Charlotte Richter/Editor
The Fort Leavenworth Garrison Command Team hosted an in-person town hall meeting on August 24 at the Frontier Conference Center to recognize a Scouts BSA Scoutmaster, share installation guidelines and upcoming events, and answer community questions.
This was the first in-person meeting since the pandemic began in early 2020. The command team has hosted virtual Garrison Community Update meetings via Facebook throughout the pandemic.
Garrison Commander Col. John Misenheimer Jr. said that before each meeting, the commando team and installation partners meet with community members who serve as mayors in each neighboring village to gather feedback from service members on posts and develop possible solutions. Misenheimer said the command team and representatives also participate in village tours in the fall to address individual concerns and engage with the community.
“We can talk about things around the house, around the neighborhood, or about (life in the post office) because we’re always looking for suggestions on how we can make things better.”
Misenheimer said community members can also stay up to date through the installation’s three digital marquees, social media accounts for the garrison and other organizations, and by reading the Fort Leavenworth Lamp newspaper.
“It’s all about the community here. It’s the best hometown for the army, I believe, because we have the ability to discuss things and make things better. We have a great team (of professionals from all fields) delivering services that are truly first class.”
Public Service Commendation Medal
During the meeting, Misenheimer presented Scouts BSA Troop 166 Scoutmaster Sarah Groefsema with the Public Service Commendation Medal for her leadership and dedication to Troop 166, the first female BSA troop at Fort Leavenworth, beginning in 2019 when the Boy Scouts of America became Scouts BSA Enroll girls in the program. He said Groefsema’s efforts helped grow the force from seven to 26 scouts and included quality scouting programs for military families.
“(Groefsema has invested) tireless, countless hours. She’ll probably be humble, and she’ll probably say it was a team effort, but the truth is, it takes people with a vision…it takes energy, it takes work, and those are all qualities that you’ve shown that you embody.” , said Misenheimer. “(You put blood and sweat into this squad, so we want to recognize you.”
childcare
Misenheimer began a series of warnings by urging parents to review child care installation regulations at the post. He offered attendees a childcare guide provided by the Army Community Service, the Family Advocacy Program and Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, which outlined age and requirements for childcare by a parent or caregiver, curfews, and relevant Points contains of the contact.
He said as a father he had a copy of the guidelines and he asked families to be aware of their responsibilities.
“Just asking if you are not familiar with these rules at the post office please familiarize yourself with them. The main thing is we just want to protect our children,” Misenheimer said.
View the Child Supervision Policy at https://leavenworth.armymwr.com/application/files/5215/2725/4913/FLKSupervision_policy.pdf.
Protocol for Reveille and Retreat
Misenheimer clarified expectations in response to questions about the proper response to horn calls while driving on the facility.
He explained that drivers on Grant Avenue must stop, park their vehicles, and wait until the 6am reveille and 5pm retreat calls are over before proceeding. Drivers on Grant Avenue are not required to exit their vehicles during Reveille and Retreat.
He said drivers on other streets across from the post should stop and park their vehicles during Reveille and Retreat, and he asked them to get out of their cars to show the proper salute or courtesy and wait for the call is finished before proceeding.
He reminded those in attendance that there is no protocol for taps to be played at 9 p.m
Read more about Reveille and Retreat at https://www.ftleavenworthlamp.com/2018/11/21/properly-respond-to-daily-bugle-calls/.
Physical training uniform
Misenheimer reminded community members that physical training at Fort Leavenworth occurs Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. as directed by the commanding general. During these hours, service members are required to wear PT uniforms on display in all post gyms and outdoors.
Interactions with wildlife
Fort Leavenworth is home to a variety of wildlife. Misenheimer urged attendees to be safe and avoid contact with wildlife.
“If you see a wild animal because we live with them – that’s really their habitat – I ask you to avoid it. Leave it alone,” he said.
He said anyone who feels threatened by the presence of a wild animal should call 913-684-2111 to dispatch an animal control expert from the Directorate of Emergency Services. He said that when there is imminent danger, such as B. a dog fight, the same number can be called to alert the dispatcher to send a police officer.
recycling and hazardous waste
Misenheimer said Fort Leavenworth actively practices recycling, and military housing offers recycling bins. He said community members can also visit the installation’s recycling center to drop items into designated bins, including those for cardboard, mixed recycling, glass and scrap metal.
Misenheimer asked people interested in using the facility to be mindful of the items they recycled and to only recycle certain items. He said the facility has a history of receiving dumped items that cannot be recycled and are difficult and expensive to remove.
He said the facility also has a household hazardous waste center open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The center accepts goods that cannot be disposed of in the regular trash and stores materials such as paint and insect repellent that can be collected free of charge.
For more information on both facilities, see https://home.army.mil/leavenworth/index.php/my-fort/all-services/environmental-management and https://www.ftleavenworthlamp.com/2022/03/ 03 /many-options-for-unwanted-article-waste-2/.
In progress
Misenheimer said construction of a new child development center on Hancock Avenue next to the existing Santa Fe CDC, which is currently closed due to staffing issues, will begin in 2024. He said the new location is an upgrade of the existing facility, which offers safer classroom layouts and nearly double the space for infants and toddlers.
He said the installation also plans to build a new military museum within 5 to 10 years outside of Grant Gate, with fundraising led by the 9th and 10th Cavalry Associations.
He said while the Frontier Army Museum offers an extensive array of exhibits to explain Fort Leavenworth’s history and value during its westward expansion, a larger space would allow visitors to learn more about the installation and the Buffalo Soldiers. He said the new museum, inspired by other national museums, will expand access to more off-post customers.
Upcoming Events
September 9, 9:30 a.m. Unified School District 207 Freedom Walk, Normandy Field
Sept. 9, 7:00 p.m. Post Theater Re-Opening Movie Night with “Top Gun: Maverick”
September 17, 8 am Run/Walk for the fallen at the Resiliency Center
23-24 Sept. Camp Leavenworth at Leavenworth, Kan.
Sept. 24, 8 am Smith Lake Kid Fisherman Derby
24 Sept, 8am Half Marathon, start at Harney Sports Complex
Sept. 30, 5 p.m. Oktoberfest and Outreach Services lantern launch
4 Oct Combined Arms Center change of command ceremony
Oct 29, 8am Retiree Appreciation Day, multiple locations throughout the Post Office
29 Oct, 1pm Fall Feast at Frontier Chapel
November 1, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Career and Education Fair at the Frontier Conference Center
Community Questions
During an unattributed session, community members raised the issue of repairing potholes and clarifying the protocol for permanently changing the station for families of the Exceptional Family Members Program.
Regarding pothole repairs, Misenheimer and installation officials said residents should call Fort Leavenworth Frontier Heritage Communities to report potholes in homes and they can call 913-684-5555 to report potholes elsewhere on the post office Report. Cracks in the road and potholes are repaired twice a year in preparation for winter and repairs in spring.
Regarding the PCS season, Misenheimer explained that a special task force is working with housing and other organizations to get residents in and out of the facility. He said the task force plans to work through the feedback in the coming weeks to identify more efficient systems during surges.