vol. 67 no. 48 dec. 11, 2009 word of the month: honor ... · 12/11/2009 · singer trace adkins....

Story and photo by Rick EmertMountaineer staff

Those not in the know may havethought the hundreds of people in line atthe Fort Carson Post Exchange Dec. 3were waiting to get a photo with Santa.

Instead, it was somebody apparentlyeven bigger than Santa Claus — countrysinger Trace Adkins.

Adkins met with Soldiers and

Family members, to sign autographsand pose for photos with Families thatwere taken by an Army and Air ForceExchange Service photographer duringa visit to the Mountain Post.

Adkins’ hit songs include “HonkyTonk Badonkadonk” and the Academyof Country Music Single of the Yearwinner “You’re Gonna Miss This.” Healso was a finalist on the 2008 season ofDonald Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice.”

The line to get autographs wrappedaround the entire lobby of the PX;dozens more Soldiers and Familymembers stood nearby, taking theirown photos of Adkins.

Although his visit was slated fornoon, many Families lined up early.

“I got here at 10 a.m.,” said MelissaMizell, who got autographs on one ofAdkins’ CDs and his book, “A PersonalStand: Observations and Opinions

from a Freethinking Roughneck.” “Ithink it’s really cool that he took timeout of his busy schedule to come hereand visit Soldiers and Families.”

All of Adkins’ CDs sold out at thePX by 11:30 a.m., but books were stillreadily available for purchase.

Tickets for a concert that night atColorado Springs World Arena withAdkins and Martina McBride were soldto Soldiers, retirees and Families for

$10 each — a discount ofup to $36 per ticket.

“I am a big fan,”Mizell said. “I reallywanted to go to theconcert, but it was soclose to Christmas thatwe didn’t get tickets.When they lowered theprice for us here, I wasable to buy some.”

Although the lobbyof the PX resembled aBlack Friday sale fromthe week earlier, Mizellsaid it was worth the two-hour wait and the crowds.

“I would do it againin a heartbeat,” she said.

Trace Adkins draws hundreds to PX

Story and photo by Pfc. Andrew Ingram4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

Few can imagine answering the door one day tosee a chaplain and casualty notification officer in dressuniform standing on their porch. While there isnothing anyone can do to bring a fallen Soldier back,some Army spouses are making it their mission to ease

the pain of the Families who have lost a loved one.The U.S. Army’s Family readiness group care

teams are trained to console and assist the husbands,wives and children of the deceased through their timeof grief and confusion.

“A care team’s job is to provide short termemotional and logistical support to a Family that hassuffered a casualty until their Family and personal

support system arrives,” said Family AdvocacyProgram Coordinator Jill Nugin, care team trainer.

Fort Carson Army Community Service offers athree-hour training course to certify volunteers tobecome members of a care team.

The class outlines the responsibilities and

FRGs, care teams comfort grieving Families

Page 8

HappeningsHappenings

Pages 20-21 Page 23

IINNSSIIDDEE

MilitaryMilitary FeatureFeature

Vol. 67 No. 48 Dec. 11, 2009

Word of the month: Honor

See Care teams on page 4

Country singer TraceAdkins shakes hands withFamily member Tyler MizellDec. 3 during an autographsession at the Fort CarsonPost Exchange.

2 MOUNTAINEER — Dec. 11, 2009

Commentary by Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel A. Dailey4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson

Happy holidays to all the Soldiers, Families and membersof the Fort Carson Community and the Mountain PostTeam. It is a privilege and honor to serve as the commandsergeant major of this great division and this great installa-tion, “The Best Hometown in the Army —Home of America’s Best.”

As we enter into this winter time of year,the commanding general and I hope that ourSoldiers who are deployed abroad, and theSoldiers, their Families and community here atFort Carson, have an outstanding holiday season.

Celebrating the end of 2009, I am grateful to the Soldiers who have served andcontinue to serve this great nation, protectingAmerica’s freedoms. I also thank FortCarson’s Families for supporting this greatinstallation and its communities throughoutthese good times, and more so, the difficulttimes. Your selfless service and countlesssacrifices are not in vain and will never be forgotten.

Let us keep in mind that a good number of our greatSoldiers at Fort Carson are deployed. I ask everyone to keep our deployed Soldiers in your thoughts and prayersthat they may remain safe in their continuing mission tokeep America free, and for our Families separated fromtheir loved ones during this holiday season, patiently waiting for their Soldiers to come home.

It is the command’s goal to ensure that the 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson provide the best possible care for ourSoldiers, Families and civilians on this installation. It is atough time for Soldiers and Families to be separated fromloved ones. For many of our Families, though, this is nothingnew as Fort Carson continues to answer the nation’s call.

The commanding general and I ask that everybody inthe Fort Carson community reach out to someone you knowwho might be having a tough time. Fort Carson hosts anumber of agencies and services providing assistance to ourSoldiers, their Families and anyone in our great communityduring a time of need. I encourage the members of thisgreat community to do their part for the Mountain Post Team,whether it is the Family of a deployed Soldier or a Soldierwithin our units. We should all work to make everyonefeel welcomed during the holidays in any way we can.

As we enter into the holiday season, everyone here should

continuously focus on winter safety. This is the time of yearwhen Coloradans experience extreme weather conditions, and on these cold days, such as the ones we have experienced during the past two weeks, I ask the Families to tune into the Emergency Broadcast System and FortCarson Emergency Services, updating installation road conditions and report times during inclement weather days.

It is necessary for everyone here to prepare for winter safely, taking theproper precautions, planning trips properly, allotting the proper time when traveling in adverse conditions andemploying the necessary measures toensure a safe and accident-free holiday.

I ask that our Soldiers and their Familiestake extra precautions while driving duringthe holidays, and for those Families of ourdeployed Soldiers, I ask that if going homefor the holidays, remember to keep your unitrear detachments and Family ReadinessGroups well informed of where you aregoing. Please stay in touch with your units

during the holidays so that we may contact you if needed.It is my personal mission and the mission of the

commanders on this post to ensure that the Mountain Post has a safe and wonderful holiday season.

This installation looks forward to maintaining and building upon the great relationship that exists between theFort Carson and the greater Colorado Springs communitiesduring this holiday season. These communities do a greatjob of keeping our Soldiers and their Family membersinvolved in a vast number of community events and activities during the holidays, and everyone is welcome toparticipate in the Mountain Post’s many festivities this year.

As we enter 2010, I express my heartfelt appreciationfor all who continue to serve this installation and this great nation. You are the reason that we have this opportunity to come together and celebrate the passing ofanother year and welcome the New Year.

Finally, I ask everyone to remember our brothers andsisters in arms who have made the ultimate sacrifice in serviceto their nation. Remember their service and honor theirmemory as we partake in each other’s company during thisholiday season, made possible in part by their sacrifice.

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year — God bless you, this nation and all our Soldiers as they continueupon their mission.

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MOUNTAINEERCommanding General:

Maj. Gen. David G. Perkins

Garrison Commander:

Col. Robert F. McLaughlin

Fort Carson Public Affairs Officer:

Dee McNutt

Chief, Print and Web Communications:

Douglas M. Rule

Editor: Julie M. Lucas

Staff Writers: Rick Emert

Devin Fisher

Zvia Bird

Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Smith

Spc. Alexis Ramos

Happenings: Nel Lampe

Sports Writer: Walt Johnson

Layout/graphics: Jeanne Mazerall

Classified advertising329-5236

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Mountaineer editor526-4144

Post information526-5811

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Dailey

Commander’s column

CSM sends holiday wishes

Commentary by Master Sgt. Jose A. Colon RiveraEqual Opportunity adviser, 2nd Brigade CombatTeam, 4th Infantry Division

“I’m not even going to lie…” That phrase annoys thedaylights out of me. It has become a phrase used every dayin our society.

What is wrong with it? For starters, it tells everyonewho is listening to you that you are a liar, untrustworthy,and have no honor.

That phrase has become prominent wherever“trash talk” is a staple of behavior.

As an Army man, I am reminded daily to be guided by the Army values — one ofthem being honor. My father used to tell methat a measure of a man’s worth was his word.His word was his bond and a measure of his trustworthiness — how right he was.

If you cannot be trusted to tell the truth, why am I going to trust you in doing the right thing when in combat? One of the most devastating forces in battle is thebutterflies that we feel in our stomach when we considerwhether we can trust our leaders. Can we trust our sergeant or our commander? Can we trust the politicianswho lead our nation?

When you cannot trust them to tell the truth, your mission readiness is compromised. As a noncommissionedofficer, my Soldiers should be able to trust me, because my word is my bond. My honor is on the line. As a father, my children need to know that I am trustworthy, and I will be there for them. As a husband, my wife needsto know that I am true to my word.

When you live by the Army values, you become trustworthy, you become honorable.

Your honor is displayed for all to see. Our nation was created more than 200 years

ago, and quickly became a beacon of prosperityand a shining example of what a free societycould achieve. We were looked up to.

I will not try to tell you that we will transform society. But I will tell you that I will

make a conscious effort, as a Soldier, a father, ahusband, and a citizen, to live my life by the Army

values. Of those, honor is to me of paramount importance.We are less than a month away from a New Year; this

is the time to think of New Year’s resolutions. Regardless of whether you celebrate Christmas, Kwanzaa, or any other religious holiday, or no religious holiday at all; I askyou: will you join me in living the rest of our lives, asAmerican Soldiers and citizens, with honor?

Display your honor to all

3Dec. 11, 2009 — MOUNTAINEER

Resourcing the Army home

Installation funding levels on declineCommentary by Lt. Gen. Rick LynchCommanding general, InstallationManagement Command

In recent years, the Army and itsinstallations have enjoyed unprece-dented levels of funding. In fiscal2008, the Army hit a high-water markin its f iscal history with a totalannual budget exceeding $250 billion— three times more than the fiscal2001 funding level.

Much of this growth is attributed tofunding the war, rebalancing our Armythrough investments in Army’s forcestructure, equipment, infrastructureand key Soldier and Family programs.

Funding levels of this magnitudeare unsustainable year after year and, asthe country faces some stiff economicchallenges, we are forced to reducefunding and exact a greater level ofstewardship over our resources.

The Installation ManagementCommand — like other commandsthroughout our Army — will operate atreduced funding levels. This means thatstarting in 2010, performance levels for

some installation services will benotably less than what we have had inrecent years and will remain at thatlevel for the foreseeable future.

Our challenge is to ensure thosekey, higher priority programs acrossour installations do not suffer. Wewill maintain our full support to life,health and safety programs, the ArmyFamily Covenant and those servicesthat prepare our Soldiers and theirFamilies for deployment in support ofthe Army’s Force Generation model.

These are non-negotiables thatwill remain fully funded. This is ourcommitment; we will not departfrom it. However, there will beother installation services that willclearly be reduced.

We have grown accustomed tosome very high levels of serviceacross the board in recent years andwe all need to be forthcoming withthe expectation that things will bedifferent in some areas. Help managethis expectation across your garrisons.Educate everyone as to which changesthey can expect to see. A simpleexplanation can go a long way to helping

understand the changes some of ourinstallation services will undergo.

Across the Army’s installations, wecan do much to help ourselves bybecoming better stewards of ourresources. It starts with the individual;everybody has a role.Simple things liketurning the lights off,driving tactical vehi-cles instead of trans-portation motor poolvehicles or conductinga video teleconferenceinstead of traveling toa distant site unneces-sarily all save money— and no savings istoo small to forego.

