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Show HeadsUp December 1 8, 2003 Reserve, Guard receive Getting the point unlimited commissary benefits The Department of Defense announced Nov. 24 that with the president's signing of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004, effective immediately, the following members and their dependents will be permitted unlimited access to commissary stores: Members of the Ready Reserve (which includes members of the Selected Reserve, Individual Ready Reserve and Inactive National Guard) and members of the Retired Reserve who possess a Uniformed Services Identification Card. Former members eligible for retired pay at age 60 but who have not yet attained the age of 60 and who possess a of Defense Civilian Department Identification Card. Dependents of the members described above who have a Uniformed Services Identification Card or who have a distinct identification as card an used authorization card for benefits and privileges administered by the Uniformed Services. "Instructions have gone out to all continental U.S. stores informing them that reservists now have unlimited shopping and telling store managers how to welcome members of the National Guard and Reserve to the full use of the commissary benefit," said Patrick Nixon, director of the Defense deputy Commissary Agency. "Commissary shoppers will begin to see banners saying 'Welcome Guard and Reserve to Full Time j--. H" Savings," along with other events e new these recognizing shoppers." Guard and Reserve members were authorized only 24 commissary shopping days per calendar year until Nov. 24 when the president signed the National Defense Authorization Act, which contained provisions eliminating the restrictions. Commissaries have immediately adopted the new provisions, which means Guard and Reserve members will no longer have to present a Commissary Privilege Card when they shop. "I want to thank Congress and the Department of Defense for their efforts in the commissary bringing shopping privilege to the total force, said Mr. Nixon. "The Congress included unlimited commissary benefits in the National Defense Authorization Act thus making full time shopping possible for the men and women who serve their nation in the National Guard and Reserve." Mr. Nixon noted that special thanks should go to Charles Abell, principal deputy under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness. Mr. Abell acted decisively and immediately in providing interim authority for reserve components to e have commissary shopping just in time to take advantage of holiday savings. For more information about the Defense Commissary Agency, see its Web site at pi full-tim- ,j , . I V y Photo by Senior Airman Julianne Hancock full-tim- Senior Airman Corey Colvin, a crew chief with the 419th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, gets ready as Airman First Class Joshua Ratciiffe, medical technician with the 419th Medical Squadron, administers a flu vaccine Dec. 7. Although some areas of the country were reporting a shortage of the vaccine in early December, 419th medical technicians stated all members who requested a shot recieved one. http:www.commissaries.com. Forces Press Service) (American Adoption, parenting fills void for 419th member by Senior Airman Julianne Hancock 419th FW Public Affairs Office B y his own admission, Tech. Sgt. Steve Ames is an parent. over-protecti- ve Sergeant Ames concern for his children is a of the long and arduous road he traveled to finally become a parent. He and his then wife Terri Caraway decided to adopt after they discovered they couldn't bear their own children. "Not being able to have children was a dark spot in our lives, and we always wanted a family," Sergeant Ames said. An aircraft weapons system journeyman in the 419th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron's Weapons Flight, he and his former wife waited for three years before receiving a phone call in 1991 regarding a boy who had been placed into a foster home. e involved in "There is a lot of said. Ames "They are very adopting," Sergeant particular about placing children into homes, which is understandable. "After much thinking, we decided to adopt Jordan and make him our own," Sergeant Ames said. Now 12 years old, Sergeant Ames' son Jordan, who was born to an alcoholic and drug addict, is "normal and happy," according to his father. Sergeant Ames attributes his ability to adjust to a combination of support groups, medication, and plenty of love and patience. The road through Jordan's childhood was not easy, according to Sergeant Ames. "We were notified of the potential for problems and disabilities when we decided to bring him into our home," Sergeant Ames said. "Through the years, Jordan has suffered through fetal alcohol syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and various other learning problems that have been a part of his life since birth." Nonetheless, Sergeant Ames took on parental responsibilities with vigor, and in 1993, he and Ms. Caraway decided to take in another child who was in a similar situation. Then old, Cristana entered the Ames' household, suffering from drug and alcohol withdrawals. "She was in bad shape," Sergeant Ames remembers. "She had water on the brain and was physically and mentally underdeveloped. "It tried our patience for three years," he remembered. "Cristana suffered crying spells that would sometimes last hours." "We always felt that with love and patience, Cristana would have some sense of normalcy in her life." Sergeant Ames is proud to report