HE T CITIZEN Vol. 38, CNo. 17 U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart September 17, 2009 Serving the Greater Stuttgart Military Community Soldiers, families can expect H1N1 vaccine in October By C. Todd Lopez “Everybody is going to get their shots.” Mexico, and in those already immuno-compromised, Army News Service Knickerbocker said the H1N1 vaccine will be dis- so the virus gained notoriety, Knickerbocker said. tributed to Soldiers, families and other beneficiaries, But the effects of the virus have not been what was oldiers and families can expect to get two mostly through their primary care providers. expected — not even as bad as seasonal flu. flu shots this year. “They’ll get their seasonal shots and the H1N1 “The message has been sent out there that this In addition to the conventional flu shot S shot as soon as they become available,” Knicker- particular virus is not as virulent as we had been administered each fall, the H1N1 or “Swine Flu” bocker said. planning for with the H5N1, not as virulent as the vaccine should be available by mid-October, said Along with the vaccinations, Knickerbocker seasonal flu,” she said. “And seasonal influenza kills Col. Deborah Knickerbocker, chief of Emergency recommends a number of common-sense measures Preparedness and Response, the Office of the Surgeon about 36,000 in this country each year.” to prevent the spread of H1N1. General and Army Medical Command. Knickerbocker said that while Soldiers can expect Knickerbocker spoke during the Army Emergency “Just teaching people about how easy it is to pre- to get vaccinated for both the seasonal flu and the Management Conference Sept. 1 at the Pentagon. vent disease by washing our hands, and cough- and H1N1 flu virus, the Army does not expect the H1N1 The conference coincided with the start of National sneeze-hygiene and etiquette, it’s pretty simple,” she to have damaging effects on the Army. Preparedness Month. said. “Part of what we need to do is instill in the cul- “I don’t think the Army is worried about this par- Getting flu shots, in addition to taking measures to ture of the military — which does not really usually ticular H1N1 virus. If it stays at the level of severity prevent exposure to the virus or spreading the virus, is think this way — to stay home when you are sick. If that it is now, which is mild, it should have no more part of preparedness, Knickerbocker said. In addition, you go to work sick, you’ll make office mates sick, effect on operations than the seasonal flu does,” she it is important for maintaining mission readiness. or squad mates.” said. “But we have to take care during flu season to “When Soldiers and family members take care of The H1N1 virus has made headlines because it’s try to prevent getting ill, and stay home if we are ill, themselves and prepare, they not only help the Army a “novel” virus, Knickerbocker said. to prevent operational impact.” be more resilient, they help the local communities “We haven’t seen the virus before. And, when we they are in be more resilient,” she said. have a virus that people have not been exposed to before; For more information on the H1N1 virus and “There’s going to be vaccine, and there’s going we have no immunity to it,” Knickerbocker said. vaccine, visit the Centers for Disease Control and to be enough to go around,” Knickerbocker said. Many of the deaths from H1N1 occurred in Prevention Web site at www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu. The long, dark tunnel: children and deployment Editor’s Note: This is the first that both children and parents can Global War on Terror are at high risk for in a three-part series addressing the make it through, as long as they have psychosocial problems,” it stated. emotional affects deployment has on someone to walk beside them. Some of these problems include families in the military. “The cases that worry me most poor performance at school and out- are when you have a parent or family bursts of anger, Leong added. “Dur- Story & photo by Brittany Carlson that is so isolated or alone — they fall ing the first deployment, a lot of kids USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs Office apart,” said Dr. Eric N. Leong, chief of will react in a way that’s unexpected behavioral health for the Stuttgart Army because they’re angry, or they’re sad, o military families, a deploy- Health Clinic. and they’re [not sure] what to do with ment can seem like a long, According to an article from Medi- their feelings. They’ll take it out more Tdark tunnel. cal News Today in August, citing a on parents who are left behind.” The pain of loneliness and the study in the Journal of Developmental This can start a vicious cycle. In stresses of managing without a spouse and Behavioral Pediatrics, “Military fact, “The stress of the at-home