Military Moms deal with so much – isn’t it time to celebrate them? It is… | Survivor Outreach Services: Reaching out to Army Families after the death of their Soldier | Capturing the Past: Memories, letters, accounts of WWII and more. What prior service can teach us today.
MAY 2013
You want it? You got it!
www.fortgordonfyi.com
The FYI Magazine has gone digital: All the articles and stories you know and love – in one convenient location!
The presses are still rolling: Starting June 2013, we’ll be rolling out the condensed version of the FYI Magazine, containing highlights for the month. Everything that’s contained within the printed FYI Magazine will also appear online. Help us save some trees: If you’d like to switch to digital-only reading and be removed from our mailing list, please let us know. Call or email us and say, “I’m going digital”. 706-791-6234 or molly.swift.naf@mail.mil
What are you waiting for? Scan this QR code with your smartphone to view the mobile-compatible FYI+ website! Don’t forget to share your favorite stories.
www.fortgordonFYI.com | 1
Contents 41
24
47
MILITARY MOMS DEAL WITH SO MUCH – ISN’T IT TIME TO CELEBRATE THEM? IT IS… | SURVIVOR OUTREACH SERVICES: REACHING OUT TO ARMY FAMILIES AFTER THE DEATH OF THEIR SOLDIER | CAPTURING THE PAST: MEMORIES, LETTERS, ACCOUNTS OF WWII AND MORE. WHAT PRIOR SERVICE CAN TEACH US TODAY.
From the cover The photo shows a Marine dashing through Japanese machine gun fire while crossing Death Valley in Okinawa, May 10, 1945. The images captured during WWII provide striking documentation of the actions of the Allies, but even these images couldn’t clearly tell us of the emotional experiences of U.S. Soldiers as they fought their way to victory. (Photo provided by Pvt. Bob Bailey. Marine Corps) MAY 2013
2 | FYI MAY 2013
MAY 2013 In Every Issue
Features
5 Editor’s Notes 7 Around Town Calendar 8 Events with Swami 9 Your Health 10 Bite-Sized Fitness 11 Restaurant Reviews 12 Reflections 13 Customer Care Zone 15 Financial Fundamentals 16 Green Corner 17 Planning Your Career 19 The View 22 Music at the Library 27 This Month in MWR 53 From the Bookshelf 55 Culture Shock 57 Tech Ninja 59 Movie Review 61 Director’s Chair 63 Snapshot 64 Next 65 In Focus
24
Who Am I Now? Sadly, many Army Families have to face the challenges of readjusting their lives to a new “normal” after the passing of their Soldier. Survivor Outreach Services Support Coordinator, Suzanne Crosby explains how the SOS Warrior Remembrance ceremony on May 23 will help.
41
Memoirs of a Service Past Gary Tuckey was a sergeant in Co E. 222 Infantry during the Second World War. His experiences were eloquently immortalized in a few documents – letters and telegram – that survived the decades since the harrowing incidents which marked that time.
47
Mother’s Day, the Military Way The mothers of Fort Gordon talk about their lives as military moms: how they create stability within an ever-changing environment; tips for surviving separations and lone-parenting; and why they love being military moms.
Contributors Heather Addis
Randy Behr
Pamela Rachal
Suzanne Crosby
Michael Reed
Jeff Haskell
Rachael Sosa
Kathleen Haskell
Jerry Swain
Paul Henri
Molly Swift
Nathan Hoeller
Crystal Tyson
Kim Hussey
Steve Walpert
Susie Joyner
Jennifer Wellman
Arial Marsh
Alice Wynn
www.fortgordonFYI.com | 3
4 | FYI MAY 2013
editor’snotes Molly Swift, Editor
MAY 2013
The Fort Gordon FYI is a publication produced by the Marketing Office of the Fort Gordon Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare & Recreation. The appearance of sponsorship and/or advertising does not imply an endorsement by the U.S. Army.
Command
MG LaWarren V. Patterson Commanding General COL Robert A. Barker Garrison Commander
DFMWR Administration
James T. Green Director, DFMWR Tiffany Olds Chief, NAF Support Services Kim Lyons Chief, Marketing Director
Staff
Molly Swift Editor Nathan Hoeller Creative Director Bartley Harper Senior Graphic Designer/Webmaster Jenifer Immer Graphic Designer Heather Addis Staff Writer Crystal Tyson Staff Writer
FYI Advertising and Sales
Anna Gaillard Corporate Sponsorship & Sales Manager
Hey fellow mothers. I’m sure you don’t need to hear it again from someone else, but I’m going to tell you anyway: You’re doing a great job! We’ve put together a little feature just for you on page 47, while soon-to-be mom, Jennifer Wellman, talks more about how to celebrate your mom in The View this month on page 19. Be sure to take advantage of all MWR has to offer to pamper the wonderful women in your life; take her for brunch at Gordon’s Conference and Catering, or book a massage through Gordon’s Fitness Center. Go for a ride down to the lake with Hilltop Riding Stable, get outside and golf at Gordon Lakes, or enjoy another fabulous performance at the Dinner Theatre. Or get away from it all at Pointes West Army Resort. After a brief hiatus, we’re back on Facebook! Please join us at www.facebook.com/ FYIMagazine. Taking a break was necessary while we regrouped, redirected and established our new website. Speaking of which…please support your FYI Magazine by checking out our site www.fortgordonfyi.com! The site is designed to support our community. It gives you a place to offer feedback, to share content and even has archive material for you to search. It is still a work in progress, but we welcome your thoughts and critiques. And please, help us spread the word throughout Fort Gordon; we’re moving toward a more digital approach for the sake of our readers and we want you all to enjoy using it, not just for the great features (ha!), but as a useful resource! Our main feature in this issue focuses on veteran Gary Tuckey, who fought from Marseilles in France into Germany during the Second World War and onto Dachau where he took part in the liberation of one of the Nazi’s concentration camps. In working on this story, I read a lot. Letters and written accounts from Gareth Tuckey; I pored through multiple accounts from survivors of that time – survivors of the camp, active players of the Nazi regime, politicians, Marines, Soldiers and more. Much of what I read was difficult to comprehend; not that it was unintelligible, but rather it was unfathomable. I cannot wrap my head around the level of blind devotion involved in the Nazi grip on power; the attack on Europe – whole cities decimated and leveled to the ground. Thankfully, Tuckey’s writings are not only easy to read, but Tuckey himself demonstrates a rare ability to convey precisely his experience without any distractions or digression. Succinct and to the point, the Soldier wrote of landing in France for Christmas, losing troops, homesickness and his shocking discovery of conditions at one of the renowned concentration camps, Dachau. All in all, it was and is fascinating, inspiring stuff – and a great reminder as to why we are celebrating Memorial Day this month. To thank the service members who have gone before us. Take care,
Contact Information
Darling Hall, Room 337 P.O. Box 7180 Fort Gordon, GA 30905 Office.................................................. 706.791.6779 Fax...................................................... 706.791.7189 Editor................................................... 706.791.6234 Sales.................................................... 706.791.3912
www.fortgordon.com
Like us!
www.Facebook.com/FYIMagazine www.fortgordonFYI.com | 5
POINTES WEST ARMY RESORT’S
May 25 • 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Join us at Pointes West Army Resort this Memorial Day weekend for a FUN filled day of music, food, games, and prizes! Bring your friends and family and relax on our white sandy beach, or go for a swim to cool down from the hot sun. Come celebrate Memorial Day the traditional way! Beach Area opens at 10 a.m., so come early to reserve your space! Games and prizes for all ages • Music provided by DJ • Canoe and Kayak Rentals Horseshoe and Volleyball Tournaments • Parasailing
www.fortgordon.com
6 | FYI MAY 2013
A
Around Town
May
Black Francis with Special Guest, Reid Paley Singer, songwriter and guitarist probably best known for his first band, the much adored Pixies, the critically acclaimed Black Francis has enjoyed nearly three decades of success in the music industry. His solo and acoustic tour will include a live show at Sky City; more information and tickets are available via the venue’s website, www. skycityaugusta.com. Doors open at 8 p.m. – performance scheduled to start at 10 p.m.
9
Sky City | Broad Street | Downtown Augusta, GA
Aiken Bluegrass Festival This year’s event promises an exciting blend of musicians and varying styles of bluegrass. The Festival will feature an all-star jam of epic proportions; a wide array of talent guaranteed to ensure that 2013 will be one of its most exciting years yet! In addition to Keller Williams, The Traveling McCoury’s and Larry Keel, the festival will welcome Doug and the Henrys, The Hackensaw Boys and Blue Billy Grit, winners of the 2012 Telluride Bluegrass festival band competition. For more information, visit the festival’s website at www.aikenbluegrassfestival.org.
10&11
Highfields | 908 Grace Avenue SE | Aiken, SC
Cabaret Diabolique Cabaret Diabolique is a horror-mystery about a popular Las Vegas show whose finale is an onstage murder. Is it real? Two detectives decide to investigate the popular cabaret and untangle a web of madness about the private lives of the performers. Cabaret Diabolique – an original script by Jezibell Anat and Joseph Zuchowski – features songs, dances, fabulous costumes, magic tricks and other surprises! $10 admission. Both nights will feature a special Vegas pre-show party with DJ Codec starting at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday night will feature a splattervision section for those who want to get bloody!
17&18
Sector 7 | 631 Ellis Street | Downtown Augusta
Saturday Market on the River Every Saturday until November 23, head downtown to shop for local fruits, veggies, honey and baked goods along with locally made art, home decor, accessories and lots more! Add to the local community spirit and support local vendors. Admission is free – more information is available online at www.theaugustamarket.com.
25
15 8th Street | Downtown Augusta
www.fortgordonFYI.com | 7
eventswithswami Jerry “Swami” Swain, Special Events Coordinator
This year’s Spring Fest was a huge success, as was the Month of the Military Child Celebration. Thank you for your support – especially on behalf of all the children out there having the time of their young lives! Okay Mom and Dad, the US Marine Corps has issued a new challenge! The Marine Mud Challenge is on Saturday May 11, so we hope you have the family, friends, and co-workers signed up! Please go to our website www.fortgordon.com and click on the Mud Challenge icon for more information.
We also have our Independence Day celebrations coming up July 3. That’s right – NOT THE 4TH! Wednesday, July 3 on Barton Field.
The Marine Mud Challenge Saturday, May 11
Come early for good parking and to stake out your spot on the field! We will have live music all afternoon and evening; water rides for the kids; plenty of the CSRA’s BBQ extraordinaire grill masters and many other all-American favorites will be served up by Gordon’s Conference and Catering, and Outdoor Recreation. Please feel free to email me and let me know where you ate and what the best food you tasted at the event! (More detailed information to follow in next month’s FYI.) Independence Day Celebration Wednesday, July 3
ANNIVERSARIES • BIRTHDAYS • SPECIAL OCCASIONS • ANY OCCASION!
THE BLOOM CLOSET WE ARE A DELIVERY FLORIST ONLY. PLEASE CALL US 24/7
8 | FYI MAY 2013
706.364.2588
706.726.0037 CELL WWW.THEBLOOMCLOSET.COM
yourhealth Practice Council (UPC), which allows designated representatives to develop their own unit-specific process improvement initiatives, tailored to their particular patient population and centered on evidence-based care. In the Intensive Care Unit, the UPC is working on improving the quality of sleep for their patients. The nurses worked with the physicians to specify times for daily blood work and X-ray films so that patients are able to rest, uninterrupted, for at least six hours every night. Getting more uninterrupted rest can be a big help to those recovering in a hospital setting.
CELEBRATING NURSES Kathleen Haskell, DDEAMC
Nurses have my admiration and appreciation – not only because of their skills and abilities, but because they do their work with such strength, focus, and dignity. Since coming to work at Eisenhower Army Medical Center in 2002, watching nurses go about their daily routines, observing their communication with patients, their interaction with administration and planning of special events, my eyes have been opened to a whole new world of respect for those that choose nursing as a profession, especially Army nursing. Army nurses appear to have unlimited ideas, energy, compassion, and empathy. Not to mention their “regular jobs”, whenever there are volunteers needed for a task - nurses seem to make time in their schedules to get involved. “Living with Passion” is a phrase that comes to mind when I think of Army nurses. May 6th is National Nurses Day, and the kick-off for celebrating National Nurses Week. When I asked for help in pulling together information to educate FYI magazine readers about the nursing profession, nurses jumped in and quickly provided such good details even I learned some new things. National Nurses Week always ends on May 12 – the birthday of Florence Nightingale. Florence Nightingale is credited for being the founder of modern nursing and many of her practices have proven valid, even today. The theme for this year’s National Nurses Week is “Delivering Quality and Innovation in Patient Care.” Every year, Nurses Week is dedicated to one of the nation’s most-trusted professions. Nurses can
be found in many different roles. The majority of nurses work in hospitals, but nurses also work in public health clinics, schools and homeless shelters. Army nurses are found in command of hospitals and Lt. General Patricia Horoho, an Army nurse, is the Surgeon General of the Army. According to Eisenhower nurse Major Lisa Phillips, who has a Master of Science in Nursing degree and is a Critical Care Registered Nurse, the Army Nurse Corps has been implementing the Patient Caring Touch System (PCTS) and Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH). Both PCTS and PCMH are patient-centered methods of delivering care. PCTS is in place in the inpatient arena, whereas PCMH is primarily a model for outpatient care. Both are designed to put the patient at the center of all that is done, to improve outcomes and satisfaction. Key components of the PCTS are communication, accountability, and standardization. Lead nursing is one very visible change you may experience if you are an inpatient at Eisenhower. The Lead Nurse is assigned to the patient for the entire hospital stay. They will prescribe the nursing plan of care by taking into consideration the special needs of the patient, such as dietary needs or streamlining a medication regimen to mirror what the patient practices at home. The Lead Nurse will also ensure follow up and follow through on issues identified during admission. As a result, the trust between a patient, the patient’s loved ones and the nurse is enhanced. This leads to better overall results and increased satisfaction for both the patient and the nurse. Each clinical area at Eisenhower has a Unit
Additionally, PCTS provides capability building for the nurse leaders throughout the Army Medical Department. Each nurse is molded using talent management, leader development and skill building. Talent management develops the next generation of Army nursing leadership by pairing the nurse with job opportunities that are best suited to their strengths and personal goals. Leader development enables our nursing team members to develop as leaders and prepares them to succeed in any level of medical operation. Skill building provides consistent, relevant opportunities for nursing team members to refresh their knowledge and patient care capabilities. Nurses routinely work varying shifts throughout holidays and most Army nurses are deployed every two to three years. Nursing is a diverse, dynamic, and complex profession. If 100 nurses were asked why they became a nurse, there may very well be 100 different reasons. However, one reason they would all likely share is a desire to help others. Nursing is a profession of caring and National Nurses Week is an opportunity for the public to show nurses just how special they are. Much appreciation is extended to Major Phillips not only for the work she does but also for providing such enlightening information so all of us could learn more. The nurses at Eisenhower will continue to ensure that the care provided to our beneficiaries is world class through initiatives that allow us to focus on the patients’ needs. Nurses place a lot of value in the trust that is bestowed on them when caring for another person. This truly makes them “Serving to Heal, Honored to Serve.” It would be nice during the first full week in May to take time to express your appreciation if you know a nurse or interact with one. It is appropriate to express your thanks any time of year, but especially during Nurses Week. Where would we be without them? I may be biased, but I believe Eisenhower has some of the best nurses around. From what I hear from our patients, they think we do as well.
www.fortgordonFYI.com | 9
bite-sizedfitness
Vitamins Randy Behr, Contributing Writer
Here is a question that I get quite frequently, should I take a vitamin or not? First, I want to say that I am not a nutritionist, so if you have any specific questions please refer to a nutritionist or physician. One in three individuals take vitamins; multivitamins are the most popular choice. Vitamins are taken for many reasons, but the two biggest reasons are to increase performance and to build muscle. Never substitute a meal for a vitamin and always attempt to get the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals through your diet. Absorbing vitamins/minerals through food consumption is much more effective. There are valid reasons to take supplements though. Here are a few reasons why a vitamin may be suggested as a temporary solution:
8. Heavy smoker/drinker 9. Ill/convalescent Another reason to consume vitamins is due to increased exercise. Our energy metabolism, tissue growth and repair, red blood cell manufacture and free radical defense may be lacking and depend on these vitamins more heavily due to the increased output. Keep in mind; more is not necessarily better, though. High doses are harmful and show no proof of added benefits. Due to the many options when buying vitamins, I have included a few basic guidelines on how to choose a vitamin. Look for these vital necessities.
