Inside this issue:
205th MI BN
Volume 1, Issue 32
Week ending
4 December 2009
Special points of interest:
Deployment Expo, pg 3
Federal Job Info, pgs
36-37
AFAP Info
Deployment Expo
Dining Out
Honolulu City Lights
Children’s Passports
Hooah Mail
OEF/OIF Benefits
In Other News
1-4
5
6
7-8
9
10-11
12
13
Holiday Craft Fairs
Holiday Parades
Holiday Happenings
14
15
16
Pearl Harbor Anniv.
Misc. Info.
Parent’s Night Out
News/Comm. Briefs
17
18
19
20-21
MWR Briefs
MWR Happenings
MWR Info
Disney Days
Macy’s Coupon
22
23
24-27
28-29
30
Misc. Info.
EDGE Info.
31
32-33
Big Brother/Sisters 34
Outdoor Rec. Events
Federal Job Info.
Thrift Store Info.
Library Closure
Chapel Events
ACS Info
35
36-37
38
39
40-41
41-42
THE VIGILANT
VOICE
The contents of this binder are strictly for informational purposes and does not imply endorsement of any private
or commercial organization by the 205th MI BN, 500th MI BDE, INSCOM or the Department of the Army.
Army Family Action Plan The Army Family Action Plan (AFAP) is one of the Army's
most effective tools in managing change and improving
the well-being of all who work and support the US Army
— Soldiers (all components), Family Members, retirees,
and DA Civilians.
What can start out as a concern for one Soldier or
Family member, can shape the future of our Army and
our Sister Services; 61% of all active AFAP issues will impact all the Services.
To date, six hundred thirty three issues have been identified. AFAP has driven
107 legislative changes, 154 Army policy and regulatory changes and 173 im-
proved programs and services.
The AFAP mission is simple; help Army leaders address the needs and
concerns of the total Army Family. How does it work; the program enlists rep-
resentatives from around the world to identify and prioritize issues that will
improve the standard of living in the Army. This feedback to leaders results in
policy changes that become tangible end-products at garrisons across the
Army. AFAP beneficiaries include Soldiers (all components), retirees, Depart-
ment of Army civilian employees and all their Family members.
AFAP is the ultimate opportunity for you to get your voice heard and make
a difference for Families Army-wide. The 2010 Installation AFAP conference
will be held 26-28 January 2010, at the Nehelani Banquet and Conference
Center. Your involvement can make a tremendous difference. If you would
like to support the process, submit your quality of issues on-line, in person at
any of our ACS Centers or via fax at (808) 655-1654. For more information on
this program, contact Michael Briglin at (808) 655-1696 or via email at mi-
[email protected]. See pages 2-4 for issue sheet and applications.
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Overseas Mailing Deadlines
U.S. Postal Service officials recommend the following deadlines for all mail bound for Afghani-
stan and other overseas locations. The deadline for parcel airlift mail is Dec. 1. First-class and
priority mail for service members stationed in Afghanistan should be sent by Dec. 4, to arrive
for Christmas.
For general guidelines on sending mail to service members overseas, visit
www.usps.com/supportingourtroops/.
Express mail cannot be used to mail packages to Afghanistan; however, priority mail is
available. Priority mail packaging products can be obtained free at any post office, or online at
http://shop.usps.com.
To order free military care kits by phone, call 1-800-610-8734. Each kit includes two
―America Supports You‖ large priority mail flat-rate boxes, four medium-sized priority mail flat-
rate boxes, six priority mail labels, a roll of priority mail tape and six customs forms with enve-
lopes.
Traffic Changes Affect Wheeler Army Airfield
The HECO Gate, which is located near Wheeler Middle School and exits onto Kunia Road, is
closed until further notice.
Open during peak traffic hours to assist with traffic flow, the gate’s use is not needed during
the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade’s deployment.
The stop light at Wheeler’s Kunia Gate and Schofield’s Lyman Gate is operating on a synched
schedule, allowing more vehicles to pass between the installation at peak hours. The changes to
the stop light keep the gates from having long lines in either direction.
For more information, call 656-6751.
Kona Coffee Discount
Makahiki Farms produce some VERY nice coffee and have
steadily donated coffee for our troops for well over a year now.
Visit http://makahikifarms.com and select a coffee that you
want to buy on their website. When you begin the Checkout
process, you will notice a box down towards the bottom that says
―Coupon Code or Gift certifi-
cate‖, here you type the
word : freedom
It's as easy as that..20% off !!
