VIGILANT TIMES · of the 617th MP Company near Camp Ashraf, and SGT Steve Morin, Jr. and Airman First Class Elizabeth N. Jacobson of our Force Protection team from Camp Bucca. The

VIGILANT TIMESVol. 1, Issue 11 18th Military Police Brigade Newsletter October 2005

Military Police awarded for risking lives to rescuefour Iraqi National Guard SoldiersSgt. Lynne Steely18th Military Police Brigade Public Affairs Office

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq -It was a Labor Day toremember for three Soldiersfrom the 108th MilitaryPoliceCompany outof Fort Bragg,N.C. Theywere awardedmedals of valorby the MultiNationalCorps-IraqCommander,Lt. Gen. JohnR. Vines, in aceremony onCamp LibertySeptember 5.

“We’re here torecognize thevalor of thesethree bravenon-commissionedofficers thatstand in front ofus,” said Vines.

In the early morning hours ofApril 30, Staff Sgt. JavierEchols, Sgt. Matthew Acostaand Sgt. Zachariah Collett,as part of squad Warlord 11,were patrolling a MainSupply Route when anImprovised ExplosiveDevice detonated nearby. AnIraqi National Guardtransport vehicle filled with

Iraqi Soldiers was hit by theblast.

Echols, who received the

Silver Star for his bravery,led his team in the rescue offour Iraqi National GuardSoldiers who werewounded in the explosion.Amidst a dangerouscrossfire betweeninsurgents and INGSoldiers, the trio managedto move the wounded tosafety and administermedical aid until anevacuation helicopter

arrived on the scene.

Acosta received the BronzeStar Medal with Valor, and

Collett, the ArmyCommendation Medal withValor for their fearlessefforts to rescue, treat andevacuate the woundedduring the small armsattack.

After presenting theSoldiers with their medals,Vines expressed hisadmiration for their courageand applauded their actions.

“In support of the IraqiNational Guard Soldiers,these three Americansrisked everything they had,

their lives, toprotect anddefendthem,” Vinessaid.

Vines alsocommendedthe men andwomen of theArmedForces fortheircontinuingcommitmentto defendliberty.

“Americanswill be ableto sleepsafely atnight, be ableto congregate

on Labor Day, at rallies andto go to football games andall the other things that theydo in their daily lives onlyso long as there are menand women such asyourselves. Your’reepitomized and representedby the great Soldiersstanding in front of ustoday, and I ask you to joinme in a round of applausefor them,” said Vines.

From left to right Echols, Acosta and Collett listen as MNC-I Commander, Lt. Gen. John R. Vinesspeaks at their awards ceremony September 5.

BRIGADEBRIEFS

• October Birthdays

01- SFC Francisco Gonzalez09- CPT Stephen Kyle10- PFC Luis Trevino25- LTC James Smith30- PV2 Lacey Wuthrich

• If anyone would like a VigilantTimes commemorative bookfeaturing all issues from the pastyear, please let me know by Oct.15. A CD is also available withall issues in PDF [email protected]

• Congratulations on a job welldone to those who ran the Armyten-miler on October 2.

• The HHC awards ceremonyis scheduled for November 1.

• As we are moving out of thetrailers in the next two weeks,please consider leaving un-wanted items for the incomingunit. Remember what it was like10 months ago?

CountdownAs of Oct. 1

34more days until we transferauthority to the 43rd MP

Brigade

Page 2 Vigilant Times October 2005

VIGILANT TIMESProduced by the 18th Military Police Brigade

Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory, IraqAPO AE 09342 Phone: DSN 302-242-0112

The Vigilant Times is an authorized publication for members of the Department ofDefense. The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the views ofthe U.S. Government or the Department of Defense. Approximately 300 elec-

tronic versions of the Vigilant Times are circulated monthly.Col. James Brown.....................................................Brigade CommanderMaj. Rob Simmons..................................................Public Affairs OfficerSgt. Lynne Steely........................Photojournalist/Public Affairs NCOIC

POET’S PLACE

A Soldier’s Wife’s Prayer

Now I lay medown to sleep,

I pray the Lord mysoul to be at peace.And if I should die

before I awake,I pray the Lord forone last embrace.

From the man I’veloved with all of my

heart,Who is faithful and true

although we’re apart.Even in heaven I could

never feel bliss,Without one last

touch......One lastkiss.....

