Volume 12, Issue 32 Friday, July 29, 2011

catching air

with bmx badass

Ramadan:

What every Trooper 

needs to know

PLUS:

Eight-legged freaks:

GTMO’s arachnid 

population studied
Cc

ommander’s

orner

The Wire | Page 2

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 Defense Logistics Agency 

Document Services with a circulation of 1,200.

Commander’s Corner

JTF Guantanamo

Commander

Navy Rear Adm. Jeffrey Harbeson

Command Master Chief

Command Master Chief Reynaldo Tiong

Office of Public Affairs Director

Navy Cmdr. Tamsen Reese: 9928

Deputy Director

Air Force Maj. Amy A. Oliver: 9927

Operations Officer

CW2 Scott Chapman: 3649

Senior Enlisted Leader

Sgt. 1st Class Benjamin Cossel: 3499

 

The Wire

Executive Editor:

Spc. Meredith Vincent: 3651

Layout Assistant: 

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class 

Maddelin Angebrand

Photojournalists:

Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Sally Hendricks

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joe Ebalo

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kilho Park

Army Sgt. Mathieu Perry

Spc. Kelly Gary

Contact us

Editor’s Desk: 3651

From the continental United States

Commercial: 011-53-99-3499

DSN: 660-3499

E-mail: thewire@jtfgtmo.southcom.mil

Online: www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil

COVER: Yeoman 3rd Class David Gates performs tricks at the skate park next to Denich 

Gym, Thursday. See inside for a feature interview with Gates about his adrenalinecharged hobby. - photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Maddelin Angebrand

JTF Troopers, 

As we continue to research and provide answers to your questions 

raised during the all hands call, I encourage each of you to continue 

to ask questions and push forth your thoughts and ideas through 

your chain of command. You can also reach out to me through the 

Commander’s suggestion at the Kittery Cafe and Seaside Galley or at 

commandersquestions@jtfgtmo.southcom.mil. 

Question: Are we ever going to be tax free here in GTMO?

Answer: Per Department of Defense (DoD) Instruction 1340.25, 

to qualify as a tax exclusion zone, a given area must be designated 

either a (1) combat zone (CZ) by the President in an executive order, 

(2) qualified hazardous duty area (QHDA) by Congress, or (3) an 

area in direct support of military operations in a CZ or QHDA by 

the Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and 

Readiness. While JTF Troopers qualify for imminent danger pay, 

our area of operations does not presently qualify for the CZTE. 

Nevertheless, we are in the process of requesting designation as an 

area in direct support of military operations in a QHDA. Bear in 

mind that this is a lengthy process and approval is not guaranteed. 

We will keep you informed as more information becomes available. 

The DoD Instruction is available at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/

directives/corres/pdf/134025p.pdf.

Question: Can the policy be changed to allow service 

members on 9-month orders to take R&R leave? 

Answer: We are presently reviewing the JTF’s R&R leave program 

with SOUTHCOM in light of the recent onset of 9-month orders. 

We will keep you informed on our request for an exception to this 

policy. In the meantime, Troopers on orders for at least 365 days 

remain eligible for up to 15 days of chargeable R&R leave. Troopers 

are also authorized a second R&R leave period if they extend for 365 

days. The JTF Leave and Pass policy is available on the JTF Intranet 

at https://intranet/j1/leave/Leave%20Policy.pdf.

Follow-up: I mentioned last week that the NEX general manager 

was exploring our request to discount the rental rate for their older 

vehicles. Beginning August 1st, the NEX will lower the daily rental 

rate for their older vehicles by an additional 20% -- or from $30 to 

$24 per day. Of note, the NEX previously lowered their rates in 

October 2010 by roughly 12% -- or from $34 to $30 per day. 

Thank you for your time. Honor bound!
Trooper to Trooper featuring

JTF Housing Facility Manager

Sgt. Maj. 

Rivers Jacques

“Respect your fellow human being, treat them fairly, disagree with them 

honestly, enjoy their friendship, explore your thoughts about one another 

candidly, work together for a common goal and help one another achieve it.”

– Bill Bradley, TV commentator

It has truly amazed me just how diverse Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo is. First, we take all five branches of our armed 

forces, DoD civilians and other support personnel and bring 

them together under a single banner focused on a common goal. 

Second, we ask people from all walks of life, cultural backgrounds, 

personalities and experiences to live, eat, work and play together. 

Bringing all of these unique individuals together working toward a 

common goal is not an easy undertaking. It requires commitment, 

dedication, discipline and loyalty on the part of each individual. 

I have seen when we have disagreed with each other and refused 

to admit we were wrong or even apologize. But I have also seen 

individuals put aside their differences in a collaborative effort 

toward achieving our collective mission objectives. 

 This to me is what teamwork is all about – putting our 

differences aside and working together toward a common goal. 

Collaboration, cooperation and leadership are the essential 

ingredients required for any team to be successful. For many of us 

our time on Guantanamo Bay is now drawing to an end. For others 

it has just begun. 

I would ask those of you departing soon to always reflect on 

this unique team you were a part of. Cherish the friendships we 

fostered, the life experiences we gained and the history we made. 

For those of you who recently arrived, remember your time here is 

short and the team is only as strong as you make it. I, for one, have 

come to understand just how unique a team we are. The saying 

“One team, one fight” is a motto that exemplifies who the JTFGTMO team truly is. The relationships and experiences I gained 

here will always be a part of my personal and professional life.

| Trooper to Trooper The Wire | Page 3

PSEC ALERT

KEEP WORK AT WORK! USE OPSEC!

Keep work at the workplace.

Do you have a notebook in your pocket that has information about work? Things like watch rotations, 

important phone numbers or people to notify in the event of an emergency? How about a copy of our 

standard operating procedures? This information is important to know and studying it can help you to 

remember. But this information is sensitive and could be used by an adversary, so it’s better to read at work 

and commit it to memory rather than write it down or take a copy with you. The less information you take from 

the workplace, the less likely it could end up in a trash can, dumpster or be disclosed to people without the 

need to know. Use OPSEC and keep sensitive work documents at the workplace. 
The News from the Bay | Wire | Page 4

Boots on the Ground

If MWR could bring one band to the Island who would it be?

News from the Bay

Stories and reporting by Mass Communication Specialist 

2nd Class Maddelin Angebrand

New to GTMO- stand-up 

paddleboarding sport

Stand-up paddleboarding is on its way 

to Guantanamo Bay thanks to Morale, 

Welfare and Recreation’s Outdoor Recreation 

Department.

Women’s running group

at Cooper Field Sundays

Looking for a running partner? Well, look 

no further than the new and now forming 

women’s running group.

Made up of volunteer runners who enjoy 

the benefits of running, this group will meet 

at 7 a.m. every Sunday starting August at 

Cooper Field. 

The club requires no obligations or 

commitment - just show up to run or walk 

with other Troopers. 

For more information, contact Jen 

Norton at x2157.

Country music night every 

Saturday at Windjammer

Venture out on a Saturday night and you 

might hear the echoes of a favorite country 

song. The sound is likely coming from the 

Windjammer where Country Night takes center 

stage, every Saturday from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. 

