Vol. 14, No. 22 November 17, 2006

Ansbach • Bamberg • Illesheim • Schweinfurt • Wuerzburg

by Jim HughesThe Point

The Ansbach Cougars, exorcising the demons of 2005, added an-other unbeaten gem to their dynasty with a 34-6 skinning of theAFNORTH Lions in the Department of Defense DependentsSchools-Europe Division III title game Nov. 4 in Baumholder.

Coming off a year when their record 28-game winning streakended as did a bid for four-peat championship, the “young and in-experienced” Cougars weren’t going to let history repeat itself.

“It feels wonderful,” said Coach Marcus George. “I’m happy forthe players – it’s the players’ team, not ours. Ownership is half the

battle. When they feel like it’s their team, they’re going to fight theother teams tooth and nail.”

The Cougars needed that fighting spirit in the beginning of the ti-tle game as it resembled last year’s game when the Cougars mademistake after mistake. They found themselves behind for the firsttime this year, 6-0, midway through the first quarter.

“I was wondering how in the heck we were going to get the jobdone,” George said. “At the start we played like our youth and inex-perience–fumbles, missed coverages, penalties.”

See DYNASTY on Page 19

Ansbach returns to Division III throne

Dynasty!

Jim Hughes

The Ansbach Cougars bask in the glory of winning the DoDDS Division III championship for the fourth time in five years.

Calendar2d BCT arrives in Baghdad

Army increases female weight limit, standards remain sameby Michelle L. GordonArmy News Service

Weight limits for female Soldiers havechanged to incorporate current research regard-ing differences between male and female bodytypes.

The change allows most females to weigh 5 to19 pounds more under Army Regulation 600-9,“The Army Weight Control Program,” which es-tablishes guidance for body-fat standards withinthe Army.

“Training NCOs were telling us they had beenneedlessly taping female Soldiers,” said HankMinitrez, public affairs officer for the Army G-1 Human Resources Policy Directorate. “Itseems women were failing the weight portion ofthe test, but they were well under the maximum

body-fat percentage allowed for their age group.In fact, we found that more than half of all fe-male Soldiers who were taped did not need tobe.”

A team of physicians and scientists was ap-pointed to find a better way to measure body fatin women, who carry weight differently thanmales, Minitrez said.

“We took their findings and changed thescreening weight table for female Soldiers. Thescreening table weight is the maximum you canweigh before you have to be taped or tested forbody-fat percentage,” he said.

Instead of being taped at the wrist, forearm,neck and hips, females will now be taped aroundthe abdomen, neck and hips.

“Measuring the abdomen will give a more ac-curate portrayal of a female Soldier’s body-fat

percentage,” Minitrez said. “We don’t want fatSoldiers, we want fit Soldiers. The tape test isstill going to help determine body-fat and fitnesslevels compared to lean muscle-mass levels.”

Repercussions for Soldiers failing to meetArmy weight standards remain unchanged. Theywill still be enrolled in the Army Weight ControlProgram, through which Soldiers seek counsel-ing from a nutritionist on eating properly and in-corporating exercise into their daily routines.They must also receive a blood test from their lo-cal military treatment facility to rule out medicalproblems.

Enrollment in the program does not prohibit aSoldier from deployment, but it does preventpositive actions such as awards or attendance atprofessional development schools.

“The program is designed to assist Soldiers in

creating a healthy, fit lifestyle that the Army re-quires in a time of war,” Minitrez said. “We wantall of our Soldiers to be Army Strong.”

The revised AR 600-9 was published Sept. 1and implemented Oct. 2, but Army leaders de-cided to give active-duty and reserve-compo-nent Soldiers a six-month transitional period.March 31 is the mandatory effective date.

“This revision didn’t happen overnight,”Minitrez said. “Researchers have been workingfor at least a decade to determine if current sys-tems of measuring body fat were the best sys-tems out there. Research is always ongoing andthe Army, just like any other agency, has to keepevolving and using the latest data available –whether it’s with equipment, technology or inthis case, medicine.”

by Sgt. Lance Wail2nd BCT Public Affairs

The arrival of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division (2dBCT), to the Multi-National Division–Baghdad area of operation in themiddle of October marked the beginning of a deployment for onebrigade and the end for another.

The Soldiers of 2d BCT arrived in Baghdad after months of rigor-ous training and preparations for deployment.

“The Dagger Brigade is the finest trained organization I have everbeen a part of,” said Col. J.B. Burton, brigade commander. “We are rep-resented by well-trained warriors and leaders. We are well-equippedand competent to complete the mission. Working with the Iraqi armyand Iraqi police to remove any threats will be one of the main focusesof the incoming brigade.”

“Our maintaining the relationship that 2d BCT, 1st Armored Divi-sion, has established is important,” Burton said, adding that his teammust continue to show pride, discipline and dignity in everything theydo.

The movement from Kuwait to Iraq was the next step in a missionthat the brigade has been preparing for.

“I am looking forward to coming out here and getting the experi-ence,” said Spc. Brian Hudock, Headquarters and Headquarters Bat-tery, 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment.

The 2d BCT spent about five weeks training in Kuwait before the

move to Baghdad.“We hit the ground at Camp Buehring running, and we will keep go-

ing while we are here,” said Capt. James Egan, also from HHB.“I am glad to be in Iraq,” said Sgt. Kelly Bandy, HHB Personnel Se-

curity Detachment.

Sgt. Lance Wail

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery regiment loadtheir bags onto a truck at Baghdad International Airport af-ter their flight from Kuwait

Wuerzburg American High School presents“The Odd Couple” Nov. 30 – Dec. 2.

Nov. 17 – Jazz, Swing, Bossa Nova and Samba mu-sic with Hansi Strahl Orchestra, ClubKaulberg, Kaulberg Str., Bamberg, 9 p.m.

Nov. 18 – Country blues singer Willie Salomon per-forms during Bamberg’s “12 Guitar Days”at the Neue Palais, Luitpold Str. 40a, at 8p.m. Ticket €15. Info: www.bvd-ticket.de

Nov. 19 – Candlelight Piano Music with Ralf Geb-hardt, Café Express, Aus Str., Bamberg,7:30 p.m.

– Blue grass, folk, pop and rock music withFlorian Baessler, Blues Bar, Sand Str.,Bamberg, 9 p.m. Entry is free.

Nov. 23-25 – Nuernberg, historic medieval market atthe Weisser Turm

Nov. 25-26 – Traditional cultural harp and dulcimer mu-sic with Capella Antiqua, Schloss Werns-dorf (near Bamberg), Nov. 25 at 6 p.m.,Nov. 26 at 5 p.m.

Nov. 25-Dec. 3 – “Wuerzburger Bachtage”, classical musicconcerts, St. Johanniskirche, website:www.bachtage-wuerzburg.de

Thru Jan. 14, 2007 – “The roaring 50’s” exhibit at Marktbreit’sMalerwinklerhaus museum. Call 09323-40546.

Area NSPS Town Hall ScheduleNov. 30 – Wuerzburg, 10 a.m.-noon, 1–3 p.m.Dec. 12 – Bamberg, 9-11 a.m., noon-2 p.m.Jan. 5 – Ansbach, 10 a.m.-noon, 1–3 p.m.Jan. 10 – Schweinfurt – 10 a.m.-noon, 1-3 p.m.(Provided by U.S. Army, Europe, G-1)

Holiday breakThe Department of Defense Education Activity (Do-

DEA) has adjusted the winter holiday break to begin at theclose of school Wednesday, Dec. 20. Classes will resumeMonday, Jan. 8, 2007.

Let BOSS knowSoldiers can voice their opinion through a BOSS online

survey (go to: www.mwr-europe.com and click the BOSSlogo). The survey takes less than five minutes and Soldierscan weigh in on what activities they would like to partici-pate in, what their interests are, activity preferences, im-pressions of the BOSS program, and changes they’d liketo see.

Join Soldier ShowSoldier-entertainers have until Dec. 29 to apply for an

audition for the 2007 U.S. Army Soldier Show. The ArmyEntertainment Division in Alexandria, Va., is looking forentertainers and technicians. Active duty, National Guardand Reserve Component Soldiers are eligible for the en-semble production that provides “entertainment for theSoldier, by the Soldier” during a six-month tour of Armyinstallations. Applicants must be deployable worldwide.Audition applications must reach the following address nolater than Dec. 29: U.S. Army Soldier Show, ATTN: 2007Selection Committee, P.O. Box 439, Fort Belvoir, Va.,22060. More information about the auditions is at:www.armymwr.com/portal/news/.

Special Forces wants youU.S. Army Special Forces seeks male officer volun-

teers from year group 2004. Officer packets will be ac-cepted until Feb. 15, 2007, but early submission is recom-mended. For more information go to: www.bragg.army.mil/specialforces/.

Some cribs bannedMany European countries have a tradition of making

nativity scenes at Christmas. The natural products used tomake them are often banned from import to the UnitedStates because agricultural pests could be nested in them.

Shoppers should know that they can be fined $100 ormore if they mail scenes that contain moss, bark,pinecones, untreated straw or other materials found to con-tain insects. Nativity scenes produced with stripped wood,plastic, or commercially cleaned and lacquered straw canbe sent.

Milestones

Be thankful,safe, andenjoyyourturkey

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.I enjoy Thanksgiving because it is the one holiday that brings

us together each year for the specific purpose of being thankfulfor the many blessings we have received throughout the year.

There are no gifts or gimmicks involved – just good food,good company and good times.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this year, each of us should allstop and reflect on our blessings – the blessings that have beenbestowed on us by our families and friends, blessings passed

down from generations that we hold dear, and blessings and free-doms that we fight to preserve. These are the blessings all Amer-icans share.

Here overseas, Thanksgiving is also a time for us to reach outto our German friends and neighbors and ask them to be part ofour Thanksgiving celebrations. The concept of a day of thanks-giving is certainly not lost on our German hosts. Their day ofthanksgiving is celebrated earlier than ours, usually around thetime the fall harvest is in. Thanksgiving – the concept of givingthanks for all that we have, the act of giving gratitude and beinggracious – are qualities that I believe strike to the very essenceof our human nature. I think we are perhaps better people be-cause we are able to understand this concept and can show oursincere gratitude for the abundant life we have.

So, as you celebrate this Thanksgiving, wherever you may be– over a meal with friends and colleagues in your local dining fa-cility, at home with family and friends stopping by, or on a skitrip or some other getaway with others who share the same in-terest – the bottom line is always the same: We have much to bethankful for.

I also appreciate Thanksgiving because it is celebrated duringNative American Indian Heritage Month. This holiday has itsroots in pilgrim times, in the early 1600s, when Native Ameri-can Indians helped early American settlers through a long, coldNew England winter. You know the story. It’s taught in our ele-mentary schools.

