Vol. 15, No. 4 February 23, 2007

Ansbach • Bamberg • Illesheim • Schweinfurt • Wuerzburg

Inside

Soldiers returnMaj. Sean Ryanis welcomedhome from deployment toIraq by ProvostMarshal Capt.Lid Ryan, right,and daughterBrianna. Seepage 12.

Kimberly Gearhart

PWOC molds womenPWOC helps

women be-come strong

communitymembers

and remindsthem they

are notalone when

spouses aredeployed.

See page 12.

Sandra Wilson

Simon HupferTake a breather…Raiden Green takes a short timeout duringTae Kwon Do training at USAG Bamberg’sFreedom Fitness Facility. See story on page10.

by 1st Lt. Matthew Waite1st Battalion, 26th Infantry

The target was known to have personal bodyguards, slept in adifferent place every night, and used his entire neighborhood asan early warning. All of these factors made him one of the mostdifficult targets in all of Iraq.

The mission was handed down to Charlie Company, 1st Bat-talion, 26th Infantry, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Di-vision. The company, known as “Rock,” was assisted by the bat-talion scout platoon, called “Recon.” The men of Team Rockhave proven time and again to be a flexible and capable team andwere an obvious choice for such a difficult mission.

Preparations and planning were minimal due to the time sen-sitivity of the mission. Only a small amount of data existed onthe objective site.

“To be honest, all I had was a location, a name, and one shad-owy picture of our target which we had no idea how long ago wastaken,” said Capt. Michael Baka, from Rush, New York, com-mander of Team Rock. “We developed a quick plan,” he added,“did a map recon of the AO (area of operations), and dissemi-nated the information to our Soldiers. All of this took us about anhour, which was really all we had time for.”

First Sgt. Kenneth Hendrix, from Benton, Ark., Rock’s top en-listed man, added, “We’ve done this quite a few times before andhave it down to a battle drill.”

The mission took place several kilometers from Team Rock’sarea of operations where there are minimal patrols by the IraqiArmy and none by American forces. Team Rock was beingtasked with conducting a raid right into the heart of it.

“The early warning system for these guys is pretty good, theyknow if Americans are moving around in their backyard,” saidSgt. 1st Class Widmark Quashie, platoon sergeant for the Scal-lywags from the Bronx, New York.

“So we knew we’d have to move in as quickly as possible un-der blackout conditions,” he continued.

The main route brought the company through unfamiliar ter-rain and twisting streets which they expertly navigated and droveusing only their night vision devices.

The mission, codenamed Operation Amherst, kicked off at1:30 a.m. Dec. 17. The Scallywags were leading, with the Reconelement along with the commander following behind whileTeam Rock’s first platoon, known as Cobra, provided rear secu-rity.

The patrol came upon an illegal checkpoint which had road-blocks setup to block the path of traffic.

“Most of the vehicles we were traveling in were M1151Humvees and those road blocks could definitely slow us downenough that the target would be able to escape, especially sincethey must have now known we were rolling around where weshouldn’t be,” said 2nd Lt. Matthew Martinez, from Santa Bar-bera, Calif., platoon leader for the Scallywags.

Martinez ordered Staff Sgt. Cunningham’s Bradley to clearthe route and push the obstacles off the road. The driver for thatvehicle was Pvt. 1st Class Carlos Perez, from Salines, Calif. Hegunned the engine and rammed into the obstacle forcing it out ofthe path.

“It was big, but we were bigger,” Perez said afterwards.With the path now clear and the infiltration spotted by the en-

emy it was apparent that the convoy had to move quickly.“We were coming in pretty quick but when I saw a gateI realized that would actually help us. All I had to do was say

‘White Gate!’ and my driver knew exactly what I wanted. Wetook down the gate and most of the wall around it before back-ing up,” recalled 1st Lt. Matthew Waite, from Alexandria, Va.,platoon leader of the Scout Platoon.

The breach team was out of the truck in seconds and stackedon the wall. Just as the original stack team moved into the breach,the second team was already moving in.

Meanwhile, the picture was quite different from several thou-

sand feet in the air. A Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle wasmonitoring the action from above.

“There were a lot of people in high places that were very in-terested in this one,” said executive officer Capt. Curtis Brooker,from Birmingham, Ala. The brigade LNO (liaison officer),watching from the tactical operations center, later said the breachwas expertly done.

With the high value target secured and dawn approaching,Charlie Rock loaded up and headed home. Once again, Soldiersof the 1-26th Infantry, the Blue Spaders, displayed professional-ism and flexibility in the difficult struggle for Baghdad.

(Reprinted, with permission, from The Dagger’s Edge, 2dBrigade Combat Team.)

1st Lt. Matthew Waite

Pfc. Nicholas Humphrey, from Whitney Point, NY, pullssecurity for scout platoon as the nighttime assault be-gins.

Operation Amherst: Blue Spaders breach insurgent area,secure target in nighttime assault

Schweinfurt Middle School teachers, from left,Sara Maka, Nancy Dauber, Julia Vandall, andKaren Rose pose for photographers on Venice’sSan Marco Pier during Carnivale celebrationslast week. Members of the group have been go-ing to Carnivale in costume since 1995.

Area school teachersmasquerade in Veniceby Sandra WilsonThe Point

dorned in feathers, gleaming jewels, bangles, meters of fabric andtoile, and wearing large ornamented hats, masked Schweinfurt Mid-dle School (SMS) teachers stroll the streets of Venice, Italy, each

year hoping to catch the eyes of onlookers or a photographer’s lens.

See CARNIVALE on page 4

Dan Wilson

Schweinfurt Middle School teacher Julia Vandall and Nancy Carillo from Ansbach’s Rainbow Elementary School bask in thewarm Italian sun as they provide a Carnivale photo-op.

Tax time solutionsneed notbe taxing

It’s that time of year again – tax time, that is.

But first, it’s also Black History Month, or African AmericanHistory Month, if you prefer. This month we celebrate AfricanAmerican heritage and appreciate all the wonderful accomplish-ments and contributions that African Americans continue to pro-vide to American culture.

America certainly is “a melting pot” of cultures, backgrounds,ideas and ideals. While it seems we are always facing “a defin-ing time” in our history, the American people have always con-tinued to embrace change, confront challenges and move for-ward.

The recent announcement by Illinois senator Barack Obamathat he will seek the office of president of the United States is an-other resounding indicator of how far our country has advanced.In terms of setting aside prejudices and defeating the evils of big-otry, America continues to be the land of the free and the homeof the brave. We must always take pride in that.

There are Black History Month observances and educationalprograms scheduled throughout this month. These programsserve to educate all of us on the strength of our nation – our di-versity.

Recently we officially kicked off the tax season by openingour community tax centers. There have been some changes in thetax codes this year that could potentially benefit eligible militaryfilers.

I encourage everyone to use the free tax center services available in every community. Not only are these services free,but they are efficient and reliable and will have your return, ifyou receive one, quickly on its way for deposit in your bank account.

We’ve come a long way since filling out 1040s with stubbypencils, trying to figure out what deductions we are entitled to,whether we qualify for earned income credit, and how much wecan deduct for college loans and child-care credit, among otherthings.

At the one-stop tax centers (one stop if you bring all the doc-uments you need), trained professional tax service providers willfind appropriate deductions and determine the amount of tax youowe or refund due you. Most tax center filers are in and outwithin half an hour.

Take advantage of Black History Month observances and thetax centers in all of our garrisons this month. You’ll be richer forparticipating in both programs.

Team of Teams!

RUSSEL D. SANTALAColonel, Air Defense ArtilleryCommander, U.S. Army Europe RegionTransformation Group(Nord Bayern)(Provisional)

2 The Point, February 23, 2007 Team of Teams!

What’s The Point?

Ansbach • Bad Kissingen • Bamberg • Giebelstadt • Illesheim • Kitzingen • Schweinfurt • Wuerzburg

Producer: MILCOM Advertising AgencyRoswitha Lehner

Zeilaeckerstrasse 35 · 92637 WeidenTelefax 0961-67050-32

Internet: www.milcom.deFree classifieds 0931-2964397 · Fax The Point 0931-2964626

THE POINT is an authorized unofficial Army newspaper, published every two weeksunder provisions of AR 360-1, for members of U.S. Army Garrisons Ansbach, Bam-berg, Schweinfurt and Franconia. A commercial enterprise, THE POINT is printed byMILCOM Advertising Agency, a private firm in no way connected with the UnitedStates Government or Department of Defense. The contents of THE POINT do notnecessarily reflect the official views or endorsement of the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Army.The appearance of advertising, including inserts and supplements, does not con-stitute endorsement by the Department of Defense. Everything advertised in THEPOINT shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard torace, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit characteristic of the purchaser, user orpatron.Editorial content is provided, prepared and edited by the Public Affairs Office of theEuropean Transformation Group. Editorial offices are located in building 208,Faulenberg Kaserne, Wuerzburg, Germany, telephone DSN 351-4564 or CIV 0931-296-4564. Mailing address: Editor – THE POINT, European Transformation GroupPAO, CMR 475, APO AE 09036. By e-mail: roger.teel1@us.army.mil or scott.rouch@us.army.mil. Circulation is 8,000 copies per issue.

Col. Russel D. Santala Donald KlingerCommander Public Affairs Officer

Roger Teel Scott RouchEditor Assistant Editor

USAG Ansbach – Building 5257, Barton Barracks, 468-7649 or 0981-183-649Command Information Officer ................................................................. Jim Hughes

USAG Bamberg – Building 7089, Warner Barracks, 469-7581 or 0951-300-7581Command Information Officer .................................................................

USAG Schweinfurt – Building 354-6381, CIV 09721-96-6381)Command Information Officer ................................................................. Mark HeeterJournalist.................................................................................................... Kimberly GearhartJournalist.................................................................................................... Sandra Wilson

Street talk: Photos by The Point staff

Brittny Dallen, WuerzburgAmerican High School senior“No. because we don’tneed it. I think we haveplenty of people.”

Should the United States reinstitute the draft?

Sgt. C. Maurice Daniels, AreaSupport Team Illesheim, StorckBarracks“I don’t think so. Joiningthe military should bevoluntary. If you makesomebody join thatdoesn’t want to do it,they may not perform aswell as someone whosigned up voluntarily.”

