Vol. 25
No. 12
www.cnic.navy.mil/bethesda/
March 28, 2013
First Lady Brings Cookies, Easter Spirit to Fisher House By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan Parde NSAB Public Affairs staff writer First Lady Michelle Obama brought the Easter spirit and the White House dog, Bo, to visit military families and children at Fisher House No. 4 on the campus of Naval Support Activity Bethesda March 20. As a part of the Joint Forces initiative – a national program to mobilize all sectors of society to give service members and their families the opportunities and support they have earned – it was the First Lady’s second annual visit to the Fisher Houses at Bethesda, but not her second time at a Fisher House.
“The Fisher Houses, as you all know, are just so important to families who are recuperating,” said Obama. “They’re doing some great stuff. As you can see, the houses are beautiful. And all around the country, they are as beautiful and as welcoming and as comforting as you guys are experiencing here.” Obama had a few surprises in store for the families at the Fisher House. The first, she said, was in appreciation for the Fisher House Foundation and its mission, which is to provide a home-away-from-home for family members of critically ill patients while they Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Nathan Parde receive care at Walter Reed First Lady Michelle Obama greets military family members during a visit to the Bethesda. “We are so supportive Fisher Houses for an early Easter celebration. Fisher House 4, located at Naval
Support Activity Bethesda, Md., provides a “home away from home” for the See FISHER page 4 families of military members receving medical care.
Army’s Top Enlisted Soldier Visits Walter Reed Bethesda By Bernard S. Little WRNMMC Journal staff writer
Photo by Bernard S. Little
Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond Chandler and his wife, Jeanne, visited Walter Reed Bethesda on March 13 to meet with staff and patients and participate in a town hall with service members of all branches.
The Army’s top enlisted Soldier and his wife visited Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) March 13, meeting wounded warriors, their families and staff. After visiting with inpatient wounded warriors and families, the 14th Sgt. Maj. of the Army (SMA) Raymond F. Chandler III and his wife, Jeanne, were greeted in the Clark Auditorium, where they hosted a standing-room only town hall for Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and civilian staff and families.
“Jeanne and I travel quite a bit [to meet with service members and their families], listening to what your concerns are, and then providing that back to the senior [military] leadership,” the SMA explained. Chandler began the town hall discussing the Army’s suspension of the tuition assistance (TA) program, and the 72-hours notice given to Soldiers before it ended. “It’s not the right way to do business,” he said. The SMA explained the suspension in the TA program was due to current budget challenges posed by the continuing resolution and sequestration, impacting other areas within the force as well. He encour-
aged troops to continue their education by seeking other grants and scholarships, including those offered by the Army Emergency Relief (AER) and Association of the United States Army (AUSA). In discussing troop strength, Chandler said there are about 170,000 troops deployed around the world, and the U.S. military is reducing its presence in Afghanistan, as well as drawing down in general. With the current fiscal environment, he said priorities will be on ensuring those deployed troops have “everything they need to execute their assignments,” and
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Bethesda Notebook
Chaplain’s Corner Perhaps you’ve heard the axiom: “Never put a period where God has put a comma.” This thought provoking sound bite has been used by philosophers, teachers, preachers and politicians over the last 40 years. The source of this profound statement is believed to be Gracie Allen, one of America’s most beloved comedians. Though Gracie died the year I was born, I grew up watching her hilarious antics on the “Burns and Allen” television show and other old movies. If you don’t remember “Allen,” you will surely remember “Burns” as in George Burns - the little cigar smoking man who played God in the popular 70’s movies with John Denver. In 1964, when Gracie was ill and close to death, George was in such grief he could barely function. They had been together since their 20s, spending their entire adult lives together. George told her that he couldn’t live without her. In her death, he saw the end of everything he loved or cared about in life. In that moment, he only saw a big fat period … no hope, no future, at least not one worth living. As the story goes, when she realized she was loosing her fight against heart disease, Gracie wrote a note of comfort to her devastated husband. In it she said simply: ‘’George, never put a period where God has put a comma.’’ George would later share those words with numerous friends throughout the rest of his life, and many have been blessed by powerful truth which simply says: “It is OK … God is in control.” George must have listened to Gracie’s advice, because he lived for another 32 years, reaching a century of life, and we all benefited from it. During Holy Week, Christians mark the final days of Jesus’ earthly life, from his triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, to his trial and death on Good Fri-
