The Morning Calm Korea Weekly - Mar. 7, 2008

Inside

March 7, 2008 • Volume 6, Issue 20

http://imcom.korea.army.mil

Published for those serving in the Republic of Korea

USAG-RC, Uijeongbu firefighters join forces, battle blaze

Seminole County ends tour on high note at Red Cloud

Fists fly as Humpreys hosts boxing bout

Page 4

Page 7

Page 23

Air crews help marshal in Korea-wide exercise

Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, ROK forces step up for Key Resolve/Foal Eagle 2008

See Page 23 for story and photos

Senior Airman Paul Epping, crew chief from the 8th Maintenance Squadron, marshal’s an AH-64 Apache helicopter here Mar. 1. The Apache’s arrived from Camp Humphrey’s, Bravo Company 4-2, as part of the Key Resolve/Foal Eagle exercise, enhancing combat readiness and joint interoperability. Exercise Key Resolve/Foal Eagle 2008 is an annual combined/joint exercise involving forces from both the U.S. and Republic of Korea. The exercise provides training to further enhance interoperability and combat readiness, while also demonstrating both countries commitment to the ROK/U.S. Alliance. — U.S. Air Force Photo By Senior Airman Steven R. Doty

IMCOM-Korea inspects, commends outstanding military police, provost marshal office during Yongsan ceremony by Staff Sgt. Kurt Rene 142nd MP CO, 94th MP BN Each year the USAG-Yongsan Provost Marshal Office undergoes a detailed inspection as part of the Command Inspection Program, on all aspects of it operations, from record-keeping to maintenance. This year, the USAG-Yongsan PMO received seven commendable ratings out of 11 inspected areas. Brig. Gen. Al Aycock, Commanding General of Installation Management Command-Korea, recognized

four Soldiers from the 142nd Military Police Company and one DoD Civilian from the 94th Military Police Battalion for their outstanding performance as demonstrated by this inspection. Awardees included Sgt. 1st Class Annette Grace, USAG-Yongsan Provost Sergeant, who is responsible for keeping all functional areas operating as a team; Sgt. Kathrynne Hoover, Desk Sergeant, awarded for her performance on Serious Incident Reports and Detention Cell Operations, and Sgt. Jennie Lisciandri, Traffic Accident Investigator,

awarded for proper maintenance of the vehicle impound lot, DUI Checkpoint Operations, and Safety Management. Awarded for outstanding administration and administration support was Sgt. (KATUSA) Suk, Min Soo and Mr. Vincent Santas. The day to day outstanding performance of the Soldiers and civilians of the USAGYongsan Provost Marshal Office has made it by far the best United States Army Garrison Provost Marshal Ooffice in the Republic of Korea.

Sgt. 1st Class Annette Grace, USAG-Yongsan Provost Sergeant, receives a certificate from Brig. Gen. Aycock for her outstanding performance during the IMCOM-Korea Command Inspection of USAG-Yongsan and the Yongsan PMO. — U.S. Army Photo By 1st Lt. Eric Vaught, 142nd Military Police CO XO

NEWS

NEWS • PAGE 2 http://imcom.korea.army.mil The Morning Calm

Published by Installation Management Command - Korea Commanding General/Publisher: Brig. Gen. Al Aycock Public Affairs Officer/Editor: Edward N. Johnson Senior Editor:Susan Silpasornprasit USAG-RED CLOUD Commander: Col. Larry A. Jackson Public Affairs Officer: Margaret Banish-Donaldson CI Officer: James F. Cunningham USAG-YONGSAN Commander: Col. David W. Hall Public Affairs Officer: David McNally CI Officer: Kenneth Fidler Staff Writer: Sgt. Jung Jae-hoon USAG-HUMPHREYS Commander: Col. John E. Dumoulin Jr. Public Affairs Officer: Bob McElroy Writer/Editor: Andre D. Butler CI Officer: Stacy Ouellette USAG-DAEGU Commander: Col. Michael P. Saulnier Public Affairs Officer: Ronald Inman CI Officer: Samuel G. Hudson Staff Writer: Cpl. Na Kyung Chul Staff Writer: Cpl. Jang Won il This Army newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of The Morning Calm Weekly are not necessarily official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, or Department of the Army. The editorial content of this weekly publication is the responsibility of the IMCOM-Korea, Public Affairs, APO AP 96205. Circulation: 9,500 Printed by Oriental Press, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Government, under exclusive written contract with the Contracting Command-Korea. The civilian printer is responsible for commercial advertising. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Army or Oriental Press of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the printer shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. Oriental Press President: Charles Chong Commercial Advertising Telephone: 738-5005 or 723-4253 Fax: (02) 790-5795 E-mail: [email protected] Mail address: PSC 450, Box 758, APO AP 96206-0758 Location: Bldg. 1440, Yongsan, Main Post SUBMISSIONS OR COMMENTS: Phone: DSN 724-TMCW (8629) Fax: DSN 724-3356 E-mail: MorningCalmWeekly @korea.army.mil

THE MORNING CALM

Bell Sends: Parent to Parent Workshops US military communities and families across -1800-2000 Seoul American Elementary School, Korea have a wonderful opportunity this month Dolphin Theatre to learn more about effectively transitioning -18 March-USAG Humphreys and Osan Air students. Whether students are moving to another Base school in the States, changing grades or making 1800-2000 Humphreys American Elementary their choices for college, USFK and Department School of Defense Dependent School-Korea (DoDDS-19 March-USAG Daegu and Fleet Activities Korea), in collaboration with and the assistance of Chinhae the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC), 1800-2000 Daegu American School, Multiare offering a series of Parent to Parent workshops purpose room to assist families. These workshops are free for Servicemembers, Gen. Burwell B. Bell To address the needs of our students and their civilian employees, contractors and family members Commander families, MCEC’s Parent to Parent instruction team and there is no requirement to preregister or reserve a will visit the Seoul, Daegu/Chinhae and Osan, Camp Humphreys seat – we just want you there! I encourage Commanders and Leaders Communities in March. across Korea to take every opportunity to encourage and support The workshop will begin with an overview session on transition participation in these workshops. For additional information about issues and resources which impact parents of all school age children. the workshops in your area call the following numbers: This one hour overview will be followed with breakout sessions SAES, Principal Kacmarski, 736-4613 focused on more specific issues and strategies according to the Seoul American Middle School, Principal Mood, 736-7337 age of the students. Breakout sessions will include: Organization, Seoul American High School, Principal Sennett, 738-8140 Communication and Involvement: Keys to Success in Elementary Camp Humphrey’s/Osan School, Principal Islas, 753-8894 School, Chart Your Course for Success in High School and Beyond Daegu American School/Chinhae, Principal Henson, 768-9501 (for parents and their middle school students), and Chart Your Course: The College Admission and Financial Aid Process (For We Go Together! Parents and their 11th and 12th graders). The Workshop schedule is as follows: -17 March-USAG Yongsan -0900-1100 Base Theatre

IMCOM Safety Update:

Stay in control: When road conditions are slick, drivers must be smart Special to The Morning Calm Weekly Summer showers can be tricky. They cause wet roads, soft shoulders, reduced visibility, and mud splattered lights and windshields. Slippery roads lengthen stopping distances.The first change to make in your driving when it starts to rain is to SLOW DOWN. Even just a little rain creates considerable

hazard. The rain water mixes with the oil and grease residue, and creates a slippery film on the road. The more it rains the more this film is going to be washed away, but don’t wait for this to happen. Slow down as soon as it starts to rain. Be wary of center lines and lane markings.They can be much slicker than the rest of the road when wet. Take extra

care when crossing railroad tracks. They are very slippery when wet. You can’t drive if you can’t see. So make sure your windshield wipers are in good working order. Keep the blades clean and replace worn blades without delay. A combination of safe driving procedures and properly maintained equipment is your best insurance against rainy driving hazards.

Visit us online

The Morning Calm imcom.korea.army.mil

Word on the Street: “What ‘green’ actions have you seen on your garrison?”

Submitting to The Morning Calm Weekly Send Letters to the Editor, guest commentaries, story submissions and other items: [email protected]. For all submitted items include a point of contact name and telephone number. All items are subject to editing for content and to insure they conform with DoD guidelines. IMCOM-K Public Affairs and the Morning Calm Weekly staff are located in Bldg. 1416, Yongsan Garrison Main Post. For information, call 724-3365.

“Signs in the office are made of used cardboard. Also, whenever possible, we use the blank side of documents to save paper.”

“I have seen several Global Electric Mobile Cars on Yongsan Garrison. They do not emit any exhaust or pollution.”

“I think the recycling plan at USAGRC is a positive humanitarian step to conserve and protect the environment .”

— Cpl. Oh

— Capt. Alan Jones

— PV2 Jong Chan Kim

MARCH 7, 2008

NEWS

NEWS • PAGE 3 www.imcom.korea.army.mil

MP Blotter The following entries were excerpted from the military police blotters. These entries may be incomplete and do not imply guilt or innocence. AREA II: Traffic Accident Without Injuries; Damage to Government Property; Damage to Private Property; Improper Backing; Subject #1, operating a POV, improperly backed and struck Victim #1’s GOV which was legally parked, secured, and attended. Damages to Subject #1’s vehicle consisted of scratches to the left rear bumper. Damages to Victim #1’s vehicle consisted of a cracked front grill. All parties reported to the USAG-Yongsan PMO where Subject #1 rendered a written statement admitting to the offenses, and Victim #1 rendered a written sworn statement attesting to the incident. Subject #1 was processed and released to his escort. All parties reported utilization of their seatbelts. ECOD is unknown. This is a final report. AREA II: Assault Consummated by a Battery; Wrongful Damage to Private Property; Subject #1, Victim #2, Witness #1 and Witness #2 were in Victim #1’s taxi cab, when they arrived at their destination, Victim #2 attempted to wake Subject #1, at which time, Subject #1 struck Victim #2 in the facial area numerous times with a closed hand. During the altercation Subject #1 wrongfully damaged Victim #1’s taxi cab. Damages to the taxi cab consisted of a dent and scratches to the right quarter panel and inside roof and a crack on the right rear window’s water protect shield. Victim #2 was transported to 121st CSH where he was treated and released for injuries consisted of lacerations to the facial area and bruising. Subject #1 was apprehended and transported to the USAG-Yongsan PMO, where MP detected an odor of an alcoholic beverage emitting from Subject #1’s person. Subject #1 was administered a PBT with a result of 0.081% BAC. Subject #1 was not advised of her legal rights due to her suspected level of intoxication. Subject #1 was further processed and released to her unit. Victim #1, Victim #2,Witness #2 and Witness #1 rendered written statements attesting to the incident. At 1430 Hrs, 24 FEB 08, Subject #1 reported to the USAGYongsan PMO, where she was advised of her legal rights, which she waived, rendering a written sworn statement admitting to the offenses. ECOD is unknown. This is a final report. AREA III: Drunk and Disorderly; Assault Consummated by a Battery; Investigation revealed Subject #1 was being loud and unruly. MP searched, apprehended and transported Subject #1 to the USAGLong MP Station, where he was administered a PBT with a result of .350% BAC. A second PBT was administered to Subject #1 with a result of .400% BAC. Subject #1 was processed and released to his unit. Witness #1, Witness #2, Witness #3, Witness #4, Witness #5, and Witness #6 rendered written sworn statements attesting to the incident. Witness #3’s statement related Subject #1 assaulted Witness #7. At 0740 Hrs, 27 FEB 08, Subject #1 reported to the USAG-Long MP Station where he was advised of his legal rights, which he waived, rendering a written sworn statement admitting to the offense of drunk and disorderly and denying the assault. Investigation continues by MPI. AREA IV: Underage Drinking, Flight from Apprehension; Investigation revealed that while MP was conducting an ID check at Oasis Club, MP detected an odor of alcoholic beverage emitting from Subject #1’s person. MP checked Subject #1’s ID card which revealed that she was not of the legal drinking age. Subject #1 then fled from MP. At 0004 Hrs, 23 FEB 08, Subject #1 was apprehended and transported by MP to the USAG-Daegu (Carroll) PMO where she was not advised of her legal rights due to her suspected level of intoxication. Subject #1 was administered a PBT with a result of 0.009% BAC. Subject #1 was released to her unit. At 1326 Hrs, 23 FEB 08, Subject #1 reported to the USAG-Daegu PMO where she was advised of her legal rights, which she waived, rendering a written statement admitting to the offenses. This is a final report.

A South Korean Soldier establishes a security cordon at the “Bridge of No Return”. Located in the Joint Security Area, the bridge crosses the DMZ and was used for prisoner exchanges at the end of the Korean War in 1953. The name originates from the fact that prisoners were given the choice to remain in the country of their captivity or cross over to the other country. But if they chose to cross the bridge, they would never be allowed to return. — U.S. Army Photo By Edward Johnson

SIGHTS AND SOUNDS: Current events and activities Apricot Blossom Fest. (March 8-16)

In spring, the white maehwa blossoms blanket 83 acres of land on Baegunsan Mountain near Maehwa Village, Daap-myeon, Gwangyang, Jeollanam-do. The apricot festival offers an outdoor concert surrounded by the sweet fragrance of apricot trees. A variety of programs await visitors, including a treasure hunt game in an apricot garden (register on-line) suitable for children or adults, a wedding ceremony and a spring dress fashion show. Other events include folk performances such as a samulnori (four percussion instruments) performance, a drum performance, and a dance performance based on taekwondo, a traditional Korean martial art. The sweet fragrance of apricot blossoms and the vast sprawling garden is quite a breathtaking scene. Taking a photo against the backdrop of apricot blossoms is a must. For more information, visit www.gwangyang.go.kr

DMZ (Panmunjeom)

Spring is the perfect time to embark on a day-trip to Korea’s DMZ. This is an exciting and educational opportunity to learn about the conflict and see firsthand the fortifications that are still in place along the border between North and South Korea. Servicemembers, Civilians and Family Members are encouraged to visit the DMZ while stationed in Korea. For more information on the USO’s tour schedule or to make reservations to visit the DMZ, call DSN 795- 3063/3028 or DSN 724-7781. Other sites to see at the DMZ include: Dorasan Station, a railroad that runs between the two Koreas; the Third Tunnel, one of four known tunnels constructed by North Korea; The Military Armistice Commission Building; The Pagoda at the Freedom House and the “Bridge of No Return” which crosses the DMZ in the Joint Security Area.

