HHC, 2d POG
NDReadiness Group Newsletter
From the Commander:
I am extremely excited and honored to be
the Acting Commander of this Company. I
am equally excited about the new
volunteers to the FRG. I had the pleasure
of meeting with them briefly and I was
very impressed by their commitment to
the Soldiers and their families. The
Companies tempo is getting busier and the
need for family support is getting greater.
I hope the Company can keep their great
spirit during these next couple of years.
Additionally the Company 1SG and I are
available to all Soldiers and family
members that need to talk or have
questions. I look forward to meeting all of
the Soldier’s families and friends at
upcoming events. I have tasked the FRG
with coming up with tee shirts for family
members to buy at future events so they
too can show their support; or wear their
support. The funds raised will go directly
back to the Soldiers and their families.
1LT Brian Mitchell
1 May/2011 Family Readiness Group Newsletter
Family
2 PSYOP HHC MAY/2011
May is National Fitness Month
Our health and our loved ones health is important and it should be a priority
every day, not just the week/month before a PT Test. Just think, if we are
able to make small changes on a daily basis then we will not have to think
about it when we have to meet a certain weight and work extra hard for a
week to a month before. I challenge everyone to read below (taken from
handouts provided by VA Nutrition and Food Services) and try to make one
small change in your life.
 Read your food labels. This will help you identify healthier options.
Remember to look at the calories and serving size
 Try a new food like a unique fruit or vegetable or whole grain
 Buy individual serving sizes of snack foods to avoid overeating
 Drink 6-8 cups of water each day
 Increase activity a bit each day
 Keep track of your journey, weigh yourself once each week and write
it down and keep track of everything you eat and drink for one week
Check out http://www.fitness.gov/ for more information on National fitness
month. And also check out http://www.letsmove.gov/ and find information
from the First Lady who just announced 3 new “Let’s Move” commitments
designed for military kids and military families to assist in helping us all get in
shape and lead a healthier life.
Set some goals and work towards them! Make your health important
everyday not just during the month of May!
 Have You Visited This Website?
http://www.commissaries.com/
This is a great website to save in your
favorites on your computer. For
instance, did you know that the
commissary travels to support the
Reserve Units that do not have a
commissary available to them on a
regular basis? The following is
information that is listed so far for the
state of Ohio:
JUL 2011: (dates to be determined)
4497 Hawk Drive, McConnelsville OH
4375
and
NOV 2011: (date & location to be
determined) COLUMBUS OH
Check back on the site for further
information as it becomes available on
these dates and locations.
There will also be two Case Lot Sales at
Wright Patterson Air Force Base in
Dayton, Ohio coming up.
MAY 26, 27 & 28
and
SEPTEMBER 2, 3 & 4
If you have never been to a Case Lot
Sale, it is well worth the drive to Dayton
for a day. You can save up to 50%! Not
only are the prices very cheap to buy
products in bulk but you can also use a
coupon for each item in the box and
they usually have coupons available for
you.
Check the web site out for yourselves!!
2 May/2011 Family Readiness Group Newsletter
Have some fun with your loved ones!!!!!
Did you ever think that a family vacation to Disney World is too expensive and just
not possible? Think again, as members of the U.S. Army Disney offers some
FANTASTIC deals.
Check out the website http://www.disneymilitarysales.com/ for Disney’s Armed
Forces Salute program ticket prices. These tickets can be purchased at Disney before
September 28th, 2011 or you can always contact Wright Patterson Air Force Base ITT
Office at +1.937.257.7670. When you provide them with a copy of your Military I.D.
they can charge a personal credit card and ship them via FedEx for a $10 fee, plus
you save the cost of sales tax!!!!
Need someplace to stay while visiting Disney? Check out the different military
discount prices offered at the Disney Resorts or visit The Shades of Green which is a
resort on Disney property that is dedicated to all branches of the military. Check out
their website http://www.shadesofgreen.org/ for more information.
Calling All Little Artists
Military Child Education Coalition is looking for little artists in Kindergarten -12th
grades for the Call for the Arts: The Art of Being a Military Child Contest.
They are asking students that are connected with the military to submit pieces of
work in the following fields, artwork, film, and writing which includes essays,
poetry, and short stories. Artwork that is chosen could be used in different
publications of MCEC and at conferences and other activities.
Please visit http://www.militarychild.org/child-student/arts for more
information and all contest rules.
Contest starts September 1st and all entries should be postmarked no later than
the last Friday in February. Start your artists thinking and planning on what they
would like to do!!!!!
In 2009 a law was passed by Congress to pay troops whose military service was
involuntarily extended under stop-loss authority between Sept. 11, 2001, and
Sept. 30, 2009. Under this law troops that qualify could receive a retroactive
bonus of $500 for every month served beyond enlistment.
The deadline to apply for this retroactive bonus has been extended; the new
deadline is October 21, 2011.
Do you qualify? Check out this website for further info
www.defense.gov/stoploss
 Important Dates to Remember Meet our FRG

