family matters-march 2013
DESCRIPTION
Operation Kids on Guard, Operation Purple Camps, Employment Assistance, Strong Bond RetreatsTRANSCRIPT
FAMILY MATTERS MARCH 2013 1
Family Matters March 2013
Military Families Connect
Family Retreats
Single Soldier Retreats
Marriage Enrichment Retreats
Military Kids Serve, Too Operation Kids on Guard
Upcoming Events
Operation Purple Camps
Employment
Assistance
YOUR ULTIMATE SOURCE
FAMILY MATTERS MARCH 2013 2
Military OneSource is pleased
to announce the availability of
the Military OneSource
version of the H&R Block At
Home® Online tax
preparation service.
Contents
Filing Your Taxes is Pain
Enough! Let us Help! The Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Legal Assistance Section, will be prepar-ing and electronically filing federal and state income tax returns free of charge for members of the NC National Guard, their Families and Retirees through 12 April 2013. Services will be provided every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 0900-1400 at Joint Force Head-quarters, Raleigh, NC. Appointments only. Eligible applicants may contact the NC National Guard JAG Office at (919) 664-6000 Ext. 47035 for additional infor-mation and to schedule appointments. The appointment line is now open.
ON THE COVER: USAR 1st Lt. Leah Dunne, USMC Lt. Col. Justin S. Dunne and their daughter, Lochlyn, re-unite after 6-months apart. Lt. Col. Justin S. Dunne, Commanding Officer of 2nd Battalion, 3rd
Marine Regiment, deployed to Okinawa, Japan the day after Lochlyn was born. Leah, formerly a member
of the North Carolina National Guard, joined the Reserves to accommodate life as an active-duty spouse and frequent moves. Prior to Lt. Col. Dunne’s mission, the family lived at their new duty location for just
a few months. Leah said, “Thank-you to the support of family, friends and the Family Readiness Group. I
was a new mom, in a new place, with a new unit and new people. That is a lot of change, but we made it through those months and we did it together…. I am glad to have him back for more adventures togeth-
er.” The Dunne family will soon journey to a new duty station keeping old friends and experiences with
them wherever they go. (Photo provided by Leah Dunne)
3. Director’s Column
4. Volunteer Training
5. Strong Bonds Retreats, 2013 Dates
Family Retreats, Single Soldier Retreats and Marriage Enrichments Retreats are back! See which dates work best for you, and get registered TODAY!
7-13 Child and Youth Programs
Explore the many upcoming opportunities for our Military Kids!
15-19 Employment
20 FAC Contacts
SITTERCITY
Find Caregivers for: Before/After School; Last Minute
Needs; Infant Care; School Closings; Pet Sitting; Senior Care; and, more.
Activate today at: sittercity.com/DoD
@ncngfamily Search “NC National Guard Family Programs”
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FAMILY MATTERS MARCH 2013
DIANE COFFILL
State Family Program Director [email protected]
(919) 664-6324
MSG RAMONA SCOTT Family Program NCOIC
[email protected] (919) 664-6000 Ext. 47005
SGT TAMMY FOWLER
Family Programs Assistant [email protected]
(919) 664-6000 Ext 46876
WENDI BELL FAC Administrative Assistant
[email protected] (919) 664-6000 Ext. 46078
LANA GREER
State FAC Coordinator [email protected] (800) 621-4136 Ext. 11667
TERRY HENDERSON
Airman & Family Readiness Program Mgr.
[email protected] (704) 398-4949
ALICE DEAN
Lead Child & Youth Coordinator [email protected]
(919) 520-9548
ANGELENA DOCKERY Marketing & Communications Mgr.
[email protected] (919) 485-9570
KATHRYN JARVIS
Marketing & Communications Mgr. [email protected]
(919) 485-9571
JUDY RICHARDSON Senior FRSA
[email protected] (800) 621-4136 Ext. 11346
About Family Matters Family Matters was created to provide Servicemembers and Families the most up-to-date infor-
mation and services available. If you would like to contribute to future issues, or if you have suggestions and comments, please contact the NCNG Family Programs Marketing and Com-munications Department personnel, Angelena Dockery or Kathryn Jarvis, at ncngfamilypro-
[email protected]. E-Versions of Family Matters can be downloaded at the NCNG Family Pro-grams webpage at www.nc.ngb.army.mil.
