Franconia News … in USAG Ansbach: German-American Student Partnership, Pg
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FranconiaThe News Serving the Franconia Military Community — Ansbach, Bamberg and Schweinfurt Vol. No. IX, Issue 18 May 11, 2012 Kids’ Soldier Day a Big Hit Story by Bianca Sowders Photos: Courtesy of Rainbow ES PTSA About 320 children of Rainbow Elementary School were recently invited by the 412th Aviation Support Battalion to spend a day like their Soldier parents; Percy Wilson, school counselor at Rainbow Elementary School organized the event with the 412th ASB. The event was to help demystify the deployment process and help prepare the students for the upcoming deployment by introducing them to routine tasks their par- ents may perform while downrange. The goal was to alleviate fears and anxieties children often associate with deployment and answer some of their questions. Each child was assigned to a “squad” upon arrival and learned how to stand in for- mation and march in step to cadence. The squads then started to participate in activi- ties at 18 stations and learned things like land navigation, using a radio, read a map and compass and much more. The students did PT and mastered an obstacle course, tasted real MREs (Meals, Ready to Eat) and were allowed to sit in a Black- hawk helicopter and a Humvee military vehicle. After lunch they were all presented an “Honorable Discharge” certificate in a cere- mony before they returned to their school. This week in the Franconia News … In USAG Ansbach: German-American Student Partnership, pg. 10 www.ansbach.army.mil In USAG Schweinfurt: Child Care Providers Certification, pg. 19 www.schweinfurt.army.mil In USAG Bamberg: Community Garden Plots, pg. 22 www.bamberg.army.mil 2 The Franconia News May 11, 2012 Obtaining Veteran Service Documents FORT KNOX, Ky. — Army veterans who served on active duty National Guard Soldiers are encouraged to contact their State or in the Army Reserve, and the family members of those veter- Adjutant General. Contact information for each State National ans, are eligible to receive service-related documents for free Guard Agency can be found at http://www.nationalguard.mil/ through a number of official sources. resources/states.aspx. Soldiers who separated in October 2002 or later can submit a Veterans can also access their information directly through a signed Standard Form 180/Request Pertaining to Military Re- joint partnership between the Department of Veterans Affairs cords (www.archives.gov/research/order/standard-form- and the Department of Defense known as eBenefits. For more 180.pdf) to the U.S. Army Human Resources Command using information about eBenefits, visit http://www.ebenefits.va.gov. one of the following methods: a signed request can be scanned The Army Human Resources Command also provides veterans and emailed to [email protected], or mailed to: with services such as creating DD Form 215s, updating retire- ment points for Reserve Component Soldiers, verifying veter- U.S. Army Human Resources Command ans’ service for VA home loans, and providing statements of ATTN: AHRC-PDR-V/ Department 420 service for veterans employment verification. You can contact 1600 Spearhead Division Ave. HRC directly by calling 1-888-ARMYHRC (276-9472). Fort Knox, KY 40122-5402. Many “for profit” third-party commercial businesses are charg- Soldiers who separated prior to October 2002 should submit a ing for the services described above, often advertising that they signed SF 180 to the National Archives and Records Admini- can expedite processing or delivery times for documents. stration’s National Personnel Records Center at: These claims are false, because no increased levels of service or access to veteran records are provided to these commercial entities. By requesting these documents directly through the National Personnel Records Center government agencies listed, you can eliminate the middle man, 1 Archives Drive saving yourself time and money. St. Louis, MO 63132-1002 or call the NPRC at 314-801-0800. U.S. Army Human Resources Command Human Resource Service Center “Providing Timely service to our Army Veterans and their Family Members in Support of their efforts to process entitlements and benefits” AK State Guard VA Home Loans SF 813 Non-Wartime Campaign Homeless Vets Immigration/ Naturalization DD214 Name Change/SSN DA 1343 DD215 Missing Records Employment Verification Document in lieu of DD214 VA 3101 Prison and Probation Department of Labor 214 ARPC 606 (Statement of Services w/retirement point) Former Spouse ID Card ARPC 2496 (Statement of Service for USAFR) Social Security Transcripts (Military Schools) Causality Transcripts Certificates Causality Statements of Services System update (name/address/phone number/Active Duty to Res/NG/Retired or any combination All