Winter 2012

Summit 6 and Summit 7

Summit news W I N T E R 2 0 1 2 “ T O T H E T O P ”

S P E C I A L P O I N T S O F

I N T E R E S T :

1-87 Infantry Soldiers strengthen combat

readiness

Summit Soldier pursues American Dream

LTC Morgan and CSM Bass

―Teamwork is the ability to work to-

gether toward a com-mon vision. The abil-ity to direct individual accomplishments to-ward organizational objectives. It is the

fuel that allows com-mon people to attain uncommon results.‖

On behalf of the Command Sergeant Major and myself, we want to express our heartfelt pride and gratitude for the sacrifices by Families and Soldiers alike since our last Battalion Newsletter. Our Battalion has been in the field training to ensure the proper level of readiness in support of the Global Re-sponse Force mission, which is a gigantic responsibility. Our Battalion re-mains part of the response force to deploy anytime and anywhere upon notifi-cation. We are the Commander in Chief‘s response force and our Summit Team should be exceptionally proud. Over the past three months, our Sol-diers have conducted Squad Situational Training Exercises and Live Fire Ex-ercises; an intense Outload Rehearsal with the Division and Installation to in-spect our readiness; Christmas Leave; and then immediately into Platoon Live Fires. Wow! I could not be more impressed with all of our Soldiers. We are ready! Now, I want to ensure that our Soldiers and Families rebuild from the hectic and aggressive training that we experienced through the freezing tempera-tures (down to minus 20 degrees) and the accompanying wind, snow, ice, and rain. The Soldiers fought through it all over a three week period and with tre-mendous positivism and aggressiveness. All our Companies displayed excep-tional efforts through their training. Nothing has changed though — my num-ber one goal remains to build competent, confident, and cohesive Leaders and teams. To do this, we must increase our focus on resiliency to build positivism in the Battalion and better coping mechanisms for Soldiers and their Families as we continue to train hard and remain ready. Let us not forget that we are first and foremost a Family and we must continue to support each other. Our social network remains the Infantry Squad and my goal over the next 90 days is to ensure that our Platoon and Squad Leaders counsel and care for our Soldiers as we prepare each other for our next Climb To Glory! To the Top!

S U M M I T

N E W S

P A G E 2

Hello Summit Families, We would like to congratulate the families that welcomed Summit babies over the holidays and continue to do so. We are in a Summit baby boom! Also, We would also like to extend a warm welcome to our new families. We hope you are getting settled and organized and meeting new friends within our unit. We continue our GRF status and want to thank the FRG leaders for their hard work in getting us prepared for this mission. We do need to continue to train our new volunteers as we farewell lead-ership. We would like to thank those of you for stepping forward and taking responsibility and be-ing part of the Summit FRG team. We have some very exciting events planned for this Spring and Summer. Events such as the Woman's Conference in March, the Summit Formal in June, and several Family days throughout each company. We look forward to seeing you there. To The Top! Patty & Misty