Published by offset every Thursday by Comprint Military Publications, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, Md. 20877, a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Navy, under exclusive written contract with the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Md. This commercial enterprise newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services. Contents of The Journal are not necessarily the official views of, nor endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of Navy. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense or Comprint, Inc., of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without re-
Easter Sunrise Service
day. Many people thought the words, “It is finished,” placed a period after Jesus Christ. Easter however, declares that Good Friday and its terrible ending was just a comma. At the crack of dawn on Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate Jesus resurrected from the dead! Early Christian Creeds declare: “Christ has died, Christ is Risen, Christ will come again.” Note where the period is in that statement, and where we are in history. This is the message and hope of Easter. There are seasons in life where we feel a big fat period has been dropped on us … opportunities blocked, relationships end, doors close, hopes dashed. There are times when all that we can see are dead ends. After 10 years largely spent as a Chaplain in combat arms units, and now as a Chaplain at the medical center, I have learned (and continue to learn) that God decides the punctuations of life, setting the commas, question marks, exclamations, periods, and so on. Thankfully, He never misplaces a period, comma or any form of punctuation in our lives. No matter how difficult or hopeless it seems, the punctuation marks are placed and used for our ultimate benefit. The message of this holy season of Easter is that God is in control and he has a plan. As Gracie Allen lovingly told her grieving husband ... “don’t let anyone or anything put a period where God has put a comma … and don’t ever put a comma where God has put a period.” Regardless of the punctuations you are currently facing in life, know this: It’s going to be OK. God is still in control. Chaplain (Maj.) Stephen Pratel Department of Pastoral Care Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
gard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public Affairs Office, Naval Support Activity Bethesda, Md. News copy should be submitted to the Public Affairs Office, Building 11, lower level, Room 41, by noon one week preceding the desired publication date. News items are welcomed from all installation sources. Inquiries about news copy will be answered by calling 301- 295-1803. Commercial advertising should be placed with the publisher by telephoning 301-921-2800. Publisher’s advertising offices are located at 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, Md. 20877. Classified ads can be placed by calling 301-670-1700.
Easter Sunrise Service at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) will be held Sunday at 7 a.m. in the America Building lobby. All are welcome to attend. For more information, call Chaplain (Capt.) Sergio Daza at 301-295-1433.
The Hindu Festival of Holi
The Hindu Festival of Holi will be celebrated on April 4 at noon in the chapel, Building 8, first floor. The observance will be followed by food and fellowship. Everyone is invited to attend. For more information, call the Department of Pastoral Care at 301-295-1510.
Ask Your Leadership
Ask Your Leadership is a new staff communication tool for you to view and post questions and comments for official responses from the Walter Reed Bethesda (WRB) command leadership. The tool is on the WRB Intranet page. Click on the Town Hall/ Leadership Forum icon, and then click on Ask Your Leadership.
Alcoholics Anonymous Meeting
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meets Mondays (except for the first Monday of the month), Wednesdays and Fridays from noon to 12:50 p.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., in Building 8, Rm. 2230 (Chaplain’s Conference Room). For more information, call 301503-1210.
Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bethesda Commanding Officer: Capt. Frederick (Fritz) Kass Public Affairs Officer NSAB: Joseph Macri Public Affairs Office NSAB: (301) 295-1803
Journal Staff Staff Writers
Managing Editor WRNMMC Editor
MC2 John Hamilton MASN April Beazer Sarah Marshall Sharon Renee Taylor Cat DeBinder David A. Dickinson Jeremy Johnson MC2 Nathan Parde Bernard Little
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Office of Media Relations 301-295-5727 Fleet And Family Support Center 301-319-4087
WRNMMC Ombudsman Julie Bondar
443-854-5167
NSAB Ombudsman Jojo Lim Hector
703-901-6730
Visit us on Facebook:
Naval Support Activity Bethesda page: https://www.facebook.com/NSABethesda Walter Reed National Medical Center page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Walter-ReedNational-Military-Medical-Center/295857217111107 Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Uniformed-Services-University-of-the-HealthSciences/96338890888?fref=ts
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TBI Awareness Month: Walter Reed Bethesda Furthers Education, Treatment By Sarah Marshall WRNMMC Journal staff writer Editor’s Note: This is the first installment in a two-part series as part of Brain Injury Awareness Month. You can read the second installment next week or read the full article online at http://www. d c m i l i t a r y. c o m / s e c t i o n / news11. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has become an increasing concern among military members and their families since the start of the war, a decade ago. Walter Reed Bethesda continues making advancements in treatment while educating patients, families and providers. A TBI can occur when an external force on the body causes some structure or physiologic change to the brain, according to Louis French, chief of Traumatic Brain Injury Service, Department of Rehabilitation, at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC). “The way we typically see that, is through some change in level of alertness or consciousness,” French said. At WRNMMC, service members with mild brain injuries are often seen in the context of other injuries they may have endured on the battlefield, he explained, adding that explosions are the most common cause of brain injury in the population served at WRNMMC. “We worry about identifying and treating the brain injury that occurs with those other [injuries] because it may have an impact on their rehabilitation,” he said. If a patient has memory problems because of a TBI, they may not remember their appointments, wound care or medications, he continued; therefore, upon arriving at WRNMMC from combat, each patient is screened for TBI, he said. “We’ve been doing that for many years,” he said. “We also have a system of care now that is assessing people in theater, [and] assessing in Germany as they go through the evacuation process. There
file photo
At the National Intrepid Center of Excellence, patients suffering from traumatic brain injuries and psychological health issues use state-of-the-art equipment as part of their rehabilitation, including a driving simulator, that helps prepare them for real world scenarios. are lots of opportunities to capture those [injuries].” Providers evaluate loss of consciousness after the traumatic injury, to determine the level of severity. Loss of consciousness for less than an hour is generally considered a mild TBI, while loss of consciousness for a week is severe, and anywhere in between may be diagnosed as a moderate TBI, French explained. “In general, the more severe the brain injury, the longer we can expect symptoms to last, and the more significant the impairments of functioning,” he continued. “We see the full range of severities here.” In addition to measuring consciousness, a TBI can be identified by a number of symptoms, such as headaches, memory loss, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, light sensitivity and seizures. In urgent conditions, an individual may not be able to recognize people, or have weak-
ness in their limbs, slurred speech, double vision, or have a declining neurological exam. Regardless of severity, French went on to explain that care encompasses a wide variety of services, and treatment is based on an individual’s needs. “Not everybody has all the symptoms, and some people don’t have any of the symptoms,” he said. Generally, symptoms are viewed in three areas: cognitive, physical and behavioral/ emotional. Cognitive symptoms may include disruptions to memory, problem solving and language. Treatments targeted towards recovering cognitive function, may include working with occupational therapists (OTs), speech pathologists and neuropsychologists, he explained. Physical symptoms may involve changes in motor function, vision, balance, vision and sleep, as well as the most common, headaches.
For headaches in particular, there are physicians available, who are experts in pharmacology, French said. Physical therapists, as well as physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors work with patients suffering physical impairments from a TBI, while OTs may teach how to work around these physical limitations. Behavioral/emotional symptoms may be more complicated, as it may be difficult to disentangle from other circumstances the patient often encounters during treatment, French explained. Often, these individuals are young and healthy, and being in the hospital can make them irritable, frustrated and sad, he said. It can be a challenge to differentiate these symptoms from those actually related to the brain. Emotional symptoms, though rare, may include depression, anxiety, agitation, irritability and impulsivity, he said. Providers offer a number of methods to
help patients cope, such as relaxation techniques, acupuncture and biofeedback, using one’s thoughts to control their body. Education is also an essential component in a patient’s TBI treatment at Walter Reed Bethesda, French said. Part of the U.S. military health system, the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) is the TBI operational component of the Defense Centers of Excellence for Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury (DCoE), explained French, who is also director of the DVBIC site at WRNMMC. DVBIC has sites at military medical centers across the globe, with the one at Walter Reed Bethesda being the largest in the U.S. and Germany, according to DVBIC’s website. “Since there are similar DVBIC sites at Landshtul and across the U.S., care is continuous and education is standardized for service members from the point of injury overseas, and throughout their recovery,” said Laura Wolf, a DVBIC regional education coordinator at WRNMMC. DVBIC educators meet with each patient after they arrive off the medevac, and they continue to offer support over the course of each patient’s recovery, Wolf explained. “We’ll go through the different steps, what a TBI evaluation is, and then after that, we’ll discuss the diagnosis, treatment, the process,” she said. Treatments must be thorough, addressing the wide range of symptoms, and WRNMMC’s multidisciplinary TBI team provides several layers of treatment, French said. Not every method of treatment works for the same people at the same time. “We have to address the problems people are having from head to toe,” French said. “We have to deal with the whole range, and if we’re not successful in addressing all [problems], people just don’t get better the way we would like.”
