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3 BETSY ROSS
PATRIOTISM
O DETERMINATION

OQ OREAM
O PENCIL
O WRITING

From sculptures like Mt. Rushmore to

‘songs like the "Star Spangled

Banner,” art

is @ way that many creative Amencans
have expressed their patriotism. What's
your artistic talent? Whether It's singing,
dancing. painting or writing, | bet you can

think of a way to show your patriotism

through art

too!

Hey, kids!

Tis month, Fort Awesome is af about
crestivity and pathotism. The puzzles are
inspired by an Army Reserve Chit just fe

you! Samring Brady used art to express her

patriotism and tove for her family. Her
Creative Goodin won A national cantest
and wes featured on the Google
homepage You can read hor story
On page 12 of this issue.

2 Paintings, musk, drawings and poetry are exaerples of __.

6 A hope, wish or aspiration

t __#S NOt hing UD even when something is hard,

& Away of expressing yoursell throughpictures.

10, £5 tha use of your magination

LL. A strong love or emotion for sometheng,.

13, A way of expressing yoursell through voice,

“4 Ross Oosigned the American flag with 13 stars.

Down

1. Something you dipin paint

3 ‘Scott Key wrote the words to our national anthem,
4. "The Star Spangled Baer is the ational anthem,

5. Love of devotion to ore's country

2 és when yourmake letters or words with a pencil or keyboard.
11. And of writing that Uses myme or myttm.

12. Sonething you use for writing ce drawing.



CHAPLAIN'S CORNER

VAN

N :

gv of the things that commonly drives people crazy is

| D putting up with seemingly wacky policies from higher

© beadquarters. We can't seem to understand how anyone

could come up with such an outrageous requirement, For example
1 was at a medical clinic today and the sign-in kiosk was out of
paper; it could not print out the number identifying my position in
line. When | pointed this out to the technician, she said that since

she wus not # supervisor, she was not authorized to change the

role of p

per in the kiosk

Some

s these policies can frustrate us and try our patience.
The Apostle Pau! wrote in | Corinthians 13 that “Love is patient

Love bears all things .. . cndures all things.” While we may
not know the reason for the policy, there might still be a good
reason for it. Believing this can help us patiently love others. And
in regards to a relationship with God, trusting that God has a good
son for som:

r thing we don't understand is implicit to the nature

of religious faith,

Asan officer in the Army, I know from my own expericnee that
there is usually a “good” reason for the “crazy” things we do, Re-
cently Eran across an article in The Washi

on Post that provided

an excellent example of this from the civilian world This article
tells the story of the rock band Van Halen's 1982 concert contract,
It required concert venues to place a bow! of MAMs backstage,
bat to remove all the brown ones.

At first this might smack of rock star arrogance, but Van Halen
had a reason for this stipulation. They were using new equipment
that had special requirements on the part of the venuc. These

podhwwrw washing tonpost. com biog e wonkbdog/w p20) 10502

how-vun-halen-oxplains-obamacare-salmon-regulation-and-sctentific-gra

IN THIS ISSUE

special requirerncats were outlined in detail in the contract. When
Van Halen arrived at a concert venue and walked backstage, they
could immediately disoern if the venuc staff had read the contract
by noticing of there was 4 kewl of M&Ms there with the brown
nes removed.
Loved ones, supervisors at work, and even anonymous bureau

crats far removed from us personally may have a good reason for
an odd request, Likewise, God docs things that we sometimes

don't understand. Our ability to reason is limited while God's is

not. When things in life don’t make sense, let us not bose faith in
a God whose ways are not our ways,

In our families, those of us who are parents may direct our
chikiren to do something which doesn’t make sense to them. We
should not ncedicssly do this, but sometimes it is unavoidable.
Just as a toddler may not understand why she must sit in a car
seat with the harness latched, so we as people may not understand
some requirement that God has for us, We want our children to
trust us. God watts people to trust him.



IN THIS ISSUE

We volur

Compited by Maj Monica Radthe, 10drd ESC Public Attaire

why

Celebrating the Service of our Volunteers

The 103” Expeditionary Support Command in Des Moines, lowa, celebrated their Family Readiness Group by publishing a list
of reasons why they voluntecr. Here is 2 sampling of the comments that are echoed in Army Reserve FRGs across the command.
Thousands of FRG volunteers serve selflessly in support of Soldiers and Families.

