Commander’s Corner—1LT Michael Maternick

13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Fort Hood, Texas Issue 6 7 December2011 

The Sunburst Family Readiness Support Group Newsletter

Upcoming Events

• 13 December FRG Steering Committee Meeting 1700

• 13 December The Muppet Christmas Carol—Casey Memo-rial Library Annex

• 16 December KISD Early Re-lease

• 20 1600 December FRG Meet-ing at our FRSA Building hope to see you there. Bring a favor-ite cookie to share

• December 21st Boxing Day Craft @ 5:00-7:00 Casey Library

• December 30 New Year’s Car-toon Marathon @10:00-4:00, Casey Memorial Library

Dear Family and Friends. First off: Thank You for your extraordinary support, work ethic and patience. Eve-ryone is focused and dedi-cated to the Mission. This is awesome, keep up the supe-rior work and continue to strive for perfection. As we approach the Holiday Season, we all need to remember to be safe and remain cognizant of our envi-ronment. This holiday season a perfect time to recollect all of your triumphs and to think about the up-coming year. It is also a time to think about what your grateful for, as well as think-ing about others. In regards to others; the 13th ESC is charged with providing sup-port to East Ward Elementary off Rancier Street in Killeen. Principal Arnold has informed me of 10 very needy families at our adopted school that can barely put food on the table, let alone a nice meal for the holidays. Since Wednes-day 07 Dec. and ending this Thursday 15 Dec., the unit is collecting donations. The drop point is at the Company HQ, POC is SFC Sepulveda in the orderly room (254) 287-2984. The goal was to provide each family with a Holiday Basket. The 10 holiday baskets will be a blessing to the families and

a chance for the ESC to re-vamp its face within our com-munity. If you are able to put a basket together, donate items for the baskets, or help out in any way that would be greatly appreciated, you can contact me directly or call the orderly room. To date, $366 was generously donated by our senior spouses. This money along with the anonymously dropped off canned goods will greatly benefit the Families this Christmas. Basket deliv-ery is scheduled for 15 De-cember 2011

Also, throughout the rest of the month and into January we are running a coat drive for our school. The make-up of East Ward is Pre-K to 5th Grade (4T - size 12). The school has roughly 70 children classified as being homeless (Families in shel-ters, transition homes or chil-dren in foster care). Many of the children lack the proper clothing for the winter. Chil-dren wearing three to four long sleeved shirts or wearing jackets that do not fit prop-erly; with the low tempera-tures, wind, and rain, this is unacceptable. Coats do not need to be new, they can be gently used. Drop off point will be the company. Delivery will be daily, so the coats can get out to the children. Please push this throughout the unit and community. Let this giving

spirit be the order of the day for the ESC. Showing our sup-port will lift the spirits of the children in our adopted school and will show our "pride of ownership" for the community!

Make good memo-ries this season and prepare for the year to come. To-gether, we will complete the mission and support our fami-lies.

Happy Holidays. Thanks in advance, V/r Michael R. Maternick 1LT, TC Commanding

Just a quick note we have collected enough money for the baskets, but can always use more. We would also like to put stockings in the basket for the kids. Just small things, but whatever you can give. (Patti)

COMMAND TEAM CONTACTS • CHARLES KIBBEN COL—13TH

ESC COMMANDER (R)

(W)(254) 287-8808

(BB)(254) 368-9234

• LEADDRE GUITAUD CSM—13TH ESC COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR

(W)(254) 287-8808

(BB) (254)289-0571

• MICHAEL MATERNICK 1LT— 13TH HHC COMMANDER (R)

(W)(254)287-1319

(BB)(254)319-5890

• MOSES DICKENS—13TH HHC FIRST SERGEANT (R)

(W)(254)287-4364

(BB)(254)702-2770

The Fort Hood Area Military Family Member Scholarship Fund was es-tablished at Fort Hood in 1985. It is a type three private organization under the supervision of the Garrison Com-mander. It was designed to be the focal point for all family member scholarship activities on Fort Hood. The Scholarship is a on-time Merit award. However an applicant may apply more than one-time if not awarded a scholarship on the first attempt. Members of the United States Armed Forces are not eligible

for this award.

