Fort Carson CDC associate writes two books

Printer-friendly version October 4, 2006 | top

Patricia Richardson, author of two children’s books reads to her Fort Carson, Colo., preschool students.
Patricia Richardson, author of two children’s books reads to her Fort Carson, Colo., preschool students.

Preschoolers have inspired Patricia Richardson of the Fort Carson, Colo., Child Development Center to write two books she’s dedicated to the post’s children.

After 15 years of teaching children ages 3-5, the child development associate saw a need to help children and other child development workers cope with certain reoccurring issues.

Richardson wrote “Mommy is a Soldier,” which was inspired by the feelings of a 4-year-old student who was upset about her mother’s deployment.

“There’s always some sacrifice that needs to be made when you leave children behind,” Richardson said. “Kids are very confused and angry, so I wrote about what it’s like to be a mother in the military.”

The challenge of teaching social skills to her young students inspired the second book, “Gillmore is a Bullygoat.” The book covers the importance of friendship and teaches children to be nice to one another.

Richardson also teaches students appropriate ways of dealing with their emotions and courtesies when interacting with others.

“You can be an A+ student or a genius all your life, but if you can’t socialize or interact with others, you won’t make it,” said Richardson.

Richardson said she enjoys the occasional phone calls, visits and letters from former students. With so many years in child development, she’s beginning to see former preschoolers turn into young adults.

What inspires Richardson to continue her work?

“I stay here because it keeps me young. I learn something every day, and the children teach me as much as I teach them,” she said.


Fort Huachuca employee achieves swimming feat

Printer-friendly version September 13, 2006 | top

Anna DeLozier, 43, became the fourth fastest female and earned the seventh fastest overall crossing time in the history of the Catalina Island to California mainland swim, which is 20.14 miles. Since 1927, only 120 swimmers have made successful crossings, according to the Catalina Channel Swimming Federation.
Anna DeLozier, 43, became the fourth fastest female and earned the seventh fastest overall crossing time in the history of the Catalina Island to California mainland swim, which is 20.14 miles. Since 1927, only 120 swimmers have made successful crossings, according to the Catalina Channel Swimming Federation.

A Fort Huachuca, Ariz., contract specialist swam the 20.14 miles from Catalina Island to the California mainland in 8:35:44 Aug. 17.

Anna DeLozier, 43, became the fourth fastest female and earned the seventh fastest overall crossing time. Since 1927, only 120 swimmers have made successful crossings, according to the Catalina Channel Swimming Federation.

DeLozier’s feat began 12:30 a.m. Aug. 18, when she slid into the 70-degree channel. Challengers begin the swim at night because the wind dies down and generally makes for calmer seas. They face the possibility of gale-force winds, dense fog, strong currents, pounding surf and the presence of sharks.

To make her effort an officially recognized crossing, DeLozier wore a porous swim suit, swim cap and goggles. Neoprene wetsuits or caps that help the body retain heat are not allowed, though challengers may grease their bodies for insulation from the cold water.

A dive boat with family and friends and a federation official to observe and authenticate the crossing trailed DeLozier. Greg Elliot, boat captain and retired Marine, navigated and ensured DeLozier swam the shortest route possible by compensating for winds and currents.

In preparation, DeLozier swam up to 30 miles a week and trained in the cold Pacific Ocean.

“Once I heard that I was officially done, I was elated and relieved,” she said.

Though DeLozier said she’s always dreamed of swimming across the English Channel, for now she’s content with her accomplishment.

“I’ve biked a marathon and swam a marathon, so maybe next I’ll run a marathon,” she said.


Project engineer doesn’t take ‘yes’ for an answer

Printer-friendly version September 8, 2006 | top

Ghassem Khosrownia is a first-generation immigrant from Iran who is helping the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Baghdad, Iraq.
Ghassem Khosrownia is a first-generation immigrant from Iran who is helping the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Baghdad, Iraq.

Ghassem Khosrownia, a project engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Gulf Region Central District in Baghdad, Iraq, knows something about cultural challenges – he’s a first-generation immigrant from Iran who earned his U.S. citizenship 20 years ago.

While serving in Iraq, Khosrownia is learning Arabic, which he says provides him with a better understanding of not only the language but also the culture.

“Sometimes, Iraqi contractors might say ‘yes,’ but are too proud to admit they simply don’t understand our lingo,” explained Khosrownia, whose stateside job is as a regional specialist with USACE in Sacramento, Calif., where he works in structural engineering, seismic design and force protection measures.

He’s especially proud of his Iraqi projects, such as the water distribution networks where families are getting clean water in their homes for the first time ever.

Prior to a project’s start, Khosrownia gets together with the contractors to discuss the overall project vision. That’s when the sharing of concepts comes together so the project can become a reality.

He gives them samples of construction documents, sometimes in Arabic, and explains to the contractors that they need to make a presentation on what they know of the project and how they plan to accomplish it on time and within budget.

When discussing a project with the Iraqi contractors, he asks them such motivational questions as: Would you send your children to this badly neglected school? Are you willing to let your parents walk in this dark, muddy street? Would you live in this community without a working sewage system?

“All it takes is getting them started in the right direction – that’s the heart of the whole thing,” he said. “By the end of the meetings I reiterate our philosophy – that we’re here to help – and when they succeed and their countrymen are benefited, we all wind up winners.”