Fort Lee Traveller 06.23.16

Lee welcomes Col. Sean Davis as new 59th Ord. Brigade commander SEE PAGE 3

Fort Lee

SERVING THE COMMUNITY OF FORT LEE, VIRGINIA, SINCE 1941

June 23, 2016 | Vol. 76, No. 25

NAVY

ONBOARD Sailors practice fuel operations at PWD facilities SEE PAGE 4 ORDNANCE SCHOOL PAYS TRIBUTE TO CLASS OF ‘66 Vietnam-era veterans rekindle old friendships, Army pride during recognition ceremony, tour of Lee SEE PAGES 8-9

FAREWELL SHOW Past members return, post leaders offer thanks during final 392nd Army Band concert SEE PAGE 5

NEW BEGINNING Soldier hits rock bottom, gets second chance to prove himself after battling addiction to alcohol SEE PAGE 10

GRAD TRIBUTE Fort Lee Traveller presents eighth annual salute to graduating high school seniors SPECIAL INSERT

Page 2 | TRAVELLER | June 23, 2016 | www.fortleetraveller.com

COMMENTARY | LAZY SUMMER DAYS

Back to bored and barefoot dive, made a friend, got whistled at for running, and found a dime.

By the time Mom picked me up, my skin was wrinkled and I was seeing chlorine rainbows around every light.

The next day, I was back to sprinklers and Baby Tender Love.

Aside from a week at church camp and a visit from my cousins, my summer was a continuously running loop of the same activities – popsicles, sprinklers, bare feet, pools, dolls, fireflies, and many minutes staring out the window, wondering what to do.

While I was bored and barefoot on those summer days, my mother had plenty of time to garden, nap on her chase lounge, paint with watercolors, can vegetables, crochet groovy Afghan squares, and smoke Tareyton 100s.

Today, by contrast, summer is pretty much the same as the rest of the year, except hotter.

Armed Forces Voting Week runs Monday - July 5 With Armed Forces Voters Week kicking off Monday and running through July 5, military members and their families across the installation are reminded to check their absentee ballots they should have received ear-

lier this year.

But those who didn’t can visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program website at www.fvap.gov to submit a form online, unit or installation voting assistance officers also can assist

Fort Lee

Commanding General ........Maj. Gen. Darrell K. Williams Garrison Commander ....................... Col. Paul K. Brooks Public Affairs Officer............................. Stephen J. Baker Command Information/Managing Editor...Patrick Buffett Senior Writer/Special Assignments ......... T. Anthony Bell Production/News Assistant Editor.................. Amy Perry Family/Community Life Reporter .......... Lesley Maceyak Production Assistant .............................. Ray Kozakewicz To reach the Traveller Staff, call (804) 734-7147.

vegetables in gardens anymore, much less can them? Will I ever be able to stare out the window again? Is it too late to take up smoking?

The first day of summer (summer solstice) was June 20, but you’d never know it from our crazy schedule. Summer used to be a time of relaxation, when the most difficult task was figuring out how to spend the day. Nowadays, a must-do-it-all mentality has crept into our family lives, robbing us of a much-needed break.

This summer, we should make a pact.

Let’s discipline ourselves to forget to set the alarm. Skip practice. Unplug the computer. Cut up a watermelon, with seeds for spitting. Turn on the sprinkler. Doze off while sitting in a lawn chair.

Pitch a tent in the backyard. Grill hot dogs. Play cards. Catch fireflies. Lie in a hammock and look at the Moon.

I know we can do it. With lots of hard work, we can be lazy again.

those in the military community – including family members – with preparing a paper copy of the form.

For those who need to register to vote in Virginia, they can do so online at https://vote.elections.virginia.gov.

Each state has varying deadlines for receiving an absentee ballot and for more information, visit www. fvap,gov.

– Staff Reports

The Fort Lee “Traveller” is printed by offset process every Thursday as a civilian enterprise in the interest of personnel at the U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command and Fort Lee, Va. 23801, by Military Newspapers of Virginia, 114 Charlotte Avenue Suite A, Colonial Heights, Va. 23834, in accordance with Department of the Army Regulations 210-20 and 360-1. This publication receives armed forces material and civilian newspapers are authorized to reprint such material without specific clearance except material specifically designated as copyrighted.

Liaison between the printer and the commanding general, Fort Lee, is maintained by the Public Affairs Office, Fort Lee. Circulation: 13,000. This Civilian Enterprise newspaper is an authorized publication. Contents of the “Traveller” are not necessarily the official view of, nor endorsed by, the U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command and Fort Lee. Advertising in this publication including inserts or supplements does not constitute endorsement by the Department of the Army or Military Newspapers of Virginia. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non merit factor. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the printer shall refuse to print advertising from that source until violation is corrected. The “Traveller” is an unofficial publication authorized by AR 360-1, and printed by the Military Newspapers of Virginia, a private firm in no way connected with the U. S. Army Combined Arms Support Command or Fort Lee. The editorial content is prepared, edited and provided by the Public Affairs Office of Headquarters, U. S. Army Garrison, Fort Lee.

COVER

Tying the laces of my red Converse sneakers, which did not quite match my pink polyester halter-top, I couldn’t contain my excitement. It was a hot summer day in 1975, and I was going to the pool.

My Kool-Aid backpack – bought with collected labels and saved allowance – was stuffed with my bathing suit, a Budweiser beach towel, a rainbow headband with a really cool transparent visor, and enough coins to buy a raspberry snow cone at the snack bar.

My mother agreed to drop me off after setting her hair, and I couldn’t wait to get out of our neighborhood. Since school let out a few weeks earlier, I had enough running through sprinklers and playing with Baby

Tender Love to last an eternity.

Mom put a scarf over her pink plastic rollers, applied a bit of orange lipstick, and we were off.

Unbelted in the front seat of our station wagon, I craned my neck out the window to escape the smoke of her Tareyton 100s. It was the 70s after all.

Everyone’s mom lit up back then.

Even if they didn’t show it on TV, it was assumed Shirley Partridge and Ann Romano hadn’t kicked the habit, and Caroline Ingalls was probably puffing Charles’ elm pipe while he was off fishing with Half-pint.

Hues Corporation’s “Rock the Boat” crackled on the radio as we pulled up the pool entrance.

As I slammed the simulatedwood-paneled door, my mother called, “See you at 4-o’clock Dumpling!”

That day, I perfected my underwater handstand, braved the high

THE

Contributing Writer

ON

Lisa Smith Molinari

We set the alarm every morning for sports practices and driver’s ed. We order books for school summer reading programs. We register our kids for online summer classes. We’re always late for music lessons. We throw dinner together last minute, we forget to put the car windows up before it rains and we never get around to dusting.

There’s no time to be bored because there’s too much going on.

Halfway through the summer, we realize we’ve haven’t been to the base pool. We never got around to doing that beading project we saved for summer. There was no opportunity to take a delicious afternoon nap. That tomato seedling we bought at the base PX Garden Center has dried and shriveled from neglect.

When did the lazy days of summer turn into summer break at breakneck pace?

Why does it go so fast when it used to last forever? Why are family vacations so exhausting these days? Does anyone grow

Lesley Maceyak

Sailors – from units in Florida and Mississippi – train during a helicopter expedient refueling system exercise Friday. The exercise took place at the Quartermaster School’s PWD Military-in-the-Field facility.

For story and photo, see Page 4.

www.fortleetraveller.com | June 23, 2016 | TRAVELLER | Page 3

25'1$1&( &2536 :(/&20(6 '$9,6 $6 1(: 7+ %5,*$'( &200$1'(5 Patrick Buffett Managing Editor

The “Power to Spare” brigade welcomed a new leader Friday morning during a change of command ceremony at MacLaughlin Fitness Center.

Col. Jeffery A. Carter relinquished the top 59th Ordnance Bde. position to Col. Sean P. Davis, a 24-year veteran with extensive deployment experience and a previous stint at CASCOM where he served as the Army Logistics Proponent chief.

Maj. Gen. Darrell K. Williams, CASCOM and Fort Lee commanding general, presided over the ceremony and had the honor of retrieving the brigade colors from Carter and passing them to Davis as several hundred fellow Soldiers and assorted family members and distinguished guests observed.

Plugging the significance of the Army Sustainment training mission here during remarks, Williams said, for a nation and an Army at war, nothing is more important than continuing to provide trained and ready Soldiers to deployable units at home and U.S. and allied forces on the battlefield.

“Our military is the best manned, best equipped and maintained force in the

Jenn Gunn

Col. Sean P. Davis takes the 59th Ordnance Brigade flag from Maj. Gen. Darrell K. Williams, CASCOM and Fort Lee commanding general, during a change of command ceremony Friday at MacLaughlin Fitness Center. Outgoing commander Col. Jeffery A. Carter, right, has been reassigned to the 1st Theater Sustainment Command where he will serve as the deputy commander.

world,” he continued. “Part of the reason why all of that is true is because of the phenomenal work that gets done by the 59th Ord. Bde., which directly contributes to our success in every formation around the Army. And, of course, the leader in charge of that brigade for the last couple of years

200 pin instructor badges at Ord. School ceremony Patrick Buffett Managing Editor

More than 100 noncommissioned officers from the Ordnance School here received Army Instructor Badges at a June 16 ceremony on Whittington Parade Field.

The badges are a “mark of excellence” that reflect the recipient’s technical knowledge and ability to teach and mentor Soldiers, according to Dr. Richard Armstrong, director of training and deputy to the Ordnance School commandant, who gave remarks at the ceremony.

“Being an instructor is not easy,” he said. “The days are long,

starting well before the first class is in session and continuing after the last class leaves for the day.

You are expected to be a subject matter expert in what you teach.

You are expected to understand how young people learn. You are expected to know how to interact with students and how to handle discipline problems or SHARP incidents. You have to complete course work and train under an experienced instructor just to get certified. It’s a level of effort that deserves greater recognition, which is a large part of what the instructor badge program is meant to provide.”

Five individuals – Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Palmer, Staff

has been Col. Jeff Carter who delivered on everything that was expected of him as a commander.”

Carter, unquestionably, executed his mission with excellence and provided capable leadership, the commanding general emphasized.

Sgt. Tallon Howard, Staff Sgt. Manuelito Skipper, Staff Sgt. Doyle Coffman and Sgt. Travis O’Brien – were presented master-level badges at the ceremony.

They join an elite group of only 37 other MAIB recipients under the Ord. School umbrella, according to Armstrong. About 30 individuals received senior-level badges and the remainder (70plus) were awarded basic-level badges at the event.

Steps to qualify for the master badge include at least 400 hours of teaching time (in addition to the 400 hours required for senior certification); completion of the advanced facilitator skills course or faculty development program and the evaluating instructors’ workshop; acing two classroom evaluations; meeting Army fitness standards; and more. While the requirement for lower-level

“The 59th has delivered over 48,000 proficient and technically competent Ordnance Soldiers (during Carter’s time in command),” Williams said. “Jeffery developed a concept called operational training – bridging the gap, which laid the foundation for building agile, adaptive leaders.

