Volume 12, Issue 01 Friday, Dec. 24, 2010

THE

An Award Winning 

JTF Journal

DADT Repealed Do You 

DOD Finalizing Parrandas?

Implementation The Puerto Rico 

National Guard Does!
COVER: BACK COVER:

The WIRE is the official news magazine of Joint Task Force Guantanamo. It is produced by the JTF Public Affairs Office to inform and educate the Troopers of JTF Guantanamo 

through news, features, command guidance, sports and entertainment. The WIRE seeks to provide maximum disclosure with minimum delay with regard to security, accuracy, 

propriety and policy. This DoD news magazine is an authorized publication for the members of the Department of Defense. Contents of The WIRE are not necessarily the official 

views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or Joint Task Force Guantanamo. It is printed by the DLA Document Services with a circulation of 

1,000.

JTF Guantanamo

Commander

Navy Rear Adm. Jeffrey Harbeson

Command Master Chief

Navy Master Chief Petty Officer

Scott A. Fleming

Office of Public Affairs Director

Navy Cmdr. Tamsen Reese: 9928

Deputy Director

Air Force Lt. Col. Don Langley: 9927

Operations Officer

CW2 Raymond Chapman: 3649

Supervisor

Air Force Master Sgt. Andrew Leonhard: 3649

 

The Wire

Executive Editor

Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel: 3499

Assistant Editor

Spc. Meredith Vincent

Photojournalists:

Navy Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class

David P. Coleman

Navy Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class

Wesley Kreiss

Navy Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class

Elisha Dawkins

Army Sgt. Mathieu Perry

Air Force Senior Airman Gino Reyes

Contact us

Editor’s Desk: 3499

From the continental United States

Commercial: 011-53-99-3499

DSN: 660-3499

E-mail: thewire@jtfgtmo.southcom.mil

Online: www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil

Trooper to Trooper

featuring Army Sgt. Maj.

Harold Bodenschatz

Senior Enlisted Leader, J3

Courage, according to the dictionary is 

as follows:

 “Mental or moral strength to resist opposition, danger or hardship. Courage implies firmness of mind and will in the face 

of danger or extreme difficulty.”

I believe courage has many meanings 

and uses to different Troopers. The ability to work hard all your life, to build a 

family and plant roots, to raise children. 

The same individual then feels a sense 

of duty and joins the military. Thus this 

Trooper has the courage to do all the normal stuff we do, but is also willing to put 

his/her life on the line if called to do so. 

There is courage in the spouse and families at home who are willing to stand by 

their Trooper and support them no matter 

how many times their country calls for 

them to leave. There is also the courage of all our fellow battle buddies that 

come home who have wounds that have 

changed their lives forever. Courage is 

the ability to keep going and make the 

best of what you have and live life to the 

fullest every day. 

But most of 

those types of 

courage you all 

are quite aware of 

and live with every 

day. I want to focus 

on a challenge we 

all face every day 

of our lives. I am talking about the courage to do what is right when no one is 

looking. Courage is the ability to muster 

up the will to not take the easy way out or 

look the other way when you shouldn’t.

 Personal courage is what I have been 

talking about, the stuff that makes us all 

leaders or followers. If one is willing to go 

along with the flow or just do what everybody thinks you should do, how can they 

be a leader? As leaders you must be able 

to decide what is right and follow through 

on it. You must have the courage to stand 

up and say “this is wrong” and you will 

not just follow along, you will ensure the 

right thing is done. This is not always 

easy. You will find many who don’t have 

what it takes to do this. You will not always be liked or the popular person on 

the block but you will be a leader. You 

will be able to earn the respect of most. 

Best of all, you will respect yourself.

Courage is hard to live with. It demands of those who say they have it to 

perform a self examination of their convictions everyday. It demands that we 

put a mirror up in front of us to see who 

we really are. Sometimes we don’t like 

what we see. Do you have the courage to 

change and do what is right? Most of us 

know what right looks like. 

As long as you give it 100 percent and 

you stand up for what is right and ensure 

that you were not just a follower of the 

mob; then you should like what you see 

in that mirror. 

Page 2 | The Wire Trooper-to-Trooper | Friday, Dec. 24, 2010

The 51st Public Affairs Detachment of the United States Virgin Islands Army National Guard was given a 

teary farewell Saturday as their year-long deployment came to an end. The incoming Wire staff wishes all 

of them safe and speedy travels and thanks them for their hospitality. –photo by Mass Communications 

Specialist First Class David P. Coleman/The Wire

Happy Holidays JTF Troopers! –photo illustration by Mass Communications Specialist Second Class 

Elisha Dawkins/The Wire

Karen Parrish

American Forces Press Service _________________________

President Barrack Obama signed the Don’t 

Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010 into law 

at a signing ceremony in Washington, D.C., 

Wednesday. 