Commanders andleaders across the instal-lation have a key role and are responsiblefor the efficient use of our resources.Costs should be an inherent considerationin your every decision. We too oftenmarginalize this key factor in makinggood, resource-informed decisions butwe can no longer afford to do so.

As I travel throughout the Army

community, I carry the message thatwe can do business smarter and moreefficiently without sacrif icing thequality of service that our Soldiersand their Families so richly deserve.

I challenge everyone to do thesame; to work togetherto ensure that thosekey installation pro-grams that mean somuch are wellresourced and operat-ed; that we do awaywith wasteful andunnecessary spending.

Every person —whether you are aSoldier, Family mem-ber, one of our greatDepartment of Armycivilians or a contrac-

tor serving our Army — is needed andcan make a difference.

Ask yourself if you are doingthe right things and then, are youdoing them right. Doing thingsright means doing them in the mostcost-efficient way without sacrificingeffectiveness.

Lynch

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challenges volunteers face,such as working with dis-traught spouses, providingmeals for Families, and thefive stages of grief: shock,anger, bargaining, depressionand acceptance.

Upon completing thetraining, the newly certifiedcare team members receive acare team handbook and meetwith their unit FRG.

Jackie Sadosky, FRGleader, 4th Battalion, 10thCavalry Regiment, 3rdBrigade Combat Team, 4thInfantry Division, said sheoriginally participated in thetraining to share what shelearned about the class withother Family members fromher battalion.

By the end of the class,

Sadosky said she had decided tobecome a care team volunteer.

“It seems like the best wayI can support my husband,”said Sadosky, wife of StaffSgt. Frederick Sadosky, anM-2 Bradley FightingVehicle systems supervisorassigned to Company D, 4thBn., 10th Cav. Reg., 3rdBCT, 4th Inf. Div.

“Our unit only has fivecare team members right now,and we need more like 20before our Soldiers deploy,”she added.

Nugin said she encouragespeople interested in learningmore about becoming a careteam volunteer to contact theirunit FRG leader and request toenroll in the training.

Serving on a care team isa huge responsibility and careteam members must be up tothe challenge, said Nugin.

from page 1

CCCCaaaarrrreeee tttt eeeeaaaammmmssss

Melissa Glasspoole, family readinesssupport assistant, 3rd Brigade CombatTeam, 4th Infantry Division, answersquestions about Family readiness careteams during a class at the Fort CarsonFamily Readiness Center Dec. 2.

Sustainability and EnvironmentalManagement Team

Training Goal — Key stakeholder groupsare trained, compliant and motivated towardsustainability principles.

1) Attend the FTC Community SustainabilityConference and Expo. To find out morevisit http://sems.carson.army.mil.

2) Learn about how to become more“Green” on the Internet at such sites ashttp://www.sustainable.org, a variety ofinformation is out there.

3) Become a sustainability champion —pass along information learned to co-workers and Family members.

4) Request Fort Carson sponsored sustain-ability training for your organization.For more information call 524-4925.

(Source Colorado Springs Utilities)

Sustainability Tip


Troops defeat anti-Afghan attack in NuristanStory and photo by Capt. Luis Arriola2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 4thBrigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

NURISTAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan —Afghan National Army soldiers, along withInternational Security Assistance Forces in

Nuristan defended their bases from an attack byinsurgent forces Nov. 14.

Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 77th FieldArtillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4thInfantry Division, and members of the ANA’s4th Kandak at Forward Operating Base Kalagushprotected the base and a nearby observation post

from an hourlong ground assault inflicting heavycasualties on their attackers.

The Soldiers, members of Task Force MountainWarrior, repelled the assault due to an influx oftimely, credible intelligence from multiple sourcesprior to the attack, and the preparedness of theAfghan and coalition members, said Spc. Jonathan

Martinez, a military intelligence analystassigned to the 2nd Bn., 77th FA Reg,4th BCT, 4th Inf. Div., part of Task ForceMountain Warrior.

“With the flood of reporting indicatingan imminent attack, there was no way wecould have overlooked the validity of theinformation received,” said Martinez. “Wewere able to disseminate the informationin a timely manner, providing coalitionforces an adequate amount of time toprepare for a possible attack.”

Earlier in the week, numerous reportsindicated an attack against the FOB wasimminent, he said.

Each report confirmed the legitimacyof the information received from othersources.

The Afghan National DefenseService, the Afghan National Police, anddistrict and local leaders were only a fewcontributing to the intelligence that made

See Nuristan on page 7

Afghan NationalArmy soldiers

provide fire support to Soldiers

at an observationpost, Nov. 14.

Coalition forces andAfghan NationalArmy troops at

Forward OperatingBase Kalagush and

the observationpost suppressed

small-arms firefrom approximately

20 enemy fighterswith coalition

forces receivingno casualties.


MTF 10 Soldiers become citizensStory and photo by Maj. Kelli Metzger10th Combat SupportHospital Public Affairs

BAGHDAD — ThreeMedical Task Force 10 Soldiersjoined 154 other Soldiers from60 different countries andtook their oath of citizenshipat Al Faw Palace in Baghdadlast month.

More than 1,300 Soldiers,Sailors, Airmen, and Marines havetaken the oath to become citizensof the United States during 15naturalization ceremonies held inIraq since 2003.

“Becoming a U.S. citizenwas my dream,” said Spc. AmgadBasilio, who was born and raisedin Egypt. “It took a long time,but I am happy I did it.”

Basilio arrived in the U.S.two years ago and enlisted inthe Army in June 2007 as alinguist. While his children areU.S. citizens, Basilios and hiswife were not.

Spc. Boon Chang was bornin Seoul, Republic of Korea, andstill held citizenship there. Afterleaving Korea, Chang moved toBuenos Aires, Argentina, where

his wife and children currentlylive. He enlisted in the U.S.Army Aug. 27, 2007, attendedBasic Training at Fort Jackson,S.C., followed by AdvancedIndividual Training at Fort Lee,Va., and Fort Sam Houston,Texas, to prepare him to be afood service specialist. Changdecided he wanted to be a citizenof the country he has beendefending.

“I want to bring my Familyto the United States to live withme,” said Chang.

Spc. Daniel Corredor wasborn in Barranquilla, Colombia,where he lived until he was 12.His family then moved toChicago. Corredor enlisted inthe Army in June 2007 andcompleted Basic Training at FortLeonard Wood, Mo., followedby AIT at Fort Sam Houston,finishing as a combat medic. Hedecided to go through the natu-ralization process because hewas tired of the limitations fornoncitizens. His Family membersare also planning to becomeU.S. citizens.

The U.S. Citizenship andImmigration Services is agovernment agency consisting

of 15,000 federal employees andcontractors in 250 headquartersand field agencies around theworld. They are responsible forthe administration of immigrationand naturalization functions andestablishing immigration servicespolicies and procedures. Thenaturalization process can takebetween five months and twoyears depending on the timebetween application completionand interview. The Medical TF10Soldiers submitted their applica-tions earlier this year and hadtheir interviews in earlyNovember. The naturalizationceremony was held within aweek after the interview.

“It is amazing to me that somany were willing taking theopportunity to become a U.S.citizen while standing on foreignsoil and inside a dictator’spalace,” said Medical Task Force10 Chap. (Maj.) DanielMiddlebrooks, who attended theceremony to support the Soldierswho became citizens. “This isthe very heartbeat of someonethat desires to seek a dream in anation that, although not perfect,allows everyone to live a promise— the promise of freedom.”

Spc. Boon Chang, Medical Task Force 10, walks back to hisseat after receiving his naturalization certificate and anAmerican flag during a naturalization ceremony at Al FawPalace in Baghdad.

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Miscellaneous

U.S. Army Warrant Officer Association — PikesPeak Silver Chapter meets at noon Jan. 14 at theRaider Dining Facility, building 2330. All warrantofficers — active, retired and former — are invitedto attend. U.S. Military Motorcycle Mentorship Program —is open to servicemembers, veterans, Familymembers, Department of Defense civilian employeesand contractors. The group meets Wednesdays at11:30 a.m. at Alternate Escapes for socializing,learning mentorship principles and organizing rides.Motorcycles must be registered on post to join. Formore information, contact Master Sgt. Terry Mullinsat 526-4103 or 338-2585.DPW services — The Directorate of Public Works isresponsible for a wide variety of services on FortCarson. Services range from repair and maintenanceof facilities to equipping units with a sweeper andcleaning motor pools. Listed below are phonenumbers and points of contact for services:

• Facility repair/service orders — KIRA serviceorder desk can be reached at 526-5345. Use thisnumber for emergencies or routine tasks.

• Refuse/trash — Call Eric Bailey at 526-5898when needing trash containers, trash is overflowingor emergency service is required.

• Facility custodial services — Call H.D.“Woody” Wood at 526-1854 for service needs or toreport complaints.

• Elevator maintenance — Call Sharon Gayle at526-1695.

• Motor pool sludge removal/disposal — CallDon Phillips at 526-9271.

• Repair and utility/self-help — Call Gary Grantat 526-5844. Use this number to obtain self-help toolsand equipment or a motorized sweeper.

• Base operations contracting officer represen-tative — Call Terry Hagen at 526-9262 for reportingwind damage, snow removal concerns, damagedtraffic signs or other facility damage.

• Portable latrines — Call H.D. “Woody” Woodat 526-1854 to request latrines, for service or toreport damaged and overturned latrines.

Briefings

Casualty notification/assistance officer training— is held Monday-Dec. 18 from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. inthe Family Readiness Center, building 6237, room104. This training is required for all Soldiers askedto perform this solemn duty. Rank requirementsare sergeant first class-command sergeant major,warrant officer 2-5 and captain and above. Formore information call Jean Graves at 526-5613 ore-mail [email protected] court martial officer training — is heldThursday from 2:30-3:30 p.m. in the Family

Readiness Center, building 6237, room 104. Thistraining teaches the roles and responsibilities of aSCMO in the casualty operations process. Onlycommissioned officers can serve in this capacity. Formore information call Jean Graves at 526-5613 ore-mail carsdhrmpdcasualty@ conus.army.mil.Reassignment briefings — are held Tuesdays forSoldiers heading overseas and Thursdays for personnelbeing reassigned stateside. The briefings are heldin building 1219, room 202A; sign-in is at 6:45a.m. and the briefings start at 7 a.m. Soldiers donot need to bring a copy of their orders, but mustbring a pen to complete forms. Call 526-4730/4588for more information.Retirement briefings — are held from 8 a.m.-noonthe second and third Wednesday of each month at theKit Carson Neighborhood Activity Center, 4800 HarrAve. at McNierney Street. The Retirement ServicesOffice recommends spouses accompany Soldiers tothe briefing. Call 526-2840 for more information.ETS briefing — for enlisted personnel is held thefirst and third Wednesday of each month. Briefingsign-in begins at 7 a.m. at building 1219, room 202A,on a first-come, first-served basis. Soldiers must bewithin 120 days of their expiration term of service,but must attend the briefing no later than 30 daysprior to their ETS or start date of transition leave. Call526-2240/8458 for more information.Army ROTC Green to Gold briefings — are heldTuesdays at noon at the Education Center, building1117, room 120. For more information, contactUniversity of Colorado at Colorado Springs ArmyROTC at 262-3475.Special Forces briefings — are held Wednesdays inbuilding 1217, room 305, from 10-11 a.m., noon-1p.m. and 5-6 p.m. Soldiers must be specialist-staffsergeant from any military occupational specialty,have a general technical score of at least 100, be aU.S. citizen, score 229 or higher on the ArmyPhysical Fitness Test, and pass a Special Forcesphysical. Call 524-1461 or visit the Web site athttp://www.bragg.army.mil/sorb.

