WTU Signs Army Warrior Health-Care Covenant Story and Photo by Emily Tower Covenant at Buffalo Soldier Pavilion

Men’s Lacrosse vs. Air Force, noon, Sat., Michie Stadium. See page 14 ® VOL. 66, NO. 9 SERVING THE COMMUNITY OF THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST POINT MARCH 5, 2009 WTU signs Army Warrior Health-Care Covenant Story and photo by Emily Tower Covenant at Buffalo Soldier Pavilion. Soldiers Staff Writer for which the covenant is designed to serve commuted from parts of New England and Specialist Warren Goguen has a little New York to witness it. trouble remembering people and appointments The covenant was put into words last some times, and while he has expected year and has been driving the West Point Warrior Transition Units to which he has WTU’s work since November, Edwards said. been assigned to understand this affect of But signing a copy of the covenant––during the traumatic brain injury he sustained in the Army’s Year of the Noncommissioned the Middle East, none did until he came to Officer––with the Soldiers watching was West Point. important, he said. “They have treated me like a Soldier,” “We are committing back to the warriors Goguen said proudly. “Most of the time, I and their Families and thanking them for their have been treated as less. But here, there is service,” Edwards said. a warm feeling. I’m extremely happy they “We want (wounded warriors) to transferred me here.” understand the Army’s commitment to them Goguen described his memory loss and know how important it is to us as an as “terrifying” and said he is grateful the organization,” he continued. WTU helps him keep track of paperwork The Army Warrior Health-Care Covenant and appointments so he can concentrate on basically thanks wounded warriors and their getting better. Families and promises to provide help, The West Point WTU has been striving to programs and a positive environment to help help Soldiers recuperate from combat wounds, Soldiers concentrate on healing their minds, West Point Garrison Commander Col. Dan Bruno, left; Col. Mike Deaton, Keller illnesses and other injuries for months, WTU bodies, hearts and spirits. Army Community Hospital commander; and Capt. Curtis Edwards, West Point Commander Capt. Curtis Edwards said. Deaton compared the covenant to the Warrior Transition Unit commander, sign the Army Warrior Health-Care Covenant Goguen and the rest of the unit were Army Values and Warrior Ethos because it during a ceremony Feb. 27 at the Buffalo Soldier Pavilion. Spc. Timothy Strobel, witnesses to the signing of an important places all WTUs under the same value system who has been assigned to the WTU the longest, and Pfc. Joseph Kasfeldt, the contract Feb. 27. Armywide. unit’s newest assignee, look on. The covenant reaffirms the Army’s dedication to Garrison Commander Col. Dan Bruno; “It’s following the same train of thought providing the tools necessary for wounded Soldiers to heal. “We are committing Col. Mike Deaton, Keller Army Community and philosophy,” Deaton said. back to the warriors and their Families and thanking them for their service,” hospital commander; and Edwards signed a Sgt. Scott Issler wished other WTUs to Edwards said. giant copy of the Army Warrior Health-Care See WTU COVENANT, page 4 Regimental TAC remembered as great role model By Emily Tower West Point and becoming an Army officer,” Point Jewish community. She was a regular Defense Service Medal; Kuwait Liberation Staff Writer Lt. Col. Robert Bartholet, Dept. of Electrical at weekly services and joined cadets at the Medal; Office of the Secretary of Defense Engineering and Computer Science instructor Chaplain’s Times during Beast Barracks. Identification Badge; and Parachutist’s When it comes to role models, few could and Hutchison’s classmate, stated in an Because she was so involved, a special Badge. reach the level of Lt. Col. Jeanne Hutchison, e-mail. honor was reserved for her at her funeral Along with the bachelor’s degree in her superiors, peers and U.S. Military While she missed swimming, her Tuesday at the Jewish Chapel. education psychology from USMA, Hutchison Academy classmates said following her classmates said she didn’t regret her decision “In our tradition, the body of the deceased held a master’s degree in management unexpected death. to prioritize. does not enter the synagogue due to the sanctity information systems from the University of “Jeanne was a superb member of the “Jeanne was one of the hardest working of the location,” Rabbi Carlos Huerta, Army Maryland. U.S. Military Academy team and an integral classmates I knew,” Lt. Col. Greg Graves, a major and West Point’s Jewish chaplain, stated Hutchison is survived by her husband, part of the U.S. Corps of Cadets,” Brig. Gen. math instructor currently deployed to Iraq, in an e-mail. “Exceptions are only made for retired Lt. Col. Robert Hutchison, and two Michael