The 787th EOD Company FRG newsletter provides updates on welcoming home soldiers from deployment. Key details include: - Soldiers returned home on September 15th and received welcome home gifts from the FRG. - The FRG met in August to prepare for homecoming with a guest speaker and workshop on reintegration. - Single soldier welcome home baskets were prepared through group efforts and donations. - The FRG calendar will be reevaluated now that soldiers have returned home from deployment.

1. 3RD Ordnance Battalion (EOD)
FRG Newsletter
SERVICE NOT GLORY Volume 1 Issue 1
From the Battalion Commander
Welcome to the first publication of our Battalion-wide Family
Readiness Group newsletter. Suzanne and I are honored to be part of the 3d EOD
BN and are still getting somewhat settled in. We come to Fort Lewis from Fort Inside This
Bragg, NC where we were stationed for over nine years, three 12 month Issue:
deployments to Iraq and multiple additional deployments including Thailand,
Philippines, Korea and Jordan.
The intent of this newsletter is to provide a forum for each of the BN
company FRGs to show what they are doing and also provide a place for us to Newsletter:
inform our families of activities, installation support agencies and their capabilities,
Page 1
and consolidated calendar. This is NOT a replacement for all the great products and
work that each of our company FRGs produce. This is also not a consolidation of all
HHD:
our FRGs into a single battalion-level FRG. I am a big supporter in allowing and
encouraging company FRGs to maintain their individualism and identity. You know Page 2
your Soldiers and Families the best. We are here to help you.
I encourage all of us to make this and future installments of this 53rd Co:
newsletter helpful for all families. It is important that relevant information is provided Page 3
to our families and that we are doing everything possible to assist them when our
heroes are deployed. Please feel free to provide any feedback that will make this 129th Co:
product better and I personally thank you for your support. Families can never be Page 4
thanked enough for their sacrifice and hard work when the Soldier is deployed.
LTC Bill Downer 707th Co:
Page 5
Command Sergeant Major
710th Co:
I also would like to welcome you the to the Battalion Family
Readiness Group newsletter. I recently arrived from Fort Leonard wood, Missouri Page 6
and it is a privilege for me to be selected as your Command Sergeant Major and
serve the Soldiers and families within the battalion. I am here as a single Soldier 759th Co:
but I do have two children of which have become adults and moved on with their Page 7
own lives.
I have always been an avid supporter of the FRG and understand 787th Co:
the value that each group brings to the families and Soldiers of the organization. It Page 8
is vital that we maintain that presence throughout the battalion in order to support
the families within it. With units continually deploying and redeploying it is Chaplain:
imperative that we have a support network in place to help our families and Page 9
Soldiers at all times. I am confident that we have that here and look forward to
being a part of it. FRSA:
I personally thank all the families for their support and dedication
to their Soldiers and I look forward to meeting you all in the coming weeks.
Page 10
CSM Robert Doig

