MANEUVER CENTER OF EXCELLENCE - TEAM OF SOLDIERS, FAMILIES, AND CIVILIANS FROM THE BEST ARMY IN THE WORLD!

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In This Issue

News

WTB welcomes the Braves Jan. 29

Historic 'House' escapes demolition

Construction

Hot Topics

Drive much? The Environmental Management Division wants to determine commuter trends. An online survey is available at www.surveymonkey.com/s/FortBenning. The survey is less than 10 minutes long, and those who participate can enter a drawing for one of 50 $10 Visa gift cards.

There will be Heavy Weapon Firing on Fort Benning Jan. 26, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 1-2, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 3, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 4 and 8 to midnight. Feb. 7.

Upcoming events:

Smith Fitness Center offers monthly boot camps, personal training and group training, family fitness classes and massage therapy. For more details, call 706-545-4388, or go to www.benningmwr.com.

The 1st Annual Darby Ranger Run is Feb. 19, 7:30 a.m. at Camp Darby at the intersection of Georgia highways 355 and 137. It is a trail run of 10, 30 or 50K through the Army Ranger School training area. Pre-register prices are $25 to $45 before Feb. 5. After Feb. 5 prices are $30 to $50. There is a free 1K kids run. For more information, e-mail darbyrangerrun@gmail.com.

From the Top

Last Friday, I had the privilege of re-signing our Army Family Covenant in a ceremony at the new Army Community Services facility (Building 7, 7117 Baltzell Ave.)

I took great pleasure in signing this document and meeting so many of the Soldiers and families whose lives this important covenant touches.

In signing this document, you can rest assured - the leaders of Fort Benning are unwavering in their commitment to provide user- and family-friendly programs and services to support our Soldiers and their families.

We see the opening of this new Army Community Services facility as the first "domino" in a series of efforts we are implementing at Fort Benning to establish a strong Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program. Look for more details in the coming months.

We have a great team at Fort Benning. By embracing the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program we will be able to continue to do a great job of excelling during this period of sustained and fast-paced operational tempo.

One Force, One Fight!

Robert B. Brown
Major General, U.S. Army
Commanding General

News

Obama cites military successes in State of Union address

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2011 -- In a State of the Union address here marked by a call for renewed American innovation and cooperation, President Barack Obama pointed to the nation's military as an example to follow

"Look to Iraq, where nearly 100,000 of our brave men and women have left with their heads held high. American combat patrols have ended. Violence is down, and a new government has been formed," the commander in chief said.

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Army Family Covenant: Keeping the promise

Maj. Gen. Robert Brown renewed the installation's commitment Friday to the Army Family Covenant. In a ceremony at the new Army Community Service building, formerly Patch Hall, the Fort Benning and Maneuver Center of Excellence commander signed the covenant, followed by Command Sgt. Maj. Chris Hardy, Col. Thomas Macdonald and Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Moore.

Post commanders sign the covenant shortly after taking command. Brown is the fifth Fort Benning commander to sign it.

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Fort Benning's Allen family stays Army Strong

The Allen family exemplifies what's working with the Army Family Covenant.

Staff Sgt. Andre Allen is a three-time combat veteran. His wife, Spc. LaToya Allen, has deployed twice. Together they are raising four daughters between the ages of 13 and 7: Anashalique, Shawnay, Raynesha and Demarrie.

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Airborne School breaks ground for new Battle Memorial

A new monument dedicated to U.S. combat paratrooper and glider units is sprouting up on Eubanks Field.

Ground was broken earlier this month on the Airborne Battle Memorial, which will sit just 100 feet from the Airborne Walk at the Army Airborne School. An opening ceremony is scheduled for April 8 to coincide with the annual Airborne Awards Festival.