parent and parent force these families to deal family and community supports help is the main factor affecting children’s with issues that their civilian counter- mitigate family stress during periods of risk,” the article from Medical News parts may never have to face. deployment.” Today continued. To some military children, the The 2009 study tested the mental To stay mentally healthy, both parent tunnel is endless: they don’t always health of both children and at-home and child need to talk to someone about understand why a parent has to leave, parents dealing with deployments. The the emotions they are experiencing. and fear they will not return. results are disturbing: “One-third of Jovanni Addison, 7, displays a photo of his However, medical experts agree children with a parent deployed in the See Deployment on page 4 father, who is deployed to Afghanistan. Page 6 Pages 8-9 INSIDE Kindergartners bring Panthers prepare HIS teachers home for fall sports T The kindergarten home visit program With the fall sports season upon them, allows 5- and 6-year-olds to visit with Patch High School athletes’ hopes EDITION their new teacher, at home or at school, are high as they prepare to get their before the first day of class. game on. Page 2 OPINION The Citizen, September 17, 2009 The Citizen, September 17, 2009 NEWS Page 3 Army Suicide Prevention Month: Army committed to im- Holiday Greetings team comes to News & Notes proving physical, spiritual, behavioral health of all who serve Stuttgart Sept. 29 to tape messages Deployment Excellence Award nominations now accepted Commentary by are there for each person to take advantage of. page/503094. By Rich Lamance Nomination packets for the 2010 Deploy- Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Scott Weichl If you do not find what you are looking for, talk To order Center for Health Promotion and Pre- Joint Hometown News Service ment Excellence Award are due to U.S. Army U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and to your chaplain, a behavioral health provider or ventive Medicine’s behavioral health and suicide Europe by Jan. 8. broadcast team from the Joint Hometown Preventive Medicine other trusted source to get you started in the right prevention products, visit http://chppm-www.ap- The DEA program was established to rec- News Service in San Antonio, Texas, will direction. gea.army.mil/hio_public/orders.aspx. ognize Army units for outstanding accomplish- eptember is designated as Army Suicide be in Stuttgart Sept. 29 to tape video holi- Several resources being reviewed for release in A ments that meet or exceed Army deployment Prevention Month, with the intent of day greetings of service members and their families. the fall include suicide prevention awareness train- standards. Service members from all branches of service, Simproving the health of the Army’s most ing for Army leaders, Soldiers, families and civil- Deploying, redeploying and deploying precious assets — Soldiers, families and Depart- ians. The new videos and presentations also include their family members, and Department of Defense supporting units or agencies are qualified to civilians are eligible to participate. ment of the Army civilians. closed-captioning for families and civilians. self-nominate for the award, based on their Tapings will occur from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the However, preventing suicide is only one aspect The technical guides help make presentations deployment process. Army and Air Force Exchange Service Shopping of this health improvement. Healthy living also easier and address many of the questions that arise Units interested in applying for the award addresses high risk behaviors, which often mask Center on Panzer Kaserne. can e-mail Aaron Burr at [email protected]. during the group discussions. The ACE and tip Below are a few guidelines to follow to ensure underlying challenges in a person’s life. mil, or call DSN 370-5407. cards provide easy ways to remind ourselves of the family and friends back home see your personal The Army is committed to improving the physi- signs and responses for intervening in crisis situ- greeting on local television. AFN is moving to Mannheim, cal, spiritual and behavioral health of all who serve. ations, or at times when we are concerned about a • Bring an address book. You’ll need to provide then relocating to Stuttgart This is being done though a variety of ways and friend, family member or peer. family members’ names, city, state and phone number. Susan Huseman Within the next few years, American Forces opportunities for personal wellness. So, as we focus for 30 days on health and well- No street address is needed this year, but station man- A community member prepares to record a holiday Network Heidelberg will officially become The U.S.