Thursday, July 2, 2015 Volume 8, Issue 26 Published for members of the SHAPE/Chièvres, Brussels and Schinnen communities Benelux news briefs Postal ops relocates Due to a required window renovation, postal operations at Brunssum is relocating to the Schinnen Postal Service Center through Aug. 10. Customers may pick up their mail at Schinnen Mondays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Customers will be required to pick up their own mail unless they have provided written authorization (PS Form 3801). Customers who are planning a vacation during that time should inform postal services to prevent accidental return of mail. TSC VI closes for training The Training Support Center Benelux Visual Information section will be closed July 13 to 21 because its staff will be attending training. VI provides the following services: photo studio, graphics printing and events/training documentation. Plan accordingly, and be sure to schedule your appointments through the Visual Information Ordering Site at https://www. vios-europe.army.mil. Table of Contents News..............................1-8 Inside the gate...............9-10 Happy birthday, America! Outside the gate..........11-14 Community members are invited to celebrate the nation's birthday at Independence Day events at installations in the Benelux. (Archive photo) See page 3. July 2, 2015 IMCOM COMMAND TEAM Be good host/ Play it safe Independence Day guest at July July Fourth is a great occasion in our sunburn and heat injuries. Drink plenty country to celebrate with patriotism. of water and take frequent breaks when Fourth parties John Adams, the first vice president working or playing in hot weather. Hosting an Independence Day and second president of the United Water activities are also popular celebration? Here are a few tips States, helped write the Declaration during the July Fourth weekend. Wear to keep you and your guests safe: of Independence. life jackets while boating, swim only • Provide plenty of non-alcoholic "I am apt to believe that it will be in supervised areas and obey posted beverages. celebrated by succeeding generations signs. Get out of the water at the first • Don’t pressure guests to drink. as the great anniversary festival,” he said. sign of bad weather. • Serve plenty of food; eating slows “It ought to be solemnized with pomp and Alcohol doesn't mix with boating, the rate of absorption of alcohol. parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, swimming or driving. Watch your • Stop serving alcohol at least bells, bonfires and illuminations from consumption, and don't drink if you one hour before the party will end. one end of this continent to the other." will operate any type of vehicle. Give a • If guests drink too much, have Independence Day remains a national responsible person details on where you them stay the night, call a cab or celebration just as Adams predicted. will be and how long you will be gone. arrange a ride with a sober driver. Celebrate in the spirit of independence Enjoy Independence Day as you If you'll be attending a party as and patriotism that has endured for 239 celebrate with family and friends. Be a guest and plan to celebrate with years. As Army professionals who protect safe. Our nation needs each one of us to alcohol, follow these tips: our freedom, we must remain aware of support and defend this great country. • Eat a meal before you consume the risks at July Fourth festivities. Once a Soldier, always a Soldier. an alcoholic beverage. Outdoor activities are a source of Soldier for Life! • Alternate between alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. • Be aware that mixed drinks nor- mally contain more alcohol than a standard drink of beer, wine or hard liquor. • "Nurse" your drink. (Make it last.) • Give your body time to process the alcohol by only having one drink an hour to an hour-and-a-half. “Before celebrating the Fourth of July holiday, decide whether you’ll drink or you’ll drive,” said Angela Wainwright of the USAG Benelux Army Substance Abuse Program, or ASAP. “You can’t do both.” See page 3 for Independence Day festivities and holiday hours. Lt. Gen. David Halverson Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Hartless To submit or subscribe, email [email protected] The Gazette is an unofficial publication published under the provisions of AR 360-1 for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of The Gazette are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Col. Marty Vannatter........Commander