Joint Task Force’s very own Trooper, 

Intelligence Specialist 3rd Class Cody 

Kretschmer, is the man behind the music, 

taking requests and introducing new songs.

“Patrons of country night usually walk 

away with one of two experiences,” said 

Kretschmer. “Either the atmosphere or sounds 

of their hometown, or the excitement of trying 

something completely new.”

Kretschmer plays a mixture of hits and older 

classics, offering an opportunity for Troopers 

to try the two-step or country swing dances. 

“This allows people to loosen up and 

socialize in a fun environment,” he added.

For more information, call x75503.

“Metallica would be 

awesome. They’re the only 

band that can truly rock in 

Fidel’s backyard.”

Army Sgt.

Rachael Allen

“I like Don Omar; he’s a 

famous Spanish singer. He is 

great.”

Machinist Mate 1st Class

Christopher Coleman

Spc.

Diego Torres

“I’m a huge Ozzie fan. Ozzie 

Osbourne is the man. I think 

everyone on the island would 

come to see him.”

““I would probably have to 

go with Young Money. If you 

ask enough people who they 

would want, that’s probably 

who they would say too.”

Army Staff Sgt.

Tim Brooks

SUP’ing is popular in warm coastal climates 

and resorts, gaining recognition as celebrities 

sample the sport, and cross-over athletes are 

training with it.

“We can’t wait for them to arrive!” said 

MWR’s Outdoor Recreation Coordinator 

Cory Geiger. “SUP’ing is a great complete 

body workout and is very easy to learn. Within 

one hour you can become very comfortable in 

the water on your board.” 

The sport has been spotted around the 

globe, in places with easy access to safe waters, 

as well as in surfing lineups. 

“GTMO is perfect for the sport - smooth, 

clear water in the mornings will allow SUP’ers 

to see much deeper than when kayaking due to 

the higher point of view,” Geiger explained.

Laird Hamilton, the most accomplished 

big wave surfer in the world, and Dave 

Kalama re-introduced the ancient sport of 

paddleboarding to the modern water sports 

world. 

For more information about the equipment 

arrival, contact Geiger at x2345.
trooper

Spc. Meredith Vincent

Bullet Bio

Time in service: 2 years

Hobbies: fishing, scuba 

diving

Pet peeves: when people 

don’t take initiative to figure 

things out on their own

Next goal: become an officer

Advice to junior Troopers: 

“Don’t count on other people 

to do it for you. Take charge 

and do it yourself.”

| Trooper Focus The Wire | Page 5

focus

Army Sgt. Roy Vasel

At 42 years old, Sgt. Roy Vasel is not 

your typical “buck” sergeant.

The lead purchasing agent for J4, Vasel 

only recently was promoted to sergeant 

after only two years in the Army Reserves. 

And despite his impressive career trajectory, 

this was not what he had in mind when he 

signed up.

“My original plan was to be an officer,” 

said Vasel. “I came in as an E4 thinking I 

would switch when I got to my home unit. 

But I was deployed as soon as I got out of 

AIT.”

As one of only four people in his 

specific chain of command, much of the 

responsibility of supplies and purchasing 

requests lies on Vasel’s shoulders. When 

Troopers and shops need something not 

typically found in the supply warehouse, the 

request falls to him.

“All supplies that are not stocked in the 

warehouse and cannot be ordered through 

the standard Army system, I purchase,” 

Vasel explained. “I support everybody from 

J1 to the chaplain [office].”

“He’s a team player and communicates 

well with the warehouse and customers,” 

said Staff Sgt. Dion Herrera, J4 warehouse 

administration chief. “He has a good 

attitude, is highly active and motivated in his 

job.”

Because of the nature of Joint Task Force 

Guantanamo, Vasel said many requests are 

unique, resulting in a specific challenge the 

newly minted sergeant has proved himself 

worthy of.

Promoted on April 1st of this year, 

Vasel has already noticed a change in his 

responsibilities.

“Expectations are a little higher,” he 

admitted. 

Herrera said he is impressed with Vasel’s 

ability to guide his customers through the 

ins and outs of purchasing. 

“Sergeant Vasel’s leadership has been 

excellent in helping others here,” Herrera 

continued. “He is also responsible for over 2.6 

million dollars in purchases for the camps.”

What would inspire a 40-year-old husband 

and father to drastically change his and his 

family’s future by joining the Army?

“I was looking for a career change,” Vasel 

recalled. “I had been out of work, and – to be 

brutally honest – the Army recruiter was the 

only one who called me back.”

Looking back, Vasel realizes how much 

his chosen path has changed his life.

“Overall, I’m glad I did it,” he said. “I 

wanted to do it when I was much younger. 

Who would’ve thought at 40 I would’ve gone 

to basic training in the Army. It’s kind of 

crazy.”

Although it put a lurch in his commissioning 

ambitions, deploying to Guantanamo Bay 

hasn’t been all bad, Vasel said. He and his 

group, the 336th Combat Sustainment 

Support Battalion out of Phoenix, Ariz., has 

found something the west doesn’t offer much 

of.

“We fish a lot,” offered Vasel. “I also 

scuba because the fishing’s been a bit slow 

lately. But since we’ve been here, we’ve been 

on the water all the time.”

With little time left on his deployment, 

Vasel is taking advantage of all the leisure 

activities he can. But he’s also looking 

toward his future off the island. While still 

contemplating becoming an officer, he’s also 

a candidate for a full-time position with the 

Active Guard and Reserve program.

Regardless of what he decides to do 

afterward, the lasting impression of 

Guantanamo Bay has left its mark. What 

will he miss most about the island?

“Probably scuba,” he chuckled. “That 

ain’t happening much back in Arizona.”
EOD blows away extra ammunition

Story by Sgt. First Class Benjamin Cossel

The Wire | Page 6 News |

The ninth month of the Islamic 

Calendar is nearly upon us – Ramadan. 

During this time, Muslims around the 

world refrain from eating or drinking 

from sun up to sun down.

Joint Task Force Guantanamo cultural 

advisor, Zak, who declined to give his 

last name for security reasons, explained 

because the Islamic calendar is based 

upon lunar cycles, from year-to-year, the 

exact start of Ramadan changes. Zak said 

Ramadan should begin on or near August 

1.

“Ramadan helps strengthen a Muslim’s 

will and teaches patience and spirituality,” 

he said.

Zak added the inner reflection 

during the time of fasting also teaches 

Muslims to practice self-discipline, selfNinth month in Islamic lunar calendar approaches

Story and photo by Army Sgt. Mathieu Perry

Three Sailors with the Explosive 

Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 6 

Detachment from Mayport, Fla. blew up 

more than 3,000 pounds of explosives and 

ammunition on Naval Station Guantanamo, 

July 20.

 “Our mission was to support the US 

Navy in reducing the amount of explosives 

with untraceable elements in them,” said 

Senior Chief Explosive Ordnance Disposal 

Technician Jeff Moleski, senior enlisted 

leader attached to EOD MU 6 Det.

