homefrong frg newsletter first issue

Dear families and friends of the 173rd BSB,

eam and I are here to help you. We cannot always solve all of the issues you bring to us, but at a minimum we will point you to the right direction and advise you on what agency can assist you with your needs. I would like to commend every single one of you. The first few months can be extremely stressful with trying to get a new routine,

k enough those who have reached out to your fellow Family Readiness Group members by helping them out and encouraging them to get out of the house and get involved in different activities. Please keep up the good work! I would also like to express special thanks to those FRG members who are in Italy or in the states and who still keep in touch with their fellow FRG leaders, maintain phone trees and reach out and help each other every way possible. Your work is even harder over there because of the geographical separation and because for some of you military installations are not in immediate reach. Our Soldiers have been gone almost three months now; time seems to fly and hopefully will continue to fly. They will start their R&R leave which will be yet another mile marker in the deployment. Keeping busy and picking dates or events to look forward to will make time go by faster. I encourage everyone to partici-‐pate in the FRG clubs and activities. Please continue to bring issues to our attention. Help us squash the rumor mill; if you have not heard something through official channels, the informa-‐tion you are receiving is likely untrue or may be missing pieces. Continue to encourage your Soldiers to sign up for the Video Teleconferences (VTC) if you and your Soldiers are at locations where you can participate. Again, thank you very much for all you do; a deployment requires a lot of extra work and puts extra stress not only on the Soldiers but the families as well. Sincerely, 1 LT Monika Comeaux

5 February 2010 Volume 1 Issue 1

Walk to Afghanistan

Letter from 1 LT Monika Comeaux

1 7 3 D B R I G AD E S U P POR T B AT TA L I ON

Home Front The place to get home station information

Join in the fun and see if you can walk enough miles to make it to Afghanistan before our Soldiers come home. Whether you are in the states, Italy or Germany you can join us and see how many miles you can rack up. Sign up by 1 March 2010. Once supplies are in you will be sent a pedometer and a log book to track your miles. The pedometers will be in soon, a few weeks at the most, you can start tracking your miles now. If you are a regular walker count that. Think about it this way, every step you take counts to-‐ward your miles. The walk from the car to the store and back and include the walking you did in the store, the miles will add up before you know it. There will be incentives for so many miles that you reach (still a work in progress, more details to come). More information on how this will all come together will be coming out soon but for now please start counting your miles/steps. Get a group of friends together for a walking group to earn the goal together. If you have any questions please contact your FRSA Heather Clark at 0951-‐300-‐7704 or [email protected].

Dinner at the DFAC. For the month of February we are going to meet at Daggers Inn (it is located right down the road from the CAC) on Tuesday the 9th and the 23rd at 5:30pm. Bring the kids and $4.25 for your meal. Hope to see YOU there!

Dinner at the DFAC

members this is a true statement but for others it is the source of profound disappointment. Let me ex-‐plain. From a technological standpoint, the ability to communicate downrange is excellent; there is email,

or if the quality of your conversations and interactions is frustrating and disappointing. especially in the first three months of a deployment are busy usually very busy. The command is trying to establish a battle rhythm that exceeds that of the unit it is replacing. This could range from 12 hour work days to 15 hour days or longer, depending on position and responsibilities. When a Soldier is done for the day, he or she is tired. They want to eat, sleep and maybe do some mindless activity like play video games or watch TV, and possibly workout. So where does communication fit in? Sadly, it is not always at the top of the list. Even though they love you and miss you, your Soldier is tired and mentally exhausted. On top of that, there are time differences and differences in access to phones and computers. Please do not get the wrong impression; if he or she is not calling or emailing, it does not mean they do not love you or care for you. In fact, quite

the opposite is usually true. Unfortunately, here is one of the problems with a deployment we compare our situation with our

you talk with another spouse who mentions that her husband calls every day and that they talk on the

Here is a tip: when your Soldier does get in touch with you, do not complain about how long it has

informed about family and events. They will appreciate that. Try not to be discouraged when they run out

Congratulations on doing so well with the deployment! You are coming out of the shock and denial stage and moving on to acceptance. If there is anything I can do to assist you or your family, please call me at the chapel at CIV 0951-‐300-‐8326/1570. Grace and peace, CH (MAJ) Peter Strong Rear Detachment Chaplain

Communication

Home Front


Happenings in the FRG

Letter From Lisa Johnson

The last Thursday of every month is the Battalion FRG meeting. This is the best place to get ongoing infor-‐mation and to meet people from other companies. Child care is pro-‐vided. Just make sure to have your child registered with CYS and sign up for care through your FRG Leader.

