Page 8 - Fort Irwin High Desert Warrior, November 2020

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November 2020
November 2020
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Learning from Joshua in the High Desert Chaplain’s WACH holds Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness month event

“I always compared my loss to other people who had a
By Kimberly Hackbarth
Public A airs Specialist, Weed Army Community Hospital loss maybe at birth or in the third trimester and it was like
the mid-19th century named the tree after people but also the dangers of Corner
a biblical story in which Joshua reaches his desert scorpions, rattle snakes, FORT IRWIN, Calif. — Weed Army Community my pain wasn’t as great as them …I don’t need to make it
hands up to the sky in prayer. en, who is and extreme weather condi- his God. Remembering Moses’s charges, he Hospital hosted Light the Night, a Pregnancy and Infant that big of a deal,” she said. “But now looking back, I realize
this man Joshua? Joshua was son of Nun, and tions. Can you imagine thirst, hunger, and Loss Awareness Month remembrance event on Oct. 15 at I shouldn’t have done that.”
he lived as a Soldier most of his adult life in scorching heat of the day as well as icy cold resiliently remained strong and courageous Fort Irwin. Her pain re-emerged 16 years later when she started work-
the desert’s harsh environment. wind that penetrated the people’s skins in even in the stormy days of his life. He hum- Sgt. Monique Knox, a preventive medicine noncommis- ing at WACH and cared for someone in a similar situation.
Some biblical scholars believe that the night? How could Joshua emerge as a bly obeyed God’s Word in all circumstances sioned o cer with WACH, spearheaded the planning for “As a nurse I found myself caring for a young mother in
Joshua probably started his Army career as leader, especially a strong warrior amid these of his life, and “the Lord made Joshua a great the event and said it’s important to acknowledge pregnancy her rst trimester who had lost her rst pregnancy,” she said.
an Egyptian Army o cer before Moses ap- extreme circumstances? leader in the eyes of all the Israelites and for and infant loss awareness events because it isn’t healthy for
pointed him as his aide. Ever since Joshua It is because Joshua was a man of faith. the rest of his life they revered him as much families to su er in silence. “ ose feelings didn’t really come back until then, when I
met Moses, his life was forever changed. But what does faith really mean? When I as they revered Moses (Joshua 4:14).” “It is strong and brave to be vulnerable and release that saw her in the spot that I was in 16 years ago.”
Joshua constantly remembered what Moses used to live in San Diego, I once visited Let me tell you the good news, that is, pressure and pain of your little loved one’s life lost before it Mendez empathized with the grieving parents who
By Chaplain (Col.) Daniel S. Oh, Senior charged him: “Have I not commanded you? the Port of San Diego Shipyards. ere, I Joshua was no di erent from us. He had the eats away at you until you are no good to help anyone else.” thanked her for sharing her story with them.
Chaplain Be strong and courageous. Do not be terri- wondered how huge ships could stay in one same nature as us and he was no super man. WACH sta set up a table with educational resources for “I realized how powerful that was just to face it and share
NTC/Ft. Irwin, California ed; do not be discouraged, for the LORD place not colliding with one another. Well, I He put his version of OCP pants just as we families and a memorial frame where parents could write the Kimberly Hackbarth - Fort Irwin community members my story and that was important,” said Mendez.
name of their baby on a little, wooden heart and place it in attend a remembrance ceremony Oct. 15 at Weed Army
your God will be with you wherever you was told that each ship was securely anchored do: one leg at a time. But his faith made all
As we serve in the California’s High go (Joshua 1:9).” He followed Moses and to the ocean oor. You see, faith is like an the di erence. And today, the same God is the frame that will be displayed at the hospital entrance the Community Hospital at Fort Irwin, Calif. during a Pregnancy e WACH event where Mendez spoke about her experi-
Desert, I bet you want to be a successful faithfully served the people of Israel for 40 anchor, linking us to the object of our faith, with you and He is more than willing to do rest of the month. and Infant Loss Awareness month event. ence gave families an opportunity to share their grief with
warrior and leader. My recent trip to Joshua years in the desert. our God. Just as an anchor secures a ship powerful work in your life. I hope and pray During the event, 1st Lt. Ti any Mendez, a registered her husband received the news that no parent wants to hear. others who had similar loss and create a safe environment
Tree National Park reminds me of the story In his 40 years of journey in the desert to the ocean oor, so does our faith link us that you may enjoy the same success that nurse with WACH, shared her story of loss. “ e ultrasound technician informed us there was no to remember those lost.
Mendez had just arrived at her rst duty station in
of Joshua’s life in the Old Testament, which with the Israelites, however, Joshua had to securely to God. Joshua had enjoyed as you work, live, and Germany when she found out she was pregnant with her longer a heartbeat,” she said. “ is is the rst [a pregnancy and infant loss awareness]
inspires us to be successful. According to the endure arduous hardships, continually fac- at was the secret of Joshua’s success. play in the high desert. May His perfect rst child. After that, Mendez said she buried her emotions and tried event I’ve ever been to,” Mendez said. “It took me 16 years
National Park Service, Mormon pioneers in ing not only nagging complaints of his own By faith, Joshua was securely anchored to peace and grace be with your always!
However, at one of the rst routine checkups, she and to rationalize why she didn’t deserve to feel so sad. to acknowledge it and I think it’s about time.”