“When I was a Reserve Officer on active duty in the Vietnam
era, | experienced personally the dearth of support avail
able to Families of deployed service members, Ax a Reserve
Soliier in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, [ witnessed the growth

of informal social groups of spouxes around reserve units

that were geographically cohesive, natural groups of people
who lived in the sume community who worked, worshipped

and so

od together. With the changing defense needs of
the nation the Reserve changed. Reserve units becann
geographically dispersed and with the change of the rei
the Reserves after 9/11, the Army saw a

need to bring informal support groups
into the official fald, After three decades
of uniformed service, I retired in 1999
before these critical changes occurred.
Being married w a Reserve Soldier U
began to fulfill the duties of caring for
the Families of the increased number of
deployed Soldiers, love Soldiers and
their Families
Bill Ridgely
HD, 646th RSG, Madison, Wisconsin

“L first got involved as a Volunteer for the Army Reserve in
2004 when my son was deployed with the 724th Transportation
Company to Iraq. I volunteered 2s 1 way to gain information
about my son's deployment and as a way to connect with my
son and understand his dedication to the Army Reserve, What
1 did not anticipate was the great camaraderie | would develop
me other volunteers and the Soldiers in the Company, Thave

724th Tranxportation Company. Bartonville, Ilinoix

“1 volunteer with the Family Readiness Group because | love
to be involved with something that my husband is so passion-
ate about, When someone joins the military, the whole Family
joins with him and | want to be as active of a member as f can
be. Also going through deployments will be much casier with
the support group. | have found with the FRG, | could not have
asked for a better group of women to bond with and become
part of the Family with.”
Kristina Masters

724th Trans Co, Bartonville, ilinois

“I volunteer because , one, my husband is in the Army Reserve.
and, two, If he can give his time to support our military, being
pert of the PRG is the Icast I can do to support him, In addition,
it beings tne closer to the Soldicrs und theis Farnitics. 1 love feel-
ing like | um a part of something, having something in common
with Familics and Soldiers. Fecling like | am also serving in a
separate capacity. | enjoy the bonding and camaraderie of the
military Family. | know that when deployment occurs that there
is @ stipport system in place to help us all through the difficulty
of separation.”

LaReese A, Ballmer

74th Transportation Compeny, Bartonville, llinois

“Lar so glad 1 am part of our Military Family. Dhave learned
$0 much about our unit. | am grateful of all the new friends 1
have made since I started volunteering. | look forward to every
drill weekend and cach special event. Volunteering ts the feast 1
can do to show how much | support and will always support our
troops”

Chalise Ji
724th Tran

‘ampany, Bartonville, Mlinois

»



Guard and Reserve, Red Cross, Safety, firefighters and several
other presenters, Presentations were conducted in a round-robin
format, which allowed Families and Soldiers to interact with cach
other as well as presenters.

Prom face painting to team karaoke contests, FRG also made
Family Days entertaining while building comradery among
families. One event hosted local
Renaissan

¢ re-cnactors, complete

with jousting and rope pulli

6
contests.

The FRG developed and utilized
multiple media to reach and educate
their Families, including the Army
Virtual FRG, Facebook, the Com-
mand’s official publication, and a
comprehensive monthly newsletter
distributed to all Soldiers and their

Families within the headquarters
These efforts led to the nomina-

tion, and ultimate receipt of the DoD award, which was presented
to representatives of the group on March 2nd at the Pentagon
Hall of Heroes. They were presented a commemorative plaque
and framed certificate from Acting Principal Deputy Assistunt
Secretary of Defense (Reserve Aftirs), Mr. Richard O. Wightman.
The FRG also received a certificate and cash award to further
enhance the unit's Family support programs from the Military

Officers Association of America.
“Receiving this award for the Army Reserve was a really great

honor,” said Beal, “None of us se

IN THIS ISSU

recognition of the tremendous team effort and passion given by all
those involved in the 79th SSC FRG program — past and present.”

Lt, Gen, Jeffrey W, Talley, Chief of Army Reserve attended the
event and spoke to the filled room on the importance of FRGs
“The importance of Fusnily Readiness Groups can never be

overstated,” said Talley. “Family Readiness plays a critical role

in the health of the force and con-
tributes immeasurably to the overall
resilioncy of our Citizen-Soldicrs.”