5:30 at the Yellow Ribbon Room.

Some of the social groups had their first meeting last month. There is still plenty of space to join the groups. A few of the groups are, get fit, book club, scrap n chat, lunch bunch,

few. If you have any questions about the social groups contact your FRG Leader or Heather, your FRSA.

Home Front


Greetings to all the Wonderful BSB Spouses! I hope everyone has settled in nicely to the New Year 2010 the year our Soldiers return! That certainly gives us a reason to smile, as well as knowing that a quarter of the deployment is almost over. However, as the days have slowed down and the gray skies abundant, it may leave you feeling a little less motivated. We have to remember that we are ordinary spouses, doing extraordinary jobs! Taking care of the home front can often times be overwhelming. It is important to recognize this and get out and socialize with other spouses experiencing the same challenges. The battalion has established many social clubs for us to get together and have some fun! The groups in-clude the get fit club, walking group, Bunco, bowling, book club, playgroup, lunch bunch, day tripper travel club, and scrapbooking. It is a great way to meet other spouses in the battalion. If you are interested in join-ing any of these groups, please contact our FRSA, Heather Clark at [email protected] or 0951-3000-7704. There is also a group just for us on Facebook called 173rd BSB Spouses! It will be a great way for us to com-municate and stay connected during the deployment since our battalion is geographically separated. The purpose is to share information such as travel tips, events, restaurants, etc. Basically anything that would be helpful to other spouses in the battalion. If you have not joined please go and check it out! Thank you for everything that you do as a military spouse. You are doing a fabulous job, and I admire each one of you. Let us continue to be a source of encouragement and support for one another until our Para-troopers return safely home. Stay Strong, Lisa Johnson FRG Advisor

On 23 January some spouses started to clean up the FRG building. The next step is some more cleaning and setting up of the kids room. This is going to be great

have it at your place then check with Heather or LT. Comeaux and have it at the

in the room while you have your event out front. Same rules apply as in the Yel-‐low Ribbon Room but this is your building so take advantage of it and use it.

Some of the gang that did some cleaning.

Recipes for Mardi Gras

Courtesy of Alpha Company

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 cup skinless, boneless chicken breast halves -‐ chopped

1/2 pound pork sausage links, thinly sliced

1 cup olive oil

1 cup all-‐purpose flour

2 tablespoons minced garlic

3 quarts chicken broth

1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer

6 stalks celery, diced

4 roma (plum) tomatoes, diced

1 sweet onion, sliced

1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green Chile peppers, with liquid

2 tablespoons chopped fresh red Chile peppers

1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped

1/4 cup Cajun seasoning 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined Directions

-‐Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium high heat, and cook chicken until no longer pink and juices run clear. Stir in sausage, and cook until evenly browned. Drain chicken and sausage, and set aside.

-‐In a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat, blend olive oil and flour to create a roux. Stir constantly until browned and bubbly. Mix in garlic, and cook about 1 minute.

-‐Gradually stir chicken broth and beer into the roux mixture. Bring to a boil, and mix in celery, toma-‐toes, sweet onion, diced tomatoes with green chile peppers, red chile peppers, parsley, and Cajun seasoning. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer about 40 minutes, stirring often.

-‐Mix chicken, sausage, and shrimp into the broth mixture. Cook, stirring frequently, about 20 minutes

Home Front


King Cake

Ingredients

2 (.25 ounce) packages active dry yeast

1/2 cup white sugar

1 cup warm milk (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)

1/2 cup butter, melted

5 egg yolks

4 cups all-‐purpose flour

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

2 cups confectioners' sugar

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon multicolored candy sprinkles Directions

-‐In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and white sugar in warm milk. Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.

