keystone light (october issue)

Keystone Light

A member of the Afghanistan Na-tional Army keeps a watch on the perimeter of Shalghamy, Afghani-stan. Members of the 864th Army Engineering Battalion, which fall un-der Task Force Keystone, are build-ing a Combat Operating Post there. Security is paramount due to the high visability of the area. The ANA is working closely with American forces to ensure mission success and ultimately to help rebuild the infastructure in Afghanistan. More photos on Page 8.

Photo by MCC (SW) Terrina Weatherspoon

Engineering in Afghanistan

The Keystone Light publication is designed with the intent to inform family members of recent activities of their Seabees in

Afghanistan. None of the material within should be used for any other purpose. The opinions

expressed within are not necessarily the views of the U.S.

Navy nor the Department of Defense.

COMMANDER

CHIEF STAFF OFFICER

COMMAND MASTER CHIEF

PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICERCMDCM (SCW) Neal Beard

Cmdr. Jeff Pierce

Capt. Donald Hedrick

MCC (SW) Terrina Weatherspoon

Keystone Light

Never forget the power of a kind word

CMDCM(SCW) Neal Beard

Our job in Afghanistan is to support our coalition forces by building roadways, forward operating bases, runways, and helicopter pads; and by providing general engineering support to the warfighter as they meet the insurgents on the battlefield daily. Together with the warfighter, we are striving to defeat Taliban and Al Qaida extremists who hold the lives of all of Afghanistan’s people in a constant state of terror. Since arriving, the men and women of 3NCR have excelled far beyond anyone’s expectations; but we are not doing this alone. I want to take a moment to recognize the special people who support us and who make it possible for us to do our jobs everyday—our families back home. Their influence touches everything we do and helps us endure the challenges we face and the sadness of lonely nights of separation. You can see, feel and literally taste this support in every office you

walk into. Sometimes this support is as subtle as a card on the wall; or a package that’s just arrived from home with candy, cookies, or treats; or it may be a collection of photos on a desk; or it may be art work from children stapled to a wall. Sometimes it can be seen and heard, as when you walk into an office to be greeted by a smiling face—its owner sharing a short story or comment from home that may have just been received the night before on Facebook, Skype, chat, or in an email. We have some wonderfully skilled people on staff but our true strength comes not from within but from the support we receive from our loved ones waiting for our safe return. Let’s never forget the power of kind words, care packages, our family’s pride in who we are, and prayers that keep us safe from harm. I would be amiss if I did not also recognize the kindness we receive from strangers we may never meet, strangers like the Girl Scout

Troop from Dillingham, Alaska or the American Greeting Card Company, and all the individuals and organizations who continue to send us care packages every day. We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but together, with the support of our families in the rear, we’ll continue to show the world who 3NCR really is and what we can do as a team--a team of sailors, marines, families, and friends united.

ASSISTANT EDITORCM2 (SCW/FMF) Chris Gilmer

Keystone Light

Many years ago I heard a story about two friends who epitomize the saying, “opposites attract.” They both grew up in the country with similiar backgrounds, they both owned farms, and they both enjoyed hunting. How-ever, Bob was the “eternal optimist” while Phil could always find the downside to any and every situation. Bob would say, “The sunshine will help our plants grow, the crops will be outstanding. Isn’t God good?” Phil would respond, “Yeah, maybe, but if it shines too much it will scorch the crops and we’ll lose everything.” Later in the day Bob and Phil were again having a chat when Bob noticed some storm clouds moving in. He said, “Man, look at that rain heading our way. It’ll water our crops, we’ll have a great harvest – isn’t God good?” Again, Phil disagreed, “Yeah, maybe, but if it rains too much, it’ll flood the fields, wash away the crops and we’ll lose everything.” Bob would always look for the good but Phil would always see the downside to everything. One day, Bob decided it was time to give his friend an attitude change. They both loved to hunt ducks, and they really loved their hunting dogs. So Bob decided he would purchase the best birddog that money could buy and teach that dog to do things no other hunting dog had ever done anywhere, at anytime, in all of hunting history. The opening day of duck season came, and Bob’s dog was ready. The two friends were ready for the first ducks of the season, and seated in their boat behind the duck blind were their hunting dogs. When the first flock of ducks came into view the shotguns went up, a few shots rang out, some ducks hit the water, and Bob knew it was time. Bob turned his head slightly to the dog and said, “OK boy, go get ‘em.” At this, the dog stood up, came to the position of attention, saluted his master and jumped over the front of the boat. He trotted on top of the water, retrieved the ducks and marched back across the water.