Hours of Operation

Central Issue Facility regular business hours — arelisted below. Call 526-3321 to make appointments.

In-processingMondays-Thursdays from 7:30-10:30 a.m.Initial issuesMondays-Thursdays from 12:30-3 p.m.Partial issuesMondays-Thursdays from 12:30-3 p.m.Cash sales/report of surveyMondays-Thursdays from 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m.Direct exchangeMondays-Thursdays from 12:30-3 p.m.Partial turn-insMondays-Thursdays from 12:30-3 p.m.Full turn-ins

Mondays-Thursdays from 7:30-10:30 a.m.Unit issues and turn-insCall 526-5512/6477 for approval.

DFAC hours — Fort Carson dining facilities operateunder the following hours:

• Wolf — Mondays-Fridays 7-9 a.m. (breakfast),11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (lunch) and 5-6:30 p.m. (dinner).Closed Saturday and Sunday.

• 10th SFG (A) — Mondays-Fridays 7-9 a.m.(breakfast), 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (lunch), no dinner.Closed Saturdays and Sundays.

• Iron Brigade — Mondays-Fridays 7-9 a.m.(breakfast), 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (lunch) and 5-6:30p.m. (dinner). Closed Saturday and Sunday.

• Butts Army Airfield — Mondays-Fridays 7-9a.m. (breakfast), 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (lunch), no dinner.Closed Saturdays and Sundays.

• Raiders — Mondays-Fridays 7-9 a.m. (break-fast), 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (lunch) and 5-6:30 p.m.(dinner). Closed Saturday and Sunday.

• Warhorse — Mondays-Fridays 7-9 a.m.(breakfast), 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (lunch) and 5-6:30p.m. (dinner). Saturday and Sunday 7:30-9 a.m.(breakfast), 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. (lunch) and 5-6:30p.m. (dinner).Education Center hours of operation — TheMountain Post Training and Education Center,building 1117, 526-2124, hours are as follows:

• Counselor Support Center — Mondays-Thursdays 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Fridays 11a.m.-4:30 p.m.

• Learning Resource Center/Military Occu-pational Specialty Library — Mondays-Fridays9 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Defense Activity for NontraditionalEducation Support and Army PersonnelTesting/eArmyU testing — Mondays-Fridays 7:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:15-4:15 p.m.Claims office hours — are Mondays-Fridays 9a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. Soldiers must attend amandatory briefing before receiving a claim packet.At the briefing, Soldiers must submit a Departmentof Defense Form 1840/1840R (pink form) orDefense Personnel Property Program delivery format building 6285, 526-1355.Medical Activity Correspondence Department officehours — The Correspondence (Release of Information)Office in the Patient Administration Division hoursare Mondays-Fridays 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and closedThursdays and on federal holidays. Call 526-7322or 526-7284 for more information.

BOSS meetings are held the first and thirdWednesday of each month at Alternate Escapes at10 a.m. For information, call 524-BOSS.

this a successful engagement.“With locals willing to provide

coalition forces accurate information,I believe we’re gaining the trust of thegeneral populace in our area ofoperations,” Martinez said.

The night prior to the attack,surveillance reports showed flares,tracers and movement on the ridgelinesnortheast of the FOB at an abandonedobservation post.

The Soldiers requested fire support

on the reported locations to deny theenemy the freedom of movement.

The synchronization of the forwardobserver, the fire direction center and thegun line produced illumination and high-explosive rounds that bombarded thehilltops, disrupting the enemy advances.

The next morning, a group ofenemy fighters attacked the observa-tion post.

The soldiers at the post reactedquickly. Their training and noncommis-sioned leadership enabled the Afghanarmy and coalition forces to hold offthe enemy advances long enough for

reinforcements to arrive.“I wasn’t concerned about the

Soldiers up at the observation post,” saidSgt. 1st Class Kyle Riley, platoonsergeant, Headquarters andHeadquarters Battery, 2nd Bn., 77th FAReg. “I have full confidence in mynoncommissioned officers up there.They all stepped up,”

The success of the allied forcesduring the battle can be traced back totraining and effort.

“Rehearsals, not being complacentand a lot of drills kept us on the edge,”said Spc. Joshua Coryell, fire direction

center primary computer operator,HHB, 2nd Bn., 77th FA Reg.

The 120 mm mortar team, assignedto HHB, 2nd Bn., 77th FA Reg., wasone of the first groups to respond to theattack, delivering 43 rounds of highexplosives on their targets, resulting insix enemies killed in action.

“We do a lot of ‘dry’ fire missionsand rehearsals for direct and indirectfires,” said Sgt. 1st Class CharlesMoss, platoon sergeant for the M-198howitzers and 120 mm mortars. “Myguys know where to go and what to do— it is muscle memory.”

from page 5

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EOD competition determines Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Jeffrey SmithMountaineer staff

Soldiers from the 71st Ordnance Group(Explosive Ordnance Disposal) met Nov. 17 at Fort Carson from all over the western United States to test their mettle through an array of tasksto see who the group’s best Soldiers.

“They’re trying to recognize the best EODSoldier and (noncommissioned officer),” said MasterSgt. James Rouse, NCOIC for the competition.

The competition is designed to test both thephysical and mental prowess of the competitorsthrough various combat-related tasks such as aneight-mile, timed road march, push-ups and sit-ups,

weapons qualification, nine-line medical evacuationrequest, and a board to test their tactical and technicalknowledge of their jobs. The competitors were intwo groups, NCO’s and junior enlisted, each competing for the honor of being the best in his group.

The Soldiers began the competition with aninspection of all their gear, precombat inspectionsand checks and a reconnaissance of the route forthe road march.

The following day the competitors began before the crack of dawn by double-checking theirequipment and stretching out for the task that layahead. Upon the command “Go,” they began a lightjog with rucksacks on their backs and weapons intheir hands, determined to finish the eight-milecourse in under 2½ hours. The march took them up

multiple hills and around Fort Carsonbefore ending back at the starting point.

Sgt. Jason Veltman, 3rd Battalion,129th EOD Company, Fort Lewis, Washand Spc. Craig Merringer, 3rd Battalion,53rd EOD Company, Fort Lewis, werethe first to cross the finish line.Competing in different categories, they were able to provide each other

The command group from 71st Ordnance Group(Explosive Ordnance Disposal) congratulateSgt. Jason Veltman, 3rd Battalion, 129th EODCompany, on winning the EOD competition.

Staff Sgt. Richard Mareira, 242nd Explosive OrdnanceDisposal Battalion, treks on through the morning ashe takes on the second half of the road march.

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with motivation to keep going and never quit. “We just sort of distracted each other from

the pain,” said Merringer, “Whenever I ran, he ran, whenever he ran, I ran.”

Veltman’s strategy for finishing first was simple.“Keep a good pace, keep looking back and make

sure no one is behind us,” said Veltman after finishingthe physical fitness portion of the competition.

While other tasks still lay ahead, the roadmarch was the most physically exerting portion of the competition, and to the Soldiers competing,seemed to be the most important.

“It’s definitely a big part of it,” Veltman said.Finishing the road march was just the

beginning though. The Soldiers still had to complete a medevac request and a SALUTE reportwhich includes reporting the size, activity, location,uniforms, time and equipment of an enemy force.Once all Soldiers finished those portions they were taken over to the Engagement Skills Trainerto test their ability to qualify with their weaponsand perform situational scenarios where they had to engage enemy targets and differentiatebetween enemy and noncombatants.

“It just represents that EOD shows basic warrior skills,” said Merringer.

Following the board, an award ceremony washeld at the 71st EOD headquarters where theyannounced the winners of the competition. Veltmanwon for the NCO category. Winning for the lower

enlisted category was Merringer.Merringer’s pride after winning was not for

himself though, it was for those who helped him get to where he was and for having faith in him to be the best that he could be.

“This wasn’t for me, this was for my command, my team leader,” Merringer said.

“The two winners really set themselves apart,” said 71st EOD Command Sgt. Maj. TomGonzalez. “Soldiers are out there training hard,doing the right thing.”

Gonzalez was proud of his Soldiers who not only won the competition, but also the onesthat competed.

“It’s a phenomenal feeling to be a leader of this kind of caliber of Soldier,” he said. “They’re out there saving our Soldiers’ lives.”

Topping off the day was the unveiling of abomb that sits outside of the EOD headquarters, to recognize and honor the NCOs of the 71st EODgroup. With the Year of the NCO seal painted on it,Gonzalez took pride in paying tribute to the NCOs,not only from his group, but from the entire Army.

“You must be the experienced sage for yourwarriors,” said Gonzalez in a speech during theunveiling. “It is not enough to tell a Soldier what to do, but as an NCO and a leader, you must show them what to do, even if that meansputting yourself in harm’s way.”

With Fort Lewis walking away with the awards

for best in the group and the bomb unveiling complete, the day would seem to be a success.Although Gonzalez is proud of the results of the competition, he said he plans to take it to the next level with a full physical fitness test,live-fire range, and more in-depth medevac procedures for the next competition.


best Soldiers, NCO

Command Sgt. Maj. Tom Gonzalez, left, unveils thebomb outside of 71st Ordnance Group (ExplosiveOrdnance Disposal) headquarters in recognition of theYear of the NCO.

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Military Family Life consultants provide valuable resourcesby Maj. Alan Brown2nd Brigade Combat Team Public AffairsOffice, 4th Infantry Division

It is no secret that transitioning back home after ademanding, yearlong deployment is tough forSoldiers and their Families. Challenges concerningfinances, relationships and behavioral health can takea toll on their quality of life. Unattended, thesecommon and very normal life challenges add up andcan affect unit readiness and morale.

Fortunately for Fort Carson Soldiers and theirFamilies, many of these everyday problems can bedealt with quickly and quietly by accessing the teamof Fort Carson Military Family Life consultants.

Since 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th InfantryDivision, returned from Iraq in September, a surgeteam of more than 20 consultants has providedconfidential assistance to Soldiers and Families withcommon redeployment issues. MFLC surge teams areavailable to all redeploying brigades and remain withthe unit for 90 days after redeployment.

“The Military Family Life consultants havebeen an invaluable asset in helping our Soldiersmake the transition home after their recent tour inIraq,” said Col. John S. Kolasheski, commander,2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. “I view these professionalconsultants as a force multiplier that helps set theconditions necessary to allow us to begin trainingfor future missions.”

The 2nd BCT has strived to provide at least 30minutes for every Soldier in the brigade to meet witha consultant and discuss any problems or concernsrelated to redeployment. The goal is to ensureSoldiers have access to resources that can assist themwith common challenges relating to redeploymentand reintegration.

“Everyone, regardless of rank or duty position,experiences challenges as we go through life.Soldiers owe it to themselves, their Family and theirunit to ask for assistance when needed,” saidKolasheski. “Military Family Life consultants are agreat way for Soldiers to get the assistance that theyrequire without worrying about being highlighted infront of their chain of command or peers.”

According to the Department of Defense,Military Family Life consultants are trained counselors

whose mission is to provide confidential, nonmedicalsupport and counseling to military members, DoDcivilians and their Families.

Consultants are specifically trained to provideshort-term, solution-based support with problemsrelating to, but not limited to, stress and angermanagement; grief/loss; deployments; parent/childrelationships; couples’ communication and maritalissues; stressors relating to relocations; and financialchallenges.

Consultants have a strict confidentiality policyand will not disclose any information about theirpatrons to the chain of command, Fort Carson or theArmy. As a result, consultants do not keep writtenrecords or report on the people they see.

