Homefront Magazine December 2015

HOMEFRONT A Fort Hood Herald publication December 30, 2015

Reflections on 2015 P4 | USO opens rally point P8 | National Night Out lauded P10

| Homefront

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

[ Inside this issue ] Letters from the Homefront: Reflections on 2015

Page 4

Financial Fitness: Understanding annuities

Page 6

On the Homefront: USO opens rally point for soldiers

Page 8

On the Homefront: National Night Out program applauded

Page 10

What’s Happening: Things to do in Central Texas

Page 12

Dining In: Chicken tinga

Page 14

Vol. 8, Issue 12 | December 30, 2015 Homefront is a Fort Hood Herald publication.

Contact Us Editor: Jacob Brooks | jbrooks@kdhnews.com | 254-501-7468 Reporter: JC Jones | jcjones@kdhnews.com | 254-501-7464 Photographer: Eric J. Shelton | 254-501-7460 Designer: M. Clare Haefner | chaefner@kdhnews.com On the cover: Kim Gutierrez, from left, Donald Felt and Jenny O’Rourke are photographed inside of the USO building at Fort Hood on Dec. 14.

Photo by Eric J. Shelton.

Find more news at forthoodherald.com.

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Homefront |

| Homefront

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Lots of excitement, changes in past year for my military family

T

here is never a boring year in the life of a military family.

While we didn’t move this year, we still lived through excitement and many changes.

This year I’ve had all three boys at home. While my husband is often busy with work, I find myself playing the role of a single parent. This wears on me at times, to be honest. My boys wear me out, too. While frustrated this year, I’ve had to remind myself several times to cherish my boys while we have them.

Next year my oldest son will head off to college. After attending 12 schools, he will leave our home and enter college at the University of Texas-Austin. After all he’s overcome as a deaf student, constantly moving from town to town, I’m very excited that he’ll be starting a new life as a Longhorn! Hooah!

I can’t even begin to think about where we’ll be living next year without thinking about how far we’ll be from him, though. I dread getting used to new routines next year without him at home. Our house will be much quieter,

Never knowing what next year may bring, we may even be one of the families who pulls up roots and moves to yet another posting.

Letters from the Homefront Karin Markert

but I will miss the excitement that he brings to the home, too.

Living on post, seven out of my nine neighbors moved this year. We had a very happy equilibrium one moment, then within a matter of weeks we had almost all new neighbors. The new families on our street are great. But the habits and routines we had established with the old crew have changed, as we work again to build and maintain new friendships.

Never knowing what next year may bring, we may even be one of the fami-

lies who pulls up roots and moves to yet another posting. As military families, we learn how to meet people quickly, and work to establish and maintain relationships. I’m not sure if this is normal in the “civilian world,” the speed with which we military families say “hello” and “good bye” to our friends.

As a military family, we’ve been fortunate to have many resources available to us. Over the years my family has taken advantage of different Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Programs (FMWR).

In this past year we’ve personally taken advantage of services from Fort Hood’s School Liaison Office, Exceptional Family Member Program, hunting, paintball and other recreation programs. These and other programs helped us better enjoy our military life, through all of the changes that come our way with moves and deployments.

Over the next 12 months, I’ll be interested to see whether these and other resources change, or if some may even be downsized. Our military forces locally and throughout the Army are being cut back in size. I’m wondering if the slower deployment tempo and smaller number of troops will translate to cutbacks in family resources.

We are constantly living with changes in our lives. Some of these changes affect our personal family lives, our network of friends, and the resources available to us.

In an effort to remain positive through whatever comes my way in 2016, I shall remember the words from Alfred Lord Tennyson, “Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering, ‘It will be happier.’”

Karin Markert is an Army spouse and Herald correspondent who lives at Fort Hood.

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Homefront |

| Homefront

[ Financial fitness ]

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Understanding annuities for retirement: Myth versus fact Courtesy of USAA

Because annuities are insurance contracts intended to provide a guaranteed income, often after retirement, some wrongly assume they only make sense for seniors or that they’re too complex.

But, when used correctly, annuities can be a solid part of a comprehensive retirement package. Here are some common misconceptions about annuities, followed by explanations and potential benefits offered by USAA financial planning professionals.

Myth: Annuities are too complicated to understand.

Fact: While individual plans may differ, annuities come in two basic forms: immediate and deferred. An immediate annuity generally requires a buyer to pay an initial lump sum to an insurer, who guarantees monthly payments beginning now and ending at a particular time (often at the individual’s death). A deferred annuity delays payouts until some later date you choose.

Annuities can be a solid part of a retirement package.