-‐Stir the egg yolks and melted butter into the milk mixture. In a separate bowl, com-‐bine the flour, salt, nutmeg and lemon zest. Beat the flour mixture into the milk/egg mixture 1 cup at a time. When the dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and supple, about 8 min-‐utes. Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in vol-‐ume, about 2 hours.

-‐In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese and 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar. Mix well. In another small bowl, combine the remaining 2 cups confectioners' sugar, lemon juice and 2 tablespoons milk. Mix well and set aside.

-‐Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Roll the dough out into a 6x30 inch rectangle. Spread the cream cheese filling across the center of the dough. Bring the two long edges together and seal completely. Using your hands shape the dough into a long cylinder and place on a greased baking sheet, seam-‐side down. Shape the dough into a ring press the baby into the ring from the bottom so that it is completely hidden by the dough. Place a well-‐greased 2 pound metal coffee can the center of the ring to maintain the shape during baking. Cover the ring with a towel and place in a warm place to rise until doubled in size, about 45 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

-‐Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Remove the coffee can and allow the bread to cool. Drizzle cooled cake with lemon/sugar glaze and decorate with candy sprinkles.

Do your kids have the winter blues and need to let out some energy?

!

Your inside scoop to local food, entertainment and fun activities for the whole family..

Courtesy of Bravo Co FRG

Franky-‐land is the perfect place to

let the kids burn off energy!

Ball pit and smaller kid area.

Burning some rubber

Bring them down to Franky-‐land!!!!!Franky-‐

called a Kinderspielparadies, located about

10 minutes from our main gate. A perfect

afternoon getaway filled with trampolines,

bouncing houses, go-‐carts and more! Prices

are very reasonable and you can pack your

own lunch. If you have a hankering for some

pommes frites (french fries), there is a bistro

upstairs that would be more than happy to

feed you and your family.

ADDRESS:

Memmelsdorferstr. 75

96052 Bamberg

Telefon: 0951 916 30 90

http://www.franky-‐land.de/

PRICES:

Adults: 2.00 Euro

Kids (1-‐3 years): M-‐F 2.50 Euro

Sat. & Sun. 3.50 Euro

Kids (4-‐12 years): M-‐F 3.50 Euro

Sat. & Sun. 4.50 Euro

HOURS:

Tues-‐Friday: 2pm-‐7pm

Sat., Sun. and Holidays: 12pm-‐7pm

Home Front


My great-grandfather died in the Spanish Influenza Pandemic of 1918. This was a highly virulent and deadly strain of Influenza A, subtype H1N1 that spread across the globe at the end of World War 1. It is estimated that it killed between 50-100 million people during its course. The 1918 flu made the immune systems of infected people overreact which may account for the worsened effects on healthy young adults with stronger immune systems. So when the Center for Dis-ease Control started tracking the emergence of a new H1N1 strain of Influenza A coming out of Mexico, it got a lot of concerned attention. With the elections over, the news media needed something to report, and H1N1 received even more "media hype" due to its potential as a viral pandemic. It turns out, thankfully, that the majority of the "media hype" concerning the current strain of H1N1 virus was overblown, and millions of people did not die. An unknown potential existed at the beginning of this outbreak. Now we know that yes, it does make people sick, but it is not as deadly a strain as the 1918 Spanish Flu.

Who should be immunized?

The 2009 H1N1 vaccine target groups includes pregnant women, people who live with or care for infants younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient contact, infants 6 months through young adults 24 years of age (especially children younger than 5 years of age), and adults 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 complications because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems. The Seasonal Flu shot does not cover the 2009 H1N1 virus. Each seasonal influenza vaccine contains three influenza viruses-one A (H3N2) virus, one regular seasonal A (H1N1) virus (not the 2009 H1N1 virus), and one B virus. The vi-ruses in the vaccine change each year based on international surveillance and scientists' estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year. About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against influenza virus infection develop in the body. So this year, you will need to get two different vaccines;; the Seasonal Flu and the H1N1. The flu season usually peaks in January and February, so get one soon! Stay Healthy! MAJ David Gann

Well it is not too late to head up to the clinic. No appointment needed just walk in, they can give you the regular vaccine and the H1N1. February is a peak month for the flu so guard your-‐self against it.

