Vol. 49, No. 14, December 2020
Serving the Greater
Stuttgart Military Community
www.stuttgartcitizen.com
s a m t s i r h C
s e m o c cheer
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Photo by Rick Scavetta, USAG Stuttgart ACS employee, Basil Forrest, hangs holiday decorations handmade by his wife for the garrison's annual door decorating competition. Forrest, a retired Air Force first sergeant, said elaborate holiday decorations are a tradition for the couple, who have created them for more than 15 years. To learn about local holiday traditions, turn to page 5.
USAG Stuttgart families prepare for holidays at home By Becca Castellano U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart Kaymi Kurfis was dreaming of a white Christmas in Lapland, Finland until the dreaded email cancelling her flight arrived. “It was the cherry on top of a year full of disappointments,” said Kurfis, a Robinson resident. “This is our last Christmas in Europe and we wanted to take our daughter to see Santa at the North Pole.” Kurfis’ story is not unique as families throughout the Stuttgart military community have been forced to cancel Christmas plans due to COVID-19. Eli Scudder’s family of five usually spends the holidays surrounded by loved ones in the Czech Republic. 2020 will mark the first time in four years that they will celebrate at home. Although she will miss her extended family, Scudder said there are some perks to staying local. “We’re going to be here but I am actually a little excited about it,” she said. “Instead of running around buying food and packing and loading gifts and kids and the dog into
the car, we’ll have a low-key cozy Christmas at home.” Inspired by their favorite Christmas markets, which were also cancelled due to COVID-19, the Scudders are filling their
Courtesy photo Hunter and Logan Merino decorate a Christmas tree in their new apartment on Robinson Barracks.
home with the sights, sounds and smells of a traditional German Christmas. “We’re really going to miss the atmosphere of the markets so we’re creating our own,” she said. “It's amazing what some little lights can do. We have so many candles and lights that we’re sitting in the dark trying to see our plates to eat but the kids just love it. You can really feel the Christmas spirit.” Between snowshoeing adventures, building gingerbread houses, baking a “gazillion” cookies and warming up with gluhwein, Scudder is certain they will have a memorable Christmas. “There is so much going on right now, so much doom and gloom out there, but it just takes one little candle, just a little bit of music to feel joy,” she said. "If you can’t get a tree, get a branch in the forest and decorate it. Celebrate all that you do have this year and feel gratitude and peace.” For those arriving just before the holidays, it might be difficult to feel gratitude for empty apartments and cancelled festivities, but Sarah Merino said her family has been overwhelmed with the support they have received from their new community. “We already love it here,” said Merino,
who moved to Robinson Barracks in October. “PCSing during COVID has been the hardest move yet but everybody here has been so patient and helpful in answering my millions of questions.” Although their household goods won’t arrive until the new year, she was able to snag a Christmas tree and ornaments on Facebook marketplace and her family plans to mix some German recipes into their tradition of baking cookies on Christmas eve. “We’ll spend the evening watching movies and playing games and hopefully on Christmas day we can find some pretty lights to go look at,” she added. Despite COVID-19's effect on holiday plans, military families in Stuttgart will celebrate with loved ones who are near, and virtually with those back home, just as they have for generations. “Of course, we’re disappointed that we’re not going to see Santa off on Christmas eve, but we’ve been missing big moments like weddings and births and holidays long before COVID came to town,” said Kurfis. “If anyone understands what it means to sacrifice something for the greater good, it’s the military family.”
COMMANDER’S CORNER
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Stuttgart Citizen, December 2020
2020 has been anything but uneventful; the upcoming holidays show how we continue to adapt By Col. Jason Condrey Commander U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart As the year draws to a close for our community, many have taken some time to reflect on all that we have been through together. I realize that many may be trying to block out parts of 2020, as there were things that we had to do, or did not get to do, that we’d rather not
think of again. But it is important to acknowledge the adversity that we have endured and the small victories we have won during the past 12 months. When we celebrated New Years 2020, probably surrounded by family and friends, or watching a spectacular firework display in some foreign city, we could not have imagined how the year would turn out. If your new year's resolution
Photo by Bardia Khajenoori, U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart Col. Jason Condrey leads members of U.S. Army Garrison Staff in a holiday message to the community.
We wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season!
Dear Readers,
We hope you enjoy this last edition of the Stuttgart Citizen for 2020. AdvantiPro, the publisher of your the Stuttgart Citizen, will close its offices from Dec. 21 through Jan. 1. The first 2021 edition of the Stuttgart Citizen will be distributed on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021.
AdvantiPro would like to thank all of our readers & advertisers for the great support we have enjoyed in 2020! We are very proud to serve USAG Stuttgart and the military community!
