Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Memorial Day
Memorial Day
As Fort Drum does not conduct a Memorial Day Ceremony, I will be accompanying the Alexandria Bay American Legion on the morning of Memorial Day, 28 May, 2012 as they travel to area cemeteries and memorials for wreath laying ceremonies. This is the list of cemeteries that will be visited in order beginning at 7:00
Wellesley Island, Point Vivian, Cranberry Creek, Barnes Settlement,... Plessis, Redwood, Redwood Monument by Tavern, West Corners, High Street, Church Street, During Parade, Walton Street, River by Casino Island then our monument.
Please feel welcome to join us at the wreath layings, Parade, and the Monument at the American Legion afterwards for the BBQ.
Tom Clegg,
Survivor Outreach Services Support CoordinatorSee more
As Fort Drum does not conduct a Memorial Day Ceremony, I will be accompanying the Alexandria Bay American Legion on the morning of Memorial Day, 28 May, 2012 as they travel to area cemeteries and memorials for wreath laying ceremonies. This is the list of cemeteries that will be visited in order beginning at 7:00
Wellesley Island, Point Vivian, Cranberry Creek, Barnes Settlement,... Plessis, Redwood, Redwood Monument by Tavern, West Corners, High Street, Church Street, During Parade, Walton Street, River by Casino Island then our monument.
Please feel welcome to join us at the wreath layings, Parade, and the Monument at the American Legion afterwards for the BBQ.
Tom Clegg,
Survivor Outreach Services Support CoordinatorSee more
Monday, May 21, 2012
StarGazing at Fort Drum
SOS Families. Our friendly neighborhood Astronomer Tom Aiken will be back at Fort Drum for our SOS Family Night on Wednesday June 6th. He will be setting up around 8pm in the field next to the Bowling Alley and we anticipate getting a great look at Mars and Saturn this year. Plan on a picnic pot luck Dinner at that location at 6:00 pm. This was a great activity last year as we were not only able to see inside the craters of our own moon, but we were able to see the moons orbiting around Saturn. Please RSVP. This will be a late evening, as the sun will be setting just before 9:00 so bring a jacket. You will not be dissappointed.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
A Quick Note.....
A quick note to all of the Fort Drum and Surrounding Area Surviving Families:
There are several special events occurring this summer to include Mountain Fest, River Fest, Concerts, Shows, etc.
If you would like to attend any of these let me know far enough in advance and I will work on arranging group admission for us. I will need to have names per ticket, I can no longer secure a bunch of tickets in hopes of handing them all out. I treasure the opportunity to provide these opportunities for our Surviving Families, however, we must remain fiscally responsible with our resources to best serve all.
Upcomming events include, but are not limited too:
Sesame Street at Fort Drum on June 5th and 6th
Blake Shelton July 6th Watertown
Bill Cosby July 28th Watertown
Hey You (Pink Floyd Tribute) July 28th in Clayton.
If interested in attending these or other North Country events Let me know by calling or emailing
315-772-6357
thomas.j.clegg@us.army.mil
There are several special events occurring this summer to include Mountain Fest, River Fest, Concerts, Shows, etc.
If you would like to attend any of these let me know far enough in advance and I will work on arranging group admission for us. I will need to have names per ticket, I can no longer secure a bunch of tickets in hopes of handing them all out. I treasure the opportunity to provide these opportunities for our Surviving Families, however, we must remain fiscally responsible with our resources to best serve all.
Upcomming events include, but are not limited too:
Sesame Street at Fort Drum on June 5th and 6th
Blake Shelton July 6th Watertown
Bill Cosby July 28th Watertown
Hey You (Pink Floyd Tribute) July 28th in Clayton.
