1. FRSA FLASH
THURSDAY, 22 MARCH 2012 .
Special Points of Interest
THOUGHTS 2
OPERATION 5
PURPLE
THEATER 8
SPECIAL NOTE 12
ACS MRT
VCCUS
16
17
SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!!
LTC Stiller
TF MTN Eagle Cdr
CSM Escalera
TF MTN Eagle CSM
Michele Galloway
TF MTN Eagle FRSA
Office 315-774-1206
Cell 315-836-6496
FROM 277th FRSA: Operation Purple Camp applications are being
accepted now. These are free summer camps for qualifying military de-
pendents. There are 2 camps available in NY State, Camp Wabasso lo-
cally from July 29, 2012 - August 3, 2012 and Pioneer Camp from July 8,
2012 - July 13, 2012 in Western NY. There are also camps available in
other areas of the country as well. To find out more about the camps, the
Contents of this newsletter are compiled from multiple Military Family news sources. Material pre-
sented does not represent the views or endorsement of the 10th CAB or the Army. This material is for
personal use of the readers. All readers are encouraged to do further research for all applicable re-
strictions and guidelines.
2. PAGE 2 FRSA FLASH
THOUGHTS TO CONSIDER !!!
Don't miss your opportunity! People are too often thinking of security rather than opportu-
nity. They hold on to the familiar. They are fearful of taking a risk. They see the crisis in front
of them rather than the hidden opportunity that awaits them.
Life must be filled with awareness when opportunity knocks. Develop an attitude filled with
hope for the future. Your situation is subject to change. Today's crisis holds tomorrow's op-
portunities.
Walter P. Chrysler encouraged people to be sensitive to opportunities in life. He was an
American machinist, railroad mechanic, automotive industry executive and the founder of the
Chrysler Foundation. Chrysler said, "The reason so many people never get anywhere in life is
because when opportunity knocks, they are out in the backyard looking for four-leaf clovers."
Don't spend your life looking for four-leaf clovers. Don't wait for "good luck" to drop in your
lap. Develop a keen sense of destiny in every situation you face. Hidden in the crisis of the
moment is the opportunity for a better tomorrow than what you are facing today!
3. PAGE 3 FRSA FLASH
Fort Drum Tax Assistance Center offers free tax return preparation
Capt. Jordan Walerstein
Tax Assistance Center Officer in Charge
The Fort Drum Tax Assistance Center is scheduled to open Tuesday. Staffed by IRS trained
and certified Soldiers, the TAC will prepare and electronically file your federal and state in-
come tax returns free of charge. By filing your return electronically, you can receive your re-
fund in as little as one week.
Part of the Legal Assistance Office and the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, the TAC staff
assists active-duty Soldiers, mobilized Reservists on active duty for more than 29 days, retired
service members and their Families.
Under Army regulations, self-employed taxpayers and those involved in other private business
activities are not eligible for tax assistance services. (Family Child Care providers remain eligi-
ble.)
The TAC staff also is equipped to prepare 2010 returns for Soldiers returning from deployment
who were not able to file last year.
Located on South Post at the corner of Lewis and Conway / First Street West in Bldg. T-120
(near the AAFES gas station and across the street from Behavioral Health), the TAC will be
open from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Beginning Monday, you may call 772-6727 to schedule a next business day appointment.
Throughout tax season, the appointment line will open at 1 p.m. each day and will remain
open until all appointments are filled for the next business day.
The following documents are required to schedule an appointment:
Military ID (Common Access Card)
Social Security cards for you, your spouse and dependents and/or a Social Security num-
ber verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration. (Your military ID is not suffi-
cient.)
Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents listed on the tax return.
Your Army W-2, which is available at www.mypay.dfas.mil. (Your leave and earnings state-
ment is not sufficient.)
A voided check to receive your refund by direct deposit.
To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present or
have a special power of attorney or IRS Form 2848 authorizing you to sign the return.
The following documents may be necessary depending on your circumstances:
Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) assignment letter for you, your spouse
and dependents;
(Next Page Please)
.
4. FRSA FLASH PAGE 4
Proof of foreign status, if applying for an ITIN;
Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R from all employers of all of your
Family Members;
Interest and dividend statements from banks and brokers, including mortgage interest state-
ments (Forms 1099);
A copy of last year’s federal and state returns if available;
Divorce decrees and receipts for alimony paid or received;
Child custody and support orders;
Receipts for IRA contributions;
Total paid for day care provider and the day care provider’s tax identifying number (the pro-
vider's Social Security number or business Employer Identification Number); and
Receipts and other supporting documentation if you plan to itemize your deductions in lieu of the
standard deduction.
Visit www.facebook.com/drumtax for the most up-to-date information on the TAC.
For more information, call the Fort Drum Tax Assistance Center at 772-3735.
Check out all the FACEBOOK
pages. We have a page for the 10th
Combat Aviation Brigade as well as
each of our Task Forces within our
Brigade.
5. FRSA FLASH PAGE 5
When you hear "Operation Purple camp" you should think: Kids Serve Too! The National Mili-
tary Family Association's Operation Purple camps are a time for having fun, making friends,
and reminding military kids that they are the Nation's youngest heroes.