2. If one eats less than 1500 calories
4. Avoid unnecessary ingredients such as sugar, sweeteners and artificial flavoring
5. If a Vegan, as your B12 and other nutrients may be lacking 6. Anemic (Iron) 7. Food allergies or intolerances (Milk) to replace the loss of these vital minerals/ vitamins 10 | FYI MAY 2013
professional experience includes Sports Information Director and Sports, Fitness and Aquatics Director, and has been involved with the NJCAA, USA Track and Field and the Olympic Training Center, to name a few.
2. 23 Vitamins/Minerals 3. Amount between 100-1000% RDA
4. If one eats fast food frequently
and fitness for over 30 years. Randy’s
1. Antioxidant
1. If one has erratic eating behaviors 3. If pregnant (Folic Acid) to replace/add the deficiency
Randy Behr has been active in sports
5. “Food Form” 6. Choose vitamin that requires doses of two or more per day, rather than mega doses 7. Take with food/water. Remember, the best option is to attempt to eat healthy and save your money. See you in the gym!
Questions? Comments? Connect with Randy on FYI+ www.fortgordonfyi.com/author/randy_behr
restaurantreviews
The views and opinions expressed by the contributors to this page (express or implied, contractual, tortious or otherwise) are not necessarily those of Fort Gordon or FYI Magazine. FYI Magazine is not paid by the restaurant for a positive or negative review. We do not hold back the negative reviews; however, a bad review does not mean the restaurant is a bad restaurant.
The Snug
Toki
T Bonz Steakhouse
240 Davis Road, Augusta (706) 863-1118
362 Furys Ferry, Martinez (706) 868-2323
2856 Washington Road, Augusta (706) 737-8325
Have you ever driven by a restaurant and wondered if it was any good? That’s how I felt about The Snug. The verdict: absolutely! I now wonder why I waited! The ambiance and quaint dining room were very appealing. The owner and my waiter, Brandon, provided the best service I have ever received. They were very accommodating and willing to go beyond the extra mile. Their menu is sure to appeal to everyone. I will definitely return.
Seafood with rice is almost my idea of heaven, so sushi is a no-brainer. Toki offers a wide range of steak and seafood, but I plumped for a roll of spicy tuna, shrimp tempura and spicy crab – and it was so beautifully plated! Truly pleasant service and a friendly atmosphere guarantees I will return. My only criticism is the lighting could be better. This welcoming Japanese steakhouse accommodates children who will love watching the chefs in the kitchen!
T Bonz Steakhouse has been an Augusta staple for over 25 years. The seafood options are limited, especially in combination with steak, so I decided to go with their namesake, the T-Bone steak, with an add-on of grilled shrimp for $5.95. The shrimp were delicious and cooked perfectly, as was the steak, although for $22.95, I was expecting the T-Bone steak to really deliver. While really good, it wasn’t fantastic. Still, highly recommended.
ESTABLISHMENT
ESTABLISHMENT
ESTABLISHMENT
Service Cleanliness
Service Cleanliness
Service Cleanliness
FOOD
FOOD
FOOD
Presentation Taste Quality/Freshness
Presentation Taste Quality/Freshness
Presentation Taste Quality/Freshness
AVERAGE PRICING
$15 & Up
AVERAGE PRICING
$5-$20
AVERAGE PRICING
$30 & Under
www.fortgordonFYI.com | 11
“Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.” -Shirley Chisholm
Tony Howard DJ, Karaoke and More . . . Let Tony add the Spice to your Party! For Unit Parties, Hail and Farewells, Graduation Parties, Weddings, Anniversaries, or any Celebration. Oldies • Country • Hip-Hop • Rock • Slide Everybody Knows Tony . . . For More Information, Call 706-829-5924
12 | FYI MAY 2013
customercarezone Army Emergency Relief (AER) Jeff Haskell, Customer Service Program Coordinator
May is the last scheduled month for the annual Army Emergency Relief (AER) fund drive. According to Jolane Williams, AER Fund Drive Campaign Coordinator, AER is “a Soldier program created to support the mission of “Soldiers helping Soldiers”. As a non-profit organization, there is no government funding. Soldiers and concerned citizens have been contributing their money since 1942, so when a valid need arises AER can help.” I asked Jolane how difficult it is to get assistance from AER. “Of course we have guidelines, but AER Headquarters gives the local AER section staff flexibility and encourages us to find a way to say ‘yes’ when there is a bona fide need. We work hard to provide assistance.” With that said, how can contributors be assured the money is spent wisely? “Here at Fort Gordon, all three of our AER officers maintain an AFC, or Accredited Financial Counselor certification. This certification requires study, rigorous testing and annual continuing education requirements. It helps ensure we are skilled counselors with the experience and ability to gather pertinent information and focus on proven, results-oriented strategies.” Jolane added, “While we may ask what many consider personal, or intrusive, questions, we strive to maintain client dignity, respect personal privacy to deliver services in a nonjudgmental way. Every request for assistance is handled on a case-by-case basis and evaluated on the specific need of each Soldier.”
benefits are not readily available, and funeral arrangements were going to be delayed for financial reasons. From time to time, Soldiers get last minute orders and have to report within a few days to a new duty station and there was no time to get a PCS advance. We have also provided funds for airline tickets when loved ones are hospitalized or have passed away. And of course we help when Soldiers are deployed and their Spouse is faced with an emergency here at home.” In addition to this, Jolane provided some other examples where the Fort Gordon AER office was able to help: Spouses have needed emergency travel due to immediate Family Member’s hospitalization or death. Although the Soldier wasn’t able to go, assistance was provided for the Spouse’s food, fuel and lodging or airfare expenses. Soldiers have been helped with the cost of vehicle repairs prior to a four-day weekend, after a unit inspection identified safety concerns (tires, brakes, etc.) The repair or replacement of major appliances such as refrigerators and stoves. They seem to go out when it’s least expected!
Emergency home HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) repairs. If you own a home, you should save for home repairs, but summer temperatures in Augusta can often take a toll on HVAC systems which can result in unexpected failures. I asked Jolane if there was anything else AER does. “Of course we provide no-interest loans, as well as grants or loan/grant combinations. Your emergency will always be evaluated compassionately and expeditiously by the AER staff. But I’d like everyone to know AER is also a resource not limited to only financial emergencies. AER provides scholarships for Spouses and Dependent Children as well as comfort grants for Soldiers evacuated from the battlefield. The deadline to apply for Family Member AER scholarships is May 1. For details go to http://www.aerhq.org/dnn563/ Scholarships.aspx.” Contributing to AER is a great way to show support for our Soldiers and their Families. Your donation can do a lot to help put a Soldier’s mind at ease during an emergency situation or even help provide for a Family Member’s continuing education tuition. Thank you and have a wonderful month!
Often, people in emergency situations need help quickly. There isn’t time to go through a long, bureaucratic process. I asked Jolane how AER can help Soldiers in a timely manner. “The Commander Referral program authorizes unit commanders and first sergeants to approve up to $1500 of AER assistance once they have completed the AER Commander Referral training. This streamlines the AER process and is a great tool for the unit command team to address immediate needs of Soldiers.” What kinds of assistance has the Fort Gordon AER office provided? Jolane provided a variety of situations where AER has helped. “We have helped when Soldiers have their primary vehicle break down and there is no money in savings to pay for repairs. We have provided bridge loans when Family Members have died, SGLI/FSGLI www.fortgordonFYI.com | 13
M
other’s Day
Brunch
RESERVATIONS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED Sunday, May 12 in the North Ballroom Seatings: 10:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. | 1:30-3:00 p.m. Advanced Paid Reservations: Adults $18.00 | Kids 6-10 $10.00 | Kids 2-5 $6.00 At the Door: Adults $20.00 | Kids 6-10 $12.00 | Kids 2-5 $8.00 MENU Carved roast turkey and beef inside, roasted pesto chicken, shrimp creole, burgundy beef tenders, country style cornbread dressing, scalloped potatoes, whole green beans, cut corn, glazed carrots, saffron rice, squash casserole, sicilian mixed vegetables, salad bar with steamed shrimp, assorted cheeses and bread with hot seafood dip, fresh fruit , assorted desserts and drinks ... Plus, a breakfast buffet
Formula Drift Champion: Vaughn Gittin Jr. Sunday, May 12th 1200-1600 Main Exchange Parking Lot
Enter to Win a Ride in Gittin’s Monster Ford Mustang
Sponsored by $1,638,487
in contributions to this installation! 19th Street, Building 18402 (706) 791-6780 • Fax (706) 793-7414 14 | FYI MAY 2013
Find money saving coupons on Facebook!
financialfundamentals It is PCS Season! Rachael Sosa, ACS, Financial Readiness Specialist
Spring is in the air. Students (and teachers) have started their final countdown until the last day of school. It’s time to vaccinate the dog, spread some mulch, give the car a good washing – and get ready to PCS. ‘Tis the season for packing up and moving on. In general, Army families can expect to move about every three years. There may even be times in a military career when moves happen almost yearly. PCS moves can be both exciting and stressful events: deciding what stays and what goes; organizing for the packers and movers; researching your new community; shipping the car and pets; and (everyone’s favorite) figuring out the finances. The following checklist of considerations can help keep you be prepared for “PCS surprises.” • Housing. The primary question: on post or off-post? You may not know if on-post housing is available until you arrive at your new duty station. In some locations, housing is available immediately; in others, the wait may be years. To be safe, you should be prepared for at least a six month wait for housing. What does that mean financially? Security deposits may be required – on top of the first month’s rent. You will, however, receive a Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to help you pay for off-base housing. The rate varies, based on your rank, whether or not you have dependents, and location. BAH rates are published on the Per Diem Committee web page (http://perdiem.hqda.pentagon.mil). Be sure to know how much BAH you will receive before you go apartment or house-hunting in your new location. • Car and Car Insurance. Most state Web sites provide in-depth information about vehicle registration requirements, fees, and taxes – and which of these charges apply to military personnel. They also provide information about time limitations to register your vehicle. Some insurance carriers cater to military families and offer insurance that “travels with you” when you transfer; others do not. Check with your insurance company to see if you can retain your current coverage – or if you need to change
carriers. Find out what your new rates will be, so you can set aside the needed funds. • R e p a c i n g “u n s h i p p a b l e s . ” T h e Transportation Office can provide you with a list of those items that cannot be packed, including chemicals that are often found in liquid cleaning supplies. Plan on adding an extra $150 to your moving fund to help replace cleaning supplies and food items you must leave behind. • Pets. Uncle Sam will move your kids, but not your pets. So if Fido is going to be joining you, be prepared for the costs of acquiring the necessary shots and health certificates, as well as the authorized carriers or kennels required for shipping an animal if you are moving internationally. (Not to mention the airfare!) • Clothes. Sometimes, it is not an issue – but if you are leaving Georgia and heading for Fort Drum or Alaska, there can be some serious wardrobe (and financial) implications. Pad your budget accordingly! (Check out the Thrift Store at your new location for possible deals.) • Temporary Lodging and Meals Out. Your time in-transit will probably involve temporary lodging on both ends of the trip – after you vacate your current quarters, and while you are looking for housing at your new duty station. You will undoubtedly be eating multiple meals out. You will receive some assistance to help offset these expenses: Dislocation Allowance (DLA), Per Diem, Mileage, TLE (Temporary Living Expenses). There is no guarantee, however, that they will reimburse all relocation expenses. It is wise to have extra dollars available in your moving fund to defray these costs. • General Financial Housekeeping Tips: Base Pay. Your base pay will remain the same, unless you are promoted or a change in length of service occurs during your PCS move. Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) will remain the same.
Basic Housing Allowance (BAH) will vary, based on location (as mentioned earlier). Check your LES if payday falls while you are in transit. Make sure you know your MyPay PIN number, so you can check it online. Banking tips. If you plan to change your account or switch financial institutions, try to leave your old account open for awhile, until you are sure the change has taken effect – especially if you have any electronic transfers being deducted. Check Your Credit Report shortly after your move. It will help ensure you have not left any unpaid bills behind, and that no one has been trying to steal your identity. You are entitled to receive one free credit report each year from each of the three Credit Reporting Agencies. Go to www. annualcreditreport.com to request your free copy or contact your local Financial Readiness Program office. Think ACS! Take advantage of the programs and services available at your Army Community Service center at both your departing and receiving installations. The Relocation Readiness Program has a Lending Closet that can help you with basic kitchen essentials while your household goods are in transit. The Financial Readiness Program can help you with budgeting difficulties. Army Emergency Relief can help you with emergency loans, if necessary. The financial aspects of a PCS move can seem overwhelming, if you are not prepared for them. That is why it is wise to start planning for the next move shortly after you have unpacked from the last one! ACS offers assistance in planning your next move. Please contact your ACS Financial Readiness Program for more information or to schedule your appointment. Sources: National Endowment for Financial Education, Military Families: Money and Mobility
Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) will vary, and is only available at select installations. www.fortgordonFYI.com | 15
greencorner
10
Easy Ways to Save Energy at Home
Paul Henri, Manger, Fort Gordon Recycling Center
1
Program Your Thermostat
Give the AC a rest when you’re away for even a few hours. Set programmable thermostats to kick in half an hour before you return home unless you have heat-sensitive indoor pets. Cranking the thermostat to penguin-worthy temperatures won’t cool the house faster, since AC works at full throttle until a set temperature is reached. With every degree you lower it, cooling costs increase by about 7 percent.