The brigade established a very successful peer-to-peer SHARP program that empowered Soldiers to significantly reduce (sexual harassment and assault) incidents across their units and (ultimately) all of CASCOM.” A Platoon Honors Program created under Carter’s watch rewards advanced individual training platoons for demonstrating positive Army values and meeting APFT standards as well as expected academic grade point averages.

“The list of accomplishments could go on and on,” Williams continued. “(They are the hallmarks) of this leader’s quiet professionalism and stellar leadership abilities. … In accordance with the Ordnance Creed, Jeff has continued to strive for perfection of the craft and use every available resource to maintain the superiority of the corps. Because of you, our Army is better and our Soldiers are better prepared to support the fighter in a complex world.”

Welcoming Davis and his wife Camille, Williams said the 59th will move forward with an “excellent team” that is highly qualified and quite capable of taking the

badges (basic and senior) are fewer in number, they can be equally demanding. Demonstrating the ability to write a lesson plan, for example, is one of the steps to achieve mid-level certification.

“You don’t get here without the help of great mentors,” noted Howard, a Fire Control Division instructor in the Armament and Electronics Training Department.

“When I arrived at the Ord. School, I met Master Instructor Alan Bodle and knew right away he was someone I could go to for advice and technical assistance.

That’s another plus of this program. It encourages interaction and learning between senior and junior levels. Now that I’m a master instructor, I hope others look up to me for similar mentorship.

I’m ready to pay it forward.”

Today’s downsizing Army also demands higher caliber

SEE BRIGADE, PAGE 12 Soldiers who are motivated to perform above the standard. That knowledge, said MAIB recipient O’Brien – a Track, Metalworking and Recovery Department instructor – should be the impetus for greater achievement.

“The badge represents the hard work and dedication of myself and my team,” he said. I feel it shows we are great instructors and are able to pass our knowledge to subordinate Soldiers in an effective way.

“This will affect the rest of my career,” he added. “The badge reflects the knowledge and experience I have in my (military occupational specialty). It makes me proud to be able to stand in front of junior Soldiers wearing the MAIB. I’m proud of what I achieved in such a short time, and I’m ready for the next steps in my career.”

Page 4 | TRAVELLER | June 23, 2016 | www.fortleetraveller.com

Kenner Independence Weekend Closures Kenner Army Health Clinic, Troop Medical Clinic 1, and Mosier Consolidated Troop Medical Clinic will be open July 1 (training holiday) and closed July 4 in observance of the Independence Day holiday. The clinics will resume normal operating hours and services July 5.

To speak with a KAHC medical provider when Kenner is closed, contact the administrative officer of the day at (804) 734-9000. This must be done before seeking treatment at an urgent care center. For urgent care while traveling, call TRICARE North Region at (877) 874-2273 to locate a local urgent care center, then contact the KAHC primary care manager at 734-9000 for a referral.

For an emergency, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.

Lodging Furniture Sale | June 25 Lesley Maceyak

Marine Staff Sgt. William Plutchak, an instructor with the Bulk Petroleum course here, works with Sailors in training Friday during a helicopter expedient refueling system exercise where hand signals are necessary to complete required tasks. The exercise took place at the Quartermaster School’s PWD Military-in-the-Fields facility.

Navy refreshes on tactical fuel techniques at PWD facilities Lesley Maceyak Family/Community Life Reporter

Twenty-five Sailors participated in a fourday basic refresher Fuels Operating Course that concluded Sunday at the Quartermaster School’s Petroleum and Water Department.

The group represented Navy Cargo Handling Battalion 11, Fourth Navy Expeditionary Logistics Regiment, Fla., and NCHB 13, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group reserve battalion, Miss.

Two instructors from the Navy Expeditionary Logistic Support Group, Fort Lee Detachment, worked for the first time with Marine instructor Staff Sgt. William Plutchak to bridge the operational differences between services using the Helicopter Expedient Refueling System (a tactical asset for the Marine Corps.)

Instructor Aviation Boatswain Fuel Senior Chief Joseph Garrido is currently billeted to NAVELSG DET Fort Lee and is the Navy instructor for the Petroleum Officers Course and a Navy liaison. He organizes, facilitates and instructs fuels courses here.

During the field training, Sailors were taught to pump fuel from a helicopter expedient refueling system. This includes the assembly of a fuel system supply point.

Students learned how to build fuel berms,

which are a containment barrier with liners placed inside. Sand bags are placed on the outside of the liner to hold in place. In developed or undeveloped theaters of operation, the bladders hold the petroleum products used for helicopters and land vehicles.

“This is a system that can be rapidly deployed in the field,” said Garrido. “For example, if a convoy is miles away, they might run out of fuel between point A and point B – they will need somewhere to replenish the fuel. They can put this system at that mark, perform fueling operations, get all the equipment out and go to the next rally point.”

During the refresher, Sailors learned about basic Army tactical fuel systems, Marine Expeditionary fuels system and Navy Expeditionary equipment. The Sailors received hands-on experience, firefighting training in the classroom and practical applications.

First-time attendee to the course Navy Lt. Cmdr. Carl Booth, NCHB 11, said, “The Army has a really good facility here.

This is a hands-on retraining course we do once a year.”

Hull Technician 2nd Class Jackie Burrell Shaw found the class useful and said he is taking away lots of important information to better serve the Navy on forwarddeployed missions.

IHG Army Hotel Fort Lee will conduct a furniture and excess items sale June 25, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., at the old lodging facility, building 8026, Mahone Avenue.

It is a cash-only sale. All items must be removed from the building at the time of purchase. All proceeds will be donated to Holiday Helper and the Fisher House.

KAHC Commander’s Call | June 30 Kenner Army Health Clinic and the Patient Appointment Line will curtail services June 30, 1-4 p.m., to allow staff attendance at a quarterly Commander’s Call and training session.

The clinic will re-open in the late afternoon for pharmacy services. Patients with routine needs should contact the clinic before or after the closure.

To reach the on-call provider when the clinic is closed, contact the administrative officer of the day at (804) 734-9000.

Exchange 4th of July Gift Cards To show appreciation for their service and to celebrate July 4, Exchange gift cards can be sent to Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines deployed to Afghanistan, Kuwait and other contingency locations to redeem through the Army and Air Force Exchange Service.

While only authorized shoppers can redeem Exchange gift cards, anyone can send one by calling 800-527-2345 or by visiting www.shopmyexchange.com and clicking “Purchase Gift and Phone Cards” at the bottom of the page.

Gift cards can be addressed to a specific military member or sent to “any service member” through the Fisher House Foundation, Air Force Aid Society, Warrior and Family Support Center or Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.

New Password Requirements for TRICARE Online TRICARE Online will require beneficiaries to change their passwords every 90 days effective June 25.

Currently, beneficiaries must change their password every 150 days. All users with a password older than 90 days will be required to set a new password.

TRICARE Online also will require the use of stronger passwords. New passwords should not contain beneficiary names, email addresses, ZIP codes, Social Security numbers or dates of birth. In addition, none of the previous 10 passwords should be reused and at least two total characters must be different from the previous password.

A subsequent release later in the year will require 60-day password resets.

Kenner Optometry Services Optometry services provided by Kenner Army Health Clinic are only available to active duty personnel at this time due to provider shortages.

Patients who are routinely seen by the Optometry Clinic should contact their PCM team to discuss and coordinate care during this period.

For details, call (804) 734-9253.

www.fortleetraveller.com | June 23, 2016 | TRAVELLER | Page 5

Susan Garling

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kevin L. Pick takes a bow following the final song – “The Army Goes Rolling Along” – that closed the 392nd Army Band’s Farewell Concert Saturday at the Lee Theater. The performance featured more than 30 alumni who joined the 392nd for part of the program.

%DQG WDNHV ÀQDO ERZ In a performance that brought tears to many in the audience and drew several standing ovations, the 392nd Army Band said its goodbyes to the Fort Lee community at a farewell concert featuring more than 30 former members of the group Saturday in the Lee Theater.

Following the last song on the program – “The Army Goes Rolling Along” – Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kevin Pick, the band commander, gave the deep final bow that demonstrated his group’s appreciation for the years of applause and enthusiastic community support.

The 392nd traces its history to the 1940s.

The band will be deactivated and downsized to about a dozen Soldiers by the end of this summer as part of the Army’s reshaping efforts to meet future operational mission demands.

The first half of the 90-minute concert featured many patriotic selections and other well-known pieces by the current 30-member formation. For the second half, about 30 band alumni from all over the country – some from the ‘40s and ‘50s – joined the current musicians on stage. The combined band performed standard Army tunes as well as marches and classical pieces that have delighted audiences over the years.

Band member Staff Sgt. Tierra Brown, who served as the master of ceremonies, shouted “Wow” when a former 392nd musician from 1946 was introduced. Standing ovations occurred several times throughout the night and heartfelt songs from the Barbershop Quartet received shouts of encore.

Maj. Gen. Darrell K. Williams, CASCOM

and Fort Lee commanding general, and Col. Paul K. Brooks, garrison commander, made remarks during the program. In their comments, they praised the band and alumni who provided years of dedicated support to neighboring communities and represented Fort Lee in military ceremonies.

The recent history of bands on the installation began with the formation of the first Quartermaster School Band in July 1942.

The band was redesignated as the 392nd Army Service Forces Band on March 15, 1944, and was assigned to Camp Lee on May 3, 1946 with six Soldiers. It eventually achieved its full strength of 28 players that broadened its scope and function.

The 392nd Army Service Forces Band was redesignated on June 11, 1946 as the 392nd Band. On Jan. 15, 1947, the Army appointed Camp Lee as the headquarters of a Band Replacement Detachment. On May 15, 1947, the 392nd Band was once again redesignated the 392nd Army Band, and was allotted to the regular Army on Dec. 20, 1951.

Over its long history, the full 40-piece ensemble played for two presidents, one first lady, in the Rose Bowl Parade and before numerous national, state and local dignitaries and at major local community events. For the past few years, the band has visited many Central Virginia schools to perform as part of the Army’s Music in Our Schools initiative.

The band has received numerous accolades over its history.

– Staff Reports

Page 6 | TRAVELLER | June 23, 2016 | www.fortleetraveller.com

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SKIES Unlimited offers a variety of summer youth camps and many have sign-ups still available.

SKIES – which stands for School of Knowledge Inspiration, Exploration and Skills – is a Child, Youth and School Services outreach program that gives kids an opportunity to do activities normally not provided by youth sports.

All the classes offered this summer are new to SKIES. Some include: cooking, archery, dancing,

JumpStarz (double dutch), mixed martial arts, mentorship, geocaching (modern day scavenger hunt), water skiing and camp clinic.

