arrival of the
U.S. Soldiers into Bonsecours on Sept. 3, 1944.
Evacuation:
Bottom: Several war scenes are depicted during the yearly
Remember Day at Bonsecours. This scene shows local
citizens who, once they heard the Germans were about to
invade Belgium, decided to leave most of what they owned
and flee with the entire family to France, only a stone’s
throw away from Bonsecours. They thought the Germans
wouldn’t invade France but they did, except for the
Southern part that was declared a “free” zone. Many of
these families who tried to escape would never come
back.
June 2007
17
Wereth 11 remembered in ceremony
Brig. Gen. Dennis L. Via, 5th Signal Command commanding general and keynote speaker for the Wereth 11 ceremony April 28, escorts his wife, Linda,
Black soldiers killed
by German military
during World War II
By Steven Hoover
Despite the fact that the Wereth 11 – black
Soldiers assigned to the 333rd Field Artillery
Battalion who were savagely slaughtered by
German SS officers on Dec. 17, 1944 during
the early stages of the Battle of the Bulge –
have been gone for many years, their spirits
live on in the tiny village of Wereth, in the eastern part of the country near the Belgium-Germany border.
Local townspeople, along with Soldiers and
their Family members assigned in Belgium and
Germany, were on hand April 28 for a wreath
laying ceremony, commemorating the Soldiers.
“We are aware of the tragedy…for what happened on Dec. 17th should never be forgotten,” said Brig. Gen. Dennis L. Via, 5th Signal
Command commanding general, who served
as the keynote speaker. “However, we are not
here today to focus on the crime and the pain.
We are here today to focus on the heroic lives
of these 11 Americans.”
However, to help focus on their lives, some
historical background is necessary. The following is a combination of several different accounts.
After being reactivated in the regular Army
as a 155-mm howitzer battalion just a year before their deployment, the 333rd FA Soldiers
had spent their first six months in combat hold-
18
and Adda Rikken, current president of the U.S. Wereth Memorial committee, during the procession leading up to the memorial site.
ing the front line against German troops in support of the 2nd Infantry Division and VII
Corps. At the time of the Battle of the Bulge,
the unit was located in the vicinity of St. Vith,
Belgium.
On Dec. 17, 1944, during the second day of
the Battle of the Bulge, the Germans last major counter-offensive of World War II, these
11 members of the Headquarters and Service
Battery (HSB) became separated from their
unit while escaping and evading pursuing German armor and infantry units. During this evasion, while in search of food and shelter, the
men came upon a farm.
The head of the family, Matthias Langer,
offered the Soldiers some of the families’ last
food.
snowfall until mid-February 1945 when villagers directed a U.S. Army Grave Registration
unit to the site.
Unlike similar war crimes committed by German Soldiers, the slaying of these men wasn’t
as well documented or prosecuted. After an
investigation proved fruitless, not turning up
any positive identification of those who committed the murders, the investigation was closed.
As a private gesture from the Langer family,
a son, Herman, erected a small cross, with the
names of the slain Soldiers, in the corner of
the pasture and for more than 60 years has
maintained the vigil. But, the memorial and the
town of Wereth remained basically obscure.
The memorial was not listed in any guides or
maps to the Battle of the Bulge battlefield. Even
“These men were brothers, sons and fathers. They served, because like us, they believed in the values we hold dear – freedom,
justice, liberty.”
Brig. Gen. Dennis L. Via
Commanding General 5th Signal Command
At dawn, after receiving a tip from a sympathetic townsman, a group of Nazi SS stopped
in front of the Langer house. The Soldiers
surrendered and were forced to sit in the cold
and mud while their fate was decided.
They were then marched to a cow pasture
behind the house, where they were tortured
and later shot or bayoneted to death. In the
morning, villagers saw the bodies of the men in
a ditch. Since they were afraid that the Germans might return, they didn’t touch the dead
Soldiers. The bodies were covered by the
people searching for it had trouble finding it in
the small community.
However, in 2001, three Belgians, including
Adda Rikken, currently the president of the
U.S. Wereth Memorial committee, began raising funds to create a more fitting memorial to
these men.
“We knew we wanted to create a much nicer
memorial for these Soldiers, but, at that time,
our organization was very small and didn’t have
much money,” Rikken said. “It took some time,
but we eventually raised enough money to purJune 2007
chase more of the land that surrounded the
original monument. And, now we have a nice
dedication to those heroic men.”
The dedication of the updated memorial was
held May 23, 2004.
There are now road signs to the memorial
and the Belgium Tourist Bureau lists it in its
Battle of the Bulge brochures.
In 2001, the U.S. Army Garrison Benelux
adopted the seven graves of those men who
rest in Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery,
located in Henri-Chapelle, Belgium.
Adoption certificates for the graves of:
Staff Sgt. Thomas Forte,
Spc. James Stewart,
Pfc. George Davis,
Pfc. George Moten,
Pfc. Due Turner,
Pvt. Curtis Adam, and
Pvt. Nathaniel Moss,
...and a history of the Wereth 11 are located
on the right foyer wall in the garrison headquarters, Bldg. 70030 on Caserne Daumerie
in Chièvres. The remains of the other four
soldiers:
Cpl. Mager Bradley,
Spc. William Pritchett,
Pfc. James Leatherwood, and
Pvt. Robert Green,
...were returned to their respective families.
“These brave Soldiers…did not have an
opportunity to see the world that they aimed to
create,” Via said. “Yet, because of their actions,
we enjoy the world they envisioned…the world
they fought for. These men were brothers, sons
and fathers. They served, because like us, they
believed in the values we hold dear – freedom,
justice, liberty. They believed in the greater
good. For this, we are thankful.”