2
Unplug When Possible
Give small appliances a break whenever you can. Computers, cell phone chargers, and other electronics often continue to use power -- and radiate heat -- even when turned off. To simplify, plug items into a power strip that you can use as a master switch.
3
Get Better Bulbs
4
Use Your Fan Smarter
Incandescent bulbs put more energy into generating heat than light, so replace high-use bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). They burn cool and bright with only a third of the power required by incandescent.
Position a fan to blow air out a window. Close nearby windows to keep the hot air from flowing back in and open those on the other side of the house (ideally in cool, shaded areas). In a multilevel home, place the fan in a top-floor window and open windows on lower floors, where air is cooler.
16 | FYI MAY 2013
5
Get a Yearly Air Conditioning Checkup
6
Do Your Chores at Night
7
Cook Outside
If you have central AC, schedule annual servicing. Visits can be costly, but repairs and tune-ups that increase efficiency soon pay for themselves. You stand to earn significant savings by replacing a system sold in the 1990s, which can guzzle up to 40 percent more energy than today’s most efficient systems.
Run appliances such as clothes dryers and dishwashers at night to avoid peak energy rates and the humid heat they generate. Excess humidity is more than uncomfortable -- it can also be expensive, since air conditioners use extra energy to process the moisture.
Take advantage of summer weather and cook outdoors, as prolonged baking or stovetop cooking makes AC work overtime. Too muggy outside? Use a microwave or toaster oven, which use less energy and generate less heat. When you need to use a burner, keep pots covered to cook food faster and minimize humid heat in the kitchen.
8
Place Appliances Properly
Don’t keep extra refrigerators and freezers in unconditioned spaces, such as garages, where heat tends to build up. Save more energy by opting for a chest freezer, which loses less cold air when opened. Keep all freezers relatively full for maximum efficiency.
9
Wash in Cold Water
About 90 percent of the energy used for a load of laundry goes to heating the water. Some stains demand hot water, as do bed linens (to kill dust mites). Wash all other loads in cold.
10
Upgrade Windows
Single- and even some double-pane clear glass windows can force heating and cooling systems to work overtime. Energy Star-qualified windows with insulating glazes, gas fills, and better framing materials deliver the best results. For an extra boost, use blackout blinds or heavy drapes to minimize solar heat gain to cover windows that catch direct sun.
planningyourcareer
Interviewing Skills: Research and Practice Make Perfect Kim Hussey, Owner, Plan4Success, LLC
For some, the interview is the easiest part of their job search. A sizeable minority of these individuals are what I call “Silver Tongue Devils.” Those who interview people for a living know who I am talking about. These are the folks who are outstanding interviewees, who talk the talk – but don’t always walk the walk once they are hired. From personal observation, the best employees are not always the star performers in the interview process. What is the secret for those of you who freeze up and go brain dead at the mere thought of an interview? What can you do to increase your self-confidence and achieve better odds of a winning outcome after all the work you have put into getting selected to compete for a position? What can YOU do to become a star performer? I will be the first to admit, interviewing has not been my strong suit. I have lost some great opportunities due to a lack of self-confidence. Either I did not apply for a job because of the fear of interviewing in front of a panel or was so stressed that I interviewed poorly (losing out on two jobs where I would have excelled.) The old adage, teach what you want to learn, was a boon for me. What I learned – for those of us who are not blessed with the gift of gab and are unable to “wing it,” preparation is the vital key. If you dread the interview process, or get interviews but not job offers, a well thought out strategy will make the difference between success and failure, especially in these competitive times.
Preparation starts with research. (What would we do without Google?) Next, complete a plan of action. When your strategy is complete, it is time to practice, practice, practice until you feel comfortable marketing your unique strengths pertaining to the position you are applying for. Why should an organization want to hire you? What will you contribute to the bottom line? Understanding the needs of the organization and then being able to explain how your skill set will contribute towards the success for a particular business is essential. • Most companies have websites today. Some are on Facebook. Research companies where you plan to seek employment. Learn about their mission statement, organizational values, and expectations. How do your skills match up with their needs? If possible, try to meet and network with someone from the company to further your understanding about what the organization is seeking in terms of the ideal employee. • Google “Interviewing Skills” and then figure out what you can do to improve your self-marketing strategies. Read tips on answering each interview question efficiently and effectively. Integrate what you learn into your strategy. • Google the most common interview questions, and then draft an answer for each question, personalizing your answers with stories that illustrate your work knowledge and expertise. These
stories relate to past work experiences that demonstrate your successes (or sometime failures that teach a lesson, where the lesson learned was later used for a successful outcome.) Remember to quantify your answers using numbers and statistics, when possible. • Once the written action plan, based on your research, is completed, it is time to perfect your interview skills though role playing with a family member or a friend or in front of a mirror. Little in life is more important than your livelihood. Your health, happiness, self-esteem and the quality of your relationships are hinged on having a job you like, that pays fairly for your contribution to your organization’s bottom line. Truth be told, if you are unemployed and serious about finding a job, the time and effort you put into your preparation and search for right employment should take precedence over all other activity in your life. Although the quest for a new job can appear daunting and the process can feel overwhelming, I encourage you to take it one step at a time. Prepare in advance to successfully market yourself. Schedule time to research the needs of the company, and determine to answer typical interview questions in a way that will tie your skills, abilities, strengths, education, and life experiences to those needs. Start preparing today so the next time a great opportunity presents itself, you will be ready with the answers that will get you the job.
www.fortgordonFYI.com | 17
Swap Financial Institutions Drop your Interest Rate Save Money!
Swap & Drop! May 1st –May 31st
www.fgccu.org 706-793-0012 *All Rates are Subject to Credit Approval. Some Restrictions May Apply. Rate Can Not Drop Below 2.25%. 2.25% Reflects a Auto Loan Financed for up to 84 Months with 1.00% Promotional Discount. This Promotion applies Only to Loans that are NOT Currently Financed with FGCCU. Federally Insured by NCUA.
18 | FYI MAY 2013
Refinance your Auto, Boat, or Recreational Vehicle Loan with Fort Gordon and Community Credit Union and Receive 1.00% Off of Existing Financed Rate!
theview
Maternal Bonds
“Mothers hold their children’s hands for a short while, but their hearts forever” –Author Unknown
Jennifer Wellman, Contributing Writer
Flowers are blooming, the sun is shining brighter, grass is getting greener, and spring has finally sprung! This month, we celebrate Mother’s Day. According to Wikipedia, Mother’s Day is “a celebration honoring mothers and motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society.” President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day a national holiday in 1914, and it has since grown to be celebrated in over 100 countries around the world at various times of the year. This year, Mother’s Day is particularly special to me because in just a few short weeks, my husband and I will welcome our first child. I have been dreaming of holding our daughter in my arms for the first time, and finally that moment is almost here! Becoming a mother has been such an incredible journey so far. So many changes have taken place these past eight months, from turning our guest bedroom into her nursery, to preparing for the new lifestyle that we will have as a family of three. Before long, we will have this beautiful child who will be completely dependent upon us for everything she needs in her life! I welcome this challenge with open arms, thanks to the unwavering support of my family and friends throughout this pregnancy. Also, having such a wonderful mother myself certainly helps! I’m just as excited about giving her the gift of becoming a grandmother as I am about becoming a mother!
Speaking of gifts, many of us have been seeking out the perfect Mother’s Day gift to give our loved ones. Sometimes it’s hard to come up with good ideas, and thankfully there are plenty of options out there to help us decide. Here are some ideas: • Compose a coupon book for mom with coupons such as doing different household chores, breakfast in bed, a night off from cooking, washing the car, baking her a batch of cookies, and babysitting for younger siblings, to name a few. • Compose a handmade scrapbook or online photo book of your favorite family photos for mom. There are plenty of opportunities to get creative with this; you can insert favorite quotes and poems for mom to really personalize the book. • Plan a fun family outing for mom, such as a picnic, a day at the beach, movie day (matinee’s are great!), going to a local museum, or sporting event. • Make a personalized card for mom and express your appreciation for her. • Paint a picture for mom to hang up in her office or at home. It doesn’t have to be perfect, as long as it comes from the heart.
• For husbands seeking gift ideas, a nice dinner out is a usually a good choice, but putting in the effort to cook a homemade meal for your spouse will truly make the day special. No need to worry if you’re not a gourmet chef, your wife will certainly appreciate the time and effort involved. Just don’t forget to do the dishes and clean up the kitchen afterwards! In doing some research, I have found a fantastic source of gift idea information at www.gifts. com. They have tons of suggestions based on mom’s personality, from the sporty mom to the hipster mom and practically everything in between! There are price categories also, which is perfect for those of us on a budget. Keep in mind the most treasured gifts are usually those that money cannot buy. To this day, my mom still has some of the drawings, cards, and art projects that I made for her almost 30 years ago! I’d like to sincerely wish all of the women who make a difference in our lives a wonderful Mother’s Day. All of the love that you give us will be with us forever. Finally to my mother, who is the most incredible woman in this entire world, I am truly honored to not only call you my mother, but my best friend as well. Thank you for your love, dedication, and support that you have provided me all these years. www.fortgordonFYI.com | 19
Happ Houry 4-7 p .m. Proudly serving Fort Gordon!
Margarita Monday $.99 Kids Meal Tuesday (With Adult Meal)
Public Safety Appreciation Wednesday (All uniform Police, Fire, and Rescue 10% off. Dine-in Only)
Karaoke Friday, 7 p.m.-until
+ NOW INTRODUCING OUR AUTHENTIC MEXICAN TACOS Lengua (tongue) Al Pastor and More! + NEW SEAFOOD DISHES Business Hours: Sunday-Friday: 11-9 p.m. • Saturday: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Delivery Available: Monday-Saturday: 5-9 p.m.
at the Courtyard • Brainard Avenue • 706 910-1044
20 | FYI MAY 2013
101 Critical Days of Summer Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend
Michael Reed, ASAP PC/EAP
Don’t let alcohol put a chill on your summer. By following these simple guidelines, you can prevent an alcohol-related accident or health problem. • If you drive, don’t drink. If you drink, don’t drive. • There is NO safe level of alcohol for drivers because everyone reacts differently to alcohol on different occasions. • Never drink and pilot a boat of any kind. The same things that makes drinking and driving dangerous (impaired judgment, information processing and coordination, among other alcohol effects) can be as deadly on water as they are on land. • Don’t swim or dive if you have been drinking. Remember that alcohol will inhibit your swallowing and breathing reflexes, both of which are necessary for swimming, and make you feel warmer than you really are, putting you at risk for hypothermia in cold water. In addition, drinking affects your ability to judge distances and may lead you to swim too
far out into a lake or ocean. • If you are riding in a boat, remember that alcohol will impair your balance and increase your chances of falling overboard. This danger, compounded by alcohol’s effects on your swimming ability, is a common cause of drowning. • If you are a heavy drinker, remember that during the summer alcohol consumption can: • More rapidly dehydrate you • Raise your blood pressure • Increase your chances of developing hypoglycemia, a condition that cause weakness and interferes with the body’s temperature regulation • Increase your chances of becoming a heat prostration or stroke victim
• Contributing factors include: alcohol, lack of PFDs, horseplay, and underwater obstructions • Survival plan: • Use a “designated Captain” • Don’t overload the boat • PFDs on weak swimmers • Explore water/feet first • Keep throwable PFD nearby • Use the engine kill switch Again, keep yourself and your loved ones safe during the summer months. If you use alcohol, do it in a manner which will protect you and the things you value. If additional information is needed contact Michael Reed, Prevention Coordinator/EAPC, Fort Gordon Army Substance Abuse Program, 706-791-5797.
• Each year in the US, • 3,500 drown • 4,500 injured while boating • 700 killed while boating • Personal Flotation Devices could reduce fatalities by 90%
www.fortgordonFYI.com | 21
Music
@ The Library
Come celebrate the art of music with the library! Each month, we spotlight and display different music genres. Come listen to some mood-enhancing tunes, check out CDs, books, and more featuring your favorite musicians!
SOUL MUSIC
Do ya feel good? I knew that you would! May 3rd is the birthday of Augusta native and the “Godfather of Soul” himself, Mr. James Brown. Wish Mr. Brown a big, beautiful birthday by enjoying his vibrant style along with other classic soul greats like Big Mama Thornton, Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, the Isley Brothers, Earth, Wind and Fire, Big Joe Turner and many more! Check out books, CDs and more for free, all at the library.
“The one thing that can solve most of our problems is dancing.” James Brown
Building 33500, Rice Rd. | 706-791-7323 22 | FYI may MAY 2013
A Salute to the Military Spouse Pamela Rachal, ACS, EFMP
They are the ultimate multi-tasker. The Military
the Service Member is deployed.
Spouse is the “Hero with a Heart” who is forever
They are connective tissue; adhesive that binds
working behind the scenes to provide support
and holds the Family together.
and camaraderie to other Military Spouses and their Families; all the time offering genuine care, commitment and dedication.
