Page 7 - Fort Irwin High Desert Warrior, May 2021

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May 2021
May 2021
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Plenty of COVID-19 vaccine doses available on post Fort Irwin honors Gold Star Spouses

By Janell J. Lewis Ford Brig. Gen. Curtis Taylor asked commanders to emphasize
the importance of getting the vaccine with their soldier. By Sta Sgt. Julie Jaeger Star Spouses.
NTC/Fort Irwin Garrison Public A airs
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — Weed Army Community Hospital “We set a goal that every soldier who has elected to have the Contributor Julie Dunlap is a Blue Star mom who has a son
has begun administering the P zer vaccine and leaders say there vaccine or who has not declined to have the vaccine, should be FORT IRWIN, Calif. — e National Training in the military. Lovett’s friend lost a loved one and
vaccinated prior to block leave,” Taylor said during the Town
is no shortage of shots available for the community. Center and Fort Irwin celebrated Gold Star Spouses prior service member named Shawn in a vehicle
“We have plenty of vaccine available,” WACH Commander, Hall. at the Mojave Arts and Crafts Center on April 5. accident. She brought a large bouquet of roses for
Col. Nancy Parson said during an April 27 Community Town He said no one will be required to take the shot under its Lauri Picard, the coordinator of the event, said Gold Star Sisters to enjoy.
Hall. “Everyone who wants the vaccine, please make an ap- current emergency use authorization but said, “they are safe the goal is to honor a group of people who have lost a Months prior, Dunlap said, “I longed to be here
pointment.” and e ective, they remain absolutely optional. It is proven to spouse in the military, known as Gold Star recipients. with Kim anticipating this moment. I could hardly
e hospital is currently only o ering Moderna as a second be healthy, we know it to save thousands of lives, and now’s the is is a yearly event dating back to World War I, wait to be with all these people.”
dose for those who previously received it as a rst dose. Both time for us to encourage our soldiers and our family members to originating as a holiday on June 23, 1936. e Arts e Garrison Command team, including Col.
P zer and Moderna vaccines have proven to have a 90 percent get the vaccine, so we can gradually move out of this pandemic.” and Gift Center provided the material and instruc- Jeanette Martin and Command Sgt. Maj. Paul
e ective rate and WACH leaders recommend individuals get During the Commanding General’s live community update tions for Gold Star Spouses to design an American Fedorisin were also in attendance.
vaccinated when they have the opportunity, regardless of the on May 5, Medical director and Deputy Commander for Clini- ag, using various plastic beads placed on paper. Picard said, “Today we celebrate the spouses,
brand of vaccine. cal Services for the hospital, Col. Luis Rivero, said, “I am happy e crafts gave individuals like Kim Lovett, a then on Sept. 26, 2021 we will celebrate Gold Star
e hospital is o ering vaccines on May 7 and May 8 at the to report that since we began vaccinations back in December Gold Star spouse of Sgt. Shawn Lovett, a reason to Mothers, and throughout the last week of September
Mary Walker Center at 170 Inner Loop Road and will have (2020), we have not had any deaths or any serious, adverse come out and meet others who have also lost a loved 19-26, we commemorate Gold Star Families.”
many vaccine events through June. Everyone is asked to make reactions to our vaccination e orts here.” one in the military. Picard has all of these events planned out and
an appointment by visiting Weed-irwin.tricare.mil. Fort Irwin residents who are experiencing symptoms or Organizers also served a lunch of hamburgers, welcomes anyone to attend who has lost a loved
Everyone who is a DoD bene ciary can get a shot, as long believe they may have been exposed to COVID-can also call beans, rice, and salad. one, along with those who would like to be there
as they’re at least 16 years old. the COVID-19 hotline at 760-383-5304. Kim Hackbarth, WACH Public A airs Some guests came in support of the Gold to support them. Abe Dawoud, Fort Irwin Public A airs

First “Ask, Care, Escort- Suicide Amid pandemic, volunteers dedicate
Intervention” class held at Fort Irwin MEDDAC Minute

