Page 11 - Fort Irwin High Desert Warrior, November 2020

10 High Desert Warrior www.aerotechnews.com/ntcfortirwin www.aerotechnews.com/ntcfortirwin High Desert Warrior 11
November 2020
November 2020
News News

Red Ribbon Week at NTC/Fort Irwin November’s Veteran, double amputee hopes

By Janell J. Lewis Ford to be inspiration to those in need
NTC/Fort Irwin Garrison Public A airs DES Tips

FORT IRWIN, Calif. — Fort Irwin’s
Red Ribbon Week campaign ran from From Lt. Col. Rah-
Oct. 23 – 31 with a theme of, “Be Happy, saan Jackson
Be Brave, Be Drug Free.”
e on-post schools participated, as Director, Directorate

well as the Middle School Teen Center of Emergency Services
and the main Post Exchange. Youth and
adults had the chance to talk to the post Voter enthusiasm
Army Substance Abuse Program team this election cycle is
(ASAP) about drug prevention and receive
a free goodie bag, along with anti-drug more spirited than
information. normal, and the fol-
“We hope that when kids bring home lowing tips are de-
their items from school, that it may create signed to help keep
a conversation about drug abuse within you safe:
the home,” said Monroe Ili, Employee 1. Remain aware of your surroundings.
Assistance Program Coordinator for the
Army Substance Abuse Program. “Drug 2. Try to park in areas that are easy to get in, and easy
prevention and education begins in the to get out of.
home.” 3. Report signs of radicalized behavior to the local

e ASAP team encourages the com- police station. By Casey Slusser
munity to come together to educate sol- 4. Don’t discuss politics…Ignore hecklers and agitators. Fort Irwin Garrison Public A airs

diers, families and youth on the dangers Casey Slusser, Fort Irwin Garrison Public A airs FORT IRWIN, Calif. — In support of the Vice Chief of Sta of the Army’s, “A Life Worth

and e ects of drug use and to promote a The Army Substance Abuse Program (ASAP) team hands out complimentary 5. Avoid unruly crowds… o not try to drive through them. Living Campaign,” the National Training Center and Fort Irwin welcomed Sgt. 1st Class (ret.)

drug-free environment. items and information on drug use prevention at the PX on Oct. 27. Dana Bowman for two days of keynote speaking engagements at the Center Chapel on Oct.
13 and 14. is event was also livestreamed on Facebook.com/NTCFortIrwin, reaching more

than 3,000 viewers.

“ ere a lot of tragedies, accidents and diseases out there,” Bowman said. “If we have one
type of a testimony that can help someone overcome a situation or a tragedy, we should share it.”
Bowman served as a Special Forces soldier and member of the Army’s elite parachute team,

e Golden Knights. In 1994, a mid-air collision during a practice jump cost him both of his
legs and took the life of his partner, Sgt. Jose Aguillon. His determination in the Army resulted
Finger lickin’ good: MWR hosts in his making history by becoming the rst double amputee to re-enlist. Bowman retired from

the United States Army in 1996.
“I want people to look at me and say, if he can do it, I can do It,” Bowman said. “I want to
Front Yard BBQ competition be an inspiration to someone who needs it.”
Bowman has earned worldwide recognition as a motivational speaker and skydive demon-
strator. His motivational presentations focus on overcoming adversity, mastering change, and
NTC/Fort Irwin Garrison Public A airs

reaching your dreams. His motto is, ‘It’s not the disability, it’s the ability...Never Quit!’
“ ere’s so many people looking for hope, hope for despondent, courage to the timid, and

Two people have walked away with the prizes from the
Front Yard Barbecue competition, hosted by the Family strength to the weak,” Bowman said. “Not giving up is tenacity, it’s the Army way.”
and MWR in Fort Irwin. Bowman said that it makes him proud to be able to help people, saying there are a lot of
On Oct. 6, participants set up their grills on their tragedies, accidents, and diseases and if there’s a testimony that can help them overcome situa-
front lawns and prepared several dishes for judges to tion or a tragedy, it should be shared.
taste and rate. “I am a soldier, Bowman said, “I continue to jump out of planes, and I became a pilot after
Seven people competed and David Blake took rst I lost both of my legs. I live a life worth living.”

place after cooking up ribs and pork belly. Second place Vice Chief of Sta of the Army, Gen. Joseph Martin’s “A Life Worth Living Campaign”
went to Sam Resinger who made pulled pork and smoked focuses on mental health and suicide prevention.

cole slaw. e winners received AAFES gift cards. “What’s most important to me is developing relationships at the squad level, maintaining

contact— at gives us the
ability to understand our
soldiers,” Martin said during
episode 1 of “Hot Topics &

Co ee with the Vice,” posted
to social media on Oct. 5,
2020.
The National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline is opera-
tional 24/7 at 800-273-8255,
as is the Veterans Crisis Line
at (800) 273-8255, press 1.
Both can also be reached via
text at 838255.

For more information go to home.army.mil/irwin For more information go to home.army.mil/irwin