Myth: If you buy an immediate annuity and die early, payments stop and the insurance company keeps your money.

Fact: Immediate annuities can guarantee monthly payments for the annuitant’s life, or as long as otherwise specified. Some choose a guaranteed payment period that continues until a surviving spouse’s death. Others choose to allow payments to continue until all of the initial investment has been paid back to the annuitant or a beneficiary, regardless of the annuitant’s death.

Myth: Deferred annuities don’t provide anything that can’t be obtained using other financial products.

Fact: Deferred annuities can provide a unique blend of features, including: • Guaranteed growth.

• Tax-deferred compounding.

• Lower market risks.

• Lifetime income.

Myth: Annuities are sold by salespeople motivated by high commissions.

Fact: While this may be true for some types of specialized annuity products, immediate and deferred fixed annuities generally do not carry high commission costs. Still, before purchasing any annuity, you should understand your situation, the financial vehicle under consideration and possible motives of the salesperson.

Myth: Guaranteed savings annuities are only for older or extremely conservative investors.

Fact: Younger generations are also seeing the benefits of annuities, among them: • As pensions become rarer, deferred annuities can add financial stability and diversity to a retirement portfolio.

• Younger investors may lock in annuity factors now using current actuarial data, the statistics used to

calculate the kinds of risk insurance companies insure people against. As life expectancy increases (as it has for generations), they will likely outlive the current prediction and come out on top financially.

• Deferred annuities can simplify the complex process of creating your own retirement income with the simplicity of a guaranteed monthly payment.

• Tax-deferred compounding for deferred annuities can help lower tax bills and simplify returns.

Myth: I only need my money to last as long as my life expectancy.

Fact: Half the population will live beyond the average life expectancy. For married couples, there’s a substantial chance at least one spouse will live to age 95.

Myth: Once you buy an annuity, you can’t move it without paying taxes.

Fact: Federal tax rules allow the taxfree movement of annuities through IRA rollovers and 1035 exchanges. Surrender charges may apply.

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Homefront |

| Homefront

[ on the homefront ]

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Expanding service for soldiers USO opens new ‘rally point’ for transitioning troops

BUy this photo at kdhnews.com Eric J. Shelton | Homefront

From left, Isabel Hubbard, Jenny O’Rourke and Kim Gutierrez are photographed Dec. 14 inside the USO Fort Hood building on post.

by jc jones fort hood herald

D

onald Felt transitioned from the Army two and a half years ago after 30 years of military service, and said he remembers the difficulty of the process.

Felt now is leading the Fort Hood USO’s efforts to help other transitioning soldiers navigate the waters of going from soldier to civilian.

“Even after 30 years of service and serving in the garrison, and knowing lots of resources, it’s still a little overwhelming to now, all of a sudden, have to switch gears so decidedly at that point. If it’s that difficult for me at that age, with that much experience, you can imagine what it is for a 22-yearold,” Felt said.

Fort Hood is one of five installations chosen to pilot the new USO RP/6 program, which aids soldiers preparing to exit the military by connecting them to all of the resources they might need.

“In May, when the USO became aware that over 1 million troops will transition from the American services over the next four years, it became evident that we needed to assist those service members throughout their military career, to include the end of it,” said Felt, who is the site manager for the RP/6 program’s Fort Hood office, Building 44, 50th street.

Felt said the large number of departing service members includes those transitioning out because of regular attrition, as well as those impacted by military downsizing.

“What that really equates to is about 1,300 people a day, counting the service member and his or her family, are having to face transition — find a new home, find a new job, find new schools and all those kinds of things. There’s a lot of additional stress on the family at that time,” he said.

The program started as part of a partnership between the USO and

[ on the homefront ]

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

BUy this photo at kdhnews.com Eric J. Shelton | Homefront

RP/6 Site Manger Donald Felt talks about the USO on Dec. 14 at the USO building at Fort Hood.

several other nonprofit organizations, known as the Transition 360 Alliance. The name RP/6 comes from the military term “rally point.” Fort Hood’s USO opened its RP/6 office in October.

Other USO offices piloting the program are Fort Carson, Colo.; Fort Campbell, Ky.; Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, Va.; and San Antonio.

Felt said the focus is connecting troops to some of the resources most needed during the exit process, including employment and education options, as well as housing, financial and family-related resources.

“There are lots of different areas in which we can help, and primarily our goal is to connect a troop to the right resources to fit their needs,” he said.

Services are available to any Fort Hood soldier within 12 months before or after their exit date from the Army, by coming directly to the RP/6 office, or by going online at uso.org to fill out an intake form, and begin the process.

