The Monitor • February 5, 2009 • 11

Bliss youth exemplify positive role models through service

VIRGINIA REZA
Monitor Staff
Speak Out for Military Kids ambassadors joined
forces with other El Paso community volunteers
Thursday to raise money for the annual St. Jude/KHEY
Country Cares for Kids radiothon, a fundraiser that ben-
efits cancer research.
Before taking calls and pledges, the SOMK ambassa-
dors listened to Kelly Walston, volunteer coordinator for
the two-day radiothon, as he explained some of the calls
they would be answering.
“You will probably get a call that will make you cry,”
Walston told them. “I do this every year and I still get a
story once a year that will get me to cry. You will also get
that 5-year-old who is listening to the radio and is will-
ing to give up his McDonald’s money and donate it to the
kids who need more than him.”
Walston said he was glad to see military representa-
tives at the radiothon, especially students because they
get to learn about real-life experiences at a young age.
The first call was received by Kevin Kruger, a junior
at Canutillo High School. He received a “partner in
hope” pledge from the caller. Kruger said he has been
involved in several community projects and took time
off from school to participate in the radiothon because he
said helping children with cancer was a very good cause.
“I want to give back because, if one day I ever need VIRGINIA REZA
community service, then I’ll know I did my part and Speak Out for Military Kids ambassadors answer phone calls and take pledges Thursday during the
hopefully somebody will help me,” Kruger said. annual St. Jude/KHEY Country Cares for Kids radiothon.
Deborah Trexler, director of Youth Education and
Support Services at the Fort Bliss Child, Youth and intent of which is to have military and civilian children ing program since 1996, and has raised more than $1
School Services, said her organization offers different work together on the different projects. million. Bliss ambassadors helped raise more than
volunteer community projects for teenagers throughout Last summer, the Bliss ambassadors were selected to $5,000 during their three-hour stay Thursday.
the year, and when the radiothon neared, she had a huge participate in the statewide Military Kids Conference in St. Jude children’s research hospital maintains 60
response from the ambassadors. Killeen, Texas, where they presented displays on what it inpatient beds and treats about 260 patients each day,
“They really want to make a difference for these kids is like to be a military child, what it is like to be a friend most of whom are treated on an outpatient basis. It is the
that are sick,” said Trexler. of a military child, and Operation Freedom Camp. only National Cancer Institute-founded cancer center
The ambassadors are a group of military-affiliated “We welcome military and civilian kids to join our devoted solely to children. No child is ever denied treat-
teenagers who take pride in serving the community. program,” said Trexler, “because friends of military chil- ment because of the family’s inability to pay. St. Jude has
Their job is to demonstrate how teens can have a positive dren are just as affected when the military family has to treated children from all 50 states and from around the
influence when serving their communities, said Trexler. leave.” world. Cancer survival rates for children have increased
They are all members of Speak Out for Military Kids, the KHEY 96.3 has participated in the St. Jude fundrais- to more than 90 percent since 1962.
12 • The Monitor • February 5, 2009

PFC. MARIA L. ASENBRENER

Command Sgt. Maj. Tedd J. Pritchard, right, 69th Air Defense Artillery
Brigade command sergeant major, leads the unit’s noncommissioned offi-
cers in an oath Jan. 22 inside Raider Gym at Fort Hood, Texas.

‘Year of the NCO’ brings new

standards for 69th ADA troops
PFC. MARIA L. ASENBRENER
69th ADA Bde. Public Affairs
FORT HOOD, Texas – Noncommis-
sioned officers from 69th Air Defense
Artillery Brigade kicked off the Year of the
NCO Jan. 22 at Raider Gym here.
The brigade command sergeant major,
Command Sgt. Maj. Tedd J. Pritchard, is
scheduled to host a monthly “NCO
University,” and this month focused on
leadership development and lifelong
learning.
During the NCO University, Pritchard
introduced the 69th ADA’s “Way of Life”
crest, counseling guide, Soldier risk
assessment and counseling program,
numerous NCO history documents, and
the NCO vision.
The NCOs were asked to raise their
right hand and recite an oath they will live
by for the next year. The oath focused pri-
marily on taking care of Soldiers and their
families.
One of the purposes of the Year of the
NCO is to acknowledge the importance
and dedication of the NCOs throughout
the Army’s history. After countless years
of selfless service and utter dedication to
the United States, NCOs receive a year’s
worth of exclusive recognition for their
undying efforts to improve and protect the
American way of life.
The Year of the NCO has a mission to
further empower and educate the Army’s
NCOs by persuading Soldiers to take
advantage of educational opportunities,
build both mental and physical fitness lev-
els and intensify leadership skills.
The brigade’s NCOs are scheduled to
attend the NCO University training once a
month for the next year. The intent is for
them to gain knowledge from a variety of
motivational and informational speakers
who will come to speak to them through-
out the year.
One of the speakers from this month’s
training session was Robena Tomlinson,
the education services division guidance
counselor for 69th ADA.
The education center on post provides a
quality education program with counsel-
ing services, financial aid, college pro-
grams, education resources and testing
facilities, said Tomlinson. Now classes are
even available via downloads onto
portable media devices and MP3 players,
she said.
Rank is earned with knowledge, said
Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Ciotola, the
command sergeant major for III Corps at
Fort Hood. One way to gain some of the
knowledge necessary to become an NCO
is to take the initiative to invest time and
effort into a good education, he said.
“[The] 69th [ADA] NCOs are a high-
powered offense,” said Ciotola, speaking
to the 69th ADA Soldiers.
NCOs have the responsibility to correct
misinformed Soldiers at all times, said
Ciotola. NCOs are engineers who con-
struct the battlefield, and they are depend-
ed upon to create Soldiers who have the
potential to fill their shoes and create suc-
cess in their absence, he added.
“The vigor and force of the Army does
not only lie within its firepower,” said
Ciotola. “The strength also lies in the
hands of the NCOs. The only way to make
a stronger Army is to ensure that each
Soldier has the capabilities to be a better
Soldier than the Soldier before him, and
one way to achieve that is with great lead-
ership.”