“We are not a nation that says, ‘Don’t ask, 

don’t tell,’” the president said at the signing 

ceremony. “We are a nation that says, ‘Out of 

many, we are one.’

“We are a nation that welcomes the service 

of every patriot,” he added. “We are a nation 

that believes all men and women are created 

equal. Those are the ideals that generations 

have fought for. Those are the ideals that we 

uphold today, and now it is my honor to sign 

this bill into law.”

The act repeals Section 654, Title 10, of 

the United States Code, which barred people 

who are openly gay, lesbian or bisexual from 

serving in the U.S. military. Today’s signing, as 

the president pointed out, begins a process that 

will culminate in full repeal over the coming 

months.

The old policy remains in effect until 

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, Chairman 

of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. 

Mike Mullen, and the president certify the 

military’s readiness to implement the repeal, 

the commander in chief said. “It’s especially 

important for servicemembers to remember 

that,” he added.

The president said he has spoken to all of 

the service chiefs, and all are committed to 

implementing the change swiftly.

“We are not going to be dragging our feet 

to get this done,” Obama said. “As commander 

in chief, I am certain that we can effect this 

transition in a way that only strengthens our 

military readiness. People will look back on 

this moment and wonder [why it was] ever a 

source of controversy in the first place.”

“I also want to commend our military 

leadership,” he said. “Ending Don’t Ask, 

Don’t Tell was a topic in my first meeting with 

Secretary Gates, Admiral Mullen and the Joint 

Chiefs. We talked about how to end this policy; 

we talked about how success in both passing 

and implementing this change depended on 

working closely with the Pentagon. And that’s 

what we did.”

Obama praised his defense and national 

security leaders for their oversight of the 

change. “The courage and the vision of 

Secretary Gates, of Admiral Mike Mullen, who 

spoke from the heart and said what he believed 

was right, of General James Cartwright, the 

vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and Deputy 

Secretary William Lynn ...,” he said, “also the 

authors of the Pentagon’s review, Jeh Johnson 

[defense general counsel] and General Carter 

Ham [commander, U.S. Army Europe], who 

did outstanding and meticulous work – and 

all those who laid the groundwork for this 

transition.”

The president said he has “every confidence” 

of the professionalism and patriotism of U.S. 

military members as repeal moves forward.

“With any change, there’s some 

apprehension,” Obama said. “Just as 

[servicemembers] have adapted and grown 

stronger with each of the other changes, I know 

they will do so again. I know that Secretary 

Gates, Admiral Mullen, as well as the vast 

majority of servicemembers themselves share 

Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repealed - Now What?

Puerto Rico National Guard 

Helo Crashes; 3 Dead, 3 Missing

Friday, Dec. 24, 2010 | news The Wire | Page 3

President Barrack Obama signs a repeal act in Washington, D.C., Dec. 22, 2010, officially overturning 

the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell law that he said required gay servicemembers to serve in secrecy and isolation. White House photo by Chuck Kennedy 

AP News Service _________________________

Authorities said Wednesday they have 

recovered three bodies from the crash of 

a Puerto Rico National Guard helicopter 

that went down with six people aboard. 

Three others remain missing.

A body found Tuesday was identified 

as that of prosecutor Francisco Mujica 

de Leon.

Also aboard the helicopter were prosecutor Mario Torres Marin, Col. Victor 

Torres Rodriguez, who was second in 

command of the Puerto Rico National 

Guard, pilots Hector Ramirez and Carlos 

Acevedo, and Sgt. Jose Omar Sostre.

The UH-72 Lakota helicopter was 

headed toward Vieques when it disappeared late Monday. Officials say they 

do not know what led to the crash. Two 

other helicopters on the same mission reported no problems.

Editors Note: The JTF Guantanamo 

leadership and all Troopers express our 

deepest condolences to members of the 

Puerto Rico National Guard and everyone 

whose life was touched by this tragedy.

this view ... based on their own experiences, 

including the experience of serving with 

dedicated, duty-bound servicemembers who 

are also gay. ”

Gay servicemembers who will gain the 

right to serve openly when repeal is fully 

implemented, Obama said.

US Preparing to Hold Some Guantanamo Inmates ‘Indefinitely’ 

VOA News _________________________

Officials in Washington say the U.S. 

government is preparing to detain indefinitely nearly 50 alleged terrorists now held 

at the Guantanamo Bay detention center. 