Counselors are obligated to share information toprevent people from doing harm to themselves orothers. They may also be required to discloseinformation for legal reasons.

MFLC services remain widely available acrosspost for all military, government civilians and Familymembers at any time.

As of Oct. 13, each brigade combat team receiveda permanent Military Family Life consultant. Abrigade MFLC works in the unit area and strives tobecome a familiar face. The goal is to develop astrong relationship with the command and look forinnovative ways to provide information and resourcesthat benefit Soldiers and their Families.

Five consultants are also available through ArmyCommunity Service and can assist the entire FortCarson community.

Convenience and flexibility are two importantbenefits consultants offer. Counselors are available tomeet community members on or off post at a neutrallocation, depending on the client’s comfort level.Consultants are also available to speak to smallgroups, either formal or informal, upon request.

The MFLC program also extends into threeschool districts serving Fort Carson. Seven full-timeconsultants service 10 area primary and secondaryschools in the following districts: Fountain/FortCarson District 8; Harrison District 2; andWidefield District 3. For more information on theMFLC program within the schools, contactCarmelita Holien, school liaison officer, Child,Youth and School Services, at 524-0642.

The MFLC program was established on FortCarson in 2004, and began with three consultants,said Patricia Randle, director, ACS. Since then, shesaid, the program has grown exponentially.

“Military and Family Life consultants have apositive impact and serve as a force multiplier inproviding service to Soldiers and Families,” she said.

The program is overseen by the Department ofDefense and is intended to promote a culture thatencourages servicemembers to seek counseling orother assistance when they have a problem, she said.The program also seeks to eliminate the barriersservicemembers face in seeking help and strives toempower leaders to advocate for troops who may beinterested in seeking counseling or other services.

For more information about services provided orto contact an MFL consultant at ACS, call 338-7216.

MFLC points of contactSoldiers and Family members can reach their respective brigade-level Military Family Life consultants at the following numbers:

1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division — 306-5954

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division — 238-6931

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division — 238-7569

4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division — 244-5831


Program brings trees to military FamiliesStory and photo by Rick EmertMountaineer staff

Two national organizations partneredto spread some Christmas cheer tomilitary members and their Families.

FedEx and the Christmas SPIRITFoundation distributed 600 Christmastrees to servicemembers, Departmentof the Army civilians andFamily members Monday-Friday at the Mountain PostSports Complex.

The first two days werededicated to Soldiers selectedby their units to get a free livetree. Beginning Wednesday,any servicemember, civilianemployee or Family membercould get a free tree whilesupplies lasted.

Pvt. Thomas McNeil, 4thBattalion, 42nd FieldArtillery Regiment, 1stBrigade Combat Team, 4thInfantry Division, signed upfor the program through hisunit and was one of the firstto walk away with his freetree Monday morning.

“Getting the tree for freewill allow us to put more giftsunder it,” he said.

Another Soldier from his

unit, Sgt. Jacob Kognang, helpedMcNeil get the tree home.

“It’s a good program, and it’s verygood for Soldiers; these trees areexpensive,” Kognang said.

FedEx and the Christmas SPIRITFoundation have teamed up for fiveyears to provide the free trees throughthe Trees for Troops program.

“It’s awesome to be able to do thisfor Soldiers and their Families,” saidSteve Drake, chief executive officerof Christmas SPIRIT Foundation,“About 3,000 consumers buy thetrees in 29 states (for the nationwideprogram). We send (trees) to Iraq andAfghanistan and to 53 military basesin the United States.”

More than 750 tree growers havedonated trees, and FedEx freighttrucks have traveled an estimated150,000 miles to deliver them,according to a Trees for Troops programpress release.

The program provided 50,000trees to servicemembers and theirFamilies in its first four years. This

year, Drake said, the programwill provide 15,000 trees tomilitary Families.

One of those Families wasRuby Mantz and her daughter,Magdalena, 4, who picked outtheir tree Monday morning.

“I think it’s an amazingthing they are doing for mili-tary Families,” she said. “Myhusband got one last year, butI had to come and get it thisyear, because he’s deployed.”

Drake said that it’sFamilies like the Mantzes thathe is most proud to be able tohelp during the holidays.

“This is Christmastime,and the tree is the centerpieceof the holiday,” Drake said.“It can be a lonely time withthe deployments, and I hopethis lets servicemembers andFamilies know that someoneis thinking of them.”

Soldier-volunteers unload Christmas trees as part of the Trees for Troops program Monday at the MountainPost Sports Complex.

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Program teaches Army heritage to spousesStory and photos by Devin FisherMountaineer staff

The thought of attending a formalmilitary event can be quite dauntingfor Army spouses. Dining-outs, military balls and socials are filledwith Army customs and courtesies, not to mention all those acronyms.

While the Soldiers are immersedwith the Army’s rich heritage duringinitial training, many military spousesmay tremble at the thought of attending these functions for fear ofmaking a faux pas because they are

unfamiliar with Army traditions.The Army Community Service

Family Enrichment Program commemorated 14 years of helpingspouses replace the anxiety of participating in military ceremonieswith anticipation during a birthdaycelebration at the Elkhorn ConferenceCenter Dec. 2.

The “Tour of Army Traditions”celebration featured demonstrations on proper etiquette of tea pouring and table manners, how to dress forvarious occasions, protocol, invitations,honors to the flag, and customs andcourtesies. The demonstrations were

designed to providethose in attendance a glimpse of whatthe Army FamilyTeam Building program offers during regularly-scheduled classes

and can tailor for a unit prior to anevent, said Nancy Montville, familyenrichment program manager.

“Before a (military) ball, a unitmight want to have us do (a) table etiquette (class) … a lot of people new to the military may not know theproper protocol for that or for … honors to the flag,” she said.

The AFTB program was estab-lished in 1995 to help teach spousesabout the many intricacies of the military, Montville said. Followingtroop deployments in support ofOperations Desert Shield and Storm,the AFTB program was developed “to empower spouses and teach them to be self-sufficient,” she said.

She noted that the volunteer-driven program has evolved since itsinception, currently offering three levels of classes for spouses andSoldiers. Montville recommends thelevel-one introductory class for those

who have been around the military for less than five years, the level-twomanagement class for those from five-10 years and the level-three leadership class for those with morethan 10 years of military experience.

A level-one class is held everyother month while level-two and -threeclasses are held quarterly. AFTB alsoteaches an introduction module forFamily readiness groups monthly. Theintroductory class includes how toread a Leave and Earnings Statement,understanding military terms andacronyms and problem solving,Montville said. The level-two classincludes stress management and meeting management while level three focuses on leadership issues.

The AFTB provides spouses withthe “do’s and don’ts” for militaryactivities, information that is beneficialfor Army spouses, no matter howlong they have been around the

military, said Julia Maldonado,an Army spouse and Familyreadiness support assistant with the 1st Space Brigade atPeterson Air Force Base.

“I think it is beneficial foreveryone, whether old or new. I still learn things all the time,”she said, noting her husband has served for 21 years.

“I like to gather informationand pass it on to our spouseswithin our unit … and as asenior spouse, I like to keep upto date with all the protocol and things like that … so when we do go to functions andactivities I know what I am supposed to do as a spouse.”

To find out more about theAFTB, call ACS at 526-4590 or stop by building 1526.

Kristin Munson demonstrates the crown napkin fold as Robin Arnold,center, and Sylvia Schyberg look on.

Jose Espinoza, left, discussesappropriate clothing to wear at

various military events with Eric Jackson and Flo Wyrick at

the Dec. 2 Army Family TeamBuilding birthday celebration atthe Elkhorn Conference Center.

Ginger Perkins, wife ofMaj. Gen. David G. Perkins,4th Infantry Division andFort Carson commandinggeneral, demonstratesproper tea pouring duringthe Army Family TeamBuilding birthday celebration at the ElkhornConference Center Dec. 2.


Community offers Hanukkah servicesCommentary by Chap. (Maj.) Howard FieldsU.S. Army Garrison, Fort Carson rabbi

The Jewish Festival of Hanukkah starts thisyear on Friday evening and ends eight dayslater at sundown Dec. 19.

Hanukkah is not in the Hebrew Bible. It ismentioned in the book of 1 Maccabees: “Foreight days they celebrated the rededication of thealtar. Then Judah and his brothers and the entirecongregation of Israel decreed that the days ofthe rededication ... should be observed ... everyyear ... for eight days.” (1 Maccabees 4:56–59)

There is a brief mention in 2 Maccabees aswell. The altar referred to is the one in the Templein Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revoltof the second century before the Common Era.

The custom of lighting candles forHanukkah comes from the Jewish collectedbooks of law and wisdom called the Talmud.There it states that after the forces of AntiochusIV had been driven from the Temple, theMaccabees discovered that almost all of the ritual olive oil had been profaned. Theyfound only a single container that was stillsealed by the high priest, with enough oil tokeep the menorah in the Temple lit for a single day. They used this oil, and miraculously,that oil burned for eight days.

We remember this miracle by lighting candles each night of Hanukkah. The traditionis to light a “helpercandle” to lightthe holy candles.On the first nightone holy candle is lit and on eachsubsequent nightan additional candle is added.The candles arenot to light up aroom or to readby; they are onlyfor remembering themiracle that our ances-tors experienced.

There is a tradition to eatfoods cooked in oil duringHanukkah. Most American Jews eat potato pancakes. In Israel thecustom is to eat doughnuts. The Western tradition of gift giving is usually reserved for children. As in other faith traditionswe try to emphasize the spiritualnature of adding light to thedarkest days of the yearrather than on shopping.

There will be several opportunities to lightHanukkah candles together as a community.

The Peterson Air Force BaseChapel is having a FrontRange HanukkahService/Party Saturday at6:30 p.m.; the Air ForceAcademy rabbi is con-ducting the service. Hereat Carson, I will leadcandle lighting at Veterans Chapel(Titus Boulevard andBarkley Avenue, next to Warrior Clinic)

Monday at 4:30 p.m.

For Hanukkah candles

or more information

on Jewish events

and worship in

Colorado Springs, call

Rabbi Howard Fields

at 526-6263.

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Chapel ScheduleROMAN CATHOLIC

Day Time Service Chapel Location Contact PersonSunday 8:15-8:45 a.m. Reconciliation Soldiers’ Nelson & Martinez Chap. Gross/526-5279Sunday 9:15 a.m. Mass Soldiers’ Nelson & Martinez Chap. Gross/526-5279Sunday 10:30 a.m. CRE Soldiers’ Nelson & Martinez Pat Treacy/524-2458Sunday 10:30 a.m. RCIA Soldiers’ Nelson & Martinez Pat Treacy/524-2458Sunday 11 a.m. Mass Healer Evans Army Hospital Fr. Nwatawali/526-7347Tu/Thurs noon Mass Healer Evans Army Hospital Fr. Nwatawali/526-7347

PROTESTANTFriday 4:30 p.m. Intercessory prayer, Soldiers’ Nelson & Martinez Chap. Firtko/524-4316

Bible StudySunday 9 a.m. Protestant Healer Evans Army Hospital Chap. Roberts/526-7387Sunday 9 a.m. Liturgical Service Prussman Barkeley & Ellis Chap. Mitchell/650-8042Sunday 9:15 a.m. Sunday School Soldiers’ Nelson & Martinez Heidi McAllister/526-5744Sunday 9:30 a.m. Sunday School Prussman Barkeley & Prussman Heidi McAllister/526-5744Sunday 10:50 a.m. Protestant Soldiers’ Nelson & Martinez Chap. Firtko/524-4316Sunday 11 a.m. Protestant/Gospel Prussman Barkeley & Prussman Ursula Pittman/503-1104Sunday 11 a.m. Chapel Next Veterans Magrath & Titus Chap. Frailey/526-8262Tuesday 9 a.m. PWOC Soldiers’ Nelson & Martinez Chap. Firtko/524-4316Wednesday 2:30-4:30p.m. Youth ministry Soldiers’ Nelson & Martinez Heidi McAllister/526-5744

JEWISHFor information and a schedule of Jewish Sabbath services, call the U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel at 333-2636 or Chap. (Maj.) Howard Fields at 526-6263.

