Commander’s Corner

Dragon Report D e l ta , 1 0 6 t h FM S D

Inside this issue:

The Corner 1

Happy Holidays 2

Thanksgiving Party 3

1SG Training 4

Rest and Relax 5

Equal Opportunity 5

Playing At The Iron

Dome

6

Connolly Award

Detail

7

FRG Corner 9

Birthdays 10

Upcoming Events 10

Volume 1, Issue 8 December 2012

The holiday season between Thanksgiving and the New Year

is a wonderful time of year that has many traditions and is

full of celebration and joy. We will give thanks, visit Family

and friends, and reflect on the past as we anticipate with

hope that the new year brings us all good fortune. Whether

you are traveling to another location or staying in the local

area, please be safe when traveling. Be sure to plan accord-

ingly for the weather, obey the speed limit, drive only when

well-rested, and practice defensive driving techniques. An-

ticipate the unexpected as you plan your holiday activities.

The community around us offers numerous rich traditions and

activities that will enhance the holiday season for you and

your family. Please take care of one another this holiday

season and ensure those without family are included in the

festivities of the season. We are all part of the D/10th fam-

ily, and I wish you all the very best this holiday season!!

Delta Dragons, it’s time again for us to enjoy the holiday season

and take the time to be with our loved ones and enjoy a little down

time. During this time I must remind you that safety and risk man-

agement should never have a day off. During this time of year

many people go out, visit friends, and party. There are a few well

known hazards associated with being outside and partying such as

exposure, cold weather injuries, and alcohol related incidents. Con-

suming alcohol can make you have a false feeling of being warm

when you actually may put yourself at risk. German weather is

highly unpredictable but one facet that remains the same is that it

will be cold. Ensure you dress for the occasion and wear loose lay-

ers so that any moisture that develops can evaporate without caus-

ing a drop in your core body temperature. Being from Texas, I had

a steep learning curve when it came to dressing for snow and be-

low freezing conditions. You can’t rely on observing the locals and

dressing like them because Germans, don’t seem to notice when it’s

freezing outside. So in closing, wear loose layers, don’t drink too

much, and stay G2G this holiday season!

Detachment Sergeants Corner

The Christmas Tree by CPT Garvin

Long before the advent of Christianity,

plants and trees that remained green all

year had a special meaning for people in

the winter. Just as people today decorate

their homes during the festive season with

pine, spruce, and fir trees, ancient peoples

hung evergreen boughs over their doors and

windows. In many countries it was believed

that evergreens would keep away witches,

ghosts, evil spirits, and illness. Evergreen trees are also a part of ancient Egyptian

culture, worshiping the sun god Ra, ancient Roman culture marking the winter solstice

and honoring Saturn, the god of agriculture, as well as the Celts and Druids of

Scandanavia in which evergreen trees were a symbol of everlasting life. For those

that are unaware, Germany is actually credited with starting the Christmas tree tra-

dition as we now know it in the 16th century when devout Christians brought deco-

rated trees into their homes symbolizing the everlasting life of Christ. Some built

Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if

wood was scarce. It is a widely held belief that Martin Luther, the 16th-century Prot-

estant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree. Walking toward his home

one winter evening, composing a sermon, he was awed by the brilliance of stars

twinkling amidst evergreens. To recapture the scene for his family, he erected a tree

in the main room and wired its branches with lighted candles. While the Christmas

tree tradition was adopted late in America, the

advent of electricity brought about Christmas

lights, making it possible for trees to glow for

days on end. In short, Christmas trees have a

long tradition of symbolism for many cultures

throughout the ancient and modern world, and

will remain my favorite part of the Christmas

tradition for many years to come. Merry

Christmas!!

Dragon Report Page 2

Thanksgiving Party by SPC Rawlins

Thanksgiving 2012 brought a

year with a lot of changes for

D-106th FMSU. Several sol-

diers, NCO’s, and Officer’s

PCSing in and out, new faces,

new mission, same building.