2. 3RD Ordnance Battalion (EOD)
FRG Newsletter
SERVICE NOT GLORY

3. 3RD Ordnance Battalion (EOD)
FRG Newsletter
SERVICE NOT GLORY
HHD COMPANY
Upcoming Events:
MRX to Fort Riley As the beautiful Fort Lewis summer tapers away, the HHD
(28 Sep - 9 Oct) finds itself heading into a busy fall season. We have had a successful
4 Day weekend reintegration following our deployment. We’ve said farewell to members of
(9 Oct—12 Oct) our family who have moved to other units or have completed their military
careers. And we’ve welcomed new members-from our new E-3’s to our
Hail & Farewell… Battalion Command team.
In the past few months Now as we continue to support our companies in their mission,
we’ve said goodbye to: we begin the preparations for our own upcoming deployment. These
LTC Nordmeyer preparations will include our individual training (Weapons ranges, classes,etc)
and our unit training (mission rehearsal exercises (MRX) held in Fort Riley,
MAJ Elder
KS). Our ultimate goal ? To ensure we as a unit are set up for total mission
MAJ Nikkila success while continuing to provide staff support. We plan on achieving that
CPT Dawson goal through training that is efficient and worthwhile. We understand how
important it is that our soldiers are given the maximum amount of time with
CPT Laase
their families and friends, and therefore plan on making the most of each
CPT Lee training event to minimize redundancy.
CSM Puig
It will be a busy six months., But the support of our families will
1SG Daniels
undoubtedly help pull us through. As always,, we appreciate your patience as
SFC Williams we ask your loved one’s for their valuable time. We assure you that we are
SSG Clovis doing all we can to balance the demands of training and work with down time.
Unfortunately, we do not have an active FRG right now. However, with the
SGT Anderson
help from the Battalion FRSA (Ms. Tammy Flores), an FRG would be a great
SGT Stankevicius way to ensure that our families are kept informed and connected during the
And we’ve had the time leading up to and through the deployment. If anyone is interested in
opportunity to welcome: taking the lead on this endeavor, please let us know ! We will provide all the
support we can. Again thank you for your continued support, patience and
LTC Downer
time !
Congratulations ! Birthday’s! Something to add ?
MAJ Better
MAJ Schoonover •To MAJ Better for his promotion, MSG Ryan – 19 Sept If you have anything you’d
effective 2 Sept. PFC Ruybal – 8 Oct like to share with the families
CPT Wessling
SGT Diaztorres – 11 Oct of the HHD or suggestions of
CSM Doig • To SPC Whitted for competing SPC Gonzalez – 14 Oct what you’d like to see in our
in the 71st Ordnance Group CH Buchanan – 15 Oct newsletter, please feel free to
SFC Leon (EOD) Soldier of the Quarter SPC Frisk – 15 Oct send them to LT Emily
SPC Morris Board. He represented himself, CPT Do – 18 Oct Worthing at
the HHD, and the Battalion very SGT Castleberry – 24 Oct emily.worthing@us.army.mil
SPC Stamper well ! SGT Sheets – 31 Oct
PFC Strawser
PV2 Darby

4. 3RD Ordnance Battalion (EOD)
FRG Newsletter
SERVICE NOT GLORY
53RD COMPANY
Hello again from the Spartan Company Headquarters in Yakima Training Center. I
hope everyone is healthy and in good spirits. The company has been conducting an
aggressive training schedule. The coming months promise to be busy and we
appreciate your support at home.
We are continuing to develop our first FRG event and complete the establishment of
our FRG chapter with regular monthly meetings. These possible events include but
are not limited to a trip to the Silverwood Amusement Park, White Water Rafting,
Paintball, Pool Parties and BBQ’s, and even local Yakima Bears Baseball Games
As most of you know, we have just recently welcomed our new FRG Leader,
Stephanie Applegate. She is doing a wonderful job supporting the families and the
soldiers of the 53rd Company. Thank You Stephanie for what you do each and
everyday to support the company !
Thanks for all you do !
CPT Edward R. Runyan
Commander

5. 3RD Ordnance Battalion (EOD)
FRG Newsletter
SERVICE NOT GLORY
129TH COMPANY
COMPANY COMMANDER
Welcome to the first issue of the 129th Ordnance Company (EOD) Family
Upcoming Events Readiness Group (FRG) newsletter. Our newsletter will cover; upcoming
events, promotions, births, FRG Meetings, etc. Information on local events
Company Mountain climb
and activities will be provided by the battalion Family Readiness Support
1 Oct 09 Assistant (FRSA) within the newsletter. Please ensure you read about
these activities.
FRG Meeting
1 Oct 09—1800 I would like to thank all the soldiers and families for being active
At the company participants in our previous FRG Meetings. We will continue to give the
Soldiers and Families of the 129th the opportunity to provide input on what
Company FTX they would like to see in future FRG meetings. Based on the recent FRG
13-16 Oct 09 Survey’s we will conduct meetings once every two months on a weekday
evening. We will continue to reassess this as we get closer to deployment.
.
As a new FRG we are required to fill two volunteer positions. I would like to
Welcome thank Mrs. Ellie Hite for volunteering to be our first FRG Leader. Our other
SSG David Knight coming to us required position is the FRG Secretary. This position is currently vacant. If
from Fort Bragg, NC you would like to volunteer for this position, or would like to help with the
FRG in any other capacity, please feel free to call myself or the Battalion
FRSA, Tammy Flores. As we continue to grow we will have additional
Farewell Volunteer opportunities.
SGT David Cook—he is ETSing
As a former single Soldier and now married with four children, I understand
after 6 1/2 years in the Army
how important families are to a Soldier. I look forward to hearing from you
and just know I am here to help. Thank you for all the support that you
provide to your Soldier.
CPT Jason Hite
First Sergeant
I would also like to welcome everyone to the Family Readiness Group Newsletter. Helena and I have always
been supporters of the FRG and we look forward to continuing to help the unit grow.
As we get closer to our one year anniversary as a unit here on Fort Lewis, I want to welcome Staff Sergeant
Knight from Fort Bragg, N.C. he is a much anticipated addition to our growing family. We must also bid farewell
to SGT Cook who joined us from the 707th EOD CO for a short period and ETS’d this month. He served the
Army for over six years and deployed two times to Iraq. His first deployment was as a Signal Specialist and his
second deployment was as an EOD Team Member. His contributions to the Army, EOD and our Unit are
greatly appreciated by all and we shall miss him. Thank You SGT Cook for your service.
In closing, I want to Thank all of our Families of the 129th EOD CO for their continued support of the FRG and
all of your Soldiers. Your contributions to this company is what makes this Company such a success.
1SG Frey