From Your FRG Advisors

S U M M I T N E W S

S U M M I T N E W S

Sgt. Blair Neelands 1st Brigade Combat Team Journalist Soldiers of 1st Brigade Combat Team‘s 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment battled through the harsh North Country weather Jan. 17 through Feb. 2 during multiple platoon live-fire exercises on Fort Drum. This intense training exercise comes after the Summit Battalion assumed the 12-month responsibility of Global Response Force on Dec. 1. ―(The) 1-87 has assumed the Global Response Force tasking in support of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division,‖ said Capt. Robert Bauleke, battalion fire support officer. ―We are on alert to deploy any-where in the world within 96 hours, so the platoon and mortar live-fire exercises we have conducted the last three weeks are in support of that mission.‖ Following the assumption of GRF, the battalion has amplified its training to ensure combat readiness at all lev-els. ―Instead of having another 120 days to prepare to conduct these live-fire exercises had we not assumed the GRF mission, we are conducting them now,‖ Bauleke said. During the first week Soldiers spent in the field, the training focused on platoons maneuvering on foot to assault objectives. ―We had to platoon dismounted live-fire exercise conducted at Range 44 where the platoons went through three iterations: a dry, blank and live,‖ Bauleke said. ―Its purpose was to certify the platoons on conducting a maneuver live-fire exercise with indirect fire assets.‖ Soldiers then transitioned to another training location and mounted their weapons to the gunner‘s turret of their Humvees to attack targets while maneuvering as pla-toons in vehicles. ―We did a mounted patrol and coordinated bounding movements with the vehicles to each phase line; then the targets pop up, and we take out the targets and move to the next phase line together as a unit,‖ said Spc. Jake Lasater, a medic with D Company, 1-87 Infantry. ―The purpose of this is to better communicate and coordi-nate movement between the individuals in each truck. This is very important train-ing, because we are actually working together and functioning as a unit.‖ As each platoon conducted the mounted maneuver, the scenario changed slightly to simulate the unknown of the battlefield. As Soldiers of D Company went through the lane, their company commander‘s vehicle was struck with a mock improvised explosive device. ―I had to move up there and check out the people inside the vehicle,‖ Lasater said. ―There was an injured person inside the vehicle, so I had to treat any life-threatening issues there and then continue treating him as we traveled to the evacuation site.‖ Mortar men and forward observers joined in on the action during each portion of the live-fire. With access to 60 mm, 81 mm and 120 mm mortar rounds, platoon leaders had to effectively use their forward observers to call in the indirect fire. ―Probably the best thing I have seen is the integration of fires,‖ Bauleke said. ―I like seeing the platoon leaders using their indirect fire assets and seeing the forward observers at the platoon level in a trainer mode making a fires plan and executing the fires plan.‖ Throughout the two weeks of training, every Soldier in the Summit Battalion continued to push through the harsh weather conditions to complete the mission. ―I have seen confidence, cohesiveness and competence consistently for the last three weeks at every level,‖ Bauleke said. ―This training is to ensure that the senior leaders and the platoon leaders are certified and com-petent in executing attacks whether it be dismounted or mounted in support of any operation 1-87 receives.‖ The Summit Battalion will continue to train hard at every level to achieve combat readiness in preparation for any mission Soldiers may receive.

1-87 Infantry Soldiers strengthen combat readiness

Mortar men with 1st Battal-ion, 87th Infantry Regiment fire a 120 mm mortar round during the Summit Battal-ion’s platoon live-fire exer-cise Feb. 1 on Fort Drum. Photo by Sgt. Blair Neelands

P A G E 4

HHC

FRG Leader

Cassandra

Price

S U M M I T

N E W S

Hatchet Greetings Summit Family! From the HHC Command Team: CDR: CPT Nathan Shields, 1SG: 1SG Raymond Dolbow XO: 1LT Erik Prins

We are pleased to be addressing you this quarter as the Soldiers of Hatchet Company continue to train and develop as Soldiers and do great things. As some of you know, the company has a new First Sergeant, 1SG Raymond Dolbow. 1SG Dolbow is a returning 1-87 IN alumnus whose experience, dedication, and professionalism is already making this great company even better.

Since our last news letter there has been much training and many-a-late nights as the com-pany assumed its duties as the Global Reaction Force (GRF). During the Platoon Live Fire Exercise which the Battalion ran in January, Hatchet Soldiers conduct was consistent throughout the 3 week block of training. The variety of Fort Drum weather was not missed; for example, harsh conditions included -10 degree temperatures, snowstorms, thunder-storms, and freezing rain. Your Soldiers did an amazing job and you should be proud of

their accomplishments.

In the midst of the Company‘s furious training, we have received many new additions to the Hatchet Company. In addition to the new Soldiers that have either PCSd to this great Battalion or arrived here as their first duty assignment, the Hatchet Family has grown with 8 new babies in the last quarter; who are highlighted on page 10. Lastly, the Company would like to mention how proud we are of the outstanding hard work and dedication from SPC Eric Gavour who is working on his doctorate in order to become a medi-cal doctor in the United States. You can read all about

his story on page 11.

S U M M I T N E W S

S U M M I T N E W S

ALPHA

FRG Leader

Selina Pritchard

S U M M I T

N E W S

P A G E 5

Gator

S U M M I T N E W S

Greetings Summit Family! From the A Company Command Team: CDR: CPT Andrew Rob-inson, 1SG: 1SG Vincent Simonetti, XO: 1LT Andrew McCarthy. This quarter was a busy one for the Gators of A Company! Mrs. Christina Narewski and Mrs. Paige Moody have left our ranks as FRG leaders, and Mrs. Selina Pritchard has stepped up to fill the role. The company completed Squad Live Fires, Operational Readiness Survey, and Platoon Live Fires since the last FRG newsletter. A CO Soldiers and NCOs have seen great recent success at BN, BCT, and DIV NCO/Soldier of the Month Boards. At the top of the heap is CPL Allen. He was recently named the DIV NCO of the Quarter. He won NCO of the Month/Quarter honors at BN and BCT levels, and then competed in a Division-wide NCO skills and leadership competition. His designation as 2