Chaplain’s CornerBy Cmdr. Lewis Dolan, Chaplain, 3NCR

He did this several times. After the last duck had been retrieved, the dog then cleaned them and had them ready for cooking. He then washed his paws, saluted his master and sat down at the front of the boat to wait for further instructions. Bob was absolutely beside himself. He just knew that there was no way Phil could find error with this dog. “So Phil,” Bob asked. “What do you think? Have you ever seen anything like this in all your born days?” Phil thought for a moment and then finally said, “Can’t swim, can he?” Now we laugh at stories like this thinking, “How can he be so dense?” But how many of us are more like Phil than Bob? Attitude really is everything. During times, like this deployment, we can look at our lives and ask, “Can anything good come out of this?” Maybe we feel like we have been put through a lot, and we can’t see the silver lining. It is times like that we need to ask ourselves, “how can I make the transition to be more like Bob?” God’s Word reminds us that “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength,” (Philippians 4:13) When we realize that there are sources of strength and encouragement that are outside of ourselves, we find that we can be more like Bob and look to see what God is do-ing around and through us. Those sources of help can include our family, friends, MilitaryOneSource, Fleet and Family Service Centers, our community of faith, and our personal re-lationship with God. So, are you a Bob or a Phil? It’s your choice.


Keystone Light

I love my smartphone. I realize that this is a statement that almost all Americans make at one point or another, but for me, my phone is my ticket to keeping in touch with my Seabee. I’m able to take a photo, email it to him, post it to my personal blog and link it to his Facebook almost simultane-ously. Sometimes, soon after I post the picture, he will call me via video chat and say he received my message and loved it. The kicker? My husband is in Afghanistan. Welcome to the world of the modern military family. When the Seabees were founded in 1942, communication was much slower. Veteran Seabee wives tell me that they often wrote letters every night. The highlight of their morning was walk-ing that letter to the post office. They would stand at the counter and watch as the envelopes were stamped and sent on their way, knowing that they had just made a connection with their Seabee. It made them feel like they were a part of something important, something real. Fast-forward to 2010 and you will find that communication has increased in volume and velocity so much that hardly anyone writes letters by hand anymore. Emails, text messages, sta-tus updates, and Tweets have taken the place of morning walks to the post office for many of us. Does this mean that we are somehow a less stalwart group than these families of days gone by? Not necessarily. I have been working with the Sea-bee community as an Ombudsman for eight years. In that time, I have watched

as new technology develops and allows our families to stay instantly connected with our members out in the field, as well as with one another during deploy-ment periods. It is a valuable resource in many ways, most importantly, in keeping our families well-informed and working as a cohesive unit. At the same time, as our technol-ogy advances so do the pressures of the military lifestyle. We sometimes find ourselves struggling to keep up with the latest tools or programs that ‘everyone else’ is using. In an effort to thrive in the age of information, I have found that the key is to develop a communication plan that meets the needs of your family and your Seabee without regard to the actions of others. For example, some families are comfortable using every available kind of technology to stay connected. They video chat as often as possible, use text messaging to leave one another notes

during the day and update their status online to keep their extended family informed. Other families feel more comfortable sending care packages and receiving the occasional phone call. Both of these communication plans are wonderful because they are set in place to meet the needs of that specific family. In communication, keeping up with the Jones’ is not the way to go- the key is to keep up with each other. It is never easy to take the time and make the effort to stay in touch with our Seabees. It is even less convenient to do so with the other families in our commands. Nonetheless, discussion is a vital part of our survival in any deploy-ment situation. No one understands your frustration with deployment better than the families who are going through it with you. No one grasps how much you miss having your entire family under the same roof more than your Seabee. Being able to express those thoughts is a nec-essary part of coping with the lifestyle changes deployment brings. Seabee families of the past were pil-lars of strength in the face of challenge and we are called to that same greatness and grace, even in the age of informa-tion. When we take the time to plan out a tailored means of communication with our Seabees, we honor some of our Na-vy’s greatest traditions. When we make the effort to connect to other families in our same situation, we pay homage to the thousands who came before us. Only by working together and communicat-ing effectively, can we become a greater, stronger force for good. Now someone pass me my smart-phone, I need to get connected.

