Happy Holidays from 1HBCT!!!
15 December 2011 1HBCT Weekly Update, please pass along to Soldiers, Family and Friends of 1HBCT. Welcome Home this week we start seeing 4-4 CAV and 2-34 AR Torch and Advon Parties returning and next week we start pushing out 1-16 IN Redeployment windows and dates! Please continue to check the 1HBCT Hotline for updates on Ceremony times! 785-240-6783. This week will be the last for the Weekly News till January 2012! Enjoy your Holidays!
You can always stay up to date with local events by going to 1st Infantry Division page at http://www.riley.army.mil/default.aspx.
If you are having issues reading this you can click on this link to read the weekly news. http://www.riley.army.mil/UnitPage.aspx?unit=1bct. And we are always up and posting new information on Facebook! Join us at www.facebook.com/1HBCTDEVILBRIGADE?v=wall&ref-sgm
1. Happy Holidays from 1HBCT!!!
15 December 2011 1HBCT Weekly Update, please pass along to Soldiers, Family and Friends of 1HBCT. Welcome Home
this week we start seeing 4-4 CAV and 2-34 AR Torch and Advon Parties returning and next week we start pushing
out 1-16 IN Redeployment windows and dates! Please continue to check the 1HBCT Hotline for updates on Ceremony
times! 785-240-6783. This week will be the last for the Weekly News till January 2012! Enjoy your Holidays!
You can always stay up to date with local events by going to 1st Infantry Division page at
http://www.riley.army.mil/default.aspx.
If you are having issues reading this you can click on this link to read the weekly news.
http://www.riley.army.mil/UnitPage.aspx?unit=1bct. And we are always up and posting new information on Facebook!
Join us at www.facebook.com/1HBCTDEVILBRIGADE?v=wall&ref-sgm
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6. Free Massages – Cause Helping America’s Military Wounded: Cause Massage: Helping America’s Military
Wounded! Injured Soldiers and Family/Care Takers (Includes PTSD, TBI and other stress related conditions).
Come get a Chair Massage or Reiki Locations: Resiliency Learning Center (1st & 3rd Tuesday every month).
Time: 5:00pm – 8:00pm, Call 785-240-6257 or 785-240-7192, or email rile.dmwracs@conus.army.mil to schedule
your time! http://www.riley.army.mil/documents/ResiliencyDocuments/110914132152.pdf*
APPLICATIONS NOW ACCEPTED 2012 MILITARY SPOUSE SCHOLARSHIPS: The National Military Family Association is
now accepting applications for its annual Joanne Holbrook Patton Military Spouse Scholarship Program. The
Association recognizes the unique challenges today's military spouses face pursuing additional training or
education. Scholarships of up to $1,000 are awarded to help ease the financial obstacles that accompany
pursuing a higher education. Scholarships are awarded in six categories: General (High School GED, English
as a Second Language, Post-Secondary, Graduate); Licensing Fee; Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math
Degree (to include certain healthcare fields); Spouses of Fallen Service Members; Spouses of Wounded
Service Members; Vocational or Technical Certification Applications will only be accepted online and must
be submitted by midnight EST, January 31, 2012. Spouses of uniformed service members (active duty, National
Guard and Reserve, retirees, and survivors) from any branch or rank are eligible to apply. The scholarship
funds may be used to assist with tuition, fees, and school room and board. Apply now!
www.militaryscholar.org
NORAD GEARS UP TO TRACK SANTA CLAUS: For the 56th year running, the North American Aerospace Defense
Command (NORAD) will add the job of tracking the global flight of Santa on Christmas Eve to its mission of
North American aerospace warning and control. NORAD stands the watch protecting the skies of North America
365 days a year, but on Christmas Eve the children of the world look to NORAD and our trusted partners to
make sure that Santa is able to complete his mission safely," said Army Gen. Charles H. Jacoby, Jr. Jacoby
commands NORAD, as well as U.S. Northern Command, both based at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado. The
NORAD Tracks Santa mission "is a duty to the children of the world," he added, "and a privilege we've
enjoyed for 56 consecutive years." From a NORAD video of the 2010 Santa flight, a military specialist looks
up from a bank of computer screens: "Sir," he says, turning to look at the camera, "we've picked up 'Big
Red' on the radar. He's entering from the northeast." "Recommend fighter escort as he transitions over
North America," the specialist adds, as the video shows an F-16 moving down the runway. This year, the
NORAD Tracks Santa website went live December 1 and features a Countdown Calendar, a Kid's Countdown
Village with holiday games and activities that change daily, and video messages from students and troops
from around the world. The website is available in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Japanese,
Brazilian, Portuguese, and Chinese. For the first time, using free apps in the Apple iTunes Store and in
7. the Android market, parents and children can use their smart phones to count down the days until Santa and
his reindeer take off from the North Pole to deliver presents to kids everywhere. Facebook, Google+,
YouTube, and Twitter also offer tracking opportunities. Santa followers can type "@noradsanta" into each
search engine to get started. And that's not the only technology that goes into the Santa tracking
mission. To track the big man in red, NORAD uses radar, satellites, Santa cams, and fighter jets. A NORAD
radar system called the North Warning System consists of 47 installations strung across the northern border
of North America. On December 24, NORAD monitors the radar systems continuously for indications that Santa
Claus has left the North Pole. The moment radar indicates a lift-off, satellites positioned in geo-