Victory in Europe Day
Belgians remember
PHOTOS: J.D. Hardesty
A U.S. Army Garrison Benelux Color Guard team of four Soldiers presents the
colors under the direction of Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Jessen at the “Sword of Justice”
memorial honoring British soldiers who died during World War II. As Chièvres
Garrison Commander Lt. Col. John G. Romero salutes, the Royal Fanfare of Chièvres
band plays America’s national anthem. Chièvres was one of four cities across the
Benelux footprint where Benelux Soldiers participated in VE-Day celebrations.The
other Belgian cities hosting celebrations with U.S. Soldiers leading processions
included Mons, Ath and Brugelette.
U.S. Army Garrison
Benelux Color Guard team
under the direction of Sgt.
1st Class Thomas Jessen
leads the procession of
Belgian civic leaders,
patriot organizations and
well wishers celebrating
Victory in Europe Day, May
8, in Ath, Belgium.
Members of the color
guard team (right to left)
include Spc. Lance LeBlanc,
Staff. Sgt. Larry Fitzpatrick,
Sgt. Jake Brice and Spc. Ben
Lowrance.
This is one of three monuments at the Wereth 11
Memorial dedicated to the black Soldiers who
were killed by the German SS during the early
stages of the Battle of the Bulge.
June 2007
19
Morale, Welfare & Recreation...serving the community
Directory
USAG Benelux
Community Service
ACS
Chièvres & SHAPE
DSN 423-5324; CIV 065-44-5324
Brussels
DSN 368-9783; CIV 02-717-9783
Schinnen
DSN 360-7500; CIV 046-443-7500
Rotterdam/MWR Coordinator
DSN 362-2493; CIV 010-459-2493
Arts & Crafts
SHAPE
DSN 423-4680; CIV 065-44-4680
Brussels
DSN 368-9629; CIV 02-717-9629
Schinnen - JFC Brunssum
DSN 364-2454; CIV 045-526-2454
Custom Frame Center - JFC
Brunssum
DSN 364 – 3821; CIV 045-526-3821
Arts & Crafts Rotterdam
DSN 362-2457; CIV 010-459-2457
BOSS
Chièvres & SHAPE
DSN 423-4606; CIV 065-44-4606
Schinnen
DSN 360-7370; CIV 0031-46443-7370
Auto Centers
SHAPE Auto Skills Centre
DSN 423-4693; CIV 065-44-4693
Brussels Auto Craft Center
368-8743; CIV 02-717-9743
Auto Craft Shop - JFC
Brunssum
DSN 364-3173; 045-526-3173
Make-A-Wish
draws record
participation
Sixty teams comprised of 2,740 registered participants
from the SHAPE and Chièvres community teamed with
organizations selling food and beverages to raise more
than €30,000 on May 11-12, to grant wishes to at least
three children. According to Project Manager Lt. Andy
Tutchings of the SHAPE Athletics Office, participants
officially completed 23,213 laps around the SHAPE
track, which translates to a little over 5,800 miles or
9,200 kilometers. Three wishes were granted that day.
To qualify for a wish, the child must be two-and-a-half
and under 18 years old at the time of referral. A physician must certify that the child has a life-threatening
medical condition. The event’s mass start (above) fea-
CYS
Chièvres & SHAPE
Central Registration (all youth)
DSN 423-3874; CIV 065-44-3874
Schinnen
Central Registration
DSN 364-6221; CIV 045-563-6221
Child Development Center - JFC
Brunssum
DSN 364-2575; CIV 045-526-2575
School Age Services - JFC
Brunssum
DSN 364-3004; CIV 045-526-3004
Middle/High School - JFC
Brunssum
DSN 364-3008; CIV 045-526-3008
School Liaison Services
DSN 364-6141; CIV 045-563-6141
Brussels CYS
Central Registration Office
DSN 368-9651; CIV 02-717-9651
20
June 2007
Community Services
Benelux ACS on SHAPE
tured children from SHAPE International
School and others. During the 24-hour event
activities such as face painting, a soccer competition, bouncy castles, music and all-night movies were held. Organizations featured a German Beer Garden, British fish and chips and
Canadian Moose Milk. The Make-A-Wish Foundation was founded in Phoenix, Az., in 1980.
Since its creation, the foundation has granted
the wishes of more than 141,000 children with
life-threatening medical conditions and has become the world’s largest wish-granting organization.
June 2007
Veteran’s Affairs Briefing – Jul. 18, 8 a.m.
– noon, Hotel Le Maisières - Briefing on VA
benefits, presented by representatives from the
Department of Veterans Affairs on education,
home loan guarantees, life insurance, vocational rehabilitation, disability compensation,
VA health care, and other benefit programs.
Registration is required.
Job Opportunities Overview – Tue, 9:30
– 10:30 a.m., Benelux Welcome Center, Hotel
Le Maisières.
Job Opportunities Workshop – Wed, 9
a.m. – noon, USAG Benelux ACS on SHAPE.
Benelux Headstart – Jun. 11 – 15 ; 25 - 29
Mandatory instruction for U.S. service members. Enroll during in-processing or call ACS
at DSN 423-5324 or USAG Benelux Education Center at DSN 423-3466.
Sponsorship Training - Jun. 6, 10:30 –
11:30 a.m., Bldg. 318, SHAPE
Make the right move – Jun. 6, 2 – 3 p.m.,
Bldg. 318, SHAPE - Transitioning briefing for
service members and their Families in the process of PCS-ing or who plan to PCS in the
near future.