Spouses and family members are welcome to join as well, Felt said.

“The USO motto is ‘Always being by their side,’ so it’s a natural progression to move into,” said Fort Hood USO

Center Director Isabel Hubbard, of the RP/6 program’s launch.

“We’re there at the (Military Entrance Processing) stations, we are here on garrison and installations and airports throughout the whole duty career, and then even when we’re helping families of the fallen, wounded, ill and injured, we’re there all the while. Why not through the transition, which is the most challenging time, at the end of a career,” Hubbard said. jcjones@kdhnews.com | 254-501-7464

Homefront |

10 | Homefront

[ on the homefront ]

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Fort Hood community awarded for National Night Out efforts by jc jones fort hood herald

For the sixth year in a row, Fort Hood Family Housing was recognized for its participation in the annual National Night Out program, a nationwide effort to raise awareness for crime prevention.

Fort Hood this year received awards in the military participation category and the neighborhood/community category.

More than 16,000 communities across the U.S., Canada and military bases worldwide participate in National Night Out each year. The campaign was started by the National Association of Town Watch, a nonprofit crime prevention organization.

National Night Out is part of the organization’s push to promote partnerships between local police agencies and the communities they serve.

Eight families living on the installation hosted block parties, each attended by military police and the fire department.

“National Night Out is not just about having a good time at a one night event, it’s about community and community support of each other. This is a great recognition, and we want to share this award with all who made the event a success. I would also like to personally thank the entire Fort Hood Family

Courtesy photo

More than 3,500 attendees attended the National Night Out celebration on Oct. 6. For the sixth year in a row, Fort Hood Family Housing has been recognized for its participation in the annual National Night Out program, a nationwide effort to raise awareness for crime prevention.

Housing team who selflessly dedicates their time each year to this event,” said Mack Quinney, project director for Fort Hood Family Housing, the privatized military housing community located on post.

Fort Hood housing hosted its annual National Night Out celebration on Oct.

6. The superhero-themed event garnered more than 3,500 attendees from the Fort Hood community.

“Our main goals with this annual event are to educate our residents on how they are the main deterrent to crime in their communities and to build relationships between residents

and the police,” said Nieomi King, community services manager and event lead. “We teach them to say something when they see something with the Billy the Bad Guy activity, how K-9 dogs work, and how to prevent crime through neighborhood watch programs.”

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Homefront | 11

12 | Homefront

[ What’s Happening ]

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Local Music

Farmers Markets

Bars, Clubs

Dirty Harry’s presents live music on Wednesdays at 9 p.m. For ages 21 and older, no cover. Dirty Harry’s is at 206 W. Veterans Memorial Blvd., Harker Heights (next to Kin Pin Tattoos). Call 254-680-6557.

Tickets are available for the New Year’s Eve party at Bo’s Barn Dancehall at 4984 W. Farm-to-Market 93 in Temple. Cost: $25 includes cover, champagne, party favors and breakfast. Happy Hour is from 5 to 8 p.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Go to www.bosbarndancehall.com or call 254-939-7131.

Stillhouse Wine Room, 403 E. Stan Schlueter Loop, Killeen presents Wednesday Night Trivia is from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Come play a relaxing game of trivia on a variety of topics. Every 10 questions someone wins a bottle of wine or a dessert. Thursday is the New Years Eve Party, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Live music featuring jazz / R&B vocalist and trumpeter Bryan Thym and female duet Blessed Union of Blues. Food will be available throughout the night with a Champagne toast at midnight. Tickets: $25 in advance; $30 the day of the show. Tickets may be purchased at Stillhouse Wine Room or at StillhouseWineRoom.com.

The Pioneer Farmers Market will be open in front of Tractor Supply Company on Central Texas Expressway in Killeen from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Call Virginia at 254-4235277.

Chopstick, 2600 Trimmier Road, Suite 200, Killeen has karaoke night 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. every Thursday.

Whiskey Business Bar & Grill presents karaoke on Friday nights and live music on Saturday nights. NO COVER for either night. Whiskey Business is at 704 B. East Veterans Memorial Blvd., Killeen. Call 254-519-3764.

Catch live music and other events at The Gin, 219 S. East St. in Belton. Go to www.thegin. net or text GINEVENTS to 96362.

Dancing Join In the Mood for a New Year’s Dance from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Thursday at 13 S. Main St., Temple. Doors open at 8 p.m.

Reservations are required; Tickets: $20 a person, includes hors d’oeuvres and Champagne toast. Attire is dressy casual to formal. Call 254-773-7088 or 254-7607320 for reservations.