We should be thankful for all acts of kindness – and showkindness in return. The kindness Native American Indians ex-hibited to the starving and freezing American settlers that coldwinter in 1620, providing them with food and shelter and wel-coming them into their homes to share their harvest feast, is anenduring kindness that has not been diminished by time.

In fact, I think the spirit of Thanksgiving is stronger today thanit has ever been. We are certainly more aware of our various cul-tural heritages, more aware of each other, and I like to think thatthis understanding has allowed us to have more compassion foreach other.

Enjoy the four-day weekend that Thanksgiving brings. Staysafe. Be good to each other. And be thankful for all the blessingsthat you have.

Team of Teams!

RUSSEL D. SANTALAColonel, Air Defense ArtilleryCommander, U.S. Army Europe RegionTransformation Group(Nord Bayern)(Provisional)

2 The Point, November 17, 2006 Team of Teams!

What’s The Point?

Commentary by Lt. Col. WayneShanks

WASHINGTON (Army News Service)– I have to admit when I first heard ‘ArmyStrong’ I thought, “That’s it?” But as I’vethought about it, Army Strong is muchmore than two words. It represents thebest of the Army; the best of America; thebest of each and every Soldier.

I think Army Strong works better if youimply “I am, You are or We are” ArmyStrong, but what does it mean to be ArmyStrong?

Army Strong is more than muscles; it’sthe Soldiers who can endure long patrolsconstantly alert for hidden dangers, or runfaster and further than they ever thoughtthey could.

Army Strong is more than sheer mili-tary might (tanks, helicopters, artillery,missiles, etc…); it’s the Soldiers whodrive, fly or shoot all that hardware.

Army Strong is more than completingtough training; it’s parachuting out of anairplane at 800 feet when you’re scared todeath of heights.

Army Strong is more than being smart;it’s having the knowledge and tenacity todevelop a way to solve seemingly impos-sible problems.

Army Strong is more than combat op-erations that destroy an enemy; it’s the

Soldiers and leaders who plan and executeit – it’s Boots on the Ground.

Army Strong is more than the pungentsmell of burnt gunpowder after a firefight;it’s the Soldiers whose well-aimed fireprotected their buddies.

Army Strong is more than intelligencesystems, UAVs and GPS; it’s the Soldierswho bring that information to the leaderswho can use it to stop an insurgent attack.

Army Strong is more than beans, bul-lets and repair parts; it’s the Soldiers whoship, manage, prepare, repair and move allthe things that keep the Army rollingalong.

Army Strong is more than just doingwhat’s right; it’s the Army values embod-ied by Soldiers who carry out their dutieseveryday.

Army Strong is more than a “WelcomeHome” sign taped to a fence; it’s the“Daddy, daddy, daddy!” yelled across atarmac late at night and a long embrace atthe end of a deployment.

Army Strong is more than an individualSoldier’s strength; it’s the teamwork of awell-trained squad executing actions oncontact.

In short, Army Strong is far more thantwo words; it’s the underlying moral fiber,the deep-seated emotions and the total de-termination every Soldier carries.

No one can stop this team – it’s ArmyStrong.

Thumbs up to the Army and Air Force ExchangeService for putting a Pizza Hut in the Bamberg FoodCourt. That’s the savviest business move they’ve

made in recent memory.Richard Henricks

Pizza connoisseur in Bamberg

Congratulations to Tim Snyder, Sigrid Hotaling,Maria Bianco, Toufic Alhaj, Achim Ohlenschlager,Peter Bonnet, Wolfgang Froehling, Manfred Brun-ner, Michael Backmund, Petra Loth, KennethGunn, Vincent Read, Peter Schenk, Randall Kem-

plin and Eileen Hipe, who received Certificates ofAppreciation for their outstanding acquisition plan-ning support following the transfer of contractual au-thority from USAG Franconia to USAG Schweinfurtfor service contracts in the Wuerzburg area.

Why call it ‘Army Strong?’

Ansbach • Bad Kissingen • Bamberg • Giebelstadt • Illesheim • Kitzingen • Schweinfurt • Wuerzburg

Producer: MILCOM Advertising AgencyRoswitha Lehner

Zeilaeckerstrasse 35 · 92637 WeidenTelefax 0961-67050-32

Internet: www.milcom.deFree classifieds 0931-2964397 · Fax The Point 0931-2964626

THE POINT is an authorized unofficial Army newspaper, published every two weeksunder provisions of AR 360-1, for members of U.S. Army Garrisons Ansbach, Bam-berg, Schweinfurt and Franconia. A commercial enterprise, THE POINT is printed byMILCOM Advertising Agency, a private firm in no way connected with the UnitedStates Government or Department of Defense. The contents of THE POINT do notnecessarily reflect the official views or endorsement of the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Army.The appearance of advertising, including inserts and supplements, does not con-stitute endorsement by the Department of Defense. Everything advertised in THEPOINT shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard torace, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit characteristic of the purchaser, user orpatron.Editorial content is provided, prepared and edited by the Public Affairs Office of theEuropean Transformation Group. Editorial offices are located in building 208,Faulenberg Kaserne, Wuerzburg, Germany, telephone DSN 351-4564 or CIV 0931-296-4564. Mailing address: Editor – THE POINT, European Transformation GroupPAO, CMR 475, APO AE 09036. By e-mail: roger.teel1@us.army.mil or scott.rouch@us.army.mil. Circulation is 8,000 copies per issue.

Col. Russel D. Santala Donald KlingerCommander Public Affairs Officer

Roger Teel Scott RouchEditor Assistant Editor

European Transformation Group – Faulenberg Kaserne, 351-4749 or 0931-296-4749Command Information Officer ................................................................. Larry Reilly

USAG Ansbach – Building 5257, Barton Barracks, 468-7649 or 0981-183-649Command Information Officer ................................................................. Jim HughesVolunteer Journalist.................................................................................. Emily Gourgues

USAG Bamberg – Building 7089, Warner Barracks, 469-7581 or 0951-300-7581Command Information Officer ................................................................. Cheryl Boujnida

USAG Schweinfurt – Building 354-6381, CIV 09721-96-6381)Command Information Officer ................................................................. Mark HeeterJournalist ................................................................................................... Kimberly Gearhart

Street talk: Photos by The Point staff

Pvt. Ray Parker, 1st Battalion18th Infantry Regiment, ConnBarracks, Schweinfurt“That I found where myfamily is. I haven’t seenthem since I was 17 – forfive years. I put my sis-ter’s name on My-Space.com, and herface popped up. Shegave me the number formy dad. It was a before-Christmas miracle.

What are you most thankful for this Thanksgiving?

Staff Sgt. Thomas Drew, USAGBamberg emergency opera-tions center, Warner Barracks“I’m very thankful forhealth, love and happi-ness.”

Ted Stanphill, AAFES employ-ee, Barton Barracks, Ansbach“I am thankful for myfamily -– my wife andmy son – and that every-one is healthy and hap-py.”

Sgt. 1st Class Ryszard Sahli,54th Engineer Battalion, Warn-er Barracks, Bamberg“I am thankful for myfamily’s good health andthat we were able tomake a successful tran-sition from Fort Hood,Texas to Bamberg.”

Regina Reeder, mail clerk, Kat-terbach Kaserne, Ansbach“That my husband is go-ing to be home with usthis Thanksgiving. Lastyear he was deployed toAfghanistan.”

Debby Pedroza, Army Commu-nity Service Center, LedwardBarracks, Schweinfurt“In spite of this lastyear, I’m still here, andI’ve had good friendswho have seen methough it. I’m thankfulfor the friends who havestuck by me to help.”

Julie Brandt, Army CommunityService Center, Ledward Bar-racks, Schweinfurt“Family definitely andGod’s provision in ourlives for everything weneed and for choco-late.”

Steven Pedroza, 10, familymember, 57th Signal Company,Conn Barracks, Schweinfurt“For the family Godgave me and my friendsand the nice home I gotand that’s about it.”

Thumbs

Commentary by Kimberly GearhartThe Point

Thanksgiving is here again. As you head to the DFAC tohave your commander serve you your turkey dinner, or youhead back to the States to celebrate with your family there –wherever you choose to celebrate this year – when you bowyour head in thanks, don’t forget to thank a Soldier.

We are all part of a military community, and one wouldthink that we, of all people, wouldn’t need to be reminded tothank the sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, brothersand sisters, who stand and deliver the freedoms we so oftentake for granted. Consider this your reminder.

When I talk to strangers and they learn my husband is de-ployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, they nearlyalways say, “Oh, you poor thing.” They are often fellow mil-itary spouses and they can relate, or so they say. It is easy tofall into believing that I am deserving of some sort of pity.

In reality, though, I am not. My husband is deserving ofpraise. His Soldiers, his brethren, and their families are de-serving of praise – and thanks – for the sacrifices they makeevery day.

Close up, we often only see the hardship before us. Withour spouses, lovers, deployed friends, we focus on our per-

sonal losses rather than larger truths. Sometimes enlighten-ment comes from surprising places.

Last week I had occasion to call the States and speak to acustomer service representative about one of my husband’saccounts. I had to explain that I was handling his affairs, ashe was not available. When pressed as to why, I simply ex-plained that he was deployed.

I had braced myself for the “poor thing” reaction, and wasshocked when the woman at the other end of the line insteaddid not comment but simply went about the business of thecall.

At the end of my call, the anonymous person, the voiceon the other side of the ocean, reminded me of why my hus-band fights, and exactly why I am proud of him, and thoselike him, every day.

“Tell your husband that our prayers are with him. Tellhim we appreciate him, and hope for his safe return,” shesaid.

She thanked him simply because he is a Soldier. She re-minded me of what is special about being a Soldier, aboutbeing a member of the military community.

Take a moment this Thanksgiving to remember your Sol-diers, your friends, and your family. They fight so that wehave something to be thankful for.

Don’t forget to ‘Thank a Soldier’

Scott Rouch (2)

Spc. James Larsen examines EugeneRingo’s teeth at the 2006 WuerzburgRetiree Health and Dental Fair.

Retirees get physicalby Scott RouchThe Point

One hundred and twenty area military retirees andtheir family members took part in the 2006 WuerzburgRetiree Health and Dental Fair held Nov. 8.

To get a jump on the services being provided, manylined up well before the Wuerzburg Health Clinicopened its doors at 8 a.m. Services included immuniza-tions and blood analysis, but the big draw was dentalscreenings.

“The dental is the most attractive,” said Dan Riley,who retired from active duty in 2000. “I’ve been to every(retiree health fair) since 2001. This is a day I can pro-vide for the whole family,” he said, with son Dan anddaughter Katherine in tow.

“It’s an opportunity for me to get everything done,”said Danny Dixon. “I’m making a whole day of it, doingone thing at a time.”

