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Volume 1, Issue 1 Newsletter Editor: Nancy De Anda FRG Coordinator May, 2014
To all the Families
I am pleased to announce the official opening of our
FRG program for Alpha Company! The reason why I
am so pleased by this is that this is the first time (in a
long time) that our FRG program is being supervised
by the families of our soldiers. The intent of the FRG
program is for our families to connect (especially with
the distances that we live from each other) and figure
out how to solve problems when your soldiers have to
serve. This newsletter, along with the Facebook page,
is my way to connect with the families and ensure that
you have a clear picture of what your loved one will
have to go through.
Personally, I have been with the National Guard for
around 12 years, and your FRG Coordinator, Nancy De
Anda, has been a part of that journey from a girlfriend
to a spouse. She has been there when I have missed
birthdays, anniversaries, and even whole years as I
have deployed multiple times. While we have no
prospective deployment anytime soon, our company
will be training very hard for the next two years as we
get ready for one the most grueling and prestigious
training events the National Guard can participate in.
I personally ask that you support your spouse or loved
one during this trying time, as we will be demanding
the utmost from them in both time and mental focus.
While I hope that your loved one has already given you
a heads up about our upcoming training events, I do
remember the times when I wasn’t the best at
communicating the demands of the National Guard to
Nancy. If you haven’t been told, your loved one is a
part of the FIRST National Guard unit to receive the
M2A3 Bradley, and the training opportunity before us
is the result of their hard work and will ensure that
your loved one remains being the most qualified, and
successful National Guard unit in the country.
Regardless, I want to personally express my gratitude
for your support, as I know that I would not have been
successful in the National Guard or probably still in
the Guard without my Nancy’s support.
“One Team, One Fight!” (Our Company motto)
CPT Jorge De Anda
Hello everybody!
First off, I want to introduce myself, I am Nancy De Anda, Alpha
company’s Family Readiness Group (FRG) Coordinator. I am very
pleased to be appointed to this position because I have been involved
with the military for around 12 years, ever since my husband enlisted
in the army as a private in 2002. Now that my husband, Captain
Jorge De Anda, has asked me to help him oversee the FRG program,
I am ecstatic to help, as I remember how confused I was about
military life when I was first introduced to the National Guard lifestyle.
Remembering how confusing some the terms that my husband would
throw around when we first met, I want to try to use this newsletter to
“un-militarize” the normal newsletter and give everybody a no-
nonsense view on what we need to know to support our loved ones or
pass on information that is for us and our families.
I also want to take the time and acknowledge some other spouses
and volunteers that are a part of our FRG team and Alpha company
family. Lara Hunsaker, Lieutenant Jade Hunsaker’s wife, is our official
FRG Treasurer, and we are blessed to have Carol Roderick and Les
Cochenour, who are both FRG volunteers that have been friends with
Alpha Company for a long time. In fact, both Carol and Les have
been responsible for raising several thousands of dollars each year to
support our FRG events.
With that being said, we will be sending out this newsletter with the
‘regular’ newsletter each month. Feel free to spread the info within
this newsletter to all friends and family of our soldiers, as their support
of the soldiers will only make their job easier. Also, be on the lookout
for our Facebook pages, which can be easily found by looking it up
with the following names Alpha Company 3/116 CAV ORNG – FRG,
this page will be open to the public so that anyone who wishes not to
become friends with us can just LIKE our page. The other one
AlphaCompany Cav will be just like any other FB page were you
would have to become friends with us.
Do not hesitate to ask any question (no matter how trivial) through
Private Message on the Facebook page or FRG email:
[email protected] The Commander, Captain De Anda, wants
these available to you to ask him any question.
I look forward to hearing from you and getting to know you all! I am
here to help, please let us know if there is anything, we can do for you
or your loved one. “Mission First – Families Always”
Nancy De Anda, FRG Coordinator
A Note From The Commander: Family Readiness Group:
Volume 1, Issue 1 Newsletter Editor: Nancy De Anda FRG Coordinator May, 2014
To the following Soldiers!!