Note from the Ombudsman: Get and stay connectedBy Andi Edwards, 3NCR Ombudsman

Keystone Light

Petty Officer in the Keystone spotLight

LS1 Sharon GeigerPhoto provided by LS1 Geiger

I am a single mother, a student at Ashford University, a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, a Correctional Officer and a member of the USNR.

Why did you join the Navy? I joined the navy in 2002 because I wanted to do something that makes my kids proud. The only regret I have with the military is that I didn’t join sooner.

What are your hobbies? I love the outdoors. In my spare time I love to do yard work and mess with my flower beds. I like riding the four-wheelers, and I look forward to horseback riding in the summer. I have one more semester left in college, and then I will have my bachelor’s degree in Social and Criminal Justice. I then hope to get a job as a probation officer.

What are your goals during deployment? My goals while I am deployed are to earn a Navy Commendation Medal and to get my SCWs Pin.

What are your words to live by? “You can’t fix stupid.”

Explain what your job entails during deployment? 1. Container management, which consists of me monitoring eight yards and approximately 265 containers. As stuff moves in and out of KAF by container I in-gate them and out-gate them. I push to get carrier containers out so that we are not billed for unnecessary use of the containers. 2. Non-CECE/TOA, I track tool kits that come to units and help supply units with the tools they need to complete their mission. 3. I am the TPE property book signature officer. I maintain and track all equipment that is on our property book. I transfer equipment to units that need it, and receive equipment on the books if we need it.

To whom do you owe your success and why? SK1

Pritchett, who is now Chief Pritchett, has been a big influence in my career. He is straight forward, and doesn’t try to BS you; but will do everything in his power to get the job done. I started off in Lexington, KY and have been to several other NOSCs, but no one has been able to teach me the responsibilities of supply and instill in me the military pride that Chief Pritchett has.

If you could do anything else, what would it be? As far as doing anything else, I am doing exactly what I want to be doing. So why would I want to do anything else? I do hope to do 20 years in the Navy, become a probation officer, marry the man of my dreams, and see my kids succeed in life.

If you would like to see someone featured in our spotlight section of the newsletter, please let us

know. Write me at [email protected].

Keystone Light

Chief in the Keystone spotLight

I am an Equipment Operator Senior Chief. I have my Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist Pin and my Air Warfare pin. I came into the Military back in January of 1991 after six months in the delayed entry program. I joined the Navy while living in my home town of Tampa, Florida. My father in law, EO1 Jimmy Hallmark was in the Navy Reserves and forced me to join before I could marry his daughter. Honestly, he pointed me in the direction of the Navy Reserves and got me an

impressive bonus of $2,000 dollars. I went to San Diego for Boot Camp and Port Hueneme for EO “A” School, then straight to NMCB 14 in May, where I spent 18 years. I have been married to my high school sweet heart Denice since June of 1991. We have a son, Frankie, who will graduate this year and a daughter, Hunter, who is a freshman in high school.What are your goals while deployed? At this point in time, one of my goals is to pass as much info as I can to the junior personnel so they can take my spot when I retire. The Navy has been great and rewarding and I would not change a thing. The Seabees are always willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. I am proud to be a part of the team. My other goal is to make the 3M program the best in the NCF. I want to continue to learn and push through any hurdles that get in the way. I also hope that I don’t have nightmares when I get home about people not completing their Function Check, which is not the same thing as cleaning your weapon! What are your hobbies? My hobbies include deer hunting, deep sea fishing, football and anything you can do on a boat. I also love to watch my son and daughter Describe your job? I am the 3MC in charge of the maintenance program for the Seabees in our command and task force.To whom do you owe your success and why? I owe my success to my family. They didn’t sign on for all of these deployments. It is hard on them but they understand that it comes along with the job. I appreciate their support and their willingness to let the military have so much of my time. I also credit my father in law, if not for him I might not be here.If you could do anything else what would it be? I’m doing what I have always wanted to do. Serving my country and contributing to something bigger than I am.