Harmony Women’s Clinic, P.A.

Doctor Monique Mokonchu, M.D.
1600 Medical Center Drive, Ste. 102
Sierra Medical Center Campus
915-351-0755
Board Certified In Obstetrics & Gynecology
“Women’s Health Care
by Women Who Care”
Most Insurances Welcome & Accepted

❤ NO WAITING LIST ❤
We Specialize In All Of Your Feminine Needs
Including Prenatal Care & Gynecological Needs
❤ Gynecological Surgery ❤ Laparoscopy
❤ Hysteroscopy
❤ Adolescent & Menopausal Gynecology

3-3 ADA officer receives Daughters of American Revolution award
SGT. 1ST CLASS
LORI A. KUCZMANSKI
5th Armored Bde., First Army Div. West Public Affairs
The Texas Society of Daughters of
the American Revolution awarded the
2008 Texas Armed Services Award II to
1st Lt. Jacob H. Wade of 3rd Battalion,
3rd Air Defense Artillery, during a cere-
mony here Jan. 27.
Wade was one of 16 officers nomi-
nated for the award. To be nominated,
an officer must display the seven Army
values on and off duty and assist in their
community to make a difference for
everyone around them.
Wade has been in the Army for two
and a half years. Before he joined the
Army, he was an educator and his prin-
cipal was a retired lieutenant colonel in
the Marines. The principal encouraged
Wade to look into a military career. He
said Wade would enjoy it and it would
be a good fit for him.
“And he was right,” said Wade.
Wade’s battalion commander, Lt.
Col. Randy McIntire, and executive
officer, Maj. Bill Darne, nominated
Wade for the award because, “He distin-
guishes himself above his peers and
even superiors since day one,” said
McIntire. “He’s exceptional, so well-
rounded, full of energy, and always opti-
mistic and looking for ways to make
things better both on duty and off duty.”
McIntire said he was not surprised
when Wade’s name was called as the
winner.
“If everybody knew Jake Wade, they
wouldn’t be surprised,” said McIntire.
“But he was up against some stiff com-
petition.”
Wade said he didn’t think he was
First Lt. Jacob Wade, center, of 3rd Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery,
receives the 2008 Texas Armed Services Award II, given annually by the
Texas Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, from Maj. Gen.
Howard Bromberg, commanding general of Fort Bliss.
going to win because, as an initial-entry
first lieutenant, there were many offi-
cers who had more experience than him.
“I was very honored that they felt I
lived up to the standards of the
Daughters of American Revolution,”
said Wade. “I was very honored, but
very surprised. I would like to thank the
DAR for honoring us and for recogniz-
ing company-grade officers and the
work we do.”
Wade will deploy in 24 days and said
he will continue to work hard and serve
his country. Receiving the award was a
pleasant surprise, he said.
SGT. 1ST CLASS LORI A. KUCZMANSKI
“He’ll go as far as he wants to go,”
said McIntire. “He’s built that way.”
DAR’s Texas Society recognizes
male and female servicemembers at
nine military bases in Texas. Lynn
Young is the state regent of Texas and
presented a certificate to each nominee.
Each nominee’s biography was read and
they received a certificate for being
nominated.
“We are so grateful to have the
opportunity to express our appreciation
to each of the men and women in the
military, and particularly to honor the
most outstanding,” said Young. “We are
The Monitor • February 5, 2009 • 13
delighted to have the privilege and to
say thank you.”
Maj. Gen. Howard Bromberg, com-
manding general of Fort Bliss,
addressed the officers as the future lead-
ers of the Army.
“Without what you’re doing every day
for us, we’re not going to have a future,”
said Bromberg. “You are our future, and
we can’t thank you enough for that.”
Since 1890, DAR has been honoring
servicemembers and inspiring patriot-
ism throughout the country. Bromberg
thanked the officers for their service and
for the sacrifices they endure on a daily
basis.
“Congratulations no matter who the
winner is; every one of you is a winner,”
said Bromberg. “Your chain of com-
mand saw what excellence you provid-
ed and has put you up to compete for
this award, and that is an honor to rec-
ognize your service.”
The nominees combined community
service included mentoring troubled
youth, volunteering hundreds of hours
at local schools, creating scholarship
funds for local students, working with
churches to help families of deployed
Soldiers by cutting grass or fixing cars,
or babysitting.
Bromberg said the nominees were
“an incredible group of men and women
and they care deeply about not just their
community, but the Army, and their
Soldiers and Sailors.” Bromberg said
that as Fort Bliss grows, the officers will
keep the post moving in the right direc-
tion long after he is gone.
“We depend on you, and that’s my
bottom-line message,” said Bromberg.
14 • The Monitor • February 5, 2009
Servicemembers training at McGregor come together to donate blood
SGT. 1ST CLASS
LORI A. KUCZMANSKI
5th Armored Bde., First Army Div. West Public Affairs
MCGREGOR RANGE, N.M. –
Doing something for the first time can
be nerve-wracking, frightening, uncer-
tain or simply a new experience. During
a Jan. 20 blood drive here, Petty Officer
2nd Class Christopher Boucher, a Sailor
currently training for a deployment to
Iraq, donated his inaugural pint.
“It was easy; needle, blood coming
out – it was quicker than what I
thought,” said Boucher. “Somebody
might need it someday, and if they need
it, I’ve got it – so why not?”
The blood drive was organized by
Capt. Joel Arends of 5th Armored
Brigade’s 2nd Battalion, 361st
Regiment, who said he wanted some
type of outlet for the Soldiers in his unit
– who predominantly belong to the
Reserves – to help those in active duty.
“This is the Armed Services Blood
Program, and all the blood will be used
at Fort Bliss or within the armed servic-
es community, so theoretically, these
Beauty 2 Go
“Your alternative to the Status Quo.”
Renee’
Cosmetologist
Are you ready for a New Look?
Call me to talk about serious hair care.