nd QTR 10

th MTN DIV NCO of the Quarter

allows him to compete for Division/Post NCO of the Year. Should he win that competition, he will be des-ignated for the All-Army Best Warrior Competition! Additionally, our own CPL Moody was designated BN NCO of the Month in January, SPC Austin was BN Soldier of the Month for January, and CPL Gannon won BN Soldier of Month in November. 1SG Simonetti holds ―mock boards‖ to prepare our Gators for these events. The company conducts monthly ―To The Top‖ competitions to inculcate a competitive spirit and keep our Warrior Skills sharp. On February 3

rd, the platoons engaged in a head-to-head ―To the Top‖

foot march competition, combined with weapons proficiency skills testing. 3rd

Platoon barely edged 2nd

Platoon for top honors, as their Soldiers got to the MK-19 and M2 .50-cal first. All Soldiers got to enjoy the 7-mile ruck march and test their weapons proficiency, though! We could not be more proud of the accomplishments and company unity displayed these past few months! Our training cycle was ramped up in the past quarter, and we rose to the occasion. Gators oper-ate at a higher level. Our thanks go out to the families and loved ones of our Gator Soldiers. We enjoyed getting to know you at the FRG events and Holiday Dinner (what a night!). Your support for your Soldier does not go unnoticed or unappreciated. You are why we do what we do! As iron sharpens iron, so does one man sharpen another. Every Gator and his family are critical to the success of A Company and 1-87 IN. We have full confidence in the ability and potential of all Gators. Gator Done!!!!

P A G E 6

BRAVO

FRG Leaders

CPT Castellanos

And

Sherri Lutz

S U M M I T

N E W S

Blacksheep

S U M M I T N E W S

To our Black Sheep Families: The company continues to grow and become a more cohesive unit everyday. We have transitioned from squad level training into platoon level operations. Over the next 60 days we will continue to focus on PLT level missions and transition to Company training in the months of April and May. Our Soldiers did very well during the PLT live fire exercises in January. We trained in very rough conditions as we experienced snow, rain, and ice. All the soldiers performed superbly. In fact, they did so well that the BN Commander, LTC Morgan, stated that our PLTs had the best day and night fire iterations he had seen in the Battalion. This is a reflection not only of the Soldiers giving 100% in training, but also of all the support they receive from their families. I want to say thank you for allowing our men to do what they do in order to protect our country. I am grateful for the continued support that our FRG experiences. We have new key callers and a new treasurer now. Turnout at our last meeting was very good, as we had over 25 families come to the COF to learn about the different weapons systems our Soldiers use in their profession. We will continue to make FRG meetings not only informative but also fun for the families. The Company conducted a Platoon Competition on 10FEB12 to see which was the toughest pla-toon in the company. The event was composed of a 5 mile ruck march and a 2 mile run. Overall, all platoons did well, but the winner was 2nd platoon. We will host the first of many squad compe-titions on 02MAR12 here at the B CO COF. This will include both physical and mental challenges and will identify the Company‘s ―Top‖ squad. The competition will begin at 0720 and will end around 1000. All families are welcomed to come and cheer the men on. In closing, I want to thank all our volunteers from the FRG. Sherri Lutz stepped up to be the new FRG leader back in November and I know we are getting the FRG back on track. To all the wives and kids, thank you all for your help and support. If you would like to volunteer in whatever capac-ity, please let us know. We can always use additional help. Please let us know if you would like more company t-shirts or of any new designs fro female and children shirts. BLACK SHEEP ―FURTHER, FASTER, HARDER‖ Respectfully, Juan Castellanos CPT, IN Commanding

CHARLIE

FRG Leaders

Amber Orr

S U M M I T

N E W S

P A G E 7

Cobra

Cobra’s Never Quit

S U M M I T N E W S

Hello Cobras! Cobra Company has come a long way while working to meet the

demands of being the Global Readiness Force these past few months. We have conducted situational training exercises and live fire exercises from the fire team level up to the platoon level, and we have had an opportunity to do more specialized training focused on our assignment as Mountain Infantry.

