April  2013  

The War Wagon Newsletter  

68th  Combat  Sustainment  Support  Battalion  LTC  Jeremy  Lewis  

CSM  Kenneth  Ashley  

April  Newsletter  

 

                         “Like”  us  on  Facebook:  “68th  Combat  Sustainment  Support  Battalion”  

Upcoming  Events  (more  inside)  

 

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Did you know…. In April 1986, Defense Secretary Casper Weinberger designated the month of April as the Month of the Military Child. Weinberger wanted to honor military kids for their courage and great sacrifices. Since then, military installations, organizations and communities have created special events to pay tribute to these little military heroes. (Check out Fort Carson’s Month of the Military Child activities!)

Please send any Newsletter information to: Lorrie Lewis

tortugie@hotmail.com

16  Apr   Girls  Night  Out  Glamour  Ball  &  Gown  Swap  6pm-­‐10pm  @  Special  Events  Center  Massages,  hair,  makeup,  music/dancing  

16  Apr   Friday  Fun  Night  6pm-­‐8pm  Games,  refreshments,  sports  tournaments.    FREE  for  registered  CYSS  youth  

16  Apr   Fort  Carson  Safety  Day  10am-­‐3pm  Special  Events  Center  

15  Apr   Youth  Sports  Registration  Begins  Track/field,  Tball/baseball,  volleyball  Register  at  CYSS  

If  you  would  like  to  receive  68th’s  Monthly  Newsletter  from  down  range,  please  contact      

1LT  Charles  S  Robertson  <charles.s.robertson@afghan.swa.army.mil>  

   

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HHC  Commander  CPT  Christopher  Hendrix  

1SG  Tyler  Berry  

How  to  address  mail:  PFC  John  Soldier  HHC  68th  CSSB  APO  AE  09355  

Happy  Birthday,    SGT  Fuller!  

PFC  Luna  &    CH  Snodgrass  

Awesome  job  by  PFC  Luna  and  SPC  Eklof!  

Welcome  to  the  War  Wagon  Family,    Albert  McLaren  and  Braylon  Pritchett!  

Reenlisted  this  month  were  SGT  Thiel,  SSG  Hicks,  SPC  Ongino    and  SGT  Esquivel!  Thanks  for  your  dedication  and  hard  work!  

   

If  you  would  like  to  receive  68th’s  monthly  newsletter  from  down  range,  please  contact  1LT  Charles  S  Robertson  <charles.s.robertson@afghan.swa.army.mil>  

   

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    247th  Quartermaster  Company  

Commander  CPT  Nick  Taylor  1SG  Duke  Smith  

FROM 1SG Smith: Posted on 247th QM Facebook Page March 15, 2013 Headhunter Family, can you believe we are approaching 100 days in theater? Not that I am counting. We continue to pave the battlefield in the CMRE mission. Our Soldiers have embraced this misison with a passion I haven't seen in over 20 years of service. The last month we have had some losses and gains. We had 2 Soldiers return to Fort Carson, SGT John Leavitt who is scheduled to retire this summer/early fall after 20 years of commitment and service and SPC McShane Murphe who was selected for the Officer Candidate School and will be a 2LT real soon. I am proud to welcome the promotion of the newest NCOs in the Army, SGT Mario Esquivel and SGT Matthew Peebles, job well done and much deserved. SGT Brian Lujan won NCO of the Month for March as he and SPC Kawana Baker will compete for the 43D SB NCO/Solider of the Year. The Army Chief of Staff graced us with his presence and took the coolest picture ever with SGT Kenneth Green (picture at tope of page, so cool). The winter is slowly going away and the warmer months are slowing coming upon us, which means that things are scheduled to pick up but our guys are ready for the challenge. To the team back home, thanks again for all your love, prayers and support to the team down range. The amount of mail, care packages and tidbits from home really help our Soldier cope with the absence of home and know that they have love ones ready for their return. As we get into the deployment routine, let's not get complacent. Be aware of your surroundings, be careful what you post on social media, don't discuss specific information on the phone and most importantly continue to take care of one another. To Heather and the FRG team, you guys are awesome, keep up the good work of keeping our families in tune and focused. I really look forward to writing these post every month, but I really look forward to stop writing them too. -Headhunter 7-