WICCASunday 2 p.m. Building 4800 Harr & McNerny [email protected]

COLORADO WARRIORS SWEATLODGEColorado Warriors Sweatlodge ceremonies (He Ska Akicita Inipi) are offered to military Family members and Department of Defense personnel. These lodges are traditional Lakota spiritual ceremonies for cleansing, purification and prayer, and are fully sanctioned and supported by the Fort Carson command chaplain. MichaelHackwith is the spiritual advisor. For information and directions call Zoe Goodblanket at 442-0929 or e-mail [email protected].

Daily Bible readings: To assist in regular Scripture reading, the following Scriptures are recommended. These Scriptures are part of the common daily lectionary, which is designed to present the entire Bible over a three-year cycle.

Friday — Psalms 7, Revelation 21-22Saturday — Psalms 8, Isaiah 1-3Sunday — Psalms 9, Isaiah 4-6Monday — Psalms 10, Isaiah 7-9Tuesday — Psalms 11, Isaiah 10-12 Wednesday — Psalms 12, Isaiah 13-15Thursday — Psalms 13, Revelation 16-18

Prussman Gospel Choir invites you to its annualholiday musical Saturday at 5 p.m. at PrussmanChapel, building 1850, at the corner of BarkeleyAvenue and Prussman Boulevard. The theme is “Morea Holiday” and the scripture will be Matthew 1:18-21,led by Karla McKinney. Light refreshments will beserved. For more information contact Zina Parker at390-4515 or e-mail [email protected].

A holiday potluck will follow the Protestant 10:50 a.m. worship service at Soldiers’ MemorialChapel Dec. 20. SMC will provide meat, table service and drinks. Congregation members are asked to bring side dishes and desserts and the public is welcomed. Point of contact is HeidiMcAllister, director of Religious Education at 526-5744 or [email protected].

All children in grades six-12 are invited to FortCarson’s postwide youth ministries which meet atSoldiers’ Memorial Chapel Sundays at 2:30-4:30 p.m. Youth ministries include fellowship, Bible study, mission trips, activities and much more. For more information, contact HeidiMcAllister, director of Religious Education at 526-5744 or [email protected].

The Fort Carson Awana Club meets

Thursdays from 5-7 p.m. at Soldiers’

Memorial Chapel. Awana is an international,

nondenominational ministry dedicated

to sharing the Gospel of Christ with young

people. Awana teaches children and youths

how to apply biblical principles to their

everyday life through an exciting and challenging

program that includes fast-paced games,

upbeat songs, Bible-based lessons and

lots of fun. For more information,

call Stacy Chapman at 382-3970 or visit

the Awana International Web site

at http://www.Awana.org.


Claims against the estate — With deepest regret tothe Family of Sgt. Kenneth Nichols, deceased.Anyone having claims against or indebtedness to hisestate should contact Capt. John Davis at 401-644-9517.Claims against the estate — With deepest regret tothe Family of Spc. Elijah J. Rao, deceased. Anyonehaving claims against or indebtedness to his estateshould contact Capt. Jason C. MacConnell at 503-4400.Claims against the estate — With deepest regret to theFamily of Sgt. Eduviges Gua Wolf, deceased. Anyonehaving claims against or indebtedness to her estateshould contact Capt. Robert Farmer at 719-351-0327.Claims against the estate — With deepest regret to the Family of Spc. Lucas J. Noland,deceased. Anyone having claims against or indebtedness to his estate should contact 1st Lt. Christopher Smith at 215-882-0511.Traffic congestion relief surveys — Fort Carson’stransportation planning team needs help with twoonline surveys regarding traffic congestion reliefdecisions to be made in early 2010. The central cantonment area survey concerns converting Speckerand Wetzel avenues to one-way streets. The car-lessmobility survey will help Fort Carson design a systemthat allows convenient and cost-effective mobility toand around Fort Carson without a personal vehicle,reducing congestion and transportation costs. Such asystem could help alleviate transportation challengeswhen Mountain Metro Route 30 bus service to FortCarson ceases Jan. 1 because of city of ColoradoSprings budget cuts. The surveys take less than 10minutes combined. The central cantonment survey isavailable at http://www.gfnet.com/ survey/takesurvey.asp?surveyID=43M8944J6mI5G and the car-lessmobility survey is at http://www. lsccs.com/surveys/ftcarson/ftcarson.php. The deadline for completingthe surveys is Dec. 18. For more information, con-tact the Installation Resource Office at 526-9777.Officer Spouses Club scholarships — The FortCarson Officers’ Spouses’ Club offers merit-basedscholarships to Family members including highschool seniors, spouses and those already attendingcollege. Family members of Army active-duty, retired,Reserve, National Guard, deceased or those missingin action and Department of Defense civilians planning to enroll as full-time students in a bachelor,associate or similar degree/diploma program from an accredited two- or four-year college, university orvocational technical school are eligible. Selection willbe based on scholastic achievement, demonstratedleadership, citizenship, motivation, diversity of interest and community involvement. For more information or to request an application, contact theFCOSC scholarship chair at fcosc(underscore)[email protected]. Scholarship applicationsmust be postmarked by Feb. 20. Mail applications toFort Carson Officers’ Spouses’ Club, ScholarshipCommittee, P.O. Box 12886 Fort Carson, CO 80902.Toy giveaway — Balfour Beatty Communities, Fort Carson Family Housing will be handing outfree toys to Mountain Post military children Dec. 21from 4-6 p.m. at the Special Events Center duringits third Annual Toy Giveaway. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for family photos and variousvendors will be on hand. This is a free event. Commissary holiday hours — The Fort CarsonCommissary will be open Dec. 24 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (7-9 a.m. early bird) and regular hours Dec. 31. The store will be closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.Hospital after-hours entrance — The westentrance revolving door is now the only after-hoursnonemergency entrance to Evans Army CommunityHospital. Visitors must check in with the securityguard and receive a visitor’s pass. Emergencypatients are the only ones who may enter the hospital through the north-side Emergency Roomentrance. For more information, call 526-7655.Influenza self-care medications — TRICARE-

eligible beneficiaries 18 and older can pick upinfluenza self-care medications, acetaminophen and ibuprofen, without a prescription at the EvansArmy Community Hospital pharmacy window 2 Mondays-Thursdays from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Fridays 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m.-4 p.m. The commissary pharmacy and the outlying clinic pharmacies will also distribute self-care medicationsduring normal operating hours. Parents can obtainmedications for their eligible children; those pickingup medications for children less than 2 years oldwill need to know their child’s weight. For moreinformation contact the Pharmacy Information Lineat 524-4088. For information about flu vaccinationscall the Flu Shot Hotline at 526-6422 and to speakto a registered nurse about influenza, contact the Flu Nurse Advice Line at 526-8773 (52NURSE).Scholarship program for children of Soldiers —The Army Emergency Relief’s Maj. Gen. JamesUrsano Scholarship Program is for children ofactive-duty, retired and deceased Soldiers who arefull-time students at an undergraduate, technical orvocational institution accredited by the Departmentof Education. The scholarships are awarded annuallyup to four academic years. Funds may be used fortuition, books, fees, supplies or school room andboard. Students may reapply each year and mustmaintain a grade point average of at least 2.0 on a4.0 grading scale. To qualify, students must be underthe age of 23 for the entire 2010-2011 academic yearand must be an unmarried child of an active-duty orretired Soldier or a Soldier who died in either status.All Soldiers and students must be registered in theDefense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System;students can verify their DEERS status at 800-538-9552. Applications for the 2010-2011 scholarshipsare available online at http://www.aerhq.org. Onlineapplications must be submitted by March 1. Stateside Spouse Education Assistance Program— is for spouses of active-duty and retired Soldiers,and widows and widowers of Soldiers who diedeither on active duty or in a retired status, and areresiding in the United States. All spouses must beregistered in the Defense Eligibility EnrollmentReporting System, which can be verified at 800-538-9552. This program does not apply to secondundergraduate or graduate degrees. Scholarshipawards are based on financial need and are awardedannually for up to four academic years to attend postsecondary school full time as undergraduate levelstudents. Funds are to assist with academic expensesat the attending university/school and are disbursedequally between the fall and spring semesters orquarters to assist with tuition, books, fees and supplies.Students must maintain a grade point average of atleast 2.0 on a 4.0 grading scale. Applications for the 2010-2011 academic year scholarships will beavailable online until March 1 at http://www.aerhq.org.Applications must be submitted by March 1.Donated annual leave for Fort Carson civilianemployees — is currently being accepted for the following civilian employees under the VoluntaryLeave Transfer Program. The employees who haveexhausted all available leave because of medical emergencies and are currently accepting leave donations are: George Anderson, Mary Koziol andDanette Wyatt, Directorate of Family and Morale,Welfare and Recreation; Anthony Jackson,Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization andSecurity; James and Torie Koller, Diretorate ofEmergency Services; and Denver Holden, U.S. ArmySpace and Missile Defense Command. To donateannual leave under VLTP, contact the GarrisonResource Management Office at 526-1841/1839 ortara.smithoverton@conus .army.mil to obtain formOMP-630A, “Request to Donate Annual Leave,” orthe OMP-630B for an outside agency.Morning road closures — to accommodate the unit physical training time of 6:30-8 a.m., Mondays-

Fridays are in effect. Magrath and Minnick avenuesare closed at 6:30 a.m. weekdays. Minnick reopensat 7:30 a.m. and Magrath reopens at 8 a.m. Unitswill conduct traffic control along the PT route tohelp ensure the safety of Soldiers. Cub Scout Pack 264 on Fort Carson — offersactivities for boys in the first-fifth grades thatinclude sports and academics, helping to instill family and community values such as honesty, good citizenship, respect and more. The Cub Scoutprogram includes the following dens: Tiger (firstgrade), Wolf (second grade), Bear (third grade),Webelos I (fourth grade) and Webelos II (fifth grade).For more information contact Cindy Mathis at 719-559-8886 or e-mail [email protected] Boy Scout Troop 164 on Fort Carson — BoyScouts is a year-round program for boys age 11-17.Boys who are 10 may join if they have received theArrow of Light Award or finished the fifth grade.Boy Scouts is a program of fun outdoor activities,peer group leadership opportunities and a personalexploration of career, hobbies and special interests,all designed to achieve the Boy Scouts of America’sobjectives of strengthening character, personal fitness and good citizenship. If you would like to sign your son up for Boy Scouts, contactRaffaella Lamora, at 719-559-8686 or e-mail raffaella(underscore)[email protected] Scouts — are currently registering adult leadersand girls for the upcoming year. The new grade levels are: Daisy (kindergarten-first grade), Brownie(second-third grades), Junior (fourth-sixth grades),Cadette (seventh-ninth grades), Senior (ninth-10thgrades) and Ambassador (11th-12th grades). Formore information contact Kenya Cruzat, director, at the Girl Scout Council, 597-8603, ext. 24.Refill process at the commissary pharmacy — Due to ongoing construction at Evans ArmyCommunity Hospital, parking at the hospital continuesto challenge patients and staff alike. Beneficiaries not prime-enrolled to EACH and needing new prescriptions can save time and effort by gettingthem at the full-service commissary pharmacy, locatedbetween the commissary and Class Six store. Anybeneficiary requiring refills can use the automatedrefill ordering system and can select the commissarylocation. Order refills by calling the automated system at 524-4081 or online at http://www.evans.amedd. army.mil. Select “online prescriptions” and“EACH Commissary” for pharmacy location. This service is available for all retirees, active-duty personneland their Family members. Hours of operation areMondays-Fridays 9 a.m.-5 p.m., excluding holidays.