EOCS Frank WaltherPhoto by MCC (SW) Terrina Weatherspoon

Keystone Light

Officer in the Keystone spotLight

Lt. Michael GriffithPhoto by MCC (SW) Terrina Weatherspoon

I am just a farmer from New Jersey. I raise 250 acres of corn, soybeans, and wheat, as well as a few acres of fresh market vegetables. I also teach agriculture and Iam the Future Farmers of America chapter advisor at the same high school I graduated from. My family has lived and farmed in the same area of South Jersey along the Delaware Bay for generations. I am married and have three children: Sara, Rachel, and Joseph. I am interested in politics, serve on our County Board of Agriculture, and aspire to one day be elected to serve as a United States Senator from New Jersey. I was always drawn to military service although I didn’t join the Navy Reserve until 1996. I served as an enlisted member with NAVELSG and have been fortunate to perform ATs literally around the world. In 2003 while I was mobilized as a SK2 I received a direction commission into the Supply Corps.

What are your hobbies? My hobbies are reading and hunting, although my friends would tell you they’re obsessions. Where I am from waterfowl hunting is taken seriously. We are right in the Mid Atlantic Flyway. Calling ducks in to a well placed set of decoys out on the water is the most relaxing and rewarding experience in the world. I also spend a lot of time hunting Canadian geese in the fields. Of course, whitetail deer, turkey, and small game seasons go by fast as well, but when its duck season, the phone is turned off.

What are your goals while deployed? My goals while I am deployed are to do my part to make the Regiment successful, earn my SCWs, and leave in better physical condition than when I arrived.

What are your words to live by? “I had rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world” - George Washington

Can you give me a brief description of what you do? My job as R44, MLO officer, is to help ensure our subordinate units acquire the necessary building materials to complete projects. As part of the R4 Department I am also part of a great staff to help make this happen from funding through delivery. I am in constant communication with the subordinate unit’s supply officers, MLO representatives, as well as the 43rd sustainment brigade who are the material managers for the theater.

To whom do you owe your success and why? Admiral Sharon Redpath has been a great mentor during my Navy career. She showed by example how to take care of others first and to remember how important everyone is in accomplishing a goal.

If you could have done anything else, what would it have been? I’m pretty happy but if all things were equal, I’d like to be able to make a living milking 40 cows, and farming 500 acres back home in Greenwich, New Jersey.

Keystone Light

Admin dept. in the Keystone spotLightLet’s be honest, everyone is aware of how important our Admin shop is to our overall mission. Most of us are thankful for R-1 for purely selfish reasons. They can help ME with my pay and they can help ME with my awards. But there is a lot going on behind the scenes.

How many people are in your de-partment?There are five people in the ADMIN shop: YN3 Christopher Collins, YN3 Christopher Bowman, YN2 Arlan Bryant, YNC Terri Kerr and Ens. Courtenay Nold.

What is the goal/mission of your department?Our mission is to provide the best administrative support possible to all Task Force Keystone personnel dur-ing our deployment.

What is the best thing about your department?The best thing about the department is the professionalism of the staff. Everyone in ADMIN is focused on the mission and has that unwavering “can do” attitude. That presents for us a great atmosphere in which to work.

How does your department benefit task force Keystone?We provide an essential communica-tion and administrative link for all Task Force Keystone subordinate

commands, and more specifically, our 3NCR Sailors.

What is the hardest thing your department deals with?Every challenge is worth it ... since it is all about taking care of our Sailors. Probably, the most difficult thing we deal with is personnel-related issues; since we have no Personnel Special-ists on staff. However, as we said, every challenge is worth it .... and the ADMIN staff is taking on this challenge too.

How many different things are you responsible for?The ADMIN shop’s responsibili-ties include (but are not limited to): three PERSTAT reports (DTAS,

JPERSTAT and our Commodore’s PERSTAT), Area Release letters for all members of subordinate units, awards for 3NCR and all subordinate units, all command correspondence, personnel/pay issues; and various reports for the command and higher headquarters. There are also many other specialties that fall under R-1 including the Chaplain, Medical, Legal, and the Public Affairs Officer. So R-1 is responsible for a lot of external command visability.

Is there anything you would like to add?The ADMIN Department is one of the hardest working shops in 3NCR! WE WRITE, WE TYPE, WE FIGHT!!! HOOYAH.

