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Local ‘idols’ fare well
at competition finals
Competition winners from European communities
fared exceptionally well at the Military
Idol finals at Fort Gordon, Ga., Oct. 17-22,
as three earned their way to the finals.
USAG Franconia’s
Military Idol winner,
Spc. Richard Sianoya
from Giebelstadt’s
523rd Dental Company,
captured second
place in the inaugural
event that brought together
33 regional Idol
winners from Army
communities around
Sianoya
the world.
“It was a great expe-
rience,” Sianoya said. “Working with so many
talented people was great, and the staff there
took wonderful care of us.
“The competition was intense. I was really
surprised I made it as far as I did,” he added.
USAG Schweinfurt’s Spc. Festus Togbeola,
from Company C, 1st Battalion, 77th Armor,
was also a finalist and earned honorable mention
status. Darmstadt’s Sgt. William Glenn, a
national guardsman assigned to the 258th Military
Police Company, won the Military Idol title
and the $1,000 first prize.
“I’d certainly encourage others to do this;
the judges give you a good critique of your
singing ability,” Sianoya said. He won $500 for
his second place finish.
“Event coordinators said the final five will
be going on a tour and doing some concerts
some time in the future,” he added. “And we’re
supposed to do some sort of Broadway show at
Wuerzburg high school that will include local
runners-up 1st Lt. Raven Bukowski and Pfc.
Jessica Solorio.
“I have a very supportive command,”
Sianoya said. “They had five computers on
during the competition and they said they were
voting for me like crazy. This has been a really
great experience.”
Celebrate Veterans Day
The 1st Infantry Division will honor veterans
of all wars in a Veterans Day ceremony
Thursday, Nov. 10, at 1:30 p.m. in Victory Park
on Leighton Barracks. All community residents
are invited to attend.
ACU, BDU authorized
during air travel
As a means of keeping the efforts of Soldiers
visible to the American public, the Army Combat
Uniform (ACU), the Battle Dress Uniform
(BDU), and the Desert Battle Dress Uniform
(DBDU) are now authorized for wear during
commercial travel both CONUS and
OCONUS. In OCONUS areas, commanders
will limit travel in uniform to military airlift
mobility command (AMC) flights or American
flagged carriers. Soldiers must present a professional
appearance and reflect positively on
the Army at all times.
Apply for college money
Applications for the Maj. Gen. James
Ursano scholarship program for the 2006-2007
school year are available by mail from Army
Emergency Relief headquarters From Nov. 1-
Feb. 21. Scholarships can be awarded up to
$2,200 per year. AER offers financial assistance
for full-time post-secondary study for
Soldiers’ dependent children. Students can
download and print an application or apply
online at http://www.aerhq.org Nov. 1-March
1. Mailed applications and supporting documentation
must be postmarked not later than
March 1 for the 2006-2007 school year. For
more information, contact your local AER
office.
Withdraw kids from school
Soldiers and civilians who have children in
area schools and will be departing Germany in
November, December or January need to fill
out a withdrawal form available at the front office
of your school. This form should be submitted
with orders or a memorandum signed
by your unit commander that indicates the date
the sponsor will depart. Contact your school
registrar for more information.
Learn to facilitate
Unit-level equal opportunity training in cultural
awareness, featuring a presentation of the
film “Running Brave,” the bio-pic of 1964
Olympic 10,000 meter champion Billy Mills,
will take place at the Leighton Barracks
AAFES theater Nov. 10 beginning at 9:15 a.m.
USAG Franconia EO Advisor Sgt. 1st Class
Jeffrey Hatzenbuhler says all units are welcome
to participate. For more information,
call Hatzenbuhler at 350-4631 or 0171-943-
4626.
Vol. 13, No. 21 November 4, 2005
Ansbach • Bad Kissingen • Bamberg • Giebelstadt • Illesheim • Kitzingen • Schweinfurt • Wuerzburg
Courtesy of 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs
Current 1st Infantry Division leaders take a nostalgic walk along Normandy Beach as part of a staff ride Oct. 3-6.
D-Day vet recalls historic day
by Sgt. W. Wayne Marlow
1st Infantry Division Public Affairs
NORMANDY, France – The terrain at Omaha
Beach remains as imposing today as it was
on June 6, 1944, when the D-Day invasion gave
the Allies the momentum necessary to march to
victory.
More than 61 years later, under dark gray
skies and into a sweeping wind that mimicked
D-Day conditions, a veteran of the battle tackles
the beach and wins once again.
At 85, Ray Lambert trots quickly up the
steep, rocky hills as if he were still a 24-yearold
staff sergeant medic serving with the 2nd
Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment. Neither the
Nazis nor time have been able to vanquish him.
Lambert credits his remarkable health to an
TF Baum rides again!
Family returns to retrace route of controversial mission
by Roger Teel
The Point
In March 1945, American forces were forging
their way across Germany, liberating cities
and villages and concentration camps along the
way.
U.S. 3rd Army commander Lt. Gen. George
S. Patton Jr., was in a hurry. His forces had already
edged ahead of British Field Marshall
Bernard Montgomery’s troops to be the first to
bring the Nazi reign in Europe to an end.
But Patton also had a private agenda.
Patton’s son-in-law, Lt. Col. John K. Waters,
was a prisoner of war at German training
grounds near Hammelburg, an area west of
Schweinfurt. Waters had been captured in
Tunisia in February 1943 and had recently been
moved to the Hammelburg camp.
In an act that smacked of nepotism and rash
behavior, Patton turned to the stalwart 4th Armored
Division which had reached Aschaffenburg.
He went directly to the newly installed
Combat Command B commander, Lt. Col.
Creighton Abrams (who later became chief of
active lifestyle that includes golf, wood chopping
and building fences.
“Every day 1,100 World War II veterans
die,” he said. “Every time I look in the mirror,
I say, ‘You made it to another day.’”
In excellent physical and mental health,
Lambert lucidly recalled the day he was part of
the largest military offensive in history. Proudly
wearing a “D-Day Survivor” hat, Lambert gave
a living history lesson to an attentive audience
of Big Red One leadership during their staff
ride to Normandy Oct. 3-6,
He recalled training for the invasion, but he
and his men were unaware when or even where
it would take place.
When the time finally came, his ship pulled
up about 10 miles from the coast, under cover
of darkness at 3 a.m. They next dropped into
staff of the Army), and ordered him to form a
task force for a raid that would free his son-inlaw.
“Not one commander
supported the mission,”
said David Baum, 55,
son of eventual task
force commander, Capt.
Abraham Baum. “Risking
300 or so men to
save one didn’t make
much sense.”
The handpicked task
Baum
force commander, Lt.
Col. Harold Cohen,
commander of the 10th
Armored Infantry Battalion, had “a case of the
piles (hemorrhoids) the size of golf balls. Patton
personally inspected them,” Abraham
Baum said.
“Patton then asked Cohen who he thought
should command the task force and he said the
only officer he would send was me,” Baum
said. “I was the battalion operations officer at
their Higgins boats, which would carry them
the rest of the way. This would seem a mundane
task, but nothing came easy on D-Day.
“We dropped anchor into very, very rough
seas,” Lambert said. “You had to go into the
boats just so or your leg would break. The
waves were that rough. You had to time it just
right. The men already in the boat would tell
you when to jump, and you had to be very careful.”
The boats reeked of diesel fuel and if the
waves didn’t make you nauseous, your fellow
Soldiers would.
“If you were not sick, some guy would throw
up on you, and you would become sick,” Lambert
recalled.
See D-Day on Page 15
the time.”
That was the start of an ill-fated raid that
took Baum’s name and changed his life forever.
The Baum family visited Germany in mid-
October to retrace Task Force Baum’s route
from Aschaffenburg, through small towns in
the Main Spessart region, to Hammelburg.
Their visit was coordinated by German historian
Peter Domes, whose website presents the
raid in full detail – www.taskforcebaum.de.
The site is also in English.
Visiting members of the Baum family included
84-year-old Abraham, his wife of 57
years Eileen, sons David and Eric, daughter Susan
Baum-Blocker, and David’s wife Nancy
Fiedelmann. Youngest daughter Barbara was
unable to make the trip.
“We are all honored to be a part of this,” Susan
said. “Certainly for David and me it is a
lifetime opportunity to retrace the steps. Dad
doesn’t even talk about the story under normal
circumstances.”
See TF Baum on Page 15

2 The Point, November 4, 2005 Team of Teams!
Thank a
Veteran,
and
be safe
World War I officially ended
when the Treaty of Versailles was
signed on June 28, 1919, outside
the town of Versailles, France.
However, fighting had ceased seven months earlier when an
armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, between the Allied
nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour
of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as
the end of “the war to end all wars.”
Ansbach • Bad Kissingen • Bamberg • Giebelstadt • Illesheim • Kitzingen • Schweinfurt • Wuerzburg
Producer: MILCOM Advertising Agency
Roswitha Lehner
Zeilaeckerstrasse 35 · 92637 Weiden
Telefax 0961-67050-32
Internet: www.milcom.de
Free classifieds 0931-2964397 · Fax The Point 0931-2964626
In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed
Nov. 11 as the first Armistice Day. The original concept for the
celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings
and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11 a.m.
Veterans Day as we
know it today came
into being on June 1,
1954, when Congress
officially changed the
holiday from Armistice
Day to Veterans Day, a
day to honor American
veterans of all wars.
Throughout USAR-
EUR, we will enjoy a
long weekend that corresponds
with the Veterans
Day observance.
During the weekend I
would ask all members
of our communities to
make the following
commitment: take a
10 things that will get you killed
Commentary by Roger Teel
The Point
Presented in no particular order, here are 10
things to think about next time you get behind the
wheel of your car or fire up your motorcycle:
1. Speed – Driving too fast will get you killed in
a hurry. Obey posted speed limits. You should even
know what they are here in Germany. They were on
the driver’s test, remember?
2. Weather conditions – Conditions can change
quickly, especially in winter. A little moisture on
the road can rapidly turn into black ice. In dense
fog, if you’re running late and want pass a slow
moving vehicle but aren’t sure if an oncoming vehicle
is approaching – don’t do it. Don’t take
chances with your life.
3. Road conditions – Be careful in construction
areas. An American was recently following another
vehicle through a construction area when a piece of
metal was thrown up, pierced the American’s windshield
and lodged in his eye. Keep your distance
from vehicles in front of you.