Sgt. Maj. Alan West, USAGAnsbach Provost Marshal, Bar-ton Barracks“We shouldn’t reinstitutethe draft. Given the num-ber of Soldiers we have,the mission require-ments and the trainingSoldiers receive, we arestill able to meet theneeds of our country.”

Archie Lloyd Tucker, Wuerz -burg American High Schoolathletic director“Probably. You get across mix of societyrather than just thosethat volunteered. I thinkyou could have a betterArmy with folks from allwalks of life.”

Master Sgt. John Strader,USAG Ansbach Directorate ofPlans, Training, Mobilizationand Security, Barton Barracks“No. The guy you want onyour left or right shouldbe there because hechooses to be there, notbecause he was forcedto be there. With a draft,we wouldn’t have thequality force that wehave right now.”

Courtney Edwards, WuerzburgAmerican High School fresh-man“I think we should bringit back because wemight still need help. Ourarmed forces have doneenough and familieshave lost so many lives.”

Pvt. Nathaniel Grady, 9th Engi-neer Battalion, Schweinfurt“Yes. It gives kids asense of patriotism whileserving their country. It’sa great idea becausethere are so many oppor-tunities in the Army andit gives life experience.”

Pfc. Alex Stinger, 1st MilitaryPolice Co., Schweinfurt“No, because it’s ourown personal choice tojoin the Army and they’vegot enough people al-ready.”

ThumbsThumbs up to the Wuerzburg Commissary forthe free Black History Month Lunch they pro-vided to the entire Leighton Community on Feb.15. Thanks!

Lt. Col. Ingrid Beard-Howell, Wuerzburg

This Christmas we were humbled, surprised andblessed by an anonymous group of peoplefrom the Leighton Barracks community whogifted us with commissary gift certificates.These “Leighton Christmas Angels” were a realChristmas miracle for us.As missionaries with Leighton Club Beyond thelast four years, we’ve had the privilege of walk-ing alongside some of the best kids in America –your overseas teens! In coming over here wemade a leap of faith that God would provide forour needs. We never know how he’s going to, buthe always does. This winter was the tightestwe’ve ever had. We’d been getting creative withour canned goods and pantry items. We hadn’tmade our need known locally and were contentto have a small Christmas. Then God blew usaway from an unexpected source – our wonder-ful Leighton community, without them evenbeing aware of the need!We wanted to share how touched we were by thegift and thank each person; however, since it wasanonymous the only thing we could come upwith was to send everyone a “Thumb’s Up.” Itwas certainly a huge “Thumb’s Up” in our lives!

Kristina McCloskey, Club Beyond, Leighton Barracks

Thumbs up to Scott Rouch for announcing theWuerzburg American High School boys’ andgirls’ basketball games. You do a terrific job andadd a lot to the game. Thanks for all the time youtake to cover the teams and your support!

Parents of WAHS basketball players

Too easily moved to tearsCommentary by Roger TeelEditor, The Point

I often wonder if I am too easily moved totears. I get misty-eyed at the oddest times, mostrecently when members of the 1966 TexasWestern national championship basketballteam visited USAG Ansbach Feb. 14 (see storyon page 6).

For most of my life I had a serious dislike forthese guys, these Miners from Texas Western,now known as the University of Texas at ElPaso. As a 15-year-old kid growing up inKansas, I was glued to my radio (live TV cov-erage was a fantasy back then) listening to theplay-by-play as MY team, the Kansas Univer-sity Jayhawks, played the Miners in the NCAAregional final in Lubbock, Texas.

My team lost, of course, in double overtime.The defining moment came when Kansas’ All-American playmaker Jo Jo White hit a jumpshot at the end of the first overtime that wouldhave won the game, but the official said hestepped out-of-bounds before the shot. Emo-tionally drained, the Jayhawks had no answerfor the Miners in the second overtime, losing81-80. Texas Western won the national title thefollowing weekend, beating Adolf Rupp’s Uni-versity of Kentucky Wildcats, 72-65, in thefinal.

The Miners’ story is for all to see in the re-cently-released movie “Glory Road.” It is thetale of the team that broke the color barrier incollege athletics. Texas Western Coach Don

Haskins defied the bigotry and prejudice thathad long plagued America, and started fiveAfrican Americans for the first time in anNCAA basketball final.

Haskins played his best five players, he said,and that was all there was to it. He was later un-fairly accused of being “exploitative” of the raceissue in a demeaning Sport Illustrated article.

To shed some historical perspective: Thisstory took place during the height of America’scivil rights movement; an extremely turbulenttime full of civil unrest. The Civil Rights Act of1964 was originally conceived to protect therights of black people but was amended to pro-tect the civil rights of everyone, and explicitlyincluded women for the first time. Once imple-mented, its effects were far reaching and had atremendous long-term impact on the country.

So, two years before the assassination of Dr.Martin Luther King Jr., and as America was be-coming steadily more involved in Vietnam, theTexas Western Miners started five AfricanAmerican athletes and won the national basket-ball championship. In fact, until Texas Westerndid it earlier that season, no major-college teamhad ever started five blacks in any game. Mostteams in the South didn’t even have an AfricanAmerican athlete on their roster at this time.

I didn’t like the Miners; they broke my heart.But I didn’t dislike them for the color of theirskin; my ill will was because they beat myteam. And I blithely carried this animosity withme most of my life.

Then I heard the Miners were coming toAnsbach and I had to see them. Before theywere introduced, a short video clip was played.In it, team members Nevil Shed, Togo Railey,Louis Baudoin, Harry Flournoy, and David“Big Daddy” Lattin and others, talked abouttheir achievement, about their commitment totheir team, to each other and to their coach,whom they both hated and revered. They talkedabout how Haskins shielded them from the heatand the hate mail. They added personal per-spectives of having lived through all the dis-tractions and, now 40-plus years later, reflectedon what they really achieved – that they openeddoors for future athletes and facilitated changein our country. An emotional Nevil Shed com-ment about how we are a much better nationwhen we include everyone hit me over thehead.

My eyes filled with tears and my petty ani-mosity slipped away. For the next hour, I lis-tened as the Texas Western Miners joyously re-called their experiences and challenged a roomof high school students and young Soldiers toalways follow their dreams, to finish their edu-cations, to believe in themselves and to committo their own success.

For me, Black History Month has alwaysbeen a celebration of the achievements of allAfrican Americans. And, The Point is, my hold-ing on to that aggravating little thread of myteam losing to the Texas Western Miners turnsout to be a pivotal, emotional and colorfulthread in the great tapestry of American life.

No matter where you go, fasching is just a wacky time

Focal Points The Point, February 23, 2007 3

Scott RouchCutting the (red?) tapeCol. Russel D. Santala, Europe Region Transforma-tion Group (Nord Bayern)(Provisional) commander,cuts the ribbon at the Leighton Tax Center grandopening Feb. 9. Encouraging everyone to take ad-vantage of the tax center’s free service, Santalapraised the center staff for their professional efforts.

Spc. Terry SelfLearning EnglishCapt. Timothy Lynch, 1st Battalion, 7th Artillery Reg-iment, quizzes an Iraqi boy on his English lesson dur-ing a humanitarian aid mission to a western Baghdadneighborhood. Troops from the regiment deliveredsupplies to two neighborhood schools. The childrenand teachers are always excited to receive the need-ed supplies and look forward to the renovation oftheir school in the future, a project being coordinat-ed between coalition forces and local leaders. (Froma Multi-National Division, Baghdad, release.)

Scott Rouch

Ohman meets with Jazzmon Neil, Brandi Hatzenbuhler and Alexander Abuel be-fore they lead her on a tour of Wuerzburg American Middle School.

Spc. Terry SelfTheir shareTwo Iraqi boys leave with their family’s share ofcanned meat from a humanitarian aid mission in awestern Baghdad neighborhood. Soldiers from 1stBattalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 2d BrigadeCombat Team, 1st Infantry Division, provided human-itarian aid to 15 needy families during the recent op-eration. (From a Multi-National Division, Baghdad, re-lease.)

Scott Rouch

Diana Ohman, Department of Defense Dependents Schools-Europe director, right, visits Janet Gizzi’s Read 180class as they discuss the book “Sarny.”

DoDDS-Europe director visits area schoolsDepartment of Defense

Dependents Schools-EuropeDirector Diana Ohman madeher way through Wuerzburgschools Feb. 7-9, visitingwith educators and studentsfor the better part of one fullday in each school.

She was surprised to seeso many changes that havetaken place since her last visit.

“We are 1,400 studentsless in the Wuerzburg area –in just one year. That is flab-bergasting to me!”

Asked about teachers fac-ing reassignment due to theconsolidation, Ohman said,“We run a transfer programfor teachers, and any(teacher) has a right to takevacancies within the district.”

The Big Beauties, as theycalled themselves, soakedin the sunshine indowntown Wuerzburg Feb. 18 prior to taking partin the city’s annual faschingparade, proving, onceagain, that fasching is not a drag.

Scott Rouch (4)

Andreas Nagel, an assistant coachwith the Wuerzburg Wolves footballteam, and daughter Juliet, theburger queen, prepare to watch theparade in downtown Wuerzburg.

In fairly functional fasching fashion,this couple decided to take in thesights and sounds as cat womanand a tequila twist.

One is never too young to get intothe fasching spirit.

WAMS students prepare for one final odysseyby Scott RouchThe Point

For seven Wuerzburg American Middle School students, their odyssey is coming to a close.Chelsea Delaney, Shannon Donnelly, Brian Hannum, Taylor Knowles, Emily Manchester,

Madison Queen and Connor Truax have been preparing for the Odyssey of the Mindcompetition being held in Heidelberg March 3 since October.

The competition is a regional event and the first-place winner advances to the national finalsat Michigan State University May 23-26. The WAMS contingent will be one of 66 teams competing in kindergarten, middle school, high school and university levels.

No matter the outcome, WAMS has been invited to the Odyssey of The Mind European Festival being held in April in Störitzland near Berlin.

Odyssey of the Mind is a program providing creative problem-solving opportunities for students. They apply creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical

devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. Thousands of teams fromthroughout the U.S. and from about 25 other countries participate in the program.

