USFK soldiers dominate the Army’s annual Outreach Awards:

The Outreach Awards recognize the best of the Army’s worldwide public outreach initiatives in three categories: individual accomplishment (series of efforts), ongoing programs and special events.

The judging panel received 25 entries from major Army commands, the Installation Management Agency, field operating agencies and from direct reporting units.

Army Chief of Public Affairs Brig. Gen. Vincent Brooks presented the following awards March 6:

Individual Category Winners

1st Place – 1st Lt. Chang, Suk Won of the 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team; 2nd Infantry Division, Eighth U.S. Army (Republic of Korea) spearheaded two triumphs – the Dongducheon “Second to None” foreign language school and the division’s “Angel Run.” Through his programs and his unit’s closeness to the demilitarized zone Change reinforced the urgency of fostering positive community ties and in helping tremendously to sustain the ROK-U.S. alliance.

2nd Place –No, Won Hyon, Community Relations Office, 19th Theater Support Command, Camp Henry, ROK, tirelessly ensured Soldiers experienced a continuous stream of tours, cultural activities and community events. Of the many activities he orchestrated throughout 2005, the two which stood out was the program he created to provide English language instruction to less than fortunate Korean school children. He also coordinated with local television media to tell the Army story to more than 500,000 Korean citizens.

3rd Place –Capt. Sungjean P. Kim, chaplain, 307th Signal Battalion, 1st Signal Brigade, fashioned a highly publicized and comprehensive program between the battalion and the Samseong Won Orphanage which became a shining example of how well Soldiers and children can enjoy each others company. He was represented by a Capt. Marilisse Gonzalez accepted the award at the ceremony.

Ongoing Programs Category

1st Place – “Team 19 Community Relations Program,” 19th Theater Support Command, Eighth U.S. Army, ROK was selected for being the most comprehensive and integrated community outreach program and fosters positive relations which have resulted in increased support between the local Korean community and the Army.

2nd Place – “Baker Reach Outreach Project,” Fort Benning, Ga., was selected for its program which focused on Soldiers and civilian employees who took on the challenge of helping to improve the lives of children from the Baker Village housing area who needed role models, positive activities and people who would take the time to care.

3rd Place – “Fort Polk Community Outreach Tour,” Fort Polk, La., targeted a wide variety of key stakeholders in local communities by providing a unique interactive experience for community leaders who were afforded the opportunity to participate as role-players in a joint readiness training center rotation exercise.

Special Events Category

1st Place – “Community Leader Updates: June 14-15, 2005,” Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Air Field, Ga., was a new community relations approach in which base officials wanted to improve understanding by community leaders of the Army’s mission and how much the Army appreciates the support of its neighbors.

2nd Place – “Watchpup Olympics,” 8th Military Police Brigade, HQ, Eighth U.S. Army (ROK), was the culmination of a long-standing relationship between command Soldiers and the Sung Ro Won Orphanage which proved to be the experience of a lifetime.

3rd Place – “Soo Locks Celebrates 150 Years,” U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit, Mich., focused on the 150th anniversary of the Corps of Engineers responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the locks that supply waterborne raw materials to the Great Lakes region.

Great job by all the soldiers recognized.