Inside this

issue

Message from

RG6/RG9

2

Patron Saint 3

Weapon’s Safety 4

Rhema 5

Holiday Baskets 7

The Rail Gunner

Monthly Staff

Commander

COL John C. Thomson, III

Command Sgt. Maj.

CSM Kelvin A. Hughes

Rail Gunner PAO

NCOIC

SSG Kyle Richardson

Rail Gunner Journalists

SGT Lucas Hoskins

SPC Dalinda Salazar

41st Fires Brigade

“Rail Gunners!!”

FORT HOOD, Texas—Soldiers from the 41st Fires Brigade celebrated the Patron Saint of Artillerymen by hosting an annual Saint Barbara‘s Day Ball at Club Hood, located on Fort Hood, Texas, Nov. 19.

St. Barbara is honored every

year by artillerymen around the world because she is the sainted patroness of those in danger from thunderstorms, fire, and explosives.

The Soldiers of the 41st Fires Bde. along with their spouses and guests arrived at the dinning-in dressed in formal attire. The Sol-diers were ready to pay tribute, feast, and dance the night away.

Story

Spc. Dalinda Salazar

41st Fires Brigade, PAO

VOLUME 1 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY ISSUE 14

Photo by Sgt. Lucas C. Hoskins , 41st Fires Brigade PAO

FORT HOOD, Texas—Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Hatfield, Command Sergeant Major of 2nd Battalion, 20th Field

Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade, holds the base charge of the grog over the grog bowl during the annual Saint

Barbara’s Day Ball hosted at Club Hood located on Fort Hood, Texas, Nov. 19. The base charge is saved from the grog the

year before and buried somewhere on Fort Hood, to be used for next year’s celebration.

See BALL on Page 3

Rail Gunner 6 & 9 Send

experience.

On November 19th, the Rail Gunner Brigade held its annual Saint Barbara‘s Day Ball at Club Hood. This year‘s event was con-sidered a great success and was attended by over 400 Soldiers, Family members and close friends of the Brigade. Major General Daniel Allyn, 1st Cavalry Division Commander, honored the brigade by serving as the guest speaker. Thank you to eve-ryone who participated in the event, and those that volunteered their time to make it such a won-derful success.

The brigade continues to focus on developing comprehensive war-fighting skills in preparation for deployment to any battlefield, in support of any contingency. Following the MRX in December, however, the brigade will enjoy a well-deserved break and allow Soldiers to take leave over the holiday period (19DEC-02JAN). The command strongly encour-ages Soldiers to take advantage of this opportunity.

On a more somber note, it was just 12 short months ago that the entire Fort Hood community was shocked and saddened by the events of November 5, 2009. Those of us who were on Fort Hood that tragic day will never forget the sorrow. Earlier this month, Fort Hood held a memo-rial ceremony and honored the brave men and women who paid

Colonel

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 13 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY DECEMBER 2010

John C. Thomson, III

41st Fires Brigade

Command Sergeant Major

Dear Rail Gunner Family:

On behalf of Rail Gunner 9 and the entire Rail Gunner Bri-gade, thank you for all you do and blessings as we move into the holiday season. The commit-ment and resilience CSM Hughes and I see in our Soldiers and their Families continue to amaze us. Thank you.

November was a busy month for the 41st Fires Brigade. The brigade‘s primary focus was on improving battalion and brigade-level battle command systems in preparation for the brigade mis-sion rehearsal exercise (MRX) in December. Yet, the brigade also seized the opportunity to work with the United States Navy, sending the brigade fires and ef-fects cell to Coronado, California to train with the USS Carl Vinson Aircraft Carrier Strike Group – a phenomenal joint, multi-agency

The “Rail Gunner Monthly” is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. Army. Contents of the

“Rail Gunner Monthly” are not necessarily official views of or endorsed by the U.S. Government, Depart-

ment of Defense, Department of the Army or the 41st Fires Brigade. All editorial content of this publication

is prepared, edited, provided and approved by the 41st Fires Brigade Public Affairs Office. If you have any

questions, comments, concerns or suggestions contact the 41st Fires Brigade PAO office at 254-287-0739 or

email kyle.richardson@conus.army.mil. Check out the unit’s Website at http://www.hood.army.mil/41stFires

or on Facebook for additional information.

Kelvin Hughes

41st Fires Brigade CSM

the ultimate sacrifice along with those who stepped forward to assist the injured and the Fami-lies of both the injured and the lost. I would like to thank those of you who attended the memori-als and the ―Rock the Hood‖ celebration events as the entire installation continues to move forward.