Beal said the arcatest part of the
award was the pride in knowing
how strong the commitment is to
military Families from our most
senior leaders, “They truly under-
stood what iminense resolve and
fortitude has been required from
military Families after countless

deployments and trainings ts
their Soldier away for months
and years af a time,” said Beal, “and they understood that the
Soldiers, Units and the military as a whole could not complete
their mission without the strength and resilience of their spouses
and children at home.”

king

the 79th

ics, sand

Like innumerable FRGs across the Army Reserve.
SSC FRG simply does what they can to serve their Fi
Blake. “We know many other FRGs are out there doing just as
much of much more than us.” said Blake. “We were just fortunate
enough to be selected.”



2012

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

RESERVE FAMILY READINESS AWARDS

By Sot tst Class CL Boul. TO Sustainment Support Commanc PAD

very year, one Army Reserve Family Readiness Group
E: selected to receive the DoD Reserve Fumily Readiness

Award, The winner is selected based on criteria that de-
termine the unit with the best programs to support their military
Families.

The winner of 2012 is the 79th Sustainment Support Command
Headquarters, Headquurters Detuctunent, located in Los Alamitos,
CA. Maj. Anthony Blake, commander of the 79th SSC, HHD, said
the 79th SSC FRG succeeded becuuse of two things: “Enthusiasm
and commitment! You have to truly believe in what you are doing
and want to get others just as excited in it as you are,” said Blake.
"Enthusiasm is infectious and when people around you sec bow
excited and committed you are about FRG, then they are more
ready and willing to particspate.

That cothusiasm and commitriont must start with the command,
sakl 79th SSC FRG voluntecr Rita Beal.
critical in building a strong FRG program,” said Beal. “When

ommand support is

Soldiers know that their command truly believes in the value
and essential services provided by FRG. then they will be more
willing and excited to bring their Families to bs

a part of the unit

and participate in Family readiness uctivitic

The 79th SSC FRG began in 2012 with only three members.
Through active outreach, membership grew to 20 by the end of
the year, Soldiers and Family members teamed together through

the course of year to improve Family participation, develop a
Family Readiness Plan, establish FRG guidelines, telephone
trees and host multiple Family days. Family Days were one of
the greatest venues to show Soldicrs and Familics our enthusiasm
and commitment, suid Blake

Being only 3 years old, the 79th SSC held its first Family day
event in December 2010, Only four Famtlics attended. Two years
later — participation grew to more than 110 Families. Family day
events inchided many meaningful, informative.

fun and nctworking

opportunities. Classes were given by Employee Support of the


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IN THIS ISSUE



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BUZZWORTHY

LLY uso
Day LVEF

Army Reserve Teen Sabrina Brady Wins Doodie4Google

Dy Rob Schuetio, Fort MeGoy Public Attairs

seit te

An Army Reserve teen's artistic interpre~
tation of a happy reunion with her deployed
father carned a nationwide first place win
in the 2013 U.S. DoodledGoogle contest,

More than | million votes were cast,
but it was Sabrina Brady's doodle, entitled
“Coming Home,” that bested more than
130,000 submissions reecived in the “My
Best Day Ever” thetned contest,

The Sparta High Schoot senior’s doodle
told the story of a reunion between father
and daughter following an 18-month deploy-
ment 10 Irag. Brady's father is Master Set.
Bryce Brady, who recently served as the
Headquarters and Headquarters Company,
Training noncommissioned officer for the
86th Training Division at Fort McCoy.

The winning doodle was featured on
Google's home page May 23, This year's
prizes include a $30,000 college scholarship,
a Chromebook computer and a $50,(W)
technology grant for Sparta High School

Brady and her mother, April Brady,
joined 49 other state winners for the awants
ceremony held in New York. While there,
the pair appeared on NBC's Today Show
and Fox News, und her story was featured
on many Wisconsin state news channel

Sites, as well as many on-
line news services, such

as the Los Angeles Times, The Washington
Post and The Huffington Post.

Brady came across the Google contest
and theme while searching for scholarships
online, and knew immediately what she
would sabemit,

“I set to work with my pencil, put it into
Photoshop and out came [with the depiction}
you see,” Brady said, “really wanted to just
portray what |, and many other little boys
und girls [with a parent serving overseas),
have had to go through without explaining
a single word.”

Google4Doodle tear leader Ryan Ger-
mick wrote on the Google4Doodle website
blog, “Sabrina’s doodle stood out in the
crow; it tells the story of her reunion with
her father as he ecturned from an [8-month
deployment in Iraq. Her creative use of the
Google letters to illustrate this heartfelt
moment clearly resonated with voters across
the country and all of us at Goog!