If interested in attending these or other North Country events Let me know by calling or emailing
315-772-6357
thomas.j.clegg@us.army.mil
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Walk and Talk
SURVIVOR OUTREACH SERVICES WALK and TALK PROGRAM
WHEN: Tuesdays: Start Date 15 May 12 thru Autumn
TIME: 10:00-11:00
LOCATION: Meet at ACS/SOS Proceed to Walking Trail
TIME: 10:00-11:00
LOCATION: Meet at ACS/SOS Proceed to Walking Trail
ATTIRE: Fitness
POC: Tom Clegg
POC: Tom Clegg
315-772-6357
SCHEDULE:
Calculate MHR/Fitness Zone
Drink water
Stretching 5 minutes
Walking 1-2 or 2-3 miles
Cool Down 5 minutes
Healthy Heart Zone (Beginners) --- 50 - 60% of maximum heart rate
Calculate MHR/Fitness Zone
Drink water
Stretching 5 minutes
Walking 1-2 or 2-3 miles
Cool Down 5 minutes
Healthy Heart Zone (Beginners) --- 50 - 60% of maximum heart rate
All Surviving Families wishing to participate, please RSVP by Monday (day prior to walk) and plan for any weather. If this activity is successful, we will consider other areas for walking, for example Wellesley Island, Thompson Park, Sacketts Harbor, etc.
Armed Forces Recreation Center discounted rates now available for Survivors
In recognition of their sacrifice, the Army's Family and MWR Command is offering discounted rates at Armed Forces Recreation Centers to military Families who have lost a Family member in service to our Nation.
Armed Forces Recreation Centers are full service resort hotels designed and operated by the Army to provide Soldiers, service members, DA Civilians and their Families with resort-style accommodations at affordable prices.
"This is one more way to assure Survivors that we'll always consider them part of the Army Family," said FMWRC Commander Maj. Gen. Reuben D. Jones. "Families of the Fallen deserve our respect, gratitude and the very best support and services that we can provide."
Participating locations include the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort at the foot of the Bavarian Alps in Garmish, Germany; the Dragon Hill Lodge in downtown Seoul, Korea; the Hale Koa Hotel on Waikiki Beach in Hawaii; Shades of Green at Walt Disney World in Florida; and the Cape Henry Inn and Beach Club in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Survivors may sponsor up to three guest rooms at the discounted rate. Some restrictions apply.
For more information, visit ArmyMWR.com.
Armed Forces Recreation Centers are full service resort hotels designed and operated by the Army to provide Soldiers, service members, DA Civilians and their Families with resort-style accommodations at affordable prices.
"This is one more way to assure Survivors that we'll always consider them part of the Army Family," said FMWRC Commander Maj. Gen. Reuben D. Jones. "Families of the Fallen deserve our respect, gratitude and the very best support and services that we can provide."
Participating locations include the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort at the foot of the Bavarian Alps in Garmish, Germany; the Dragon Hill Lodge in downtown Seoul, Korea; the Hale Koa Hotel on Waikiki Beach in Hawaii; Shades of Green at Walt Disney World in Florida; and the Cape Henry Inn and Beach Club in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Survivors may sponsor up to three guest rooms at the discounted rate. Some restrictions apply.
For more information, visit ArmyMWR.com.
Employment Readiness @ Fort Drum ACS
Summer Jobs link
http://issuu.com/mandythompson/docs/summer_youth_2012_flyer
All comments posted by fans of Fort Drum Employment Readiness Program Army Community Services are the sole opinion of the individual and not necessarily those of Fort Drum Employment Readiness Program Army Community Services, it's employees, or parent companies.
No soliciting. Solicitations will be promptly removed.
We adhere to Facebook's Standards of Rights and Responsibilities (http://www.facebook.com/terms.php). Specifically, we will not permit users to use false names or pseudonyms. Users who violate Facebook's rules will be reported to Facebook, and banned from our page.
The program offers a series of career development workshops to enhance the job searching experience. Employment Readiness educators can also hold one on one appointments to assist with job searching, resumes, interviews, and career development.
http://issuu.com/mandythompson/docs/summer_youth_2012_flyer
About
ERP is designed to assist Soldiers, Military Family members, DOD Civilians, Retirees, and Reservists in providing career assistance and job lead referrals for the Fort Drum and Watertown Areas.