These are the wives, the husbands and the beloved of all of our Nation’s Service Members who support and sacrifice on a daily basis; the
They epitomize in their every action the concept
Military Spouse. The Army Family Covenant
of multi-tasking. The Military Spouse manages
eloquently acknowledges the commitment and
the Family – plays mother and daddy; they
increasing sacrifices that our Military Spouses
wash, they cook, they clean, they organize,
and their Families are making every day.
they do homework; they take the kids to football practice, dance, soccer, they balance a career, they plan dinners or help organize a FRG meeting. All of this – in many instances – while
Military Spouse – our “Hero with a Heart” – we salute you for your service, your dedication and your commitment to your Family and the military way of life.
www.fortgordonFYI.com | 23
Who Am I Now? Suzanne Crosby, SOS Support Coordinator
Who am I? I was an FRG leader and I was active in PWOC. My children attended all of the activities at CYSS. My husband of ten years is gone. In one unexpected moment, he went to meet his Maker and my life was forever changed. I was an Army wife. Who am I, now? Do I still belong to the Army Family? Sadly, many Army Families have faced the challenges of readapting their lives to a new normal. In the midst of grieving the loss of their Soldier, they are also grieving the loss of their identity as an Army Spouse or an Army child. The Army created the Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) program as a part of Army Community Service to meet the needs of Army Families who are facing the changes wrought by the death of their Soldier. The program provides supportive counseling, life skills training, financial counseling, support groups, and memorial events. Once again, SOS is hosting the annual Warrior Remembrance at Freedom Park on 23 May at 9 a.m. The Warrior Remembrance is the Fort Gordon Memorial Day season event. It is a time for the surrounding communities to remember the sacrifices of our fallen and to encourage the Survivors who remain. The Survivor Outreach Services Operational Manual expresses SOS as a unified program, which embraces and reassures Survivors that they are continually linked to the Army Family for as long as they desire. Our Fallen Warriors have paid the ultimate sacrifice and the Army is committed to their Families. The Warrior Remembrance affords an opportunity to remember and honor our Fallen. On this day, we choose to remember. To remember is to connect where we have come from to where we are and then plan for where we will go. Memorial Day is a time to reflect on the history of this nation and our opportunity for American to revive past experiences
24 | FYI MAY 2013
SOS Warrior Remembrance 23 May at 9 a.m. | Freedom Park
and remember the sacrifices of those who have gone before us. Daniel Webster, Congressman, US Senator and Secretary of State said, “God grants liberty only to those who love it and are always ready to guard and defend it.” Our forefathers told us that our liberty must be preserved by the blood of each generation. Even earlier in the scriptures, it was written that there would be wars and rumors of war until the end of time. Since 1868, we as a nation have remembered and honored our heroes who rest in peace knowing that tomorrow others will take their place in battle. We choose to honor our heroes who have given their all for our nation. For Survivors, the only difference between Memorial Day and all other days that on this day other Americans stand with them to recall the sacrifice they know all too well. By your attendance, you demonstrate your commitment to stand by our Survivors – the wife, the child, the sister or brother, the father and mother, those who are left behind to deal with life’s most difficult journey. They are proud of their fallen Soldier and yet the pain rips at the depths of their being during the lonely days and nights. Often we talk about someone not dying in vain. What would make a death “in vain?” IF others ignore the reality of war and desire to compromise and destroy the foundation for which these men and women gave their lives then their deaths would be in vain. Each generation needs to remember the foundation that this nation was built on and seize the opportunity to defend her and to honor those who fought before them. We do not have all of the answers for Survivors but we want them to know that they will always be a part of the Army Family. Just as Family roles may change over time so their role has changed from direct support of their Soldier to encourager and advisor for those in direct support roles. Who am I, now? I am Army Strong, I am resilient, and I will survive with the help of my Army Family. www.fortgordonFYI.com | 25
OpEn 7 DAYs A WEEk
Dine with us... Lunch buffet Mon.-Fri. • 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $7.49 – All You Can Eat Building 36000, 3rd Avenue (at the Bus Travel Center) 706-792-9774/9775 706-792-9776 FAX 26 | FYI MAY 2013
www.fortgordonfyi.com | 27
COMMUNITY SERVICES
Army Community Service Rm. 224, 155 & 172, Bldg. 33720, 307 Chamberlain Ave. 706-791-3579 | Toll Free: 1-877-310-5741 The Military Resilience Academy May 6-10, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Gordon’s Conference and Catering POC: Frances Maxwell, 706-7913579/6967
AUTO REPAIRS DIAGNOSTICS OIL/FILTER/LUBE SERVICES BG SERVICES
ACAP/Department of Labor/ACS Job Fair May 7, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. the Reserve Center, Bldg. 14401 POC: Melissa Smith, 706-791-7878
Operation Augusta Cares VII Saturday, May 4, 11 a.m. the Family Y , Wheeler Rd.
Families of Deployed Personnel are invited to join us for Operation Augusta Cares VII. The half-day event will include swimming, snow cones, and competitive events for youth, a magic show, live band and food galore. This event is free!
SELF HELP*
Tickets are available through our unit Family Readiness representative or ACS, Darling Hall, Rm. 224.
AND MORE
For more information contact ACS at 706-791-3579, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
*A shop safety card is required for all self-help customers. To obtain a shop safety card you must watch the Safety Orientation video.
Re-Signing of the Army Family and Community Covenants June 14, 1:30 p.m. Gordon’s Conference and Catering
Fort Gordon welcomes all to the re-signing of the Army Family and Community Covenants and a celebration of the U.S. Army’s 238th birthday on June 14 at 1:30 p.m. at Gordon’s Conference and Catering. The Army Family Covenant is a partnership with our Families. This includes the Army-wide and installation efforts to provide a strong, supportive environment where Families can thrive.
Building 29300, 30th Street (706) 791-2390 www.fortgordon.com
28 | FYI MAY 2013
Our community partners have shown the military community great support in the past including various community sponsored events like Armed Forces Day celebrations and Operation Augusta Cares. Renewing the covenant with our community partners only strengths these bonds. Friday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
COMMUNITY SERVICES cont.
Child, Youth & School Services Bldg. 28320, Lane Ave. | 706-791-4455/4722
Georgia Lottery Funded Pre-K Program: Fort Gordon CYSS Pre-K Lottery Tuesday, May 14, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. CDC Main, Bldg. 45300 45th St.
Must Bring: • State Certified, Original Birth Certificate (No Exceptions)! • Proof of GA Residency (cannot be phone bill or driver’s license; No Exceptions!)
Requirements: Child must be four years old on or before September 1, and be a resident of the State of Georgia. All applications will be accepted, but only 22 students per class will be selected using a lottery system as follows:
• Social Security Card of Child
1. All CYSS eligible students will be allowed to register
• Military ID/DOD ID of parent (or ID of child if with custodial guardian; No Exceptions!)
2. Each child’s name will be placed in a pool of names.
The following items are required by the first day of school in August, 2013: • GA Immunization Certificate (GA Form 3231)
3. The lottery drawing will take place at 4 p.m. on May 14, at the CDC Main, Building 45300 (all registrants are invited to attend, but need not to be present).
• Child, Youth & School Services Health Assessment
4. The first 66 names pulled will make up the three classes (Names pulled from boxes in priority order, i.e. Active Duty/CYSS employee’s children and Civilian/Retiree).
• CYSS Registration at Parent Central Services
5. All other names will be placed on a waiting list.
• Ear, Eye and Dental Record (GA Form 3300)
School Liaison Services If you are new to the Fort Gordon area and have children or youth in Grades K-12, you may have questions about the following: • When and where do I register my student for school? • What school is my student zoned to attend? • When does Summer School begin? • Are there any tutoring services available? • For answers to the above questions and for more information on School Support Services, contact the School Liaison Office at 706-791-7270 or 706-791-4168.
6. Names will be posted on Wednesday May 15, on the doors of the CDC Main, CYSS GA Pre-K (Bldg. 45400), the Youth Center (Bldg. 45410), Parent Central Services (Bldg. 28320), CDC East (Bldg. 290), and CDC West (Bldg. 18407). 7. CYSS GA Pre-K Registration appointments will take place over the summer. Please ensure you maintain correct information on your registration application so we can call you to make an appointment. After three (3) attempts to contact you, you will be removed from the list and a waitlist applicant will take your place. 8. CYSS GA Pre-Kindergarten classes begin on August 12, 2013. Fort Gordon CYSS GA Pre-K closely follows the Richmond County School System Calendar. An abbreviated CYSS GA Pre-K calendar will be provided at Parent Orientation before school begins. For more information: CYSS GA Pre-K, Bldg. 45400: 791-1306/4790
www.fortgordonfyi.com | 29
CONFERENCE AND CATERING SERVICES SPORTS, RECREATION & LEISURE
Gordon’s Conference & Catering Bldg. 18402, 19th St. | 706-791-6780 After Duty Hours: 706-339-0827 Mother’s day Brunch May 12 (Reservations strongly encouraged) See ad on page 14 for details. Gordon’s Café: Home to the Best Home-Style Lunch Buffet Located at Gordon’s Conference and Catering Buffet: $8.95 (includes beverage) Served Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. We provide busy professionals a buffet featuring a generous variety of entrées and vegetables, a massive salad bar, selection of desserts, and soft serve ice-cream. Ask about our Blue Plate specials! From the Grill: Wraps • Homemade Sandwiches • All-Star Burgers • Chicken/Shrimp Baskets Soup and Chili Bar: Prepared fresh daily!
Join the Ten Star Card Program for Lunch After 10 stamps, your next lunch visit is free. Available from the register. (Minimum $7 purchase required.)
30 | FYI MAY 2013
Event Catering and Hosting Are you planning a celebration? We provide all the elements necessary for a successful event; seasonal menus and themed décor, friendly and on-time service and delectable cuisine. Gordon’s Conference and Catering makes planning your event easy and stress free. We have years of experience in every aspect of planning and executing successful events; rehearsal dinners and weddings, anniversary dinners, promotions, retirements, birthdays, church socials and corporate events. Our team prides itself on timely and professional service, fresh creative cuisine at a location of your choice, with full service or drop off service available. Caterers: Jeff Starcher and Janice Ivey Catering Hours: Available seven days a week, on and off the installation. Booking Hours: Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., no appointment needed Monday-Friday: After 5 p.m. by appointment Saturday & Sunday: By appointment
SPORTS, RECREATION & LEISURE
Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre Bldg. 32100, 3rd Ave. | 706-793-8552
Upcoming Shows: The Fox on the Fairway, by Ken Ludwig Show dates: May 10, 11, 17, 18, 23, 24 & 25 The Dinner Theatre will become the “clubhouse” for a hilarious show about a wild game of golf. It’s a tribute from playwright Ken Ludwig (Lend Me a Tenor, Moon Over Buffalo) to the great English farces of the 1930s and 1940s. The Fox on the Fairway takes audiences on a hilarious romp which pulls the rug out from underneath the stuffy denizens of a private country club. Filled with mistaken identities, slamming doors, and over-the-top romantic shenanigans, it’s a furiously paced comedy that recalls the Marx Brothers’ classics. A charmingly madcap adventure about love, life, and man’s eternal love affair with...golf. Social Security, by Andrew Bergman Show dates: July 19, 20, 26 & 27, Aug. 1, 2 & 3 Audition dates: May 13 & 14, 7 p.m. “Just when you were beginning to think you were never going to laugh again on Broadway, along comes Social Security...The play is a hoot, and better yet, a sophisticated, even civilized hoot.” –The New York Post
Two married art dealers struggle with the visit of the wife’s goody-goody sister, her uptight CPA husband, and her archetypal Jewish Mother – who are there to try to save their college student daughter running wild… This show is full of laughs and great humor. Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Suicide Club, by Jeffrey Hatcher Show dates: Sep. 20, 21, 27 & 28, Oct. 10, 11 & 12 Audition dates: July 22 & 23, 7 p.m. Playwright Jeffrey Hatcher takes Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous characters and drops them into a story inspired by Robert Louis Stevenson’s novella The Suicide Club to create a thrilling comic mystery. The whodunit mystery comes complete with a wow-I-didn’t-see-that-coming ending.” Arizona Daily Star “Hatcher has a winner with Sherlock Holmes. It’s intelligent, clever, teasing, seductively engaging and just plain fun.” Tucson Weekly
Miracle on South Division Street, by Tom Dudzick Show dates: Nov. 16, 17, 22 & 23, Dec. 5, 6 & 7 Audition dates: Oct. 7 & 8, 7 p.m. “It’s Christmas Eve, as we experience the story of the Nowak family, living amidst the urban rubble of Buffalo, NY’s East Side. Maybe the neighborhood is depressed, but not Clara, the family matriarch. She happily runs her soup kitchen and tends to the family heirloom – a 20-foot shrine to the Blessed Mother which adjoins the house. This neighborhood beacon of faith commemorates the day in 1942 when the Blessed Virgin Mary materialized in her father’s barber shop! When the play opens, a family meeting is in progress. Daughter Ruth divulges her plan to finally “go public” with the family miracle by creating a one-woman play about the sacred event. The results are heartfelt and hilarious.” You can call the Box Office at 706-793-8552 for tickets and information. And, as always, we hope to see YOU at the theatre in the very near future. For more shows and upcoming auditions, please visit www.fortgordon.com/theatre.php
Let Your Talent Shine: The Dinner Theatre operates for you and because of you! Would you like to volunteer your time with an award-winning facility? Perhaps you have a talent for costume, makeup or design? Or maybe there’s a part of you yearning to let your inner thespian loose? Whatever your talent, let it shine and get in touch! Call Steve Walpert at the Dinner Theatre at 706-793-8552.
www.fortgordonfyi.com | 31
SPORTS, RECREATION & LEISURE cont.
Gordon Lakes Golf Club Bldg. 537, Range Rd. | 706-791-2433/6854/5796
Tee Times via Email • william.fumai.naf@mail.mil • dallas.m.cooke.naf@mail.mil Tee times are taken four days in advance. Please note: On Saturdays, we will be having 8 a.m. shotgun start on all three nines. We will begin tee times at 7 a.m. on Sundays and 7:30 a.m. on weekdays. Starting times will be determined by weather. Please call ahead if you have any questions. Reservations for 2013 Golf Tournaments The time to set up your 2013 summer and fall golf tournaments is now! Please contact Bill Fumai at 706-791-2433 to book your event today! Golf Memberships Come join one of the best golf courses in the CSRA (The Augusta Chronicle, July 10) and the #1 Army golf course voted by the PGA of America. With great pricing available, now is the perfect time to join! Members receive special offers on range balls, cart rides and merchandise, as well as discounted green fees, cart fees, tournament entry fees and assistance in securing preferential tee times. Enjoy the latest technology with our new Visage GPS system: exact yardage to the pin, hole by hole playing tips and food and beverages orders from anywhere on the course! Senior Dogfight Tuesdays and Thursdays Must be 55 or older to be a member – valid handicap required. For more information, please visit the website: http://tinyurl.com/seniordogfight
32 | FYI MAY 2013
Golf Shop Merchandise New 2013 products are available in the Pro Shop! Hook a Soldier on Golf The program runs every Saturday morning except holidays. All Soldiers are invited to enjoy a free hour of golf instruction on the driving range. The clinic runs from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. PGA instructor Dallas Cooke and the Gordon Lakes staff will be available on the range to assist all Active Duty Service Members, Retirees and their families. Range balls and golf clubs are provided − just show up! Hook a Spouse on Golf Gordon Lakes Golf Club will host Hook a Spouse on Golf, once a month until September. PGA instructor Dallas Cooke and Bill Vacain will be available on the range to assist military spouses interested in learning about the game of golf. Range balls and golf clubs are provided − just show up! Spouses: play nine holes, and then enjoy lunch in Bogey’s Grill. Check with the Pro Shop for dates and times. Golf Lessons Now is the perfect time to take golf lessons from our PGA Instructor Dallas Cooke. Dallas has been teaching the game of golf for over ten years. Individual Lesson:................................... $40 3-Series Lesson Package:........................ $100 5-Series Lesson Package:........................ $150 All lessons are 45 minutes. Lessons are 45 minutes long. To sign up, call Dallas at 706-831-4654.