No Regrets

If I were to die tomorrowfrom a broken heart,I would only regret thetime we had to spend

apart.My love for you is so deep

and true,I’d have no regrets for lovingyou.You are my soul mate, my oneand only,Just wish I didn’t feel quite solonely.I love you darling with all ofmy heart,

And I long for theday that

we’reneverapart.

Poems by Kathy Brown, wife of Master Sgt. Mark Brown, 18th MP BrigadeLiaison Officer, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.


COMMANDERS CORNERBy Col. James B. Brown18th Military Police Brigade CommanderDearFriends,Families,and Com-rades of the18thMilitaryPoliceBrigade!The Fall isdefinitely here with temperatures nowdropping occasionally below 100degrees...this is great news for manyhere as the cooler temperatures alsoindicate a coming redeployment back tofamilies and home. As we near the endof mission, it is critical that we beEVER VIGILANT to ensure that wecomplete all missions and tasks to theEVER VIGILANT standard with aneye always focused on winning the lastbattle...not the one before the last! Weadditionally are re-stressing SAFETYin all things to ensure that as we packout and redeploy equipment and trainand certify our replacements, that weensure our Soldiers safely conduct allredeployment activities. We havebeen very blessed in the safe conductof all operations so far and we hopeto do everything possible to keep itthat way.This past month went by in a blur, butwhen we stop to consider all that hastaken place it is truly remarkable tosee how our Soldiers continue toselflessly serve and fight to win thiswar. One of the first key events of thispast month was the awarding of anotherSilver Star in the 18th MP Brigade!This time it was for saving lives incombat--when SSG Echols of the 108thMP Company courageously sought outand rescued four critically woundedIraqi Soldiers who were still under

enemy fire. LTG Vines, the com-mander of the 18th Airborne Corpsand the Multi National Corps-Iraq,personally presented the award toSSG Echols as well as valor awardsto key members of his squad. Thecontinued heroism of our Soldiers isan inspiration to us all. We alsowelcomed the arrival of the AdvanceParty of the 1-504 Parachute InfantryRegiment from the 82d AirborneDivision to Fort Suse where we areopening a new facility for thedetention of security detainees.Unfortunately, we also lost severalheroes in the 18th MP Brigade withthe loss of SSG William A. Allers IIIof the 617th MP Company near CampAshraf, and SGT Steve Morin, Jr. andAirman First Class Elizabeth N.Jacobson of our Force Protection teamfrom Camp Bucca. The loss of ourheroes stabs at our hearts and causes usto reflect on the true costs of freedom.These great Soldiers and Airman areheroes who we will continue to honorwith our continued service andcommitment to achieve victory.Recently, we released 1,000 detaineesjust prior to Ramadan. The IraqiDeputy Prime Minister personallycame to Abu Ghraib to speak to theDetainees. He himself had beenimprisoned in Abu Ghraib during thetime of Saddam Hussein’s regime. Hewas very encouraged to see the carethat we give the detainees and I wasfurther encouraged to hear the detaineestelling the Deputy PM that they werevery thankful for the medical care, hotfood, air conditioning, and positivetreatment that the Americans had giventhem during their detention. TheDeputy PM also told the detainees thathe was a member of the coalition and

he was thankful for what his Ameri-can comrades have done for Iraq...itwas so encouraging to see and hearhis thankfulness for the efforts of ourSoldiers. We are now days away froma very historic referendum in Iraq--the vote to approve the Constitution,or to reject it and call for another oneto be written. Regardless of theoutcome, the decision now belongs tothe Iraqi people and THAT is atremendous sigh of progress. Thispast year has brought so manysignificant improvements in Iraq--ourSoldiers have been at the forefront offighting and securing many of them.We have much to be proud of, but inhumility we will continue to serve ourNation and look forward to returninghome to our families who havecontinually sacrificed so much for uswhile we are away at war. I want topass a special thanks to my wifeCindy, CSM Shelley’s wife Hyon andChaplain Tom Evans’ wife Terrie forvisiting our wounded comrades alongwith MAJ Geoff Stewart, CPT MikeCapps and SFC Tim French of the18th MP Brigade Rear Detachment--your personal touches and thanks to ourheroes medically evacuated to Germanyfor care is one of the greatest measuresof love and service. One of the greateststrengths in the 18th MP Brigade is itsamazing group of committed spouseswho have continually supported eachother and our Soldiers here in Iraqthroughout this past year. We aregreatly looking forward to returninghome and beginning the reintegrationprocess with our families. Until then,we shall remain EVER VIGILANT inIraq!EVER VIGILANT!Col. Jim Brown, VIGILANT 6


Sgt. David Jones was promoted to Staff Sgt. on September 1 byMaj. Bryan Patridge and Col. James Brown.

