Page 3 - Fort Irwin High Desert Warrior, January 2021

2 High Desert Warrior www.aerotechnews.com/ntcfortirwin www.aerotechnews.com/ntcfortirwin High Desert Warrior 3
January 2021
January 2021
Spreading Christmas Cheer: Soldiers, the community WHO WE ARE Community

come together to brighten the holiday spirit on post Brig. Gen. David Lesperance
Commanding General
Soldiers give away dozens of toys for free Command Sgt. Maj. William Justice Toys! Toys! Toys! Lewis Elementary
Post CSM
Col. Jeanette Martin
Janell J. Lewis Ford Gandy and Deshields bought all of the Garrison Commander
gifts with their personal funds but there was Command Sgt. Maj. Paul Fedorisin
NTC/Fort Irwin Garrison Public A airs School comes through for Army families
also interest in helping from community Garrison CSM
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — A Fort Irwin members like Sgt. Dezmond Walker and Darryl Darden
Soldier and his veteran friend made Christ- his wife, Peyton. Public A airs Director Story and Photos by Jason Miller
mas better for dozens of families in the ey had more than 100 items, including High Desert Warrior Staff Fort Irwin/NTC PAO
community by donating gifts at no charge. toys and clothing and more than 50 requests Janell J. Lewis Ford, Editor
Sgt. Dominique Gandy and Davon for items and delivered them all on Dec. 21. (760) 380-3450 FORT IRWIN, Calif. — Fort Irwin community members lined the streets in their vehicles

Deshields Sr. said they just wanted to help “I like to thank everybody that shared Jason Miller, Sta Writer/Photographer as Lewis Elementary School sta and teachers distributed more than 1,600 toys to the local
families in need. our post and also the families that have (760) 380-3073 community on Dec. 9.

rough a strategic partnership with the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Cali-
“We both chose to give back because of reached out to us and allowed us to be a Renita Wickes, Sta Writer/Photographer fornia District 18, the school was able to bring holiday cheer to more than 450 U.S. Army
our rough upbringings, and now that we have blessing,” Deshields said. (760) 380-3078 families.
the opportunity to give back to other chil- On Dec. 14, Jordan Embry also created David Dupree, Sta Writer/Photographer “ is was a huge opportunity to bring light to the families. We passed out every single

dren, we wanted to take advantage of it to see a social media post, looking to spread some (760) 380-8917 item,” said Taryn Lamoreaux, Principal for Congressman Jerry Lewis Elementary School. “To
Casey Slusser, Sta Writer/Photographer
the joy and smiles it brings to them because holiday cheer to one, special family. be able to give them something during these hard times, it’s a nice feeling.”
it’s something we rarely had,” Gandy said. “My husband and I would like to spread (760) 380-3076 At the beginning of the school year, the American legion donated school supplies to Fort
e two created a ier and posted to dif- some holiday cheer this year and help a Aerotech News Irwin Middle School, Tiefort View Intermediate and Lewis Elementary in the form of pencils,
ferent social media pages, saying if families lower enlisted family provide gifts for their Emma Uribe, Graphic Designer notebooks, crayons and folders.
need anything, simply text them the child’s children who absolutely do not have the year! If this sounds like you, or you know According to Lamoreaux, families pulled their vehicles up to the school entrance where sta