Your AdvantiPro Team
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UNITED STATES ARMY GARRISON STUTTGART
USAG STUTTGART PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE
Commander Col. Jason W. Condrey
Building 2949, Panzer Kaserne
Senior Enlisted Adviser Vacant Public Affairs Officer Larry Reilly Managing Editor Rick Scavetta Editor Becca Castellano Contributors Paul Hughes, Elizabeth Celtrick, Gerard Mauterer
Army Post Office Mailing Address Unit 30401, APO AE 09107 German Mailing Address Panzer Kaserne Geb. 2949, 3rd Floor, Panzerstrasse, 70032 Böblingen Telephone: 09641-70-5962485 DSN (314) 431-3105 Web: www.StuttgartCitizen.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ USAGarrisonStuttgart/
was to hit the gym in 2020, I’m sure you didn’t plan on doing so while wearing a facemask. Many had a goal of visiting 10 countries this year but thanks to COVID, you were lucky if you left Germany. We could go on and on about the things we did not get to do this year, but I think it is better to highlight what we did do. We continuously came together to negotiate each obstacle COVID threw in front of the community. A great example of this is the concierge shopper program. Created by the dedicated folks at ACS, and powered by our community's finest volunteers, we put in place a program that allowed support for our quarantined community members as they navigated a stressful situation over which they had little control. In 2020 more than ever before, I have seen service members and civilians step outside their job description to protect our community. They check ID’s at high-traffic areas, provide crucial health screening for those entering our installations
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and brave the elements to facilitate testing at our COVID drive through site. Family members, so often left behind when their loved ones go into battle, found themselves on the frontlines of a uniquely difficult adversary, one we had yet to face in generations. Dependents stepped up to fill vital jobs in high-risk areas like the commissary, CDCs and post offices as our COVID positive numbers rose onpost and off. Volunteers came through when commissary workers needed help to keep the shelves stocked. And the creativity in this community when it comes to helping our younger citizens enjoy important milestones like birthdays, first days of school and holidays has been amazing to witness. Thanks to the foresight and innovation of leaders around the community we quickly evolved from combatting COVID as the mission to resuming our mission requirements in a COVID environment. Because of the
the U.S. Army community in Stuttgart by the U.S. Army-Garrison Stuttgart Public Affairs Office. Contents of the Citizen are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government or the Department of the Army. The Stuttgart Citizen is printed by AdvantiPro, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Govt., under exclusive written agreement with U.S. Army Stuttgart. It is published monthly using the offset method of reproduction and has a printed circulation of 5,000 copies. Everything advertised herein shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex,
dedication of our men and women across the installation, we proved just how capable and flexible we are in a time when our enemies might have perceived a weaknesses. This community came together in an ever-changing, stressful environment to ensure that our neighbors were taken care of and our mission endured. 2020 is not a year that we will look back on fondly anytime soon, but it is one that we will look back on with the knowledge that we rose to the occasion and demonstrated community resiliency in the face of hardship. And when the dust settles on COVID’s chapter of the history books, I will always be glad that this community is where I was fortunate enough to endure this pandemic. I know it’s not over; we’re not done yet. And I could end this with that classic line you’ve heard me say so many times; however, this time, I’ll just say, from my family to yours, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
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Unless otherwise indicated, all seven-digit phone numbers in The Stuttgart Citizen are DSN numbers and all longer numbers are civilian.
Stuttgart Citizen, December 2020
Send your announcements for upcoming events to the USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs Office Operation Angel Tree
Spread joy to families experiencing financial hardship this holiday season with Operation Angel Tree. Angel tree wish lists will be displayed in front of the Exchange until Dec. 11. Anyone can select a wish list to shop for and drop off their packages at the AAFES customer service counter or ACS. Contact angeltreestuttgart@gmail. com for more information.
Letters to Santa Write a letter to Santa courtesy of Stars and Stripes at the North Pole and drop it in your MPS mailbox, or Post Office by Dec. 24 to receive a letter back from “Santa”. All letters
postmarked by Dec. 24 will be uploaded to the website: letterstosanta.stripes.com, and some may be shared on the Stars and Stripes Europe Facebook page. Through this process, Stars and Stripes does not share any personal information on the Letters to Santa website, aside from the child’s first name. Housing Satisfaction Survey Are you living in Army owned and leased Family Housing? Then take the tenant satisfaction survey and give critical feedback on provided housing services. The survey will be emailed from ArmyHousingSurvey@celassociates. com to the service member’s email starting Dec. 2 and will remain open for submission for 45 days.
Flu Shots Flu shots will be available on the following dates while supplies last: DODEA vaccinations: • Dec. 4: Stuttgart HS • Dec. 7: Stuttgart HS (a.m.), Stuttgart ES (p.m.) • Dec. 8: Patch ES (a.m.), Patch MS (p.m.) • Dec. 9: Patch MS
NEWS BRIEFS • Dec. 10: Make-Up Day • Dec. 11: Robinson Barracks ES (a.m.) / Make-Up (p.m.) Drive-Thru community vaccinations: • Dec. 14: Panzer • Dec. 15: Kelley • Dec. 16: Patch • Dec. 17: and Robinson • Dec. 18: Make-Up (SAAF as needed/directed) Dates are subject to change based upon vaccine availability, COVID conditions affecting manning and weather. Stay up-to date on vaccination announcements at stuttgartcitizen.com.
CYS Virtual Recruitment Fair On Dec. 8, Child And Youth Services will host a Virtual Recruitment Fair. CYS is looking to hire Child & Youth Program Assistant (CYPA) positions. Positions are available on all USAG Stuttgart installations. Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) positions are open to all qualified candidates eligible for appointments under U.S. employment conditions. Applicants must be 18 or older, have a high school
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diploma or GED and have good English skills. For more information call 0964170-596-4100 or DSN 596-4100
Fireworks Ban The city of Stuttgart has issued a ban on fireworks and alcohol in its inner-city area as well as other surrounding areas on New Year’s Eve. The ban will be in affect from Dec. 31 at 7 p.m., until Jan. 1, 2021, at 2 a.m. BOSS offers voice for single service members The USAG Stuttgart BOSS program (Better Opportunities for Single Servicemembers) is open to Enlisted and Commissioned Officer personnel, living on- or off-post, from every branch of service who are single, a single parent, or married but on an unaccompanied tour. BOSS represents the voice of the single servicemember in how you live, spend leisure time, and support the community around you. Meetings are held bi-weekly on every first and third Thursday of each month, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and presently over Microsoft Teams. All Commands/
Organizations are asked to designate a service member for BOSS with appointment orders. Please contact the USAG Stuttgart BOSS President, SFC Pierre Boynton, for more information.
