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Fort Bliss kicked off its 2017 Partner in Education Program at the Centennial Club by joining soldiers with campuses to strengthen the ties between the installation and area school districts.

Soldiers and principals, military family liaisons and other campuses leaders sat together to foster their relationship as Partners in Education and discuss activities and events scheduled for the school year.

“Our soldiers have been and will continue to be involved in a variety of projects and campus routine activities aimed at improving the safety, well-being, and academic performance of students,” said Brig. Gen. Mark Landes. “Soldiers dedicated over 10,000 hours during the 2016-2017 academic school year and will continue to increase this support as the Partners in Education program evolves with changing needs.”

Landes encouraged “maximum participation by each brigade.”

“Our mission is to encourage each student to strive for personal excellence and to ensure all students learn to function, contribute, and compete as responsible individuals,” he said. “We can accomplish this by providing challenging learning experiences that promote literacy, increase self-esteem, and maximize educational opportunities. I invite all present to go above and beyond your partnership commitment by responding to campus and district assistance requests. It is an honor for Fort Bliss to be involved in the education of the youth of this community.”

Fort Bliss partners with campuses throughout the region, mostly at schools where military family members are enrolled. Many schools look to their partner for assistance with science fairs, festivals, tutoring, mentoring and other campus activities and events. Powell principal Andrew Veilleux is looking to his partners for mentoring and hopes to have his students go on post to explore STEM careers. He also sees the partnership as another tool to support social emotional learning.

“The partnership another is an other extension of the social emotional learning we promote at the school,” Veilleux said. “By learning about the soldiers and community, it tells us a lot about the students and how we can help them.”

EPISD serves nearly 6,000 military-connected students. EPISD also operates five campuses on military property: Bliss, Milam, Powell, Logan elementary schools and Chapin High School.

“With about 10 percent military-connected kids from Fort Bliss in EPISD, we have a vested interest in the future of education in El Paso for our military kids,” said Col. Alan Wiernicki, former Fort Bliss liaison to the Board of Trustees. “This is one of the strongest partnerships I’ve seen in my 25 years in the military.”

Wiernicki also calls his headquarters a natural partner with Chapin because of the campuses location and its engineering magnet.

“In many cases the soldiers are fairly senior and have advanced degrees and they can apply engineering skills or advance degrees to help mentor the students at Chapin High School,” he said.

The PIE program also gives soldiers an opportunity to get to know the El Paso community better.

“We move around a lot and every community we come into is home,” Wiernicki said. “Anytime we can get our soldiers to volunteer in the community and do something other than their military role says something about the values we espouse in the army and helps connect us to the community we happen to call home at the time.”

Fort Bliss soldier and diesel technician Sgt. Manuel Lopez spends most of his days at EPISD’s bus barn and transportation hub working side-by-side technicians to get a feel for life after the military.

He’s part of the 12-week Hiring Our Heroes Corporate Fellowship program through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to get training and prepare for the civilian workforce. So far, he’s traded working on military vehicles to learning how to fix school buses and repairing other small engines in the District’s transportation department.

“Every week, he’s going to transfer to a different service area and learn everything from preventative maintenance to major repair,” said Jason Zamora, assistant auto shop fleet coordinator. “We’re also going to provide him with insight into the administrative side of a shop so he can get a well-rounded, full-shop operation experience.”

The Fort Bliss soldier, who spent eight years in the army, will be leaving the military in January and hopes a relevant position will open in EPISD for him to apply.

“Having the opportunity to learn a different motor pool lets me get a feel for how people work, how they communicate and how they do their paper trail,” Lopez said. “This is the best way to do it.”

Lopez, who is a few classes shy of a bachelor’s degree in business, wants to further learn about EPISD as he seeks employment as a civilian. Overall, Lopez is finding EPISD’s structure and work to be much different than the vehicles and culture he’s used to in the military.

“I’m actually getting a feel for a position I could be applying for,” he said. “Everyday, I’m learning so if I am offered a position, I’ll know more about the district.”
One of the first days of his fellowship, Lopez fixed weed eaters and the motors on smaller four-wheeled vehicles and tools.

