January Blues Staying Active in 2021 Exploring Down-Hill & Single Tracks - SHAPE Community Life January 2021 - SHAPE2DAY
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SHAPE Community Life January 2021 January Blues Staying Active in 2021 Exploring Down-Hill & Single Tracks
EDITOR’s Letter
Dear Shapians,
Welcome to 2021!
I recently found some information about the fact that writing
things helps the memory and the capture of attention, which does
not happen when using a virtual agenda in your laptop or mobile
phone. Same benefit applies when reading an eBook versus a real
book. It seems to be an old good habit to read a magazine that you
can hold in your hands and turn the pages.
This is a familiar feeling that we are tryingto bring you back when
printing the SHAPE Community Life Magazine. Numerous
requests from the community were received and well acknowledged;
therefore, it is being printed again. It is part of the SHAPE history,
and this is a way to return to you the timeless trust, loyalty and
continuous support provided. Let me thank you for this and for
being such an exceptional community.
I wish you all a healthy and prosperous year.
María José Tezanos Bustamante
Community Event & Communication Management
SHAPE Morale & Welfare Branch
SHAPE Community Life (SCL) is an authorized unofficial magazine, Officer-in-Charge
published monthly by Base Support Group (BSG). The views María José Tezanos Bustamante (NIC)
065/44.2221
expressed in SCL are the sole responsibility of the authors. maria.tezanos@shape.nato.int
Acceptance of material does not guarantee publication. Asst. Community Event & Communication Management
Mar Domínguez Martínez (ESP - Civ)
The Officer-in-Charge (OIC) reserves the right to refuse a
065/44.2487
submission and the right to edit or shorten any material or article mar.martinez@shape.nato.int
submitted. No liability is accepted for the validity of articles, Guest Columnist
announcements or advertising appearing in this magazine. Articles Mike Adubato (NIC)
and photos must acknowledge all sources used, as the OIC cannot Printer
be held responsible for breaches of copyright. SCL cannot accept Imprimerie European Graphics S.A.
responsibility for errors or omissions which may occur during
SHAPE Community Life
production. Bldg. 102, Room 105
Please Note: any materials submitted with articles (e.g.: disks, 065/44.20.69
sclmag@live.be
photos), left more than 60 days, will be disposed of.
All the events announced could be postponed or cancelled due to security reasons related to
COVID-19 outbreak. Please, visit SHAPE2day website, SHAPE Morale & Welfare & SHAPE Notification
Facebook Pages for a more accurate and updated information.
www.shape2day.com SCL 1
CONTENTS
JANUARY 2021
COMMUNITY NEWS
3 SHAPE Toastmasters
6 SHAPE Players’ Sweep ‘Acting Awards’ at 2020 TOPPERS Awards!
MILITARY NEWS
9 NATO Science: Training by Gaming
11 Keep Your Eye Open
12 Legal News!
SHAPE LIFE
14 SHAPE International Band
16 Staying Active in 2021
18 Virtue and Ethics in Ancient Greek Philosophy
20 HARDCOVER: Book Reviews
21 January Blues
SPORTS & FITNESS
22 The Sporting Life
25 Exploring Down-Hill & Single Tracks in Belgium
TRAVEL
26 Hattusa: The Capıtal of the Great Hıttıte Empıre
MORALE & WELFARE
31
32
33
SCL Magazine Submission and Publication Dates
SHAPE Arts & Crafts - SHAPE Performing Arts Centre
SHAPE International Library
6
34 Rationed Items Store - SHAPE Language Centre
36 Pizza Bowl - Rendez-Vous - Silver Spoon Menu
SHAPE AGENDA
37 Dates for your Diaries
38 Ongoing
39 SHAPE Travel Group
40 Forum and Puzzles
14
Photo Cover Credits:
CECM Section
26
2 SCL
Community News
SHAPE Toastmasters
Keeping the Toastmasters’ Community Spirit High!
By SHAPE International Toastmasters Club
Y
ear 2020 was a rewarding year for Toastmasters Germany, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Norway,
globally, in spite of the unpleasantness the Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain,
unparalleled year brought. During the crisis, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States...
the SHAPE Toastmasters experienced a resurgence
One of those is Kaylon Centers from the US Air
of connection within the Toastmasters community,
Force, who made this recommendation to the
with clubs reaching out to each other online.