As we head into the winter holidays, please take time to re-lax and spend time with your Families and loved ones. We are blessed with the opportunity to be at home for two consecu-tive Decembers, but remain trained and ready to answer our Nation‘s call. We wish each of you a safe and happy holiday season and thank you for all you do, each and every day. Stay vigilant and remember - Rail Gunner Safe is:

Rail Gunner Strong!

The night included the induc-tions to the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara and the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara.

Maj. Gen. Daniel B. Allyn, a native of Berwick, Maine and Commanding General of the 1st Cavalry Division, was the guest speaker for the night.

―The St. Barbara‘s Day Ball is a great event marking the glory of the field artillery branch,‖ said Capt. Jeffrey Nold, originally from Charleston, S.C., of 589th Brigade Support Battalion. ―I am honored to be here to celebrate such a fantastic occasion.‖

―The St. Bar-bara‘s Day Ball is usually held in the first week of De-cember, but the brigade is con-ducting training and validation op-erations through-out the month of December,‖ said Chief Warrant Of-ficer Joseph Strothers, native of Pittsburgh,

air de-fense command and con-trol sys-tems inte-gration chief for Head-quarters and Head-quarters Battery, 41st Fires Bde.

The mood

throughout the crowd lightened as the tradi-tional grog ceremony commenced.

―This year‘s grog ceremony was a little different,‖ said Strothers. ―The sergeants major and first sergeants throughout the brigade

came together and added a

unique ingredient to the bowl. Each ingredient represents vari-ous battles during our history and when everything is mixed together, you‘re left with the pre-fect Field Artillery Soldier.‖

Following the grog ceremony was the induction ceremony to the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara and the esteemed An-cient Order of Saint Barbara.

―The order recognizes Sol-diers who contributed to the field artillery,‖ said Sgt. 1st Class James Cookman, the fires and effects coordination cell opera-tions sergeant for HHB, 41st Fires Bde., and a native of Rosebud, Mont. ―It‘s bestowed upon people who dedicated their career to advancing the artillery field.‖

As the formalities of the cere-mony concluded, the dance floor opened up to the Rail Gunner Soldiers and their guests.

BALL cont. from Page 1

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 14 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY PAGE 3

Col. John Thomson, commander of 41st Fires Brigade originally from Tyler, Texas, and Command

Sgt. Maj. Kelvin Hughes, command sergeant major of the 41st Fires Bde, and a native of

Haynesville, La., take the initial drink at the traditional grog ceremony during the annual Saint

Barbara’s Day Ball hosted at Club Hood, Nov. 19.

Attendees at the annual 41st Fires Brigade Saint Barbara’s Day Ball presented a toast to the artillery patron

saint, St. Barbara. The Soldiers and their guests enjoyed dinner and a traditional grog ceremony during the

celebration.

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 14 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY DECEMBER 2010

New take on personal weapons’ safety tended to educate POW own-ers on both safety and legal regulations such as post regis-tration and concealed-carry permit laws. ―Everyone knows that Sol-diers are going to own weap-ons,‖ said Johnston. ―Our goal is to ensure that they do so in a safe and responsible man-ner.‖ The Soldiers were also judged to see who could disas-semble and reassemble the weapons in the fastest time. Lt. Col. James Davel, bat-talion commander, recom-mended the training as a way to be proactively involved with the POW owners in his battal-ion. ―So much of the training we do is a reaction to a negative event that may have occurred. We wanted to conduct some positive training that is not only beneficial to the Soldiers but also fun,‖ said Davel. The fun came on the sec-ond day of training as Soldiers met at Sportsman‘s Range for hands on training followed by a competition to determine who has the best aim. ―We decided that the Sol-diers would be more enthusi-astic and willing to learn if we got out of the classroom for awhile and did something they would enjoy,‖ said Johnston. Trophies were given to the top performers from the class-room competition, the range competition, and an overall winner from both scores. 1st Lt. Jordan Swears, from Midland, Mich., won the com-bined trophy as well as the

Story and photos by

Sgt. Lucas C. Hoskins

41st Fires Brigade, PAO

FORT HOOD, Texas—Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade participated in a two-day weapons‘ safety course on

Nov. 16-17, only this time the weapons were not Army issued. The training focused on pri-vately owned weapons with an emphasis on handguns. Sgt. 1st Class Chad Johnston, of Lawton, Okla. has 15 years of experience with firearms and volunteered to lead the battal-ion‘s training. The first day was conducted in a classroom and was in-

1st Lt. Jordan Swears, a native of Midland, Mich. the

executive officer of A Battery, 1st Battalion, 21st Field

Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade, scores his

target during the hands on portion of privately owned

weapons safety training with the battalion.