6. 3RD Ordnance Battalion (EOD)
FRG Newsletter
SERVICE NOT GLORY
710TH COMPANY
From the company commander
Welcome to the first publication of the 710th EOD Company newsletter. I come to
the710th from the HHD, 3d EOD Battalion. I assumed command on 6 August 2009, so
currently we are in the process of re-shaping the company to better support our growing need.
Currently we have no established positions in the company FRG. So we are
looking for volunteers that would be interested in being the FRG Leader. If interested in a
position, you can contact Tammy Flores (FRSA) at 253-967-9969
We would like to also take this time to bid farewell to our soldiers that have
departed the 710th.
MAJ Chavez MAJ Better MAJ Better SSG Peltz SSG Hooks CPT Vail SSG West
SFC Wilson SFC Rolfe SGT Macialek SSG Cohen SPC Wojtwowski
First Sergeant Thank You all for your Support
CPT Ty Dawson
I would also like to welcome you to the company
Family Readiness Group newsletter. I arrived to the
710th from the HHD, 3d EOD Battalion as well in the
middle of June.
I would just like to say with the coming changes we
are making to the Company, there will be TDY for
most members of the 710th after the new Year.
Establishing a FRG for the 710th is something that
will provide value to all the family members of the
710th and we will need at least an FRG Leader that is
willing to take on this rewarding task. If interested in
fulfilling the FRG Leader position, you can contact
Tammy Flores (FRSA) at 253-967-9969.
1SG Daniels

7. 3RD Ordnance Battalion (EOD)
FRG Newsletter
SERVICE NOT GLORY
707th Company
To all 707th Families,
Thank You all for your support. We could not have done it without you all.
At this time, the soldiers are all doing great, just continuing to move forward into theater at this
time. It is a busy time as you can all imagine.
A great big Thank You to everyone for the Goodie Bags and all of the hard work you
contributed to help get the company ready for the deployment. We appreciate it.
From 707th Company

8. 3RD Ordnance Battalion (EOD)
FRG Newsletter
SERVICE NOT GLORY
759th Company
This month the soldiers of the 759th EOD Company are
wrapping up final preparations for the company’s first deployment since
2006. 12 Soldiers from the 759th, 5 more from sister companies across
the 20th SUPCOM, 1SG Simeroth and CPT Ralston completed the
seven-week Weapons Intelligence Course at Fort Huachuca, Arizona to
meet the requirements for our upcoming deployment.
For this deployment, we have been tasked with a new mission
for Army EOD-Weapons Intelligence. In the past, the EOD member of the
Weapons Intelligence Teams (WIT) has been filled by Air Force and Navy
Techs. This rotation, the Army is fielding the entire WIT task force.
The deploying soldiers of the 759th reluctantly leave behind our
families and friends for the next 8-12 months, as we partner with members
of the 203d Military Intelligence Battalion as the WIT Task Force. During
our deployment we will conduct battlefield forensic investigations to help
identify and capture bomb makers and other insurgents attacking coalition
forces and the people of Iraq.
The company rear detachment, led by SSG Robert Fortney and
SGT Adam Stoffel, will continue our stateside EOD Mission and support
our FRG until we return. The company FRG Leader, Jana Ralston, will
remain at Fort Irwin to assist the families of our deployed soldiers.
CPT Jonathan Ralston