Held just prior to Veterans Day, the fair was anotherway for providers to give back to the retiree community.

“The big thing for me is the vets,” said Maj. Floreyce Palmer, chiefnurse. “One of the reasons I came on active duty was to take care of thosewho have given so much for us.”

“The fair is good. It’s treatment you can’t get on a normal basis,” saidBilly Barber, who added he hoped this fair wouldn’t be the last inWuerzburg.

Focal Points The Point, November 17, 2006 3

Jim Hughes

Sandra Wilson

Scott Rouch

Roger Teel

Rabia NombambaGoing nativeAlec Schrours, Perry Cannon and Doug Erickson,Rainbow Elementary School students, take part in theNative American Heritage Month after-school activi-ties Nov. 13. The activities included coloring NativeAmerican scenes, sampling cultural foods and a classon Native Americans in Alaska. This event is part of aseries of after-school cultural celebrations the schoolhas planned to celebrate American diversity.

Courtesy 2d BCT PAODownrangeSchweinfurt Soldier Pfc. Andrew Sawyer, 1st platoon,Team Bravo Tank, Task Force 1-26 Infantry, providessecurity during a successful mission to capture keypersonnel in an insurgent terrorist cell in Baghdad.

Above, Col. Timothy J. Edens, 12th Combat AviationBrigade commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. HectorG. Marin salute after laying a wreath in front of theflag during Veteran’s Day ceremonies on Katterbachflightline Nov. 9.

Right, Boy Scout Josh Glaze and Troy Purdin, juniorvice commander, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post

10658, stand in honor of those who served after lay-ing the Veterans’ Day wreaths in Schweinfurt.

Candles of knowledgeThirteen Wuerzburg American MiddleSchool students were inducted in the Na-tional Junior Honor Society Nov. 1 in an af-ter-school ceremony. Bavaria District Su-perintendent Michael Thompson wasguest speaker and inspired inductees andothers in attendance with words of wis-dom he collected over the years. In-ductees, from right, were: AlexanderAbuel, Luqman Alhaj, Lucy Chavez,Nathan Chavez, Shannon Donnelly, BrianHannum, Taylor Knowles, Emily Manches-ter, Kelly Marshall, Jesse Merkley,Jazzmon Neil, Jaclyn Rondon and OliviaTeel (lighting candle).

Royalty visitsWendy Sledd, Mrs. Europe Galaxy 2007, and HeatherJackelen, Miss Galaxy 2007, pose for a photo withBobbie Manchester as Nadine Stacey focuses hercamera. Sledd and Jackelen visited with WuerzburgAmerican Middle School students Nov. 13, revealingpersonal experiences that helped shape them, tookquestions from students, posed for pictures andsigned autographs.

Health Promotions coordinator Johanna Edwards explains procedures to re-tirees as they arrive.

Saluting all veteransWanted: Your photosThe 2006 U.S. Army Photography Contest is nowaccepting entries. Enter your favorite digital im-ages to compete against the best photographersin the Army. Categories are: people, place, object,military life, experimental. Go to www.armymwr.com for an entry form and contest rules. Entrydeadline is Dec. 31. Entries (photo CDs) will besubmitted through your local arts and crafts cen-ter or community recreation office. You can alsosubmit your photos to The Point for publication onthis page. See the submission guidelines at thebottom of page 2.

8 The Point, November 17, 2006 U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach (Illesheim, Katterbach)

Ideas improve community lifeby Jim HughesThe Point

The Army Family Action Plan givescommunity members the opportunity toshare their ideas on how to make life betterat the installation, in the Army and even mil-itary wide.

Gold boxes with AFAP forms alongsideare at Army Community Service facilities,yellow ribbon rooms and commissaries onKatterbach and Storck Barracks, and atEddie’s on Bismarck Kaserne, said PamLindenmeyer, USAG Ansbach AFAP man-ager.

She added that AFAP issue forms will besent out via e-mail distribution lists for peo-ple to submit directly to her.

“This is a chance for people to have theirvoices heard,” Lindenmeyer said. “We wantto know about their issues and problems –and especially their recommended solutionsto those things.”

AFAP gives members of the Army familya process to voice their quality of life con-cerns and to suggest ideas to solve thoseconcerns.

To make your voice heard, fill out one of the issue forms byFeb. 1, 2007. The key is the solution to the problem.

“If you’re just telling me about an issue, then it is just a gripe,”Lindenmeyer said. “We need to know how you think the prob-lem should be solved, too.”

An AFAP steering committee will form in December andbegin looking at submitted issues. Valid issues that can be fixedlocally are fixed; issues that require a higher level of approvalwill be dealt with at the AFAP conference in February.

At the conference, community delegates will brainstorm the issues, meet with subject matter experts and decide which is-sues will be sent to higher headquarters for possible implementa -tion.

“Every issue that is put into a box will belooked at on at least the local level,” Lin-denmeyer said.

Dawn Robinette, local AFAP marketer,highlighted some things that have changedbecause of the AFAP process:

– Servicemen’s Group Life Insurance in-creases

– Basic allowance for housing increases– Thrift Savings Plan opened for the mil-

itary– Family separation allowance increased– Programs like Better Opportunities for

Single Soldiers and Army Family TeamBuilding were born.

Issues dealt with locally include beingable to cross from Katterbach to BismarckKasernes without an ID check, keeping mil-itary class dates from conflicting with holi-days, and traffic changes at Illesheim’s childcare center to create a safer environment.

“While the bureaucracy and other stuffcan be a hurdle and make some people won-der why they should bother, they have tolook at what has been accomplished through

the program,” Robinette said. “Why not take that shot at makingthings better for you and possibly a lot of other people? All ittakes is putting your brainpower onto a piece of paper.”

Lindenmeyer said people can leave their names off theirforms, but added that names are helpful if the AFAP team needsmore information.

“If you fill out your form and your issue and solution are clear,then you’re done,” she said. “The bottom line is that with thespeed the Army is doing things these days, we need to make surewe take that kind of pace in reference to our quality of life aswell.”

For more information about AFAP, check out the garrison webpage at www.ansbach.army.mil/sites/services/afap.asp or callLindenmeyer at 467-2883 or 09802-832-883.

Ansbach cheerleaders help children’s clinicby Sandra HansonThe Point

The Ansbach Cougar CheerleaderTeam and Cheer Club helped raisemoney for the Cnopf’sche Children’sClinic in Nuernberg – a clinic for chil-dren with cancer.

The Cougar cheerleaders, who wonthe Department of Defense Depen-dents Schools-Europe cheerleadercompetition last year, and the cheer-leaders-in-training performed for aGerman audience at a public gymna-sium in Herrieden Oct. 28.

Cougars coach Mike Jimerson saidhe and the teenagers were happy togive up a day of their weekend to sup-port a good cause.

“I think our performance gave theGermans a small glimpse of whatAmerican girls are interested in,” hesaid. “It’s time that we gave back tothe community. They have supportedAmericans all these years and now wehave a chance to support them.”

The girls agreed.“I think it’s important to lift peo-

ple’s spirits,” said Shantel Moore, 17.Carolina Larmeu, 17, added that

raising spirits is what they do.“After all, we are spirit leaders, and

we want people to support the fightagainst cancer,” she said. “They werea good audience. I think we were ableto show America in a different waybecause most people just see guys inuniform and not the children.”

With several other performinggroups ahead of them and an addi-tional delay, the cheerleaders had timeto warm up, watch other groups andget a feel for the stage.

Their initial concern was the ceil-ing above the stage might be too lowfor their stunts, but this was un-founded when they performed their15-minute routine that included vari-ous basket tosses, jumps and dance el-ements.

The audience seemed to enjoy theperformance and gave the girls cheersand applause.

“We were received pretty well. Ithink they got a good insight into whatAmerican cheerleading is all about,”said Janeen Gethers, 16.

Ellen Ganster, the event organizer,said the event was a great success.

“Each participant contributed tothe audience’s enthusiasm,” Ganstersaid. “The cheerleaders were one ofour highlights this year – thank you!”

Area DFACs prepare for Thanksgiving feasts Nov. 22by Emily GourguesThe Point

Dining facilities in USAG Ansbach will offer home cookedspecialties this Thanksgiving, but will serve the meal on Nov. 22instead of Nov. 23.

DFACs on Katterbach, Illesheim and Shipton Kasernes willhost feasts for Soldiers and their families.

Staff Sgt. Antonio Jackson, Illesheim dining facility manager,said the move to Wednesday was so food service workers couldspend the holiday with their families.

“I’ve known Soldiers who have been in the Army for yearsand have never once been home on Thanksgiving,” he said.

Though it’s a day early, Jackson doubts anyone will mind,thanks to the festive ideas they have planned.

“We ordered new Thanksgiving decorations –- tables willhave white tablecloths with centerpieces, cornucopias, ginger-bread houses, ice sculptures – we’ll try to make it as nice as wepossibly can with a homey atmosphere because to a lot of peo-ple this is their home.”

While making people feel at home and everything look nice,on Thanksgiving it’s still all about the food.

The DFACS will serve a smorgasbord of holiday specialties.Knowing that different cultures, religions and geographicalbackgrounds all have traditional dishes, Jackson realizes makingeveryone happy will be a challenge.

“We know we can’t please everyone, but we’ll sure try to,” hesaid.

With a menu that includes turkey, ham, shrimp cocktail, kingcrab legs, Cornish hens, roast beef, vegetables, salads, breads

and numerous desserts, the DFAC staff is giving it their best ef-fort.

Lots of food is necessary, Jackson explained, because he ex-pects around 600 Soldiers and family members this year. Howmany turkeys will it take to feed such a large group? Jacksonlaughed and said, “A lot.”

DFAC crews start planning this meal months in advance; plac-ing food orders, making centerpieces and ordering decorations.

Jackson gathers a nightcrew together the day beforethe feast to do all the foodpreparations, saying they doa lot of things you would dothe night before at home,like preparing the turkeyand chopping vegetables.When the crew arrives in thenext morning, it’s just a mat-ter of putting things in theoven and all the finaltouches.

“That whole time ispretty hectic. It’s one mealyou never want to mess up,”he said.

Army tradition calls forthe chain of command toserve the Thanksgivingmeal. Soldiers will see their

commanders, sergeants major, senior noncommissioned officersand senior officers wearing aprons and doling out mashed pota-toes and gravy.

“I’ve seen it bring smiles to Soldiers’ faces when they see theirfirst sergeant or colonel in a different capacity than they normallysee them,” Jackson said.

Everyone is welcome to the Thanksgiving Day feast at a costof $5 per person from noon to 3 p.m. at all three DFACs

Kids answer call,clean, beautifyStorck Barracksby Emily GourguesThe Point

About 30 Storck Barracks children answered theIllesheim Area Support Team’s call on Calling All Kids dayNov. 8, and spent the day raking leaves and picking up trash.

