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From The Top
December 7, 2009
The holidays are always an exciting time on Fort Benning, but never more so than this year, as we celebrate our first Christmas as the Maneuver Center of Excellence. It is shaping up to be a very busy month, with one holiday event right after another.
Before we turn our thoughts in that direction, let us pause today to remember the events of Dec. 7, 1941, that plunged this nation into the Second World War. Today, on Pearl Harbor Day and on behalf of the Fort Benning community, I extend to our World War II veterans and their families my deepest gratitude for their sacrifice and service and dedication to the cause of freedom and justice. You continue to inspire us as we look to the holiday season, a nation at war once again, with so many of our families missing loved ones serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. May we live up to your example of courage and commitment. We appreciate you.
To all of our friends in the Chattahoochee Valley, I extend an invitation to join us Thursday at 4 p.m. for the annual Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting Ceremony on the Field of the Four Chaplains by the historic Infantry Center Chapel on Main Post. On Friday, come celebrate the traditional lighting of the Airborne Tower on Eubanks Field. Santa will attend both events, so be sure to bring your kids and your camera.
The annual Annual Bi-City Christmas parade will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday in Phenix
City at the corner of Dillingham and Broad streets and continue to 13th Street into Columbus and right on Broadway. Hope to see you there.
Margie and I wish you all a very safe and happy holiday season. One Force, One Fight!
MG Michael Ferriter
Fort Benning Commanding General | |
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News
The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan expressed support for a new strategy that entails sending 30,000 more American troops to Afghanistan by next summer and begins a drawdown of forces in July 2011.
President Barack Obama articulated the plan today in a speech at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. - culminating months of deliberation with his senior advisors on the way forward.
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CAMP FRANK B. MERRILL, Ga. - His pale face and the scar on the back of his head are indications that Kenny Stewart is seriously ill.
A year ago, the 8-year-old was diagnosed with cancerous brain tumors. One was surgically removed, but two others remain.
Kenny will turn 9 Monday, the same day he will have an MRI to find out if the tumors have become smaller. The chemotherapy to shrink the tumors leaves him weak and depressed, said his mother, Anna Miles.
Kenny was definitely not depressed Tuesday when he visited Rangers from the 5th Ranger Training Battalion, she said.
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My life as a 'recon pilot'
It's been said we all have a twin somewhere  along the universe's space-time continuum.
As a college student 20 years ago, a guy once told me I looked just like country music star Randy Travis. "If I could sing like him," I replied, "I wouldn't be wasting my time in this dull history class - I'd be out on the road somewhere tonight wondering which champagne goes best with shrimp cocktail and lobster."
My wife claims I'm a dead ringer for Steven Seagal. (But I'm no deputy sheriff, and never banked a dime at the box office busting heads on the silver screen.)
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Beginning Friday, visitors to Army.mil will experience a new level of Web customization and personalization never seen before on a military Web site.
The team behind the Army's Web presence has redesigned the service's premier Web site, www.Army.mil, with the end-user in mind. Visitors to the site will be able to choose what kind of information they want to see on the front page and have the latest information that meets their criteria presented to them first, every time they visit.
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Many of the extra 30,000 U.S. forces deployed to Afghanistan in the coming months will confront continued enemy threats in the country's southern and eastern regions, the U.S. military's senior officer told Capitol Hill legislators here today.
The principal threat to U.S., coalition and Afghan security forces "will continue to remain in the south and in the east" near the border with Pakistan, Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
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 Fort Benning's recycling center has cranked up again in Harmony Church as post environmental officials plan for a permanent facility to be built nearby in three years.
A new Material Recycling Facility - which opened last month on Jamestown Road, just south of 1st Division Road - is recycling paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, plastic, wood, wood pallets and glass. The installation's program ceased operations in August after the old recycling center on Cusseta Road was torn down. That spot was cleared for a new access control point to handle the anticipated swell in traffic when the U.S. Army Armor School arrives from Fort Knox, Ky.
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Valor is defined as boldness or determination in the face of great danger; it is the quality which enables a man to encounter danger with courage and personal bravery.