PacifiCare and Humana CoverageFirst will cease to participate in theFEHB program for the Fort Carsonservice area.

Employees currently enrolledwith these health systems shouldvisit https://www.abc.army.mil to

elect another FEHB provider beforeMonday, the end of open season.

Employees failing to switchproviders prior to the deadline will no longer have coverage after Jan. 1

and will have to wait until the nextopen season to elect coverage.

FEHB open season ends Monday


Vet cares for wife in time of needby Staff Sgt. Jeffrey SmithMountaineer staff

“Never leave a fallen comrade” is possibly the most well-knownphrase of the warrior ethos. To VictorSantiago though, comrade means family as well.

Even in a time of great loss and sadness there often is a truehappiness between a man and hiswife that is strengthened by theeternal bonds of love.

Victor was drafted into the Army in1944 as an infantryman. He served for21 years and is a veteran of World WarII and the Korean War. His dedicationto his fellow Soldiers was rewardedwith a Bronze Star Medal during histour in Korea, where Victor and hisunit provided covering fire for aretreat. While Victor survived, he lostthe majority of his platoon. Still, he ishumble about his bravery and actions.

“I think there were more peoplethat deserved more than me,” Victorsaid, recalling his award.

The warrior ethos instilled inVictor during his time in the Army has carried over to his dedication tocaring for his wife, Martha, who wasdiagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in2006. Not wanting to put his wife intoan assisted living facility, Victor said hedid all he could to keep her with him.

“I tried; I kept her until the lastminute,” Victor said.

In Victor’s mind he was still aSoldier, taking care of his family andleaving no one behind, he said. Aftergoing through a state of denial about his wife’s condition, he finallyaccepted the facts and began yetanother mission given to him by life.

“I had one more duty to do. Totake care of her until I couldn’t nomore,” he said. “That’s the only (and)best thing I can do.”

This devotion to Martha beganmore than 60 years ago when Victorhad returned from World War II and

was living back in his hometown ofSan Juan, Puerto Rico. While at asmall store he said he happened tolook across the street where he saw abeautiful woman sitting at a piano andplaying. Victor was captivated by herand said he knew from that momentthat one day she would be his wife.

“I guess it was love at first sight,”he said, thinking back on the day.

On Oct. 15, 1948, they marriedand began their journey as husbandand wife. Forgoing his father’s shipping business, Victor stuck withthe military career and moved toPanama with his new bride in tow.

Having his wife’s support while hewas deployed was a driving force thathelped to keep him going and motivatedto get back home to his family.

“She was a fantastic person,” hesaid. “When you’re in the service andyou know your family is behind you, it will help you a lot.”

After all those years of his wifesupporting him, raising their childrenand keeping things in order on thehomefront, it was now Victor’s turn totake care of her. After slowly slippinginto the grasps of the disease, itbecame apparent that Martha wouldneed to be in a facility where she couldbe looked after around the clock.

While his own health was decliningfrom the time spent taking care of hiswife, Victor eventually did what he hadtried to avoid for so long and placedMartha into an assisted living facility,The Court at Colorado Springs.However, his loyalty did not end there.

“He’s here every day … he putsher to bed, he reads to her, he holdsher hand until she falls asleep. Everynight without fail,” Victor’s daughterMartha, said.

His admiration and commitmentto his wife is a source of inspirationfor his family. The everlasting message of love and taking care ofeach other and one’s family resoundsthroughout Victor’s family.

“It’s like kind of inspiration foryour kids,” said Victor’s son, VictorSantiago Jr. “We take care of eachother. We respect each other, and wehold on to each other no matter what.”

Victor dedicated 21 years of hislife to serving his country. He spentdecades driving the concept of takingcare of one another into his children’sheads and doing so not just by hiswords, but by his actions, said theyounger Victor.

On Oct. 17, Victor and Marthacelebrated their 61st weddinganniversary with Victor getting onone knee and once again askingMartha if she would be his wife, said Victor’s daughter Martha. She said after 61 years, Victor’s lovefor his wife has not wavered.

He presented her with the samering that he slipped on her finger back in 1948. Martha said yes andamidst tears from Victor’s eyes, theykissed and danced as a renewed husband and wife said Beth Byer,community relations director for TheCourt at Colorado Springs.

The values and principles instilledin Soldiers to care for their brothers inarms do not just apply to the war front;they also apply to the rest of a person’slife when they come across a situationwhere they have to care for someoneelse said the younger Martha.

“All he’s done is switch battlefields … but he’s still fighting,”Victor’s son said.

Now it’s time for Victor to returnthe favor by caring for his wife in her time of need, as she did for him in his time of need.

“I think this one was more of anemotional battlefield for him. He’s hadto watch her go from an independentwoman, who kept the home going verystrongly and to become helpless, like achild,” Victor’s daughter, Martha, said.

“It’s a cruel disease,” Victor said. Victor continues to see his wife

every day to keep her happy andimprove her quality of life the best he can as a loving, loyal andfaithful husband.

“You just trust each other,” Victorsaid, “That’s 90 percent of the battle.”

Courtesy photo

Victor Santiago kneels before his wife, Martha, and proposes again during a vowrenewal ceremony Oct. 17.

Having an Open House?Let our readers know!

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Program allows online claims filingFort Carson Claims Office

The Personnel Claims ArmyInformation Management Systemwas implemented in October.

The new program permitsSoldiers and Army civilian employees to file personnel claimsthrough the Internet, rather thanhaving to physically visit or maildocuments to a military claimsoffice. Although paper copies ofclaims will still be accepted, the newprogram should make it easier tofile claims for property loss.

Personnel claims allow Soldiersand Army civilian employees to be compensated for property lossand damage sustained incident toservice. Many Soldiers file personnelclaims when their household goods are lost or damaged duringshipment; these comprise the vastmajority of personnel claims.Personnel claims may also be filedin other situations, such as whenSoldiers sustain losses due to fire or flood at on-post quarters.

The new program can beaccessed at the Judge AdvocateGeneral’s Corps Internet site athttp://www.jagcnet.army.mil. Click

on the U.S. Army Claims Servicelink and then click on the PCLAIMSlink. The PCLAIMS link willdescribe the rules for filing personnelclaims and allow you to fill out all of the required forms. You must have an Army Knowledge Onlineaccount to use PCLAIMS; claimantswithout such accounts should contact their nearest military claimsoffice to file their claims.

When using PCLAIMS, youwill be asked to list all of your lostor damaged property, the purchasedates and costs, and replacement orrepair costs — information requiredwhether you file your claim in paperor electronically. Basic supportingdocuments, such as a governmentbill of lading (for transportation-related claims), estimates of repairand photos of damaged property can be scanned and added to theelectronic claim. If a scanner is not available, documents can bemailed or hand-carried to a militaryclaims office, which will add themto your claim file.

Once you have entered all of thenecessary information, you will beasked to verify and submit yourclaim. It will be electronically sent

to a military claims office which willadjudicate the claim and arrange forpayment, as appropriate. You also willbe asked to provide an e-mail or tele-phone number so the claims officecan contact you with any questions.Providing accurate contact informationis critical; if you cannot be contactedyour payment may be delayed.

PCLAIMS should not be confused with the Full ReplacementValue program, the new systemapplicable to household goods and other transportation-relatedclaims since 2007, or the DefensePersonnel Property Program, a new computerized transportationprogram applicable to many household goods shipments since2008. Under FRV and DP3, Soldiersand Army civilian employees areencouraged to file transportation-related claims directly against thecarrier responsible for the loss.

Claimants only have nine monthsto file such claims. In return, they arepaid the full replacement value fortheir destroyed property. PCLAIMScannot be used to file claims againstcarriers; it can only be used for personnel claims filed against thegovernment. If, however, claimants

are dissatisfied with carrier offers tosettle claims under the FRV or DP3programs, they may reject the offersand file their claims against the government. Such claimants can usePCLAIMS to file these new claims,but should contact the nearest military claims office before doingso. There is no interface between DP3 (which also involves electronicclaims filing) and PCLAIMS, so it is important to contact a militaryclaims office for specific guidance on how to transfer these claims froma carrier to the military.

PCLAIMS is designed to giveSoldiers and Army civilian employeesmore options for filing personnelclaims. Comments on the new program should be forwarded to theU.S. Army Claims Service at 4411Llewellyn Ave., Fort Meade, Md.,20755, or by e-mailing [email protected]. Contact theFort Carson Claims Office at 526-1355 if you have any questionsor need assistance filing a claim. TheFort Carson Claims Office is locatedat 7086 Albanese Loop. Office hoursare Mondays-Fridays 9 a.m.-noonand 1-4 p.m. The office is closed on holidays and training holidays.

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Police blotterThe following crimes were committed on the Fort Carson installation Nov. 27-Dec. 3.

AWOL1 – servicemember was cited for AWOL

surrendered to military/civilian authorities.2 – servicemembers were cited for failure

to go to place of duty.

Motor vehicle crimes2 – servicemembers were cited for a traffic

accident — vehicle to vehicle, non-injury.2 – civilians were cited for traffic accident —

vehicle to vehicle, noninjury.1 – servicemember was cited for driving

under the influence of alcohol.1 – servicemember was cited for excessive

blood alcohol content of 0.08 or more.1 – servicemember was cited for

careless driving.1 – civilian was cited for careless driving.1 – servicemember was cited for unsafe

starting from a parked position.1 – servicemember was cited for failure to

yield at an intersection.1 – civilian was cited for following too closely.

Drug and alcohol crimes, not includingmotor vehicles2 – civilians were cited for wrongful

possession of drug paraphernalia.1 – servicemember was cited for wrongful

possession of dangerous drugs.1 – servicemember was cited for wrongful

use of dangerous drugs.1 – servicemember was cited for wrongful

use of opiates.1 – servicemember was cited for drunk and

disorderly behavior.

Miscellaneous crimes3 – civilians were cited for simple assault.1 – servicemember was cited for simple

assault.3 – servicemembers were cited for assault

consummated by battery.2 – civilians were cited for assault.1 – servicemember was cited for

aggravated assault.1 – servicemember was cited for failure to

obey a lawful order.1 – civilian was cited for communicating

a threat.3 – servicemembers were cited for domestic

violence — female civilian victim.1 – servicemember was cited for domestic

violence.1 – servicemember was cited for domestic

violence – both spouses subjects.1 – civilian was cited for domestic violence —

both spouses subjects.

1 – civilian was cited for domestic violence —military female victim.

1 – servicemember was cited for larceny of private property.

1 – servicemember was cited for disobeying a noncommissioned officer.

2 – civilians were cited for unlawful entry by false pretenses to property of theUnited States.

2 – civilians were cited for possession ofaltered driver’s license or instruction permit.

1 – servicemember was cited for illegal possession of wildlife.

1 – servicemember was cited for hunting out of season.

1 – servicemember was cited for hunting outsidedownrange pass area of assignment.

1 – servicemember was cited for disorderly conduct.