Charlie Company conducted Basic Military Mountaineering Training from 22 to 24 February in order to provide our Soldiers the ability to sur-vive, maneuver, and overcome unique challenges that exist in a mountain-ous area of operations. Soldiers were trained on rope hauling systems and fixed rope systems, which are used to transport men, weapons, and equip-ment up and down rugged slopes. Our Soldiers were also trained in the most efficient methods of moving in mountainous terrain, and how to travel in snow shoes – something that most of our Soldiers had never done. The essence of the training that we conducted dates back to 1-87 Infantry‘s origin on 15 November, 1941. Our unit was originally made up of veteran skiers, mountaineers and woodsmen who underwent extensive winter military operations and mountaineering training. That training was conducted at the Mount Rainier National Park near Fort Lewis, WA, then at Camp Hale, Colorado in 1943. Summit Soldiers have been selected to lead the way in rugged, mountainous terrain from the Northern Apennines in World War II to the Hindu Kush Mountains during Operation Anaconda, due to their focus on mountain warfare. Charlie Company has made an important step towards the mountaineering proficiency of its predecessors, but there is much more work to be done. After training was complete, Cobra Soldiers and Families were in-vited to Dry Hill for a family tubing event. Despite the weather, it was a great turnout and Amber and I hope that everyone had fun – we received great feedback and hope to coordinate a similar event in the future. Cobras Never Quit! Cobra 6

P A G E 8

DELTA

FRG Leader

Rebecca Spring

S U M M I T

N E W S

Dagger

S U M M I T N E W S

Hello, friends and families of Dagger Company. As always, I hope you and

you family are doing well and enjoying all that Northern New York has to offer.

Over the last few months the Soldiers of Delta Company have displayed out-

standing dedication and determination in

support of their Global Readiness Force

Mission. Training has been focused, in-

tense, and realistic.

In January, Dagger Soldiers were the first

on Fort Drum to utilize a virtual trainer spe-

cifically designed to develop their ability to

close with and destroy enemy armor

weapon systems. After honing their skills in a virtual environment, Dagger

Company Soldiers were put to the test in

February while conducting a platoon live fire

exercise. All platoons performed admirably

as they showcased their ability to maneuver

over rough terrain, employ heavy machine

guns, and use mortar systems .

Most recently, Dagger Soldiers returned to

the basics ensuring the mastery of their indi-

vidual assigned weapons, to include the M4 carbine and M320 grenade

launcher. In addition, Soldiers received training on the AT4 rocker launcher

and basic demolitions.

I thank you all for your continued support as we work to perfect our craft. The

efforts of the family readiness group has not gone unnoticed as we strive to

develop not only resilient Soldiers but resilient families as well. The true

strength of a Soldier doesn‘t come from

rigorous physical fitness or advanced

marksmanship. True strength begins

with support from friends and family and

for that I thank you.

Sincerely,

Dagger 6

FOXTROT

FRG Leader

Heather

Willows

S U M M I T

N E W S

P A G E 9

Foxtrot Company Conducts Resiliency Training 2LT Christopher Clifford Foxtrot Company, Distribution Platoon Leader

The life of a Soldier is not an easy one. Our army has been decisively engaged in multiple thea-

ters throughout the world for over ten straight years our nation‘s economy has fallen on dark times, and many Soldiers find it difficult to cope with the constant stresses that our men and women in uniform face every day. In an effort to combat stress and promote the development of balanced, healthy, and self-confident Soldiers, 1LT Melson and SSG Knupp of Foxtrot Company, 1-87 Infantry Battalion coordinated and held what is to become the model for resiliency training for the entire battalion.

The Forge Resiliency Campus, as it was called, took place in the 1-87 Infantry motor pool on the 23

rd and 24

th of February 2012. The concept of the training was to integrate Fort Drum programs, family

members, and leaders into a scholastic training environment focusing on resiliency. The classes that Soldiers took part in honed in on some of the major contributors to stress such as financial issues, fit-ness and nutrition, family problems, and the human tendency to focus on negative events while ignoring the good ones. Fort Drum instructors from ACS (Army Community Service) were brought in to help edu-cate Foxtrot Company Soldiers on ways to overcome these contributors to stress through awareness, action, and camaraderie.