Army Reserve Maj. Sam Mum, attached to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 6 Detachment 

from Mayport, Fla., gives scale to the crater at the Guantanamo Naval Station EOD Range, Thursday.

The EOD team is the Navy’s regional 

response unit. Their area of responsibility is 

from Jacksonville, Fla. to Guantanamo Bay 

and Puerto Rico.

Navy Lt. Mike Simmons, EOD MU 6 

Det. operations officer, said rather than 

shipping the explosives back to the states, 

the group was directed to dispose of them 

locally.

“Today’s goal was to safely get rid of the 

explosives,” said Simmons. “It wasn’t cost 

efficient to ship it when you figure in all the 

required hazardous materials certifications, 

customs fees and drivers or pilots needed to 

get it into port and to its final destination.”

Mike Hope, inventory management 

specialist, said the life span of ordnance 

depends on its type.

“Ammunition has a shelf life of anywhere 

from 18 months to somewhere around our 

lifespan,” said Hope.

Hope said the ammunition had met its 

shelf life and was under a directive to be 

destroyed since it lacked taggants.

Taggants are chemical markers introduced 

to the materials during the manufacturing 

process. These identifiers remain even after 

the ammunition has been expended and 

helps in identification of the maker.

 The two main safety risks are falling 

debris in the fallout area and a grass fire at 

the range, said Hope.

The Naval Station roller will carry more 

information concerning the next ordnance 

disposal dates and times.

control, sacrifice and empathy for those 

less fortunate, thus encouraging acts of 

generosity and charity.

Of particular focus for the JTF, Zak 

explained during the month of Ramadan, 

detainees in the camps might be slightly 

more irritable as they go without food or 

drink the entire day.

“I would expect things to be a little 

more quiet during the day and for there 

to be more activity during the night shift,” 

Zak said.

Taking into account their sensitive diet 

during the period, food preparation during 

the month has been altered. In addition 

to serving breakfast before sunrise, Zak 

explained the traditional fast-breaking 

meal of a date with honey will be served at 

sunset along with a midnight meal.

“But we don’t make anyone fast,” Zak 

pointed out. “We don’t say – ‘It’s Ramadan, 

there’s no lunch meal today.’ If a detainee 

wants their lunch meal, it will be served.”

Zak said it will be easy to identify 

detainees who are fasting and those who 

are not. “If they’re drinking water during 

the day, they’re not fasting.”

Leading up to the month of Ramadan, 

Zak spent countless hours training the 

guard force and leadership about the 

tradition - what individuals can expect 

and how they should act during the holy 

month.

“I’ve been really impressed with the 

guards,” Zak said. “They really want to 

learn as much as they can – how they 

should conduct themselves and how they 

can protect themselves.”

Acknowledging detainees could 

become more irritable during fasting 

times, Zak said he didn’t expect any 

significant increase of activity toward the 

guards.

Following Ramadan, Muslims celebrate 

the end of the fasting period during the 

holiday of Eid ul-Fitr. Traditionally, Eid 

is marked with grand celebrations and 

donations of food to the poor.

Tradition teaches Muslims 

self- discipline, self-control
| News The Wire | Page 7

Troopers at Guantanamo Bay met up 

after dark last week to stalk and capture one 

of the island’s night-crawling, indigenous 

creatures. Not the banana rat or the iguanas 

– they were looking for big, hairy spiders. 

Two Sailors and a Soldier stationed with 

the Joint Task Force Guantanamo Medical 

Group walked the streets of the base hunting 

down tarantula spiders, July 20. 

The group collected the spiders for the 

Preventative Medicine Department in an 

effort to find out more about the creatures 

and if they are harmful to the Guantanamo 

Bay community.

 “In the last two weeks I started noticing 

them crawling around in the streets everywhere 

after dark,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd

Class Jeremy Runnels, Preventative Medicine 

leading petty officer. “I talked to my coworkers and chain of command about it and 

Story and photos by Mass Communication 

Specialist 2nd Class Joe Ebalo

we decided to go out there and get some 

tarantulas in the name of science, hopefully 

to benefit GTMO Troopers.”

Normally, Preventative Medicine is tasked 

with missions like testing for drinking water 

quality or conducting inspections on base 

eating facilities. This mission had to be 

handled a little bit differently than what they 

are used to.

“I don’t like spiders, so this wasn’t the 

easiest thing for me to do,” Runnels said. 

“[But] it’s better for us to be proactive and 

find out if they are any danger to us.”

To maintain cleanliness, preventative 

health technicians wore gloves and used 

Tupperware and Ziploc bags with punctured 

breathing holes to catch and hold the 

captured spiders. 

“It was definitely a little bit scary and 

creepy,” said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class 

Joe Patty, a JMG physical therapy technician. 

“They were hairy and about the size of 

an adult hand when spread out. It’s not 

something I would ever do in my department, 

but I volunteered and I’m glad I did because 

it was fun.”

At the end of the night, the Troopers 

came back to the office with four tarantulas 

to study. Their findings will be processed and 

verified by the military medical community 

and will be released when completed.

“One of the strongest tools we have in 

Preventative Medicine is public education,” 

said Capt. Matthew Perry, JMG officer-incharge. “By providing proactive and relevant 

information on common and uncommon 

things that are likely to cause injury or illness, 

we can empower our community to make 

safe and healthy decisions.”

Perry said he could not be more proud 

of his Troopers for taking the initiative and 

following up on the unique opportunity. 

“I am amazed by the great work my 

team of Sailors and Soldiers do each day to 

support the mission of the JTF,” he beamed. 

“I am honored to be their OIC.”

Creepy crawlers

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class 

Jeremy Runnels, Preventative 

Medicine leading petty officer at 

the Joint Task Force Guantanamo 

Medical Group, lifts up the leg of 

a tarantula spider in his office, 

Monday.

(top right) Army Sgt. Ashley 

Chandler (left), and Runnels,

examine a captured spider in 

their office, July 21.
The Wire | Page 8 Mission |

B ood, swea & L T
no ear

| Mission The Wire | Page 9

Whether for the Naval Station or 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo, 

manual labor is how Seabees 

get the job done. It’s nothing new for a 

Seabee to dig, hammer and sweat all in 

the same day. This is especially true for 

the Troopers attached to Navy Mobile 

Construction Battalion 28. 

For more than a month, NMCB 28 

has been building a brand new restroom 

facility at Windmill Beach to replace the 

older, smaller building. 

“We’re expanding it and putting in 

a bigger facility,” said Construction 

Electrician 1st Class Sammy Hill. “It can 

also accommodate handicap people.”

Hill, a Reservist with 17 years in the 

Navy, said the job isn’t the tough part - it’s 

the challenges faced along the way. 

The assignment seemed simple at first – 

tear down the old building and erect a new 

one. It didn’t turn out quite that easy.

“The biggest challenge is that 

mountain,” explained Equipment Operator 

3rd Class Jon Guillemagudelo. “The old 

building came flush with it, so we actually 

had to carve a large chunk out.”