International Marathon (March 16)

Beginning at Sejongro and Jamsil Main Stadium, Seoul, this international marathon draws 30,000 participants. This is a unique opportunity to run a full-course marathon on the roads of Seoul under controlled traffic. For more information, visit www.tour2korea.com

Drink & Rice Cake Fest (Apr. 19)

The ‘Korean Traditional Drink & Rice Cake Festival 2008 in Gyeongju’ begins March 19. The festival theme celebrates the traditional drinks and rice cakes of the Eight Provinces of Korea. The event lasts for six days and will be held at Hwangseong Park in Gyeongju. This year will be the 11th annual festival, introducing the traditional rice cakes and food of Silla, along with an exhibit showing the traditional table settings of Silla. Other events portraying the distinct characteristics of Gyeongju will include the trying on of clothing from the Silla period, natural dyeing, and making traditional drinks and rice cakes. Following the theme of the festival, rice cake specialists from all over Korea will prepare dishes for visitors to enjoy. Sale booths where visitors may buy the rice cakes, along with the ‘3rd Korean Original Rice Cake Creation Competition’ will be available. Also, the ‘2008 Miss Gyeongbuk (beauty contest)’ will be a part of the festivities and tourists will be able to discover the cultures of Silla through a night event called ‘A Historical Journal Under the Stars’. For more information on these events, visit www. tour2korea.com

Itaewon (Seoul)

Itaewon is where the cultures of east and west mingle. It is Seoul’s largest multicultural district and is a virtual magnet for shoppers on the hunt for styles and sizes reminiscent to what they would find back home. Everything from athletic apparel, outdoor hiking gear, luggage, tailor-made suits, accessories, and baseball caps to a dizzying array of antiques and traditional souvenirs line the market streets. This is prime shopping for many name-brand items. Itaewon is primarily composed of individual shops and outdoor vendors. Popular items purchased in Itaewon include sports jerseys and jackets, tailor made suits and souvenirs. Customers will be able to track these down at numerous shops flanking the main road or at several tucked along the side streets. The market is just a short taxi ride or walk from United States Army Garrison Yongsan, making it a convenient entertainment district for an international shopping or dining experience.

Source: www.korea.net, www.seoulselection.com, www.hotelnet.com, http://english.tour2korea.com, www.visitseoul.net — No endorsement implied.

NEWS • PAGE 4 http://imcom.korea.army.mil

NEWS

Red Cloud, Uijeongbu firefighters battle blaze

THE MORNING CALM PAID ADVERTISING

USAG Red Cloud Fire Department personnel responded to a report of a fire near the perimeter wall behind Bldg. S-433. Two fire trucks and a rescue unit from CRC station responded to the scene of the two-story blaze. Uijeongbu fire crews arrived on scene and the teams set about controlling the fire. Within minutes the situation was remedied. The city fire damage estimate is 25,000,00 won and the cause of the blaze remains under investigation. — Courtesy Photo

Army moves closer to paperless Officer Evaluation Reports Special to The Morning Calm Weekly Beginning April 1, the US Army’s Human Resources Command will require that all Officer Evaluation Reports and Noncommissioned Officer Evaluation Reports be electronically submitted to the Department of the Army using My Forms on Army Knowledge Online. The new requirement was announced in MILPER Message 08-51, which notes that rating officials must sign evaluations with digital signatures using the CAC and use the latest form versions. “The Army made this decision in order to prepare units to submit evaluations in a fully electronic environment. We’re laying the groundwork for a smooth transition to Defense Integrated Military Human Resources System in October 2008, “ said Lt. Col. Chelsea Ortiz, from the Evaluations Systems Office at the U.S. Army Human Resources Command. Mr. Dario Velasquez, who runs the Reports Processing Branch for Regular Army and Reserve OERs and NCOERs, looks forward to the change. “Electronic submission is reliable, quick, and provides virtually error-free documents for final review and processing at the HQDA level. Because we’re getting a better product from the units, our examiners are able to push the evaluation to the Soldier’s Official Military Personnel Records File more quickly,” said Velasquez. Additional benefits of completing evaluations within the My Forms Portal include: –Digital signatures eliminate the need to print hard copy forms –Forms have embedded wizards which help rating officials navigate through the process, providing guidance and policy –Administrative information on both rated officer and rating officials can be automatically filled from the Integrated Total Army Data Base database. –With just one key stroke rating officials

have ability to create an evaluation report from the counseling/support forms. All required information transfers from the counseling to the evaluation form, reducing the need to cut and paste or retype data. –Rating officials route forms behind My Forms and use Tracking to monitor the history of the form throughout the process. Users may also email forms outside the portal but they lose the benefits of My Forms’ tracking. –Reduced need to expend resources on special mailing costs –Eliminates printed copies and paper without compromising the personal nature of evaluations. Exceptions to this requirement include evaluations from deployed units, Army National Guard NCOERs which are mailed to State and Territory points of contact, and classified OERs and NCOERs. These reports may be submitted in paper format. Deployed units continue to retain all available options for military evaluation submission, to include electronic submissions in My Forms, mailing hard copy reports, and OERs by Email (once established as an authorized sender). All other units must submit OERs and NCOERs electronically or request an exemption to use paper format per guidance provided in the MILPER Message. “Go to our website, read the training slides, and go to My Forms. For units that have never tried submitting evaluations electronically, the best way is to just get out there and do it,” said Sgt. Maj. Arlita Crawford, Chief, NCOER Policy. Training on the total My Forms process and specific aspects of electronic submission of evaluations is available under the “What’s New?” heading at Evaluations, Selections, & Promotions webpage https://www.hrc.army. mil/site/Active/TAGD/MSD/msdweb.htm. Those with questions on this directive should refer to the MILPER message first, and if that does not address their questions, officials at HRC can be contacted at tapcmse@conus. army.mil.

PAID ADVERTISING

MARCH 7, 2008

AREA I

USAG-RC • PAGE 5 www.imcom.korea.army.mil

Warriors promoted in ceremony at Red Cloud

Newly promoted Soldiers, Staff Sgt. Garrus Richardson (left), Sgt. Sherwin Cadavis (center) and Sgt. Sung Bin Im (right), stand at attention at a promotion ceremony held by Headquarters and Headquarters Company at the USAG-RC Community Activity Center Feb.29. — U.S. Army Photo By Spc. Alun Thomas

Warriors learn to save dollars, overcome debt by Spc. Alun Thomas USAG-RC Public Affairs

Gwendolyn McCarthy, Financial Readiness, explains how to accumulate wealth, not debt, at a workshop held at the USAG-RC Education Center,Feb 27. — U.S. Army Photo By Spc. Alun Thomas

USAG -RED CLOUD – Army Community Service presented a financial workshop at USAG-RC Education Center Feb.27, ‘Build Wealth, Not Debt’, aimed at helping advise Army personnel how to save money and overcome debt. During the program classes were provided on debt reduction techniques, how to make personal savings work for service members and Army civilians and an introduction to the Thrift Savings Plan. G w e n d o l y n M c C a r t h y, A r m y Community Services financial readiness, classes and services director, said the classes are held to encourage military members to save money, including all Department of Defense card holders. The program is not limited to Soldiers. “This program works with Army members to help them build wealth and not debt,” McCarthy said. “We do this by showing them the ways and means of reducing their debt by examining interest rates from their financial institutions and diversifying their money.” The TSP is also an important asset the Army offers, McCarthy said, adding that many Soldiers are not aware of the program, so a class was developed to teach them how TSP works. “There are different components to this class and the main aspect of this program is to provide information,”

McCarthy said. “Another aspect is getting financial institutions involved and have them come out and talk to the Soldiers, which we have done at USAGCasey Pear Blossom Cottage.” During her presentation, McCarthy explained various ways to save money, either by buying soft drinks from the commissary instead of vending machines, cutting out addictive habits like smoking or drinking, and saving the money in saving accounts, or helping pay off outstanding debts. Jimmy Smith, ACS financial specialist, delivered a guide to the TSP, and said it is important for those participating in the program to properly understand how to distribute their savings in order to gain the most benefits from the plan. “If you’re just signing up for TSP you will automatically go into the Government Securities Fund, which keeps your money safe,” Smith said. “After you get your pin number you will be able to distribute your funds around in percentages, not dollar amounts, as long as it amounts to 100.” Smith said those who start early in the TSP stand to gain more based on how the stock market performs, which is in an upswing for certain areas of the TSP, particularly the Lifecycle Fund, designed for the anticipated date of retirement. “We aren’t trying to convert anyone, just delivering the facts,” McCarthy said.

AREA I

USAG-RC • PAGE 6 www.imcom.korea.army.mil

News & Notes

THE MORNING CALM

ROKA Grand Opening provides new home

Gorton’s Seafood Recall Gorton’s Seafood recalls Six Crispy Battered Fish Fillets due to possible adulteration. For more information call: 800-4391420. USAG-RC Aerobics Class USAG-RC will have aerobics classes on Tuesday and Thursday from 7-8p.m. in the USAG-RC Physical Fitness Center. For more information call: 732-6309/7757. CAE Positions Available WIC Overseas Program has positions available. Nutritionists, Dietitians, and Nurses. Requires a bachelor of science in Nutrition, Dietetics, Nursing or Home Economics. Experience in prenatal, maternal or infant nutrition required. Registered Dietitian preferred. For more information call: (210) 341-3336. USO Spring Virtues Banquet Postponed The USO Spring Virtues Banquet scheduled for March 13 is postponed due to conflicts in the schedule. For more information call: 011-440-9016. Soldiers May Nominate for ABC’s Extreme Makeover Soldiers may nominate for ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. Applications are due by March 13. Soldiers with compelling stories are encouraged to apply. For more information call: (703)697-8193.

Col. Larry ‘Pepper’ Jackson, USAG-RC garrison commander (right), and Col. David Teeples, 2ID assistant division commander, cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony of the new Republic of Korea Army building at USAG-RC Feb. 27. — U.S. Army Photo By Spc. Alun Thomas

BOSS Quarterly Meeting The BOSS Quarterly meeting will be held March 12 in the Camp Stanley Community Activity Center. For more information call: 010-7568-7797.

by Jim Cunningham USAG-RC Public Affairs

Army Moves to Paperless Work Environment Starting April 1, the U.S. Army’s Human Resources Command will require that all Officer Evaluation Reports and Noncommissioned Officer Evaluation Reports be electronically submitted to the Department of the Army using My Forms on Army Knowledge Online. For more information call: (703) 325-8499. Army to Muster IRR Soldiers The U.S. Army Human Resources Command will conduct a muster of approximately 10,000 Individual Ready Reserve Soldiers in the U.S. Army beginning this month. For more information call: (314) 592-0276. 2ID Tax Assistance Center Free Tax Preparation 2nd Infantry Division Tax Center will be preparing tax returns free of charge from now to June 15. For more information call: 7303598. At Camp Casey go to Maude Hall room 241 Tues., Wed., Fri., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thur. from 1 to 8 p.m., Sat. from 8 a.m. to noon. Army Community Services Volunteer Luncheon The Army Community Services Volunteer Luncheon will be held in the USAG-Casey Warrior’s Club June 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call: 730-3143. FAA Jobs for Ages 18-31 with High School Diploma Young adults between the ages of 18-31 can attend the Federal Aviation Association Air Traffic Controler School. A high school diploma is required. For more information call: 732-6273.

Live at the CAC entertains Warriors Hovey, we can combine our efforts to bring more activities like this to the Soldiers in the enclaves,” Hall said. “Herbert brought USAG- CASEY—A new program, his idea here and we brought our resources developed by the staff of the Community together, including the food and drinks from Activity Centers and Better Opportunities the Gateway Club, to present the show in for Single and Unaccompanied Soldiers, our theater.” ‘Live at the CAC,’ kicked off their first “We gathered the cash to be given program Feb. 29 in the USAG-Casey CAC. tonight from Family and MWR, and Army The idea was initiated by Herbert Pleasant, and Air Force Exchange Service,” said Pfc. Camp Hovey CAC manager. Rayea Wiley, USAG-Casey/Hovey BOSS “I know there is a lot of good talent president. “When Pleasant told us his idea, in USAG-Red Cloud and USAG-Casey we set the amount of cash prizes to be $100 enclaves,” for first prize, $75 for Pleasant said. second prize and $50 “I was watching “I thought we needed this program for third prize.” television when I The crowd chose saw ‘Live at the because I wanted to show people t h re e w i n n e r s f o r Apollo,’ and I the evening with thought it would things happen at USAG-Red Cloud first prize given to play here very well Pfc. Jeffer y Smith because we have and USAG-Casey,” from Headquarters, so many talented Headquarters Soldiers.” Company, 302 Deuce Pleasant Herbert Pleasant, Camp Hovey Brigade Support tapped Sgt. Eddie Battalion. His routine CAC manager Washington to was singing. be the master of “I knew I would ceremonies and to mimic the comedians be chosen for first prize,” Smith said. “I who host the popular television program. was really scared at the same time but still Nine Soldiers displayed their talents for an felt confident I would be chosen. I did audience of more than 50 Warriors judging not practice until yesterday, and I did not them as they performed with applause. rehearse until this morning. That helped me “I thought we needed this program with my confidence.” because I wanted to show people things Smith plans to buy some new T-shirts happen at USAG-Red Cloud and USAG- and other clothing with his prize money. Casey,” Pleasant said. “I wanted to exploit Second prize was given to another the vast amount of talent. I knew teaming up vocalist, Pfc. Candace Mason of Alpha with the USAG-Casey CAC manager, Sally Company, 70th BSB. And, third prize went Hall, and with Staff Sgt. Lucia Gonzales, to 1st. Lt. Travis Gunther, also a vocalist and USAG-Casey BOSS advisor, we could do guitar player. great things.” “Upcoming activity includes our bowling “Wherever it is, Red Cloud, Casey or at lock-in at USAG-Casey Lanes,” Wiley said.