Along with the classes, the Soldiers took part in practical exercises that consisted of questions

from the MRT (Master Resiliency Trainer) work book, PMCS (Preventative Maintenance Checks and Services) on Foxtrot Company vehicles combined with lessons from ―Hunting the Good Stuff‖, and Resil-iency PT which combined lessons learned from class with physical training to reinforce the key concepts of resiliency. These classes were given in a relaxed setting and according to SPC Arenz, ―The informal environment helped the instructors to engage the classes and it helped us learn a lot.‖

The second day of the campus focused on family. Soldiers were encouraged to bring in

their families so that they, too, could benefit from the training that their soldiers were receiving. The main training focus of day two was ―Avoid Thinking Traps‖ lessons from the MRT book. Soldiers and their families participated in group exercises that reinforced resiliency concepts in everyday activities. Foxtrot Company also held an FRG pizza luncheon with the FRG leader and BDE MFLC in attendance. During the lunch, representatives of the FRG briefly went over upcoming events that Foxtrot Company Soldiers and their families could take advantage of and discussed what the BDE MFLC can do for Sol-diers and their family members. The day concluded with a financial brief taught by an ACS financial counselor who went over how to read an LES and gave tips for financial security. One spouse who was in attendance commented, ―Mr. Byrne (the ACS instructor) was very informative; he broke the class down in such a way that it couldn‘t be misunderstood. I‘m glad I came.‖ This was the general sentiment around the motor pool on Day Two of Resiliency Training. CPL Auterson put it best when he said, ―As Soldiers and as a family, having training such as this where we form relationships increases unit cohesion by a great measure.‖

The goal of the resiliency campus was to

create a sense of balance in Foxtrot Company Sol-diers and family members. The resilience training that was provided empowers everyone who received it to excel in an era of high stress, high training tempo, and operational readiness. The Foxtrot Com-pany Resiliency Campus succeeded in strengthening Foxtrot Company Soldiers and giving them the tools necessary to stay Army Strong.

Forge

S U M M I T N E W S

Soldiers of F Company, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regi-ment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, sit in the motor pool while participating in a resiliency training event. Photo by 1LT Shane Willows.

P A G E 1 0

S U M M I T

N E W S

Promoted For the Month of November 2011:

1LT Brown, Andrew 1LT Long, Lexington 1LT Makowski, Markus 1LT Melson, James 1LT Pruess, John 1LT Tickal, James 1LT Walker, Daniel 1LT Winglemire, Joseph 1LT Yu, Henry SFC Boepple, Jesse SSG Boulduc, Brandon SSG Christensen, Scott SSG Price, Eric SSG Rojas, Eddie SSG Risser, Joshua SSG Rosas, Dino SSG Stovall, Gregory SGT Bittner, Sean SGT Cripe, Jared SGT Kesel, John SGT Tolson, Robert SPC Bromund, Michael SPC Bryant, Brandon SPC Foy, Dennis SPC Furtado, Christopher SPC Goin, Noah SPC Green, Deon SPC Gregorio, Bradley SPC Killgo, James SPC Meynell, Aaron SPC Ordway, Shamus SPC Renner, George SPC Tuttle, Christopher SPC Tuz, Jonathan SPC Wilkerson, James PFC Avina, Humberto PFC Combs, Adams PFC Granger, Joseph PFC Rosser, James PV2 Feliciano, Joseph PV2 Fuqua, Ernest PV2 Gonzales, Jorge

Promoted For the Month of December 2011:

SSG Price, Jerry SSG Race, Jason SSG Sopha, Randall SSG Valadez, Ivan SGT Bedford, Michael SGT Black, David SGT Bussy, William SGT Drake, Matthew SGT Gonzalez, Esteban SGT Granger, Jacob SGT Haynes, Wayne SGT Kastory, Stephen SGT Meyer, Robert SGT Rochefort, Gregory SPC Aquino, Aaron SPC Collins, Avery SPC Hall, John SPC Rickscohen, Maritza SPC Siksei, Jeacy SPC Smalley, Markjoseph SPC Stacy, Gerald PFC Maddox, Anthony PFC Moore, Joshua PV2 Christian, Michael PV2 Colon, Freddie PV2 David, James PV2 Escalera, David PV2 Garcia, Jonedward PV2 Hays, Ryan PV2 Hernandez, Able PV2 Holle, Dustin

Promoted For the Month of January 2012:

1LT Matthews, Leroy SSG Beshaw, Ryan SSG Fernandez, Aristotle SSG Vorhies, Aaron SGT Banda, Roger SGT Birtch, Mitchell SGT Flack, Kyle SGT Johnson, Bradley SGT Morales, Erick SGT Nicholson, Joseph SGT Reyes, Christopher SGT Smith Ivory SGT Taylor, Andrew SPC Andrademedina, Frank