The members of R-1 posing with the painting done by LS2 Dyer. Administrative Warfare: We Write, We Type, We Fight. From L to R: YNC Terri Kerr, YN3 Chris-topher Collins, YN2 Arlan Bryant, YN3 Christopher Bowman and Ens. Courtenay Nold.


Keystone Light

Building Afghanistan

Children line the streets as convoys role by carrying wood, food, mail, gear and other essentials to Seabees throughout Afghanistan. This picture was taken by Commodore Don He-drick from the window of his MRAP.

NMCB 18 is building a Combat Outpost in the city of Mala-jot, Afghanistan. They first must clear the road and the field before they can begin building. This requires a lot of interface with the local population. Photos by Capt. Don Hedrick, Com-modore 3NCR.

HM2 (FMF) Chris Lutton, NMCB 18, and an ISAF soldier tend to a boy outside of COP Kandalay, Afghanistan. The boy and his brother had been badly burned when they attempted to fill a gas lamp while it was still lit.

Photo by MCC Terrina Weatherspoon


Members from NMCB 18 and 40 worked together to build Combat Outpost Kandalay. In less than 20 days these Seabees built two SWA huts, four guard towers, 14 foot Hesco Walls, a security fence, a four-hole burnout, an Amunitions Holding Area, 20 tent decks and a burn pit. They also did all the electric for the entire camp. The Seabees are a vital part of the ongoing effort to push the fight closer to the enemy while also making a positive im-pact on the community. These two battalions in particular, 18 being a Reserve unit and 40 being an Active Duty unit, have worked very well together and have even gone as far as merging their numbers to form Det. 58. On the 18th day these Seabees packed up for their trip back to Forward Operating Base Wilson, where they would finally get a shower and a hot meal. “This is what we are meant to do,” said UT2 Darin Sout-wick, NMCB 40. “I am building a place where a soldier can come in from the fight and rest his head. That means something.”

Keystone Light

Seabees lend hand to Wounded WarriorsBy MCC(SW) Terrina Weatherspoon

Warrior, cont’d on page 19

“My buddy went to jump over this two and a half foot wide ditch carrying a 60-pound pack,” said Army Staff Sgt. Brian R. Green. “He didn’t make it. So a couple of guys were helping him out of it. As soon as he lifted his left leg … BOOM! The blast threw me 20 feet and I took a lot of shrapnel to the face. My buddy lost his leg.” That’s how Green, a member of HHC 1/66 Armor Company out of Fort Carson, Colorado, and currently deployed to Arghanda, Afghanistan, ended up at the wounded warrior compound at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan. He is one of many who will spend anywhere from a couple of days to weeks at the compound either recovering before an eventual return to the fight, or preparing for redeployment back to the states. The wounded warrior compound isn’t much. It is a couple of tents here and there, identified most times only by a heart on the door. There is usually one tent set up for berthing and another set up as a day room. Since the occupants of these tents continue to change on a weekly and sometimes daily basis, the ameni-ties are scarce. Often times injured service members arrive with nothing more than the clothes on their back. Other times, depending on their inju-

ries, they don’t even arrive with that.So when Seabees from the Third Na-val Construction Regiment heard that there wasn’t a plan in place to make these men and women more comfort-able, they decided to take matters into their own hands, literally. It was actually Legalman Senior Chief Erin Meadows, United States Forces - Afghanistan (South) Staff Judge Advocate’s Office Paralegal, who brought it to our attention that the wounded warriors needed help from the Seabees, said Equipment Operator Senior Chief (SCW) Ed

Schoen, 3NCR Operations Depart-ment. “I first learned of their needs about a month ago when my Senior Enlisted Advisor, a Marine Corps sergeant major, brought the various wounded warrior groups to my atten-tion,” said Meadows. “I knew I could get friends and family from home to send care packages and provide sup-port. And I knew I could ask mem-bers from the Chief’s Mess, who also happened to be Seabees, to help out immediately.”


Photo by MCC Terrina Weatherspoon Photo by MCC Terrina Weatherspoon

Keystone Light

The guys behind the scenes: MLO

LS1 Geiger ropes herself an MTVR. The guys ... hard at work.

CM2 Miguel Sanchez pretending not to smile as he gets his picture taken. These guys spend all their time out in the elements, hats off to them.