Valor describes men like Staff Sgt. Michael E. Norton, a squad leader with Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, who risked his life to save the lives of two Ranger brothers.
"Any Ranger would have done the same thing," Norton said. "The Ranger Creed says, 'I will never leave a fallen comrade.' There was no moment of thinking about what to do. I had to get my brothers and the most important thing in my mind was how hurt they were."
On Aug. 4 and 5, Norton led his squad on an objective to raid an enemy combatant's headquarters camp in the mountains of northwestern Khowst Province, Afghanistan.
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 The Flu and You
Flu shots advised for pregnant women
Nov 25, 2009
By MACH Public Affairs
With the flu season in full swing, Martin Army Community Hospital healthcare providers are encouraging people to take preventive measures seriously, especially pregnant women. "A pregnant woman who gets the flu is 10 times more likely to be hospitalized than infected people in the general population," said MAJ Renee Busse, chief of Community Health Nursing. "The best protection for pregnant women and their babies is to make sure they get both the 2009 seasonal and H1N1 flu shots." Although there is a mist version of the seasonal flu vaccine, Busse said pregnant women are only eligible for the injectable shot. Both seasonal flu shots and 2009 H1N1 flu shots are recommended for pregnant women at any time during pregnancy. "We want our pregnant women to get the injectable version of both the seasonal and H1N1 vaccine," Busse said. "One of the benefits is that they can get both flu shots at the same time." Both are endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and are safe for pregnant women. Any pregnant woman battling flu-like symptoms should call her doctor right away, Busse said, because antiviral medicine is most helpful if it is started within the first 48 hours after they become sick. The current antiviral medication being used to treat the flu includes oseltamivir, also known as Tamiflu, and zanamivir, also known as Relenza. The antiviral medicines fight the flu by keeping flu viruses from replicating in the body, which results in a milder illness and makes you feel better faster, Busse said. Antivirals can also prevent serious flu complications. "At this time, Tamiflu is the best medicine to treat pregnant women who have 2009 H1N1 flu," she said. "Please also realize that we're only giving antiviral medication to high-risk beneficiaries, such as pregnant women, who may not recover as well from the flu." Currently, there are no studies that suggest pregnant women or their babies will have adverse outcomes from taking antiviral medication. Busse recommends women talk to their doctor if they have questions about the medication. "We're here to answer questions," she said. "Take advantage of it so that you're comfortable with getting the vaccine and if needed, antiviral medication." For more information about the seasonal and H1N1 viruses, visit the CDC Web site at www.cdc.gov. Pregnant patients can get their vaccines by scheduling an appointment with the Family Medicine and Pediatrics Clinics by calling 706-544-2273 or by visiting the Flu Clinic, located on the 8th floor of MACH, from 8 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday. Up-to-date information is available at the MACH Web site, www.martin.amedd.army.mil, and at the post's Web site, www.army.mil/benning. Protect yourself, protect your baby Pregnant women need both the 2009 H1N1 flu shot and the seasonal flu shot. Take everyday precautions - practice and preach good cough etiquette, good hand washing and avoid sick people. If you have been exposed to someone who likely had the flu and you are pregnant, call your doctor. If you are pregnant and start to feel sick, call your doctor right away. Take the medicines your doctor prescribes and let your Army health clinic know if you did not receive antiviral medication from a local national hospital. Having a fever can cause problems for a pregnant woman and her unborn child. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is the best way for pregnant women to lower a fever. Plan to breastfeed as soon as your baby is born. For more information, read upcoming editions of The Bayonet or check the Web pages, www.army.mil/benning |
 Maneuver Center Update
Bridgett Siter
MCOE Public Affairs
A Maneuver Center spokesman said Tuesday at the monthly Base Realignment and Closure update that the post has completed 40 percent of the construction related to the $3.5 billion BRAC build-up and awarded $2 billion worth of contracts.
On Main Post, the greatest proof of progress is seen on Eckel Street, where the Building 4 tower has been stripped to its shell in preparation for extensive renovations. The $172 million project will be completed in two phases, and the first phase - the tower - is expected to be complete this time next year.
