Off Duty is a compilation of military-affiliated information and events focused for the Soldier, their family members and veterans. Information should be 100 words or less and contain no editorializing. An informational brief that is not time specific will not run for more than 30 days. All submissions are due no later than Friday for publication in the following week’s paper.
National Police Week activities
Today: Memorial service at Soldier Hall for fallen military and law enforcement officers
Friday: Safety fair at FirstLight Federal Credit Union; softball tournament begins at 6 p.m.
Saturday: Hot rod show from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; softball championship game at 5 p.m.
Citizenship honor
Any foreign national servicemember serving in the U.S. Army and stationed at Fort Bliss interested in being honored can apply. If you are an active-duty, National Guard or Army Reserve Soldier who has been naturalized as a U.S. citizen or are working toward that goal, you are eligible for the “Adelante Con Ganas” award. If you are in this category, contact Public Affairs at 568-4601.
OIF, OEF Soldiers wanted
Every day, Soldiers fighting the Global War on Terrorism risk their lives in operations that help secure the freedom of all American people. Whether they are veterans of the Iraq or Afghanistan wars, Operation Tribute to Freedom, the Army’s program designed to honor Soldiers and give them opportunities to thank the American people for their support, is seeking OIF and OEF Soldiers who have recently returned from extended deployments in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan to share their stories; Soldiers who have occupations in the engineering, medical or technical field to share their stories at events; and Soldiers who participate heavily in alternative sports such as skateboarding, snowboarding, wakeboarding, surfing or BMX and are willing to share their stories through potential speaking or recognition engagements, or through select media outlets. Interested Soldiers should contact Jean Offutt, Fort Bliss public affairs officer, at 568-4505.
Thanks USA scholarships
Thanks USA, a non-profit organization that provides scholarships to spouses and dependents of active-duty military personnel, including National Guard, Reserves and families of those killed or wounded in action, is accepting applications for its 2008 scholarships. Those interested should visit www.ThanksUSA. org for an application and more information. The deadline to apply is today.
World War II vets
World War II veterans are invited for the unveiling of an all-services plaque and to receive a token of appreciation from 2 to 5 p.m. May 17 at VFW Post 8918 on Saluki Drive in Northeast El Paso. Veterans can contact Mark Jahnig at 328-8838 for participation information. The event is sponsored by the Veteran’s Biker Alliance of El Paso and VFW Post 8919.
Women Walking with God
The Women’s Ministry from Sage Hall Gospel Service is sponsoring the seventh annual women’s conference Friday through Sunday at the Holiday Inn, located at 6655 Gateway West, at a cost of $20. For more information, call 568-6707 or 822-1546.
Chuck wagon buffet
There is a chuck wagon buffet scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday at the Officers’ Club. The cost is $12.95 for members and $14.95 for non-members. For more information, call 568-7013.
Saturday Socials
Saturday Socials is a cultural enrichment program for Officers’ Club members and their guests and brings members together. The next Saturday social will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday. Events are limited in size to the first 50 people. For more information, call 569-5715.
Book sale
Friends of the Northeast Library Bookstore is offering 50 percent off all books from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday for military servicemembers and their dependants. The bookstore is at 9300 Diana Drive. From 3 to 5 p.m. at Richard Burges Library, located at 9600 Dyer St., refreshments and cookies will be provided to Soldiers and their family members.
Chili cook-off
The El Paso Sergeants Major Association is hosting the 2008 Chili Cook-Off at Noel Field Saturday. The event is open to the public at a price of $2 to taste all the participating teams’ chili. Teams must not exceed five members. There is a $40 registration fee, and any members handling food must have a food handler’s card. For information, call 568-9052 or e-mail john.a.mclaughlin@ emh10.bliss.army.mil.
Kids-N-Co.
El Paso Kids-N-Co. presents Snow White and the Seven Samurai, Carol Viescas adaptation of the classic fairy tale at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Chamizal National Memorial theater. The production then moves to the Kids-N-Co. Performance Center, 1301 Texas Ave., for performances at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays, until June 8. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for children, students, seniors and the military. For more information, call 351-1455.
RWOC luncheon
The ROWC will have a luncheon at noon Tuesday at the Fort Bliss Officers’ Club. The guest speaker will be Carolyn Moore of the Alzheimer’s Association. For more information, call 755-9694.
POV Lot construction
The POV Lot at the corner of Marshall and Cassidy will be re-stripped Thursday. Vehicles parked inside the lot must be moved by 5 p.m. Wednesday. The lot will reopen at 5 p.m. May Thursday and vehicles may be moved back inside. The POV Lot is being expanded to accommodate more customers. For more information, call 568-7506/569-5846.
