478 HR Co. Family Readiness Group: Newsletter
478 HR Co. Family Readiness Group: Newsletter
478 HR Co. Family Readiness Group: Newsletter
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December 2011
They wont be home for Christmas, And well miss them round the hearth. Pray that they return, home soon. And PEACE returns to earth. Dear GOD I never ask for much, But now I come to YOU. Please bless all those who love their flag, Blood RED, Pure WHITE, True BLUE!
He wont be home for Christmas, Cause hes far across the sea. He wont be home for Christmas, For hes there to keep us free. He didnt ask to fight this war, His country made the call. He answered and not questioned why For he saw the Towers fall. He wont be home for New Years, Cause he has a job to do. He wont be home for New Years, Cause he gives his all for you. He proudly wears the uniform, Like his father had before. And he heard of how his grandpa, Went marching off to war. He may not be here for Easter, Who knows how long hell be. This battle will go on and on, Well have to wait and see. You cant put a price on freedom, The cost you pay is high. Some men pay with only scars, While others have to die. But those who fight to keep us free, Are heroes, one and all. Theyll proudly serve and not complain, Till all the terrorists fall. When you see that uniform, Worn by men and women too. Step up and show how proud you are, For what theyve done for you.
The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a DoD agency that promotes promote public and private understanding of the National Guard and Reserve in order to gain employer and community support. ESGR is comprised of a community-based volunteer network of over 4,500 members, who serve on 54 committees (in every state, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands), implementing employer support programs within their local communities. Today, in both manpower and force capability, the Reserve Components comprise nearly half of the total armed forces. As a result, employers are being asked to sustain a much greater level of employee absence and related consequences. The complications this "contract" create for employers are compounded by low unemployment rates, an anticipated reduction in the national workforce of nearly 15 percent over to next 10-15 years, and a growing reliance by both military and civilian employers on small segments of the workforce with specific job skills that are in high demand. It is also estimated that Reserve Forces will spend more time away from the workplace defending the nation, supporting a demanding operations tempo and training to maintain their mission readiness. ESGR programs and services include: Mission One: This program provides direct assistance to members of the Reserve Components at their units during inactive duty training, and during mobilization and demobilization processing. This outreach informs the service member of his or her rights and responsibilities under USERRA. It also addresses questions and concerns that the Reservist may have about mobilization and its impact on their civilian employment. Bosslifts: Bosslifts transport employers and supervisors to military training sites where they observe National Guard and Reserve members on duty as part of the Total Force. This provides the employer a better understanding of what their Reservists do when they are away from their civilian occupation for duty with their military units. Briefings with the Boss: This provides an informal forum in which employers, unit commanders, ESGR members, and community leaders meet to network and discuss issues that may arise from employee participation in the National Guard and Reserve. Ombudsman Services: The Ombudsman Services Program provides information, informal mediation, and referral service to resolve employer conflicts. ESGR volunteers and the Ombudsmen of the national
staff are available to promptly respond to inquiries and conflicts presented by employees or employers. They can be reached tollfree at 1-800-336-4590. ESGR is not an enforcement agency and does not offer legal counsel or advice. However, many employeremployee conflicts can be resolved without referral to the Department of Labor for formal investigation. For more information: ESGR Website ESGR maintains a web page of information concerning all of its programs and activities at http://www.esgr.org. The national website contains information of interest to employers, Reservists, and committee members about ESGR programs and activities and USERRA. It lists points of contact for each ESGR Committee and for the national staff. Reserve Component members are able to nominate their employers for recognition through the on-line "My Boss is a Patriot" nomination form. The website also lists ESGR fact sheets, the Federal statute (USERRA), the current ESGR public service advertisement, and various links to other web sites, including the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, the Department of Labor, the Reserve Components, and other National Guard and Reserve associations.
say adults should do muscle-strengthening exercises (like lifting weights) at least two days a week. So, to get you through the fall and winter months, here are five at-home exercises from two of our expert Health Coaches at TriWest, Tiffany Anderson and Meghean Cook: 1. Pushups: Either do them standing up and pressing your hands against the wall, or do them on the ground, on your knees. 2. Squats: Using a chair, sit down, and then stand back up. You can either keep your arms crossed at your chest, or use weights to add more resistance. 3. Overhead shoulder press: You can do these using household items, like water bottles or canned goods. 4. Opposite arm/leg raise: Get on all fours so your knees and your palms are on the ground, supporting you. Lift your right arm, and at the same time, lift your left leg. Repeat on the opposite side (left arm, right leg). Complete about 15-20 reps. 5. Join a community yoga or belly dancing class: OK, so it doesnt have to be one of those activities. The key is: pick something you like. Cant find anything available or affordable? Check your local library and see what DVDs they may have. You can have your own class in your living room!
