Win 2 season tickets to Army home football games. See page 13. OINTER IEW ® PVOL . 66, NO. 34 SERVING THE COMMUNITY OF WE S T PVOINT , THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY SEPTEMBER 3, 2009 NCO/Soldier of the Quarter Staff Sgt. John White is awarded the Army Achievement Medal from Command Sgt. Maj. Martin Wells during the NCO/Soldier of the Quarter Award ceremony Monday in Cullum Hall. White and Spc. William Powers, both military policeman with the U.S. Army Garrison MP Co., were recognized for the 3rd Quarter of Fiscal Year '09. In addition to the AAM, both received a framed print, a plaque and one-year membership from AUSA–West Point Chapter, and a Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation gift certificate for a dinner and movie. White and Powers will compete against the previous winners of the quarterly competitions at the upcoming NCO/Soldier of the Year Board. MASTER SGT . DEAN WELCH /DPA&C West Point Band presents 1812 Concert Sat. By Staff Sgt. Philip Stehly arranged for bugles and drums. with the Hellcats––Sousa’s “The Gallant West Point Band Publicity The Jazz Knights, led by Chief Warrant Seventh” and Egner’s “The Official West No tarps or blankets Officer Matthew Morse, follow the Hellcats. Point March.” The West Point Band presents its annual Specialist Alexis Cole makes her debut Sergeant 1st Class Brian Broelmann is until the concert 1812 Concert at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Trophy as Jazz Knights vocalist, singing “How Long the evening’s featured soloist as he performs To prevent damage to the grass, Point Amphitheatre. Has This Been Going On” and “Bye Bye “Tribute to Rudy Wiedoeft” on saxophone. and to preserve the beauty of the This event closes the band’s 2009 Music Blackbird.” Broelmann has been a member of the West Trophy Point/amphitheatre area, Under the Stars concert series. In the event Other selections include Sgt. 1st Class Point Band since 2001 and holds degrees those planning to attend the Labor of inclement weather, the performance will Scott Arcangel’s arrangement of “Infant in music education and music performance Day concert are asked to refrain from be Sunday. This concert is free and open to Eyes” and “When You’re Smiling” by Tom from the Crane School of Music at SUNY staking out tarps and blankets until the public. Kubis. Potsdam. they arrive for the concert. The Hellcats begin the concert at 6 The Concert Band, led by Lt. Col. Timothy The concert closes with Tchaikovsky’s The Military Police have been p.m. with “Retreat.” “Retreat” and “To the Holtan, will close the event. Highlights “1812 Overture.” directed to remove unattended tarps Colors” is a daily ceremony held at all Army include Bernstein’s “The Wrong Note Rag,” For concert information, cancellations and and blankets that have been placed installations as the national flag is lowered at Arnold’s “Four Scottish Dances” and Queen’s updates, call the Academy Band’s 24-hour in the Trophy Point/amphitheatre the end of the workday. “Bohemian Rhapsody.” hotline at (845) 938-2617 or go to the Band area for the purpose of reserving a They also will perform patriotic music They also will perform a pair of marches Web site at www.westpoint.edu/band. viewing spot. 2 September 3, 2009 Community Point of View Pointer View September is Suicide Do you know Mike? Prevention Month Submitted by Linda Shoop on his right side and his speech is use of that hand. In 2008, Mike Submitted by the Community Awareness slightly impaired. had an accident with his then three- Campaign Committee Mike Dodson is the fellow His left eye does not contract in wheeled mode of transportation. who loads groceries outside the sunlight and he has become largely He broke his arm and had to have (Editor’s Note: This is part two of a five-part series on suicide Commissary and returns the blind in that eye during the day. surgery on it several times. He has prevention.) shopping carts to the front of the His math ability is quite good, gone through physical therapy and store every day. however, and he plays a very has regained the ability to perform September is Suicide Prevention Month. The Department of He works about 10 hours per respectable game of chess. his job for us. Defense theme for 2009 is “Improving Our Soldiers and Families day, every day that the commissary The brother of a West Point He has received numerous Health: a Healthy Force Combating High Risk Behaviors.” is open—in snow, rain or scorching graduate, he is a fiercely independent letters of appreciation and has been Recent training focused