21Dec. 11, 2009 — MOUNTAINEER20 MOUNTAINEER — Dec. 11, 2009

Layout by Jeanne Mazerall

The returning 749th Explosive Ordnance Company, 71st Ordnance Group (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) salute in formation at thewelcome home ceremony Dec. 1st.

Spc. Brandon Cantu smiles as he holds daughter Amilysa and looks at his wife, Leah,and son, Nythanyl. The Cantu family drove more than 600 miles from Georgetown,Texas, to surprise Cantu at the welcome home ceremony Nov. 28.

Left: Hundreds of people wait in theWaller Physical FitnessCenter to welcomehome the 10th CombatSupport Hospital.

Story and photos by Zvia BirdMountaineer staff

An excited crowd in the hundreds gave a warm welcomeas the 285 members of the 10th Combat Support Hospitalreturned to the Waller Physical Fitness Center at Fort CarsonNov. 28, after a yearlong mission in Iraq. The unit wasresponsible for providing Level III medical care for thewounded Soldiers and civilians in several locations in Iraq,including the Ibn Sina Hospital in Baghdad.

The unit performed 1,332 surgical procedures, achievinga 98-percent survival rate among the more than 1,200 patients it admitted, according to information released by 10thCSH. A range of medical services was provided, includingbehavioral health treatment, physical therapy and radiology.

Col. James Pasquarette, deputy commanding general —support, 4th Infantry Division, said in his welcoming remarks,“There is a saying in Iraq … ‘if you had the unfortunate problem of being injured, the best place in the world for that to have to happen would be Iraq.’”

He commended the combat lifesavers, the medics that arethere at the point of injury, the ability to evacuate a Soldier to a forward aid station, the forward medical companies thatare out with the brigade and, most importantly, the combatsupport hospital to provide that Level III care.

When Col. Raphael De Jesus, 10th CSH commander, wasasked about some of the unit’s most memorable moments, hetold the story of a Soldier who came in badly injured.

“Multiple hours of work. Numerous surgical hours to stabilize him. Multiple units of blood. We were able to

transfer him to Walter Reed (Army Medical Center,Washington) and he recovered. Probably one of the mostextreme cases of bilateral amputation. The medics on sitewere able to stop the blood,” said De Jesus.

He then went on to talk about two badly burned youngIraqi children. After being stabilized, and spending severalweeks with the 10th CSH, their cases were transferred tolocal doctors.

“Soldiers of the 10th CSH, thank you for a job well done. Be proud of all your accomplishments, be safe,” said De Jesus.

Many of the Family members came from far away to bethere for their Soldiers as they returned, said De Jesus.

Leah Cantu, wife of Spc. Brandon Cantu, traveled morethan 600 miles from Georgetown, Texas, with their daughter,Amilysa, 3, and son, Nythanyl, 1, to be at Fort Carson togreet her husband.

“I drove up here in two days. I wanted to surprise him … I didn’t want to let him know that I was comingbecause I am very spontaneous, and I wanted to see his reaction,” said Leah.

She said she looked forward to going to a movie and eating dinner out with her husband.

In a separate welcome-home ceremony at the Waller PFC, 42 Soldiers with the 749th Explosive OrdnanceDisposal Company, 71st Ordnance Group (ExplosiveOrdnance Disposal), returning from Mosul, Iraq, were greeted by Family and friends in the early hours of Dec. 1after being deployed in January.

Capt. Michael A. Cotton, 749th EOD company commander, said the company conducted more than 900 missions that mitigated explosive hazards throughout the area.

“We also trained Iraqi army and Iraqi police officers … so toward the end of this year they were ableto be part of what we were doing and take over,” saidCotton. “Some of the guys we trained with were doingthis in the Iran-Iraq war years ago. They know what they are doing. It was just a matter of them rebuildingand structuring their army.

“I am extremely proud of my men. I am confidentthat what they did saved injuries and lives for our armedforces and the Iraqi people alike,” said Cotton.

During the welcome ceremony, three members of the 749th EOD were promoted. Sgt. 1st Class Landon W. Jackson was promoted to master sergeant.Specialists Mykhal T. Fluke and George E. Tipton were promoted to sergeants.

Carson welcomes returning SoldiersCarson welcomes returning Soldiers

Above: Sgt. Matt Aiken, 10th CombatSupport Hospital, has a big smile as helugs all his gear on his way home.

Right: 1st Lt. RonaldFletcher, 749th

Explosive OrdnanceDisposal Company, is

given a hug byAyden, 5, Ron IV, 7,

and twins MacKenzyand Madelyn, 4.

Pueblo, Denver holiday lights worth seeing

by Nel Lampe

Mountaineer staff

Holiday lights and events can be found as close as Pueblo, about 40miles south on Interstate 25,or in Denver, about 70 milesnorth on I-25.

In Pueblo, these eventsare worth a visit:

ElectriCritters is the holiday lights extravaganzaat the Pueblo Zoo. The color-ful event includes animalsculptures, holiday musicand a visit with the animals.ElectriCritters is Friday-Sunday and Dec. 18-23,from 5:30-8:30 p.m. (gatesclose at 8 p.m.). Admissionis $6 for anyone older than13; $3 for ages 3-12 and freefor ages 2 and younger. Hotchocolate is available at theCandy Cane Café. Call 719-561-1452 or go online athttp://www.pueblozoo.org.

Take exit 101 and headwest on Highway 50, goSouth on Pueblo Boulevardto Thatcher Avenue, take aleft and head to City Park.The zoo is in the park.

Take a boat ride withSanta from 4-5 p.m.Friday-Dec. 23. Tickets foradults are $5, free for thoseunder 12. There is free hot chocolate. Call 719-595-0242 or go online athttp://www.puebloharp.com.The Riverwalk is in downtown Pueblo.

Visit Buell Children’sMuseum, 210 N. Santa Fe indowntown Pueblo. Childrencan make Christmas orna-ments, visit the EnchantedFrosty Forest and makenutcracker crafts and otheractivities. Mrs. Claus is

reading stories the firstthree Saturdays of themonth, from noon-2p.m. Admission is $4for adults and $3 forchildren. Childrenunder 3 are admittedfree. The museum isopen Tuesdays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-4p.m. Go online tohttp://www.sdc-art.orgor call 719-295-7200.

A traditionalChristmas Posada is at3 p.m. Saturday inPueblo. The Posadaincludes traditionaldancing, choirs, a living Nativity sceneand mariachi bands.The Posada begins atthe Pueblo ConventionCenter, 320 CentralMain St. Take the 1stStreet exit, 98B. Call800-233-3446 forinformation. ThePosada is a Mexicancelebration which datesto the 1550s. There’s no charge for the Posada.

Pueblo’s historicRosemount Mansion is alsodecorated for the season. Theelaborate Victorian-era mansion is at 419 W. 14th St.and is decorated in Victoriansplendor for the holidays.Take a tour between 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays.Adults are charged $6, andchildren are admitted for $4.

Or, head north to Denver,perhaps make a weekend ofit. There are holiday lights tosee, such as the Denver Cityand County building,bathed in red and greenlights and a sight to see. It’s in downtown Denver.

Denver’s Union Station is

also worth a drive by. It’s at Some hotels in Denver

offer $52.80 per night specials, in recognition thatDenver is the “mile high”city at 5,280 feet. Find thehotels with that offer bygoing to http://www.milehighholidays.com.

In addition to holiday special events and spectacularlighting, downtown Denverhas history, restaurants, museums, mountain views,Coors Field, The Pepsi Center,several live performance theaters, movie theaters,night life and shopping.

The 16th Street Mall is in the heart of downtownDenver and is free of traffic— free shuttle buses run the

length of the mall. Themall is agreat place toeat or shop.Restaurantson the mallinclude theHard RockCafé, TheCheesecakeFactory,JohnnyRockets hamburgers,

along with several fast foodestablishments. The DenverPavilions shopping centerright along the mall has lots of stores, Lucky StrikeBowling, several places toeat and a 15-screen theater.

Ride a shuttle to see theholiday decorations, includingthe historic tower.

Near the tower, SkylinePark is the site of the annualtraditional German ChristkindlMarket. The ChristkindlMarket is open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdaysthrough Christmas Eve.

The smells of Germansausages and Gluhwein fill theair. Wooden booths decoratedwith evergreen branches are stocked with traditionalGerman gingerbread cookies,beribboned heart-shapedcookies and other handcraftedgift items. The ChristkindlMarket is at Arapahoe and16th streets, reached by the16th Street Mall shuttle.

The Denver PerformingArts Center is also downtown. “A ChristmasCarol” is in the StageTheatre through Dec. 26.Tickets start at $18. There are

Dec. 11, 2009

Places to see in thePikes Peak area.

See Holiday on page 24

Courtesy photo

Union Station in downtown Denver is lighted for the holidays.

Courtesy photo

Denver Botanic Gardens uses a million lights in the holiday light display, “Blossoms of Light.”

daytime and evening performances,except for Christmas Day when the theater is closed. Call 303-893-4100 for ticket information.

Near downtown is the MollyBrown House, east of the ColoradoCapitol in the Capitol Hill neigh-borhood, at 1340 Pennsylvania St.It is decorated in Victorian styleand is open for tours from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday andfrom noon-3:30 p.m. on Sundays.The cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children ages 6-12. Call303-832-4092 for information.

Denver Botanic Gardens is nottoo far from downtown at 1005York St. “Blossoms of Light” isthe holiday treat offered there. Thelighted gardens are open 5:30-10p.m. and include a million lights.Admission is $9 for adults and $6for children. For more informationcall 720-865-3544, or go online tohttp://www.botanicgardens.org.

The Denver Zoo is easilyreached from downtown Denverand has its “Zoo Lights” openthrough Jan. 3. From 5-9 p.m., visitors can see animal light sculptures as well as animals.Admission is $8 for adults, $4 for children. More information isat http://www.denverzoo.org.

Free parking is in front of thezoo, which is in Denver’s CityPark, off Colorado Boulevard

heading north. The Downtown Aquarium,

near the Pepsi Center, hosts abreakfast buffet with Santa, starting at 8:30 a.m., which is$14.99 for adults and $7.99 forages 3-12. Breakfasts areSaturday, Sunday and Dec. 19-24.The Downtown Aquarium is atexit 211, near Elitch Gardens. Go online at http://www.downtownaquarium.com.

Children can visit with Santa Saturdays, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.and Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in Denver’s Larimer Square shopping area for free.

For more information goonline to http://www.larimersquare.com.

The Wildlife Experience hasa Breakfast with Santa Saturday-Sunday. Prices are $10 for children 12 and younger, $16 foradults. Tickets must be purchasedonline at http://www.TheWildlifeExperience.org. The WildlifeExperience is at 10035 S. Peoria in Parker, call 720-488-3300. FromI-25 turn right onto Lincoln justbefore the Park Meadows Mall.

The historic mining town ofGeorgetown, west of Denver offInterstate 70, hosts the Georgetown

Christmas Market. Georgetown cel-ebrates Christmas in the traditionalway with roasted chestnuts, music,St. Nicholas, carolers, an outdoorEuropean-style Christmas marketand horse-drawn wagon ridesSaturday and Sunday. There’s nocharge for entry or entertainment.


from page 23

HHHHoooollll iiiiddddaaaayyyy

Courtesy photo

The City and County Building in downtown Denver has one of the largest light displays in the nation. The building will be litthrough the first week in January.

Courtesy photo

Denver Zoo has “Zoo Lights” during the holidayseason. Thousands of lights are in the treesand animal light sculptures add to the magic.

Photo by Nel Lampe

A giant pyramid is at the German ChristkindlMarket in Skyline Park on the 16th StreetMall in Denver. It’s open through Dec. 24.