An executive order being prepared for 

review by President Barack Obama says 

that Guantanamo Bay prisoners kept in 

“prolonged detention” will not be put on 

trial. Each case will be reviewed periodically, U.S. officials said late Tuesday, and the 

detainees are expected to be able to mount 

legal challenges to their incarceration.

A White House official told VOA Tuesday night that the plan under consideration 

will have clear, lawful and fair procedures, 

and a thorough review process, “so that any 

prolonged detention is carefully evaluated 

and justified.”

Of the 174 prisoners still held at Guantanamo, a U.S. Navy base in eastern Cuba, 

U.S. officials are said to have decided that 

at least 48 should be held indefinitely. No 

prisoners’ identities were released.
Page 4 | The Wire news | Friday, Dec. 24, 2010

JTF Guantanamo Top Brass Addresses Troopers

Troopers living in the Tierra Kay 

housing complex will soon see a series 

of changes. That was one of the messages delivered by JTF Guantanamo 

Commander Navy Rear Adm. Jeffrey 

Harbeson during a recent series of allhands meetings. 

Harbeson said work is nearly complete on the mini-NEX in the Tierra Kay 

housing area, with completion expected 

by late winter or early spring.

“What I need to know from you now 

is what sort of things we need to populate the new mini-NEX with,” Harbeson 

said.

Harbeson also used to the opportunity 

to speak about a new fire suppression 

system being installed at the TK complex. Harbeson said contractors would 

work block-to-block during the installation process, requiring Troopers living 

in impacted units to temporarily relocate 

for up to three weeks.

“We are looking into several different 

options for the relocation,” Harbeson 

said, noting the Bay Hill area was one of 

the options being considered.

“This is not a perfect situation but it’s 

the right thing to do,” he said.

In addition to the efforts underway at 

the TK, Harbeson said a new Club Survivor, an MWR facility, near the Seaside 

Galley is in the works and all of the sea 

huts on Camp America are scheduled to 

be taken down. Harbeson said both projects should be complete in the Spring of 

2011.

Following the updates, the Admiral 

talked about some of the distinguished 

visitors coming to the island in the near 

future.

“They value the feedback you provide them,” said the Admiral. “So don’t 

be shy if they ask you any questions.”

In the nearly nine years since the formation of JTF Guantanamo, the island 

has been host to several congressional 

delegations, along with a slew of highranking dignitaries anxious to visit their 

Troopers working with the task force.

Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel

JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs _________________________

Harbeson took the opportunity to also 

answer one of the common questions he 

hears following VIP visits.

“‘How come the detainees seem to 

have it better than the Troopers working 

here’ is one of those things I often hear,” 

he said, pointing 

out facilities for 

many of the detainees include 

video game systems, high definition television 

and other amenities.

Harbeson answered the question by noting 

the unique status of those detained at 

Guantanamo.

“Of the 174 detainees here, three 

have been convicted,” the Admiral said. 

“With one having charges against him. 

That’s the truth 

of the situation.”

Harbeson said 

he was proud of 

the work done 

by his Troopers 

and he would 

put his operations up against 

any other facility in the world.

“We maintain the gold 

standard with 

our operations 

here,” Harbeson 

said. “There are 

those out there 

who would make 

accusations I 

would say to 

them, come here 

and see our operations — we 

maintain the 

highest standard 

in the world.”

Moving on to 

address a series 

of rumors concerning possible 

changes to the 

face of the task 

force, Harbeson 

said there were several discussions ongoing with Southern Command, the 

higher headquarters of the JTF.

 “We are reviewing several possible course of actions,” said Harbeson. 

“Nothing has been decided or approved 

by Gen. Fraser 

(Gen. Douglas 

Fraser, Commander, U.S. Southern 

Command) and we 

continue to discuss 

opportunities.”

Harbeson answered several 

questions concerning mold conditions 

at the TK housing 

area as well as increasing capacity at 

laundry facilities in the Cuzco Barracks 

area. Harbeson said he and his senior 

leadership would look into the issues 

presented during the meeting. 

“This is not a perfect 

situation but it’s the right 

thing to do.”

JTF Commander Rear Adm. Jeffrey 

Harbeson commenting on possible 

Trooper relocations.

Rear Adm. Jeffrey Harbeson, Joint Task Force Guantanamo commander recently 

addressed the Troopers of the task force in a series of all-hands meetings.

New fire suppression systems 

to be installed at Tierra Kay 

housing complex soon.

Friday, Dec. 24, 2010 | feature The Wire | Page 5

Senior Airman Gino Reyes

JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs

_________________________

The 525th Military Police Battalion 

motor pool repairs 525th vehicles for use 

in accomplishing the Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo mission.