Breaking into the rock ledge required 

tools NMCB 28 didn’t have, so they turned 

to the Army and Air Force engineers to 

borrow the gear. 

“A lot of the equipment on Guantanamo 

Bay will have issues if you don’t use it 

often and service it,” Hill expanded. 

“The hoses have a tendency to break; the 

fittings - if they’re made out of steel - will 

corrode and leak.”

Hill added the heat and salt in the air 

from the ocean also take their toll on the 

heavy equipment. As the crew leader for 

the project, Hill must ensure the job runs 

smoothly regardless of these challenges.

“I make sure I have enough material 

to keep my guys busy, make my deadlines 

on the project schedule and make sure we 

are doing what we are supposed to per day 

and per week to get things done in a timely 

fashion,” said Hill.

Getting things done on time means 

working together as a team, something 

Guillemagudelo sees in his fellow 

Seabees daily and said it’s what keeps him 

motivated.

“I like it,” he shared. “We go through a 

lot together. It’s kind of like a brotherhood 

and it’s cool because you get close with 

these people.”

Due to the equipment and other 

challenges on this project, the partially 

complete restroom will be turned over to 

the incoming Seabees, said Hill.

“We got our footers in,” said Hill. 

“The plumbing is going in today and we’re 

pouring the concrete on Monday and 

from there it’s just the walls, ceiling and 

fixtures.”

The finished facility, expected to open 

in early August, will include handicap 

accessibility, more space and separate male 

and female entrances. 

F Story and photo by Mass Communication Specialist 

2nd Class Maddelin Angebrand

Utilitiesman 2nd Class Tracy Troxell and 

Utilitiesman 2nd Class Sam Neal, both attached 

to Navy Mobile Construction Battalion 28, 

measure a pipe while installing plumbing for 

a new restroom facility at Windmill Beach on 

Guantanamo Bay, July 21.
The Wire | Page 10 Feature |

Adren

 junk
| Feature The Wire | Page 11

Most people don’t 

discover their 

passion until late 

in life.

Some, however, are like 

Yeoman 3rd Class David 

Gates and find theirs at age 

seven.

Gates, known to his friends 

as “Bill,” remembers being a 

young boy watching the big 

kids ride their bikes in a sand 

pit not far from his house in 

Browns Mills, N.J.

Intrigued and wanting to 

learn more, he started out 

with a dirt bike – perfect for 

trail riding. Despite being 

covered with bumps and 

bruises at the end of each 

ride, he kept practicing and 

the thrill of every jump, to 

this day, keeps him begging 

for another set.

Yeoman 3rd Class David Gates completes a 360 degree turn jump 

while practicing tricks at the skate park next to Denich Gym, July 21. 

Gates works in the JTF escorts department and spends his free time 

perfecting jumps on his bike.

Story and photos by Mass Communication Specialist 

2nd Class Maddelin Angebrand

naline

kie
The Wire | Page 12 Feature |

Yeoman 3rd Class David Gates rides 

his bike performing various tricks at 

the skate park next to Denich Gym, 

Thursday. Gates, a husband and 

father, has been riding since he was 

seven years old. 
“I never thought 

I would break a 

bone - I thought 

I was invincible. 

Now, I go up to 

something and, if 

it seems sketchy, 

I give it deep 

thought.”

Aset is a term riders use combining a jump and a landing. Gates 

says he and his buddies built their own sets – carving, packing 

and digging dirt to create perfect jumps and smooth landings.

“It was always a gathering,” Gates says, describing his group of 

friends. “We were a team, but not in competition. We rode everywhere 

together and would pay our parents to take us to different parks across 

the states – they never took the money, but took us to the parks!”

Gates says the toughest part about riding is learning when to give up 

on completing a trick about to go wrong.

“You hit a jump and think, ‘will I have to bail? Can I throw a spin or 

trick?’” he says. “That’s the thrill.”

In order to get that adrenaline fix, fear is set aside and critical analysis 

takes over.

“You gotta think of the worst outcome,” stresses Gates. “Like when 

I broke my collar bone, I never thought I would break a bone - I thought 

I was invincible. Now, I go up to something, and if it seems sketchy I 

give it deep thought and give it a try or practice run, just to see how it’s 

going to go.”

Gates’ ability to think outside the box is also apparent in his everyday 

work says, Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class John Riggs, Gates’ 

supervisor.

“He’s one of the hard chargers,” Riggs explains. “He originally came 

to us and volunteered to help out with the detainee movements. During 

a two-week visit, he completed his Escort qualification, which wasn’t a 

requirement for him.”

From then on, Gates jumped right into training new escort 

personnel. 

“That is one of the things that I admire about him,” shares Riggs. 

“He will help others whenever he can, and he’s not afraid to step up and 

take on new tasks.”

Riggs, also Gates’ roommate, says he’s always receiving parts for his 

bike and working on it outside – another aspect of Gate’s desire to learn 

and grow not only in his work, but also in his passion for riding. 

For Gates, it took many mistakes to develop his sixth sense for the 

bike – the ability to know when a trick is going bad before it actually 

happens. He can feel the slightest bump in any terrain setting his tire off 

just a smidge, or a ridge in a platform throwing his body weight to one 

side a bit – all signs of a near crash landing.

These are Gates’ thoughts as he lunges his weight into the pedals of 

his bike and glides to the ramp’s edge performing a 360 degree turn at 

the bike’s highest point in the air just before jetting back down the ramp 

into a smooth landing.

Each mental calculation amounts to split seconds of time and 

ultimately determines his survival. The dangerous nature of his hobby 

is always a concern for his family.

“My wife hates it,” says Gates, who married his high school 

sweetheart. “She doesn’t want to see me get hurt.”

When at home, Gate’s wife bites her nails as he rides while his son, 

(and his biggest fan) enthusiastically cheers, “Do it again, Daddy!”

“If I’m riding my bike and he sees me through a window or if he’s 

outside and he hears my back rim spinning, he’ll try looking around for 

me,” Gates says. “He’ll come up and try running with me.”

Gates would like his son to follow in his footsteps and plans to get 

him a bike soon. He hopes it will keep the youngster away from bad 

influences. 

As he pursues his Navy career, Gates plans to keep riding. When not 

working, he’s at the skate park perfecting new tricks and jumps. Even 

after 17 years, Gates still chases the trill of his passion.

“It definitely takes a lot out of you,” says Gates. “But it keeps me fit 

and I get a adrenaline rush from it.”

| Feature The Wire | Page 13
On The Deck

Inside the Jar

LOS ANGELES – The U.S. 

Navy - America’s “Away Team” 

- came home to Los Angeles this 

week to celebrate the inaugural 

Los Angeles Navy Week 2011.

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 

72), USS Princeton (CG 59), 

USS Chafee (DDG 90), and 

USS Champion (MCM 4) pulled 

into the Port of Los Angeles.

Rear Adm. Troy M. 

Shoemaker, commander, Carrier 

Strike Group 9, said the visiting 

ships and Navy personnel were 

eager to interact with the people 

of Southern California.