UT1 Dyer and CM2 Sanchez smiling for the camera.

Senior Irvin checks up on his guys!

UT1 Dyer never misses an opportunity to pose for the camera.

Photos provided by LS1 Geiger

Keystone Light

risk“The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing and becomes nothing. He may avoid sorrow, but he simply cannot learn, feel ... grow and live.”

-Leo Buscaglia

“The person who risks nothing, does noth-ing, has nothing, is nothing and becomes nothing. He may avoid sorrow, but he sim-ply cannot learn, feel ... grown and live.”-Leo Buscaglia

Photos of the monthPhotos by MCC Terrina Weatherspoon

Keystone Light

Photos of the monthPhotos by MCC Terrina Weatherspoon

Keystone Light

Letter to a Soldier By MCC(SW) Terrina Weatherspoon

Soldier, cont’d on next page

Dear Soldier,Thank you for risking your life for your country. When I’m 18 I will be Airborne and my dad and pap were Airborne but my pap died on Friday. Thank you. -by Marcus This letter was among many at the bottom of a box in a building in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Marcus had written that letter in February with hopes that a service member would read it. And one did, six months later. When BU1 Armando Bermudez, operations department, Third Naval Construction Regiment, and currently stationed in Afghanistan, found Marcus’ note in a snack bag he felt compelled to write back. “I was just looking for a snack on the passageway shelf, which is where we keep snacks that have been sent from back home, and I grabbed some crackers in a zip lock bag,” said the San Juan native. “There was a note inside. Every time I grab snacks I try and answer the letter that accompanies it.” Only Bermudez didn’t know where to send his response. All there was at the bottom of the letter was a name, Marcus. “The letter touched me,” said Bermudez. “When I first read it I was saddened by the fact that his grandfather died. It reminded me of my grandfather.

He was very close to me. So I continued to look through the box and I noticed that some of the letters had the Boys and Girls Club of America logo on them so I immediately contacted my wife who works for the BGCA headquarters.” “He told me that when he grabbed one of the goody boxes he picked up three letters and two postcards from the Sarah Heinz House Keystone Club in

Pennsylvania,” said Cristina Bermúdez,

the Interim Director for Education Programs for the Boys & Girls

Clubs

of America. “Keystone is one of our programs for teens that encompass character development and community service. The teen president of the Keystone Club at that Boys & Girls Club in Pennsylvania had written a letter letting soldiers know that their national service project was collecting

letters from kids at the Club for soldiers. Of course, my husband was surprised because the odds of him picking up a letter written by kids served by the organization I work for were pretty slim. Needless to say, the cards were special to him and he wanted to thank the staff and kids at the Club for their care and concern.” “I wanted her to spread the word that the letters were being read by soldiers and that we appreciated it,” said Bermudez. “She was able to speak to the BGCA president and it did cause quite a stir in the office,” said Bermudez. “It also helped prove that the program was helping soldiers serving on foreign soil. The coordinators of the program were not sure if the letters and packages were getting to where they needed to go and they were thinking about terminating the project. As a result of my phone call to my wife, the BGCA is going to continue to support the care package program.” Although Bermudez didn’t have an address that allowed him to write directly to the children whose letters he had read, he did write to the high school student who started the project and his wife was able to speak to the owner of the Pennsylvania BGCA. “I forwarded his thank you email to all national staff at Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) headquarters

Keystone Light Light Light

Soldier, cont’d from previous page

thanking them for their work with our youth and we got in touch with the actual Club that sent the cards,” said Cristina. “They were very excited to hear that their efforts to reach soldiers and make a difference came to fruition.

We decided that my husband would have the the guys and girls at work sign some cards that he can bring home with him so that I can send them back to the Sarah Heinz Club and they can display them on their wall as the ‘Keystone cards that went around the world.’ It would mean the world to the youth at