WINTON HOMES
Hours of Operation: Mon-Sat 9am-4pm & 6pm-?
From $99,950 to over $1,000,000
EPA National Homebuilder of the
Year for 2006, 2007 and 2008
Bobbing
W. Green
U.S. Army
Retired
Builder’s
Representative
915-491-5688
or bgreen@elp.rr.com
Soldiers could be donating blood to
somebody that needs it in Iraq or
Afghanistan,” said Arends. “That’s
what’s great about this – being able to
help Soldiers who are deployed.”
The 2nd Bn., 361st Regt., medical
team conducts both combat lifesaver
and first-aid training at McGregor and,
for that reason, Arends said he thought it
was a natural fit for his battalion to head
up an effort to organize a blood drive.
Command Sgt. Maj. Charles A.
Decker said he donated blood in memo-
ry of his son, Charles A. Decker III, who
was a regular blood donor. His son died
in a 2005 motorcycle accident, after
which his organs were donated, benefit-
ting more than 50 recipients, Decker
said.
Prior to his son’s death, the last time
Decker donated blood was 27 years ago.
Since then, Decker has donated blood at
least once a year. SGT. 1ST CLASS LORI A. KUCZMANSKI
“It’s the right thing to do,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Charles A. Decker of 5th Armored Brigade s 2nd
Decker. “It’s a way to carry on what [my Battalion, 361st Regiment, has his blood drawn during a drive Jan. 20 at
son] did. He always gave, so it’s the McGregor Range, N.M. Decker donates blood once a year in memory of
right thing to do.” his son, who died in a 2005 motorcycle accident.
10%
OFF
Any Service
With This
It’s a New Year! Ad
To schedule an appointment, call
(361) 779-5899
(915) 219-7175
Homes ready for
move-in throughout
the El Paso Area
Eastside
••••••
Westside
North East
Upper Valley
Santa Teresa, NM
Las Cruces, NM
Call me today to
••••••
find the right one
for your family!
The Monitor • February 5, 2009 • 15
16 • The Monitor • February 5, 2009
White Sands testing new laser weapon system
DREW HAMILTON
Army News Service
WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M. - White
Sands Missile Range is testing a new weapon system
known as the Laser Centurion Demonstrator.
The system, developed by Raytheon, combines
proven radar and threat-detection technology with the
latest in laser weapons. This demonstration model is
intended to prove the capabilities and effectiveness of
the new laser weapon as part of the Laser Area
Defense Systems program, officials said.
The new laser system is designed to replace the 20
mm cannon on the Navy’s Phalanx system and the
Army’s Centurion system, according to Raytheon’s
Web site.
The integration of an advanced directed energy
weapon into an existing conventional weapon system
helps keep the system’s costs down and allows an eas-
ier transition from one system to another, officials
said.
The Phalanx is an air and missile defense system
used on nearly every ship in the fleet. Converted to be
transported and fired from a trailer, it is also used by
the Army under the name Centurion to provide
defense from air and missile threats as well as defense
against mortar and artillery attacks. As an upgrade to
the Phalanx and Centurion, the laser system is a pro-
gram that is jointly funded by the Navy and Army.
Other services are also interested in the laser itself for
possible integration into other weapon systems.
“Directed energy is getting more and more preva-
lent in weapon systems,” said Col. Bruce Lewis,
White Sands Test Center commander.
Initial tests with the demonstrator have been posi-
tive. The laser has proven capable of rapidly penetrat-
ing armor plating even when not at full power, and
system setup has been very easy.
“We are excited to be testing system capabilities by
shooting down mortar rounds in the coming weeks,”
said Sal Rodriguez, senior flight test engineer with the
Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme
Division, White Sands Missile Range detachment.
Rodriguez also thanked all the members of Team
White Sands who have supported the program while it
prepares to test the system.
The Laser Centurion will fill the same role as the
conventional cannon-equipped version while provid-
ing a commander with more options and capabilities,
officials said. The laser-based system will still be able
to engage targets like mortars, rockets and missiles,
but without the drawbacks of limited ammunition.
Also, since the laser does not use any kind of solid
shot like the cannon, it can be used to better defend
populated areas without the fear of the “20 mm show-
er” that conventional air-defense guns cause when
their bullets fall back to earth.
Since it is also able to be used against small surface
targets, the laser will be able to be used in peacekeep-
ing and anti-piracy missions without drawing the kind
of attention a cannon would.
“At [short range] it’s a nice deterrent, and without
the big bang of a gun,” said Lt. Shawn Mitchell, assis-
tant officer in charge of the Naval Surface Warfare
Center, Port Hueneme Division’s WSMR detachment.
Unlike previous laser systems of this kind that used
chemical reactions to generate the necessary power
for the laser, the Laser Centurion uses a solid-state
laser that can run off any appropriately powerful
source of electricity.
“It’s like the difference between an electric car and
a gas-burning car ... this is a very green system,” said
Dan McMaster, a program manager from Raytheon.
This makes the Laser Centurion a very flexible DREW HAMILTON
weapon system as it will be able to run off land-based Raytheon technicians show the Laser Centurion
generators and power supplies just as well as it will Demonstrator to members of White Sands
off of a ship’s reactor. Missile Range Navy and Test Center leadership.
The system mounts a high-powered laser onto a
(Drew Hamilton writes for the Missile Ranger Centurion weapons platform to provide area
newspaper at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.) defense against artillery, missile and other aeri-
al threats.
 The Monitor • February 5, 2009 • 17