New here but not to SKIES program, Augustus “AJ” Brooks is the assistant director of Multi-program Child Development Center and will become SKIES director starting June 30.

He comes from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, where he served as a team coordinator and assistant to the school-age director since 2008.

“My future plans are to make sure SKIES operates as one cohesive unit,”

Lesley Maceyak

SKIES incoming director Augustus “AJ” Brooks is ready to implement more programs for kids.

he said. “Everyone needs to be on the same page, I want to implement my expertise and offer more programs for the kids. I realize they don’t have a lot of art programs here, so I want to implement that along with more sporting events, especially during the summer.

One of my end goals is to

have a cheer camp; maybe have the kids perform at a half-time show. I want the kids to feel more beneficial to have an incentive for attending the camps.”

To find out more about the summer schedule, contact Parent Central Services at (804) 765-3852 or visit leemwr.com.

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Capt. Todd Nordman, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Shane Studer and Sgt. Maj. Eric Sutton – all Marines from the Fort Lee Marine Corps detachment – pose for pictures after winning the installation intramural team golf championship June 13 at the Cardinal Golf Club. The trio beat Alpha Company, 16th Ordnance Battalion, by three strokes to win their second championship in three seasons.

www.fortleetraveller.com | June 23, 2016 | TRAVELLER | Page 7

Muslim Soldier remains true to faith, dedicated to military Amy Perry Production/News Assistant Editor

During Ramadan, it’s common knowledge Muslims will fast from sunrise to sunset, foregoing food, water or smoking.

Sgt. 1st Class Khondokar Rahman, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the S-1 shop for the 832nd Ordnance Battalion, is a devout follower of the religion but won’t let it interfere with his military duties.

“I stay in Ramadan during the day, but I keep my mission first,” said the naturalized citizen who was born in Bangladesh. “If I see I have to break it for the mission, I will break it. In the Ramadan, there is a way you can say out of 30 days, you broke 5 or 10 for your job. So after Ramadan, I can do those as extra make-up days.

“My faith allows me the flexibility to break Ramadan if it’s too hard with mission requirements or because of training we have to do,” he continued. “I’ll break it, but I’ll make it up after the month finishes.”

The holy month started the evening of June 5 and runs until the evening of July 5. The dates vary each year based on the sightings of the crescent moon. This year, it falls on some of the longest days of the year.

Amy Perry

Sgt. 1st Class Khondokar Rahman, noncommissioned officer in charge of the S-1 shop for the 832nd Ordnance Battalion, and his wife Maria are devout Muslims and said the Army has always given them all the support they needed.

“In the month of Ramadan, I wake up early in the morning, do my prayer and light physical training, and then I eat in the morning – almost like a lunchtime meal,” he said. “I’m so used to it my body acclimates quickly.”

While followers of the Islamic faith group make up 23 percent of the world’s population, according to data from Pew Research Center, Muslims only make up about 1 percent of America’s population with 3.3 million people. In the military, nearly 5,900 troops – out of approximately 2.2 million DOD-wide – have self-identified as Muslim, according to a 2015

Defense Department report.

Chaplain (Maj.) Guy McBride, the resource manager for the Fort Lee Religious Support Office, said there are only four Muslim chaplains in his corps, because they are considered a small faith group.

Even though the installation lacks a Muslim chaplain, there are ways the Fort Lee RSO supports this small faith group, said McBride. A Muslim faith leader – Mehboob Munshi, a senior electrical engineer at the Directorate of Public Works – leads prayer services each Friday at Liberty Chapel from 12:15-1:15 p.m.

Many religious groups that do not

have a chaplain from their religion assigned here – like the Church of the Latter Day Saints – have a faith group leader who can perform weekly services.

“We may not be able to provide the services, but we do our best to support it,” McBride said. “If a Soldier comes to us and asks us to accommodate religious services, we do everything we can. But we always keep mission first. It’s always a command call.

“For example, during Ramadan, Muslims fast – including water – during the day from sunrise to sunset,” he continued. “If there’s a training exercise out in the field, the commander can’t have that Soldier foregoing food and drink.”

McBride said while deployed during Ramadan, many Muslims were not able to meet their faith requirements while supporting the mission.

“There’s an understanding by these Soldiers – and Islam, itself, does allow for this within the tenants – if you have to violate the fasting for medical reasons or military reasons, there are certain exceptions,” he said. “As chaplains, we can’t demand from them, but we do have to monitor them to take care of them.”

Rahman said he and his family – wife Maria and daughter Fahrin, who is in elementary school – have a wonderful life in the Army and it’s easier for him than Muslims in the civilian population.

“I feel comfortable, especially while wearing the uniform,” he said.

“The religious accommodation we

have in the service is amazing.

“It’s amazing. I traveled to so many places in the world with my profession, and no other country in the world has this kind of system in place for religious accommodation,” Rahman continued. “They may talk like they do; but here you can go to any military office – especially in the Army – and still they have chaplains. There are rooms where you can pray. In the last 17 years, no one questioned me why I was a Muslim or why was I praying. It was never questioned. The things I couldn’t do was because it was my decision … because maybe there was a meeting going on, and I wasn’t going to go to pray because it wouldn’t follow my mission first mentality.”

The Army Family has been a huge support to her family, said Maria.

“I’m very comfortable with other military families,” she said.

“They know I’m Muslim, so there is no problem anywhere. We are very comfortable with anyone in the Army Family. They come to our home, and we go to theirs.”

“We get a lot of help from our Army Family,” agreed Rahman.

“We see the differences being in the Army. That’s a huge difference, because many civilian Muslims don’t see that kind of understanding like we see from our chain of command and others. Because I wear the Army uniform, people don’t see where I came from, and they don’t see my culture. We are all focused on a mission, and we carry each other. It’s a bond.”

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www.fortleetraveller.com | June 23, 2016 | Traveller | 9

8 | Traveller | June 23, 2016 | www.fortleetraveller.com

(CLOCKWISE FROM FAR RIGHT) Col. James Groark, Ordnance School acting commandant, addresses audience members during the Ord. Officer Candidate School Class 66-1 50th Reunion and Memorial Dedication Ceremony that took place on the Ordnance Campus June 13. • Robert Emerick, American Legion Post 284 color guard, positions a bugle as it plays a recording of “Taps.” • Attendees gathered for the event listen to the guest speaker. • A spectator pensively listens to speakers. • Groark and Retired Maj. Jerome Lewis, unveil a bronzed plaque listing the names of graduates.

Photos by T. Anthony Bell

To A Ordnance School recognizes service of Vietnam-era vets at ceremony

T. Anthony Bell Senior Writer/Special Projects

T

he camaraderie and deep ties were unmistakable amongst the group of ordnance officers who gathered here recently even though most of them had not seen each other since the Vietnam War. “We picked it up right where we left it,” said retired Maj. Ed Eley. “That’s the interesting thing. You go through something like this,

you build friends for a lifetime.”

That “something like this” refers to the Ord. Officer Candidate School Class 66-1.

Class members spent 23 weeks in 1966 training together in what some say was the first course designating graduates as ordnance officers. On June 13, a handful of students from the graduating class traveled here from all over the country to celebrate the achievement during the 50th Reunion and Memorial Dedication Ceremony that took place on the Ord. Campus.

“This was a tremendous dedication ceremony,” said class member Ray Dickerson of Payette, Idaho, struggling to restrain his emotions. “I can’t believe the work that went into this by my classmates.”

Heavy on the hearts of attendees were those who were deceased or who could not attend due to health reasons. The veterans who were present, now in their late 60s and early 70s, wept or teared up during the proceedings, reflecting the affinity and kinship they had for one another.

“We became very close,” said Eley, who was the event’s chief organizer. “You can’t live and work and go through the training we went through without bonding with each other.”

During their training, the classmates spent time at Fort Knox, Ky., for the combat portion and Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., for the

technical phase. Sixty-seven students began the course, and 33 finished, earning their commissions on June 13, 1966. A good number of the graduates served in Vietnam.

Preparing the Soldiers for combat fell on the shoulders of then 1st Lt. Jerome Lewis, a former Marine who lived and breathed discipline and devotion, said Eley.

“He was our tactical officer,” he said of Lewis, an infantry officer. “He was tough.”

Lewis was present for the event, and was overheard saying “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” He later recalled, “I was on my way to Vietnam, and they took me off orders to bring these young men along,” he said. “In that process, I learned and gained all of these friends.”

The 75-year-old Lewis, whose erectness and body posture belied the fact he has Parkinson’s Disease, was given the privilege

of unveiling the memorial plague, a 2-by-2 foot bronze plate listing the names of graduates in raised letters. It rests on a 2-ton boulder that fronts a small oak tree planted a few weeks ago. The memorial is located near a running path adjacent to the historic ordnance vehicles parked at the foot of the bridge connecting the campus with main post.

Ordnance Corps and School acting commandant Col. James Groark, who assisted Lewis in the unveiling, was the guest speaker. He made it his first point of emphasis to talk about efforts and events at Department of Defense installations offering the sincerest thanks for those who served during the Vietnam War era.

“The events focused on two words that were not heard enough during the 1960s and 1970s,” he remarked. “So, from the heart of

this ordnance officer and OCS, and on behalf of over 90,000 ordnance Soldiers today, welcome home, welcome home.”

Groark, who noted his career was shaped by Vietnam veterans, said Class 66-1’s achievement and the memorial that symbolizes it will serve to inspire the ordnance Soldiers of today.

“From this day on, young men and women – ordnance Soldiers like yourselves – will run and walk along this path and recognize those who came before them; recognize those whose shoulders they proudly stand upon.

Once again, I want to thank you and your families for all you’ve done for this country.”

The idea for the reunion and dedication first surfaced three years ago, said Eley, and really began to take shape within the past year. When the particulars for the event were solidified, the plaque was ordered and a boul-

der was transported in from western Virginia.

Members of the organizing committee along with Ord. School volunteers later laid a foundation to support it.

“We dug a hole, poured 39 bags of concrete in it, smoothed it out, covered it up,” said attendee and class member Gene Kent.

Why would a group of senior-citizen Soldiers go out of their way to construct a memorial, one might ask?

To impact today’s Soldier, said Kent, “to leave a lasting memory of us, and what we achieved.”

Editor’s note: Class 66-1 extended its thanks to the Ord. Corps command group, the 59th Ord. Brigade, American Legion Post 284 and a long list of individuals who supported the event.

www.fortleetraveller.com | June 23, 2016 | Traveller | 9

8 | Traveller | June 23, 2016 | www.fortleetraveller.com

(CLOCKWISE FROM FAR RIGHT) Col. James Groark, Ordnance School acting commandant, addresses audience members during the Ord. Officer Candidate School Class 66-1 50th Reunion and Memorial Dedication Ceremony that took place on the Ordnance Campus June 13. • Robert Emerick, American Legion Post 284 color guard, positions a bugle as it plays a recording of “Taps.” • Attendees gathered for the event listen to the guest speaker. • A spectator pensively listens to speakers. • Groark and Retired Maj. Jerome Lewis, unveil a bronzed plaque listing the names of graduates.