“Being an Army child is all I've ever
known,” Brady said. “We've had to move
a lot, so that really kept us close as a
Family, being we only had cach other;
most kids grow up with their extended
Family right down the street. But on the
other hand, I've gotten to sce some really
amazing things and go more places

than most children, I'm proud of my dad's
service, and I wouldn't have my experiences
any other w

There is plenty of pride to go around
in the Brady family. Master Sut. Brady,
April and younger sister Brittan were just
as excited fo as Sabrina to hear the news
of the win. The Soldier depicted in her art
said he und his wife were “shocked and
pleasantly surprised” with Sabrina’s win,
adding that they have high hopes for her
and ber future work

Brady, who will major in animation or i-
hustration at the Minneapolis College of Art
and Design, in the fall, was overwhelmed
by the win and subsequent engagements.
Not only does the scholarship help, but
I came walking out of Google New York
with so much new information and met sucl
great peoptc that I will be influcnoed by it
for a long time,” she said. “1 wouldn't have
gotten here without the amazing support
from everyone. I wish I could thank every

single person, and the fact there are so many
ts overwhelming, | am so grateful.”

The Oracy Family omplays
2 reptca ot Sabrina Brady's
winning entry in the U.S
DeodleaGoogle contnst
Pictueod (io to right) aro
‘Aped (mother). Written
(sister), Sabrina anc Master
Sat Bryce Brariy (tather)



Teer...

The military sets aside April and May to cel-
ebrate and appreciate the important role our
military Families
and volunteers play in keeping our Armed Forces
strong and our country safe. This edition is dedi-
cated to the spouses, volunteers and youth whose

service and support of Soldiers and Families across
the Army Reserve keeps us Twice the Citizen and

Why do | volunteer for the Army Reser

’ Because | want to
and to give thanks for all the Soldiers fighting and doing what
they can for our country

Sissy

724th TC Transportation Company, Bartonville, Mlinais
“These men and women, along with their Families, sacrifice so
much for our safety and freedom: It's a privilege and an banor
tu be there foe them. It’s « blessing to get to know our Soldiers
and their Families and to communicate my appreciation and to
support them in what they do, | cherish these relationships that
are built on hard work Being

fun and the occasional challen,

4 volunteer for our Soldiers and their Families is a great respon-

sibility. I enjoy giving my time and effort by working with our
Command team to provide a source for accurite information
and a sense of stability and unity whether our Soldicrs are de-
ployed or stateside. I'm proud of and thankful for our Soldiers
and their Fansities.”

Meaghan Miller, FRG Leader

(82nd Transportation Company, Traverse

Michigan

“| decided to volunteer for the Army Reserve after I had
fulfilled my contract as a Soldier. | met my husband when were
in the same Army unit and when we got married, we decided
that I would get out of the Army and he would stay in. 1 still
wanted to be involved with the unit so | decided to join the
FRG, | really enjoy whit I do and @ being able to connect with
spouses, parcats and Family members. | do
fect that | can relate to the Soldiers because
y u fot of them knew me when | wore the same
uniform as them. This is also helpful when |
talk with s Family member, having the mili-
tary background | am in = better position
to help Fumilies understand the military o
tittle better,”
Anna Castrodes

203rd TC CO, Arden Hills, Minnesont
. 9)
"

Family Strong.

Senior Family Readiness,
U.S. Army Reserve

It was needed because there was not a FRG at the unit, It helps
the Soldiers and Families learn about pro:
them and helps provide parties or gatherings for them in honor

aims available to
of their service.”

Karmen Stecklein
236th ICTC, Decatur, Mlinais

‘Il volunteer for the Army Reserve becuuse the Army Reserve
is such a ‘different animal’ than big Army/active duty. We
(the Farm

$) are more spread out and have little contact with
each other; most of the time we do not live by the resources
that bases provide, and our Soldiers have to juggle their Army
life and their civilian life sim uusly. Therefore, | sec the
FRG as playing such an important role in
the Reserves where role of the Family is
$0 important in the life of the Soldier, We
support the Family while they support the
Soldier, Our Soldiers work hard. so it is an
honor and a pleasure to do whatever we can
to strengthen the Families and in turn the
Soldiers.”