4. Inattentive driving – Put down your cell
phone, turn down the dance music, quit watching
DVD movies. Most fatalities happen within 20
miles of home, roads you travel all the time. Don’t
take things for granted – pay attention to what
you’re doing.
5. Fatigue – It happens all too often – a Soldier
parties with friends miles from homestation and
tells himself if he leaves early in the morning he’ll
make it on time. But he doesn’t make it at all. Stay
alert when behind the wheel.
6. Cutting corners – Let’s call them “leaners” –
drivers who come across the center line when they
round corners and curves. Slow down and stay in
“The Point” is an authorized unofficial newspaper, published every two weeks under the
provisions of AR 360-1 for the members of the U.S. Army Garrisons Ansbach, Bamberg,
Schweinfurt and Franconia.
“The Point” is a commercial enterprise newspaper printed by the “MILCOM Advertising
Agency”, a private firm, in no way connected with the United States Government or Department
of Defense.
The contents of “The Point” do not necessarily reflect the official views or endorsement of
the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Army or the 98th Area Support
Group.
The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, does
not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense.
Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage
without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status,
physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other nonmerit characteristic of the purchaser,
user or patron.
Circulation is 16,000 copies per issue.
Editorial content is provided, prepared and edited by the Public Affairs Office of the U.S.
Army Garrison, Franconia.
The editorial offices are located in building 208, Faulenberg Kaserne, Wuerzburg, telephone
351-4564 or 0931-2964564.
Mailing address:
Editor – The Point, U.S. Army Garrison, Franconia-PAO, Unit 26622, APO AE 09244-6622.
email: roger.teel1@cmtymail.98asg.army.mil
moment to thank a veteran for his or her service to our nation, remember
our newest generation of veterans, and ask a family
member of a deployed Soldier how they are doing. And make a
personal promise to be safe throughout the long weekend and for
the remainder of the year.
In a recent column, I talked about the dangers of winter driving
and other seasonal hazards. Regretfully, we continue to lose
Soldiers and family members in preventable accidents. Let’s all
make a decision to not allow these accidents to continue. Slow
down, get plenty of rest before a long drive, take regular stretch
breaks, and check weather and road conditions for your route of
travel.
Let’s make this Veterans Day especially meaningful by making
a commitment to be accident free.
Team of Teams!
RUSSEL D. SANTALA
Colonel, Air Defense Artillery
U.S. Army Garrison, Franconia, Commander
Street talk: “What military veteran are you most proud of and why?
Photos by The Point staff
Amy Bergstedt, environmental
office, Bismarck Kaserne, Ansbach
“The military men in my
family: Grandpa Ken
Bergstedt and my husband,
Chief Warrant Officer
2 Paul Paulson. No
matter what sacrifices
they make, leaving people
they love or being
exhausted, they still
push through because
they live for things bigger
than themselves.”
Maritza Cuadros, family member,
1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery,
Warner Barracks, Bamberg
“I’m proud of my husband,
Danny Moreno,
because it takes a lot of
strength to do what he
did while he was deployed
to Iraq. He was
brave and fighting for a
cause while serving our
country.”
your lane. Drive defensively and watch out for the
other guy.
7. Poor preparation – Clear ice and snow off
your windows – all of your windows, all the way
around, not just that little peep hole you peek out of
while waiting for the defroster to clear the big stuff.
Take tire chains when you head to the hills in winter.
Dress appropriately. Make sure your vehicle is
tuned and running properly and all your lights
work.
8. Not wearing protective equipment – Includes
seatbelts in all vehicles, and much more for
motorcyclists. According to U.S. Army, Europe,
regulation, motorcycle operators and passengers
will wear (1) a helmet properly fastened under the
chin that meets the American National Standards
Institute standard Z90-1 or the Economic Commission
for Europe Norm 22-02; (2) shatterproof eye
protection that meets the Vehicle Equipment Safety
Commission Regulation, standard 8; (3) protective
clothing, including: full-fingered gloves, high-visibility
garments (bright-colored clothing for day
travel and reflective clothing for night travel),
leather boots or over-the-ankle shoes, a longsleeved
shirt or jacket, and trousers.
9. Inexperience – You’ve never owned a 1300cc
“crotch rocket,” but, hey, let’s see what this baby
will do! Guess what? It will kill you in an instant if
it gets away from you.
10. Driving under the influence – This is what
Forest Gump’s momma always told him: “Stupid is
as stupid does.” Never drink and drive.
(Prepared in conjunction with the 1st Infantry Division
Safety Office.)
2nd Lt. Brian Miletich, 1st Battalion,
18th Infantry, Conn Barracks,
Schweinfurt
“My brother. He is a
combat engineer who
served in OIF I with the
3rd Infantry Division. No
one knows all the sacrifices
they made being in
Iraq. I’m proud of him
because he served
valiantly and he’s willing
to do it again.”
Megan Grimm, field office assistant,
American Red Cross,
USAG Franconia, Leighton Barracks,
Wuerzburg
My grandfather. He’s retired
Air Force and I’m
proud of him for his service
in Vietnam and Korea.
In my family he’s a
hero. I respect his service.
America learns to recycle
by Barb van der Smissen
P2 Mananger, USAG Franconia
Americans will celebrate America Recycles
Day on Nov. 15.
Recycling is a simple way in which
every military community member can
protect the environment, preserve natural
resources, and contribute to the economic
well-being and security of our nation.
Recycling protects the environment in
many ways. When manufacturers produce
new products out of recycled materials,
they reduce the water and air pollution normally
created by the process. For instance,
recycled paper supplies more then 37 percent
of the raw materials used to make new
paper products in the U.S. Without recycling,
more trees would be cut down.
Recycling also saves energy. For example,
it takes 95 percent less energy to recycle
aluminum than it does to make if from
raw materials. Making recycled steel saves
50 percent of the energy needed to make
steel from raw materials, recycled newspaper
40 percent, recycled plastics 70 percent,
and recycled glass 40 percent.
Saving energy and conserving other natural
resources have become issues of national
security, reducing the dependence
on other countries.
The SORT program in all Army garrisons
offers the collection of various recyclables,
including plastic, glass, organic
waste, metal and paper. During the Fiscal
Year 2004, the Wuerzburg community re-
Pvt. 2 Travis Smith, 630th Military
Police Company, Barton
Barracks, Ansbach
“I’m most proud of my
father, Randolph Smith,
who was in the Navy, for
the sacrifices he has
made, and also for
bringing me up the way
he did and the discipline
he instilled in me.”
Laura Montoya, family member,
200th Material Management
Center, Warner Barracks,
Bamberg
“My dad, Tim LeBouf,
makes me proud. He left
for Afghanistan at a time
that was hard for me
since I was graduating
but he reassured us
everything would be
okay. He’s standing up
for what he believes in.”
cycled 4,000 tons of waste, 31 percent of
that paper and 20 percent organic waste.
The community saved about 20,000 trees
and, by recycling plastic, about 3300 barrels
of oil.
We all need to keep up the good work.
For more information contact your
SORT coordinator. In USAG Franconia,
Harold Goodman, 351-4421 or 0931-296-
4421. In USAG Ansbach, Jutta Seefried,
467-2158 or 09802-83-2158. In USAG
Bamberg, Helmut Weis, 469-7598 or
0951-300-7598. In USAG Schweinfurt,
Brad Posey, 354-6795 or 09721-96-6795.
Or contact P2 Manager Barb van der Smissen,
351-4582 or 0931-296-4582.
1st Lt. Robert Farmer, 1st Battalion,
26th Infantry, Ledward
Barracks, Schweinfurt
“George Washington. A
visionary for his time.
He could see the political
ramifications of his
actions. What he was
doing at that moment
was different than anything
that had been done
before. He took us from
a state at war to the beginnings
of being the
keepers of peace.”
Richard Surratt, cook leader,
Leighton Dining Facility, Wuerzburg
My dad. He did a lot in
the military and always
explained to me what
the military was about. I
joined the military and
retired myself. He was
in Vietnam three times
and I heard a lot of war
stories from him.
The Ansbach editorial office is located in building 5257, Barton Barracks, Ansbach, telephone
468-7649 or 0981-183649.
The Bamberg editorial office is located in building 7089, Warner Barracks, Bamberg, telephone
469-7581 or 0951-3007581.
The Schweinfurt editorial office is located in Robertson Hall, Ledward Barracks, Schweinfurt,
telephone 354-6381 or 09721-966381.
U.S. Army Garrison Franconia
Commander..................................Col. Russel D. Santala
U.S. Army Garrison Franconia
Public Affairs Officer ........................Donald Klinger
Command Information Officer...............Larry Reilly
Editor ........................................Roger Teel
Assistant Editor .............................Scott Rouch
Journalist (Ansbach) ........................Jim Hughes
Journalist (Bamberg) ........................Cheryl Boujnida
Journalists (Schweinfurt)....................Kristen Chandler Toth,
Mark Heeter
Reader contributions are welcome but will be published at the discretion of the editor.

Focal Points The Point, November 4, 2005 3
Kristen Chandler Toth
All smiles
Four-year-old Dena Wake grins as she cuddles a
black Labrador puppy. The litter of 10 three-week-old
puppies belong to Capt. Jim Starling in Schweinfurt.
The pups were wobbling on new legs when Dena
came to visit.
Master Sgt. Cameron Porter
Ramadan prayer
Chaplain (Maj.) Abdul-Rasheed Muhammad, 1st Infantry
Division Support Command chaplain, leads a
prayer at the newly opened Islamic Center at Harvey
Barracks, Kitzingen, Oct. 29. Muhammad presented
a Ramadan program at the center, including a lecture
on the myths, stereotypes and facts of Islam.
Muhammad and members of the Muslim community
also discussed challenges facing Muslims since 9-
11. A community Iftar, or breaking of the Ramadan
Fast, followed the discussions.
Kathryn DeBoer
Merry Christmas, Dad!
Monica and Thressa Montalvo make a Christmas
ornament to send to their loved one deployed to
Operation Enduring Freedom. Members of the 2nd
Squadron, 6th U.S. Cavalry Family Readiness Group
recently made ornaments to send downrange, providing
holiday cheer for Soldiers away from home.