Gold Star Wives
The Gold Star Wives of America, El Paso del Norte Fort Bliss Chapter, will have a luncheon meeting at 11:15 a.m. Thursday in the Officers’ Club. They will honor Celina Balquin, a native of Puerto Rico, who will celebrate her 106th birthday. For more information, call 598-0981.
Memorial Day service
Military officials at the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery Center and Fort Bliss will conduct a Memorial Day Service at 8:30 a.m. May 26 at the Fort Bliss National Cemetery. The service will be conducted in honor of the servicemen and women of the U.S. who gave their lives in the defense of our country. Fort Bliss Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Howard Bromberg, will deliver an address to honor the fallen men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces. The memorial service will also include a 21-gun salute. The main gate to the cemetery, on Fred Wilson, will be closed for the duration of this event; the walk-in gate will be open. Parking for the ceremony will be available at Haan and JEB Stuart roads on Fort Bliss, directly behind and to the side of the cemetery.
Vehicles entering Fort Bliss without a sticker must get a day pass; you must present drivers license, proof of insurance, safety sticker and registration at the pass office.
Officers’ Club advisory board
The next Officers’ Club Advisory Board Meeting will be held at 3 p.m. May 28 at the Officers’ Club. Everyone is invited to come and share ideas on ways to improve the club or just events you might want to see at the club. Complimentary snacks are offered. For more information, call 568-7013.
Volksmarch
To inaugurate the walking trail around the Sheridan/Pershing Road parade fields and the Old Fort Bliss Education Center, MWR will host a Volksmarch at 8 a.m. May 31 at the Officers’ Club parking lot. Participants will choose their pace and walk five or 10 kilometers on the new path, which is suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. There will be checkpoints along the route where you can get water and rest. A small fee will be required in order to receive the incentive award. For more information, visit www.blissmwr.com or call 568-2074 or 568-7533.
AUSA grants
The Omar N. Bradley Chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army is offering five $1,000 academic grants to qualified applicants. Grants are open to all active-duty and Reserve Soldiers as well as their dependent spouses and children. Applicants must be more-than-part-time students or have been accepted by an accredited two- or four-year college, university or technical school. Application packets must be mailed by June 13. For more information, call Frederick Jones at 569-5759 or 238-4749.
Scenic Sundays
The City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department will close Scenic Drive from Rim Road to Alabama Street from 6 a.m. to noon every Sunday through August. No vehicular traffic will be allowed during the set time for citizens to walk, ride a bike or walk a dog. For more information, call 541-4331.
D-Day, World War II celebration
A D-Day and World War II commemorative celebration and cookout begins at 11 a.m. June 6 at the “Home of the Airborne,” 2608 Fort Blvd., at the intersection of Fort Boulevard and Alabama Street. For more information or to make reservations, call 494-9698 or (757) 874-1004.
MOAA luncheon
The El Paso Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America will hold a luncheon meeting at 11 a.m. June 14 at the Officers’ Club. The cost is $15 per person, with reservations required. The guest speaker will talk about origin and history of the American flag. For more information, call 594-0444.
Off-road adventure
Soldiers and families are invited to join in the adventure of four wheeling. May 25, Ol’skool4x4 and Army Wheeling is having a weekend trail camping trip in the Doña Ana Trail site. For more information, visit olskool4x4.com.
Veteran nominations
The Air Defense Artillery Association is accepting nominations for veterans to honor and recognize at their annual gala in November. The veteran nomination form must include a summary of wartime service, dates, location, awards and decorations, and subsequent community service information. Nominees must have served during World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom.
Submissions must be received by Aug. 17. For more information, call 568-2711 or e-mail to edith.fanning@conus.army. mil.
Exchange students, hosts
Interested in hosting a teenager from another country and culture starting in August? All kinds of families can host, from two-parent households to one-parent households, with or without children. The most important characteristic for host families is to be eager and excited to share life and activities while providing the same kind of care, support and comfort you would to your family members. For more information, call (800) 237-4636 or visit www.afs.org/usa/hostfamily.
High school students can apply for a summer study abroad program. AFS has been sending high school students abroad for 60 years. Financial aid is available. For more information, call (800) 237-4636 or visit www.afs.org/usa/hostfamily.
Furniture sale
The Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation at Fort Bliss will be selling excess furniture until all excess property is sold. Available items include tables, chairs, barstools, bar chairs, TVs, bed frames, sofas, cabinets, light fixtures, refrigerators and much more.
Interested individuals should call 568-3779 or 568-4501 to make an appointment to look at available items. Hours are from 8 to 11 a.m. Monday through Friday. The location is Bldg. 643, Taylor Road. All transactions will be on a cash or credit card basis, with Visa and MasterCard accepted, and all items will be sold “as is.” There will not be exchanges or refunds available. Off-post visitors must present a valid drivers license, vehicle registration and insurance to get a day pass from the pass office.