Photos by T. Anthony Bell

To A Ordnance School recognizes service of Vietnam-era vets at ceremony

T. Anthony Bell Senior Writer/Special Projects

T

he camaraderie and deep ties were unmistakable amongst the group of ordnance officers who gathered here recently even though most of them had not seen each other since the Vietnam War. “We picked it up right where we left it,” said retired Maj. Ed Eley. “That’s the interesting thing. You go through something like this,

you build friends for a lifetime.”

That “something like this” refers to the Ord. Officer Candidate School Class 66-1.

Class members spent 23 weeks in 1966 training together in what some say was the first course designating graduates as ordnance officers. On June 13, a handful of students from the graduating class traveled here from all over the country to celebrate the achievement during the 50th Reunion and Memorial Dedication Ceremony that took place on the Ord. Campus.

“This was a tremendous dedication ceremony,” said class member Ray Dickerson of Payette, Idaho, struggling to restrain his emotions. “I can’t believe the work that went into this by my classmates.”

Heavy on the hearts of attendees were those who were deceased or who could not attend due to health reasons. The veterans who were present, now in their late 60s and early 70s, wept or teared up during the proceedings, reflecting the affinity and kinship they had for one another.

“We became very close,” said Eley, who was the event’s chief organizer. “You can’t live and work and go through the training we went through without bonding with each other.”

During their training, the classmates spent time at Fort Knox, Ky., for the combat portion and Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., for the

technical phase. Sixty-seven students began the course, and 33 finished, earning their commissions on June 13, 1966. A good number of the graduates served in Vietnam.

Preparing the Soldiers for combat fell on the shoulders of then 1st Lt. Jerome Lewis, a former Marine who lived and breathed discipline and devotion, said Eley.

“He was our tactical officer,” he said of Lewis, an infantry officer. “He was tough.”

Lewis was present for the event, and was overheard saying “I wouldn’t miss this for the world.” He later recalled, “I was on my way to Vietnam, and they took me off orders to bring these young men along,” he said. “In that process, I learned and gained all of these friends.”

The 75-year-old Lewis, whose erectness and body posture belied the fact he has Parkinson’s Disease, was given the privilege

of unveiling the memorial plague, a 2-by-2 foot bronze plate listing the names of graduates in raised letters. It rests on a 2-ton boulder that fronts a small oak tree planted a few weeks ago. The memorial is located near a running path adjacent to the historic ordnance vehicles parked at the foot of the bridge connecting the campus with main post.

Ordnance Corps and School acting commandant Col. James Groark, who assisted Lewis in the unveiling, was the guest speaker. He made it his first point of emphasis to talk about efforts and events at Department of Defense installations offering the sincerest thanks for those who served during the Vietnam War era.

“The events focused on two words that were not heard enough during the 1960s and 1970s,” he remarked. “So, from the heart of

this ordnance officer and OCS, and on behalf of over 90,000 ordnance Soldiers today, welcome home, welcome home.”

Groark, who noted his career was shaped by Vietnam veterans, said Class 66-1’s achievement and the memorial that symbolizes it will serve to inspire the ordnance Soldiers of today.

“From this day on, young men and women – ordnance Soldiers like yourselves – will run and walk along this path and recognize those who came before them; recognize those whose shoulders they proudly stand upon.

Once again, I want to thank you and your families for all you’ve done for this country.”

The idea for the reunion and dedication first surfaced three years ago, said Eley, and really began to take shape within the past year. When the particulars for the event were solidified, the plaque was ordered and a boul-

der was transported in from western Virginia.

Members of the organizing committee along with Ord. School volunteers later laid a foundation to support it.

“We dug a hole, poured 39 bags of concrete in it, smoothed it out, covered it up,” said attendee and class member Gene Kent.

Why would a group of senior-citizen Soldiers go out of their way to construct a memorial, one might ask?

To impact today’s Soldier, said Kent, “to leave a lasting memory of us, and what we achieved.”

Editor’s note: Class 66-1 extended its thanks to the Ord. Corps command group, the 59th Ord. Brigade, American Legion Post 284 and a long list of individuals who supported the event.

Page 10 | TRAVELLER | June 23, 2016 | www.fortleetraveller.com

Second Chance

Lesley Maceyak

Soldier sees brighter future after conquering intoxicating demons Lesley Maceyak Family/Community Life Reporter

Staff Sgt. Darrel Whitton, knows what it means to hit rock bottom.

The quartermaster Soldier from the 92A Division Logistics Training Department dealt with post-traumatic stress disorder, a failed marriage, separation from kids, trouble with the military, arrest for assault and battery, an overdose of prescribed drugs, loss of life ambitions and then alcohol dependency. He almost lost everything including his own life before he realized he desperately needed help.

Whitton started drinking as a teenager in Gouverneur, N.Y. He felt it was normal to drink and a way to “fit in.”

He joined the Army in 2003 at age of 19. He enlisted to better

himself and his first assignment was at Fort Drum N.Y., which was only 32 miles from where he grew up. He was single and did what he felt most did at that age … drink heavily and daily.

“It seemed like everybody in the Army was drinking, so I felt like that is what I needed to do,” he said.

After his first year in the Army, he got married and gained an instant family with two children.

His drinking slowed at that time because he thought doing it alone felt odd.

He first deployed for a 15-month-tour in Afghanistan.

He said there were a couple of situations he experienced in the desert, but he had considered himself lucky.

Upon his return, he and the family transferred to Fort Riley, Kan. He then had his first child.

“I think coming from Afghanistan with a permanent change of station upon my return, and having a baby was overwhelming,” he said. “Then, going to a new place to live, it was really the first time I left New York I was on my own. I drank every opportunity to escape my problems.”

He would find any excuse to have friends over because he felt more acceptable drinking in front of his family.

Whitton soon did a back-toback deployment to Iraq. During that time, he found out he was having a second child who was born prior to his return. He also had also adopted his wife’s two children.

During his third deployment, he found out his wife had been unfaithful. He said his marriage was spiraling out of control and

the homefront was unstable. For the remaining 4-6 months of his deployment, he was dealing with his marital problems. At that time, he had received orders to come to Fort Lee. He recalls at the end of the deployment he had many hours to reflect on his life.

The time alone to himself ramped up his life situations.

When he returned, his marriage was broken, and soon alcohol became his main issue.

“I can have a pretty bad attitude – I never hurt anybody physically – just a lot of emotions came out when I returned,” he said. “Our relationship got ugly and a lot of arguments erupted. We decided to separate.”

His noncommissioned officers in charge who had worked closely with him in Iraq noticed he was deteriorating and needed help.

His personal life was affecting his work. He was missing physical training due to being hungover, and he reeked of alcohol when he showed up for work.

Whitton was admitted for the first time by mental health to a

treatment facility to allow him some time apart from his wife, get away from alcohol, attend support classes and cope with his life.

The two-week treatment focused on his marital problems … but did not focus on his alcohol problem.

“When I was released, I really had nowhere to go,” he said.

“Thankfully, my chain of command allowed me to stay in the barracks which was good … but in the end, it was bad because I was a staff sergeant living with younger Soldiers. I knew basically everyone, and it was a nightly party with lots of alcohol.”

He continued his drinking pattern and showed up to work late. His unit gave him a lot of leeway because he was about to PCS to Fort Lee. No one paid any attention to what he was doing. Whitton was dealing with a divorce and leaving his four kids behind in Kansas.

He arrived at Fort Lee alone.

“I had no friends, no family and I did not know how to handle myself,” he said. “I depended on alcohol to get by.

“It was nerve-racking coming to a new unit, not knowing what to expect,” he explained.

“I had heard horror stories about Fort Lee. You either come here to get demoted … or come to get promoted. My first months here were rough and all I remember is drinking.”

He found a co-worker he called a friend and they drank every day together. He alone would drink a case of beer each night.

He was still visiting mental health for depression and insomnia. He felt the only way he could successfully sleep through the night was to take prescribed antidepressant, sleep medication and drown it down with alcohol.

At that time, Whitton was still legally married, and found himself involved with a married woman. The husband found out and reported Whitton to his chain of command. He was given a nocontact order by his leaders.

SEE CHANCE, PAGE 11

www.fortleetraveller.com | June 23, 2016 | TRAVELLER | Page 11

CHANCE | Soldier triumphs over

alcohol addiction Continued from page 10 “I really didn’t have a care in the world at that time,” he said. “I was a pretty poor father … I didn’t care about work. I didn’t have drive or enthusiasm. I had just about hit rock bottom. I had nowhere else to go.”

He also ignored the no-contact order.

One day, the woman he was told not to see visited his apartment.

“I remember she stayed awhile and then left … I was drinking a lot, and had fallen into a deep depression,” he said. “I drank more heavily that day and recall downing a full bottle of amaretto straight, a bottle of vodka, and 18-pack of beer. I sat there going through all my awards and decorations. I was thinking … why did I deserve this? There are better people out there more deserving than me. I was beating himself up.”

The woman returned to his apartment, and from what he remembers, she tried to help him.

“I wasn’t listening,” he continued. “I went to my bedroom and took a half a bottle of anti-depressants – every sleeping pill I had – and had blacked out. I woke up the next day to find my apartment destroyed. I don’t know what happened.

I must have had a temper tantrum – lost my cool. The police were knocking on my door with the lady I was seeing. She had left her ID and needed an escort in order to retrieve it. In her account, she reported to the police I assaulted her. They not only there to retrieve her ID but to arrest me for assault and battery.”

Whitton knew he was in big trouble … not only legally but also with the military.

“The next day I showed up to work and my NCOIC gave me a counseling statement recommending me for UCMJ based on disobeying a lawful order and adultery,” he said.

The NCOIC asked if he was OK to go home. He said he was not.

Whitton was admitted to the mental ward at Southside Regional Medical Center, Petersburg.

“All I remember was not allowed outside. There were not many windows and I had no alcohol. I was scared … I didn’t know what was going to happen with my career or if I would ever see my kids again.”

The staff gave him medications to help with the severity of his withdrawals that

plagued him two days into the treatment.

At that time, he was not ready to quit because he didn’t know if he could do anything sober. He had drowned every problem with alcohol.

He said he owes most of his recovery to a caring lady who looked over him while he was in the ward. He said she would not stop believing in him and wanted him to seek help for alcoholism. She assisted with getting him treatment at Fort Belvoir.

Whitton still felt at that time he didn’t have an alcohol problem – He was a “social drinker,” and he was oblivious to the underlying issues that caused him to drink.

“I never really focused on the PTSD portion,” he said. “However, the nightmares were still happening and I didn’t know how to deal with them.”