Spc. Joe Alger
Snipers suit up
A Soldier at the 1st Infantry Division’s pre-sniper
course, above, dons his gillie suit before the
“stalking” portion of the course at Camp Robertson.
Thirty Soldiers were given a head-start to become
snipers at the three-week course Sept. 21-
Oct. 12. According to Sgt. 1st Class Bradley
Hardin, 1st ID’s training detachment noncommissioned
officer in charge, the course focused on
tasks such as range estimation, target detection,
stalking and marksmanship. Once Soldiers complete
the pre-sniper course, they are sent to the
U.S. Army Sniper School at Fort Benning, Ga., for
further training.
Frank Schleehuber
Get in step
Members of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, USAG Franconia, take to the dance floor during the unit’s
first Dining In at the Cantigny Club on Leighton Barracks Oct. 22. Guest speaker for the event was Russell Hall,
director, Installation Management Agency, Europe.
Frank Schleehuber
Sgt. John Queen
An unlikely pair
Harry Potter and Jason receive
pencils from Claudia Ladd during
a costume parade at Trunkor-Treat
festivities at Giebelstadt
Army Airfield Oct. 30. The annual
Halloween event was a combined
effort by Family Readiness
Groups of 12th Aviation Brigade
and the 69th Air Defense Artillery
Brigade.
Honoring commitment
USAG Franconia commander Col. Russel Santala
presents the Department of the Army Commander’s
Award for Civilian Service to Soraida Lee for her dedicated
commitment to caring for children at the
Leighton Barracks Child Development Center Oct.
19. Lee served the community from January 1997 to
October 2005.

4 The Point, November 4, 2005 Health & Fitness
Arthur McQueen
The devastation of the Oct. 8 earthquake in Pakistan
mobilized medical personnel from throughout Germany.
New hospital entrance
The delivery gate entrance at the southwest
corner of the U.S. Army Hospital,
Wuerzburg, is now the only vehicle entrance.
The main gate is an exit only gate.
Drivers will drive around the hospital to
reach the emergency room and main parking
lots.
Share your success
Wuerzburg Hospital’s Preventive Medicine
Division wants successful ex-smokers
to share their stories. Write your story in
300 words or less and send it to: wellness@wur.amedd.army.mil.
Winner receives
a frozen turkey and their article will
be printed in the December issue of The
Point. For more information call 350-
3673/2202 or 0931-804-3673/2202.
Flu shot clinics
Wuerzburg Hospital sponsors flu shot
clinics Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the
Leighton Barracks AAFES Bookmark, and
Nov. 10 from noon to 6 p.m. also at the
Bookmark. For more information call 350-
2471.
Recruiting team visits
If you have a professional health care
degree you can apply for an active duty or
Army Reserve commission in the Army
Medical Command. Bonuses are available
in critical specialties. Loan repayment is
available for qualified personnel. Recruiters
will visit Nov. 18 from noon to 1
p.m. in Wuerzburg hosptial’s command
conference room to provide more information.
Contact Maj. Tom Rylander at
thomas.rylander@wur.amedd.army.mil
And baby makes three
A four-session couples group starts Nov.
18, sponsored by Social Work Services, for
first time parents of infants ranging in age
from birth to 18 months. Designed for couples
where one or both partners have recently
returned from deployment, the group
aims to help parents in their new roles as
mother and father and will address issues
relating to reintegration. Parents should
bring their infants to the weekly, two-hour
evening sessions. The group is facilitated
by two mothers: Anne Cohn, a social worker,
and Linda Morse, an early childhood
special educator. For information and registration
contact Anne Cohn at 350-3713 or
0931-804-3713.
Health & Fitness
Health and Fitness is a monthly supplement to The
Point co-sponsored by the USAG Franconia and the
U.S. Army Hospital, Wuerzburg. Editorial office is in
the U.S. Army Hospital, Wuerzburg, room 4NE10,
phone 350-2280 or (0931) 8042280. Mailing address
is Commander, U.S. Army Hospital, Attn: Public Affairs
Office, Unit 26610, APO AE 09244-6610.
Hospital Commander .................. Col. Dallas Homas
Public Affairs Officer ............................ Amy Stover
Health Promotion and Wellness
Coordinator for U.S. Army
Hospital, Wuerzburg ............................. Sarah Radke
USAG Franconia Health
Promotion Coordinator ...................... Angela Hunter
TF 212 provides care in Pakistan
67th CSH, Giebelstadt Soldiers aid earthquake victims
by Arthur McQueen
U.S. Army Europe Public Affairs
MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan – Task
Force 212 doctors and nurses treated their
first patients Oct. 25 in an emergency
room tent quickly set up in the courtyard
of the Kashmiri government complex
here.
The patients received care even as work
continued to expand the structure and capabilities
of the 212th Mobile Army Surgical
Hospital (MASH) tent complex.
The parents of Aribba Abbasi, a girl of
3 with a broken femur, and Faisil Hussain,
an 8-year-old boy, brought the children to
the task force location early in the morning.
Muhammad Aslam Abbasi, Aribba’s
father, and Nazia, her mother, said they
walked for two days before arriving in
Muzaffarabad. The couple has another
daughter, Bi Bi Jan, who is also injured,
but she is older and too heavy to carry, they
said.
Aribba was treated and released to her
parents, while, according to Navy Lt.
Kevin Stephens, spokesman for the Disas-
U.S. Army Hospital, Wuerzburg
Preventive Medicine Division
Aaachoo!
Yes, flu season is here. Why is influenza such
a big deal?
Influenza has been responsible for approximately
36,000 deaths per year in the United
States from 1990–1999. That might not sound
like many, but the rates of infection are highest
in those with weaker immune systems such as
infants and older adults.
This is one reason it is important for people
that live or work with infants and older adults to
get a flu shot. Although they might consider
ter Assistance Center here, BiBi Jan’s condition
was reported to Pakistani authorities,
who determine priorities of treatment
and determine where patients will receive
care.
Faisil’s father, Sharif, said his son’s foot
was injured when the ceiling of his school
fell, crushing him below three of his classmates
and on top of three others. Before
rescuers dug the boy out of the wreckage,
Sharif said, Faisil’s classmates had perished.
Faisil seemed despondent and was uncommunicative
about other injuries he
might have, so doctors examined him carefully.
An X-ray and CAT scan revealed no
further problems, so the team treated
Faisil’s lacerated foot before releasing him
to his father with instructions to return for
a checkup in two days.
Task force members were eager to get to
work after their arrival here Oct. 24.
“I’m really happy that we were able to
start. It took too long to get here, (but) at
least we can help now,” said Maj. Soo
Davis, 212th MASH executive officer.
The 212th MASH makes up the bulk of
the task force, which also includes about
themselves healthy, they can still spread the flu
virus to others.
Influenza infection is characterized by fever,
cough, sore throat, headache, chills, muscle
aches and fatigue.
“But every time I get a flu shot, I get the flu.”
This is an all too common reason for not wanting
to get a flu shot.
The truth is you can’t get the flu from the flu
shot. The vaccination being offered at Army
medical treatment facilities in Europe is made of
inactivated virus. The flu shot does not protect
you against influenza-like illnesses caused by
other viruses.
Besides getting a flu shot there are other
30 Soldiers from the 67th Combat Support
Hospital, and elements of the 160th Forward
Surgical Team and the 123rd Main
Support Battalion, all Germany-based
units.
Task force members communicate with
non-English speaking patients through interpreters
and one of their own doctors
who speaks Urdu. The language challenge
is complicated by the constant drone of
generators, occasional helicopters overhead,
and intermittent explosions in the
distance.
The explosions emanate from roadclearing
efforts; some paths to remote areas
have been blocked since the Oct. 8
earthquake.
Work on other areas of the hospital continued
with doctors, anesthetists and nurses
pitching in to assist with the setup of the
first of three intensive care units.
Giebelstadt’s 12th Aviation Brigade’s
Task Force Griffin, supporting the Pakistani
government’s coordination of international
relief efforts, have evacuated
more than 2,700 people to medical facilities
and moved hundreds of thousands of
pounds of supplies, Stephens said.
Get a flu shot, stay healthy this winter
by Maj. Heidi Whitescarver
Chief, Preventive Medicine Division
U.S. Army Hospital, Wuerzburg
The 28th annual Great American Smokeout
on Nov. 17 is the day the American Cancer Society
challenges smokers to stop smoking to
prove to themselves that they can quit.
More than 48 million Americans have quit
smoking because there is proof that smoking
causes disease, disability and death.
Knowing these facts, why do people continue
to smoke? Because they have become addicted
to nicotine, developed the habit, or have a psychological
dependency.
Smokers have a lot of benefits to look forward
to when they quit.
Twenty minutes after smoking a cigarette, the
body begins a series of changes – blood pressure,
pulse rate, blood oxygen levels, and body
temperature in hands and feet return to normal.
After one day, the chances of having a heart attack
are dramatically decreased.
In Wuerzburg, the Army Community Health
Nursing staff is committed to provide smokers
the resources they need to quit and stay quit. To
promote participation, the CHN staff, along with
dental command and hospital volunteers, will
man educational booths throughout the community
on Nov. 17. Information on the effects of
smoking and how to quit will be available.
Smokers can sign a contract to show their
commitment to participate in the Smokeout.
Nonsmokers can adopt a smoker and support
them during the Smokeout and help them remain
tobacco free for 24 hours.
To help people with their commit-to-quit
plan, the CHN staff also offers tobacco cessation
classes to give smokers the opportunity to con-
things you can do to stay healthy this winter:
– Avoid close contact with people who are
sick. When you are sick, keep your distance
from others, too.
– Stay home. If possible, stay home from
work, school, and errands when you are sick.
– Cover your mouth and nose. Use a tissue
when coughing or sneezing.
– Washing your hands often helps protect you
from germs.
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
where germs can enter your system.
Check out the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov or call
the Flu Hotline at 350-2471.
Quit smoking!
Trashing ‘the habit’ has great benefits for mind, body
A Europe Regional Medical Command Release
Scheduling a medical appointment is fairly
easy. It only takes a phone call.
However, if you make an appointment and
don’t keep it, it impacts on everyone involved
and may jeopardize your future access to health
care.
“If an appointment isn’t cancelled and the patient
becomes a ‘no-show,’ as we refer to it, they
don’t receive the health care they need, and it
takes away an appointment that someone else
could use,” said Capt. Sheri Swandal, chief of
the clinical support division at Wuerzburg Hospital.
