Preserve underwater artifacts for the future — pages 4-5 New school Help for drug and superintendent alcohol abuse is takes over available on Kwaj — page 6 — page 3 Friday, Aug. 13, 2004 (Photo Thecourtesy Kwajalein of Tom Hourglass Krasuski) www.smdc.army.mil/KWAJ/Hourglass/hourglass.html Editorial We’re not newcomers anymore It is official. We are no longer Halloween. Now this is my favorite newcomers. We just passed our one- holiday of all, and on Kwaj what an year mark and a long-time resident event. We sat outside and not only of Kwaj informed us that we are now treated all the kids who came down part of the family. our street to handfuls of candy, we I have been looking back at what got to know our neighbors a little has transpired in my year on Kwaj, better. Sitting outside with friends and the memories are extensive. I and kids having fun, who could ask have to admit in all my XX years for more? [not giving that one up] I have never looking forward to his junior year. He And even though I don’t golf, the acquired as many memories as I have can finally see the light at the end of Kwaj Open is an event golfers come in one year in the Marshall Islands. the tunnel, at least for high school. from miles, and I do mean miles, to Now, as we all are thrust into a And how about those three-day participate in. flurry of end-of-the-year activities, I weekends coming up. Ah, Labor The students look forward to the look forward to them, only this time, Day fun and festivities, lying on the Turkey Bowl, a day off school at Cor- I have a little better idea of what to beach, sleeping in, barbecues with al Sands making sand art, throwing expect, well maybe. family and friends and just enjoying turkeys and eating. Something new to look forward to the end of the summer. Well, at least By now you might be thinking what this year is the 2004 next. Let me tell Olympics, later this you, the best is month. I am a fan of I have never acquired as many left for the end of track, swimming, div- the year. ing and gymnastics. C h r i s t m a s Endless days and memories as I have in one year in on Kwaj or Roi, nights of scoring and Ebeye, Carlson, competition. I can’t the Marshall Islands Carlos, Ebadon, wait. Lib, Mejatto or Then there is school. anywhere you I am not personally returning to in CONUS. Out here, it is summer are, or are going, you can count on school, but my son is and he is so year-round. a celebration, blended with a Mar- Then there is the Roi Chili Cook- shallese flair. Marshallese Word of the Day Off. Now this is a party. Lots of food Santa visits many of the islands, and chili and the fun doesn’t end and on those he can’t get to, his elves Umum — bake there. The Roi Chili Cook-Off benefits do the delivering. are evident at Christmas, when the He not only comes by plane. Santa Enniburr Children are treated to one The Kwajalein Hourglass scuba dives and makes a scheduled of the most spectacular Christmas appearance on Emon Beach. parties I have ever been to. Christmas in the islands is danc- Commanding Officer...COL Beverly Stipe We move right along to Manit ing, singing, eating and smiling faces Public Affairs Officer...LuAnne Fantasia Day, a Marshallese celebration of Assistant Editor......................Mig Owens wherever you look. That’s Christmas Graphics Designer....................Dan Adler traditional activities, coconut husk- in the islands. Reporter................................ Jan Waddell ing, handmade crafts and a day to The most unique Christmas cel- Reporter/Circulation ..Camilla Morrison get to know our host country a little ebration was on Ebeye. What a day. better. We donned our Christmas finery Columbus Day brings fishing and and traveled by LCM to Ebeye where The Hourglass is named for the insignia running. Last year’s fishing trip of the U.S. Army 7th Infantry Division, which friendly, happy people greeted us. We liberated the island from the forces of Imperial aided the Lib Islander’s Christmas followed the crowds to one of the Japan on Feb 4, 1944. celebration and the fishing was spec- churches and were given gifts of shell The Kwajalein Hourglass is an authorized tacular with marlin and yellow fin leis, wuts and fans. The dancing and publication for military personnel, federal tipping the scales. singing was none like we had ever employees, contractor workers and their experienced before. Then we moved families assigned to USAKA. Contents of the Letters to the Editor to the street-celebration where again Hourglass are not