Sgt. 1st Class Chad Johnston, of Headquarters and

Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 21st Field Artillery

Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade, a native of Lawton, Okla.,

uses a .357-caliber revolver to demonstrate proper loading

and unloading techniques during a privately owned

weapons safety class. The class is intended to educate and

remind Soldiers of responsible ownership of weapons.

shooting trophy. Sgt. David Miller, of Denver, won the trophy for the fastest assembly time. ―This training was beneficial to new gun owners and long time enthusiasts,‖ said Swears. ―Everyone needs refresher train-ing from time to time.‖ The Soldiers also had barbe-que catered directly to the range for lunch. ―The food was great,‖ said Swears. ―I think everyone learned something and had a good time doing it. Mission ac-complished.‖ ―The focus is always to take care of Soldiers. As leaders we must ensure that they have all the tools necessary to be re-sponsible gun owners,‖ said Davel. ―We‘ll be conducting fol-low up training and we hope other units will follow suit in an effort keep our Soldiers safe.‖

Dallas native, assistant fire di-rection officer, is assigned to the 41st Fires Brigade. ―I am so happy that I am here to support my niece and pay my

respects at the same time,‖ said Voraritskul. ―It‘s a big honor to see her perform close to where I work. I think about why my niece is here, then I think about how young and innocent she is. But when you listen to her sing, you realize, her voice is big enough to cover the importance of this ceremony.‖ Rhema stated this was her first time singing in front of a military audience. ―It‘s a big honor to sing for those in uniform,‖ said Rhema. ―My uncle is in the Army, so I‘m

happy that he‘s here and I can sing for him because that means a lot to me.‖ Rhema‘s father stated she started singing as soon as she

learned to talk and she began to sing on a full time basis after her mom passed away. ―Words cannot ex-press how proud I am of my daughter and what she has done with her talent to touch others,‖ said Teton Voraritskul, Rhema‘s father and manager. ―Volunteering for this memorial cere-mony has been a great honor and privilege for us. We are blessed to be a part of the healing process. This is the least we can do to give back to the men and women in service. If her mom was her today, she would be filled with joy, to see how far Rhema has come since she began singing,‖

said Voraritskul. Rhema was six years old when her mother passed away in 2008, succumbing to ovarian cancer. ―When I sing, it makes me think of my mother, which makes me happy,‖ said Rhema. ―I want to take my gift that makes me happy and share with those who are still sad and try to make them happy again.‖ Several of the family mem-bers of those being honored in the remembrance memorial at-tended the ceremony and appre-

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 14 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY PAGE 5

FORT HOOD, Texas—Small in stature but big in poise, eight-year-old international gospel singing sensa-tion, Rhema Marvanne Voraritskul, graced Fort Hood with her pres-ence Nov. 5, at the Re-membrance Memorial Ceremony to honor the lives lost during the shootings at the Sol-dier Readiness Center a year ago. The small wonder teamed up with the contemporary gospel singer, Rick Bernard James, to sing ―The Prayer.‖ ―Like Rhema, this song is an inspiration to us all,‖ said James. ―This little lady is blessed with an ex-traordinary voice. When you see her, you may think ‗OK, here‘s a cute child performer,‘ but when you hear her, her voice will hit you like it belongs to one of the greats.‖ Rhema, who sings under her first and middle name, was born to Teton and Wendi Voraritskul in Carrollton, Texas. The young entertainer performs three to four times a month but volun-teered to come and sing at the ceremony for the fallen Soldiers. She says she holds a special tie very close to her heart to the military and Fort Hood. Her un-cle, Capt. Sratha Voraritskul,

See SING on Page 6

Story and photos by

Staff Sgt. Kyle J. Richardson

41st Fires Brigade, PAO

Young soul, big voice: Rhema sings the Prayer

Rhema Marvanne (left), and Rick Bernard James, a contemporary gospel singer, perform

“The Prayer” at the Remembrance Memorial Ceremony outside the Division West

Headquarters located on Fort Hood, Texas, Nov. 5.

ciated the outcome and sup-port from everyone. ―The ceremony was nicely done and very emotional. Gen. Casey‘s words were very heartfelt,‖ said Lelia Hunt-Willington, of McKin-ney, Texas and sister of Spc. Jason Hunt, a Soldier who lost his life during the shoot-ing incident last November. ―Rhema‘s song was the most moving thing that I think I‘ve ever heard. She‘s just beauti-ful inside and out and I don‘t think there was a dry eye anywhere on this field. Her song touched us all in so many different ways, it was a perfect selection to highlight the day.‖ ―Today meant a lot to me,‖ said Shoua Hei Xiong, of St. Paul, Minn. ―It was a good way to remember all the Soldiers, especially my hus-band. Rhema‘s song just re-minds me that my husband is in

a better place and that he‘s looking over us.‖

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 14 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY DECEMBER 2010

SING cont. from Page 5

Rhema Marvanne, the eight-year-old gospel singer from

Carrollton, Texas, sits on stage waiting to perform “The

Prayer” during the Remembrance Memorial Ceremony.