Family Fun

Catch live music at Dead Fish Grill, 2207 Lake Road in Belton. Call 254-939-5771 or go to www.deadfishgrill.com.

Schoepf’s Bar-Be-Que presents live music some nights. Schoepf’s is at 702 E. Central Ave., Belton. Go to www.schoepfsbbq.com.

Temple’s Railroad and Heritage Museum’s temporary exhibit, “Mail Call,” a National Postal Museum exhibition organized and circulated by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, is on display through Jan. 16. The museum, at 315 W. Avenue B, in downtown Temple, is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Go to www.rrhm.org or call 254-298-5172.

Clubs, Meetings The Copperas Cove Bass Club will hold its annual membership drive beginning Jan. 5, 2016. The club meetings are held at the Lil Tex Restaurant in Copperas Cove on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. Call 254-661-9274.

The Killeen Civic Art Guild has open studio time from 5 to 8 p.m. Mondays and offers various workshops from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturdays at the Killeen Arts & Activities Center, 802 N. Second St., Suite D 100.

Contact Jutta Mack at jmack1@hot.rr.com, call 254-466-4040 or go to www.killeencivicartguild.org.

Homefront | 13

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

COUPON

$19.95

REGULAR OIL CHANGE SPECIAL OFFER EXPIRES 1/31/16

COUPON

10%

Milit ar y Discount on any wor k done.

AUTO AND SMALL ENGINE REPAIR: Motorcycles Foreign/Domestic/Diesel Used Tires State Inspection Front end Alignment

Electrical Diagnostics Lawnmower Go-cart & Scooter Weed eater & Blower

Riding Lawnmower Pressure washer Chainsaw & Edger Brakes Tune up

Oil Change Generator AC Repair Transmission Exhaust work

• Mayo Autoworks #2 Coming Soon • Towing Available

[ Dining in ]

14 | Homefront

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Let’s eat: Chicken tinga a spicy Mexican dish with dried chiles

By Gretchen McKay Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

When your son offers to cook for you, you don’t say no, even when you know you’ll be footing the bill for the groceries. (Some things never change.) Then again, I would have paid handsomely in a restaurant for this spicy Mexican dish, which features shredded chicken simmered in a smoky red sauce made with six varieties of dried chile.

Given its lengthy cooking time, you’ll probably want to try it on the weekend. But then you’ll have plenty of leftovers to stuff into burritos or pile on crunchy tostadas.

Another plus: Because it’s served with a variety of toppings — everything from shredded lettuce and Mexican crema to sliced avocado or guacamole, each diner can customize the final product.

CHICKEN TINGA

For chile paste 1 dried pasilla pepper 1 dried morita pepper 1 dried ancho pepper 2 dried guajillo peppers 2 dried chipotle peppers 2 dried chiles de arbol For chicken tinga 3 pounds boneless chicken breast or thigh Vegetable oil for frying Salt and pepper Large onion, thinly sliced 3 cloves of garlic, chopped 10-ounce can diced tomatoes with chile (we used RoTel) 28-ounce can diced tomatoes 1 cup chicken stock 2 to 3 tablespoons chili powder (we used hatch chili powder from Reyna Foods) Make chile paste: Clean chiles by removing stems and seeds, place in microwave-safe bowl, then microwave at 15 second intervals for 30 to 60 seconds to release flavors. Add enough water to bowl to coat peppers and

microwave for an additional minute. Let cool then puree into a thick paste. Set aside.

Make tinga: Season chicken with salt and pepper. In a large pot or dutch oven, heat a

small amount of oil until almost smoking.

In batches, brown pieces of chicken; remove to plate.

Once chicken is done cooking, add the sliced onion to the pan and cook in juices until slightly browned. Add garlic and continue to cook another minute or two until light golden brown. Add pureed chile pepper paste and dried chili powder and cook for 1 minute. Add diced tomatoes and bring to a soft boil.

Add cooked chicken back to pot. Cover and place in 350-degree oven; bake until chicken is tender, 1 hour to 90 minutes. Remove chicken from pan and shred into bite-sized strands. Place pan over medium heat and cook sauce until reduced by about half. Add shredded chicken back to pan and cook with sauce, stirring occasionally, for another 10 to 20 minutes until sauce is thick enough to coat a spoon.

Serve chicken with warm tortillas with your favorite toppings — fresh guacamole, crumbed queso fresco, Mexican Cream or sour cream, salsa, and 1 or 2 slices ripe avocado.

Serves 8.

— Dan McKay

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Homefront | 15