When he got to Fort Belvoir there was a set schedule and a counselor who focused solely on PTSD counseling. After a week of treatment and listening to other peoples’ stories, he realized he did have a drinking problem.

One way he learned about himself during his treatment – he had to write a detailed paper on his entire life. When he wrote the timeframe after enlisting in the Army, his life became vague. The PTSD started to come more into play.

“I realized I needed to get help with the PTSD and my insomnia,” he said. “I finally focused on myself and decided I could do this and I wanted to do it, but it was going to be difficult.”

During treatment, he had made contact with an old college girlfriend, Candice, who is now his wife.

“It had been 11 years since I spoke with her,” he said. “She had become my rock; my go-to-person. We became close and I attribute a lot of my success to her.

“Coming out of treatment knowing she was there and having a great chain of command, with NCOICs who stood beside me really helped. They knew this wasn’t who I was … I had the potential to be a great leader.”

Out of treatment he got an Article 15 that included 30 days of extra duty, and suspension of his pay and rank for 60 days. “If I didn’t screw up, I would get it all back,” he said. “During this process, I hired a lawyer. The outside court gave me a year probation and suspended the

charges after one year, as long as I did not mess up.”

For his probation, he had to do 100 hours of community service. The probation officer helped him contact the president of the Hopewell Youth Football League, Robbie Pine, to volunteer with his youth league.

“I told Mr. Pine I wanted to fight this battle with alcoholism,” he said. “If I can help any child – it would help me.”

He was granted the community service and Whitton opened up his calendar to help. At the end of the football season, he received a volunteer of the year award from the Hopewell Football League.

“This award meant I could be successful without getting drunk,” he said. “Mr. Pine wrote a phenomenal letter about me to my probation officer and to the courts.”

After the year was over, his probation officer told the court Whitton was the best candidate he ever had. Whitton was a great success. Not only did he do 100 community hours but exceeded over 200.

The judge reduced his charges.

Whitton said he began to see a light that was starting to shine.

Today, almost four years later, he is still sober.

DOES YOUR TEEN DESERVE A SECOND CHANCE?

He voluntarily works with the Army Community Service, Army Family Team Building and talks to classes about resiliency. He uses his story to show how someone can be resilient and make it through tough situations.

“I am back to who I was or where I should have been,” said Whitton. “The Army has provided so much for me and my family. I will never forget my tour here at Fort Lee. It allowed me to turn over a new leaf and to see a new perspective on life. The Army has given me a second chance.”

Whitton is transferring in a few months for an unaccompanied tour to Korea. His focus is to stay busy, finish his bachelor’s degree, to explore nature and stay sober.

To learn more about the Army Substance Abuse Program here call (804) 734-9601.

Behavioral Health (804) 734-9143.

For training on alcohol/drug prevention or how to conduct a Unit Risk Inventory contact: Matthew Murcin, risk reduction coordinator at (804) 734-9434 or Elias Barnes, Prevention Coordinator at (804) 734-9182.

In addition, post chaplains are available to provide confidential counseling and occasional classes.

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We give 16-18 year olds an opportunity to earn their GED, or up to 5-7 credits to apply towards their high school diploma in only 5 1/2 months. Our Edgenuity Credit Recovery Program is approved by the Virginia Department of Education.

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Page 12 | TRAVELLER | June 23, 2016 | www.fortleetraveller.com

KENNER CONNECTION | HEALTH BENEFITS

BRIGADE | ‘(The time) will go by

Traveling with TRICARE Prime – Don’t leave home without it

fast, so just enjoy the ride’

Tereasa Wade KAHC Public Affairs Officer

Summer vacation season is underway, and the Kenner Army Health Clinic team at Fort Lee wishes everyone heading out of town a safe and enjoyable trip. Also, here are a few things to keep in mind when traveling with TRICARE Prime: • Plan ahead for routine care – Remember, TRICARE Prime enrollees are required to obtain all routine medical checkups from their primary care manager. Routine care includes management of chronic health conditions, standard physicals and requests for prescription refills. If the medical need can be handled before leaving or can be delayed until the return home, it is considered “routine care.”

• Prescriptions on the road – It’s smart to get routine prescriptions filled before travel, but if beneficiaries need a refill while away from home they can visit a military pharmacy if one is nearby. It’s a good idea to call first to see if they have the medication on hand.

Find the closest network pharmacy available in the U.S. and its territories.

If a network pharmacy isn’t available, visit a non-network pharmacy; however, this will result in a point of service deductible and 50-percent cost share after the deductible is met.

• Emergencies – An emergency is a

serious medical condition that could result in the loss of life, limb or eyesight.

If experiencing an emergency, call 911 or visit the nearest hospital emergency room. Emergency care does not require prior authorization before treatment. If follow-up or specialty treatment resulting from an emergency room visit is needed, contact the PCM for an authorization.

• Out-of-area urgent care – For urgent care while traveling, call the Nurse Advice Line at (800) 874-2273 and choose option 1 to speak to a registered nurse who can provide medical advice and, if necessary, authorize urgent care at a local clinic. Failure to obtain an authorization prior to receiving care will cause TRICARE to deny payment for the visit and will result in being billed directly for services.

• Non-emergency care for active duty service members – Patients must receive all non-emergency care at a military treatment facility if one is available. If an MTF is not available or unable to provide an appointment, beneficiaries must obtain prior authorization from their PCM or from the Nurse Advice Line before receiving non-emergency care.

For further information and assistance while traveling, call the KAHC Patient Appointment Line at 1-866-LEE-KAHC or (866) 533-5242 and DEERS at (800) 363-2273.

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mantle of leadership.

“Col. Davis is known by reputation as a focused leader and a master logistician who will get the job done and who I know will ensure our Soldiers are well-trained and taken care of,” Williams said. “The Army could not have picked a better team than Sean and Camille. The CASCOM, Ordnance and Fort Lee Team extends to you a warm welcome.”

Carter’s remarks primarily acknowledged those who provided the greatest support during his tenure.

“When I took command two years ago, one of my top priorities was to produce apprentice Soldiers capable of being productive team members on day one (of arrival to their first duty stations),” he said. “With the help of Dr. (Richard) Armstrong and the great civilians and NCOs in the Directorate of Training, as well as our superb battalion and company leadership, we did just that. … (The) positive feedback we’re hearing from the field is our Soldiers are arriving in good physical condition and with the requisite technical skills to be (contributing) team members as soon as they arrive. For that, I offer my thanks to all instructors and platoon sergeants for the great work they do in preparing young Soldiers to be our future leaders.”

Wishing “the best of luck” to the incoming commander, Carter encouraged Davis to “enjoy his time in the seat” noting the battallion commanders and support staff are dedicated to ensuring his success. “(The time) will go by fast, so just enjoy the ride,” said Carter who will next serve as

the deputy commander for the 1st Theater Sustainment Command, homebased at Fort Bragg, N.C., but currently forward-deployed to Kuwait in support of warfighters serving in Southwest Asia.

Davis’ remarks primarily focused on the individuals who have contributed to his career success thus far. Family mentors include his father-in-law Navy Rear Admiral Gary Hartz and an uncle who served in Vietnam. The colonel thanked his wife and kids for “enduring” just over two decades of military life in addition to seven combat deployments and 12 permanent change of station moves.

Addressing the significance of joining Team Lee, Davis closed with the following observation. “The Chief of Staff of the Army has established readiness for ground combat as the No. 1 priority,” he said.

CASCOM focus areas echo that goal.

“When I entered the gate this morning, I thought about the combat imperative of readiness as the security guard stated, ‘Support Starts Here,’” he continued.

“Support does start here, and when I look at (these) Ordnance Soldiers, I am struck by how essential each and every one of them is to achieving the CSA’s priority.

“The EOD, ammunition and maintenance Soldiers before you are the difference between a weapon system making a deafening bang or a hushed and unfulfilling click; the difference between an engine roaring or stalling; and the difference between patrolling a battle space with freedom of movement or restrictions due to unexplodedordnance-ridden roads. Support and Army readiness does begin right here.”

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www.fortleetraveller.com | June 23, 2016 | TRAVELLER | Page 13

LOCAL ACTIVITIES

FOR THE

EVENTS FMWR Library Game Night | June 28 The Fort Lee Community Library will host “Game Night at Your Library� June 28, 5-6:30 p.m.

The free event will include an assortment of new and classic board games. It is open to all ages and skill levels. The activity is held the last Tuesday of the month.

The library is located on the 2nd floor of the Army Logistics University, building 12420, 34th Street.

For details, call (804) 765-8095.

FMWR Red, White and Boots Party | July 2 A Red, White and Boots pre-Independence Day party is scheduled for July 2, 8 p.m., at the HideAway. Admission is free.

The event features country music, karaoke, drink specials and more. The doors open at 6 p.m.

For details, call (804) 765-1539.

Battle Drive Pool Opens | July 2 Battle Drive Pool will be open July 2 Sept. 5 for the 2016 season.

Located off Battle Drive behind the Lee Club, the pool is open Tuesday - Sunday, noon - 7:30 p.m. Daily admission is $3 per person. Individual and season passes are $45-$80. Season passes are on sale at the Picture Perfect Frame Shop.

For details, call (804) 734-6994 or 7346198 or visit leemwr.com.

Fourth at the Fort Fort Lee will host a July 4 celebration at Williams Stadium, 5-10 p.m.

The event will feature entertainment, a Kidzone play area and a fireworks display.

Admission is free and open to the public.

Kidzone admission is $1 per ticket or $20 for unlimited access.

A valid state- or government-issued identification card with photo is required for anyone 18 years of age or older to access the installation. Information about gate openings and their operating hours will be announced in the Fort Lee Traveller (www. ftleetraveller.com) and through social me-

FORT LEE COMMUNITY

dia (www.Facebook.com/ArmyFortLee).

Postponements or cancellations due to inclement weather will be posted at www. facebook.com/FortLeeFMWR.

555th PIA Meeting | July 6 The Jessie J. Mayes Tricities Chapter of the 555th Parachute Infantry Association,Inc., will hold its monthly meeting July 6, 6 p.m., at the Petersburg Public Library, 201 Washington St. Prior airborne experience is not a prerequisite for membership or for attending the meeting.

For details, call (804) 861-0945.

FMWR Library Summer Reading Program Kickoff | July 7 The FMWR Community Library’s “Read for the Win� summer reading program will kick off July 7, 10:30 a.m., at Williams Stadium.

Participants will receive a bag of “Read for the Win� goodies and further instructions on the free program that will continue through early August.

For details, call (804) 765-8095.

FMWR Newcomers’ Dinner Signup Deadline | July 8 Registration is open until July 8 for the free Family and MWR Newcomers’ Dinner. The quarterly event is set for July 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Regimental Community Center.

At the dinner, new community members who have arrived in the area the previous six months or less can become familiar with programs and services here.