Camp   Zip  Code  Bagram  Airfield   09354  Pratt-­‐Camp  Deh  Dadi  II   09368  FOB  Sharana   09311  FOB  Shank   09364  FOB  Salerno   09314  JAF-­‐FOB  Fenty   09310    

“Like”  247th  QM  on  Facebook  

   

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60th  Ordnance  Company  Commander  CPT  Ernest  Thompson  

1SG  Donald  Seip  

Congratulations  to  CPT  Thorin  Parris  as  he  completes  his  time  in  Command  with  60th  Ordnance  Company.  He  has  done  an  excellent  job  both  here  at  Fort  Carson  as  well  as  executed  a  successful  mission  while  deployed  to  Afghanistan  for  7  months.  Thorin  and  his  wife,  Amber  will  be  missed  (although  they  aren’t  going  far-­‐-­‐-­‐up  to  Brigade!)    

60th  OD  is  now  in  very  competent  and  experienced  hands  as  CPT  Ernest  Thompson  took  Command  on  Monday  8  April  2013.    Welcome  to  the  War  Wagon  Family,  CPT  Ernest  Thompson,  his  wife  Demetria,  and  their  two  kids,  Sydney  and  Kyle.    

LTC  Giraud  passes  on  the  Guidon  to  incoming  Commander  CPT  Ernest  Thompson  

   

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Upcoming  Activities:  12 Apr 5:30pm Potluck Dinner-Asian food. Bldg 840 O’Connell. 15 Apr 11am-1pm Playdate at Ironhorse Park. Bring bag lunch for your family. 17 Apr 11am Consignment Sale-Military Presale. Preregister at (http://www.coloradosprings.jbfsale.com/shopView.jsp) Bring your ID with you if you don’t preregister. 19 Apr 5:30pm Potluck Dinner-Soup, salad and sandwiches. We will be putting together baggies for homeless people. 22 Apr 10am-12pm Personal Protection in Your Home Class. Taught by NRA Instructor Fred Schnitzspahn, retired COL US Army. 23 Apr 5:45pm Bowling at Thunder Ally on post. 50 cent night 26 Apr 5:30pm Potluck Dinner-comfort foods 27 Apr 11am Garden of the Gods hike. Meet at Chick fil a on Garden of  the  Gods  Rd  for  lunch  and  then  head  to  the  Garden  of  the  Gods.  We  will  be  hiking  on  the  paved  path  so  strollers  are  welcome—WEATHER  PERMITTING 29 Apr 11am Fountain Regional Park meet up. Bring a lunch. We can either play at the park, walk on the trails or a little of both! 2 May **not confirmed yet** 10am-12pm Homemade products class. Learn how to make deodorant, chapstick and other household items. Bldg 840 3 May 5:30pm Potluck Dinner/BINGO Bring foods that start with B.I.N.G.O. After dinner we will play some BINGO with prizes for the winners! 8 May 11am-2pm Girls Lunch Downtown Location to be determined. Drop kids off with a sitter or CYS and we’ll enjoy an afternoon of lunch/conversation. 10 May 5:30pm Potluck Dinner-Mexican food. 11 May 11am-1pm Cookies and Canvas at Tumbleweeds for kids to make Mother’s Day gifts.

"A soldier doesn't fight because he hates what is in front of him. A soldier fights because he loves what he left behind." -author unknown

Deployed Spouses Support Group Open  to  ALL  spouses  of  a  deployed  Soldier-­‐it  doesn’t  matter  how  long  your  Soldier  will  be  gone  or  which  unit  your  Soldier  belongs  to.  If  your  Soldier  is  away  and  you  are  here  at  Fort  

Carson,  come  join  us  and  invite  a  friend  or  two!  (Most  activities  are  kid-­‐friendly,  unless  otherwise  specified).  