Acclimate, hydrate, got into shape, Weather hot to say the

least

Continue doing whatever it takes, Into the belly of the beast

We traveled forward into the past, Into a land where day is

night

Individuals joined and banded now, Learned to work one team

one fight

War on terror nine years long, Our turn in the sandbox please

stand by

A group of people away from home, Lean on each other and

we’ll get by

Mark the calendar, x the day, In country now come the leaders

Changes coming on our watch, Watch and listen to news

readers

A job to do entails the many, When we leave a mark we’ve

made

History unwritten but we’ll remember, As long as Seabees

never fade

Weather changes as do people, Desert dry then comes the rain

“Can Do” mindset brought forward, Mission goals become

attained

Strangers meet worked together, Looking forward toward the end

In a war zone miles from home, Leaving there as lifelong friends

Photos record the many faces, Unspoken words still linger there

Feelings that don’t always show, Memories that we only share

As you gaze upon the pictures, Hear the stories we have to tell

There are some that will stay silent, and for some it’s just as well

Sounds of war can be recorded, But the feelings not so much

Book and Video, sight and sound, Not the taste, the smell

the touch

While we’re here we are family, And under God we are one

For our country we came forward, Working until our job

is done

Cruise book shows we’ve returned, And some stories can

be shared

It also shows the many faces, places and for those we cared

Loved ones at home and our mindset, Our focus was still our

job

Life at home might feel empty, our memories there too are

robbed

First words, first steps the everyday things you do

While we’re over here missing them, you’re missing us, we’re

missing you

the Club to know they made a difference and to actually see their cards signed by a soldier who fought in the war.” “I believe it is our responsibility to show our gratitude to the people that support us,” said Bermudez. “I keep the letter Marcus wrote on my desk, it reminds me of why I am here.”

Memories of WarMemories of War CEC(SCW/SS) Pete LaabsCEC(SCW/SS) Pete Laabs

Around the Task Force

NMCB 18...Keystone Light

Digging for water at FOB WaltonPhotos by MCC Terrina Weatherspoon

Members of NMCB 18’s water well team dug 1,100 feet in four days. Their team is broken into three shifts and works around the clock. During the pro-cess the Mud Hog broke and parts needed to be replaced. The team took action immidiately so the work could continue. Within hours, the machine was fully operational and digging continued.

Keystone Light


...864th SRG...Photo by MCC Terrina Weatherspoon


Above: Spc. Matthew Torres, personal security detachment platoon medic, provides security for the Battalion Commander during a recent trip to Shalghamy, Afghanistan. Members of the 864th, which fall under Task Force Keystone, are building a Combat Operating Post there. Security is paramount due to the high visability of the area.

Left: Sgt. Alvino Santana, team leader for 3rd Platoon, 585th Engineer Company, cuts wood needed to complete a Tactical Operations Center at Forward Operating Base Walton. Santana and his team have spent months at Walton buiilding up the area.

Keystone Light


...NMCB 5 -- Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan

Photo by MC2 (SCW) Ace Rheaume

Steel Worker Constructionman Robert Ribicki, a Seabee attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, uses a plasma cutter to cut a piece of steel on a K-SPAN building project at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan.

Equipment Operator Constructionman Cristina Tommeraasen and Seabees attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, run a steel pick through an Ultimate Building Machine (UBM) on a K-SPAN building project at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan.

Photo by MC2 (SCW) Ace Rheaume

Steel Worker 3rd Class Thomas Macdonald, a Seabee attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, welds steel on a K-SPAN building project at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan.

Seabees attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5 place steel picks to assemble a K-SPAN building at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan.

Steel Worker Constructionman Guillory Bryant, a Seabee attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 5, helps run a steel pick through an Ultimate Building Machine (UBM) on a K-SPAN building project at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan

Keystone Light Warrior, cont’d from page 10

“When we went around visit-ing the various wounded warrior groups we noticed right away that there were things we could build that would make their lives here easier,” said Schoen. “We decided the first thing we could build them was a covered deck. So we went to work to make it happen.” Schoen enlisted the help of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 18. Members of NMCB 18 were able to pre-fabricate a deck in their com-pound and then move it over to the wounded warrior unit. “I was surprised to see how easy everything came together and how many people showed up to help,” said Gunners Mate Chief (SCW) Jack Thompson, armory chief for the regiment. “It was a great opportunity for the Seabees to do what they do best, improve quality of life.” “After witnessing and helping with the building of the deck – ap-propriately on the weekend of 9/11 – we’ve proven that the Seabees and the Chief’s Mess are an invaluable resource and we’ve committed to the continued support of these great war-riors,” said Meadows. To date, besides the deck, more than a dozen care packages have been sent for the wounded warrior groups on KAF. Additionally, a lot of items have been donated by various

