November 21, 2008
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Vol. 66, No. 47 Published in the interest of Division West (First Army) and Fort Carson community. Nov. 21, 2008 Visit the Fort Carson Web site at www.carson.army.mil. Word of the month: Valor Strikers stay ‘Strong’ on Veteran’s Day Story and photo by Sgt. Zach Mott 3rd Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division — Baghdad CAMP TAJI, Iraq — More than 120 members of the Striker Brigade made a further commitment to the Army during a mass reenlistment ceremony at Camp Taji, Iraq, Nov. 11, Veteran’s Day. The ceremony, punctuated by a speech from Col. John Hort, was held at the Striker Landing Zone on a picturesque fall day in Iraq. The Soldiers, either assigned or attached to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division — Baghdad, chose to continue serving their country during a time when deployments continue to dominate the future landscape of today’s fighting forces. “(We wanted to have the ceremony) on Veteran’s Day, so we can thank the Soldiers for their service and do something nice for them,” said Sgt. 1st Class Melissa Wolfe, career counselor for the 3rd Special Troops Battalion, 3rd BCT, 4th ID. In addition to making a further commitment to serve their country, the Soldiers received other items such as computer bags, T-shirts and water bottles. “It’s a thank you to all those veterans that died for our freedom that we can do those things that we do,” said Spc. Anthony Hobbs, More than 120 members of the Striker Brigade participated in a mass reenlistment ceremony at Camp Taji, Iraq, Nov. 11. military policeman with 3rd Special Troops The ceremony was a chance for leaders of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Multi-National Division — Battalion, 3rd BCT, 4th ID, MND-B. Baghdad, to continue their service to the nation. Carson completes community center Story and photo by Randy Tisor the day of the grand opening, attendees and presenters Fort Carson. “He worked really hard on the Mountaineer staff gathered inside to acknowledge those who made the Department of the Army Residential Community center possible. One individual stood out as having Initiative and Fort Carson was the first Army installation Members of the Fort Carson command staff and made the singularly largest impact of anyone connected to privatize housing. We really wanted to honor him for local management from Balfour Beatty to the project; retired congressional representative for his contributions in making privatization a reality.” Communities snipped a 4-inch wide yellow Colorado’s 5th District, Joel Hefley. Although he According to Doug Lobdell, Balfour Beatty ribbon to ceremonially open the Joel Hefley was not able to personally attend the opening of his Communities project director, Fort Carson’s partnership Community Center in Iroquois Village Nov. 14. With namesake community center, his legacy of innovative with private business as a source of capital became construction costs approaching nearly three quarters policy was evident in the very existence of the center the model for other Department of Defense of a million dollars, the new community center and the newer housing areas on post. communities around the nation. rivals similar facilities available to residents in off “Joel Hefley was really the pioneer behind Lobdell added that funding for the Joel Hefley post, upscale neighborhoods. privatization (of Army housing),” said Lynn Rivera, See Center on Page 4 Due to cold temperatures and gusty winds on housing manager for Balfour Beatty Communities of II Military Community Holiday NN SS II DD EE Page 5 Page 11 Page 29 2 MOUNTAINEER — Nov. 21, 2008 Opinion/Editorial MOUNTAINEER Commanding General: Maj. Gen. Mark A. Graham What being thankful really means Garrison Commander: Commentary by Julie M. Lucas field, and we were in a foreign country.” That was her Col. Eugene B. Smith Mountaineer Editor way of shutting me down nicely. Fort Carson Public Affairs Officer: Last year, I stayed here and worked over the holiday, Dee McNutt I’m not sure about other families, but when there is a so I could have Christmas off. I had two options: lay on Chief, Print and Web Communications: holiday, whether we get along or not, everyone shows up. my couch and feel sorry for myself or do something. Douglas M. Rule This means my six female first cousins, their husbands, The option I chose was to go serve meals at the Editor: Julie M. Lucas and their kids. Yes, including my crazy uncle who makes Salvation Army. It felt so good to serve a hot plate of Staff Writers: Randy Tisor up nicknames for me. But we always play a hand of cards food to someone who needed it. I sat down and talked Thea Skinner after our meal. Most of the homes my family members to each person, who probably hadn’t had someone say a Devin Fisher live in weren’t built for 30-plus people to crowd around nice thing to them in a while. We all need distractions Happenings: Nel Lampe the kitchen, piling food on their plates. — for four hours I didn’t wonder what my family Sports Writer: Walt Johnson Since I’ve started working for the Army, there have was doing. It struck me as I got ready to leave and go Layout/graphics: Jeanne Mazerall been three Thanksgivings that I couldn’t make it home. home to have a slice of a $9 pie I bought, how blessed No, it wasn’t because I was deployed or anything like that. I was. I spent the day with people who wore dirty This commercial enterprise newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the During those holidays, I felt terribly lonely. Despite clothes and probably slept on the street. Department of Defense. Contents of the that, no sympathy was extended from my two-time Vietnam I used to be one of those people who said, “Someday Mountaineer are not necessarily the official view veteran father. I tried the sympathy tactic once and heard I’m going to help those people.” Now I have, and I’ve seen of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government or the Department of the Army. Printed circulation is the response, “I remember my Thanksgivings in ’Nam …” the joy it can bring to someone, even if it is for a day. 12,000 copies. to which there is not an appropriate reply. I tried whining I hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday. But The editorial content of the Mountaineer to my mother and was told, “I remember my first if you can’t be with someone you love, share the is the responsibility of the Public Affairs Thanksgiving married to your dad, while he was in the kindness you have. Office, Fort Carson, CO 80913-5119, Tel.: 526-4144. The e-mail address is [email protected]. The Mountaineer is posted on the Internet at http://public.carson.Army.mil/ sites/PAO/mountaineer/archives/forms. The Mountaineer is an unofficial publication authorized by AR 360-1. The Mountaineer is printed by Colorado Springs Thanksgiving dining schedule Military Newspaper Group, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of the The Wolf Dining Facility, building 1444, will In lieu of a traditional Thanksgiving meal, a Army, under exclusive written contract with Fort Carson. It is published 49 times per year. serve the traditional Thanksgiving Feast Nov. 25 brunch meal will be served at the Wolf DFAC Nov. 27 The appearance of advertising in this from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. The dining facility will only from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. This meal will include standard publication, including inserts or supplements, be open to Soldiers, Family members, retirees and breakfast items, but also include Thanksgiving menu does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Army or Colorado Springs Department of Defense employees. Not only will items including turkey, ham and stuffing. This meal Military Newspaper Group, of the products or this event provide great menu selections, but it is open to Soldiers and all paying customers. services advertised. The printer reserves the will also feature music, ice and fruit carvings and The price will be $4.40. Family members of right to reject advertisements. Everything advertised in this publication multiple festive displays. There will also be a E-4 and below, $3.80. shall be made available for purchase, use or children’s playroom. Points of contact for these events are Chief patronage without regard to race, color, The price will be $6.35. Family members of Warrant Officer 2 Charles Talley at 526-2451 or religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation E-4 and below are $5.40. Sgt. 1st Class Stephanie Johnson at 526-2619. or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is 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 to Colorado Springs Military Newspaper Group, 31 E. Platte Avenue, Suite 300, Colorado Springs, CO 80903, phone 634-5905. The Mountaineer’s editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public Affairs Office, building 1430, room 123, Fort Carson, CO 80913-5119, phone 526-4144. DA announces AVN unit for Carson Releases from outside sources are so indicated. The deadline for submissions to the Fort Carson Public Affairs duration of the unit’s rotation for OIF.