   

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Would you like to help a Soldier’s family in need? If you can cook, clean, drive a car, hold a baby, walk a dog, make a phone call, then we need YOU! Volunteer to be a part of a Care Team. This group of people helps a family when they need assistance. A CA(usalty)RE(sponse) Team is essential, but not only activated, when a Soldier is killed in action. A Care Team may also be needed when a Soldier is deployed and his wife is sick. She may need help picking up her kids from school. A Care Team may be needed when a Soldier is injured and the spouse needs to leave town to visit the Soldier. The Care Team can assist in making hotel reservations, watching the family’s home/pets while they are away. You can do as much or as little as you feel you can give. To be a part of a Care Team, please attend one 2-3 hour training session. The upcoming dates are listed below.

Please consider becoming a Care Team Member TODAY!

2013 Care Team Training Dates

Register by calling Army Community Service @ 719-526-5490

*Childcare is limited and should be requested when registering. Names and ages of children are required. Children must be registered with CYSS.

Tuesday, 16 April, 1800 hrs (childcare due on 5 April 2013) Tuesday, 7 May 0900 hrs (childcare due on 26 April 2013)

aturday, 22 June, 1000 hrs (childcare due on 7 June 2013) Saturday, 17 August, 1000 hrs (childcare due on 2 August 2013)

Tuesday, 10 September, 1800 hrs (childcare due on 30 August 2013) Tuesday 15 October, 0900 hrs (childcare due on 4 October 2013) Saturday 2 November, 1000 hrs (childcare due on 18 October 2013)

 

 

Evans Army Community Hospital Now Open on

Training Holidays!!

SAME DAY APPOINTMENTS: In keeping with the new patient-centered home concept, Evans Army Community Hospital's Family Medicine Clinics, Internal Medicine Clinic and Pediatric Clinic are now operating under a new appointment model called "Open Access." Whether someone is sick, needs a routine wellness appointment, or wants to be seen for a referral, when you call the Access to Care appointment phone line, you should be offered a same day appointment into your assigned primary care clinic. Please note that same day access does not mean you will be offered the exact hour that you may want. Beneficiaries should continue to use the same Access to Care Line at 526-2273 to make their primary care appointments.  

Summer Youth Program

American Red Cross/Evans Army Community Hospital -- Are you a military dependent between 14 and 17 years old? Are you interested in a career in the medical field? The American Red Cross and Evans Army Community Hospital are looking for motivated young adults to volunteer and serve in the Summer Youth Program. The volunteers will work within the hospital and its clinics providing them exposure to the medical field. Applications are available from Monday April 15 - May 8 in the hospital’s Red Cross office. Interviews will be held on Saturday May 11, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Program participants will be selected and notified by May 17; those selected must be available for mandatory orientation dates held from 28 May - 31 May; and they must be current with their immunizations. For more information contact (719) 526-7144.

   

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Crafts and Cookies class on 20 April from 11am-1pm! This is a great way for children to show off their artistic skills. This event is only $15 per child and includes all craft supplies, finished project to take home, and cookies and juices.

Contact Tumbleweeds with any questions: 719-393-3734  

Painting and Pizza for the teens and tweens!! Too old for cookies? Too young for cocktails? We have an event for YOU!! 26 April 6pm-8pm. Stop by to reserve your spot, as space is limited! $20 per person.

Canvas and Cocktails 1st Friday of Every Month 6pm $20 includes light snack, cocktails, art supplies/instructor. Stop by or call to reserve your spot.

Feeling  crafty?  Come  take  an  art  class  or  stop  by  the  non-­‐profit,  artisan  consignment   shop.   All   funds   promote   art   programs   at   Fort   Carson.  Located  in  the  mini-­‐mall.  