Numbers tell the story. Missed appointments
for clinics operated by Wuerzburg hospital and
its outlying clinics is staggering.
“The number of no-shows was 1,517 in August,
a typical month,” said Monica Page, assistant
chief of managed care. “This would average
over 18,204 no-shows per year.
“Wuerzburg’s goal is to have a no-show rate
of less than five percent of the number of booked
appointments,” Page said. Mental health, physi-
cal therapy, and periodic physicals typically
have higher no-show rates than other clinics.
“When a scheduled appointment is not cancelled,
it not only denies other patients the appointment
but results in lost time for providers;
both major concerns for hospitals and clinics,”
said Lt. Col. Robert Goodman, deputy hospital
commander.
Part of a hospital’s funding is based on the
number of patients and providers’ productivity.
“We understand that there are last-minute reasons
for occasionally missing an appointment,
but it is frustrating for our beneficiaries and our
providers when an appointment is not used,”
Goodman said.
To reduce the number of no-shows, beneficiaries
will receive courtesy calls from appointment
personnel or an audio reminder system to remind
them of upcoming medical appointments. The
audio reminder system calls patients 48 hours
before appointments and gives them the option
to confirm, cancel, or reschedule. A patient’s request
to cancel or reschedule is handled by local
clinic appointment personnel the next duty day.
The system is currently being tested by the
tinue their Smokeout commitment and remain
tobacco-free for life.
For more information call the hospital’s preventive
medicine division at 350-3789.
For a successful tobacco-free day:
– Do not smoke.
– Get rid of all cigarettes, lighters, ashtrays,
and any other items related to smoking.
– Keep active – try walking, exercising, or doing
other activities or hobbies.
– Drink lots of water and juices.
– Begin nicotine replacement if that is your
choice.
– Attend stop smoking class or start following
a self-help plan.
– Avoid situations where the urge to smoke is
strong.
– Reduce or avoid alcohol.
(Source: American Cancer Society)
Appointment no-shows are a no-go
family practice clinic, behavioral health clinic,
and pediatric clinic as well as outlying clinics in
Bamberg and Giebelstadt, Swandal said.
Active duty and reserve service members
must periodically update their own and their
family members’ eligibility information in the
Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System
(DEERS). Sponsors and family members
lose access to TRICARE health care benefits if
“loss of eligibility” appears in DEERS.
At that point they will be unable to make appointments,
have prescriptions filled, or have
claims processed correctly. For information
about DEERS or to update an address, visit
www.tricare.osd.mil/deers/.
All it takes is a phone call to cancel or
reschedule a medical appointment. Two phone
numbers are available to cancel an appointment
– 0800-914-6133 (available worldwide), or the
commercial or DSN number of the clinic where
the appointment was made. If a patient leaves a
message on a clinic answering service to reschedule,
an appointment clerk will return their
call by the end of the next business day.

6 The Point, November 4, 2005 U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach (Illesheim, Katterbach)
New gate procedure
Vehicles departing Bismarck Kaserne
can enter Katterbach Kaserne through the
right lane of the former exit gate. Also,
pedestrians going to and from Bismarck
and Katterbach may walk through the gates
without getting their identification cards
checked as long as security guards are able
to keep visual contact with them. For more
information, call the force protection office
at 468-7507 or 0981-183-507.
Pied Piper plays
The Terrace Playhouse in Bleidorn
Housing Area presents its production of
Pied Piper the Musical Nov. 18 and 19 at
7:30 p.m. and Nov. 19 and 20 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $6 for students, $8 for adults and
$25 for families (two adults, two students).
For more information call 468-7636 or
0981-183-636.
AFAP volunteers needed
Planning for the Army Family Action
Plan Conference begins with a meeting
Nov. 7 at 10:35 a.m. in the Army Community
Service classroom on Katterbach
Kaserne. Volunteers who are willing to
work hard and who are go-getters are
needed to help plan and work the conference.
For more information on the conference
or to volunteer, call 09802-832-883 or
e-mail Annie Stewart at annie.stewart@
cmtymail.98asg.army.mil or Pam Lindenmeyer
at pam.lindenmeyer@cmtymail.
98asg.army.mil.
Instructors needed
The child and youth services program
Schools of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration
and Skills Unlimited needs instructors
to teach ballet and other types of dance,
crafts, martial arts, gymnastics, cooking
and more. People with special talents they
would like to teach to children ages 3-18
should contact SKIES Unlimited at 467-
4703 or 09841-83-703.
Go Christmas shopping
Mark your calendar and join the Illesheim
Spouses and Civilians Club Nov. 16 at
6 p.m. in Illesheim at the Longbow Lounge
for an opportunity to buy Christmas items.
Many local vendors will be present selling
their handmade goods. For more information
call Angela Smith at 09841-682-965.
Cookies & Crafts
Every Tuesday from 3 to 4 p.m., the
Illesheim Yellow Ribbon Room offers craft
time with free cookies and juice. For more
information, call Michelle Redd, the Yellow
Ribbon Room coordinator, at 467-4398
or 09841-83-398.
Learn winter driving
All U.S. and local national civilian employees
are invited to attend the USAG
Ansbach Winter Driving from 8:30 to 10:30
a.m. Nov. 15 in the Illesheim Drivers Testing
Station in Building 6541 on Storck Barracks.
For more information, call 467-3700
or 09802-833-700..
U.S. Army Garrison
Ansbach
The Point editorial office is located in
building 5257, Barton Barracks, telephone
468-7649 or 0981-183649.
Mailing address is PAO, The Point,
CMR 463, APO AE 09177-0463.
Internet web site address
http:\\www.ansbach. army.mil
The community hotline is 468-7800 or 0981-
183800. The patient liaison number is 09841-83512.
Commander .................................. Lt. Col. John Reilly
Public Affairs Officer ............................ Frauke Davis
Command Information Officer ................. Jim Hughes
Journalist .......................................... Kathryn DeBoer
Making a difference everyday
Community members
give something back
by Jim Hughes
The Point
Members of USAG Ansbach took time out
Oct. 22 to make their communities better,
reached out to local civilian communities and
lent a helping hand to victims of hurricanes Katrina,
Rita and Wilma.
Katterbach Kaserne and Storck Barracks
hosted Make a Difference Day events to get people
to join together in the spirit of volunteering
to enhance their communities, volunteer for
noble causes and give to those in need, said Patti
Bentley, Army Volunteer Corps coordinator for
Army Community Service in Katterbach.
About 160 people took part in activities on
Katterbach Kaserne, the biggest event being a
hurricane relief walk to raise money for victims
of the recent storms.
“I’m very happy with the turnout and the
amount of money we raised,” Bentley said. “We
presented a check to the American Red Cross for
$1,700 for hurricane victims. That’s great because
before the event my personal goal was to
raise $300.”
The sum grew to $1,900 thanks to late contributions,
said David Hanrahan, assistant manager
of the local American Red Cross.
“The community really rose to the occasion,”
Hanrahan said. “I think this says that Ansbach is
Teen readiness helps build resolve
by Kathryn DeBoer
The Point
Keeping youth whose parents are deployed to
Operation Enduring Freedom involved in the
community and sharing common experiences is
the aim of a new teen family readiness group in
Illesheim.
Tammy Kimmel and Marcela Larmeu of
Illesheim came up with idea and brought it up at
the FRG offsite session in Garmisch in February.
The group has since connected. At the last
meeting there were 18 youth taking part and
more show up each session.
“Being a teenager can be stressful, and having
your mom or dad gone for a year just adds to it,”
said Kimmel, leader of the teen FRG for the 2nd
Squadron, 6th Cavalry and 7-159th Aviation
Regiment.
“Looking across the room and seeing that another
kid is going through the same things is a
huge help.”
Travis Konrath, a senior at Ansbach Middle/
High School, regularly takes part in teen FRG.
“You can talk with other people that are in the
same boat. It keeps your mind off your parent
being in a combat zone.”
Teen FRG leaders provide the meetings with
information, refreshments and fun, Kimmel
said.
“Kids do better when they know what is going
on,” she said. “We’re trying to provide the same
information that an adult FRG provides, except
not as complicated. And teen FRG allows them
to talk not only about deployment, but their own
issues that are non-deployment related, such as
living on a military base.”
Teens do better when they are occupied and
are giving back to the community, said Larmeu,
co-leader of the group. “They want things to do,
whether it is being in activities or volunteering
to help; they like to be involved.”
Konrath agreed, saying teens in the group do
a lot of volunteering in Illesheim, such as being
involved in community events or sending care
packages to Soldiers downrange.
Volunteers help with the monthly teen FRG
a caring community that is in touch with the
problems and feelings of the world. These dona-
newsletter, baby-sit during the adult FRG meetings,
assist with crafts at the youth center and
help out with the ongoing project of adopting a
deployed single Soldier.
“The group adopted Sgt. Christopher Fillmore,”
Kimmel said. “They come up with ideas
for care packages and send boxes monthly.
Sergeant Fillmore loves cookies, and from what
I’ve heard, he shares the care packages downrange
to spread the joy. The teens have sent him
food, a football, playing cards, disposable cameras
and silly string. During our November
meeting, we’ll pack Christmas presents for
him.”
Teen FRG meetings will be held twice a
month during November, December and January.
tions will help people who lost everything during
the hurricanes.”
And that’s why the people were there, said
Spc. Izander Estrada from Company B, 3rd Battalion,
58th Aviation Regiment on Katterbach.
“I like how everyone came together to send
the message to the hurricane victims that they
are not alone, that we’re here to help them,” he
said. “Things like this really bring a community
together.”
Bentley said other projects went on during the
event, such as painting bus stops, fixing flower
boxes and raising items for the local Tierheim, or
animal shelter.
About 100 people came to the Storck Barracks
event, said Tonya Price, Army Volunteer
Corps coordinator for ACS in Illesheim.
“We delivered soccer balls and tricycles to
the kindergarten in Illesheim, seven Soldiers
cleaned up the roadsides in the community,
youth services raised money for hurricane victims,
and we held a book and magazine drive to
get reading material for Soldiers downrange,”
Price said.
Illesheim people also raised supplies for the
local Tierheims in Rothenburg and Bad Windsheim,
and also items for American and needy
patients at the local krankenhaus.