For registration and details, email marketing@leemwr.com.

FMWR Free Monday Night Bowling | Ongoing Family and MWR is offering free bowling every Monday night, 5-9 p.m., through Aug. 25, at the Fort Lee Bowling Center, Battle Drive. It will not be offered June 27.

All games and shoes are free for government ID cardholders on Fort Lee. Lanes will be assigned based on availability.

For details, call (804) 734-6860.

FMWR Thunder Bowl | Until Aug. 31

YOUTH

Fort Lee families can bowl instead of staying home on rainy days until Aug. 31 at the Fort Lee Bowling Center, Battle Drive.

Parents can bowl for free when participating with a paid child’s game each day it rains. This is subject to lane availability.

For details, call (804) 734-6860.

SPORTS & FITNESS 3-D Archery June 25

Shoot

|

Fort Lee Family and MWR Outdoor Recreation will hold a 3-D Archery Shoot Competition on June 25, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., at the archery range adjacent to building 15014 on 5th Street.

The cost is $10 per adult, $8 for Fort Lee permit holders, $5 for youth ages 1317, and $3 for cubs 12 and under.

For details, call (804) 765-2212.

CYSS Fall Sports Registration | July 19-31 CYSS will hold registration for fall cheerleading, tackle football and flag football, July 19-31, at Parent Central Services, building 10624 Yorktown Drive.

Cheerleading is for ages 5-14. The cost is $40 for military, DOD Civilians and contractors, and $50 for non-DOD civilians.

Tackle football is for youngsters, 7-13. The cost is $65 for military. DOD Civilians and contractors. and $75 for non-DOD civilians.

Flag football is for youth, 5-7 years old. The cost is $40 for military. DOD Civilians and contractors, and $50 for non-DOD civilians. Coaches are needed for all activities.

For details, call (804) 765-3852.

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Page 14 | TRAVELLER | June 23, 2016 | www.fortleetraveller.com

Calendar, continued OUTSIDE

THE

GATE

Bugle Calls of Civil War | June 25 William Stallings will discuss and demonstrate how bugle calls were used in Civil War military camps and on the battlefield.

June 25, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., at the Petersburg National Battlefield, 5001 Siege Road.

While the program is free, the fee to enter the park is $5 per vehicle.

For details, call (804) 732-3531 ext. 204.

Hard Hat Tour of Poplar Grove Cemetery I June 25 A behind-the-scenes look at the rehabilitation project at historic Poplar Grove National Cemetery will be held June 25, 10 a.m., in Dinwiddie County.

Parking for the free 2-hour tour is at Fort Wadsworth at the intersection of Flank and Halifax roads. A shuttle will transport participants to the cemetery. Reservations are required.

For details, call (804) 732-3531 ext. 208.

Midlothian Mines Tour | June 25 A family friendly program on the coal

CROSSWORD | BY SGT. MCGILLICUDDY

mining industry is set for June 25, at Midlothian Mines Park, North Woolridge Road.

Participants will take a guided tour and learn about one of the first coal mining operations in North America. The fee is $8 per person.

For registration and details, call (804) 748-1623.

Sensational Snake Presentation | June 28 Participants will learn about and see a variety of Virginia’s snakes from the Rockwood Nature Center June 28, 7-8 p.m., at Enon Library, 1801 Enon Church Road, Chester. The program is free.

Reptile experts will share details on how to identify poisonous snakes and more.

Registration is required.

For details, call (804) 318-8911.

Magic of Prague Talk | June 30 Dr. Robert Rehak, cultural attaché, Embassy of the Czech Republic, will deliver a talk titled “Life and Legends of Czechs and Jews in the Heart of Europe” June 30, 7 p.m., at the Prince George County Regional Heritage Center, 6406 Courthouse Road.

For details, call (804) 863-0212 or visit www.princegeorgevahistoricalsociety.org.

)$6+,21 $&&(6625,(6 T. Anthony Bell Senior Writer/Special Projects

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Contributed Photo

Maj. Joseph A.Tull Jr., Fort Lee Provost Marshal, center, poses with officers and members of his staff; Susan Loden, Fort Lee Army Volunteer coordinator; and representatives from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries in Henrico County recently.The VDGIF presented awards to Fort Lee during a ceremony at the 100th Anniversary board meeting of the department. The awards were in recognition of the cooperation and support between VDGIF and Fort Lee over the last several years.

ACROSS 1. Worn with tuxedoes 4. A hosiery accessory for women ... and men 6. Not usually worn in the modern world, it is more of a fashion embellishment for royalty 10. A signature Hugh Hefner staple (two words) 14. A large, rectangular piece of cloth typically worn over the head or shoulders 15.This brand of hat is worn

by U.S. Army cavalrymen on ceremonial occasions 16.This type of neckwear almost went out of style but has seen a resurgence (two words) 17. It is still worn by some Mennonite and Amish girls

and women DOWN 1. Can be used as a crutch, for corporal punishment or purely for fashion 2.These keep the ears warm 3. Disposable napkins have rendered this nearly obsolete 5. A neckband used by men in civilian and military dress 7. A large purse 8. Also called a muffler 9. Jewelry items worn by men and boys, especially for formal occasions 11. Quite like an umbrella 12.These are called braces in Britain 13. Pantyhose, leggings and socks fall under this accessory category For this week’s answers, visit www.ftleetraveller.com/ community_life/puzzle/.

www.fortleetraveller.com | June 23, 2016 | Traveller | 23

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24 | Traveller | June 23, 2016 | www.fortleetraveller.com

Class of 2016 • Class of 2016 • Class of 2016 • Class of 2016 • Class of 2016 • Class of 2016

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For the eighth year, the Fort Lee Traveller pays tribute to the journey and achievement of military-affiliated high school graduates

Page 2 | GRADUATION TRIBUTE | June 23, 2016 | www.fortleetraveller.com

T. Anthony Bell Senior Writer/Special Projects

PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY – “Never ever settle. There’s nothing more suggestive of failure than settling.”

Those words came courtesy of Abigail Mae Pannill during her welcome speech at Prince George High School’s 63rd commencement exercises June 11 at the PGHS athletic field. The Student Government Association president was using a “truth or dare” comparison in challenging students to better themselves as well as the lives of others. “… Do not settle in life, in school, in love, in anything,” she continued. “Give your all in everything you do and always strive to improve. Nelson Mandela once said, ‘There’s no passion to be found in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.’ Dare to incorporate that into your life.’’

Pannill received cheers for her encouraging words even before her speech was over, and it set the tone for an occasion heralding the achievement of 423 students who received their diplomas from the county’s only high school and the designated institution for Fort Lee residents.

PGHS, located roughly three miles from the installation, has a large military-affiliated enrollment.

The graduation event, held under sunny skies and featuring a constant breeze that relieved humid conditions, was attended by county and school administrators as well as a few thousand spectators, some armed with cameras at the ready position, some holding flowers to be presented to graduates and still others who carried placards expressing congratulatory messages. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Jaime Delgado of the Fort Lee Marine Detachment and his family were among them.

“It’s a great moment,” said the Marine, whose son, Jimmy carried the placard to support his sister, Mireya Ibarra. “We worked so hard. The last two years when we came aboard at Fort Lee she had a

&+((56 $33/$86( Military-affiliated students cross threshold into adulthood at Prince George High graduation

(ABOVE) Military family member Pasha Quintana (center), erupts into cheers as the name of daughter Deijha Villagomez is announced moments before receiving her diploma at the Prince George High School graduation June 11 at the learning facility’s sports stadium. PGHS is roughly one-third military-affiliated. (RIGHT) PGHS honor graduates walk off the stage after being introduced to the audience.

Photos by T. Anthony Bell

little bit of trouble adjusting, but she did just fine in her last year ,and we’re very proud of her.”

Pride was the predominant emotion felt among the attendees, especially the parents, many of whom see graduation as a bridge to adulthood and testament to their own resolve. Monica Brooks was one such parent. The wife of the Ordnance School’s Sgt. 1st Class Michael Brooks could not hold her emotions as she spoke about the special occasion of her daughter, Lizette Brooks.

“It means a lot,” she said with trembling words, “a lot more than

people understand. Ever since she was a baby, I wanted her to be better than me. Her walking across that stage today already proves that. I wasn’t able to do so at her age because of my circumstances, so all I wanted for her is to make sure she accomplished what I couldn’t … I’m really, really proud of her.”

Pride was running deep with Fort Lee civilian employee Tamara Griffin as well. The mother of graduate Tamara Mone’ Stevens sported a large grin during and after the ceremony, and the mere thought of her daughter’s

achievement produced a gushing radiance.

“It takes my breath away,” said Griffin, exhaling deeply. ”She’s my only child and seeing her start to spread her wings and fly … I’ve got butterflies.”

The occasion for Griffin was made even more special with the presence of Command Sgt. Maj. Ruth Potter of the CASCOM G3/5/7. Potter was Griffin’s former supervisor when the two were assigned to Camp Casey, South Korea, more than 18 years ago.

“It’s so surreal,” said Griffin. ”I’ve got CSM Potter sitting next

to me, and she was the person who told me I was pregnant with this child. When you meet people, you never know when your paths may cross again.”

Not far from Griffin stood Pasha R. Quintana Santana, who was accompanied by several family members to cheer on her daughter, Deijha Villagomez. Wearing sunshades and constantly fanning herself to keep cool, she threw her hands in the air as though she had just won a race when her daughter walked across the stage to receive her diploma. Her elation was an understatement.

“Oh, my God, I am so proud of that little girl,” she said of her middle child, a Junior ROTC student. “For the first time in eight years, she took the drill team to the nationals in Kentucky. She made captain, she’s gotten leadership awards, she was cadet of the year for JROTC, and she’s gotten a leadership award through Prince George High School.”

Predictably, the sense of accomplishment resonated deeply SEE CHEERS, PAGE 8

www.fortleetraveller.com | June 23, 2016 | GRADUATION TRIBUTE | Page 3

Joshua E. Aponte-Alonzo Prince George High School SFC Carole Alonzo-Mercado and Staff Sgt. Roberto Mercado

Rayah Bayer Governor John R. Rogers High School SFC Ramon and Marilyn Bayer

Renae Bayer Samuel F. B. Morse High School SFC Ramon and Marilyn Bayer

Bennett Craig Buetow Prince George High School COL. and Mrs. Steven C. Buetow

Christopher L. Chappell Colonial Heights High School Ret. Soldier Tracey D. Chappell

Savannah Cornejo Thomas Dale High School Giovanna Cornejo and CW4 Val Cornejo

Marcus Daniel Jr. Dinwiddie County High School Post employee Paula Daniel

Alexander S. Davis Prince George High School COL. Robert and Anastasia Davis

Jerome D. Dummars Jr. Clover Hill High School Post employee Linda and Gregory Clark and Ret. SFC Jermone D. Dummars Sr.

