Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Newspaper Article
When Sgt. 1st Class Salvatore Culotta enlisted in the Army two decades ago, he had a wife and a young child. He did not find the Army to be especially concerned about the needs of a soldier’s family.
On Tuesday, Fort Bragg went out of its way to show that has changed.
Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, the commander of Fort Bragg and the 18th Airborne Corps, and top leaders of the Army post signed the Army Family Covenant at the Casablanca Neighborhood Center. The Covenant is a pledge to recognize the sacrifices of Army families and provide funding, health care, housing, education and other services.
“We are working on our seventh year of continuous combat,” Austin said. “In that seventh year, many of you have endured three or more deployments.”
The Army’s top brass signed the covenant Oct. 8, and similar ceremonies are going on at posts around the Army.
These days Culotta, 37, and his wife Lorie, 36, live on Fort Bragg and have seven children, ages 7 to 19. Their eldest daughter just got married.
The sergeant just returned from 15 months in Iraq with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team.
His wife laughs out loud when asked about the challenges of taking care of the family while he’s gone.
“What wasn’t the challenges?” she said. “It went from two people driving, down to mom driving. Our oldest son goes to a classical high school. We had to carpool with friends to get him there. Piano lessons. Some of the kids wanted to do some sports this year, and we kind of had to wait on those.”
This year’s Army statistics show that about 69 percent of soldiers have families.
“Years ago, less than 20 percent was married,” said Capt. Brian Fickel, a Fort Bragg spokesman. “They have seen a significant increase over the last several years.”
Austin said after the ceremony that attitudes were different when he started out as a second lieutenant.
“I think the old saying when I came in in 1975 was that if the Army wanted you to have a wife and a family they would issue you one, for the most part,” he said. “We have come a tremendous distance in terms of our recognition of the sacrifices of the families and what they do for us in terms of their support.”
On Tuesday, Fort Bragg went out of its way to show that has changed.
Lt. Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, the commander of Fort Bragg and the 18th Airborne Corps, and top leaders of the Army post signed the Army Family Covenant at the Casablanca Neighborhood Center. The Covenant is a pledge to recognize the sacrifices of Army families and provide funding, health care, housing, education and other services.
“We are working on our seventh year of continuous combat,” Austin said. “In that seventh year, many of you have endured three or more deployments.”
The Army’s top brass signed the covenant Oct. 8, and similar ceremonies are going on at posts around the Army.
These days Culotta, 37, and his wife Lorie, 36, live on Fort Bragg and have seven children, ages 7 to 19. Their eldest daughter just got married.
The sergeant just returned from 15 months in Iraq with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team.
His wife laughs out loud when asked about the challenges of taking care of the family while he’s gone.
“What wasn’t the challenges?” she said. “It went from two people driving, down to mom driving. Our oldest son goes to a classical high school. We had to carpool with friends to get him there. Piano lessons. Some of the kids wanted to do some sports this year, and we kind of had to wait on those.”
This year’s Army statistics show that about 69 percent of soldiers have families.
“Years ago, less than 20 percent was married,” said Capt. Brian Fickel, a Fort Bragg spokesman. “They have seen a significant increase over the last several years.”
Austin said after the ceremony that attitudes were different when he started out as a second lieutenant.
“I think the old saying when I came in in 1975 was that if the Army wanted you to have a wife and a family they would issue you one, for the most part,” he said. “We have come a tremendous distance in terms of our recognition of the sacrifices of the families and what they do for us in terms of their support.”
Army Family Covenant
Army Family Covenant
We recognize ...
The commitment and increasing sacrifices that our families are making every day.
The strength of our soldiers comes from the strength of their families.
We are committed to ...
Providing soldiers and families a quality of life that is commensurate with their service.
Providing our families a strong, supportive environment where they can thrive.
Building a partnership with Army families that enhances their strength and resilience.
We are committed to improving family readiness by:
Standardizing and funding existing family programs and services
Increasing accessibility and quality of healthcare
Improving soldier and family housing
Ensuring excellence in schools, youth services, and child care
Expanding education and employment opportunities for family members
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Promotion
Master Sergeant Selections
These noncommissioned officers have been selected for promotion to master sergeant, Human Resources Command announced Tuesday. Promotions from this selection are anticipated to begin Dec. 1.
These noncommissioned officers have been selected for promotion to master sergeant, Human Resources Command announced Tuesday. Promotions from this selection are anticipated to begin Dec. 1.
Culotta, Salvatore S. II
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Operation Welcome Home
Last night our family along with the Vashaw family went to the Fayetteville FireAntz ice hockey game. Fayetteville Home Builders Association bought 5,000 tickets for Service members from 3rd BCT and their families. They called it "Operation Welcome Home".
Fayetteville FireAntz vs. Twin City CyclonesFinal Score
0-5
The kids really seemed to enjoy the game, but they liked the fights.........
and the fights...........
Thank you President Brock! (our Stake President)Brock Cabinets was one of the Fayetteville businesses in the Fayetteville Homebuilders Association.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Gingerbread House
Sam and the Kids decorated the Gingerbread House,it is sitting on our back porch awaiting the squirrels!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Operation CAN
Putting Collection Bags on Doors.
Sorting Cans.
Alex and Alex collecting cans.
It's Heavy.
Operation CAN Successful....325 CANS!
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Sparky the Fire Dog
Sparky the Fire Dog showed up at Safety Day.He shook hands, rubbed noses and made alot of kids really happy!
Can you guess who Sparky is? If you guessed Shay, you'd be correct...........the only one crazy enough to do it!
He was even offered a job with ACS.
Safety Day
We had our 2nd Annual Biazza Ridge Safety Day.
Melissa hung out with the DARE officer and Jake and Alex just kinda hung around. Andew was hanging out with his girlfriend, Hannah, yeah she's only 2 but she chases off anyone who might even say hi to Andrew. LOL. And there's no rest for the weary as we put Sam to work grilling 600 hot dogs.
The kids loved watching the MP attack dogs.
Knight in Shining Armor
Once upon a time, Melissa the Princess found a Knight in Shining Armor and they danced the night away!(ok really, it was our friend, Matt, and they danced for five minutes before trunk or treating!)
And they lived happily ever after.
THE END
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