groups on KAF. Schoen even went and independently purchased a new Xbox system for one of the groups to enjoy. “I’ve already received feedback that the members absolutely love the system and games that were pur-chased with it,” said Meadows. “Recently I visited with one of the groups for the first time. I was speaking with a soldier and he was telling me about his battlefield injury as he was showing me his current living arrangements,” said Mead-ows. “I stopped, shook his hand and thanked him for his service. I was stunned by his experiences and did not know what else to say. In turn, he was shocked that I was thanking him. He said, ‘Senior Chief, you are serv-ing also!’ I was dumbfounded that he would equate his service – in a direct combat role – to mine. I reminded him that I am here in a capacity to support our Soldiers on the battle-field and that my service was second to Soldiers such as himself. Needless to say, this warrior saw no difference between us, and I was incredibly

humbled.” Meadows and Schoen, along with the support of the chiefs mess and the Seabees plan to stop by the wounded warrior units often and see if there is anything they can do for them. “I realize there is a fine line be-tween supporting their needs and be-coming a burden on them by always stopping by,” said Meadows. “They are always welcome,” said Army Sgt. John Mazurek, the noncommissioned officer in charge of one of the wounded warrior units. “They are so willing to do anything for us and it is so appreciated. I haven’t met anyone out there so will-ing to go out of their way for any of us.” “We have already committed to building these warriors some much needed shelving units as well as completing deck projects in other wounded warrior units,” said Schoen. “We don’t just want to build them a few necessities,” said Logis-tics Specialist (SCW/EXW) Ernie Sierra, NMCB 18 supply chief. “We want to make them the envy of the base.” “I feel pretty lucky,” said Green. “Not only am I still alive and intact, but I also get to leave here with the knowledge that if someone else in my unit is injured, and ends up at KAF, they will be taken care of.”


US Navy Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 40, re-ceived citizenship during a ceremony Oct. 1 in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Builder Constructionman Songlim Lee and Equipment Operator Construction-man Apprentice Morbien Tangonan both received their US citizenship . Lee, originally from Seoul, Korea im-migrated to the United States October 30, 2008 to be with her husband, an American citizen, when he returned to the states for work. Lee had been working for the Ko-rean Army as a civilian contractor and that peaked her interest in the military. “As a US citizen I can get a better job other than a cashier or waitress,” said Lee. “I want to be independent and build my own career.” Tangonan also came to the US in 2008 from the Philippines. He and three of his four sisters were originally denied citizenship and lost more than $1,500 in fees, said Tangonan. “We were told we could apply again but we would still have to pay the fees again. It was very frustrating,” said Tangonan. “So myself and three of my sisters all joined the military and we are now citizens,” he said. “It did not cost us another dime.” Lee and Tangonan are quickly building their careers in the Seabees and both credit the chain of command with their success. It would have been

much more difficult to complete without continued support, Lee said. “We let them stay behind on the delayed party to finish up some of the paperwork,” Said Master Chief Constructionman Chris Hirahara. “It was an easy decision for us to make,” he said. “Most people that are born into citizenship take it for granted, here you have a person that wants to be a citizen so bad

that they go out, join the military

Constructing Citizenship Story and photos by:

MCC Michael B. W. Watkins, NMCB 40 PAO

and literally fight for it,” Hirahara said. Lee and Tangonan completed the entire naturalization process in just more than one month according to Legalman First Class Chad Cahoy, command immigration officer. “I’ve seen the naturalization process take as long as six months to two years,” Cahoy said. “It’s great that they have an opportunity to speed up the process,” he said. Since the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001, citizenship fees have been waived to members of active duty armed forces, said Cahoy. “It is a great opportunity that many are taking advantage of,” said Cahoy.

BUCN Lee poses for a photo with her certificate of citizenship and a small flag as a memento to her accomplishment. Photo by MCC Michael Watkins

EOCA Morbien Tangonan takes a break from his earth scraper to pose for a photo in recognition of his new US citizenship. Photo by MCC Michael Watkins

A flag and certificate of citizenship are proud mementos given to those who obtain their citizen-ship. Photo by: MCC Michael Watkins

keystone light (october issue)

Documents

general engineering

afghanistan national

keystone light publication

american forces

afghanistans people

skilled people

special people

care packages