Just like becoming a parent for the first time, there are some things people wont tell you about life as a military family. This is partly because they want you to become a military wife (wouldnt want to scare you off!), but also because often these things are so complicated and unique to military life, they are difficult to put into words. Here are a few: 1. Your children will randomly hug men and women in uniform. To a child, everyone in a flight suit, camis, khakis, etc., is Daddy or Mommy. This can be very upsetting the first time it happens. Youre walking through the supermarket, assuming your child is trailing behind, when suddenly you hear someone say, Im sorry little fellow, did you think that I was your dad? You look up and find your child clinging to the leg of a stranger in uniform. My advice: Act calm. Dont overreact. And whatever you do, dont try to explain to passersby, Hes not really her Daddy. I mean, Im not even married to him. I mean, I don't even know this person.
2. Time will suddenly include a lot of zeros, and maybe even a few letter Os. All your life, you thought 9:00 at night was just that: 9:00 p.m., time for The Bachelor. Now suddenly you catch yourself agreeing that it is 21 hundred. Who knew there was a 21 oclock? (Dont say this to your spouse.) You might be thinking, I never saw that on the clock! Once you know that military time includes 24 hours, you begin to worry: How will I keep up? Will I have to learn how to tell time all over again? Answer: kind of. A tip: After noon, add 12 to every hour and you get military time. 9 + 12 = 21. Another tip: This one is for your spouse. No matter what you call it zero-whatever we nonmilitary types will still usually be late. 3. Holidays and special dates happen ahead of schedule. If this is your first deployment, by the time you realize that it is almost your spouses birthday, your anniversary or Valentines Day, it is already too late to send a care package. For military mail (which has not, as far as I know, heard of rain, sleet or snow), you have to be at least one month ahead of special dates. Insiders note: Dont be alarmed when your package still doesnt arrive on time or if your spouse gets his birthday card on Easter and his Christmas presents in July. As long as the pictures you took for him dont accidentally arrive in someone elses mailbox, consider yourself lucky.
Recipe Corner
White Chili
1 tablespoon olive oil 2 medium onions , chopped 4 garlic cloves , minced 2 (4 ounce) cans chopped mild green chilies 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano , crumbled 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 3 (16 ounce) cans great northern beans , undrained 6 cups chicken stock or 6 cups canned chicken broth 4 cups chopped cooked chicken , to taste 3 cups grated Monterey jack cheese (about 12 oz.) Directions: 1. Heat oil in large pot over medium high heat. Add onions and saut until translucent, about 10 minutes. Stir in garlic, then chilies, cumin, oregano, and cayenne and saut 2 minutes. 2. Add undrained beans and stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and add chicken and cheese to chili and stir until cheese melts. Season to taste with salt and pepper and ladle into bowls. FOR FREEZING: Pour soup into a rigid container (or freezer bag), label and freeze. To reheat, thaw in refrigerator overnight or simply put frozen soup into a large pot and gently heat, with lid on and stirring often, till heated through.
3.
Thank You!
Below are pictures of the December 3, 2011 holiday party in Sandy, Utah. I want to personally thank Heather Peterson who couldn't join us that day for her hard work in finding and reserving the venue. I would also like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Knight for their generous donation to our Family Readiness, and Mrs. Lucas and her daughter and friends for making the Santa treats. They put in a lot of hard work. The little snowmen where very cute. I also want to thank Mr. Kunzi who reserved a Santa for our event. Thank you to everyone who helped and participated that day. You made the Family Holiday party a blast. I want to wish everyone a Happy St. Nicholas Day, Fiesta of our Lady of Guadalupe, Sveti Nikola, Las Posadas, Yule, Soyaluna, DongZhi, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, Omisoka, Honukkah, Winter Solstice, Constitution Day, Eid El Haj, Day of Goodwill, Day of Reconciliation, Dhu alHijjah, Las Posadas, Festivas, Wintereenmas, Halcyon Day, and MERRY CHRISTMAS! Sincerely and Respectfully, Rachelle Kippen 478th HR Co. Family Readiness Leader
*Kids Corner*
*Merry Christmas*
Developing and Sustaining, Strong, Self-Reliant Army Reserve Families