“This gives him an idea what we do so he’ll be ready for an automotive shop in the civilian world,” Zamora said. “We’re really happy to have him.  We’re excited that we can contribute and help him get ready for the future.”

EPISD was one of the first to partner with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation on the program, which is sponsored by Prudential. Since EPISD began working with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation in 2016, three other soldiers have benefitted from working alongside professionals in the District’s human resources, research and accountability departments and at Chapin High School.

“Our overall goal is to help service members before they get out of the military and get on-the-job training, help them with resume skills and interview skills and put them with a company that’s ready to bring in a veteran,” said Carla Miller, fellowship program manager with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

Other El Paso businesses and organizations working with the foundation to train exiting service members include El Paso Electric, ADP and First Light Federal Credit Union.

“The fellowship helps service members because many of them have never interviewed for a job or have a resume,” Miller said. “They don’t know what Corporate America is like so working in the fellowship allows them to learn more about working with civilians. It also gives them time to network in the community, which is also important in finding a job.”

The Department of the Army announced Wednesday the fall 2017 deployment of approximately 3,500 soldiers from the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, stationed at Fort Bliss, to Kuwait.

“The 2nd ‎Armored Brigade Combat Team, Iron Brigade, has undergone some of the most intensive and realistic training the 1st Armored Division has to offer, and its leaders have forged a lethal and ready team,” said Maj. Gen. Pat White, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss commanding general.

Major General White added, “This force is fully prepared and ready to take over their new mission in support of Operation Spartan Shield.”

As part of the regular rotation of forces, the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team will replace the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division and combatant commander mission requirements to support of Operation Spartan Shield.

RecruitMilitary, along with their partners at the Disabled American Veterans organization (DAV,) will be on post Tuesday conducting a job fair for veterans and their spouses.

According to their website, RecruitMilitary “hosts the nation’s largest single-source veteran database, with over 1,000,000 members…(and) publish the nation’s second-largest veteran hiring publication, Search & Employ® magazine.”

The company is a recipient of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program’s Lee Anderson Small Business Veteran and Military Spouse Employment Award for going above and beyond “to honor the sacrifices our military families make in their service to our nation.”

Additionally, national insurance firm Farmers will be at the fair, distributing suits and business attire pieces for soldiers and veterans.

Farmers, an organization with a longstanding commitment to helping the military that was founded by two World War I veterans, launched Suits for Soldiers nationally in October of 2016 with the goal of collecting 50,000 items that can help create an easier transition for veterans into the civilian workforce. The total now exceeds 70,000 pieces of attire.

The suit donation is part of the insurer group’s national “Suits for Soldiers” campaign, which culminated in the collection of more than 70,000 articles of clothing countrywide.

“Farmers has a proud tradition of working with veterans to assist with their transition from active duty responsibilities to the civilian workforce,” said Ron Hendrix, a Fort Bliss-based Farmers Insurance district manager. “As one of the nation’s largest insurer groups, Farmers helps insure homes, cars, and life; meanwhile the military insures our way of life. Suits for Soldiers is another way Farmers can give back to members of the military who have given so much to their country.”

More than one million military personnel will make the transition from the military in the next couple of years, according to the Department of Defense office of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, and many of these veterans may not own appropriate business attire to go to networking events, interviews or even to work.

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What:    DAV/RecruitMilitary Veterans Job Fair

Where:  Centennial Banquet Center – 11199 Sergeant E Churchill Street on Fort Bliss.

When:   Tuesday, April 25^th, 2017, 11 AM – 3 PM

Register to Attend: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE EVENT  

• 100+ Job Opportunities (Managerial, Supervisory, Etc.)
• 40+ Companies Attending (Fortune 500, Government, Etc.)

Can’t Attend? See online opportunities | Event Attendee List

• 230,000 Jobs Posted Online
• 3,058,538 Employers Viewed Military Profiles

Why RecruitMilitary?

• 85,000+ Jobs Offers Extended
• 800+ Events
• 17+ Years working with Vets and their Families

With Easter Sunday hoppin’ right around the corner, families won’t want to miss out on this trick-or-treat style Easter Egg Adventure on Good Friday (April 14.)

The event at Freedom Crossing on Fort Bliss is free of charge and open to the public with the egg distribution starting at 5:30pm and activities going on through 9pm.

