Vicenza and Darby Military Communities www.italy.army.mil September 29, 2017 | Vol. 50 | Issue 16 What’s Inside Approved, official taxis now allowed 2 to pick up fares on VMC installations Social worker addresses VICENZA — Beginning Oct. 1, taxi background checks and issued badges 'why' of suicide drivers in Vicenza may enter Caserma for those drivers. Del Din and Caserma Ederle when called According to Lt. Col. Mike Parsons, by customers. director of Emergency Services, this ini- 3 The initiative is a new one, as taxis tiative is a great stride for the Vicenza 173rd 'Sky Soldier' have not previously been allowed on Military Community. the military installations here to pick up "Leadership has heard the voices of saves life or drop off fares. Supported by the Ital- Soldiers who have asked for this service ian Base Commander and U.S. military for awhile," said Parsons. "The new poli- leadership, the policy authorizes several cy provides access to safe, legal taxis for 5 pickup locations that are marked with our community." Women's Equality Day new taxi signs (see photo). To make it easy for those needing a ride, In addition to the already-established there is an app for Smartphones whereby taxi pickup location on Viale Della Pace customers can book the taxi with a sim- outside Gate 2, taxi drivers will be al- 6 lowed at the commissary parking lot and ple tap. Download apptaxi.it/get for the Employee Spotlight Ederle Inn on Caserma Ederle, and in app that includes not only Vicenza, but front of the AAFES Express (shoppette) also 18 other cities such as Milan, Rome, on Caserma Del Din. (Courtesy photo) Venice and Padova. Other app features 7 Keeping safety in mind, only drivers include paying with credit card in the Vicenza's health center who are members of the Vicenza Taxi to pick up and drop off. Italian authori- app, sending GPS position if you don’t Union and cleared for entrance will be ties, in partnership with the Directorate know the address where you are, cancel- shares latest activity authorized entrance onto the installations of Emergency Services, have provided ling or otherwise managing reservations. 8 Workshop fosters sustainable training Tennis competition Since some training sites host protected By Anna Ciccotti habitat, the challenge was to ensure that USAG Italy 10 all stakeholders— Italian and U.S., mili- Out & About tary and civilians alike— remain proac- UDINE — “In Friuli Venezia Giulia, we tively engaged and further sustain mili- have shown that we must and can find a tary readiness requirements. positive synthesis between environmen- Addressing the 70-person audience, tal interests and defense needs,” said the Brig. Gen. Dwaine E. Drummond, region’s councilor for Infrastructure and Maine National Guard, said that: "Pro- Urban Planning, Mariagrazia Santoro, in tecting our shared ability to train together her opening remarks at the third annual requires deep respect for the biodiversity U.S.-Italy Sustainable Training Manage- of the areas entrusted to us, and respect ment Areas held here Sept. 12. of the laws in force in the host country." Organized by the U.S. European Com- Drummond, an expert on training and mand, headquartered in Stuttgart, Ger- environmental protection, expressed many, the one-day workshop brought appreciation for great work of dialogue together officials from the regional gov- with Italian authorities, emphasizing that St. Michael's Fair, Tuscany ernment, along with environmental ex- the balance achieved in some areas of the perts and senior leaders from the U.S. region represents a model of effective and Italian armies operating in the north- partnership between civil and military, 12 east region of Italy. Italian and U.S. operators on the territory. FMWR activities The topic of the workshop was to fos- “Therefore,” he said, “it is our responsi- Mariagrazia Santoro, councilor of ter the ongoing partnership between bility to keep earning that trust.” Region Friuli Venezia Giulia, addresses military and civilians to find a balance workshop participants in Udine Sept. 12. Santoro said the close partnership has (Photo by Paolo Bovo, 7th ATC RTSD-South) between meeting training needs and the allowed implementation of integrated, VA benefits required safeguard of the environment. strict monitoring that has resulted in See SUSTAINABLE, page 4 questions? Chikungunya fever cases appear in Italy tional Blood Center has halted donations icine to treat this virus infection. Protect By Maj. Ruben I. Ortiz from donors in the region. yourself by preventing mosquito bites. USARAF Environmental Science Officer These cases in Italy follow an outbreak When in areas with chikungunya virus, in southern France that began Aug. 11 make sure to use insect repellent, wear Active-duty service members, VICENZA — According to the Italian and have resulted in six confirmed and long sleeves and