Junior Clinics Attention kids: School is almost out for the summer! Junior Golf Clinics will be held 6 p.m.-7 p.m., June 10-13 and July 15-18. Cost is $10 per child, per day. Clinics will include; driving, iron play, chipping, and putting. All kids will earn a certificate and prizes! Call the golf shop for more information. Get Gordon Golf Ready Gordon Lakes Golf Club is hosting a five-day golf clinic for all patrons and families July 8-12. The Get Gordon Golf Ready clinic will teach you in five short lessons everything you’ll need to know about golf. The program will consist of: • Driving • Iron Play • Short Game Techniques • Putting • Golf Course Management. Registration begins June 15. $130.00 for all five days For more information contact Dallas Cooke at (706) 791-2433. Please see our information center in the clubhouse for upcoming tournaments and events.
__________________________________ Hours of Operation: Mon.-Thu.: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri.-Sun.: 6:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Weather permitting
SPORTS, RECREATION & LEISURE cont.
Gordon Lanes Bowling Center Bldg. 33200, 3rd Ave. | 706-791-3446 This Month at Gordon Lanes • Super Sundays 1-10 p.m. Bowl three games and shoe rental for only $8 per person. • Dollar Days Every Monday, 1-11 p.m. $1 per game; $1 shoe rental; $1 hotdogs; $1 sodas and $1 french fries. • Memorial Day Xtreme Cosmic Bowling 3-11 p.m. $1 per game; $1 shoe rental; $1 hotdogs; $1 sodas and $1 french fries. • Xtreme Cosmic Bowling Friday and Saturday, 10 p.m.-1 a.m. • Bowlopolis Birthday Parties Bring the kids and the cake – we’ll do the rest! Fantastic party room! • Wild Wednesdays 1-6 p.m. and 7:30-11 p.m.: $1.50 per game and $1.50 shoe rental..
Plan your next bowling party at Gordon Lanes • Birthday Parties • Church Groups • Military Functions • Family Reunions If it’s not listed above, we probably can do that too! We welcome groups from 10-150. Full line Snack Bar • Bar • Pro Shop • Arcade Games 24-Number Bingo Great entertainment! Win up to $4,000!
Kegler’s Bar It’s time to come in with friends and unwind! 18 TVs – great atmosphere – friendly staff – your favorite beverages! __________________________________ Hours of Operation: Mon.-Thu., 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 9 a.m.-1 a.m. Sun., 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Summer Leagues 2013 Now Forming: League Name Over 50 Seniors Guys & Dolls Summer Scratch Doubles Ladies Have-A-Ball Friday Night Mixed Sunday Nite Special Mixed Youth Have-A-Ball
Day Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sun. Sat.
Time 1 p.m. 7 p.m. 8 p.m. 10 a.m. 7 p.m. 8 p.m. 10 a.m.
Start Date May 8 May 7 May 29 May 9 May 3 May 5 June 1
We have a league for everyone! For details call Gordon Lanes at 706-791-3446.
Aladdin Travel Bldg. 36200, 36th St. | 706-771-0089 BLUE MAN GROUP - Now More Wow! Blue Man Group has taken their indescribable live celebration of art, technology, and music to a whole new level. Forget what you know – that was then, this is WOW! Military Discount: $44 Adult Tickets.
Disney Military Salute Promotion Promotion has been extended to September 2013! Universal Orlando’s Military Salute FREE 3-Day Park-to-Park Ticket! Valid for Active Duty or Retired Military with a valid military photo ID.
__________________________________ Hours of Operation: Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Take advantage of this special limited time offer! www.fortgordonfyi.com | 33
SPORTS, RECREATION & LEISURE cont.
Get Outdoors Gordon getoutdoorsgordon@fortgordon.com | 706-791-2556 Paddle and Ride May 4 Mistletoe State Park Hike May 18 Jekyll Island Geirgia Camping Trip May 24-27
Mistletoe State Park Hike June 22 Explore the Outdoors at the United States National Whitewater Center: http://usnwc.org/
For more information on any Get Outdoors Gordon activity, call 706-791-2556, or email getoutdoorsgordon@fortgordon.com.
Rent kayaks, canoes and bikes through Tactical Advantage Sportsman’s Complex at Range 14. 706-791-5078.
Hilltop Riding Stable Bldg. 509, Range Rd. | 706-791-4864 Youth Horse Camp The reservation book is now open for spring and summer, 2013. We welcome youth ages 7 through 13. Spend the day or week with us and learn all about horses and herd care! Special Assistance Riding May 7 & 21 Reservation required. Space is limited, call for more information. Family Fun Day May 18, 1:30 p.m. & 3 p.m. Trail rides, ages seven and up. Child pay full price and parent pays half price. Please arrive 40 minutes before the ride time. All rides go out at appointed times.
34 | FYI MAY 2013
Trail Day Use for Privately Owned Horses Sun.-Sat., 8 a.m.-4 p.m. $10 per day, per horses with Coggins. Park and unload in the trailer area next to our wonderful playgrounds and picnic areas and ride out 20 miles of marked trails. Open Riding Guided trail rides: see our website for riding times. Sat. and Sun.: No reservation required; first come, first served. Weekdays: 11 a.m. 24-hour reservation required. All riders must arrive 40 minutes before ride time. Think Hilltop for your next Event! We host birthday parties; holiday parties; conferences and team building events! Play
grounds and picnic areas are open to the general public. Call for more information. 2013 event calendars are available at Hilltop Riding Stable – come by to pick one up! • 100% ID check with all equine activities • Closed shoes are required for all equine activities • This facility will close with the heat index at 101˚F, or at times of thunder and lightning.
__________________________________ Hours of Operation: Wed.-Sun., 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Tue., Closed
SPORTS, RECREATION & LEISURE cont.
Woodworth Consolidated Library Bldg. 33500, Rice Rd. | 706-791-7323
Summer Reading is on the Way!* June 5-July 31 Enjoy awesome summer reading events; read and win lovely prizes for adults, teens, and children of all ages! Children’s Book Week Celebration May 13-16 Enjoy Children’s Book Week with the Library! Come by for goodies, balloons, arts and crafts, special guest readers, bingo and more! Books Around Town Book Club* Thursday, May 23, 6:15 p.m.-until Let’s go restaurant hopping and read a
book while we do it! The book selection for Thursday, 23 May is The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMovies and eMusic Download your favorites free by registering with your I.D. card at the library, and then create a My Account at: http://mylibraryus. fmwr.net/search~S25 Login: to your ‘My Account’ and select ‘Free Downloads’.
about different genres and points of interest in history. Check out books and CDs for all your favorites! This month the library will feature soul! Find event flyers, online catalog, how-to guides, and more at the Library’s website: www.gordon. army.mil/library
*To sign up or for more information, call 706-791-2449 or email Jessica Christian at jessica.t.christian2.naf@mail.mil
Music in the Library Enjoy music in the library and learn more
Outdoor Recreation Bldg. 00445, Carter Rd. | 706-791-5078 Recreational Shooting at Range 14 Wed., Thu. and Fri.: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. May 4, 18 & 25: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
GBAA Spring Turkey Shoot (3-D Archery Tournament) at Range 14 May 4 & 5, Shotgun starts: 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
$10 per person, $5 FGSC members and $2 for persons under the age of 16.
$25 for ages 15 and over, $15 for ages 12-14, and $10 for ages 11 & under.
Bass Fishing Tournaments at Butler Reservoir May 5 and May 19, Daylight-Noon $20 per person, $10 FGSC members with a $5 Big Fish Pot, $100 awarded to first place; $50 to second place. Open to all ID cardholders and members of the public with a Fort Gordon fishing license guest permit (available at registration).
Two 20-target courses! Pre-registration is recommended. (A $5 late registration fee applies.) This tournament will include a guest class for participants that are not members of the GBAA or NFAA. For more information, call Tom Boots at 706-799-8457. __________________________________ Hours of Operation: Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun., 1-5 p.m. www.fortgordonfyi.com | 35
SPORTS, RECREATION & LEISURE cont.
Pointes West Army Resort at Lake Thurmond | P.O. Box 67, Appling, GA | 706-541-1057 Beach Blast! Saturday May 25, 12-6 p.m. Join us this Memorial Day weekend for a fun-filled day of music, food, games, and prizes! Bring your friends and family and relax on our white sandy beach, or go for a swim to cool down from the hot sun. Beach area opens at 10 a.m., so come early to reserve your space! Games and Prizes for all Ages • Music Provided by DJ • Horseshoe and Volleyball Tournament • Canoe and Kayak Rentals • Parasailing
Conference Center Summer in the south is full of traditions; gathering with friends and family, creating priceless memories, laughter, and of course eating good BBQ, and homemade ice cream. The Conference Center at Pointes West Army Resort has everything you need for your next family reunion, church retreat, or friendly gathering! Located on a beautiful point overlooking Clarks Hill Lake, our 4,000 square-foot Conference Center seats up to 120 guests and is equipped with a full commercial kitchen. Two 55- inch flat screen TVs are positioned on the wall to watch that sports game that you just can’t miss! Outdoors, enjoy our comfy cushioned furniture on the patio as you take in the relaxing views and peaceful atmosphere. Let Pointes West Army Resort become a part of your summer tradition.
Vacation in Paradise Are you ready for a relaxing vacation with your friends or family? Paradise is closer than you think – escape to Pointes West Army Resort and take pleasure in nature’s treasures! Whether you are the active traveler or more of the leisure vacationer, Pointes West is the resort you’ve been looking for. Adventurers; explore the spectacular surroundings by land, boat or air! Pointes West offers canoes, kayaks, jon boats, pedal boats, biking, hiking, and parasailing! Or enjoy a game of volleyball or horseshoes at our spacious beach area. For those looking for relaxation, enjoy lounging on our white sandy beach as the sun and breeze usher you into a state of peaceful tranquility. Enjoy your stay in one of our rustic, two story, two bedroom, waterfront cottages or one of our unique motel suites. Lodge in one of our spacious two- and threebedroom cabins overlooking breathtaking views of the lake! Pointes West also offers RV rentals, full hook up, semi hook up and primitive campsites at the water’s edge. Make your reservations today: 706-541-1057.
36 | FYI MAY 2013
FORT GORDON AND MWR DINING
Sandwiches, grill & snacks Bldg. 537, Range Rd. Weekday Hours: 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Weekend Hours: 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Phone: 706-791-2433 (ext. 4)
Pick-up, Delivery or Dine-In Pizza In Alternate Escapes Recreation Center Bldg. 25722, B St. Sun.-Thu.: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat.: 11 a.m.-12 midnight Phone: 706-863-6211
JAVA EXPRESS
CafĂŠ
Snacks, coffee & smoothies Bldg. MWR-023, Chamberlain Ave. Mon.-Thu.: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri. & Sat.: 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun.: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Phone: 706-787-3803 Grill, burgers & more In Gordon Lanes Bowling Center Bldg. 33200, 3rd Ave. Sun.-Thu.: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri.: 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Sat.: 9 a.m.-1 a.m. Phone: 706-771-6907
Lunch buffet, sandwiches, hot dishes & more Bldg. 18402, 19th St. Mon.-Fri.: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Phone: 706-791-6780
Chinese food At the Bus Station Bldg. 36000, 3rd Ave. Sun.-Thu.: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri.-Sat.: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Phone: 706-792-9774
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner 267 Avenue of the States 24 Hours, 7 Days a Week Phone: 706-798-3722
Breakfast & lunch - daily specials In Darling Hall Bldg. 33720, Chamberlain Ave. Mon.-Fri.: 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Phone: 706-790-5505
Grill, snacks, smoothies & coffee In Alternate Escapes Recreation Center Bldg. 25722, B St. Mon.-Thu.: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Fri.-Sat.: 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Sun.: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Phone: 706-791-0785
Mexican food In The Courtyard Bldg. 36708, Brainard Ave. Sun.-Fri.: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sat.: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Delivery Available (Mon.-Sat.: 5-9 p.m.) Phone: 706-910-1044
TM
Mediterranean Cuisine In Signal Towers Bldg. 29808, Rm. 119 Mon.-Fri.: 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. (Breakfast until 10:30 a.m.) Phone: 706-791-5849
For more information on MWR dining facilities, pick up our monthly Dining Guide! Available at most MWR facilities
www.fortgordonfyi.com | 37
“NEED TO KNOW” DIRECTORY Family and MWR ADMINISTRATION Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (DFMWR) 706-791-4140 Room 382, Bldg. 33720, 307 Chamberlain Ave. FYI Advertising Sales 706-791-3912 Room 337, Bldg. 33720, 307 Chamberlain Ave. FYI Creative Director 706-791-3218 FYI Editorial 706-791-6234 For a complete list of DFMWR key personnel, visit www.fortgordon.com/staff.php
Community Services
Information and Referral Services 706-791-0792
Sports, Recreation AND Leisure
Military OneSource 1-800-342-9647
Aladdin Travel 706-771-0089 Bldg. 36200, 36th St.
Mobilization and Deployment Program 706-791-1958 Outreach 706-791-8358 Relocation Services Welcome Center: Darling Hall, Rm. 172 Lending Closet: Darling Hall, Rm. 172 706-791-4181/1922 Soldier and Family Assistance Center (SFAC) 706-791-8777 Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) 706-787-4767/1767 Swap and Assist Shop 706-791-3579
Army Community Services (ACS) 706-791-3579 / Toll Free: 1-877-310-5741 Suites 224, 155 & 172, Bldg. 33720, 307 Chamberlain Ave.
Child, Youth and School Services (CYSS)
Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) 706-791-2820
Child Development Center Main 706-791-2701/6761 Bldg. 45300, 45th St.
Army Family Team Bldg. (AFTB) 706-791-2820 Army Volunteer Corps (AVC) 706-791-3880 Christmas House 706-791-3880 Domestic Violence Hotline 706-791-STOP (7867) EAMC Department of Social Work Service (SWS) 706-787-3656/5811 Employment Readiness Program (ERP) 706-791-7878 Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) 706-791-4872 Family Advocacy Program (FAP) 706-791-3648/6632 Family Outreach Center 706-791-5220 Financial Readiness 706-791-1918/8586
38 | FYI MAY 2013
Child Development Center East 706-791-8707/8507 Bldg. 290, 225 East Hospital Rd. Child Development Center West 706-791-0732 Bldg. 18407, 537 19th St.