With help from WAMS teacher Holly Root and Directorate of Public Works’ Steve Donnelly,the students wrote a script and created and painted the props to go with their production.

“I’ve kind of wanted to act for awhile, but I couldn’t join the drama club last year, so I’mkind of happy,” Delaney said.

The action starts in New York when a lady flashes back into a jungle setting. That’s whereQueen becomes Princess Malamaddiekiwi battling the evil lion (Hannum).

The students incorporate mechanical items into their story with a printer that enlarges itemsand Malamaddiekiwi’s arm which grows longer.

They will perform a dress rehearsal for family and friends Feb. 28.

Susan AlbamonteOrnately costumed Schweinfurt Middle School teacher Julia Vandall and Ansbach Rain-bow Elementary School’s Nancy Carillo are now regulars at Carnivale in Venice, Italy.

From page 1

Karen Rose, sixth-grade social studies teacher, and Nancy Dauber, art and social studiesteacher, took their first trip in costume to Venice with a friend in 1995.

Upon returning, they immediately began making costumes for the next year. About 20 me-ters of fabric, usually from Istanbul, is gathered for each costume. Accessories and trimmingare found at craft stores and flea markets. Sometimes they will even tear apart a fur coat or useformal attire off discount racks.

Dauber and Rose learned to sew in 4-H and from their grandmas, they said. But when itcomes to making Carnivale costumes, they break every rule.

“Things are not supposed to fit because you wear clothes underneath. You’re not looking atthe seam; you’re looking at the effect. People don’t care that seams are crooked–they don’t no-tice that,” Rose said.

Ideas for new costumes are gleaned from other Carnivale participants. Those in costumeoften take pictures of each other or approach a costume of interest to look at it in detail.

“I’ve had French people almost pull my hat off my head to figure out what I’d done and howI put things together,” Dauber said.

Sara Maka, gifted education and reading teacher at SMS, has attended Carnivale in costumefor six years. One of her outfits started with a Japanese wedding kimono.

Sometimes it comes together easily and other times a costume may seem to be missingsomething. In those cases, it’s put on the shelf until inspiration and the right accessories comealong, according to Dauber.

“I’ve been working on a costume for four years now,” she said, adding she hasn’t gotten thevision for it yet.

In the end, a costume and accessories can cost $300 to $500. After wearing them at the festivals, the teachers sometimes rent them out. The costumes are also modified and altered forfuture festivals.

They have returned to Carnivale in Venice every year since 1995 and taken more peoplewith them each time. About 20-25 teachers from both the elementary and middle school nowdress up for the festival.

“It becomes an addiction. It’s fun having the crowd part for you when you’re in costume,”Maka said.

They now attend more than one festival. They also go to Remiremont, France, in the spring,to Ludwigsburg in September, and Nuernberg to walk in the parade. Some of their trips havebeen paid for by groups who desire their attendance in costume at gallery shows.

Julia Vandall, resource teacher at SMS, has attended Venice’s Carnivale in costume twice.“The most fun is having people from all over the world wanting to pose with you for their

private photos. They treat you like a celebrity and the children especially are just so in awe ofyou,” she said.

Rose explained her enjoyment of the event and why she likes dressing up in mask and cos-tume.

“Hiding is always fun. You’re not who you usually are. You can play another role. Half (thefun) is making the costumes, working with other people and traveling to pick up things to usefor the costumes,” she said.

They have found photos of themselves in magazines, calendars, books and on television andceramic tiles.

There’s no question about their attending in the future. These masquerading teachers all sayit’s a different experience every year and plan to take part, rain or shine.

Carrie ZilcoskiWuerzburg Middle School’s Odyssey of the Mind team, back: Steve Donnelly, MadisonQueen, Emily Manchester, Holly Root; front: Chelsea Delaney, Shannon Donnelly, Tay-lor Knowles, Brian Hannum and Connor Truax.

Scott RouchChelsea Delaney and Madison Queen work on “Princess Malamaddiekiwi’s”mechanical arm.

4 The Point, February 23, 2007

by Erika ChesterThe Point

Katterbach and Illesheim community mem-bers gathered around tables covered withcandy, caramels and heart-shaped cookies onValentine’s Day.

They didn’t exchange Valentines, but wereworking to sweeten life on their kasernes.

“We have big dreams,” said Pam Linden-meyer, who organized and ran the event. “Bigideas come out of these work groups.”

More than 30 civilians, Soldiers and manyvolunteers gathered at the two-day Army Fam-ily Action Plan conference to identify problemsand recommend solutions.

Panel members were selected to get a cross-section of the community, based on demo-graphic studies of the communities. They weredivided into three groups: support, mission andquality of life; and each group addressed prob-lems that affect the Army community, the abil-ity to accomplish Soldiers’ missions and issuesaffecting community quality of life.

“It was a good, diverse group,” said MeganFallin, a mission group panel member. “You getperspectives you don’t usually have.”

A teen group also met Feb. 13 to discussproblems and recommend solutions.

Group members identified many problemsspecific to their group’s focus, then chose threeto address in detail.

Decision-makers and managers from thecommunity, or “subject matter experts” or“heads of state” for the conference, listened anddiscussed some suggestions as they were pre-sented by group members.

“Funding is the biggest problem to getting

issues resolved,” Lindenmeyer said.Casey Malloy, chief of business and recre-

ation for morale, welfare and recreation, was athis fourth AFAP conference.

“There have been some positive outcomesfrom these (conferences) in the past,” he said,citing the opening of Primo’s restaurant in theIllesheim bowling alley. “I see some potentialissues that can be resolved.”

The conference ended as representatives, in-cluding two teens, presented their key prob-lems and explained their recommended solu-tions.

Lt. Col. Tammy McKenna, USAG Ansbachcommander, observed the conference both daysand praised people’s ideas.

She ended the conference saying, “Now wecan try and fix some of those things, but theywill take time.”

AFAP issues include:* Increase fast food options within the com-

munity;* Create a wireless Internet area for people to

use on weekends and after duty hours;* Build a community swimming pool;* Create and fund a shuttle system that runs

between Katterbach and Illesheim for gen-eral community use;

* Increase information accessibility and avail-ability;

* Improve the sponsorship program; and* Increase the GI Bill benefit by 10 percent to

help defray higher education costs.“You have a chance to bring in your voice

and solve problems,” said Pervin Palesch, apanel member in the support group. “You willbe heard. That’s a big thing.”

AFAP issues:Big ideas come from working groups

6 The Point, February 23, 2007 U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach (Illesheim, Katterbach)

Erika ChesterLaurie Wooten, Thomas Hamilton and Amy Leukenga take part in a groupdiscussion about community support problems.

by Jim HughesThe Point

Five members of the 1966 Texas Western Minersbasketball team presented a first-hand look at historybeing made during their visit to Ansbach Feb. 14 atEddie’s Place on Bismarck Kaserne.

The Texas Western story is about how their coach,Don Haskins, started five African Americanballplayers in the final game of the NCAA basketballchampionships at a time when the country was erupt-ing in racial turmoil. It is about the players’ dedica-tion and commitment to each other and to their team.It is about their 28-1 season record and claiming thenational championship over the University of Ken-tucky Wildcats.

The Texas Western story inspired the recent Dis-ney movie “Glory Road.”

Providing insight into breaking down racial barri-ers, cutting down nets, the importance of educationover athletics and knowing who the real heroes are,Nevil Shed, David Lattin, Togo Railey, HarryFlournoy and Louis Baudoin, along with Steven Tre-dennick, who played with the team before the cham-pionship season, were a hit with the 100-plus com-munity members in attendance.

“We feel very much like we should be sitting outin the audience and you all should be up here,” Tre-dennick said after the introductions. “A lot of you areyoungsters (about 40 Ansbach Middle/High Schoolstudents attended the event) and have folks in the mil-itary and a lot of younger troops are here. You guysare the heroes. We had a good moment in 1966 andwe’re enjoying that a lot, but you guys are what makelife special for us. We’re honored to be here.”

Taking questions from the crowd, talk quicklyturned to sorting out fact from fiction in the movie.

“The movie implies that our entire story was inone season,” Baudoin said. “But a number of us hadplayed together since our freshmen years in 1962.More players came along, but they compressed it forthe movie.

“When we first watched it, we looked at each other

and asked, ‘Who were those guys?’” he added. “Butthe second time, we were standing up and cheering.”

Tredennick added that a movie scene about aracially charged incident in East Texas wasn’t truebecause Texas Western played that team at home thatyear.

But the team did face racism. Baudoin, who iswhite, remembers staying in a dormitory in Lubbockduring the opening round of the NCAA tournamentbecause no hotel would let them stay there, and sit-ting in a restaurant for 45 minutes with no one toserve them.

“It was a new experience for me, but not for theothers. That was when I began to grow up,” he said.

Shed related a story about death threats beingmade in 1967 prior to a game in Dallas. He said dur-ing a time out he kept moving around while the coachwas talking, and Haskins asked him why he couldn’tjust be still.

“I said, ‘Coach, if they’re going to shoot at me,they’re going to be shooting at a moving target.’”

Although team members came from differentbackgrounds and different places, they gelled be-cause they got to know each other and spent time to-gether, Shed said.

“If you could sum up our team with one word itwould be cohesiveness. We were a ‘we’ team, not a‘me’ team,” he said. “We knew a lot about each otherand when you know someone you feel comfortablearound them.”

And they understood commitment, said Flournoy.“Our parents did a good job of letting us know that

we had responsibilities and when you commit, nomatter the circumstances or the dangers, you followthrough with that commitment. That’s part of the rea-son we came here. We know that everyone here whois in the service is here because this is what they wantto do. We like to be around people like that becausethat is what we were about.”

After talking a little more about the season, thechampionship and their time together, the five talkedabout life after the championship.

“These gentlemen and myself – our whole team –when the school part was over we were all success-ful in society,” Shed said. “We were there for an ed-ucation. There was a purpose and you all have a pur-pose in your lives. Take advantages of the opportuni-ties you have today. Your success level is unlimitedif you apply yourself to the goal you want toachieve.”