The day started as volunteers gathering at ConstitutionPark to rake leaves and pick up sticks, said Sherry Holden,AST administrative assistant.

“The event is for the kids to experience and play a part inbeautifying the community,” Holden explained.

Frequent hot chocolate breaks during the morning keptfingers warm and helpers motivated.

“After this, we go around post and pick up trash,” said 11-year-old Casey Fallin. “This is a fun community thing.”

With Storck Barracks spruced up and litter-free, the dayended with lunch and a game of bowling at Apache Lanes.

“I volunteered because it’s fun and you get to help thecommunity,” said Aleeyah Hardwick, 11. “And you getprizes.”

An added incentive, the children will receive a certificateof recognition at the elementary school’s awards ceremony.

Volunteerism is what the event was all about, Holdensaid.

“It’s built around volunteers – the kids, adults and vari-ous organizations – all volunteered their time and re-sources,” she said. “The AST provided the food, the diningfacility cooked the hotdogs, the commissary donated thepaper products, family readiness groups gave us cookies,and the Illesheim Spouses’ and Civilians’ Club donatedmoney for prizes.”

The program is not new to the community.“We do Calling All Kids two times a year – during spring

and fall clean-ups. Last spring we didn’t do it because withreintegration going on things were just too busy.”

“But,” she added, “they’re back at it and the communitylooks better because of it.”

Emily GourguesAleeyah Hardwick, 11, and Casey Fallin, 11, workwith other community children to beautify StorckBarracks during Calling All Kids day.

Jim HughesAn example of last year’s Thanksgiving decorations at the Katterbach Dining Facility.

Emily GourguesPam Lindenmeyer says people canuse the Army Family Action Planforms to raise issues and proposesolutions for things that affecttheir quality of life.

Sandra HansonThe Ansbach Cougar cheerleaders andcheer club perform at a fund-raising eventOct. 28 at the Herrieden public gym.

Heating outageWork on an expansion of the child care center

will cause a heating outage throughout Katter-bach housing Nov. 21 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call467-2127 or 09802-83-2375.

Main Street ChristmasStorck Barracks hosts its Main Street Christ-

mas celebration Dec. 1 at 5 p.m. at the IllesheimChapel, with entertainment, fresh-cut Christmastrees, and food and beverage sales. Call 467-2515or 09841-83-4515.

Temporary closureIllesheim’s POV inspection station is closed

through Feb. 9 for renovations. The Barton Bar-racks inspection station (building 5262) is openMon-Fri from 7:15 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to 3.30p.m. For more information, call 0931-889-7624.

Retiree health dayKatterbach Health Clinic’s retiree health and

dental day is Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Call 467-2223 or 09802-83-2223.

Mandatory trainingAll those holding a non-tactical vehicle license

for government vehicles must complete winterdriving orientation. For more information, call467-3702 or 09802-83-3702.

Free bowlingFamilies enrolled in the Exceptional Family

Member Program can bowl free the secondThursday each month at the Illesheim bowlingalley, and the fourth Thursday each month at theKatterbach bowling alley from 5 to 7 p.m. CallPortia Jackson at 467-8516 or 09802-832-516 tosign up.

Ski a dayODR offers a one-day ski trip Nov. 25 for $49

per person including rentals. Call 467-3225 or09802-83-3225.

Dental appointmentsAppointments for basic restorative procedures

for family members are available at Illesheim

Dental Clinic on a space-available basis. An examwithin the past year is necessary. Patients withcomprehensive treatment needs will be referredoff post. Call 09841-83-4641.

Let your voice be heardThose with suggestions to improve the Army

can pick up an Army Family Action Plan issueform at any Army Community Service facility,commissaries, dining facilities and Eddie’s Place.Gold boxes are set up throughout the communityfor people to place their issues with solutions. Is-sues will be addressed at the annual AFAP con-ference Feb. 13-14. Call ACS at 467-2370 or 09802-83-2370.

Autism Support GroupThe Autism Support Group meets every third

Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. at the IllesheimACS, and meets every third Wednesday fromnoon to 1 p.m. at the Katterbach ACS. Call PortiaJackson at 467-8516 or 09802-83-2516.

Shop for ChristmasODR offers a one-day shopping and sightsee-

ing trip to Karlovy Vary/Cheb, Czech, Dec. 2. Par-ticipants must have a valid passport. Cost is $65per person, $80 after Nov. 24. ODR offers a last-minute Christmas shopping trip Dec. 16 to Ger-many’s oldest Christmas market in Dresden. Costis $30 before Dec. 7, $40 after. Call ODR at 467-3225 or 09802-83-3225.

No drive-throughThe drive-through at the Katterbach Kaserne

Burger King will be closed Nov. 23 due to areaconstruction projects. For more information callKerstin Huber at 467-3373 or 09802-83-3373.

Get winter tiresA new German law requiring use of tires “suit-

able to the weather” is in effect. Driving with sum-mer tires on icy or snowy roads can lead to a fineof €20-40 and insurance companies can deny cov-erage to motorists driving with summer tires onwinter roads. Police can also assign blame to a mo-torist without snow tires, regardless of who actu-

ally caused an accident. Tires labeled with “M+S”or with a “snowflake” are considered legal if theirtread pattern is at least 1.6 millimeters.

Keep pets in mindWhen returning to the U.S with pets, the rabies

vaccine must be at least 30 days old, but not olderthen one year at the time of travel. A health cer-tificate is required and may only be issued by aveterinarian within 10 days of travel. Call the vet-

erinary clinic at 467-3179 or 09802-83-3179.

Get craftyCobbled Corner Crafts on Barton Barracks

offer a variety of classes throughout Novemberincluding beginner’s sewing, the basics of pottery,framing and matting and wood shop safety. AChristmas quilt class is Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 6p.m. for $35 per student. Call 468-7627 or 0981-183-627.

Garrison Roundup The Point, November 17, 2006 11

USAG Ansbach

Shop thriftyThe Leighton Thrift Shop is having a sale

throughout November. Yellow and green ticketsare 50 percent off and Nov. 24 – from 11 a.m. to3:30 p.m. – tickets are 75 percent. Shop hours areTue-Wed, first and third Sat of the month, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and Thu 3-6 p.m. The shop is closed Nov.23. The shop is next to Leighton’s Car Care Cen-ter; call 350-6144 or 0931-700-104.

Crystal shoppingMWR offers a trip to the Nachtmann Crystal

Factory Nov. 18. Trip departs Wuerzburg at 6:30a.m., and Schweinfurt at 7:15 a.m. Price is $25 perperson. Call 350-6305 or 0931-899-6305 for reser-vations.

Turkey TrotJoin the Turkey Trot family fun runs at Schwe-

infurt’s Kessler Fitness Center, building 451, at 9a.m. Nov. 18. On-site registration begins at 7:30a.m. Youth can run two, three, or five kilometersand adults run 10K. Trophies will be awarded.

SAS specialSchweinfurt SAS offers a special opening the

third Saturday of each month at building 575 inAskren Manor. American Heritage Month is thetheme Nov. 18, and SAS is open from 9 a.m. tonoon. Children will experience unique NativeAmerican culture activities. Children must be reg-istered with CYS to take part. Hourly rate is $3per child.

Family paintballODR hosts paintball day honoring the Month

of the Military Family at the Conn Barracks paint-ball field Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Partici-pants receive 50 percent off equipment rental andfield fee, a reduced price on paintballs, and mark-ers will be set to a lower velocity.

Family turkey dinnerSchweinfurt’s Middle School Zone and Teen

Center host a semi-formal Thanksgiving dinner atthe teen center, building 241, Ledward Barracks,Nov. 18 from 6 to 10 p.m. Open to all families, forreservations call 354-6308 or 09721-87465.

Make a smooth moveUSAG Schweinfurt’s Army Community Ser-

vice Center hosts a Smooth Move Seminar inACSC classroom 11, Nov. 20 from 9 a.m. to noon.Pave your way to an easier move. Family membersare encouraged to attend.

Thanksgiving dinnerMWR hosts Thanksgiving dinner at Leighton

Community Activity Center, building 5, Nov. 23,11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Traditional fixings – turkey,ham, stuffing, potatoes and more. Cost is €12 perperson or €5 for E-5 and below. Call 350-6305 or0931-889-6305 for reservations.

Blowout AerobathonLeighton Fitness Center hosts an after-Thanks-

giving aerobathon, with kickboxing, spinning, stepaerobics, body sculpting, and yoga, Nov. 25 from10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join any or all of the 30-minuteclasses. Participation is free; everyone receives a

free T-shirt and will be entered in a drawing for aweight bench system.

Coed volleyballA 4-on-4 coed volleyball tournament will be

held Dec. 2. The tourney is free and open to allU.S. ID card holders, but limited to eight teams offive players each. At least two women and oneman must be on the court at all times. Registrationis first-come, first-served; deadline is Nov. 28. Call354-6264 or 09721-96-6264.

Prayer serviceThe annual Thanksgiving prayer service hosted

by the USAG Schweinfurt Chaplain’s office is atLedward Chapel Nov. 22 at 11:30 a.m. Join friendsand neighbors to give thanks for the blessings be-stowed upon our community. For more informa-tion, contact the chaplain’s office at 09721-96-1570 or 354-1570.

Focus groups formTwo focus groups are being formed to find

what active duty military and spouses think aboutthe Army’s mental health services. Participantsneed not have used any mental health services.Groups will meet Dec. 8 at 10:30 a.m. in the edu-cation building on Schweinfurt’s Ledward Bar-racks, and Dec. 11 at 11:30 a.m. in WuerzburgHealth Clinic’s fourth floor conference room. Dis-cussion groups will be conducted by Bearing Point– an independent consulting firm – and will lastone hour. If interested in taking part, e-mail lau-ren.roberts@bearingpoint.com or call 1-703-747-6643.

USAG Schweinfurt/ETG

DFAC ThanksgivingsThe Nieves Webb and 173rd Airborne consoli-

dated dining facilities offer special menus forThanksgiving Nov. 23. Nieves Webb facility willserve from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 173rd facilityfrom 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost per person is $5.90; Sol-diers and family members E-4 and below pay $5.

Counseling servicesMilitary Family Life Consultants are available

for drop-in appointments at Bamberg Elemen-tary School every Thursday from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.Discuss parenting concerns or daily life issues.Consultants are licensed mental health profes-sionals and offer confidential assistance. Norecords are kept. To schedule an appointment, call0175-600-8373 or 0151-169-89433.

Website trainingThe library offers website training every Mon-

day at 6 p.m. For more information, call 469-1740or 0951-300-1740.

