Electing our Nation’s President

Commentary by Staff Sgt. Kristopher Levasseur

JTF – NCR 57th Presidential Inaugural Staff

something we hold in the highest regard; it is our chance to not only elect our nation’s president, but our commander-in-chief. Voting has not always been the way it is today though, and that is something that has been forgotten over the years. The right to vote during the Colonial and Revolutionary periods was restricted to

property owners—most of whom were white male Protestants over the age of 21. During the first presidential election in 1789, only six percent of the population was eligible to vote. It took two centuries for us to evolve into the election system we use today. In that time, people fought for their right to vote through active and passive

WASHINGTON – Voting is a right for every American, but it is a right that those of us that serve pay for with our blood, sweat and tears. The presidential election and our right to vote is

USMC photo/Staff Sgt. Cooper I. Evans

Continued on pg. 4

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U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Ricky Tucker, Joint Task Force - National Capital Region personnel action NCO, was nominated by his leadership to be featured as November’s Warrior of the Month. Tucker was nominated for his outstanding customer service and for creating the JTF - NCR staff member’s awards and recognition letter of instruction.

He is temporarily assigned to JTF - NCR from Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va. where he works in the Manpower and Reserve Affairs office. Tucker originally hails from Marietta, Ga. “I think it’s pretty cool to be here,” Tucker said. “Not too many people can say they were part of a Presidential Inauguration.”

J1 - 685.4542

685.4915

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PAO - 685.2770

SAFETY - 685.1688

SEC - 685.4085

To add your directorate customer

service number please call PAO.

USMC photo/Staff Sgt. Cooper I. Evans

Inaugural Times JTF - NCR Nov. 15, 2012 3

MAPEX aids members of JTF - NCR during planning and preparations

Getting your hometown in the loop

Members of Joint Task Force - National Capital Region gather at the Fort McNair fitness center in Washington, Oct. 25, to participate in a large scale map exercise used to designate all participant locations along the parade route of the 57th Presidential Inauguration.

By Staff Sgt. Kristopher Levasseur

JTF – NCR 57th Presidential Inaugural Staff

WASHINGTON – Do you have friends and family that are proud of your service? Then have we got an opportunity for you! The Hometown News Release Program is in full swing, making it easy for your personal contacts to get a closer look at what you do every day, and let’s face it, what we do is pretty awesome. Through video, photo and print products, the JTF – NCR

PAO is capable of reaching out to your hometown, college town or any location you have a personal connection to and provide details about you to be run in local newspapers, radio stations and television stations so those you cherish can keep up with how amazing you really are.So make mom and dad happy, give them something to pin on the refrigerator and brag to their friends about. Contact us today. In order to submit for a Hometown News Release, simply email usarmy.mcnair.mdw.mbx.pao-inaugural@mail.

mil and let us know you are interested. We will contact you with our next scheduled time. It is as simple as a quick 15 minute video interview and a photo. Have you already submitted a release, but have done something outstanding? Let us know. Significant achievements will warrant another release being drafted for you. The bottom line is, this program is for you, but more importantly for your loved ones, so get in touch with us, and we will do the rest.

USMC photo/LCpl Ian Bush

The Inaugural TimesJoint Task Force - National Capital Region

Washington, D.C.

This joint service newsletter is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military, retirees, DoD civilians and their dependents. The contents of The Inaugural Times do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. government, Department of Defense and does not imply endorsement thereof. The editorial content of this publication is edited and approved by the JTF-NCR Public Affairs office. Others are encouraged to submit news, photographs and informational items for publication. E-mail submissions to brittany.e.jones13.mil@mail.mil.

The JTF - NCR 57th

Presidential Inaugural Public

Affairs Staff

LCDR Michael Billips

Deputy Director

CMSgt Robert Valenca

SuperintendentMaj. Paul Bamonte

Plans

Maj. Miguel Alvarez

PlansMaj. Chevelle

ThomasMedia Relations

ChiefLt. Michael

Sheehan CI Chief

Capt. Russell Gordon

VI ChiefCPO Michael

Heckman Graphics

CPO Elizabeth Thompson

CIPO1 Tim

ComerfordMedia Ops

SSgt Cooper Evans

VISSgt Brittany

Jones VI

PO2 Elizabeth Bordelon Media OpsSSgt Kris Levasseur

Media Ops

Election Day Continuedprotests, marches, rallies and many other campaigns. Women’s rights activists, such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, and African

American’s rights activists, such as James Meredith and Martin Luther King Jr. worked tirelessly most of their lives in order to earn equal rights for all Americans, including the right to vote. No matter what your race, religion, gender or creed, the right to vote is one that we as a

nation carved out of our ideals and made a fully functioning process in our country. I was proud to cast my absentee ballot this year, but I was even more proud to see every military member around me doing the same, exercising the rights that so many of us pay so much for.

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Inaugural Times JTF - NCR Nov. 15, 2012 5

U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brittany E. JonesUSMC photo/Staff Sgt. Cooper I. Evans

U.S. Navy photo/Chief Petty O

fficer Elizabeth Thompson

Having holiday fun without the holiday troubleBy Staff Sgt. Brittany E. Jones JTF – NCR 57th Presidential

Inaugural Staff

With the holidays right around the corner, many members of Joint Task Force – National Capital Region will be celebrating festivities and traveling in potentially dangerous conditions. To have all the holiday fun without the holiday trouble, please keep these few safety tips in mind this season.

Food safety- Wash your hands and clean surfaces before preparing your holiday feast

- Ensure you cook foods to proper temperatures and don’t leave perishable food out for more than two hours

- Visit http://www.cdc.gov/features/turkeytime/ for more information about preparing holiday meals

Travel safely- DO NOT get behind the wheel drunk. It never ends well, and it could end your career or even your life.

- Check the weather forecast and plan accordingly

- Plan for rest breaks regularly

- For winter weather checklists and other helpful travel safety tips visit http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/winter/guide.asp

Prevent injuries- Use proper equipment and take care when hanging holiday decorations

- Don’t leave candles unattended and check any holiday lighting before plugging it in

- Manage stress appropriately

- Be cautious of cold weather related injuries

For further information or questions about winter and holiday safety contact the JTF - NCR safety office at 202-685-1688 .

Limited Leave Policy

All military and civilian leave requests for the periods

between Nov. 1 - Jan. 2 will be carefully managed at all levels

to ensure mission support capability.

Directors and supervisors will ensure any approved

leave during this timeframe does not impede Presidential

Inauguration mission requirements.

For more information call 202-685-4915.

U.S. Air Force graphic/Staff Sgt. Brittany E. Jones

Visit http://www.inaugural.senate.gov/about/facts-and-firsts for more fun, historical and informational facts about previous Inauguration Days.

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Submit an announcementTo submit an announcement to the newsletter send an e-mail with the information and point of contact to brittany.e.jones13.mil@mail.mil. Announcements must be relevant to JTF - NCR staff and are subject to editorial review before being published.

Turkeys for the Troops ProgramThis USO program will package and distribute 1,200 complete Thanksgiving meals to military families (E-5 and below) in the region. Boxes include enough food for a family of six with all the trimmings, and a $10 gift card to buy a turkey. To register visit http://usometrot4t.eventbrite.com. For more information call 703-805-4277.

Project USO ElfThe USO works with local

companies, organizations and individuals to sponsor 1,200 military children in the region. Service members in need of assistance can register for the program at http://projectusoelf.eventbrite.com. The USO will will identify a community member to provide a minimum of two gifts valued at $50 for each military child. For more information call 703-805-4277.

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U.S. Air Force graphic/Staff Sgt. Brittany E. Jones