FINAL DAYS

COME SEE
THE ALL NEW
STK# NT90488 EXAMPLE
STK# NT82669 EXAMPLE
2008 FORD EXPEDITION XLT
STK# NC8205

MSRP........................$29,430
SHAMALEY DIS..............$2,443
TOTAL FACTORY REBATE..$3,000 MSRP......................$35,040
$23,987 EMPLOYEE PRICE DISC. .$4,558
MSRP ....................$27,630
EMPLOYEE PRICE DISC. $2,842
0% ON
TOTAL FACTORY REBATE.$4,500 TOTAL FACTORY REBATE.$2,000

$25,982
All 2009
F150
0 Down 0% APR 0 AC
For 36 mos $22.77 per
$1000 Financed
OR FMCC FACTORY REBATE...$1,000
In Lieu of *EXCLUDES EMPLOYEE
Rebates PRICING

+ TT&L + TT&L + TT&L

MUST FINACE THROUGH
FMCC FO ADDITIONAL PARTS

EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
STK# NC90388
EXAMPLE
STK# NC90009

2009 FORD FOCUS 4DR 2009 FORD FUSION

STK# NT90250

2009 FORD ESCAPE

MSRP ........................$20,825 MSRP ....................$15,690 MSRP .....................$18,860
SHAMALEY DISC.............$1,613 EMPLOYEE PRICE DISC.$1,223 EMPLOYEE PRICE DISC..$1,618
FACTORY REBATE. .............$500 TOTAL FACTORY REBATE.$1,500 TOTAL FACTORY REBATE.$2,500

$18,712 $12,967 $14,742

+ TT&L
+ TT&L
+ TT&L

HUGE MILITARY DISCOUNTS!

SHOP ONLINE @ WWW.SHAMALEYFORD.COM SHOP ONLINE @ WWW.SHAMALEYFORD.COM SHOP ONLINE @ WWW. SHAMALEYFORD.COM
Corner of Lee Trevino & Interstate 10