Family portraitsThe community activity center’s portrait studio

offers 20 Christmas cards for $25. To schedule stu-dio time, call 469-8659 or 0951-300-8659.

Move parked carsA section of the parking lot across from

Warner Chapel will be closed effective Nov. 15 to

prepare for a welcome home ceremony. Theupper area of the parking lot next to building 7000will remain open. Vehicles parked in the parkinglot should be removed.

Christmas market opensBamberg’s Christmas market in the pedestrian

zone opens Nov. 24 at 5 p.m. Girl Scout troopmembers will perform. The market will be openuntil Dec. 23. Opening hours are Mon-Sat, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sun 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Winter drivingGet your vehicle ready for winter with a free in-

spection at building 7102 next to the vehicle in-spection station from 9 a.m. to noon and 12:30 to3 p.m. on Nov. 21. Call the USAG Bamberg safetyoffice at 469-1670 or 0951-300-1670.

Commissary hoursThe Bamberg Commissary will be open Nov. 20

from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., but will close for Thanks-giving Nov. 23.Post office hours

The Bamberg post office will extend its hoursof operation starting Nov. 25 through Dec. 16. Thefacility will be open Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m.Regular weekday operating hours will remain thesame: Mon-Fri from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thurs-day from noon to 6 p.m.

USAG Bamberg

Nicole Karsch-Meibom

Bamberg officers serve Thanksgiving dinner at the Nieves Webb consolidated din-ing facility.

Mark Heeter

Mike Rodriguez, Schweinfurt Commis-saryʼs grocery manager, inspects aturkey before the holiday rush.

Jim Hughes

Spc. Alfred Bonilla, 412th Aviation Support Battalion, sends a package with thehelp of Derek Jackson, finance supervisor and postal worker, at Katterbach postoffice Nov. 7. To ensure packages arrive stateside in time for the holidays, spaceavailable parcels should be mailed by Nov. 20. Parcel airlift items should bemailed by Dec. 4, priority parcels and first class letters by Dec. 11 and expressmail by Dec. 18. For more information, call 09802-83-2740 in Katterbach, or09841-83-4706 in Illesheim.

Mailing deadlines near

‘We must seize thisopportunity to reconnectwith one another.’

– Lt. Col. Paul Danielsby Cheryl BoujnidaThe Point

In the spirit of friendship, the Bamberg German-AmericanMen’s Club marked its 40th anniversary at St. Michael’s Refek-torium Nov. 5.

More than 100 German and American guests attended the galaevent where speakers highlighted the club’s accomplishmentsand honored its members’ efforts spanning four decades.

Helmut Funke, club vice-president, said the goals of the orga-nization have remained nearly unchanged since it was estab-lished in 1966.

“Our purpose is to arrange personal exchange at educationaland social gatherings not only for German and Americans, butfor members of other nations, too. We foster an understanding oftraditions, habits and historical connections to achieve neighbor-ly relations of respect and consideration,” he said. “We also pro-mote the social life of Germans and Americans in public withoutpolitical activities.”

The club was originally founded by John Heumann whoimmigrated to the United States in the 1920s, and returned to hishomeland upon retirement. His intention to foster comradelyrelations began with 30 German citizens and 10 American offi-cers.

“The club was well received and met with high interest fromboth sides, and in the 1980s membership soared to 310 mem-bers,” Funke said.

Bamberg Lord Mayor Andreas Starke told attendees there arecertain associations that must be invented if they were notalready in existence.

“And without a doubt, the German-American Men’s Club isone of them,” Starke said. “A stable ‘bridge of friendship’ reach-ing from Bamberg across the Atlantic was erected, and the enor-mous personal efforts from its members since 1966 are a sub-stantial part of the club’s great success.”

Guest speaker Col. Sean Callahan, 173rd Airborne BrigadeCombat Team deputy commander, stressed the importance offriendship ties when serving at foreign duty stations.

“I know what it means to be a stranger in a strange land,”Callahan said. “I’m grateful to those people who reached out tome while I was serving in Austria, Albania, Germany and Italy.”

In his comments, Callahan referred to Arthur Burns, a formerAmerican Ambassador to Germany, who said the achievement oftrue understanding between any two governments depends onthe kind of relationship that exists between peoples.

“Success rests on human relationships, and that’s the reasonfor this club’s many accomplishments,” Callahan said.

In his closing remarks, Lt. Col. Paul Daniels, G-A Men’s Clubpresident, called on Americans and Germans to build friendshipsbetween one another.

“In my opinion, two factors have been detrimental to thisimportant endeavor in recent years. The first is the recent dis-agreement between our governments regarding the war in Iraq.And the second is the continuing structural changes of deploy-ments and inactivation of units based in Bamberg,” Daniels said.“Concerning the first, we must emphasize that relations betweenour governments, although almost back to normal, should be dif-ferentiated from relations among our people. We can also over-come the second factor – changes in the American military com-munity – but we have to act fast.

“We must seize this opportunity to reconnect with one anoth-

er. Bamberg is truly a model city in Germany for its architecture,history, music, education, and of course, beer. Can we re-estab-lish Bamberg as a model of German-American friendship?” he

said. “There is nothing we cannot achieve if we join together.Let’s make the German-American Men’s Club’s 40th year onethat is remembered for a renewal of our friendship.”

12 The Point, November 17, 2006 U.S. Army Garrison Bamberg

Cheryl BoujnidaLt. Col. Richard Shepard, left, enjoys meeting German-American Men’s Club members at the club’s 40th anniver-sary celebration Nov. 5.

G-A club celebrates 40-year relationship

by Cheryl Boujnida and Michelle TanThe Point

To display their uniqueness, Army defense attorneys havesewn on a new patch.

The design, which replaces the old patch, was primarily cre-ated by Capt. Wendy Hall, a trial defense attorney who worksin the Vilseck branch office of Bamberg’s TrialDefense Service (TDS) field office.

Col. Larry Morris, TDS chief, asked Soldiers tosubmit designs for a new patch last summer, incor-porating the old patch into a new one. The newpatch was officially unveiled at a meeting of theArmy’s top defense attorneys Oct. 4 after approvalin June.

“TDS was created in 1980 and the patch worn bythe Soldiers wasn’t unique to them,” Morris said.

Morris stressed it’s important for the 300 Soldiers inTDS to have their own patch – one symbolizing the branch’sindependence when it comes to defending its clients.

Hall’s design for the new patch incorporated a miniatureversion of the old patch, which was a blue star set in a white

and red background.“The new patch more clearly shows our emphasis on law

and justice because of the scales of justice on it. The shield pat-tern and the sword signify the role of TDS in fighting for theSoldier,” said Maj. Jeffery Lippert, senior defense counsel,Bamberg Field Office TDS Europe.

Lippert noted the patch is worn by about 20 attor-neys and paralegals in Bamberg, Wuerzburg,Schweinfurt, Vilseck and Katterbach.

Patches will also be worn by Soldiers who aredeployed to Iraq and Afghanistan where up to 20TDS attorneys serve at any given time.

“For better or worse, you portray a lot about your-self by what you wear,” Morris said. “So long as what

we wear gives us an opportunity to show what we are,it’s better than giving Soldiers a speech.”Morris said a priority is to ensure the competence and

independence of Army attorneys, but sending the message toSoldiers who find themselves in hot water that TDS Soldiersare there to defend them – not their chain of command – is justas important.

Army attorneys wear new patch

by Cheryl BoujnidaThe Point

If there’s a golf course in the hereafter, Richard Duck is prob-ably already on the back nine.

Duck, known by many as USAG Bamberg’s director of logis-tics (DOL) and a total golf enthusiast, died ofa heart attack Nov. 5.

He is survived by his wife, Gloria, and sixchildren, who reside in Arizona and SouthCarolina.

More than 150 people attended a memorialservice for Duck at Bamberg’s Warner ChapelNov. 8.

“It was his goal to play golf in every coun-try in the world. He didn’t make it, but he suretook a stab at it while he could,” said Mary JoLohrenz at the service.

A native of Traveler’s Rest, S.C., Duckbegan his civil service career as a mail handlerin 1971. His 25 years as a government workerwere spent in various fields of supply, childcare, management, and logistics. His servicealso took him to locations around the worldincluding Germany, Italy and Korea. He hadserved as supervisory logistic managementspecialist at USAG Bamberg’s DOL sinceJune 2004.

In addition to his professional qualifica-tions, Duck was known to many as a “pas-sionate” golfer.

“The passion and skills he possessed for thegame of golf were unmatched by all in Bam-berg,” said Capt. Daniel Meyers at a golf tee-

off organized Nov. 8 in Duck’s honor at Whispering Pines GolfCourse. More than 50 friends, colleagues, golf buddies and stu-dents teed off on the first tee in Duck’s memory to mark themany hours he spent golfing and/or providing golf instruction atthe course.

His passion for the game was defined not only by his ability

to play, but also by sharing his knowledge with others. In his twoyears in Bamberg, Duck instructed youth of all ages and con-ducted a month-long women’s golf class.

Duck became friends with all who showed even the slightestinterest in golf, as well as with those who he played with regu-larly in golfing circles in Europe.

“It is truly a sad day for all of us who calledRichard a friend,” wrote Col. Albert Johnson,Jr., former 1st Infantry Division, DIVARTYcommander. In his note, Johnson remindedgolfers to keep their ball in the short grass.

“You know that’s the way the Golf Fatherwould want it,” he wrote, referring to Duck.

Kitzingen golfer Dennis Sullivan said Duckwould constantly go out of his way to help oth-ers.

“He’s one American golfer who would visita German golf course, and not knowing any ofthe members, meet the players and help themwith their golf careers. He did it here by help-ing one of our young German players get agolf scholarship at an American university.”

Mike Causey, a Heidelberg golfer who metDuck 20 years ago, said Duck probably hadthe most appropriate name for a golfer whoever lived.

“He hit the ball with a ‘power draw’ thatmost everyone seeing him for the first timewould call a ‘Duck’ hook,” Causey said. “Hetook it out over the trees on number 12 at Hei-delberg Golf Club and brought it back to thegreen, time after time. What a man! We willmiss him.”

Community mourns logistics director, golfer

Cheryl BoujnidaRichard Duck helped many new golfers become familiar with the basics of the game.

14 The Point, November 17, 2006 U.S. Army Garrison Schweinfurt

500 kids enjoy Harvest Festby Sandra WilsonThe Point

Kids dressed as animals,princesses, and super heroesbounced in the jump ring. Oth-ers bobbed for apples at theFruit of the Spirit booth. Stillmore enjoyed a cake walkaround the Walls of Jericho.

The scene was Harvest Fest2006 held in Schweinfurt’sLedward Gym Oct. 31.

“This is a lot of fun, and wedidn’t have to walk around inthe cold either,” said fourth-grader Kristen Gearhart as shethrew wet sponges at the Resistthe Devil game booth.