Government, Department of the Army or the USAG Benelux. The Gazette is a free weekly publication distributed via email every Thursday, except when that day is an American, Belgian or Dutch Holiday, then The Gazette is Marie-Lise Baneton..........Public Affairs Officer published on Friday. The editorial content of this publication is prepared, edited, provided, approved and published by the USAG Benelux Public Affairs Office, Unit 21419, APO AE 09708. Telephone (0032) 068-275419/DSN 361- Editor...............................Andrea Wales 5419. Everything advertised in this publication will be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other Staff Writers....................Donovan Abrassart non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an Tim Clark advertiser is confirmed, the publisher will refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. Rita Hoefnagels The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement Keith Houin of the products or services advertised by the U.S. Army. Submit content or story ideas to usarmy.benelux.imcom- Cis Spook [email protected] by Monday at 3 p.m. [2] July 2, 2015 Benelux celebrates Independence Day Saturday USAG Benelux-Brussels USAG Benelux-Schinnen Join the USAG Benelux-Brussels com- The 2015 Independence Day celebra- munity for the 2015 Independence Day tion will be held on the Brunssum Sports Celebration to be held at the Sterrebeek Field starting at 2 p.m. and continuing Annex. The event starts at 3 p.m. and until 1 a.m. will be a fun-filled day including barbe- Schedule of events cue food, music, water slides, bouncy Throughout the course of the after- castles, ice cream, games, activities noon, attendees can enjoy a display of for all ages and more. Fireworks are classic cars, clowns, dunk tank, obstacle scheduled at 10:30 p.m. For more in- courses, children's jungle gyms, food formation contact DSN: 368-9768 or and drinks. civilian 02-7179768. 3 p.m.: Birds of prey show Schedule of events 3:30 p.m.: Music4Vets •Throughout the afternoon: World War 4:30 p.m.: Birds of prey show II vehicle display and parade, kids activi- 5 p.m.: Music4Vets ties, bouncy castles, food and drinks 6 p.m.: Birds of prey show • 4 p.m.: Balloon-sculpture artist 8:15 p.m.: Mystic Roots five-piece • 5:30 p.m.: Brussels American Com- pop-reggae fusion band munity Choir 11:15 p.m.: Fireworks • 6 p.m.: Color Guard Note: Bring a change of clothes in • 6:05 p.m.: Opening remarks Fun for everyone case you get wet. • 6:15 p.m.: Country music Fourth of July celebrations offer activities for No glass bottles, personal coolers, • 7:30 p.m.: SHAPE Band people of all ages, including Uncle Sam, Com- baskets and dogs (except guide dogs) missary director Mario Caputi, who plays corn- • 9 p.m.: DJ Variety music hole at the 2014 SHAPE event. (Archive photo) are allowed on site. •10:30 p.m.: Fireworks display Open to NATO and U.S. card holders. USAG Benelux The 2015 Independence Day celebration will be held in the fest tent on SHAPE. Schedule of events •All Day: DJ Crowd Entertainment •All Day: World War II Vehicles, Police and Fire Department display, Vintage Vehicle exhibition, balloon animals. •noon to 4 p.m.: Planche a Jazz •4 to 6 p.m.: Beatles Cover Band •6 to 7 p.m.: Blues Rock Karma •7 to 9 p.m.: Zenith •9 to 11 p.m.: DJ Lineup •11 p.m.: Fireworks [3] July 2, 2015 Take note of Fourth of July hours, closures Several agencies will modify a.m. to 4 p.m., and will return in the Benelux in celebration Finance their hours to observe the In- to normal hours July 5. of Independence Day. Cash cage will be closed dependence Day holiday or to Schinnen Shoppette and Schinnen Commissary will Friday, July 3. serve customers who need Gas Station will be open Fri- be open Friday, July 3, from SHAPE clinic to pick up last-minute party day, July 3, from 11 a.m. to 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and closed The SHAPE Healthcare Fa- supplies. 5 p.m., and the Main Store Saturday, July Fourth. Schin- cility will be open as follows: AAFES will be closed. nen Commissary returns to Friday, July 3, from 8 a.m. The Army and Air Force Ex- Schinnen Exchange facili- normal hours Sunday, July 5, to 5 p.m.: Medical Officer on change Service will be open ties will be open Saturday, when it will be open from 10 Duty/Walk-in Clinic only. during following holiday hours July 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, July Fourth, from of operation Saturday, July Normal operating hours of 11 The Chièvres Commissary 8 to 10 a.m.: MOD/Walk-in Fourth: a.m.