Kent Worford, left, superintendent of Department of Defense Education Activity - Europe, West District, talks COVID-19 prevention measures with Col. James Yastrzemsky, right, U.S. Army Garrison Benelux commander. Yastrzemsky hosts Coffee with Commander to keep community members informed of updates within the garrison and to hear from community members. (U.S. Army video screengrab)
Notes from Coffee with the Commander, Aug. 6, 2021
By the USAG Benelux Public Affairs Office
CHIÈVRES, Belgium – Col. James Yastrzemsky, commander of the U.S. Army Garrison Benelux, hosted Coffee with the Commander, a garrison town hall event, Aug. 6 at the garrison headquarters at Chièvres Air Base.
Joining Yastrzemsky in the headquarters’ Resiliency Room were Kent Worford, superintendent of Department of Defense Education Activity – Europe, West District; Amanda Hill, the chief of master planning for the Directorate of Public Works; Patrician Wilkinson, the chief of Housing at DPW; Matthieu Chapeyron, team member at DPW; Kevin Timmons, anti-terrorism officer with S3/5/7; and Josie Belanger, Family member and volunteer; and Shawn Ticho, acting director of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.
Several other garrison leaders and representatives called into the event.
Below are the notes from the meeting:
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Yastrzemsky began the meeting by welcoming back participants after the summer months, bidding farewell to all those who permanently changed station and welcoming all the new community members who are going to call USAG Benelux home.
He brought Hill, who was the previous winner and steward of the lunch pail award, which recognizes those who work behind the scenes at the garrison and exemplify a good work ethic. Hill received the lunch pail for her dedication to the garrison and the long-term future of the garrison.
The awardee leaves behind a small symbol, and Hill left a 10-millimeter wrench. She said that the heart of what DPW does is blue-collar work, that people appreciate when their toilets or door handles are working.
The new recipient of the lunch pail award was Josie Belanger, a Family member and volunteer with Army Community Services.
Yastrzemsky went on to talk about some of the information videos that Army Community Services has been releasing on their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ACSBenelux), one of which features Belanger providing a virtual tour of Chièvres Air Base.
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Following the lunch pail award, Yastrzemsky had Worford deliver news about DoDEA-Europe, West District ahead of the new school year.
DoDEA-E West has oversight on 17 schools, several of which are supported by and support USAG Benelux.
Worford first talked about virtual school, which is still an option. There are still a portion of students taking part in the virtual school, but the majority of students are going to school in person.
School begins for AFNorth in the Netherlands and SHAPE in Belgium next week with the arrival of the teachers and the arrival of the students the week after that. Teachers and students report at Brussels American School after that.
Worford says the schools are going to be working to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 and its variants, much as they did during the previous school year.
DoDEA applies Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines to their schools to ensure the safety of the studentry, the faculty, and their Families.
Staff and teachers will be trained on COVID-19 prevention measures and further precautions.
Worford urged parents to be the first line of defense by checking whether their children are sick before they leave for school.
Masks will continue to be required at school and on the bus.
Some normal classroom procedures may resume during the forthcoming school year. Six-feet distances have been relaxed in classroom layouts.
DoDEA-E West is not purchasing any new barriers, and they may be removing some of the barriers.
If a COVID-19 case has comes to light, DoDEA-E West will follow up with medical staff to reach out to those who may have been in close contact with those who have been positively diagnosed with COVID-19.
Regular cleaning will continue to take place to ensure the environment is safe.
The schools will also continue to follow the health protection condition levels to determine the best actions to prevent transmission of COVID-19.
Lunch will continue to be grab-and-go to reduce risk of transmission.
Each school is developing a visitation plan to ensure correct documentation of visitors in the eventuality a positive case of COVID-19 becomes known.
Music and band will continue as they did during the previous year, but with the same mitigation measures in place.
DoDEA-E West plans to start up curricular and cocurricular activities, if command grants approval. Thye plan on sports such as seven-on-seven football, cross-country, cheerleading, volleyball and other clubs and activities. But they will do this in keeping with host nation and command guidance.
DVS is a school-year length commitment, Worford said. And going back to a brick-and-mortar school requires a letter to Worford himself. The reason that they are sticking to that commitment is because the district must make staffing decisions based off the projected studentry.
Yastrzemsky emphasized what Worford spoke about, saying it remains crucial for community members to call in sick when they are feeling ill, which reduces the chances for COVID-19 transmission to happen. He also recommended continuing to follow good hygiene into the future (maintaining physical distance and washing hands).
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Yastrzemsky talked about the COVID-19 registration process and how the SHAPE medical leadership is seeking to standardize a process for USAG Benelux community members who received vaccination through the SHAPE Healthcare Facility to register with Belgium.
Lt. Col. Christian Labra, deputy commander for clinical services at SHAPE, joined Yastrzemsky by telephone.
Labra said the uptick in cases is where the vaccination rate is low, which is why he encourages those who haven’t been vaccination to get their full vaccinations.
“We follow the data and we make the best judgment we have at the time,” said Labra. “As we look toward masks and concern about the spread, just everyone keep your ear to the ground.”
Labra also said there is another COVID-19 vaccination drive taking place from 2 to 6 p.m. Aug. 20 at the SHAPE Elementary School Multi-purpose room. The purpose is to catch anyone who has been travelling and haven’t had the chance to get the vaccine.
