Vol. 41, No. 15
www.stuttgart.army.mil
August 9, 2012
Stack takes reins as garrison commander By Susan Huseman USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs Office
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Eric Steen
Kathleen Marin (right), the Installation Management Command Europe Region director, hands off the colors to Col. John P. Stack, the incoming commander of U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, during a change of command ceremony July 23.
ol. John P. Stack assumed leadership of U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart from Col. Carl D. Bird during a change of command ceremony held July 23 on the Panzer Barracks’ parade field. Bird, who took command of the garrison on July 19, 2010, will now serve as the assistant commandant at the U.S. Army Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, Va. Under a brilliant blue, cloudless sky, U.S. and German VIPs, colleagues, garrison employees, friends and family gathered to bid farewell to the former garrison leader and welcome the new commander. Kathleen Marin, the Installation Management Command Europe Region director, presided over a ceremony that included opera singer Robert Chafin,
a cousin of the outgoing commander, who sang the U.S. and German anthems. The 85th Army Band from Arlington Heights, Ill., shared the parade grounds with a formation of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, which reflected the joint nature of the Stuttgart military community. Acknowledging the challenge of overseeing an Army garrison in a joint environment, Marin said that the mission is “as complex as it is important — providing support to some of the most important organizations championing liberal democracy and security, like the United States European Command and United States Africa Command.” Bird’s leadership, she said, ensured that the garrison provided “the right level of support at the right time … with sustained excellence.”
See Stack takes reins on page 4
Information fair to highlight local resources, services, clubs By Susan Huseman USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs Office
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t’s never easy settling into a new community. That’s why if you’ve recently moved to the Stuttgart military community, you may want to attend the C.A.R.E. Fair. The U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart’s annual Community Activities, Registration and Education Fair, set for Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Exchange Shopping Mall on Panzer Kaserne, offers community members the opportunity to learn about the many programs and services available to them. More than 60 garrison, fraternal and special interest organizations will be represented, from the health and dental clinics to the German-American Women’s Club to local PTA groups, according to Martha Povich, the events manager for USAG Stuttgart Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.
InsIde ThIs edITIon
“The C.A.R.E. Fair offers community members the opportunity to connect with one another, our community resources and organizations, and share information. It will help a newcomer transition more easily into the best community in all of USAREUR and help them discover who makes up the fabric of what makes Stuttgart so great,” Povich said. Visitors to the fair will be able to learn about employment, volunteer and educational opportunities, local banking services and how to save money with the Utility Tax Avoidance Program. Other groups, such as the Stuttgart Community Spouses Club, Mothers of Preschoolers, and the Piranhas swim team, will also participate. In addition, newcomers may discover some needed household items at the Family and MWR-hosted flea market that will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the sidewalk outside of the Exchange. More than 40 families will participate.
Meet Paralympic swimmers at the C.A.R.E. Fair Stuttgart military community members will also be able to meet the U.S. Paralympic swim team during the C.A.R.E. Fair. USAG Stuttgart was chosen by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense to host the team Aug. 16-27 as it prepares for the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. Nearly 4,000 athletes from almost 150 countries are expected to compete in 20 sports at the 2012 Paralympic Games. For more information on the Paralympic Games, visit www.london2012.com.
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Fallen heroes remembered
Kids aim for the sky during VBS
More than 300 runners turned out for this year’s Run to Remember July 21 and honored 253 service members who made the ultimate sacrifice.
School wasn’t in session, but 221 children flooded the halls of Patch Elementary School during the USAG Stuttgart Religions Support Office-sponsored VBS.