VOL. 35 NO. 48 | DECEMBER 1, 2006 INSIDE Solomon honors namesake Self-serve Story and Photos by group of teachers per- Hawaii Department of Education assistant su- HR system JEREMY S. BUDDEMEIER formed the hula, the more perintendent, and Linda Yoshikami, the school’s Assistant Editor than 800 students who principal. A whisper of rain welcomed the students and bordered the field were the “I believe First Sergeant Solomon is here more than 100 faculty and guests as they gath- heart of the ceremony. with us today,” Yoshikami said before describ- now online ered for 1st Sgt. Samuel K. Solomon Elemen- Students played ukuleles ing his character. “He had one flaw … his kind tary School’s rededication ceremony at and performed the hula. and caring ways, [which] brought an end to his ARMY NEWS SERVICE Schofield Barracks, Nov. 22. They relayed the school’s life.” News Release The ceremony marked the 40th anniversary history to the audience and Solomon was killed in Vietnam, Nov. 3, WASHINGTON — The Army of Solomon’s death. Virginia Solomon presented numerous hand- 1966, by enemy machine gun fire as he made plans to transform the way it man- The light rain, considered a “Hawaiian bless- made gifts to the Solomon several trips to remove critically wounded Sol- ages its human resources by ing,” stopped almost on cue as the ceremony be- family, some of whom traveled from the main- diers from the battlefield. The school was ded- launching the Defense Integrated gan, and preceded the actual Hawaiian blessing land for the ceremony. icated three years later on Veterans Day, 1969. Military Human Resources System by Kahu Elias Parker. Students even performed master of cere- Other speakers, such as Col. Timothy Ryan, (DIMHRS) in early 2008. Parker’s booming voice drew light giggles monies duties. Two sets of eyes that barely 25th Infantry Division rear detachment com- DIMHRS is a secure, self-service from some students as he chanted in Hawaiian cleared the lectern took turns and slowly in- mander, expanded on Solomon’s character. Web system that will give Soldiers Earning spurs and deliberately crossed the recess field. troduced multi-syllabic last names of honored 24/7 access to personnel data, and Although numerous VIPs attended and a guests and speakers such as Clayton Fujie, the SEE SOLOMON, A-4 the ability to update and review 2-6th Cavalry Soldiers key personnel and family infor- mation without seeing a personnel face grueling specialist. challenges in a military "DIMHRS is a congressional- rite of passage mandated program sprearheaded A-5 Visit the Army DIMHRS at www.army Trees alive! dimhrs.army.mil or the DIMHRS AKO page at https://www.us.army. You are invited to the mil/suite/page/308853. concert and tree lighting by DoD [Department of Defense], festivities at Schofield on and will result in the Army signif- Dec. 6 at 6 p.m., icantly transforming the way it Generals Loop. delivers military personnel and pay," said Maj. Gen. Carlos (Butch) Pair, Defense Business Systems Ac- quisitions Executive. "DIMRS will provide Soldiers significant Web-based self-service capabilities, integrate all compo- nents on one database, and sig- nificantly reduce workload for commanders and Soldiers," he added. The self-service system will help Soldiers avoid traditional written or Spc. Mike Alberts | 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs verbal processes that can be time consuming and costly. DIMHRS will enable Soldiers to Beanie babies for everyone initiate requests for assignments, UMARLIYAH, Iraq — Iraqi children show-off their new stuffed animals received as part of a humanitarian toy distribution mission training, retirement, record up- between United States coalition and Iraqi forces during Ramadan. See full story about 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s support, dates, awards, and family-mem- OIF-deployed page A-6. ber travel. For example, it will help them transition from the Reserve to regular commission, make enlist- Thanksgiving ment extensions, take various waivers and enlisted commission- On the frontlines and in ing programs. the rear, Soldiers Army Family Action Plan reps review top issues Self-service capabilities will also celebrated the winter allow Soldiers to more efficiently MARGARET MCKENZIE •Traumatic service member’s group holiday teeming with start, stop or modify discretionary Army News Service life insurance annual supplement. allotments and savings bonds; tryptophan ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Delegates at •Co-pay for replacement parts of complete an Employee Withhold- the 24th Army Family Action Plan durable medical equipment and pros- ing Request (Form W-4); complete A-6 & A-7 conference reviewed 68 issues from thetics. an Employee Reissue W-2 Request; Army installations throughout the •Convicted sex offender registry change personal direct deposit in- world, Nov. 14–17. outside the continental