Table of Contents News
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Thursday, June 18, 2015 Volume 8, Issue 24 Published for members of the SHAPE/Chièvres, Brussels and Schinnen communities Benelux news briefs Postal Services Postal operations at Brunssum will relocate to the Schinnen Postal Service Center June 22 through August 10. Brunssum customers may pick up their mail at Schinnen Mondays from 8 a.m to 5 p.m., and Tuesdays through Fridays from 8 a.m. 6 p.m. Without prior written authorization (PS 3801), customers will be required to pick up their own mail. Customers planning vacation during that time should inform postal services to prevent accidental mail return. Customers should pick up all mail on hand at Brunssum to lessen the items transferred. AAFES has job opening The Schinnen Army and Air Force Exchange has a job opening for an auto worker with a regular part time schedule and for a senior store associate with Intermittent time schedule. The Brussels Army and Air Force Exchange Service's retail store is looking for a shift supervisor. Call DSN 361-5337 or civilian 068-275337 Table of Contents News..............................1-6 Next week in history.............7 Inside the gate.............8-9 Command Sgt. Maj. William L.. Majors takes the U.S. Army Garrison Benelux fl ag from garrison commander Col. Outside the gate..........10-12 Marty Vannatter signaling his assumption of responsibility for the garrison enlisted force June 17, 2015 at Caserne Daumerie. (U.S. Army photo by Tim Clark) See also page 3 June 18, 2015 Commissary host Army birthday cake cutting, 5k run The commissary sponsored a three-day long Healthy Lifestyle campaign beginning June 12, 2015. The campaign started with the cutting of a cake to recognize the Army's 240th birthday and a 5k run/walk. Throughout the three days campaign, healthy eating choices were promoted throughout the commissary with employees serving home made food, fruits and vegetables. (Clockwise from top left) Runners make their start at the Commissary's Healthy Lifestyle campaign 5k June 12, 2015 on Chièvres Air Base. • Chaplain (Col.) Bill Sager and Pvt. Chynna Knight cut the Army 240th birthday cake. • First place women's fi nisher Gizziana Giardina heads toward the fi nish line • First place men's fi nisher Alexander Martinez heads toward the fi nish line. (U.S. Army photo by Tim Clark) To submit or subscribe, email [email protected] The Gazette is an unofficial publication published under the provisions of AR 360-1 for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of The Gazette are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Col. Marty Vannatter........Commander Government, Department of the Army or the USAG Benelux. The Gazette is a free weekly publication distributed via email every Thursday, except when that day is an American, Belgian or Dutch Holiday, then The Gazette is Marie-Lise Baneton..........Public Affairs Officer published on Friday. The editorial content of this publication is prepared, edited, provided, approved and published by the USAG Benelux Public Affairs Office, Unit 21419, APO AE 09708. Telephone (0032) 068-275419/DSN 361- Editor...............................Keith Houin 5419. Everything advertised in this publication will be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other Staff Writers....................Donovan Abrassart non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an Tim Clark advertiser is confirmed, the publisher will refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. Rita Hoefnagels The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement Cis Spook of the products or services advertised by the U.S. Army. Submit content or story ideas to usarmy.benelux.imcom- Andrea Wales [email protected] by Monday at 3 p.m. [2] June 18, 2015 New CSM assumes responsibility at USAG Benelux by Andrea Wales USAG Benelux Public Affairs Office The American flag waved smartly at shared Army values.” the assumption of responsibility for The strong relationship between the USAG Benelux's new command sergeant commander and his trusted adviser is major during an outdoor ceremony on the framework for the command as Caserne Daumerie in Chièvres June 17. a whole. During the ceremony, Command Sgt. “I look forward to having you by my Maj. William L. Majors became the side, maintaining the strong command garrison's senior enlisted adviser. team our community deserves,” A free-flowing flag makes a statement, Vannatter said. “You will find that Majors said. the Benelux is a small but complex "No doubt the wind is blowing for a community that has an extensive and reason because I did not want those critical commitment to support NATO.” colors lying down," said Majors, who Vannatter said Majors and his family comes to the Benelux from the 421st have come to a community where they