Change of Command

This was a great day. I just wish I could have been there. I love all the tradition that the military is so steeped in, and of all the events this is one I would have never missed. Especially since Jeff will only be a Company Commander one time.

Food Handlers Permits

Today I was reminded, once again, how nice it is to go some place new when a friend is with you. Today I had training for my Food Handlers Permit. I was able to meet my friend and follower her to the building, which made my experience much more enjoyable.

About the class. It is on the 2nd floor of the FRC (Family Readiness Center), BLDG 6237. When I was there the parking was really packed, however way in the back there is more parking available. Just be creative.  The presenter goes over a lot of great information, then you are tested.  You don't get your card the day of the class. You get it the Friday following the class. These classes appear to be held only once a month.  The classes are only an hour long.  The next one is scheduled for September 21. Call 719-524-0730 to sign up! The classes are free!

Remember you will need this permit in order to do a fundraiser that involves food. 

CYSS Has Reduced Rates During Deployments

 

Mission Level 1: Families of deployed soldiers and DoD civilians.

• 16 hours free hourly respite care per child per month beginning 30 days prior to deployment and extending to 60 days after return to Fort Carson
• Hourly care fee reduction to $2.00 per child per hour for any hourly care beyond the free respite care hours.
• 20% fee reduction for regularly scheduled full and part day care.
• Up to 4 free Skies (instructional) classes per child/youth (NTE 8 weeks per class)
• Up to 2 free cyss team or indificual sports per child/youth.

Mission Level 3 --Rear detachment Cadre supporting the immediate families of deployed soldiers as identified on the Rear Detachment and Personnel Availability Report.

• 5 hours free hourly respite care per child per month during designated eligible periods
• Hourly care fee reduction to $2.00 per child per hour for any hourly care beyond the free respite care hours
• Up to 2 free Skies (instructional) classes per child/youth (NTE 8 weeks per class)
• up to 1 free CYSS team or individual sport per child/youth.

For more information call CYSS at 719-526-1101

59th MP Co. Bake Sale

We are holding a Bake Sale on September 3rd at the PX.  Hours are from 9:00am until 2:00pm. Below is a link to follow so you can volunteer to help with the sale, or to bring in baked goodies. Below is the minimum that I need for items and volunteers. If we get more than that is even better! Can only volunteer an hour, great! Please come. Want to just stop by, eat come cookies, and say hello! Wonderful!

This is what we need:
10X 2-Dozen brownies, wrapped 2 per package, and clearly labeled.
8X 2-Dozen chocolate chip cookies, wrapped 2-4 per package, and clearly labeled
5X 2-Dozen morning muffins, individually wrapped, and labeled
3X 2-Dozen oatmeal cookies, wrapped 2-4 per package, and clearly labeled
3X 2-Dozen peanut butter cookies, wrapped 2-4 per package, and clearly labeled.
5X 2-Dozen, any treat you want to bring, wrapped, and clearly labeled
For drinks we will have ice water, kool aid, and hot chocolate. 

This is who I need: Volunteer vendors to work two-hour shifts, must be comfortable making change.
3X 0900-1100 Volunteer Vendor
3X 1100-1300 Volunteer Vendor
3X 1200-1400 Volunteer Vendor
2X 0830 Volunteer to bring two folding chairs. Available at the 59th MP Co. Bldg.
2X 0830 Volunteer to bring two large folding tables with table cloths. Available at the 59th MP Co. Bldg.
2X 0830 Volunteer to bring a cooler full of ice for drinks.

I have set up a bake sale roster on line.  All you have to do is follow this link to volunteer.  Another option is to email me at my59thmpco@aol.com and let me know if you can volunteer your time or donate treats.  You can also drop treats off the night before the bake sale at the 59th MP Co. I will give you more details if you email me on this.

The proceeds of this bake sale will go to purchase supplies for the single soldiers barracks when they return! Let's all show up and show our support for the best MP Co. in the whole Army!!!!

*photo courtesy of Taste of Home.

Sears Heroes at Home Wish Registry 2011

In 2010 Heroes at Home brought the holidays home to over 21,000 military families by donations raised thru Wish Registry. Our 2011 program will launch September 11th. Donations made to Wish Registry are not tax deductible and will be used to purchase gift cards for registered families. Learn more >

Sears is once again doing great things for our military.  I know a few people that were in on this great program last year.  Last year they had the 21,000 families signed up withing the first few hours! So keep the date in mind. Follow the link above for some FAQ's.  Do your research.  Try and get in on this great event. 

Army Announces Nine Month Deployment Period

                 The Secretary of the Army John McHugh announced today a change in the length of future unit operational deployments from 12 months to nine months.  This change will be fully implemented by April 2012, and applies to division-level-and-below units.  This policy will not affect personnel or units currently deployed or deploying prior to Jan. 1, 2012.  The deployment period for high demand and low density units and individual deployers will remain one year.
                 The reduced deployment length will improve soldier and family quality of life while continuing to meet operational requirements and is an important step in sustaining the all-volunteer-force.  This policy change is consistent with secretary of defense policies for utilization of the total force.  Implementation of this change is based on the projected demand for Army forces, and is contingent on global security conditions and combatant commander requirements.
                 For information regarding this announcement, contact Lt. Col. Craig Ratcliff, at (703) 697-7550, craig.ratcliff@us.army.mil.

