Vol. 67 No. 22 June 5, 2009 Word of the month: Courage EACH welcomes new commander by Roger G. Meyer Evans Army Community Hospital Public Affairs Col. Jimmie O. Keenan assumed command of Evans Army Community Hospital and the Medical Activity from Col. Kelly A. Wolgast at a ceremony at the hospital May 28. Keenan said, “We are excited to join your team … I am honored and humbled to serve the Soldiers, Families and civilians at Fort Carson. I look forward to the new friendships, partnerships and to meeting the challenges that we will face. Together we can accomplish anything and everything for our Soldiers and their Families.” Keenan comes to Fort Carson after most recently serving as chief of staff of the U.S. Army Warrior Transition Command in Arlington, Va. An Army nurse, she has served in numerous chief and head nurse positions and, while at Fort Belvoir, Va., as Dewitt Army Community Hospital’s deputy commander for Nursing. Other assign- ments include Army congressional fellow for Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, chief of the Congressional Liaison Office, Office of the Army Surgeon General and garrison commander of Camp Bullis, Texas. Keenan holds masters’ degrees in nursing administration and strategic studies. Wolgast served as the hospital’s commander since June 2007. She was instrumental in establishing Fort Carson’s Warrior Transition Battalion and orchestrated the Medical Activity’s postwide capital improvements. Under her command, Fort Carson gained a renovated labor and delivery “Mother/Baby” unit, LASIK eye-surgery suite, operating rooms and saw the groundbreaking for the $6l million, 153,000 square-foot Soldier Family Care Clinic. During an award ceremony prior to the change of command, Brig. Gen. James K. Gilman, commander of the Great Plains Regional Medical Command and Brooke Army Medical Center, said, “What I’ve seen your commander (Wolgast) do … her grace and professionalism, always maintaining the moral high ground, has been a tremendous example not just for those of you here, but for those even in the flag officer ranks.” “This family of professionals has stood strong during the past two years … we moved, rearranged and improved our environment of care and throughout it all we continued to provide excellent patient care — that part never stops,” Wolgast said. “The future of health care at Carson is very strong, and I am both proud and humbled to have been part of this truth,” she said. Wolgast will assume the position of chief nurse of the U.S. Army Medical Command at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. While at Fort Carson, Keenan will oversee the Warrior Transition Battalion, three health clinics, three satellite and Photo by Melvin Davis four Army chemical depot clinics, and an installation public Col. Jimmie O. Keenan, left, new commander of Evans Army Community Hospital, accepts the colors from health department with a staff of more than 2,600 Soldiers Brig. Gen. James K. Gilman, commander of the Great Plains Regional Medical Command and Brooke Army and civilians serving more than 53,000 beneficiaries. Medical Center, during the Fort Carson, U.S. Army Medical Activity’s change of command ceremony May 28. II Military Feature Happenings NN SS II DD EE Page 6 Pages 20-21 Page 29 2 MOUNTAINEER — June 5, 2009 MOUNTAINEER Commanding General: Courage defines the hero Maj. Gen. Mark A. Graham by Master Sgt. Jose A. Colon-Rivera it, I try to imagine what was going through the mind of Garrison Commander: those who have risked their lives in order to make our Col. Eugene B. Smith Equal Opportunity Advisor nation strong. I am sure that my uncle felt fear. It was Fort Carson Public Affairs Officer: While on emergency leave, I found the grave of a winter, so he was cold. The odds were overwhelmingly Dee McNutt Soldier — Sgt. Sixto Rivera, killed in action. against our Soldiers. In those days; we did not have KBR, Chief, Print and Web Communications: Later on I was able to track down what unit Rivera Inc., to provide nice showers and great meals at a forward Douglas M. Rule belonged to — the 38th Armored Infantry Battalion and operating base dining facility. Yet, the greatest generation Editor: Julie M. Lucas served under the 7th Infantry Division. He died Dec. 23, came through for us and for the world — fear and all. Staff Writers: Randy Tisor 1944, at St. Vith, Belgium, in the Battle of the They did what they did out of loyalty to their nation Rick Emert Bulge. I remembered the stories my mother and sister and their peers. They did it not because they were without Devil Fisher used to tell me while I was growing up. Happenings: Nel Lampe fear, but instead of it. Sports Writer: Walt Johnson “Your Uncle Sixto, he got shot in the war and, when Courage is not being blessed enough