Children can take part in a trick-or treat style egg hunt where they will collect complimentary eggs from participating stores in the shopping center. In addition, guests can enjoy games, arts and crafts and even a special appearance from the Easter Bunny himself in front of the Grand Theater.

The Crazy Cats oldies band will be performing at the fireplace from 7-9pm.

The Easter egg hunt participants will have a chance to win one of five Freedom Crossing Easter baskets by finding a “Prized Egg.” Only five Prized Eggs will be distributed and will include a message for the recipient.

Guests are encouraged to arrive early for parking. Activities will be scattered through the Promenade area and in the lawn near the theater. Most stores throughout the full center will be distributing eggs for egg-hunters.

To enter Fort Bliss during the event, drivers must show a valid U.S. Driver’s license or other U.S. Government issued ID at the Buffalo Soldier or Sheridan gates. Freedom Crossing is located 1611 Haan Road, Fort Bliss.

For directions and more information, visit Freedom Crossing’s Website.

A celebration of green, gold and good luck will take place March 16 through 18 on the grounds of Freedom Crossing at Fort Bliss.

The year 2017 rings in the 6th anniversary for Shamrocks Irish Pub on March 16, located in the heart of the Promenade area of the shopping center.

Live music from Empyre Pipes and Drums and San Patricios will have guests shaking their shamrocks with closing sets by Jones and Miles and the Double Clutchers from New Mexico

On March 17 & 18, locals will enjoy the likes of Celtic musicians including the Adobe Brothers and The Singing Pilgrims. The Pilgrims will also host a children’s music workshop on Saturday. Smashburger and Buffalo Wild Wings will be hosting free children’s craft and activity stations while roaming leprechauns hand out gifts of gold-wrapped chocolate.

In addition to Irish tunes, Freedom Crossing will be hosting Gleewood a touring Americana band on the rise. AZ Dueling Pianos will be treating the St. Paddy’s Day crowd to a grand piano singalong guaranteed to be a crowd favorite.  And, by popular demand, the St. Paddy’s Fest will host the return Dusty Low, Wildflower, Reflections of Motown and DJ Darrin.

Guests can also enjoy authentic Irish food from Shamrock’s Irish Pub owned by Dublin native John Corran. The schedule of daily activities and band performances is available HERE.

 The festival and activities are free, open to the public and will not require a pass to enter Fort Bliss. To enter Fort Bliss during the event, drivers must show a valid U.S. driver’s license or other U.S. Government issued ID at the Buffalo Soldier, Chaffee or Sheridan gates. Freedom Crossing is located 1611 Haan Road,

For directions and more information, click HERE.

The post was rocking and rolling on Fat Tuesday, as Freedom Crossing celebrated Mardi Gras.  Our very own Andres Acosta was among the scores of revelers in attendance and he brings you the view of the festivities in this ‘Story in Many Pics.’

Freedom Crossing at Fort Bliss will host a public Mardi Gras Celebration on Tuesday, February 28 from 5pm to midnight. This free event is open to the public and will take place outside on the Freedom Crossing promenade.

The party boasts authentic Mardi Gras vibes bringing in regional talent and tastes that will showcase the spirit of Bourbon Street and Brazil’s Carnival.

On the Bourbon Street stage, guests can expect performances from local blues legend Guitar Slim, who has opened up for Leon Russell, Robben Ford, John Lee Hooker and more.

Also joining the lineup is Paso del Norte Big Band, a 17-piece orchestra sounding in the New Orleans jazz culture with El Paso’s finest musicians. Adding to the Fat Tuesday funk, Mama Crystal and the Horns of Plenty are sure to roll out the best of New Orleans-style soul.

At the Masquerade stage, Freedom Crossing will feature a visual feast with extravagant performances by Samba Performers from Arizona. This ensemble of dancers radiate sheer energy and passion incorporating the beauty, grace, and spirit of authentic Brazilian Carnival culture.

Joining the stage will be Sol Studio performers performing a Capoeira demonstration followed by a drum show by Samba Batucada of El Paso. The stage will close out with “Fuego,” a regionally-famous fire show by southwestern fire dancers Odd-Lab.