Eighty percent of the materials removed from the "old Infantry Hall" are being recycled, said Bridgett Siter, who headed up the meeting in the absence of Jay Brown, the former BRAC Project Manager who recently filled a position new to Fort Benning, that of the Chief, Knowledge Officer on the G3, Operations and Training staff.
Most of the construction is taking place in Harmony Church, where the Armor School will be located on both sides of Highway 27/280. Roadwork and the widening of Eighth Division Road bridge impacts traffic in that area on and off post. Drivers are encouraged to use caution and give themselves more travelling time when moving about Harmony Church or passing through via 27/280.
Siter announced the construction schedule for access control points on and around Main Post. The Custer Road ACP, near McBride Elementary School, will be closed during the holiday break, from Dec. 18 to Jan. 4. When it reopens, construction will continue, with minimal impact to traffic, until Feb. 1.
The Eddy Bridge ACP, accessed from Alabama, will undergo construction in two phases, now through Dec. 17 and Feb. 1 to March 1.
Work on and near the Benning Blvd ACP will start March 1 and take approximately two months. Work there will start at 9 a.m. each day to minimize traffic impedance.
The Lindsay Creek ACP, commonly called the I-185 entry, will undergo work from May
1 to Aug. 1. Most of the work there will take place after regular work hours. The outbound lanes on Benning Blvd and Lindsay Creek will not be affected. Siter said there will be no BRAC Community update in January, but it will resume Feb.
2. Meetings are held at 3 p.m. at the National Infantry Museum on the first Tuesday of each month. Slides from this month's meeting are available. Send a request to bridgett.siter@us.army.mil.
For more information please contact Bridgett Siter at bridgett.siter@us.army.mil. |
Operation Just Cause Commemoration Dec. 17
Maneuver Center of Excellence
Fort Benning will host a 20th anniversary commemoration of Operation Just Cause, the invasion of Panama, Dec. 17. Beginning Dec. 20, 1989, the U.S. military conducted a "truly joint, surgical strike" when capturing the Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega, said Dave Stieghan, Infantry and Fort Benning historian.
The invasion, ordered by President George H.W. Bush, was for regime change, the historian said. Noriega hijacked a national election and trafficked drugs from South and Central America to Main Street, and the president cited four reasons for the invasion - to protect American citizens living in Panama, defend democracy and human rights in Panama, combat the drug trafficking and protect the Panama Canal treaties, which transferred the canal to Panamanian control in 2000.
Operation Just Cause was well planned, Stieghan said. It was the first operation after the Goldwater-Nichols Act to get all the services working together and the first time the military used the special operations forces - Rangers, SEALS and Delta Force - as a single instrument.
And it was the reason CSM John Troxell, the Armor School command sergeant major, made the Army a career, he said.
A tank commander with C Company, 3rd Battalion, 73rd Armor Regiment (Airborne) assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Brigade, said the spirit of the paratrooper came out in that operation.
"I went from 'proud to be in the Army' to 'I don't want to do anything else,'" Troxell said. "We fought like we trained."
CSM(R) Doug Greenway was a platoon sergeant with 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, who had just returned to Fort Lewis, Wash., from a three-week training exercise, which, unknown to them, was a rehearsal for the invasion.
"Within 24 hours of returning, we received orders to redeploy via Benning to Panama. Luckily all of our stuff was still somewhat configured," Greenway said.
"We had eight hours for coordination and synchronization."
The Air Force dropped 1,000-pound bombs on objectives, the former U.S. Army Infantry School command sergeant major said.
"Crossing over the beaches into Rio Hata, we sounded off with the Ranger Creed and we were out the doors just after midnight - filling the skies with paratrooper silk at 500 feet.
"We had plenty of ammo and an MRE," he said. "We had great leaders like CSM (Mariano R.C.) Leon-Guerrero and COL Buck Kernan, but then, like now, it's the team leaders and their teams that carry the fight and win the day."