SSG WAHLSTROM DAVID FORREST 1-May
SFC LORD TREVOR THOMAS 2-May
SPC JAIMEZ ORDAZ JORGE 4-May
SPC SCHEEPERS EDWIN MICHAEL 5-May
SPC MALCOLM JOE AARON 7-May
SFC HALL BENJAMIN RANDOLPH 9-May
SGT CHANTLAND JOEL ROBERT 10-May
SPC LYONS ARIC ALAN 12-May
SPC WERBER NATHANIEL ROBERT 19-May
1SG FLOWERS FRANKLIN ROSEVELL 19-May
SPC PALMER WILLIAM ALEXANDER 20-May
SPC BEAM SHAWN CHRISTOPHER 22-May
SPC SANCHEZGARCIA MARIANO 26-May
SSG THOMPSON SCOTT OLIE 27-May
CONGRATULATIONS WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST!
Here is a look of the Next few Drill Dates.
Please be advised this dates may be Subject to Change.
June 20-22, 2014 Boise - OCTC
July 11-13, 2014 Boise - OCTC
Aug. 09-30,2014 Boise - AT/OCTC
Sep. 13-14, 2014 Home Station/Family Picnic
June, July & Aug. Training will be held at the
Orchard Combat Training Center (OCTC) Boise, ID.
The Family Readiness Group (FRG) is “an organization of family members,
volunteers, soldiers, and civilian employees belonging to a unit/organization who together
provide an avenue of mutual support and assistance and a network of communication among the members, the chain of command,
and community resources.” The FRG has established this network of
communications. The FRG is used to pass along information and to facilitate the flow of information up the chain for family needs or
problems that may require assistance. The FRG supports families and friends
during military deployments or in times of need. Simply stated, we are here for you.
The Army is full of acronyms. In order to survive as a spouse, family member, or friend of an Army soldier, it will
help to know some basic Army acronyms.
AT - Annual Training POC – Point Of Contact
NTC: National Training Center a training exercise where our unit conducts tough, realistic training. Our unit is the
only National Guard unit to go next year.
Congratulations to these Soldiers for achieving the following
time in service for pay milestones in the month of May:
SFC HALL-23 Years
1SG FLOWERS-15 Years
SGT MALDONADO-9 Years
SSG WALLER-8 Years
SPC CHARLTON-9 Years
SPC GANNON-6 Years
SPC GOLDSMITH-6 Years
SPC COY-4 Years
SPC PALMER-5 Years
PFC SNYDER-2 Years
Volume 1, Issue 1 Newsletter Editor: Nancy De Anda FRG Coordinator May, 2014 u
a
During this month’s drill our Soldiers will be updating the Family Member Call Sheet and The
Family Member Information Card it will take some time to get everyone’s information updated
but this will help us to build our Family Readiness Phone Tree, and soon we’ll start placing calls
to touch basis with you. We will also need Volunteers to help with making these calls as Key
Callers, if you would like to Volunteer please let us know.
What Is a Phone Tree?
A system used to quickly & accurately disseminate information to unit Families, upcoming FRG
events - unit’s status - unit news – Helps with RUMOR CONTROL.
Assures Families that there is someone to assist during Family emergencies Or someone that
they can express their concerns to, someone who will listen. Can help improve the quality of
life and morale of the unit
First Formation Fort Dalles.
A Few Of The Birthday Boys!
Cake Time…Yumm!
Volume 1, Issue 1 Newsletter Editor: Nancy De Anda FRG Coordinator May, 2014
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
A cupcake (baked from your Favorite recipe)
COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed
Assorted colored sugars
Suckers
Gummy leaves, cut lengthwise in half
FROST cupcake with COOL WHIP; sprinkle with sugar. Insert sucker stick in center of each
cupcake; decorate with 2 gummy leaf halves and Enjoy! Have fun making this with your family,
share your creations with us on FB!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
September 13th is Family Day! The FRG team is currently planning this
momentous day so if you have any ideas, please let us know.
