Family Strong Hawaii

On February 1, 2010

Family Strong Hawaii is moving to its new location at

www.mwrarmyhawaii.com/family-strong-hawaii

Come Visit Us!

 Courtesy of KITV News

        On Thursday, November 19, 2009, Hawaii welcomed back the 25th Infantry Division "Tropic Lightning" at a ceremony on Sills Field, Schofield Barracks.  After a year in Iraq, all were happy about their Soldiers' return.  Later that evening, Country Singer Lee Ann Womack sang for hundreds of military families and thanked our Soldiers for their service to our Country.  Thank you Ms. Womack for your Patriotism by giving your time for our Military!

 Courtesy of KHON News

        Hundreds of Soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division returned to Hawaii after a year's deployment to Iraq only to find out about the shooting at Fort Hood earlier that day.

Courtesy of KHON News 

        On October 12, 2009, 360 Soldiers from the 3^rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team also known as the Bronco Brigade returned home to their families after their deployment to Iraq. Welcome home Soldiers. We are proud of you and your accomplishments in helping build that country's schools and other needed services.

        After being away for a whole year, our 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, began returning home to Hawaii and their families on September 8, 2009. There was happiness and relief that our Soldiers were home! Go Bronco Brigade!

Courtesy of K5 News

[Click on Picture to Listen to the Recording] 

        This demo was recorded on August 24, 2009, in the Schofield Tropics Recreation Center Music Studio by Hawaii Army spouse Ashley Bartlett, who also wrote the song.  Fantastic!

        When Specialist William Lurbe got off the airplane in Honolulu, after his year long deployment in Kuwait and Iraq with the 100th Battalion, 442d Infantry, little did he know that his girlfriend and family were waiting at the Gate.  This short video says it all, and it is a tear-jerker!

Killed in action

 A suicide epidemic has soldiers killing themselves in record high numbers. Some months this year saw more American soldiers die by suicide than in combat. Hawaii has sent a vast number of troops to Iraq–more, at times, than any other state. Now, with a flood of soldiers now returning from Iraq, the ramped-up U.S. presence in Afghanistan and some local units preparing for their fourth and fifth deployments, Honolulu Weekly examines the toll that war is taking on our soldiers and their families, and what the agencies designed to serve them are doing about it.

Commentary:

        Hawaii's Military was touched and so very thankful for the show of support by Chef Duff and the entire Crew of the Ace of Cakes Program.  Their expression of appreciation by creating and presenting to our Troops a Black Hawk Helicopter Cake was a tremendous show of Patriotism, and it certainly was a hit with the Crowd at the Tropics Recreation Center at Schofield Barracks.  Thank you Chef Duff.  You and your Staff are true Patriots, and our Soldiers and Families here in Hawaii salute you!

         See YouTube Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbzQWFUb-qw

Story by Leslie Ozawa

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- "You're not stepping out in front of 200-300 people, saying, 'Hey, I need help,'" said Spc. Jesse Farrell of the 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery, in answering local television news reporter Shayne Enright, who asked how he felt about taking a Soldier Evaluation for Life Fitness (SELF) survey.

Farrell is one of more than 4,000 Soldiers who are the first in Hawaii to participate in the Army's SELF program. SELF incorporates behavioral health as a routine component of the health readiness process for all soldiers returning to their home stations after deployment.

Beginning May 18, Farrell and other 2nd Stryker Brigade Soldiers, now back from block leave, have been reporting to the Schofield Barracks Health Clinic to get follow-on health screenings, to assess all aspects of their health. The brigade, which was involved in some of the heaviest battles during the surge of U.S. forces in Iraq last summer, redeployed earlier this year, and is now returning to its training routine at Schofield Barracks.

Soldiers begin SELF by first taking computer-based self assessments. On-site clinicians can view the results of the assessments immediately afterwards, allowing them to tailor their consults to meet the Soldiers' particular needs. Soldiers can then be evaluated for individual health risks that may range from behavioral health issues, such as depression and anxiety, as well as physical health issues.