“We’re excited to be here 

in Los Angeles to participate 

in Navy Week exercises,” 

Shoemaker said. “We’re looking 

forward to showing the people 

here how much pride we have 

in our Navy and what we do in 

defense of our country.”

Since 90 percent of 

international trade travels by 

sea, Shoemaker said the visit 

to L.A. would highlight two 

complementary aspects that 

make the United States great.

“The L.A.-Long Beach 

port is one of the biggest in 

the world,” said Shoemaker. 

“It’s an incredibly important 

part of America’s economy, 

and the Navy ensures sea 

lanes remain secure, open and 

free for trade and travel.”

While in Los Angeles, 

Sailors will take part in a 

variety of Southern California 

activities, including attending 

Los Angeles Dodgers baseball 

games, and visiting Disneyland 

Navy steams into Los Angeles to celebrate Navy Week

By Chief Mass Communication 

Specialist Steve Johnson

GRAHAMSTOWN, South Africa 

– Just about every night around 

dusk, two opponents meet in the 

open fog.

 “They back up about 50 feet, 

and then they head butt,” explained 

Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Hurley, 

ammunition chief with Ammo 

Company, Greenville, S.C . “That’s 

our entertainment out here.”

They don’t have TV, or electricity 

for that matter, but they do have 

the fights. 

Well past a pock-marked 

dirt road impassible in anything 

without four-wheel drive, at the 

end of what can’t be considered 

a road at all, is the work place of 

Hurley and his Marines.

 The ammo supply point, little 

more than a series of storage 

containers stitched together with 

camouflage tarps, is a gray-brown 

speck swallowed up by the hilly 

green expanse of the 6th South 

African Infantry Battalion Field 

Training Area. There they pass 

out rounds to the approximately 

600 Marines and South African 

Where the Marines and antelope play - down range 

National Defense Force soldiers 

training together as part of an 

annual bi-lateral military exercise 

and humanitarian mission – 

Exercise Shared Accord 2011. 

The blesbok, a type of 

brownish-red, horned antelope, 

roam free across the training 

area and routinely lock horns this 

time of year. The ASP, it seems, 

was built on a battlefield. 

 “It’s basically so that the 

stronger ones have the mate and 

the territory and the weaker ones 

get kicked out,” said SANDF 

Armor Lt. Col. Chris Putter.

 The lighter, more agile 

springbok, prominently 

displayed on the South African 

National Rugby Team’s flag, are 

also commonly seen. Together, 

the two species number in the 

hundreds in and around the 

training area. 

“On all of our ranges there 

is game and we have to protect 

them,” explained Chief Warrant 

Officer J. J. Kemp, sergeant 

major of the 4-3 SA Brigade. 

Wild animals like the 

antelope manage to thrive in 

and around SA training areas, 

despite the constant gunfire and 

explosions, because the SA run 

constant anti-poaching patrols 

and follow strict environmental 

rules, Kemp explained. 

 Most every SA army unit 

has an officer or senior enlisted 

tasked as the environmental 

manager and individual troops 

are issued environmental 

conduct cards upon entering 

different training areas. 

“It is a soldier’s responsibility 

to protect the environment,” 

Kemp added. 

 Cpl. Tim Dean, a fire direction 

controller with D Company, 4th 

Light Armored Reconnaissance 

Battalion, stays a horizon away 

from the ammo point in one 

of the dozens of camouflage 

or olive-drab two-man tents 

that dot the camp stretched out 

behind the units’ row of Light 

Armored Vehicles. 

 Two of his fire watch Marines 

remember seeing a string of 

springbok attempt to jump 

the wire fence a hundred yards 

out from the tents in the dead 

of night. The first two made it 

over fine, they said, while the 

third ran full tilt into the fence 

before backing up and trying 

again, remembering to jump and 

successfully joining the others. 

 “They jump over it like it’s 

nothing,” said Dean, motioning 

to the 8-foot fence behind him. 

The springbok get plenty of 

practice during the South African 

spring and summer months 

when they bounce around in 

apparent celebration of their 

new offspring.

 “They’re just showing off,” 

laughed Kemp. 

The training area is also home to 

warthogs and jackals. It even hosts 

monkeys known in the Afrikaans 

language as “blue monkeys” 

because of their distinctly colored 

genitals. None number as high as 

the antelope, and none come as 

close to the Marines. 

“One of the things we have all 

been struck by is how bold and 

unafraid these animals are,” said 

Dean. “They kind of look at you 

like, ‘what are you doing here?’ like 

we’re the ones imposing.”

By Cpl. Jad Sleiman, 

Marine Forces Reserve

The Wire | Page 14 At Your Service |

and Knott’s Berry Farm. 

In addition to enjoying the 

California sunshine, Sailors are 

also scheduled to participate in 

community relations projects, 

such as building houses for 

local residents in cooperation 

with Habitat for Humanity.

Capt. John D. Alexander, 

Lincoln’s commanding officer, 

expects Lincoln Sailors will 

make a favorable impression 

on the people of L.A. 

“We have some incredibly 

talented and hard-working 

personnel serving aboard this 

ship,” Alexander said. “Every 

day, our Sailors positively 

contribute to the American 

way of life by serving in this 

great organization. No matter 

how remarkable the people 

of Southern California find 

our ships, they’ll be even 

more impressed by the pride 

and professionalism of our 

people.” 

Also participating in L.A. 

Navy Week 2011 are Carrier 

Air Wing 2, and personnel 

from Carrier Strike Group 

9, Maritime Expeditionary 

Security Group 31, Maritime 

Expeditionary Security 

Squadron 3, and Explosive 

Ordnance Disposal Unit 1.

The Abraham Lincoln 

Carrier Strike Group is in Los 

Angeles between at-sea training 

and certification periods ahead 

of a deployment scheduled for 

the end of the year. 

For more information 

and a schedule of L.A. Navy 

Week 2011 events, visit www.

navyweek.org/losangeles2011. 
On the Wing

WASHINGTON – They are men used to seeing their deeds pass as 

unrecognized as their battlefield movements, but Monday one activeduty and five National Guard Special Forces Soldiers took the limelight 

here to receive a French award roughly equivalent to the Silver Star.

The six were honored with the Croix de la Valeur Militaire in a private 

ceremony at the French Ambassador’s Residence attended by senior 

leaders including Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, the Army chief of staff 

nominated to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Maj. 

Gen. Timothy Kadavy, deputy director of the Army National Guard.

“I am deeply honored to pay tribute to six most outstanding American 

Soldiers from the United States Army and the Army National Guard 

who distinguished themselves while fighting the Taliban and Al Qaida 

elements in Afghanistan,” said French Ambassador François Delattre.

“Through their outstanding bravery and engagement in combat, 

they fought at the risk of their own lives to assist French Soldiers, their 

brothers in arms, who experienced a barrage of fire from the enemy.”

The five National Guard Soldiers supported a French regiment 

executing a mission in and around the Uzbeen Valley in Afghanistan in 

2009. The active-duty Soldier was recognized for similarly heroic action 

in the same region a year earlier.