2007 MITSUBISHI
2005 NISSAN 05 FORD FOCUS ZX5
UC82561B, CERTIFIED ............................... $9,595
0 8 M E R C U RY S A B L E
CRC7504, 4DR CERTIFIED .......................... $17,995 ECLIPSE GT
ALTIMA 2.5 S 0 5 F O R D TA U R U S S E L
UC81639A, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$9,995
0 8 F O R D M U S TA N G C O N V E RT I B L E
CRC7500, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$17,995
05 FORD FOCUS ZX4 0 8 F O R D M U S TA N G
UC8920B, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$9,995 UC90771A, 2 DR CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$17,995
06 HYUNDAI ELANTRA GLS 0 9 F O R D M U S TA N G
UC90498A, 4DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$9,995 CRC7481, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$17,995
STK# UTCP7443,
AUTO, LOW
MILES, V6
STK# UCP7439,
0 5 C H RY S L E R P T C R U I S E R T O U R I N G 0 6 F O R D F 1 5 0 X LT
4 CYL, AUTO, AIR UT81397A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$9,995 UT82186A, SUPER CREW, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$18,995
0 6 F O R D TA U R U S S E 07 DODGE RAM 1500
CRC7491, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$10,995 UT7404H, QUAD CAB, SLT, 4X4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$18,995
06 FORD FOCUS ZX4 SE 0 8 F O R D F - 1 5 0 X LT S U P E R C A B
UC90553A, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$10,995 CRT7517, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$19,995
05 FORD 500 SE FORD EDGE SEL
CRC7468, 4DR CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$10,995 UT90352A, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$20,995
0 6 C H E V Y C O B A LT LT 0 8 F O R D F - 1 5 0 S LT S U P E R C A B
UC81838G, 4 DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$10,995 CRT7490, 4X4, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$20,995 STK#
CRC7432,
04 HONDA CIVIC DX 05 FORD F-150 KING RANCH
UC8298A, 4DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$11,595
*FORD CREDIT CUSTOMERS, UT90043B, SUPER CREW, 4X4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$21,995
4 CYL,
AUTO
STK# UC90605A,
AUTO, AIR 07 FORD FOCUS ZX4 SE
ON SELECT CPO VEHICLES, OAC 0 9 F O R D E S C A P E X LT
UC8868A, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$11,995 CRT7478, 4X4, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$21,995
0 6 F O R D E S C A P E X LT
07 FORD EDGE SEL PLUS
07 FORD FOCUS ZX4 SE S
UC90389A, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$11,995
CRT7493, 4 WD, CERTIFIED ........................ $14,995 UT82301A, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$21,995
06 FORD FUSION SE
0 7 F O R D E X P E D I T I O N X LT
05 FORD FREESTYLE SEL
CRT7458, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$11,995
UC90552A, V6, CERTIFIED ......................... $14,995 CRT7520, 4X4, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$22,995
08 FORD FOCUS SE
0 6 N I S S A N A LT I M A 2 . 5 S
UC82679A, 4DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$14,995
0 7 F O R D E X P E D I T I O N X LT E L 2006 FORD
CRC7511, 4DR, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$12,995
08 DODGE CALIBER SXT
CRT7430, 4X2, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$22,995 FUSION SEL V6
UC8983A, 2.0 AUTO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$14,995
06 FORD FOCUS ZX5 05 FORD F150 SUPER CREW
UT82374A, SES, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$12,995 UT90906A, KING RANCH, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$23,995
0 7 C H RY S L E R 3 0 0
UC90011B, 4 DR, AUTO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$14,995
07 DODGE CALIBER SXT 2.0 0 8 F O R D F 1 5 0 X LT S U P E R C R E W
UC90484A, 4 DR, AUTO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$12,995 CRT7488, 4X4, 3 AT THIS PRICE! CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . .$23,995
STK# UC82566A,
AUTO, AIR
06 HONDA CRV EX
UT82694A, 4WD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$15,995
08 FORD FOCUS 08 FORD EXPEDITION
UC7423A, 4 DR, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$12,995 CRT7486, EDDIE BAUER, 4X4, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$26,995 CERTIFIED
0 7 F O R D M U S TA N G
UC81729B, 2 DR, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$15,995
STK# 05 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 07 FORD F250 FX4 CREW CAB
UC80796A, 4 DR, GTP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$12,995 UT82065A, LARIAT, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$27,995
UC82323A,
AUTO, AIR 08 FORD FUSION SE
UC90742B, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$15,995
0 8 C H E V Y C L B A LT L S 08 FORD EXPEDITION
UC90177A, 4DR CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$13,995 CRT7512, EDDIE BAUER, 4X4, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$29,995
0 8 F O R D TA U R U S L I M I T E D
CRC7513, 4DR, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$16,995
06 FORD FUSION SE 06 FORD F-250 KING RANCH
UC82919A, V6 CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$13,995 UT82622A, CREW CAB, 4X4, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$30,995
0 7 F O R D M U S TA N G
UC90020A, 2 DR, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$16,995
07 FORD FUSION SE 08 LINCOLN MKX
UC90507A, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$14,995 UTP7505, 4 DR, AWD, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$30,995 ZX5 SE
08 FORD ESCAPE XLS
UT80720A, 5 SPD, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$16,995
08 FORD FOCUS SES 0 8 C H E V Y AVA L A N C H E Z 7 1 CERTIFIED
CRC7507, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$14,995 UT82874A, 4X4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$33,995
0 8 F O R D E S C A P E X LT
UT81593A, 4X2, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$16,995
08 FORD FOCUS SES 08 FORD F250 CREW CAB STK# CRC7435,
CRC7503, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$14,995 UT9066A, KING RANCH, 4X4, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$42,995 4 CYL, AUTO
STK# UC82793A, 08 FORD FUSION SE
CRC7498, V6, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$16,995
AUTO, LOW
MILES 08 NISSAN SENTRA 08 BMW 528I
UC7386B, 4 DR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$14,995 UC81688B, 4DR, CERTIFIED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$42,995