Since every Soldier receives a medical consultation on-site, no one is stigmatized if he or she is being seen by a behavioral healthcare provider. Through early detection, healthcare providers can provide more prompt and effective therapies for a Soldier's well-being.

"It's really private, just you and the computer, asking the right questions, so the medical staff can determine who is having issues," said Farrell.

"We've had a great response," said Lt. Col. Matthew Rettke, deputy commander for the Schofield Barrack clinic, in commenting on the 200 Soldiers who had already completed the health screening as of last week Wednesday.

"This provides them an opportunity, about 90 days after they return home, after they've had time to integrate with their family members and time for some of these issues to come to the forefront, to address issues that may not have been evident in the first few weeks."

"The Army has changed: how we fight wars and what happens after Soldiers redeploy," said Col. Todd McCaffrey, 2nd Stryker Brigade commander. "Army medicine has changed and better recognizes the mental and emotional challenges of returning home."

Tripler Army Medical Center's health clinic at Schofield Barracks is the second medical facility Army-wide to implement the SELF program, which began as a pilot program in 2005 at Madigan Army Medical Center at Fort Lewis, Washington.

Long-term plans are to implement the program Army-wide.

[Photo is a sample of Hawaiian Canoe Racing]

There's a new way to support America's military, and all you have to do is watch canoe races. The U.S. Attorney's office announced the wounded warrior canoe regatta Tuesday. It's not a fundraiser, but a tribute to those in Hawaii that have been hurt serving the country. All branches of the military, as well as police officers and firefighters will compete against each other for canoe supremacy.

"This will be a family event but you will see bragging rights," U.S. Attorney Ed Kubo said. "This event could be larger than the army navy game."

"To me the bragging rights is just bragging rights it is what it is but we're all out there to have a good time together," Sgt. Garrett Wisnieski, U.S. Army "Wounded Warrior" said.

The event is Saturday, May 30 at the Rainbow Bay Marina near Pearl Harbor. The races run from 9:00 to 12:00. Food and drinks will be on sale. Parking is limited, and you're encouraged to bring your own beach chair.

Photo Taken by  BRUCE ASATO, The Honolulu Advertiser

Soldiers with the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team uncased the unit's colors during a ceremony yesterday at Schofield Barracks.

Photo Taken by BRUCE ASATO, The Honolulu Advertiser 

Army Capt. Logan Veath, left, appeared with Spc. Andrew Howard during the redeployment ceremony for the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team at Schofield Barracks yesterday. Veath has been awarded a Bronze Star with a V for valor for saving Howard's life in Iraq.

Courtesy of KHNL News - Families cheer as the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team marches in.

News clips from KITV, KGMB and KHNL.

Photo Taken by Sgt. Maj. Terry Anderson, 8th Theater Sustainment Public Affairs

More than 400 Soldiers returned home to Hawaii following a 15-month deployment to Iraq with the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. The redeployment ceremony took place at the Wheeler Army Airfield Multiple Deployment Facility.

Photos Taken by GREGORY YAMAMOTO | The Honolulu Advertiser

Schofield Barracks soldiers use teamwork to cross elevated ropes and get to their next station, as part of a reintegration training exercise.  Courtesy of the Honolulu Advertiser.

Photo Taken by Mr. Loran Doane, Media Relations Chief, U.S. Army Garrison, Hawaii

LTC David Davidson and Mrs. Lisa McCaffrey being interviewed by KHON News Reporter Jai Cunningham Live on the Set.

Photo Taken by: Sgt. Maj. Terry Anderson, 8th Theater Sustainment Command Public Affairs.

Lt. Col. Brian Bisacre, commander of the 728th Military Police Battalion, leads his Soldiers into the Wheeler Army Airfield Multiple Deployment Facility early morning, Jan. 27, returning to Hawaii following a 15-month deployment to Iraq. More than 180 Soldiers from the 728th and the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team were welcomed by family members and loved ones.  Courtesy of Army.mil News