to be without Layout/graphics: Jeanne Mazerall told that he could get out of the Army and go home, he fear. Courage is feeling fear and still doing the right said that his Soldiers were still there. Shot a second time, thing instead of shirking one’s duty. This commercial enterprise newspaper is his answer still was that his Soldiers were still there, so he A mother feels fear and still fights like a tigress to an authorized publication for members of the went back into combat. That’s when he got killed.” protect her child. The police officer feels fear but still goes Department of Defense. Contents of the Mountaineer are not necessarily the official See, my uncle was that Sixto Rivera; who couldn’t out day after day to help protect communities. Firefighters view of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government or speak English, but rose through the ranks to become a face their fears every time they confront a fire. the Department of the Army. Printed circulation noncommissioned officer, lead Soldiers into combat and Courage is manifested by the citizen or the Soldier is 12,000 copies. meet his demise doing his part holding the Nazis back who stands for what is right, whether it is the defense of our The editorial content of the Mountaineer is the responsibility of the Public Affairs in St. Vith. The is now buried at the old cemetery in nation, and our communities, or the fight against injustice Office, Fort Carson, CO 80913-5119, Tel.: San German, Puerto Rico. and the destruction of our society by criminals and hatred. 526-4144. The e-mail address is We recently celebrated Memorial Day. We honored The American, as illustrated by history, shows an [email protected]. The Mountaineer is posted on the those who gave their lives to preserve freedom. uncommon love for our nation, and freedom and a strong Internet at http://csmng.com. It takes courage to fight in a war. It takes courage to commitment to defend them. That love for freedom and The Mountaineer is an unofficial risk your life, and many cannot fathom that fear enters the our nation inspires us to do what is right and shows the publication authorized by AR 360-1. The Mountaineer is printed by Colorado Springs minds of heroes like Sgt. Sixto Rivera. But, thinking about world the courage in the American citizen. Military Newspaper Group, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of the Army, under exclusive written contract with Fort Carson. It is published 49 times per year. The appearance of advertising in this PPOOSSTT TTAALLKK publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Army or Colorado Springs What is your definition of courage? Military Newspaper Group, of the products or services advertised. The printer reserves the right to reject advertisements. “Respecting the “Standing up for Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or environment and what you believe in, patronage without regard to race, color, situation that you’re regardless of what religion, sex, national origin, age, marital put in to.” others may think or status, physical handicap, political affiliation what the consequences or any other nonmerit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of Richard Daniels may be.” this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser AAFES concessionaire is confirmed, the printer shall refuse to print Pfc. Charles advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. For display advertising call Denham 634-5905. 64th BSB, 3rd BCT, All correspondence or queries regarding 4th ID advertising and subscriptions should be directed to Colorado Springs Military Newspaper Group, 31 E. Platte Avenue, Suite 300, Colorado Springs, CO 80903, phone 634-5905. The Mountaineer’s editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public “Ability to overcome “Someone who Affairs Office, building 1430, room 123, Fort Carson, CO 80913-5119, phone 526-4144. your fears and do does something Releases from outside sources are so what has to be done.” even though they’re indicated. The deadline for submissions to the afraid of it.” Mountaineer is close of business the week Pvt. David Clark before the next issue is published. The Mountaineer staff reserves the right to edit 3rd BCT, 4th ID Anjuli Rodriguez submissions for newspaper style, clarity and Family member typographical errors. Policies and statements reflected in the news and editorial columns represent views of the individual writers and under no circumstances are to be considered those of the Department of the Army. Reproduction of editorial material is authorized. Please credit accordingly. “Being strong no matter “Being able to stand what comes your way up for what you negative or positive.” believe in and Classified advertising doing what’s right 329-5236 Spc.