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198th Infantry Brigade welcomes new battalion

Maj. David Schultz, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 330th Infantry Regiment, assumed the duties and responsibilities of the 3rd Battalion, 330th Infantry Regiment, from Lt. Col. Mark Price during a 198th Infantry Brigade transition of authority ceremony Jan. 18 at the Sand Hill Recreation Center.

"I have no doubt that the 2nd Battalion, 330th Infantry Regiment, will continue in the training mission and produce outstanding young Infantrymen," said Lt. Col. Mark Price, commander of the 3rd Battalion.

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Army revamps diet and fitness plan to train Soldiers

If you're looking for fried chicken, soda or pastries, you won't find it at any Army training center mess hall. Those items have been replaced with healthier options like baked chicken more fruits and vegetables, juice, whole grains, milk and yogurt.

Nutritionists are delivering a required one-hour nutrition course, and healthy habits are being reinforced at meal time.

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Unprecedented commitment to military families announced

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24, 2011 -- President Barack Obama today unveiled a governmentwide plan to strengthen military family support, offering a glimpse at a few of the new programs and cooperative efforts being launched in the coming months to improve quality of life and well-being for military families.

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Historic 'House' escapes demolition, re-dedication Friday

The U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit will rededicate the USAMU Round House, commonly called the "Patton Round House" in association with Gen. George Patton's time at Fort Benning, at a ceremony Friday.

Originally built in 1938 on the unit's Hook Range, its purpose was to serve as a hunting lodge but soon became the Officers Club annex. The building of the Round House coincided with the designation of Hook Range as the post's skeet range. 2nd Lt. Paul Tibbets attracted attention for his innovative method of using skeet training to teach aerial gunners to lead their targets at the range. Tibbets later attained the rank of brigadier general and piloted the Enola Gay Aug. 6, 1945, dropping the first atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima.

It is known Generals Patton, Tibbets, Omar Bradley and Courtney Hodges all spent a significant amount of time on the range during World War II, and it is presumed that they often visited the adjacent Round House.

According to written accounts, the generals would place small wagers on shooting matches and then find refuge in the Round House afterwards. John Wayne used the building as a retreat while filming The Green Berets on post in 1967 and one scene of the film was shot on location at Hook Range.

In 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower formed the USAMU to raise the overall marksmanship proficiency of the Army. By 1960, Hook Range and the Round House were home to the USAMU shotgun team and it hosted the Olympic trials for marksmanship. Since that time, seven Olympic medalists, several world champions and a slew of national champions have walked through the door of the Round House to shoot a game of pool or sit by the fireplace to relax after a match.

The wooden landmark has been beset by age and erosion the last several years and word got around that it was slated for demolition. Several former and current members of the USAMU made it their mission to ensure that the World War II artifact would survive and be better than before.

In a letter dated 1999, Tibbetts described the Round House as not just an old World War II building, but as "an icon to be preserved" because it "projects a strong nostalgic memory and image" for those who spent time there during the World War II era.

The building survived the chopping block thanks to the charity of a friend of the USAMU family. Prosser Mellon and the Mellon Foundation stepped in and made a significant monetary contribution to the Army with the intent of restoring the Round House.

Mellon is friends with Staff Sgt. Josh Richmond, a shotgun shooter for the USAMU. The two were introduced by a mutual friend, John Hamilton, Mellon's son-in-law, and they immediately struck up a rapport. Mellon was an invited guest of the unit one day a few years ago and after touring the custom firearms shop and the pistol range, he descended upon Hook Range to do some skeet shooting.

"Walking up to the skeet line he saw this building, unmaintained, and asked about it since it didn't really fit into the landscape with everything else so clean and in-shape," Richmond said. "He asked me the story behind this building, so I briefly told its history, about all of the famous and influential generals who used it, and went back to shooting.

"Prior to him leaving for the day, his wife Sandy Mellon came over and said that she needed to get some information on who to get in touch with ... Prosser wants to re-do that house. Basically it started there over night and we are where we are today."