Postal offers appointments and holiday hours Army Post Offices at Patch, Panzer, and Kelley, will be open to send mail Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Dec. 19 and package pickup at all community mailrooms, will be available Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. through January 9. Recommended mailing deadlines for arrival in the U.S. by Christmas are November 27 for retail ground, December 11 for Priority and First-Class Mail, and December 18 for Priority Mail Express. Customers who need to mail three or more packages can make an appointment for early APO service at StuttgartCitizen. com or through the USAG Stuttgart mobile app. Please check mailboxes daily and pick up packages as soon as possible to avoid overburdened mailrooms.
NEWS
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Stuttgart Citizen, December 2020
Stuttgart Citizen’s first reporter recalls the newspaper’s early days By Rick Scavetta U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart During the summer of 1973, Spc. Mike Yurk got the orders he’d been hoping for – a transfer to Kelley Barracks to start work on a new community newspaper, the Stuttgart Citizen. In high school, Yurk penned fishing columns for the Central Wisconsin newspaper and his school paper. Enlisting in 1972, Yurk qualified as an information specialist, based on news clippings and editors’ references. Assigned to the 223rd Aviation Battalion at Nellingen Kaserne, in Ostfildern, Yurk languished a year away. Then, as the Army consolidated several Stuttgart-area garrisons into one U.S. military community, Yurk got his chance. “They needed reporters, so I
got yanked out of my unit and sent to the Stuttgart Citizen,” recalled Yurk, 71, during a recent interview from his home in Hudson, Wisconsin. “It was an exciting time. It was something new.” Yurk’s beat included; covering swim meets and how-to articles on using public transit. He wrote a feature on Rothenburg ob der Tauber, one of the oldest cities in Germany that narrowly survived destruction in WWII. He wrote about nearby castles and included news on local restaurants, hoping that younger GI’s would follow his lead. “It was an interesting time when I first got to Europe,” Yurk said. Earlier that year, the Vietnam War ended. The Cold War with the Soviet Union was on. The East German border, with its watchtowers, • • • • •
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minefields and razor wire, was 140 miles north of Stuttgart, then home to U.S. Army’s VII Corps at Kelley Barracks. U.S. European Command had moved from France to Stuttgart’s Patch Barracks just five years earlier. Terrorism surfaced in Europe. A year earlier, Red Army Faction terrorists killed four Soldiers in bombings at Army posts in Frankfurt and Heidelberg. Members of the RAF, also known as the Baader-Meinhof gang, were later imprisoned in Stuttgart. Arab terrorists in Munich kidnapped and killed Israeli athletes during the 1972 Olympics. After the October 1973 ArabIsraeli War, Arab oil producers embargoed petroleum causing a fuel shortage. “OPEC started to shut off the oil in the winter of 1973,” Yurk said. “In Germany, they shut down all kinds of transportation. On Sunday, you couldn’t even drive. If you had duty, you had to get a special pass to show the police.” Back then, the U.S. military had 20 posts and housing areas in the greater Stuttgart region. There were roughly 31,000 Soldiers, family members and Army civilians. Long gone are places like Pattonville near Kornwestheim and Flak Kaserne in Ludwigsburg.
The Stuttgart Citizen began as an eight-page weekly, just as the Army consolidated its many posts in and around Stuttgart into one community. Lt. Gen. George Blanchard, VII Corps Commanding General, oversaw the consolidation. His top concerns; the quality of on-post schools, safety inspections for personally-owned vehicles and housing area renovations. Blanchard’s column led the first edition. “It is unusual to find a community of over 20,000 people which is not served by a publication capable of disseminating news of interest and value to the local population,” said Blanchard, adding that the Citizen would “contain news and notices of wide interest to the residents of Stuttgart, tying the community together.” The German Deutsche Mark was 3.25 to the dollar, so even a private could live well. Yurk lived off post in Stetten, near Stuttgart Army Air Field, with his wife and daughter. Some Soldiers, however, were sending their families home, because of increased costs and the devaluation of the dollar under the Nixon administration, Yurk said, adding that Blanchard wanted to create a community for service members. “Gen. Blanchard took to heart
taking care of the enlisted guy and pulling things together in Stuttgart and making it a community,” said Yurk, who once interviewed the general for the Citizen. Important news and information in 1973 was not unlike what a community member might find today on Facebook, or the USAG Stuttgart App. A copy of the first edition – dated Dec. 3, 1973 – has become yellowed and tattered over the past five decades, but it remains as a piece of history in the garrison command building. A look inside reveals how some things changed, yet so much is the same. That first issue ran the new shuttle bus schedule and had tips for winter driving. A set of four spiked tires cost $80 then at the Patch garage. Headlines also included the launch of the first local JROTC program, a new AFN Stuttgart call-in show for commanders to answer community questions, and the first GermanAmerican Boy Scout Jamboree at the Panzer training area. Army Community Service opened its first lending closet on Panzer Kaserne. Soldiers produced an anti-drug rock musical. Students visited the heavily guarded border with East Germany. See HISTORY OF THE CITIZEN page 8 & 9
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NEWS
Stuttgart Citizen, December 2020
German holiday traditions continue even if events don’t
Photo by Bardia Khajenoori, USAG Stuttgart A Christmas Tree stands on the Marktplatz outside the Rathaus (city hall) in 2019.
Photo by Bardia Khajenoori, USAG Stuttgart A Christmas tree stands tall in front of the Königsbaum, across from Schlossplatz, in downtown Stuttgart in 2019.
By USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs Pandemic-related public health restrictions and the consequent cancellation of many Christmas markets and related events have, admittedly, put a damper on the 2020 holiday season. But before writing it off as a loss, consider learning about (or adopting) some of the traditions that make Germany such a magical place to be around this time! The official start of the holiday season for Germans is on the first of four Advent Sundays. Families gather around a decorated wreath with four candles, called “Adventskranz,” and light a new candle every Sunday until all four are burning. The afternoons are an opportunity to enjoy an “Adventskaffee” (coffee) with cake or home-baked “Weihnachtsplätzchen” (Christmas cookies). Children have Advent calendars that are filled with sweets or small gifts to open each day until December 24 to make the waiting period seem shorter. One old tradition is cutting a few branches of trees like apple or
cherry on December 4 and putting them in a vase filled with water. December 4 is Barbaratag, named after the martyr St. Barbara, who died in the third century. If all goes right, the branches will bloom by Christmas Eve, not only bringing color and fragrance into the house, but also serving as a goodluck charm for the coming year. Additionally, people in parts of Southwest Germany long took delight in forecasting the weather for the coming year with a “Zwiebelkalender,” or onion calendar. Start the process by cutting an onion into 12 slices and lay them in a row, each slice representing one of the 12 months. Sprinkle the slices with salt, and then watch which slice “weeps” the most juice: That will be the rainiest month of the coming year. There is, in fact, a whole string of traditions associated with the 12 Days of Christmas, also known as “Rauhnächte,” or rough nights, from December 25 to January 6. In olden days, people in some areas of Southern Germany used to avoid doing everyday chores during this time, concerned that spirits and ghouls could swoop through the
air disturbing them. Even until recently, people in the countryside would dress up in devils’ costumes to dance away whatever fiends might be lurking around after New Year’s Day. Masked dancers, known as “Perchten,” or wild spirits, in Bavaria and Austria, are still said to leap about in barren, snowy fields to make them fertile, or they visit farmhouses led by a rider on a white horse. According to legend, they dance until a witch comes with a broom to sweep them away, appearing alone or in groups during the Rauhnächte. They also carry bells and various loud instruments to dispel the winter. The holiday season comes to an official end on January 6, a German holiday known as “Dreikönigstag” (Three Kings Day or Epiphany).
Photo by Bardia Khajenoori, USAG Stuttgart A Christmas Tree stands on the Marktplatz outside the Rathaus (city hall) in 2019.
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NEWS
Stuttgart Citizen, December 2020
Stuttgart Clinic supports garrison with COVID-19 testing By Becca Castellano U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart
Photo by Rick Scavetta, USAG Stuttgart Pfc. Donavon Turner, of the 52nd Signal Battalion, assists a driver in the COVID-19 drive-through testing center at Patch Barracks.
Photo by Rick Scavetta, USAG Stuttgart Staff Sgt. Timothy Hall, from EUCOM J6, directs traffic at the drive-through COVID-19 testing line.
When COVID-19 struck Stuttgart High School this fall, long lines of cars formed on Patch Barracks as community members sought testing. They’d roll down their windows to meet Soldiers like Pfc. Donavon Turner, of the 52nd Signal Battalion, who would explain the testing procedure, hand out intake sheets and run back and forth to Stuttgart Army Health Clinic – sometimes several blocks away, to inform people. Turner, an information technology specialist, is normally working on computers. Like many units in U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, his battalion has offered what’s known as “borrowed military manpower” or BMM to assist during high volumes of coronavirus testing. “We’re here to help (the clinic) control the mass amount of people that need to be tested on a daily basis and provide the patients that need it, the best care that they can,” said Turner. “I just enjoy being able to assist in any way I can.” Recently, the clinic, working with garrison staff have created a streamlined testing area adjacent to the Patch commissary. Since the first positive COVID-19 case, the clinic tested more than 15,000 patients and traced more than 18,000 encounters, all while continuing to provide health care for the community. Maj. Riliwan Ottun, the clinic’s executive officer, said it would not have been possible without the support of everyone who stepped outside of their day jobs to help. “Force health protection in a global pandemic is a garrison
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mission and we are only a piece of that protection, it's much larger than our 145-person team can handle alone.” he explained. “The BMM are a critical part of our success. We could not do it all without their support.” The garrison’s first positive COVID-19 case was March 13. Overnight, clinic staff initiated a pandemic plan – something that never affected the community before. No garrison-level plans fit the situation, said Ottun. “In the beginning the positives were coming rapidly,” Ottun said. “Those first three or four weeks were rough.” Clinic personnel set up a screening site outside the clinic. They had to keep potentially infected people away from others, like a community member refilling a prescription or arriving for a checkup. They also developed a process for tracing positive cases and contacts, as well as guidelines for quarantining and isolation, Ottun said. All along, the clinic faced its own manning shortages. Some staff were isolated and quarantined. “It was long days and long hours,” Ottun said. “We never operated in a quarantine model before.” The clinic sent out a request to local units for help. Several answered the call. While medically trained personnel fill roles both inside the clinic and at the outside drivethrough testing, non-medical personnel help maintain supply lines, screen patients and run paperwork. Soldiers supporting the effort are assigned roles based on how long they can work, Ottun said. “If someone is coming for a few days or even hours we have plenty of ways they can help that won’t require as much training, they can run paperwork or direct cars” Ottun said. “If someone is coming for a month, we know we can use them in bigger roles because they will be with us a while.” Staff Sgt. D’Hrett Massey, who works at a local unit, spent 30 days as the NCO in charge of the COVID-19 drive-through testing center. During his tenure, many improvements were made. “A month gave me the continuity to learn every step, so I can understand why things are the way they are and answer questions that people in line have,” Massey said. “It also helped me prepare a pass down for my relief.”
Stuttgart Citizen, December 2020
NEWS
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Historic rivalry returns to West Point
Courtesy photo Sailors and Marines hold up the victory trophy after defeating Army in the 2019 Army-Navy game at U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart. Army-Navy flag-football games are often played in joint military communities before the academies face-off.