NCNG State Family Program
Director Diane Coffill with mem-
bers of the VFW in December
2012. The VFW, along with many
other organizations across the
State, have partnered with Family
Programs to provide support for
our State’s Military Members and
Families.
Photo Courtesy of NC National Guard
Hello to you all, This month, we’re all about keeping it rolling. We’ve learned some very valuable lessons along the way. And, through it all, one of those great things that sticks out is “sticking together.” Building rela-tionships. Not burning bridges. Asking for help. Accepting help. Compromising. Being focused on the goal. I could go on and on. I am very pleased to know that Military Families are on the minds of those that can bring our is-sues to light, and help put the resources in place to help solve those issues and provide support. I must admit, I am extremely proud of all that we’re doing here in North Carolina to provide and care for our Servicemembers and their Families. We’ve come a long way, but we still have more to accomplish. I’m confident that we can do that together. Create your vision, stick to your plan, change it when you need to, and, know that what-ever path you have to take, you are not alone. We have the dates for you for the Strong Bonds Retreats; so, from Single Soldiers, to Families, to Married Couples, you can plan to have a nice weekend away. Also, our Child & Youth Program has lots of upcoming events, and is well-tapped into other opportunities for our Military Kids. You can get the most recent information from our Facebook page (search “North Carolina National Guard Family Programs”) and Twitter.
Sincerely,
Diane Coffill
“Partnerships
… that’s how
we survive.” Diane Coffill
State Family Program Director
FAMILY MATTERS MARCH 2013 4
Family Readiness
Support Assistants
BG Marianne Wat-son, Director of the J1, at the Na-tional Guard Bureau. I am pleased and excited to announce
and invite your participation in the 2013 "Driven by Mission, Inspired to Serve" National Guard Volunteer Service Challenge. Submit your videos for consideration by March 29th, 2013, so please post your videos to the JSS Facebook "Service Challenge" event at http://www.facebook.com/events/477396838971308/
Trainer: Susan J. Ellis There are many important decisions and actions necessary to maximize the contribu-
tions of volunteers, many of which cannot be made or taken unilaterally by front line staff or even a designated volunteer involvement manager. An organization's top manage-
ment must take responsibility for assuring that the proper foundation is laid for volunteer involvement – and then follow through to ensure implementation. But, if executives don't
realize what their role is, how can they be taught?
FAMILY MATTERS MARCH 2013 5
Bonded by Change
Stronger Together
CHIP JURGENSEN, CFP
(919) 334-8313
FAMILY MATTERS MARCH 2013 6
NC National
Guard Staff
Joined Forces to
Bring a Family
Together
The Sanchez family: Naelis, Jayden & Joel, a SPC with 1-130th Attack Recon Battalion (ARB) pose w/NCNG Legal Asst. Laura Forrest, after they reunited at Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). Forrest, a licensed NC attorney previously working for the Legal Assistance Program, co-sponsored by NCNG Family Programs & NGNC SJA, assisted the happy family with immigration/legal documentation for their reunion. Joel tried for 3 years to bring Naelis here.
The couple was married in Dominican Republic during a visit in 2011.
RALEIGH, N.C. – In the military, eve-ryone has a story. Some join to see the world and experience adventure. Some serve to affirm their patriotism in our nation. Still others serve for all of the great benefits the military has to offer. For one Soldier, however, military ser-vice meant much more. For Spc. Joel Sanchez, military service meant seeing his family again after three-long-years. Sanchez, originally from the Dominican Republic, is a member of the North Carolina National Guard’s D Company, 1-130th Aviation Battalion, based in Morrisville. “I cannot believe this is finally happen-ing, I cannot believe this is finally hap-pening”, saidSanchezashereunitedwith-hisfamilyrecentlyatRaleigh-DurhamInternationalAirport(RDU). For three years, Sanchez attempted to bring his fiance Naelis to the United States from the Dominician Replublic after they were married there in 2011. In August 2012, after filing all of the proper forms with the United States Immigration and Customs Service (USCIS), and after the couple went through the interview process at the Consulate in the Dominion Republic, Sanchez Received a notice of intent to revoke his petition. Sanchez was frustrated and feated he may never see his wife again due to this new turn of events. Fortunately for Sanchez, Members of the Staff Judgue Advocate (SJA) Office at the N.C.
Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters, here, were there to help. With the help of Laura Forrest, civilian paralegal, and Judge Advocate, Army Maj. Ruth Ann Cresenzo, of the NCNG SJA, the two women prepared and filed a 34 exhibit response to the Notice of Intent. Forrest is a licensed N.C. attorney work-ing for the Legal Assistance Program co-sponsored by NC Family Programs and the NGNC SJA. “I was touched by this young man’s story and I felt I had to do something to help bring this family together,” said Forrest. After nearly 30-days, Sanchez and his spouse received word from USCIS that the petition was granted and Naelis would be issued a visa to immigrate to the United States as a permanent resi-dent. Not soon after, the couple learned Naelis was pregnant with their son, Jayden, which made the coming reunion extra special. Jayden was born in October 2012, and Forrest and the NCNG SJA office assisted Sanchez in obtaining a Certificate of Live Birth Abroad for the baby so that he would be able to legally accompany his mother to the United States. The day finally arrived in January of this year for the long-awaited reunion and wit hthe help of the NCNG SJA Office and other local charities, Sanchez was
waiting for his family to arrive at RDU. “We been trying to be together for three years; it’s taken us three years,” said Sanchez emphatically as he waited anx-iously for his family to arrive. As his wife and son came down the Hall-way into the Terminal, Sanchez ran to greet them and he embraced his wife and child for the first time on United States soil. It was truly an emotional moment for all who were involved. After a few minutes of reuniting and resting in the USO of North Carolina’s RDU Center, Forrest present the happy family with a framed United States fla and some goodies for the baby, as the officially welcomed Naelis and Jayden to the United States. We are a family because of what Laura did,” said Sanchez. “We will never for-get what Laura and the SJA Office has done for us.” “This was truly one of the most reward-ing experiences I’ve had practicing law,” said Forrest. “It’s not every day that you get the chance to help someone and it made it more special to be part of their special day.” Thanks to Forrest and the SJA Staff’s diligent efforts, the Sanchez Family is happy and healthy, and living in Wil-mington together.
HAVE A STORY TO SHARE? EMAIL US AT
FAMILY MATTERS MARCH 2013 7
CAMOUFLAGE KIDS
KOG Special Day Events 23 March 2013: SciWorks Museum 400 W. Hanes Mill Rd., Winston-Salem, NC, 27105 18 May 2013: Cradle of Forestry, US 276, Brevard, NC 28712 19-20 July 2013: "Sleep with the Fishes" NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, 900 Loggerhead Rd., Kure Beach, NC 28449 KOG Day Drills Hickory Area: Newton Armory 1811 Hwy 321S, Newton, NC 28658 from 9AM to 3PM Charlotte Area Date/Location TBA Greenville Area Date/Location TBA KOG Overnight Weekend Camp 27-29 September: Camp Butner Training Center 539 Roberts Chapel Road Stem, NC 27581.Date and Location to be Announced.
For questions or more information, contact Alice Dean at [email protected] or (919) 693-3651 Ext. 12183.
FAMILY MATTERS MARCH 2013 8
April is the Month of the Military Child, and we extend an invitation for your to join
us across the State as we celebrate and honor our Military's Youngest Heroes. As a
united effort, we've put together a variety of ways for you to personally express your
love and gratitude to the Military Child in your life. Join other Military Families as you
recognize your child(ren) by posting a photo and a special message honoring him/her
on our NCNG Family Programs Facebook. Simply visit www.facebook.com, and
search “North Carolina National Guard Family Programs.”
Find awards for kids, upcoming events, and more information about ways you can
celebrate Military Children in April at the Family Programs’ section of
www.nc.ngb.army.mil.
Military Parent, Caregivers, Family and Friends
There are three different Military Child Appreciation Awards – one is for your young-
est heroes, birth to elementary school-age, and the others are geared for middle-to
high-school Military Youth.
MONTH M
ILITA
RY
C
HILD
Make plans now to
celebrate your Military
Child next month!
Simply, download the certificate of your choosing at www.nc.ngb.army.mil ‘Family Programs,
Month of Military Child’ and customize a thank you/appreciation message to present to your child
in April. You can make presenting your child’s award a simple occasion among Family or go all out
and make it a grand celebration.
Anyone can be a kid, it takes a someone special
to be a Military Kid!