There are only six Troopers running the 

shop and they stay pretty busy.

“As a team there is no task we cannot 

accomplish,” said 525th MP Battalion 

vehicle mechanic Spc. Jose Ramos.

The motor pool performs both weekly 

and monthly scheduled maintenance on all 

vehicles. When broken vehicles come in, 

there is a six-step process performed. The 

vehicle is inspected on the initial turn in. 

After that primary inspection, problems 

are verified and the troubleshooting 

begins. If needed, parts are ordered. Once 

all the repairs are complete, vehicles 

are dispatched back for duty. The entire 

process is documented and filed, tracking 

work quality and production.

Fixing vehicles is not all these Troopers 

bring to the mission. They also instruct 

classes on tactical vehicle operation. The 

approximately 40-hour program consists 

of basic concepts and maneuvering. 

Instructors ensure operators have full 

control of vehicles and an understanding of 

driving concepts before issuing a license, 

said Ramos. 

“If any operator receives a license and 

causes an accident, injury or even death the 

instructors will be part of the blame,” he 

explained.

The 525th MP Company motor pool is a 

diverse group of Troopers from all around 

the company. 

“We come together and get the job 

done,” said 525th MP Company vehicle 

mechanic Sergeant Jose Parra. 

With a constant flow and timely 

completion of work coming in, the 525th 

motor pool helps the Joint Task Force 

mission running smoothly.

Motor pool helps keep things running

Spc. Jose Ramos and Spc. Antonio Carter perform maintenance on a mule Nov. 17. Ramos and Carter are members 

of the 525th Military Police Company motor pool. - photo by Senior Airman Gino Reyes/The Wire
Page 6 | The Wire feature | Friday, Dec. 24, 2010

Army Spc. Meredith Vincent

JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs _________________________

VIPs are no strangers to Guantanamo 

Bay, Cuba. A familiar sight around the 

base is groups of journalists, politicians 

or officials. Rarely seen however, was the 

jubilant performance put on by such a group 

at the Trooper Chapel Monday afternoon.

Maj. Gen. Antonio J. Vicens, Adjutant 

General of the Puerto Rico National Guard, 

visited Guantanamo in hopes of seeing 

some of the 200 Soldiers from Puerto Rico 

stationed here. He brought with him a 

group of retention and recruiting personnel 

that also happened to be pretty good with 

a beat.

“A group of our recruiters are acting 

as parrandas,” Maj. Paul Dahlen, public 

affairs officer for the Puerto Rican National 

Guard explained. “Parrandas are basically 

carolers with a Puerto Rican twist.”

As the musicians entered the Trooper 

Chapel, it was clear these were not the 

Christmas carols most people grew up with 

as children. What filled the chapel that 

afternoon was a mix of African, Spanish 

and Native American sounds accompanied 

by an eclectic mix of drums, guitars, 

tambourines and maracas. 

“This is traditional music from Puerto 

Rico,” said Master Sgt. Lorna Jimenz, 

recruiting and retention non-commissioned 

officer in charge. “We wanted to bring 

our Christmas music to our guys who are 

stationed over here.”

The group was asked to accompany 

Vicens to bring some holiday cheer to the 

Puerto Rican Soldiers away from their 

homes this season.

“He (the general) thought it would be 

a good idea to bring some of the island 

spirit over here to them, since they are so 

far away.” said Sgt. 1st Class Gregorio 

Quinones, marketing NCO for the Puerto 

Rican National Guard. 

Quinones’ own daughter is stationed 

in Kosov and he explained this trip was a 

healing experience for him as well.

National Guard Imports Holiday 

Sounds From Puerto Rico

 Army Sgt. Maj. Jose Padilla (center) and staff with 

the Puerto Rico National Guard, Recruiting and 

Retention Battalion, perform a special holiday 

caroling assembly at the Trooper Chapel in Camp 

America. –photo by Mass Communication Specialist 

2nd Class Elisha Dawkins/The Wire 

Friday, Dec. 24, 2010 | Feature The Wire | Page 7

“It was nice for me to come over here and bring some 

music to them, because I appreciate how special it is,” he 

said sadly. “It’s something good for them, but also me.”

Quinones put on an inspired and joyous performance, 

along with his fellow musicians. The energy was palpable 

as people danced, clapped and sang along. Even Rear 

Adm. Jeffrey Harbeson, Joint Task Force Guantanamo 

commander, picked up a tambourine and got into the spirit. 

Dahlen believes that their visit made the lasting effect they 

were hoping for.