Spouse Cultural Adaptation Seminar –
Jun. 21, 1 – 3 p.m.; Jun. 22, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.,
USAG Benelux Welcome Center at Hotel Le
Maisières. Open discussion, transitioning advice and a shopping trip to Brussels.
Take the Train – Jun.16, 30, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Meet at Hotel Le Maisières for a workshop
on using public transportation in Belgium. A
bus tour of the city is scheduled, followed by a
lunch in one of the local restaurants and a
walking tour of the Grand Place. Pre-registration is required. Children are welcome.
Anger Management - Tue, Thu, 1:30 – 3
p.m. Available by appointment.
Tea Time to Talk About Teens - Wed,
9:30 – 10:30 a.m., USAG Benelux Welcome
Center.
Love and Logic Parenting – June 6, 13, 20,
6 – 7:30 p.m., ACS Training Room - Register in
advance.
Active Parenting of Teens – June 6, 13,
20, 2 - 3:30 p.m., ACS Training Room. The
Active Parenting of Teens series pays special
attention to today’s problems of teen drug use,
sexuality and violence, providing parents with
clear prevention guidelines. Call DSN 4238217; CIV 065-44-8217 for more information.
Brown Bag Lunch – Jun. 13, Jul. 11, 11:30
a.m. – 1 p.m. Luncheon series is held at the
USAG Benelux Welcome Center located in
the Hotel Le Maisières. Topic for June: Survival Skills for Healthy Families
Directory
Community Service
Libraries
Chièvres - CAC, Chièvres Air Base
DSN 361-5767; CIV 068-27-5767
SHAPE
DSN 423-5631; CIV 065-44-5631
Schinnen - JFC HQ Brunssum
DSN 364-2110; CIV 045-526-2110
Rotterdam
DSN 362-2454; CIV 010-459-2454
Brussels
DSN 368-9791; CIV 02-717-9791
Sport & Fitness
Chièvres/Benelux
DSN 361 – 5643; CIV 068-27-5643
Brussels
DSN 368-9667; CIV 02-717-9667
Schinnen
DSN 360-7561; CIV 046-443-7561
Schinnen Bowling Center
DSN 360-7207; CIV 046-443-7207
Outdoor Recreation
SHAPE
DSN 423-5380; CIV 065-44-5380
Brussels
DSN 368-9775; CIV 02-717-9775
Schinnen
DSN 360-7561; CIV 046-443-7561
Restaurants/Clubs
Chièvres/SHAPE
Prime Time Bar & Grill
DSN 361-5504; CIV 068-27-5504
SHAPE Entertainment Center
DSN 423-3312; CIV 065-44-3312
SHAPE Events Center
DSN 423-5129; CIV 065-44-5129
Schinnen
Harry’s BBQ
DSN 360-7527; CIV 046-443-7257
Pin Point Café
DSN 360-7527; CIV 046-443-7527
Rotterdam
Rumors
DSN 362-2420; CIV 010-459-2420
Brussels
Three Star Lounge
DSN 368-9822; CIV 02-717-9822
Trips & Tours
SHAPE
DSN 423-3884; CIV 065-44-3884
Schinnen
DSN 360-7561; CIV 046-443-7561
21
PARENTAL ADVISORY
New Parent Support Program - This program is available to all military and civilian Families expecting or with children, newborn to three
years old. Services offered include: information and referral, home visitations, education
on topics relating to maternity and childbirth,
parenting classes, playgroups, breast-feeding
and more. Call DSN 423-4274; CIV 065-444274 for more information.
Playmorning – Jun. 5, 12, 19, 9 - 11 a.m.,
SHAPE Health Facility, EDIS playroom Playmorning is a two-hour program in which
parents and their children play together in a
group setting.
Infant Massage Class – Thu, 11 a.m. –
noon, SHAPE Health Clinic, EDIS Playroom.
New Mother Gift Certificates – entitles
new moms to a free diaper bag filled with goodies. Pick up a certificate at New Parent Support Program located in Bldg. 318 on SHAPE.
Breast-feeding Support Group – Jun. 19,
11 a.m. - noon, SHAPE Health Clinic, first
floor Social Work Conference Room
Brussels
TURN UP
THE BASE.
Thursday, 7 June
SHAPE GB, Parking Area
Southern rap artist, seanp infuses hard-hitting
bass anthems with smooth flowing lyrics
that get audiences bouncing. Hailing from Atlanta,
seanp is known for his community contributions,
which inspired his personal dedication to the
troops. His rabble-rousing tracks will have
the whole base bumping!
CONTENT MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES. UNDER 17 REQUIRES
ACCOMPANYING PARENT OR ADULT GUARDIAN.
The US Army does not express or imply an endorsement of the sponsor, its products, or services.
22
Metro Madness Outings – Jun. 22, 9:30
a.m. – 2:30 p.m. An outing sponsored by Brussels ACS to learn how to travel around the
Brussels Capital Region using the public transportation system. Meet at Bldg. 4, top floor at
9:25 a.m. Class is limited to 10 people so please
register early.
New Parent Support Program
Prenatal Classes – Jun. 5, 6:30 – 8 p.m., ACS
Conference Room - Topics covered: Having a
baby in Belgium, stages of labor, interventions,
labor signs, epidural, relaxation techniques,
men’s role, and much more.
Infant Massage – June 13, 11 a.m. – noon,
ACS Conference Room - Learn how to use
massage to aid sleep and restlessness.