FAMILY MATTERS MARCH 2013 9
Did You Know??? March 4th is "Hug a GI Day" Give a big hug to any and all GI's you see today. The men and women in our Armed Forces deserve out Thanks and Appreciation. GI's perform an invaluable service to our country. They risk their lives for our freedom, and to keep us safe. A simple hug is a small thanks for this vital service to our country. Origin of "Hug A GI Day" is not known. Some think this special day was selected since it is the only date in the cal-endar that is an order...March Forth!.
CHILD & YOUTH PROGRAM
Hello, hope all is well. PVT
Richard is doing great, a lit-
tle home sick, but in training
on a daily basis. First picture
showing PVT Richard how to work
the temp gauge. Second he is
training with SPC Walker third
picture communicating, fourth
just keeping a watch out and
last learning the weather feed.
Update from Jacci
Operation Purple Camps Summer is just around the corner and so is Operation Purple
Camp! The National Military Family Association has collabo-
rated with outstanding camp partners to continue supporting
military kids with Operation Purple Camp. At Operation Pur-
ple Camp we embrace being “purple” and bring together mili-
tary kids from all ranks and services -to include National
Guard and Reserve components - over a unique and memorable summer camp experience.
See more http://www.militaryfamily.org/our-programs/operation-
purple/2013-camps/.
The North Carolina Camp is:
Hendersonville, NC
June 30, 2013—July 5, 2013
Camp Ages 7-16
PVT RICHARD
UPDATE
Apply By
March 4th
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eKnowledge Donates $200 SAT and
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one who otherwise qualifies from the prior list.
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uct is shipped. The DVD may be renewed for an additional twelve months at the same
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To place an order visit www.eKnowledge.com/USNG or call 951-256-4076.
How Does Our Organization Promote the Donation Project?
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Simply share the availability of donated SAT and ACT PowerPrep™ Programs
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@ncngfamily
FAMILY MATTERS MARCH 2013 12
RALEIGH, N.C. (2/19/13) – Joe Pacheco, a mixed martial artist with Bellator Fighting Championships, can
grab hold of about any body part you can mention in polite company.
Head, foot, leg, arm, wrist are no problem, but students at Central Cabarrus High School in Concord pre-
sented a more difficult target for the fighter: hearts and minds.
Pacheco, his coach Michael Allen and Army Sgt. Michael Graham with the North Carolina National Guard
and a former student at Cabarrus High, taught a Healthy Living and Anti-Bullying seminar Feb. 12 for the
students in Concord.
"I want to be a role model,” said Pacheco. “I was bullied as a kid and it makes it hard to stay focused in
school.”
Pacheco, with Graham, taught the physical education class and stressed the importance of healthy habits and
proper diet. The message seemed to carry a little more weight coming from teachers who fight for a living; a martial artist and Soldier.
"It is a fresh look and kids love a professional fighter they see on television," said Graham.
Pacheco, with an infectious grin and easy manner, encouraged the class to eat better with more fruit and vegetables, getting enough sleep and the
other basics expected of an athlete in training.
"Once you get in shape you never want to stop," said Pacheco.
The benefit is not just long-term health but a more immediate need for the
students, dealing with bullying.
"Bullies feed off fear and when someone is healthy and confident, they can
defend themselves and it makes it easier to turn around and walk off," Allen
said.
Having the confidence and strength is just part of the response. Graham led
the freshman class gathered in Central Cabarrus gym in techniques for
preventing bullying: telling the bully to stop, walking away and getting help
from friends, teachers, school staff, police or other officials.
Sometimes these non-physical techniques do not work and that is where
Pacheco shared his expertise.
With the help of some students, Pacheco taught them how to defend them-
selves from a bully's attack.
With the skill one expects of a professional fighter, he demonstrated how to
use an attacker's force against him.
Playing the role of the bully, he grabs a young student by the shoulders
and with a push of the arm, a twist of her hip, she escapes the hold and successfully managed to push Pacheco to the side.
"Bullies do not pick on people who know how to fight back," said Pacheco.
The demonstration continued as students practiced on the mats in the center of the gym. Cheers, laughter and an occasional gasp from their peers
resonated through the gym as students practiced the techniques that were taught.
"It is amazing as a graduate to come back and make a difference," said Graham.
North Carolina National Guard Promotes Anti-Bullying Campaign By Staff Sgt. Robert Jordan North Carolina National Guard
Photo from blackstarjournal.org
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EMPLOYMENT
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FAMILY ASSISTANCE CENTERS