Linnington, USCC commandant, stated in an e-mail. “She never let things get those remarkable members of the community teenage children. said in a prepared statement Feb. 27. “She was her down, and she displayed true character. who have made selfless contributions that The Hutchison Family requests donations an exemplary role model, coach, teacher and She was a great example of the kind of leader have greatly impacted its members. This to charities or to Hutchison’s memorial fund mentor to her more than 1,100 cadets.” that West Point strives to develop.” honor is being given to (Lt. Col.) Hutchison at the West Point Jewish Chapel in lieu of Hutchison, 2nd Regimental Tactical After coming to West Point as a regimental by the members of the Jewish community for flowers. Officer, died Feb. 26 at Westchester Medical tactical officer in July, Hutchison, 43, began her love, dedication and selfless service.” Center following a sudden illness. She was working with the swimming and diving team She was buried at West Point Cemetery remembered for her work with the Army and was a role model particularly to the female following the service. swimming and diving team, her involvement swimmers, said Mickey Wender, Army head Hutchison also was awarded posthumously in the West Point Jewish community and her swimming and diving coach. the Legion of Merit at the funeral. The award’s dedication to duty. “Having her name on the record board citation describes her as a stellar leader of Hutchison, USMA class of 1988 (nee brought her instant credibility with the “profound influence and achievement.” Britanisky), set a handful of swimming records swimmers,” Wender stated in an e-mail. Her military awards and decorations also as a cadet, including fastest times in the “She was incredibly generous with her time include the Bronze Star Medal; Defense 100-meter and the 200-meter backstrokes. and was involved in almost every aspect of Meritorious Service Medal, two oak leaf She set her records as a plebe and then our program. She was a trusted advisor and clusters; Meritorious Service Medal, three gave up her beloved sport to concentrate on very well-respected by all the coaches and oak leaf clusters; Joint Service Commendation her academics. swimmers and divers alike.” Medal; Army Commendation Medal, two “I think it says a lot about Jeanne and her Hutchison, a signal officer, had coached oak leaf clusters; Joint Service Achievement priorities in life that she gave up her love swimmers at other duty stations and set up a Medal; Army Achievement Medal; National of swimming and the pride that would have triathlon training group at Fort Leavenworth, Defense Service Medal with bronze star; come with more swimming achievements Kan., Bartholet said. Southwest Asia Service Medal; Global to achieve a higher goal of graduating from Hutchison also was active in the West War on Terrorism Service Medal; Korean Lt. Col. Jeanne Hutchison 2 March 5, 2009 Letter from Keller Commander Plan ahead for safe travels Recent encephalitis death is not related to meningitis death Several people have asked whether there is a connection between the teacher who during spring break recently died of meningitis (infl ammation of the covering of the brain), and the offi cer Commentary by Joe Senger who just passed away from encephalitis (infl ammation of the brain itself). don’t know anything about the agency, call the Directorate of Plans, Training, It’s a reasonable question. state Consumer Protection Division to fi nd out Mobilization and Security When two people in the same small community succumb to diseases of the brain, if there are any complaints against it. people should ask if there’s a connection. • Avoid unnecessary delays in unsecure Fortunately, the answer is no. There is no connection between the two. Spring break is just around the corner. areas of the airport such as ticket counters. If The teacher’s illness was caused by a bacteria called streptococcus pneumoniae. We Those who plan on getting away for a break possible, also get a seat selection and boarding are certain about that. The cause of the offi cer’s illness remains unknown. We are certain, should keep in mind that situational awareness pass from the agency. however, that it was not caused by streptococcus pneumoniae. Because of that, we can is paramount. • Plan an arrival at the airport that allows say unquestionably that the two cases are not related. The following precautions will help in the quick movement through the processing lines. Several weeks ago we did treat another post resident who had encephalitis. The resident planning and enjoyment of a safe adventure Once there, spend as little time as possible in fully recovered. However, the cause of this encephalitis, like the offi cer’s, remains unknown. and help ensure you do not become a victim.

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