Mission
To allow our Facebook page to pass along important information and events about Fort Drum Employment Readiness Program Army Community Services, this page is not set up to urgently respond to specific questions, concerns or comments. We have posted important phone numbers that may be helpful to you. All comments will be screened for accuracy, relevance, importance, etc. Any vulgar, obscene, our otherwise unproductive comments will be removed. All comments posted by fans of Fort Drum Employment Readiness Program Army Community Services are the sole opinion of the individual and not necessarily those of Fort Drum Employment Readiness Program Army Community Services, it's employees, or parent companies.
No soliciting. Solicitations will be promptly removed.
We adhere to Facebook's Standards of Rights and Responsibilities (http://www.facebook.com/terms.php). Specifically, we will not permit users to use false names or pseudonyms. Users who violate Facebook's rules will be reported to Facebook, and banned from our page.
Company Overview
Welcome to the Official Page for the Employment Readiness Program at Fort Drum New York. The Employment Readiness Program provides career assistance and job referrals to Soldiers, Military Family members, DOD Civilians, Retirees, and Reservists as they transition in and out of Fort Drum.The program offers a series of career development workshops to enhance the job searching experience. Employment Readiness educators can also hold one on one appointments to assist with job searching, resumes, interviews, and career development.
Description
Our services Include
Self-Development Workshops:
Build Your Own Business
Federal Employment System
... Employment 101: Job-Search Strategies, Interviewing Skills, & Resume/Cover Letter Writing
Job Club – Monthly Networking Opportunity
Teen Job Prep
Teen Resume Prep
Career Counseling and Job Coaching:
One on One Career Counseling (by appointment)
Group Workshops (by appointment)
Resource Library:
Career Assessment Guides
Career Resource Guides
Educational Guides and Information
Resume and Cover Letter Writing Guides
Skill Identification Guide
Informational DVDs
Faxing & Copying:
Copies and fax machine services are provided free of charge for client use
Computers:
Internet
Resume Writing Software
Education Information:
Local Higher Education Informational Packets
Professional Development Guides
Weekly Job Listings:
A current list of employment opportunities can be obtained at the Employment Readiness office for both on-post and off-postSee more
Self-Development Workshops:
Build Your Own Business
Federal Employment System
... Employment 101: Job-Search Strategies, Interviewing Skills, & Resume/Cover Letter Writing
Job Club – Monthly Networking Opportunity
Teen Job Prep
Teen Resume Prep
Career Counseling and Job Coaching:
One on One Career Counseling (by appointment)
Group Workshops (by appointment)
Resource Library:
Career Assessment Guides
Career Resource Guides
Educational Guides and Information
Resume and Cover Letter Writing Guides
Skill Identification Guide
Informational DVDs
Faxing & Copying:
Copies and fax machine services are provided free of charge for client use
Computers:
Internet
Resume Writing Software
Education Information:
Local Higher Education Informational Packets
Professional Development Guides
Weekly Job Listings:
A current list of employment opportunities can be obtained at the Employment Readiness office for both on-post and off-postSee more
General information
Follow us on our blog: http://fortdrumemployment.blogspot.com/Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Comments Welcome
I welcome comments to each of the posts in this blog. This is one of the things that makes the Blog Newsletter much better than a print and mail newsletter. Feel free to share your thoughts and feelings.
I am also accepting submission for articles and stories that you would like to share.
I am also accepting submission for articles and stories that you would like to share.
SOS Vehicle Decal
Many of the survivors who live in the Fort Drum area do not have military ID or Department of Defense vehicle decals for their cars. Every time they come to Fort Drum for a survivor event or support group they have to show a current driver’s license, insurance and registration. This not only delays their arrival at an event, but it also increases the wait time for those who are behind them.