“We wanted to let them know that we care about them,” 

he said after the festivities. “We’re thinking about them and 

we wish them all a very merry Christmas and a wonderful 

Happy New Year.” 

(below) Army Soldiers with the Puerto Rico National 

Guard, Recruiting and Retention Battalion, sing and 

play instruments while being transported to Naval 

Station Guantanamo Bay on a Navy Utility boat, Dec. 

20, 2010. -photo by Mass Communication Specialists 

2nd Class Elisha Dawkins/The Wire

JTF Guantanamo Commander, Rear 

Adm. Jeffery Harbeson, speaks with 

Army Maj. Gen. Antonio Vicens, the 

Adjutant General for Puerto Rico 

National Guard at the Trooper Chapel. 

-photo by Mass Communication 

Specialists 2nd Class Elisha Dawkins/

The Wire

Joint Task Force Army Sgt. 1st Class Alcides Heredia 

plays a guitar during a song with the Puerto Rico 

National Guard Recruiting and Retention Battalion. 

-photo by Mass Communication Specialists 2nd Class 

Elisha Dawkins/The Wire

Army Sgt. 1st Class Gilberto Rivera with Puerto Rico 

National Guard, Recruiting and Retention Battalion 

leads Troopers with hometown music. –photo by 

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Elisha 

Dawkins/The Wire 
Page 8 | The Wire Friday, dec. 24, 2010 The Wire | Page 9

Naval Station Guantanamo 

Bay residents run the 

Jingle Bell 2-mile Fun Run, 

Dec. 18, 2010. The Morale, 

Welfare and Recreation 

program held the annual 

event for everyone to enjoy 

their Christmas holiday 

and in support of the 

Navy’s Fitness program. 

-photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class 

Elisha Dawkins/The Wire

Members of the Maritime Safety and Security Team-Miami 

pose with Santa prior to the Jingle Bell Fun Run. -photo by 

Army Sgt. Mathieu Perry/The Wire

Naval Station Guantanamo Bay residents begin the Jingle Bell 

fun run, Dec. 18, 2010. The run included a guest visit by Santa 

and dog treats for all the four-legged participants.

-photo by Army Sgt. Mathieu Perry/The Wire

Navy Petty Officer First Class Joshua Bright, a Master at Arms for the JTF 

Navy Expeditionary Guard Battalion and two MWR personnel help cool Rocky, 

an English bulldog and Mastiff cross after the jingle bell fun run. -photo by 

Army Sgt. Mathieu Perry/The Wire

Navy Petty Officer First Class Joshua Bright, 

cares for Rocky, an English bulldog and 

Mastiff cross. -photo by Army Sgt. Mathieu 

Perry/The Wire

Army Sgt. Mathieu Perry

JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs _________________________

The Jingle Bell 2 Mile Fun Run was a great way to kindle the 

holiday spirit, start a tradition and make new memories.

The conditions of Guantanamo Bay allow joggers to take their 

running up a notch due to the numerous sidewalks, good trails and 

slow-moving traffic. 

“I am a really avid runner,” said Lt. j.g. Caitlin Quinn with the 

Maritime Safety and Security Team in Miami. “I love running and 

being here has presented me with the opportunity to really take my 

running to the next level.”

“It’s very safe here,” said Quinn. “You are not going to get 

hit by anything going faster than 25 miles per hour. There are 

plenty of sidewalks and good trails with plenty of places to go and 

explore.”

That has helped her take advantage and try to get some good 

mileage in. It has also helped her to mix up her routine and do 

things a little differently.

Community events like the fun run also help to bring out the 

holiday spirit and boost morale.

“It was really cool doing a Christmas-themed run in such a hot 

climate,” said Quinn. “It was cool to be surrounded by the palm 

trees and the very green foliage and then, here comes Santa Claus 

coming down the lane with his jingle bells.”

Quinn went on to explain she is originally from Falmouth, 

Mass. and has only been in Miami for the past year and a half.

“I really love New England and embrace the four seasons,” said 

Quinn. “So I can really appreciate the snow and the cold climates 

that are usually associated with this time of year.”

The spirit of the holidays is more than just a picturesque winter 

wonderland; it is a time for reminiscing with friends and family. 

The holidays are about “people coming together and 

celebrating,” said Quinn, “Doing things that are really enjoyable 

and making memories.”

Quinn added that is just what the MSST group did. Even though 

they are away from their families, she said, they will be able to 

look back and think, “Oh yeah! I remember doing the Jingle Bell 

Fun Run in Guantanamo Bay around Christmas time with the guys 

from my unit.”