The website www.fhamfmsf.com helps us be better stewards of the resources we manage. Out site con-tains the following information; dead-lines and timetables, eligibility re-quirements. The application for the graduating High School Senior and the dual application for Spouses or College Age Dependent Child seek-ing their first undergraduate degree. Please feel free to contact us at

forthoodamfms@gmail.com.

Roxanne Brown, Chairperson.

Fort Hood Scholarship Fund

ments and birthday cake.

The celebration is open to all Active Duty, Retirees, DOD Civilians, Contractors and Family Members. Funded childcare available for children registered with CYSS. Reservations are be-ing accepted now! Call 288-6600 or 287-2327. You can also

The Army Family Building’s will be cele-brating its 17th Birth-day, Friday December 16, 2011.

11:00 A.m. to1:00 P.M. Oveta Culp Hobby S&FRC, BLDG 18000.

Come and meet our spectacular AFTB vol-unteers, play games, enjoy light refresh-

sign up for some amazing classes, es-pecially if you are new to the Army.

Take advantage of everything the Army had to offer you.

Happy AFTB Birthday

our school sponsorship to add to the food baskets.

We are also collecting new or gently used coats for over 70 children who need coats. As you will note in the Commanders letters. We need all the help we can get. As always the 13th ESC has met the needs of out adopted school and we would like to keep doing that. If you have any questions, please con-tact the Commander, Cindy or

myself.

Do no forget Movie Night at the SFRC, 29 Dec 1800-1900 Hot dogs and popcorn, Don’t forget the 13th ESC FRG Facebook page is active and ready for you to sign on as a friend and send us informa-tion and pictures you would like to see

Merry Christmas

13th ESC Family Readiness Group-The Family We All Need Everyone, please join us on 20 December when we will deco-rate a tree for the troops that have been deployed. It will be decorated in yellow bows with each soldiers name on it. The tree will remain in the HQ’s Building until the all return.

Bring a special cookie to share with everyone if you can. We will also be collection small toys and candy to make a stocking for the children who are part of

Page 2 The Sunburst

December is normally a hectic month. With the deploy-ment, for many in HHC, this December will be especially crazy. And, of course, there is the usual holiday shopping frenzy that has become associ-ated with the month. (Do we really need all this stuff??)

With all that is going on, it is good to recall that this last month of the year bears for many of us a distinctively reli-gious theme: The holy days of Hanukkah and Christmas

share an emphasis on hope with a dominant image of light in the darkness. They point us to a higher way. It is a good message on which to end the calendar year. Much of the time, we seem focused on what is wrong in the world—the weak economy, a paralyzed political system. The month of December, in contrast, chal-lenges us to our better selves.

In particular, we want to keep in mind our own—those who will be separated from

loved ones over the holidays. Many of us “have been there, done that”—but just because we already have that T-shirt does not make it any easier. Anything that we can do to support one another during this time is certainly in the true spirit of the season!

Chaplain’s Corner—LTC Steve Austin

able and all is kept in strict confi-dence! For our own families and friends right here, let’s make it an enjoyable holiday season re-membering the reason for the season!

Speaking of the year ahead, as always there’s a lot going on! Our FRG is going to be planning several fund raisers and events. These will be announced in the monthly newsletter and via email notifications. Our sponsor city of Belton is planning all sorts of activities for the 13th ESC fami-lies to join in on. I hope you can join us because we always have a good time! In order to better plan these activities and get the word out to you, please ensure that we have your correct email or mailing address if you prefer

to receive the information via snail mail.

Hopefully I’ll get a chance to see you at the Winter Ball on the 7th or around Fort Hood. If our paths don’t cross, please have a safe and enjoyable time over the holidays and a great start in the New Year ahead!

Best wishes,

Cindy

FRG Advisor

cindy.c.hildner@us.army.mil 254-368-8995

patricia.ann.giese@us.army.mil 254-258-7328

FRG Advisor’s Corner—Cindy Hildner

It’s hard to believe that the holi-day season is just around the corner! For some of us, includ-ing myself, it will be a difficult time with our spouses serving our country away from home. Whether it’s your first or the fourth deployment, let us find comfort in the well wishes and prayers of those who care and love us! Send positive thoughts forward to our loved ones and those families who are in the same situation. Just remember we are all in this together and we’ll get through the year ahead! Know that there is always some-one you can talk to, particularly within the 13th ESC and your Family Readiness Group! Don’t forget that the Military Family Life Counselor is always avail-

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