9. 3RD Ordnance Battalion (EOD)
FRG Newsletter
SERVICE NOT GLORY
787th Company
The families and friends of the 787th EOD Company welcomed home their soldiers on Tuesday,
September 15th. It was a joyful experience for everyone involved. The Family Readiness Group (FRG) began
homecoming preparations in August with an FRG meeting and a reunion workshop with Army Community
Services (ACS). Baskets were prepared for the single soldiers and generous donations were collected for all the
soldiers. Every soldier received a welcome home gift from the FRG.
Our August FRG meeting included a special guest, LTC Downer. LTC Downer shared
deployment and homecoming from a soldier’s perspective. We appreciated his insight and expertise. Also at the
meeting we formed a group to prepare the single soldier’s welcome home baskets. We discussed our FRG
calendar for the remainder of the year, and would like to reevaluate our plans for fun events with the FRG since
the soldiers are home. Our September recipe exchange is cancelled until further notice.
Also in August, Pamela Allen, from ACS, conducted a reunion and homecoming class for our
FRG. Kristi Nicholls donated pizzas and drinks for our Friday evening gathering, helping to make it a relaxing and
fun experience for all. Mrs. Allen gave us some practical tips and tools to help make the homecoming transition
easier for our families and relationships. We have enjoyed working with Mrs. Allen throughout the deployment
process, and this class was as interactive as her others, and she got everyone involved in discussion.
Lastly, our single soldier gift baskets were a group effort that was lead by Tammi Moen. Our first
wave of soldiers that returned in August had a basket prepared for them by Stephanie Tilley. The rest of the
baskets were a group effort amongst the FRG including a donation from Mary and Dale Kelly. The highlight of the
welcome home donations were the gift certificates collected by Kari Bross, including a complimentary 16‖ pizza
from Farrelli’s for each and every soldier in the unit. A huge THANKS to all of you that made these welcome home
gifts a success.
The 787th FRG would like to continue to support those soldier’s and families that are in waiting for
the return of their loved one. If you have any special ideas that you would like to have our FRG work on, please let
Sue Ho know by email hos@theho-family.com or phone 208 866 4689.
Thank You,
787th Company

10. 3RD Ordnance Battalion (EOD)
FRG Newsletter
By Chaplain (CPT) Stephan H.
Buchanan SERVICE NOT GLORY
The 3d EOD Battalion Unit
Unit Ministry Team
Prior to becoming an Army Chaplain As a team, as a family, we are all here
Ministry team is a relatively new I was serving in a local church to serve throughout times of stress,
addition to the Battalion. SGT ministry in Springfield, MO. Four deployments, redeployments and
Clarence Slaughter and I, yes, my weeks after putting my packet in for reunions. In the next weeks and
assistant has the cool name of the Active Duty Chaplaincy, I months to come, SGT Slaughter and I
SGT Slaughter, deployed with received a call from my branch will continue to circulate to the EOD
the Headquarters Detachment accepting me to the Army and with Companies. Lastly, if any one, Soldier
(HHD). We returned in early short notice orders to move to Fort or spouse, needs help or assistance,
May. After Block leave, and Lewis and deploy. Within one week I please do not hesitate to contact SGT
PCSing to Fort Lewis, we are now was at fort Lewis and 28 days later I Slaughter or myself.
on the ground and ready to serve. was with the 3d EOD HHD in
Afghanistan. Because of the short A Short Note
SGT Slaughter and his wife notice, my wife and I decided to wait Life, especially in the Army can be a
Cynthia come to the battalion with until we returned from the hard venture for the whole family.
a wealth of knowledge and deployment to move. When life unexpectedly throws me a
experience as they have served curve ball, I try to remember :
in many units through out the My lovely bride, Alaine Buchanan, Philippians 4:13 ―I can do all things
world. Most notably, they spent comes to us with a lot of knowledge through the LORD God who
4 years in Korea in both battalion and experience. She taught strengthens me.‖ When life gets hard,
and brigade positions. Religious Studies / Philosophy at the do not hesitate to call on God, he can
university level for four years and handle it. If you do not know how to call
Some of you may have seen Mrs. she is currently working on her PhD on God, ask a friend, or even your
Cynthia Slaughter here at Fort in Biblical Theology from Regent Chaplain, I am sure he would be happy
Lewis. She works at the ID Card University, Virginia Beach. to help.
Facility in Waller Hall.
PROTESTANT RELIGIOUS SERVICES
Chapel next sun 1000 Four Chaplains Memorial Chapel
Liturgical Sun 0800 Main post Chapel
Collective Protestant sun 1000 Main Post Chapel
Collective Protestant Sun 1030 Soldiers Chapel
Contemporary Sun 1100 McChord Chapel
Gospel Sun 1100 North Fort Chapel
CATHOLIC RELIGIOUS SERVICES
Reconciliation Sat 1600 Main Post Chapel
Mass Sat 1700 Main Post Chapel
Mass Sun 0900 North Fort Chapel
Mass Sun 1200 Main Post Chapel
Mass Daily 1150 Main Post Chapel
Chaplain Stephan H. Buchanan
Email: stephan.h.buchanan@ us.army.mil
Phone Numbers:
Office: (253) 966-6651
Cell: (253) 973-3428
SGT Clarence D. Slaughter
Email: Clarence.slaughter@us.army.mil
Phone Number: St. Barbara, The Patron Saint
Cell: (253) 548-4883 of EOD