 

 

Jingle Bell Fun Run 
Page 10 | The Wire Feature | Friday, Dec. 24, 2010

Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class

Elisha Dawkins

JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs _________________________

 Joint Task Force Troopers face 

challenges every day. Working in an 

unfamiliar joint-service environment can 

cause stress, which if not managed early 

can lead to anxiety, depression and other 

mental ailments.

There are both positive and negative 

stressors. Positive stressors involve 

achievement and success while negative 

stressors play a role in damaging one’s 

self esteem and can impact mission 

accomplishment. 

Navy Lt. Jason Duff, officer in charge, 

Joint Stress Mitigation and Restoration 

Team, said there are several indicators 

when negative stress may be impacting 

one’s mental state. Duffy said change in 

normal behavior, loss of sleep or lack of 

appetite are just a few signs that a Trooper 

should seek assistance.

 “We (JSMART) provide specific skills 

that we teach for depression, anger or 

anxiety (mitigation),” he said.

In a deployed environment adapting 

to change is a critical skill needed to 

complete the mission. 

“Sometimes it takes that shipmate 

Is It 

Head 

Check 

Time?

or Soldier to open up, knowing that the 

people around will understand them,” 

Duff said. “But if it [stress] starts to build 

up in an individual and becomes more of 

an issue, that’s when we will jump in as 

mental health providers.”

JSMART provides cognitive behavioral 

therapy, coping skills and relaxation 

techniques Troopers can use. Scheduled 

sleep, smoking cessation and anger 

management instruction are a few of the 

additional tools provided by JSMART. 

“If someone has an anger issue, we 

use identification of early triggers and 

stressors,” said Duff. “We teach them how 

to scan themselves and be aware of how 

much anger, irritability and frustration 

they are walking around with.”

Duff said while self-awareness is key 

in identifying potential problems, the 

JSMART team also employ a batch of 

cognitive tools to assist Troopers.

“We look at the thought pattern,” 

Duff explained. “How they perceive 

themselves, other people and how they 

respond to the events in the world around 

them. Sometimes that can be a big step 

forward.”

Troopers needing assistance from the 

JSMART team can contact them at 3566.

Pfc. Leslee Fong holds a stress ball given to her by members of the Joint Stress Mitigation and Restoration Team (JSMART), Dec. 21, 2010. JSMART’s mission is to provide outreach and stress prevention for all Troopers during their deployment. -photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Elisha Dawkins

Helpful Tips from the 

JSMART Team

- Listen to calming music

- Try Yoga or meditation

- Take a series of long, deep breaths

- Visualize calming scenes

Trouble Sleeping?

- Go to bed at the same time each day 

- Write a sleep journal

- Use the bed only for sleep 

- Turn off the television 15 minutes 

prior to sleeping, 

- Do not work out one hour prior to bed 

time

- Reduce or eliminatie caffeine.

Need to Relax?

Friday, Dec. 24, 2010 | life and spirit The Wire | Page 11

GTMO Religious Services

Daily Catholic Mass

Mon. - Fri. 5:30 p.m.

Main Chapel

Vigil Mass

Saturday 5 p.m.

Main Chapel

Mass

Sunday 9 a.m.

Main Chapel

Catholic Mass

Saturday 7:30 p.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

Sunday 7:30 a.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

Seventh Day Adventist

Saturday 11 a.m.

Room B

Iglesia Ni Christo

Sunday 5:30 a.m.

Room A

Pentecostal Gospel

Sunday 8 a.m.

Room D

LDS Service

Sunday 10 a.m.

Room A

Liturgical Service

Sunday 10 a.m.

Room B

General Protestant

Sunday 11 a.m.

Main Chapel

United Jamaican

Fellowship

Sunday 11 a.m.

Building 1036

Gospel Service

Sunday 1 p.m.

Main Chapel

GTMO Bay Christian 

Fellowship

Sunday 6 p.m.

Main Chapel

Bible Study

Wednesday 7 p.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

The Truth Project

Bible study

Sunday 6 p.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

Protestant Worship

Sunday 9 a.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

Islamic Service

Friday 1:15 p.m.

Room C

Jewish Service

FMI call 2628

LORIMI Gospel

Sunday 8 a.m.

Room D

Church of Christ

Sunday 10 a.m.

Chapel Annex

Room 17

Life and Spirit

When we look for the meaning of Christmas many things may come to mind. It may be Christmas songs, 

food or presents under the tree. It could be the gathering together of family and friends for Christmas parties and 

lots of eggnog. Christmas might be a time to go to church for Christmas pageants, a living Nativity scene or a 

Candlelight Christmas Eve service. You may be on the road, traveling by car or plane, visiting family, or at the 

mall getting those last minute Christmas bargains. You might be hard at work in the kitchen preparing for all the 

guests who are coming over. Your family may not celebrate Christmas and it may be a day at the movies, a time 

to take a cruise or just another day at work.

