Making the most of the holidays with your ‘family’ (Page 235)

The holiday season has arrived in the Stuttgart military community. My family and I are looking forward to all of the activities that make this a special time of year … parties, excursions to the German Christmas markets, decorating the house, family gatherings and walks in the snow.

It should be the happiest time of year, right?
Yet for many people, it’s the time when frustrations begin to build, and anxiety and depression set in.

Between preparing big meals, shopping for that perfect gift, decorating the house and spending money on others, many people find the holidays are a time of overwhelming stress.

Add to that day after day of gray, dreary skies; being stationed thousands of miles away from families and friends; or a family separation because of a deployment, and suddenly, life can seem very tough.

To combat stress, experts recommend that you should keep up a regular exercise routine, maintain a healthy eating schedule, get plenty of sleep and take a break from a hectic schedule whenever you need to. They also say you’ve got to make sure that holiday goals are realistic and accept that things aren’t always going to go as planned. It’s good advice.

We must all be aware that heightened stress, relationship problems and impending holidays
can trigger inappropriate coping behaviors
in vulnerable individuals.

But while it may be normal to feel overwhelmed during this time of year, as part of the military family we must all be aware that heightened stress, relationship problems and the impending holidays can trigger inappropriate coping behaviors in vulnerable individuals.

Pay close attention to the personal needs of those around you, and be on the lookout for signs of stress and depression. If you see signs of either in someone you know, don’t ignore them.

It doesn’t matter what we label ourselves — battle buddies, shipmates, wing men or devil dogs — we need to make sure we are promoting a climate of mutual “buddy care” among all services and across the entire community. Reach out this holiday season and invite a single service member into your home. If you know a spouse who is having a hard time, extend a helping hand ... offer to baby sit or invite her over for coffee.

Help a less fortunate family by participating in the Angel Tree program. If your celebrations include the use of alcohol, make sure you drink responsibly and don’t allow your battle buddies to get into situations that may embarrass or hurt them, their families or their units. Sometimes we can forget what the holiday season is really about. It’s not the presents, elaborate decorations or gourmet food.

It’s about family, and that includes our military family.

U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Ryan L. Tomlinson

Making the most of the holidays with your ‘family’

The holiday season has arrived in the Stuttgart military community. Read More

Friendship jump

Nearly 1,200 spectators lined the edges of Vose Drop Zone in
Wendelsheim, Rottenburg am Neckar, Nov. 15 to watch a combined U.S.
Special Operations Command Europe and German special forces air
operation that included more than 100 American and German parachutists.Read More

Realignment

USAREUR announces Army in Europe reductions

U.S. Army Europe announced two separate actions that will reduce the
Army in Europe by 60 military positions, 619 local national and 389
Department of the Army civilian positions.Read More

MFE Marines respond to eastern Turkey earthquake

In 2011, a 7.2 magnitude quake leveled about 2,000 buildings in eastern Turkey, a longtime ally and NATO partner. Read More

ASAP program best in Army 2011

The garrison was awarded the 21st Annual Secretary of Defense Community Drug Awareness Award for fiscal year 2010. Read More

Endangered species benefit from LTA cleanup

The weapon of choice at the Panzer Local Training Area on Nov. 5 was not
a semi-automatic rifle, but a pitchfork. An army of volunteers
converged on the LTA armed with lawn mowers, saws and pitchforks to
clear the area from overgrown grass and shrubs, and fallen branches
during “Operation Landscape Protection Day.”

Players take passion for soccer indoors

The ball careened off the basketball backboard, hit the fire alarm then
boomeranged toward the bleachers, where it ricocheted off the boards,
spinning toward the opposite end of the Panzer gym. Goal!Read More

Silent witnesses

Tonya Harris (from left), the U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart Victim Advocate Coordinator, discusses the Silent Witness exhibit displayed Oct. 12 at the Panzer Exchange for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, with Amy Dewitt, Connie Alameda and Barbara Dickinson. Each silhouette, or “silent witness” tells the story of a victim of domestic violence. The Army Community Service Family Advocacy Program will host an information booth and Silent Witness display again on Oct. 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the USO month luncheon in Building 2915 on Panzer Kaserne.

Planting ‘seeds’ of friendship

U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart Commander Col. Carl D. Bird and the Lord Mayor of Stuttgart, Dr. Wolfgang Schuster, fill in dirt around a newly planted chestnut tree at Robinson Barracks’ Friendship Row Oct. 11. The men planted two trees as symbols of German-American friendship.

RBEMS addresses suicide, depression, bullying

Editor’s Note: Tom Driscoll is an
eighth-grade journalism student at Robinson Barracks Elementary/Middle
School. He covered RBEMS’ Suicide Prevention Month activities this month
and contributed the following report.

AFRICOM holds its first Hispanic Heritage Month celebration

U.S. Africa Command held its first Hispanic American Heritage Month
celebration last month at Kelley Barracks. More than 100 guests attended
the event, which was themed “Many Backgrounds, Many Stories — One
American Spirit,” and featured music, dancing, speeches and a food
tasting. Read More

Germany
Fuel Type	Per Gallon	Per Liter	+/-
Super E10	$3.603	$.0952	+
Super	$4.181	$1.105	+
Super Plus	$4.540	$1.199	+
Diesel	$4.179	$1.1004	+

Czech Krone:	Kč 20.67
Egyptian Pound:	E£ 48.14
Hungarian Forint:	Hf 333.14
Israeli Shekel:	₪ 3.35
Polish Zloty:	zł 3.64
Turkish Lira:	₵ 41.4568

Making the most of the holidays with your ‘family’ (Page 235)

Making the most of the holidays with your ‘family’

Friendship jump

Realignment

MFE Marines respond to eastern Turkey earthquake

ASAP program best in Army 2011

Endangered species benefit from LTA cleanup

Players take passion for soccer indoors

Silent witnesses

Planting ‘seeds’ of friendship

RBEMS addresses suicide, depression, bullying

AFRICOM holds its first Hispanic Heritage Month celebration

Fire safety a year-round mission for USAG Stuttgart Fire Department

USAG Stuttgart volunteers ‘make a difference’ every day

Football teams ready to tackle second season

Sleight of hand magician opens new performance space

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Making the most of the holidays with your ‘family’ (Page 235)