USA Weekend Magazine began Make a Difference
Days in the U.S. 13 years ago. The Ansbach
community has been taking part the past
three years.
“We are trying to plan and keep teens involved
through the holidays. Holidays can be
difficult. It’s a good time to get them together,
and if you offer them food, they’ll show,” said
Kimmel.
“I would like to see other units, especially
those with people deployed, develop teen
FRGs,” she said.
Open to all youth from ages 10-18, the group
is not just dependents of deployed Soldiers of
Operation Enduring Freedom. The group regularly
meets once a month with an activity at a different
time each month. For more information,
contact Kimmel at tammykimmmel@yahoo.
com.
EMS equals efficient, environmentally friendly ops
by Jim Hughes
The Point
Saving money, operating more efficiently and being better
stewards of the environment are all in USAG Ansbach’s future
if people meet challenges set forth in the Environmental Management
System enacted here last year.
A Department of Defense-wide program, EMS gives installations
a systematic framework to manage their environmental responsibilities,
so that the responsibilities will become better integrated
into overall operations, said Amy Bergstedt, EMS support
coordinator.
While much has been spent on documentation and getting the
program ready to go, the EMS tool is now ready to be used so
USAG Ansbach people can start reaping the benefits, Bergstedt
said.
“It’s called the Environmental Management System, but it’s
Jim Hughes
About 140 members of the Ansbach
community walk through Katterbach
Housing Area in support of Make a Difference
Day Oct. 22. They helped raise
more than $1,900 for the American Red
Cross disaster relief fund.
not all environmental,” she said. “It’s actually more of a resource
management system. The Army is strapped for resources these
days, and EMS provides ways for the garrison to save time and
money.”
EMS features a cross-functional team from all units and organizations
in the garrison. This team splits into subcommittees to
figure out how to meet program goals, which are: reduce solid
waste by 3 percent, increase recycling by 3 percent, reduce water
usage in housing by 5 percent, reduce water usage on the operational
side by 7 percent, reduce ecological degradation in training
areas and, next spring, reduce fuel usage by 5 percent.
If these goals are met, benefits to the community will be right
behind, said USAG Ansbach Command Sgt. Maj. James Esters,
garrison spokesman for EMS.
“This is a much-needed program,” Esters said. “We will save
money by meeting the EMS goals and then put that money into
the community for things like more playgrounds, and improve-
Kathryn DeBoer
Shelby Smith, Tiffany Learn and Brittany Learn make Father’s Day crafts for Shelby
and Brittany’s fathers who are deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom
back in June. Shelby and Brittany are members of the Illesheim teen family readiness
group.
ments in housing and our offices.”
Esters said a lot of EMS is making people more aware of their
personal impact on the garrison’s overall environmental footprint
and how small things can make for big improvements.
“People get in the mindset that when they live and work on
base it’s the government’s dime, not theirs,” he said. “We need
to change people’s mindset so they realize that by doing simple
things like turning water and lights off when they’re not in use,
carpooling to common locations, recycling better and reducing
solid waste, we can do good things for the community rather than
just giving money away. People need to think, ‘If I was paying
for this, would I be doing it.’”
Bergstedt said people who want more information on EMS or
who have ideas on how to meet the systems’ goals should contact
their unit cross-functional team representative, or give her a
call at the environmental office, 467-3306 or 09802-83-3306.

8 The Point, November 4, 2005 U.S. Army Garrison Bamberg
Share tea with teddy
The Bamberg
library hosts a
teddy bear tea
party Nov. 5
from 2 to 4 p.m.
Listen to teddy
bear adventures
and bring your
favorite stuffed
animal. Open to
children ages 4
to 8, the event is sponsored by the Bamberg
High School JROTC Program. For more
information contact the library staff at 469-
1740 or 0951-3001740.
Veterans Day events
Veterans, Soldiers, and family members
are invited to attend a Veterans Day program
in Bamberg American High School’s
multi-purpose room Nov. 8 at 10 a.m. The
event is sponsored by the Bamberg High
School Junior Reserve Officer Training
Corps. For more information, call 469-8605
or 0951-300-8605.
Watch a Veterans Day parade Nov. 11
starting at 10:30 a.m. The parade begins at
JFK gym and continues down JFK Boulevard
before ending at Memorial Park with a
ceremony. Cake and refreshments will be
served following the ceremony. Attending
supports the Bamberg VFW, Boy Scouts,
Girl Scouts, and JROTC.
Family skating
Join a community skate night at Skies
Unlimited Roller Realm Nov. 19, Dec. 3
and Dec. 17 from 3 to 7 p.m. Youth grades
9 through 12 can skate from 7 to 10 p.m.
Admission is $4, skate rental is $1. Children
three and under are free. For more
information call 469-7452 or 0951-300-
7452.
Volunteer for safety
The Safe Neighborhood Awareness Program
needs volunteers. With the change of
seasons causing earlier hours of darkness, it
is important that community children walk
safely through their neighborhoods. Volunteers
receive training. To promote community
safety call 469-7762 or 0951-300-
7762.
Purchase crafts
A holiday crafts sale will be held at the
library Nov. 15 and 22 from 3 to 7 p.m.
Thanksgiving, Christmas and Americana
crafts will be available for purchase. The
fund raisers are sponsored by Company A,
54th Engineer Battalion’s Family Readiness
Group. Children can make gingerbread
houses for $3 or gingerbread man
ornaments for $1. Sign up through Nov. 8.
For more information contact Apryll Allen
at 469-1740 or 0951-300-1740.
Bring your right arm
USAG Bamberg hosts a right arm event
Nov. 10 at the Warner Club from 3 to 6 p.m.
Open to all military leaders and their right
arm. Entry for two people is $10 and
includes two beverages and a finger food.
Tickets can be purchased in advance or
at the door. For more information or to
purchase a ticket call 469-1530 or 0951-
1530.
U.S. Army Garrison
Bamberg
The Point editorial office is located in
building 7089, room 423, Warner Barracks,
Bamberg, telephone 469-7581 or
0951-3007581. Mailing address is
PAO, The Point, U.S. Army Garrison
Bamberg, Unit 27535, Warner Barracks,
APO AE 09139-7535.
Internet web site address http://www.bamberg.
army.mil
The community hotline is 469-4800 or 0951-
3004800. Patient liaison number is 0951-3007492.
Commander .................................. Lt. Col. Mark Gatto
Public Affairs Officer .......................... Renate Bohlen
Journalist ........................................... Cheryl Boujnida
by Cheryl Boujnida
The Point
The musical “Suessical,” premiering at Stable
Theatre in November, takes an improbable look
at what would happen if Suess’ characters lived
in one book on stage.
“After all those years being stuck on a page,
did you ever imagine you’d see me on stage,”
said the Cat in the Hat, played by Tracy Sherman,
at the start of the production. “Now I’m
here, there is no telling what may ensue – no
there’s no telling what, but I’ll give you a clue.”
Based on the literary works of Theodor Suess
Geisel, known as Dr. Suess, “Seussical” will
enchant audience members of all ages.
The story unfolds in the imagination of a boy
named Jo Jo, dually played by Morgen Daniels
and Olivia Austin, who embark on a journey to
meet the main character, Horton the Elephant,
portrayed by Bernard McPherson.
“It’s a great mix for audiences young and old
because Suess’ writings, cartoons and characters
have touched all of our lives in some way or
another,” said Dan LaMorte, “Suessical” director.
“The production soundtrack is beautiful,
ranging from Latin to pop, swing to gospel, and
rhythm and blues to funk. It’s written in meter so
it’s very familiar and Suess-like.”
LaMorte, a professional director, actor,
teacher and playwright from New York and
Chicago, brings his experience to the spotlight.
He was contracted by the Installation Management
Agency, Europe, to assist the Army theater
program in 2001. In “Suessical,” he directs a cast
of 45 Soldiers, spouses, teachers, students and
German nationals from Bamberg and Wuerzburg.
“This is truly community
theater. People
have a variety of experience
and knowledge,
but we all work together
and there’s an opportunity
to learn,” he
said.
“It takes a lot commitment
since we
rehearse five to six
days a week, but the
end result is a great
show you won’t want
to miss.”
Soldiers from the 1st
Infantry Division Band
play the musical score.
Sgt. Kerin Hoffmann, a
member of the band,
plays Gertrude, a bird
girl. Her theater experience
dates to the fifth
grade when she was involved in a workshop.
Hoffman, who joined the National Guard in
1997 and went active-duty in 2000, can’t imagine
herself not performing.
“Once you get bit by the theater bug it
becomes an obsession. If I’m not acting I feel
like I’m missing out.”
Tamarri Wieder, a theater assistant with 11
years of stage experience, said the story is fun.
“It’ll definitely put a smile on your face.”
Performances of “Seussical” at the Stable
Theater are Nov. 10 – 20. On Thursday, Friday
and Saturday, shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Sunday
Cheryl Boujnida
Bernard McPherson, left, and Holly Matesick, right, get a nono
from the Cat in the Hat (Tracy Sherman) during a rehearsal
of “Suessical,” a November Stable Theater production.
Dennis Johnson, 130th Engineer Brigade
matinees begin at 5:30 p.m.
For advance tickets or to reserve seats call the
Stable Theater at 469-8647 or 0951-300-8647.
Admissions for adults is $9, and students,
seniors and Soldiers E-4 and below are $7. Children
four and under are free. A family ticket for
$25 offers a savings for some. Soldiers E-4 and
below pay $20 for the family ticket.
In conjunction with “Pull the Plug Week,” a
national campaign to get youth to unplug electronic
devices, theater goers can receive an additional
discount. When buying your tickets, tell
the theater staff “I pulled the plug,” and save $1
on family or individual tickets.
The 54th Engineer Battalion cased
the unit’s colors during a deployment
ceremony at Freedom Fitness
Facility as Command Sgt. Major
Terry Defenbaugh, 54th Engineer
Battalion command sergeant major,
and commander Lt. Col. Shaun
McGinley look on. About 440
Soldiers from the unit will deploy to
the Al Anbar Province in Iraq as
part of the Multi-National Force
there. The battalion also received a
Presidential citation for its service
during the unit’s first rotation to
Iraq as part of the invasion force in
2003. The citation was presented
by Brig. Gen. Daniel Hahn, V Corps
deputy commanding general.