Pfc. Jeffery Smith receives first prize from the audience as Sgt. Eddie Washington, master of ceremonies, conducts an audience survey. — U.S. Army Photo By Jim Cunningham

Pfc. Candace Mason receives second prize from the audience during the “Live at the CAC” program held in the USAG-Casey Community Activity Center Feb. 29. — U.S. Army Photo By Jim Cunningham

1st. Lt. Travis Gunther plays guitar and sings in the “Live at the CAC” program. Gunther was chosen for third prize by the audience. — U.S. Army Photo By Jim Cunningham

MARCH 7, 2008

AREA I

USAG-RC • PAGE 7 http://imcom.korea.army.mil

Seminole County band members, vocalist Jj and guitarist Byron J., entertain the crowd at USAG-RC Mitchells Club, during their concert March 2. — U.S. Army Photo By Spc. Alun Thomas

Seminole County rocks Mitchell’s at Red Cloud by Spc. Alun Thomas USAG-RC Public Affairs

USAG-RED CLOUD —Florida based rock group ‘Seminole County’ wound up their month long tour of Japan and South Korea with a lively two-hour performance March 2 at USAG-RC Mitchells Club. The band, brought to the Korean Peninsula by Armed Forces Entertainment, played songs off their 2005 self-titled debut and their 2008 mini-album ‘Reasons’,, while also playing several covers and involving audience members in a talent show. “Our reason for being here tonight is to give back to the troops for all they do for us,” said vocalist, guitarist and producer Byron J. Lead vocalist Jj said this was the final concert of the bands tour, having entertained Soldiers and Marines for four weeks. “It’s been a blast. We have met a lot of different people and characters along the way,” J.j said. It’s just been a lot of fun.” Byron J. said it is hard to categorize Seminole County’s style of music, as they incorporate numerous genres of music into their overall sound. “Our music you can’t place into any genre except popular music,” Byron J. said. “We include elements of rap, rock, hip hop, and classic rock, so it all kind of comes out in the middle when it’s said and done, so there’s something everyone enjoys.” This blend of different musical ideas was explored on songs like ‘Playing Me’,

‘Reasons’ and ‘Pieces,’, in which lead vocals were shared by Jj and Byron J. Halfway through the show Jj invited members of the audience to participate in a talent show, which Jj said the band has been doing at every show. “This is the part of the show where I get to know the audience better,” Jj said. “All you have to do is have a special talent. I’ve seen people fold paper plates into napkins, juggle and just stand up here to be up here.” Sgt. Ronald Porter won the competition with his rendition of ‘Lean On Me,’ for which he was awarded Seminole County merchandise. The band also played cover versions of popular songs, including the Run DMC and Aerosmith version of ‘Walk This Way.’. “My musical influences include a lot of old classic rock and hair metal bands, plus more diverse artists like Peabo Bryson, Freddie Jackson and Luther Vandross,” Byron J said. “Byron is more into the older bands while I’m into the newer stuff like Evanescence, Linkin Park and Eminem,” Jj. said “You can see the combination of these influences when we perform.” Following the completion of their Asian tour, the band plans to head back into the recording studio and complete their next album, Jj said, adding, the band plans to tour Russia later in the year with the Backstreet Boys, whom they toured with in 2005.

Seminole County’s rhythm section takes center stage during the bands performance of their 2005 track ‘Playing Me’, during their concert at Mitchells Club March 2. — U.S. Army Photo By Spc. Alun Thomas

AREA II

MARCH 7, 2008

USAG-Y • PAGE 9 http://yongsan.korea.army.mil

Trent gym renovations begin March 15

Collier, Trent on tap to receive new equipment, more spinning bikes by Cpl. Im Jin-min USAG-Y Public Affairs YONGSAN GARRISON — Renovations at Trent Gymnasium begin March 15 to replace 40-year-old water pipes and refurbish the bathrooms under a two-month, phased project. “There have been a mounting number of complaints on the quality of the fountain water and deteriorating condition of the gym’s restrooms over the past years,” said Lee Young-il, director of the engineering division, U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan Directorate of Public Works. The project also calls for replacing glass and tile, lights, cabinets and toilet bowls.

Pipes will be replaced with noncorrosive pipes. “When the project is finished, Trent Gym will have brand new bathrooms and a powerful clean and drinkable water system,” Lee said. Lee said patrons would find little inconvenience. Workers will first renovate the ground floor bathrooms by April 30, leaving the second-floor bathrooms open. The ground-floor rooms will be open before the contractors starts to work on the second floor. “The work will be carried out with the utmost care, entirely focused on the bathroom areas, so that those who regularly enjoy the gym may do so during

this time,” Lee said. Seong Bo Construction Ind. Co. Ltd and the Far East District Corps of Engineers are responsible for the project, which will cost about $370,000. New weight machines, spinning bikes Nearly four dozen new weight-training machines and 24 spinning bikes are on tap for Collier Field House and Trent Gymnasium by the end of March. Both facilities will have 46 new machines, said Bennie Jackson, Yongsan sports director. To support the increase in spinning, one racquetball court at Collier will be converted to a spinning room. The room

will also include four stair-step machines and five elliptical machines. Racquetball players will still be able to use the remaining three courts, Jackson said. “It will give us more space, too, in the main workout room,” Jackson added. “We operate 91 hours a week. During the ‘peak’ hours, we had the problem of customers generally lacking enough machines to exercise with.” Jackson said most of the equipment has arrived, but won’t be set up until the end of March. “It’s going to be a surprise for them,” he said of expected customers’ reactions. “We will continue to maintain the facility at the highest level we can.”

Yongsan to field automated pedestrian gate by David McNally USAG-Y Public Affairs YONGSAN GARRISON — Yongsan pedestrians will soon find a new way to enter the installation securely and quickly. The Army is fielding a new automated entry system in Korea. Yongsan Garrison will be one of the first installations in U.S. Forces Korea to install a new high-tech “automated pedestrian gate.” “By the end of April, we expect to have one of these new pedestrian gates up and running at Gate 19,” said U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan Emergency Services Director Ricky Oxendine. Gate 19 is located near the 121st Combat Support Hospital. The new system uses two methods to

verify the identity of a pedestrian before granting access to the installation. The pedestrian must have a valid identification card entered into the Defense Biometric Identification System. The user must also have his or her fingerprint scanned. “To use the ‘pod,’ that’s what we call it, a pedestrian swipes his or her ID and gains entry through the first door,” said Sgt. 1st Class Robb Kubiak, USFK physical security and force protection noncommissioned officer-in-charge. “Once inside, the person places their finger on a biometric reader.” Kubiak said the second door opens to allow the person access after the system makes a fingerprint match. The whole process usually takes 12 to 15 seconds, he said. If a problem arises, such as more than one person in the pod, the system automatically

alerts the Military Police Desk. The MPs can speak with the person through an intercom to resolve the issue. The MP Desk will be able to monitor the pod through closed circuit television. “If a parent is coming through with a child or stroller, the guard would verify and remotely grant access,” Kubiak said. Garrison officials hope the new system will help streamline gate access and save money. “This will actually increase our force protection because the ID card and fingerprint together will ensure access is granted only to an authorized person,” Kubiak said. “It’s a true biometric system.” Kubiak was is the point person for fielding the new system in Korea. He said a second system is also going to USAGDaegu.

Children’s theater to offer ‘Little Mermaid’ auditions USAG-Y Public Affairs YONGSAN GARRISON ­— Missoula Children’s Theatre, the nation’s largest touring children’s theater, will bring “The Little Mermaid” tale to life next week, holding tryouts, casting shows, teaching community theater performances skills, and producing live performances. A tour team brings sets, costumes, props and make-up, everything it takes to put on a play – except the cast. “The cast is made up of our own community youth,” said Eskeletha Dorsey, the U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan Child and Youth Service School Liaison Officer. “This is a truly unique and educational program that helps teach creativity and self-esteem.” The open audition is 3:30 p.m. Monday at the Seoul American Elementary School gymnasium to cast 50-60 school-age youth to perform in the production. Students kindergarten through 12th grade can audition. The show is rehearsed throughout the week, and two public performances are scheduled 2 and 7 p.m. March 15 in the Seoul American High School auditorium. “MCT is brought to you by Child and Youth Services and Army Family Covenant,” Dorsey said. The American Women’s Club of Korea Thrift Shop Association and the American Forces Spouses Club sponsored the event. The troupe travels around the world taking this unique theater program to school-age children. MCT has been touring for more than 30 years, visiting nearly 1,100 communities annually in all 50 states, Canada and overseas, including many military communities in Europe and the Pacific.

Budding young actors kindergarten through 12th grade can audition 3:30 p.m. Monday for Missoula Children’s Theatre “The Little Mermaid” performance.

The troupe travels around the world taking this unique theater program to school-age children. For information, call Mrs. Dorsey at 738-5556. “I encourage everyone to come out to the performances and support our youth, because they will have sacrificed and worked very hard,” Dorsey said.

Patricia S. Bradshaw

Defense official holds town hall for civilian employees USAG-Y Public Affairs YONGSAN GARRISON ­— The deputy undersecretary of defense for civilian personnel policy holds a town hall meeting for all civilian employees 2-3 p.m. Monday at the Balboni Theater. Patricia S. Bradshaw will discuss current transformation initiatives, the expeditionary workforce and other topics of interest to civilian employees. Bradshaw is responsible for formulating plans, policies, and programs to manage the Department of Defense civilian workforce. Her office also manages the nonappropriated fund personnel system and provides guidance for the foreign national employment program within the Department. She has served 27 years with DoD and the Department of Navy. She was the senior executive director of human resources for the Naval Sea Systems Command, which had the largest civilian population within the Navy. She also served as director of classification for the Navy.

AREA II

USAG-Y • PAGE 10 http://yongsan.korea.army.mil

News & Notes Women’s History Month Observation A commemorative ceremony honoring Women’s History Month is 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 14 in the multipurpose training facility. The guest speaker is Col. Leana Fox, deputy commander for nursing, 121st Combat Support Hospital and 18th Medical Command. CFC Awards Ceremony U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan holds a garrison-level Combined Federal Campaign awards ceremony 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in the multipurpose training facility. Organizations and tenant units will receive bronze, silver, gold and platinum awards for their contributions to the CFC, which took place last fall. USAG-Yongsan organizations raised more than $400,000 for CFC charities. Auditions for ‘Kiss Me, Kate’ Anyone can audition for a role in the next Area Community Theatre Music and Theatre Branch musical play, “Kiss Me, Kate.” Auditions are 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at the Moyer Community Activities Center. No prior acting experience is necessary. “Kiss Me, Kate” features music and lyrics by Cole Porter. “Kiss Me, Kate” was Porter’s biggest hit and ran on Broadway for more than 1,000 shows. It won the first Tony Award for best musical in 1949. The comedy – complete with warring couples, love triangles and singing gangsters – has roles for 15 men and three women. Many of the male roles can be played by women, and not all roles require singing or dancing. For information, call 723-5721. USO Virtues Volunteer Program Volunteer to teach English to Korean students the second and fourth Saturdays from March through July with the USO. This volunteer Korean-American friendship initiative supports the U.S. Forces Korea Good Neighbor Program. To volunteer, call Mihwa Ahn at 724-7781 or commercial 749-6429. Healthy Grocery Shopping The 18th Medical Command holds a Secrets of Healthy Grocery shopping class 9-10 a.m. March 18 at the Yongsan Commissary. For information, call the nutrition care clinic at 736-3029. Seoul Computer Club The Seoul Computer Club meets 2-4 p.m. Saturday at the USO. Lunch is provided, and PC and Mac users are welcome. For information, call 011-9000-6064. Voting Officer Training Voting Assistance Officer training is 1 p.m. Thursday in the Garrison Command Conference Room in Bldg 4305. For information, call 738-4008. Korean Food Discovery Class Learn basic Korean Food names, restaurant etiquette and get real-world experience at a local Korean restaurant. The Seoul Secrets Food Discovery Class is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday in Room 124 at the Community Service Building. To sign up, call 783-7505. Early Developmental Screening Early developmental screening will be conducted for children birth through 3 years 9-11 a.m. March 25 at Yongsan Child Development Center. For information, call 738-3407.

Reduce debt, save for future goals of savings campaign by Kenneth Fidler USAG-Y Public Affairs

“You should at least have a couple of months’ base pay saved for your emergency fund,” she said. “When you PCS and get YONGSAN GARRISON — Saving to your new duty station, you don’t have money is not rocket science, and the math everything you need. It hurts your finances, is relatively simple. Nickels turn into dimes, and a lot of times you don’t have the cash which turn into quarters, and … you get and you put it on credit.” She said one of the biggest problems she the picture. The commitment to save is part of a sees with new Soldiers is credit card debt nationwide campaign called American Saves and high interest rates. “One Soldier came up to me, an E-2, to help individuals and families reduce debt and save for their futures. An off-shoot of and said, ‘I’m in over my head. I’m over my this, Military Saves, encourages military head. I don’t know what to do. I can’t pay members to establish a savings program, my credit card debt. My father has helped have an emergency fund to avoid short-term me as much as he can, but he can’t help me borrowing, and makes plans for long-term anymore, and I don’t know what to do.’” She said the Soldier had stopped using investments. “Sometimes when you’re trying to his credit cards, but the double-digit interest save, you can easily get sidetracked,” said rate had created more debt. When he paid Tara Hall, social service representative for a $300-a-month payment, it only impacted employment and financial readiness. “This his balance about $100 because of interest, program is to help you keep going for your Hall explained. The worst thing you can do is take money out on the credit card, but goal.” Hall is one of the counselors at Army people do it just to get by.” “For me, saving is very important for the Community Services who teaches personal financial management classes open to any young people,” Hall said. “When you’re 21 ID card holder. The classes focus on money years old, you don’t envision yourself being 50. If you’re paycheck is $1,500 a month, issues military families face. and you put away $100 each month for 20 years, then look at what you would have. Some saving tips: • Cut back on dining out. A nice restaurant meal for two each week could easily cost $80 to $100. Take one weekend’s cost and put it in savings. • For your kids, instead of spending $100 on a pair of sneakers or a fashionable jersey, put This chart shows the potential results of saving $200 per month over 10 that $100 in a fund. years. — Courtesy www.militarymoney.com “When they get older,

THE MORNING CALM

Fast Savings Fact It’s important to build savings into your financial plan, to pay yourself first. Whether you are building an emergency fund, planning a vacation or saving for a large purchase, develop the habit of setting aside money each pay period. Just $20 each week would amass annual savings of more than $1,000. You can save easily through the Thrift Savings Plan and automatic savings allotments. Perhaps you are thinking, “I can’t possibly pay all my bills and still have money left to save.” For most, this is a matter of priorities: • Do you stop for coffee on your way to work in the morning? • Do you eat lunch at a restaurant every day? Cut down on some of those coffee stops, bring lunches from home, and there’s your $20 a week. www.militarysaves.org www.militarymoney.com www.saveandinvest.org

they don’t have to possibly struggle like you may have. And you teach them now that saving the way to go,” Hall said. • Don’t keep up with the Joneses. “Don’t worry about what the other person has; you’ll get there. If you start saving as an E-2, and you continue to save, when you’re an E-4, maybe you can get that car because you did it the smart way and you saved each month,” Hall said. She added it’s simple to save $6,000 in a couple of years and use that as a car down payment, which could mean the difference between a $600 car payment and a $300 car payment. “There are ways to find the money, you just have to willing to make a sacrifice,” she said, “because the sacrifice is worth it.” (Note: Army Community Services offers free classes in personal financial management every month. To sign up for a class, call 7384655.)