Health Section Courtesy of Charlie Company

Still need that Flu shot?

H1N1: What's the hype all about?

Home Front

5 February 2010 Lifeline's Corner Volume 1 Issue 1

During the deployment the Chapel is putting 3 retreats together for our Battalion, STB and 4-‐319th. It will be taking place at Edelweiss down in Garmisch. There will be limited spots for each one and it will be a first come first serve basis. Of course there will be a waiting list in case someone cancels then the next person on the list will be called to go. If we get spouses without kids that will be willing to share rooms than we can take more People. More information to come. Dates for retreats: March 27-‐29, June 11-‐13, September 24-‐26

TEASER:)

Well have we got a place for you to try. Ochsenkopf is about a 45 minute drive from Bamberg. It contains 2 sides, south and north. The south side is ideal for children and beginners while the north side is better for those that are more experienced. The valley part of the north side is at the entrance of Bischofsgruen, and

the valley part of the south side is in Fleckl near Warmensteinach. They are both by far the longest skiing opportunities in Franken. This is a great Saturday place to just go and ski and snowboard at.

Directions

Get on A70 towards Bayreuth, exit Marktredwitz B303 turn right.

Ochsenkopf south of north as signed out.

Operating Hours and Prices

Monday-‐Sunday 9:00am-‐4:00pm

Adults: All Day Card 19,50 Euro

Half Day Card 14,50 Euro

Kids (6-‐15 Years): All Day Card 14,50 Euro

Half Day Card 11,00 Euro

Travel Destinations Courtesy of HHC

Want a great place to go skiing/snowboarding?

Hill Info

Length: 1850M (approx 1.1miles)

Snow Level in cm: 20 (approx 7.5inches)

Preparation: Yes

Snow Bombs: Yes

Home Front

5 February 2010 Vanguard's Corner Volume 1 Issue 1

Need Skis/Snowboard???? ODR (Out Door Rec) has got them for you. Ski/Snowboard package: $19 per day/$35 per weekend/$75 per week. Pair of Skis/Snowboard: $15 per day/$25 per weekend/$50 per week. Location next to the CMR. Phone number 0951-‐300-‐8659/7450

Traveling in Italy Courtesy of our Rigger Platoon

Want to head to Italy for a weekend trip??? Then head down to Verona and visit the house of Romeo and Juliet.

about her life in the museum. Once done with that make sure to visit the Arena, a smaller functional version of the Coliseum, and an original Roman bridge. Verona is loaded with cafes to enjoy a pizza or a cappuccino while you are ex-‐ploring this historical city. Verona is easy to get to from the Vicenza base. Just head west on the Autostrada toward Milan then take the Verona exit. It is approximately 60 km from Vicenza, about a 45 minute drive. You can also take the train from Vicenza for about 7 Euro one way. If you head down for the week stay on base and venture out from there.

The Arena in Verona

RIP CORD!!!!!!!!

With great pleasure I would like to in-‐troduce to you your BSB FRG Mascot Rip Cord!!!! Rip Cord has started his journey here in Bamberg, Germany with dinner at the DFAC and his first FRG meeting. His next step is PDP and then off to Afghanistan. While in Afghanistan he will be traveling with our Soldiers to different FOBs. Make sure to track him on our Face-‐book page.

We just got the vehicle registrations in. Families can stop by S1 from 0930-‐1700 every day to pick up their registration (they are closed for lunch from 1130-‐1300). You will need to sign a log as proof of it having been issued out! The S1 Office is located in the Battalion Building located to the right of the FRG Building. Head in the set of doors on the right and it is the door at the top of the stairs on the right. If you have any questions about this matter please contact your FRSA Heather Clark 0951-‐300-‐7704.

With your Soldier being deployed you have two choices for your taxes this year. You can wait and file within 180 days upon their return or you can file them now. If you plan on filing while they are deployed you must have a General Power Of Attorney or a Special Power of Attorney that authorizes you to do so (this is if you do not have a General).