Christie McKeara

826th OD CO, Madison, Wisconsin

ath

Editor's note: Respanses have been edited
and condensed to fis,



IN THIS ISSUE

Maj Gary Wiliten D Frick 700 8
7901 SSC Famnaty Day at Joint Forces Tra

# Suppant ©

Why are FRGs important?

|. FRGs provide an opportunity for Family

First and foreme:
members to meet, share experiences, offer advice and be a support
structure for cach other in all phases of the deployment cycle
The friendships formed during reset make reaching out during
the tough times during deployment far caster and tess d

ed

ERGs also provide a collective bargaining platform when

there are challenges within the unit or civilian community. As
the primary purpose of the
spouses, children and extended Family of the Soldiers, it can
speak with one unified voice on their behalf, For example, since

FRG is to provide support to the

AR Families typically live silently within a civilian community,

the school system may not know they even have military kids in
their classrooms. Teachers and administrators nced to be provided

tools und resources to

these kids appropriate support and
knowledge for their unique and high-stress lifestyles. What docs
it mean when dad eaves for annual training, of When mom ts at a

training school, or when the Family faces the active parts of the

deployment cycle? We need to have the schools on our team to

¢ and reassured so they can focus on their

help keep our kids sufi
studics and friendships.

Family Strong

9 Base Los Alamitos, CA Junw 2, Photo vy Sq

with Rita Beal,
79" SSC ERG
2012 Volunteer

NAME ComeAnding Anes! (ight) Awaer® a cartificate ot ApEYRCEtON 16 Min Rea Baal tofeweng MHD

Scott Akanwwich, 78 SSC Puolic A’

Why do you volunteer in the FRG

1 volunteer in the FRG for my kids, for the kids in the wnit, for
kids across the Army Reserve and for the tens of thousands of
military kids actoss our country quietly soldicring-on through
moves and deployments and different schools and constantly
having

}o make new friends and not knowing where or when the
hext change will take them, but knowing it will indeed happen.
My husband and | volunteered when we enlisted, I volunteered
when I married a career Soldicr, but our keds didn't volunteer
We owe them every support and skill and resource to lead happy
healthy lives as children and go on to become resilient productive

and proud adults

What guidance would you give other FRGs?
Remember why you are volunteering. It's not for the reeurded

hours, or for the kind certificates, or for another place to hang out

It’s for the “thank you” from a new spouse looking for guidance.

or from the teacher needing help encouraging a military kid, or
from children who had a great time at an event just for them. Find
fun and exciting ways to share your knowledge and experience
with those around you and you can't go wrong


FEATURED

hen the leadership of the 75th

Training Command's Gulf Divi-

sion Family Readiness Group
in Birmingham, Alabama, passed from
Patricia Peoples to Deborah Garrard, Senior
Spouse Jimmie Chesnut took a page from
established military tradition to create a
new FRG Change of Leadership ceremony
for the Command.

Outgoing leader, Patricia Peoples, joined
Headquarters and Headquarters Company
FRG in April 2008 at the request of her
daughter Master Sgt. Debora Johnscy, the
HHC FRG Linison.

Mrs. Peoples quickly became engaged in
what, at the time, were four individual and
a

geling Family Readiness Groups under
the 4th Brigade. She became a certified
traincr, attended Army Family Team Build-
ing training, FRG Officer training, Calling
Tree traming, Family Program
Academies and virtual
Family Readiness
Group traming.

When the 4th
Brigade FRGs

received

Leadership
and Traditions
Change in Gulf

Division FRG

permission to consolidate into one 4th
Brigade Family Readiness Group, Mrs,
Peoples was clected as its first leader in
October 2010. Along with her Family
Readiness Group volunteer service, Mrs.
Peoples stayed busy as a muster gardencr
and soup kitchen volunteer.

Incoming Family Readiness Group keader
Deborth Garrard has 27 years of expericnce
with FRGs, with the most recent being the
926th Enginecr Battalion in Birmingham,
and the 412th Theater Engineer Command
in Vicksburg. Miss. Although she was
recovering from an accident and was u
newcomer to the wnit, when her husband,
Master Sgt. Ronnie Garrard, was deployed
to Afghanistan, Mrs. Garrund stepped up
to assume the role as FRG kader