But this Christmas might be like one you’ve had in Iraq, Afghanistan or in the middle of the ocean. Guantanamo 

Bay doesn’t scream Christmas. Only very recently have those who live on the main island been able to celebrate 

the holiday. You may feel lonely, sad or it may seem like just another day with not much to celebrate. You may 

be planning a big Christmas bash with 50 people or a small, quiet get-to-together with friends. You might be 

spending your Christmas on watch, on guard or being served by the many civilians who are working this day.

Christmas might have you envisioning a babe in a manger or a jolly, large man in a red suit. You might 

be watching Rudolph or Frosty, Charlie Brown or the Grinch. You might watch A Christmas Carol or It’s a 

Wonderful Life. You may spend your Christmas watching the Griswalds’ in A Christmas Vacation or Ralphie in 

A Christmas Story. 

You may balk at all the materialism of the season, make gifts or give to charity; your family may have fallen 

on hard times and decided not to exchange gifts this year. It might annoy you to hear “Happy Holidays” instead 

of “Merry Christmas” and you may strongly declare “Jesus is the reason for the season!”

With all the things Christmas means and all the images it may bring to mind, it really comes down to God 

keeping promises and an upcoming reality that peace will one day finally be on Earth and that good will be shown 

to all of humanity. I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday Season and a blessed New 

Year.

Navy Lt. Anthony Carr

NEGB Command Chaplain _________________________
Page 12 | The Wire sports | Friday, Dec. 24, 2010

Chiefs Hammer 

First Classes 

in 

Smack-talk 

Fueled Softball 

Matchup

It might be a slight stretch to call Saturday’s softball game 

between members of the Chief Petty Officers Association and the 

First Class Petty Officers Association a slaughter. Then again, 

calling it a slaughter would be closer to the truth than calling it 

a close game. After the dust settled and the FCPO’s took their 

final hacks, the scoreboard stood at 26-16 with the CPO’s standing tall.

The game within the game started early when, an oft-referred 

to, memo was fired off by an undisclosed member of the FCPOA. 

While representatives of WikiLeaks are still seeking details of 

the memo, The Wire has learned the contents of the memo tossed 

down the gauntlet with serious trash talk aimed squarely at the 

CPOs. In what is sure to be remembered as a fatal gambit, the 

Chiefs would use the contents of the memo to taunt the FCPO 

throughout the game.

At the onset, the First Classes seemed to want to make a game 

of things. The first four FCPO batters in the line-up reached base, 

drawing first blood before the defense of the CPO’s turned an 

inning-ending double play. Heading into the bottom half of the 

opening frame, the Firsts were up 4-0. It would be the last time 

they would hold a lead.

A combination of shaky pitching and poor defense allowed 

the Chiefs to bring the scoreboard even and eventually go up by 

Army Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel

JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs _________________________

photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel/The Wire

photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel/The Wire

Master at Arms Chief Petty Officer Bryan Roelike tosses the ball to first base 

securing the out during a match-up between the Chief Petty Officers Association 

and the First Class Petty Officers Association, Saturday, Dec. 18 at Cooper Field.

Friday, Dec. 24, 2010 | sports The Wire | Page 13

one run. Unlike the FCPO hitters who took CPO pitcher Bryan 

Roelike deep into the outfield, the CPOs played small ball, with a 

series of grounders that found holes in the mitts of the First Class 

defenders advancing the runners.

Down 12-4 opening the top of the fourth, FCPO bats sputtered 

to life with a series of hits resulting in three runs for the First 

Classes — but the Chiefs used their half of the frame to tack on 

an additional six runs.

There’s some debate as to whether the Chiefs granted the First 

Classes an additional out for the last inning, but chatter by the defense of the Chiefs noted the First Classes could have had an additional three outs to the inning and still not even up the score.

Following the drubbing, members of the CPO squad signed 

the game ball and presented it to the First Classes, a bittersweet 

reminder of the stinging defeat.

“There was a lot of back and forth for a while about playing 

this game,” said First Class Petty Officer Josh Bright. “We finally 

set a date, challenged the Chiefs and got a team together.”

Bright went on to say the game was always intended to be a 

good time with smack talk just part of the routine between the 

two organizations.