Garrison officials meet with Korea-American Friendship Society by David McNally USAG-Y Public Affairs YONGSAN GARRISON — Garrison officials met with eight prominent members of the Korea American Friendship Society Feb. 27 for a luncheon at Commiskey’s Restaurant. Park Keun, KAFS President and Former Republic of Korea ambassador to the United Nations, told the gathering that he “can’t stop smiling these days.” “We’ll be okay because we’re not going to break this Korean-American alliance forever,” Park said. During the meal, KAFS members talked with eight USAG-Yongsan staff members about their organization and its goals. The nonprofit, nongovernmental organization formed June 26, 1991, with the goal to “strengthen friendships and relationships between Korea and America through various kinds of studies on the relationships, activities for mutual understanding and friendship, and promotion of exchange.” At Yongsan Garrison, the KAFS is famous for bringing a free, annual friendship concert

Garrison Commander Col. Dave Hall presents Former Ambassador to the United Nations Park Keun with a garrison coin during the Feb. 27 meeting. — U.S. Army Photo By David McNally

to the U.S. military community in Seoul. “We share your optimism for the future,” said Col. Dave Hall, USAG-Yongsan commander. “The KAFS reputation precedes you.”

Hall said he would like to continue to partner with the organization for Good Neighbor Program events. “This partnership is vital,” Hall said. “We appreciate all that you do.”

AREA II

MARCH 7, 2008

USAG-Y • PAGE 11 http://yongsan.korea.army.mil

COMMUNITY PROFILE • SOJUNG GARCIA

Hannam commissary manager: ‘It’s about family’ by Kenneth Fidler USAG-Yongsan Public Affairs Sojung Garcia runs the commissary store at Hannam Village, a small store with a big 4,206-item selection. The store serves about 250 families who live in the apartment complex located about a 10-minute drive from Yongsan Garrison. When she talked about the store, she referred often to the idea of creating a family atmosphere. She and her staff of nine greet every customer, sometimes help deliver groceries to their apartments, and even tape coupons to the merchandise. Michael Mertz, Yongsan commissary store director, worked with Garcia when she first started with the commissary in 1989. “She was always one of the first to arrive at work and one of the last to leave, even back then,” he said. “That dedication to the military community has carried on throughout her career with DeCA. She is one of the finest employees I have ever had the pleasure to work with.” Your store has received great praise from Hannam residents. You even help delivery groceries? We treat each other real friendly, like a family. Sometimes the children come, and we play with the children. Everyone is like family; they are so nice. At Christmas time, they bring a lot of homemade cookies, candies and cakes. I am so happy and proud of the staff, too. Without good teamwork, we cannot have good customer service. We are sincerely concerned with our customer’s welfare, and pride ourselves

in ensuring their shopping experience at our store is very beneficial and satisfying. As the manager, it is my sincere desire to continue to improve our customer services and relationships, and make our store the first choice when shopping. For a small space, 4,206 seems like a lot of items. We are stocked from the main store on Yongsan. We don’t carry all the merchandise like the main commissary. But anything the main store has, I can order and have it delivered here. How long have you been with the commissary? I’ve been working at the Hannam commissary more than eight years. Before then, I worked in the Yongsan commissary almost 10 years. So, I’ve been with the commissary 19 years. I started out as a cashier at the main store. Have you lived in Korea all your life? No, before I lived and worked in the United States. My husband was Army, and we came back to Korea 19 years ago. I was an Army wife 23 years. I know what it’s like for military families. Customers miss their family, so we treat them nice. We talk like family. Since you have been at the Hannam Commissary, what big change have you seen over the eight years you have been there? The biggest change, I would have to say, relates to improved customer services. Over the years, our staff has strived

AROUND YONGSAN

TAKE YOUR PIC

to attend to our customer’s needs by providing quality services, such as, placing special orders (meats, dairy, produce, and dry items) with our main store and reducing the delivery time to one or two days rather than the former three to four days. We follow-up on these orders with the main store and notify our customers when the items are received. We interact more with our customers to get a sense of what items they would like for us to carry to make it more convenient for them to shop locally. You obviously like your job. I love my job! Sometimes when I’m tired and I see a customer with children, and I play with the children and my stress goes away. What feedback do you receive from your customers? Customers are happy that we have a commissary here. I don’t forget how the customers treat us because they are very nice. We see them every day. What would you like to add? I am deeply grateful to Michael Mertz (commissary director) for this golden opportunity of being the Hannam Village commissary store manager. I would also like to acknowledge the assistance and support rendered by Myong Brown in the areas of DeCA policies and regulations. During my career with DeCA, I have worked various store positions, gaining valuable skills and experience; yet, there is always something new to learn. Mr. Mertz has often occupied the role of a mentor,

“Around Yongsan” is a place to publish your photos of community events. Send high-quality digital photos to yongsan@korea. army.mil. Include the following information with each photo: identify people in the photo with first name, last name, rank, and or-

RUNNING FUN: The Yongsan community holds 15 fun runs each year, and the next one starts at 9:30 a.m. March 15 at Collier Field House. The 5K run/walk is sponsored by 18th Medical Command Health Promotions in recognition of National Nutrition Month. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. – Photo courtesy MWR marketing division LIBRARY READING TIME: Volunteer Terri Bryant reads to pre-schoolers at the Yongsan Library during Tuesday morning reading time. The library holds reading time for pre-school aged schildren 10-11 a.m every Tuesday. The class consists of reading books, arts and crafts and sing-along dances. Currently, about 20 children attend, and parents can participate, as well. For details on this and the upcoming summer reading program, call 723-6959. – U.S. Army Photo By Sgt. Kim Sang-wook

Kenneth Fidler

Sojung Garcia Position: Manager, Hannam Village commissary Career: 19 years with the Defense Commissary Agency; 10 years at the Yongsan main store and nine years at the Hannam store; started out as a cashier at the mina store; Army spouse for 12 years.

and a tremendous source of knowledge and guidance. I am very confident that as part of our DeCA team, our mutual goal of attending to our customers will always be met. Mr. Mertz’ faith and trust in my abilities is greatly appreciated, and I will do my utmost to retain it, while earning the faith and trust myself from our customers, as well.

ganization; describe the action; name and date of event; name of photographer; and a contact name and phone number. Photos will be published based on quality and space availability and may be posted to the Garrison web site at http://yongsan.korea.army.mil.

USAG-Y • PAGE 12

http://yongsan.korea.army.mil

AREA II

THE MORNING CALM PAID ADVERTISING

Taking care of our own

T

here is no greater duty we have Did you know that AER tuition than to ensure that Soldiers who assistance can also be used for foreignvolunteer to defend our freedom born spouses to attend English as a are afforded the best we can provide. Second Language courses? This helps the When a Soldier needs help, we are there to spouse better understand English and be support. We take care of our own! better prepared to obtain employment and The Army Emergency Relief fund successfully complete college courses. is the Army’s own emergency financial As you can see, AER offers a host of assistance organization and is dedicated to ways to take care of our own. The world the concept of “taking care of our own.” around us changes, but our commitment The annual AER fund drive started March to helping our Soldiers and their Families 1 and runs through May 15. I ask everyone to consider contributing to this fund that helps provide for the morale and welfare of our Soldiers and their Families, retirees, and widow/widowers of deceased Soldiers. The AER was established in 1942 and has since helped more than 3 million Soldiers and their Families overcome financial emergencies with grants and interest-free loans. Garrison Commander Col. Dave Hall signs his Army Emergency In 2007, your donations Relief campaign pledge sheet. Looking on is Kimberly Cornelius, helped the AER raise $10.9 Yongsan’s AER campaign coordinator, and Sgt. Carlos Gaines, million and provide $74 campaign coordinator for Headquarters and Headquarters Commillion to 64,000 people. The pany, USAG-Yongsan. — U.S. Army Photo By Pvt. Lee Min-hwi U.S. Army Garrison-Yongsan community donated $66,315 last year and return assistance amounted remains constant. Our campaign goal this to $272,080 – a four-fold increase! year is to ensure everyone who is eligible How do your contributions help? to contribute to AER gets contacted by Mainly, it helps with emergency their unit key person. Individuals who financial assistance. Your contributions are authorized to contribute to AER by would help an individual or a family payroll deduction includes our activemanage many types of emergency duty Soldiers and military retirees. We financial situations. The most common also want to reach out to our retiree here in Korea is emergency travel. We all population and ensure they are afforded know flying to the United States from an opportunity to contribute to this Korea is expensive, and AER provides low- worthy cause. cost loans to help pay for the air fare in Our Army leadership, Secretary of the event of an emergency that needs the the Army Pete Geren, Chief of Staff Soldier’s immediate attention. Gen. George Casey, and Sgt. Maj. of Under AER, too, a commander or the Army Kenneth Preston, announced first sergeant can approve loans up to the campaign March 1 with this year’s $1,000 for immediate emergency financial campaign theme: “Strength for Soldiers assistance. This gives unit leadership the and their Families for 66 Years.” They ability to directly care for their Soldiers. wrote: “Army Emergency Relief has been AER also provides educational benefits answering this call to duty for 66 years. to families of our Soldiers. For example, This support is reflected in this year’s in 2006, AER approved 96 percent of AER campaign theme, … and reinforces all tuition assistance grants. That meant AER as the one organization founded by nearly 2,500 Army children received more the Army, whose mission is to relieve the than $4 million in scholarships for postdistress of Soldiers and Family members in secondary education. Another $500,000 a time of financial need.” was provided to spouses under the spouse This year, please join me in helping tuition assistance program. You see how us take care of our own through Army your money goes to a very worthy cause. Emergency Relief. It’s certainly worth it.

PAID ADVERTISING

MARCH 7, 2008

NEWS

IMCOM-K • PAGE 13 http://imcom.korea.army.mil

Army to Muster Individual Ready Reserve Soldiers Special to The Morning Calm Weekly The U.S. Army Human Resources Command will conduct a muster of approximately 10,000 Individual Ready Reserve Soldiers in the U.S. Army, the first of which will be at the Army Reserve Center in Los Alamitos, Calif., March 8-9. The muster is a follow-on to the successful pilot program the Army conducted last year. This year HRC, with support from the U.S. Army Reserve Command, will conduct three different types of one-day musters at Army Reserve Centers located across the continental United States. The three types of musters are: readiness musters, personnel accountability musters, and unit affiliation musters. There will be eight readiness musters conducted between March and June at Fort Devens, MA; Los Alamitos, CA; Fort Lawton, WA; Fort Totten, NY; Decator, GA; Arlington Heights, IL; Grand Prairie, TX; and Fort Meade, MD. The readiness muster is a one-day event consisting of readiness and personnel accountability

tasks such as a Reserve Component orientation brief, records review, security clearance updates, medical and dental screening, identification card issue, presentation of training and unit opportunities, and exit surveys. The readiness muster is typically conducted for Soldiers assigned to the IRR for more than 12 months. The Army will also conduct personnel accountability musters at more than 450 Army Reserve Centers in the continental United States and abroad. The personnel readiness muster is intended for Soldiers in the first 12 months of being assigned to the IRR. The purpose of this muster is to educate the Soldier on participation requirements and present training and promotion opportunities. They are also offered the Post Deployment Health Reassessment Program and are required to update their personal information. New this year is a test pilot program called the unit affiliation muster, which involves a visit by the IRR Soldier to a Reserve unit in addition to muster activities.

Orders will be issued to the IRR Soldier to report to a local Reserve Center, and they will be paid $190 for successfully completing the muster. IRR Soldiers who complete their muster requirement will be credited as satisfactory participants for the year. “The muster program not only affords us the opportunity to collect required information but also allows our Reserve Soldiers to remain IRR members. There are a lot of opportunities available to them through either more active IRR participation, affiliation with an Army Reserve Troop Program Unit , or volunteering to mobilize in support of the Global War on Terrorism,” said Lt. Col. Craig Smith, who is in charge of the Army’s IRR Muster Program this year. A Soldier typically becomes a member of the IRR after successfully completing a tour of duty as a Regular or Reserve Army Soldier. Soldiers remain members of the IRR until their total military service obligation expires. Officers are required to submit a request for resignation of their commission to be removed from the IRR

rolls. Soldiers who retire after 20 years of service are not kept in the IRR unless it is of their own accord. Persons who are unsure of their status may telephone the Communications Hub Office of U.S. Army Human Resources Command at 1-800-318-5298. These musters are part of readiness screening operations undertaken by the U.S. Army as part of a seven-year Army program to optimize the operational and strategic value of the IRR by improving individual deployment readiness levels, and maintaining a reliable database of IRR Soldiers who can be used to support the Army in the Global War on Terrorism. All Services are required, by statute and DOD policy, to continuously screen and provide training to members of the IRR. The Army has had the regulatory authority for many years to conduct a physical muster but due to lack of funding did not conduct a muster program until last year . Historically speaking, funding was usually very limited and the Army could only muster relatively small numbers from the Individual Ready Reserve.

Sorority sponsors College Fair The Ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. are sponsoring their 1st annual College Fair Saturday, April 19 from noon – 4 p.m. at the Seoul American Elementary School cafeteria. Volunteers are needed to represent their college, university or service academy. If you are interested in participating, call 010-3125-0466 or e-mail [email protected]

NEWS

IMCOM-K • PAGE 14 http://imcom.korea.army.mil

THE MORNING CALM

National Healthcare Decisions Day:

Client Legal Services can help with advance medical directives Special to The Morning Calm Editor’s Note: The following article was written by Nathan A. Kottkamp, the National Healthcare Decisions Day chair, for non-exclusive newspaper publication. Article submitted courtesy of Client Legal Services. Join National Healthcare Decisions Day because your decisions matter. History will be made April 16, as approximately 50 of the most prominent national healthcare, religious, and legal associations and organizations as well as countless local and state organizations participate in the inaugural National Healthcare Decisions Day. At every level, the goal of this nationwide initiative is to ensure that all adults with decision-making capacity in America have both the information and the opportunity to communicate and document their future healthcare decisions. While making healthcare decisions is often difficult in the best of circumstances, making decisions for others is even more complicated. Each of us has the ability guide our healthcare providers and our loved ones about we want. Advance directives give you the ability to document the types of healthcare you do and do not want and to name an “agent” to speak for you if you cannot speak for yourself. As Terri Schiavo’s situation vividly revealed, having an advance directive can be valuable for all adults, regardless of current age or health status. With the Patient Self-Determination Act of 1990, Congress affirmed the right of

every citizen to set forth his or her future healthcare wishes in writing with an “advance directive.” Yet, various estimates suggest that fewer than 25% of all Americans have an advance directive. For an action that can be done without a lawyer, for free, and relatively easily, this figure is astonishingly low. In recognition of this, National Healthcare Decisions Day strives to provide muchneeded information to the public, reduce the number of tragedies that occur when a person’s wishes are unknown, and improve the ability of healthcare facilities and providers to offer informed and thoughtful guidance about advance healthcare planning to their patients. Please visit www.nationalhealthcaredecisionsday.org for a variety of free information (including free advance directives forms for every state) and tools to assist with thoughtful reflection on healthcare choices. Additionally, watch for events in your community honoring National Healthcare Decisions Day. With healthcare, “your decisions matter,” however, others need to know your wishes to honor them. There are no wrong answers when thinking about healthcare choices and completing an advance directive. Please use April 16 to decide, discuss, and document your wishes, whatever they may be. For information and assistance with Advance Medical Directives, please contact the Yongsan Garrison Client Legal Services Office. You can make an appointment by calling DSN 738-8111. They are open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.; and Thursdays 1– 3:30 p.m.