Mrs. Chestnut felt it was important for
Soldiers of the Gulf Division to recognize
their incoming FRG leader, and also
shure the accomplishments of a valucd
and appreciated outgoing leader. Mrs.
Chesnut praised Mrs. Peoples” dedica-
tion, “Whenever a Soldicr was
at the unit on drill
weekend
they saw
Mrs. Peoples”
cheery face,”
she said. “She

np Traming Command Putte AMawrs

received the Patriotic Award for 500 volun
teer hours, as well as many others,”
As the wife of Gulf Division's ©
mander, Brig. Gen. Eddie Chesnut, Mrs.
Chestnut had attended many Change of
Command and Change of Responsibility
ceremonies. These inspired her to develop
the FRG's Change of Leadership ceremony

n~

“We fashioned a notebook with the past
year's minutes, newsletters, quarterly call
reports, monthly Wounded Transition Unit
call report and volunteer contact list with
responsibilities,” said Mrs. Chesnut

As the Gulf Division Soldiers watched
in formation, outgoing FRG leader Patricia
Pooples passed the notebook to Mrs. Ches-
mut, who then passed it to the new leader
Deborah Garrard.

Outgoing and incomi

Gut! Devesion Famay
Readiness Group leaders Patrina Peoples anc
Dedoewh Garined



FAMILY PROGRAMS STAFF :=:::

U.S. Army Reserve Family Program Directors

108th Training Command
Christina Daily

1330 Westover St.
Charlotte, N.C. 28205-5122
704.342.4237
christina.|.daily.civ@mail_mil

11th Theater Aviation Command
Brenda Andreotti

1160 Brandenburg Station Rd., Bldg. 237
Fort Knox, Ky. 40121-5000
502.626.5741
Brenda,andreotti@ang.af.mil

1st Mission Support Command
Elsa Cortes

218 Brook St., Bldg. 1021

Fort Buchanan, P.R. 00934-4602
787.707.4082
elsa.f.cortes.civ@mail.mil

200th Military Police Command
James Cousar

1250 Annapolis Rd.

Fort Meade, Md. 20755-5610
301.677.1221
james.c.cousar.clv@mail.mil

335th Signal Command (Theater)
Rejoice Bolware

2323 Dauphine St.

East Point, Ga. 30344-2503
404.559.3790
rejoice.bolware.civ@mail.mil

377th Theater Sustainment Command
Fay Ferran

400 Russell Ave., Bidg. 492

Belle Chase, La. 70143-5077
504.552.5833
fay.m.ferran.civ@mail.mil

3d Medical Deployment
Support Command

Patricia Hollis

5015 N. 34th St., Bldg. 900
Forest Park, Ga. 30297-5122
406.469.4119
patricia.h,jordan4.civ@mail.mil

412th Theater Engineer Command
Brenda McWilliams

1265 Porters Chapel Rd.

Vicksburg, Miss. 39180-5790
601.631.6160
Brenda.s.mewilliams2.civ@mail.mil

416th Theater Engineer Command
Tamra DeBenedetto

10 S. 100 South Frontage Rd.
Darien, Ill. 60561-1780
630.910.3213, ext. 303
tamra.a.debenedetto.civ@mail.mil

75th Training Command Staff
Training Division

Scheyda Stasik

14555 Scholl St

Houston, TX 77034-5617
832-380-7207
Scheyda.stasik3.clv@mail.mi

7th Civil Support Command
Amy Rodick

Unit 23152

APO AE 09227

DSN 314-483-4753

807th Medical Command (DS)
Kathryn Stetson

SADAFRC, Bidg. 106

Salt Lake City, Utah 84113-5007
801.656.4046
Kathryn.m.stetson.civ@mail.mil

80th Training Command
Nydia Negron

6700 Strathmore Rd.
Richmond, Va. 23237-1100
804.377.6428
Nydia.e.negron2.civ@mail.mil

84th Training Command

Kim Franklin

230 Brandenburg Station Rd.
Fort Knox, KY 40121-4132
502-624-7636
Kimberly.a.franklin.civ@mail. mil

9th Mission Support Command
Kevin Gilbert

1557 Pass St.

Honolulu, Hawaii 96819-2135
808.438.1600, ext. 3191
Kevinj.gilbert4.civ@mail.mil

76th Operational Response Command
Vacant

SADAFAC, Bidg. 103

Salt Lake City, Utah 84113-S007
801-656-3386

Army Reserve Medical Command
Bernard Goss

2801 Grand Ave,

Pinellas Park, Fla, 33782-6140
727.563.3798

Bernard k.goss.civ@mail, mal

Military Intelligence
Readiness Command
Anette Ellis

8831 John J. Kingman Rd.
Fort Belvoir, Va, 22060-6208
703,806,6934
anette.ellis.civ@mail,mil

U.S. Army Civil Affairs & Psychological
Operations Command (Airborne)
Sherreé Jones