SPC Degiovine, Stephen SPC Gomez, Duarte SPC Hilton, Jacob SPC Montanez, Joshua SPC Morgan, Tyger SPC Murray, Anthony SPC Sexton, Christopher SPC Sievers, David SPC Sullivan, Paul SPC Williams, Anthony SPC Williams, Mark SPC Zabel, Russell PFC Adam, Alexander PFC Graham, Robert PFC McArthur, Jayme PFC McBrayer, Devin PV2 Blanche, Timothy PV2 Bohannon, Seanmichael

Promoted For the Month of February 2012:

1LT Burrell, Jeffrey SSG Cox Dwight SSG Douglass, Evan SSG Trappe, Tyler SGT Cook, Adam SGT Edwards, Andrews SGT Foster, Trey SGT Loris, Daniel SGT Lovelace, Donovan SGT Nelson, James SGT Smith, Ethan SPC Hickerson, Michael SPC Musumeci, Alfio SPC Pierson, Thomas SPC Price, Daniel SPC Sisler, Joshua SPC Wilder, Matthew PFC Anthony, Mark PFC Banghart, Ryan PFC Bartolome, Neil PFC Campos, Robert PFC Chamberlin, Dustin PFC Conetto, Jacob PFC Coronado, Nigel PFC Daniel, Andrew PFC Delora, Benjamin PFC Gallardo, Christopher PFC Grieco, Nicholas PFC Gutierrez, Lawrence PFC Halthon, Lorenzo PFC Kell, Kristoffer PFC Kirkham, Bracken PV2 Isaacs, David PV2 Lasovich, Cody PV2 McCartney, Dakota PV2 Rice, Nathan

S U M M I T N E W S

Summit Promotions

Congratulations to the following Summit Soldier on his graduation of Ranger School

1LT Mark Buhl

P A G E 1 1

S U M M I T

N E W S

BEASLEY ANTOINE MARQUETTE BEISCH ERVIN EUGENE BUNCH ZACHARY JOHN CHAVEZ MICHAEL ANTHONY CHEGE JOHN MUIRURI COOK ADAM CHRISTOPHER CRIHFIELD DOUGLAS MICHEAL CRIPE NATHANIAL XAVIER DIAZ IVAN ISAI DIRGO LANDON JAMES DRAKE MATTHEW ALAN DUNNE SEAIN MICHIEL ESPOSITO JOHN ANTHONY JR FLORES JARAME DAVID FOX RYAN EDWARD GARCIA FRANK PANCHO GONZALEZ ESTEBAN JESUS GRAY WILLIAM CHASE GUTTIERREZ GABRIEL HANSMIRE EVAN KWASINSKI HARDY JON THOMAS HORN BRADLEY WAYNE KEISER RUAN WAYNE

S U M M I T N E W S

Re enlistment

Congratulations to the following on the birth of their Summit Babies

PV2 Altamirano and wife Jacqueline are the proud parents of Carlos Altamirano born on 2 Sep 2011

CPL Newsome and wife Lavangela are the proud parents of Christian Newsome born on 22 Sep 2011

PV2 Crowe and wife Jennifer are the proud parents of Josie Crowe born on 24 Oct 2011

PFC Austin and wife Ashley are the proud parents of Maddox Austin born on 7 Nov 2011

PFC Noury and wife Jordan are the proud parents of Aiden M. Noury born on 14 Nov 2011

SGT Vega and wife Krystal are the proud parents of Evelyn Vega born on 17 Dec 2011

SSG Woodard and wife Betty are the proud parents of Cody Lee Woodard born on 29 Dec 2011

SSG Narewski and wife Christina are the proud parents of Isabella Narewski born on 30 Dec 2011

SGT Canto and wife Debbie are the proud parents of Sophia Canto born on 31 Dec 2011

SPC Dunson and wife Lyndia are the proud parents of Lyanna Dunson born on 13 Jan 2012

SGT Smith and wife Melva are the proud parents of Addison Smith born on 16 Jan 2012

SSG Peace and his wife Kimberley are the proud parents of Karson Peace born 17 Jan 2012

SGT Nugent and wife Alison are the proud parents of Charleigh Nugent born on 18 Jan 2012

SPC Hobbs is the proud mother of Zion Hobbs born on 22 Jan 2012

SPC Morlock and wife Ryan are the proud parents of Kaleb Mason Morlock born 24 Jan 2012