Bunco Fridays
You are invited on the first Friday of June to indulge yourself in an evening of fun, food, friendly chatter and Bunco, an easy-to-learn and entertaining dice game. Games will start at 5:30 p.m. June 6 at the Officers’ Club, Bldg. 250. Reservations are not required, but seating will be on a first come, first served basis. Participants must be 18 or older and all players will be entered into a national grand prize drawing for a $4,000 spa package. For more information, call 588-8247.
Debt collection notice
William R. Edmond: Anyone who has debts to be collected or services which belonged to Pvt. William R. Edmond, who died April 20, should contact Capt. Eliezer D. Rivera at 494-5998 or e-mail eliezer.d.riveralopez@us.army.mil.
Wreaths Across America
The Civil Air Patrol’s El Paso Composite Squadron volunteered to find donors to place 500,000 wreaths in more than 200 veterans’ cemeteries throughout the nation in December. The goal is 5,000 wreaths for the Fort Bliss National Cemetery. For information, call 595-1946, e-mail elpasowreaths@yahoo.com or visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.
Hometown news
Fort Bliss personnel looking for a convenient way to submit hometown news releases can now click on the link located on the Fort Bliss Web site, www.bliss. army.mil. Fill in pertinent information, select “submit” and then click “go.” An option for attaching photos or supporting documents is also provided. Staff there will turn the information into a press release and submit it to the hometown media outlets identified through the Soldiers’ family members’ ZIP code. For information, contact your brigade public affairs office, call 568-2497 or e-mail Donita.schexnaydre@us.army.mil.
Family Advocacy Program
If domestic violence is to end, each person in this community must form a partnership that focuses on creating a safe, violence-free environment. The Family Advocacy Program reinforces that everyone has a right to feel safe and takes a stand against domestic violence. Contact Yadira Velasco at 569-7749 or e-mail Yadira.velasco@us.army.mil to schedule your unit’s annual mandatory domestic violence awareness training.
DA Fellows program
The Department of the Army is currently recruiting for the Fellows program individuals who graduated or will soon graduate with a bachelor’s degree, have exceptional academic records and are mobile and willing to move around and take on new and diverse challenges. The DA Fellows program is a five-year program designed to build a multi-functional, mobile cadre of highly qualified civilian personnel for the Department of the Army and its organizations. DA fellows are full-time federal civilian employees, and are afforded many opportunities including the opportunity to earn a fully-funded graduate degree. The first 14 months of the program provide a combination of graduate studies at AMC Logistics Leadership Center and Texas A&M University-Texarkana that gives each fellow the opportunity to earn a master’s degree in business. The remaining 47 months of the program consist of geographical on-the-job training rotational assignments. For more information, visit http://dacareers.com/fellows.html.
For more information, call the Army Continuing Education System Branch IMCOM-West Region Fort Sam Houston, Texas, at DSN 421-2236 or (210) 295-2236, or e-mail Anthony.clarke@us. army.mil.
Vessel safety checks
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary at Elephant Butte, N.M., is providing free vessel safety checks. The inspections are being conducted by specially trained members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. The checks are designed to find problems that may be a violation of state or federal law. Boats that meet legal and safety requirements will receive a U.S. Coast Guard inspection sticker. If you own a power boat, sail boat, jet ski, kayak or row boat, stop by the main launch ramp for the free inspection. For more information, e-mail flotilla25@gmail.com or call (928) 339-1967.
ACAP
The Army Career and Alumni Program offers Soldiers and their family members services to plan their next career via the Internet. ACAP Express allows individuals to access job assistance training tutorials and automated resume and cover-letter programs for Soldiers separating active duty within one year or retiring within two years. Deployed Soldiers are able to use the program by phone or e-mail. Soldiers out-processing still are required to visit ACAP for a DD Form 2648. For more information, call 568-7165 or 568-0592.
Catholic women’s council
Military Council of Catholic Women meets from 9 to 11:30 a.m. every Friday at Bldg. 449. The first Friday of each month, Mass is held at 9 a.m. in Chapel 1, followed by a business meeting and fellowship. The second and fourth Fridays, rosaries are made for Soldiers. The third Friday, a Bible study is held. Free child care is provided. For more information, call Marilyn Christman at 772-0453 or Karen Fletcher at 231-5802.
Crimeline
The Fort Bliss Directorate of Emergency Services has implemented a telephone tip line for reporting criminal activity. This new tip line is called Crimeline and is intended as a means for individuals with information on criminal activity to provide that information to the authorities while remaining anonymous. Crimeline is monitored by Fort Bliss Military Police only. The number is 744-COPS (2677).