Patient Safety Awareness Week: ‘Parents, Family, Providers & Community’ Special to The Morning Calm Weekly The Patient Safety Program was implemented on Jan. 14, 2002 and is designed to establish procedures for every military treatment facility to improve Patient Safety. Patient Safety Awareness Week is a team effort (patient/Caregivers) to define processes within the military treatment facility for assessing high-risk functions; reporting, reviewing and analyzing risk and safety data; and initiating corrective measures to reduce and prevent future occurrences. “Patient Safety Awareness Week 2008” will focus on various activities to increase

understanding of the 2008 Patient Safety Goals. An information table on Patient Safety week will be at the entrance of the United States Army Hospital – Yongsan from March 3 – 7. The 2008 Patient Safety Goals we ask our patients and Caregivers to be familiar with are: Patient Identifiers: When you check into the hospital or any of our healthcare clinics you will be asked for your full name and date of birth. We are simply verifying we have the correct person and your correct medical record. Our staff should no longer be asking you for your sponsor’s social security number. If we forget, please remind us.

Medication Reconciliation: Medication Reconciliation is when our healthcare staff review your medications with you each time you visit our healthcare system. When you leave the hospital or an appointment you should have a copy of the medications you are currently taking. This includes any over-the-counter medications, nutritional supplements or herbals. Even if our TRICARE Office coordinates a visit to a Korean hospital or clinic, the packet you take to your appointment will contain a current copy of your medications. As a patient you are your own best advocate, it is important to tell your healthcare team about any changes in your medications

(both over the counter and prescription). Due to Key Resolve 2008, Caregivers from the USAH-Y will participate in Patient Safety Awareness Week on March 10-14 following the previously advertised Patient Safety Awareness week activities for March 3-7. Also, our Caregivers will participate in DoD 2008 Tri-Service Survey on Patient Safety and a Patient Safety poster contest to highlight specific Patient Safety goals and how it affects patient care. POC: Pierre Swafford, Chief, Quality Management Division USA-MEDDACKorea. DSN:315-736-3389/pierre. [email protected]

March 7-13

Today Casey 730-7354 Henry 768-7724 Humphreys 753-7716 Hovey 730-5412 Kunsan 782-4987 Osan 784-4930 Red Cloud 732-6620 Stanley 732-5565 Yongsan I Yongsan II Yongsan III 738-7389

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Great Debaters (PG13) 8:30 p.m. Jumper (PG13) 7 p.m.

Charlie Wilson’s War (R) 8:30 p.m. Jumper (PG13) 7 p.m.

Great Debaters (PG13) 8:30 p.m. American Gangster (R) 7 p.m.

Vantage Point (PG13) 7:30 p.m. One Missed Call (PG13) 7 p.m.

The MIst (R) 7:30 p.m. No Show

Vantage Point (PG13) 9 p.m.

Vantage Point (PG13) 9 p.m.

Vantage Point (PG13) 9 p.m.

Vantage Point (PG13) 9 p.m.

Great Debaters (PG13) 9 p.m.

The MIst (R) 7 p.m.

Vantage Point (PG13) 7 p.m.

Charlie Wilson’s War (R) 8:30 p.m.

Alvin in Chipmunks (PG) 7 p.m..

Vantage Point (PG13) 7 p.m.

Alien vs. Predator (R) 7 p.m.

Great Debaters (PG13) 7 p.m.

Fool’s Gold (PG13) 8:30 p.m.

Great Debaters (PG13) 8:30 p.m.

Great Debaters (PG13) 7:30 p.m. No Show Great Debaters (PG13) 9 p.m.

Alien vs. Predator (R) 7:30 p.m. No Show Great Debaters (PG13) 9 p.m.

Fool’s Gold (PG13) 8:30 p.m.

No Show

No Show

No Show

Sweeny Todd (R) 6 p.m.

Semi-pro (NR) 8:30 p.m.

Semi-pro (NR) 9:30 p.m.

Semi-pro (NR) 8:30 p.m.

Great Debaters (PG13) 7 p.m.

Great Debaters (PG13) 7 p.m.

Great Debaters (PG13) 7 p.m.

Sweeny Todd (R) 7 p.m.

Great Debaters (PG13) 9 p.m.

Charlie Wilson’s War (R) 9 p.m.

Great Debaters (PG13) 8 p.m.

I am Legend (PG13) 7 p.m.

Great Debaters (PG13) 7 p.m.

No Show

Semi-pro (NR) 7 p.m.

Great Debaters (PG13) 8 p.m.

The MIst (R) 9 p.m.

Charlie Wilson’s War (R) 7 p.m.

Alien vs. Predator (R) 7 p.m.

Semi-pro (NR) 8:30 p.m.

Semi-pro (NR) 8 p.m.

Pirates:Veggie Tales (G) 8 p.m.

Great Debaters (PG13) 7 p.m.

Great Debaters (PG13) 7 p.m.

Great Debaters (PG13) 7 p.m.

P.S. I Love You (PG) 7 p.m.

Bee Movie (PG) 6:30 p.m.

Pirates:Veggie Tales (G) 8 p.m.

Charlie Wilson’s War (R) 6 p.m.

Charlie Wilson’s War (R) 6 p.m.

Charlie Wilson’s War (R) 6 p.m.

Hitman (R) 6 p.m.

One Missed Call (PG13) 6 p.m.

One Missed Call (PG13) 6 p.m.

Rendition (R) 6 p.m.

Rendition (R) 6 p.m.

Bee Movie (PG) 6:30 p.m. Water Horse (PG) 6:30 p.m.

Water Horse (PG) 6:30 p.m.

Water Horse (PG) 6:30 p.m.

No Show

Semi-pro (NR) 9 p.m.

Great Debaters (PG13) 7 p.m.

CHAPLAIN

MARCH 7, 2008 Area IV Worship Schedule Protestant Services Camp Carroll Camp Walker Camp Henry Camp Walker Camp Carroll

Church of Christ 5 p.m.

Camp Walker

Collective Protestant Friday 7 p.m. 7 p.m. Korean Tuesday 7 p.m. Korean Wednesday

6:30 p.m

Camp Walker Camp Carroll Camp Carroll Camp Walker

Catholic Services Mass Sunday Mass Sunday Mass Saturday

9 a.m.

Camp Walker

11:30 a.m. Camp Carroll 5 p.m.

Adversity can bring wisdom by Chaplain (Capt.) Park, Se Woo (Tim) 498th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion

Collective Protestant Sunday 10 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 12:45 p.m. 1 p.m.

Camp Walker

USAG-Deagu Chaplains Chaplain (Maj.) Edward Martin: [email protected], 768-5455 Chaplain (Capt.) Byung Min: [email protected], 765-8991

IMCOM-K • PAGE 15 http://imcom.korea.army.mil

T

his is the month – the time for the 2007 tax report. Some people think they can get a tax refund because they are poor. Others think they are poor because they don’t get enough of a tax refund. They have different views of the world. In 2005 the total value of exports from Korea was more than the total value of exports from all the countries

“We can sprout, blossom and bring forth fruit – bring something better in the future through what we have today – because we have received what we need from God.” Chaplain (Capt.) Park, Se Woo (Tim) 498th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion

in Africa. The total value of exports from Korea was more than the total value of exports from all the countries in South America too. But despite this wealth, we know there are many poor people as well as homeless people in Korea. America and her people are second to none in the world. Americans have been made wealthy by their country; but some of them do not think so because they like to compare their lives with others. Comparisons are so fierce that some of the young men succumb to depression from their negative state if mind. I heard from the new Korean President, Mr. Lee, Myung Bak, that the great teachers in his life are poverty

and his mother. His poverty taught him many lessons and provided him with a special power to overcome any kind of difficulty. His mother raised her children through earnest prayer every morning. It must have worked because his older brother became vice president of the congress, and he became the new President of the R.O.K. with half of Korea’s support! Several weeks ago I translated an Article of Chingiz Khan from Korean to English to use in my Sunday sermon. “Do not blame your poor family: I lost my father when I was 9 years old and was kicked out from my hometown. Do not say you are poor: I sustained my life by eating rats. Do not blame your small country: We have 100,000 soldiers and at least 200,000 people including kids and seniors. Do not blame yourself for your poor education and power: I didn’t know how to write my name; I learned to be smarter by listening to others. Do not give up for any reason: I escaped from my enemies with the injuries to my neck from a sword and on my cheek by an arrow. The enemy was not outside, but inside, I cut all the redundant things away and, I became Chingiz Khan when I overcame myself.” We can sprout, blossom and bring forth fruit – bring something better in the future through what we have today – because we have received what we need from God. Paul confessed, “I can do everything through Him [Christ] who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13).

IMCOM-K • PAGE 16 http://imcom.korea.army.mil

FEATURE

THE MORNING CALM

USAG-H shares in Kite Festival ‘2008’

20 U.S. Families join in Korean tradition by Stacy A. Ouellette USAG-H Public Affairs Office

U.S. Army Photos By Stacy A. Ouellette (Clockwise) (1) A Korean boy shows off his homemade kite prior to competing in the Buyong Korean Elementary School’s annual kite flying festival. Extra creativity points were given to children with handmade kites. (2) Korean volunteers serve up “Uh-mook” a Korean boiled fish paste. (3) Chaplain Luis Kruger, Jr., a 3-2 General Support Aviation chaplain, passes a Korean hacky sack to Lippert, a HAES student. (4) Participates brought handmade and store bought kites for the competition. (5) A festival goer assists his son during the kite flying competition. More than 150 Korean and U.S. Families gathered to enjoy games, food and kite flying competition.

ANJEONG-RI — Twenty Soldiers and their Families were flying high at the annual Buyong Korean Elementary School kite flying festival, Feb 23. The festival is held the last Saturday in February each year, said Peter Yu, USAG Humphreys Community Relations officer. Soldiers and their Families were invited to participate in various Korean games, a traditional lunch and kite flying contest. This year more than 150 Korean nationals participated. “Any event that involves the entire family is always a plus. Having my daughter intermingle with kids from other cultures helps her see they aren’t much different,” said Chief Warrant Officer Anibal Candelario, a Blackhawk pilot with Company C, 3-2 General Support Aviation Battalion. Candelario brought his daughter, Milana, 6, to the festival. She attends a Korean school and even speaks the language. The program began at 10 a.m. running to 2 p.m. The kite flying contest started right after lunch, which was free to all attendees. Throughout the day, games such as “Tip Cat” and “Hacky Sack” were offered to keep the energy flowing as the biting cold temperatures set in. Chaplain Luis Kruger Jr., 3-2 GSAB, his wife, Christy, and their four children also bundled up and fought off cold temperatures to take advantage of this windy day, one perfect for flying kites. Serving up hot coffee and Uh-mook, a Korean boiled fish paste, free to participants was one way to keep them warm. Another, were shelter tents to block the fierce wind.

MWR

IMCOM-K • PAGE 18 http://imcom.korea.army.mil

THE MORNING CALM

Rockin’ It Rasta brings beats to ROK by AFE and IMCOM-K MWR Austin, Texas recording artists and liveperformance marvels, Subrosa Union, bring their tasty melting pot of island-influenced rock, reggae, and funk to the stage for a show that’s guaranteed to rock it Rasta style. Tour will travel to 12 locations from March 13th through 26th. This homegrown Texas power trio defies the word “genre” by uniting people from all walks of life. Subrosa Union has created a catalyst of extremely high energy riveting rock n roll, reggae, hip hop with the spiciness of Latin funk, and blues.  Subrosa Union has dubbed this jam rock “RASTA ROCK”. Subrosa Union’s high energy stage presence and shows are never alike... always giving their fans more than they expected. “Playin to live and livin to play” seems to be the bands shared mentality. The band tours the Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, California, and Arizona circuit monthly and plays 300+ live shows per year. The band recently released their new album, “Looking Forward” independently and is currently touring nationwide to promote it. “Looking Forward” looks all around to gather influences as Subrosa Union explosively adds their own identity to the swirl of their newly dubbed genre. The myriad of musical styles are infused with seemingly conflicting California surf and urban hip-hop attitudes. While it sounds like a mixed bag, the Austin trio pulls off cooking these elements into one cohesive platter of songs heavy with hook-laden riffs and Rasta vibes.

Clearly eager to build a body of work that influences and creates resonance that expresses itself.  Subrosa Unions confidence in their first album is mixed with a nervous vigor and a laid back view of taking one-step at a time.  Michael Anaya, vocalist, lead guitarist and frontman for Subrosa Union realized at fourteen that he wanted to play his music his way and found that his closest friends, Chris Paulos, Bassist and rap master extraordinaire along with Paul Valenzuela, Drummer and pulse of Subrosa Union had identical aspirations.  The trio realized they had an ability to craft more than mere melodical reverberation.  After six years of working local bars in the border city of El Paso, Texas, the boys decided it was time to make a move and make their dreams a reality.   Subrosa Union relocated to Austin to find their claim to fame in 2006.  After seven years of maturing and displaying the drive of dedication as a “do-it-yourself ” band, Subrosa Union believed, conceived and achieved their first professionally produced album “Looking Forward” under the independent label of Fugamundi Records.  “The best of what Subrosa Union is, is what’s to come”, Anaya stated.  Glancing back while we’re “Looking Forward” is the chemistry that Subrosa Union has within the band... “Livin to Play and Playin to Live.” Subrosa Union shows will be open to the military community and free of charge, courtesy of AFE & MWR. For more information, please contact your local MWR Entertainment Office or 723-3078.

Schedule for performances in Korea: Thursday, March 13

Yongsan

Main Post Club

7 p.m.

Friday, March 14

Camp Casey

Gateway

7 p.m.

Saturday, March 15

Camp Stanley

Reggie’s

7 p.m.

