Bavaria Military Community Teammates,
As we draw closer to the end of 2012, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your hard work and dedication over the past year here in the Bavaria Military Community.
I truly appreciate all you have accomplished this year and I want you to enjoy some well-earned downtime during this holiday season. Many of you will make plans with family and friends. As you prepare for your holiday celebrations, please keep health and safety in the forefront of your plans.
Whether you are traveling to other locations or staying in the local area, make sure you consider some of the hazards that are associated with this time of year, like icy roads, alpine skiing or celebrating New Year's Eve in Berlin.
A major concern for our personnel and their families is motor vehicle accidents, which remain the number one cause of holiday fatalities and the number one killer of our off-duty Soldiers.
Many accidents are caused by fatigue, excessive speed, indiscipline and drinking. Be sure to plan accordingly and allow ample time to reach your destination. When driving, be alert, be prudent, and always anticipate the unexpected.
As you get ready to travel this holiday season, I ask each of you to use the TRiPS online assessment tool, located at https://safety.army.mil/TRIPS.
Holidays also mean getting together with family and friends to celebrate. Some of these celebrations may involve alcohol. If hosting a party, be responsible and attentive to the alcohol consumption of your guests. Ensure designated drivers are available for those who drink or provide other arrangements.
If you choose to drink, remember that passing the keys to a friend may be the most important decision you make. The "See Something - Do Something" safety motto of our community applies to all. If during this holiday season, you see someone who appears to be lost, lonely or depressed, please get involved, take action, and take care of each other.
Leader, supervisor, friend and family engagement are essential. We must continuously apply risk management to all aspects of our holiday activities.
So, please stay safe and celebrate responsibly. I wish you all the best during this holiday season, a time of great joy and celebration. As I reflect on the past year, I am proud of all the great things we have accomplished together. You have all excelled by concentrating on our three Keys to Success and providing the absolute best support to our community.
I look forward to seeing all of you safely return from the holidays and know we will continue to accomplish great things together in the new year.
Thank you for all you do each day for our Bavaria Military Community!
Very respectfully,
Col. James E. Saenz
Commander,
Bavaria Military Community and
U.S. Army Garrison Grafenwoehr
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