The visitors ended their presentation by giving astanding ovation to members of the Ansbach com-munity and thanking Soldiers for keeping their fam-ilies at home safe. Their presentation left an impres-sion on many in the crowd.

“Amazing! It was outstanding hearing these guystalk about their experiences in the 60s,” said Staff Sgt.Cedric Donald, personnel sergeant with the garrison.

“I hadn’t heard their story until just before themovie came out and I didn’t know it was a truestory until after the movie.

“I think their message is no matter what youhave to go through, you can accomplish anything,”Donald added. “The point is to get to know one an-other. We may be different colors or from differentplaces, but we’re all the same on the inside. Get toknow one another, become a team and then you canaccomplish anything like they did becoming na-tional champions.”

by Jim HughesThe Point

After the AnsbachMiddle/High SchoolCareers and Health DayFeb. 14, students mightnow know what theywant to do with theirlives.

The school broughtin professionals fromthe garrison and com-munity to talk abouttheir careers and alsopresented informationon health matters, saidMarcus George, ateacher and primary or-ganizer of the event.

“This is our one op-portunity to let the kidsmeet and talk with peo-ple who are in careerfields that students areinterested in,” Georgesaid. “They get moreconcrete information –most stuff is romanti-cized in TV and otherthings. The last thing we want is for our kids to gettraining for five years and then realize that isn’t whatthey want to be doing.”

That romanticism was apparent in P.J. Connor’sforensics class where Gabrielle Weekley-Wells, a sev-enth grader, said she signed up for the class because shewatches “CSI” on television.

Connor, the special agent in charge of the AnsbachResident Criminal Investigation Division, showedWeekley-Wells and other students the reality of foren-sic investigations. He explained how crimes aren’tsolved in 60 minutes and that forensics experts keepthemselves separated from the rest of the investigationto avoid biased results.

Careers represented included military police, childcare, auto repair, nursing, and more. Each studentchose three professions they’d like to know moreabout.

They also attended health classes on subjects rang-ing from healthy snacks to the effects of alcohol, deal-ing with deployments and teen violence in relation-ships.

“I like career and health day,” said Saquilla Kent, aseventh grader who calls Savannah, Ga., home. “I’mlearning new stuff and getting to meet people whowork in the community to see how they do their jobs.”

She said the briefing on teen violence in relation-ships could prove valuable one day.

“I know people aren’t always what they seem to be

the first time you meet them. I also learned what thingsto look out for in people that might indicate they’re anabuser,” Kent said, adding she knew what to do if con-fronted by an abuser.

“I’d probably use the moves I learned in the self de-fense class I took today.”

Amber Learn, an eighth grader, said career andhealth day beats a normal school day.

“This is way better and the day is going faster,”Learn said, who calls Elmira, N.Y., home. “I’m learning about things I don’t usually learn about inschool.”

George said getting the day organized was a bigworkload – including 20 hours over the prior weekend– for eight people from the school and community.

“If we make a difference in one person’s life then itis worth the effort,” he said. “I know we helped morethan one – I’ve seen several seeds planted today. Thekids grow from it.”

The event also helps to bring the school and com-munity closer, according to George.

“Many times they seem to be separate. The schoolhas its own little world, while the community has itsown little world, too. Any opportunity to connect thecommunity to the school–to get them involved in theschool, to have ownership in the school, to provideleadership for the kids, and to celebrate the kids andwhat they do – is wonderful.”

Jim HughesCharles Simeon punches as Jarred Jones blocks during a self-defenseclass at Ansbach Middle/High School’s careers and health day Feb. 14.

Students hear career info from ‘those in the know’

Jim HughesMembers of the Texas Western Miners, the 1966 NCAA national basketball champi-ons, sign autographs and greet members of the Ansbach community at Eddie’s PlaceFeb. 14. Ansbach was the first stop on the team’s Armed Forces Entertainment Tourof European installations.

NCAA champs bring history to lifeTexas Western Miners won title in turbulent ’60s

Pneumovax shotsCommunity members 65 years of age or

older and eligible to use Katterbach andIllesheim health clinics should contact theclinic immediately for a pneumovax shot.Pneumovax helps prevent illness – namelypneumonia. In addition to those 65-plus, pa-tients with a history of chronic obstructivepulmonary disease and diabetes should havethe shot once before age 65 and then oncemore at age 65. One shot can prevent hospi-talization or days spent feeling poorly andtaking medication, and may save your life,say clinic officials. Call the Katterbach Clinicat 467-3398 or 09802-83-3398 or the Illes -heim Clinic at 467-4512 or 09841-83-4512.

Garrison trains every FridayUSAG Ansbach organizations close for

mandatory training every Friday from 8 a.m.to noon. Exceptions are the emergency oper-ations center, provost marshal and emer-gency services, directorate of public works,child development centers, school age ser-vices and the central processing facility. Allother community agencies will close fortraining. For more information, call 468-1530or 0981-183-1530.

Survey affects allowancesServicemembers living on the economy

and concerned about their housing costsshould take part in the annual overseas hous-ing, utility and move-in allowance survey inFebruary. The survey is available onlinethrough Feb. 28 at https://www.perdiem.osd.mil/oha/survey/feboha.html. The De-partment of Defense Per Diem, Travel andTransportation Allowance committee deter-mines next year’s allowances and reimburse-ments to servicemembers based upon the re-sults.

More NSPS trainingThe National Security Personnel System

website has added a class to teach supervi-sors how to write job objectives for employ-ees who will be converting to the new per-sonnel system. The course, iSuccess TrainingCourse –Writing Effective Job Objectivesand Self-Assessments, is available atwww.cpms.osd.mil/nsps/training.mil. Formore, call John Britton at 468-7640 or 0981-183-640.

Job recruiting briefBradley-Morris, a recruiting firm special-

izing in placing junior military officers intocorporate America, is briefing Feb. 26 at 11a.m. in the Army Career and Alumni Pro-gram office in building 5818 on Katterbach.Bradley-Morris also works with enlisted Sol-diers who have degrees, extensive leadershipexperience or technical backgrounds. Per-sonal interviews are available after the brief-ing and Soldiers need not be in the process ofseparating to work with Bradley-Morris. Formore, call ACAP at 467-3312 or 09802-833-312.

Recycling funThe USAG Ansbach Environmental Of-

fice hosts Separate or Recycle Trash Days atgarrison elementary schools in March. The

events feature recycling lessons, games andactivities, complete with prizes for winners.Ansbach Elementary’s SORT Day is March6 from 9-10:30 a.m.; Rainbow Elementary’sis March 7 from 10-11:20 a.m., and IllesheimElementary’s is March 8 from 12:40-2:10 p.m.For more information, call Jutta Seefried at467-3403 or 09802-833-403.

Join the clubThe Ansbach Spouses’ and Civilians’ Club

is an all-ranks club for spouses and civiliansin the Ansbach military community. All offi-cers, enlisted, civilians, retirees and spousesare invited to join the ASCC. Membership is$10 for the remainder of the year. To join,visit the ASCC Thrift Shop on Katterbachfor an application or contact Marla Castro atroachmom3@iwon.com.

Scholarship opportunityThe Ansbach Spouses’ and Civilians’

Club’s welfare fund allows ASCC to grantacademic and vocational scholarships. Qual-ifying students are those graduating fromAnsbach High School, dependent childrenattending an accredited university or voca-tional school whose sponsor is currently sta-tioned in Ansbach, or spouses registeredwith an accredited university. All scholar-ships will be paid directly to the college orvocational school by ASCC upon registra-tion confirmation. Scholarship applicationsare due to ASCC no later than May 1. For anapplication packet or more information, con-tact Sarah Tipple, 09802-832-883 or e-mailsarah.tipple@us.army.mil.

Thrifty Saturday shoppingThe Katterbach Thrift Shop is open the

first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. to1 p.m. Normal operating hours are Tue-Wedfrom 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Thursdays fromnoon to 6 p.m. Consignment hours are Tue-Wed from 11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. and Thursdaysfrom 2:30-5:15 p.m. For more info, call 467-2534 or 09802-83-2534 or e-mail katter-bachthriftshop@yahoo.com.

Need car parts?The auto strip yard on Katterbach, build-

ing 5840, has many car parts available. Asigned waiver is needed before searching forparts. The yard helps dispose of cars, oper-ates a towing service by appointment andsells running vehicles. For more, call 467-2753or 09802-83-2753.

Tax time arrivesThis year’s filing deadline is April 16, but

overseas taxpayers receiving a refund haveuntil June 15 to file. Katterbach andIllesheim Tax Assistance centers will helppeople prepare their taxes. Appointmentsare not necessary, but those using the serviceneed to bring W-2s, 1099s, interest state-ments, retirement statements, Social SecurityCards, banking deposit information, etc. Tax-payers should bring other documents theyare unsure about. The centers are open Mon-Fri from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Formore, call the Katterbach center at 467-2324or 09802-832-324, or Illesheim at 467-4511 or09841-83-4511.

Garrison Roundup The Point, February 23, 2007 9

USAG Ansbach

Winter FestMWR hosts a Winter Fest at Finney Fit-

ness Center March 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Free food, magicians, games, climbing wall,paintball, electric bull riding, arts and crafts,and an obstacle course are just some of theattractions. For more, call 354-6715 or 09721-96-6715.Mardi Gras party

Leighton Community Activity Centerhosts a Mardi Gras party Feb. 28 at 4:30 p.m.Celebrate with New Orleans food, FrenchQuarter music, fun, and prizes. Adults only,please. For more information, call 350-6305or 0931-889-6305.Composition contest

Ledward and Leighton libraries have acomposition contest through February.Enter your 100-word composition aboutlove to win an AAFES gift card. For more,call 354-6121 or 09721-96-6121.Red Cross class

American Red Cross of Schweinfurt of-fers a first aid class March 8 from 8 a.m. to4:30 p.m. in the Red Cross conference room,

Ledward building 206. Class includes adult,infant and child CPR. Cost is $45. Call 354-1760 or 09721-96-1760 to reserve a seat.

Free beginner German classSchweinfurt ACS has a free five-week be-

ginner German language class starting Feb.26 every Mon, Wed and Fri from 11:30 a.m.to 1:30 p.m. in the yellow ribbon room.Learn basic German language in the class-room. For more information and to sign up,call 354-6933/6751 or 09721-96-6933/6751.