Volume 1, Issue 18 Page 19
December Religious Support — The
U.S. Army Garrison–
Hawaii Religious Support
Office is offering a Strong
Bonds Retreat for couples
and singles, Dec. 4-6, and
for families, Dec. 11-13. For
more information or to reg-
ister, call the Aliamanu
Military Reservation
Chapel at 836-4599.
Santa Parade — The Wa-
hiawa Community and
Business Association will
hold a Santa Parade, Dec.
7, 6:30 p.m., beginning at
Kaala Elementary School.
The parade proceeds down
California Avenue, with a
brief stop at Wahiawa Town
Center for Santa's arrival.
Call 621-7097.
Oahu South Tree Light-
ing — Maj. Gen. Michael J.
Terry, commanding gen-
eral, 8th Theater Sustain-
ment Command, will host
the annual Oahu South
holiday concert and tree
lighting ceremony, Dec. 10,
6 p.m., at Palm Circle.
The Farrington High
School band will perform.
Santa and his helpers will
be on hand to take photos
with children. Call the U.S.
Army Garrison-
Hawaii Public Af-
fairs Office at
655-0453.
Fort Shafter Construc-
tion — Construction on
Funston Road, Fort Shafter
Dec. 14-Jan. 1, 2010, will
cause changes in traffic
flow affecting military per-
sonnel and visitors.
All inbound and out-
bound lanes at Buckner
Gate will be redirected
through the Military Police
(MP) Station parking lot.
All visitors and trucks will
be redirected through Pat-
ton Gate, located 100 feet
from Buckner Gate, which
will be open 24 hours a day,
7 days a week.
Hours for other gates re-
main unchanged and can be
viewed online at
www.garrison.hawaii.army.
mil/sites/traffic/gatehours.a
sp. Motorists are asked to
set aside additional travel
time in light of expect traf-
fic congestion during the
construction period.
Call 656-6751/6750.
Salvation Army Angel
Tree — Pearlridge Mall
shoppers can share their
aloha for the community by
choosing an angel from a
Salvation Army Angel Tree
and granting the wish of a
child or a senior citizen who
otherwise would not receive
any gifts at
Christmas. The
Angel Tree will
be located Up-
town Nov. 27-
Dec. 20 during
center hours.
Craft Fair — The Mission
Houses Museum (553 S.
King St.) will hold its an-
nual two-day Holiday Craft
Fair, Nov. 28 and 29, 9
a.m.-4 p.m. The fair will
feature locally made lau-
hala products, traditional
Hawaiian quilts, fine art,
jewelry, clothing and other
items. Live music and
hands-on activities for chil-
dren will be available. Call
447-3923.
Ongoing Operation: Military Kids
Camp — Operation: Mili-
tary Kids Camp (OMK),
News and Community Briefs
Page 20 The Vigilant Voice
Hawaii, along with YMCA-
Camp Erdman are offering
two family camps geared
toward helping recently re-
deployed service members
and their families recon-
nect. The camp scheduled,
April 9-11, is open for regis-
tration. E-mail
call 956-4125. Or visit
www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/4h/o
mk or call 956-4125.
Army Nurse Corps
Scholarships — The Army
Nurse Corps is offering
scholarships to qualified in-
dividuals in the amount of
$3,000 per applicant. Appli-
cation deadline is April 1,
2010. Questions concerning
the application process
should be sent to educa-
[email protected] or the Web
site http://e-
anca.org/ContactUs.html.
For a complete list of arti-
cles and more information
on any of the stories listed
here, please visit
http://www.garrison.haw
aii.army.mil/haw.asp
Military Academy Ad-
missions — West Point is
recruiting the best qualified
Soldiers, noncommissioned
officers and officers to ei-
ther become cadets, or join
its staff and faculty. Each
year, regular Army Soldiers
are offered direct admission
to the U.S. Military Acad-
emy (USMA) or to the U.S.
Military Academy Prepara-
tory School.
For information, contact
Maj. Brian Easley, Soldier
admissions officer, at 845-
938-5780 or
Those interested in an
assignment to USMA can
complete a USMA interest
form at
www.usma.army.mil/adjuta
ntgeneral/ or by writing to:
Management Operations
Branch, AG Division, West
Point, NY 10996-1926.
Battleship Missouri Re-
enlistment Opportunity
— Individuals who have
held a military ceremony
aboard the Battleship Mis-
souri during 2009 are in-
vited to man the rails of the
ship, Jan. 7, as it returns to
Pearl Harbor’s Battleship
Row after three months in
drydock.
In addition, a special
mass reenlistment cere-
mony will be held while the
ship is in tow, providing a
rare opportunity to reenlist
on a U.S.
battleship
while it is
under
way.