Alternate Escapes 706-791-0785 Bldg. 25722, B St. Bingo Palace 706-793-0003 Bldg. 15500, Corner of Lane Ave. & 15th St. BOSS Headquarters 706-791-3025 Bldg. 25489, 28th St. Carlson Wagonlit Travel – Official Travel 706-798-0990 Room 117, Bldg. 33720, 307 Chamberlain Ave. Courtyard Outdoor Pool 706-791-3550 Ring Hall, Bldg. 36710, Brainard Ave. Fort Gordon Dinner Theatre 706-793-8552 Bldg. 32100, 3rd Ave. Fort Gordon Sportsman’s Club 706-791-5078 Bldg. 00445, Carter Rd. Get Outdoors Gordon 706-791-2556
CYSS Family Child Care 706-791-3993/4440 Bldg. 28320 Lane Ave.
Gordon Fitness Center 706-791-2647 Bldg. 29607, Barnes Ave.
CYSS GA Pre-K & Pre-K/Kindergarten Afterschool Programs 706-791-1306/4790 Bldg. 45400, 46th St.
Gordon Lakes Golf Club 706-791-2433 Bldg. 537, Range Rd.
CYSS/Parent Central Services 706-791-4455/4722 Bldg. 28320, Lane Ave. CYSS School-Age Services & Middle School/Teen Programs 706-791-7575/6500 Bldg. 45410, 46th St. CYSS Youth Sports & Fitness 706-791-5104 Bldg. 45410, 46th St.
Gordon Lanes 706-791-3446 Bldg. 33200, 3rd Ave. Gym #3 706-791-2864 Bldg. 25510, Brainard Ave. Gym #5 706-791-7370 Bldg. 25713, 26th St.
“NEED TO KNOW” DIRECTORY Gym #6 – Fitness Center 706-791-6872 Bldg. 21713, 21st St.
Fort Gordon Community Credit Union 706-793-0012 Bldg. 36305, Ave. of the States
Hilltop Riding Stable 706-791-4864 Bldg. 509, North Range Rd.
Fort Gordon Housing Office 706-791-5116/7067/9658
Indoor Swimming Pool 706-791-3034 Bldg. 21608, Brainard Ave. Leitner Lake Conference Center 706-791-5078 1.5 miles down Gibson Rd. from Range Rd. Pointes West Army Resort 706-541-1057 At Lake Thurmond Sports, Fitness and Aquatics 706-791-1142 Bldg. 29719, Barnes Ave. Woodworth Consolidated Library 706-791-7323 Bldg. 33500, Rice Rd.
Miscellaneous Army Volunteer Corps 706-791-3880 Room 169, Bldg. 33720, 307 Chamberlain Ave. Commissary 706-791-3718 Bldg. 37200, 3rd Ave. By-Pass The Exchange 706-793-7171 Bldg. 38200 Fort Gordon Bus Company 706-793-0026 Bldg. 36200, 36th St.
Fort Gordon Recycling 706-791-7881/706-831-3409 (cell) Bldg. 997, 10th St. and Chamberlain Ave.
Connect with MWR:
Gordon’s Car Care Auto Skills Center 706-791-2390 Bldg. 29300, 30th St. ID Card Section/DEERS Office 706- 791-1927/1930 Darling Hall, Bldg. 33720
Like us!
www.Facebook.com/FYIMagazine
Follow us!
IHG Army Hotels 706-790-3676
@FortGordonMWR
Military Police Station 706-791-4380/4537 NAF Civilian Personnel Office 706-791-6382 Office of the Staff Judge Advocate 706-791-3148 Post Information 706-791-0110 Public Affairs Office (PAO) 706-791-7003 Bldg. 29801, Nelson Hall, 520 Chamberlain Ave. Signal Museum 706-791-3856 Signal Towers, Bldg. 29808, Chamberlain Ave. Veterinary Services 706-787-7375/3815 Bldg. 500, Range Rd.
70720
“MWR”
Text us!
Text “MWR” to 70720 & get updates on upcoming events & special offers!
Read us!
Download the FYI for free from www.issuu.com/fyi_magazine
Additional Connections: Fort Gordon Garrison Town Hall Meetings: www.facebook.com/ftgordonga
www.fortgordonfyi.com | 39
GORDON
FITNESS CENTER 40 | FYI MAY 2013
Call or text us at (706) 399-1458 or on the web at www.nucousa.com
Memoirs of a Service Past Molly Swift, Editor
“The memory of the starved, dazed men, who dropped their eyes and heads when we looked at them through the chain-link fence, in the same manner that a beaten, mistreated dog would cringe, leave feelings that cannot be described and will never be forgotten.” –Richard Winters of Company E of the 506th Regiment.
In May, we honor and remember those service members who have gone before us by celebrating Memorial Day; decorating headstones, holding services, flying our flags and gathering with our loved ones. We recognize those who have come before us have left an indelible mark on our lives. But what of individual stories? Behind each epoch of wartime millions are carried along in narratives not of their making and though they may share some details, sometimes they don’t. Sometimes, we just don’t know all they’ve been through. They keep silent, and we carry on not knowing what makes up a part of their memory. www.fortgordonFYI.com | 41
Thom Tuckey, former Garrison Commander of Fort Gordon and Army veteran, discovered records of service written by his father, Gareth W. Tuckey, around the time of his passing last September. The accounts cover World War II – specifically, November 1944 through to the War’s ending in May of 1945. Thom was grateful to find two letters and a lengthy account of his father’s experiences alongside his father’s fellow Soldier, Howard Hall, which had been written for Hall’s granddaughter. The collection may be small, but it is hugely revealing. Of discovering these snippets of his dad’s past, Thom Tuckey expressed his appreciation for his father’s experiences, “It brought home the reality of the war – someone lived it, and that “someone” was my father. Some of my questions about World War II and his experiences were answered. Many were not. He really never talked about it.” Of the documents, the personal account outlining his experiences provides more general detail, sticking closely to facts and events, while the two letters provide a greater insight into the turmoil and anguish many experienced when trying to make sense of the atrocities they witnessed – or committed – during the Second World War.
V, or Victory mail, was a valuable tool for the military during World War II. The process, which originated in England, was the microfilming of specially designed letter sheets. Instead of using valuable cargo space (otherwise available to war materials) to ship whole letters overseas, microfilmed copies were sent in their place and then “blown up” at an overseas destination before being delivered.
Prior to enlisting, Gareth Tuckey had an obligation to the Army. A scholarship from the ROTC led him to a service career spanning 26 years, though such lengthy devotion was never his initial intent. 1944; following college, Tuckey went to Camp Gruber where he met Hall. The two trained on 60mm mortars the entire summer. Then, on Thanksgiving Day, Tuckey was deployed with the 222nd Infantry Regiment, E. Company, to eventually end up in Marseilles, France. It was a miserable start to a miserable six months – “Our troopship was part of a large convoy of assorted vessels and the trip over is best forgotten.” Tuckey was pinned as Sergeant and designated squad leader of the first mortar squad, a small unit intended as “filler” in the defensive line during the counter attack that came to be known as the “Battle of the Bulge.” The ensuing battles and combat cost Sergeant Tuckey dearly. It was a hard-fought six month period. Our casualty rate, supposedly, was the highest in the division.” His best friend – his college classmate who was squad leader of the second mortar squad – was killed during what Tuckey refers to as their division’s “Baptism of fire” in the town of Gambsheim, north of Strasbourg, Germany.
Crossing onto beach in France, 1944
42 | FYI MAY 2013
On March 15, the 7th Army, including the 42nd Division, launched an all-out attack that took them through the French Maginot line, the German Siegfried line and across the Rhine. Their next objective was the city of Wurzburg. It proved to be Tuckey’s first experience of German fanaticism. The Germans destroyed the bridge before the Americans could cross to get into the city. The soldiers worked to build a temporary structure under cover of smoke
generators, but the crossing was rough and the soldiers came under heavy fire from the Germans. Rather than allow them to surrender, German Wehrmacht soldiers were gunned down by SS troops. Wurzburg was filled with many secret tunnels which prolonged the fighting even further, but Tuckey could tell the “enemy casualties were extremely heavy.” Wurzburg fell to the U.S. troops, who then pressed on for the “ball bearing” city of Schweinfurt. According to the site ThirdReichRuins.com, Schweinfurt was bombed 22 times by 2285 aircraft during World War II. “A total of 7933 tons of bombs were dropped on Schweinfurt (592,598 individual bombs), some 65% of the total dropped by the Allies on ball bearing industry plants.” Although the city fell to the U.S. Army, Tuckey recalls the events overshadowed by the death of FDR on April 12. “The troops were elated at the capture of the city but saddened at the loss of their president and commander-in-chief.”
Dachau Gate
The 222 nd Infantry Regiment moved out of Schweinfurt and headed for the cities of Furth and Nuremberg, anticipating fierce resistance since it was the stronghold of the Nazis; the 42nd Division joined with the 3rd, 4th and 45th Infantry Division and the 12th Armored Division to launch an all-out attack on April 18. E Company led the assault on Furth under the threat of heavy small arms fire. Early on April 19 the city surrendered, as did more than 5,000 German soldiers. It was during this period the atrocities committed by the Nazis and Nazi sympathizers – as well as the consequences of their actions and propaganda – truly started coming to light. In January of 1945 and again in April and May, a wave of mass suicides swept across north-east Germany – in April 1945 there were 3,881 recorded suicides in Berlin alone, nearly 20 times the figure for March. (http://iconicphotos. wordpress.com/tag/wwii/) Fear of retaliation and mistreatment at the hands of their captors spurred many Germans to end their lives, but messages of encouragement and support for these actions came from those in power too. Hitler refused to surrender, seeing only two ways ahead; victory or destruction. February of 1945; Joseph Goebbels declared on public radio that if Germany were to be defeated he would “cheerfully throw away his life.” The impact was enormous – whole families were lost in this way. On the road to Munich, Tuckey and his fellow troops passed through a number of small villages – as they did so, they received intelligence reports hinting at the location of a large prison camp. Consequently the battalion was diverted further to the east toward the village of Dachau. “Rumors of a concentration camp were obviously well founded as the stench became more and more apparent.” As E Company neared the prison fence the morning of April 29, small arms fire caught them by surprise. Tuckey’s account of events – “we lost a man we shouldn’t have and I’ve always blamed myself for not being more protective” – only hints at the emotionally charged encounter with Nazi soldiers and the subsequent horrors of battle.
U.S. Soldier and French Resistance fighter, street fight, 1944
Marching through the Siegfried line
www.fortgordonFYI.com | 43
For service members in WWII, writing letters – or, more importantly, receiving letters – was crucial for morale. The emotional power of letters certainly was heightened during times of potential danger, and the uncertainty resulted in many openly affectionate and honest letters being exchanged during times of separation. Gareth Tuckey didn’t dwell on his homesickness or emotions, but it is evident in his writing that he was anxious to return home!
44 | FYI MAY 2013
Tuckey’s accounts of Dachau lack explicit detail. The discovery of the concentration camp brought with it unfathomable realities; prisoners were skeletal in their appearance, those who survived – 41,000 victims, mostly Jews, are estimated to have perished in the main camp and its many satellite sites. The number, of course, could be much higher. Although the establishment of these camps was never something hidden by the Nazis, their function – the experimentation and the torture – was not knowledge shared with the general public. It is difficult – if not impossible – to understand what the soldiers of E Company (and accompanying F Company) had to deal with on that day and the days that followed. All Gary Tuckey had to say about his experience of Dachau could be perfectly summed up in one line he wrote in a letter to his parents on May 6, 1945: “Only after viewing the indescribable conditions of concentration camps, PW cages, internment prisons, etc. have we finally realized the necessity of the four months of hell we’ve experienced in combat with an inhuman race of men.” Tuckey had previously doubted the severity and the validity of the information he’d received about what was occurring in the camps, because he suspected the stories were American counter-propaganda. Unfortunately he discovered the truth and found it was “impossible to describe or to imagine the true story.” What Gary Tuckey and his fellow soldiers discovered may have affected him more severely than anticipated. Toward the end of his life, he suffered from nightmares – but still he carried the burden of his memories, not sharing them with his son. Despite telling his parents “I have enough souvenirs in the back of my mind to last the rest of my life,” Tuckey did keep a substantial amount of memorabilia and artifacts from his time in the service. Duffel bags of everything from script currency to old pieces of equipment and weaponry were in his possession up to the time of his passing. What also stayed with him was the sense of being honorable and a protector; he impressed upon Thom the importance of caring for his fellow soldier and he had an excellent relationship with all he worked with and with those who worked for him. His service career put him again in the path of war during two deployments during the Vietnam War, but never again did he experience the front line in the same way he had during the Second World War. Mindful of morals and disparaging of self-interest and political power plays, Tuckey retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1970 after 26 years of service. Thankfully, he finally got what he wished for in the May 1945 letter to his parents, “Am hoping my career as a combat soldier is finished.” After a rewarding lifetime of serving others, Gareth Tuckey passed away on Wednesday, September 19, 2012. We dedicate this feature to his memory and service. Thank you, LTC Tuckey.
World War II: Devastation, Propaganda and Manipulation • “Established in March 1933, the Dachau concentration camp was the first regular concentration camp established by the National Socialist (Nazi) government.” (http://www.ushmm. org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10005214) The camp was located on the grounds of an abandoned munitions factory near the northeastern part of the town of Dachau, about 10 miles northwest of Munich in southern Germany. • Though Auschwitz is perhaps the most “well known”, Dachau was one of the first camps exposed to the rest of the world through firsthand journalist accounts and through newsreels. In Tuckey’s account, he mentions “several war correspondents” were present at the time of discovery, to include Marguerite Higgins, a famed female correspondent who was received a U.S. Army campaign ribbon for her assistance during the SS guards’ surrender. • At the entrance of most camps were the words “Arbeit Macht Frei” which, translated, means “Work Makes You Free.” The only known exception was at Auschwitz-Buchenwald which instead posted “Jedem Das Seine,” which means “To Each His Own.” • The Second World War claimed the lives of at least 41 million Europeans, more than half of them in the Soviet Union. Between 8-9 million soldiers in the Red Army were killed, and 18 million more were wounded. Between 16 and 19 million Soviet citizens lost their lives. Estimates of the total Soviet casualties are around 25 million; five times that of the Germans, and this rough number was deduced by reducing the total population figures at the next census. • A favored theme for Third Reich artists was portraits of the “Führer” – Hilter. These became so numerous that Hitler finally decreed that only one would be displayed “officially” at each annual Greater German Art Exhibition (although this order was not followed every year). The portraits painted are disturbingly fascinating. www.fortgordonFYI.com | 45
MILITARY SPOUSES: “HEROES WITH A HEART”
May 6-10, 2013
Military Spouse Appreciation Week with ACS! Military Spouses of all branches of service welcome – join us for a week of special events
Military Spouse Appreciation Celebration Friday, May 10 • 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Balfour Beatty Community Center • Fun, food, prizes and more!