SHAPE Community in the SCL magazine January
On Tuesday 12th January, the SHAPE Toastmasters 2019 edition:
are sharing a virtual grand meeting with three
other clubs in Canada. This will be the first ‘grand “Are YOU alone in the newness of SHAPE and want to
meeting’, hopefully with more to come. By doing so, improve as a speaker and a leader?
we hope this new extended Toastmaster community
Join the SHAPE Toastmasters.”
will keep the momentum going, and provide a much
needed sense of routine, in a time when many It’s a unique experience meeting with virtual fellow
people’s lives are interrupted. Toastmasters hailing from opposite sides of the
International and local guests add value to our club globe. Although we may never meet physically, we
meetings when providing workshops, delivering are keeping the Toastmasters community spirit
speeches, giving assessments and advice. The high.
power of unity has had a resounding effect on Once the situation improves, we look forward
our club’s members! We learn from each other, we to physically restarting our club meetings, with
inspire each other and we comfort each other in the friendly vibe and the air of expectancy.
these strange times. Thereafter, we hope to occasionally connect with
Keeping the Toastmasters’ community spirit our ‘virtual fellow Toastmasters’ by using a video
high is more important than ever! So, the SHAPE conferencing platform.
Toastmasters are inspired by the power of the The SHAPE Toastmasters welcome you as a visitor
international unity. We also reunite with previous to their online Zoom club meetings every 2nd and
SHAPE Toastmasters, who left SHAPE and Belgium 4th Tuesday of each month.
years ago, now spread throughout the world, The virtual doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the
including Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, meeting starts at 7:00 p.m.
For more information, please send an email to toastmastersshapeclub@gmail.com and in return, you will receive a
Zoom online link to that meeting, to join Toastmasters and Guests.
The SHAPE Toastmasters wish the SHAPE Community a safe, happy and meaningful New Year 2021!
www.shape2day.com SCL 3
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4 SCL
Toastmasters Travel the World Virtually
M
eeting fellow Toastmasters virtually allows us
to travel all over the world, from the comfort
of our home, and Beatrice Freeman is one
of many who grasped that chance! Beatrice is also
someone who turned a personal disaster into a
champ Toastmaster.
Beatrice is a regular guest in the SHAPE International
Toastmasters Club online meetings.
An award-winning comedian, opera singer, author
and networking expert, Beatrice is a great advocate
of public speaking. In her interactive comedy shows,
which combine stand-up with opera, audiences
learn how to fail successfully. Her wide perspective
gained throughout multiple careers, clearly proves Let yourself be inspired by reading more about
that laughter is the best remedy – we must laugh Beatrice Freeman on: www.beatricefreeman.co.uk or
more to feel better. Beatrice Freeman... | LinkedIn
Tu r ning a P e rs o n a l D i s as ter in to a Ch am p Toas tm as ter
By Toastmaster Beatrice Freeman
T
he sleep wasn’t coming… I recalled that awful always supported by the community of like-
moment again and again: my face bright minded people. After a few weeks, I dared to do
red, my mouth too dry to speak… I wanted to impromptu speeches, and after 252 meetings in
say something witty and wise – but on the spot I 46 countries, I can safely say that I have learned
panicked, the clock ticking, people listening… Have it. I also completed my Visionary Communication
you ever had a similar problem? pathway, with projects designed to build the skills
needed as a strategic communicator and leader.
This was me 12 months ago. I knew that 2020 had to be
the year when I finally learn to speak unprepared. I visited SHAPE Toastmasters Club as my 234th
Because it was getting ridiculous: to have a book meeting. I had the most amazing time. What a
published, to have an award for after-dinner warm, welcoming and accomplished club! If you
speaking, years on the operatic stage behind - yet are thinking to do something for yourself in 2021
completely unable to “speak on demand”. – which would challenge you and make you grow
– join their meeting. You’ll love it.
I joined Toastmasters in January 2020. As an
introvert, I found it difficult at the start. I don’t
remember any of the impromptu speaking I had to
do. My club meets every week. I progressed in my
pathway, evaluated speeches and meetings.