“Oh and by the way,” Bright said. “Could you please not print 

the final score?”

photo by Mass Communications Specialist First Class David P. Coleman/The Wire

photo by Mass Communications Specialist First Class David P. Coleman/The Wire

photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cossel/The Wire

Clockwise from above, First Class Petty Officer Josh Bright rounds third 

on his way to scoring a run. Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Robert 

Thomas slides into third base. Members of the First Class Petty Officers 

Association congratulate the Chief Petty Officers after a spirited softball 

game at Cooper Field, Dec 18. A member of the Navy Expeditionary 

Guard Battalion drives the ball deep during the game.

photo by Army Sgt. Mathieu Perry/The Wire
Page 14 | The Wire entertainment | Friday, Dec. 24, 2010

starring very attractive 

people, has all the passion 

and chemistry of a legal 

notepad.

It’s not exactly a 

challenge to make Venice 

and two of the best-looking 

people in the world look 

good. The scenery and stars 

are unmistakably stunning, 

but they don’t compensate 

for the movie’s slow, simpleminded plot or the lack of 

chemistry between Johnny 

Depp and Angelina Jolie. 

All in all, this is merely a 

high-end photo shoot with 

mild bouts of acting.

The plot is superficial 

and full of clichés. It is 

nothing more than a watered-down version 

of any action/espionage thrillers over the 

past 25 years. There is literally nothing 

original about the movie. While the plot 

is good, it is also highly predictable. Add 

to this pile of mediocrity several pieces of 

studio music that fail to match the scene and 

I rate this as two out of five banana rats.

PG-13 

103 minutes 

Rating:

Movie Review

“The Tourist” is the story 

of an American (Johnny 

Depp) who visits Italy to 

mend a broken heart, but 

crosses paths with the femme 

fatale, Elise (Angelina 

Jolie).

Elise is a woman of 

secrets and mystery and 

– no surprise to viewers – 

finds herself being followed 

by the men and high tech 

gadgets of Scotland Yard.

The romantic outdoor 

cafés of Paris lend 

themselves well to the 

beauty, intrigue and affluent 

lifestyle of Elise. As she sits 

down at her favorite café, 

she receives a letter from 

Alexander Pearce, an old flame. After 

reading the cryptic message, she burns the 

evidence and boards a train to Venice with 

instructions to fool the police by picking out 

a man the police could believe is Pearce.

As she walks down the train, she sees 

Frank. She promptly sits with him and 

begins talking about spy novels. Frank 

is instantly attracted to Elise and curious 

about her. The train arrives and the two of 

them take a boat to Elise’s hotel.

Soon the tourist finds himself in a 

Army Sgt. Mathieu Perry

JTF Guantanamo Public Affairs

What is your favorite Christmas carol?

Marine Cpl. Lisa Graff

“‘Santa Clause is Comin’ 

to Town’, because it brings 

back all the memories from 

childhood and because you 

always wanted to be good 

around Christmas time so 

you would get something 

other than a lump of coal.”

“‘O’ Holy Night’, because 

it reminds me of what 

Christmas is really about.”

“Frosty the Snowman” “‘This Christmas’ because 

the Temptations sang it and 

it has sentimental value.”

Army Staff Sgt. 

Vonterrell R. Frederick

Hospital Corpsman 2nd 

Class Joshua Thomas

Coast Guard Lt. Junior 

Grade Justin Gear

whirlwind of intrigue and danger 

By the numbers, “The Tourist” should 

be well received by audiences. It has one 

of the most beautiful women in the world 

working across from one Hollywood’s 

biggest heartthrobs. Throw in a script from 

two Academy Award-winning screenwriters 

under the direction of an Oscar-winning 

filmmaker and it sounds impossible to 

beat.

However, inevitably this action thriller, 

although set in Paris and Venice and 

Boots on the Ground

Friday, Dec. 24, 2010 | entertainment The Wire | Page 15

BEEF Ball

Base Emergency Engineer Force Air Force Master Sgt. Tom Parsley, engineering supervisor, removes the blind fold 

from Cpt. Dennis Adezas, an IT member with the Commissions Support Group, during a game of pin-the-Santa-haton-Garland-Claus, Dec. 17. – photo by Army Sgt. Mathieu Perry/The Wire

View Askew
Around the

JTF

Petty Officer 3rd Class Damarea Hutton from the Navy Expeditionary Guard Battalion (NEGB) fire a 12-gauge shotgun at his targets 

during a firing range exercise at Windward Range, Dec. 17. –photo by 

Senior Airman Gino Reyes/The Wire

Rear Adm. Jeffery Harbeson gets into the holiday groove with 

the Puerto Rican National Guard Monday at the Trooper Chapel. 

–photo by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Elisha Dawkins/

The Wire