August 28, 2008
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Vol. 66, No. 35 Published in the interest of Division West (First Army) and Fort Carson community. Aug. 28, 2008 Visit the Fort Carson Web site at www.carson.army.mil. Word of the month: Toughness Col. Butch Kievenaar, left, commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry flag during the Warhorse Brigade’s casing ceremony Aug. 20. The ceremony Division, and Command Sgt. Maj. Frederick Thompson, roll the brigade organizational signifies the BCT’s imminent deployment to Iraq. Warhorse Brigade cases colors Story and photo by Sgt. Rodney Foliente support specialist, Company D, 1st Squadron, 10th represent the United States. They’re ready to go and 2nd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Cavalry Regiment, 2nd BCT, 4th ID. they want to get down to business and do what their Office, 4th Infantry Division “I’ll do what I have to do to support the guys I’m nation asks,” he said. going out there with. The primary goal is to make He said that the Soldiers have been training The 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry sure our Soldiers come back,” said Freeman, who has and working hard to get ready for deployment, and Division, conducted a casing ceremony at Fort Carson deployed to Afghanistan and is ready for his first stressed the importance of allowing Soldiers to spend Aug. 20 to signify its imminent deployment to Iraq. deployment to Iraq. as much time with their Families as possible. This deployment will mark the third time the “These are the true heroes of this generation, who “It’s now time for our Soldiers to be with their Warhorse Brigade answered the nation’s call to signed up at a time of war to defend the freedom that Families before we depart,” said Kievenaar. “The deploy to Iraq since Operation Iraqi Freedom all Americans enjoy and are doing the hard work of unsung and often unseen heroes are our spouses and began in 2003. executing the desires of our nation and securing our Family members, who did not sign up for the Army, “This ceremony signifies that we’re deploying, national interests,” said Col. Butch Kievenaar, 2nd but who give of themselves so freely and provide the that we’ve got a job to do and that we’re going to get BCT commander. See Cases on Page 4 that job done,” said Spc. Anthony Freeman, signal “I’m proud of all these Soldiers and how they II Feature Community Happenings NN SS II DD EE Pages 22-23 Page 24 Page 33 2 MOUNTAINEER — Aug. 28, 2008 Opinion/Editorial MOUNTAINEER Commanding General: Letter to the Editor: Maj. Gen. Mark A. Graham Garrison Commander: Col. Eugene B. Smith Dear Editor: collect and split firewood, make repairs and thus make Fort Carson Public Affairs Officer: The Pike National Forest is a valued backdrop to Fort amends to restore the good name of our military personnel Dee McNutt Carson and the Colorado Springs area. It provides not and their pride in our community and National Forest. Chief, Print and Web Communications: only a scenic beauty but an opportunity to recreate in the Douglas M. Rule great outdoors. With the additional pressures of more and Brent Botts, District Ranger Editor: Julie M. Lucas more people making the Colorado Springs area home Pikes Peak Ranger District Staff Writer: Randy Tisor and the increase in additional troops coming to Fort Carson, Thea Skinner it is imperative that we all take extra effort to ensure this Note: Additional information on Barr Camp and the Pfc. Jamal Walker valued resource will be available for generations to come. services they provide can be found online at Happenings: Nel Lampe Unfortunately, there are a minority of users that abuse www.barrcamp.com. Information on low impact camping Sports Writer: Walt Johnson the resource, either intentionally or as a result of their lack can be found at www.lnt.org/programs/principles. Layout/graphics: Jeanne Mazerall of knowledge in how to recreate responsibly. One such case recently occurred when a Fort Carson unit requested This commercial enterprise newspaper is permission to hike Barr Trail and hold an overnight an authorized publication for members of the campout and survival training exercise near Barr Camp. Dear Ranger Botts, Department of Defense. Contents of the Mountaineer are not necessarily the official view A Special Use Permit was issued by the Forest Service and As the battalion commander of the Soldiers that of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government or the the unit agreed to utilize “Leave No Trace” principles apparently misused Barr Camp, I sincerely apologize for Department of the Army. Printed circulation is and leave their camp in as good a condition as when they their behavior. Misuse of natural resources and public 12,000 copies. arrived. Instead, following the