teaching important and
informative material to 12,215 hours to the Fort Irwin community
leaders and soldiers in
positions of trust. e
class challenges the stig- By Abe Dawoud on help from volunteers in my community.
ma behind help-seeking Fort Irwin Public A airs is wasn’t about the recognition, it was about
and mental health and me ensuring my community doesn’t face the
having tools to build FORT IRWIN, Calif. — Nine community same hardships I did.”
trust with their subor- volunteers were recognized on April 6 at the Maj. Gen. David Lesperance and Com-
dinates. Sandy Basin Community Center during the mand Sgt. Maj. William A. Justice— former
According to Staff National Training Center and Fort Irwin’s an- commander and current Sergeant Major of
David Johnson, Fort Irwin’s Suicide Prevention Program Manager Sgt. Madrid, “Everyone nual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony. the NTC— alongside the Fort Irwin Garrison
wants to think they can “Fort Irwin volunteers make this installation Command Team, Col. Jeanette Martin and
By Abe Dawoud intervention concepts handle all the stressors a better place,” Army Community Service Spe- Command Sgt. Maj. Paul Fedorisin, presented
in order to encourage the Army and life throws cialist Evelyn Sandoval-Villalobos said. “ eir
Fort Irwin Public A airs all awards to the volunteers.
subordinate trust and our way but without commitment to the community provides more
FORT IRWIN, Ca- help-seeking behavior. At the conclusion of the awards ceremony,
lif. — e Fort Irwin It assists leaders in iden- the proper tools and services to our soldiers and family members, Sandoval-Villalobos presented a check to the
Suicide Prevention Pro- tifying Solders at risk resources, it can easily which enhances the quality of life here on the Garrison Command team for $332,248, which
gram hosted a rst-of- for suicide so they can become overwhelming. installation.” represented the 12,215 community service
its-kind suicide preven- intervene and trust help- is training provided Winning NTC Volunteer of the Year award hours that all volunteers worked this year.
some of the best infor-
tion course on March seeking behavior.” was Sta Sgt. William Holcomb from the Congratulations to all of the 2021 Volun-
26-28. Sta Sgt. Johnathan mation on how we can 1916th Support Battalion. Holcomb has been teer Recognition Ceremony Awardees:
The Ask, Care, Es- Madrid was one of the reintegrate our soldiers heavily involved in volunteer opportunities on • 11th ACR: SFC Rogen Cabungason
cort- Suicide Interven- rst students in the class. and further take care of Fort Irwin, as well as Silver Valley High School. • OPS Group: Krista Parker Abe Dawoud, Fort Irwin Public A airs
tion (ACE-SI) class is an “I honestly thought that them through postven- “One of my biggest achievements during • 916th Support Brigade: Megan Six From Left to Right: Garrison Commander, Col. Jeanette Martin, Command Sgt. Maj. Paul
tion, which was missing
intense three-day course this would just be an- from the ACE train- my three years here at NTC was mentoring • RSO: Leslie Korman Fedorisin, and Evelyn Sandoval-Villalobos, Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator
that enables soldiers to other brief on Ask, Care, ing model.’” He added, high school students in California Cadet • Active Duty Soldier: SSG William Holcomb
learn the “ACE” model, and Escort,” he said. “I “treating our soldiers Corps,” Holcomb said. “It’s a sense of giving • Private Organization: Ashley Glenz If interested in volunteering with ACS, booth support. Anyone wanting to volunteer
facilitation strategies to expected to just sit in a with respect after they back and putting a smile on someone’s face. I’ve • Outstanding Boy/Girl Scout: Jason A. volunteers are needed as program assistants, can reach out to the Volunteer Coordinator at
utilize when teaching class to hear about ACE just experienced one been on the other side of the spectrum, relying • Over 500 hours volunteered: Genevieve Null office/administrative, special events, and 760-380-8422.
the trainers, and teach- but ended up having a of the hardest things in From LEADERS, Page 2
ing back the material great experience shar- their life is key in mak-
learned. ing our situations with principal, Michael Meyers said, “We did successfully complete looking for members to participate.” School leaders look to continue bringing a high-quality
Master Resilience soldiers at their lowest ing our soldiers feel a a Cross Country season and we had great performances by our Last day of school is May 27. distance learning program. “Every district had to go to distance
Trainer and course in- point in life and how part of the team again student athletes.” “Of course with the pandemic, we don’t know exactly what learning,” Najera said. “I believe our program was better than
structor, Sharon Ku, we as leaders handled it and through empathy, e football team played its rst game on April 16 and the next year will look like,” Najera said. “We have every expecta- most out there.”
we can sustain this bond
said, “ACE-SI is a gate- with very little training.” of trust. e National Training Center and Fort Irwin community would like to thank the service member who retired girls soccer team has also been playing. e baseball and softball tion to be in school fulltime. at’s our hope. We continue to Here is the link to the SVUSD presentation: https://drive.
keeper training meant The class offers a from the military in April 2021. e monthly retirement ceremony was held at the Sandy Basin Community teams are practicing and their rst games were slated for April follow our safety protocols; you’ll see everybody in Silver Valley google.com/file/d/1BJdif80D0h-BwqtzADlfOLEaL00G-
to reinforce key suicide proactive approach by From SUICIDE, Page 11 Center on April 27 and live streamed on Facebook.com/NTCfortirwin. 29. e rst track meet was April 21. e high school is still masked and social distanced.” Fq0U/view?usp=sharing

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