Sgt. Cecil Gregory reenlisted September 6. Chief Warrant Officer3 Craig Schuster administered the oath.

2nd Lt. Stephen Lemelin was promoted to 1st Lt. September 17by Maj. Andy Johnson (left), and Capt. James Allen.

Sgt.Matthew Davis reenlisted September 23. Capt. WayneLudwig administered the oath.

Spc. Danelle Cavin reenlisted September 6 for six more years.Capt. Frank Sperl administered the oath.

PROMOTIONS AND REUPS

2nd Lt. Steven Speece was promoted to 1st Lt. on Sept. 27. Herehe poses with Company Commander, Capt. Wayne Ludwig.

Page 5 Vigilant Times October, 2005

Unit commanders of the 18thMilitary Police Brigade gatheredat the Joint Visitor’s Bureau onCamp Victory for a commander’sconference September 19. Issuesdiscussed included Soldier safety,standards of discipline andreunions with family uponredeployment. Guest speakerswere Multi National Corps-IraqCommand Sgt. Maj. Dennis Careyand Brig. Gen. Daniel Bolger,commander of the CoalitionMilitary Assistance TrainingTeam.

GOT MILK?

MEETING OF THE MINDS

Got milk? Chief Warrant Officer 3 CraigSchuster is sure going to need some towash down all those Snickers bars.Schuster won 816 Snickers bars in adrawing held at the Camp Victory PXSeptember 2. The object of the raffle wasto guess how many candy bars were in thebox. Schuster won with a guess of 807. Heentered his guess on September 1beforeleaving for Camp Bucca for a few days. Arepresentative from Aafes called his officewhile he was gone to say he had won thechocolatey prize. Comrade, Master Sgt.Thomas Francis, called him to inform himof his win. “I thought he was pulling my

leg,” saidSchuster.Upon his returnto Camp Victory,Schuster claimedhis winnings,which he sharedwith his fellowbrigadecomrades.


Look out Hollywood!18th MP Brigade production has an unusual audienceSgt. Lynne Steely18th MP Brigade Public Affairs Office

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq- Okay, somaybe it won’t end up on the silverscreens of Hollywood, but the latest videoproduction from the 18th Military PoliceBrigade will definitely have a “captive”audience.The film, spearheaded by Maj. Andy

Johnson, the 18th’s Civil Affairs Officer, isto be used as a visual aid at Iraqi detentionfacilities run by the brigade. The intent isto explain to new detainees who is incharge, give a clear explanation of therules at the facility and clarify the judicialprocess. It was suggested after aPyschological Operations AssessmentTeam did an evaluation of the detaineecamps.

Accordingto 18th MPCivil AffairsOfficer andfilm director1st Lt.StephenLemelin,more than50 percentof thedetainees areilliterate.This canmake itdifficult toget throughto them. Thefilm is seen

Pfc.Luis Trevino acts as a detainee on the run after being seenby a guard taking a prohibited item.

The guard, played by Pfc. Courtney Townes, demonstrates whathappens to detainees who break the rules. Cuff ‘em!

1st Lt. Stephen Lemelin explains to the actors how to play out their nextscene. Left to right: Spc. Lamika Fisher, Trevino, Lemelin and Pfc.Manuel Gomez.

as a more effective way of communicating.“We want to emphasize to them that theyare not prisoners but detainees. Theyhaven’t been convicted of a crime and theircase will go through the judicial process todetermine whether or not they will bereleased,” said Lemelin. The behaviorsthey exhibit during their stay at thecompound are documented and couldmean the difference between release or alonger than expected stay.With the help of a few Soldiers turnedactors for a day, different scenarios wereacted out to illustrate to the detainees howtheir actions, positive or negative, willdetermine what happens to them duringtheir stay at the compound.Soldiers demonstrated such behaviors asrioting, theft, harming other detainees andstarting fires as well as examples ofpositive behavior like picking up trash.The brigade will be handing off detaineeoperations to the 43rd MP Brigade inNovember, but according to Lemelin, thefilm can be easily reconstructed as newunits take over and can be updated asnecessary.Coming to an Iraqi detention facility nearyou!


Soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and firefighters from Forward Operating Base Abu Ghraib pose for a photo during a remembranceceremony.

Spc. John Marten, A Battery 1/623 FA

Remembering their own

Sgt. Lynne Steely

A somber procession of firefighters and Soldiers began thedays ceremony.

AbuGhraibfirefightersfold theAmericanflag atthe endof theceremony.

Sgt. Lynne Steely

Sgt. Lynne Steely18th Military Police Brigade Public Affairs Office

ABU GHRAIB, Iraq- Acrowd of Soldiers, airmen,sailors, marines and civiliansstood solemnly as aprocession of firefighterscarrying the American flag,Color Guard and fire enginesbegan a remembranceceremony at ForwardOperating Base Abu GhraibSeptember 11.The ceremony was held toremember and honor thosewho lost their lives in theWorld Trade Center tragedyon Sept. 11, 2001, and toserve as a reminder to thosehere fighting the Global Waron Terrorism why they’rehere.It was an especially poignantday for members of the

306th Military PoliceBattalion, an Army Reserveunit from Uniondale, N.Y.Several of the battalion’sSoldiers are New York Citypolice officers whoresponded to the attack onthe World Trade Center in2001. Several police officersand N.Y. court officials losttheir lives in the tragedy.The Abu Ghraib firedepartment paid tribute tothe over 300 firefighters whoperished while trying torescue those trapped insidethe towers.Several guests contributedmodest words, poems andsongs in tribute to the fallenas the American flag flew athalf staff in the background.


Around Camp VictoryThe sun risingover lost lakeon CampVictory takenfrom the 18thMP Brigadeheadquarters.

Soldiersfrom the503rdMPBattaliontry theirhand atfishing;cavemanstyle.

A signpostedalong amainroute onCampVictory.

Beware of dog...


For thoseunawarethat weare in thedesert,here is asign toalert themof theroadconditions.

A mere glimpseat some of thebeautifularchitecturethat Iraq has tooffer. Thisphoto wastaken at CampSlayer whichadjoins CampVictory.

Thisvehicleparked atthe PXon CampLibertylookedworthy ofa photo.

A robot used for IED reconnaissance frequentlyseen roaming EOD Alley during testing.

Columbus Day - Oct. 10Columbus Day is celebratedannually on the second Monday inOctober to commemorate the dayChristopher Columbusarrived in the New Worldin 1492.The first recordedcelebration of ColumbusDay in the USA was heldby the Tammany Societyin New York in 1792 marking the300th anniversary of Columbus’slanding in the Bahamas.Columbus was an explorer andtrader who crossed the AtlanticOcean and reached the Americas on


Daylight Saving Time Daylight Saving Time in the U.S. ends this year on October 30, the lastSunday of the month. The purpose behind it is to makebetter use of daylight and to save energy. By turning ourclocks ahead one hour in the spring, daylight is extendedfor one extra hour in the evening. A study done by theU.S. Department of Transportation shows that DST cutsthe entire country’s electricity usage by about one percenteach day.Several studies in the U.S. and Britain have also foundthat DST reduces net traffic accidents and fatalities byclose to one percent.The idea of daylight saving was first conceived byBenjamin Franklin while an American delegate in Paris in1784.DST has been used in the United States and in manyEuropean countries since World War I.In the European Union, Summer Time begins and ends at1 am Greenwich Mean Time. It begins the last Sunday inMarch and ends the last Sunday in October.On August 8, 2005, President George Bush signed theEnergy Policy Act of 2005. This Act changed the timechange dates in the U.S. Beginning in 2007, DST willbegin on the second Sunday of March, and end the firstSunday of November.DST is not observed in all of the U.S. and its territories

Strange Facts

A man, born just after 12 midnight, DST,circumvented the Vietnam War draft by using adaylight saving time loophole. When drafted, heargued that standard time, not DST, was the officialtime for recording births in his state of Delaware inthe year of his birth. Thus, under official standardtime he was actually born on the previous day--andthat day had a much higher draft lottery numberand allowed him to avoid the draft.