11. 3RD Ordnance Battalion (EOD)
FRG Newsletter
SERVICE NOT GLORY
Family Readiness Support Assistant newsletter
Battalion FRSA
Hello, my name is Tammy Flores and I am 3rd EOD’s Family Readiness
support Assistant. I am fairly new to 3rd EOD, but not new to the Army. I have
only been in my current position for 6 months and during this time, I have
learned so much from so many different people, so thank You to all of you. My
husband has been in the Army for 22 years and we have had the opportunity to
travel the world and during that time, I have played an active role in volunteering
within my husband’s Units. I have been an FRG Leader and also have held
other volunteer positions for approximately 10 years of our 22 Year career. We
have three beautiful children and one granddaughter. Since, I have been in this
position I have met a lot of wonderful people both in this Unit and beyond. To
the Soldiers, Spouses , volunteers and the supporters within 3rd EOD I just
want to say THANK YOU for what you do each and everyday to support the
families and more important, your Soldier.
Welcome Home
Well this is a really busy and also bittersweet time for the Battalion right now, as most
FRG Leadership Training of you already know; As you are probably reading this, we have great news to share.
Oct 21st/22nd 9:00-2:30 Call FRC We have just welcomed home one of our company's (787th) from their deployment.
@ (253) 967-9496 to register. We wish the families the best, and as they get to spend a lot of fun wonderful times
Registration opens one month prior. getting to bond their family together again, rekindle their marriages, soldiers meeting
Childcare available with prior their brand-new babies for the first time, and get lots of hugs and kisses from the
registration. Optional Food Handlers children that have grown up in the time that there soldier was deployed. We can’t
course available for training forget about the people back home that have supported our Soldiers during the
participants from 2:30-3:30 on the first deployment. From Wives, Moms, Dad’s and even Strangers ; all donating treats, care
packages to as simple as sending money and making phone calls. We couldn't have
day of training.
done it without the support from you all. I would also like to send out a Great big
Thank You to Sue Ho for her dedication as an FRG Leader in supporting the families
FRG Treasurer Training of 787th during the deployment, all the while raising her own family. You are a great
Oct 28th 6:30 –7:30 p.m. asset to 3rd EOD and we could not have done it without you and your duty to
Covers fundraising, guidelines for volunteering.
FRG Funds, Maintaining FRG FAREWELLS
Account/Audit, Forms. Call FRC We also have to say goodbye for a short period of time, to our fine soldiers from
@ 253-967-9496 to register. (707th) as they departed in Sept for a 12 Month deployment. These fine soldiers
said goodbye to their families so they can go out and support the mission. Soon
Resource of the Month enough the soldiers and their families will start planning for the day that they will be
The United States Postal Service reunited with there loved ones again. While they are away, please keep our
offers free packing material to Soldiers and their families in your prayers each and everyday. During the
spouses and family Members deployment I would recommend for family members to get to know one another,
who’s Soldiers are deployed join a support group or attend a class that you have always wanted to attend. First
and foremost make sure to take care of yourselves.
oversees. To take advantage of
As most of you know, we have recently had the honor of having Melissa Fitzgerald
this offer, you will need to call take on the responsibility as the FRG Leader for 707th Company. I know that she
1-800-610-8734 and press option 1 is going to do a wonderful job in supporting the Family members as well as the
for English and then option 1 to soldiers. I have to say that in the short time that I have known Melissa, I have to
speak to a Representative. The say that she is kind, and a dedicated spouse. I have no doubt that she will do a
package includes, 6 boxes, Tape, wonderful job in supporting the families. (Between her and the families of 707th,
Address Labels and customs they have already arranged a goodie bag for soldiers while they are on the plane) I
forms. These boxes are all flat rate look forward to getting to know her better and also working with her, so that we can
boxes. assist you all in getting through this deployment together.