U.S. formation; and change their state The issues were distributed into eight •Retroactive traumatic service mem- of legal residence declaration. workgroup categories: wounded war- bers group life insurance compensa- Another key function in rior, entitlements, family support (of tion. The top five critical active issues DIMHRS is the view-only screen, which there were two groups), force previously introduced into the AFAP which lets Soldiers view such per- support, medical (of which there were process included these: sonnel and pay items as family two groups) and outside of the conti- •Award contracts for household- member information; Service nental United States. goods shipments to moving companies Members' Group Life Insurance The top conference issues of 2006, as based on performance and claims his- (SGLI) elections; Leave & Earnings voted by the delegates follow: tory, as well as cost. Provide full re- Statements, and Wage and Tax placement value for lost/damaged •Traumatic brain injury rehabilita- AFAP delegates (left to right) Karin Markert, Myra Williams Statement (Form W-2); their record tion program at military medical cen- Michelle Zittrauer and others, participate in a work group at of civilian and military education, ters. SEE AFAP, A-4 the 24th annual conference in Alexandria, Va. awards, contracts, and more. Plantation days Tripler Red Cross volunteer treats patients with pet pick-me-ups Step back 100 years in Story and Photos by Monsarrat said the animals give ma and Déja Vu, for their weekly Hawaiian history when JEREMY S. BUDDEMEIER patients and hospital visitors a di- two-hour session at Tripler. Han- Assistant Editor version, in addition to simple pet- ley’s 6-year old dogs are clad in red sugar was king & the farm ting enjoyment. In all, she has handkerchiefs, with their names If Eloise Monsarrat had her way, was a cultural melting pot logged more than 10,000 hours embroidered, and volunteer badges doctors would be prescribing pets helping countless patients with her with their pictures dangling from in addition to pills. B-1 furry friends. separate leashes. Monsarrat, a Tripler Army Med- Sisters from a litter of 13, the ical Center Human Animal Bond For more information on dogs have participated in the pro- Program volunteer for 17 years, Tripler’s Human Animal Bond gram for the past three years, in- has witnessed firsthand the positive Program, call 433-6631. cluding a tour in Landstuhl, Ger- impact pooches and other pets have many, when Hanley and her hus- This issue had on patients. The animals, which must pass band Mark, who serves in the Air “It’s amazing how [animals] strict behavioral tests to qualify for Force, were stationed there. Lightning Spirit A-2 wake people up,” she said. the program, are true professionals. “Would you like some therapy News Briefs A-4 Sponsored by the Red Cross, Some pets even have their own today,” Monsarrat asked a passer- Tripler’s program employs one cat, business cards, which some pa- by near the entrance. The inno- MWR B-2 three rabbits and more than a tients collect. cent invitation coupled with two dozen dogs to provide a special Christine Delaney pets Karma, a 6-year old golden retriever, in the "cozy On Wednesday morning, Mon- unassuming, smiling golden re- Community B-2 type of therapy for patients with chemo corner" of the Oncology Ward at Tripler Army Medical Center, sarrat met up with another volun- trievers is irresistible for most. social, mental and physical ill- teer Debra Hanley and her Sports & Fitness B-4 Wednesday. Karma and her sister, Deja Vu, are volunteers with the nesses. TAMC Red Cross Human Animal Bond Program. two golden retrievers, Kar- SEE RED CROSS, A-3 A-2 | DECEMBER 1, 2006 HAWAII ARMY WEEKLY NEWS & COMMENTARY We want to Straight Talk hear from you... The Hawaii Army Weekly welcomes articles from Army organizations, an- Duh, it’s a no-brainer, shoplifting is a crime nouncements from the general pub- lic about community events of interest BILL LAFFEA age or social standing of the of- say a piece of candy. The mother What do you say to your leges. This penalty can be serious to the military community, and letters Directorate of Emergency Services fender. tries to quiet the child by opening child? enough, especially for Soldiers or and commentaries. No one has special immunity the candy, giving it to the child, Shoplifting is the lie that can adults, considering the price of If you have newsworthy ideas or from prosecution, and the odds of then continues along shopping. Explain to youth that shoplifting jeopardize your future. groceries here in Hawaii. stories you’d like to write, coordinate getting caught are greater than No matter how you look at this is not a cheap thrill. It's a crime Many people think shoplifting is with the managing editor at 655-4816, ever before. scenario, it is shoplifting. that levies a heavy burden. just a game, especially children.