Stress management workshopSchweinfurt ACS holds a stress manage-

ment workshop Feb. 28 at Ledward ACSbuilding 242 from 10 a.m. to noon. This in-teractive class includes a stress survey, stressjournals, relaxation exercises and questionand answer sessions. To sign up or for moreinformation, call 354-6933/6751 or 09721-96-6933/6751.

Bulk trash pick-upBulk trash pickups are scheduled for Feb.

27 in Askren Manor, Yorktown Village andall government-leased housing. There are nopickups scheduled for Ledward Barracks,

Conn Barracks or any of the training areas.Please have items outside prior to 7 a.m. butnot earlier than Feb. 26. No regular trash, re-cyclables or organic waste will be picked up.For more, call the Brad Posey at 354-6201 or0162-2709403.

Celebrate women’s history in MarchCelebrate generations of women moving

history forward at the Women’s HistoryMonth Tea March 2 at the Leighton Com-munity Activity Club from 11:30 to 1 p.m. AMarch 20 Women’s History CelebrationLuncheon is at Schweinfurt’s Conn Clubfrom 11:30 to 1 p.m. RSVP by Feb. 26 to deb-orah.lawson@ us.army.mil or bonnie.cor-nelison@cmtymail.98asg.army.mil or by call-ing 354-6955/6279 or 09721-96-6955/6279.

Credit union hoursAndrews Federal Credit Union on

Leighton Barracks is open Mon-Fri from 9a.m. to 4 p.m. and the first and third Satur-day of the month from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dur-ing Military Saves Week, AFCU hosts aseminar at the Leighton Community Activ-ity Center Feb. 27 at 6 p.m. They will address

different financial topics with free pizza anddrinks. For more, call 350-6229 or 0931-705-860.

WAMS concert Feb. 28The Wuerzburg American Middle School

music department presents a concert Feb. 28at 5:30 p.m. in the school’s multipurposeroom. The beginning band, intermediateband and choir have been working twomonths on melodies by Bach, Schubert, Dvo-rak and Sousa, as well as folk songs fromaround the world. Join the school for anevening of fun and entertainment.

Conn main gate to closeDue to construction, Conn Barracks’ main

gate will be closed Feb. 26 through Septem-ber. The Conn East gate will be open 24hours a day, and the Geldersheim gate isopen Mon-Fri from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

CAC hosts BingoThe Wuerzburg Community Activity Cen-

ter hosts Mardi Gras Bingo, tonight, Feb. 23.Doors open at 6 p.m., games begin at 7 p.m.Special games/food will be available.

USAG Schweinfurt/Leighton

Pianist neededThe Bamberg Chapel has a non-personal

service contract available for a Protestant pi-anist. The price associated with the servicesis within a range of $7,728 to $9,660. The an-ticipated performance period is March 15through March 14, 2008. Interested partiesshould contact Bamberg Regional Contract-ing Office for the solicitation packet. Thedeadline for submittals is Wed., Feb. 28, at 2p.m. For more information contact VinceRead, 0951-300-9399.

Bamberg Scouts need volunteersBe part of a fun-filled, worthwhile pro-

gram that teaches values. For more informa-tion on how to become a Boy Scouts ofAmerica volunteer leader contact Mr. CarlosLopez at 151-111-85141 or 0951-297-2254.

Directing workshopLearn what it takes to develop and direct

a theatrical performance from Ron Ziegler,of StageWest Theater Company in DesMoines, Iowa. The workshop will be held atthe Stable Theater on Wed. March 7 from6:30 to 9 p.m. For more information contactJack Austin at 469-8647. Advance sign up isrequested for the workshops.

Women’s History 5K runKick off Women’s History Month by par-

ticipating in a 5K Fun Run on March 6. Therun starts at the Bamberg Freedom FitnessFacility at 6:30 a.m. Registration is not nec-essary.

Pass and ID closedThe Bamberg Pass and ID Office will be

closed on March 6-7 for equipment up-grades.Stations of the Cross

Stations of the Cross will be held at theBamberg Chapel every Friday at 5:30 p.m.during Lent except on Good Friday. Share infellowship and food immediately after.Got Issues? Get AFAP

The Bamberg Army Family Action Plan(AFAP) conference will be held Feb. 26-28.Be part of the solution. Submit quality-of-lifeissues at any AFAP drop box or contactMary Thompson to receive an electronicsubmittal form at 469-7777.Dance classes offered

USAG Bamberg’s SKIES Unlimited pro-gram offers ballet, jazz, tap and combinationdance classes. Pre-registration is a must.

Classes cost $90 per class per child. For moreinformation call CYS Central Registration,0951-300-8660 or 469-8660.

Civilian Fitness ProgramSpring assessments for the Civilian Fitness

Program will be held at the Freedom FitnessFacility March 22-23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.For more information contact AngelaHunter on Tue and Thu at 469-7043.

Women’s History luncheonAttend a Women’s History Month lun-

cheon March 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. atthe Warner Club. This year’s theme, Genera-tions of Women Moving History Forward,will be discussed by guest speaker Col.Sharon Duffy, 3rd COSCOM DCO. Formore information contact the EO Office at469-8624.

USAG Bamberg

Jim HughesAnsbach High School football coach Marcus George talks to his team during lastyearʼs football campaign. The high school needs volunteer coaches for its cham-pionship football team. George is a certified coaching instructor and will helpthose who are interested become nationally certified. For details, call George at468-2808 or 09802-832-808.

10 The Point, February 23, 2007 U.S. Army Garrison Bamberg

by Simon HupferMWR Marketing Specialist

You can literally feel Rainer Giehl’s energy when you talk tohim.

Giehl, 44, has been a martial arts instructor for more than 20years and teaches Tae Kwon Do at Bamberg’s Freedom FitnessFacility.

“He’s active and full of surprises. Every class is different andI really like to workout with him,” said Christian Adams, 12,who has been in Giehl’s program for more than a year.

Twenty area youth are enrolled in the class offered throughChild and Youth Services’ SKIES Unlimited Program everyMonday and Wednesday at 4:15 p.m.

“It makes you feel that you are really good at something,”Adams added.

At a recent community event, Adams jumped over three peo-ple and broke a 2-inch-thick wooden board with his foot.

“It helps your self confidence and I made a lot of friends,”Adams said, relating his feat.

“Tae Kwon Do is not only a sports program; it teaches re-spect, concentration and self-confidence you can use in any ca-reer field,” Giehl said. “A good martial artist is a low-key char-acter, calm and respectful. He always strives to better himself,”he added.

Tina Mount is in Giehl’s adult class at the community activ-

ity center Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.“(The classes are) cheaper than on the economy. And since

I’m working on post, it’s convenient, too,” Mount said.For a woman, she added, it never hurts to know some self-

defense techniques.Some of Giehl’s trainees plan to participate in the sport’s

World Cup at Salsomaggiore, Italy, where more than 1,600fighters have registered, and at the Austrian Classics with morethan 1,000 fighters. Trips are also scheduled to internationaltournaments in Orlando, Fla., to Montego Bay, Jamaica, as wellas to several smaller contests in Bavaria.

“Martial artists get injured less often than football or soccerplayers,” Giehl stressed. During competitions and training ses-sions fighters wear head gear, shin guards, gloves, mouthguards and groin cups for protection.

“You can start martial arts at any age. People here can startanytime by attending one of our classes,” Giehl said. Childrenmust be signed up through CYS Central Registration in build-ing 7340. Call 469-8660 for details. Adults register at the Bam-berg Community Activity Center in building 7047. Call 469-8659.

“We’re always looking for teams from other military com-munities to compete against,” Giehl added. Those interestedcan call him at 0175-904-4925.

Simon HupferRainer Giehl (left) demonstrates a kick with one ofhis students, Michele Simone.

RCO services come to Bambergby Renate BohlenThe Point

The Army’s Regional Contracting Office (RCO) invited com-munity members to meet their staff and tour the agency’s newhome during an open house at Warner Barracks Feb. 12.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony preceded the celebration.“This is the first time the entire agency has moved to another

town,” said Mark Vaccaro, RCO business operations manager.He said the agency had moved twice before but only withinWuerzburg. The decision to move to Bamberg was based onspace requirements, which other garrisons were not able to meet.

“We had to stay within the footprint to allow our employeesto commute,” Vaccaro said. The agency has 19 employees and18 of them commute to Bamberg. RCO services the entire Fran-conia footprint, including Schweinfurt, Ansbach, Bamberg andWuerzburg.

Last year the agency spent $127 million in contracts. Theircustomers are garrison agencies and tactical units. The bulk ofthe contracts are for unit supplies and for Directorate of PublicWorks services like snow and ice removal and custodial services.

“We want to thank the Bamberg community and the contrac-tors for their support. Everyone came together as a team andmade us feel welcome,” Vaccaro said.

“We love it. The building has been super renovated,” headded.

Vaccaro said everyone is quite happy to be in Bamberg. “Ob-viously, this is not Wuerzburg with its super mall, but you can geteverything you need (on Warner Barracks),” he said.

“The commissary, the PX and the food mall – everything iswithin walking distance. And outside the gate Bamberg is abeautiful city, too,” said Timothy Rock, administrative assistant.

RCO is in building 7108 on Warner Barracks.

Renate BohlenMark Vaccaro, business operations manager, settlesinto RCO’s new facilities on Warner Barracks in Bam-berg.

‘A black belt is just a white belt that never gives up.’

Tae Kwon Do instructor brings vitality to training

Community welcomes,orients new employeesby Renate BohlenThe Point

Employees new to USAG Bamberg received a warmwelcome from the garrison commander at an orientationand welcome reception in the post briefing room Feb.16.

Approximately 40 civilians, assigned to the garrisonas a result of a reduction in force or command directedreassignment, attended the briefing.

Lt. Col. Mark Gatto, USAG Bamberg commander,emphasized the importance of sharing the garrison vi-sion.

“We work every day so Soldiers and families can say:‘Bamberg was the greatest community I have ever livedin.’ And I ask you to join us in that effort,” he said.

