Volume 1, Issue 6 March 2013

Steady Progress Friend of a

The February newsletter featured two of our 56th ID SFAT Soldiers from Mayhem 2A, SGT Clint Rutherford and SPC Storm Aguilar who were wounded in the same attack that claimed the life of SFC Nelson Trent. As both Soldiers continue to make progress in their recovery, both were surprised to find that they would be attending a San Antonio Spurs game in late February courtesy of a generous donation. CPT Doyle, Rear Detachment Commander for the teams, was honored to escort SPC Aguilar and SGT Rutherford to San Antonio for dinner on the Riverwalk and to the Spurs game on February 27th. Doyle said it was an excellent opportunity to get the guys out for an evening of rest and relaxation. Special thanks to the 56th ID SFAT FRG and Mrs. Weaver of the 111th FRG in helping with the coordination of the

Friend

The Official Newsletter for the Task Force Arrowhead SFAT Mission

The Arrowhead Insider

CPT Doyle (RDC), SGT Rutherford and SPC Aguilar attend the Spurs vs. Suns game in San Antonio on

tickets for our wounded warriors. SPC Aguilars mom Kim, wanted to give a heart felt thank you not only for allowing her to attend the game but also to CPT Doyle for taking time out of his busy schedule to drive to BAMC weekly to spend time doing activities with the Soldiers. This is and has been a very difficult time for the Soldiers and their families. It has made the situation much easier to deal with. Both warriors continue to make progress in their recovery at Brook Army Medical Center.
Inside this issue:
SFAT Wives Prove Theyre Not Afraid To Get Dirty SFAT Wives Prove Theyre Not Afraid To Get Dirty Message from Tara Gasper / Upcoming Events Resources / Support Services Yellow Ribbon / Letter from the Editor Yellow Ribbon Flyer SFAT Mission Statement 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Texas SFAT Wives Prove Theyre Not Afraid To Get Dirty!

accessorized their outfits as they prepared to run in honor of their husbands and all the brave Soldiers of the 36th ID SFAT mission. Alicia Brooks also played a role in the organizing of the event and felt that, We represented our husbands well. Running and getting muddy was such a blast, especially with this fine group of ladies! This untimed event, forced some ladies out of their comfort zone as they crawled through muddle tunnels, climbed cargo nets, cleared walls, and plunged into cold, muddy water tanks. Shouts of encouragement, laughter and camaraderie were heard all morning.

SFAT Wives prepare for the last obstacle at the Dirty Girl Run in Dripping Springs, TX

The long anticipated 5K run and obstacle course was completed by 31 wives of the 36th ID SFAT teams on March 23, 2013 in Dripping Springs, Texas. The run was hosted by Dirty Girl with profits benefitting the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

that goal. We went into the weekend as acquaintances, but we came away family.

SFAT Wives help each other clear the Get Over Yourself obstacle SFAT Wives high-crawl through the Pretty Muddy Stuff Obstacle

SFAT Wives tackle the Get A Grip Obstacle

Alicia Underwood assisted in heading up the event and said, Our goal for the weekend was to unite the SFAT wives as a cohesive unit, mirroring the camaraderie our husbands demonstrate as they work together in Afghanistan. I think we achieved

Ladies met at the starting line in Army green shirts sporting Rosie the Riveter with the team name SFAT Household 6 Honeys on the front and their husbands name on the back. Dog tags, green face paint and American Flag bandanas

Many thanks to Alicia Underwood, Alicia Brooks, Kathryn Goddard, Jaime Nevels, and Julia McCarthy for your time and dedication in securing hotel accommodations, tshirts, goodie bags and restaurant reservations for all of the SFAT ladies at the event. The team would also like to thank Jessica Landin for the American Flag bandanas that were worn in memory of SFC

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Texas SFAT Wives Prove Theyre Not Afraid To Get Dirty!

Trent. After leading the group in prayer, Landin said The bandanas that we wore during the Mud Run were, in honor of SFC Nelson Trent. He gave his all for our country. John 15:13 says, There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. SFC Trent laid down his life for his buddies, and the wearing of the bandanas was the least that we could do to honor his sacrifice for our country.

SFAT Household 6 Honeys completed the Dirty Girl 5K Run and Obstacle Course in Dripping Springs, TX on March 23, 3013.
SFAT Household 6 Honeys conquer the Runaway Bride obstacle.

The team would like to thank Ms. Emilee Ayers and Ms. Pam Cox for volunteering to photograph all of the moments at the event. Your photos are a priceless memory that each lady will treasure for years to come. Despite the chilly morning temperatures, and gloomy skies, the ladies pushed through all 13 obstacles and completed the 5K run as a unit. The friendships formed and memories made from this weekend will be everlasting for all of these ladies. Brooks also commented, I know that bonds were formed [here] that can't be broken! Way-to-go SFAT Household 6 Honeys!
HH6 Honeys use teamwork to quickly clear the Amaze Yourself obstacle. HH6 Honeys high-crawl through the Pretty Muddy Stuff obstacle.