In keeping with tradition the unit

had a thanksgiving luncheon for

the soldiers and families to

connect with one another and

focus on the future.

This year, however, doubled as a mass ‘Hail and Farewell’ for the new families who

have arrived over the last 6-8 months and for those who would be leaving us

shortly. Additionally, the multicultural atmosphere allowed us to introduce new

foods and share new ways of preparing some of our old favorites with one another.

SFC Mott introduced us to his smoked turkey, SPC Lang showed up with some Ba-

nana Ketchup, Jeanette Duran made some German cookies, Juyun Garvin ac-

quainted us with her spicy pork, and Teri Rawlins made an Ohio favorite Pumpkin

Log. The kids made themselves at home, fighting over toys and using their imagina-

tion to turn a small ‘Little People’ house into a barber shop, dinosaur stomping

ground and whatever else their little minds could come up with.

Dragon Report Page 3

The “Thanksgiving Spread”—Delicious

Thanksgiving Party continued…..by SPC Rawlins

Dragon Report Page 3

In many ways, it made me think of what that first Thanksgiving must have been like.

Pilgrims from Europe and Native Americans, sharing in the blessings they had been

provided and looking forward to working together for a prosperous future. For

that day, they were one large family, brought together from different backgrounds,

but they did not let their differences keep them from sharing in the blessings that

had been bestowed upon them.

From Left to Right: Logan Killen, Elaysha Williams, Ty

Lang Aiden Killen, and Parris Garvin all play with some

toys giving “thanks” in their own “little” way.

The D/106th Family gathers around for the “Feast” and to

enjoy some good old fashioned fellowship!

Terry Rawlins, SGT Williams, SFC Mott, and SPC Duran all share

stories of the first annual famous “Turkey Smoking Project”.

Rest and Relax by 1LT Wall

The holidays are for families and friends

to enjoy being with each other. To do that

we need to remember a couple of things.

Many of us will travel. There are great

places all over Europe to visit this Holi-

day Season. Almost every village this sea-

son will be hosting a Christmas market.

Take the time to look around, travel, and

learn while you have

this time in Europe.

CPT Garvin and SFC Mott have been busy planning a lot of

great training for next year. Rest, relax, and try avoid the

stresses. Come back to K-town recharged and ready to tackle

the next year’s challenges. I feel privileged to be at Delta

Detachment and to work with each of you. Happy Holidays.

Dragon Report Page 5

D/106th FMSU EO Class by SPC Zweibach

On Thursday the 6th of December 2012, 106th FMSD D-Detachment welcomed

SGT Vitten and SFC Jennings for Equal Opportunity training. This class was highly

informative, that lead to healthy and hearty discussion on issues such as hazing and

extremists groups. They were multiple occasions of strong opinions being diffused

and eye opening situations being relayed. The class was educational and targeted

a highly diverse group coming from all different cultures and backgrounds, all in-

side of Delta Detachment. Though the slide shows were under 20 slides, D-

Detachment maintained the exchange of passionate opinions and detailed ideolo-

gies to occupy the afternoon.

Playing At The Iron Dome by SFC Eugene Victa

Dragon Report Page 5

When SFC Victa, Eugene was de-

ployed to Israel in support of the

Austere Challenge 2012, he served

as the Personnel Accountability Team

NCOIC, for the Sustainment Opera-

tions Group (SOG). His responsibili-

ties included overseeing and main-

taining accountability of all of the

US personnel to include Army, Air

Force, Navy, Marines, and civilian

personnel.

SFC Victa also organized his unit to track Soldiers coming into the country

by creating and implementing the appropriate actions needed to record

the influx of Soldiers arriving to the mission. His Team ensured accurate

accountability of boots on ground (BOG) to over five various locations with

-in the country.

SFC Victa executed several missions throughout

Israel (Hazor Air Base, Nevatim Air Base, Ben

Gurion International Airport, Sheraton and

Crown Plaza, Tel Aviv), scanning personnel dur-

ing transitions throughout the country. He was

honored to work as NCOIC and to receive the

challenge to lead the soldiers in his mission.