In September 1999, the Palestinian West Bank wason daylight saving time while Israel had justswitched back to standard time. West BankPalestinians prepared time bombs and smuggledthem to Arab Israelis, who misunderstood the timeon the bombs. As the bombs were being planted,they exploded-one hour too early-killing threeterrorists instead of two busloads of people, theintended victims.

including Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico,the Virgin Islands, most of the Eastern Time Zone portionof the state of Indiana, and the state of Arizona (except forthe Navajo Indian Reservation, which does observe).

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

October 12, 1492 under the flag ofCastilian Spain.Columbus landed in the Bahamas

and later explored muchof the Caribbean,including the isles ofCuba and Hispaniola, andthe coasts of Central andSouth America. He neverreached the present-day

United States.Columbus’s voyage led to a lastingrecognition of the New World, theColumbian Exchange of speciessuch as tomatoes, potatoes, maize,and horses, and the first large-scale

colonization of theAmericas byEuropeans.To this dayColumbus remainsa controversial figure. Some viewhim as responsible for the deaths ofhundreds of millions of indigenouspeoples, exploitation of theAmericas by Europe and slavery inthe West Indies. Others honor himfor the massive boost to Westernexpansion and culture. ItalianAmericans hail Columbus as an iconof their heritage.(en.wikipedia.org)

(www.webexhibits.org/daylightsaving)


Staff Sgt. William A. Allers IIIJune 4, 1977-Sept. 20, 2005

Staff Sgt. William A. Allers III of theKentucky Army National Guard 617thMilitary Police Company based inRichmond, Ky., was killed September20 when his vehicle was struck by animprovised explosive device.Allers was born in Baltimore, Md. onJune 4, 1977. He grew up in Fallston,Md. with his father, William Jr., mother,Janet and older brother David.Allers attended Fallston High Schooland competed at the state level in trackand field, winning medals for both the220 and 440 meter relays.Allers enlisted in the Army shortly aftergraduating from high school andcompleted training as an ArmoredCavalry Scout on Oct. 10, 1995. Hisfirst duty assignment was with theHeadquarters and HeadquartersCompany 3/67 Armored Regimentwhere he performed duties as a gunner,earning the Army CommendationMedal.Transferred to C-4/7 Cavalry at CampGary Owen, Korea, Allers was awarded

the Army AchievementMedal and his first of twoArmy Good Conduct Medals.Allers reenlisted inSeptember 1998 and in 1999was assigned to D-1/16Cavalry at Fort Knox, Ky.,where he served as a teamleader. He was soonpromoted to Squad Leaderand was awarded two ArmyAchievement Medals, asecond Army Good ConductMedal and the ArmySuperior Unit Award.Allers completed his ActiveDuty enlistment inSeptember 2003 and joinedthe Kentucky Army NationalGuard where he was assignedto the 617th MP Company. In August2004, he completed training as amilitary policeman.Allers deployed to Iraq with the 617thon Oct. 2, 2004 in support ofOperation Iraqi Freedom.

Comrades pay their last respects to Allers at a memorial service held at CampLiberty, Iraq September 23.

Sgt. Lynne Steely

He is survived by his wife Beth, his sonGregory, 8, his daughter Brittney, 7, andunborn child expected in October.Allers was awarded the Purple Heart,Bronze Star Medal and CombatAction Badge posthumously.

Sgt. Lynne SteelyA buglar plays taps.

Sgt. Lynne Steely


tR ICK OR TR EAT

On October 31, people all over North America and parts ofWestern Europe celebrate Halloween. It falls on the eve ofa holy day in the Roman Catholic and Anglican churchescalled All Saints’ Day. Originally a pagan festival of thedead, All Saints’ Day was established by the CatholicChurch in the 9th century to honor Christian saints. AllSouls’ Day, a holy day established by the Catholic Churchin the 10th century to help purify the spirits of the dead, isalso closely linked to Halloween.

OriginsHalloween is historically related to similar folk holidayscelebrated in other countries. The Day of the Dead, aMexican holiday , blends Roman Catholic andNative American traditions aboutthe souls of the dead. On the Dayof the Dead, Mexicans decoratetheir homes with playful imageryof animated human skeletons,leave offerings of food forwandering spirits, and tend thegraves of their deceasedrelatives.