Bamberg family members get ‘peppy’ in newcomer program
by Cheryl Boujnida
The Point
To become savvy about your community, participate in the
People Encouraging People (PEP) Program.
Sponsored by Army Community Service, PEP is a five-day
program that provides newcomers with information and opportunities
vital to living in Germany.
“It is not only a learning experience, but also a social and connecting
place for newcomers to meet people in their community,”
said Kimberly Millner, installation volunteer coordinator.
“Getting acquainted with your community from the inside out
Dr. Suess’ characters come to life
Army action plan aids Soldiers, families
by Cheryl Boujnida
The Point
“It’s for the people and by the people,” said
Ayesha Burch, Army Family Action Plan
(AFAP) coordinator.
AFAP is a program that seeks to resolve significant
issues that affect Army well-being.
Burch explained AFAP as a grassroots pro-
Ayesha Burch, left, explains benefits of the Army
Family Action Plan to Ashleigh Hoeprich.
cess that identifies issues, raises them to the
appropriate level and monitors progress until
they are resolved.
“The Army is the only military service that
has such a program, yet it benefits all members
who serve in America’s armed forces,” she said.
To date, 568 issues have been submitted
through the AFAP process, resulting in 92
changes to legislation, 134 Department
of Defense or Army policy and
regulatory changes, and 153 new or
improved programs or services.
“More than 50 percent of AFAP
issues have resulted in quality of life
improvements,” Burch said. “Some
of those enhancements at the local
level include the shuttle bus, dog
run, donation of annual leave from
government service employees, and
construction of a skateboard park.”
Burch encourages Soldiers, family
members and civilians to express
their concerns by filling out an
AFAP issue application on conveniently
marked wooden boxes in the
commissary, chapel, Shoppette and
provides family members with the right resources immediately,
which is an instant boost to their self-esteem, too.”
Millner stressed ACS staff take a vested interest in ensuring
family members are taken care of and encourage them to make
the most of their tour in Germany.
“The last thing we want is for a spouse to remain at home on
Warner Barracks for the entire time they’re here,” she said.
During PEP, newcomers learn how to order a meal, shop at the
local market, use public transportation, tour the German health
clinic and become fully acquainted with on-post facilities.
“Learning some German phrases can be helpful and it puts
you in touch with cultural aspects of Germany, too,” Millner
Post Exchange Four Seasons.
“Submitting issues that are important to you
and others is the first step,” Burch said. “The
second step is participation in the AFAP conference.”
The AFAP conference will be held at the
Warner Club Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to noon, Nov. 9
from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Nov. 10 from 10
a.m. until 1 p.m.
“People may attend the conference as observers
or as participants in the AFAP process,”
she said. “It’s a panel made up of Soldiers,
Reservists, retirees, spouses, civilians and
teenagers who are concerned with quality of
life improvements. Everyone is welcome to
attend.
Burch stressed every issue submitted is
addressed and that nothing is discarded. Submissions
are accepted until Nov. 8, the first day
of the conference.
“Individuals may also volunteer to serve on
the steering committee, which is responsible for
the after action review and issue monitoring,”
she said.
To take part in the AFAP conference, call
Burch at 469-7777 or 0951-300-7777.
Engineers receive Presidential Citation, deploy again
said. “It’s not an intense language class. We provide the basics so
people have an introduction without it being overwhelmed.”
Kara Steffey attended the June PEP class and enjoyed the program
immensely.
“The class was great and I liked the overall atmosphere of
PEP,” Steffey said. “It was a nice feeling to be made so welcome
in my new community.”
The next PEP class begins at the Family Advocacy building,
near the veterinarian clinic, from Nov. 14 to 18 from 8:30 a.m. to
2:30 p.m. For more information or to sign up, call 469-7777 or
0951-300-7777.

12 The Point, November 4, 2005 U.S. Army Garrison Schweinfurt
New parent services
Schweinfurt health clinic now offers biweekly
orientations for parents who have
never had a baby in Germany. A series of
three childbirth classes will also be given in
November: “Labor and You” Nov. 8, “Relaxation
and breathing exercises” Nov. 15,
and “Care of Baby after Birth” Nov. 22.
Any or all classes may be attended. For
more information or to make an appointment
call 354-7901 or 09721-96-7901.
New parent education
The Schweinfurt Army Community Services
Center offers the “New Parent Education
and Support Program” that includes
home visits, playgroups, and support
groups. A trained nurse will visit new parents
to talk about parenting concerns. The
“First-Time Mommies” support group for
new moms of infants through 1-year-olds
will begin soon to answer questions about
infant growth, development, and feeding.
For more information call 354-6187 or
09721-96-6187.
Confer at AWAG
The American Women’s Activities in
Germany Conference for the Franken area
will be held at the Abrams Center Nov. 15.
Professional and informative classes on
topics such as event planning, volunteering
as a career, how to make a German wreath,
fitness on the go, plus a continental breakfast
and lunch are on tap. Cost is $15 and
can be paid for with unit money or FRG
funds. Soldiers and spouses are welcome.
For more information or to register email
lesliemitchell1@hotmail.com.
Breakfast at the Bradley
The Bradley Inn serves breakfast weekdays
from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. and weekends
and holidays from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Breakfast is free for all guests of the Inn.
Schweinfurt community members can enjoy
breakfast for $2.50 per person. For more
information call 353-1700 or 09721-
7940101.
College info online
The U.S. Department of Education website
has information on specific schools, accreditation,
student aid, loans and more. Be
informed and make the best decisions for
yourself. Check it out at http://www.ed.
gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html or
visit Ledward library, building 242. For
more information call 354-1740 or 09721-
96-1740.
Free FRG child care
Child and Youth Services provides
monthly respite care in support of Family
Readiness Groups meetings, Nov. 9 from 6
to 8 p.m. Child care is available on a firstcome,
first-served basis and reservations
are required a week in advance. Call 354-
6517 or 09721-96-6517.
U.S. Army Garrison
Schweinfurt
The Point editorial office is located in
Robertson Hall on Ledward Barracks,
Schweinfurt, telephone 354-
6381 or 09721-966381. Mailing address
is PAO, The Point, U.S. Army
Garrison Schweinfurt CMR 457,
APO AE 09033-0457.
Internet web site address http://www.schweinfurt.
army.mil
The community hotline is 354-4800 or 09721-
964800.
Commander ......................... Lt. Col. Jeffrey Feldman
Public Affairs Officer ................................ George Ohl
Journalists ........... Mark Heeter, Kristen Chandler Toth
Artillerymen get back to basics
by Mark Heeter
The Point
Minutes ticked away without the scheduled sound
of a howitzer firing, and the commander patiently gave
instructions and asked questions of his Soldiers.
“We’re being very deliberate about this. We’re not
going to rush them to failure,” said Lt. Col. Michael
Griffith, 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery commander.
The unit spent the last several weeks conducting
section certifications in Wildflecken training area.
Soldiers re-familiarized with unit weapon systems
after more than a two-year pause in live firing. Two of
the battalion’s three firing batteries spent a year in Iraq
as motorized infantrymen – not artillerymen.
“If I was a private and I joined this battalion in 2003,
I’m now a senior specialist and I haven’t fired my howitzer.
This is their opportunity to train at their trade.
And the Soldiers are eating this up,” Griffith said.
“First they were in Kosovo, which was a no-artillery
mission. Then they went straight to Iraq, which was a
non-artillery mission,” he said.
“We made this event into a multi-echelon training
environment,” said Capt. Lee Showman, fire support
commander as he watched rounds land in the impact
area.
This training involved much more than firing the
guns. It involved radar, surveyors, logistics, and a German
army unit providing meteorological data.
“Every time we make a movement, we do a tactical
road march, like a combat patrol, like down in Iraq. We
assume we face the same dangers as we did down
there, with IEDs (improvised explosive devices) and
contact,” Showman said.
“It’s what Soldiers do, because we’re all warriors.
Even though we are fire supporters, we still learn the
skills of infantrymen and execute those skills, particularly
in this infantry task force,” said Maj. Rocky
Lobash, 2nd BCT fire support officer.
“When you’re back in garrison you can study all the
ins and outs of the guns, but here on the range, the experience,
the pressure of multiple missions coming at
you all at one time – that’s when you really get your
battlefield training,” said Spc. Aaron Devries.
Honored Scout credits training, Army life
by Mark Heeter
The Point
“The quicker the new guys learn that they’re part of a family,
the better off they’ll be.”
That’s Lesson No. 1 from Spc. Larry Underwood to new Soldiers
to his unit, Schweinfurt’s 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry.
“Nobody out there does it alone. That goes for Soldiers and
units,” said “Wood,” as his comrades call him, as he talked about
what he thinks makes a great Soldier.
He should know.
A Silver Star and Purple Heart recipient, Underwood, 30, was
honored as the United Service Organization (USO) Service
Salute honoree for the U.S. Army in a Mainz-Kastel ceremony
Sept. 24.
“I quite literally owe Specialist Underwood my life. I was in
the back of a Bradley coming back from a dismounted operation
with four of my Soldiers and hit an IED (improvised explosive
device). We were stuck and the back hatch was on fire, and Wood
was one of the guys that freed us and got us out safely,” said 1st
Lt. Tom Whitehouse, platoon leader in Anvil Troop.
SNAPS offers insights for everyone
by Mark Heeter
The Point
The intricacies of parking a car on a German
street or releasing the chain on a coin-operated
shopping cart might not seem like a big deal to
veterans of German living, but newcomers
sometimes struggle with such things.
Schweinfurt Newcomers’ Awareness Program
for Spouses (SNAPS) is designed to show
spouses the ropes.
According to the USO, Underwood was one of five American
and five German service members to receive the honor that was
presented by Gen. Charles Wald, deputy commander, U.S. European
Command, and Lt. Gen. Johann-Georg Dora, Bundeswehr
deputy chief of staff.
Effective and thorough training is the
core of Underwood’s personal philosophy.
“We put as much realism into training
as we can. Nothing can 100 percent prepare
you for what it’s like down there, but
I think we really go the extra mile to train
for it,” Underwood said.
“It prepares you, maybe not for specific
situations, but having the mindset that
you’re there and you have to deal with the
problem,” he added.