For Bamberg: opening day of the tax center is 1 February. Hours of operation: Monday-‐Friday 9:00am-‐4:00pm, walk-‐ins and scheduled appointments. Saturday (February only) 9:00am-‐11:00am appointments only. The tax center is lo-‐cated in Building 7000 (next to the CAC), 4th floor, phone number 0951-‐300-‐8261 (Bamberg).

For Vicenza: tax center is open for business. No appointment needed. Located in building 241, phone number 444-‐71-‐7041

Tax Season

General /Community Information

Home Front


Vehicle registrations

Fasching Party On Post

and just have some fun. The Garrison is hosting a Fasching party at the bowling alley on Friday February 5 at 3:00pm. From 3:00pm till 6:00pm are activities for kids. There will be Mardi Gras mask decorating, a costume contest and so much fun and entertainment. Adult focused activities will start at 6pm, however children are welcome to stay. There will be a DJ for music, Karaoke, Skits and bowling. Come join the fun!

Outdoor Recreation Trips

Trips through Outdoor Rec is the best way to travel and sightsee. The following trips are occurring in February: 4th Tour Under Bamberg, Cost $20 6th Learn to Snowboard $80 12-‐15th Solden Ski & Snowboard $285 13th Koln Kolschfest $45 20th Baden Baden Thermal Spa $45 27-‐28th Ski & Snowboard in Garmisch For more information on the trips please visit the usagbamberg.com home page or call 0951-‐300-‐8659/7450

BSCC Themed Basket Bingo

Come join the fun with BSCC Bingo. February 19, 2010 at Warner Conference Center. Doors open at 1800 hrs and games start at s is the

best time to start. For any further information on the BSCC check out their website at BSCCgermany.com.

Personal Opinion Disclaimer

This document was prepared as a service to the U.S. Army Forces Command community. Neither the United States Government nor any of its employees makes any warranty, expressed or implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, products, process, or services by trade name, trademark manufacturer, or other-‐wise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation or favoring by the United States Government. The opinions of the authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY 173rd Brigade Support Battalion

The following information is for Space A travel. If you have questions please contact Heather Clark at 0951-‐300-‐7704 or [email protected] or Ramstein Air Force Base at 06371-‐46-‐4440.

To take a Space A flight you need to have a valid passport, a letter stating that you are eligible for Space A from Rear-‐D commander LT. Comeaux and your military ID. You may get your letter through Heather Clark, just send an email with

Number, Passport Number and Expiration date of Passport (if you will be traveling with children the same info is needed for them) and a Next of Kin in the states-‐someone you are staying with. Once Heather has information and the signed letter from LT. Comeaux, she will call or email you to let you know you may pick it up at her office.

You may sign up 60 days out from the date you want to fly. You do this by emailing Ramstein at [email protected] and have your letter attached to the email. Heather can email the letter to you so that you have it on digits. Once signed up you just have to wait for the time you want to fly. The week before you want a flight start calling Ramstein and listen to the flights departing. You can find out how often they fly to certain places and then from there figure out a good day to head up there. Make sure to keep calling every four hours to make sure the time

present for the flight you want to get on. After roll call time they will post a list of who is on the list of possible seats. They then start to call names. If your name is called head to the line. You pay and give them your bags and you are good to go for the flight. Just head upstairs and wait for them to call to board the plane. You must pay a tax fee and they only take US Dollars, no cards.

To head back to Germany you must do the same thing just backwards for the place you want to fly out of in the states. If you are flying back from the same terminal give them your information when you arrive, if they are open.

The following is information on the places (and phone number) that Ramstein may fly to in the states:

Andres AFB, MD 301-‐981-‐1854 Scott AFB, IL 618-‐256-‐3017

Baltimore IAP, MD 410-‐918-‐6900 Travis AFB, CA 707-‐747-‐5703

Charleston, SC 843-‐963-‐3048 Jackson ARB, MS 601-‐405-‐8761

Dover AFB, DE 302-‐677-‐4088 McChord AFB, WA 253-‐982-‐7268

McGuire AFB, NJ 609-‐754-‐5023 Norfolk NS, VA 757-‐444-‐4148

Space A Travel

General /Community Information

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