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FISHER Continued from 1 of all the efforts that the Fisher Houses do, and we’re grateful to the Fisher family. So, I like to come and hang out, number one, to bring cookies. Anybody like cookies here?” After an enthusiastic response from the kids, Obama revealed her next surprise. “We do this really cool thing at the White House around Easter every year. It’s called our Easter Egg Roll. We do it in the backyard of the White House on the South Lawn, and there are thousands of people who come. We’ve got great entertainment … bands playing, athletes who come, Easter bunnies and characters, face painting, and lots of running right on the South Lawn. Does that sound fun? “I brought tickets for all of you to come … so, the Monday after Easter, you guys are invited to my
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Photos by Mass Communication Specialist Nathan Parde
First Lady Michelle Obama shares a laugh with military family members at Fisher House 4, March 20. house to hang out,” she said. The First Lady revealed her final surprise when she called “Bo,” a Portuguese Water Dog, out to meet the families and children. “Bo is a sweetheart, but
he’s big … he’s really a big baby. He can do tricks if he’s paying attention.” The First Lady and Bo spent approximately an hour visiting with the families – listening to their stories and reading the Eas-
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Bo Obama, a male Portuguese Water Dog, visits families at the Fisher Houses at Naval Support Activity Bethesda recently. ter cards they made her. WRNMMC Fisher Houses Manager Becky Wood said it was an experience the families will never forget. “It was a wonderful event enjoyed by all the families of the wounded, ill and injured. We are grateful to the First Lady and her staff
for her kindness and generosity for our Fisher House families,” said Wood. After spending time with the Fisher House families, the First Lady left the Fisher House to visit wounded warriors hospitalized at Walter Reed Bethesda.
The Journal
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Irish-American Heritage Celebrated at Walter Reed Bethesda
Robert M.T. Gibbs, P.C. Certified Public Accountants Photo by David A. Dickinson
The Hurley School of Irish Dance helps Walter Reed Bethesda celebrate Irish-American Heritage Month in the America Building atrium recently. they have contributed to the success of our great nation,” said Sgt. 1st Class Jason Zielske, Equal OpWalter Reed Bethesda celebrated portunity advisor and chair of the Irish-American Heritage Month Bethesda Multicultural Committee, with a performance by the Hurley who sponsored the event. The Hurley School of Irish Dance School of Irish Dance in the Ameritroupe that performed at Walter ca Building atrium recently. “Irish-American heritage is an- Reed Bethesda included youth other people and culture we celeSee IRISH page 10 brate at Walter Reed Bethesda, and By Bernard S. Little WRNMMC Journal staff writer
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Navy Exchange Bethesda Hosts “Eggstravaganza”
Photos by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John K. Hamilton
Will Pearson, 4, gets his face painted during the Easter Eggstravaganza at the Navy Exchange parking lot Saturday. Nicole Ulloa, 5, rolls a bowling ball at pins during the Easter Eggstravaganza.
The band “Bad Influence” provided musical Parents watch as children try to launch rubentertainment for the evening. ber frogs into buckets. Danny Jauregui, 4, paints easter eggs with his dad before an Easter egg hunt.
Giuseppe Trinca, 19 months old, searches for Easter eggs to put in his basket during the Eggstravaganza egg hunt.