Thrift Shop
The Fort Bliss Thrift Shop accepts credit and debit cards for purchases over $20. Purchases under $20 must be in cash. The shop is located at 1301 Cassidy Road and is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the first and third Saturdays of the month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Consignments from military personnel and their dependents are taken on those days from 9 to 11 a.m. during weekday hours and 10 a.m. to noon during weekend hours.
Newcomer’s Orientation
This class covers all programs offered by Army Community Service, as well as community resources. This is a mandatory class for all newly-assigned Soldiers, private through staff sergeant. Classes are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday in the ACS ballroom. Child care is free for all children registered with Child and Youth Services. For information, call 568-1132.
Employment readiness
The Employment Readiness Program located at Army Community Service, Bldg. 2494, Ricker Road, was created to address the employment needs of today’s military spouses by providing them the tools they need to successfully search for, obtain and maintain employment. Spouse employment orientation is at 10 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. Visit www.blissmwr.com and click on ACS employment to download an employment handbook with the answers to frequently asked questions. Ongoing workshops are available in RESUMIX/Ten Steps to a Federal Job, Writing a Winning Resume, Networking for Job Search and Career Success, Jumpstart Your Job Search, Job Interviewing Techniques, Career Exploration and Planning and How to Mobilize Your Home Business. For information, call 568-1132. Other useful sites are http://workintexas.com, www.militaryspousejobsearch.org and www.military.com/spouse.
AFTB training
Army Family Team Building is an educational program that provides training to prepare everyone in America’s Army to function at the highest level, given any situation. Learn about community resources, military terms, benefits, leadership skills and more. For more information, call ACS at 568-2382.
Spouse employment
The Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce and Workforce Commission have developed an online database for military spouses who are on orders to PCS to Fort Bliss and for spouses currently stationed here seeking employment. This is not a database for existing jobs; this is a site from which businesses can recruit candidates and possibly create a position should the right person come along. Registration is open to all military spouses. Spouses and businesses can register online at www.elpasojobregister.com.
ACS classes
ACS offers a variety of free educational classes ranging from financial and employment readiness to Newcomer’s Orientation and parenting classes. Child care is free for all children registered with Child and Youth Services. For more information, call 568-1132.
NCO Wives’ Club
The Noncommissioned Officer Wives’ Club helps enhance the morale and welfare of the Fort Bliss and surrounding communities. Learn what it means to be the spouse of an NCO. The meetings are at 9:30 a.m. the first Tuesday of each month at Bldg. 2009, Sheridan Road. For information, call 851-2311 or 590-7202.
Red Cross volunteers
The ARC is actively recruiting volunteers. Those interested in volunteering must first attend a volunteer orientation, fill out the volunteer packet and complete the background check. Volunteer orientations are held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Friday at the Fort Bliss Red Cross, Bldg. 45, Slater Road, and at the El Paso Red Cross, 3620 Admiral St., from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday. To register, call 568-4898 or 592-0208.
Veterans Golf Pass
Veterans can apply for membership to the George V. Underwood Golf Complex. All applicants must bring a copy of either a veteran ID card or a DD Form 214 to the Pro Shop. Membership fee for single veterans is $85 per month and $125 per month for veterans with families. Memberships are available for one-, three-, six-, nine- or 12-month time periods. Dues must be paid at time of application. For more information, call 562-7255.
Premarital counseling
Those wishing to marry in a Fort Bliss chapel must have pre-marital counseling. A one-day class is offered from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. the first Thursday of every month in Bldg. 448. Lunch is provided. Reservations must be made by the last Thursday of the preceding month by calling 568-1519. For information, call 568-2623.
Special Forces PT
Special Forces Assessment and Selection has changed from 24 days to 14 days. For Soldiers interested in volunteering for SFAS, there is a PT program is available to become ready for SFAS. This program is to make candidates ready for the rigors of SFAS. A 30-foot rope climb will be available soon.
Sexual assault awareness
Active and Reserve components are required to receive annual sexual assault training. Call 569-5374 for more information.
PWOC
Protestant Women of the Chapel meets Wednesday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at Center Chapel 1. Participate in worship and Bible study with other women. Child care is provided, along with a home school room. For more information, call Jane Ahl at 564-3936 or Trudy Wyant at 433-5342.
Framing classes
Framing Bliss offers framing classes every other Saturday from 8:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Interested patrons must sign up two days prior to the class. The cost is $30 per person and includes a picture, materials and instructions. For more information, call 568-5563.
Country Junction
Country Junction sells handcrafted and vintage items including Fort Bliss and Texas plaques and signs. Country Junction is located at 2011 Sheridan Road. Hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 562-7467.