SPC Robinson and wife Tamisha are the proud parents of Taylor Robinson born on 8 Feb 2012

PFC Bradshaw and wife Kristen are the proud parents of William J. Bradshaw born on 12 Feb 2012

SPC Echeverria and his wife are the proud parents of Hector Echeverria born on 12 Feb 2012

SPC Orozco and wife Rosella are the proud parents of Benjamin Clark Orozco born on 14 Feb 2012

SPC Zellman and wife Alica are the proud parents of a baby boy born on 14 Feb 2012

CPT Belohlavek and his wife Athena are the proud parents of Abel Belohlavek born 18 Feb 2012

LT Rinaldi and his wife Erika are the proud parents of Gunner Adam born 20 Feb 2012

KESEL JOHN MARK LAIDACKER JOSHUA PAUL LEAL YONI LOVELACE DONOVAN PATRICK HU MCLAURIN ANTHONY PAUL MORRIS ANDREW EUGENE RAJKOVIC YOVANKA REECE JAMES CASEY TYLE ROBINSON THOSMAN JR ROCHE JEREMY EDWARD RUMLEY JERAMY DEAN SIMMONS ELBERT TEDDY JR SMITH JEFFREY FORREST SOLEDAD RAUL JR STORIEZELLWEGER JUSTIN MICH TELLECHEA JULIO ANTHONY TOLSON ROBERT CLINTON TORRES BRICE MATTHEW TORRESNEGRON JOSE LU VORHIES AARON JOSEPH

By Sgt. Blair Neelands 1st Brigade Combat Team The American Dream; its definition varies from person to person. Some may want to be the next sports superstar; some may want to start a family and buy the house with a white picket fence; and some may want to serve their country. A combat medic in 1st Brigade Combat Team‘s 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, pursues his American Dream every day. Nov. 11, 1981 in the small town of Nkawkaw, Ghana in West Africa, Spc. Eric Gavour was born. During childbirth, his mother experienced complica-tions that have shaped the way he lives his life. ―As if child birth itself was not stressful enough, my mother had a trans-verse lie during delivery, which is why I took an interest in Obstetrician Gynecologist,‖ he said. As the son of an engineer and a teacher, Gavour was pushed from a young age by his parents to do the best he possibly can and to never stop dreaming. ―I have always lived after my father‘s advice that even though I was small in stature I could be as big as I wanted, and all I had to do was dream big and work hard to achieve my dreams,‖ he said. Early in his education, Gavour‘s teachers saw his potential; he was moved up in grade twice. Once he arrived in high school, also known as college in Ghana, Gavour narrowed his focus by studying sciences. After three years, he took an entrance exam and was accepted to School Of Medical Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Sciences. ―My first four years I spent studying and mastering Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, etc,‖ he said. ―At the end of my four years I earned a Bachelors of Science in Human Biology in 2005. I then spent the next three years studying clinical practice with emphasis on Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics and Obstetrics Gynecology.‖ During his fifth year at the university, he had the opportunity to travel to Germany to study for a month in a transplant unit. ―I had the opportunity to work with German doctors and medical students in the organ and tissue transplant center,‖ Gavour said. ―That really drove me to working harder to achieve my dreams.‖ After seven long years, Gavour finally graduated from medical school in May of 2008 with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees which are honored not only in Ghana, but several European countries, New Zealand and South Africa, but not in the United States. ―I completed medical school at the age of 26 and was even hungrier for means to better myself,‖ said the 30 year-old Ghanaian native. ―I traveled to visit my sister in Mission, Texas and on Oct. 29, 2008, I decided to stay here in the United States and fight to live the American dream.‖ He gave up everything he had, including his ability to practice medicine in order to follow his dream. In order for foreign medical doctors to practice in the U.S., they must receive certification by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates. Though, before receiving this certification, Gavour must pass the three-step United States Medical Licensing Exami-nation, but each part costs between 780 and 1355 dollars. Gavour got a night job at the local Walgreens‘ pharmacy as a clerk while he saved up money and studied for his exams. He then met an Army re-cruiter and realized his dream of becoming a medical doctor in the U.S. could be achieved in the Army. Soon after, he found himself facing the toughest challenge of his life: basic combat training at Fort Sill, Okla. ―Those were the longest nine weeks of my life,‖ Gavour said. ―I learned a lot about teamwork; before I always just depended on myself and all I have ever had to do was go to school and pass. It was a big wake-up call for me.‖ Graduating basic training is a proud moment for every Soldier, but Ga-vour‘s graduation was extra special.