WEEKLY SPECIAL *
2007 FORD MUSTANG
SHELBY GT
2007 CHEVY SUBURBAN LT 2007 HONDA FIT
4X4
STK# UTP7322,
4WD, AUTO, A/C STK# UTP7327,
STK# UC90276A, LEATHER, ONLY STK# UC82915A,
STK# UT82365B, V8, LOW MILES 4 CYL, AIR
AUTO, AIR 37,500 MILES

CERTIFIED

I-10 @ LEE TREVINO

591-8600
11301 GATEWAY WEST
OPEN:
Se Habla MONDAY - SATURDAY
Español 9 A.M. TO 8 P.M.
* All prices plus TT&L, OAC, Not all rebates are compatible to all models. See dealer for details.
All vehicles subject to prior sale. Pictures for illustration purposes only.
Finance rates vary depending on credit worthiness of Customers as determined by lender credit.
CLOSED SUNDAY

SHOP ONLINE @ WWW.SHAMALEYFORD.COM SHOP ONLINE @ WWW.SHAMALEYFORD.COM SHOP ONLINE @ WWW. SHAMALEYFORD.COM
Some customers will not qualify. Residency restrictions apply. Take new retail delivery from dealer stock. Employee pricing plus excludes Ford Shelby GT 500 and 2009 Ford F-150’s. All offers valid through January 31st 2009.
I-10 @ LEE TREVINO
18 • The Monitor • February 5, 2009
Bulgarian soldiers learning new skills at USASMA
ANNA BORYSEWICZ
Special to The Monitor
The main goal of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major
Academy is to teach noncommissioned officer leader-
ship skills of the highest level. The unique chance to
learn at the academy is open not only to Americans, but
also international students.
Currently, Class 59 of the Sergeants Major Course has
46 foreign NCOs representing 32 countries. The course
offers foreign soldiers the chance to compare their skills
and experience to American leadership styles. For
Teodor “Teo” Hubanov, 33, and Veselin “Vesco”
Abadzhiev, 33, both from Bulgaria, attending the course
also provides them the opportunity to improve their
English and command skills, they said.
“My adventure with the Bulgarian army started in
1993 when I was 17 years old,” said Hubanov. “I attend-
ed the school of military drivers; I didn’t have to pass any
exams.”
This was soon after Communist control over the
Bulgarian government ended in 1990 in Bulgaria; there-
fore, Hubanov was able to observe and take part in a
great change for the Bulgarian army.
“From 1994 to 1995, I was a conscript soldier and
later I stayed in the Army,” Hubanov said.
The system of a conscript army was typical for many
countries in eastern Europe. However, for the last two
years many have transformed into an all-volunteer army.
In Bulgaria that transformation happened in January
2008.
Hubanov gained his first war experience in Bosnia
from 2001 to 2002, working with a Dutch army battal-
ion. His mechanized background was very useful in this
part of his career, he said. His country joined NATO in
2004, and he used this chance to go to Spain and work
with NATO organizations from 2005 to 2007.
“My post there was a dispatcher of transportation sec-
tion,” said Hubanov. “It was a challenge not only for me,
but also for my family.”
Hubanov left Spain and came back to Bulgaria to
become the command sergeant major of Bulgarian land
El Paso Helping People
Working with El Pasoans
Our Mission
To assist individuals with diverse abilities, to obtain and maintain employment.
Establishing a network of employers who are willing to hire individuals with
diverse abilities. Presenting individual with disabilities a chance to feel productive.
Supportive Job Quest Training
Employment
We conduct a detailed career Includes assistance with
analysis which includes info in • Resume Development
consumer’s ability
• Interviewing Skills
• Job Placement - find
adequate employment • Application Training
• Job Retention - Monitor • Job Seeking Skills
consumer progress Training
• Stability - Ensure maintain
employment
• Closure - Successfully can
work independently
1030 N. Zaragosa, Suite G • (915) 790-0523
Fax (915) 790-0583 • fpeopleinc@elp.rr.com
ANNA BORYSEWICZ
Command Sgt. Maj. Teodor Hubanov works on
some of his class work in the International
Military Student Office computer lab. Hubanov is
one of two Bulgarian soldiers attending the U.S.
Army Sergeants Major Academy.
forces. Soon he was given a chance to study at USAS-
MA.
“One of my responsibilities was to select candidates
for this academy,” said Hubanov. “First of all, they had
to know English. Unfortunately, not many did.”
Soon, 12 Bulgarian sergeants major, including
Hubanov, took an exam at the U.S. Embassy in Sofia. He
scored 81 points on the exam and was one of two soldiers
chosen to attend the course.
In April, Hubanov traveled to San Antonio, where he
attended an English course at the Defense Language
Institute before arriving here.
“My family joined me three months later in El Paso,”
said Hubanov. “It was a great opportunity for all of us to
improve our English. Now my son is 4 years old and he
already speaks three languages.”
As for his future plans, Hubanov said, “First of all, I
want to be a father again and that is the most important
for me. Secondly, I would like to teach at the military
school [in Bulgaria] and share the knowledge I have
gained here.”
Abadzhiev is a company first sergeant in Hubanov’s
unit. His beginnings in the Bulgarian army are similar to
his classmate’s.
“I joined the Bulgarian Army in 1998 as a conscript
soldier and later I decided to stay there,” said Abadzhiev.
Abadzhiev said he did not attend any Bulgarian mili-
tary schools, but he did take part in a course for NCOs in
Bulgaria and later attended the Primary Leadership
Development Course in Grafenwoer, Germany. The best
schooling he received came from real-life experiences,
ones that would lead him to USASMA, he said.
“For me the most important was to improve my
English,” said Abadzhiev. “I knew it would be a chance
for me to get international experience.”
Abadzhiev scored an 85 on the test given at the U.S.
Embassy. It was the highest score of all the Bulgarian
soldiers. But soon he was faced with daily doses of
American English, something with which he had no pre-
vious experience.
“When I came here I realized how much I still have to
learn,” said Abadzhiev. “At the beginning it was so hard
to understand American English, but with time I got used
to it.”
Abadzhiev is one of those soldiers who is apart from
his family while attending USASMA. His wife and son
visited him during summer holidays and he went to
Bulgaria for Christmas.
“My son is 7 and this is his first year at school,” said
Abadzhiev. “My wife and I both think it is important for
him to recognize the school environment together with
his friends. If he had missed this year, he would always
be treated from a distance by his classmates in the future.
We decided it is better for him to attend school in
Bulgaria – with his friends.”
Hubanov and Abadzhiev said they are both proud of
their countries and their army, but admit their passport to
the future is to learn new languages. The more languages
they know, the more they can achieve, they said.
 The Monitor • February 5, 2009 • 19