“It’s a great, well-rounded program and
everybody benefits from it,” said Beate Williams,
director of the week-long Army Community
Service Center program.
SNAPS begins with introductions and briefings
by leaders of community agencies that help
new and old customers.
Williams devotes a great deal of time to a subject
near to many of her customers’ hearts –
shopping.
“I go into detail
with shopping because
I think it’s important
to know
how to save
money,” Williams
said. She escorts
the spouses – up to
15 per session – to
several shopping
hotspots in and
around Schweinfurt
and explains how
to buy everything
from cell phone
minutes to furniture.
The SNAPS class
recognizes differences
between Amer-
Beate Williams shows her SNAPS students that it’s a snap to
learn how to use the German railway system.
Commitment to training is a special attribute that “Wood”
brings to the unit, according to his squad leader Sgt. Joshua Tyler.
“You train and train and train to get muscle memory, and if
Photos by Melissa Miletich and Mark Heeter
Lt. Col. Michael Griffith talks to his troops as they certify their systems at Wildflecken
training area.
Staff Sgt. Derek Skipwith, left, shows
2nd. Lt. Kamili Williamson his computation
skills.
Underwood
ican and German
cultures, said Meriah
Wail, a recent
Sgt. Shawn Johnson watches an artillery
round impact on a distant hill.
arrival from Vilseck.
“It tells you what to expect and that there are
different ways of doing things,” Wail said.
“And if you make an effort to say something
in German, suddenly someone who couldn’t
speak any English can talk to you completely,”
she said.
Williams demonstrates the benefits of using
mass transit systems in Germany – bus rides
downtown and train rides to Bamberg.
Debbie Miller knew exactly why she took
SNAPS only two weeks after arriving for her
first tour in Germany.
“So we wouldn’t get stuck in our little house,
you know. So we could figure out the bus, the
train, and things to do,” she said, adding she is
intently trying to improve her German.
SNAPS is not just for beginners. Joanne Edwards
in on her third tour in Germany, but sees
herself as an influencer who can share the
lessons from SNAPS.
“Because of my position, I encourage other
spouses to attend. So it’s beneficial for me to be
here, to know what it’s all about,” she said.
Miller has a good first impression of Schweinfurt.
“I like the way things are set up. Everything’s
user-friendly and for me that’s a big deal,” she
said.
The next SNAPS class is Nov. 7-10. Free
child care is available for children registered
with Child and Youth Services. For more information
call 354-7060 or 09721-96-7060.
you don’t train as you fight, when the bullets are flying and you
have to think on your feet quickly, it’s just not going to come to
you,” Tyler said.
Quick-thinking and action was something Tyler came to expect
from Underwood, with whom he has worked for several
years. Tyler cites Underwood’s reaction to the IED.
“Bad things were happening. We had to get that door open and
get those guys out of there. It was him thinking on his feet that
allowed us to do that and save those guys,” Tyler said.
Underwood, who followed his brother’s footsteps into the
Army, credits his wife, Monika, for his success.
“My wife has been a big supporter of everything I’ve done in
the military. I’d like to give her the credit she deserves,” he said.
“The Army really takes care of your family. It’s really a giveand-take.
A lot of times you don’t get the time you’d like to spend
with your family, but you get a lot back for it too,” he said.
Next up for Underwood is helping his unit transform to a
lighter airborne cavalry unit.

U.S. Army Garrison Franconia (Wuerzburg, Kitzingen, Giebelstadt) The Point, November 4, 2005 15
17th Signal Soldiers hug Kitzingen kids
by Roger Teel
The Point
There are many joyous moments during
“Hoops & Hugs,” an interactive sports and fitness
program that challenges students from
Kitzingen Intermediate School to run a mile,
sink a basket, and score a soccer goal.
There’s much more to “Hoops & Hugs” than
mere sports, however. Equally involved are
teachers, counselors, volunteers and Soldiers
from the 17th Signal Battalion, the school’s
sponsor unit.
The idea of taking students from grades three,
four and five out of the classroom for some
friendly competition and interaction with Soldiers
came about three years ago when 4th Battalion,
3rd Air Defense Artillery Soldiers deployed
to Iraq. That unit’s rear detachment supplied
the Soldier involvement.
Since then 4/3 ADA has stood down, and 17th
Signal Battalion stood up to the task.
“Hoops & Hugs was an initiative to address
deployment issues that affected students in our
school,” said Mary Zane, school nurse at the
Marshall Heights school.
“There were – and are – more formal programs
that address the affects of parental absence
on our students. But Hoops & Hugs was
meant to be educational, reassuring, and fun.
“School is the one constant in our student’s
D-Day
From Page 1
The enormity of the invasion meant that Lambert went into the
battle with more men than he normally had around him.
“We had beefed up so when we got to the beach we would be
able to have as many men as possible,” he recalled. “But plans
don’t always go the way you think they will.”
In fact, only seven of the 31 Soldiers in his boat survived the
day. The others were killed even before reaching shore.
“We hit the land about 0630. I can’t tell you the exact place or
time. Water was over your head and there was barbed wire and
mines,” Lambert said.
Lambert’s voice occasionally faltered from emotion. But after
a few breaths and some sips of water provided by 1st Infantry Division
Commander Maj. Gen. Kenneth W. Hunzeker, Lambert
was ready to continue.
“We learned to have the best chance to live and reach the shore
was to go as far under water as you could,” he said.
Lambert was the first of seven men from his boat to reach
shore, where he was quickly wounded in the right elbow. But he
kept going, helping bring fellow Soldiers in from the waves. He
saw horrors such as men in flames jumping overboard and stationary
rocks being turned into lethal projectiles by exploding
mortars.
And forget body armor – these Soldiers didn’t even gave hearing
protection, even though they were subjected to what Lambert
TF Baum
From Page 1
World War II re-enactors from Germany and Czechoslovakia
added a degree of realism with uniforms and vehicles from the
era. The makeshift military convey trekked from Aschaffenburg,
where the task force penetrated German lines, through the scenic
hills of Main Spessart, to Gemuenden, where Abe Baum was
asked by Lord Mayor Thomas Schiebel to sign the city’s “golden
book” for distinguished visitors. They visited Hammelburg the
next day.
“I trust we are giving you a better reception than the first time
you came here,” Schiebel said.
“There’s never been a re-creation before. They retraced the
route before, but this is the first time they’ve done all this,” David
said, adding that his father never talked to him about the task
Roger Teel
The Baum Family, from top left: Nancy Fiedelmann,
David Baum, Eric Baum, bottom: Susan Baum-
Blocker, Eileen and Abraham Baum, retraced the route
of Abraham’s World War II task force.
Roger Teel
Fourth graders from Kitzingen Intermediate School take off from the starting line on
a one-mile run during “Hoops & Hugs” on Larson Barracks Oct. 21.
lives,” she continued, “and we like to think that
we provide a dependable structure during the
most difficult of times.”
Fun is a priority during Hoops & Hugs.
“We want the kids to have fun, to have an experience
where they can just have a good time
and compete with each other a little bit, though
that’s not the most important thing,” said school
counselor Craig Johnson who championed the
program from the beginning and gave it its
name.
“It’s fun to get kids from other classrooms together
because that doesn’t happen all the time.
And having Soldiers take part just makes it spe-
called noise 10 times louder than what was portrayed in Saving
Private Ryan.
Lambert said Soldiers remained brave despite the brutality,
but losses were heavy.
“I never heard one word out there, never,” he said. “I didn’t
hear any men crying. They were very good men, and they had experience,
but we had lost a lot. Many of them were floating in the
water.”
Although he was able to rattle off many specifics of the day,
at the time of the invasion it was all a blur.
“Time was meaningless,” Lambert said. “And people ask,
‘What did you see that day?’ Well, it wasn’t a place where you
stood up and looked around.”
Lambert was wounded a second time, and he knew if he continued
he would bleed to death. He was giving instructions to his
replacement when the replacement was gunned down. So he
picked another Soldier to take over, only to see that one killed a
short while later.
Lambert was eventually sent to an Army hospital where he ran
into a Soldier he knew well – his brother.
After the war, Lambert earned a degree from the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology and started two successful software
businesses. He lived in the Boston area for many years before retiring
to Fayetteville, N.C.
In the days before CNN and the Internet, Lambert said even
wounded Soldiers had little knowledge of how the war was progressing.
But the eventual Allied victory is what he expected.
“Good always wins,” Lambert said. “I still believe that.”
force until he was about 18 years old.
Task Force Baum was controversial in part because it wasn’t
a total success, according to David Baum.
“It depends on how you define success,” he added. “Dad’s
mission was to liberate the POWs, which he did.
“When the mission was sent down they were going on intelligence
that there were a finite number of POWs at the camp. Between
the time that intelligence was gathered and the time they
got there, they had moved other prisoners there. So dad gets there
expecting 200 prisoners and there were almost 2,000. The task
force wasn’t equipped to handle that many prisoners.
“Plus, the German army interpreted the presence of dad’s task
force as an indication of Patton breaking through, so they tossed
everything they had in the area at him. It was like Hogan’s Alley
– there was no way out.”
Abe Baum recalls what happened next.
“Our whole flank was exposed on the trip to Hammelburg on
the main highway, and that’s where we encountered the enemy.
It was a fight, not just a passing thing. They knocked out a number
of my vehicles because they were just sitting ducks. Finally
my howitzers put down a smoke screen and I went up over the
hill out of range. My tanks knocked out their gasoline depot.
Now we’re over the hill and we deployed the vehicles and so
forth. And we overran the Germans who were dug in.
“So we liberated the camp, and in the process we were firing on
an area that was a Serbian hospital, but we weren’t aware of it.
“Colonel Waters, Patton’s son-in-law, came out of the hospital,
and two German officers came out behind him. One of the
Germans shot the colonel in the back. Then they took him back
in the hospital.
“Fifteen hundred POWs came out of the camp, we were expecting
maybe two or three hundred. It was a pathetic sight. I
knew damn well at that time if I got back it would be a miracle.”
Baum was shot in both knees and the right hand during the
fighting. After dispatching his Soldiers and the POWs, telling
them to make it back any way they could, he was in hiding when
two German soldiers drove up.
“I stood up and reached under my mackinaw for my .45, but I
couldn’t have done anything with it with my hand all banged up,”
he said.