By Geoffrey Morris Stuttgart Citizen volunteer
3-7 so far, while the Black Knights boast a 6-8 record. ESPN's football power index gives the Midshipmen On Dec. 12, West Point’s Black just a 27.5 percent chance of winKnights and the Midshipmen ning on Dec.12. Despite those of Annapolis will meet on the odds, Stuttgart High School's head gridiron for the 121st Armyfootball coach, Billy Ratcliff, Navy football game. Since said Army will have to play the historical rivalry better if they want to take began in 1890, the home the win. Navy has won 61 "Defensively, Army got times to the Army's pushed around a lot by 52. Seven of those Tulane, which surprised matches resulted in a me honestly," he said of tie. The Midshipmen the Knights' loss to the currently hold the lonTulane Green Wave gest winning streak of on Nov. 14. "If Army 14 years, which was doesn't get better broken by back-to-back play from their front o ot ph sy Courte Army victories in 2016 seven, Navy will have 19 in the the 20 ay pl es in and 2017. their way with them." ar rs and M Stuttgart. Soldiers, Sailo on is rr Ga Despite the Navy’s Regardless of y m me at U.S. Ar Army-Navy ga 31-7 win in 2019, local who wins, the experts anticipate that the game represents a historiMidshipmen will sing their running game with two cal moment as the two teams service song first this year, as the QBs and a couple of running play at a true home-field for losing team traditionally does. backs." the first time since 1943. After "I predict that Army will win This season, the Midshipmen the inaugural match was played the game, and the difference have struggled with a record of on West Point’s parade field in
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will be caused by the line," said Stuttgart High School assistant football coach Matthew Burkman. "If Army has time to throw the ball, Navy's secondary is not great, and Army will connect on the passes. Also, Army has a great
1890, the teams have only met five other times on home turf due to the number of fans that attend each year. The Black Knights last hosted the Navy when WWII rations on gas and rubber created travel restrictions. Seventy-eight years later, COVID-19 restrictions on gatherings in Philadelphia will force the academies to return to West Point. The Naval Academy Athletics Director, Chet Gladchuk, said every effort has been made to create a safe and acceptable
environment for the Brigade of Midshipmen and Corps of Cadets to attend. "History will repeat itself as we stage this cherished tradition on Academy grounds as was the case dating back to World War II," Gladchuck said in a statement. "Therefore, on to the safe haven of West Point on Dec. 12, and let it ring true that even in the most challenging of times, the spirit and intent of the Brigade of Midshipmen and Corps of Cadets still prevails."
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FEATURE
Stuttgart Citizen,
History of th
FEATURE
December 2020
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he Citizen HISTORY OF THE CITIZEN outside electric Christmas from page 4 decorations were allowed. The newspaper ran a conJobs for family mem- test for community members bers were a hot topic. Local to come up with a motto. German companies were hir- Lt. Col. Donald Wuerz, with ing. For five German marks the U.S. Army Corps of (less than $2) per hour, Engineers, beat 126 other spouses could work off post submissions and won a $25 wiring small electrical fix- savings bond for his entry, tures in Kornwestheim, or at “American Partners for a a cafeteria in Feurbach. Better Stuttgart.” A story on “no driving “People are unacSunday,” an effort imposed customed to, and in fact, in Stuttgart to economize surprised by an overseas fuel consumption during city-wide newspaper for the oil embargo explained the community,” read an how Americans on post early announcement. “The were limited to 40 liters per Stuttgart Citizen is your fill-up and warned that no newspaper, the contents rely heavily on your contributions. We’re interested in anything and everything happening within the community.” Another story was about a lost statue of a European bison, the emblem of the German Army’s 7th Panzer
Regiment that once stood at Patch Barracks. As the story goes, the missing buffalo was damaged during WWII then allegedly dumped in a bomb crater and plowed over. Or maybe it’s below an apartment building in the housing area. In January 1974, the Army issued the first washers and dryers to on-post residents. Yurk’s editor, Master Sgt. Roy Bonham, was a building coordinator and posed many tough questions to the junior reporter. “Who’s responsible for them? Who’s signing for them?” Bonham asked Yurk. “I rewrote that story four or five times,” Yurk said. “That was a huge, huge deal, it was the first time they had done anything like that.” Yurk’s final Citizen series
focused on the military police. He spent nights on MP patrols, shadowing investigators and chatting with the MP desk sergeants. He wrote about an inebriated Army cook who jumped from a moving car on the highway, then being evacuated by helicopter to the Army hospital in Landstuhl and a distraught Army spouse arriving at the Robinson Barracks’ MP station, because German police jailed her teenage son for trafficking hashish. Yurk continued to write about the outdoors and fishing by sinking stories into a monthly newsletter at the Patch Rod and Gun Club. In mid-1974, Yurk, his wife and two young children moved to
Fort Leonard Wood, where he joined the post newspaper. Later, Yurk attended the University of Wisconsin and earned a commission in the military police corps. Back on active duty in Nürnberg, Yurk’s MP company trained in Böblingen – where he last read the Citizen, the newspaper he helped start. Retiring as a major in 1994, Yurk never stopped writing. He went on to publish more than a dozen books and write fishing columns for Wisconsin newspapers. Visiting each year in Key West, where the newspaper is also named the Citizen, Yurk catches himself calling it the Stuttgart Citizen. “The thing I loved to
do was write. That started when I was in high school,” Yurk said. “But, I really enjoyed being in the Army. It was something bigger than you. It gave me all the things I ever wanted – fun, travel, adventure and a family. I look back at those years very fondly.” Editor’s note: The Stuttgart Citizen newspaper has informed our community for nearly five decades. In 2021, Stuttgart Citizen will become a monthly magazine. To mark this transition, we are taking a look back. This is the first of two-part series on the impact the newspaper has had on our community.