The decal process applies to those whose vehicles are not registered at Fort Drum and those who already have DoD registration, but would like a decal. The process begins with an appointment with SOS to complete the SOS decal application form, provide a copy of Drivers Licence, Vehicle Registration, and Proof of Insurance. After the form is complete the individuals receive a decal.
If a survivor of a fallen Soldier is interested in receiving a decal their vehicle, call SOS for an appointment at 315-772-6357.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
SOS Family Night
Wed. May 9th @ 6:00 pm
Join us for an evening of family fun. Pizza and fountain drinks provided.
We will be moving Family Night to a regular First Wednesday Evening of each month to allow more activities on Fort Drum. So mark your calendars.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
2012-2013 MILITARY TEEN Adventure Camps
2012-2013
MILITARY TEEN
Adventure Camps
Would you like to spend time whitewater rafting, hiking, rock climbing, winter camping, backpacking, mountain biking, exploring the environment, running ropes courses, geo-caching, or practicing wilderness skills? What if you could do these activities with other military youth just like you?
Military teens (14-18 years old) will have an opportunity to participate in adventure camps scheduled April 2012 through March 2013. These high energy, high adventure, and high experience camps are planned across the United States from Alaska to Maine and from Colorado to Georgia as well as states in between. There are even opportunities for military teens in the Pacific Rim. This is the perfect chance for you to experience the outdoors as you never have before!
Each camp offers a unique outdoor experience that will allow you to build your leadership, self-confidence, and teamwork skills while participating in activities like camp cooking and archery. Camps have funding available to assist with transportation costs.
Camps for youth with special needs (mental, physical, and emotional) are also planned in California, Ohio, and New Hampshire. There is something for everyone!
You can go to our Facebook page to see more pictures and updates
Go to the link for the camp of your choice to learn more about that opportunity and that camp’s specific registration information. If you have questions about a particular camp, contact the person listed for each camp opportunity.
Please note that specific camp details, including dates, may change based on conditions and availability.
Military teens (14-18 years old) will have an opportunity to participate in adventure camps scheduled April 2012 through March 2013. These high energy, high adventure, and high experience camps are planned across the United States from Alaska to Maine and from Colorado to Georgia as well as states in between. There are even opportunities for military teens in the Pacific Rim. This is the perfect chance for you to experience the outdoors as you never have before!
Each camp offers a unique outdoor experience that will allow you to build your leadership, self-confidence, and teamwork skills while participating in activities like camp cooking and archery. Camps have funding available to assist with transportation costs.
Camps for youth with special needs (mental, physical, and emotional) are also planned in California, Ohio, and New Hampshire. There is something for everyone!
You can go to our Facebook page to see more pictures and updates
How to Register
If you want to join in the fun check out the list on the following pages. The camps are listed alphabetically by the state in which they are offered. You’ll find camp dates, the number of openings, types of activities offered, and a brief camp description.Go to the link for the camp of your choice to learn more about that opportunity and that camp’s specific registration information. If you have questions about a particular camp, contact the person listed for each camp opportunity.
Please note that specific camp details, including dates, may change based on conditions and availability.
Funding for Military Teen Adventure Camps has been made available through a partnership between the Department of Defense, Office of Military Community & Family Policy and the United States Department of Agriculture/National Institute of Food & Agriculture.
This material is based on work supported by USDA and the United States Department of Defense under Award No. 2009-48667-05833. Brochure produced by Washington State University Extension.
Source: https://www.extension.purdue.edu/Adventure_camps/campshome.html
Gold Star Wives Day
On April 5th, 2012, Fort Drum Surviving Spouses were treated to
An Evening at the Spa in honor of Gold Star Wives Day.
Survivors & Dependents Assistance (DEA)
Survivors & Dependents Assistance (DEA)
Summary of Benefits
Dependents' Educational Assistance provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of certain veterans. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. If you are a spouse, you may take a correspondence course. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.Eligibility
You must be the son, daughter, or spouse of:- A veteran who died or is permanently and totally disabled as the result of a service-connected disability. The disability must arise out of active service in the Armed Forces.