gender, age, toy preference and needs. funds to bring Christmas to their home this someone please send me a PM!” HIGH DESERT WARRIOR handed items through the window to ecstatic kiddos. “We would’ve loved to allow children
High Desert Warrior, a civilian enterprise newspaper, is an to pick out their own toy; however due to the COVID-19 pandemic, both events were held
authorized publication for members of the United States with safety precautions in mind,” she said.
Spouses pose as Mr. and Mrs. Santa for children Army and Fort Irwin community. Contents of this newspaper Kids help deck the halls
are not necessarily o cial view of, or endorsed by, the U.S.
Government, Department of Defense, Department of the
Army or Fort Irwin and the National Training Center. High Community gives from
By Janell J. Lewis Ford some happiness to children. so, so much for doing this for Desert Warrior is prepared weekly by the Public A airs O ce,
National Training Center and Fort Irwin, P.O. Box 105067,
NTC/Fort Irwin Garrison Public “We decided to do it when the community! My daughter Fort Irwin, CA, 92310-5067. Telephone: 380-4511 or DSN at Post Exchange
A airs I read that families were having couldn’t stop talking about how 470-4511. FAX: 380-3075. the heart with Angel Tree
High Desert Warrior is a digital publication, distributed monthly
a hard time nding a Santa to nice Santa was.”
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — on Facebook, www.facebook.com/HighDesertWarrior/ as
What’s considered a special hol- take pictures with,” Hu man Mr. and Mrs. Claus had well as emailed to base personnel It is produced at Aerotech
News and Review, 220 East Avenue K-4 Suite 7, Lancaster, CA
iday tradition for many, took a said. “So, we decided to help nearly two dozen families stop 93535, (661) 945-5634.
hit due to the coronavirus. them by keeping the magic and by over the span of about a week. Aerotech News and Review is a private rm in no way
connected with the Department of the Army and is
When the Fort Irwin com- tradition alive. We enjoy seeing “Omggg you are the best!!!” responsible for the commercial advertising found in this
munity was eager for their how excited the kids are when Irene Cano posted on Dec. 13 publication. Everything advertised in this publication will
be made available for purchase, use or patronage without
annual photos with Santa and they see Santa and Mrs. Claus in appreciation for Hu man regard to race, color, religion, sex, national orientation, age,
Mrs. Claus, two Sandy Basin and how happy the parents are.” and Brown’s e orts. marital status, physical handicap or political a liation of
the purchaser, user or patron. A con rmed violation of this
residents stepped in to help. Stephanie Faine was eager “You’re very welcome!” policy of equal opportunity by an advertiser will result in
Kristina Huffman (Mrs. to take her child and said it did Hu man replied. “Seeing how refusal to print advertising from that source. The appearance
of advertisements in this publication does not constitute an
Claus) and Sherrie Brown not disappoint. “Just want to my children come talk to Santa excited the kids were made my endorsement by the Department of the Army of the products
or services advertised.
(Santa Claus) said that with give a BIG shout out to Kris- and get candy canes,” Faine heart so happy. I love seeing Printed by Aerotech News and Review, Inc. (877) 247-9288,
everything going on in the tina Marie Hu man for your posted to a Fort Irwin Facebook the kid’s eyes light up with www.aerotechnews.com.
world, they wanted to bring hospitality and kindness to let page. “We appreciate you guys excitement.”
NEWSPAPER AWARDS
2nd Place, 2017 U.S. Army IMCOM
Carolers for Christmas Honorable Mention, 2009 U.S. Army IMCOM-West
Newspaper Competition — Feature Photograph
Newspaper Competition — Tabloid category
e Protestant Women of the Cha- Season,” she said. 3rd Place, 2008 Dept. of the Army
pel helped Fort Irwin residents get in the The caroling events were held in Maj. Gen. Keith L. Ware
holiday spirit with Christmas Carols. Sandy Basin, Sleepy Hollow, Crack- Newspaper Competition — Tabloid Category
Heather Marie organized the event erjack Flats, Commanders Loop and SEND US FEEDBACK
and said about seven families partici- Bitter Springs communities. Send your questions, suggestions, or problems to:
pated in the singing. Residents showed their appreciation. 1. Your chain of command
“We wanted to give an opportunity “ anks to the awesome Christmas 2. ICE (Interactive Customer Evaluation)
for families to be able to do something Carolers that sang in CJFs tonight,” 3. CG’s Hotline: 380-5463
enjoyable together during the holidays Shanna Franco said after the Dec. 12 SOCIAL MEDIA
and also be able to uplift the morale evening. “It was an unexpected sur- Instagram: @ntcfortirwin
of families on post during the Holiday prise.” Facebook (NTC/Ft Irwin): @ntcFortIrwin An outpouring of love and support came tree located at the front of the Post Exchange
Facebook (Public Affairs): @FtIrwin
From CUSTODY, Page 1 from the Fort Irwin community with the Gifts store in December and many wanted to help
Twitter: @NTC_Update from the Heart Angel Tree program, hosted families in need.
Padgett, 34, who served at NTC since 2018, was a Human Re- “As we mourn the loss of our teammate, our thoughts and prayers by the Main Exchange. Customers picked a star from the tree
sources Specialist and Observer Coach / Trainer with Operations are with her family, friends and fellow Soldiers.” Children had the chance to decorate the holiday tree at the Main Post Exchange store e community was asked to give back and purchased a gift listed. Families were

Group’s Panther Team. She was from Alamogordo, New Mexico, and joined the Army over the holidays. Many youth stopped by, picked up their ornament kit to take home, then this holiday season by donating gifts for the then contacted to pick up the gifts before

“Sgt. 1st Class Padgett was loved by many and highly respected in 2007. returned with their decorated ornament to have it displayed on the tree. e Exchange thanks Angel Tree. ere was a donation box and Christmas Day.

amongst the team. e loss of our soldier has deeply a ected us all,” Padgett was highly respected among her teammates and the com- all who participated in making their tree look so festive.
Col. Michael Simmering, Commander of Operations Group said. munity mourns the tragic loss.
For more information go to home.army.mil/irwin For more information go to home.army.mil/irwin