on understanding suicidal ideations in sun. Mike is not a commissary Southerner who will take no direct the subject of several articles in the ourselves and others, how not to be afraid to ask if people are thinking employee. The baggers inside the aid from his Family. He has recently Pointer View. of hurting themselves and how to let them know we are concerned and store give him a portion of their accepted Medicaid help for his When new personnel learn his that they are not alone. shared tips each day, but other than health care, after refusing any help background through this letter, Just asking may be all that some people need to take the pressure that, Mike relies on our tips for his for 15 years. however, he says they become off and to let them know someone cares. This may also help them see income. Once you become one of his customers more often. He has that the permanent solution of suicide is not the answer. There is help Mike is scrupulously honest. Mike’s customers, he will learn grown proud of the reputation he out there and we will find it together. He has returned dozens of wallets your face and look for you at each has achieved on his own through Remember the ACE card: and purses over the years—all visit, especially if you are older or hard work, which allows him to be Ask your buddy containing whatever the owners infirm. of useful service. • Have the courage to ask the question, but stay calm; had in them. Since he began his service to And thus the reason for this • Ask the question directly (e.g.—Are you thinking of killing Having never had a drink or the West Point community in 1981, letter—to introduce Mike to West yourself?). drug in his life, he is extremely Mike has taken very few days off. Point newcomers. Care for your buddy reliable once he understands his He took off three times because of Although others may help us • Remove any means that could be used for self-injury; mission. He has great pride in being injuries. When his leg was broken when the sun is shining, it will be • Calmly control the situation; do not use force; strong enough to help others in spite in a moped accident in 1983 enroute Mike outside with us when the snow • Actively listen to produce relief. of his handicap. to the Commissary, he foolishly is blowing. He is always happy Escort your buddy Mike’s injury occurred when finished the day there, working to assist you when you feel it is • Never leave your buddy alone at age 6 his head was struck by a in the snow before going to the appropriate. Thank you. • Escort to the chain of command, a Chaplain, a behavioral health speeding taxi. hospital. professional, the EAP or a primary care provider. Near death in a coma for six In 2007, Mike had surgery on his Friends of For concerns or answers to questions about suicide or suicide days, he remains largely paralyzed left hand and now has much better Mike Dodson prevention, call: • Behavioral Health or Social Work services at 938-3441; • Employee Assistance Program at 938-2912; • Chaplain, day or night, at 845-401-8171; SHARP The members of the Sexual Harrassment/ WE NEED YOUR • Center for Personal Development at 938-3022; • See your Family health care provider; Assault Response and Prevention program are Maj. • MPs (938-3333) or go to the ER; Maria Burger (USMA/USCC), Shelley Ariosto INPUT! • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, day or night, at 1-800-273- (Garrison), Dan Toohey (Victim Advocate), Lt. Talk/8255. Col. Kim Kawamoto (ODIA) and Bernadette The 2009 Customer Ortland (Dean). Community members can e-mail Burger at Service Assessment [email protected] for advice or to offer any recommendations on the program here. is going on now. Visit Cadets also can call the sexual assault support helpline at (845) 591-7215. West Point Soldiers www.myarmyvoice. and civilians needing assistance can call (845) 938-3369. org before Sept. 18 and share your feedback FOR PV HOME DELI V ERY P ROBLEMS CONTACT MATT O’SULLI VAN AT THE TIMES HERALD - a b o u t G a r r i s o n RECORD AT (845) 346-3214 OR BY E-MAIL services. AT MOSULLIVAN @TH-REC O RD .C om . OINTER IEW ® 40 Mulberry Street P V Middletown, NY 10940 Lt. Gen. Buster Hagenbeck The Army civilian enterprise newspaper, the Pointer View, is an recordonline.com Superintendent authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. For information, call Contents of the Pointer View are not necessarily the official views of, Lt. Col. Brian Tribus or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of the Army or (845) 341-1100 Director of Communications West Point.