- A veteran who died from any cause while such permanent and total service-connected disability was in existence.
- A servicemember missing in action or captured in line of duty by a hostile force.
- A servicemember forcibly detained or interned in line of duty by a foreign government or power.
- A servicemember who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient treatment for a service connected permanent and total disability and is likely to be discharged for that disability. This change is effective December 23, 2006.
Period of Eligibility
If you are a son or daughter and wish to receive benefits for attending school or job training, you must be between the ages of 18 and 26. In certain instances, it is possible to begin before age 18 and to continue after age 26. Marriage is not a bar to this benefit. If you are in the Armed Forces, you may not receive this benefit while on active duty. To pursue training after military service, your discharge must not be under dishonorable conditions. VA can extend your period of eligibility by the number of months and days equal to the time spent on active duty. This extension cannot generally go beyond your 31st birthday, there are some exceptions.If you are a spouse, benefits end 10 years from the date VA finds you eligible or from the date of death of the veteran. If the VA rated the veteran permanently and totally disabled with an effective date of 3 years from discharge a spouse will remain eligible for 20 years from the effective date of the rating. This change is effective October 10, 2008 and no benefits may be paid for any training taken prior to that date.
For surviving spouses (spouses of service members who died on active duty) benefits end 20 years from the date of death.
How to Apply
You should make sure that your selected program is approved for VA training. If you are not clear on this point, VA will inform you and the school or company about the requirements.Obtain and complete VA Form 22-5490, Application for Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance. Send it to the VA regional office with jurisdiction over the State where you will train. If you are a son or daughter, under legal age, a parent or guardian must sign the application.
If you have started training, take your application to your school or employer. Ask them to complete VA Form 22-1999, Enrollment Certification, and send both forms to VA.
Section 301 of Public Law 109-461 adds a new category to the definition of "eligible person" for DEA benefits. The new category includes the spouse or child of a person who:
VA determines has a service-connected permanent and total disability; and at the time of VA's determination is a member of the Armed Forces who is hospitalized or receiving outpatient medical care, services, or treatment; and is likely to be discharged or released from service for this service-connected disability.
Persons eligible under this new provision may be eligible for DEA benefits effective December 23, 2006, the effective date of the law.
DEA provides education and training opportunities to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition, or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service related condition. The program offers up to 45 months of education benefits. These benefits may be used for degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training. If you are a spouse, you may take a correspondence course. Remedial, deficiency, and refresher courses may be approved under certain circumstances.
Special Restorative Training is available to persons eligible for DEA benefits. The Department of Veterans Affairs may prescribe special restorative training where needed to overcome or lessen the effects of a physical or mental disability for the purpose of enabling an eligible person to pursue a program of education, special vocational program or other appropriate goal. Medical care and treatment or psychiatric treatments are not included.
Special Vocational Training is also available to persons eligible for DEA benefits. This type of program may be approved for an eligible person who is not in need of Special Restorative Training, but who requires such a program because of a mental or physical handicap.
Source-
http://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/other_programs/dea.html
MetLife to Provide Coverage for TRICARE Dental
MetLife to Provide Coverage for TRICARE Dental
Taken from http://www.tricare.com/
Taken from http://www.tricare.com/
Effective May 1, 2012, MetLife will become the dental carrier for the TDP. MetLife will begin providing dental coverage to over 2 million family members of uniformed ser-vice active duty personnel, mem-bers of the Selected Reserve and Individual Ready Reserve, their eligible family members, and Survi-vors.
Beneficiaries will have access to MetLife's network with over 161,000 dentist access points, and this number continues to grow.
Additional information about the contract is available at www.tricare.mil/TDPcontract and benefit updates are available at http://www.tricare.mil/.