Sunday, March 16

Camp Bonifas

Sanctuary

7 p.m.

Tuesday, Marcy 18

Taegu AB

Jake’s Place

7 p.m.

Wednesday, March 19

Camp Carroll

Hideaway

7 p.m.

Thursday, March 20

Chinhae NB

Duffy’s

7 p.m.

Friday, March 21

Camp Walker

Hilltop

8 p.m.

—USAG Humphreys— Boxing Smoker Results 1-Jennifer Schlein (249th MPs, Humphreys) def. Natasha Medlock (618th Dental, Carroll), 3-0 2-Heather Johnson (551st ICTC, Carroll) def. Christina Markiwicz (D Co, 2nd CAB, Humphreys), RSC 3:02 3-Joshua Parnell (1/2nd Aviation, Eagle) def. Lee Mora (551st ICTC, Carroll), RSC 3:54 4-Elzavon Maxie (A Co., 302nd BSB, Casey) def. Corey Fukuda (551st ICTC, Carroll), Injury Retirement, 4:00 5-Christopher Eason (G Co., 302nd BB, Hovey) def. Joseph Miles (B Co., 1/2nd Aviation, Eagle), TKO 1:23 6-Derek Rowe (8th FW/JA, Kunsan AB) def. Quadre Wright (HHC, 1/2nd Aviation), RSC 3:20 7-David Gil (4/7th Cav, Hovey) def. Armando Delarosa (CID, USAG-Humphreys) RSC 4:29 8-Fernando Ortiz (B Co., 1/2nd Aviation, Eagle) def. Antonio Battle (E Co., 3/2nd GSAB, Humphreys), 2-1 9-Jimmy Gonzales (B Co., 2/9th Inf, Casey) def. Luis Arenas (501st Sig., Humphreys), RSC 1:59 10-Teandre McKinney (8th MXS, Kunsan) def. Adrian Ramirez (B Co., 2/9th Inf, Casey), KO :36 11-Logan Shillcox (8th MXS, Kunsan) def. Michael Moye (1/2nd Aviation, Eagle), RSC 4:00 12-Victor Aruwah (35th ADA, Osan) def. Andre Nance (4/58th AOB, Humphreys), RSC 1:08 Cross-Over Champions: Jacquelyn Pomeroy, Marlinda Peshlakai, Charlie Williams, Lawrence Blackwell 2008 KATUSA Invitational Basketball Tournament Hanson Field House, Camp Casey Feb. 21-22 Game #1: Area I Game #2: Area III Game #3 Area IV Game #4 Area III Game #5 Area I Game #6 Area I Game #7 Area III

Break out beach bodies for BOSS Beach Blast Story by: SSG Jared C. Hamilton IMCOM-K, BOSS Coordinator

The 14th Annual Korea Region BOSS Beach Blast is on the way! Soldiers of the Korea, break out those beach bodies, dig out your swim suits and prepare for the upcoming 2008 IMCOM-Korea BOSS Beach Blast being held in Daechon Beach and hosted by USAG Humphreys. The BOSS Beach Blast is the largest BOSS event held in Korea and perhaps the largest BOSS event held the world over. Last year the BOSS Beach Blast attracted over 700 Soldiers to Daechon Beach and this year we hope to gather in an additional 100 Soldiers for a grand total of 800 Soldiers. In the past, the BOSS Beach Blast has been a two-day event, but through Soldier input, we are planning for the event to cover 3 days in order to facilitate a better travel day on both ends of the Beach Blast: getting there and getting home. The event is planned for June 6 – 8 and we are throwing in an added bonus of a few hours on the evening of the June 7 at the Water Fun Park located just seconds from both the hotels and the beach. There should be plenty of music and lively entertainment to keep the Soldiers occupied and enjoying the night. The Beach Blast will be filled with fun activities to partake in such as a Beach Volleyball Tournament, a watermelon eating contest, Tug-o-War, hoola-hoop contest, and a host of other fun and exciting activities. There will be more meals provided to the Soldiers as well as a better way to provide accommodations to the Soldiers (all courtesy of Soldier input from last year). The 14th Annual BOSS Beach Blast: a Recreational Pillar of the BOSS Program; it is

our way to provide a better opportunity for you, the Soldiers of Korea, to enjoy Korea, get off the installations, let loose and relax. For more information, contact your local Community Activity Centers, and don’t hesitate to sign up today. For more information on BOSS events or how to become involved, contact or visit the Community Activities Centers or unit BOSS representatives on your installation. Information can also be obtained by calling POC’s : USAG Red Cloud 732-6664; USAG Yongsan 738-5254; USAG Humphreys 753-8825; USAG Daegu 764-4123 or Korea Region BOSS Representative at 725-3176.

The annual BOSS Beach Blast offers fun in the sun with a variety of activities — File Photo

March 7, 2008

AREA III

USAG-H • PAGE 21 http://imcom.korea.army.mil

Key Resolve, Foal Eagle ‘08 4-58th Airfield Ops Battalion brings it all together by Bob McElroy USAG-H Public Affairs Office

Spc. David King, an air traffic controller and training supervisor assigned to 4-58th Airfield Operations Battalion, works in the control shelter of the Air Traffic Navigation, Integration and Coordination System during exercise Key Resolve 2008. – U.S. Army Photo by Bob McElroy

USAG Humphreys commander makes rounds to Yongin, Baran LSAs during exercise by Andre Butler USAG-H Public Affairs Office

USAG HUMPHREYS — The Republic of Korea and U.S. military forces that participated in Key Resolve/Foal Eagle ’08 this week throughout the Korean peninsula found an unexpected level of comfort in the field. For units deploying from the U.S. and Japan to participate in the exercise, life

support issues for warfighters are of main concern for commanders and other key leaders. “A very important part of an exercise like this is the welfare of our Soldiers,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Glen Bozeman, Special Troops Battalion, I Corps command sergeant major here from Ft. Lewis, Wash. “No matter the situation, we have to continue to improve their quality of life,” Bozeman said.

(Clockwise) (1) Yongin is one of three LSAs supported by USAG-H officials during Key Resolve ‘08. (2) Col. John E. Dumoulin Jr., United States Army Garrison Humphreys commander, talks with Marine Maj. Jesus M. Claudio, III Marine Expeditionary Force based out of Okinawa, Japan, about living conditions, standards and possible ways of improving Baran Life Support Area. (3) Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Morrow, I Corps Special Troops Battalion from Ft. Lewis, Wash., relaxes during a massage at Yongin LSA Barber Shop.— U.S. Army Photos By Sgt. Im, Suk-chun

For this reason USAG Humphreys is charged with making sure Soldiers, Airmen and Marines deployed to Area III are well taken care of during the exercise. As in previous exercises, USAG Humphreys set up three life support areas for exercise participants at Camp Long, Baran and Yongin. The LSAs provide Soldiers, Airmen and Marines some of the best services and accommodations one can have in any field environment. “Our LSA is geared toward the comfort of those staying here,” said Staff Sgt Howard Holley, Yongin LSA coordinator. “We have tents, barbershops and showers with hot water in place so Soldiers won’t have to worry about things like this during

USAG HUMPHREYS — Key Resolve 2008 has provided the Soldiers of the 4-58th Airfield Operations Battalion with a golden opportunity to deploy its assets and perform its wartime mission. One of only three AOBs in the active Army, 4-58th provides air traffic control services and airfield operations at a theaterlevel airfield during contingency operations and wartime. The other two AOBs are in Germany and at Fort Rucker, Ala. Lt. Col. Randall K. Brown, the battalion commander said that although 4-58th is a small battalion, its modular design allows it to grow as the mission dictates. We’re designed to receive additional assets, Brown said. —See AOB, Page 22— the exercise,” Holley said. Yongin LSA has a Morale, Welfare and Recreation tent which has phones, games and TVs. It also provides Internet access for those who brought computers. “This is the best I’ve seen in a field environment,” said Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Morrow, Special Troops Battalion G6, I Corps. “I’ve never participated in an exercise where things were this nice,” Morrow said. With life support issues out of the way, the force can concentrate on the mission at hand. “They shouldn’t have to worry about their quality of life,” said Holley. “All they should be focused on is what they came here to do.”

AREA III

USAG-H • PAGE 22 www.imcom.korea.army.mil

News & Notes Army Nurse Corps seeks Soldiers looking for change Are you interested in becoming a health care provider? Do you know of any Soldiers who are interested in continuing their education? Do you want a free education while receiving full pay and benefits? Now there is a program in place for you or one of your Soldiers to take advantage of. The Interservice Physician Assistant Program, the AMEDD Enlisted Commissioning Program, the Funded Nurse Education Program and other AMEDD training opportunities are open to officers, warrant offices and enlisted Soldiers. Briefings will be conducted at different times throughout December. For more information contact 1st Lt. Warrentina Berry at 011-9972-9268. USAG-Humphreys Sergeant Audie Murphy Club The USAG-Humphreys Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is looking for SAMC and Sergeant Morales Club members. Monthly meetings are held the third Wednesday of every month. Please contact Sgt. 1st Class(P) Grandison at 753-6136 or Sgt. 1st Class Lawson-Hurt at 753-7978 for more information. Humphreys CDC Child and Youth Services, Child Development Center is currently looking for Program Assistants to fill full-time, part-time, and flex positions, which are willing to support the CYS program hours, 5:15 a.m. - 6 p.m. Salary ranges from $10 - $13.12 per hour based on education level (Child Development Associates, completion of the Army Youth Practicum, possession of AA degree or higher with major emphasis on Early Childhood Education. ASAP Annual Training The Army Substance Abuse Program officials would like to remind all military and civilian personnel of the regulatory requirements for annual substance abuse prevention training. Service members are required to complete a minimum of four hours annually and civilian employees three hours. If you would like to schedule a training session or your Unit Prevention Leader would like presentations and lesson plans, please contact the Prevention Coordinator, Camille Jackson at 753-7361 or Camille. [email protected]. You can also visit the Army Center for Substance Abuse Programs (ACSAP) website at https://acsap.army.mil. Free Bowling on Fridays Military in uniform can enjoy free bowling every Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Humphreys Strike Zone and Long Bowling Centers. The snack bars will be open for your convenience. Call 754-5722 for more information. Parents Date Night Need a break? Want to enjoy a romantic dinner? USAG Humphreys Child & Youth Services can help. You can drop the kids off at CYS March 15 from 3 p.m.-10 p.m. while you enjoy some free time. Child must be registered with CYS, please call 7538507 for more information. Please Send Us Stories and Photos To submit info for publishing in The Morning Calm Weekly, USAG Humphreys common pages, call 754-6132, 8847 or 8598. Or e-mail [email protected].

Third Grader Justin Lawson listens as Sgt. Maj. Gregory Pace explains some of the artifacts on display during the expo at the HAES black history celebration. – Photo By Diane Hobler

African American History comes alive for Humpreys school children by Diane Hobler USAG-HAES Librarian USAG HUMPHREYS — Once again, a group of caring, motivated USAG Humphreys community members have provided a wonderful opportunity for HAES students.

To commemorate African American History Month, an Arts and Crafts Expo was put on in the HAES cafeteria. The activity was the brainchild of Tarita Harris, 1st Sgt. Larry Locke and Joy Nobles. Each February, a group of committed volunteers organize a variety of activities to

AOB For example, we don’t have any refueling assets so we would have to be given a fuel detachment if we’re running an airfield. Brown said that other assets his unit could gain include U.S. Air Force weather personnel, pressure washers and special equipment such as cranes and Gators, a small four-wheeled vehicle used at airfields to carry equipment or personnel. During the exercise 4-58th deployed its Airfield Management Center, Air Traffic Navigation Integration Control System (ATNICS) and the AN/TSW-7A Tactical Tower, a truck-mounted air traffic control tower onto Desiderio Army Airfield here. These three components allow the battalion to provide tower, airport surveillance and precision approach radar services to aircraft from all military services. The ATNICS in particular features a radar system that tracks aircraft when they are several miles from the airfield. Air Traffic Controllers work in a HMMWV-mounted shelter that is connected to the radar. We use it to provide step-by-step guidance to aircraft from arrival approach to final, said Pfc. Sarah Norton, an Air Traffic Controller. Controllers work from one of two consoles in the shelter and communicate with aircraft via one of six radios in the shelter. Air Traffic Controller Pfc. Todd Trowbridge said that the radios have VHF,

THE MORNING CALM help students gain a deeper understanding of African American history, culture and contributions. Jackie and Gregory Pace joined the organizing team several years ago. Along with volunteers from many community organizations and the financial support of Masons, Eastern Star, Omega Psi Phi and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternities, Zeta Phi Beta and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sororities -- the Dream team have made this annual expo happen for Humphreys’ children. Throughout the years activities have included inventions and music tables. African mask making, traditional clothing photographs, dancing, plays, military history and more were also activities highlighted during the celebration. For this year’s event organizers provided students with a wide variety of new activities, including a quiz to test their knowledge of African American history, making a book about prominent African Americans, having their hair braided, making peanut butter in honor of scientist George Washington Carver, learning about flight equipment from Major James Widemen of 3rd Military Intelligence and browsing a variety of artifacts and books on display in the school’s cafeteria. Students also participated in making corn husk dolls. This activity was chosen to show children how basic life once was, and how despite having so little, slaves used their creativity to make toys for the children. Harris noticed a lot of students were surprised their ancestors did not have TV, radios, Wal-Marts or any other places to buy luxury toys. Providing experiences like this help students learn about the past and reflect on the present and prepare them for the future.

Continued from Page 21 UHF and FM capability. The variety of frequencies allows them to talk to aircraft from any military service. On Tuesday, the Soldiers had the opportunity to work with two CH-53D helicopters flown by Okinawa-based Marines. Norton said the Marine helicopters flew a series of approaches at the airfield and provided great training opportunities for the unit. Another key component of the air traffic control system is the 7A control tower. Mounted on the back of an LMTV cargo truck the tower provides visual flight rules control to aircraft, according to shift leader Staff Sgt. Patrick Kenderish. Although small, it has workspace for up to five controllers. It can also be carried by sling load by a CH-47 Chinook helicopter, Kenderish added. The 7A tower features nine radios with UHF, VHF, FM and High Frequency capabilities. Kenderish said the HF radio is for talking to aircraft that are over the horizon. The operation responsible for linking the tower and ATNICS together is the Airspace Information Center. Sgt. First Class Mechelle Vinson, the battalion’s Air Traffic Control Operations Chief, said the Airfield Management Element integrates the tower and radar work efforts to provide air traffic services to

inbound and outbound aircraft. The AME also provides a place for aviators to do their flight planning, Vinson added. As Key Resolve approached its midpoint Brown reflected on his unit’s participation in the exercise. “This has been a great opportunity to exercise the system and place it on an operating airfield and take care of air traffic control and airfield management,” Brown said. “This has been a very successful exercise. It’s provided us another opportunity to validate what we’re doing in airfield operations.”

