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| 198th Change of Command
COL Dan Kessler will relinquish command of the 198th Infantry Brigade to COL Bruce Parker June 30th at 9 a.m. on Kannel Field. |
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From The Top
The Army turns 235 today
Maj. Gen. Michael Ferriter Army Birthday message. Click image to view.
Two hundred and thirty-five years ago, the United States Army was established to defend our Nation. From the Revolutionary War to the current operations taking place around the world, our Soldiers remain Army Strong with a deep commitment to our core values and beliefs. This 235th birthday commemorates America's Army - Soldiers, Families and Civilians - who are achieving a level of excellence that is truly Army Strong. Being Army Strong goes beyond physical endurance and mental preparedness. It encompasses an indomitable spirit, and high ethical and moral values. These are not only desirable traits in a person, but in a Nation that wishes to live up to the ideals and vision of its founders. We are "America's Army: The Strength of the Nation." |
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The Army is more focused on counterinsurgency than ever before, and the Infantry-Armor alliance in one locale will help fuel that drive in Afghanistan and Iraq, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told Soldiers here June 4.
Adm. Mike Mullen was updated on progress toward the Maneuver Center of Excellence and took an aerial tour of the $3.5 billion in construction around post, much of it aimed at accommodating the thousands of Armor School personnel relocating here from Fort Knox, Ky., in 2011...
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For 35 years, Jim Baskin never told anyone he was a Vietnam veteran.
"It's not that we were ashamed of it," the retired Navy senior chief petty officer said. "There were just so many negative things about it."
Baskin, of Marietta, Ga., was among a few hundred Vietnam War veterans honored June 5 during a daylong "Welcome Home" celebration at the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center. It continued at Fort Benning with a barbecue and concert featuring country music star Aaron Tippin...
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COS KALSU, Iraq -Soldiers assigned to the Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division competed in their battalion's best squad competition at Contingency Operating Site Kalsu May 28 and 29.
Four teams assigned to each of the battalion's four companies sent a squad of seven Soldiers to compete in the two-day event...
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If you've considered pursuing a college degree but didn't know where to start, the Army Continuing Education System wants to help.
Nearly 25 area organizations and colleges will participate in the semiannual college fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 17 at the Main Post Exchange. The event is open to anyone who has access to the installation, said Shannon Gardner, education project officer.
She said the goal is to provide awareness about programs and
funding opportunities available to those affiliated with the Army. Registration is not required and visitors can browse through the information and talk to representatives at their leisure...
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Love was in the air when PFCs Sean and Katherine Bennett descended upon Fryar Drop Zone June 8.
After training side by side in the same platoon for the previous two weeks at the U.S. Army Airborne School, the newlyweds exited an aircraft simultaneously - a historical coincidence, said the company first sergeant.
"It was purely by accident," said 1SG Christopher Goodrow, C Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 507th Infantry Regiment. "It wasn't until after we filled and realized they were in the same (platoon) that they said 'Hey. We're married.'"...
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When Chattahoochee County High School senior TyQuan Bazemore, son of Veronica and SFC Brandon Carson, was named the Ledger-Enquirer's All-Bi-City Boys Track and Field Co-Athlete of the Year in May, he was ecstatic, he said.
"When I found out, I wanted to jump out of my shoes, but I kept my composure," Bazemore said. "There are a lot of good athletes in the (community) so it was an honor to get the award."
Bazemore was also selected for All-Bi-City team one, consisting of the top athletes in the bi-city.click on headline for more
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 After six years at the helm of Faith Middle School, Julio Gonzalez is taking his lessons learned and love for kids to Vicenza, Italy, where he will apply his 30 years of teaching and administrative experience as principal of a new Department of Defense school.
"I've learned so much from what I've done here," he said. "Especially as I dealt with (the) kids, I learned so much with what makes them tick - what makes the middle school child better."
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Reverse Sprint Triathlon
More than 110 competitors participated in the fifth annual Reverse Sprint Triathlon June 6 that began at the Family Entertainment Center on Main Post and ended at the Carey Pool following a 10K run, 20K bike ride and a 550-meter swim.
Twenty-four-year-old Adam Pugh, son of MAJs(R) Mary Jo and Fred Pugh, took first place overall in the male category with a three-event time of one hour, two minutes. He took first in the run, second in the bike ride and third in the swim.
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 "Today marks another chapter in the history of this great unit," said LTC Edward Houston, outgoing commander of 2nd Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment, after ceding the leadership of the battalion to LTC Jody Miller June 8 on Stilwell Field. "Jody is a phenomenal guy," Houston said. "He and his family are dedicated to Soldiers, dedicated to serving Soldiers. He is going to pick up the torch, and he is going to do fantastic." click on headline for more
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 There's nothing like going to a museum where you can shoot hoops, kick a field goal, drive a (simulated) race car or test your balancing, jumping and reflex skills. Those are some of the things you can do at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in Macon, Ga.
While you read about the greats, you can see their photos, trophies, jerseys and other memorabilia, enjoy hands-on exhibits and play interactive games. You might be surprised how many sports legends were born right here in the Peach State.
The Hall of Fame features a diverse array of sports and honors excellence at the high school, collegiate, professional and Olympic levels. While the mainstays of baseball, basketball and football are given their due, you'll learn about lesser-known stars or events including in auto racing, weightlifting, golf, softball, shooting, horsemanship, sailing, cycling, swimming, tennis, gymnastics, martial arts and more...