Schinnen
Dutch Headstart and Newcomers’ Orientation Tour- Jun 4 – 8; 25-29, 9 a.m. – 4
p.m. Dutch Headstart and Newcomers’ Orientation Tour is a five-day program teaching
beginning Dutch language skills and familiarizes those new to the Tri-border area to other
military and civilian sites. Education Center in
Treebeek at 75 Horizonstraat.
Sponsorship Training - every third Wed
of the month, 2 - 3:30 p.m. - Learn about becoming a sponsor.
International Spouses Orientation - last
Wed of the month, 2 - 3 p.m., ACS Conference Room. Foreign born spouses coping with
cultural differences and military life can receive
support and assistance at this class.
Family Advocacy Program - The program
offers free preventive education classes. Call
DSN 360-7500; CIV 046-443-7500
Playmorning - every Thu, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.,
Schinnen Sports Center - This interactive and
educational playgroup is designed to develop
parenting skills and give parents and kids a
chance to socialize.
June 2007
Friday, July 6
Daumerie Caserne
6:30 P.M. band opens
June 2007
23
Community Services
Birth, Breast-feeding Support, and Beyond - childbirth, infant nutrition and newborn care information presented in a Childbirth Series. Call ACS for dates and times.
Breast-feeding Support Group
Group– meets
every third Wed of the month, 10 -11 a.m.,
ACS Conference Room.
Baby Support Group - meets every third
Wed of the month, 11 a.m. to noon, ACS Conference Room. New presenter each month instructs on infant care and development.
Heerlen Hospital OB Tour – Jun. 4,
call for times - English language afternoon
tours of the labor, delivery and postpartum
units. Meet with OB labor and delivery nurses.
Transportation provided by ACS.
Transition Assistance Program – Jun. 12
- 14, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., ACS Conference Room.
Learn effective job searching, resume writing
and interviewing techniques.
Finding Employment Workshop - every
Tue, 10 a.m. – noon. Learn job searching skills.
Register at ACS.
Interviewing Skills and Dress for Success Workshop – Jun. 21, 10 a.m. – noon,
ACS Resource Center.
Webcams, VTC and morale phone calls
- In cases of deployment, temporary duty, PCS
move, hospitalization or any other event that
might separate Family, ACS now has free live
webcams and video teleconferencing available.
The service is offered daily, by appointment.
Call in advance for the VTC service.
Deployed Coffee Hour – ACS Yellow
Room - Families and friends of deployed Soldiers get together and socialize over coffee and
tea. Call ACS for dates and times.
Financial Readiness Class - every third
Wed of the month, 10 – 11:30 a.m. Class covers banking and credit union services, budget
development, record keeping, debt liquidation,
insurance and more.
One-on-One Financial Counseling - every second and third Wed of the month, 2 – 4
p.m., AFNORTH Battalion Conference Room
- Receive specialized help and support on subjects ranging from understanding your local
utility bills to advice on your personal finances.
Army Family Team Building – Jun. 8, 29;
1–3 p.m., AFTB level I class Jun. 22, 1–3 p.m.,
AFTB level II class. ACS Conference Room.
Rotterdam
NFL football! Jun. 15 - travel to Amsterdam to
watch the NFL franchise Admirals take on
Berlin. Bus leaves at 5:30 p.m.
One-on-One Financial Counseling - Receive specialized help and support on local utility bills to personal finance advice. Call DSN
362-2257; CIV 010-459-2257 for dates and
times.
24
Child & Youth Services
Editor’s Note: No information was made
available from Child and Youth Services
within the Chièvres Garrison footprint that
includes SHAPE, Chièvres Air Base and
Caserne Daumerie.
Brussels
Newcomers’ Program is looking for five volunteer youth. Volunteers should be in third
through 12th grades to write letters to new students moving to Brussels and who are looking
for a sponsor/friend before they arrive. Training offered to interested youth. Contact the
Brussels Outreach Director at 02-717-9651 or
email [email protected] for
an application.
Music Summer Camp - 1) Dinosaur Music
Camp, 9 a.m. - noon; and 2) Piano and Violin
Master Camp, 1:30 -6 p.m. Session I : Jun. 25 –
29. Please register and pay by Jun. 15. Session
II : Jul. 9 -13. Please register and pay by Jun. 25.
(1) Dinosaur Music Camp - This camp is an
intensive musical experience offering children
(ages 4 and older) a chance to grow musically.
Program activities include rhythmical games,
singing/dancing, introduction to piano and violin, learning to read music notes, introduction
to the history of classical and jazz music. Participants: min. six children and max. 12 children. Price: € 89 per child.
(2) Piano and Violin Master Camp - Classes
provide a unique music education program for
young musicians (ages 5-18) of all levels. Designed for youngsters who play piano or violin.
Program activities include individual lessons
of a chosen instrument and plus five ensemble
music lessons. Duration of the individual lessons is 30 min; ensemble lessons are 45 min.
Participants: min. six children and max.12 children. Price: € 99 per child.
Guitar and Tae Kwon Do Lessons - new
SKIES instructors will be offering classes in
June.. CYS maintains a waiting list.
High School Hail and Farewell Dance
– Jun. 15, 7:30 – 11 p.m. - Three Star Lounge.
Call CTS for more info.
Home Schoolers who are CYS members
may use the youth 4-H Technology lab every
Tue, 10 – 11 a.m.
CYS Parent-Youth Lab – every Thu, 6 –
6:30 p.m. Registered youth may use their five
free hours to enjoy this program. Program
is also open to registered youth and parents.