necessarily official views To submit a letter to the editor: Keep gifts of candy and washcloths were of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, letters to less than 300 words, and keep bestowed on us. Department of Defense, Department of the comments to the issues. Letters must be Dancing in the streets, wasn’t Army or USAKA. It is published Tuesdays and signed. We will edit for AP style and, if Fridays in accordance with Army Regulation there a song about that? Well they you exceed the word limit, space. Limit must have visited the Marshall Is- 360-1 and using a network printer by one letter every 30 days. Kwajalein Range Services editorial staff, P.O. lands during Christmas. Send your letter to: Well so much for my rambling, but Box 23, APO AP 96555. The Hourglass, P.O. Box 23, Local; or Phone: Autovon 254-3539; local 53539. [email protected]. for you newcomers, the celebrations Printed circulation: 2,000 and memories have only begun. The Kwajalein Hourglass 2 Friday, Aug. 13 2004 Friday, Aug. 13, 2004 The Kwajalein Hourglass Drug and alcohol abuse exists on Kwajalein By Jan Waddell to look for are physical, but many Reporter are emotional. Ruffing said, “[Addicts and alco- Living on Kwajalein may seem hol abusers] operate in a state of like a safe and secure environ- ealth denial. The job is the last thing to ment, but dangers such as drug Kwajalein go.” and alcohol abuse are present Awareness She said there are many signs here the same as in CONUS. attributed to drug and alcohol Many people don’t recognize abuse. the signs or fail to acknowledge a She said there is a Fitness for “Any change in hygiene or physi- problem. Duty policy on Kwajalein and if cal appearance,” Ruffing said. “It doesn’t get better without a supervisor or physician does a She added attendance at work help,” said Marion Ruffing, Em- Fitness for Duty assessment then also starts to drop. ployee Assistance Program coun- HRO has to get involved, but if the There is also a “change in mood selor. “We need to be aware. The employee comes to Ruffing volun- and behavior,” Ruffing said. community needs to be aware.” tarily, then she will have the op- “Their judgment may be impaired” Ruffing has a Master of Science portunity to have the individual Another area of Ruffing’s concern in Counsel- sign a “last chance agreement” is the young people on island. ing Psychol- “ “I have ogy and is seen issues c u r r e n t l y o n - i s l a n d working on with teen- her Doctor- [Addicts and alcohol abusers] operate in a age drinking ate in Psy- and abuse of chology, with drugs,” Ruff- a specialty in state of denial. The job is the last thing to go. ing said. a d d i c t i o n s . — Marion Ruffing, Employee Assistance Program counselor “ P a r e n t s She is also a “ need to be Certified Em- d i l i g e n t . ployee Assis- Talk to your child.” She tance Profes- and work with them to help them stressed the need to look for “any sional offering workplace on-site in their recovery. change in behavior which can’t be programs. “Nobody has been fired because explained.” The Department of Transportation they came to the EAP,” Ruffing School grades fall and friends and Homeland Security approve her said. “The program is confiden- they hang out with also change professional background to offer treat- tial.” Part of the agreement Ruff- as they become less interested in ment and rehabilitation as a sub- ing signs with the employee is ad- ordinary social activities. stance abuse professional. diction treatment/counseling and Ruffing said young people have She has over 30 years experi- random drug screening. a choice and they can choose not ence working in the area of treat- “The employee knows where to allow drugs and alcohol to be- ment and recovery. they stand all the time,” Ruffing come part of their everyday life. Ruffing provides Kwajalein Atoll said. If a parent has a concern about residents recovery for drug and She said during the random the child, they can contact a alcohol issues along with other drug screening the employee has physician and request the child counseling issues. 90-minutes to report and since we be drug screened. If the screen “EAP is free to employees and have random screening for safety is positive, then treatment and family members,” Ruffing said. sensitive positions, this does not recovery can be offered. Here She added it can help with identify the employee as a drug again, Ruffing stressed it is con- the needs of the employees and addict or in counseling.