Complimentary Mardi Gras beads, masks and instant photo booth prints will be made available to all guest while supplies last. The Beads team will also provide face painting, dancing stilt walkers & jesters, and arts and crafts for the kids until 10pm.

Chefs will provide the tastes of Louisiana at Shamrocks Pub on the Promenade, in addition to beignets from the Mini Donut Depot.

The complete schedule for this free event is listed below. Additional event information can be found online.  This event is sponsored by Western Technical College and GEICO Military.

The El Paso Chihuahuas Foundation and the El Paso Fire Department present “Paws for Presents” for the third year, a holiday toy drive assisting Operation Santa, a Fort Bliss-based charity.

The drive will run from Thursday, December 1^st through Saturday, December 24^th. The Chihuahuas and the Fire Department request all gifts be new and not gift wrapped for children up to the age of 13. Monetary donations are also welcome with checks made payable to Operation Santa.

Anyone that brings a new toy for donation at the Durango Team Shop (located at 1 Ballpark Plaza on Durango St) during their normal operating hours will receive a 5% holiday savings upon check out on your entire purchase. Fans can also donate new or gently used toys at any of the 34 El Paso neighborhood fire stations.

“Santa Chico” will also be available for a meet/greet and picture time in the Durango Team Shop on the first three Saturdays in December (December 3^rd, 10^th & 17^th) from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Donate a toy, do some holiday shopping and take a family picture with Chico!

The Durango Team Shop will be open for all your gift shopping needs from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Monday through Saturday, and 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Sundays through December 24^th.

“It’s a privilege for the Chihuahuas to team up with our local fire department and Operation Santa to provide gifts for kids this time of year,” said Brad Taylor, El Paso Chihuahuas general manager.

Operation Santa, in its 59th season, distributes toys and bicycles to military families, the Boys and Girls Club of El Paso and clinics in Juarez, Mexico. The non-profit, located on Fort Bliss, has donated millions of toys and tens of thousands of bikes to the military and civilian communities.

PAWS FOR PRESENTS TOY DRIVE

WHAT: “Paws for Presents”, a toy drive benefiting Operation Santa. Toys must be new and unwrapped for children up to the age of 13. Monetary donations also accepted.

WHEN: Thursday, December 1^st through Saturday, December 24, 2016.

WHERE: El Paso Chihuahuas Team Shop on Durango and El Paso Fire Department’s 34 stations

The Armed Forces Classic – a series of Division I men’s college basketball games that are televised from United States military bases around Veteran’s Day as a morale event for service members – is scheduled to continue for the foreseeable future.

The 2017 event will return to Ramstein Air Base in Germany – the site of the inaugural Classic in 2012 – this time showcasing Texas A&M against West Virginia. The Armed Forces Classic is owned and operated by ESPN Events, a division of ESPN.

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to extend our relationship with the Department of Defense,” said Clint Overby, vice president, ESPN Events. “This premier event will continue its tradition of showcasing the beginning of each college basketball season, while honoring the service of the men and women stationed at military bases across the world.”

The Mountaineers are ranked No. 20 and the Aggies are receiving votes in the preseason Associated Press poll, after both earning berths into the 2016 NCAA Championship First Round and Sweet 16, respectively.

Listed is the current rotation of United States military bases (which is subject to change pending military circumstances):

Nov 10, 2017: Ramstein Air Base, Germany

Nov 9, 2018: Fort Bliss, Texas

Nov 8, 2019: Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska

Nov 13, 2020: Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.

The games will be televised on ESPN as part of the network’s America’s Heroes initiative honoring the men and women who are serving and who have served in the United States military, both at home and abroad.

The 2016-17 men’s college basketball season begins from Honolulu on Friday, Nov. 11, with the fifth annual State Farm Armed Forces Classic, just under a month before the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

A doubleheader for the first time, this year’s event – pitting pre-season ranked No. 13 Arizona against No. 10 Michigan State (7 p.m.) and No. 12 Indiana vs. No. 3 Kansas (9 p.m.) on ESPN – will be staged from the Stan Sheriff Center on the campus of the University of Hawaii with surrounding events at the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

For more information on the Armed Forces Classic, visit the official website, or follow on Facebook and Twitter.