2175 Reilly Rd, Stop A

Fort Bragg, NC 28310-5200
910-432-3766

sherree,| jones.civ@mail.mil

63d Regional Support Command
W.K. Jones

153 Dailey Rd.

Moffett Field, Calif. 94035-1000
650.625.9623

William, k.jones.clv@mail.mil

81st Regional Support Command
Christa Burns

1525 Marion Ave.

Fort Jackson, $.C. 29207-6070
803.751.9914

christen. burns.civ@mail.mil

88th Regional Support Command
Rochelle Wheeler

60S. 0 St.

Fort McCoy, Wis. $4656-5137
608.388.0447
Rochelle.c.wheeler.civ@mail.mil

99th Regional Support Command
Cheryl Davis

$522 Nashwille St.

Fort Dix, N.J. 08640-5730
609.562.7507
Cheryl.e.davis.civ@mail.mil

79th Sustainment Command
Maritza Ramirez

FP Director

4201 Saratoga Ave

Los Alamitos, CA 90720-5162
562-936-7612
maritza.|.ramirez.cv@mail.mit

Our Army Reserve Family Programs Outreach and Support Office is available to Soldiers, civilian employees and their Families...

24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call us at 866-345-8248


Message from the Top

Linda Talley

Motivate Advocate Communicate — The Role

of Army Reserve Spouses and FRGs

have always prided myself on being independent, But during
Jeffs lengthy times away for deployments, training or schools,
my children and I sometimes faced a number of unnecessary
challenges alone, relying solely on close friends and Family
As far as knew, our children were the only kids in their schools
with a dad who was in the Army Reserve. We struggled through,
but I came to realize that help is always closer than you'd think
In addition to Army Reserve Famity Readiness Groups and Fort
Family, there are friends, neighbors, churches, Veterans Service
Organizations and Military rn
tend a hand or sometimes just a much-needed understanding car
You might think, like | did, that people would be too busy

ervice Organizations - all will

to listen to your story or get
involved, but 1 have come
across many wonderful folks
who are happy to play a small
role in the lives of our nation's
heroes. And I have come to
believe, by virtue of our own
Family service, that we have
an important opportunity and responsibility to share the stories

of service and sacrifice that we experience as 3 norma
being an Army Family

part of

Thave met so many senior spouses, FRG leaders and volunteers
who take their role to heart as ambassadors in their communities,
sharing their experiences and enthusiasm for the Army Reserve.
and | am grateful for their cfforts on behalf of our Soldiers. In

this tssuc, a group of volunteers share their stones about what

motivated them to get involved.
1 am always impressed with how creative our spouses and
volunteers are in supporting their Sokliers and engaging their
communities, A few months back, | attended the Department of
Defense Family Readiness Awards and met several of the original
nembers. It took a lot of work, but their motivation and enthusi-
asm energized their Soldiers, Families and the local community
The 79th Sustainment Support Command FRG grew from three
20 by the end of
jared important

membets in the beginning of 2012 and grew
the year. They had fun, built camaraderie an

“We have an important opportunity and
yonsibility to share the stories of servi
ifice that we experience. :

FEATURED

information ubout
benefits and avail
able support.

Army Reserve
children and teens
need to speak up and
advocate, too, Sabrina Brady, the winner of the Google Doodle

award, (story on Page 12) did an amazing artistic interpretation
of ber hero-dad's homecoming that cuptured the nation!
Our Army Reserve Soldiers and Families provide communi-

hes and employers a g

impse - sometimes the only glimpse they
have - of the proud traditions and service of our Army, Stories
like these, of Soldiers and
Families, and the sacrifices
they make every day, are ones
that need to be told—because
it’s our own loved ones who
are the patriots... .risking their
lives, for you and for me
Citizen-sokdicrs are part of
the fabric of America. On behalf of our Soldiers in all components
motivate, advocate and communicate! Put a yellow ribbon
around your oak tree and share your Army Family story. Let

your fr
and if you're lucky, like me, maybe you'll even cad up with a

ends and community help you through the tough times,

frienst or neighbor willing to hold down your fort while you go
for arun

oF just enjoy some quict time.

A special thanks fo our spouses and volunteers, keeping us Family Strong! Learn a

Reserve at www.arfp.org



Family Strong

Vol. 6 No, 2 * www.arfp.org
Motivate. Advocate. Communicate.