“They were trying to get at the French operating in the valley,” said 

Army National Guard Capt. Thomas Harper, one of the awardees. 

“We prevented that from happening, allowing them to conduct their 

mission.”

Created in 1956 by the French government to reward extraordinary 

deeds of bravery carried out as part of security and law enforcement 

operations, the Croix de la Valeur Militaire – or French Cross of Military 

Valor – is one of the most respected decorations in the French military, 

Delattre said.

Those recognized Monday are:

– Active-duty Army Maj. Richard Nessel of the 10th Special Forces 

Group (Airborne).

“Your courage honors you as well as your country. Your exemplary 

service deserves to be commended,” Delattre told him.

– Army National Guard Capt. Thomas Harper, Master Sgt. David 

Nuemer, Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Ahern, Staff Sgt. Casey Roberts and Sgt. 

Ryan Meister.

“You demonstrated the highest military qualities and sense of duty,” 

Delattre told them. “You distinguished yourselves. Your outstanding 

French government honors Special Forces Soldiers 

By Army Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill

conduct alongside French forces, your remarkable bravery in the face of 

danger in the combat zone, and your superb combatant qualities deserve 

to be commended.”

“It’s a huge honor for all of us,” said Harper, a traditional Guard 

member who has been on Active Duty most of the last decade and 

was joined Monday by his parents and sisters. “They’re completely 

overwhelmed. We don’t normally look for this kind of recognition. I don’t 

think they’ve ever even been to one of my military school graduations.”

The recognition of the Guard members reflects the Guard’s 

contributions to the total force, Dempsey said.

“The last three award ceremonies I’ve been to happen to have been 

National Guard Soldiers,” he said. “We’re really one Army. It’s a signal 

that, as we go forward in a new fiscal environment, we have to maintain 

faith with all three components of our Army -- active, Guard and 

Reserve.”

“It’s a great credit to the young men and women who serve,” he said. 

“I couldn’t be more proud of our Army in general, but tonight is a night 

for five of these six Soldiers in particular who happen to be National 

Guard.”

WASHINGTON – The Air Force vice chief of staff provided a total 

force readiness update to the House Armed Services Committee’s 

Subcommittee on Readiness Tuesday.

“I’m pleased to report that America’s Air Force continues to provide 

the nation with unmatched global vigilance, reach and power as a part 

of this joint and coalition team,” Gen. Philip Breedlove said. “The Air 

Force remains a mission-focused and prepared force, an increasingly 

difficult task, given 20 years of constant deployed combat operations 

dating all the way back to Operation Desert Storm.”

“Our enduring commitment to readiness in the joint fight is 

evidenced by the 40,000 American Airmen deployed to 285 locations 

around the globe,” Breedlove said. “Of this group, nearly 28,000 are on 

a continually rotating basis to directly contribute to operations in U.S. 

Central Command, including 10,000 airmen in Afghanistan.”

Air Force vice chief testifies on force readiness

By Mitch Gettle Additionally, 57,000 Airmen stationed in overseas locations provide 

capabilities in direct support of combatant commands, he added.

The operations tempo for many Airmen, based on the ratio of time 

spent deployed and the time spent at home station, is stretching some 

career fields to their limits, Breedlove said.

“Sixteen of our enlisted specialties and six of our officer specialties 

are well below the 1-to-1 acceptable minimum (ratio),” Breedlove said.

The Air Force’s aircraft inventory remains ready, Breedlove said, 

although extensive use in contingency operations is testing the aging 

fleet.

“The mobility air forces are in good shape,” the general said. “Our 

modernization and recapitalization efforts, most notably with the KC46, remain on track.”

Due to rapidly accumulating flight hours and delays in modernization 

and recapitalization efforts, Breedlove described the combat air forces’ 

readiness level as “adequate.”

In The Trenches

| At Your Service The Wire | Page 15

French Ambassador Francois Delattre awards the Croix de la Valeur Militaire, 

roughly equivalent to the Silver Star, to Army National Guard Sgt. Ryan Meister 

during a private ceremony at the French ambassador’s residence in Washington, 

D.C., Monday.
The Wire | Page 16 At the Movies |

Movie Review

29 30 31 01 02 03 04

Call MWR at ext. 2010 for more information. Movie Hotline - call 4880.

Captain America

(PG-13) 8 p.m. 

Harry Potter & the 

Deathly Hallows: 

Part 2

(PG-13) 10 p.m. 

Judy Moody

(PG) 8 p.m.

Bridesmaids

(R) 8 p.m.

*last showing*

No movie: Join 

us at the National 

Night Out

6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Transformers: 

Dark of the Moon

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Kung Fu Panda 

2

(PG) 8 p.m.

Downtown

Lyceum

Camp 

Bulkeley

The Conspirator

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Jumping the 

Broom 

(PG-13) 10 p.m.

*last showing*

fri. sat. sun. mon. tues. wed. thurs.

so many things went right. Beginning with 

the casting of Daniel Radcliffe as Harry and 

ending with the sure and steady directing of 

David Yates, the series matured and developed 

as rapidly as its audience. The eighth and 

final film is the most heartbreaking, vivid and 

ultimately satisfying of them all and rightfully 

so. Just as the ads and posters cruelly remind 

us: It All Ends. SOB!

So where to begin? Most importantly, it 

should be noted how beautifully the three 

leads -- Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert 

Grint -- have grown and blossomed under 

the shadow of the most successful movie 

series of all time. How is it possible that not 

a one of them pulled a Lohan? Grint, with 

his naturally red hair and sheepishly rakish 

grin, was always a pitch perfect Ron. Loyal, 

a bit dim and always quick with the oneliners, Ron is the ultimate wing man -- a bro 

without the “bro”-ness.

Watson, amazingly, under the glare of 

fame, became the anti-Britney. Poised and 

graceful, she took Hermione from a bossy, 

know-it-all little girl to the wise and selfless 

young woman who quickly became the heart 

and moral compass of the entire series. 

Even more so than Harry, I would argue, 

Hermione is the glue that holds not only 

her two best friends together in the face of 

certain disaster, but also the entire story. 

Which leads us to Harry. Radcliffe was 

Spc. Meredith Vincent

PG-13

130 min.

Judy Moody

(PG) 8 p.m.

Bridesmaids

(R) 10 p.m.

*last showing*

The Conspirator

(PG- 13) 8 p.m.

Jumping the 

Broom

(PG-13) 10 p.m.

*last showing*

Harry Potter & the 

Deathly Hallows: 

Part 2

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Captain America

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

Transformers: Dark 

of the Moon

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

X-Men: First 

Class(PG-13) 8 

p.m.

Zookeeper

(PG-13) 8 p.m.

In the seven months I have been writing 

reviews for you, never before have I written 

about a movie, character or story that means 

as much to me as Harry Potter does. I’ll lay it 

right out on the table – I am a Harry Potter 

nerd, through and through. I’ve read the 

books – most of them not twice but three 

times. I’ve stood for hours in numerous lines, 

waiting for midnight premiers of the fourth, 

fifth, sixth and seventh films. And I’ve cried 

– yes, cried! – at almost every movie. For 

over a decade, I have loved the characters 

born of J.K. Rowling’s imagination and 

watching this movie is almost the equivalent 

of saying goodbye to dear and beloved 

friends. Mock if you must, I am impervious 

to your judgments!