History in the U.S.Attitudes toward Halloween varied widely among thevarious European groups that settled in North America.New England was initially settled by English Puritans,members of a strict Protestant sect that rejected Halloweenas a Catholic and pagan holiday. However, other Britishcolonists successfully transplanted Halloween traditions insouthern colonies such as Virginia and Maryland. Irishimmigrants helped popularize Halloween traditionsthroughout the United States in the mid-19th century. Asbelief in many of the old superstitions waned during thelate 19th century, Halloween was increasingly regarded asa children’s holiday.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, young people oftenobserved Halloween by perpetrating minor acts of vandalism,such as overturning sheds or breaking windows. Beginning inthe 1930’s Halloween mischief gradually transformed intothe modern ritual of trick-or-treating. Eventually, Halloweentreats were plentiful while tricks became rare. Nonetheless,

thetraditionofHalloweenpranks stillsurvives. Insome areas,the night before Halloween is called Mischief Night, andvandalism often reaches dangerous levels. In Detroit,Michigan, Mischief Night provided the occasion for waves ofarson that sometimes destroyed whole city blocks during the1970’s and 1980’s.

Modern CustomsAs most Halloween festivities are based on folk beliefsregarding the supernatural and spirits of the dead, Halloweendecorations typically feature imagery such as witches,werewolves, vampires and ghosts.The most celebrated Halloweendecoration is the jack-o’lantern. Itsname is derived from a character inBritish folktales. According to thesetales, the soul of a deceased personnamed Jack O’Lantern was barredfrom both heaven and hell and wascondemned to wander the earth withhis lantern.(“Halloween,” Microsoft ®Encarta® Online Encyclopedia2005)

Check out these “spooktacular” Halloween websitesFor lots of great information on everything Halloween fromprintable activities for the kids, games and downloads, toeerie music, books and screensavers. Hope you have sometime! www.halloweenmagazine.com

Download Jack O’Lantern Laboratory to create your ownpumpkin carving stencils. It’s a trial version and the fullversion is only $9.95. Tons of fun for the kids!www.thesoftshop.com/Download_jol.asp

What would Halloween be without scary movies? Orderpractically any horror flick online.www.horrormovies.com


BATTALION NEWS

Photo courtesy of the 306th MP Battalion

Photo courtesy of the 306th MP Battalion

Capt. Robert Distefano, legal officer for the 306th MPBattalion achieves new heights during a high jumpcompetition at Forward Operating Base Abu GhraibSeptember 23.

Tae Bo creator Billy Blanks speaks with Soldiers fromthe 306th Military Police Battalion about the benefitsof his total body fitness system during a visit toForward Operating Base Abu Ghraib September 22.Banks has traveled around the world teaching hisprogram to U.S Armed Forces in Bosnia, Kosovo,Serejevo, Greece, Africa, Germany and Italy.Banks has also made appearances in 18 filmsincluding Kiss the Girls and Bloodfist, and severaltelevision shows.

Farewell to comrades...

...and friends

Sgt. Norma Hill has helped keep ourcomputers, internet, phones and radiosworking throughout the deployment but thetime has come for her to move on to biggerand better things. Sgt. Hill has beenselected for Officer Candidate School andneeds to leave early to spend time with herfamily and prepare for school. You can doit Sgt. Hill!

This is a second year in Iraq with the 18thMP Brigade for Spc. Alma Ortiz who has

continued to serve her country and the 18thwith pride. Spc.Ortiz has processed

hundreds of awards for the Brigade andwas selected to go back to our

headquarters in Germany early to helpprepare for our redeployment. Thanks Spc.

Ortiz!


CONNECTIONSBy Lt. Col. Thomas Evans, Brigade Chaplain

Reunion

The hardship of separation is almostover. The dream that everything willbe wonderful as soon as we’re backtogether again has carried us formonths. But, anew challengeis in front ofus.Now we haveto take twodifferent“normals” andmerge theminto a new“normal.”If I canimagine it,back home anormal daymay havelookedsomethinglike this.Wake up earlyfor a fewminutes ofquiet beforethe children wake up, or before youhave to wrestle the children awayfrom their pillows. The chaos ofbreakfast ends and you send childrenoff to school. Laundry, preschoolers,pets, wash dishes, make beds, emailsto keep the connections up, wonderwhat your spouse is doing right now(in their time zone), vacuum, pick uptoys, groceries, children back fromschool want snacks, tell the kids toturn the television down, neighborkids knocking at the door, phone calls,wonder what day this is, supper, baths,bedtime and maybe some quiet

minutes before you close out the day“alone again.” You can’t wait for yourSoldier to come home to share yourworld.