Please
see your
retention
noncommissioned officer to
arrange your reenlistment,
or call 455-1600, ext. 225,
or e-mail
Schofield Health and
Fitness Center Closure
— The Schofield Barracks
Health and Fitness Center
(HFC), Building 582, is
closed now through Jan.
2010 to replace the roof. All
classes and services have
been relocated to the Marti-
nez Physical Fitness Center
(MPFC), Building 488. Call
Linda Williams at 655-
4804.
News and Community Briefs Continued
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MWR Briefs
December
Waikiki Party Bus — Your
free party bus to Waikiki runs
again, Dec. 4, 9 p.m.-4 a.m.
Let Family and Morale, Wel-
fare and Recreation be your
own personal chauffeur to
Waikiki on payday Fridays.
The bus rides again, Dec.
18 and 31, for New Year’s
Eve. The bus is completely
free, but tickets are required
to reserve your seat. Pick-ups
are available at both Schofield
Barracks and Fort Shafter.
Call 655-9971 or 438-1985.
Honolulu City Lights — See
the popular electric light pa-
rade, holiday concert, tree and
wreath displays, and a tree
lighting ceremony at Hono-
lulu Hale, Dec. 5, 6-8:30 p.m.,
on the Family and Morale,
Welfare and Recreation shut-
tle. Cost is $5, but Blue Star
Card holders ride for free. Re-
serve a spot by Dec. 2 by call-
ing 655-0112/3.
Holiday Funfest — Join the
13th Annual Holiday Funfest
at Aliamanu Military Reser-
vation (AMR), Dec. 5, at the
AMR gymnasium and commu-
nity center. A holiday parade
will begin at 9 a.m., and fes-
tivities take place 10 a.m.-1
p.m. Enjoy crafts, games, con-
tests and pictures with Santa.
Blue Star Card (BSC) holders
can stop by the BSC informa-
tion table to make a special
blue reindeer candy cane. Call
833-0920/4932.
Christmas Card-Making &
Rubber Stamping - Learn
new techniques with stamps,
inks and more and make your
very own holiday cards on
Dec. 8, 6-8 p.m. at
the Schofield Barracks Arts
and Crafts Center. Just $10
covers the class and
all your supplies. Call 655-
4202.
Homemade Holidays -
Make and take your own mini
gift boxes to fill as you
will on Dec. 9, 2-4:30 p.m. at
SGT Yano Library, Schofield
Barracks. The
library will provide all sup-
plies. Please call the library
for mandatory
pre-registration. Call 655-
8002.
The Sesame Street USO
Experience for Military
Families - Enjoy furry, fuzzy
fun with the friendly muppets
Dec. 12 at Martinez Physical
Fitness
Center,
Schofield
Barracks.
Shows be-
gin at 3
p.m. and
5:30 p.m.,
and crafts and children's ac-
tivities will be available be-
tween the shows. Call 655-
0112/3.
Blue Star Card — Spouses of
deployed Soldiers are eligible
to sign up for a Blue Star card,
which will give card holders
discounts at Family and Mo-
rale, Welfare and Recreation
facilities, activities and special
events.
Blue Star Cards are valid
throughout the entire deploy-
ment. To sign up visit
Army Community Service
(ACS) at Schofield Barracks,
Building 2091 (655-4227) or
Tripler Army Medical Center
ACS, Building 127, (438-4499).
Do you have a great idea for
the next Blue Star Card event?
Please visit the MWR website
for a complete list of all events
and specials. http://www.mwrarmyhawaii.com/
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Free Admission except food booth, cake walk and pictures with Santa. Christmas parade starts
at 9 am. Come and support your community and march in the parade. (Pets are welcome in the
parade.) Pets dressed in holiday theme will receive a treat sponsored by the AMR Community
Center Housing Office. Please RSVP your pet for the parade at 833-0920 or 275-3840. Parade
may be canceled due to inclement weather. Entertainment by SKIES and HYPERSQUAD.
Character appearance by FMWR’s own Eddie the Eagle. Make a gingerbread house and create
and take home your own holiday cards and crafts. Blue Star card holders, stop by for a fun and
festive way to make blue reindeer candy canes. Inflatable bouncer, CYSS , Community Center
info and much more. Door prizes giveaways! Call for more info at 833-0920/4932.
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Give a Day Get a Disney Day
Starting in 2010, Disney will give away free theme-park tickets to 1 mil-
lion people who spend a day volunteering in their community.
The give-a-day, get-a-day marketing campaign — which replaces the
wildly successful 2009 free-on-your-birthday promotion — starts Jan. 1,
2010 and runs through Dec. 15, 2010.