A recent study from personal finance website WalletHub.com has identified El Paso as the 6^thBest Place for Veterans to Live in 2016.

This latest announcement shows El Paso has jumped up the rankings from last year when the Sun City was named as the 7^th Best City for Veterans.

The study compared 100 of the most populated U.S. cities with the goal of identifying the most livable cities for military service members. The key dimensions analyzed include: employment, economy, quality of life, and health.

“El Paso is a great place for our veterans to call home,” said Mayor Oscar Leeser. “El Paso’s relationship with Fort Bliss and our veteran community is strong, and I am a firm believer that we are a great city because we are a military friendly city.”

The City of El Paso organization in recent years has also focused its efforts on our veteran community by creating new initiatives in honor of our city’s heroes.

The City’s most recent effort involves the creation of a new Military Affairs Liaison that will be tasked with overseeing city and regional military issues.

This newly created position will be posted this Thursday, November 10, and eligible applicants will be able to apply.  This position will serve as the liaison between the City organization and Fort Bliss, and will also be involved in the development of special interest programs for veterans and dependents.

The city also has other veteran-centric programs which include:

Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee – This committee was formed to serve as a source of information related to the status, resources and services available within the El Paso community to the City’s large veteran population. In addition, the committee is asked to evaluate and recommend programs, policies and practices designed to alleviate veterans’ difficulties in meeting basic needs related to transportation, housing, employment and other areas affecting veterans in the city.

Veteran City Employee Luncheon – Knowing that veterans are living and working all around us, the City of El Paso organized a Veterans Day Luncheon for its more than 600 employees who are proud veterans. This luncheon allows City leaders to thank our veterans not only for their service to the City of El Paso, but also for their service to our Country.

Veteran Employment Incentive – Last year, City Council approved an update to its economic development incentive policy which includes a bonus rebate (property or sales tax) for companies that actively employ veterans (15% of their workforce) and establish a formal veteran hiring program.

2016’s Best Places for Veterans to Live

Overall Rank      City              Overall Score

1        Scottsdale, AZ              73.54

2        Laredo, TX                    70.20

3        Irvine, CA                     70.08

4        Plano, TX                     69.15

5        Austin, TX                    68.96

6        El Paso, TX                 66.65

7        Colorado Springs, CO     66.45

8        San Diego, CA              66.43

9        Tampa, FL                    66.28

10       Orlando, FL                  65.78

Workforce Solutions Borderplex, in conjunction with the Texas Workforce Commission, will be hosting a statewide job fair geared for veterans with 85 confirmed employers at the Ft. Bliss Centennial Conference Center on Thursday, November 10, 2016.

The event will kick off with an opening ceremony to include state, local and military representatives welcoming veterans to this career transition opportunity.  The opening ceremony will take place from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and will include a presentation of the colors and a POW/MIA remembrance ceremony.

Special guest speakers will include Texas State Representative District 76, Cesar J. Blanco; Deputy Executive Director, Texas Workforce Commission, Ed Serna; Workforce Solutions Borderplex Board Chair, Leo A. Duran; Texas Veterans Commission, Bruce Biegel; and other key stakeholders.

“Every year the Red, White and You Statewide Veterans Job Fair attracts more and more employers who understand the value of skills veterans bring to the workforce,“ said Joyce Wilson, CEO of Workforce Solutions Borderplex. “We are ready to put them to work.”

The targeted industries for the Hiring Red, White and You! Job Fair are Information Technology (I.T.), Government, Retail and Healthcare. The industries targeted align closely with the type of jobs service men and women transition into their civilian lives.

These industries are also targeted due to the high hiring trends during the current season.

Over 600 jobs have been reported by employers so far.  The event is free and open to all job seekers, including non-veterans.

To view complete listing of employers, please visit Borderplexjobs.com

WHO:                    Workforce Solutions Borderplex

WHAT:                 Industry Job Fair with Over 80 Employers

WHEN:                 Thursday, November 10, 2016 | 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

WHERE:                Ft. Bliss Centennial Conference Center | 11199 Sergeant E. Churchill Street| Fort Bliss, Texas 79916

WHY:                     To Provide Job Opportunities to Veterans and Jobseekers