Games ranged from a tiny-tots corner for kids up to 4years old to the more complexclimbing wall, maze, and in-flated obstacle course.

“The games are great. Trickor treat you get lots of candybut no games,” said first-grader Ponce Sheppard, whoattended the fest as a vampire.

The event, in its fourth year,lasted two hours and attractedmore than 500 children.

A former Schweinfurt Sol-dier began the harvest fest tra-dition here as an alternative to the Halloween celebration. Thisyear’s event was coordinated by Chaplain (Maj.) Randy Brandtwho walked around the gym dressed as Father Abraham.

“Halloween is very often focused on the dark side. We like tofocus on the lighter side, just kind of taking back the night in aChristian sense,” Brandt said.

Most of the game booths reflected biblical themes and stories.A chaplain’s table was set up where people received Bibles andpamphlets while the chaplains were available for conversationabout the Christian faith.

“(Harvest Fest is) to serve a community that’s deployed andto provide an evening of fun for the kids and the spouses. It’s part

of us taking care of the families while the Soldiers are down-range,” Brandt said.

Cynthia Browning, event and volunteer organizer, estimated1,100 manpower hours were needed to prepare, set up, and teardown. More than 116 volunteers helped make the evening a suc-cess, including members of the 9th Engineer Battalion, who con-structed a large maze.

“It’s a safe environment to come play and do things and be re-minded of Christ. I want people to come and enjoy themselvesand see how Christians have fun,” Browning said.

“We choose to celebrate life at Harvest Fest,” Brandt said.Plans for next year’s event are already in the making.

Kimberly Gearhart

Carolyn Dolan shows her artistic flair as she paints a flower on little mermaid Bri-anna Nelson, 3, during the harvest fest Oct. 31.

Miss MSZ stays in ‘the zone’by Kimberly GearhartThe Point

What happens a beauty queen after thepageant is over and the evening wear hasbeen dry-cleaned?

For Miss Middle School Zone (MSZ)Stephanie “Cat” Vazquez, there is a lot todo, the first order of business is usually totell you she is not a “beauty queen.”

“It was not a beauty contest. I was cho-sen because I could best represent theMiddle School Zone to the public. I waschosen for my personality, not looks,”Vazquez said.

The distinction is important forVazquez, and also for Melissa Terrero, anadvisor with the MSZ who helps organizeevents for Vazquez.

“Cat has helped out at this year’sKinderfest, gave out prizes at the breastcancer awareness run, and represented theMiddle School Zone at the GarrisonYouth Council meeting,” Terrero said.

“We’re trying to get (people) involvedin more events at the middle school. Stu-dents and parents don’t know the MSZ ishere,” Vazquez said.

Vazquez sees herself as a role model foryounger children.

“The kids at school-aged services seeme, and know who I am. They ask for my

autograph sometimes. I have to showthem what’s right,” Vazquez said.

She isn’t alone. Terrero has similargoals, as evidenced in the Smart GirlsSorority program.

The Smart Girls club is a Boys andGirls Club of America program directedat middle school students. The SmartGirls Club helped conduct the Miss MSZpageant which Vazquez won. This year,Terrero took the club idea and ran with it.

“We want to teach them and give thema reason to want to improve themselves,not only as students, but as women aswell. We wanted to give them somethingspecial that no one else has,” Terrero said.

Terrero created a pledge system for theclub, turning it into a middle school equiv-alent of a sorority in which the girls mayparticipate and grow together.

“In school, we have all these cliques.With the Smart Girls Sorority, we canmeet and hang out without having toworry about that,” Vazquez said.

Vazquez, who will pledge the sororityin December, feels that breaking downthose boundaries is important.

“I want to make a difference. I wantpeople to remember that I was not only thefirst Miss MSZ, but I did something withit – something good,” she said.

Take precautions for safe winter drivingby Kimberly GearhartThe Point

Winter doesn’t officially begin until Dec. 22, but try telling theice on your windshield that it’s too early for winter weather.

Snowfall historically begins in appreciable amounts byThanksgiving in Germany. Although it is a full month shy ofwinter, winter weather comes without regard for the calendarmonth, and you must be prepared.

The USAG Schweinfurt safety office offers several sugges-tions to help you remain safe through winter.

“First, make sure your tires are good for the winter. You can-not drive on snow and ice without the proper tires,” said JuergenHoechemer, USAG Schweinfurt safety specialist.

Winter tires not only help keep you safe in bad weather, theyare now required by German law. If you do not have tires “suit-able to the weather,” and are involved in an accident, you can becited with a traffic offense and fined €20 to €40.

If you are unsure whether your tires are acceptable under thelaw, have them inspected at Army and Air Force Exchange Ser-vice garages, tire shops, or any road service provider, such asADAC.

The new law also requires the use of windshield washer fluid

with deicer. This aids the wipers in keeping your field of visionice and snow-free, another requirement for winter-driving safety.

Perhaps the most important driving safety tip, however, issimply to drive slower.

“Never put yourself in a time crunch. It takes longer to stop onicy roads, and it takes longer to prepare to drive. Don’t be in ahurry,” said Eddie Sauer, USAG Schweinfurt safety manager.

Put together a winter kit for your car and store it in your trunk.Snow scrapers and brushes, extra windshield washer fluid, dis-tress signals (a flare or cones), and abrasive material such as kittylitter in case you get stuck, should be included.

“You should always be sure you have a full tank of gas, andmaybe a blanket,” Hoechemer said. Keeping the tank full willhelp insure you can keep your car, and the heat, running shouldyou become stuck either in an accident or in a stau.

Carrying a lock deicer can also be a help, since door and trunklocks can freeze and may keep you from getting into your car atall.

“Be sure you keep the lock deicer outside of the car, like inyour purse. It’s not much help if it’s inside the frozen car,”Hoechemer added.

Dave Coldwell

Miss MSZ Stephanie Vazquez, right,and Mrs. Europe Galaxy, WendySledd, take sign ups at the breastcancer awareness run in October.

Scott Rouch

Peter Erhardtchecks tiresat theWuerzburgCar CareCenter onLeightonBarracks.

Mark Heeter

Spc. David Downing prepares packages for ship-ment to Soldiers downrange as part of “OperationArmy Santa.”

Soldier sets upChristmas giftdonation programby Mark HeeterThe Point

Santa wears combat boots. And he knows a thing or twoabout what deployed Soldiers feel this time of year.

On Christmas Day 2004, Spc. David Downing, CompanyA, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, was recovering in a hospitalfrom wounds suffered a week earlier in a rocket-propelledgrenade attack in Samarra, Iraq.

This Christmas, he will be hard at work on “OperationArmy Santa,” a program he created so donors can sendChristmas gifts to Soldiers deployed with 2d Brigade Com-bat Team, 1st Infantry Division.

“I want to do something special for the guys down in Iraqright now, because at Christmas, if you can’t be with yourfamily, it’s one of the loneliest times of the year,” Downingsaid.

“Fighting for your life on Christmas makes it a little bitmore intense,” he added.

Operation Army Santa accepts gifts through the USAGSchweinfurt community chaplain’s office on Ledward Bar-racks. Downing personally oversees the acceptance, re-packaging and distribution of the gifts.

“My goal is to show the troops that people still care aboutthem,” Downing said.

Having been the recipient of such donations during thelast deployment when an entire town adopted the brigadeand sent nearly 2,000 packages for a Christmas in July,Chaplain (Maj.) Randy Brandt, USAG Schweinfurt chap-lain, was immediately willing to take the donations.

“It just lights up the faces of the Soldiers – just an in-credible excitement to know that someone cares enough totake the time to do something that special,” Brandt said.

Downing said he simply wants to give people the chanceto show their support.

“My goal is to get as many packages as possible. Thisisn’t about me; this is just something I feel has to be done.We as society have to give back and show a little bit of com-passion to our troops,” Downing said.

To donate gifts, send them to USAG Schweinfurt Officeof the Community Chaplain, Ledward Chapel, ATTN: Op-eration Army Santa, CMR 457, APO AE 09033-0457.

For more information, e-mail operation_army_santa@yahoo.com

ADA cooks serve morale boost, piping hot

Things are ‘odd’ at Wuerzburg High

Sgt. John Queen (2)

Sgt. Robert Ross serves up a helping of pasta and beefto Pfc. Cardell McGhee as the troops filter in for din-ner.

After getting their meals, Soldiers load up on bread,cookies and other extras prepared by the cooks.

Scott Rouch (2)

Toni Serpa,standing, wailsas Ashley Jack-son, RebeccaBausum, CamilleEdwards, LaurenJackson, andDanielleBushnelle listen.

The deputy commanding general of the newly-formedInstallation Management Command (IMCOM) has been nom-inated for a second star.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld announced Nov. 7that the president nominated Brig. Gen. John A. Macdonald forappointment to the rank of major general.

Macdonald served as director of the Installation Manage-ment Agency since May. On Oct. 24, the Army activatedIMCOM, with Lt. Gen. Robert Wilson appointed commander.

The IMCOM commander is dual-hatted as the Army’s assis-tant chief of staff for Installation Management, reportingdirectly to the Army Chief of Staff.

The establishment of IMCOM is part of the Army’s effortsto reorganize commands and specified headquarters for the

most agile command and control in support of the expedi-tionary, modular force.

Army officials said the full authority of IMCOM is vital toeffectively direct the resources necessary to support troopdeployments and meet the needs of their families.

Consolidating the installation management structure underIMCOM optimizes resources, protects the environment andenhances well-being of the Army community. IMCOM willprovide fast, efficient and agile support to commanders in theperformance of their tactical and strategic missions.

The new command also consolidates the four IMCOMregions within CONUS into two as required by BRAC. TheWest Region will stand up in November at Fort Sam Houston,with consolidation taking place over the next few years. TheEast Region will locate at Fort Eustis, Va., in 2010.

President nominates Macdonald for 2nd star

Aerobathon more thana post-turkey workoutby Kimberly GearhartThe Point

Thanksgiving: the holiday of diet-breaking family din-ners and after-meal naps and football. After the turkey’sbeen devoured and the table is cleared, many dread steppingon the bathroom scale.

USAG Schweinfurt’s Morale, Welfare and RecreationDivision has something planned to help counter the pound-packing Turkey Day experience – an aerobathon.

“An aerobathon is a combination of many different car-diovascular exercises, and we go non-stop for 2 1⁄2 or threehours,” said Charlemagne Tertulien, MWR director for theSchweinfurt/Wuerzburg area. “But you can go at your ownpace.”

Participants are offered an array of exercises from pro-grams currently offered by MWR at local fitness centers.The aerobathon will feature spinning, Pilates, yoga, kick-boxing, step aerobics and other fitness programs.