Photo by Nel Lampe

Horse-drawn wagon rides are available during theGeorgetown ChristmasMarket in the historic miningtown Saturday and Sunday.


Santa at ElkhornSanta’s at the Elkhorn Conference Center,

an event that was scheduled for Tuesday wasmoved to Sunday, 4-7 p.m., because of the snow.Admission is $5 for ages 11 and older and $2.50for ages 5-10. Call 576-6646 for information. Facepainting, pictures with Santa, cookie decorating,a jump castle and a buffet are included.

Christmas ClassicsChristmas Classics, by the Colorado

Springs Philharmonic, is in the Pikes PeakCenter, 190 S. Cascade Ave., Dec. 18 at 8 p.m.and Dec. 20 at 2:30 p.m. Call 520-SHOW fortickets, which start at $16 each.

Puppet show“The Puppet Maker: A Story of Christmas”

is in the Simpich Showcase Theater at 2413 W.Colorado Ave. The one-man show by puppeteerDavid Simpich, is in the theater Wednesdays,Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.through Dec. 30. Tickets are $8-$12 and includea visit to the museum. For reservations or information call 465-2492 or go online tohttp://www.simpich.com.

Visit with Santa in DenverChildren can visit with Santa Saturdays,

11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in Denver’s Larimer Square area for free. For more information go online tohttp://www.larimersquare.com.

Santa at the North PoleThere’s still time to visit Santa at the North

Pole amusement park. It’s open until 4 p.m.

Christmas Eve and has dozens of rides, shopsand snack bars, and Santa will be there. Thepark’s hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and it is closedWednesdays-Thursdays. Admission for militarymembers and their Families with identificationcards is $12.95. Children 2 and under are admittedfree. Santa’s Workshop at the North Pole is nearthe town of Cascade on West Highway 24.

Holidays at the zooCheyenne Mountain Zoo’s “Winter

Wildland,” with a million lights decorating thezoo is 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday and Dec.18-Jan. 3. Admission is $7.25 for adults and$4.25 for children. The zoo is at 4250 CheyenneMountain Zoo Road, behind the BroadmoorHotel. Call 633-9925 for information.

Visit Seven FallsThe whole canyon is decorated for the holi-

days. From Dec. 20-30, 5:30-9:30 p.m., SevenFalls can be visited by giving a donation forChristmas Unlimited. A donation of $4 per person is suggested. Seven Falls is closedChristmas Eve. For information call 632-0752 or go online to http://www.sevenfalls.com.

Dinosaur show“Walking with Dinosaurs” returns to the

Colorado Springs World Arena for another bite.There are shows Jan. 21-22 at 7 p.m., Jan. 23 at 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. and Jan. 24 at 11 a.m.and 3 p.m. Tickets start at $26.50; call 520-SHOW or go to http://www.ticketswest.com.

Denver Art Museum“The Masterworks of Charles M. Russell: A

Retrospective of Paintings and Sculpture” is atthe Denver Art Museum, on West 13th Avenue.The exhibit features the Western artist’s worksand runs till Jan. 10. The show is free with regular museum admission. The museum is openTuesdays-Saturdays 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sundaysnoon-5 p.m. The museum is open until 10 p.m.Fridays. Call 720-865-5000 for information.

Pikes Peak Center“Opera Theatre of the Rockies: The Magic

Flute” is in the Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. CascadeAve. Feb. 27-28. Call 520-SHOW for tickets.

Museum of nature, scienceAn exhibit about Genghis Khan is in the

Denver Museum of Nature and Science until Feb. 7. More than 200 13th century artifacts are in the exhibit. This special exhibit and museum admission is $20 for adults and $11 for children. Parking is free. The museum is in City Park; take Colorado Boulevard north.

Colorado History MuseumThe Colorado History Museum, 1300

Broadway, in Denver offers free admission, 10a.m.-5 p.m., Mondays-Saturdays, and Sundaysfrom noon-5 p.m. Parking is in the CulturalCenter parking garage at 12th Avenue andBroadway, or streetside in downtown Denver.

Air Force Academy concertsThe Academy Concert Series in Arnold

Hall Theater at the Air Force Academy includes LeAnn Rimes, Jan. 22; and Pink Floyd,Feb. 5. Call 333-4497 for ticket information.Concerts are open to the public.


MountaineerMountaineer SporSpor ts Fts F eatureatur ee

Story and photo by Walt JohnsonMountaineer staff

Fort Carson’s Wendy Lee has her sights set to soar into the clouds and always looks ahead to what challenges she can overcome as an aviator in the Army.

Lee will begin her aviation training in thespring, but in the meantime she is setting hersights on soaring to the top of the fitness world.Lee brought home a second-place finish in theNational Physique Committee Bodybuilding,Fitness and Bikini Championships Nov. 14 inDenver. Her showing has qualified her for anational event which she hopes to be able to participate in next year.

Lee’s journey into the world of fitnessbegan at the tender age of 4 when she told herparents she wanted to do something, and theythought at the time she was just dreaming.

“My dad always had muscle and fitness magazines lying around the house, and when Iwould look through them I said to myself that one day I wanted to be one of those people. Thefirst time ... I told my parents that, ... they got a good laugh at it because I was about 4 years oldwhen I said it,” Lee said.

No one was laughing years later when Leewent to participate in her first competition inearly 2000. Lee found something that she coulduse to challenge herself and she was not about to let the opportunity slip past her because shewouldn’t put the effort into it.

“After the (first) show was over, I remember saying to myself that this is for me. I have always beena physical person, and I always like to challengemyself. I wanted to see if I could stay on the diet andpush myself and see how far I could push my body

and what I could accomplish from it,” Lee said. “I was in college at the time, and all my friends

were going out for the weekend and I had to staywith my diet. They were out having a good time eating pizza, and I had to stay at home eating chicken.I also felt a little bit of isolation but I knew I had tokeep that discipline. There were moments when I

wanted to give up, but I am the kind of personthat, when I say I want to do something, I amdetermined to do it. I pushed through it, and itwas worth it,” Lee added.

Lee said she got a lot of motivation from a well-known bodybuilding athlete, a goodfriend in college, her father and her husband as she prepared for her career in bodybuilding.Lee said having a good support system and a good foundation is key to being a competitive athlete in the sport.

“My dad (Martin Reuter) was my mentorgrowing up and so was Arnold Schwarzeneggerwho was always big in our house,” Lee said. “I read a lot of magazines and my friend was acompetitor who would always check on me tomake sure I was getting ready for my competitions.He would always remind (me) this stuff isn’t foreveryone, and then he would ask me if I wasready to go. He made it a challenge for me.”

“My husband, Devan,is incredibly supportiveand just everything in the way of support to me,” she said. “This was the first show he hasseen me do and the first time he has been with me from the first diet to after the show. Hekept me motivated and kept my spirits up bymaking jokes and teasing me. He helped me prepare my meals, made me get up and do mytraining when I didn’t feel like (it) and was justmy strength when I had none.”

Now that she has qualified for a nationalevent which gets her one step closer to her goal

in the sport, Lee said she has her sights set on aprize that will help her reach for the clouds withoutbeing in an aircraft for the Army.

“I want my pro card. This is my dream, and it canbe a reality. I want my picture to be in muscle and fitness magazine, which would be real cool,” Lee said.

Soldier wins second-place fitness prize

Fort Carson’s Wendy Lee trains at McKibben PhysicalFitness Center. Lee recently finished second place in afitness competition.

Flames

fallFort Carson’s JamesEveritt, 10, races past a Foothill Firehawkdefender during theFlames game Saturday in Las Vegas. The Flames fell to the Firehawks, 36-14, in the MinorLeague Football Hall ofFame Holiday Bowl game.The Flames, who haven’tplayed since winning the championship inAugust were just a stepoff their usual pace andthe Firehawks tookadvantage of the rust to get the victory.

Photo by Walt Johnson


On the Bench

Trojans win localhoops tournamentby Walt JohnsonMountaineer staff

The Fountain-FortCarson High School boysbasketball team began its season by winning thePikes Peak Tip Off ClassicDec. 4 at Doherty HighSchool in ColoradoSprings.

The Trojans began thetournament by defeatingdefending 4A state cham-pion Sierra High Schooland followed that with aconvincing victory overthe host Palmer TerrorsDec. 3. Those victoriesearned the Trojans a datewith the Monarch CoyotesDec. 4 and, after a slowstart, the Trojans rolledover the Coyotes 74-37 towin the championship.

This may be the bestTrojans basketball team atthe school since currentMinnesota Vikings right

tackle Phil Loadholt wasleading the school to thestate finals in 2004.

Led by Martin andMalcolm Thomas, thisyear’s Trojans team isdeep in talent. Chris Davishas recovered from hiscancer scare of last yearand is back to his shootingself of two years ago.Dominique Wright hastransferred to the schoolfrom Palmer High Schooland will be a huge asset to the Trojans this year.

The Trojans were offuntil Thursday when theywere scheduled to host the Doherty Spartans. TheTrojans’ first road game of the season takes placeDec. 18 when they travelto defending 5A statechampion Regis JesuitHigh School for a 7 p.m.game. The Trojans close Photo by Walt Johnson

Fountain-Fort Carson High School’s Chris Davis fires a jump shot over the outstreched arm of Palmer High’sTerrell Brown during action in the Pikes Peak Tip Off Classic Dec. 3 at Palmer High School in Colorado Springs.See Bench on page 29


Photo by Walt Johnson

Cycling funMembers of the Mountain Post community get in some cycling aerobics training Mondayat Forrest Fitness Center. The post fitness centers offer aerobic training classessix days a week. Contact any fitness center for more information.

out their December schedule with a home game against AbrahamLincoln High School Dec. 19 at 4:30 p.m.

The Fountain-Fort CarsonHigh School girls basketballteam began its season Dec. 4 with an 85-45 victory overPueblo Centennial.

The Lady Trojans werescheduled to play their secondgame of the season Thursday atDoherty High School in ColoradoSprings. Monday, the Lady Trojanstravel to Mitchell High School tomeet the Marauders before closingout their December schedule by participating in the Poudre tournament Tuesday-Dec. 19.

Former Soldier and currentFamily member Ann Claiborne isclimbing to the top of the fitnessworld, and she would like people to come see her.

Claiborne has won numeroustitles in New Mexico and Coloradoand is currently aggressively workingtoward becoming a professionalfitness athlete. Claiborne saidbeing involved with fitness andfitness competitions has been agreat thing for her and she wouldlike to see more people take up the sport. To that end she is trying

to start a Fort Carson fitness clubwhich will help athletes who havean interest in fitness get startedand represent the post at local and statewide events.

“We have some phenomenalbodies working out at these gyms. Idon’t think they realize they havethe potential to do well in the sport and I would like to see morepeople involved with the sport,”Claiborne said. “I think it’s a greatopportunity to push you physicallyand mentally. Most of the Soldiersand Airmen I know came into themilitary because they enjoy beingpushed beyond the limit theythought they had. My goal is tohelp people that have thoughtabout this and needed the help of agood trainer to take that first step.”

For more information contactClaiborne at 640-7311 or go tohttp://www.utbodyshop.com.

If you enjoy singing and performing, Alternate Escapeshas just the thing for you.

Each Thursday night, AlternateEscapes hosts a Karaoke night offun beginning at 7 p.m. The eventallows customers to sing theirfavorite songs and watch otherSoldiers and Family members singand dance to their favorite tunes ina relaxing atmosphere, accordingto Alternate Escapes officials. Formore information call 526-5347.

from page 28

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