The Operation Purple program was created in 2004 in response to the call from military par-
ents to "help us help our kids." The mission of the Operation Purple program is to empower
military children and their families to develop and maintain healthy and connected relation-
ships, in spite of the current military environment. We do this through a variety of means, in-
cluding the healing and holistic aspect of the natural world. The program is joint or
"purple"— and open to children and families of active duty, National Guard or Reserve ser-
vice members from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or the Commis-
sioned Corps of the US Public Health Service and NOAA.
Since its creation in 2004, the Operation Purple program has grown to serve approximately
45,000 military children and teens. The Operation Purple program also includes family re-
treats at national parks and specialized family camps geared to address the needs of children
and families of our nation’s wounded service members.
The 2012 traditional Operation Purple camp applications are now available! For information
about a camp, please view http://www.militaryfamily.org/our-programs/operation-purple/2012-
camps/ for the full alphabetical list of camps by state.
MARCH 2012 Preview Is
Now Available Online
http://www.drummwr.com/
ClassesandEvents_files/
March%202012%
20Pre-
view_FMWR_Preview.pdf
8. FRSA FLASH PAGE 8
What’s Playing at the Movies?
Post Theater
Bldg 10725, North Riva Ridge
Admission is $4.50 for adults; $2.25 for children 6-11; FREE for children 5
and younger.
For more movie information, call 772-5571
THU MAR 22 - 1900 One For the Money (PG-13) ALL SEATS FOR THIS SHOWING $1
FRI MAR 23 - 1900 Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (PG)
2130 Safe House (R)
SAT MAR 24 - 1400 Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (PG)
1900 Safe House (R)
2130 Chronicle (PG-13)
SUN MAR 25 - 1400 Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (PG)
1700 Chronicle (PG-13)
THU MAR 29 - 1900 Safe House (R) ALL SEATS FOR THIS SHOWING $1
FRI MAR 30 - 1900 Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (PG-13)
2130 Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds (PG-13)
SAT MAR 31 - 1400 Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (PG)
1900 This Means War (PG-13)
2130 Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (PG-13)
SUN APR 01 - 1400 Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (PG)
1700 Tyler Perry’s Good Deeds (PG-13)
12. FRSA FLASH PAGE 12
MARCH 2012 COMING ATTRACTIONS AND ITEMS OF INTEREST
March 22, 23, & 24 – Hunters Safety Training – Adventure Training
March 23 – In Her Shoes: Living With Domestic Violence – Army Community Service
March 24 – Snowmobile Safety Class
March 24 – Trip To Turning Stone - BOSS
March 24 – Skate Jam – Youth Center
March 26 – 30 – AFTB Instructor Training – Army Community Service
March 30 – Right Arm Night – The Commons
Fort Drum spouse from A Company, 3-10 GSAB promotes first children ’ s
book: Mindy Whitten will be selling and signing copies of her first published
book, “ An Alpaca in My Pocket, ” from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 30 and 31 at
the Post Exchange. Whitten also will read her book during story time at McE-
wen Library March 23, April 17 and June 12. For more information or to pur-
chase a book, email Whitten at AnAlpacaInMyPocket@gmail.com
<mailto:AnAlpacaInMyPocket@gmail.com> .
MARCH 2012 UPCOMING EVENTS
Joe Wietecha , Our Personal Financial Counselor, is
MFLC- back and here to help 277th Soldiers and Families on
Thursdays (at BN) with any financial issues or just to ask
PFC questions. Call him at 586-350-7650 to help set up a
budget, check your credit, develop a plan to get out of debt,
get started investing, or whatever you need assistance
with.
HSC FRG MEETING
Wednesday, March 28th, 2012, 5:30pm
277th Battalion Classroom
15. FRSA FLASH PAGE 15
THRIFT SHOP ANNOUNCEMENT
Are you PCS'ing?? Are your closets and storage rooms busting at the seems?? Do you just have to
much Junk in the house that you want to get rid? Would you like to make some extra MONEY while
clearing it out?? If you said YES to any of these questions, then you need to head on over to the
FORT DRUM THRIFT SHOP!! Or Call 315-772-7189 to set up a PCS appointment!
The Fort Drum Thrift Shop is your one stop shop to get rid of all your Unwanted Items or Acquire
more Treasures! We take donations 24hrs a day in our front lobby or we offer consignments daily
from 0930-1230. We also offer PCS appointments to anyone who is within 90 days of PCS/ETS'ing
in or out of post. What is a PCS appointment you ask?! A PCS appointment allows you to do 1
LARGE Consignment Drop OFF and you'll be assured your consignment check will be forwarded to
you!!
The Thrift Shop is OPEN Tuesday, Wednesdays & Thursdays 0930-1400 we are located on old
post, Building P55 First St. & Quartermaster Rd.
For Sale Specials, Consignment Info or Donation Info call 315-772-7189 or visit us on the WEB @
thriftshopinc.webs.com
Melissa Rexroad
Store Manager
Board of Directors President
UPCOMING YARD SALES
The post wide community yard sales are coming to the neighborhoods the weekend of June 2-3 for
Adirondack Creek and Rhicard Hills and the weekend of June 9-10 is Monument Ridge and
Crescent Woods!