Multifunctional Medical Battalion in will find friends in the Belgian and Baumholder, Germany, where he was Dutch citizens who haven’t forgotten the command sergeant major. the sacrifices that Americans made Garrison commander Col. Marty during two world wars. Vannatter drew parallels between With support from these friends and Williams, who has been a Soldier for allies, USAG Benelux helps maintain 28 years, and himself. a Strong Europe, he said. “We are both seasoned Soldiers,” Majors expressed his dedication Vannatter said, stressing the unique to supporting USAG Benelux’s three relationship between a commander and Lines of Effort: People, Service and his senior enlisted adviser because they Facilities. Command Sgt. Maj. William L. Majors, U.S. Army end up spending more time together "I’m excited about the opportunity Garrison Benelux, addresses the garrison after than with their families. “I expect our given to me," Majors said, adding, assuming responsibility June 17, 2015 at Caserne relationship to be based on trust and "We’re ready to get started." Daumerie. (U.S. Army photo by Tim Clark) (above) Laura Majors, (left) wife of Command Sgt. Maj. William L. Majors, and daughter Ann admire the fl owers presented to Laura during the assumption of responsibility June 17, 2015 at Caserne Daumerie. (top right) The USAG Benelux color guard presents the colors. (right) Command Sg.t Maj. Majors looks over the formation. (U.S. Army photo by Tim Clark) [3] June 18, 2015 Deputy Garrison Commander closes out career 43 years calling the Army home comes to an end by Andrea Wales USAG Benelux Public Affairs Office The deputy garrison commander of USAG Benelux truly “found a home in the Army,” even though it’s meant 23 moves in 43 years of military and civilian service. Joseph P. Manning has been an Army employee his entire working life. He enlisted in 1972 and was commissioned through Officer Candidate School in 1975. He served in uniform 33 years, retiring as a colonel in 2005 from U.S. Army Japan where he was the deputy commander. “I didn’t have a character defect that I needed the Army to correct,” Manning quipped, referring to the practice of some judges (in the days before the all-volunteer Army) offering the choice of the Army or jail. He has worked as an Army civilian for the last 10 years. Manning said that, when asked if he’d do something different if he could do it all over again, he didn’t regret his all-Army career.er Marianne Manning, wife of Joseph Manning, U.S. Army Garrison Benelux Dep- uty Garrison Commander says thank you and good-bye to Col. Marty Vannatter the Garrison Commander, during a retirement ceremony for the deputy June 16, 2015 (U.S. Army photo by Tim Clark) “I can’t imagine not having the opportunities I’ve had,” he said, mentioning jumping out of an airplane at 0 dark 30 and riding in a tank. As a testament to his leadership abilities in the largest geographically dispersed Army garrison in Europe, Manning was presented the Meritorious Civilian Service Award during his retirement ceremony on Caserne Daumerie in Chièvres June 16. He oversaw programs that directly contributed to the welfare of 16,000 Americans spread across six countries. He also was directly involved in the judicious execution of an annual budget of more than $90 million. Manning led base-consolidation efforts in Schinnen while dealing with the $20 million loss of funds during the fiscal year 2013 sequestration. Manning’s wife of 38 years, Marianne, was recognized for her contributions to the community as an active volunteer with the Commander’s Award for Public Service. “This isn’t the largest garrison, but it is absolutely the most complex,” Manning said, underscoring the need for focus and resiliency. During his five years as the deputy garrison commander, Manning made it his business to meet the employees of the garrison, often using the technique of “management by walking around.” During the retirement ceremony, garrison commander Col. Marty Vannatter acknowledged Manning’s value by referring to him as his “right arm” and praising his work Joseph P. Manning, U.S. Army Garrison Benelux, Deputy Garrison Commander during difficult times that included base consolidation and address the garrison during his retirement ceremony June 16, 2015 in the Caser- sequestration. ne Daumerie auditorium. Manning served 33 years in uniform and an additional “His dedication, leadership skills and sense of humor 10 years as a Department of the Army civilian. (U.S. Army photo by Tim Clark) overcame many of those challenges,” Vannatter said. [4] June 18, 2015 424th Air Base Squadron welcomes new commander by Tim Clark USAG Benelux Public Affairs Office The change of command carried on a military tradition that dates back to the Revolutionary War and the United States’ first Army, the Continental Army of the United States.