PLEASE NOTE that the change to MetLife is for the TDP program only.
Changes to the TDP will include enhanced dental coverage at a lower premium share than before. MetLife will distribute program information, provider network de-tails beginning in first quarter 2012.
Highlights to the benefits and en-hancements are listed below:
- Coverage of posterior resin (tooth colored/white) fillings
- Increase in the annual maxi-mum to $1,300 per enrollee (formerly this was $1,200)
- Increase in the lifetime ortho-dontic maximum to $1,750
- $1,200 per year for services related to dental treatment due to an accident as de-fined in the TDP handbook
- No cost shares for scaling and root planing (deep clean-ing) for diabetics
- Coverage of an additional (3rd) cleaning for women during pregnancy
- Expansion of the survivor benefits to surviving spouse and child(ren)
Additional information about the contract is available at www.tricare.mil/TDPcontract and benefit updates are available at http://www.tricare.mil/.
The TRICARE Dental Program plan year will be from May 1, 2012 to April 30, 2013 when MetLife as-sumes the program.
From a Gold Star Mom
Time Warp
well, on another mission today....after this one , I wont know whats next all I know is the "merry go round" feeling that was created 6 years ago & wound up at top speed 4 years ago..is feeling like its approaching a speed bump of time... everything I have experienced my last 6 years...has been simply like being stuck in a time warp. of sorts.. Its so obvious why its so tough to sort through the... memories that have been created by soldiers angels..other gold star Mothers & church groups that reach out & have made beautiful comfort quilts.. & send cards long after the day of January 16th.....I have carefully placed so many special things & stuff into tote boxes..it has taken 6 big tote boxes to hold , anything from quilts to the 8x10 photos that my sister had made & placed everywhere around the house to make John's presence be felt..its been a story unfolding day by day... time.......its what happens as we sit here ....its what happens as we wake up every morning, its what happens when we , hug our grand babies, its what happens when we see another senior class about to embark on their stories of life,..... time .....its something that happens as we tuck away things for keeping..some would call it clutter... I know I do...but its precious clutter.... all these things we all call clutter have been what makes up time........I guess life is just one big time warp......as you approach your " speed bumps of your merry go round" May you always look back & say you enjoyed your ride......time .....& its sometimes a good feeling too know what the difference between precious clutter & just clutter..♥
Sue is the Surviving Mother of CPL John Sigsbee, Company C, 1st Squadron, 32d Cavalry, 1 BCT, 101st Airboarn Division, KIA 16 Jan 2008 Balad Iraq.
The New Newsletter Blog.
WHY A BLOG NEWSLETTER?
One of my least favorite aspects of a newsletter is they are one sided source of information and communication. We live in a world that encourages open communication and shared expressions so I think we should be enabling this.
Blogs are not new, they have been around for several years now and offer people an outlet for their ideas. I have been using blogs for some time, I subscribe to some that I feel are beneficial to my interests and way of thinking. Some are political, some interests, scientific, and alternative thoughts on the way we live. I enjoy receiving updates on blog posts and reading others responses, as well as adding my own oppinion.
I welcome everyone to share their oppinions and experiences with the information I will be sharing in this Blog Newsletter. I hope everyone enjoys this format, and again please interact, thats how we all move forward.
Thanks,
Tom
One of my least favorite aspects of a newsletter is they are one sided source of information and communication. We live in a world that encourages open communication and shared expressions so I think we should be enabling this.
Blogs are not new, they have been around for several years now and offer people an outlet for their ideas. I have been using blogs for some time, I subscribe to some that I feel are beneficial to my interests and way of thinking. Some are political, some interests, scientific, and alternative thoughts on the way we live. I enjoy receiving updates on blog posts and reading others responses, as well as adding my own oppinion.
I welcome everyone to share their oppinions and experiences with the information I will be sharing in this Blog Newsletter. I hope everyone enjoys this format, and again please interact, thats how we all move forward.
Thanks,
Tom
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