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Walter Reed Bethesda Celebrates Women’s History Month By Bernard S. Little WRNMMC Journal staff writer Saluting women and their accomplishments, the U.S. Army Band “Downrange” and Spc. Trinity Eubanks performed at Walter Reed Bethesda’s Women History Month observance on March 21 in the America Building atrium. Sgt. Maj. Carol WarrenClark, deputy command senior enlisted leader at Walter Reed Bethesda, said this year’s theme for the observance is “Women Inspiring Innovation through Imagination: Celebrating Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).” “This year, we honor generations of women who, throughout history, have used their intelligence, imagination and tenacity to make extraordinary contributions to the STEM fields,” explained Sgt. 1st Class Jason Zielske, Equal Opportunity advisor and chair of the Bethesda Multicultural Committee, who sponsors cultural diversity events at the medical center. Kicking off the salute to women, Warren-Clark read President Barack Obama’s proclamation for Women’s History Month 2013. “For more than two centuries, our nation has grown under the simple creed that each of us is created equal. It is a notion that makes America unlike any other place on earth — a country where
SOLDIER Continued from 1 some non-military occupational specialty (MOS) specific training and services will be cut back, unless it involves “health, life or safety.” The Army will continue to use the Qualitative Service Program (QSP) to shape the force, retaining the best leaders and eliminating over-strength in most MOSs and promotion stagnation, Chandler explained. QSP uses formal enlisted centralized board processes to identify NCOs for involuntary separation in order to manage force size, maintain
no matter where you come from or what you look like, you can go as far as your talents will take you. Women’s History Month is a time to remember those who fought to make that freedom as real for our daughters as for our sons,” the president stated. WRNMMC Commander, Rear Adm. Alton L. Stocks, also attended the ceremony, recognizing beneficiaries and commending women as well as his staff. “It’s our privilege and honor to serve you,” he said to beneficiaries. “To my staff, I’m pleased to represent you around the world, and also to brag about you for the outstanding job you do each and every day. Thanks.” He also thanked the Bethesda Multicultural Committee for its efforts at the Nation’s Medical Center in bringing cultural diversity to the forefront. “We truly are a team here who represent all cultures, all services and people of all walks of life.” The ensemble “Downrange,” established in 2002 of U.S. Army Band members who volunteered to go “downrange,” to entertain deployed troops throughout Southwest Asia, performed a variety of rock, pop, country, and rhythm and blues songs, and Walter Reed Bethesda’s own Soldier, Eubanks, also sang a number of contemporary songs, accompanied by pianist Paul Ruskin. Women’s History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed Public Law 97-28, which authorized and requested the president to
NCO readiness and competence, and sustain viable career paths across MOS skill levels in the all-volunteer Army, according to the SMA. A number of uniform changes in the Army are also on the horizon based on survey responses from Soldiers, as well as to save money, Chandler said. He also discussed the Army phasing out promotion points for deployment, in part because fewer Soldiers will be deploying. In addition, the SMA stressed the importance of Soldiers completing their respective structured self-development (SSD) level, a requirement before Soldiers are able to attend courses under the NCO Education
Photo by Bernard S. Little
Sgt. Maj. Mercy A. Diez, of the U.S. Army Band “Downrange” performs at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center’s Women’s History Month celebration on March 21 in the America Building atrium. proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982, as Women’s History Week. In 1987, after
being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Public
Law 100-9, which designated the month of March as Women’s History Month.
System, and promotion will soon be impossible without completing the required courses. “Train to the best of your ability with the resources that are available,” Chandler said. “Do the best you can with what we give you. Maintain and sustain your equipment. Be more efficient with the dollars we have. Maintain esprit de corps and that sense of teamwork.” He called on teamwork to help tackle the challenges of suicides in the military, which haven’t seen a reduction in this calendar year from the same time in 2012. “It’s a huge tragedy for us, and we’re looking for answers.” He said more resources and training have
been added to the military’s suicide prevention programs. The SMA challenged leaders to really get to know their troops, “what makes them tick and their challenges,” in order to note any changes in their behaviors. He stressed leaders be engaged and take seriously the responsibility of taking care of their Soldiers. “You can influence things by being engaged.” The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 800-273-8255 (TALK) and the National Suicide Hotline is available at 800-784-2433 (800-SUICIDE). The SMA also addressed the issue of women in combat
jobs, explaining people who are able to meet the same standards should have the same opportunities and possibilities, regardless of gender. In January, former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, signed a memo to lift the ban on female service members in combat roles and to serve in MOSs now open only to males. Chandler said less than 1 percent of American people serve in the military. “So be proud of who you are and what you do,” he told those in attendance at the WRNMMC town hall. “The American people are genuinely grateful for what you do.”