Pfc. Sarah Norton, 4-58th air traffic controller, explains how to track aircraft on the radar display. – U.S. Army Photo by Bob McElroy

March 7, 2008

AREA III

USAG-H • PAGE 23 http://imcom.korea.army.mil

USAG Humphreys, Area III are smokin’ 12-Bout card initiates new Humphreys gym

by Mike Mooney USAG-H Morale, Welfare and Recreations USAG HUMPHREYS — The new MP Hill Gymnasium here got its baptism by fire Saturday night with a 12-bout Boxing Smoker featuring military boxers from throughout the Korean peninsula. “We’re in the process of testing out the new gymnasium,” said USAG-Humphreys and Area III Sports Director Lonnie Herring, “and holding the Smoker here was a great way to check out things like the sound system, the lights, the bleachers and the locker rooms.” “We had a great mixture of both male and female fighters and, other than a few bugs, we’re happy with the way things went,” Herring said. Seven different Army and Air Force installations sent boxers to the Smoker, with all seven of them taking home at least one title. Kunsan Air Base led the way with three championships, with Camp Eagle, USAG-Casey and Camp Hovey winning two titles each. Other crowns were won by USAG-Humphreys, Camp Carroll and Osan Air Base. The nights quickest bout was at 159 pounds where Kunsan’s Teandre McKinney nailed USAG-Casey’s Adrian Ramirez with a hard shot to the chin 38 seconds into the match for the night’s only knockout. The most closely contested fight was at 156 pounds where Camp Eagle’s Fernando Ortiz gained a split 2-1 decision over USAG-

Camp Carroll’s Heather Johnson (right) lands a hard left on the nose of Christina Markiewicz in one of the two women’s matches in Saturday’s Boxing Smoker in the new MP Hill Gym at USAG Humphreys. Johnson won the contest when the referee stopped action at 1:02 of the second round. The USAG Humphreys new “Super Gym” is expected to open this summer. — U.S. Army Photo By Mike Mooney Humphreys’ Antonio Battle. The Ortiz-Battle contest and the night’s opening bout in which Jenny Schlein, 249th Military Police Co., USAG-Humphreys topped Natasha Medlock, 618th Dental Co., Camp Carroll, 3-0, were the only matches that went the full three rounds. All others were stopped before their conclusion. The MP Hill Gym is one of three new fitness center’s being built at Humphreys and was the first one to come on line. An identical facility is nearing completion at

Zoeckler Station with the largest family fitness center in the Armed Forces being constructed adjacent to Soldier Field. This “Super Gym” is expected to open this summer. “This place is big,” Herring said of the MP Hill Gym, “and this Smoker showed just how large it really is. We had about the same number of spectators that made the old gym feel full and crowded. But here there was lots of room to spread out. It’s going to take a lot of bodies to fill this gym.”

The MP Hill Gym is located across from the Rose Shoppette and is open from 5 a.m.11 p.m. Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. “We want people to use the new facility and let us know what’s wrong and what needs to be fixed,” Herring said. “We are moving the aerobics program into the gym’s dance studio and we have scheduled both an indoor soccer tournament and a power lifting meet for this month. If they go as well as the boxing, I’ll be happy.”

35th ADA sharpens warfighting skills during exercise by Pfc. Gretchen N. Goodrich 35th ADA Public Affairs Office

OSAN AIR BASE — While most air defense artillery units focus on shooting down tactical ballistic missiles, the Soldiers with HHB, 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, spent the week of Feb. 22-28 in the field training on basic warrior tasks. The air defenders trained and completed various warrior tasks to include weapon assembly, mounted training, nuclear, biological and chemical training, first aid and more. “We focused on warrior tasks and battle drill training,” said Capt. David L. Tervin, HHB commander. “By training to fight, the Soldiers got a taste of what is to come in the next field exercise,” Tervin said. “The purpose was to train up new Soldiers and train in areas we don’t really train on,” said Master Sgt. Michael Belt, the communications noncommissioned officer in charge. Battery platoon sergeants and subject matter experts developed training classes to ensure Soldiers were getting adequate training. Also, the hands-on training gave Soldiers outlets to have fun. Spc. Russell S. Pate, a mechanic in the battery, had a competition amongst the Soldiers to see who could disassemble and

Pfc. Bobby J. Ortiz, the battery’s orderly room clerk, lays down suppressive fire while his teammate runs forward during one of the training sessions. – Photo By Pfc. N. Gretchen Goodrich reassemble an M249 Squad Automatic Weapon. “I really enjoyed the weapon assembly of the M249,” said Pfc. Eui Young Hwang, a signal support KATUSA in HHB. “M16 assembly is really common but I have never touched an M249 before.” Evaluating a casualty was another handson class for the troops as they used one another to assess and perform medical aid. Soldiers learned how to take care of their fellow Soldiers, whether it’s on the battlefield

or at home with their Families, said Sgt. Jeffrey W. Page, the battery’s medic. The Soldiers also trained on battlefield skills, such as being a part of a quick reaction force. Instructors gave Soldiers real-life scenarios and pointers on how to quickly gain control of an environment and work together as a team. “The QRF training was a great way to prepare Soldiers for events they might actually encounter in a firefight,” said Pvt. Michael Ramstetter, a fire direction

control operations assistant. “As Soldiers, we must know how to press on and fight.” The training also showed the warfighters how to handle their weapons while running, rolling and even falling, said Pfc. Bobby J. Ortiz, the battery’s orderly room clerk. Other training 35th Soldiers received involved calling from radios to request medical evacuations and how to accurately perform guard duty while in the field. With cold temperatures and snow during the week of training, safety was of concern. “We had warming tents and held classes inside to keep Soldiers out of the cold,” said Belt. “The NCOs present ensured that the Soldiers pulling guard duty rotated out every few minutes too.” Regardless of the snow flurries and the temperatures, the Soldiers completed the training and even spent the last few days of training testing their knowledge. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished,” Tervin said. “HHB has an important mission in the brigade; we support the brigade headquarters that is in the care of two battalions.” Overall, the battery’s objective of training Soldiers was maximized. They received warrior tasks and battle drill focused training that keyed in on the battery’s mission essential task list, said Tervin. Training is always of value, said Belt. “If you don’t use it, you become weak in it.” so train up so it becomes second nature.”

MARCH 7, 2008

AREA IV

USAG-D • PAGE 25 www.imcom.korea.army.mil

Camp Carroll welcomes new maintenance facility

Col. Richard G. Hatch, 19th ESC Deputy Commanding Officer, Sylvia Rich, Lt. Col. Karl Bopp U.S. AFSBn-NEA Battalion Commander, Col. Michael P. Saulnier, USAG Daegu Commander, and distinguished participants cut the ribbon celebrating the opening of the Pfc. Melvin L. Brown Maintenance Facility on Camp Carroll, Feb. 26. — U.S. Army Photos By Cpl. Jang Won-il by Galen Putnam ASC Public Affairs CAMP CARROLL — Another jewel was added to Camp Carroll’s crown Feb. 21 as a new maintenance facility was dedicated in honor of a Korean War Medal of Honor recipient. The U.S. Army Field Support Battalion – North East Asia conducted a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony for its new $15 million, 26,000 square-foot maintenance facility named for Pfc. Melvin L. Brown, who was killed in hand-to-hand combat near Daegu in the early weeks of the conflict. The facility boasts 16 maintenance bays, four 30-ton overhead cranes, eight 50ton floor lifts, centralized lubrication and compressed air. The facility also has space for offices, small arms storage, conferencing and includes an employee break room. In addition, the facility boasts a state-of-the-art communications system. Previously, mechanics had only six undersized bays with limited equipment in which to work. The organization also had to rely on diverted warehouse space. That’s no longer the case, according to Lt. Col. Karl Bopp, AFSBn-NEA battalion commander. “Opening this maintenance facility is a proud moment in the history of this battalion,” he said to the crowd of distinguished visitors, guests and employees gathered for the event. “This state-of-the-art facility provides capabilities that are commensurate with

our world-class workforce. This facility will enable us to continue to maintain Army Prepositioned Stocks-4 at the highest level of readiness and ensure our equipment is ready to fight tonight.” The facility was built by NAMWHA Construction Co., LTD, of Kwangju under the guidance of the Far East District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seoul. Project funding was provided by the Korean Government under the Logistics Cost Share Program. The namesake of the facility, Pfc. Melvin L. Brown, Company D, 8th Engineer Combat Battalion, was awarded the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism and gallantry above and beyond the call of duty in action against enemy forces near Kasan (just north of Daegu), Korea; Sept. 4, 1950. “Pfc. Brown was in Korea for only about a month, but while here, he gave his all – literally. He made the ultimate sacrifice for his friends and fellow Soldiers, for his country, for the Republic of Korea and for freedom,” Bopp said. “While his heroics are, indeed, the stuff of legend, Pfc. Brown was selected from among many very fitting candidates – in part because he is one of us – he was a combat engineer and diesel mechanic. How fitting is that? In addition, he died just a few miles away from here near Daegu. It is truly fitting that Pfc. Brown be memorialized indefinitely, as we dedicate this facility in his honor.” Brown’s sister, Sylvia Rich of Moline, Ill., was guest of honor at the ceremony. “Yesterday, we visited the battle site where Melvin was killed. The area is now a park – a

quiet, peaceful park. I can hardly imagine what it was like so many years ago when Melvin and his friends were fighting for their lives,” she said. “Over the years I have often thought about the sacrifice that so many young Soldiers like my brother made in the name of freedom. It is still painful to think about it after all of these years, but it helps to know that what they did helped lead to such a prosperous nation and freedom for millions of Koreans.” Rich was particularly pleased the building bearing her brother’s name is a maintenance facility. “Who would imagine such a beautiful maintenance facility being named after my brother,” she said. “It is fitting though, if you think about it because he really was quite the mechanic. If he had a place like this to tinker as a boy, I’ll bet he never would have come back out!” Design of the project was initiated in January 2006 and ground was broken in July 2006. The project was completed on time and under budget. AFSBn-NEA’s mission is to receive, maintain accountability, perform care of supplies in storage and maintenance for APS-4 stored throughout Korea, Japan and Hawaii and, on order, to issue APS-4 equipment and supplies. AFSBn-NEA is subordinate to the 403rd Army Field Support Brigade at Camp Henry. The 403rd AFSB’s higher headquarters is the U.S. Army Sustainment Command, located at Rock Island Arsenal, Ill., a subordinate of the U.S. Army Materiel Command headquartered at Ft Belvoir, Va. P F C B r ow n Me d a l o f Ho n o r Citation: MEDAL OF HONOR

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS MELVIN L. BROWN MAHAFFEY, PA Organization: U.S. Army, Company D, 8th Engineer Combat Battalion Place and Date: Near Kasan, Korea, 4 September 1950. General Order No. 11, 16 February 1951. MOH Citation: Private First Class Melvin L. Brown, Company D, 8th Engineer Combat Battalion, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. While his platoon was securing Hill 755 (the Walled City), the enemy, using heavy automatic weapons and small arms, counterattacked. Taking a position on a 50-foot-high wall he delivered heavy rifle fire on the enemy. His ammunition was soon expended and, although wounded, he remained at his post and threw his few grenades into the attackers causing many casualties. When his supply of grenades was exhausted his comrades from nearby foxholes tossed others to him and he left his position, braving a hail of fire, to retrieve and throw them at the enemy. The attackers continued to assault his position and PFC Brown weaponless, drew his entrenching tool from his pack and calmly waited until they 1 by 1 peered over the wall, delivering each a crushing blow upon the head, knocking 10 or 12 enemy from the wall. His daring action so inspired his platoon that they repelled the attack and held their position. PFC Brown’s extraordinary heroism, gallantry and intrepidity reflect the highest credit upon himself and was in keeping with the honored traditions of the military service. Reportedly missing in action and officially killed in action, September 5, 1950.

The new maintenance facility named after Medal of Honor winnerPfc. Melvin L. Brown features 16 maintenance bays, four 30-ton overhead cranes, and a world-class communications system.

Daegu American School cheerleaders take first place Korean American International Athletic Conference by J. J. Stewart Army Community Services CAMP WALKER — On Feb. 16, Daegu American School hosted the 2008 Cheerleading Korean American International Athletic Conference at Kelly Fitness Center, Camp Walker. Twelve schools participated, including Daegu American, Seoul American, Osan American and nine international schools. Daegu American School took first place in the Junior Varsity and Varsity competition. The members of the first place squads are: Junior Varsity – Cathy Robinet (Captain), Amber DeLosSantos (Co-captain), Mabel

Mejia, Jessica Mejia, Rachel Calisto, Rebecca Martinez, Tia Burton, Alicia Davenport, Julia Davenport, Erica Connor and Bryanna Spencer. Varsity – Kim Compton (Captain), Angie Smith (Co-captain), Clarissa Cho, Lauren Owens, Diana Owens, Hana Nagouchi, Julia Schrock, Jarret Waters, Maylynn Padilla and Nicki Calisto. (Left) DAS cheerleaders who took first place in the Junior Varsity competition make a tower at the end of the performance. (Right) During the Varsity competition, DAS cheerleaders make the end pose. They also took first place in the competition for the seventh straight year. — Photos courtesy of Daegu American School

USAG-D • PAGE 26 www.imcom.korea.army.mil

News & Notes Tax Center Jan. 30 - June 13, free tax services are open to all military personnel and eligible DoD civilians and family members. Camp Henry Bldg. 1685, Room 123: Mon 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.; Tue, Wed & Fri 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m., & Thurs 1 – 3 p.m. Camp Carroll Bldg. T125: Mon – Wed & Fri 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. & Thurs 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. For information, call Capt. Kimberly Aytes at DSN 768-7693. The Little Mermaid Child & Youth Services (CYS) and the Missoula Children’s Theater present “The Little Mermaid”, 5:30 p.m., Mar. 8 at Camp Walker’s Evergreen Community Club. A new version of the age-old tale, lots of music, plot surprises and humor waits for the audiences. The show will be held in conjunction with the CYS/Boys and Girls Clubs of America national photography exhibit. For information, call DSN 764-5297/5298. Spouses Can be a Voice of Change The Daegu Sposes’ Association is accepting nominations for the following positions: President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Nominations can be made at the Apple Tree Gift Shop. For more information contact 010-8671-6465 or [email protected] University of Maryland University College Financing your education is a major commitment, but at UMUC Asia you will discover a variety of federal financial aid options which include grants, loans, scholarship, and work-study programs. Contact the Financial Aid office at Yokota to find out which programs are available to you: [email protected]. Term IV (Spring session 2) begins Mar. 31 at most sites and April 14 online. For information, call your UMUC Field representative at DSN 768-7857 (Camp Henry) and 765-7728 (Camp Carroll). Flower Arrangement Class Chaplain Cross-Cultural Training & Family Life Center holds a flower arrangement class 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Mar. 19 at the Camp Walker’s Chapel Annex. Please, bring a bag of candy for flower decoration. Seats are limited. First come, first serve. For information, call Ms. Yi at DSN 768-7071. Daegu Website Sumbit your stories or photos to the USAG Daegu Public Affairs Office. Call DSN 768-7604 for more information. For local, up-to-date news you can use, visit United States Army Garrison Daegu’s website at http://ima.korea. army.mil/areaIV/sites/local/