Then disaster struck and I lost all my work: the
pandemic closed corporate conferences for
me to perform at, and the uncertainty affected
buyers of my workshops. All gone. Nothing on the
horizon. Utterly devastated, I cried. Then thought
of Toastmasters, visited an online club, started
feeling better. Gradually, all clubs moved online The trusted Toastmasters formula makes you feel
and I was spending every day there, around the safe; hearing others speak inspires; impromptu
globe. I helped out as General Evaluator 27 times.I speeches get easier - and if the fear of public
gained inner peace and better skills - never judged, speaking keeps you awake, you’ll sleep better too.
www.shape2day.com SCL 5
SHAPE Players’ Sweep ‘Acting Awards’
at 2020 TOPPERS Awards! By Christina Ihnken, Marketing
Associate with the Shape Players
O
nce a year, the US Army Europe Entertainment still took home the most awards for a play at the
recognizes and nominates the outstanding TOPPERs 2020, with 5 overall wins and an additional
accomplishments of US Army & Air Force 3 acting awards for BABES IN ARMS.
theater programs in Germany, Italy, Belgium and
The SHAPE Players’ musical BABES IN ARMS
the Netherlands, and winners are awarded a
was able to secure three acting awards but
TOPPRs award. The TOPPERs (US Army Installation
faced some fierce competition as the musical
Management Command (IMCOM) Europe
FOOTLOOSE (KMC Onstage Main Stage) which
Tournament of Plays) are held in Germany every
won the Outstanding Musical of the Year. But
April but due to the pandemic this year’s ceremony
it was the SHAPE Players that swept the acting
had been canceled and alternatively moved to
awards category with the most overall wins! Laura
a virtual event. This year also marked the 60th
Schaefer won the Best Supporting Musical Actress
anniversary of the awards show, the TOPPERs team
for her outstanding performance as Baby Rose in
worked tirelessly and created the first ever virtual
BABES IN ARMS and she was in great company with
awards ceremony, which took place on Sunday,
Attila Csermenyi winning Outstanding Male Youth
December 20, 2020 where the SHAPE Players’
Performance in a Musical for his performance as
productions of BABES IN ARMS and THE CHERRY
Gus Fielding and Ethan Simmons won Outstanding
ORCHARD swept the ‘Acting Categories’ winning 5
Chorus Member as Booker! And Meg Long won
Acting Awards.
the Best Support Actress Award for her poignant
The hosts, Victoria Hanrahan and Dane Winters, and comedic performance as Dunyasha in THE
lead through the program and took their places in CHERRY ORCHARD and Virginia Kaiser took home
front of a green screen behind their respectable the Best Featured Performance in a Play for her
podiums (to adhere to social distancing rules) outrageous characterization of Charlotta.
but once the show kicked off the simple green
Director Dan LaMorte represented the SHAPE
screen transformed into a magical theatre stage
Players at the awards ceremony by presenting the
background with purple and white sparkling
nominees and award for Outstanding Ensemble
curtains. The hosts alternated as presenters
in a Play, while SHAPE Players very own Sunny
with regional military members and celebrities
Boone, Chris Wright, and Damien Roth took the
such as former army entertainment participant/
audience on a tour behind the scenes of the
international performer, David E Moore, Harvey
SHAPE Players Performing Arts Centre. The SHAPE
Fierstein and Hollywood actor, Chris Pine.
Players’ matched last year’s wins where there
The SHAPE Players entered the tournament with were double the number of nominations since
their musical BABES IN ARMS and the play THE this year’s TOPPER awards were limited due to the
CHERRY ORCHARD. The awards ceremony kicked off number of productions entered and reviewed.
with two wins for the play THE CHERRY ORCHARD, in Please see below for a full list of Awards and
the categories Outstanding Hair & Makeup Design Nominations.
for Ms. Perlita Simmons, Outstanding
Costume Design for a Play for Ms. Christine
Kowitz and Best Technical Director for Ms.
Jason Procknal.