―I became a United States citizen the same day I graduated basic train-ing,‖ he said. ―I was told it would take a year before I would become a citizen, so when I got my citizenship that day it was awesome. When the lady sang the National Anthem it was touching.‖ Following advanced individual training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, where he graduated with honors, he and his wife arrived at Fort Drum and the North Country in the spring of 2011. In the time he has spent in 1-87 IN, he has juggled the demands of studying for his exams on top of the chal-lenges of everyday training. When it came time for him to take his first exam in December Gavour nearly postponed until the words of his battalion commander, Lt. Col. Daniel Morgan, encouraged him to keep going until he achieved his goal. ―My son is a wrestler and what I tell my son is what I tell the formation and that is you don‘t step onto the mat to wrestle or into the ring to fight think-ing that you‘re going to lose because if you do the guy on the other side is going to beat you,‖ Morgan said. ―You have to go in, knowing, believing and thinking that you are going to win. For him, his fight is to pass those tests and that‘s what he is doing. You can‘t walk into the ring thinking you are going to lose because you will.‖ Morgan had met Gavour previously, but during a recent field training exer-cise he discovered there‘s more to this small-statured medic. ―Immediately upon talking to him he was asking me questions that were beyond that level of a medic,‖ Morgan said. ―I had met him before but I didn‘t know his whole history, so I asked him how he knew all these ques-tions to ask and he told me that he was a doctor; I was flat out shocked. Then he explained to me what was going on, so we went off to the side and had a personal one-on-one conversation about him.‖ ―The best way to describe it is I was intimately touched by his story,‖ he said. ―I was completely and profoundly floored of the fact that I had finally met somebody like this that you hear about on Oprah Winfrey or some-thing and lo and behold he is right here in my battalion.‖ With help from 1-87 IN leadership, Gavour is enabled to use every spare moment to study, including listening to seminars in his car, to prepare for test two in March and test three in May. Once he passes the third exam he will become certified by the ECFMG board; with this certification he can then apply for an internship and resi-dency. ―When I was in basic training, our commander would come in and ask ‗how you doing Charlie company?‘ and we would say ‗livin‘ the dream‘,‖ Gavour said. ―At the time they were just words, but now I really am living the dream because I‘m here in the states, working with the best of the best; I‘m now a medic in the U.S. Army; I get to rub shoulders with guys who put their lives on the line to defend this nation and fight for the free-dom of the world; that is living the dream for me. And on top of all of that I‘m working on becoming what I studied for seven years to be: a medical doctor in the U.S. Army.‖

Lt. Col. Daniel Morgan, commander of 1st Brigade Combat Team‘s 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, has supported Spc. Eric Gavour, a 1-87 medic and doctor in his home nation of Ghana, in his journey to become a medical doctor in the United States. (Photo by Sgt. Blair Neelands)

Summit Soldier pursues American Dream

1-87th Infantry

Fort Drum, NY 13602

Phone: 315-774-3774 Staff Duty

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87th Infantry Regiment Coat of Arms

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87th Regimental Crest

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1-87IN/1BCT/10MTN DIV

87th Infantry Regiment Coat of Arms The red castle tower recalls the battle of heavily mined areas. Its three battlements represent campaigns for the Aleutians, North Apenni-

nes, and Po River Valley. The fountain (a disc bearing wavy blue and white stripes) stands for the crossing of the Po River that brought the 87th to the foothills of the Alps.

The catamount, or wildcat, represents the fighting spirit, cunning, and aggressiveness of the mountain infantry, while the lance and pennant allude to the province of Bologna,

where the unit emerged after fighting its way through the Apennines. The shield bears a snow-capped mountain to represent both the region where the organization first re-

ceived its specialized training and the normal home of mountain troops. The crossed ski pole and ice ax are some of the tools used by mountain troops, while the horseshoe represents the pack elements of the unit. The single red horseshoe indicates the fact

that the 87th Infantry was the first organization of its kind. The motto on the scroll reads "VIRES MONTESQUE VINCIMUS", Latin for "We conquer power and mountains."

SUMMIT NEWS is an official publication of The Family Readiness Group ( FRG ) of 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment , Fort Drum,

New York. This newsletter includes both official and unofficial information. The inclusion of some unofficial information in this newsletter

has not increased the cost to the government, in accordance with DoD 4542.8M