   

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Grant Library 526-2350 1637 Flint St.

17 Apr Debt Management Class FREE; no registration required

5:15pm-6:15pm

20 Apr Earth Day Activities for ALL ages FREE; no registration required

1pm-3pm

Book Club 1st Wednesday of Every Month

FREE 5:30pm

Waller Gym 526-2742 6946 Magrath Ave

ALL CLASSES ARE FREE!!!

Kickboxing Wednesdays 10-11am Zumba Thursdays 9-10am Spin/Abs Fridays 11-12pm

FREE  classes  and  activities!  

   

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YOU STILL HAVE TIME!! FREE

Fort Carson Tax Center Please call or message for an

appointment (719) 524-1013 (719) 526-0163

Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm now until 15 May

Spring  Youth  Sports  Registration  Begins  April  15  

Track/Field  6-­‐15yrs  Summer  T-­‐ball/baseball  5-­‐12yrs  

T-­‐ball  3-­‐4yrs  Volleyball  11-­‐15yrs  

16  April  Safety  Day  10am-­‐3pm  

Special  Events  Center  

Vacation  Bible  School  June  10-­‐14  

Registration  begins  May  1  Call  526-­‐5744  or  email  heidi.a.mcallister.civ@mail.mil  

If  you  would  like  to  volunteer,  email  bdubois@gmail.com  

TroopTree.com is a FREE video communication service

provided by KeepTree.com, for deployed military to keep in touch with

friends and family back home. Because TroopTree.com does not

require both users to be on-line at the same time, Trooptree is perfect for

keeping in touch across time zones or across the globe.  

For  a  detailed  look  at  what  is  going  on  at  Fort  Carson  this  

Spring/Summer  click  below:  

http://www.mwrfortcarson.com/tyfoon/site/fckeditor/file/MWRCircular_

SpringSummer2013_Final.pdf  

   

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If  you  ever  have  any  questions  or  concerns,  please  contact  your  FRG  Leader.  We  are  here  to  help  YOU!  

  FRG  Leader   Phone   Email  HHC   Jessi  Hendrix   912-­‐429-­‐9995   My68thfrg@gmail.com  32TC   Caitlin  Baca   713-­‐446-­‐1169   32_tc_frg@live.com  59QM   Monica  Bregman     59thQMCO@gmail.com 60OD   Demetria  Thompson        912-­‐571-­‐8537   demetria.thompson@us.army.mil  183MC   Elizabeth  Ebel   512-­‐665-­‐7828   Frg183rd@gmail.com  247QM   Heather  Taylor   253-­‐973-­‐7685   hvivenzio@yahoo.com  

          FRG  Co-­‐Leader      

32TC   Maleia  Matt   253-­‐732-­‐1085                    

FRSA   Catherine  Gutierrez   719-­‐526-­‐5212   Catherine.l.gutierrez2.civ@mail.mil  Staff  Duty   STB  Staff  Duty   719-­‐524-­‐6863       Emergency  #s   Dial…  

ER   526-­‐7111  Fire   911  

Hospital   526-­‐2643  MP   526-­‐2333  

Poison  Control   800-­‐222-­‐1222  Red  Cross   526-­‐2311  

Colorado  Springs  Police   444-­‐7000  El  Paso  County  Sheriff   520-­‐7111  

       

Non-­‐emergency   Dial…  ACS   526-­‐4590  

Baja  Broadband   576-­‐7404  Commissary   524-­‐9800  

CYSS   526-­‐4188  Finance   526-­‐9233/6254  

Game  Warden   524-­‐5394  Hospital  Operator   526-­‐7000  Hourly  Daycare   526-­‐2463  ID  Cards/DEERS   524-­‐3704  Outdoor  Rec   526-­‐1993  

Tricare  Appointments   457-­‐2273  Triwest   888-­‐874-­‐9378  

Vehicle  registration   524-­‐1896  Veterinary  Clinic   526-­‐3803