Col. James Yastrzemsky, the U.S. Army Garrison Benelux commander, hosted “Coffee with the Commander,” a garrison town hall event Feb. 11, 2021 on CAB, Belgium.
Notes from the Feb. 11 Coffee with the Commander
CHIÈVRES, Belgium – At the soon-to-open on-post coffee shop Bene Brew, Col. James Yastrzemsky, the U.S. Army Garrison Benelux commander, hosted “Coffee with the Commander,” a garrison town hall event Feb. 11.
Directors, office chiefs and other leaders joined Yastrzemsky to discuss topics of importance to the community and take questions from community members who joined online.
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Yastrzemsky began the session with the lunch pail award, an award given to garrison employees who have excelled often behind the scenes. Each awardee carries the lunch pail with them and leaves a small token that symbolizes something important to them. Last month’s awardee was Joshua Alo, postmaster at the Brussels Site, who left behind a miniature aircraft carrier. The aircraft carrier symbolizes support and family, said Alo, because it provides support for those far away from home.
Cornelis (Nils) Hobbel, the Directorate of Emergency Services Contracting Officer’s Representative, introduced Mario Mauceri, a gate guard at Chièvres Air Base, the February recipient of the lunch pail. Mauceri expressed his passion to work from the heart and shared his joy serving the Benelux.
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Yastrzemsky recognized the entire USAG Benelux team, commending efforts made to keep the community safe and informed during the inclement weather delayed reporting’s and closures.
He referenced his visit to SHAPE schools and shared his positive experience meeting with the team and the school’s student ambassadors.
Additional good news was shared with the announcement that hair services will reopen on Chievres Air Base and in Brussels beginning 13 Feb. For more information check the Facebook page Stylique Chievres Salon or call 068275340.
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Yastrzemsky, joined by Col. Kathy Spangler, commander of the SHAPE Healthcare Facility and Brussels Army Health Clinic transitioned into updates on the vaccine.
800+ shots have been delivered within the community to date, with 200 more expected in the next 1-2 weeks. The clinic and team continue to follow the DOD tiered approach scheme and are working diligently within the approved processes to get more quantities, for the community.
Yastrzemsky stated the symptoms he experienced from the 2nd shot were a bit amplified compared to the first round, flu-like with fatigue and soreness in the arm. Spangler said, “the 2nd dose is a reminder to your immune system” confirming the reaction a normal expectation, the vaccine doing its job, highlighting the 94% efficacy of the vaccine after the 2nd dose. She further encouraged the community read additional information at CDC.gov.
Spangler encouraged the community to let the clinic know of dependents and family members wanting the vaccine. She shared the team is building on ways for individuals to self-identify if they are high-risk so that can be factored into the continued vaccine roll-out.
Answering questions about program distribution differences Spangler said, “right now we only have the vaccine to give to our U.S. counterparts, but we are working a plan, working with our host nation hoping in the future we’ll be able to vaccine all of our community, no matter what nation you are from”.
The question was asked about vaccines for those under 18. Right now, the garrison has access to the Moderna vaccine which can only be given to those 18 and over, in alignment with manufacturers.
Community Immunity is the goal through the vaccine. However, even after the vaccine individuals will need to continue following public health measures in accordance with most current DOD and CDC guidelines.
A question was asked about the flu shot. “It’s available, we have plenty” said Spangler, “please come and get it.” The Immunizations Clinic is a walk-in facility Monday through Friday from 0800 – 1400.
COVID-19 testing for travel was discussed. The clinic can do testing for official travel only, leisure travel testing at this time must be secured on your own.
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After discussion of COVID-19 with Spangler, Kent Worford, superintendent for DoDEA – Europe, West District, joined the discussion by telephone to deliver an update on the schools.
SHAPE and AFNorth schools will be off 15-19 February due to the pre-lent season, schools operate on an international schedule.
21 February, all SHAPE schools will return to face-to-face instruction.
22 February, AFNorth elementary will return to face-to-face instruction with middle-high school returning 1 March in alignment with the most recent host nation restrictions for the Netherlands.
Kleine Brogel will have a town hall on 17 February, further information will be sent out to parents.
A reminder was issued for all schools (including Brussels) that mid-term grades are forthcoming, check with schools and teachers to ensure your student is staying on-track.
Virtual accreditation visits will be occurring 14-24 March. This is important especially for the high schools and an opportunity to evaluate and showcase how DoDEA is performing.
A question was asked from the community to keep elementary home until middle school students returned. Worford advised DoDEA is following the host nation restrictions for dates and elementary returns 22 February.
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“Save the date” remarked Stacy Perez, director of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.
Bene Brew will open officially, 22 February.
Opening will be aligned with current restrictions. Initial hours of operation will be Monday through Friday from 0700 to 1400 with both breakfast and lunch offerings. Future plans (when allowable) will include in-facility dining and adult beverages.
It was shared MWR is continuing to expand their employee hiring actions and interested individuals can apply. Perez also discussed updates to include expansion of operation hours at the Brussels library. Access will continue to remain by appointment.
For class schedules, activities and operations, the community was encouraged to follow MWR on Facebook.
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CYS (Mr. Shawn Ticho) joined via telephone and happily reported staff and kids are creatively engaging in their “functional fitness”. The community was advised to visit militarychildcare.com to join the waitlist for care and CYS is working to get requests addressed as soon as possible.
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Command Sgt. Maj. Katrina Herzfeld joined Yastrzemsky on camera to answer a community member’s question regarding Army Combat Fitness Test across the Benelux. It was shared projects are in the works for hard shell covered facilities at Chievres and Dulemen, slated for 2022.
Herzfeld also discussed the recent “Best Warrior” competition and gave shout outs to the participants and winners.
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Yastrzemsky reminded the community to download the Digital Garrison app and register for USAG Benelux to receive updates.
By U.S. Army Garrison Benelux Public Affairs