pants, and stay in places veterans, survivors, spouses Ministry of Health, three locally ac- one probable locally acquired cases as of with air conditioning or that use window and dependents can make quired, laboratory-confirmed cases of Sept. 6. and door screens. individual appointments in chikungunya fever, with symptom onset The chikungunya virus is transmitted Italy had a previous chikungunya out- October with the Department in August 2017, have occurred 50 kilo- to people by mosquitoes of the Aedes break in 2007 in the Emilia Romagna of Veteran Affairs Overseas meters (about 31 miles) south of Rome species that largely bite during daylight region; in that case, the outbreak was Military Service Coordinator. in Anzio, Lazio Region. hours. The most common symptoms of caused by an infected individual travel- Local authorities have begun vector chikungunya virus infection are fever ing to Italy from India. Appointments are available control efforts and advised medical pro- and joint pain. Other symptoms may in- Additional information can be found at Oct. 16-20, Oct. 26 and Oct. 27. viders to be on the alert for more possible clude headache, muscle pain, joint swell- the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and cases. Local citizens are urged to seek ing or rash. Outbreaks have occurred in Prevention site at: www.cdc.gov/chikun- Call DSN 637-8155/8156, medical care if they develop symptoms countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the gunya or at the World Health Organiza- comm. 0444-61-8155/8156. of chikungunya virus infection including Indian and Pacific Oceans. tion at http://www.who.int/mediacentre/ high fever, joint pain and rash. The Na- There is no vaccine to prevent or med- factsheets/fs327/en/. Social worker addresses 'why' of suicide U.S. Army Europe Commander Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges are left wondering what they could have by asking someone if they are thinking By Maj. Burke Lenz done differently. about or considering suicide it will cause U.S. Army Africa Commander Contributor Brig. Gen. The question we all ask when someone them to start thinking about suicide or Eugene J. LeBoeuf has committed suicide is “why.” This cause them to plan and commit suicide. FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — As question causes a number of reactions If you take the time to recognize that USAG Italy Commander a military social worker, there are many such as anger, sadness or betrayal. The someone is asking for help either by and Publisher behavioral health issues that I address on one person who could answer the “why” word or actions, you can provide that Col. Erik M. Berdy a daily basis. Suicide ideation and wheth- is no longer here so rumors “stop gap” that will al- er or not a person has developed a suicide and speculation begin. low some to take a step Outlook Editor plan and if that person will actually fol- Speculation and rumor are back and reevaluate the Karin J. Martinez low through on their plan are a few I am used to fill in the gaps be- thought of ending their Public Affairs Staff far too familiar with. tween what we know and life. Laura Kreider Some may use the thought of suicide as what we think we know. The best we can ask Chiara Mattirolo way to avoid stressors in their life. Some Research shows someone for is causing some- Aaron P. Talley use suicide as a way to communicate just may consider suicide due one to reevaluate their Anna Terracino how unhappy they are and some use sui- to financial problems, re- suicidal thoughts, to Mark Turney cide as way to control others. lationship trouble, feeling reevaluate why they The Outlook is an authorized publication Research shows there isn't a “type” of bullied at school or work, feel that death is a via- supporting the USAG Italy command person who ultimately commits suicide. or they may be someone ble option. It is not our information program as provided by AR To say that if we watch one gender, from who has been diagnosed place to question the 360-1. All editorial content of the Outlook is prepared, edited and approved by the USAG one socio-economic background and with a terminal illness. motive, only to recog- Italy Public Affairs Office, Unit 31401, Box from one particular cultural background, We don't have control nize that someone is 10, APO, AE 09630, located in Bldg. 10 on we'll be able to significantly impact the over whether someone ultimately com- asking for help and to provide our family Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Italy. rate of suicide would be a misnomer. mits suicide. We do what we can to show member, our friend, our coworker with Contents of the Outlook are not necessarily Suicide can affect anyone, from any- care and concern. We do what we can to a safe place to go, a safe person to talk the official news of, or endorsed by, the U.S.