Paratroopers raise alarms about COVID contagion amid brigade exercise with Brazilian soldiers February 4 A jumpmaster inspects a paratrooper s chute at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, Feb. 1, 2021. (Master Sgt. Alexander Burnett/Army) The 82nd Airborne Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team and a company of Brazilian soldiers added a logistical twist to what are normally routine Joint Readiness Training Center rotations in Louisiana, but public health concerns are never far from field exercises these days. As the exercise kicked off, an anonymous letter was published to social media and sent to a local newspaper raising concerns that 3rd Brigade was not taking coronavirus mitigation seriously enough and was ignoring an outbreak emerging during the exercise.
Kleisner relieved Col. Andrew O. Saslav as the brigade commander.
Kleisner, a Savannah, Georgia, native and United States Military Academy at West Point graduate, previously served as the commander of the United States European Command Levant Future Operations Planning Branch. Kleisner is a father of three and married to Susan Kleisner.
“To assume command of 1st Brigade is an awesome mandate that I humbly accept, and I accept with excitement,” Kleisner said.
Saslav, the outgoing brigade commander, is a native of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, and a graduate of George Washington University.
Saslav, prior to serving as the commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, served as an operations officer in the 4th Infantry Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado.
Community Christmas Tree stands tall outside Christ Episcopal Church
December 18, 2020 11:55 PM Molly Ringberg
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) – A Christmas tradition isn’t sticking to its roots this year.
Members of the Christ Episcopal Church moved their Community Christmas Tree outdoors so it can be enjoyed by the entire community.
It’s standing tall out in front of the building.
What makes this tree special are the ornaments, which are hung in memory of those who have passed away.
With the rest of the year being anything but typical, this is a way to bring people together – safely.
“It’s really great to have the community come together, especially our church community. Having everybody be able to participate in some way, and some way to come to church,” said church member Christopher Donahue.