ARMY RESERVE COMMAND TEAM
Lt. Gen, Jeffrey W. Talley
Chief of Army Reserve
Chief Warrant Otficer 5 Phyllis Wilson
Command Chief Warrant Officer of the Army
Reserve
Command Sgt. Maj. Luther Thomas
Command Sergeant Major of the Army Resarve

FAMILY STRONG STAFF
Sonia |, Wriglesworth
Director, Army Reserve Family Programs
Lt. Col. William Ritter
Branch Chief and Creative Director
Melissa Russell
Editor-in-Chiet, Family Strong
Patricia Williamson
Family Readiness Liason
Hatch Creative
Design and Layout Services

SUBMISSIONS * Famiy Strong invites articles,
story ideas, . and other material of
interest to the members of the U.S. Army Reserve.
Manuscripts and other correspondence for the
editor should be addressed to Commander, US.
Army Reserve Command, Attn: Public Affairs
(Family Strong), 4710 Knox Street, Fort Bragg,
NC 28310-5010. All ema® submissions should
go 10 maiicall@arlp.org. All articles must be
sudmitted ebectronically, on disk or CD; unsolicited
manuscripts anc photographs will not be returned.
Query by letter.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS * Do not write the
magazine. TPU Soldiers should notify their Unit
Adrrinistrator or Unit Clerk. Members of the RR and
IMA should contact their Personne! Management
Team at U.S, Army Human Resources Command,
ATTN: IRA/IMA Personnel Management, 1600
Spearhead Division Avenue, Fort Knox, KY 40122.
AGRs should contact their PMO/PMNCO. Special
miltary distriduton recipients may write the editor
directly.

SUBSCRIPTIONS * Family Song is distributed
free of charge to members of the United States
Army Reserve. Circulation is tree and distributed
to approximately 280,000, To subscribe, visit
www.artp.org.

FAMILY PROGRAMS DIRECTORATE
WEBSITE: www.artp.ora

FORT FAMILY OUTREACH & SUPPORT CENTER:
866-345-8248

Contents

FEATURED
Message from the Top: Linda Talley .......cssscsseseccceesencssesesetonaescsstersieeesd
Leadership and Traditions Change in Gulf Division FRG ...

IN THIS ISSUE
Chaplain’s Corner: Van Halen and Faith in God...

2012 Department of Detense Reserve Family Readiness Awards ...
Q&A with Rita Beal, 79th SSC FAG 2012 Volumteer eo... ssescscesnnnnee
No Ordinary Spouse Day .....
Why We Volunteer,

ts tebe bh

BUZZWORTHY
My Best Day Ever
Fort Awesome.........

U.S. Army Reserve Family Program Directors .....icccccsseesseeeserssseneeerioe 1D

ON THE COVER

The Oth SSC conctuctecd ie nummer Farnily Day
at Joint Forces Training Base, Los Alerniros, Cail
Sune 9, 2013, Phete by Poth SSC Putte Attnirs



Live 1-on-1 Help Confidential

ea Help is just a Click,
Safe" Call or Text away!
Bye

%
fast

Click wwwSafeHelplineorg Call 877-995-5247
—~4
\ | Text* 55-247 insist meus) 202-470-5546 coursine rie ws)

Behind every Soldier

is a strong support team

y BREAK theSILENCE

TALK WITH SOMEONE YOU TRUST!

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - (800) 273-8255 (TALK)
National S le Hotline - (800) 784-2433 (800-SUICIDE)

Defense Centers of Health and Traumatic Brain injury (DCoE) (866) 966-1020 - 247 Outreach



Office of the Chief, Army Reserve

ATTN: Family Programs Directorate PRSAT STD

6075 Goethals Road U.S. POSTAGE

Building 1901, Office 100-32 PAID

Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-5231 LEBANON JUNCTION, KY
PERMIT #12

Family Strong ts published quantorty, The contonts are informative and not regulatory or directtve. Viewpoints exprossed are those of the authors and
do not necessarily reflect Iho policy of Ihe Army Reserve,

COMPREHENSIVE
SOLDIER & FAMILY FITNESS

BUILDING RESILIENCE * ENHANCING PERFORMANCE

The U.S. Arr Comprehensive Soldier and
Family Fitness (CSF2) helps Soldiers, Family
members, and DA Civilians stay healthy
while facing challenges common in Army life

For more inform

£ www.faceb