Forces from the 5th Infantry (Mechanized) Division, 7th Infantry (Light) Division, 82nd Infantry (Airborne), 193rd Infantry Brigade, 75th Ranger Regiment, 5th and 7th Special Forces Group, worked together in a joint effort with other U.S. Army, U.S. Marine, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force units to capture Noriega and halt his dictatorial regime.
Fort Benning is celebrating the anniversary of Operation Just Cause with a jump Dec. 17 and a dinner later that night in Heritage Hall at the National Infantry Museum. Anyone who jumped then, and is still on Airborne status, is invited to participate in the commemorative jump, said CPT John Savell, OIC at the National Infantry Museum. Others who served in Operation Just Cause are invited to participate in all other activities.
For more information on the jump or the dinner, call Savell at 706-545-2771 or 706-905-0926.
Visit https://www.benning.army.mil/nationalinfantrymuseum/opjustcause for the registration form and e-mail it to john.savell@us.army.mil.
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Early Birds Get the Bargains
Army & Air Force Exchange Service Public Affairs AAFES MEDIA CONTACT: Pat Jones - jonesp@aafes.com Fort Benning - Prices inside the PX will be dropping faster than the temperature outdoors this month as "early bird" shoppers will be rewarded with a flurry of discounts during two limited special events from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. "For just two hours on Sat., Dec. 19 and Thurs., Dec. 24, the Fort Benning Exchange will offer exclusive 'early bird' discounts," said the PX's General Manager, Marc Floyd. "These reduced prices will, of course, be in addition to the exceptional value Soldier's enjoy every day." Specials during the two-hour event scheduled for the 24th will include 75 percent off all Foster Grant sunglasses, 50 percent of all Goody Hair Accessories as well as a variety of furniture discounts ranging from $50 to $250. Shoppers who wait until the day before Christmas to finish marking everyone off their lists will be rewarded the morning of the 24th with offers ranging from 40 percent off Oshkosh brand children's clothing to 25 percent off all in-stock IPod accessories and Bluetooth headsets. The PX will distribute two pages of coupons for each "early bird" event beginning Dec. 12 and Dec. 17. Discounts reflected on the handouts provided from the 12th on will be honored from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Sat., Dec. 19 while coupons passed after the 17th will be accepted Thurs., Dec. 24. |
Points of Interest
Custer Terrace Village Town Hall A town hall meeting for Custer Terrace Village is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 14 at 5:30pm at McBride Elementary School. This meeting is open to the public. For more information contact the RCI Military Liaison, Nina Saeli, at 545-3009.
Topics to be discussed: Neighborhood Crime Watch Programs; Update on New Martin Army Community Hospital Building Project; AFFESs; Commissary Shopping Specials and Housing Maintenance Strategy
The Maneuver Center Band will host its annual holiday concert at the RiverCenter Dec. 6th. Two free performances, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets are available at the box office.
Trees for Troops:
10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Main Post Car Wash parking lot Dec. 8th. 650 trees available to active duty Soldiers and their families, first come, first served. Must have ID.
Christmas Tree and Menorah lighting ceremony
Christmas Tree and Menorah lighting ceremony at the Field of the Four Chaplains, includes a visit from Santa, at 4 p.m. Dec. 10th. Free to the public.
The Offices of the Staff Judge Advocate will close early Dec. 18th at 11:30 a.m. for their annual holiday party.
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You can watch Fort Benning Television at Fort Benning on Windjammer cable channel 4.
The Benning Report can be also be seen on Columbus Consolidated Government Access Television (CCG-TV) channels at 6:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m., 7 days a week.
Charter - Channel 3
Knology - Channel 17 MediaCom - Channel 21. In Alabama watch the Benning Report on Troy University Television, Thursday & Friday evenings. To contact Fort Benning TV, email us at BENN.PAO@us.army.mil |
Thank you for taking the time to look through the Fort Benning E-Newsletter. We will continue to tell our Soldiers' great stories through this and other mediums. The Benning E-Newsletter will be sent out every Monday. Please support us by forwarding this email to a friend via the "forward email" link at the bottom of the newsletter.
Sincerely,
Fort Benning Public Affairs Office | |
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