SFC Victa in Israel in support of Austere Challenge 2012.

Map of Israel

The Connelly Award Detail by PV2 Kody Shafer

Dragon Report Page 5

The Connelly detail is a competition of several din-

ing facilities held in a simulated field environment.

It was named after the late Philip A. Connelly, the

former President of the International Food Service

Executives Association, who was responsible for ob-

taining IFSEA’s sponsorship for the event. The pro-

gram was established on 23 March 1968, to recog-

nize excellence in Army Food Service.

It takes quite a bit of man power to prepare for this

competition. Some of the tasks involved digging

large bunkers, placing gravel for walkways, and

constructing walls and a gazebo. The bunkers were eight feet wide and nearly six

feet deep. After digging the hole for the bunkers, we then put ply wood over the

top for a sturdy roof, and camouflaged it with moss and leaves found in the area.

Gravel walkways lined with sandbags were placed throughout the site to provide a

clear path and an attractive appearance. Area beautification was a big part of

the detail. Signs were made for every tent along with the construction of walls to

create offices inside tents, and the gazebo was for the smoking section.

Gazebo in progress...

Spc Attia and PV2 Schaffer do dishes

The roof of the bunker rests on PV2 Shafer’s shoulders

The Connelly Award Detail-cont.

Dragon Report Page 5

Not only do you have to get the site ready for competition, you also have to prac-

tice to get a feel for what is going to happen. During these practice events, every-

one pitches in on their own duty. The

duties on practice and competition

days consist of the several soldiers to

cook and serve food, sanitation, and

secure the site. When involved in sani-

tation, it’s your responsibility to keep

all the cooking supplies clean and or-

ganized. The security team stands by

the gates in the bunkers and pulls

security. The winners of these details

receive awards such a trophies,

certificates, and recognition.

The competition lasts until January 2013, where we

will then find out how much our hard work has paid

off. I met some great guys, and enjoyed being

part of a team

there. I look forward

to hearing about the

results of the compe-

tition in January.

Everyone worked

really hard and

gave their best. Too

bad there can only

be one first place.

SGT McKay is The Grave Digger

SPC Attia

SPC Attia and PV2 Shafer showin ‘em how it’s

done!

LTC Zilhaver and SGM Brown at the FRG Corner by PFC Gomez

Dragon Report Page 5

PFC Gomez received the Soldier

of the Week Hero, and was

awarded by MG Aundre F. Piggee,

for filling in a job typically re-

served for NCOs. For outstanding

performance as the unit’s only ar-

mor in addition to his normal finan-

cial management duties.

LTC Cody L. Zilhaver also recog-

nized PFC Gomez while on his visit

to the detachment. He also recog-

nized SPC Lang and SPC Volks as

professional and subject matter ex-

perts in their appointed jobs in cus-

tomer service, as well as tackling a

few NCO duties. LTC Zilhaver is

bringing into the 16th a new tradi-

tion by gifting every service mem-

ber in his company who is blessed

with a new born, a quilt with the finance crest. Lt Wall is the first at Delta Detach-

ment to receive the quilt, for his newborn daughter, Hazel.

It was a great honor to be visited by both MG Piggee, and LTC Zilhaver, and an

even greater reward to receive special recognition from them. We greatly appre-

ciated their visit as well as the attention that was paid to our hard work. We were

honored to have LTC Zilhaver conduct the Detachment’s safety brief at the end of

the day.

LTC Zilhaver and SGM Brown

December Birthdays

LAVAR TUCKER DEC 3

ELAYSHA WILLIAM DEC 28

Dragon Report Page 10

Upcoming Events

22 Dec: Holiday 1/2 Day Schedule

01 Jan: New Years

08 Jan: CO SOM Board

14 Jan: Disbursing Section Inspection

17 Jan: EST 2000

18-21 Jan: Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

24 Jan: M9 Range

28 Jan: Class A Inspection