Gatto also stressed the outstanding cooperation be-tween the works council and the commander.

“I consider the works council as part of my staff andI encourage you to seek their advice and assistance.We’re all working toward the same goal,” he said.

“The employee orientationgoes far beyond the usual intro-duction to working conditions.It focuses on the excellent busi-ness behaviors that result in acorporative working climateand well-being of all employ-ees,” said Ed Mayer, chief of thePlans, Analysis, Integration Of-fice, who helped organize theevent.

“I got a very warm welcomewhen I arrived,” said AnthonyStaley, a budget technician. “Iam very impressed with the op-

erations here. They help each other and communicatevery well and that’s very positive,” he said.

“Making memories of a lifetime every day – that’sour vision – and you’re part of it,” Gatto concluded.

MayerAmy Bugala

Bamberg Burger King now hi-techLt. Col. Mark Gatto, USAG Bamberg commander, with the help of his son Julius, cuts the ribbon to reopen the reno-vated Burger King on Warner Barracks. The renovation, completed in 17 days at a cost of $170,000, includes a com-plete remodeling of the dining room and restrooms and provides customers with air-conditioning, a 42-inch plasmascreen television and, in a few weeks, wireless internet access.

12 The Point, February 23, 2007 U.S. Army Garrison Schweinfurt

by Kimberly GearhartThe Point

USAG Schweinfurt’s Morale, Welfare and Recreationdivision hosts a Winter Fest at the Finney Fitness Centeron Conn Barracks March 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“It’s a big community event,” said Silvia Joiner,MWR recreation specialist. “We’ll have different activ-ities from electrical bull riding to arts and crafts and ac-tivities for the children.”

The eclectic event is part of an effort to show localfamilies and Soldiers how much their sacrifices are ap-preciated. With the current 2d Brigade Combat Team de-ployment passing its midpoint and winter reaching itsend, the event will offer a well-timed break and a chanceto shake off the winter blues.

The Winter Fest is the first ever in the Schweinfurtmilitary community.

Free food, magicians, games, and an obstacle courseare part of the fun planned inside the fitness center. Out-doors, the climbing wall and paintball activities will beopen as well.

Shows and events will be run throughout the day.Games, including duck-pond fishing for the young onesand mechanical bull riding for the more adventurous,will offer something for everyone.

“We hope that everyone comes out and has a goodtime,” Joiner said.

The Winter Fest is partly sponsored by the Schwein-furt Community Spouses’ Club. The SCSC is known forits support to military families and the community atlarge, awarding scholarships and supporting family-friendly events all year. The Winter Fest is the type ofevent the SCSC enjoys supporting.

“We recognize that families and the Soldiers that sup-port them need an opportunity to relax, decompress andhave some fun,” said Joanne Edwards, SCSC Welfarechairperson.

Other sponsorship will be provided by Culligan water,and Gil Sanborn, a private citizen from the U.S.

“Mr. Sanborn was a major contributor. He wanted todo something for the brigade, since they’re deployed,and offered a lot of support,” Joiner said.

Sanborn will be on hand during the event to help cel-ebrate and honor the Soldiers and families of Schwein-furt.

All community members are encouraged to attendwhether they have deployed family members or not. TheMWR Winter Fest is a chance to get together and cele-brate the military family.

Fat Tuesday:feasting,fun, gamesby Sandra WilsonThe Point

Whether you call it Fat Tuesday, Carnivale, MardiGras, Pancake Day, Fasching, or Shrovetide, the St.Francis of Assisi Military Catholic Community inSchweinfurt decided to join in by hosting a party on theeve of Ash Wednesday.

The Catholic community enjoyed two hours of feast-ing and fun Feb. 20 at the Schweinfurt ElementarySchool multipurpose room.

The extravaganza stood for one last opportunity ofmerrymaking and indulgence in food and drink beforethe 40-day season of Lent began the next day.

“One of the reasons we’re doing Mardi Gras is (that)it’s a chance to have a party, and we don’t want to passthat up. (It’s) a reminder that Lent is upon us,” said Chap-lain (Lt. Col.) Thomas Robert.

On Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras beads were given away toall. Games included piñatas, limbo rock, chicken dance,electric slide, and a parade and dinner was free.

“This is a night out, entertainment for the kids, youdon’t have to cook, there’s plenty of fun and games forthe family,” Robert said. “It’s a chance to meet otherparish members and celebrate the last party for 40 days.”

Those attending were asked to bring their own camerato take photos of the special Carnivale guests during thelast hour of the program. Adorned in their full Carnivaleregalia, they posed for pictures as a memento to send tofamily or loved ones downrange.

Lily Bagtas, event coordinator, explained the neces-sity of the event for boosting Catholic families’ morale.

“I think the community needs it especially now withthe deployment. It’s our way of showing our support,”she said.

Robert explained that the event stood as a signpost forthe Catholic community. It served as a reminder that theyare people who are called to do penance.

“Whether people do it out of religious fervor or not,there are the people who see the religious significance init and there are people who use it commercially and saylet’s have a party,” Robert said.

Kimberly Gearhart

Soldiers returnFamily members, Soldiers, and leaders from the 2d Brigade Combat Team wave and cheer to a small group of Sol-diers returning home from deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Task Force Guardian welcomed sev-eral Soldiers from the 2d Brigade Combat Team and a few non-2d BCT Soldiers as well, Feb. 7 at the Conn Club inSchweinfurt. Lt. Col. Robert Whittle welcomed the Soldiers back “on behalf of Col. J.B. Burton,” and Chaplain (Col.)Mike Brown said a prayer in thanks for their safe return.

Winter Fest to honor Soldiers, families

by Sandra WilsonThe Point

Ladies, you don’t have to go the deployment alone. The Protes-tant Women of the Chapel is here to help.

“PWOC is an opportunity to get out and socialize with otherwomen that are going through the exact same thing and at the sametime build a relationship with Christ,” said Christina Gomer, Schwe-infurt PWOC programs director and treasurer.

Since 1955, when the idea of PWOC first began in Berchtes-gaden, the organization has spread throughout the military with thegoal to educate women about God’s word and mentor them on theirspiritual journey.

“Weekly (our goal) is to provide a very welcoming, safe place forwomen to come to, Christian or not, to be able to share their strug-gles and unwind and experience the love of God,” said AmandaClark, Schweinfurt PWOC president.

PWOC meets Wednesday mornings at 9 a.m. at the LedwardChapel and child care is provided.

It begins with snacks and socializing then moves into a time ofsinging and sharing prayer requests. Small group Bible study fillsthe remaining hour ending at 11:30 a.m.

“It’s helped me to grow spiritually (and) to focus on others morethan I focus on myself…when you’re with a bunch of other womenthat are going through the same thing, they help you to see it a dif-ferent way,” Gomer said.

Currently, three small groups gather for studies. Everyone is wel-come to join at any time throughout the course of the studies thisspring, and Clark is sure that all women in the community can finda comfortable place in PWOC.

“We’ve got a group of wonderful women with big hearts, greatlistening ears, full of compassion, who love to meet new people, andwho love to come together and eat and talk and laugh,” Gomer said.

PWOC is here to help women not just cope with their current sit-uation but to thrive as strong, contributing members of society. And,in the end, they will have something to show for it.

“(I) pray that…when their husbands return…the women willhave grown individually as well as in their community,” Clark said.

PWOC helps women bond, grow

Sandra Wilson

Beth Walter, LauraCross, MichelleMitchell, Julie Brandt,Amanda Clark andLourdes Vilwock enjoybreakfast at PWOC’sweekend travel-trainingworkshop last fall inWuerzburg.

Kimberly Gearhart

Cubs scour the mediaLocal Tiger Cub Scoutslearned that Superman is areporter and Spidey takessome mean photos as partof a badge-earning effort tolearn how the media gets information to the public.The badge was the final onethis troop needed to earn tograduate from Tigers intoWolves. They learned aboutnewspapers, radio, TV, andnewsletters. Armed withnotebooks and pens, theCub Scouts will report ontheir experiences in theirown Troop newsletter.

by Spc. Jeffrey Ledesma1st Cavalry Public Affairs

CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq – What happens when the Multi-National Division – Baghdad daily radio show ‘Cav Roundup’meets Apple’s iTunes? People are able to listen to the most up-to-date information on what’s happening on the ground throughthe eyes of MND-B Soldiers.

Cav Roundup delivers daily news and operational updatesevery weekday from the Iraqi capital. Army Public Affairs sub-mitted the radio show and other Army products to iTunes toreach a larger audience, according to Lt. Col. John Robinson,director of the Media Services Division, Soldiers Media Center,Office of the Chief of Army Public Affairs.

“My intent was to make more approved Army products, suchas the Cav Roundup, available on social sites on the Internet,such as iTunes,” Robinson said.

The Cav Roundup is available as a podcast, or a media file,typically audio or video, that is distributed by subscription overthe Internet. The feeds can then be played back on mobiledevices and personal computers.

“Doing this broadens our reach with quality Army productsand it also makes more people aware of the kind of material theywill find on the Army homepage,” Robinson said. “It’s importantto (MND-B) Soldiers and their families because we are enteringand developing a new and innovative way to explain their mis-sion to the American public, as well as our global audiences.”

A broadcast noncommissioned officer and co-producer of thedaily radio show, Sgt. Scott Pittillo said he thinks the venture willtake the story of the MND-B troopers to more ears, minds andhearts.

“Putting the Army’s story out there will give the public a morerounded perspective on the war and the Soldiers who fight in it,”Pittillo said.

On a more personal level, a forward observer with Headquar-ters Company, Division Special Troops Battalion, 1st CavalryDivision, Pvt. Aaron Reyes said that with the radio show oniTunes, Soldiers can make sure family members and friends canget more than the just the news they see on television.

“They can get a closer look at what were doing here and knowthat we’re doing okay,” Reyes said.

Although he can’t determine the number of people who down-load the daily radio show on iTunes, Robinson said hits on the

Army’s homepage has grown dramatically since he began plac-ing more material on other social sites.

The program’s goal is for servicemembers to become bettermanagers of their personal finances, and in doing so avoidmoney-related problems and worries that can distract them fromperforming important national security missions, Arsht said.