One of the most anticipated awards of the
night, the award for Outstanding Play of the
Year, was awarded to The Amelia Earhart
Playhouse, Wiesbaden for BLUE DOOR. The
SHAPE Players had won this category in 2019
for THE GOOD PERSON OF SETZUAN and
even thought THE CHERRY ORCHARD was
not successful in this category this year, it
6 SCL
2020 US Army IMCOM Europe
Entertainment TOPPERs Awards
Announced on 20 Dec 2020
8 TOPPER AWARDS 20 TOPPERS NOMINATIONS
Outstanding Hair & Makeup Design for a Play or Outstanding Costume Design for a Musical
Musical
Christine Kowitz - Babes in Arms. SHAPE PAC
Perlita Simmons - The Cherry Orchard. SHAPE PAC
Outstanding Sound Design for a Play
Outstanding Costume Design for a Play
Kevin Gichuru & Arthur Ross, Jr. - The Cherry
Christine Kowitz - The Cherry Orchard. SHAPE PAC Orchard. SHAPE PAC
Outstanding Technical Direction for a Play Outstanding Lighting Design for a Play
Jason Procknal - The Cherry Orchard. SHAPE PAC Dan LaMorte - The Cherry Orchard. SHAPE PAC
Outstanding Male Youth Performer in a Musical Outstanding Stage Properties & Dressings for a
Musical
Attila Csermenyi as 'Gus Fielding' in Babes in Arms.
SHAPE Performing Arts Centre Lindsey Simmons - Babes in Arms. SHAPE PAC
Outstanding Chorus Member in a Musical Outstanding Set Design for a Play or Musical
Ethan Simmons as 'Booker' in Babes in Arms.SHAPE Dan LaMorte & Olivier Galloo - The Cherry Orchard.
PAC SHAPE PAC
Outstanding Featured Performance in a Play Outstanding Orchestra or Musical Accompaniment
Virginia Kaiser as 'Charlotta' in The Cherry Babes in Arms. SHAPE PAC
Orchard. SHAPE PAC
Outstanding Music Director
Outstanding Supporting Performance in a Play
Heidrun Oberle - Babes in Arms. SHAPE PAC
Meg Long as 'Dunyasha' in The Cherry Orchard.
Outstanding Stage Manager of a Play
SHAPE PAC
Aniko Hettyey - The Cherry Orchard. SHAPE PAC
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical
Outstanding Stage Manager of a Musical
Laura Schaefer as ‘Baby Rose’ in Babes in Arms.
SHAPE PAC SGT Antonio Pannone - Babes in Arms. SHAPE PAC
Outstanding Technical Direction for a Musical
Olivier Galloo & Jason Procknal - Babes in Arms.
SHAPE PAC
www.shape2day.com SCL 7
Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical
Babes in Arms. SHAPE PAC
Outstanding Female Youth Performance in a
Musical
Lindsey Simmons as ‘Billie Smith’ in Babes in Arms.
SHAPE PAC
Outstanding Chorus Member in a Musical
Summer Murray as ‘Marie McGee’ in Babes in
Arms. SHAPE PAC
Outstanding Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Balázs Cserményi as ‘Marshall Blackstone’ in
Babes in Arms. SHAPE PAC
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical
Raphael Nieswand as ‘Beauregard’ in Babes in
Arms. The SHAPE Performing Arts Centre
Outstanding Actress in a Play
Sunny Boone as ‘Ranevskaya’ in The Cherry
Orchard. SHAPE PAC
Outstanding Military Performance in a Play
Specialist Derek Patterson as ‘Yasha’ in The
Cherry Orchard. SHAPE PAC
Staff Sergeant Mark Minton as ‘Trofimov’ in The
Cherry Orchard. SHAPE PAC
SGT Agena Christopherson as ‘Varya’ in The
Cherry Orchard. SHAPE PAC
2020 TOPPERs ‘Outstanding’ Family Show
Babes in Arms. SHAPE PAC
For the most current updates & information about the
SHAPE Players Performing Arts Centre, please go to:
www.shapeplayers.net
8 SCLmilitary news
NATO SCIENCE
TRAINING BY GAMING By NATO HQ
I
n the future, threats could come from all sides: Through its Science and Technology Organization,
disinformation, urban warfare, cyber attacks, NATO is working with cognitive and behavioural
civil unrest, robots, drones, and even augmented scientists at Atılım University in Turkey to set up
humans. It’s NATO’s job to imagine every possible simulations – from board games to future games
threat and plan how to best protect our populations. in virtual reality – that hit the perfect pitch of
Gamification can be a valuable tool in getting learning and creativity. In the end, the knowledge
people to ask questions they haven’t asked before. and experience gained from these games will help
The combination of competition, excitement and NATO and Allied leaders make better-informed
fun is crucial when training the next generation of decisions on defence matters.
security specialists. More about this series: https://bit.ly/NATOScienceSeries
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*4.84% APR financing for 84 months with $1,250 down payment (based on a 31 day month). Vehicles shown are for illustration only, and may contain optional equipment www.shape2day.com SCL 9
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The WLTP fully replaces the New European Drive Cycle (NEDC), which was the test procedure used previously. Due to more realistic test conditions, the fuel consumption and
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10 SCL
www.psa-ventes-diplomatiques.comSHAPE Field Office - ACCI SHAPE Field Office
Bldg. 101, Room K125
065 44 8809 accisfodistro@shape.nato.int
Keep Your Eye Open
Courtesy of ACCI SHAPE Field Office
What is TESS?