T-shirts will be given to all participants as well as bottledwater and fresh fruit. There will be a drawing at the end ofthe aerobathon, with a dumbbell/weight bench set going tothe winner.

This is not the first aerobathon for USAG Schweinfurt.“The last one I did here was an introduction, and it was

big. We had 65 participants. I didn’t expect so much inter-est,” Tertulien said, adding that he sees the event as morethan just an opportunity to work off some holiday calories,but also as an opportunity for positive change. Most partic-ipants are spouses, and many are currently separated due todeployments.

“When you are separated from your spouse, you can usethat time for a positive transformation. It may be going tocollege, or taking martial arts, or starting a new fitness pro-gram,” Tertulien said. He plans to to run an aerobathonevery three months, alternating between Schweinfurt andWuerzburg, beginning in January.

“We’re going to hit‘em hard in January. People maketheir resolutions, and often it is to get fit,” he said, addinghe plans to bring in contractors to run more formal pro-grams.

“The contractors will allow the program to generate rev-enue, which we can use to buy equipment that currently isn’tsupported in our budget,” Tertulien said.

The aerobathon is Nov. 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. inWuerzburg’s Leighton Barracks Fitness Center. For moreinformation, call 350-6115 or 0931-889-6115.

by Sgt. John Queen69th ADA Public Affairs

KULSHEIM, Germany – As his troops campaigned to con-quer Europe, Napoleon Bonaparte, the rambunctious 19th cen-tury emperor of France, is attributed to saying, “An army march-es on its stomach.”

Now, nearly 200 years later, Soldiers of Headquarters Battery,69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade in Wuerzburg found thatstatement is still true.

The battery set up shop outdoors for an eight-day field train-ing exercise in October near the town of Kulsheim on the Ger-man Army’s Prinz Eugen Kaserne. As part of day-to-day opera-tions, the unit’s cooks prepared and served hot meals every day.

“We were set up to serve at least 150 Soldiers, two hot mealsa day,” said Sgt. Robert Ross, one of four food service special-ists with the battery.

The chefs were up four a.m., lighting oven burners on theirmobile kitchen trailer and preparing breakfast. Soldiers wereserved a variety of hot breakfast dishes including steak and eggsand good old fashioned flapjacks.

“It’s a real morale booster in the morning when it’s cold out-side and there’s a hot meal waiting for you,” said Spc. KevinTolefree, a cook who rotated with Ross preparing the dailymeals. “I like being able to bring that to the Soldiers.”

Once breakfast is over, Ross, Tolefree and the two other foodservice specialists, Sgt. Sean Macey and Pfc. Paul Bracewell,begin cleaning up and preparing for dinner.

Unit Soldiers are usually provided to serve as “kitchen police”to help the cooks with the day’s meals and clean up afterward,but due to the frequency of attacks by the opposing forces, everySoldier was needed to protect the brigade’s operation center.

“We have to do our own KP here in the field,” Ross chuckled.“It’s not really that bad – we don’t have that much to clean, butwe could us some more cooks to help.”

For the midday meal the cooks are able to catch a small breakas Soldiers have their usual lunch of MRE’s.

While Ross, Tolefree and the others enjoy serving hot mealsthat help build morale, they don’t appreciate Soldiers’ lack ofgratitude for their hard work.

Tolefree, who hopes to become a food service warrant officer,explained that some Soldiers think being a cook isn’t a hard job.

“What they don’t think about is the long hours and all the extrawork we do; like preparing the eating area, setting out fruit – allthe little extras,” he said. “They think the food just magicallyappears.”

Though some may seem unappreciative, most Soldiers of thebrigade’s headquarters understand that what the cooks do is vitalto the success of the unit’s mission.

“They made sure everyone got fed.” said Staff Sgt. WalterMinor, training noncommissioned officer for the battery. “Theytook a personal interest in preparing the food, and it showed.”

Minor added that many Soldiers appreciated the snacks leftout by the cooks for anyone to grab between meals.

Sgt. April Taylor, who works in logistics, said she was pleasedand pleasantly surprised at what the cooks prepared, way morethan she anticipated.

“I was expecting simple foods like spaghetti or pasta,” shesaid. “But they made steak; we had shrimp. They did a great job.”

“What they served was really good,” added Spc. VeronicaFlowers, automation specialist. “It wasn’t the normal slop you’dexpect in the field.”

by Scott RouchThe Point

Comedy takes wing at Wuerzburg American High School’sfirst production of the year Nov. 30-Dec. 2.

Neil Simon’s classic “The Odd Couple” featured two bache-lors in the original lead roles. Director David Flom lackedenough male actors for the production and used Simon’s 1985adaptation for a female cast instead.

“Since we chose the female version, which helps us a lot –we’ve always had more girls than guys – that has encouraged us

and the ones who are in theplay are doing a really finejob. They’re going to put ona good show,” Flom said.

Camille Edwards andToni Serpa take the lead asslob Olive Madison anduptight neat freak FlorenceUnger, respectively.

For the leads, the por-trayals are a bit of a real-liferole reversal.

“I’m a very neat person,”Edwards said. “They’re(her parents) going to crackup when they see it becauseit isn’t like me at all.”

“There’s no such thingas Toni the neatnick,”Serpa said. “I am complete-ly opposite of who I am

(laughing). This is a complete change for me. I have to use a vac-uum cleaner and I’m like ‘How do I use this?’”

The play opens in Olive’s apartment and we are introduced tothe rest of the young ladies in the play as her Trivial Pursuit-play-ing friends: Renae (Ashley Jackson), caustic Sylvie (RebeccaBausum), vapid Vera (Lauren Jackson) and cop Mickey(Danielle Bushnelle). The scene sets up Florence’s delayedentrance and gives the rest some high comedy on center stage, anopportunity they take full advantage of.

“They interact wonderfully together. They play off each othervery well,” Flom said of the actresses. “They’re good at reactingto each other and their facial expressions are good. They all aregetting good at reacting and interacting and listening and react-ing to lines, making it both believable and funny.”

Ratcheting “funny” up a notch are scene-stealers CarlosFigueroa and Nils Jonsson as upstairs neighbors, Jesus andManolo Costazuela, respectively. Both are still learning the prop-er use of the English language, creating conversations that needto be listened to closely.

Jonsson enjoys the challenge of playing a simple characterwith an accent; a character he likes.

“The impact he has on the play as a whole is crucial,” he said.“It’s the funniest role. Well, me and my brother are (in) the fun-niest roles.”

“They are two wonderful characters and have both the mish-mash of language and reactions to that,” Flom said. “They havethe potential to be truly enjoyable. It’s nice they come on in thesecond act and bring it home.”

Performances are Nov. 30-Dec. 2; cost is $5 for adults, $3 forstudents. To reserve a seat, call David Flom at 350-7176 or 0931-889-7176 or e-mail: david.flom@eu.dodea.edu.

16 The Point, November 17, 2006 European Transformation Group

Nils Jonsson and CarlosFigueroa rehearse anentrance with CamilleEdwards.

18 The Point, November 17, 2006

Turkey 101How to make a commissary turkey your best ever

by Kay BlakleyDefense Commissary Agency

FORT LEE, Va. – If you’re the appointedturkey cook this Thanksgiving and you’re stress-ing because you’ve never done it before, knowthis – roasting a turkey is the easiest part of thefeast.

Check the commissary for a turkey tailored toyour needs – they’ve got them big and small andeverything in between. Pick up a disposableroasting pan to cook them in (for easy clean-up),turkey roasting bags (faster cooking time) andinstant-read thermometers (greater safety.)Choose products that suit your goal,arm yourself with the followingguidelines, and you’ll be good to go.

How much do you need? Plan oncooking one-half to three-quarters apound per person for a regular bone-inturkey, and about one-third of a poundper person for a boneless breast orturkey roast. Allow a bit more if youwant leftovers.

Do you have a houseful of white-meat-only or dark-meat-only lovers?A breast or turkey legs alone might bea better choice than a whole bird.However, if you go this route you giveup the turkey carcass that makes forsuch good soup once the feast is over– decisions, decisions!

Thawing time? Short answer – along time! Place the frozen turkey ona tray in the refrigerator and allow fivehours per pound to complete the thaw-ing process. Depending on size, thiscan take from two to five days. Tospeed things up a bit, remove thegiblet packet and neck from inside theturkey and thaw them separately.

If time is short, use the cold watermethod for thawing, but do so care-

fully. Spoilage bacteria can multiply rapidly attemperatures above 40 F (4.5 C). With the turkeyin its original wrapper, place in a large containerand cover completely with cold water. Changethe water every 30 minutes and allow an hour perpound for total thawing time.

How to roast? Preheat the oven to 325 F (163C). Remove giblet packets from inside theturkey, then rinse inside and out with cold waterand pat dry with paper towels. Rub the body andneck cavities generously with salt, and insert amedium onion (cut into quarters) and two orthree celery sticks with leaves. Sprinkle the skinwith salt, then brush all over with melted butter

or oil. Place the turkey breast-side-up in a shal-low roasting pan and roast on the lowest ovenrack until a meat thermometer inserted in thethickest part of the thigh registers 175 to 180 F(79-82 C), and in the breast 160 to 165 F (71-74C). Refer to your turkey’s original wrapper forapproximate total roasting times, which canrange from 2.75 to 3 hours for a small turkey to4.5 to 5 hours for a large one.

Remove the turkey from the oven, tentloosely with aluminum foil and let it rest for 15to 20 minutes before carving.

If you’re a tad impatient or just need to free

the oven for other dishes, consider using an ovenroasting bag. You won’t produce a picture-per-fect turkey with a roasting bag, but looks onlymatter if you plan to make a big production ofcarving a beautiful bird at the table. The skin ofan oven-bag-cooked turkey will be only lightlybrown with some variation in coloring, and itwon’t be crisp like that of a traditionally roastedbird. The meat will be moist, tender and juicy,though, and the technique can save substantialoven time (from 1 to 1.5 hours, depending onsize). Look for the oven bags located near thealuminum foil, and follow the package instruc-tions.

You say you don’t want to roast atall, but prefer to grill or fry instead?You’re on your own when it comes tospecial equipment for deep-fryingturkey, but the commissary’s got yourseasonings, injection syringes and thecopious quantities of peanut oil.

To stuff or not to stuff? If yourfavorite part of the meal is the stuff-ing, then choose a reliable recipe andgive it a try. Just be aware that foodsafety experts consider it a breedingground for pathogens that can makeyou sick if not done properly. Forfirst-timers, baking a pan of dressingseparately is usually easier and defi-nitely safer.