“We want financial planning and financial strategies to be partof everyday life,” she said. “You start now and keep doing it andit becomes a habit.”

by Spc. L.B. Edgar7th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

FORWARD OPERATING BASE CONSTI-TUTION, Iraq – When the victims started toarrive at the Riva Ridge Medical Clinic on CampLiberty, all 17 needed medical attention. All 17were saved. All 17 were Iraqi army troops.

With a multitude of crushing injuries andshrapnel wounds to treat, the staff of the clinicfrantically treated the patients.

The mass casualty incident occurred Dec. 14,2006. Soldiers of Company C, 299th ForwardSupport Battalion, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 1stInfantry Division, treated human beings basedon their medical needs, not their uniform, saidSgt. Victor Banks, a radiology sergeant withCo. C.

Two of the 17 Iraqis required further attentionand had to be medically evacuated. Fifteen oth-ers were stabilized and released from the clinic,said the native of Moorehead City, N.C.

The Iraqi Army troops were victims of a vehi-cle-borne improvised explosive device and asuicide vest, which simultaneously detonated.The troops were repairing a school when theattack occurred. The structure collapsed and thesoldiers needed treatment fast, Banks said.

Enter the Soldiers of Riva Ridge MedicalClinic.

As drama unfolded, another Iraqi Army troopwas in the clinic for a dental appointment. While

the clinic’s staff triaged its patients, the Iraqitroop in need of dental assistance had to berescheduled. Interested in the clinic’s pressingchallenge, the soldier observed the amazingtreatment of his fellow Iraqi Army soldiers, saidhis commander, Brig. Gen. Nassir, the brigadecommander for 3rd Brigade, 6th Iraqi armyDivision.

Nassir caught wind of how the American Sol-diers at Riva Ridge Medical Clinic diligentlytreated his troops. Consequently he felt com-pelled to express his gratitude, he said.

Nassir was able to thank eight members of thestaff who treated his soldiers by hosting a dinnerreplete with tea, Iraqi cuisine and cigars Feb. 12.

Banks, who worked on the wounded troops,said he was just doing his job.

“We’re here to show our support for theseguys. We’re going to work on Iraqis and Amer-icans the same,” he said.

The equal treatment of Soldiers, regardless ofaffiliation, is what impressed Nassir, said Col.Kenneth Stone, team chief for 3rd Brigade, 6thIA Military Transition Team.

“General Nassir just wanted to thank theAmerican Soldiers for their excellent treatmentof Iraqi Soldiers,” said the native of Warr Acres,Okla.

There are also 17 Iraqi troops who made itthrough two explosions who are thankful to themedical staff of Riva Ridge Medical Clinic.

14 The Point, February 23, 2007

Spc. Jeffrey LedesmaPvt. Aaron Reyes, a forward observer with Headquar-ters Company, Division Special Troops Battalion, 1stCavalry Division, listens to the latest iTunes podcast ofthe ‘Cav Roundup’ Feb. 14.

Spc. L.B. EdgarSoldiers of the Riva Ridge Medical Clinic, assigned to Company C, 299th ForwardSupport Battalion, 2d Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, feast on Iraqi cui-sine on Forward Operating Base Constitution Feb. 12 as guests of honor for havingprovided medical treatment to Iraqi Soldiers Dec. 14.

Program encourages troopsto save money, reduce debtby Gerry J. GilmoreAmerican Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – A new Defense Department programencourages servicemembers to become better money man-agers by paying off or avoiding credit card debt and startingsavings accounts, a senior official said.

“Military Saves” is an ongoing, DoD-wide program thatalso sponsors money management seminars titled, “Money-wise in the Military,” held at military installations across thecountry, Leslye A. Arsht, deputy undersecretary of defensefor military community and family policy, said today duringan interview with the Pentagon Channel and AmericanForces Press Service.

“We want financial planning and financial strategies tobecome a part of everyday life” for servicemembers andtheir families, Arsht said.

Each seminar features the insights of money manage-ment expert Kelvin Boston, host of the PBS televisionseries, “Moneywise,” as well as other sessions that discussthe proper use of credit, savings and investment strategies,home ownership and other topics.

The first “Moneywise in the Military” seminar, held inSeptember at Walter Reed Army Medical Center here,attracted more than 200 servicemembers and militaryspouses, Arsht said.

Participants “listened to experts give them tips and strate-gies to use to start this kind of (financial) planning thatwould put them on this positive path to managing theirmoney in a proactive way,” Arsht said. “Many service-members went away saying they learned a lot of things theydidn’t know.”

The second “Moneywise in the Military” seminar washeld Jan. 31 on Fort Dix, N.J., and it drew more than 400servicemembers and military spouses. The Navy will kickoff its “Military Saves Week” activities by holding a “Mon-eywise in the Military” event in San Diego on Feb. 24.

The Defense Department’s “Military Saves” programalso offers a website, www.militarysaves.org, where ser-vicemembers can access financial management informationand register for a money management plan, Arsht said.

When servicemembers are distracted by financial prob-lems, it negatively affects military readiness, Arsht pointedout. The state of a servicemember’s personal finances alsoaffects security clearances, she added.

However, servicemembers with money problemsshouldn’t feel embarrassed or afraid to step forward toobtain help that’s free and readily available through militarychannels, Arsht said.

“All the command wants is for everyone who is in the ser-vice to be successful, and having debt and worry keeps youfrom that,” Arsht said. “Everyone along the command chainrecognizes that this is a problem. (But) people make mis-takes and make bad choices.

“You can work to fix it. And then, once you work to fixit, you can put yourself on a path to financial success thatwill keep you from doing that again,” Arsht said.

The “Military Saves” program officially kicks off during“Military Saves Week,” Feb. 25 through March 4, Arshtsaid. “Military Saves” is part of a national initiative called“America Saves,” she said, that urges Americans to becomebetter stewards of their personal finances.

David S.C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personneland readiness, initiated planning for the “Military Saves”program more than a year ago, Arsht said.

Clinic staff treat 17; treated to Iraqi meal

‘Cav Roundup’ available on iTunes

Family program leaders define top concernsby Fred W. Baker IIIAmerican Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – Top military family program leaders fromacross the services gathered here yesterday intent on answeringtough questions on how to better work together.

Instead, after a day of discussions, leaders at the 2007 FamilyReadiness Summit came up with nine issues they will present tosenior military leadership.

“Part of our goal was to identify best practices, lessonslearned, challenges and requirements, and what we found wasthat regardless of which group and which questions they wereworking on, everyone came up with essentially the same list,”said James L. Scott III, the director of individual and family pol-icy for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense forReserve Affairs.

Each of the issues will be defined and will include recom-mendations by the group. The findings will be attached to a let-ter from Assistant Defense Secretary Thomas F. Hall to the ser-vice secretaries and reserve-component chiefs asking for theirsupport in implementation.

Topping the list as a challenge was defining, and possiblyrenaming, family assistance centers across the services. Thegroup noted that family programs have many different namesacross the services, and all have different meanings and providedifferent services.

“It’s so confusing to our families – even the military mem-bers,” Scott said. “How do we get to one label?”

Army Col. Anthony E. Baker, chief of family programs for theNational Guard Bureau, said the family assistance center is clear-ly defined in DoD regulations, but that it applies to an installa-tion-level organization and does not mean the same thing for thereserve component, which has centers in geographically dis-persed areas.

Members of the group expressed concerns that some familymembers do not go to the centers because of a possible negativeconnotation of the word “assistance.”

“Nobody wants a handout,” Scott said.Funding also topped the list as a challenge. The group said

more money is needed for more full-time personnel. More fundswould help avoid burnout for the full-time staff and volunteers.Scott said there needs to be a balance. “We can’t buy everything.We can’t expect people to donate everything,” he said.

Some participants expressed concern that current funding istied to current operations and that those funds will not always beavailable. Funding should be consistent and not tied to specificoperations, some said.

Also, the group said there should be one policy across the ser-vices on whether funds can be used for family member travel fortraining. Not all services will pay for family member travel forsupport-related training.

Lady Wolves declawed by Lady Falcons

Sports The Point, February 23, 2007 15

Roundup

Capture regular seasonDivision II South titleby Scott RouchThe Point

In its first year in Division II, the WuerzburgAmerican High School boys basketball teamwon the regular season Southern Division cham-pionship.

BJ Harvey made sure of that.In Vilseck Feb. 16, Harvey hit the game-win-

ning three-pointer in the final minute of play asthe Wolves edged the Falcons, 60-59.

The Wolves completed the sweep the nextday, winning 46-40 at Leighton Fitness Center.

Trailing 40-39, Harvey repeated his Friday-night heroics, nailing a trey with 1:06 left, whip-ping the crowd into a frenzy in the process.

“It was like last night,” Harvey said. “I foundmy spot. That’s where I was. Going up I saw itwas good.”

Before the Falcons could compose them-selves, Jamal Caldwell stole the inbounds passand converted it into a layup to give the Wolvesa 44-40 lead.

“I just put my hands out and the ball came intomy hands and I laid it up,” Caldwell said.

The Falcons missed on the other end and theWolves ran the clock down to 15 seconds beforeJames Robinson finished the scoring with alayup.

While Harvey hit the game-winners for theWolves (9-5 overall, 5-1 DII South), it was ateam effort that put them over the top.

“We’ve got faith in each other,” said Robin-son, who scored the team’s first five points enroute to a game-high 12 points. Korey Workmanhad 11 points and 10 rebounds and Caldwelladded 10 points and seven rebounds.

The Wolves pressed and trapped their way toa 13-4 first period lead, but were outscored 13-3in the second and trailed 17-16 at the break.

“We went in at halftime and I told them wehad to pick it up and play our game,” said coachJuanita Johnson-Archie. “It seemed like (theteam) got their adrenaline back.”

Behind the outside shooting of Chris Lewisand the inside work from Kollin Jordan, the Fal-cons built a 24-18 lead midway through the thirdperiod. Jordan and Lewis were second on theteam with eight points each behind Kyed Naj-dawi with 11.

The Wolves ended the period on a 9-2 run andtook a 27-26 lead into the final stanza.

Until the final moments, the Wolves and Fal-cons traded baskets, neither leading by morethan three points.