Happy New Year NATO! It’s a New Year and In your daily life this can be as simple as someone
your Allied Command Counterintelligence Team asking too many questions about where you or
is working hard for you. You can help! We need your spouse work, what your daily duties are, or
your help to identify the threats to our community. what places or information you have access to.
TESS is a simple acronym to help you remember Perhaps you see someone attempting to climb a
what the threats are. fence on base into a protected area. You may find a
person in a secure space after hours.
TESS is a NATO term that stands for Terrorism,
Espionage, Sabotage and Subversion. If this appears odd to you, please contact your local
counterintelligence agent to discuss it.
Do you know the difference between these
terms and how to possibly identify them? Sabotage: /n/
Terrorism: /n/ Deliberately destroy damage or obstruct, especially
for military advantage.
The unlawful use of force or violence or the threat
of violence to instilling fear to coerce or intimidate Like Espionage, sabotage can be difficult to spot
governments or societies, or to gain control over because the saboteur doesn’t want to be caught.
a population to achieve political, religious or Is someone you know deliberately breaking NATO
ideological objectives. equipment or tampering with things? Please
contact your local CI Team!
Unfortunately, we are familiar with what terrorism
looks like, however the key to keeping it out of Subversion: /n/
our community is to maintain awareness. If you
Actions designed to undermine the military,
spot activity that appears odd, do not be afraid
economic, psychological or political strength or
to bring this to the attention of your nearest
morale of a community.
counterintelligence agent.
Subversion can be identified by someone attempting
Espionage: /n/
to sow division within a unit or community by
Activity which is meant to be discreet or covert, is influencing public opinion. Subversion does NOT
always directed against an Alliance that possesses mean that everyone with a difference of opinion is
protected information linked to resources. committing subversion.
Espionage can be hard to identify because it However, social media posts advocating NATO
is designed that way. This is when someone is personnel to rebel or undermine their work IS
attempting to gather information about NATO that subversive. If you aren’t sure you can still talk to
they should not have. your CI Team.
If you think you need to speak with ACCI, contact us at:
SHAPE Field Office (SFO): Bldg. 101, Room K125
065-44-8809/8811 NSN: 423-8809
www.shape2day.com SCL 11Legal News!
By Borja Montes Toscano
LAWFAS Content Manager
ACO Office of Legal Affairs
Artificial Intelligence & Warfare:
Emerging threat that NATO needs to tackle soon
2 021 has already started and we also have
fully begun the third decade of the XXI
century. Technology is developing at a dizzying
pace and Artificial Intelligence applications have
come to stay (e.g. Amazon – AWS and Alexa,
self-driving cars, etc). In addition, both public
and private entities are deploying Algorithmic
Decision Systems (ADS). There is also the fear that
autonomous warfare capabilities might be tested
and located in theatres of operations and gray zone
environments in the medium term.
Current armed conflicts are grounded on selective
attacks without clear defined geographical limits.
Such situation leads to legal gaps regarding the
applicability of International Humanitarian Law
(IHL) or International Human Rights Law (IHRL).
The risk of collateral damages is more present
than ever as several of these armed activities
are carried out close to areas where both civilian
population and objects are placed. On the other
hand, autonomous weapons systems have started
to be developed by private entities and also by
some armed forces.
In 2017, Russian President Vladimir Putin affirmed
that the nation that leads in Artificial Intelligence
will be the ruler of the world.
In the meantime, sovereign states and particularly
NATO have to identify the main loopholes and
challenges that these new technologies pose.