The Keystone Club meets once a month
to plan activities for the high school teens in
the Brussels community. School dances,
movie and pizza nights, all night lock-ins, and
special summer trips are some of those activities. For more information on the Keystone Club, call CYS between 2:30 – 6:30
p.m.
June 2007
Community Services
Schinnen
Family Child Care - Family Child Care Providers are needed. Call for an application or
information.
Child Development Center - Full daycare
services offered for infants - kindergarten children. Part day preschool services offered (3 –
5 yrs. old). Hourly care also available.
School Age Services - Before and after
school care is available for children in first sixth grades. Children must be registered with
CYS. They may receive five free hours of care
per month if not enrolled in a regular program.
SAS Summer Camp Program will run June
25 through Aug. 17. Weekly camp rates range
from $36 to $104. Sign up starts June 4.
Middle/High School - Mon – Fri, 3:30 – 6
p.m. (now open until 7 p.m. on Fri) and 8 a.m.
– 6 p.m. on school out days. Computer lab
available.
Youth Services is now open an extra hour
on Fridays to support Teen Swim Nights at the
JFC Brunssum pool.
Youth Sponsorship - Ease your transition
to the community by requesting a youth sponsor. Want to become a sponsor? Free training
is available.
June 2007
Youth Sports & Fitness - Registration for
flag football, soccer and cheerleading begins
Jun. 1. Sign-up for summer basketball camp Jun. 1- 14. Classes and scrimmages start the
second week in July. Martial Arts registration
is continuous; 12 sessions cost $60. Call DSN
364-6056; CIV 045-563-6056.
Job and Volunteer Opportunities - CYS
program assistants work with infants/children
through high school. Salary based on training
and experience. Free training is provided. Volunteer head coaches receive free and discounted sports enrollment for their children.
Call CIV 045-563-6019.
Youth Services seeks contracted instructors
courses this spring in photography, ballet,
horseback riding and other courses. Call DSN
364-3008; CIV 045-563-3008.
School Liaison Services - Program info
available by calling DSN 364-6141.
Arts & Crafts
Brussels
Soldiers’ Art Initiative Exhibition - The
Arts Center is offering free art classes to Soldiers during June as part of its initiative to bet-
ter serve Soldiers in the Brussels community.
Their artwork will then be displayed and auctioned off for charity at the U.S. Independence
Day celebration on July 7 at Brussels American School. Those Soldiers interested should
contact their unit first sergeant or commander.
Photography Exhibition - Jun. 1 - 31 - The
Arts Center presents: The Photography of
Albert Aniel.
Children’s Introduction to Art - Jun. 2 30, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. - Children of all ages
will ‘adventure’ into Art and Sculpture, exploring different techniques and projects. Cost is
$65 and ALL materials are included.
Learning “How To” in Ceramics - Jun. 5
-28, Tue/Thu, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. - Cost is
$96.
Experimental Painting – Jun 5 – 26, 11 a.m.
- noon Learn various techniques working with
pigments & acrylic painting. Cost is $72.
Book Making/Binding – Jun. 5 -26, 1 –
2:30 p.m. - Cost is $72.
Afro-Cuban/Brazilian Samba Live Jazz
Night – Jun. 23, 7 p.m., Three Star Lounge
Concert sponsored by the Brussels Arts &
Crafts Center. Ticket - $6 in advance or $7 at
the door on the day of the event.
25
Community Services
Schinnen
Book Binding and Linen and Leather
Workshop – Wed, 6 – 9 p.m. Sign up for
three, 3-hour workshops and learn the rare
art of book binding. Finish two books. Price:
€37, including materials.
Basic Matting and Framing Workshop
– Wed, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. - Learn how to frame
pictures, prints, artwork and collectibles. Price:
€35. Other Custom Frame Center offerings
include ready-made frames and mats, special
orders, dry mounting, laminating, and shrink
wrapping. Assorted Posters for Sale - €5.
Sports & Fitness
Chièvres
Yoga for Everybody - Mon, Wed, Fri, 10:30
– 11:30 a.m. - $2/Tue, 5:45 – 6:45 p.m. - free
Step and Strength - Mon, Wed, 9:30 – 11
a.m. - $2
Pilates - Tue, Thu, 10 – 11 a.m. - $2
Women on Weights – Tue, Thu, 9:30 – 11
a.m. - $2
Baby Buggy Brigade – Mon, Wed, Fri, 10:30
– 11:30 a.m. - free
Spinning Class – Mon, Wed, Fri, 12 – 12:45
p.m. - free
Brussels
Basic Belly Dance Class – Every Tue, 10 11 a.m.
Yoga Class –Mon, Wed, 9:30 - 10:45 a.m.
Spin Class –Tue, Thu, 6 - 7 p.m.
Step/Aerobic –Mon, Fri, noon - 1 p.m.
Abdominal classes –Tue, Thu, noon - 12:45
p.m.
Personal Fitness Program – Tone muscles,
lose fat, improve your health condition, train
for a race or a special sport, by preparing with
Brussels sports specialist with a one-on-one
personal fitness training program call DSN
368–9652; CIV 02-717-9652.
Run for Your Life Program – is selfpaced fitness through running and participants
log their miles with the Fitness Center. Patches
awarded at 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 750, and
1000 miles.
Schinnen
Indoor Swimming Pool - a variety of
classes are being offered. Call DSN 364-3172;
CIV 045-443-3172 for more information.
Restaurants/Clubs
Chièvres
Breakfast: Mon – Fri, 7 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Lunch: Mon – Fri, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Lounge: Wed-Thu at 5 p.m.
Schinnen
Recreation Plaza
Social Hour - Memories Lane Lounge every Friday starting at 4 p.m.