Down here,normal looksmore like this.Wake up early,physical training,walk to the chowhall, eat abreakfastprepared for you,throw away all theresidue, walk tothe bus stop,wonder what daythis is, go to yourwork station,solve problems,prepare reports,answer the phone,ride tolunch, eat amealpreparedfor you,

throw away all the residue, rideback to work, more of thesame, learn that everything youwere working on isn’t neededanymore, start a new project,email your family, wonder whatthey are doing right now (intheir time zone), hear anotherloud boom, attend the briefing,learn about a new set ofrequirements, ride to supper,eat a meal prepared for you,throw away all the residue,wonder what to do with yourtime off if you have any, close

out the day “alone again.” You can’twait to get back home again.Our “normals” are very different. Thisis where the challenge begins. As wereunite, the outcome will be a “newnormal.” It won’t be his, and it won’tbe hers. The awkward transitionfrom where you are now to whereyou will be then might be thehardest part of this deployment.The experts say that it will take half aslong as you were separated to recoverfrom your separation. Regular peoplewill take six months to settle into theirnew normal.The harder you push to hurry thatprocess, the more traumatic theexperience will be. Relax. This is along process. Don’t insist on having ityour way. Remember what I said lastmonth? In marriage, nobody wins ifsomebody loses.


Just one of many wonderful letters of support that we receive. This one is from Adrienne Gaskinson behalf of her company The Wilson Daily Times and the community of Wilson, N.C.

Financial Insider


Legal Tips

Claims-With redeployment right aroundthe corner, many Soldiers andtheir families will be gettingready to relocate. With all thosebelongings moving across the country or acrossthe ocean, the possibility of something becoming damaged orlost increases. Many have also had belongings entrusted tothe care of others in storage while deployed. A lot canhappen over the course of a year.Congress has passed laws governing payment to you forlosses as a result of your military service. You may have aclaim against the government if:√ Your property, including privately owned vehicles, islost, damaged, or destroyed while transported or storedunder government orders. This includes fire, acts ofnature and unusual occurences.√ Your property is stolen from government quarters,from private quarters located outside the U.S, or from anauthorized storage place.If you need to file such a claim contact your nearest postclaims office. You must file DD Form 1840R within 70 daysof delivery of the property. For more info read ArmyRegulation 27-20.

TIDBITS

Thrift Savings Plan-If you haven’t already began totuck away all that extra moneyyou’ve been earning duringdeployment, it’s never too late to start. TheThrift Savings Plan (TSP) is a Federal Government-sponsored retirement savings and investment plan.The TSP is a defined contribution plan. The retirementincome you receive from your TSP account will depend onhow much yo have contributed to your account during yourworking years and the earnings on those contributions.You can contribute up to 10 percent of your basic pay eachpay peiod to your TSP account as soon as you are a memberof the uniformed services. You may also contribute from oneto 100 percent of any incentive pay or special pay (includingbonus pay) you receive, up to the limits established by theInternal Revenue Code.If you plan to make the military a career, The TSP canprovide you with a supplemental source of retirement incomein addition to your uniformed services retired pay. Just $40per month can add up to $20, 959 (at 7% interest per year).To participate in TSP you must sign up wth your service.

WebsitesHow you can helpvictims of hurricaneKatrina from across the globeDonate money by check or credit cardwww.americares.orgwww.redcross.org

Get the latest hurricane updatesThe National Hurricane Centerwww.nhc.noaa.govwww.hurricanetrack.com

Help for our four-legged friendsMany animals were left behind or separated fromtheir owners in the wake of Katrina. Help therescue and relief efforts by your contribution.

The Humane Society of the United Stateswww.hsus.orgThe American Society for thePrevention of Cruelty to Animalswww.aspca.orgThe American Kennel Club www.akc.org

Documents

VIGILANT TIMES · of the 617th MP Company near Camp Ashraf, and SGT Steve Morin, Jr. and Airman First Class Elizabeth N. Jacobson of our Force Protection team from Camp Bucca. The