Holloman AFB releases strategic plan for 2009

AIRMAN SONDRA M. ESCUTIA
49th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. – The 49th
Fighter Wing recently released its Strategic Plan for
2009, a plan that explains the unit’s mission, visions and
focus areas.
Col. Jeff Harrigian, commander of the 49th Fighter
Wing, said the document allows all of Team Holloman to
understand the priorities of the wing’s senior leaders and
lays out the areas they felt were critical to success in
2009.
“The reality is this isn’t something where Airmen are
given actual items to go out and do, but it lays out the
philosophy of the leadership so that they can be in their
boss’ mind as they go out and execute the mission on a
day-to-day basis,” he said.
Along with the plan, the document also states the
chief of staff of the Air Force’s vision and priorities, as
well as those of Combat Air Forces and 12th Air Force.
“Our intent is that as our Airmen read through [the
plan], they’re going to see that the chief of staff’s priori-
ties are very much represented in what’s important to us
at the 49th,” said Harrigian.
This year’s four focus areas are readiness, developing
and caring for Airmen and their families, infrastructure
and engagement.
According to the Strategic Plan, readiness is funda-
mental to mission delivery. It incorporates people, equip-
ment and ability to deliver them on time to meet mission
taskings. An optimal way to ensure readiness is by train-
ing through exercises, and the plan states the 49th will
execute one per quarter in 2009, consisting of two Phase
1 and two Phase 2 exercises.
“My intent with readiness is also to transition from the
culture of, ‘When we do an exercise, we’re going to
train,’” said Harrigian. “No, we’re going to train 365
days a year, 24/7 to make sure we’re always ready and
then we’ll use our exercises to evaluate how we’re doing
on our training.”
Readiness also requires that Airmen and their families
are well taken care of in order to be combat-ready, lead-
ing to the next focus area.
“Developing and caring for our Airmen is a focus area
that’s directly in line with essentially all my senior lead-
ers’ priorities,” said Harrigian. “But let’s quantify that. I
think it’s important to get beyond the words because
most of the Airmen have heard that a million times.”
What it really means is to take the time to ensure
Airmen are receiving feedback and that recognition is
given to outstanding performers, the colonel said, as well
as building tomorrow’s leaders today through profes-
sional development and providing opportunities for col-
lege education as appropriate.
“The other part of that has to do with the term we’ve
used a lot: quality of life,” said Harrigian. “Really, it has
to do with making sure we have programs and facilities
that support not only our Airmen but their families.”
Holloman’s infrastructure, including buildings, work-
space, roads and networks, is also a focus area that will
be assessed. A coherent plan will then be put together
that prioritizes resources and funding to meet require-
ments and to modernize the infrastructure.
“Fundamentally in the Air Force, the base is a weapon
system and we need to treat it as a weapon system,” said
Harrigian. “It’s going to be difficult and it’s going to take
some effort, but it’s what we have to do to have a base
that is modernized and sustained through the next 15 to
20 years.”
The last focus area, engagement, is an all-encompass-
ing term to include how information is gathered and
shared, as well as being proactive by anticipating chal-
lenges.
The plan states Team Holloman will work with civic
leaders, military leaders and local communities.
“We want to inform, educate and build relationships
with these folks so that collectively we work together to
not only deliver our mission, but also to help them so it’s
a two-way street,” said Harrigian. “I also want to engage
our Airmen and find out what their feedback is so we can
ensure our Airmen are aware of how they’re impacting
our mission, what’s going on on the base and what’s
coming up.”
Sharing information and communication is the key to
successfully delivering the mission, said the Harrigian,
which leads to the next point: being combat-ready.
“Regardless of what our Airmen are doing, they need
to be prepared to deliver the mission in support of what
the Air Force has tasked us to do,” he said. “Although
that may not mean specifically a combat mission, if
they’re combat-ready, they’re going to be ready for any-
thing. That’s the goal of building a team that’s working
together.”
The 2009 Strategic Plan can be found on Holloman’s
main Web site at www.holloman.af.mil, and Harrigian
encourages all Airmen to check it out.
“I’d like the Airmen to take the time to read this,” he
said. “It’s not a long read and it’ll give them a good
roadmap to our way ahead in 2009 and help them under-
stand what’s on the minds of their senior leaders.”