To begin with, NATO and also the international
community urgently need to reach a common
definition of autonomous warfare and to establish
clear differences with automated/automatic
weapons. Beforehand, states and private entities
will need to undertake a multidisciplinar analysis
and weapons reviews where possible malfunctions
shall be identified. This step will be relevant to
determine the accuracy of these weapons when
fielded in operations and exercises. Otherwise,
both states and NATO cannot bear the risk of
using weaponry that may violate core peremptory
On 4 January, Borja Montes Toscano gave a presentation on international norms. Bearing in mind that there
Autonomous Weapons Systems to IDC Herzliya students. are no international conventional norms1 that
12 SCL1
So far, the US Department of Defense passed Directive
3000.09 on Autonomy in Weapon Systems in 2012 (last
amendment happened in 2017)
explicitly regulate the use and deployment
of autonomous weapons systems, states
(together with NATO) now more than ever
have to better identify the threshold for
an armed conflict to exist. States have to
reinforce the existing normative provisions Alliance is to strenthgthen common capabilities
(IHL and IHRL) to better conduct hostilities and (Articles 3 and 9 of the Treaty of Washington 1949
to avoid harming protected people or objects, as - NAT) through the Alliance’s policy instruments.
enshrined in the Geneva Conventions and their Both states and NATO need to determine the
Additional Protocols. current status of autonomous weapons systems
On the other hand, both individual and state and whether to grant legal personhood on
accountability regimes have not fully reached these devices or not. In order to better ensure
the sufficient legally binding character to hold interoperability, deterrence and resilience, NATO
accountable stakeholders involved in these needs to foster Situational Awareness technologies
Artificial Intelligence activities. The international that enable allies to have a clear 360-picture of
community will need to reach consensus on possible threats and operational changes that
the strenghtening of accountability. Otherwise, Artificial Intelligence may give rise to.
impunity will remain rampant. In addition, NATO acknowledgment of lessons
All these efforts can reduce asymmetries in learnt from the past will be essential for the
armed conflicts and also ensure better legal accomplishment of the collective security
interoperability between NATO states and also mandate. Artificial Intelligence warfare is one
throughout the chain of command. more feature of Hybrid Warfare:
It is not the Alliance’s task to preemptively ban Training & Vigilance will be more
these types of weapons; States need to reach
crucial than ever to face Articles
a conventional regime on the fate of artificial
intelligence weapons. What NATO can do as an 4 & 5 NAT crisis situations.
BMWMotorrad_DepotterMotorbikes_Shape adv_121x105mm_v2_final.pdf 1 11/12/2020 11:44
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www.shape2day.com SCL 13T
he SHAPE International Band is a joint-service, international military band comprised of
twenty musicians representing NATO member nations, dedicated to performing in support of
SHAPE International Band SHAPE, SACEUR, and the NATO Alliance. To mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the SHAPE
International Band has temporarily postponed all upcoming public performances for the foreseeable
future. However, as operations slowly resume, we are once again performing for official functions – some
of which are featured here.
A Fresh Start
Technical Sergeant Jeff Hall (U.S. Air Force) (left) plays tenor NATO Jazz Combo performs “Fresh Start” for a SHAPE International
saxophone on his tune, “Fresh Start” as Sergeant McKay Heaton Band video. Top, from left to right: Technical Sergeant Jeff Hall (U.S.
(U.S. Army) (right) accompanies with the NATO Jazz Combo. Air Force), Sergeant McKay Heaton (U.S. Army), and Corporal Eric
Lundquist (U.S. Army). Bottom, from left to right: Staff Sergeant Miguel
To begin the new year, saxophonist Technical Davis (U.S. Army), Staff Sergeant Nicholas Cressotti (U.S. Army), and
Staff Sergeant Henry Soriano (U.S. Army).
Sergeant Jeff Hall (U.S. Air Force), premiered
his original composition, “Fresh Start”, for one
of the SHAPE International Band’s latest video
performances. The aptly titled tune welcomes the
new year and features the NATO Jazz Combo.
Come see Tech. Sgt. Hall and the rest of the band
at facebook.com/SHAPEInternationalBand, and
like the page to see what’s coming up next.
Mileage Challenge
To stay healthy and motivated during these days of
travel and work restrictions, the SHAPE International
Band measured their miles as they competed in a
running and biking mileage challenge. Coordinated
by Sergeant Nick Tolman (U.S. Army), the band and
their family members divided into three teams, each
logging the miles of their individual workouts over
the course of a month. At the end of the challenge,
gift card prizes were awarded to winners in several
fitness categories to include “Longest Run”, won
by Staff Sergeant Nicholas Cressotti (U.S. Army),
“Longest Bike”, which went to Master Sergeant
Rebecca Wischmann (U.S. Air Force), “Most Miles
Ran”, seized by Corporal Eric Lundquist (U.S. Army),
Master Sergeant Stephanie Doehr (U.S. Army) and Corporal and “Most Miles Biked”, dominated by Sergeant First
Fergus Williams-Tanton (British Army) log miles for the SHAPE Class Mike Agee. By the end of the challenge, the band
International Band mileage challenge. logged over three thousand miles. Well done, athletes!
