In Financial Pinch, AER Is There for Soldiers by Tanya Fogg Young Is for Travel for Emergency Leave, and Car Repairs
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Vol. 40, No. 4 U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart February 24, 2011 In financial pinch, AER is there for Soldiers By Tanya Fogg Young is for travel for emergency leave, and car repairs. She Special to The Citizen said she has noticed increases in requests for assis- tance during the permanent change of station season, ewildered and struggling to pay down roughly May to August or early September, for what debt, Spc. Lakeshia Dennis fell behind in she described as “extraordinary PCS expenses.” Bher rent last fall and wasn’t sure where to For example, a specialist, while locating here last turn for assistance in regaining her financial footing. year, needed a loan to help with food and lodging Dennis, assigned to the 554th Military Police because he spent most of his money in car repairs Company, found help through Army Emergency Re- when his vehicle broke down on the highway on the lief. AER provides emergency financial assistance to way to having it shipped, Barnes recalled. active duty and retired Soldiers, their family members, The Army conducts the AER annual campaign surviving spouses and orphans. March 1 through May 15. The campaign’s purpose “I was very frustrated and stressed, knowing no is two-fold: to heighten awareness of the organiza- way out, and then I was told that AER was an option,” Brittany Carlson tion’s programs and services, and give Soldiers an said Dennis, who received a $2,200 loan. “AER was Tawanda Williams (left), assistant Army Emergency opportunity to help their fellow Soldiers through very helpful to me in paying my rent at the time…I Relief officer, and Faith Barnes, AER officer for voluntary contributions. am very thankful for AER coming to my rescue in USAG Stuttgart, look over AER paperwork. The AER program, which does not receive any my time of need.” appropriated or non-appropriated government money, Dennis was one of nearly 60 local Soldiers and as an interest-free loan, a grant or a combination of the also accepts unsolicited donations from individual families who received more than $85,000 in emergency two. “There’s no limit on how much can be received. donors and corporations. assistance in 2010, according to Faith Barnes, the U.S. We take it case by case and situation by situation,” she Army Garrison Stuttgart AER officer. Last year, about said. “We do a budget analysis to determine if a loan, For more information about AER, or to make a 62,000 Soldiers received more than $69.7 million in a grant or a combination of the two is best — we don’t donation, visit www.aerhq.org. To speak to the USAG emergency assistance Army-wide, Barnes said. want to put anyone in a hardship situation.” Stuttgart AER coordinator, Capt. Timothy Mitchell, AER emergency financial assistance is provided Barnes said the majority of assistance requested call 431-2086/civ. 07031-15-2086. Stuttgart fitness centers gain new equipment U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart received 235 new pieces of fitness equipment — mainly strength and cardio machines — during the last three months for use on all four installations. The new equipment cost more than $551,000 and was funded by the Department of the Army’s Family Eric Damm, a contractor and Morale, Welfare and Recreation for Marine Forces Europe, Headquarters, according to USAG uses one of the new Stuttgart Sports and Fitness Director Photos by Brittany Carlson adaptive motion trainers Oliver Stith. The old fitness equipment Contracted employees for a moving company haul new fitness equipment in the cardio room at the will be sent down range for use by into the Panzer Fitness Center on Feb. 8. The Panzer facility received 21 Panzer Fitness Center deployed Soldiers, Stith said. weight/strength machines. The old equipment will be sent down range. Feb. 9. Page 15 Page 16 INSIDE Stuttgart Piranhas PHS wrestlers take HIS swim away with title Division I crown T The Stuttgart Piranhas swim team finished The Patch High School wrestling team wins their season with the Rhineland Division its third straight Division I European title, EDITION Championship title and a slew of individual breaks the European team point record and victories at Champs. brings home three individual championships. The Citizen, February 24, 2011 Page 3 Page 2 OPINION The Citizen, February 24, 2011 NEWS Commander’s Column Garrison ‘fitness’ program News & Notes Change can be good when improving the community promotes total well-being 112 emergency number now Commentary by Col. Carl D. Bird we can manage our resources more By Brittany Carlson applies to all EU countries USAG Stuttgart commander efficiently and providing our military It was inspiring to see Soldiers, Sailors, Air- In Germany, dialing the phone number community members a “voice” in shap- USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs Office ome say the only constant “112” is equivalent to calling “911” in the U.S. ing their standards of living. men, Marines, retirees, civilians and family eing fit is more than just lifting weights. in today’s fast-paced society Until recently, this emergency phone number The Army is pursuing a “net zero” In fact, a person’s total fitness includes was only for use within Germany. As of Feb. is change. While not always members serve side by side ... tackling 39 S energy objective that calls for reducing their emotions, spirituality, and the ways 11, “112” will be recognized in all European easy, change can be exhilarating, even its demand through culture change and issues with passion and professionalism. B inspiring. in which they interact with their family and friends, Union countries, to include Turkey and Serbia. increased efficiency. “Net zero” energy according to the Department of the Army. That’s why This month, I (This information was provided by USAG means an installation or building pro- the DA designed the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Stuttgart Emergency Management Office.) had the pleasure We intend to achieve net zero energy But it also brings about changes that duces as much energy as it consumes, program: to measure the overall fitness of Soldiers, of hosting two at the Stuttgart Army Airfield by adding affect our wider military family, such as E10 fuel coming to AAFES resulting in a net usage of zero. family members and DA civilians in the areas of forums focused solar voltaic panels to building roofs and extending the funding for student travel In compliance with German law, the Army The U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart is physical, social, family, emotional and spiritual fitness. maximizing the use of natural light. outside the continental U.S. to age 23 and Air Force Exchange Service is now re- on influencing doing its part not only for energy, but These “pillars” of fitness are the basis for new A net zero water project is planned for and increasing military annual leave quired to offer Super E10, a gasoline contain- change — the for water and waste. Comprehensive Fitness Programs that the Depart- the Stuttgart Golf Course through the con- carryover from 60 to 75 days. ing up to 10 percent ethanol. Some makes and garrison’s second In fact, we expect to reach net zero ment of Health Promotion and Wellness Public Health struction of a rainwater collection pond And while the AFAP process allows models of gasoline-fueled automobiles cannot annual energy Col. Bird waste on Panzer Kaserne in 18 months. Command Region-Europe are rolling out in garrisons that will irrigate the entire golf course. Army leaders at the highest level to hear use E10 gas. Customers should check their car symposium and Once the installation is connected to throughout Europe. It’s an ambitious plan, but by the voice of people in Army communi- manual or manufacturer to determine if E10 the yearly Army Family Action Plan the local German district heat system, “We’re taking the five pillars of fitness and link- partnering with our host nation assets ties, did you know that 90 percent of is safe to use. All AAFES gas stations in Ger- Conference. trash generated on Panzer Kaserne will ing those with existing local programs, based on their — who have ongoing initiatives in sus- AFAP issues are retained and worked many will offer Super E10 starting this month. Both were exciting and worthwhile be either recycled or burned to gener- definitions,” said Amy Cates, PHCR-Europe Health tainable energy — it is doable. on at the local level? (This information was provided by AAFES processes to witness: planning how ate energy. Promotion officer for U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart Speaking of partnering, it was in- Thanks to the real-time quality Public Affairs Office) spiring to see Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, of life feedback received during this and USAG Heidelberg. Photo courtesy of mwrbrandcentral.com The objectives of the CFP are to increase resilien- Official mail now accepted at CORRECTION Marines, retirees, civilians and family year’s AFAP, the garrison has plenty Mention “fitness” and many people think health. cy of military community members; synchronize the But fitness, according to the Army’s Comprehensive In the story “Save lives: Know what an IED looks like, report suspicious members serving side by side during of opportunities for success. all Stuttgart APOs medical, community and tactical units and organiza- Soldier Fitness Program, also means being part of items to the police” in the Feb. 10 issue of The Citizen (page 6), the article stated the AFAP process, tackling 39 issues Sure, making changes can be a Starting March 7, official mail will be ac- tions in providing fitness programs and information; a supportive and loving family unit. that a person who spots a potential IED should call the police or dial 911.