PARTY
HEADQUARTERS!
• Beads • Masks • Tents
• Confetti• Party Kits Don’t
• Streamers • Glassware
• Hats • Decorations
Forget!
We Are Also Your
• Champagne Glasses
• Chafing Dishes VALENTINE’S DAY
• Chairs/Tables Headquarters!
• Utensils • Plates Balloon
• Fountains • Lights Bouquets
• Much Much More! & More!

NORTHEAST LOCATION
9861 Dyer • 757-2212
Suite #12
WESTSIDE EAST
5044 Doniphan 8280 Gateway E.
581-0206 594-1422
LAS CRUCES
1021 E. Amador • 505-524-7600
20 • The Monitor • February 5, 2009
Army to look at providing more space for Soldiers’ stuff
C. TODD LOPEZ
Army News Service
ARLINGTON, Va. – Time off for
Soldiers to grieve the loss of a loved
one, official photos for all Soldiers in
the event they are killed in battle, and a
place for Soldiers in barracks to keep
their gear. Those are some of the topics
Army senior leaders will now focus on
as a result of the 2009 Army Family
Action Plan conference.
The Family and Morale, Welfare and
Recreation Command hosted the 2009
AFAP conference here Jan. 26 through
30. The week-long conference is the
final step in a process where issues
identified at installation level – and seen
to affect all families and Soldiers – are
elevated all the way up to Army senior
leadership.
This year, eight different workgroups
collaborated at the AFAP conference to
decide which issues were significant
enough to present to Army senior lead-
ers during the conference’s last-day
“report-out session.” Senior leaders
voted on which five of those issues
would become the focus of increased
attention.
As a result of recommendations dur-
ing the conference, Army leaders in the
coming months will look into providing
a new permissive TDY category to
Soldiers who have lost a loved one – a
so-called “bereavement permissive
TDY” category. Today, Soldiers must
take chargeable leave or request a pass
in the death of an immediate family
member.
“Insufficient time for grieving the
C. TODD LOPEZ
Chief of Staff of the Army George W. Casey Jr. attended the final “report-
out session” of the 2009 Army Family Action Plan conference in Alexandria,
Va., Jan. 26 through 30. Recommendations to Army senior leadership at
the conference included providing time off for Soldiers to grieve the loss of
a loved one, official photos for all Soldiers in the event they are killed in bat-
tle, and a place for Soldiers in barracks to keep their gear.
loss of a family member and adminis- Recently, the civilian press reported that
tering responsibilities impacts the in the case of two Soldiers who had
Soldier’s and family’s ability to mourn been killed in Iraq, the Army unit pro-
and recover from a traumatic loss,” read vided a doctored photo of one of the
the final report of the benefits and enti- Soldiers because a more suitable photo
tlements work group. could not be found.
In the past, there have been instances “Official photographs are not
where Soldiers who have died while required for all Soldiers,” read the final
serving overseas have not had suitable report of the Force Support Work
photographs to serve in memorial cere- Group. “There is no official photograph
monies or to provide to the media. available to the media that provides a
SYLVAN SKILLS
ASSESSMENT $75!
SAVINGS OF $100!
ASK ABOUT OUR
MILITARY DISCOUNTS!
West 587-7323 East 629-8774
Las Cruces 575-532-9005
5811 N Mesa, El Paso
1757 George Dieter, El Paso
3050 N. Roadrunner Pkwy, Las Cruces
professional head-and-shoulder view of
the Soldier with individual achieve-
ments. Personal photos have been used
in the media to identify Soldiers. But
inappropriate or grainy photos do not
accurately reflect the professionalism of
the Army or the Soldier.”
The work group recommended the
Army require professional or semi-pro-
fessional head shots for all Soldiers.
That suggestion will be researched now
by senior Army leaders.
Other suggestions by work groups
that were accepted for further study by
the Army include:
• providing secure storage space for
single Soldiers living in barracks;
• increasing the number of medical
providers in military treatment facilities
to decrease the amount of time it takes
Soldiers and family members to see a
provider; and
• providing standardized respite care
for wounded warrior caregivers.
“Primary caregivers are vital in the
life of a wounded warrior and in their
recovery,” said Rosie Babin, mother and
caregiver of a wounded Soldier. “But
commonly, the demands of caregiving
cause burnout and compassion fatigue.
Statistics show that caregivers who pro-
vide care 36 or more hours weekly are
more likely than non-caregivers to
experience depression or anxiety – for
spouses, the rate is six times higher.”
Babin’s Family Support Work Group
recommended the Army provide uni-
form availability of standardized respite
See SPACE, Page 21
www.sylvanlearning.com