The record-breaking “Harry Potter and 

the Deathly Hallows: Part Two” is proof that 

I am not the minority. Beating 007 himself 

to become the most profitable franchise 

in history, and besting “The Dark Knight” 

for the biggest weekend debut, the story of 

the Boy Who Lived has become a cultureshaping phenomenon. Even haters can’t deny 

they don’t know what a Muggle is. Not since 

George Lucas took the Millennium Falcon 

out for a spin has a movie saga touched the 

hearts and minds of so many fans in so many 

ways. And while Harry Potter may forever be 

thought of as a “kids” movie, those of us in 

the know, know better.

It’s remarkable, really, that in the process 

of adapting Rowling’s masterpiece to film, see MOVIES, page 19
Voice of America News

WASHINGTON — Just days before the 

start of the fall semester, Congress has approved 

a host of changes to the way GI Bill benefits 

will be paid in an effort to prevent thousands 

of veterans from facing a steep drop in tuition 

payouts.

The measure, passed by a 424-0 vote in the 

House on Tuesday, would guarantee that student 

veterans enrolled in classes will receive at least 

as much tuition funding from the education 

benefit next semester as they did last semester. 

The president is expected to sign the bill into law 

in coming days.

On Aug. 1, changes approved by Congress 

last fall will set the maximum yearly tuition 

for students attending private or out-of-state 

colleges at $17,500. In-state tuition for veterans 

is covered fully by the post-9/11 GI Bill and will 

not be affected.

The private college payout changes will mean 

thousands more annually for most veterans, but 

they’ll hurt students from seven states where 

the reimbursement rates were higher than the 

$17,500 cap.

Students from a number of high-priced 

private colleges petitioned Congress in recent 

months to grandfather them in at their old rates 

until graduation, to ensure they didn’t face new 

student loan payments to finish their degrees.

The bill passed Tuesday, dubbed the “GI Bill 

Fairness Act,” will do that, but only for students 

at private colleges. That should help about 6,000 

students who meet that criteria, but not a few 

| News you can Use The Wire | Page 17

The U.N. World Food Program has 

begun emergency airlifts of food to 

the drought-stricken Horn of Africa.

A WFP official has confirmed to 

VOA that the first plane, carrying 

more than 14 tons of food, landed 

Wednesday in the Somali capital, 

Mogadishu.

This is believed to be the first airlift 

of food to Somalia since the U.N. 

declared a famine in two southern 

regions of the country last week.

Additional aid flights are expected 

to go this week to eastern Ethiopia 

and northern Kenya, near the Somali 

border.

The airlifts were due to begin 

Tuesday but were delayed by what the 

WFP described as logistical problems 

in Kenya.

U.N. officials have said more than 

11 million people in the Horn of 

Africa are in need of emergency aid. 

The U.N. is holding a donor’s 

conference Wednesday in the Kenyan 

capital Nairobi, with the goal of 

raising up to $1.6 billion to combat 

the famine over the next 12 months.

In an interview with VOA Tuesday, 

WFP Director Josette Sheeran 

described Somalia as the epicenter of 

the crisis. She said one-third of the 

population there is facing starvation.

Sheeran, who visited Mogadishu 

last week, and said she had spoke to 

one woman who lost three children 

during a desperate walk to the capital, 

trying to find food.

On Tuesday, the U.N. refugee 

agency said 100,000 Somalis have 

arrived at Mogadishu-area camps in 

the past two months, and continue to 

come at a rate of 1,000 per day.

Thousands more are streaming 

across the border to camps in Kenya 

and Ethiopia. On Wednesday, the 

U.N. Children’s Fund said it aims to 

vaccinate over 300,000 children in 

Kenya to prevent new outbreaks of 

disease.

U.N. access to southern Somalia 

– where the U.N. formally declared 

a famine last week -- has been 

hampered by the militant Islamist 

group al-Shabab. The group controls 

large sections of the region and has 

denied that a famine is taking place, 

dismissing international assistance as 

political interference.

UN begins food 

airlifts to Somalia thousand fewer who are attending out-of-state 

public universities.

Tom Tarantino, senior legislative associate 

at Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, 

said his group is still concerned about that 

population and the potential debt they could 

face, but “Congress should get credit for getting 

this far when it’s clear there isn’t the mood for 

new spending.”

The initial estimate for the tuition fixes was 

about $50 million, although that figure assumed 

more than 6,000 veterans would have been 

affected.

In a statement, House Veterans Affairs 

Committee Chairman Jeff Miller, R-Fla., said 

by approving the fixes, lawmakers are “keeping 

our promise to America’s student veterans ... 

enabling them to stay in the school of their 

choice.”

Officials from the Department of Veterans 

Affairs had said earlier that changes the tuition 

payout rules this late in the summer could throw 

the entire GI Bill processing system into disarray, 

potential disrupting payouts to the nearly 800,000 

student receiving the benefit.

However, VA officials backed off that stance 

in recent days, instead saying that it will likely only 

slow delivery of benefits for the few thousand 

affected veterans.

Tarantino said his group will continue to 

push for additional fixes to the tuition payouts, 

but they are also hopeful that schools will step in 

this fall with tuition assistance packages to keep 

those veterans in class.

Congress passes critical GI Bill fixes

Stars and Stripes

Washington wrangles over debt as deadline approaches

U.S. President Barack Obama, his 

Democratic Party allies in Congress and 

opposition Republicans are still haggling over 

competing plans to raise the government 

borrowing limit as an August 2 deadline 

draws closer. Without an agreement, 

Washington could default on some of its 

obligations.

Uncertainty caused by the bitter partisan 

debate and the lack of apparent progress 

toward a compromise have worried 

investors. That is why many stock markets 

have declined and the value of “safe-haven” 

investments like gold and 

the Swiss Franc have hit 

record highs against the 

U.S. dollar.

Experts say rival 

plans put forward by 

House Republicans and 

Senate Democrats will 

cut expenses less than 

the plans’ authors first 

thought.

The non-partisan 

Congressional Budget 

Office (CBO) says a 

plan by Senate Majority 

Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat, to cut $2.7 

trillion over 10 years, overstates savings by 

$500 billion. Reid says Republicans should 

embrace his plan because it is a compromise 

that incorporates many spending cuts 

Republicans have supported and does not 

include tax increases they strongly oppose.

White House Chief of Staff William 

Daley says he is confident the United States 

will not default on its debt. He told television 

interviewers that there are a lot of debt 

reduction plans on the table and everyone is 

stressed as the August 2 deadline approaches. 

But he said that, in the end, Congress will do 

what is right.

Voice of America News 

House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, at podium, accompanied 

by members of the House Republican leadership, speaks during 

a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. July 26. 