The decision to “stuff yourself,”however, is up to you! (Visit Kay’sKitchen at www.commissaries.comunder the “shopping” link for moredetails on Thanksgiving turkey, aswell as recipes for dressing, freshcranberry sauce, candied sweet pota-toes, pumpkin pie and more. KayBlakley, DeCA Europe consumeradvocate, is a home economist with alengthy career in food and nutrition.)Mmmmmm-mmmmm good! The traditional Thanksgiving feast is a sight to behold.

From Page 1

But when the snap on an AFNORTH puntsailed out of the end zone to give Ansbach a two-point safety, the Cougars woke up.

On their next possession, quarterback JohnWillis-Morris hooked up with running backXavier Sheppard on a 28-yard pass to move deepinto enemy territory.

Shaking off a penalty and a sack, runningback Thomas Graham broke loose on a 33-yardscamper to the one-yard line. Willis-Morrisscored on the next play. A two-point conversionby Shane Williams put the Cougars up 10-6.

AFNORTH threw a powerful counterpunch,driving inside the Ansbach 10-yard line. But theCougar defense stiffened and Sheppard recov-ered a Lion fumble on the three-yard line.

Having established control, the Cougar de-fense dominated AFNORTH the rest of the gamewhile the Ansbach offense consistently movedthe ball – filled with frequent flashes of bril-liance to the delight of the Ansbach faithful in at-tendance.

The flashes included Williams’ 10-yard

touchdown run and two-point conversion in thethird quarter to make the score 18-6. Then camea fake punt by Willis-Morris that led to a 28-yardgain on a drive that ended with Sheppard goingin from eight yards early in the fourth quarter tomake it 26-6.

The Cougars saved the flashiest for last whenWillis-Morris passed to Adrion Shack who raced96 yards to end the scoring.

“The line did really well today, although thepenalties did hurt us a little bit,” said Willis-Morris, who said he would celebrate the victoryby sleeping on the bus ride home. “This is amuch better team than last year’s. This feelsgood. I don’t think it has hit me just yet, but thisfeels a lot better than last year.”

Sheppard said memories of 2005 came intoplay this year.

“The returning lettermen knew what it feltlike to leave here last year without the four-peatand we weren’t going to let it happen again,” hesaid. “We knew we had to play our best to beatthis team, and while it was a little shaky at first,we fixed everything, executed and we came outon top.”

Although the team was labeled young, inex-perienced, small and picked to finish third in theSouthern Division, the Cougar players knew themission of bringing back the championship wasnot impossible.

“This is a stronger team with a stronger bondthan last year’s team,” Graham said. “Webonded early on in the year, it progressed and weplayed as one.

“Coach George told us the championship wasours and it was taken from us,” Graham added.“He told us to take it back and that it was a timeto start a new legacy, and that’s what we did.”

Even George is impressed.“What I liked the most is we got behind for

the first time this year and our kids showed theircharacter,” he said. “It’s gratifying when youstart out with a bunch of young people and havea year like this.”

“I’m going to enjoy this,” Sheppard said. “Ithink we brought pride back to the team with thiswin. It’s sad to see our seniors go, but by us win-ning, they’re leaving with a nice present.”

Sports The Point, November 17, 2006 19

DYNASTY

by Jim HughesThe Point

Hailing from Alexander City, Ala., and now calling Auburn home, Ans-bach High School Coach Marcus George has been coaching football since1978.

With the exception of his first job as head coach with Woodland HighSchool in Alabama, George has experienced success everywhere he hasgone, including eight championships.

Some of his records include:– All-time DoDDS-Europe winning streak (28 games) and seventh-best

streak (17 with Fulda).– Tied for first with consecutive championships (3): Fulda-1989-91;

Ansbach-2002-2004– Most championships in the 21st Century (4): 2002-04, 2006Qs & As with the architect of the Ansbach Cougar dynasty:Q: How did you get started in football?A: When I was in first grade, we played kickball. I noticed that the sec-

ond- and third-graders got to play a game called jump on people, throwthem in the dirt and get nasty. So I would slip away from my class and goplay with the bigger kids. For a first grader, it was kind of like nirvana –being physical, hitting and tackling. Early in life, in the first grade, I knewthat I liked girls and football.

Q: Tell us about your playing career?A: My mom, a teacher, wouldn’t let me play until seventh grade. In sev-

enth grade, I got my mom to drop me off at a school that had football –Handley High School in Roanoke, Ala. Then we moved to Alexander Cityand I went to Benjamin Russell High School – Terrell Owens went to thatschool. It was a big high school and I didn’t play until my junior year. Iplayed on the offensive and defensive lines and special teams. I was apretty good high school player and part of one of the school’s only threeundefeated teams.

Q: What do you like about football?A: I like the competitive nature of one man taking on another – laying

everything out there, and seeing what you got and what they got. I hate tosay the violence, but the violence – hitting people and knocking themdown. I also like the camaraderie that occurs afterwards while you’re glu-ing yourselves back together. It’s like the knights in the old days, a kind ofa code and you sit at the table with the other knights. In a way it’s a lot likeSoldiers who bond together through toil, tribulations, pain and agony. It’sa great round table that we all sit at.

Q: How did you get into coaching?A: I decided to be a teacher because I like people, my mother was a

teacher and I was in the Future of Educators of America in high school. Ididn’t plan on being a coach in high school, but I started thinking about itin college. After being an assistant at a couple of schools, I jumped in (asa head coach) with both feet, ill prepared, and went two years at WoodlandHigh School. I learned that my knowledge of football was severely lim-ited. We won three games in two years – the great humbling. I learned thatthe gift of gab might get me in the door, but it won’t get the job done. Ifyou want to be good at something you have to spend a lot of time workingharder than the other guys.

Q: You didn’t say, “Thisjust isn’t for me?”

A: I don’t think you shouldstop being passionate aboutsomething because you trip orfall down. I’m so competitive– although part of me didn’twant to coach any more andsaid this isn’t fun – but part ofme said you haven’t paid theprice and you haven’t donewhat you need to do. I was allabout noise, selling myself –which I’m good at – I wasn’tready to be what I said I wasgoing to be. If you have anycharacter about you, you do it,you don’t quit and you fix it.That is basically where I wasat.

Q: What are some of the influences on how you coach now?A: My greatest influence was getting killed my first few years as coach.

I realized it takes great passion, desire and work ethics. A great pre-gamespeech is worthless if haven’t done the preparation. Passion without sub-stance is worthless. My mind was opened by working with Coach JohnNiblett (the head coach of Lee-Scott Academy where George was defen-sive coordinator and later head coach) who believed more was better –more formations, more motions, everything crazy in football you canimagine he came up with. After defending him every day for a year, therewas nothing I couldn’t defend after that. And I use that with my offensenow. We don’t ask why, we ask why not. I’d wager we’re more entertain-ing than other teams. Ask the people who try to defend us. We’ve averagedmore than 40 points a game the last six years. I also worked with the spe-cial teams at Auburn University and I was a sponge – there were some veryfootball intelligent people there and I watched films of teams like Nebraskaand Texas A&M.

Q: What is your coaching philosophy?A: On offense, my mechanics are to attack the entire field – make them

defend the entire field. On defense, attack, get more people to the point ofattack than they can block and on special teams keep them off balance. Ona personal level, I empower people, build confidence, build a sense ofrhythm and expectations, and then get out of the way and let the kids do it– coaches don’t do it, kids do. Get as many good people as you can and getthem involved in areas you’re not good at. That’s what I didn’t know whenI started in 1978.

Q: Fondest football memories?A: I really enjoy being involved in the success of others. As coach, I’ve

had moments where the hairs on the back of my neck stood up many moretimes coaching than playing. I would say this has been one of my more sat-isfying years as a coach. We started with subdued expectations because welost so many people and we were so thin. It was a great, smooth, peacefulascension watching the players grow and get better each week. The kidsreally showed their character and that is what is gratifying.

Architect of a football dynasty

Jim Hughes (2)Cougar running back Xavier Sheppardcomes down with a 28-yard pass overAFNORTHʼs Chris Eden in Ansbachʼs 34-6 championship victory.

Marcus George

Cougar running back Thomas Graham (8) rips off a 33-yard run as Carter Gunn (5)leads the blocking.

Lady Wolvesfinish fourthby Scott RouchThe Point

The Wuerzburg American High Schoolgirl’s volleyball team closed out the seasonby finishing fourth at the Department of De-fense Dependents Schools-Europe champi-onships Oct. 26-28.

The Lady Wolves were 8-5 and seededfifth heading into the Division II tourna-ment, and advanced through pool play.They defeated Baumholder in the quarterfi-nals before losing to Naples and Aviano inthe in the semifinals and third/fourth placegame, respectively.

“We almost got to the final,” reportedhead coach John Sullivan. “We lost toNaples in three games (25-27, 24-26, 21-25). It was a good match. They had nothingto be discouraged about or unhappy about.”

Even the loss to Aviano (22-25, 13-25) inthe consolation game was one the teamcould look at positively.

“We usually got our butts whipped bythem, but we actually held our own,” saidsenior Brittny Dallen. “We really wanted it.They ended up beating us, but we reallytried and did better than we thought wewould.”

That attitude and spirit are reasons theseason was enjoyable for the players andcoaches.

“It was fun to get to know all the peopleon the team and get to know their personal-ities,” said sophomore Annie Goho. “We allhad inside jokes between us and we had ournicknames.”

That atmosphere was one reason Sulli-van enjoyed coaching the squad.

“Not every season (coaching) is a lot offun, but this one was,” he said. “They hadgood personalities. They got along, whichis important to be successful, and that car-ried (us) all the way to the end. When welost a match or two they weren’t fighting orbickering, they were getting along, andthat’s good.”

In Division III, Ansbach defeatedGiessen and Vicenza in pool play beforelosing to London Central in the quarterfi-nals in three games.

In Division IV, Bamberg swept throughAlconbury and Menwith Hill to reach thesemifinals. They lost to eventual championBrussels in three games before reboundingto finish third with a win over Alconbury.Notes:

– Kristin Hickey and Brittny Dallenearned DII South all-conference honors.Allison McKearn was all conference hon-orable mention and named to the 2006DoDDS-Europe all-tournament team.

– Kate Alegado (Ans), Amber Mack(Ans) and Samantha Singh (Bam) werenamed to the DIII South all-conferenceteam. Mack was named to the DIII all-tour-nament team; Singh was named to the Di-vision IV all-tournament and Vanessa Lour-des Hernandez (Bam) was DIII all-confer-ence honorable mention.

Players neededExperienced ice hockey players needed

to represent the Baden Bruins hockey team(an all-Army team) for the upcomingUSAFE tournament held in Garmisch. TheBruins took gold in 2002 and silver in 2006.Contact Ken Robinson at 0172-626-3642 ore-mail ken.robinson@eu.dodea.edu

Roundup

Scott RouchAllison McKearn, Kristin Hickey andBrittny Dallen get psyched up beforea match.