Rhema Marvanne, the eight-year-old gospel singer from

Carrollton, Texas, admires a coin of excellence given to her by

Gen. George Casey, the Army Chief of Staff , during the

Remembrance Memorial Ceremony outside the Division West

Headquarters, located on Fort Hood, Texas. Rhema sang the

song “The Prayer” with another gospel singer, Rick B. James.

Gen. George Casey (right), the Army Chief of Staff, poses

with Rhema Marvanne, the eight-year-old gospel singer

from Carrollton, Texas, after she sang during the

Remembrance Memorial Ceremony.

Lelia Hunt-Willington (left), sister to Spc. Jason Hunt, a Soldier who lost his life during the Fort Hood

shooting last Nov.5, thanks Rhema Marvanne, who performed at the Remembrance Memorial Ceremony.

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 14 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY DECEMBER 2010

Story and photos by

Sgt. Lucas C. Hoskins

41st Fires Brigade, PAO

FORT HOOD, Texas—The vi-sion of an ideal Thanksgiving meal with turkey and all the trim-mings will become a reality for 120 Families throughout the 41st Fires Brigade this year thanks to the generous food do-nations and time by volunteers. The Rail Gunner‘s command financial specialists (CFS) spent Nov. 19-20 at the Killeen Civic Center and the Killeen Food Center receiving food donations from various establishments around the Fort Hood area. The food was divided into individual Family-sized baskets and packed away until the baskets were distributed in the 41st Fires

Brigade headquarters‘ parking lot on Nov. 23. ―There were over 2,500 meals donated to our Soldiers this year that were divided be-tween the 87 CFSs on Fort Hood,‖ said Staff Sgt. David Kropp, a native of Dalton, Ga. now serving as the CFS for 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artil-lery Regiment, 41st Fires Bri-gade. ―Our brigade received 120 meal baskets. We let the individual batteries determine who would receive them.‖ Staff Sgt. Joanquin Mullins, originally from Chicago, who now serves as a CFS for the brigade said, ―It all comes down to taking care of Soldiers and their families. What bet-ter way to do that than to make things a little easier on them during the holidays. We are all very thankful to every-one that donated their food and time.‖ Sgt. First Class John Brown, native of Ellwood City, Pa. and financial advisor for the 41st Fires Bde., reminds the volunteers and recipients why the unit participates in the program. ―The holidays are crucial times for Soldiers and their Families because it reminds us all the year is coming to an end,‖ said Brown. ―What we do here today is just a small way to give back to the people who keep this organization going, and I truly believe one Family should look out after another Family.‖ Kropp was happy to be able to volunteer some of his

time to possibly alleviate some of the holiday stress from the Soldiers he serves and works with. The philanthropy has just be-gun for 2010 as the CFS‘s al-ready have numerous plans for helping Families for the Christ-mas season as well. ―We‘re helping out with an event called Celebration of Love that is donating three bicycles per battalion on Dec. 3,‖ said Kropp. ―There is also a Santa‘s Workshop scheduled for the middle of December that will last over a week.‖ For further information on any of the upcoming events con-tact individual battalion and bri-gade CFSs.

41st Fires helps spread holiday cheer

Staff Sgt. Joanquin Mullins, a chief financial specialist

with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 41st

Fires Brigade, originally from Chicago, helps distribute

Thanksgiving meal baskets to Soldiers throughout the

brigade. The baskets were a product of many generous

donations from numerous local establishments and

citizens of the Fort Hood area and were put together by

all chief financial specialists on post.

Staff Sgt. David Kropp, a native of Dalton, Ga. who is now a

chief financial specialist with 2nd Battalion, 20th Field

Artillery Regiment, 41st Fires Brigade, helps to build boxes

that were used for Thanksgiving meal baskets and were

distributed to Soldiers throughout the brigade. The baskets

were a product of many generous donations from numerous

local establishments and citizens.

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 14 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY PAGE 8

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 14 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY DECEMBER 2010

VOLUME 1 THE RAIL GUNNER MONTHLY ISSUE 14

HHB

Sgt. Lucas C. Hoskins

Maj. Bill Tomlin, HHB

Sgt. Mari Lopez, 589th BSB

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Cpl. Kayla Murray, 589th BSB

Spc. Oscar Ramirez, A/26

Spc. Michael Talent, A/26