SSgt.gt. MMichaelichael KKnight,night, lleft,eft, ssupportsupports CCpl.pl. DDennisonennison MMuczynski,uczynski, iinn a lliveive fi rree ooff a SStingertinger mmissileissile TThursday.hursday. TThehe 11stst SStingertinger BBatteryattery MMarinesarines aarrivedrrived oonn MMonday,onday, ttrainedrained oonn MMeckeck oonn WWednesdayednesday aandnd TThursdayhursday aandnd ddepartedeparted ttoday.oday. ((PhotoPhoto bbyy NNellell DDrumheller)rumheller) wwww.smdc.army.mil/KWAJ/Hourglass/hourglass.htmlww.smdc.army.mil/KWAJ/Hourglass/hourglass.html COMMENTARY Thirty minutes isn’t so much to give Do you like numbers, facts and If those are added up, that’s fi gures? 1,011,571 American military members I did some research courtesy of the who have died for freedom. Internet and found some you might like And that’s just the ‘major’ wars to know. America has fought, although I guess Are you ready? any war is major to the ones who are There were 10,623 Continental Army fi ghting and dying in it. Soldiers killed in the American Revolu- There’s another number that should tionary War; The War of 1812 claimed be noted. That’s the 30 minutes it will 6,765 Americans; 13,283 Americans take to hold the Memorial Day cer- died in the Mexican War; 359,528 federal Soldiers died in emony starting at 9 a.m., Monday, at the fl ag poles. the Civil War preserving the Union; 2,446 Americans died There are many things to do on a day off. Diving, fi sh- in the Spanish-American War; World War I saw 116,708 ing, picnics and going to the beach or pool. I hope that Americans killed; World War II took 407,316 American lives; quite a few folks can also fi nd time to attend the ceremony 33,651 Americans died in the Korean War; 58,438 Ameri- this year, especially since many of our young and not-so- cans were killed in Vietnam; 293 Americans died in the Gulf young men and women are giving their all right now in War and more than 2,500 Americans have died in Afghani- stan and Iraq so far. See THIRTY MINUTES Page 16 LLettersetters ttoo tthehe editoreditor Honor Society thanks community for support We, the students of the National at Christmastime, send a $2,000 gift — AnnElise Peterson, advisor and Honor Society and National Junior (proceeds from our variety show) to students, Amber, Lisa, Barry, Ash- Honor Society, would like to say thank Salmen High School in Slidell, La., in ley, Katie, Cassia, Jessica, Allison, you for all your support during this past support of the Hurricane Katrina clean- Lauren, Monica, Leah, Michael T., year. up and raise $1,500 for next year’s Shelley, Chrisian, April, Maureen, Through your generous gifts of Christmas project. Rachael, Kaylee, Catlin, Jeff B., Em- money and time, we were able to pres- Thank you for allowing us opportuni- ily, John, Emma, Michael K., Julli- ent four Ebeye schools with educa- ties where we can learn to give service anne, Mellissa, Rebecca, Renee, CC tional supplies and sports equipment to others. and Casey George Seitz PTO thanks more than 130 volunteers George Seitz Elementary PTO would like to express our banquet, in addition to procuring and preparing beach bags appreciation for this year’s record number of volunteers for the volunteers. Each bag was fi lled with lots of items (130+). that were either donated by individuals or purchased by the It is estimated these parents and community members PTO. have spent more than 10,000 man hours helping provide Because we think our volunteers are so extraordinary, an excellent education for our children. Wow! I’d say that we’d like to give them their due. So please look over the is a huge thumbs up! Wouldn’t you? following list and be sure to thank anyone you recognize The chairperson of the “Volunteer Appreciation” com- mittee, Cassie Rubly Shields, organized an appreciation See PTO, Page 7 TThehe KwajaleinKwajalein HHourglassourglass The Kwajalein Hourglass is named for the Department of Defense, Department of the Army or E-mail: [email protected] insignia of the U.S. Army 7th Infantry Division, USAKA. It is published Wednesdays and Saturdays in accordance with Army Regulation 360-1 and us- which liberated the island from the forces of Im- Commanding Offi cer..........COL Beverly Stipe perial Japan on Feb. 4, 1944. ing a network printer by Kwajalein Range Services The Kwajalein Hourglass is an authorized editorial staff. Public Affairs Offi cer.....................Sandy Miller publication for military personnel, federal em- P.O. Box 23, APO AP 96555 Editor.....................................Nell Drumheller ployees, contractor workers and their families Phone: Defense Switching Network 254-3539; Graphics Designer.........................Dan Adler Local phone: 53539 assigned to U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll. Contents High School Volunteer.............Lisa Barbella of the Hourglass are not necessarily offi cial Printed circulation: 2,000 