James Faison Colonial Heights High School Post employee Susan Faison

Gabriella P. Font Prince George High School MSG Patricia and Jose Font

Lauren H. Fryzlewicz Matoaca High School Ret. USAF MSG Ted and Ret. USAF MSG Tonda Fryzlewicz, DCMA

Breyona Gadsden Thomas Dale High School Ret. 1SG. Charles Gadsden Jr. and post employee Wanda Gadsden

Isabelle Breeding Prince George High School Post employee James Breeding

Channing Alexis Brooks Saint Gertrude High School LTC Chris Brooks and Lisa Leigh Clemmer

Page 4 | GRADUATION TRIBUTE | June 23, 2016 | www.fortleetraveller.com

www.fortleetraveller.com | June 23, 2016 | GRADUATION TRIBUTE | Page5

Davion Gilliam Meadowbrook High School SFC Charles Gilliam and Ret. MSG Florinda Blocker

Celestria Hill Cosby High School CW4 La Shanda Hill

Sierra Holsclaw Dinwiddie High School Ret. SFC Gregory and Billie Jo Holsclaw

Sean Huynh Atlee High School Post employee Minh and Julie Huynh

Mya Jefferson Colonial Heights High School Ret. CW4 Richard and Stephanie Jefferson

Andrea D. Johnson Prince George High School Ret. LTC Rossie D. and post employee Adrienne N. Johnson

Chynna Johnson Matoaca High School SFC Furman F. and Monique Johnson

Jeffrey Colton Johnson Prince George High School SSG Jeffrey and Toni Johnson

Ashanti Dejanique’ Koger Prince George High School CPT Chalmus J. Burgess Sr. and Keasha M. Burgess

William Hamilton Koob L.C. Bird High School Ret. MSG Keith L. Jr. and Julie Smart Koob

Malaysia S. Long Prince George High 1SG Jamil and Sharon Long

Connor Maceyak Cosby High School Ret. Navy Chief Petty Officer Lesley Maceyak and Ray Maceyak Jr.

Ariel Martinez Prince George High School Marine SSG Marcus and Elizabeth Giboyeaux

Samuel “Sam” McPeak Matoaca High School Ret. Col. Bruce and Ret. LTC Mary McPeak

Paul C. Mendez Prince George High School SFC Paul and Bonnie Mendez

Christina C. Morales Prince George High School SFC Mark and Teisha Morales

Adrian Quimbayo-Cipric Cosby High School Ret. Soldier William Quimbayoglen and Sandra Quimbayo

Luis A. Rodriguez III Thomas Dale High School LTC Luis A. Rodriguez Sr. and Rosa Rodriguez

Mariah L. Rogers Prince George High School SFC Janice A. Barnett

Yarielys Roldan-Ramos Prince George High School SSG Alvin E. Ortiz-O’Neill and Miriam Ramos

Alexis Rollins Cosby High School Ret. SFC Jeffrey and Marie Rollins

Alexis R. Sauers Prince George High School SFC Russell and Sherry Sauers

Teon Son Prince George High School Post employee Owen and Ret. SFC Treesa Son, DLA Richmond

Tamara Mone’ Stevens Prince George High School Post employee Tamara Griffin

Kaitlyn Elizabeth Vargas Thomas Dale High School CW4 Isaias and Kimberly Vargas

Deijha Villagomez Prince George High School Family member Pasha Quintana and Roberto Quintana

Selwyn A. Walker Jr. Anthony Warner Cosby High School Matoaca High School Selwyn A. Sr. and post employ- Velba and SGM David Gutrick ee Sharon D. Walker and Ret. CW4 Anthony D. Warner

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Jaihde I. Williams Prince George High School SGM Elizabeth V. Siplin

Markeisha Young Prince George High School Ret. Sgt. Priscilla M. Bozeman and Ret. SFC Markey T. Young

6/22/2016 5:00:38 PM

Page 4 | GRADUATION TRIBUTE | June 23, 2016 | www.fortleetraveller.com

www.fortleetraveller.com | June 23, 2016 | GRADUATION TRIBUTE | Page5

Davion Gilliam Meadowbrook High School SFC Charles Gilliam and Ret. MSG Florinda Blocker

Celestria Hill Cosby High School CW4 La Shanda Hill

Sierra Holsclaw Dinwiddie High School Ret. SFC Gregory and Billie Jo Holsclaw

Sean Huynh Atlee High School Post employee Minh and Julie Huynh

Mya Jefferson Colonial Heights High School Ret. CW4 Richard and Stephanie Jefferson

Andrea D. Johnson Prince George High School Ret. LTC Rossie D. and post employee Adrienne N. Johnson

Chynna Johnson Matoaca High School SFC Furman F. and Monique Johnson

Jeffrey Colton Johnson Prince George High School SSG Jeffrey and Toni Johnson

Ashanti Dejanique’ Koger Prince George High School CPT Chalmus J. Burgess Sr. and Keasha M. Burgess

William Hamilton Koob L.C. Bird High School Ret. MSG Keith L. Jr. and Julie Smart Koob

Malaysia S. Long Prince George High 1SG Jamil and Sharon Long

Connor Maceyak Cosby High School Ret. Navy Chief Petty Officer Lesley Maceyak and Ray Maceyak Jr.

Ariel Martinez Prince George High School Marine SSG Marcus and Elizabeth Giboyeaux

Samuel “Sam” McPeak Matoaca High School Ret. Col. Bruce and Ret. LTC Mary McPeak

Paul C. Mendez Prince George High School SFC Paul and Bonnie Mendez

Christina C. Morales Prince George High School SFC Mark and Teisha Morales

Adrian Quimbayo-Cipric Cosby High School Ret. Soldier William Quimbayoglen and Sandra Quimbayo

Luis A. Rodriguez III Thomas Dale High School LTC Luis A. Rodriguez Sr. and Rosa Rodriguez

Mariah L. Rogers Prince George High School SFC Janice A. Barnett

Yarielys Roldan-Ramos Prince George High School SSG Alvin E. Ortiz-O’Neill and Miriam Ramos

Alexis Rollins Cosby High School Ret. SFC Jeffrey and Marie Rollins

Alexis R. Sauers Prince George High School SFC Russell and Sherry Sauers

Teon Son Prince George High School Post employee Owen and Ret. SFC Treesa Son, DLA Richmond

Tamara Mone’ Stevens Prince George High School Post employee Tamara Griffin

Kaitlyn Elizabeth Vargas Thomas Dale High School CW4 Isaias and Kimberly Vargas

Deijha Villagomez Prince George High School Family member Pasha Quintana and Roberto Quintana

Selwyn A. Walker Jr. Anthony Warner Cosby High School Matoaca High School Selwyn A. Sr. and post employ- Velba and SGM David Gutrick ee Sharon D. Walker and Ret. CW4 Anthony D. Warner

001TRA06232016.indd A12-A13

Jaihde I. Williams Prince George High School SGM Elizabeth V. Siplin

Markeisha Young Prince George High School Ret. Sgt. Priscilla M. Bozeman and Ret. SFC Markey T. Young

6/22/2016 5:00:38 PM

Page 6 | GRADUATION TRIBUTE | June 23, 2016 | www.fortleetraveller.com

West Point-bound Joseph Harding, posing with his parents Damian and Master Sgt. Ursula Harding, is a product of both strife and achievement.

The Prince George High School graduate spent his formative years in difficult conditions and was later adopted by his aunt and uncle – the Hardings.

T. Anthony Bell

T. Anthony Bell Senior Writer/Special Projects

Somewhere between then and now, Joseph Harding was a foster child – a ward of the state who was subject to the strains of foster care systems.

Along the way, someone cared enough to lift him and his two siblings from state confines and place them in a home where they felt the warmth and protection of family and the stimulation of a nurturing environment.

Today, Harding is 18 and a 2016 graduate of Prince George High School. The “then” of his life is merely a remnant serving to make him more determined to succeed at any endeavor he chooses.

The “now” is worthy of being framed and frozen in time – Harding will attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y, this year, a feat achieved by roughly 9 percent of all applicants.

“It felt like a million-ton explosion going off in my chest,” he recalled after opening his acceptance letter in February. “It felt like I could run around the

Caring ‘Parents’ catalyst for student’s appointment to U.S. Military Academy world at least twice.”

The USMA, with an enrollment of roughly 4,000 students, is the nation’s oldest and most prestigious service academy. Its admission standards require many to obtain a Congressional nomination.

Those accepted – about 1,100 yearly – follow a strict honor code.

Furthermore, graduates reap the benefits of an educational experience worth roughly $400,000.

They are obligated to a 5-year term of service upon graduation.

Harding’s journey to West Point arguably began the moment he and two siblings were adopted by an aunt when they were young children living under difficult circumstances in California.

That aunt, now Master Sgt. Ursula Harding, felt compelled to do so because she had grown up poor and because her brother was not prepared to shoulder such a responsibility.

“I knew I wanted to take Joseph

and his siblings in as soon as my brother started having them because I knew he was too young,” said the Soldier assigned to the Logistics Noncommissioned Officer Academy here.

When Joseph was 2 years old, he, a younger sister and an older brother were placed with California’s Child Protective Services, said MSG Harding.

Harding’s brother regained custody of the children when Joseph was 3, but he lost them once again shortly thereafter.

“At 6, he (and his siblings) was placed into a foster home,” she said. “He lived with a foster family for about 1-and-a-half years. I was phoned by CPS that the kids needed to be either separated or placed with a family. Nobody in California wanted to take all three kids, and I did not want to see them separated, so I decided to foster, then adopt them.”

Harding, who married her

Soldier-husband Damian in 2003, moved the kids to Fort Hood, Texas, in 2005. By that time, the instability had taken a toll on Joseph. MSG Harding said he could barely form sentences and struggled with reading. He was required to repeat the 3rd grade.

“My husband worked many long nights to ensure he was able to read and finish all of his homework,” recalled MSG Harding, who said she and Damian also have three biological children.

The couple’s mission, bolstered by love of family, eventually paid dividends, especially for Joseph.

“Once he reached junior high school,” said MSG Harding, “he was taking honor classes. In high school, he was taking AP classes.”

Joseph completed his senior year at PGHS with a 4.33 nonweighted grade point average, good enough for 17th in a class of 423. In addition to taking on the academic challenges, he was active

in a number of activities and causes to include Junior ROTC, basketball, soccer, the National Honor Society and the Interact club.

If Joseph goes on to complete his studies at West Point – and there are strong indications for success – he will exceed expectations of former foster children (according to a 2003 Northwest Alumni Study), whose college graduation rates are far below that of the general population.

Perhaps even more striking thatnJoseph’s future prospects are his attitude and persona. MSG Harding describes him as “ambitious, quiet, generous, reliable, self-confident, self-disciplined, sincere, nice and hardworking.”