To be part of the FRG!
There are many ways of get involved with the
FRG, we are always looking for more Volunteers.
Please let us know if you would like to be a part
of this team. Being part of the FRG is Fun and very Rewarding!
“Since 1984, the Armed Forces have set aside a
Special day to acknowledge the significant contributions of our spouses. This year it took
place on Friday, May 9, 2014. Military Spouse Day or Military Spouse
Appreciation Day is celebrated on the Friday before Mother's Day in the United States. Many
United States citizens take this day to acknowledge the significant contributions,
support, and sacrifices of spouses of their Armed Forces. The life of a military family is one of
unique challenges. Spouses continue to meet these challenges with grace and strength. Take time to thank your spouse for a job well done.
Thank you for serving our Country by “holding down the front” so our men &
women can do their job!
Point Of Contact (POC) Information
Commander: CPT- Jorge De Anda
FRG Coordinator: Nancy De Anda
FRG Treasurer: Lara Hunsaker
FRG Point of Contact: SGT. Iven
Alpha Company 3/116 CAV ORNG – FRG
Or Become our FRIEND
AlphaCompany Cav
You can also find us using our FRG email:
Volume 1, Issue 1 Newsletter Editor: Nancy De Anda FRG Coordinator May, 2014
January 01, 2014 --- December 31,2014
We are proud to salute the men and women of our armed forces and their families.
Waves of Honor permits any U.S. active duty military,
activated or drilling reservist, or National Guardsman to one complimentary admission per year to either
SeaWorld®, Busch Gardens®, Adventure Island®, Water Country USA®, or Sesame Place® or Aquatica SeaWorld's Waterpark™ in San Diego for military personnel and as
many as three direct dependents. Service members and their direct dependents must have a valid active military
ID in order to participate. Dependents may take advantage of the offer without their service member, though an adult must accompany minor dependents, and dependent ages 10 and over must present valid
military dependent ID. For your service and sacrifice, we thank you.
For more information and to register please
Visit this Web site:
http://wavesofhonor.com/
To find More Military Discounts Visit:
http://www.military.com/discounts
National Military Appreciation Month started as a
simple idea; to gather America around its military
family to honor, remember, recognize and appreciate
those who have served and those now serving and to
know the history behind it all. Subsequent formal
legislation informs our service members that their
country has set aside an entire month to honor,
remember and appreciate them. Congress designated
May as National Military Appreciation Month in 1999 to
ensure the nation was given the opportunity to
publically demonstrate their appreciation for the
sacrifices and successes made by our service members -
past and present. Each year the president makes a
proclamation, reminding Americans of the important
role the U.S. Armed Forces have played in the history
and development of our country. May was selected
because it has most days set aside for celebrating and
commemorating our military's achievements. These
days include Loyalty Day, which was established in
1921, Victory in Europe (VE) Day commemorating the
end of WWII in Europe on May 8, 1945, Armed Forces
Day created in 1949, Military Spouse Appreciation Day
established in 1984, and of course the best known of
the May holidays, Memorial Day.
For more information about National Military
Appreciation Month, please visit:
http://www.military.com/
If your soldier needs a job or a better job, please go on to https://h2h.jobs/
Build a profile and the zip code will send you to me to assist you in your job search.
Joint Transition Assistance Program (JTAP)
Stephen Rex Jensen Jr Reintegration Specialist, Eastern Oregon
Mobile (503) 884‐0130
E-mail: [email protected]
This is our first attempt at a FRG newsletter for
our company. Please let us know your thoughts!
If anyone has any suggestions on how we can
improve the FRG, you would like to volunteer, any
suggestions, for the next newsletter or if you
would like to write an article, you can email us
your ideas, remarks, etc. If you have anything, you
would like to send to be put in our next
newsletter please email those too.