Volunteers must pre-register online at the HandsOn Network — which
represents more than 70,000 nonprofit agencies nationwide — to be eli-
gible for the free ticket.
The tickets are valid at six theme parks in the U.S.
Visit
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/disneyparks/en_US/WhatWillYouCeleb
rate/index?name=Give-A-Day-Get-A-Disney-Day for complete rules and
more information.
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Library News and Upcoming Events
The Fort Shafter Library will be temporarily closed to complete much needed
energy conservation and remodeling projects, November 23, 2009 to February 26, 2010. When re-
opened, the new energy efficient library will have new windows, central air conditioning, energy effi-
cient lights and remodeled bathrooms. Any library activities previously advertised during this time
period have been cancelled. We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience this
may cause.
For more information,
call 655-8000
SGT Yano Library will be closed on Sunday, December 13, 2009 for its
semi-annual carpet cleaning. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Call 655-8002 for
information.
Furlough Friday activities at Sgt Yano Library
Hear a story, "Polar Express," and make a craft on December 11, 2009, from 3:00-3:45 pm. Li-
brary will supply materials.
Tax Credits for Military Families
Have you been able to keep up with the tax changes in 2009 for military families? The Inter-
nal Revenue Service (IRS) has developed a new podcast and fact sheet to provide service mem-
bers and their families with up-to-date tax information. The podcast discussion covers differ-
ent scenarios and the fact sheets provide links to the latest information, including the first-
time homebuyer’s credit, economic stimulus payments, questions and answers on combat zone
tax provisions and more. To listen to the Armed Services Tax Assistance 2009 podcast or re-
view the fact sheet, go to: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=97273,00.html.
EDGE Program New Sign-Ups
Beginning January 2010 please take advantage of the new weekly sign-up for
the EDGE program.
Youth grades 1st-5th pay a special rate of $30 per week Monday through Thurs-
day. With weekly sign-up you will receive free Friday care which includes Fur-
lough Fridays. See next 2 pages for January’s schedule.
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5th December - Shoreline Fishing – Spend an evening bait dunking at a favorite shore fishing area. We guarantee a good time fishing Hawaiian style. (ODR) 0800-1800. Only $42 each. 6th December - ADventure Hiking II – Full day hiking to various locations around the island. Challenge yourself against nature with others. Bring plenty of water. (ODR) 0800-1400. Only $10. 7th December - Open Water Diver Certification – Receive an exciting one-week long course that will award you a LIFETIME certification as a PADI Open Water SCUBA Diver. Courses run Monday thru Sunday (OC). $229.99. Reservations must be made in advance so sign up NOW! 10TH December - Discover Scuba - Experience SCUBA FOR FREE! Experience the wonders of the underwater world. Richardson Pool. 1400-1600. Minimum age is 12. Register in advance through Ocean Concepts, 808-853-4673. Reservations must be made in advance so sign up NOW! 12th December – Shoreline Fishing Site Tour – Find out where the best fishing sites are. This will assist fishing enthusiast in their fishing endeavors. Don’t know where to fish…after the tour you will know. (ODR) 0800-1400. $8.00 13th December – Honolulu Marathon Picnic – Be a part of the Honolulu Marathon and watch the runners come into Kapiolani Park after 26.2 miles of running. Picnic lunch provided. (ODR) 0400-1500 $49 Adult/$14 Child. 14th December – Open Water Diver Certification – Receive an exciting one-week long course that will award you a LIFETIME certification as a PADI Open Water SCUBA Diver. Courses run Monday thru Sunday (OC). $229.99. Reservations must be made in advance so sign up NOW! 19th December – OC1 Paddling/Stand-up Paddleboard Lessons – Here is an opportunity to learn the “Hawaiian way” on the water. Both classes included for one low price of $64 each. (ODR) 0700-1200. * All dates/times are tentative and subject to change. * All ADventures will depart from/return to the Outdoor Recreation Center, Bldg. #556 with the exception of Summer Ocean Splash (PARC) or otherwise noted. * * Registrations & Payment required in advance of program departure. * Pictures are taken on all adventures and copies can be sent to you via e-mail if re-quested If you have any questions, please, feel free to ask. *NOTE: Thanks to requests from our valuable customers, Outdoor Recreation is now able to take Equipment Checkout Center reservations/ Program registrations via phone with a credit card payment. Available to all FMWR eligible guests already registered in RecTrac database. Please call the Outdoor Rec. Center, 655-0143, for more information. *Min. 50% deposit required for all Equipment Center Check-out reservations, 100% payment due for Program registrations. Don’t forget to stop by to... Have a Great ADventure!!
Outdoor Recreation Activities
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Serving the
USAG-HI
Community
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