After several months of construction, a few words, a ribbon cutting and "first shot" ceremony will reopen the building Friday. From that point on, the Patton Round House will once again be ready to host social gatherings, shotgun matches, and maybe even a few more of those "unofficial" officers meetings.

Caution: Entering construction zone

Taking care of the best military community in the Army!

Upcoming DFMWR events:

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Job Fair

Army Community Service's Employment Readiness Program, the Georgia

Department of Labor and Columbus Technical College will host a job fair from 9am-2pm Feb. 3 at the Columbus Ironworks & Trade Center, 801 Front Street, in downtown Columbus. At least 75 companies are expected to participate. Please bring at least 25 copies of your resume for possible on-site interviews. For more information, call 706-545-2836.

Youth Baseball starting soon!

Youth Baseball registration begins Feb. 1. Call 706-545-1853.

Mother/Son Ball

The mother/son Buccaneers' Ball will be held at the Benning

Conference Center Feb. 11. Tickets, $15 for mom and $10 for each son, will go on sale Jan. 10 at Omega Travel and MWR headquarters, Building 2783, Eckel Avenue.

Newcomers Orientation

MWR's Army Community Service continues to host weekly Newcomers

Orientations at 9a.m. Wednesdays at Patch hall, Building 7. Free child care is provided with registration. Call 706-545-0403.

Fishing Tournaments

Uchee Creek continues to offer monthly fishing tournaments with cash

prizes and boat rental discounts for active duty Soldiers. The next

tournament is scheduled for Feb. 19. For more information, go to

http://uchee.benningmwr.com/ or call 706-685-3060 ext 200, 201 or 202.

Family Bowling Days every Sunday

Every Sunday in February is Family Day at the Main Mall Bowling

Center, next to the commissary on Marne Road. From 1-5pm, pay $40 for two games of bowling, four shoe rentals, and a meal for four. Add $10 for each additional family member.

Valentine's Day things to do

We're celebrating Valentine's Day from 6:30-7:30pm Feb. 11 at Sayers

Library. Bring the kids for crafts, refreshments and more! Sayers Library is located on Main post in Building 93 on Wold Avenue, next to the MiniMall.

Valentine's Day Brunch

Join us for the Valentine's Brunch, 10am-1:30pm, Feb 13, at the

Benning Conference Center. Don't miss this Fort Benning tradition, featuring gourmet food, a chocolate fountain, a pianist and a fresh cut rose for each sweetheart. Reservations are recommended.

Playground special

Sweet deal! During the whole month of February, we're offering

two-for-one indoor playground specials Monday through Friday at the Family Entertainment Center. Bring a friend for free! For more information, call

706-545-4272.

Mardi Gras

Celebrate Mardi Gras at the Benning Brew Pub. The fun starts at 7pm

Feb. 26. Includes an "in the spirit" costume contest, the crowning of a king and queen, limbo, free spicy jambalaya and drink specials. The Benning Brew Pub is located in Building 2784, Sightseeing Road, next to El Zapatas.

Paintball

MWR's Outdoor Recreation will host Paintball in the Woodlands Feb.

18. This event is free, and ODR offers equipment for rent or purchase. For more information, call 706-545-7978.

CG Golf Scramble

Putt up or shut up! Test your game against the commanding general in

the CG's Golf Scramble February 24 at the Fort Benning Golf Course. $30 in advance, $35 on game day. Call 706-687-1940.

Disc Golf Tournament

ODR will host its first Disc Golf tournament at 10:30 a.m. Feb 12 at

Russ Pond for ages 15 and older. There is a $10 entry fee. Prizes will be

awarded. To register, call 706-545-9636.

King Pond Treasure Hunt

Take the family on a treasure hunt! ODR will host geocaching at

Kings Pond Feb 26 from 9am to noon. We will provide the treasure and the GPS. This event is free.

You'll find the most up-to-the-minute information on our Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/BenningFMWRfans.

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 weekly. 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