Graphic by Vladimir Prusakov/Shutterstock.com
Courtesy photo Mike Yurk enjoys fishing after retiring from the U.S. Army. In the beginning of his career, Yurk wrote fishing columns for the Stuttgart Citizen in the 70's.
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NEWS
Stuttgart Citizen, December 2020
Stuttgart Citizen, December 2020
FEATURE
Page 11
EDUCATION CENTER SUPPORTS COMMUNITY'S THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE By Bardia Khajenoori U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart Benjamin Franklin once quipped that “an investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” And in the same Panzer Kaserne building as two financial institutions, Stuttgart community members can find the garrison’s Education Center. “Our whole goal is to promote lifelong learning,” said Jerry Gibbons, the center’s chief. “We’re here to help everybody, whether they had a hard time in high school and are trying to unravel the mystery of how to get started with college, to people who already have advanced degrees and need to get some other certification, or just want to take a class out of personal interest.” Open to anyone with Status of Forces Agreement/SOFA status (i.e., Active Duty, retirees, civilians, and family members), the Education Center serves as an “impartial broker” for clients on what options are available, how to finance them, and how to reach educational goals—or simply offer guidance to those who don’t have goals just yet. “You can go into counseling with just a desire to try something, without being sure of what career path or educational options you
should pursue,” said Gibbons. For people who don’t know where to start, they offer interactive surveys which determine possible career paths based on identified skills and interests, and can even present economic outlooks for a particular type of job. On the other hand, degree planning or recommendations on professional certifications is available for clients with more specifically defined objectives. The center celebrated National Education Week from November 16-20 with a series of mostly virtual workshops and information sessions sponsored by its four on-site institutions—Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the University of Oklahoma, Central Texas College, and the University of Maryland Global Campus. But attending classes is far from the only way people can earn college credit through the Education Center. Creditby-exam options such as CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) and DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests) are widely accepted by colleges and can save time and money toward a degree. Active Duty personnel are even eligible to have initial attempts covered at no cost, and tens of thousands take the exams each year.
“It’s one of those ‘secrets’ that some people aren’t aware of, and we also have free training materials for them,” said Gibbons. Home to a National Test Center, the Education Center offers a wide array of testing aside from the CLEP, ranging from examinations for language skills, graduate school entry, or industry certifications such as Project Management Professional. Naturally, testing for military personnel, such as the ASVAB/AFCT, is also available. “Even though, right now, in-person classes are dormant, we’ve still got online classes and counselors available through safe methods, whether it’s phone, email, or video conference,” said Gibbons. “Education week isn’t just a week—it’s 52 weeks a year. Whether you like to read classics, the newspaper, or a professional journal, you’re hopefully constantly learning. That’s what we’re here to support.” The Education Center is located on the fourth floor of Building 2915, Panzer Kaserne, and is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Many services are currently being provided virtually due to COVID-19. Call DSN 596-2506 or (0) 9641-70-596-2506.
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Photo by Rick Scavetta, USAG Stuttgart Joshua Patrick and Jaylin James, sophomores at Stuttgart High School, check out college brochures outside the Army education center on Panzer Kaserne.
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WINTER SAFETY DRIVING TIPS As winter settles in and brings with it the frosty cold, roads begin to pose an added threat to your commute. Germany follows a practice called “Situational Obligation”, meaning that cold weather tires are not mandatory unless there is snow or ice on the ground. Locals follow a simple rule of thumb, “von O bis O” meaning from October to Ostern (Deutsch for Easter), have your cold-weather tires installed. Even though it is only required when there is snow or ice on the road, it is better to be prepared regardless. Cold Weather and All-Weather tires can be identified by the Alpine Snow Flake symbol. Current road conditions are
kept up to date by IMCOM-Europe and are available online at https:// home.army.mil/roads/. The road conditions for Stuttgart are determined by the Military Police before being reported to the Stuttgart Installation Operations Center. Community members can also report conditions to the Stuttgart IOC Road Conditions Hotline at DSN 4313744 or CIV 07031-15-3744. If you are unsure whether you should report conditions in your area, contact your chain of command for clarification. Listen to AFN Stuttgart on 102.3 and download the USAG Stuttgart app for local road conditions, delays and post closures. Here are some tips for driving in cold-weather: • Stay home. Do not go out if you can, avoid unnecessary risks. • Drive slowly. Always
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Photo by Geoffrey Morris, USAG Stuttgart High school student cadets stand at attention for the Pledge of Allegiance in (ret.) Sgt. Raul Piñon’s JROTC class.
By Geoffrey Morris U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart National Pledge of Allegiance Day is celebrated every Dec. 28 and gives Americans an opportunity to reflect on the history of our pledge. The story of the pledge began in 1885 when Civil War veteran George T. Balch worked with several charities, such as: the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Grand Army of the Republic, to pen a vow to the American Flag. It read, “We give our heads and our hearts to God and to our country; one country, one language, one flag.” Balch’s pledge had a short run in some schools before Francis Bellamy wrote the first version of what is today known as the Pledge of Allegiance. Bellamy’s words were written to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival in America and was quickly used in schools around the country. Bellamy’s original version read, “I pledge allegiance to my flag and the republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” The pledge has been revised several times over the years,
with the most notable edits to include replacing “my flag” with “the flag” and adding “under God” in 1954. Congress officially adopted the pledge of allegiance in 1942. More than 60 years later, students at the Stuttgart Elementary School still start their mornings by reciting the historic words. For some, this routine is an important part of their day. “It helps to remember America even while we’re over here [in Germany] and it connects us,” said Stuttgart Elementary School 5th Grader, Karolina Aguirre. Fellow classmate Gretchen Jensen added, the pledge reminds her that the U.S. is a country that believes in justice. Stuttgart High School student, Jack Engleke, said he recites the pledge to remember the sacrifices of others. “The Pledge of Allegiance represents the freedom and ideals that America is built on,” said Engleke. “I’m able to enjoy my life because others gave theirs for my freedom and I celebrate them every day by reciting the honorable pledge.” my life because others gave theirs for my freedom and I celebrate them everyday by reciting the honorable pledge.”