For additional information, call (706) 791-3579 or visit www.gordon.army.mil/acs • www.facebook.com/fortgordonacs Spouses must present valid Military ID to receive door prizes, manicures, massages and facials at the Celebration. Free hourly child care available for reservation during the week’s events – call (706) 791-3579. All children must be registered with CYSS.
46 | FYI MAY 2013
Mother’s Day, the Military Way
As a mother, life can be challenging. As a military mother, every day can present a challenge; deployments, separations, demanding work schedules and the transitory nature of the military can throw curve balls at you like no other profession or lifestyle. And you are integral to the well-being of the Army family. Much rests on your shoulders; the responsibility of raising a child, living your life, having a career, an education, focusing on the family and
supporting your husband. Or perhaps you are the service member and so face your duties to your country as well as providing for your child. Either way, it can be a rough road to travel. Thankfully, others have gone before you and they understand what you are facing and coping with; we’ve gathered some words of wisdom and encouragement for you to use as inspiration and guidance. Above all, we wish you a happy and peaceful Mother’s Day!
www.fortgordonFYI.com | 47
Mommy 101: Helpful Tips from a Mother of Four Arial Marsh, Contributing Writer
Be it your first or fourth, a new baby is a huge undertaking for even the most ‘prepared’ of parents. No matter how big your baby shower or how many books you’ve read, you know – and anyone who has had children can back me up in this – that no amount of planning will ever cover all the aspects that come with having a child. My own mother, upon going into labor with me said ‘I can’t have the baby yet! I don’t have a crib!’ Of course I came a bit earlier than expected, but similar situations arise all the time, sending you out to get another pack of Huggies when all you really need is a nap. Some things the books might not mention are websites entirely dedicated to parents, such as CafeMom, and those that are customizable, like Groupon, where you can put your interests in with a few clicks and get local coupons on all things tiny and cute. Even closer to home, Fort Gordon itself offers resources to families both young and old. The Swap and Assist program provides free goods to anyone E-4 and below, and ‘swapped’ goods for anyone over. Another option is the Fort Gordon Thrift Store, located right next to the Swap and Assist behind the PX. It is a great place to find everything from a running stroller to a baby swing. CYSS offers childcare, once your little ones get older, allowing you to regain some precious ‘me-time’ and the new park on post is a great place to meet playdates and spend time playing ‘wee-high!’ on the swings. My mother has instilled her trial and error lessons to me since I was eight years old, when my brother was born. I got the invaluable opportunity to see firsthand how much impact a new family member can have, no matter how small they are at first. I hope these ‘Tips from a mother of four’ help you as much as I know they will me, one day. 48 | FYI MAY 2013
1.) “Nap when the baby naps. I know the laundry has piled up; I know that the dog needs a bath, and you need to vacuum, but the most important thing for you to be doing is taking care of your baby. Your house or job will have to wait, because a tired mother is dangerous. Exhaustion takes on a whole new level when you don’t get to sleep for more than two hours at a time, so be cautious as to where you devote your energy as your body grows accustomed to its new sleepless schedule. The laundry will still be there when you wake up and the carpet will still be dirty, but you will be rested, you will be happier for it, and that is something you and your spouse will appreciate more than freshly fluffed towels.” 2.) “Ask for help. I can’t tell you how much I wish I had known this sooner. You want to be super mom. You want to have it all together, to be able to ‘handle’ things at home. It isn’t about handling; it’s about enjoying, so when you have no joy, throw in the towel. Call a friend, a babysitter, someone to come over and help watch the babies while you go out for the afternoon, or better yet, stay in, clean the bathroom, make your bed, take a long bath, read a magazine, and give yourself time to relax. We all want it to look like we are big girls now and can take care of everything ourselves, but even though it might not take a village, a few hours with a second pair of hands helps more than you’d think.” 3.) “Be flexible. Your baby isn’t going to be like everyone else’s. You can’t expect their feedings, naps, or growth to fit in a schedule. Take things as they come and trust your instincts. You come from a long line of moms – it’s in your blood!”
Forging a Bond: the Army and Motherhood Heather Addis, MWR Staff Writer
I remember the first thing my mother said to me when I told her I was pregnant with my daughter, “That’s a grandchild I will never get to see”. Unfortunately, she was right – to an extent. Going through long periods without seeing family is a reality of Army life. As a mother, I couldn’t fathom my daughter growing up without holiday traditions, birthdays surrounded by cousins, and weekend sleepovers with grandparents. I learned very early in my marriage that being married to an Active Duty Soldier came with hardships. Add a child to the mix and I had an entirely different set of trials and tribulations on my hands. I wanted my daughter to know her family – not through pictures either. My daughter, Briana, was born on Fort Benning – about eight hours away from my family in Virginia and four hours away from my in-laws in South Carolina. My husband and I were never able to drop our daughter off with her grandparents and go on a date night during the early years. I found it extremely difficult to even contemplate leaving my child with a friend or a babysitter. I didn’t trust anyone with my little girl. Having family around to help out and watch my daughter grow into a toddler would have been wonderful, but we survived! When my daughter was two and a half, my husband took an assignment as a Recruiter. Although we were a little closer to family, my husband was NEVER home. Recruiting was my first taste of true hardship. This is when I learned to become a “single” mother. I learned to juggle being a full-time student, preschool, cooking, bath time,
bedtime and every other household chore imaginable. During these years, I longed to put down roots somewhere – to have my daughter grow up in the same home and graduate with friends she’d had since kindergarten. And most of all, to have her father at home! I’m a worrier. I would sit on pins and needles during my daughter’s first day at a new school wondering if she was making friends and if she had someone to sit next to during lunch. I constantly worry about her wellbeing and the toll the Army lifestyle could take on her. My worrying has forged an undeniable bond between my daughter and I. We’ve been there for each other through thick and thin – from tearful deployment goodbyes to middle school drama. My daughter is 14 now. She has endured a lot in her short 14 years of life – years at a time without her father, moving, leaving friends, changing schools and the list goes on. But, she’s also a well rounded and culturally aware teenager, thanks to the Army. The Army lifestyle isn’t for everyone. However, the lifestyle has helped mold and shape my daughter into the amazing young woman she has become. I just wish my husband was able to be there for every spelling bee, birthday, first day of school, loose tooth, and skinned knee like I was. I can’t imagine missing out on any of those precious moments. Raising a child is one the toughest and most rewarding jobs in life. Motherhood is definitely a ride full of twists and turns but I wouldn’t trade a minute of it! Briana is my greatest accomplishment in life.
www.fortgordonFYI.com | 49
CE
reative Cuisine xceptional Service Gordon’s Conference & Catering provides dining, conference and catering solutions. Our experienced staff wants to help you with your special occasion: birthdays, hail & farewells, conferences, weddings and more! Dine With Us! Gordon’s Conference & Catering serves a wide array of hot and cold items Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Choose from our daily specials, hot sandwiches, buffet or salad bar. We also serve Starbucks coffee! For a complete menu, pick online at www.fortgordon.com. Catering Our catering services are second are here to serve you, so let us help you design a beautiful celebration, professional networking conference or formal gathering. Need off-site catering? No problem. Contact our catering manager, Janice Ivey, for more information.
19th Street, Building 18402 • (706) 791-6780 • Fax (706) 793-7414 50 | FYI MAY 2013
Celebrate
Come in all week to guess how many gum balls are in the gum ball dispenser to win the dispenser! All guesses are due by 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 16.
EVENTS: Monday, May 13: Balloon Kickoff Day! Special Story Time at 10 a.m. Come in for balloons and other goodies! Tuesday, May 14: Special Story Time at 10 a.m. Sidewalk Chalk Day
May 13-16
at Woodworth Consolidated Library!
Wednesday, May 15: Special Story Time at 10 a.m. Special Story time reading guest! Thursday, May 16: Special Story Time at 10 a.m. Kids’ bingo! Win prizes! (All goodies and prizes are available while supplies last!)
EVENTS: June 5, 10-11 a.m.: Introduction to Summer Reading All ages welcome. Woodworth Consolidated Library. June 12, 1 a.m.-3 p.m.: Pony Barn Tour Ages 6 and under, $6 per person, limited sign up – closed-toe shoes required! Hilltop Riding Stable, Bldg. 508, North Range Rd.
Summer Reading 2013 For adults, teens, and children of all ages!
June 19, 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m.: Splish Splash Story Time Ages 12 and under. Courtyard Pool Splash Pad, Bldg. 36710, Brainard Ave. (next to Teresa’s Mexican Restaurant). June 26, 10 a.m.-11 a.m.: Tie-Dye Day For all ages; bring a white t-shirt; all other materials supplied! Woodworth Consolidated Library. June 27, 10 a.m.-11 a.m.: Artsy Storytime and Craft Morris Museum of Art visits the Library! Ages 6 and under. Woodworth Consolidated Library. July 10, 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m.: Splish Splash Story Time Ages 12 and under. Courtyard Pool Splash Pad, Bldg. 36710, Brainard Ave. (next to Teresa’s Mexican Restaurant) July 17, 10 a.m.-11 a.m.: David Ginn Story Telling and Magic Show All ages. CYSS Gym, Bldg. 45410, 46th Street. July 24, 10 a.m.-11 a.m.: Jewelry Making Workshop Ages 12 and up. Limited to 8 participants. Woodworth Consolidated Library. July 31, 10 a.m.-11 a.m.: Lee Bryan That Puppet Guy Dr. Dinosaur Puppet Show! All ages. CYSS Gym, Bldg. 45410, 46th St.
Win prizes for reaching your reading goals! Log your reading hours by July 31: http://usarmy.evanced.info/woodworth/sr/ homepage.asp. Space may be limited – sign up at the reference desk or call 706-791-2449. Prizes must be picked up by August 16.
www.fortgordonFYI.com | 51
Keep smilin’, keep shinin’ Knowin’ you can always count on me, for sure That’s what friends are for For good times and bad times I’ll be on your side forever more That’s what friends are for... www.facebook.com/FYIMarketing
52 | FYI MAY 2013
fromthe bookshelf Susanna Joyner, Director, Woodworth Consolidated Library
Army Library Program, FREE Online Audio, eBooks, and Movies!! Did you know your Army Library Program provides free and easy online access to thousands of books, audio books, music, and movies? For kids, adults, school, and leisure – that’s right, it’s free and convenient – and the title selection is immense! Check out for free download to Kindle, Nook, or other electronic devices. Registering with your I.D. card at the library then create a My Account at: http://mylibraryus.fmwr.net/search~S25. Login to your My Account and select:
Movies: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, 2011, Director: John Madden, Rated: PG-13 Where is our end drawn? Do we often place finality where it does not truly exist? A hopeful, quiet little film about living life completely, authentically, with every moment available, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel highlights the power of perception and intention; reminding us all that true joy originates, very simply, and most often, in our decisions. A who’s who of British actors round out the cast including: Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Dev Patel, and Maggie Smith. Best watched when in need of this special reminder: “Everything will be all right in the end, and; if it’s not all right, then it’s not yet the end.”
Books, movies, CDs and more are available for free check-out to Service Members & DOD Civilians at Woodworth Consolidated Library, 549 Rice Road, Building 33500, Fort Gordon, GA 30905 For more information, call: (706) 791-7323 or visit our website at www.gordon.army.mil/library
www.fortgordonFYI.com | 53
Lunch: 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Monday-Friday | $8.95 includes a beverage
Home-cooked selection: • Entrées • Large salad bar • Fresh desserts • Sweet Georgia tea • Starbucks coffee
From the Grill
• Hot and cold wraps • All-star burgers • Chicken tender baskets • Shrimp baskets • Plus much more!
Soup & Chili Bar Blue Plate Specials
Wednesday: Tacos Thurday: German schnitzel Friday: Fish fry Other: Italian, southern, BBQ, “light” specials
Join the Ten Star Card Program for Lunch
Pick up your Lunch Card at the register. After 10 visits, your next lunch visit is free. (Minimum lunch purchase of $7.00 to qualify.)
Special Event Lunches
Bring your special event for lunch and we’ll provide the room for FREE! Variety of rooms available for all your occasions.
19th Street, Building 18402 (706) 791-6780 • Fax (706) 793-7414 54 | FYI MAY 2013
cultureshock
Honduras
Crystal Tyson, MWR Staff Writer
Since my husband is deploying there soon, I thought it appropriate to do this month’s Culture Shock on the country of Honduras. Located in Central America, Honduras is known as the Republic of Honduras – it became independent of Spain in 1821. The official language spoken is Spainish. Honduras is the second largest country in Central America. If you should ever visit, it is bordered by Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua.
Below are some things you can do to expand your cultural awareness: Travel: With straight flights from Atlanta, you will be surprised that an overall 3-4 hour flight (depending on what part of the country you are traveling to) will cost between $500$800 roundtrip out of Augusta. Among the most popular places to visit are Roatan, Copan Ruinas, San Pedro Sula and La Esperanza. Food: Honduran food normally comprises of beans, rice and tortillas. While breakfasts consist of the same combination including eggs, dinners will have some type of grilled meat (beef, chicken or seafood) with salad. A great Honduran snack to try at home is Pastelitos de Carne – a corn tortilla filled with ground meat and vegetables. Go online to find some great recipes. Dine: Although there isn’t an actual Honduran restaurant that I know of in the CSRA, Maria’s Island in Hephzibah is a great place to dine and get a feel for the Latino food of Honduras. Music: The music of Honduras is diverse. Salsa, merengue, reggae, and reggaeton are popular in the country, but Punta and Kuliao are the more traditional sounds of music.
Read: The Mosquito Coast by Paul Theroux is a story of a paranoid and brilliant inventor. Allie Fox takes his family to live in the Honduran jungle, determined to build a civilization better than the one they’ve left. Fleeing from an
America he sees as mired in materialism and conformity, he hopes to rediscover a purer life. But his utopian experiment takes a dark turn when his obsessions lead the family toward unimaginable danger.
UNITED STATES
MEXICO
GULF OF MEXICO
ATLANTIC OCEAN
HONDURAS CARIBBEAN SEA
PACIFIC OCEAN
SOUTH AMERICA
www.fortgordonFYI.com | 55
Respond to others with authentic, active, and constructive interest to build strong relationships May 15, 2013 9:00 a.m. Family Outreach Center Building 33512 | South Rice Road Behind Woodworth Consolidated Library
Contact ACS to Register: (706) 791-3579
Pony Rides Open/Guided Riding Lakeside Rideouts Riding Lessons Family Fun Days Youth Horse Camps Overnight Boarding Horse Boarding Birthday Parties
Open to the Public North Range Road Building 508 Fort Gordon, GA (706) 791-4864 www.fortgordon.com
56 | FYI MAY 2013
master resiliency
Active Constructive Responding
techninja vision technologies Nathan Hoeller, Creative Director
High
Frequency
You’ve probably heard the phrase “blind as a bat” when someone is referring to the limitations of the blind. A new sensory-substitution technology is redefining that phrase by turning sound into sight. With this new technology, the blind will have the ability to see sound much like a bat uses echolocation to see in the dark. It works by translating images captured by a camera into specific sounds, each sound representing a different frequency of light. It takes some training before the brain is able to generate an image, but after a while it becomes natural.