26
Brussels
Three Star Lounge - has reopened.
Family Night – every Thursday, 5p.m.
Adult Night – every Friday, 5 p.m.
Libraries
Chièvres
Get a Clue at Chièvres Library – Jun. 26
– Aug. 3. Summer Reading Program is open to
all children of U.S. and Canadian ID
cardholders. Registration begins June 1. Program kicks off on June 26th from 1 - 3 p.m.
SHAPE
Preschool Children’s Story Time - for
ages 3 – 5 years old. June 5, 12, 19; 10 a.m.
Families are invited to join the Read-to-Me
portion of the program.
Lap Sit Program - for ages 0 – 2 years old.
June 6, 13, 20, 27; 9:30 – 10:30 a.m.
Spring Reading Program - for ages 5 – 7
yrs. June 20, 3:45 – 4:45 p.m.
Spring Reading Program - for ages 8 – 10
yrs. June 21, 3:45 – 4:45 p.m.
Page Turners - Book Discussion Group Jun. 20, 5:30 p.m. - “Land of the Living” by
Nicci French.
Library Chess Club
Ages 9 and up, Jun. 12, 26, 4 p.m.
Painting Exhibition
Jun. 1 -30, Artist: Helena Orgaz
Brussels
Summer Reading Program – runs from
June to August starting right after school ends
and lasting for six weeks. This year’s theme is :
“Get a Clue at Your Library!” Visit http://
www.cslpreads.org/ for more information.
Children’s Story Hour - for 3 - 5 year olds,
Wed, 11 a.m. – noon - Listen, learn and share
the world of books and reading.
Schinnen
Two Summer Reading Programs begin Jun. 26:
Get a Clue @ Your Library for 3 -12 year olds
and YNK (You Never Know) for teens. Register, read and receive prizes based on the number of books read. Pre-school children may
participate by having books read aloud to them.
Independence Day
Celebrations
Chièvres/SHAPE
4th of July Youth volunteers needed
In preparation for this year’s Independence
Day Celebration scheduled on July 4th at
SHAPE, the Directorate of Morale, Welfare
and Recreation is looking for youth volunteers
from the community to perform at this year’s
event. Call DSN 361-5246 and sign up
Independence Day Celebration:
Celebration Jul. 4,
noon – 11:30 p.m., SHAPE. Fireworks start
at 11 p.m.
Brussels
Independence Day Celebration July 7
from 3-11 p.m. at Brussels American School; a
joint and inter-agency Brussels community celebration featuring a red/white/blue procession,
followed by the official opening ceremony with
“Salute to the Nation” and “Volunteer of the
Year Award” (all four Services/U.S. Color
Guards, NATO and Embassy representatives).
All members of the Benelux-wide and & TriMission communities are invited to attend.
Call 02-717-9753 for information or to volunteer.
Schinnen
Tri-Border American Fest – July 7,
noon – 11:30 p.m., Geilenkirchen NATO
Air Base, Sports Field - Food, rides, bands,
swimming and fireworks. All nationalities
with NATO ID are welcome. All fees are in
euros. For more information call DSN 3642626; CIV 045-526-2626.
Trips & Tours
Brussels
Paris – Jun. 16 - See “the City of Lights.”
Departing at 5 a.m.,/Return 11 p.m. - Price:
$40 for adults and $33 for youth under twelve
years of age.
Diamonds in Antwerp – Jun. 23 - Antwerp
is the world center for diamonds, the city of
Rubens, of fashion, of sight-seeing tours, a
shopper’s paradise, and much more... Leaving from Sterrebeek. Price is adults $45 and
children $35.
Spring Pilgrimage to Canterbury - Jun.
30,, we leave Sterrebeek bright and early for
Calais, France to take the ferry to Dover, UK.
Travelers can eat an English breakfast and
shop onboard the ferry. Price: $50 for adults
and $39 for children under 12.
Schinnen
Paris Shopping Trip – Jun. 30 - Register
by Jun. 23. Price: $49.
Alkmaar and Zaanse Schans – Jul. 13 Visit a cheese market and see the windmills.
Price: $32.50.
Munich and Dachau – Jul. 20 – 23 - Trip
includes three overnights with breakfast in a
first class hotel. Register by Jun. 1. Price: $369
pp. in double/triple room, $519 pp in single
room, $259 child 11 and under.
Weekend in London – Aug. 10 - Three overnights with breakfast in a three star hotel. Cost
$339/dbl, $459 single, $259 children 11 yrs. and
under. Register by Jun. 30.
Day Trip to Luxembourg – Aug. 25 - Includes a stop at the American Cemetery of
Hamm and viewing Patton’s Grave.
Price: $29.
Chièvres/SHAPE
Walibi Day Passes - Price: €25.
Dover Castle & Canterbury by Ferry June 2007
Jun. 2, Price: €55 Adult, €50 Youth 5-15, €40 Child 0-4. Includes
entrance to the Dover Castle War Time Tunnels.
Disneyland Park Two Parks -One Day – Jun. 9, Price: €60
Adult, €55 Youth 3-11, €25 Child 0-2. Price includes admission
to both parks.
Introduction to Brugge - Jun. 10, Price: €40.
Rappelling & Rock Climbing - Jun. 10, Price: €25.
Castles of the Loire Valley, France - Jun. 15 – 17, Price:
€298 per person twin/double room, €286 per person triple room,
€347 single room, €194 youth 3-12 years**, €75 child 0-2**. **Sharing a room with two fully paid guests.
