Bavaria Military Commander's Presidents' Day message

By COL James E. SaenzFebruary 13, 2014

Bavaria Military Commander, COL James E. Saenz
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Bavaria Military Community Teammates,

This weekend, we salute 44 leaders who have held this nation's highest elected office: President and Commander in Chief of our Armed Forces.

As we honor these men, and enjoy some well-deserved time off, please continue to integrate accident prevention/risk management principles into every one of your activities.

Many of you will take advantage of the long weekend to travel, participate in outdoor sports, or catch-up on household chores. Whatever you do, I ask you to keep safety in mind.

I want every leader to conduct pre-holiday safety briefings with all of their personnel, giving special emphasis to Soldiers' off-duty plans.

Fatal accidents continue to happen when our people are away from the installation, with the overwhelming majority of mishaps involving vehicles. Remember: Seatbelts are the single most effective safety measure in preventing serious injuries and reducing fatalities in wrecks.

Also, continue to emphasize the dangers of operating a vehicle when fatigued, under the influence of alcohol, or driving at excessive speeds. This combination is the number-one killer of our Soldiers.

As you enjoy Presidents' Day holiday weekend, remember that your Nation is very grateful for the sacrifices you make every day. And so am I.

James E. Saenz

COL, SF

Commander

USAG Bavaria