Friend of a Friend
SFAT Wives Prove They’re Not Afraid To Get Dirty 2
SFAT Wives Prove They’re Not Afraid To Get Dirty 3
Message from Tara Gasper / Upcoming Events 4
Resources / Support Services 5
Yellow Ribbon / Letter from the Editor 6
Yellow Ribbon Flyer 7
SFAT Mission Statement 8
Inside this issue:
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Volume 1, Issue 6
March 2013
The February newsletter fea-
tured 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 recov-
ery, both were surprised to
find that they would be attend-
ing 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 op-
portunity to get the guys out
for an evening of rest and re-
laxation.”
Special thanks to the 56th ID
SFAT FRG and Mrs. Weaver
of the 111th FRG in helping
with the coordination of the
tickets for our wounded warriors.
SPC Aguilar’s mom Kim, wanted to give
a heart felt thank you not only for allow-
ing 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 con-
tinue to make progress in their recovery
at Brook Army Medical Center.
Steady Progress
CPT Doyle (RDC), SGT Rutherford and SPC Aguilar
attend the Spurs vs. Suns game in San Antonio on
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Texas SFAT Wives Prove They’re Not Afraid To Get Dirty!
that goal. We went into the week-
end as acquaintances, but we came
away family.”
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 husband’s name
on the back. Dog tags, green face
paint and American Flag bandanas
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 tun-
nels, climbed cargo nets, cleared
walls, and plunged into cold, mud-
dy water tanks. Shouts of encour-
agement, laughter and camaraderie
were heard all morning.
Many thanks to Alicia Underwood,
Alicia Brooks, Kathryn Goddard,
Jaime Nevels, and Julia McCarthy
for your time and dedication in se-
curing hotel accommodations, t-
shirts, 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
The long anticipated 5K run and ob-
stacle 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 Na-
tional Breast Cancer Foundation.
Alicia Underwood assisted in head-
ing up the event and said, “Our goal
for the weekend was to unite the
SFAT wives as a cohesive unit, mir-
roring the camaraderie our husbands
demonstrate as they work together in
Afghanistan. I think we achieved
SFAT Wives high-crawl through the
“Pretty Muddy Stuff” Obstacle
SFAT Wives help each other clear the
“Get Over Yourself” obstacle
SFAT Wives tackle the “Get A Grip”
Obstacle
SFAT Wives prepare for the last obstacle at the Dirty Girl Run in Dripping
Springs, TX
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Texas SFAT Wives Prove They’re Not Afraid To Get Dirty!
V OLU ME 1, ISS UE 6 http://www.facebook.com/TheArrowheadInsider
SFAT Household 6 Honeys completed the Dirty Girl 5K Run and Obstacle Course in
Dripping Springs, TX on March 23, 3013.
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 coun-
try. 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.”
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 tempera-
tures, and gloomy skies, the ladies
pushed through all 13 obstacles and
completed the 5K run as a unit.
The friendships formed and memo-
ries 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!
SFAT Household 6 Honeys conquer
the “Runaway Bride” obstacle.
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
Thank you to all the SFAT ladies who allowed me
to join them in their bonding experience at the Elec-
tric Run on 30 March in Austin. I donned my $25
worth of dollar store glow in the dark bracelets and
necklaces, my neon tights, and spent 3 hours paint-
ing my "NEON BABES .... ROLL OUT" shirt in
glow in the dark paint and GLITTER. I and 3 other
ladies painted our faces with glow in the dark face
paint like a true neon warrior. We arrived at the ven-
ue, surrounded by tens of thousands of pulsating,
glow in the dark clad runners, ready to take on the
course at full speed. We waited for our heat, and
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 [email protected] if you are interested in joining
Message from Tara Gasper, Senior FRSA Texas ARNG
SFAT Wives participate in the “Electric Run”
benefiting Leukemia Texas in Austin on March 30,
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
other, nothing but keeping each other positive, staying the
course of a tried and true military wife and family that would
make your Service Members proud. Proud of how you carry
yourselves as not only ladies, but as true Guard wives and
Guard Families. Taking turns being someone to turn to, know-
ing that when you are having a "difficult" day, you have some-
one to turn to. Thank you ladies for being an example that I
will use for years to come, for being a shining (and sometimes
muddy) beacon of grace, humility, compassion and a flash of
sparkly and spunk. If y'all will have me, I'd be honored to run
(let's be real, walk) with you again. Cheers!
Tara Gaspar
Sr FRSA, TXARNG
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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, paren-tal injury, and parental loss for very young children. Location/Date: Camp Mabry / April 29th, 2013; 8:00am—4:00pm For questions contact: Julie Ramirez at 512-782-1235 or [email protected]
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, house-keepers, 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 parent’s or caregiver’s return. MKC of-fers informative activities, fun games, helpful videos, and interesting user surveys that can reinforce un-derstanding, 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/
Resources / Support Services
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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 al-
ways 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
month’s 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.
Respectfully-
Jennifer N. Merrill
SFAT Editor
Another Yellow Ribbon event is quickly
approaching!
Please see the flyer on page 7 and register
in JSS today!
Letter from the SFAT Editor
Yellow Ribbon Event
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V OLU ME 1, ISS UE 6 Page 7 http://www.facebook.com/TheArrowheadInsider
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 cli-
mate of mutual and continued support to the 56th SFAT Soldiers.
Texas Quote for March
“I love Texas because Texas is future-oriented, because Texans think anything is possible. Texans think big!”
- Senator Phil Gramm
651 N Red Bud Ln.
Round Rock, TX 78665
5 6 T H I B C T S F A T R E A R D E T
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
Phone: 512-388-6329 ext. 7974315
Fax: 512-218-2156
Together Tomorrow
56th SFAT
For suggestions and feedback contact:
Jennifer Merrill
56th SFAT Newsletter Editor
http://www.facebook.com/TheArrowhead
Insider
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