request must have a SF180 signed by the Veteran: Standard Form 180 Contact us 24/7 Telephone (0700-1900 EST, Mon-Fri) 1-888- 276-9472 Email: [email protected] 1 The Franconia News 3 Serving the Franconia Military Community — Ansbach, Bamberg and Schweinfurt May 11, 2012 Can I Kiss You? SHARP Event Tours USAREUR Story: Sgt. Michael Reinsch Contributor: USAG Ansbach Staff The Ansbach Military Community gathered at the Katterbach and Illesheim Theaters to witness the "Can I Kiss You" performances on April 27. The show is about innocent bystanders and the im- portance of communication in a relationship. The show features Mike Domitrz, the author of a book called "May I Kiss You," a how -to book on relationships. The performance is part of The Date Safe Project, a program aimed at preventing sexual assault by teaching audiences about consent, bystander intervention and supporting the victims of sex- ual assault. "The Date Safe Project is all about helping people have healthier, safer, smarter intimacy," said Mike Domitrz. When performed on a military installation, his show is geared to- ward making people aware of how it can affect service members and units when someone is victim to a sexual assault. "We have three main missions when we are on an installation; we teach how we can verbally communicate for consent, how to inter- vene when somebody is using alcohol to facilitate a sexual as- sault, and how to support survivors," Domitrz said. "What is unique about our program is that it is fully integrated for single and married people." Even though Domitrz's show has a serious message to convey to his audience he does so by mixing a bit a stand-up comedy into his routine. Soldiers and staff personnel who were present for the show agreed they learned a lot but also very much enjoyed the approach to making the pertinent and necessary points. Dormitz began conducting these events as a result of a close fam- ily member being sexually assaulted. It was his own experience and pain that motivated him to do this work; his passion is obvious to any person who hears him speak. "Sexual assault is a society-wide issue," Domitrz said. "Whether I am speaking at a college campus, at a middle school, high school or the U.S. military, all ages, we need to discuss verbal respect for partners, decision making and boundaries." For more information on the Date Safe Project go to www.datesafeproject.org The Franconia News is an authorized electronic newsletter for members of the Department of Defense. Col. Kelly J. Lawler, USAG Ansbach Commander Contents are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, or the Depart- ment of the Army. The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of the USAG Ansbach PAO. John O’Brien, Public Affairs Officer The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute Bianca Sowders, Community Relations Officer/Editor endorsement of the products or services advertised by the U.S. Army. Everything advertised in this publi- cation will be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, Public Affairs Office — 468-1600 or 0981-183-1600 national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. 4 The Franconia News May 11, 2012 Was ist los in Franken? By Bianca Sowders Weissbierfest in Bayreuth Mother’s Day Concert in Brücken-Center The Maisel brewery in Bayreuth is celebrating a traditional Weiss- The Brücken-Center in Ansbach is hosting a Mother’s Day Con- bierfest on May 10 – 13 on the brewery grounds. The program, all cert with the ladies of “Salon Melange“ with hits from the 30s and admission free, includes live bands, sport events and lots of food 40s, operetta music and much more, while the audience enjoys and drink; Saturday night’s highlight will be a concert with Roger coffee and cake. Tickets for the event on May 13 at 4 p.m. include Chapman, Suzan Baker and Paul Young. For a complete program a food voucher and are available for 15 Euros at the information go to www.maisel.com or www.bayreuth.de booth. Spring Fest in Ansbach Blue Night in Nürnberg The annual Spring Fest in Ansbach begins on May 11 at the Fest- The "Blaue Nacht" in Nürnberg takes place on May 19; it is a platz near the Onoldia-Center (Nürnberger Strasse). The first keg night filled with special events, artistic displays and, of course, of beer will be tapped by the Lord Mayor at 7 p.m.; live bands play blue lights everywhere. For a detailed program check every night until the fest finally closes on May 17. www.blauenacht.nuernberg.de Asparagus week in Nürnberg Fun Run in Herrieden The traditional asparagus week, scheduled May 11 – 20, is The town of Herrieden hosts the Herrieder Stadtlauf and the Alt- hosted by the Handwerkerhof, located right across from Nürn- mühl Half Marathon on May 20; information and registration is berg’s main train station (behind the big tower).