Dayley’s Update …

Col. Brant V. Dayley, Garrison Commander

Col. Brant V. Dayley,
Garrison Commander:

Hello, Team Bliss!

This past weekend families across America celebrated Father’s Day. I’m hoping that every Team Bliss dad out there had a good one. Being a father in the Army can be difficult, especially when trying to spend time with the children.

Fort Bliss provided several options for fathers, daughters and sons to enjoy, including a brunch at the Centennial Banquet and Conference Center and a Saturday play date at Freedom Crossing’s Grand Theatre. Waiting for a Mother’s or Father’s Day is not the only appropriate time to spend quality face time with your children. Fort Bliss facilitates many fun activities for the entire family. To find out more, glance at the “Off Duty” section in the back of the “Community” portion of the Fort Bliss Monitor. Not only are there a wide range of post-sponsored activities for the summer, but it should also have some helpful hints for things to do in the El Paso area as well.

I want to give a big thanks to the dedicated individuals who have helped us with the Father’s Day events on post. The staff at Fort Bliss gave it their all to ensure the entire community had fun and was well taken care of. The people behind the scenes work hard for the sake of letting the hardworking dads spend some quality time with their children.

Team Bliss workers perform extremely diligently to make Fort Bliss the best installation in the Army. As an example, many people and agencies worked in accord to put on the second concert of the Let Freedom Sing summer concert series, featuring Gym Class Heroes. With the combined effort of several units, the staff at Freedom Crossing and law enforcement personnel from the Directorate of Emergency Services, members of our community shared a great time. And our community encompassed more than Fort Bliss; it included Soldiers, their families, area retirees, civilians, El Pasoans and even some of our neighbors from across the border. I cannot but be proud of this post for opening our gates and hearts to share some of our Team Bliss spirit.

And just as various organizations work together on post for the betterment of our community, Fort Bliss and El Paso have formed a terrific partnership, easily the best civilian/military relationship I have been part of. From the building of our desalination plant – the largest inland plant of its kind – to the expansion of the city’s highway system allowing our Fort Bliss population to more easily move from one place to another, El Paso has proven that it considers our Soldiers and families a valuable addition to their community.

Every year sees both communities grow thanks to this symbiosis.

Finally, I’d like to mention a positive comment I received on my Facebook page “Tell it to COL D.”

“I’ve been on leave for the past 3 weeks and when my wife and I drove pass the North Biggs IBCT Gate by 375/SGM, to my surprise it was open and it was around 1400-1500. Whoever is responsible for doing that, the soldiers (including me) that live and work on that side can’t thank you enough.”

That thanks belongs to the Directorate of Emergency Services, whom I would also like to thank for their vigilant work in keeping us safe.