Chateau of Chantilly - Jun. 16, Price: €50, Children 0-2 are
€35.
Brugge for Father’s Day - Jun. 17, Price: €65.
London - Jun. 23, Price: €45 .
Kayaking – Jun. 23, Jul. 21, Price: €35 single person kayak, €29
double person kayak per person.
Horseback Introduction and Ride Cuesmes, Belgium –
Jun. 24, Price: €25.
Horseback Trail Ride
Ride, Chaleux, Belgium – Jun. 30, Price:
€42.
Paris Weekend – June 30 – July 1, Price: €105 per person
double/twin room, €122 per person triple room, €158 single room.
Beach Day, Oostende, Belgium - Jul. 12, Price: €25.
Dinant Citadel and Cruise on the Meuse - Jul. 14, Price:
€35 Adult, €33 Youth 4-14, €19 Child 0-3.
Grottos of Han, Belgium Underground Caves & Wildlife Reserve - Jul. 19, Price: €39 Adult, €32 Youth 6-12, €22
Child 0-2.
June 2007
27
HHC, USAG Benelux welcomes new commander
By Steven Hoover
Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Garrison Benelux welcomed
Capt. Andrew C. Dermanoski as its new commander in a change of command ceremony
April 24 at the Community Activity Center on
Chièvres Air Base.
Dermanoski assumed command from Capt.
Kendall P. Adams
Dermanoski, originally from Houston, comes
to the unit after serving as the V Corps Artillery
Deputy G-2 in Schwetzingen, Germany, where
he deployed on his third combat tour to Iraq in
support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Adams is headed to Fort Riley, Kansas.
Chièvres Garrison Commander Lt. Col. John
G. Romero hosted the ceremony and passed
the unit colors between the commanders.
“This statement may be a little biased,”
Romero said, “but, in my judgment Capt.
Adams has developed and sustained a headquarters company supporting the finest U.S.
and international community.
“There are many reasons for his success,
but I believe first and foremost is that he enjoyed the challenge. You could see it in him as
he went about the business of commanding
the company.
“Enjoying the job you are doing makes a great
difference to yourself and those around you…it
28
Capt. Andrew C. Dermanoski, incoming HHC, USAG Benelux company commander, sings the Army
Song with his Soldiers after taking command during an April 24 ceremony at the Community Activity
Center on Chièvres Air Base.
turns a labor into a labor of love…and that
makes good things happen in this business.”
During his farewell remarks, Adams thanked
Romero for not only being his boss and commander, but, most importantly his mentor.
“Besides the Soldiers that stand before you
today, you have been the single biggest reason
for any success that I may have enjoyed,” he
said. He then went on to thank the Soldiers
and first sergeants, both current and past, in
attendance for their dedication to duty.
Dermanoski thanked Romero for “entrusting me to command this company. I am honored to lead these great Soldiers.”
Dermanoski, a 2001 graduate of the United
States Military Academy, is married to the former
Ila Marie White of Donalsonville, Ga. They
have one son, Darby Cole, who is three.
June 2007
Demand for proctored tests grows
PHOTO: Courtesy Benelux Education Center
Staff Sgt. Alphonso Wilburn, Headquarters, U.S. Army NATO, is taking his class final online, an open
book exam for the English college class he took from Barstow Community College via the Internet.
Wilburn is pursuing a degree in Management Studies by taking mostly online classes due to a busy
work schedule. Newly installed computer workstations at the Education Center on SHAPE, Bldg.
212, allow four students to take their online exams at once.
Benelux Education Center
Testing programs administered at the Army
education centers are growing bigger every
year. The need for proctored exams is fueled
by the advances in technology and the
increasing number of college classes taken
online.
The biggest surge is seen, however, in online
testing for college classes taken by students
online. It is for these students that the U.S.
Army Garrison Benelux Education Center on
SHAPE has set up computer testing
workstations in its testing room to allow several
students to test at once.
These days it seems that somebody is always
sitting in front of the computer taking their midterm or final exam.
One of the most popular tests, Defense
Language Proficiency Test, determines the level
of foreign language proficiency. The Army
maintains a wide variety of language tests and,
starting last summer, several are now offered
online.
The Education Center on SHAPE has a
separate Language Lab with computers
June 2007
configured especially for these tests. Online
tests are scored immediately by the computer
unlike the old paper-and-pencil versions which
are still scored manually.
The Army Personnel Test (APT) program
helps service members advance their military
careers. Other tests in high demand include
GT improvement test (in-service ASVAB) and
a flight aptitude test for future aviators.
College testing is very popular among all
college students, whether military, civilians or
family members. Tests like CLEP or DSST
are worth college credit and cut short the time
it takes to earn a college degree.
Tests bearing college credit are free of charge
for service members and financial aid is
available for others. Study guides and
diagnostic tests are also available.
For more information about testing
programs stop by the local education center in
SHAPE or Brussels, if you’re stationed in
Belgium, or in Treebeek for those stationed in
the Netherlands. Call DSN 423-5501, DSN
368-9704, or DSN 364-6013 respectively, for
more information.
Education
Religious
News
Services
Chièvres Garrison
Benelux
Headstart
The Benelux Headstart class, a joint
project by the USAG Benelux’s Education Center and Army Community Service, combines French language instruction with information about Belgium, its
history, geography, and political system. It
also provides survival tips and practical
information about living in Belgium.
The class is mandatory for U.S. service
members. All others are welcome to attend on a space-available basis. There are
two classes scheduled in June. The first is
offered June 11-15, followed by another
five-day class June 25-29. Both classes are
held from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Call DSN:
423-3466/5324; CIV: 065-44-3466/5324 to
register.