synchronous orbit at 22,300 miles from the Earth's surface are equipped with infrared sensors, which enable
them to detect heat. Rudolph's bright red nose gives off an infrared signature that allows the satellites
to detect Santa's sleigh. NORAD starting using the Santa cam network in 1998. Santa cams, according to
NORAD, are ultra-cool, high-tech, high-speed digital cameras prepositioned at many locations around the
world. They use the cameras once a year to capture images and videos of Santa and his reindeer. In the
air, Canadian NORAD pilots flying the CF-18 fighter will intercept and welcome Santa to North America. In
the United States, American NORAD fighter pilots in F-15s, F-16s, or F-22 Raptors will fly alongside
Santa's airborne sleigh pulled by his famous reindeer: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid,
Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph. Once data is collected on December 24, it is pushed into Google Maps and
Google Earth so families all over the world can follow Santa. Thanks to these systems and technologies,
starting at midnight Mountain Standard Time on December 24, visitors to the NORAD Santa website can watch
Santa's progress around the globe. It all started in 1955 when a Sears media advertisement directed kids
to call Santa Claus but printed a telephone number that rang through to the crew commander on duty at the
Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center. The colonel on duty told his staff to give all children
who called in a "current location" for Santa Claus. The tradition continued when NORAD replaced CONAD in
1958. To track Santa, go to www.noradsanta.org.
SAVE THE DATE! REVISED! News from USD 475:
* No School on FRIDAY, December 16TH for High School Students
* Christmas break begins December 19, 2011
* School begins again on January 3, 2012 Dining Card
Campaign<http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs065/1103596070624/img/115.jpg Dining Card Campaign: The Geary
Community Schools Foundation has been busy this holiday season with the 3rd Annual Dinning Card Campaign.
Many of you participated in this great event and because of you we raised over $38,000 for USD 475 schools
and the Geary Community Schools Foundation. Congratulations to all of the 16 different schools who
participated, the foundation for organizing this great event, and you for your support! Dinning Cards are
still available and can be purchased from the foundation by calling (785) 717-4063.
8. Stay Connected to What's Going On WITH USD 475! Like us on Facebook
HTTP://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=axjhxzdab&et=1108950343673&s=6056&e=001ojHVqOHRgtZUwRTD8VvOe3d_TI9tJvy0zh71N5
eDtZcdz9LlwWEksClWBKY7GpdkAwQL6tMMGYa8DewJBXvrJCguL_THNwyZoVoeYJGB_Gcj0ISGvgi16wJsfjOLkngr Now with Morris
Hill and Milford Elementary!
December 2011 Real Warriors Campaign: HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE REAL WARRIORS CAMPAIGN The Real Warriors
Campaign wishes our nation's heroes and the families who support them a joyful holiday season. Sometimes,
events such as holiday parties can be stressful for returning warriors, so we'd like to remind you of our
article, Easing Holiday and Reintegration Stress
(http://www.realwarriors.net/guardreserve/reintegration/holidaystress.php). If you or a loved one needs
support at any time anywhere in the world, you can log onto the Real Warriors Live Chat at
http://www.realwarriors.net/livechat from your computer or smart mobile device or call the DCoE Outreach
Center from the U.S. at 1-866-966-1020 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress with PTSD Coach
http://www.realwarriors.net/active/treatment/ptsdcoach.php
The Department of Veterans Affairs' National Center for PTSD and the Defense Department's National Center
for Telehealth and Technology collaborated to develop a free mobile app to help service members and
veterans learn about and manage the symptoms that commonly occur after traumatic events. PTSD Coach is a
supplement to psychological health care and support received by service members and veterans experiencing
signs or symptoms of PTSD. Family and friends of service members and veterans are also encouraged to use
the mobile app to learn about PTSD and support resources.
Helping Families Understand Combat Stress http://www.realwarriors.net/family/support/combatstress.php
Welcoming home a loved one from a deployment is an emotional time for service members and their families.
As a family member, you hope that your warrior quickly reintegrates to "normal" life, but the stresses
associated with combat experience can linger. This article can help you understand the causes and symptoms
of combat stress, as well as situations that can trigger a stress reaction and how to help protect your
service member from stressful circumstances.
Resources for Transitioning Back to School
http://www.realwarriors.net/guardreserve/reintegration/education.php
Many members of the National Guard and reserve choose to enroll in higher education or vocational programs
while continuing to serve their country. National Guardsmen and reservists share a common bond and unique
experiences that often differ from the experiences of other students at their school or university. Some
individuals may experience challenges adjusting to student life, relating to their fellow classmates and
navigating benefits options. Fortunately, many benefits, resources and services are available to help
National Guardsmen and reservists transition back to school.
9. HOLIDAY ECARDS: http://www.realwarriors.net/ecard/holiday The holidays can be a difficult time when you are
apart from those you love. Whether you are a service member, veteran or military family member, you can
send a free ecard to someone you are thinking of this holiday season.