FRG Events:bb Family Readiness Liaisons: SGT Greg Hawver and

SSG Amy Harlan
 July 16,2011 : FRG Fundraiser at the Ice House
FRG Leader: Renee Tyler
This was a fun event last year, join us as we reunite with Soldiers we
FRG Secretary: Sara Omlor
have not seen recently and this year we will be saying good bye to
members of the 350th POC as they prepare for mobilization. More FRG Treasurer: Amie Paradine-Hawver
information will be coming soon!
FRG Public Relations Chair: Sean Ryan
 September 11th ,2011 : HHC, 2D POG Family Day
FRG Newsletter Chair: Genette Burgess
Mark the date, information will be coming! There will be lots to do for
the whole family and a memorial to mark the 10 year anniversary of FRG Telephone Tree Chair: Kate Young
September 11th.
We have a great group of FRG volunteers and
HHC Battle Assembly Dates: have lots of new things that we are working on
such as a new website coming soon!!!! Look for
 No Battle Assembly in June information in future newsletters or check us
 July 7th - 10th out on Facebook “2 POG HHC FRG” where you
 August 13th – 20th @ Camp Dawson, WV will find lots of info and even pictures!

Would you like to help out and Volunteer?

Contact Renee at frghhc@gmail.com

Resources
For Combat Veterans:

 VA Healthcare: Medical and Behavioral Health Care (no cost for 5 years) www.va.gov

Locations: Brecksville, Wade Park, Akron, Canton, Ravenna, Youngstown, Sandusky, Lorain, etc.

 Vet Center: Readjustment Counseling for Combat Veterans, as well as grief and loss, and family counseling services.
Locations:

 Cleveland Heights 5310½ Warrensville Center Rd. 44137 Phone: 216-707-7901

 Parma 5700 Pearl Road, Parma 44129, Phone: 440-845-5023

 VA Regional Office: Federal Building E 9th St. – 800-827-1000

Service Connected Disability Claims, VA home Loans, GI Bill information, and more

 County Veterans Service Offices (All 88 Counties) assistance with VA claims, financial aid, and other service
http://dvs.ohio.gov/home/county_veterans_service_officers.aspx

3 May/2011 Family Readiness Group Newsletter

 Mental Health Resources cont…
There are so many resources out there for Soldiers and their families. Please keep these numbers handy and take
,ma
advantage of these resources if needed, many of them are FREE for Soldiers and their families.

For all:

 Joint Services Family Assistance Center- (FAC) Columbus Ohio (614) 336-7358 Assistance for families and service
members from all branches of the military

 Military One Source: 12 sessions for each issue, or problem (free) 1-800-342-9647

 Give an Hour: Nationwide network of Behavioral Health providers (free). www.giveanhour.org

 County Mental Health Board (all 88 counties) www.mh.state.oh.us/ provides care for those with lower incomes,
and little or no insurance

 Tri-care www.tricareonline.com Average cost for Reservists - $ 53.00 per month (single), $197.00 per month (family)

Suicide Prevention

 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-TALK (press 1 for veterans)

 Wounded Soldier and Family Hotline 800-984-8523

 Military One Source 800-342-9647

Military Resources

 88th RSC Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program – 30, 60, 90 day post deployment programs for Soldier and family
members www.yellowribbon.org

 88th RSC Strong Bonds – Marriage Enrichment Retreats (all are eligible)
Contact SSG David Mangan, 608-388-0541

 88th RSC - Director of Psychological Health Office

OIC- LTC Cindy Rasmussen Fort McCoy WI, 612-713-3189

NCOIC- SGM Michael Orticari, Twinsburg OH, 330-486-6844

4 May/2011 Family Readiness Group Newsletter