“There is no shortage of vaccines on hand,” said Yastrzemsky. “Get in line to get a vaccine.”
A question came in on the comments about obtaining a COVID-19 registration if a community member got vaccinated on post. Labra elaborated that there is no standardized way to get the passport. Labra said the staff is working to find a solution.
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Following Labra’s segment, Wilkinson and Chapeyron joined the colonel to discuss housing at USAG Benelux.
Chapeyron encouraged residents with Army Family Housing or the barracks to use the Army Maintenance Application, a website available at http://armymaintenance.com, to submit work orders.
Furthermore, Chapeyron talked about giving prospective newcomers a view of Army Family Housing at USAG Benelux.
Chapeyron talked about the recently opened barbecue area at the unaccompanied service member barracks.
Water testing is ongoing at housing and barracks to ensure quality. Workers will be visiting to collect samples. Chapeyron assured the audience that it is good to drink, cook with and otherwise use, that this is verified by host nation authorities.
DPW will also distribute fans to those who want as well as new trashcans.
Upcoming projects in the barracks including automatic lighting in the hallway, which is under bid, as are closed circuit television.
Yastrzemsky also mentioned that a new annual housing survey is forthcoming.
“Don’t wait for the survey,” he said. “Feedback is a gift.”
He also commended the housing team for their professionalism.
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Following the housing team, Timmons joined Yastrzemsky to talk anti-terrorism awareness during August, which the Army recognizes as AT Awareness Month.
Timmons clarified that anti-terrorism practices are what his team and the garrison are conducting year-round.
“Our job is to put our head on a 360 and watch your back,” said Timmons.
Timmons and Yastrzemsky emphasized that this is not to frighten anyone, just to make them aware that there are risks and not everyone is friendly or acting within the best interests of the garrison and its community members.
Installation Management Command recently recognized Timmons and fellow anti-terrorism officers Rick Bertrand and Sara Lewis as the running the best small-installation anti-terrorism program for 2020.
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Darryl Witt, the acting Army Community Services chief, joined by telephone.
ACS is offering more in-person programs, including tours of Mons, Belgium, and Brunssum, the Netherlands, to familiarize themselves with their new host-nation communities. In Brussels, there are tours of the public transportation system so that community members can gain their bearings on the various metro, train and bus lines. They can help community members learn how to pay for parking and to go grocery shopping.
“It’s a great way for a local national to show you the ropes,” said Witt of the various programs.
Witt also recommended community members find volunteer opportunities through ACS or find advice for gaining employment. He also recommended community members “Like” the new ACS Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ACSBenelux)
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Ticho joined the discussion in person to discuss updates within the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.
He began by mentioning that DFMWR is hiring, and that they are partnering with ACS to conduct a hiring fair. It takes place at Chièvres Air Base, but is being projected out to the other USAG Benelux communities.
He recommended community members visit www.usajobs.gov, and look for vacancies in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Events that DFMWR is hosting include an ongoing open event at the 3-Star restaurant at Brussels from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays.
There will be a welcome expo Aug. 14 at USAG Benelux – Brunssum. The Brussels welcome event will be at the 3-Star Aug. 20.
There are 20th anniversary 9/11 memorial events taking place at the three main garrison locations.
For these and many, many more programs DFMWR offers garrison community members, visit one of their three sites:
- Chièvres / SHAPE community: https://chievres.armymwr.com/
- Brussels / Sterrebeek community: https://brussels.armymwr.com/
- Tri-border community: https://brunssum.armymwr.com/
More information on DFMWR programs can also be found at the Digital Garrison app, available on most app stores (www.army.mil/article/245525).
“Every time I come visit you and your team at the Child, Youth and School facilities, I am amazed by the ethic of the teammates there, and amazed by the passion for teaching kids,” said Yastrzemsky. “If you’re looking for a cool job that makes a difference for one another, come join our Benelux team, whether it’s the BeneBrew, the Hub, or our CYS staff. You will not be disappointed. You will be better off, and we will be better off to have you.”
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As Yastrzemsky often ends Coffee with the Commander, he asked the audience a trivia question: What does the 19th Amendment of the Constitution guarantee?
The answer: women’s rights to vote. Aug. 26 is Women’s Equality Day, which celebrates the passage of the 19th Amendment. Pamela Phillips, a personal financial readiness specialist with the garrison, was the first to answer the question correctly and thus won a World War II-style cricket from the Yastrzemsky.
Yastrzemsky also encouraged everyone to take the chance to enjoy leave. Travel, even within the Benelux, is rewarding.
He further encouraged community members to download the Digital Garrison app (learn more at www.army.mil/article/245525).
Then, on a serious note, he expressed his condolences to all the Families whom recent flooding within the area has affected. He also expressed pride in the efforts community members have put forward to help those in need.
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Finally, Yastrzemsky announced that U.S. Army Garrison Benelux is hosting the Chièvres Air Fest Sept. 25 at Chièvres Air Base, Belgium, a festival to celebrate and form bonds between the garrison and local host nation partners.
In addition to static aircraft displays on post, there will also Family-friendly activities, including face painting, balloons, bounce houses, trampolines, and more.
This is the first in a planned series of annual community relations events.
“There’s going to be food, there’s going to be your beverage of choice there, and most importantly there’s going to be people,” said Yastrzemsky. “We’re going to be surrounded by our community that I’m proud to live in each day outside the gates. That’s a huge, huge win that we’re all excited to bring back.”