The Wolves forged ahead 37-35 with 3:10 togo when Donald Bryant found Caldwell for alayup. The Falcons responded with a Najdawilayup and free throw from Dex Johnson to takea 38-37 lead.

With 1:38 to play, Harvey put back a miss forthe one-point lead, but Lewis answered immedi-

ately, drilling a jumper with 1:22 left as the Fal-cons took their final lead, 40-39.

The Wolves enter the DII tournament inMannheim as top seed in pool B. The top twoteams in each pool advance to the semi-finals.

They played Mannheim and Bitburg Feb. 21

and Naples and Baumholder Feb. 22 in poolplay. If they advanced, the Wolves will playtoday at either 11:30 a.m. on Ben Franklin Vil-lage or at 1 p.m. on Sullivan Barracks.

The Division II championship game is 6:15p.m. on Ben Franklin Village.

Scott RouchJamal Caldwell, Donald Bryant and Korey Workman share a moment as BJ Harveylooks on during a recent game.

Cougars stumble into tournament playby Jim HughesThe Point

It was a rough week for the Ansbach Mid-dle/High School boys’ basketball team as theyprepared to head to the Department of DefenseDependents Schools European basketball tour-nament in Mannheim.

The Cougars dropped a rare Wednesday gameFeb. 14 – a makeup game due to snow – losing toHohenfels 57-53.

They then hosted the Division III South cham-pion Griffins of Giessen (13-1) Feb. 16/17, los-ing 64-47 and 51-44.

The Cougars (now 8-6) hung tough Feb. 16until a disastrous third quarter.

Giessen scored the first seven points of thegame but Ansbach closed the gap to 17-13 afterthe first quarter and trailed 33-29 at the half.

Run-and-gun Giessen took control in the thirdquarter, building a 56-35 lead that the Cougarswould not threaten.

Ansbach Coach Adrian Quille said his teamstopped playing the way they wanted to play.

“We started trying to play a running game withthem and that’s a team we just can’t run with,” hesaid. “We sat back and played a perfect 1-2-2zone in the first half, but then we came out in thethird quarter and I don’t know what we played.”

The coach said players not playing defense,letting the Griffins run up and down the court andsome calls going against them led to the melt-down.

“Some guys got discouraged and felt they hadto do it right then and there and we got away fromour game plan,” Quille said.

Giessen’s star Christopher Battle didn’t helpmatters as he exploded for a game-high 25 points.

Adrian Shack and Xavier Sheppard paced theCougars’ with 11 points each, while Storm Free-man snatched eight rebounds for the Cougars.

The Cougars played Giessen a little tighterFeb. 17, and led 30-29 heading into the final pe-riod.

Battling back and fourth, in the closing sec-onds Battle, who again led all scorers with 24points, hit two treys to seal the 51-44 win.

Ansbach’s Jiamine Kimbell had 16 points andCharles Butler added 12, and grabbed a team-high nine boards, while Freeman snagged an-other seven.

Quille said the Cougars have come a long wayand feels they can make some noise in the playoffs.

“We’re a ‘we’ team instead of a ‘me’ team likewe were at the beginning of the season,” he said.“The guys know they can trust each other now, sopeople aren’t trying to do things all by them-selves.

“We have a good all-around game,” Quillesaid. “We can get up and down the floor when wehave to, or we can slow it down and play half-court. If we play the way we’re capable of play-ing in the playoffs, we’ll be fine. If we play Ans-bach basketball, we’ll be all right.”

In girls’ action, the Lady Cougars lost to theGriffins twice, as well. Giessen took the first 48-38 and finished the sweep with a 50-40 triumph.

In game one, Amber Mack led the LadyCougars with 12 points and Carmen Hill added10. Stephanie Stinson dominated with 14 re-bounds and Katie Kimmel grabbed 12.

In game two, Mack exploded for 24 points andshe and Kimmel both had 12 rebound.

The boys enter the DIII tournament inMannheim as the seventh seed. The top twoteams in each pool advance to the semi-finals.

They played Vicenza and Rota Feb. 22, andface Hohenfels at 2:15 p.m. and Sigonella at 6p.m. on Coleman Barracks today. If they advanceto the semi-finals, they play Feb. 24 at 9 a.m. oneither Sullivan or Coleman barracks. The cham-

pionship game is at 2:45 p.m. on Ben FranklinVillage.

The girls enter the tournament as the sixthseed. They played American Overseas School ofRome and Rota Feb. 22 and today face Mary-mount at 8 a.m. at Patton Barracks in Heidelbergand Hohenfels on Sullivan Barracks at 3:45 p.m.If they advance to the semi-finals, they play Feb.24 at 10:15 a.m. on either Sullivan or ColemanBarracks. The girls’ championship game is 4:30p.m. at Ben Franklin Village.

Jim HughesJohn Willis-Morris takes it to the hoop forthe Cougars during the first half againstGiessen Feb. 16.

by Scott RouchThe Point

The Wuerzburg American High School girls’basketball team fought until the end, but lost to theDivision II South champion Lady Falcons ofVilseck, 24-19, Feb. 17 in its home- and regular-season finale.

The Lady Wolves also lost the previous night inVilseck, 42-27.

“I thought we played a lot better than we did Fri-day night,” said head coach John Sullivan. “Wejust can’t seem to get our shots to drop. Our pass-ing wasn’t very good, which was pretty obvious.”

The Lady Wolves (7-7) struggled against theVilseck press in the first period and didn’t scoreuntil Allison McKearn hit a hook with 38 secondsleft. McKearn then banked in a jumper with fourseconds left and the Lady Wolves trailed 8-4.

The Lady Falcons extended the lead to 18-8 athalftime, with Ashley Hicks (10) and Cathy De-laRosa (8) scoring all of the points.

The Lady Wolves limited DelaRosa and Hicksto two and one more point, respectively, in the sec-ond half, outscoring the Lady Falcons 11-6 in thehalf.

“That’s one of the lowest point totals they’vehad this year, so I feel good about that,” Sullivansaid.

The deficit was cut to 21-14 when the third pe-riod ended. Following Kristin Hickey’s layup withjust under four minutes to play, the Lady Wolvestrailed 24-19. But neither team scored the rest ofthe way.

Hickey started in place ofKei’Shawn Tention, whose familyhas moved on to a new assign-ment. Hickey earned praise fromSullivan for her six-point, nine-re-bound effort.

McKearn led the Wolves with11 points and seven rebounds –after totaling 21 points and 13 re-bounds the day before – whileAdrianna Archie hauled in 16 re-bounds.

The Lady Wolves enter the DIItournament in Mannheim as theeighth seed in pool A. The top twoteams in each pool advance to thesemi-finals

They played Black Forest Academy and NaplesFeb. 21, and took on SHAPE and Bitburg Feb. 22in pool play. If they advanced to the semi-finals,they play today at either 11:30 a.m. on SullivanBarracks or at 1 p.m. on Ben Franklin Village. Thechampionship game is at 1 p.m. at Ben FranklinVillage.

Wolves, Harvey shoot down Vilseck Falcons

Scott RouchGirlsʼ coach John Sullivan and boysʼ coach JuanitaJohnson-Archie make a point to officials during theLady Wolves game Feb. 17.

Bamberg gamesThe Bamberg Barons opened Division IV

tournament play Feb. 22 against Lajes. Witha win they would advance to play the winnerof Milan/Incirlik. The third place game istoday at 10:15 a.m. on Sullivan Barracks andthe championship game is today at 4:15 p.m.on Ben Franklin Village.

The Lady Barons began play Feb. 22against Menwith Hill. A win would have ad-vanced them to the semi-finals in the after-noon. The third place game is today at 9 a.m.and the Division IV championship is today at2:30 p.m. on Ben Franklin Village.

WrestlingThe DoDDS-Europe wrestling tournament was heldFeb. 9-10 in Wiesbaden. Under a new format, eachwrestler in each weight class wrestled four times Feb.9 and once in the morning Feb. 10. Weight classeswere divided into pools with the top six wrestlers ad-vancing to afternoon matches Feb. 10.In The Point coverage area, Sean Hipe (189 lbs) andDaniel Davis (215), both from Wuerzburg, were theonly wrestlers to advance to the afternoon session.Hipe lost the fifth-place match, 5-3 to Nick Letsios ofShape, and Davis was pinned at 2:50 by Vilseck’s JoshLee in the fifth-place match.103 lbs – Ansbach’s Jose Ramon was pinned threetimes and recorded a pin the first day before gettingpinned on day two.130 lbs – Ansbach’s Mark Zumbach was pinned in eachof his five matches.152 lbs – Dominic Barrale of Ansbach recorded a pin,was pinned once, and lost two decisions. Wuerzburg’sJosh Simpson was pinned twice and lost two deci-sions. Day two, Barrale got the better of Simpson,recording a pin at 5:57.160 lbs – Despite recording a pin day two, Ansbach’sDavid Zumbach did not advance. The first day he wonwith a pin, was pinned twice and lost 10-6.171 lbs – Wuerzburg’s Jacob Jones was pinned in eachof his five matches.189 lbs – Hipe’s day one included a pin, an 11-0 win, a5-1 defeat and was pinned once.215 lbs – Davis earned a spot in the afternoon on daytwo with three pins and getting pinned once. He waspinned in his first match on day two.

Boy’s basketballFeb. 9/10 – Hanau vs. Bamberg – Bamberg 53-46/Bamberg 53-42; Ansbach vs. Wuerzburg – Ansbach45-41/Ansbach 64-58Feb. 14 – Ansbach vs. Hohenfels (makeup game) – Ho-henfels 57-53Feb. 16/17 – Bamberg vs. Hohenfels – Bamberg 55-43/Bamberg 56-55; Ansbach vs. Giessen – Giessen 64-47/Giessen 51-44

Girl’s basketballFeb. 9/10 – Ansbach vs. Wuerzburg – Wuerzburg 31-21/Ansbach 23-19Feb. 14 – Ansbach vs. Hohenfels – Hohenfels 44-40Feb. 16 – Bamberg vs. Hohenfels – Hohenfels 60-26;Ansbach vs. Giessen – Giessen 48-38Feb. 17 – Giessen 50 Ansbach 40