Time
Low
Loudness
High
Low
Our eyes are amazing – they pull in the visible spectrum of light, allowing us to see the world around us in full-blown color and detail. But not all people are able to share in this experience. An estimated 10 million Americans are blind or facing blindness due to diseases like macular-degeneration. Thankfully, neuroscientists are researching new technologies in vision, and they’re coming close to recreating the sense of sight.
Source: Amir Amedi – Turning sound & touch into sight: http://youtu.be/s44KxJ6tU8Y There’s another area of research showing promising results, but the method is a bit different. Instead of replacing the sense of sight with another sense, neuroscientist Shelia Nirenberg is recreating the sense of sight at the source with a new type of prosthetic eye. To understand how this works, you need to know a bit about how a normal eye operates. Basically, light enters the eyes and is projected onto photoreceptor cells in the back of the eye. The light is then translated through the retina circuitry as electrical pulses to the brain, generating what we know as sight. When a person is blind, the photoreceptor cells and retina circuitry are no longer working. This prosthetic sensory device acts as the photoreceptor cells and retina circuitry through an encoder and transducer; providing the right pulses of electricity to the brain. This method is more natural because it speaks the language our brains were built to understand.
Retina
image
Brain
Encoder/Transducer
Source: Sheila Nirenberg – A prosthetic eye to treat blindness: http://www.ted.com/talks/sheila_nirenberg_a_prosthetic_eye_to_treat_blindness.html
Can you imagine a world without color? For those born colorblind like Neil Harbisson, it’s all they’ve ever known. To overcome his own limitations, Neil developed a prosthetic device he calls an “eyeborg” which is basically a camera mounted to a headset that translates different hues of color into sounds. When he started using the eyeborg, he had to memorize which tones represented which colors. Over time, memory became perception, and then perception became feeling. At this point, he could pick favorite colors, and even began to dream in color! But it didn’t stop there; Neil turned his limitation into an enhancement that surpassed the limits of human sight. He learned to recognize colors beyond the visible spectrum like ultraviolet light. He says this ability to see ultraviolet color could help when deciding to go to the beach on a sunny day. Source: Neil Harbisson – I listen to Color: http://www.ted.com/talks/neil_harbisson_i_listen_to_color.html
Whether a person is fully blind or colorblind, technology is providing ways of bringing the sense of sight to those that wouldn’t have it otherwise. At the risk of sounding cheesy, I must say the future of vision technologies is looking bright. www.fortgordonFYI.com | 57
IHG Army Hotels on Fort Gordon Augusta, Georgia
The right place to stay is right on post. At IHG Army Hotels, you’ll get complimentary breakfast, free high-speed Internet, courtesy shuttle service and more, all right on post. And no military I.D. is required.* RESERVATIONS: 877.711.TEAM (8326) or 706.790.3676 IHGArmyHotels.com 250 Chamberlain Avenue Augusta, GA 30905 *Valid driver’s license, proof of insurance and registration; or valid rental agreement for vehicle you are driving, required to obtain a Fort Gordon entry pass. ©2013 InterContinental Hotels Group. All rights reserved. IHG Army Hotels are independently owned by Rest Easy, LLC, an affiliate of Lend Lease (US) Public Partnerships LLC, and operated by an affiliate of IHG.
58 | FYI MAY 2013
Provide your feedback by visiting our homepage at www.gordon.army.mil. Look for the “Gordon BE HEARD!” logo then click on the ICE Customer Feedback link. Or better still, just code it! Now you can go directly to the ICE Customer Feedback page via smart phone and enter your comments directly!
moviereview A Day in the Life: Cosmopolis Alice Wynn, Contributing Writer
freepresshouston.com
David Cronenberg is perhaps best known as a horror director, or at least horror in the psychological sense. Earlier works such as The Fly (1986), Scanners (1981) and Videodrome (1983) fit into a science-meets-psyche category. Even Dead Ringers (1988), touches on the subject as well with Jeremy Irons playing codependent identical twin gynecologists, whose relationship begins to unravel when they fall for the same woman. This film, which won a slew of Genie Awards (the Canadian equivalent of an Oscar), encompasses a coldness – a lack of emotion – in both the actors and in Cronenberg’s direction that only adds to the effectiveness of the film. He moves from the physical horror, to a tense, stoic façade that can be seen in more recent films like A History of Violence (2005) and Eastern Promises (2007), both of which earned Viggo Mortenson nominations for Best Actor. That lack of emotion is seen in Cronenberg’s latest offering, Cosmopolis, now streaming on Netflix and available on DVD. Twilight’s Robert Pattinson stars as Eric Packer, a Wall Street wunderkind, who, deciding he wants a haircut takes his limo and heads out to the streets of Manhattan for a cross-town journey. Packer is losing money by the second, but somehow doesn’t seem fazed. His state-of-theart, quasi-futuristic limo with flashing screens and built-in sonar machines (and toilet, too) is the setting for the majority of the film, which, because of a Presidential visit, a rapper’s funeral and rioting anarchists, moves at a snail’s pace
throughout the city. Based on the novel by Don DeLillo, Packer’s limo ride is met with emotional highs and lows, but yet he barely snaps out of his monotone speech patterns. He meets with consultants (Jay Baruchel), his lover (the always-excellent Juliette Binoche) and his chief theorist (Samantha Morton). He has breakfast with his wife, (Sarah Gadon), who we learn he just recently married. She comes from money, his lover joking of their “arranged marriage.” Much like Packer himself, she barely speaks above a whisper, and their dialogue is cold and impersonal, although she is able to tell of his extracurricular activities, claiming she can smell them on him. As she offers to help him with his current financial downfall, he seems as disinterested in a solution as he does in her. But, it’s Packer’s detachment from everything that is so compelling. What motivates his actions? He contemplates such trivial things such as where the limos go at night and hardly bats an eye during his prostate exam, which also takes place in his limo – a daily occurrence, we’re informed. It doesn’t even seem to bother him that there are threats on his life, which his bodyguard keeps close tabs on. He barely seems to notice as anarchists surround his limo, rocking it back and forth, tagging it with graffiti. It isn’t until the final scene that we get a little bit of insight into Packer’s character. He confronts the person who has it out for him, a nobody
of a man that used to work for him (Paul Giamatti). Contemplating how Packer finds him takes away from the mystique of the film. We’re better off not pondering the issue too deeply. In a dilapidated old office building, a deeply philosophical discussion on what went wrong in Packer’s life, the mistakes he made in his financial dealings that sent him on this downward spiral. Pattinson’s acting works very well in this film. He does have his wooden moments, which, in a way, reflects his character’s narcissistic oblivion to his surroundings and feelings of others. He also has moments of near brilliance, particularly his scene with Giamatti. The Twilight films required him to do little outside of brood and sparkle, so it is refreshing to see him take a step away from that franchise and take on a role that has a little more meat to it than that of a perpetually teenaged vampire. Cronenberg’s direction is nearly flawless, but that still won’t make it a film for everyone. Even if you can get past the fact of having Edward play a financial tycoon, the pacing is a little slow, but never veers into claustrophobic for a film taking place almost entirely in a stretch limo, which almost is a character in its own right. The utter chaos in the world outside of that limo is juxtaposed within the world that Packer exists and is slowly losing his grip on. A darkly cerebral film, Cosmopolis bleakly paints a picture of a future that may not be that far behind.
www.fortgordonFYI.com | 59
FORT GORDON DINNER THEATRE PRESENTS
by Ken Ludwig
May 10, 11, 17, 18, 23, 24 & 25, 2013 Dinner 7:00 p.m. | Show 8:00 p.m.
A tribute from Ken Ludwig to the great English farces of the 1930s and 1940s, “The Fox On The Fairway” takes audiences on a hilarious romp which pulls the rug out from underneath the stuffy denizens of a private country club. Filled with mistaken identities, slamming doors, and over-thetop romantic shenanigans, it’s a furiously paced comedy that recalls the Marx Brothers’ classics. A charmingly madcap adventure about love, life, and man’s eternal love affair with … golf. “The Fox on the Fairway,” which mixes golf, romance and fashion keeps the audience in stitches. Pitching wedges, drivers, putters and nine irons - golf was never so much fun.” -Naples Daily News
MENU
London Broil with English Gravy • Roast Cornish Game Hen • North Sea Haddock Roasted Red Potatoes • Prince Edward Vegetable Blend • Wild Rice with Broccoli Casserole English Peas with Pearl Onions • Salad Bar • Starbucks Coffee or Iced Tea • Deluxe Dessert Bar
TICKETS
Civilians: $43 | Seniors (65 & over), Retirees, DA Civilians, Active-Duty E7 & above: $40 Active-Duty E6 & below: $35 | Show only: $25
For reservations, call 706-793-8552 60 | FYI MAY 2013
director’schair
Steve Walpert, Entertainment Director
As press time approaches, I am flying to LA today for an overnight stay to celebrate a special family event and I’m using a computer on line, in flight for the first time ever… Ah, the times, they are a-changin’. And that made me think about the changes in so many things over the past 40 years since I came to MWR as a brand new 2LT, as the detailed OIC of the Theatre Program here. When I first came to Fort Gordon, I worked for “Special Services” – no not a covert tactical organization – that’s just what we were called, a name held over from WW2 and Viet Nam. We did lots of the same things we do today; sports, special events, clubs, bowling, outdoor recreation, music and theatre. It was pretty cool; an abundance of Appropriated Fund dollars, everything free to the user (except at the Clubs). I remember my second production here as a civilian director, in about 1973. It was a multimedia production of Dracula (we made Dracula grow 20 feet tall!) In an 800-seat performing arts center, absolutely full of Soldiers and family members every night – and no charge for admission. What a trip! We could do any show we desired (within reason) and spend big bucks to make it spectacular. We had a budget of course, but it was a large one. We produced avante garde, drama, comedy, musicals, and more. And never had to sell a ticket! The visible impact on morale was fantastic. Lots of great shows. No charge. Terrific! It wasn’t a happy time, though. We were fighting an unpopular war in a time when the military was not really appreciated as it is today. Augusta was a bit more provincial then for pure fun, far fewer restaurants and things to attract
the Soldiers downtown (but we did have a great Opera Company, two resident ballet companies and another theatre company.) TV options were minimal (BC-before cable), only a few movie houses (and they only showed one movie at a time), and of course there was no internet, video games, cell or smart phones (anyone remember the pay-phone?) or other high-tech entertainment that provides so many hours of “in place” engaging mesmerization. So, factoring in that transportation was also more difficult, we were it, with not-that-much competition. And to be successful, we just had to be good in our area of expertise and provide a lot of programs. No tricky balance sheets to complicate things. Well now things are soooooo different. For many of us, our country, and our MWR activities, money is tight, and with much less Appropriated Fund support for our programs, it all has to be extremely well managed. In addition to our talent, we have to be business managers and compete for the opportunity to provide you with all the services we now do, in beautiful state of the art facilities with top notch equipment. And it is because of this – the change in the economy, the change in which the Army allocates its funding – we can’t any longer provide these services for free in many of our activities (as when I first arrived) or dirt cheap. I sure wish we could, but the NAF supported programs couldn’t survive without the fees we charge. And the level of the fees is determined by the quality and quantity of the services we provide. We must operate with a high degree of fiscal responsibility, as businesses. And that’s
where some folks get confused. We operate as a business in the sense that we must sustain our operation financially, not in the conventional sense of making a profit for the owner. All the positive net from our activities goes back to our Service and Family members in the form of better equipment, facilities, and services. If we could charge lower fees and still provide a great product, we absolutely would, but as I said earlier, it’s a different time. So we hope you understand the fees we charge are so we can continue to provide you with all these great services, with the best state-of-the-art equipment, from the best MWR facilities in the world…for a long, long, time. And if the price of a ticket gets a bit more expensive over the years, it’s just because that’s what’s required to pay the bills. OK, that’s the end of the fiscal history lesson. Let’s talk about something more fun. Moving on to what’s happening now, let me touch on our current and up-coming shows at the dinner theatre. Playing now, through May 25, The Fox on the Fairway. We have a great cast for this super-funny farce, and a wonderful meal to go with it. So call Lee in the Box Office at 706-793-8552 and try to grab o of the few remaining seats. Then, coming up in July, we present a very funny show, Social Security – playing July 19 through August 3. You might find some surprises in the cast list for that show. Make your reservations early! Well, that’s it for now. More entertainment news next month. And as always, we hope to see YOU at the theatre soon!
www.fortgordonFYI.com | 61
Mistletoe State Park Appling, GA May 18, 2013 Pre-Register by May 6, 2013 MWR Authorized Users & Guests: $15.00 per person Transportation: Provided Equipment: Bring your own rain jacket, sunscreen, hat, water (2 liter minimum) and a sack lunch
To register, call: 706-791-2556
62 | FYI MAY 2013
SNAPSH T Our MWR facilities will bring a smile to your face!
Check out our Flickr page for more - www.flickr.com/photos/fyi_magazine
Benai Clements, Jasmine Brice, Ryan Jacobs and Seren Jacobs at the BOSS Battle of the Colors 5k
Christina Nazzarro and Felecia Thompson at the Fort Gordon Special Olympics, Barton Field
Caitlen Boyd, K’Diamond Miller, Teleshia Lee and Jocelyn Mack at the Fort Gordon Special Olympics, Barton Field
Petty Officer Thomas Fallon and Keyra Fallon at the Fort Gordon Special Olympics, Barton Field
www.fortgordonFYI.com | 63
Next
JUNE 2013
This is How We Do It MWR puts on dozens of events each year. But what happens before the carnival turns its music on? We take you through the process and introduce you to some of your MWR folks who otherwise stay behind the scene.
Serendipity SSGT Wrashea Hubbard is an inspiration to many; a female Soldier, Wrashea is a strong, talented and dedicated service member. But she is also a daughter and a granddaughter. This is her story.
The Fruits (and Vegetables) of the Season Where can you find the freshest fare of the area? We’ll take you there…
Don’t forget to become our friend on Facebook, hook up with us on Twitter and look for your smiling face on Flickr. Have a comment? Post on our wall or e-mail the editor at molly.swift.naf@mail.mil. 64 | FYI MAY 2013
I n
F o c u s
BOSS Battle of the Colors 5k | Photo by Nathan Hoeller
www.fortgordonFYI.com | 65
The FYI Magazine has gone digital: All the articles and stories you know and love – in one convenient location!
www.fortgordonfyi.com
Scan this QR code with your smartphone to view the mobile-compatible FYI+ website!