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Various Voices:
How has a sponsor helped you?
"I've PCSed several times over the years and sponsors have helped me to get support for my family, especially getting my kids into extracurricular activities."
Steve Howard
Maneuver Battle Lab
 "They've allowed me to get to know my unit, eased the transition between this unit and the next and provided essential information that made the transition extremely smooth."
MAJ Michael Williams
Maneuver Battle Lab
 "When my husband got orders to Germany, they helped us to get housing and me to find a job. They also took me to orientation to learn basic German, easing my husband's mind."
 "When I first got to Fort Benning, they provided me with transportation, helped me to get my own vehicle and they got me set up in the barracks and with my unit."
SPC Michael Weinberg
11th Engineer Battalion
 "Being a current sponsor and having been sponsored, the Digital Welcome Packets provided are helpful for Soldiers new to an area to get to places that are sometimes difficult to find."
1LT Terrie Boisvenu
MEDDAC |
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NATIONAL INFANTRY MUSEUM
by Borden Black
"This site is much more than a mere memorial, and the word museum is entirely inadequate to describe it. It's the only attraction in the country to tell the story of the Infantry from the perspective of the soldier." Those words spoken by GEN (Ret.) Colin Powell in opening the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center remain true a year later.
Since June 19, 2009 when the doors opened, more than 388,000 visitors have passed through. They have come from every state and most continents including South America, Africa and Europe. Among those walking the signature "Last 100 Yards ramp" have been some 300 school groups with more than 15,000 students. The museum has hosted four living history programs, Columbus State University night and is currently providing the first summer camp season.
In order to reach those milestones more than 300 people volunteered on a regular basis during the first year. They ranged in age from high school teens to an 86-year-old World War II veteran. Some of the volunteers have already served more than 500 hours and nearly 100 have logged more than 100 hours.
National Infantry Foundation President MG (Ret.) Jerry White is gratified by the response during the first year. "We set out many years ago to honor soldiers. When I look back on this year, it exceeded all our expectations. A wonderful job has been done of honoring and thanking soldiers for their sacrifice and a good job has been done of teaching Americans that freedom is not free. They leave here with a better appreciation of what the Infantry soldier is all about," MG White says.
The National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center took $100 million to build and many stepped up to make that happen. MG White says that in order to keep the dream alive, donations are still needed to fund operations and complete the remaining two era galleries. He also hopes that the next year will see more than 500,000 visitors and the construction of a new hotel.
The 180,000-square-foot museum currently includes the Last 100 Yards ramp, the Fort Benning Gallery, which tells the story of Infantry soldier training, and the era galleries, which place artifacts in the context of soldiers' stories. The museum, IMAX Theater, Fife and Drum restaurant and Soldier Store sit on the 200 acre Heritage Park. It also contains a parade field, WWII Company Street and Memorial Walk of Honor. |
 Upcoming Fort Benning Events
The following Fort Benning events are scheduled to take place between: June 7 - July 3:
Through June 14: Kids - it's time for the Youth Sports Camps! Baseball Camp for 6 to 15 year-olds will be held June 15 and 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Register between June 1 to 14. The camp is open to the first 50 registered youth. Football Camp for 6 to 15 year-olds will be held June 15 to 18 from 5 to 8 p.m. Register between June 1 to 14. The camp is open to the first 50 registered youth. Cheerleading Camp for 6 to 15 year-olds will be held June 21 to 25 from 5 to 8 p.m. Register between June 7 to 18. The camp is open to the first 50 registered youth, and Soccer Camp for 4 to 15 year-olds will be held July 6 to 9 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Register between June 21 to July 3. The camp is open to the first 100 registered youth. All attendees must have an up-to-date physical and all camps will take place at the Youth Sports Complex. For more information on any of these camps call 706-545-3582.
Registration is held at Parent Central, Bldg. 104 on Marchant St. next to the Main Post Car Wash every Mon through Fri. from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Parent Central stays open until 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. Parent Central will be closed on July 2 for the training holiday. For more information or to schedule an afternoon appointment call 706-545-2079.
SKIESUnlimited is offering two drama workshops for children 5 to 12-years-old this summer for $56 each. The first session will take place June 14 to 17 and the second session will be held July 19 to 22. Class meeting times will be held according to age groups in the Middle School & Teen Bldg, #1056. For more information call 706-545-0522.
June 15: Take your children to Russ Pond and Pool on June 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. to enjoy the Family Fishing Night. Free poles and bait for children 15 and under with reservations by June 14. In case of inclement weather, this event will be cancelled. For reservations and more information call 706-545-7978.
June 19: Teens are welcome to take a free day trip to the Family Day in the Park on June 19. Round-trip transportation from the Middle School and Teen Bldg, #1056 will be provided. For more information call 706-545-3062.
June 26: All teens are welcome to enjoy Fright Night Under the Stars at Parent Central, Bldg. 104 parking lot next to the Main Post car wash on Marchant St. on June 26 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. For more information call 706-545-3062.
July 3: Fort Benning's Independence Day Celebration will be held on July 3 at the Stewart Watson Field inside the one-mile track. Enjoy lots of free musical entertainment, children's activities and the best firework display in the tri-city area. For more information visit www.benningmwr.com.
For more information about these or any other Fort Benning events, contact the Public Affairs Office (706) 545-6674. |
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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