Supporting the Community
By Specialist Ian Rictor (U.S. Army)
Over the past several months, it has been a privilege
for the SHAPE International Band to find ways of
giving back to our incredibly supportive audience.
During the holiday season and beyond, members
of the band have volunteered their time at the
SHAPE Community Mail Room, the Chièvres Air
Base Fitness Center, and the SHAPE Healthcare
Facility COVID-19 Call Center. Whether it’s on
the stage or off of it, we value every opportunity
to serve our community.
14 SCLSHAPE LIFE
Band Member Spotlight:
Sergeant
Tony Wong
Sergeant Tony Wong (U.S. Army) grew up in
Bradley, Illinois, USA and graduated from Eastern
Illinois University in 2009 with degrees in Jazz
Studies and Music Education. He continued his
education at San Diego State University earning a
master’s degree in Jazz Studies in 2011. After three
years teaching general music and choir in public
school, Tony won an audition with the United States
Army Bands as a saxophonist. Since 2014,
Tony has been assigned to the 1st Armored Division
Band in El Paso, Texas; United States Army
Europe Band & Chorus in Germany; and most
recently won an audition with NATO’s S.H.A.P.E.
International Band in Belgium. Tony has performed
for the President of the United States in Normandy,
France during the 75th anniversary of D-Day, along
with several performances for key members of
military and civilian leadership. Sergeant Wong’s
performances have brought him to Mexico, Jordan,
Kuwait, Eritrea, Switzerland, Bosnia, Germany,
France, Turkey, Portugal, Romania, Denmark, and
North Macedonia. Here at the SHAPE International
Band he serves as a saxophone player in Task Force
X and the NATO Jazz Orchestra as well being our
social media manager. Sergeant Tony Wong (U.S. Army) plays a saxophone solo.
Want to request the band?
Visit our website, download our request form and email
it duly completed to us!
0032 065/44 3322
shapeband@shape.nato.int
Website: https://shape.nato.int/shapeband
The SHAPE International Band features the following ensembles:
NATO Jazz Orchestra: Large jazz ensemble performing NATO Unplugged: Acoustic small ensemble
big band music from the 1930’s through today. performing Popular, Folk and Americana music.
NATO Jazz Combo: Small jazz ensemble performing Ceremonial Band: Traditional military marching
R&B and traditional & modern jazz. band performing marches, anthems, and ceremonial
Solo Vocalist: Soloist performing anthems for ceremonial music for large indoor and outdoor ceremonies.
and official events. NATO Brass Ambassadors: Small ceremonial brass
Solo Instrumentalist: Soloist performing a variety of ensemble performing anthems, marches, and chamber
styles for socials, balls, and official events. music.
Task Force X: Show band performing Popular, Rock, Ceremonial Bugler: Solo bugler performing for
and Dance music for large events. ceremonies and official events.
A note about upcoming events:
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, all upcoming events
have been postponed until further notice. Please stay tuned to our Facebook page for
We are working closely with our contacts to schedule announcements about future performances or
performances in the coming months and hope to be on contact us directly to request support for your event.
stage again before the end of the year.
www.shape2day.com SCL 15T
he start of a new year offers a good
Supreme Hedquarters opportunity for all of us to stay well
Allied Powers Europe together at SHAPE!
This is a great opportunity for us to renew our
goals and introduce habits that bring a renewed
sense of energy and focus. You might decide that
you want to improve your language skills, take
up a new hobby or learn a new skill. You may
want to improve your health and fitness or do
more reading. It helps to share your goals with
YO
someone - you can offer each other support and
encouragement. It feels good to be active!
There are many COVID safe activities that you
can participate in at SHAPE. Participating in an
activity is a great way to meet people and to feel
part of the community.
Did you know that you can join the
ARE NOT
following activities at SHAPE?