What would one expect a mother to say about her son?

But the superlatives authentically cling to Joseph. A minute in his presence and it is difficult to detect any traces of his “then” life. He talks about becoming a politician, being an advocate for the indigent, striving for excellence, overcoming obstacles and being himself “because everyone else is taken.”

He spouts all this with such conviction, a billowing cape could rise above his shoulders at any time in a backdrop of intermittent lightning bolts and roars of thunder.

Most impressive about Joseph, however, is his sense of reciprocation.

“My country has served me by giving me the opportunities I needed to excel,” he said. “Why not let me serve my country. Why not let me show the world I can do great things for it just as it has done for me.”

That kind of sentiment is an indication Joseph has not forgotten from whence he came, that his “then” – the dark days of his childhood – is his reality, but certainly not his “now.”

www.fortleetraveller.com | June 23, 2016 | GRADUATION TRIBUTE | Page 7

Thomas Dale High School graduate Matthew Miller poses with his mother, Sharon Hayes.

T. Anthony Bell

T. Anthony Bell Senior Writer/Special Projects

Matthew Miller had a most difficult reception upon entering the world.

First of all, he was blue in color, the result of a cardiac arrest upon delivery by cesarean.

“They revived him at birth not knowing he had a heart condition,” said his mother, Sharon Hayes.

Three days later, Hayes was told her baby had a heart murmur. At seven days, he was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital heart anomaly involving at least three anatomical abnormalities.

To save Miller’s life, doctors performed a heart catheterization procedure at three months and open-heart surgery at six months, said Hayes.

“Without it, he was cyanotic because all of the blood going out to his body wasn’t making it to his lungs to get oxygen, so he would turn blue – what would appear to be a seizure,” said Hayes.

Limited by a childhood congenital heart condition, graduate now has greater physical abilities as well as a new outlook The surgery allowed Miller, who recently graduated from Thomas Dale High School, to see his school-age years, added Hayes. At some point an additional surgery would be necessary or he could “end up with congestive heart failure and die.”

Throughout Miller’s childhood, this specter of reality – surgery at some point and physical limitations – loomed large within the household.

“It was hard on the whole family,” said Hayes, who with husband, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Curtis Hayes (Joint Culinary Training Center), is raising a blended family.

“They (Miller’s siblings) would go outside to mow the grass, and Matt could do it for 15-20 minutes and that was all; so he would come inside and help me make dinner or do the laundry.”

Or if the family went to the

amusement park, the siblings could go scream their lungs out on the rollercoaster while Miller and his mother took in a less-thrilling theatrical production, Hayes recalled.

Theoretically, children with TOF can lead a normal life, but their existence may be bound by physical restraint that can limit full exertion or participation in some activities. For Miller the child, the latter was true and this caused a sense of isolationism, “starting in the 3rd or 4th grade,” he said.

“It was kind of depressing because you’re just sitting there watching everyone else have fun because you have to take a break for five or 10 minutes to regain your strength and endurance,” he said.

Miller’s parents acknowledged their son’s condition but did not make excuses for him or resort to coddling. In fact, they encouraged

him as they did their other children, taking extra measures to protect him. Hayes used her son’s playing days in T-Ball as an example.

“It’s 100 degrees standing on that ballfield,” she said, “so I kept the van ready. When it came time to go to the dugout, I took him to the van, and he sat in the air conditioning and hydrated. Then we went right back out to the field.”

For Miller, accommodation became the norm, either through the efforts of others or himself. To some extent, they ended when he had surgery at age 15. It was complicated, involving tissue donation and other procedures. The results gave him physical abilities he had never before experienced. He described his newfound strengths as a school band participant.

“Before the surgery, I would have to play long notes for an extended period of time,” he re-

called. “That was hard for me. I pushed myself to the last breath as far as I could before having trouble. After surgery, I went back to the band a month and a half later, and I could play just like everybody else if not better with longer breaths because I was use to expanding my lungs further.”

The surgery’s success had a psychological impact as well.

“I felt like I was an inspiration to a lot of people at school because of what I overcame,” he said.

Miller’s new being was manifested during his three-month rehabilitation at a facility treating much older patients, said Hayes.

“Here’s a 15-year-old in rehab with a bunch of old guys who had bypass surgeries and they’re racing on treadmills across from each other to see who could go the fastest and longest,” she said.

“I’m not only watching my son do something I never thought he could do physically but watching him inspire this little old guy and making a connection most 15-year-olds can’t make.”

Miller’s ordeal resulted in life lessons not experienced by most teenagers. “I now understand how people go through things like this,” he said of his surgery and rehab. “I also understand how vulnerable they are to being hurt afterward.”

With his much-improved physical capacities, Miller still has limitations. He has been advised against smoking or drinking and will need at least another surgery to replace a heart valve in about 10 years, he said.

Looking toward his future, Miller wants to major in bio-medical engineering, partly inspired by his journey to well-being and the promises technology holds in helping people lead fuller lives.

“I just feel like I want to give back to the medical community for what they gave me,” he said.

Miller has plans to attend John Tyler Community College in the fall then Virginia Commonwealth University in his junior year.

Page 8 | GRADUATION TRIBUTE | June 23, 2016 | www.fortleetraveller.com

Job well done, Sean!

Congratulations! Mom and Dad are proud of your achievement.

– Minh and Julie Huynh to their son, Sean Congratulations, Alexander!

We are so proud of all your accomplishments and the young adult you have developed into.

We are excited to see what the future holds for you. Love you, dad, mom, Yanni and Michael – from the family of Alexander Davis Our hope and prayer is that you find joy in all you do, share your talents and knowledge to the glory of God, and strive for excellence no matter the task.

We love you always, mom, dad, and Abbey – from the family of Bennett Buetow To our dear daughter, Gabriella – you’re graduating!

What a remarkable accomplishment! You’ve become such a lovely young woman. I admire your determination, your spunk and the warmth you show to your friends and teachers.

You’re definitely going places,

sweet girl! Best wishes to you, we love you, mom, dad and big brother Alexander Font – from the family of Gabriella Font For all the times of late night studies, lack of sleep, sacrifice of enjoyment and parties, your reward is here. Congratulations to our beloved child who has emerged victorious and will graduate Class of 2016!

Congrats in your future endeavors. Your parents wish you the best in all you do! – from the family of Joshua AponteAlonzo “Aloha Nui Loa,” which in Hawaiian means with all the love, happiness and inspiration; now go off conquer and do great things. – From Tonda Fryzlewicz to daughter Lauren Fryzlewicz We are very proud of your accomplishments. Your dedication and hard work has paid off.

Continue to work hard to bring your dreams and aspirations into fruition. Know that we have your back during this entire journey. Love, mom and dad.

– from the parents of Selwyn Walker Jr. Christopher, I’m proud of the young man you have become.

Know in your heart, that God is writing a great story with your life. Approach the world with an open mind and know that everything in it can be yours. – from Tracey D. Chappell to her son, Christopher Chappell Congratulations King David!

We are so proud of the young man you have become. The best is still yet to come because your steps have been ordered. Go and be great! – Linda Clark to her son, Jerome D. Dummars Jr. Billy, from the very beginning you have been faced with many challenges in life. You have met them, challenged them (and challenged us!), and remained true to yourself. We love you, we are proud of you, and we know this is only the beginning. All our love, dad and mom – from the parents of Billy Koob To My “No. 1 Son:” Today is

CHEERS | High school graduation for military

students mostly unique, rewarding experience Continued from page 2 among the military families and their students, who may attend as many as seven schools prior to the start of their secondary education.

Additionally, many experience long periods of separation from at least one parent.

U.S. Army Reserve SGM Sondra Sharp said her daughter experienced several moves; the most recent being the most difficult.

“She was scared when we first came here to Virginia,” she said of

her daughter Alesondra P. Adams.

“She didn’t like the school she initially went to, but when she came to Prince George, she began to stabilize and began connecting with people.”

When Adams leaves home for Tuskegee University later this summer, said Sharp, she will take with her the resiliency that enabled her to transition during the many relocations.

“She’s better for the experience,” said Sharp, who will now have an empty nest. “I think the moving

kind of instilled some things in her that will help accomplish goals in her life. It toughened her up. ” In addition to providing opportunities to increase coping skills, military life offers a unique learning experience for children, giving them an unmatched sampling of the world, its people and cultures.

“They are exposed to a lot of diversity – people, things and cultures – and they understand differences and learn to accept them,” said Priscilla Bozeman, mother of graduate Markeisha Young and an

the second proudest moment in your life ... second only to the day you were born. I love you and decree a successful life for you. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:68.) – Paula Daniel to her son, Marcus Daniel Jr. Whatever path you decide to choose, stay on it and don’t give up. Make the best out of your decisions you decide on because life is too short. And remember your family always supports and loves you. – from Lesley Maceyak to her son, Connor Maceyak I am so extremely proud of you. Through all the military moves and constantly having to change schools, you’ve managed to remain focused to finish on top. Your future is limitless, holding all that your heart desires. Love, mom. – from SGM Elizabeth Siplin to her daughter, Jaihde Williams

become. The future is yours, live your dreams and never change who you are! – Sandra Quimbayo to her son Adrian Quimbayo-Cipric Congratulations Celest! You are an amazing daughter with a bright future. Good luck at Hood College next year while you prepare to educate our next generation.” – from CW4 La Shanda Hill to daughter, Celestria Hill “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future ( Jeremiah 29:11)” Congratulations on graduation!

We love you, mom, dad and sister – From the family of Andrea Johnson

Son, you did it ! We are so tremendously proud of you and what a wonderful adult you have

In your career, you will meet many people. All are significant.

They deserve your attention, respect and care, even if all you do is smile ,say hello and thank you.

The future that lies before you is endless, like a field of driven snow, be careful how you tread it, for every step will show! – from Owen Son to his son, Teon Son.

Army retiree and installation employee.

Bozeman added military life can still have negative impacts on children because they can be put in situations in which they “have to establish friends when things are already going on, and they may face the possibility of getting with the wrong crowd because they’re trying to fit in. It can be challenging.”

Brooks, who arrived at Prince George as a sophomore, said she made friends quickly but appreciates the level of difficulty. “It’s harder than most people understand,” she said.

Delgado, the Marine, said his daughter’s rough patch was rectified with lots of communication

and a bit of tough love.

“At times, it was just us having to put our foot down, letting her know we weren’t going to let her give up on herself and pushing her a little bit harder at times,” he recalled.

“At other times, we just had to listen to her concerns. There were a couple of times when we had to take trips up to Frederick (adjacent to Fort Detrick, Md.) so she could hang out with her friends.”

On an academic note, Jenna Kristine Taylor earned the title of valedictorian while Elizabeth Meade Wilson achieved salutatorian. In addition, 19 students were named to the honor grad list.

PGHS’s class of 2016 collectively earned $1.3 million in scholarships.