views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Fax number: 52063 Distribution..............................Will O’Connell The Kwajalein Hourglass 2 Saturday, May 27, 2006 Suspicious bags cause alerts Kwajalein police, fire department, Explosive Ordnance Disposal respond to separate incidents on Tuesday By Nell M. Drumheller nor could it be dragged effectively the name belong to anyone transit- Editor from its location. “The decision was ing the atoll according to records made to shoot the IED in place, and of manifests. And there was no ad- Tuesday was a busy day for fi rst upon ensuring all personnel were dress on the label, only a name.” responders on Kwajalein. under cover, EOD shot the bag EOD determined to not shoot At 7:30 a.m. two unattended bags which proved to contain no ex- the package in the post offi ce, and were spotted in front of Macy’s plosive devices,” Mullin said. The the package was too big to move bachelor quarters and brought to box was opened by manipulating by robot and too large to scan the the attention of Kwajalein Police the robot arm, and with lights and contents with the portable X-Ray. Department’s Lt. Mike Bucher. camera mounted on the robot, it EOD Bomb Technician Scott Phil- One was a small one-pouch black was determined to contain only a lips donned the bomb suit and canvas bag with strap similar to folded grocery bag. The scene was carried the package to the EOD that of a military-issue ammunition declared safe at 9:30 a.m. truck where it was transported bandoleer, it was sitting next to a The second package, the white to the airfi eld hotspot and opened white box with postage markings. box, was traced to an island resi- remotely. “The contents revealed “K-9 units were called and one of dent. He was interviewed, “this no explosive devices. All items are the explosive detection dogs alerted individual was not cited since his retained as evidence to determine on the black canvas bag on three rendition of how the box arrived at how a package bearing no address separate sweeps,” Capt. Jeff Mullin, Macy’s from the trash at his quar- can travel the distance it did with- KPD deputy chief said. ters is plausible,” Mullins said. out alarming responsible person- Bucher took the next step and EOD, KPD and KFD were back nel,” Mullin said. called for back-up. All available in action four hours later when a The scene cleared by 3:54 p.m. “Both situations are the results of alert community members who took the proper precautions and alerted police to the existence of suspicious packages. Although both situations proved negative for explosive devices, our community members are the all important key in combating terrorism.” — Capt. Jeff Mullin, Kwajalein Police Department deputy chief KPD units arrived within minutes worker at the post offi ce reported a Approximately 20-25 person- and established a 300-foot cordon. suspicious looking package. It was nel were involved in the two inci- Mullin said Macy’s BQ was evacu- 24 inches by 12 inches by 12 inch- dents. ated by pulling the fi re alarm as es with only a name and no proper Mullin said the likelihood of approved by the Kwajalein Fire De- address or return address. It was two such similar events in one partment. Police offi cers then made wrapped in duct tape and show- day was “very unusual, but then an eyes-on sweep of the building, ing what appeared to be oil stains again when it rains, it pours.” He stores and passersby, ensuring the consistent with FBI/postal alerts added that KPD, KFD and EOD are cordoned-off area was clear. matching what may constitute an trained and prepared to respond to “EOD [Explosive Ordnance Dis- IED, according to Mullins. these calls. “We’re improving upon posal] responded quickly and a plan Once again KPD established a our response times and procedures was established to utilize the EOD cordon and evacuated the area with every incident,” Mullin said. robot to drag or carry the potential out to 300 feet. “Postal employ- “Both situations are the results IED [improvised explosive device] ees who were interviewed related of alert community members who from the front of Macy’s BQ to a that the package originated in San took the proper precautions and clear area oceanside and adjacent Francisco and had been through alerted police to the existence of to the Ocean View Club where the Hickam Air Force Base before being suspicious packages. Although bag would be shot by the robot’s handled by postal employees here,” both situations proved negative for disruptor cannon,” Mullin said. Mullin said. explosive devices, our community Upon arrival at the bag, the robot “A visual inspection of the pack- members are the all-important key was unable to secure it because the age revealed a name not related to in combating terrorism: “Vigilance carrying strap was not continuous, anyone assigned on island, nor did and Teamwork,” Mullin said.