59th Military Police Company History

The Army of the United States constituted the 59th Military Police Company on 30 November 1943 and activated it on 1 December 1943 in North Africa. Shortly after World War II, the 59th Military Police Company was inactivated at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey on 28 October 1945. The 59th Military Police Company was again reactivated to the regular Army at Fort Dix, New Jersey on 13 October, 1950, only to be inactivated again on 2 May 1955 in Korea. It was reactivated on 1 June 1957 in Germany and deactivated there on 30 March 1971. Once again the 59th Military Police Company was activated in Germany on 21 June 1977. The 59th Military Police Company moved from Germany to Fort Carson, Colorado on 20 October 1993.

During World War II, the 59th Military Police Company participated in the Naples-Foggia and Rome-Arno Campaigns. In Korea, the company participated on the CCF Intervention, the first United Nations summer-fall offensive, the second Korea winter, the Korea summer-fall 1952 campaign, the third Korean winter, and the Korea summer 1953 campaign. The 59th Military Police Company has received three Meritorious Unit Commendation Awards, one for Korea 1950-1952; one for Korea 1953; and finally one for Korea 1953-1954. The 59th Military Police Company has also received one Presidential Unit Citation for its performance in Korea from 1 August 1952 through 30 September 1953.

The 59th Military Police Company has participated in a number of contingency deployments, to include the Cuban Refugee Resettlement at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, 1980; JTF-B Honduras Rotations 1986-88/95-96; Operation Promote Liberty in Panama, 1990; Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, 1990-91; Operation Restore Hope, Somalia, 1992-93; Operation Joint Endeavor and Joint Guard, Bosnia 1996-97/98-99; Operations Desert Shift/Enduring Freedom, Saudi Arabia, 2001-2002, Operation Iraqi Freedom I 2003-2004 receiving the FORSCOM Eagle Award , Operation Iraqi Freedom 04-06 from 2005-2006 and finally Operation Iraqi Freedom 07-09 from 2007-2008.

Campaign Participation Credit

World War II

• Naples-Foggia
• Rome-Arno

War on Terrorism

• Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm 1990-1991
• OEF 2001-2002 Saudi Arabia/ OIF I, 04-06, 07-09

Decorations

• Meritorious Unit Commendation Award; Korea 1950-1952,
• Korea 1953, Korea 1953-1954
• Presidential Unit Citation; Korea 1952-1953
• FORSCOM Eagle Award 2004
• J.P. Holland Award 2008

*Information courtesy of the 759th MP Battalion

Free Child Care During Deployments

Child, Youth and School Services has a whole lot to off the families of deployed soldiers. I encourage you to visit them and sign your kids up so you can take advantage of all their great services.

Caring Days (deployed status only): Spouses of deployed soldiers receive 16 free hours of respite care, per child, per month. This free child care is available from 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Southwest Center (Building 7790). Care on Saturdays will be provided at the East Child Development Center (Building 6058) from 12p.m. to 7p.m. Care is provided in four – hour time blocks.   Reservations are required and can be made by calling 524-4218 or via email at CARSdeployedchildcare@conus.army.mil, however, for Caring Saturdays, the deadline for reservations is no later than 3 p.m. the Wednesday prior to the Caring Saturday being requested.

FRG Childcare Support is offered at the Southwest Child Development Center (Building 7790) or at the Family Readiness Center (Building 6237) for pre-deployment, deployment, and reunion meetings depending on the location of the meeting. Reservations are required and may be made through your FRSA.

 

Reunion Care: This care if offered 30 days prior to deployment and for 60 days after the last boot arrives by plane on the Installation. Choices for care are from 6:30 – 10:30p.m. for Friday (“Date Night”) at the Southwest Child Development Center. Daytime Reunion Care is provided at the Southwest Child Development Center (Building 7790) as well. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 524-4218 or via email at CARSdeployedchildcare@conus.army.mil.

ZUMBATHON DANCE PARTY

A Zumbathon Dance Party  at ASYMCA on August 20, 2011; Saturday 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.  Members and non-members welcome * space is limited.  Cost: Donations are accepted at the Southeast Armed Services YMCA, 2190 Jet Wing Dr.  Colorado Springs, CO.  80916. 

For more info:  719 622 9622;
http://www.ppymca.org/

WHITEWATER RAFTING

There are two weeks left in the 2011 whitewater season. Call Outdoor Recreation Complex to book a trip today. Trips run through Aug. 12, Fridays-Sundays; cost is $40 per person or $38 per person for groups of five or more. Trips are through Bighorn Sheep Canyon on the Arkansas River.

Participants can be key elements as guides call out commands and steer through some of Colorado's most classic rapids. No experience is necessary, but individuals must be able to swim and weigh a minimum of 50 pounds. Spots fill up quickly.

For more information, call 719-526-5176 or visit http://www.mwrfortcarson.com/rafting.php.