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Stuttgart Citizen, December 2020
Page 13
Holiday resiliency during COVID-19 The Commander’s Ready and Resilient Council U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart The 2020 Holiday season is here and adding to the normal holiday stressors felt every year is the coronavirus. As many prepare to celebrate the holidays physically isolated from their loved ones for the first time, feelings of depression or anxiety may be on the rise. The results of the Ready and Resilient Council’s “2020 Community Strengths and Themes survey,” revealed that stress and anxiety are the number one and number two public health issues in our community. Fast forward to today where we are now living, working and (trying) to celebrate the holidays, in the middle of a global pandemic. Now, more than ever, it is important to know the multitude of resiliency resources available locally in the USAG Stuttgart Community, and how to tap into them. “This time of the year can test
our personal resiliency at the best of times.” said Andy Munsterman, the USAG Stuttgart Resiliency Integrator. “It feels good sometimes just to chat to someone. It does not mean you have a problem, or that you are mentally ill, it actually shows that you have the strength and self-awareness to talk about your challenges and to seek help.” Munsterman added that it is important to “shop around” when you are looking at such a vast choice of programs and assistance that the military offers. “It could be initially confusing, or perhaps you do not develop a connection on your first visit with a provider, but you should not give up. Chances are you will be able to link up with someone who understands you and your situation. They can also link you up with other resources. Ones that can help with your physical, emotional, and spiritual health.” Munsterman said. The Commander’s Ready and Resilient Council works with several garrison organizations to
Photo by Paul Hughes, USAG Stuttgart Supported by the USO and other organizations, there were static displays, "drunk karting", an aircraft spillage demonstration and fire safety demonstration, March 16. 2018, Wiesbaden.
consolidate resources, such as the Military Family Life Consultants, Army Community Service, SHARP, Army Wellness Center, Families Overcoming Under Stress, Alcohol Substance Abuse Program, New Family Support Group, Behavioral Health and the Employee Assistance Program.
Many of these services are free and are available to the majority of the garrison community. They provide off the record counseling and all of them are confidential. Most also have virtual capabilities such as MS Teams, or Zoom, providing access even if life or COVID-19 prevent patients from
attending in person. As for finding resiliency resources, Munsterman said like most things these days, there’s an app for that. To check eligibility and read more about each of the services listed above, download the USAG Stuttgart app from the app store.
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Stuttgart Citizen, December 2020
He died that I might live By Chaplain Gerard Mauterer
Chaplain Gerard Mauterer and his family take a photo while on a walk.
take-out only, and facemasks confounding our daily interactions. At first glance, one might think that gloom could consume our upcoming Holiday Season. But, I think not! You see, our fond memories of places are very rarely tied to buildings, parks and cities. Rather, they’re formed through the relationships we both build and experience while we’re there. One of many examples I have for this pertains to a coworker of mine who surprisingly had always
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argued adamantly against taking any assignment to Hawaii. In time, though, through deeper conversation, he confessed that he in fact found the islands beautiful, but the toxic leadership at his unit had done such great damage to him and his family that the mention of Hawaii just evokes bitterness. For this Christmas season, I believe we have an incredible opportunity sitting before us. Whereas usually we can find ourselves heavily distracted by the busyness of Holiday travel and activities, this year offers us a much more rare and special gift: time and people. Should all the COVID restrictions end up being in effect, then let us be determined to make time to invite friends over and to seek to build deep relationships that truly help forge those fond memories of Germany that will stay with us for decades to come. In fact, this has proven true for me and my family. Each year, I yearn (as I do now) for those quiet moments of
connection I’ll have with my wife and children as we very creatively decorate festivelyshaped sugar cookies and play a seemingly endless series of board games together; bundling up from head-to-toe and going on silly, playful walks that inevitably devolve into snowball fights; sitting about the fireplace while we take turns reading and acting out portions of the Christmas Story from the Books of Matthew and Luke, Chapters 1-2; finding my heart aglow at the magnificence of the Christmas beauty throughout our home and realizing just how imaginative my family can be; becoming overwhelmed in emotion each time I’m reminded that my kids may fly in soon; and, reflecting solemnly on the most precious and wonderful gift a loving Father could give his creation which we celebrate each Christmas: His Son. Jesus. Born to Mary. Laid in a manger. Honored by both Shepherd and King. He came to die that we all might live.