campout, the caretakers at lands is not what the great Soldiers of this battalion are The editorial content of the Mountaineer is the responsibility of the Public Affairs Barr Camp found the area littered with debris, fire pits all about. As you stated in your letter, many troops are Office, Fort Carson, CO 80913-5119, Tel.: constructed in the emergency helicopter landing zone responsible users of these excellent resources. I can 526-4144. The e-mail address is and firewood from their personal wood supply missing. assure you that we will continue to do whatever is [email protected]. One of the fires was found still smoldering. necessary to repair any damage at the camp. The Mountaineer is posted on the Internet at http://public.carson.Army.mil/ After the Barr Camp caretakers reported the I investigated the situation when I became aware of it sites/PAO/mountaineer/archives/forms. conditions to the Forest Service, I sent a letter to the this week and my leaders assured me that they were The Mountaineer is an unofficial sergeant responsible for the permit requesting remedial cleared from the area by the caretakers and subsequent publication authorized by AR 360-1. The Mountaineer is printed by Colorado Springs action, stating that no future permits would be issued issues arose after further inspection. This unit and I are Military Newspaper Group, a private firm in for any Fort Carson activities until the damage had been committed to fixing any problems we may have created. no way connected with the Department of the corrected. After a month, when no action was taken to I sent Soldiers up to Barr Camp the weekend of Aug. 9 Army, under exclusive written contract with restore the area, the Barr Camp caretakers took it upon and they reported to me that they corrected the deficiencies Fort Carson. It is published 49 times per year. The appearance of advertising in this themselves to repair and clean up the area. as directed by the caretakers. We also made a commitment publication, including inserts or supplements, As District Ranger, I regret that the irresponsible to send up a wood-chopping party in the fall to help does not constitute endorsement by the actions of one unit violated the trust placed in Fort stockpile firewood for the winter. Please let me know if Department of the Army or Colorado Springs Carson Soldiers to be good stewards of our forest, and to there is anything we need to do in addition to what was Military Newspaper Group, of the products or services advertised. The printer reserves the use this community asset in a safe, responsible manner, accomplished. Again, I apologize for what happened and right to reject advertisements. in addition to damaging the respect and working hopefully this will put us back in a positive light with your Everything advertised in this publication relationship with Barr Camp. I know that many of the organization and the good folks that look after Barr Camp. shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, troops at Fort Carson are responsible users of the religion, sex, national origin, age, marital National Forest and have provided numerous volunteer Very respectfully, status, physical handicap, political affiliation service hours to improve the conditions of our trails and Lt. Col. Reik C. Andersen or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, campgrounds. I can only hope that one such caring unit 1st Battalion, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is will step forward and offer their services at Barr Camp to 12th Infantry Regiment commander confirmed, the printer shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. For display advertising call 634-5905. All correspondence or queries regarding advertising and subscriptions should be directed PPOOSSTT TTAALLKK to Colorado Springs Military Newspaper Group, 31 E. Platte Avenue, Suite 300, Colorado Springs, CO 80903, phone 634-5905. What safety advice would you give to The Mountaineer’s editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public someone who is going camping soon? Affairs Office, building 1550, room 2180, Fort Carson, CO 80913-5119, phone 526-4144. “Be aware of fire ban “Always bring an Releases from outside sources are so requirements in your emergency kit.” indicated. The deadline for submissions to the Mountaineer is close of business the week camping area.” before the next issue is published. The Pfc. Ana Gonzalez Mountaineer staff reserves the right to edit Cpl. Jose Barraza Company A, 204th submissions for newspaper style, clarity and Fort Carson Police Base Support Battalion typographical errors. Policies and statements reflected in the news and editorial columns represent views of the individual writers and under no circumstances are to be considered those of the Department of the Army.