What’s new in the Legal Assistance O ce?

Cinnamon Merritt that military families may encounter and how the law applies with a parent and child if requested. Our attorneys will advo-
to the special education process. Parents often struggle when cate to ensure plans and decisions are in the best interest of the
NTC/Fort Irwin Paralegal Specialistt
moving to a new duty station while also trying to meet the parent and child; giving them the right to a free, appropriate
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — e Fort Irwin Legal Assistance special education needs of their children. ere are countless public education and free disability evaluations at the school
O ce currently provides a variety of services to all active duty resources to help parents who have children with learning or or through military resources.
service members, retirees and their eligible family members. other diagnosed disabilities that impact their school education, COVID-19 has impacted many o ces and operational
ese services include legal advice on family law, landlord/tenant but sometimes having a knowledgeable attorney can better help procedures, including ours. We assure you that our current
disputes, SCRA protections, immigration, consumer transac- to move along the process. remote services and precautions to safeguarding the con dential-
tions, debt collections, nancial fraud alerts/transactions, tort e special education system was designed to ensure that a ity of all privileged communications during the attorney-client
claims, and income tax returns, among other services. Notaries, child with a disability has an opportunity to succeed in his or relationship is taken seriously for all legal services provided.
Powers of Attorney, medical directives and wills are also some her education just as a child without a disability. A mechanism Prior to appointments requiring legal advice, we will need
of our common and most requested services. ese services are was established to measure education progress. Schools and more information and documents. For an appointment, leave
provided at no cost to those eligible. So what’s new? parents are expected to work together to create a team-based a message at 760-380-5321 or email us at usarmy.irwin.imcom.
We are proud to announce that the Fort Irwin Legal As- approach to meet each child’s unique education needs. If all mbx.ntc-osja-client-services@mail.mil and your call or email
sistance O ce now o ers legal assistance to military families goes well, the child will progress, but that is not always the case. will be promptly returned. Our hours of operation are Monday

with special education needs. is new legal service o ers We are here to educate and advocate for parents and children through Wednesday, and Friday 8a.m. -4p.m. and ursdays
advice and assistance on education and school related issues with special education needs, to include attending a meeting from 1p.m. – 4p.m.
Events, upgrades discussed at monthly Community Service Council meeting

By Janell J. Lewis Ford COVID-safe activities were able to return amid e Villages at Fort Irwin housing con-
the rst Opportunity Leave of 2020. rmed the following upgrades:
NTC/Garrison Public A airs
Events surrounding Domestic Violence • Completed 45 upgraded kitchens in Bit-
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — Community Month, Breast Cancer Awareness, Pregnancy ter Springs
events, COVID-19 updates, housing renova- and Infant Loss Awareness Month and Hal- • The Outer Loop Super Playground moved
tions and the tenant bill of rights were among loween were discussed, in addition to new up to the 2021 budget (previously planned
the topics discussed at the last, monthly Com- hours for the Outdoor Recreation Center, the for 2023)
munity Service Council meeting on Sept. 29. Box and Memorial Fitness Centers, the Warrior • Calico Estates Exterior: Paint, LED light-
e event was held with limited capacity Zone, Samuel Adams and the Desert Winds ing, fences, address plates will all be completed
at the Sandy Basin Community Center and Bowling Center. by Oct. 27
streamed live on the NTC and Fort Irwin Gar- The Outreach Services Director said The next Community Service Council David Dupree, Fort Irwin Garrison Public A air
rison Facebook pages. More than 100 people Child and Youth Services are still reserved for meeting is scheduled for Nov. 17 at 10a.m. slides for each CSC or Town Hall can be found
tuned in live and more than 4,000 have viewed mission-essential personnel due to the HP Con ere is limited seating at the Sandy Basin on the main NTC website at home.army.mil/
it since the event occurred. Charlie status but changes to the veri cation Community Center and it will be streamed irwin under the “Town Hall Slides” tab inside
October was the rst month that more process have been implemented. on Facebook.com/FtIrwin. e informational the “Menu.”

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