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NMCRS: Be Careful Before Using Payday or Online Loans By Jeremy K. Johnson NSAB Public Affairs staff writer The Bethesda office of the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) is reminding service members that when they are in financial trouble, so-called payday loans and online revolving line of credit loans are usually not the best solution. In fact, said Julie Shepard, a relief services assistant for NMCRS, such loans can actually make things worse. “High interest rates make it difficult to repay and they end up having to borrow again,” she explained. If things are dire, she advised, service members should consider applying for a quick assist loan from NMCRS. Unlike payday and online loans, they are always interest free. Members are given 3-10 months to repay the loan through a payday allotment. To be eligible, they cannot have an existing loan with NMCRS or be under disciplinary action from their command. Depending on individual circumstances, members may receive two loans a year up to $500 each. Before February of this year, that amount had been limited to $300. It was adjusted to reflect the needs of today’s military families. “These loans are for things that come up unexpectedly. It used to be that a family might have one car, and if it broke down, they would be without transportation,” she said. “NMCRS now sees families that might have two cars because both parents are working. What if both cars break?” Current law prohibits “brick and mortar” (physical location) payday loan shops from approving loans for military members. According to Shepard, this doesn’t apply to lenders who operate exclusively online and offer revolving lines of credit. “A service member can go online and get one of these loans fairly easily,” she explained. “The problem is that online lenders can still charge a really high interest rate and it’s perfectly legal.” The reasons applicants end up needing help can vary, she added, but there are some situations that are somewhat common. “The D.C. metro area is very expensive. Sometimes, it’s because they’re very young and inexperienced,
and they come here from other parts of the country. Also, a lot of it is a lack of financial education, though some education is provided in boot camp,” said Shepard. “When members come in to apply for a quick assist loan at NMCRS, we look at their LES (leave and earnings statement) and their budget. We then offer them other services and resources available to help them live within their means. Our mission is financial education,” she emphasized, “and unless they’re engaging in illegal behavior or breaking the law, all consultations are confidential.” Because the program is designed for emergen-
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cies, loans may be refused if it is determined that the member is living within a “deficit” budget, with more money being spent each month than is earned. “For instance, we don’t give money for credit card debt,” she said As a final note, Shepard pointed out that in worst case scenarios grants can be given, and if a member is refused, it will always be after two NMCRS staff members have reviewed the applicant’s information. For more information on Navy Marine Corps Relief Society quick assist loans, visit: https:// www.nmcrs.org and select “Quick Assist Loans” under the “Services” button.
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IRISH Continued from 5 ages 5 to 18, who performed various Irish-themed dance numbers, including championship-level choreography, Zielske said. Some of the members of this championship group are children of WRNMMC’s staff. Since 1991, U.S. presidents have designated March as Irish-American Heritage Month through a special proclamation to honor the achievements and contributions of Irish immigrants and their descendents living in America, Zielske added. March was selected as the month of observance because it coincides with Saint Patrick’s Day, which honors the patron saint of Ireland. In this year’s proclamation, President Barack Obama stated, “For more than two centuries, America has been made and remade by striving, hopeful immigrants looking for a chance to pursue their dreams. Millions among them were born in Ireland, separated from our shores, but united by their belief in a better day. This month, we celebrate the IrishAmerican journey, and we reflect
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on the ways a nation so small has inspired so much in another.” “Forty-four million Americans proudly share Irish ancestry,” according to the American Foundation for Irish Heritage. The foundation was established in the late 1980s, “to honor contributions the Irish in America have made to the growth and development of the United States.” The Irish American Heritage Month website (irishamericanheritagemonth.com) lists the following as people born in Ireland, or of Irish descent: nine signers of the Declaration of Independence; more than 20 of George Washington’s generals; the first man to hold a commission in the U.S. Navy (Commodore John Barry); more than 190,000 Irish born Americans who fought in the Civil War; the most decorated combat Soldier of World War II (Audie Murphy); pioneering women such as Nellie Bly and Christa McAuliffe; the inventor of the modern submarine (John Phillip Holland); and 253 Medal of Honor recipients, including the first person to be awarded (posthumously), the U.S. military’s highest decoration for his actions during the War in Afghanistan, U.S. Navy SEAL Lt. Michael P. Murphy.
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