today, Cristana is a happy and intelligent who is excelling in life. "Academically, she is far above average," Sergeant Ames boasted. "Everyone wants a perfect kid," Sergeant Ames said. "We brought Jordan and Cristana into our home knowing their background, but we didn't have any way of knowing the potential or severity of their effects." Sergeant Ames feels that he and Ms. Caraway have been blessed. In adoption support groups, they met families with problems far worse than what they were experiencing. Sergeant Ames stresses that his family is just like any other, even after struggles with medical and emotional concerns about the children. Cristana is a bright, slightly shy girl. She grinned when her father described her eccentric taste in clothing. "I liketo dress up," she said. Her father said his daughter wears everything from pink three-month-o- ld red-tap- feather boas to high heels. "It's just not a big deal," he said. Cristana and Jordan enjoy sibling rivalry. Cristana has aspirations of becoming a broadcast journalist and enjoys school. She They spray water on each other when their estimates she has over 100 medals and trophies father isn't looking, and volunteer one another for less than desirable chores. from jazz dancing. From the outside, their family does not Jordan is a rambunctious, talkative who plays soccer, flag football, and appear to be different from any other, and the baseball. Even though his father described success of the children's healthy adjustment Jordan's struggle with academics, it is not from drug and alcohol addictions to normal kids can be attributed to apparent. He says he the love and care of their and scnool, enjoys "Everyone wants a perfect described good grades. parents. kid. We brought Jordan He has of Sergeant Ames credits plans his military training for becoming a Major League and Cristana into our Baseball player. If it helping him become a home knowing their doesn't work out, he parent who could help and Cristana Jordan hopes to play football, but V background,, but we didn't the final backup plan is to of have any way knowing navigate through the faced. be a doctor, his sister challenges they the potential or severity of reminded him. my "Throughout their effects." "I want to help people," military career, I have he said. had the opportunity to encounter training to help Ames has -- Tech. Sgt. Steven Ames, Sergeant me increase my always been honest with 419th Aircraft Maintenance his children about being communication skills and Weapons Flight learn patience, adopted, but it doesn't and counseling, appear to affect their leadership skills have made me a better family. "If you looked at us, you wouldn't think the parent," Sergeant Ames said. kids were adopted," Sergeant Ames said. Sergeant Ames believes his experiences in Cristana told her friends at a slumber party parenting have helped him become a better she was adopted. Although she wished she supervisor, as well. would have had the opportunity to meet her "It goes both ways," he added. now her she believes According to the National Adoption biological mother, mother has Information Clearinghouse, military families Christana away. passed understands she has and sisters. present unique challenges to adopting is said when Ames she Sergeant ready, he will children, but there are also many benefits to children being raised in a military help her find them. Jordan has not discussed his adoption with environment, specifically the vast resources friends. available to members and the supportive ' ,' !; half-brothe- rs nature of the community. The Department of Defense's adoption reimbursement policy provides up to $2,000 per child (or a maximum of $5,000 per year) for qualifying expenses to military families whose adoptions were arranged by a qualified adoption agency. Sergeant Ames did not encounter any hurdles when he began the adoption process because of his affiliation with the 419th FW. "If anything, the 419th has helped me be a better parent," Sergeant Ames said. "Everyone has always been extremely supportive. I've never heard anything negative. "The benefits from the 419th and from the Air Force are valuable to me and my family," Sergeant Ames said., He titilizes everything from commissary benefits' to extended duty daycare during Unit Training Assemblies. Like many other parents in the Reserve, Sergeant Ames' family has felt the effect of. deployments. "I've been away for two Christmas', and kids' birthdays," Sergeant Ames said. "Its difficult, and they are just kids. They don't understand." Sergeant Ames encourages all families to consider making a place in their home for an adopted child. "With so many unwanted children and all of the terrible stories we all hear but ignore," . Sergeant Ames said. "I think that we all have room to give a special child a chance, a home, and parents who love them and truly care about their future." "As Americans, we have been blessed with so much," Sergeant Ames said. "One could give no greater love to a child or benefit society more than to bring a child into your home and love them as your own." . . six-mont- hs rZs . im iiiMiiiiii In ir if f n . '.--N- - ' " . - liiti.T iimf.'.i'----!-'-- -'- -- v .j . c .nN Photo iy Senior Airman Julianne Hancock Cristana Ames, sits beside her father, Tech. Sgt. Steve Ames, her brother, Jordan, and two furry friends for a family photo. Cristana and Jordan, both adopted by the Ames', overcame many health challenges contributed by their biological parents. Both children have adjusted and are currently very active In sports and other school activities. it ; |