The class starts with a Newcomer’s
briefing the first day, followed by French
language instruction on days 2-4. On the
final day of class, there is a presentation
on Belgian life and culture followed by a
short class on taking a bus in Belgium. A
field trip to a Belgian restaurant ends the
class.
Dutch Headstart
The Treebeek Education Center will
offer two Dutch Headstart classes this
month; June: 4-8 and 25-29. Call the center
for more information.
Foreign language
proficiency tests
moving online
The following foreign language
proficiency tests are available in an online
version as DLPT-5: Spanish, Russian,
Norwegian, Urdu, Dari, Pashto, Greek,
Albanian, Chinese-Mandarin, Hindi,
Korean, Czech, and Polish.
Other languages are still administered
as before.
These tests are no longer administered
in a paper version. The new format is
longer than the old format and requires 6
hours of actual testing in addition to an
hour break taken between listening and
reading portions, and administrative time.
The entire test is taken online. The
results are available immediately upon
conclusion of the test.
29
Chapel
Services
SHAPE International Chapel
Sunday
9 a.m.
11:30 a.m.
Roman Catholic
Collective Protestant
Wednesday
12:20 p.m.
English Mass (Klar)
Daumerie Chapel
Sunday
10:45 a.m.
Brussels Chapel
Sunday
10:45 a.m.
12:30 p.m.
Protestant Gospel
JFC International Chapel
(Brunssum)
Sunday
10:15 a.m.
12 p.m.
Autos for Sale
2001 Honda Civic EX - U.S. specs. Excellent condition, great mileage, 5-speed
manual, 4-door, moon roof, CD player, allseason and winter tires. Approx. 79,000
miles. Asking $8,000 (Blue Book value
$8145-$8790. Call after 7 p.m.: 067/84.40.25.
For sale only to SHAPE ID card holders.
2004 Toyota Corolla, 2.0 liter diesel/5speed, 36,000km, always garaged, air conditioning, European specs. Two years remaining on Toyota factory engine/drive train warranty. Excellent inside and out. Perfect Control Technique. Call 0473-97-0544 for info.
2003 Ford Windstar SE
SE, 3.8 liter/6-cylinder engine, automatic transmission, 76,000
miles, tan exterior with tan cloth interior, four
Roman Catholic
Miscellaneous/Household
Baldwin spinet piano with padded
bench. Dark pine, Early American style in
fair condition, $550. Gas lawn mower, $50;
oak veneer kitchen cart/cabinet on wheels
with large storage capacity and towel holders,
$20; two wall-mount bathroom cabinets, $15
each. All items U-haul. Call after 7 p.m.:
067/84.40.25.
Classified ads:
Religious Education
SHAPE Chapel
10:30 a.m.
10 a.m.
bucket seats and a rear bench seat, DVD
player, minor exterior damage, keyless entry, great working condition. Asking $10,000
or best offer. Call (32) 0477638110.
2005 Mini Cooper,
Cooper red with black stripes,
12,000 miles, still under warranty, U.S. specs,
sport rims, winter tires, excellent condition.
$20,200. Call 0049-2451-63-2029.
Catholic Religious Education
Protestant Sunday School
Daumerie Caserne
9:30 a.m.
Brussels Chapel
10 a.m.
JFC International Chapel
-Brunssum
Chapel-Brunssum
9 a.m.
10:45 a.m.
Men of the Chapel
SHAPE Chapel
Tuesday
6:30 a.m.
Protestant
361-5575/068275575
NAME: _____________________________________________________
SPONSOR’S NAME: ____________________________________________
1st Sat. of the month
Protestant
9 p.m.
368-9677
Women of the Chapel
SHAPE Chapel
9:30 a.m.
6:30 p.m.
Protestant
423-6020/065446020
Catholic
3rd Wed. each month
1st Wed. each month
423-6019/065446019
Daumerie Caserne
Wednesday
6:30 p.m.
Protestant
361-5575/068275575
Brussels Chapel
Thursday
8 a.m.
Protestant
368-9677
JFC International Chapel -Brunssum
Wednesday
Protestant
9:30 a.m.
364-2940
30
Job Opportunities
Miscellaneous
Sports Equipment
(Please check
appropriate box)
Brussels Chapel
Thursday
9:30 a.m.
Autos for Sale
Household Goods
Volunteers Needed
Protestant
423-6020/065446020
Daumerie Caserne
Wednesday
6:30 p.m.
Category:
SPONSOR’S UNIT: ____________________________________________
TELEPHONE NUMBER: _________________________________________
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ITEM(S): _________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
SUBMIT VIA FAX TO USAG BENELUX PUBLIC AFFAIRS
DSN: 361-5106 OR CIV: (0032) 068-27-5106
DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING CLASSIFIED ADS IS THE 10TH OF EACH MONTH
Please limit submissions to 5 items.
NOTE: Classified Ads are provided free of charge for everyone across the USAG Benelux community.
Those requesting a classified ad be published in the Benelux EDGE agree all items shall be made available
for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status,
physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron.
June 2007
Chievres Garrison
Presents:
4
th
of
JULY
SHAPE, 1200-2330
SHAPE, GB Parking Area
Fireworks start at 2300!
www.unitedfurniture.be
(068) 65.66.80
www.andrewsfcu.org
068/65.71.19
For More Details Call: (068) 27.5589
The US Army does not express or imply an endorsement of the sponsor, its products, or services.
June 2007
31
32
June 2007

Warrior Week Warrior Week

Transcription

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