“This German sees my predicament and leans his rifle against
their vehicle. Then, as he walks toward me, he smiles, then pulls
out his P38 and shoots me in the groin.”
Left lying on the side of the road, Baum was eventually taken
to the Serbian hospital. His identity was protected by the Serbs
as his dog tags, which indicated his Jewish faith, were missing
cial,” he continued. “They are role models for
these kids. Some of them work with our youth
groups and contribute to the kid’s lives and they
have a lot of ability, too. They’re great role models
and the kids need to experience that.”
Capt. Nicole Rabold said the program is great
for the Soldiers and the kids.
“It’s our way of giving something back,” she
said. “This is our second time doing it. Last time
we showed them a Powerpoint presentation of
what it’s like in the desert – with camels and
camel spiders – and they loved. I think they see
the news but they don’t really place that their
parents are actually there. I think this helps them
understand a little better.”
“It’s satisfying seeing the kids put so much effort
into it,” said Spc. Rebecca Donahue, who
volunteered to take part a second time.
“Having been downrange, I feel I can relate to
them. If they ask questions or have concerns
about their parents I can give them first-hand experience
about what their parents might be going
through,” she said.
“We’re just doing a little bit; what we can do
at school,” Zane said.
“We try to get a little lesson into most of the
things. This time we’re incorporating Hoops &
Hugs with our school physical fitness program
where they need to run a mile. It’s so great the
Soldiers help the kids run, especially the ones
who don’t think they can do it.”
Courtesy of 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs
D-Day survivor Ray Lambert stands with 1st Infantry
Division Commanding General Maj. Gen. Kenneth W.
Hunzeker, left, and military historian Sam Doss, right,
and other members of the division leadership at
Omaha Beach Oct. 5 as part of the division’s staff ride
to Normandy, France.
from around his neck.
“Some days later, the camp was liberated a second time by
Americans, and a short time later Patton came by,” Baum recalled.
“In walks Patton. He sits down next to my bed and starts to
talk. At this particular moment, I had to determine whether I was
gonna rock the boat or not. If I’d have rocked the boat and made
an issue of the task force, Patton could have been relieved. And
we needed him. He was one of the best Army commanders there
ever was.
“So we’re talking back and forth, he’s starting to tell me how
to fight tanks and so on, you know, just for a few minutes. Oh,
and by the way, he sticks the Distinguished Service Cross on my
chest. Back when we started he said I’d get the Medal of Honor.
So he pinned the DSC on me to squash it, so to speak, so the rest
of the Army wouldn’t know about it. Then we were arguing back
and forth, talking and so forth, and – remember, I’m a lowly operations
officer talking to a three-star general – and I had him. He
knew damn well that I controlled him, he didn’t control me. And
I took advantage of it,” Baum said.
Baum told the general he wanted to finish the war in Europe
with his troops. Patton said there was a regulation prohibiting injured
POWs from returning to the same theater.
“Finally I said, ‘You’re General George S. Patton aren’t you?
I wanna go back to the troops.’
“Patton turned to the hospital colonel there and says, ‘Destroy
all the paper records and I’ll send somebody to pick up Baum.’”
Baum finished the war in Europe with the 4th Armored Division.
“The Patton family had the chapter that talked about the raid
deleted from the book,” said David Baum, referring to “Patton:
Ordeal and Triumph” by Ladislas Farago. That book and “A Soldier’s
Story” by General Omar Bradley were the basis for the
movie “Patton” that was released in 1970. The raid wasn’t mentioned
in the movie either.
“My understanding is that the Patton family had the chapters
deleted before it went to press. It was a little controversial back
at that point in time as it wasn’t the most favorable thing,” said
David Baum.
In 1980, Abe Baum co-authored the book “Raid!” with
Richard Barron who was a POW in the Hammelburg camp when
the task force liberated them.
“I never saw my father happier than when he was working on
that book,” Susan Baum-Blocker said. “And it was important for
him to get it right, to tell his Soldiers’ story. They are all very private
men who don’t like to talk very much about the raid.”

Sports The Point, November 4, 2005 19
Cougars, Hohenfels vie for Div. III crown
by Jim Hughes
The Point
Ansbach Cougar Coach Marcus George and
his “tiny little country boys” will take on Hohenfels
for the Department of Defense Dependent
Schools-Europe Division III championship
Nov. 5 in Baumholder.
The rematch of Ansbach’s only loss this
year–the one that snapped their 28-game record
winning streak–comes about after the Cougars
routed Rota at home 40-8 in the first round of the
playoffs Oct. 22, then blasted their way to a 52-
16 victory in Holland against Allied Forces
Northern Europe Oct. 29.
The title game gives Ansbach the chance at an
unprecedented fourth straight Division III championship.
Being in the Super 6 in Baumholder
was the team’s goal from day one, George said.
Before the season started, the coach referred
to his team as “tiny little country boys” and said
his young players would have to step up. They
did, said junior tight end and linebacker Tyler
Sherman, who’s in his third year with the
Cougars.
“Last year, we had all seniors on offense and
defense, but this year it’s freshmen, sophomores
and juniors,” Sherman said. “The biggest thing
was people needed to step up and they have. I
have confidence and total faith in my team.”
So does the coach.
Roundup
High School sports:
The season ended for area cross country
teams Oct. 22 at the European championships
on Heidelberg’s 5K course near Oftersheim.
The Wuerzburg boys did not have a top
25 finisher and placed 13th in the competition
for Division I and II schools. Bamberg
boys finished in 13th position in Division
III, and were led by Robert Dunwoody’s
23rd place finish.
The Wuerzburg girls fared about the
same, finishing in 10th position overall,
paced by Adriaunnah Dewey’s 24th place
finish.
Bowl for turkeys, hams
Join a Turkey Strike Shoot at Bamberg’s
Birchview Lanes every Friday and Saturday
Nov. 11 through Dec. 23. Bowl three
strikes in a row in the 10th frame, or strike
in the third, sixth, and ninth frame and win
a ham or a turkey. Must bowl at least three
games. Single game cost is $3 for adults, $2
for children, shoe rental is $1.50. For more
information call 469-7722 or 0951-300-
7722.
Run for fun
Bamberg’s annual turkey trot, 5 and 10k
runs, starts from Pendleton Field Nov. 19 at
8:30 a.m. Register at the Freedom Fitness
Facility until 8 a.m. Open to ID card holders
only. Age groups are: 13 years and
below, 14 years and above. Awards to the
first 10 finisher, men and women. Cost is
four canned food items to be donated to the
Warner Chapel. For more information call
469-7597 or 0951-300-7597.
Paintball is here
Grand opening of Schweinfurt’s new
paintball course on Conn Barracks will be
held in November. For more information
call 353-8080 or 09721-96-8080.
More turkey bowling
Win a turkey at Kessler Bowling Center’s
Turkey Tournament, Nov. 19, at 5 p.m.
The top three bowlers in the singles and
couples categories will each win a turkey.
Entry is $15. For more information call
354-6332 or 09721-83391.
More runnin’ for fun
Work up an appetite for Thanksgiving at
Schweinfurt’s 10K Turkey Trot Fun-Run,
beginning at Kessler Fitness Center, building
451, behind Ledward Barracks, Nov. 19
at 9 a.m. Winners in each age category receive
trophies. Pre-registration is required.
Entry forms are at Kessler and Finney Fitness
Centers. For more information call
354-6735 or 09721-96-6735.
Correction
In the Oct. 21 issue, Wuerzburg golfer
Ashley Carey was listed as a sixth grader.
She is actually a member of the freshman
class. The Point regrets the error.
Photos by Jim Hughes
Cougar freshman Charles Melton veers to avoid Rota defensemen Zach Hudson
in Ansbach’s 40-8 playoff victory over the visiting Admirals. The Cougars have
a rematch with Hohenfels in the Division III championship game Nov. 5 in
Baumholder.
“I’m very proud of our team this year,” the
coach said. “This could’ve been a down year for
us, but our returning seniors and lettermen refused
to let that happen. With no returning
starters and being short on athletes, this
should’ve been a rebuilding year for us. From
the beginning, we focused on getting to the
Super 6 and winning it, and that’s exactly what
we intend to do.”
After the win over Rota, Ansbach coaches
and players saw great room for improvement
was needed to get past AFNORTH and onto the
Super 6, said junior linebacker and offensive
lineman Baraka Waweru.
“We played OK, but we should’ve played better,”
he said after the Rota game. “We stepped it
up in the second half but we need to improve as
a whole. We did show that when we come together
we can be effective; we just need to stick
together. Can we win it all? We’re going to try
our hardest.”
But with Hohenfels standing in the way, getting
that fourth championship will be no easy
task. This is the team that ended the Cougars’
record 28-game winning streak with a 25-24
come-from-behind win Oct. 14. Time for some
payback?
“We never like to lose to anyone,” he said.
“I’m still bothered that we lost to them in 2001.
Physically, they are the best team we will face.
They’re bigger, more athletic and they have
most of their starters back. In past years, it was
our team that had the starters returning, this year
it’s their turn.
“We’ll go down there and play with passion,
desire and discipline,” Coach George said. “We
have adjustments that we are going to make. We
do have some players that are beat up, but we’re
not very deep, so if someone is limping, there
isn’t anyone to go in for them. We have 11 or 12
players and they have to step up and play. If we
do what we have practiced to do, what we have
been coached to do, do what we have to do, we
will be fine.”
So, can the Cougars avenge their only loss in
four years and bring home a fourth consecutive
championship?
“Should we win it? No. They are much better,”
Coach George said. “Are we going to win
it? Yes, I think so, because we’re Ansbach.”
‘Are we going to win it?
Yes, I think so, because
we’re Ansbach.’
69th ADA captures flag title
– Coach Marcus George
Ansbach sophomore quarterback John
Willis-Morris launches a pass during the
win over the Rota. Willis-Morris’ passing
was key in the team’s win at AFNORTH
last weekend.
Ansbach junior Tyler Sherman bobbles a
catch in the playoffs. He grabbed a 40yard
touchdown toss against AFNORTH
last weekend to help lead the Cougars to
victory.
1st Lt. Gene Hunt
Members of 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade’s Headquarters Battery show off their hardware after winning the USAG Franconia
flag football championship at Leighton Barracks Oct. 27. The team will now compete for greater honors at the U.S.
Army, Europe, flag football championships in Darmstadt.