Ladies pause for a quick muddy picture in between obstacles at the Dirty Girl Run

Photos courtesy of Ms. Pam Cox

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Message from Tara Gasper, Senior FRSA Texas ARNG

when they counted down "....3....2....1....GOOOO" we shuffled with the rest of the crowd. Then a space broke open and we began to jog the track... down the hill, up the hill... THEN I came to a very quick realization, I was going to need to do a little more than sit behind a desk and type on a computer if I'm going to hang in there with you ladies (especially if there are obstacles involved) for the next race. Enough being said about my lack of physical fitness prowess. I want to thank you for being the example of how our Family Readiness Groups are supposed to work. I have seen nothing but support for each SFAT Wives participate in the Electric Run benefiting Leukemia Texas in Austin on March 30, other, nothing but keeping each other positive, staying the Thank you to all the SFAT ladies who allowed me course of a tried and true military wife and family that would to join them in their bonding experience at the Elec- make your Service Members proud. Proud of how you carry yourselves as not only ladies, but as true Guard wives and tric Run on 30 March in Austin. I donned my $25 worth of dollar store glow in the dark bracelets and Guard Families. Taking turns being someone to turn to, knownecklaces, my neon tights, and spent 3 hours paint- ing that when you are having a "difficult" day, you have someone to turn to. Thank you ladies for being an example that I ing my "NEON BABES .... ROLL OUT" shirt in glow in the dark paint and GLITTER. I and 3 other will use for years to come, for being a shining (and sometimes ladies painted our faces with glow in the dark face muddy) beacon of grace, humility, compassion and a flash of paint like a true neon warrior. We arrived at the ven- sparkly and spunk. If y'all will have me, I'd be honored to run (let's be real, walk) with you again. Cheers! ue, surrounded by tens of thousands of pulsating, glow in the dark clad runners, ready to take on the Tara Gaspar course at full speed. We waited for our heat, and Sr FRSA, TXARNG

SFAT Wives Are At It Again!

Upcoming Running Events That We Want to See You At! Austin Diva Dash
Date/Time: April 20, 2013 / Heat: 0945 non-competitive wave Location: Walter E. Long Park, 6614 Blue Bluff Rd., Austin, TX Contact: Julia McCarthy at 512-461-0274 if you are interested in joining

American Hero Run

Date/Time: April 21, 2013 / Heat 8:00am Location: 2200 W. 35th St, Austin, TX (parade grounds of Camp Mabry) Contact: Jennifer Merrill at jmerrill2@hotmail.com if you are interested in joining

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Resources / Support Services

Supporting Young Children Through Challenging Times Training
This full-day, interactive workshop examines the social emotional needs of babies and toddlers; the impact of stress on early childhood brain development; and the implications of complicated deployments, parental injury, and parental loss for very young children. Location/Date: Camp Mabry / April 29th, 2013; 8:00am4:00pm For questions contact: Julie Ramirez at 512-782-1235 or julie.a.ramirez12.ctr@mail.mil

Military OneSource
Military OneSource continues to be an outstanding resource for our families. As the month of March closes and April approaches, the Month of the Military Child is planned for. Please visit Military OneSource for events going on during the month of April as we spotlight our youth. For more information go to: https://apps.militaryonesource.mil/ Child Care Aware of America: www.naccrra.org

Operation Military Kids Texas: http://www.operationmilitarykids.org/public/statePOCHome.aspx?state=Texas SitterCity Military Program

SitterCity is a program that is funded by the Department of Defense and provides free services to military families. SitterCity helps you find Babysitters for after-school, school vacations, extended work hours, special needs children, and last minute care needs. They also help you find Senior care, pet care, housekeepers, tutors, full time or part time Nannies for infants and young children. All the care providers are certified CDH/FCC care providers. You can also run background checks, see references, and see caregiver profiles and reviews from other military parents. For more information got to: www.sittercity.com/dod

Military Kids Connect (MKC)

Military Kids Connect is an online community of military children (ages 6-17 yr. old) that provides access to age appropriate resources to support children all the way to a parents or caregivers return. MKC offers informative activities, fun games, helpful videos, and interesting user surveys that can reinforce understanding, resilience, and coping skills in military children. MKC is an initiative of the National Center for Telehealth and Technology (T2) that was founded in 2008 by the department of defense. For more information go to: https://www.militarykidsconnect.org/

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Yellow Ribbon Event

Another Yellow Ribbon event is quickly approaching! Please see the flyer on page 7 and register in JSS today!
Letter from the SFAT Editor
Dear SFAT Families and Friends, It is my distinct pleasure to be asked to write the monthly newsletter for the 36th ID SFAT State families and friends while our Soldiers continue to fight in Afghanistan. I am always looking for ideas or events to be included in the newsletter, and I encourage you to email me with those stories. I appreciate your patience in the delay of publishing this months newsletter as we ensured a smooth transition of responsibilities regarding The Arrowhead Insider. I hope this newsletter finds everyone well and in good spirits. I look forward to hearing from you. RespectfullyJennifer N. Merrill SFAT Editor jmerrill2@hotmail.com

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56th SFAT
56TH IBCT SFAT REAR DET 651 N Red Bud Ln. Round Rock, TX 78665 Phone: 512-388-6329 ext. 7974315 Fax: 512-218-2156 miguel.morenoscott@us.army.mil

Our Mission
The 56th SFAT REAR DET conducts rear detachment operations in support of Task Force Arrowhead deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom from September 4, 2012 until the completion of the mission in order to allow the 56th SFAT Teams to accomplish their mission. This will be accomplished by providing direct support, outreach, and information dissemination to SFAT Families in order to create a climate of mutual and continued support to the 56th SFAT Soldiers.

Together Tomorrow
For suggestions and feedback contact: Jennifer Merrill 56th SFAT Newsletter Editor jmerrill2@hotmail.com http://www.facebook.com/TheArrowhead Insider

Texas Quote for March

I love Texas because Texas is future-oriented, because Texans think anything is possible. Texans think big!
- Senator Phil Gramm

Do you have a story or event that you want to share with the families and friends of the SFAT teams? Send me your pictures along with a with a short explanation of the picture or event you are wanting promoted, and all consideration and efforts will be made to publish your story! You can also send us your questions or concerns through our Facebook page at:
http://www.facebook.com/TheArrowheadInsider

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