- photo by AP
Mind, Body & Soul

Close encounters:

The alien concept of embracing diversity

GTMO Religious Services

Daily Catholic Mass

Tues. - 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 5:30 p.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

The Mind, Body & Soul | Wire | Page 18

Protestant Worship

Sunday 9 a.m.

Troopers’ Chapel

Islamic Service

Friday 1:15 p.m.

Room C

Jewish Service

Friday 7 p.m.

Chapel Annex

LDS Service

Sunday 10 a.m.

Room A

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. & 5 p.m.

Room D

Liturgical Service

Sunday 10 a.m.

Room B

Church of the Sacred Well

Call x2323 for information

General Protestant

Sunday 11 a.m.

Main Chapel

United Jamaican

Fellowship

Sunday 11 a.m.

Sanctuary B

Gospel Service

Sunday 1 p.m.

Main Chapel

GTMO Bay Christian Fellowship

Sunday 6 p.m.

Main Chapel

If a big, horrible alien landed a spaceship 

near you, and walked into your work space 

holding what appeared to be a weapon, 

what would you do? Would you run? Would 

you be afraid? Would you want to harm it? 

Hopefully, none of the above. It may 

be a good idea to get to know this alien 

creature first. You never know, it could have 

come from another planet to provide us 

with a cure for cancer, or maybe even fix 

our economy. Often times, when people 

choose to dislike or ignore others simply 

because they are different, they miss out 

on great friendships, opportunities, or 

insightful information. 

Well okay, if a big alien walked into 

your office, maybe you would run. The 

unfortunate reality is, there could be people 

you serve with in your unit being alienated 

every day because you don’t see eye-toeye, share the same views or because you 

don’t understand them. Misunderstanding 

is a product of miscommunication and 

miscommunication in a unit causes chaos 

and tension in the workplace.

In order to form a successful team it is 

vital to have group cohesion. “One team, one 

fight,” right? The difficulty in developing a 

strong cohesive group is sometimes related 

to personal differences among Troopers. 

In our diverse military you are expected to 

work side-by-side with people of different 

cultural backgrounds and beliefs. This can 

cause conflicts as we may not always see 

eye-to-eye.

 “The norm” is measured by society or 

a culture that surrounds a person. What is 

the norm for you may not be the same for 

everyone. Although 

some believe 

diversity is a 

weakness, it is 

actually one 

of the many 

strengths of 

our military. 

D i v e r s i t y 

provides us with a 

unique perspective and new ideas. 

With diversity, different opinions are 

voiced and beneficial changes made. 

Different thought processes allow the 

team to approach issues from many 

different angles, thus increasing problem 

solving as a whole. Realistically, a unit will 

not be in perfect harmony all the time, 

but the ability to unite people of different 

backgrounds around shared principles is a 

common language necessary to reach any 

goal. 

So embrace diversity and learn to 

understand who you serve with. You might 

find that you are really not that different 

from your battle buddy. Until we can relate 

to one another on a basic, human level, it is 

difficult to coexist. 

If you’re struggling with fitting in or 

adjusting to this new atmosphere, support 

is just a phone call away. Contact JSMART 

at x3566. You can also reach out to your 

chaplain or leadership. It is never too late 

to seek support and guidance. 

Hospitalman Edward Jones
| The Last Word The Wire | Page 19

MOVIES cont. 

merely 11 years old when he was first cast 

as the boy wizard. Now 22, he clearly is 

in control of his performance, giving 

Harry the deft and determination to take 

the battle right to his arch enemy, Lord 

Voldemort. 

And what an enemy! Ever since his 

first appearance as He Who Shall Not Be 

Named in “The Prisoner of Azkaban,” 

Ralph Fiennes has literally made my skin 

crawl. With an impressive make-up job 

effectively erasing his nose to create the 

likeness of a snake, Fiennes’ ability to bring 

Voldemort to life is chilling and exciting at 

the same time. 

The biggest reason to not dismiss these 

movies as simple child’s play is the caliber 

of actors willing to do smaller, supporting 

parts. The decision to cast only British 

actors has always been a respectful nod 

to the film’s literary roots, and it has most 

certainly paid off. This movie is owned 

by two epic scenes featuring veteran 

actresses Maggie Smith and Julie Walters. 

After laboring for the first seven movies 

as Dumbledore’s loyal number two, Smith, 

as Professor Minerva McGonagall, has 

her moment of brilliance squaring off 

against the shifty Professor Snape (we’ll 

get to Alan Rickman in a minute). And in 

the best line of the series, Julie Walters, as 

the lovable Molly Weasely, unleashes the 

mama bear on Bellatrix (Helena Bonham 

Carter). “Not my daughter, you bitch!” It’s 

impossible not to cheer out loud.

Fittingly, “Part Two” is in many ways 

a reunion of past Potter characters. 

Everybody’s back to say goodbye. The 

aforementioned Rickman finally gets to 

shed his demons. Matthew Lewis brings 

out the action hero in perpetual sadsack 

Neville Longbottom. Even David Bradley’s 

Argus Finch manages to get a chuckleworthy scene. 

Many Potter fans will be crying foul 

at some of the changes from the book. 

To those “true believers,” I say ‘Get over 

it.’ There are always bound to be nixed 

subplots, scene relocations and different 

perspectives. Ever since visionary Alfonso 

Cuaron took over the directing reins for 

the third film, “Prisoner of Azkaban,” the 

series has made a knowing effort to place 

Rowling’s story in the hands of true artists. 

This means instead of creating a cookie 

cutter version of the books, the directors 

used their own creative resources to add 

depth and realism to the story. In bringing 

a fresh outlook to Harry’s journeys, some 

sacrifices had to be made. I, for one, am ok 

with the result. The lasting themes of love, 

friendship and loyalty are still profound, as 

are the potential political undertones. 

It’s been ten years since young Harry 

Potter first graced our movie screens. 

Think of everything that has happened 

in your life in the last ten years. Think of 

the things you have seen, the friendships 

you’ve formed, the lives you’ve touched. 

This series has been a ten-year investment 

for legions of devoted fans, myself among 

them. “Part Two” does not disappoint. 

If anything, it’s a bittersweet two hours, 

because once the credits roll, it really is 

The End. 
DEEP DIVING

Navy Diver 1st Class Justin Porretti (left) attached to Naval Station Guantanamo 

Navy Dive Locker waits for a signal to begin his dive of the day, July 20. - photo 

by Sgt. Mathieu Perry

BEEF ROAST A PIG

Air Force 1st Sgt. Derrick Hildebrandt with the Base Emergency Engineers Force 

roasts a pig during a change of command celebration, Wednesday. 

- photo by Sgt. Mathieu Perry

GOT AIM?

Marine Lance Cpl. Christopher Stevens, from Marine Corps Security Forces, 

Company C, 5th Platoon, demonstrates aiming his M203 grenade launcher down 

range during a simulated attack at Grenadilo Gun Range, Tuesday. - photo by 

Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kilho Park

TheJTF

PAINT BALLIN’

A team of Troopers take to the paintball course Saturday, as part of a teambuilding exercise. - photo by Sgt. Mathieu Perry