Courtesy photo
Graphic by LilKar/Shutterstock.com
Ernest Gordon, author of Miracle on the River Kwai, recounted this true story: a Japanese officer began screaming and waving his arms angrily at the grimy group of Scottish POWs being forced to construct the infamous Burma Railway during World War II. When one of the shovels came up missing, the Japanese soldier furiously demanded to know which prisoner had stolen or hidden it. Becoming more enraged by the moment, the officer demanded that the missing shovel be produced, or he’d begin killing all of the prisoners. When nobody budged, the officer drew his rifle and was about to fire when one of the men stepped forward. The officer laid down his rifle, picked up a shovel and beat the man to death. When it was over, the POW prisoners carried the corpse with them to the next ‘tool check’ point. This time, no shovel was missing. There had been a miscount at the previous check point. Like wildfire, word spread throughout the POW camp that an innocent man had sacrificed himself so that the others might live! So, what does this have to do with Christmas, you may ask? Good question, especially since Christmas IS my favorite holiday! This year, because of COVID19, things here in Germany will probably look nothing like any Christmas or Chanukah we’ve ever seen before. There’s a good chance most of us cannot travel home, while our stateside families cannot travel here. Get-togethers are expected to be severely limited in size, foreign travel prevented, hotels closed, restaurants with
The Art of Prayer The Art of Prayer photo contest allows active duty, active guard and reserve members, DOD civilian employees, retired military members and their families to artistically showcase prayer through their eyes. Photo entries will be judged on originality and creativity and winners will be announced on Jan. 22. For entry guidelines and categories, eligibility requirements and disclaimer forms, email theartofprayercontest@ gmail.com. Application deadline is Jan. 1.
Stuttgart Citizen, December 2020
FEATURE
Page 15
JROTC takes aim at 10th title By Geoffrey Morris Stuttgart Citizen volunteer Anyone who visits the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps room at the Stuttgart High School, will pass several rows of trophy cases, each filled to the brim with awards. The SHS Rifle Team prides itself on putting about half of those hundred or so trophies on the shelf. "Nothin' but 10s, that’s our motto”, said Cadet Major Maria Tortorelli, the rifle team’s ace shooter. As reigning East European Champions, the SHS JROTC Rifle Team is the best in the region, but they're also one of the top scoring JROTC Rifle Teams in the world. “Since Sgt. Pinion first started teaching here, we’ve won the title nine times consecutively” said Cadet 1st Lieutenant Trinity Lepine. JROTC Instructor (Ret.) Sgt. 1st Class Raul Pinion has coached his team through 9 seasons and now a pandemic. Because of the individual aspect of target shooting, their sport has survived the virus that ended so many others’ seasons this year. But Pinion wanted to take safety one step further and installed large dividers in between each shooting station to protect student athletes from exposure while practicing. The team’s commitment to persevere has shown as they continue to hone their skills in
Photo by Geoffrey Morris, USAG Stuttgart Cadet Major Jonathan Andin prepares his air rifle before joining the line. Each cadet on the team is assigned their own air rifle to take care of and adjust to maximum precision.
the off-season through virtual matches where they are, so far, sweeping the competition. In their last match, the team earned a total of 2,316 points from their lineup of six sharpshooters. This season, the rifle team expects to place in nationals and the European championship again, as they have for the past nine years. To do that, they are practicing two hours after school daily. The eight returning shooters will soon have over a dozen new members to mentor and develop. And when they're ready, they will compete for a
spot on the line to defend their title with precision.
Photo by Geoffrey Morris, USAG Stuttgart Earnest Johnson has a seat while working in the Outdoor Recreation equipment room.
ODR manager leads with 40 years of service By Geoffrey Morris Stuttgart Citizen volunteer
Photo by Geoffrey Morris SHS Rifle Team Coach (Ret.) Sgt. 1st Class Raul Pinion uses a range telescope to observe his students from a safe distance.
Photo by Geoffrey Morris Rifle team ace shooter cadet captain Maria Tortorelli takes aim at her target down range, zeroing in to shoot for a 10., the highest possible point value per hit.
Ernest Johnson, known to many as Ernie, manages the MWR’s Outdoor Recreation office (ODR), on Kelley Barracks, with a constant smile on his face. A dedicated and friendly man, he is well liked by those he has worked with over his 40 year career. Born just south of Richmond, Virginia in a town called Lawrenceville, Johnson grew up in the Richmond area and enlisted in the Army right out of high school in 1977. He served in the Central Issuing Facility at Hanau, Germany in the 503rd ST Battalion, issuing equipment and managing logistics, a prelude to his present role as a manager. During his time in military service, Johnson said he was not a well-traveled soldier. “I wasn’t really one who went out and did something on my own, it wasn’t until after getting out of the service I became more adventurous,” he said. In 1981, Johnson left the Army, and toured Europe for a year in a rented camper, ending his trip in Egypt. “Things have changed so much, you can’t just jump in a camper and drive anywhere, anymore.” After his big roadtrip, Johnson began his career with MWR by
taking a few different positions around Europe before settling down in Stuttgart in 2007. He said he enjoys talking to customers about Europe and how ODR can help them enjoy all the local outdoor activities available to them. As those activities change over the years, so has ODR to reflect the recreational needs of the community he added. And that community is always ready to support his team in return. “We turned a former storage bay into a workshop for skis and boards,” said Johnson. “Volunteers from several organizations came to help us clear it out and get it set up. We really appreciated the help.” A humble man through and through, Mr. Johnson spoke highly of his time with Outdoor Recreation and its part in keeping up morale and happiness on the garrison. Even when coronavirus impacted their move from Panzer to Kelley, the team scrambled to organize the new location within a week to reopen to the public. Johnson said the enthusiasm of his staff keeps him going. And with 40 years of service under his belt, Johnson will continue to lead them through whatever comes next. “With everything that’s going on, we will survive,” he said. “And we will keep serving our customers the best we can.”
Happy Holidays!
TKS would like to extend a warm Season’s Greeting to the entire military community in Germany. We express our sincere appreciation to all service members, and their families, and would like to recognize your unwavering commitment and dedication. In this challenging time we also want you to know that we remain dedicated to serving you. And foremost the TKS family wishes you and your loved ones health and safety. Happy Holidays and a joyous New Year! TKS Telepost Kabel-Service Kaiserslautern GmbH
Karl-Heinz Stahl
Chief Executive Officer
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Christoph Ziller
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Karlheinz Korz
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