AREA IV

THE MORNING CALM

1-44 ADA Soldiers lift kids’ spirits at Siloam by Cpl. Jang Won-il USAG Daegu Public Affairs CAMP CARROLL — Four U.S. and three KATUSA Soldiers of the 1-44 Air Defense Artillery Battalion volunteered for a visit to Siloam Orphanage in Seongjoo, Gyeongsangbook-Do, Feb. 28. The 1-44 ADA’s orphanage visit program began about a month ago but the children were already excited about the Soldiers upcoming visit. About 45 children waited anxiously for their long-awaited American friends to come, and when the Soldiers stepped out of the van the children bounced up and down joyfully. At first worried and nervous, after the cheerful welcoming, Soldiers headed inside and sat around the table with the children. The activities kicked off with an English introduction by the children and Soldiers. Then the group made Korean dumplings which were cooked and served later in the evening. Spc. Jeremy C. Mulholland, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1-44 ADA, received a small prize for making the best-looking dumplings. When asked for his impression of the kids, Mulholland replied, “They are really good kids, and their English wasn’t too bad at all. It was quite fun and I learned a lot.” “I was surprised when the children greeted us so warmly,” said Cpl. Ji Yoonkeun, HHB 1-44 ADA. Ji decided to volunteer because he thought it would be a good experience to visit an orphanage. “I was touched by their pure hearts and the fact that they were full of smiles all the time. I’ve learned a lot from this experience.” One activity Soldiers found memorable was learning Hangul from the kids. Soldiers and KATUSA Soldiers teamed up with a group of children and then memorized as many Korean words as possible in 10 minutes. The Soldiers then taught the children English words and the team that could memorize the most Korean and English words won a prize. Pvt. Jean Beauge, HHB 1-44 ADA, who managed to get six words correct in a one-minute speed game, said he hoped other Soldiers would participate in visiting orphanages. “I’ll recommend it to my fellow Soldiers to get more involved with the Korean community. We didn’t know it would be this much fun. It was a very cool experience and I definitely want to come back next time.” Siloam Orphanage is located in SeongjooEup, which is about a one hour drive from Waegwan. The institution has a long history of serving the community as a shelter for children in need. The Somangwon Foundation was first established in 1953 and opened its first childcare facility in 1971. In 1997, the name of the Foundation changed to Siloam Orphanage. Many organizations and individuals support the orphanage, whether it be financially or in the form of periodic visits. ‘People who love Siloam’ is one of those organizations, founded by those who gathered to support Siloam Orphanage. “Many people have supported this orphanage,” said Yi Am-hee, who represented “People who love Siloam” and also directed the program. “While most sponsors just make donations, what the children really want is for them to come and spend time

Students of Siloam Orphanage sit with Pvt. Jean Beauge, HHB 1-44 ADA and make Korean dumplings during the 1-44’s visit on Feb. 28. — U.S. Army Photos By Cpl. Jang Won-il

Pvt. Wilhite, HHB 1-44 ADA studies Hangul with Siloam Orphanage children using word cards. with them. That is why we thought of this program with the American Soldiers. In Korean society, it is still hard to become friends with foreigners. But today as I watched the U.S. Soldiers, I was relieved because they were so friendly and like neighbors. I hope that they will visit more often so they can build a closer relationship with the children and become comfortable to the level where they would consider each other as family.” “It is not expensive clothes or good food that the children need,” said Jeon Sung-kil, executive officer of the orphanage. “What they really ask for is simple. Come and become friends with us. Attention and love is what the children really yearn for.” He also added that he had never seen the kids

so excited by a visit from anyone. After a small talent-show and a snack party with candies brought by the Soldiers, the two-hour long visit was concluded with a group photo. Although it was a short visit some children burst into tears, not wanting to say goodbye. Yoo Sung-bong, a teacher from Siloam Orphanage, said, “The children seemed to be very shy at first with the foreigners and unable to communicate. But now I’m relieved that they feel comfortable. We and the supporters try hard to help the children achieve their visions. I hope the U.S. Soldiers come often and make an impact on the children’s lives and take part in helping the kids carry out their dreams.”

by Steven Lamontagne Army Community Services

Spouse Education Assistance Program.” Since the organization does not receive government subsidies, the Army Emergency Relief conducts an Army-wide fund drive each spring in order to ensure adequate resources to assist Soldiers in need. The USAG Daegu 2008 Army Emergency Relief Campaign will start March 17 and continues through April 18. “This is a great opportunity for Soldiers to continue to help other Soldiers,” said USAG Daegu Army Emergency Relief Campaign Coordinator, Virginia Crutchfield. “This campaign provides a wonderful opportunity to publicize and to reinforce Soldiers’ awareness of AER and its programs. Without this publicity and reinforcement, the collective knowledge of AER within the Army would soon disappear. Without an annual infusion of donations, AER would soon deplete reserves that are held

AER helps Army ‘take care of its own’ USAG DAEGU — When emergency needs arise in a Soldier’s life, whether active duty, reserve or retired, help is available from an organization that has been aiding Soldiers in need for more than 66 years. Established in 1942, Army Emergency Relief, a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to ‘Helping the Army Take Care of Its Own,’ has maintained a long-standing tradition of assisting Soldiers every day, in peace and war, to help them during times of financial need. “The AER provides Soldiers with emergency financial assistance when they don’t have the money to cover expenses that arise as emergencies,” said Steven Lamontagne, financial readiness program manager at Camp Henry’s Army Community Services. “It also provides scholarships to Family Members of Soldiers through the

- See AER Page 27 -

MARCH 7, 2008

AREA IV

USAG-D • PAGE 27 www.imcom.korea.army.mil

Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board ensures safe conduct by Samuel G. Hudson USAG Daegu Public Affairs CAMP HENRY — The Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board assists the Garrison Commander in eliminating crimes on and off USAG Daegu installations, and is a set of eyes and ears for safety. “The purpose of the board is to collect and analyze community-related issues or conditions and make recommendations to AFDCB voting members regarding the elimination of crime, or other conditions which may negatively affect the discipline, health, safety, morals, welfare and/or morale of U.S. forces personnel and/or their families, regardless of whether the issue exist on or off USAG Daegu installations,” said USAG Daegu, Director of Emergency Services Victor M. Lowe. Army Regulation 190-24 requires the AFDCB to convene once per quarter but can convene immediately if a situations requires it. “One situation that could

require the board to convene immediately is if an establishment must be placed off-limits right away, due to the negative impact it will have if servicemembers were allowed to continue frequenting the establishment,” said Lowe. Drug use or trafficking, underage drinking and a host of other problems or events that affect the well –being of our service members, DoD employees and families will cause the actions against establishments. Owners and managers of these off-post establishments are given the opportunity to work with the board committee to resolve the identified problems which are discovered. The AFDCB is made up of the following personnel by position title: CDR, USAG Daegu, Board President USAG Daegu Deputy Commander USAG Daegu Director of Emergency Services (DES) Staff Judge Advocate

USAG Daegu Provost Marshal USAG CIDC Safety Officer Public Affairs Officer Community Relations Officer USAG Daegu Chaplain Consumer Affairs Officer Commander, HSC, 168th Medical Battalion Environmental Health Officer Alcohol/Drug Control Officer Equal Opportunity Officer Director of DFMWR, USAG Daegu Law and Order Officer – Recorder Anyone not on the list would normally not attend these meetings. There are a few exceptions to this rule. If a hearing will cause huge public interest or if a benefit is anticipated, then the public may be invited, but all exceptions must be approved by the Garrison Commander. The board also serves as an outlet for members to have their grievances heard and resolved. The board is primarily focused on

from Page 26

Army Emergency Relief for contingencies.” The overall goal for this year’s campaign is to achieve 100 percent contact with all active duty Soldiers and retirees in the USAG Daegu community, according to Lamontagne. “We will have AER representatives in each unit in the area,” Lamontagne said. “(The representatives’) primary mission will be to make contact with the Soldiers and the retirees and to solicit donations from them. The money donated in Area IV during the campaign goes directly to the national AER fund.”

discipline among service members while off the installation but the board does address issues that may include unethical or illegal business practices by off-post establishments. Spouses and other members of the community can help by reporting instances of illegal activity to the AFDCB, whether it is knowledge of prostitution and human trafficking, illegal drug use or sales, unethical business practices or anything they believe affects the well-being, morale or morals of our community. The voting members of the AFDCB make the recommendation to the Garrison Commander to place an establishment off-limits, but the Garrison Commander has final say on whether or not the establishment will be placed off-limits. Minutes of all AFDRB meetings are maintained by the DES and are available to the public. For information on USAG Daegu’s AFDCB, contact Victor Lowe at DSN: 7644167. To report urgent information, call the Provost Marshal Office at DSN: 764-4141.

The USAG Daegu community contributed more than $52,686 to the AER pot last year, and distributed more than $99,131 to qualified recipients throughout USAG Daegu in 2007. “The amount USAG Daegu raises does not reflect the amount of assistance the garrison can provide,” Lamontagne said. “AER assistance is available to Soldiers and their family members for legitimate emergency needs such as food, rent, utilities, funeral, medical and dental expenses, emergency transportation, vehicle repair and personal needs when pay is delayed or stolen.” The organization helps Soldiers whenever

possible, however, there are circumstances in which AER cannot help individuals, including paying for nonessentials, financing ordinary leave or vacations, debt consolidation, bad check or credit card repayments and the purchase of homes or vehicles. “To apply for AER assistance, Soldiers or their spouses, acting through a power of attorney, need to bring their military identification cards, leave and earnings statements, leave orders and other sustaining documents to their local AER officer,” Lamontagne said. “AER assistance can be provided in three different forms: a loan,

PAID ADVERTISING

which is expected to be repaid without interest: a grant, when repayment would cause hardship to the Soldier, and the combination of loan and grant when repayment of the full amount would cause hardship to the Soldier.” For information on making donations toward the AER fund, contact your unit AER representative or AER Fund Raising Campaign Coordinator, Virginia Crutchfield, at 768-7948. To apply for Relief assistance, contact Lamontagne at 768-8127 or visit Camp Henry’s Army Community Services, in Bldg. T-1103.

USAG-D • PAGE 28 www.imcom.korea.army.mil

AREA IV

THE MORNING CALM

Soldiers transform into Warriors at Carroll Combatives class by Cpl. Jang Won-il USAG Daegu Public Affairs CAMP CARROLL — Eight Camp Carroll Soldiers are now certified for Army Combatives Level One after completing a one-week-long combatives class Feb. 29. The Combatives School, run by the 498th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, trains Soldiers on the basic fundamentals of Army combatives. The week-long class consists of various exercises, drills and tests to build a Soldier’s ability to engage the enemy confidently without a weapon. “The main goal of this class is to turn regular Soldiers into warriors,” said Level Four Master Trainer, 498th CSSB, Staff Sgt. Stephen H. Martin. “It gives them the courage to actually close the distance when engaging the enemy and not be afraid to take a couple of punches. This training instills and fortifies the Warrior Ethos into them. Throughout the course they push themselves and are being pushed to the limit and they find out what they’re really capable of doing.” The course was challenging, both physically and mentally, for the eight Soldiers from 551st ICTC and 6th Ordnance Battalion. “I can take more stress on the body, definitely more than what regular PT would do. With challenges like the Superman drill, taking on the whole class one minute at a time, you get to push your body to the limit,” said Pvt. Jermie Best, 551st ICTC. The students are

Combatives School Head Instructor Staff Sgt. Stephen H. Martin (right) throws an uppercut at Pvt. Michael Gallaher, 6th Ordnance Battalion. — U.S. Army Photo By Cpl. Jang Won-il much more confident in their skills to take out an opponent in a real-life hand-to-hand situation. “The class teaches you to calm down in a fight,” said Pvt. Michael Gallaher, 6th Ord. Bn. “Don’t be too aggressive but just calm down and apply the skills.” Pvt. Alex Perenishko, 551st ICTC,

explained, “The class taught me about what it’s like to be taken down to the ground on the battlefield. You realize it’s not always about standing up and fighting.” As time went on, the Soldiers developed a sense of bonding. “If I were to see any of these guys down range,” Best said. “I would know that he could fight bare-hand just as I

PAID ADVERTISING

could so I can trust him.” “This type of class definitely brings the students together because I know them, wrestled with them, and trust them. I know that if I find them on the battlefield they can protect me,” said Perenishko. “We’re trying to bring in more scenarios based on the unit or the company’s characteristics or mission,” said Martin. Martin is the head instructor for USAG Daegu, but he has also been having students who visit from Yongsan, Stanley, Humphreys, and K16. According to Combatives Instructor, Staff Sgt. Billy W. Hopson, 498th CSSB, the school also taught the ROK Army 75th Maintenance Battalion from Daegu. “We have been encompassing different branches of the military, including the ROK Army. To interact with them in a really physical manner was cool, and they also liked it,” said Hopson. The students said that the class was one of the best training sessions they had done. They added that it is one of the safest courses in the Army. “I recommend to everyone to participate in Level One,” Perenishko added. “In here it’s not a game, it’s real life.” The school is planning to have a bigger facility in the next six months. According to Martin, a Level Two class is coming up in March. The school plans to have Level Two classes once or twice per quarter. The one-week-long program begins every Monday, and is held throughout the week from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, contact Staff Sgt. Stephen H. Martin at 765-1044.

PAGE 30

http://imcom.korea.army.mil

LEARN KOREAN

Yongsan tto o field ne w new aut omat ed automat omated pedestrian gat e gate

Useful Korean phrases Good morning/good afternoon/ good evening An-nyeong ha-sae-yo Have a nice day Jo-eun ha-ru bo-ne-sae-yo Pardon me/ I am sorry Joi-song hap-ni-da