For more information go to our Facebook Page
- SHAPE Staying Well Together, SHAPE Sports
ALONE
and Fitness or email Stayingwellatshape@gmail.
com
- Join a Book Club - meet once per month to
discuss a book.
- Join a Cooking Club - share and discuss recipes
and more.
- Find a Language Buddy - develop your
STAYING ACTIVE conversational skills or learn about another
culture by helping someone to develop their
IN 2021
language skills.
- Walk and Talk for Parents - meet other parents
every Wednesday at 1000 outside the library.
- Walk & Talk - meet someone to walk with on
base or near your home.
StayingWellTogetherAtSHAPE - CrossFit - complete a daily workout (you have
to attend the induction course)
- Chievres Gym - fitness classes/gymnastics
facilities are available - register@Chievres.
armymwr.com/programs/fitness (must register,
bring towel/water 16+).
- Tennis on Base - play when the weather permits.
- Golf - SHAPE Golf Association.
- Disc Golf - SHAPE Benelux.
- SHAPE Cycling.
- Zumba by Wendy.
By Ingrid Covington - Yoga by Alice.
16 SCLWhatever you choose to do, remember that you
will feel the benefits from introducing these FIVE
simple things into your life:
If you have
5 WAYS
TO WELLBEING any ideas for
STAY SOCIALLY other activities
CONNECTED please get in
Talk & Listen ~ be there ~ feel connected
(enjoy a virtual catch-up)
touch!
GIVE
time, words, presence
(it feels good to help others & feel part of a We would love
community)
to hear your
NOTICE
remember the simple things that give you comments!
joy
(do things that make you happy)
KEEP LEARNING
surprise yourself, embrace new
experiences, see opportunities
USEFUL CONTACTS:
BE ACTIVE
move your mood ~ do what you can ~ enjoy COVID-19 Hotline for
what you do ~ assistance
(30 minutes walking in the daylight each
day can boost your mood)
Office:
+32 6532 5336
(Mo-Fr 0800-2000)
After Hours:
+32 476 760 327 (24/7)
StayingWellTogetherAtSHAPE
OBSERVE
YOURSELF
Information available on the SHAPE2DAY Website
www.shape2day.com
www.shape2day.com SCL 17VIRTUE AND ETHICS IN ANCIENT
GREEK PHILOSOPHY
By Vasileios Manousakis , OF-4 (GRC)
References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Democritus2.jpg
What is anyway philosophy ?
Everybody philosophizes...
Democritus was born around 460 BC from wealthy
parents.
As a sharp and restless spirit, he tried, when he was
young, to get to know the rest of the civilized world,
spending all of his fortune on trips to learn the wisdom
of other civilizations.
It is said that all day and night he was focused on
himself. He did not go to Ath-ens to gain fame from
the center of education those days, but he chosed
instead to give fame to another place himself.
When a young man boasted in theater that he was
associating with wise men, he said to him: I am also
related to the rich, but I am not rich.
He was always in a good mood and laughing, not only
because he faced life with optimism and serenity, but
because he laughed at the tendency of people to deal
with vain things.
Democritus was very well educated and dealt with all
fields of knowledge: math-ematics, physics, ethics and
history.
He devoted all his life to study and research and
it is said that he would prefer find out the cause of
everything than become the king of the Persians.
He was a catholic mind and in this respect he can only
be compared to Aristotle.
18 SCLHe died very old and left life without sorrow. Nature and education are similar things. They transform
Democritus is the first Greek thinker who dealt man and by reshaping him, they create his genuine
extensively with man, his fate, his passions and above nature.
all, his responsibilities as an individual. After giving the The best way to learn is the example. The worst teacher
most sophisticated interpretation of being, he turned for youth is conven-ience.
to man who is for him a small world, a microscopic
Courage for Democritus is the beginning of action. One
universe.
should be content with what he has, although many
The basis of his moral perspective is that man is solely people are worried by not having more. People who have
responsible for his ac-tions and life. People created the similar or common spirits will be led into friendship.
image of luck as a pretext for their own help-lessness.
No-one can live a worthwhile life if he does not have a
The purpose of mankind is cheerfulness, harmony,
good friend. He used to say that it is greed to want to say
balance and calm-ness. Happiness is hoped to be a
a lot but not listen to anything.
permanent state of soul.
Finally he will say: nothing happens by chance but
The balance is the guide for the conquest of cheerfulness
everything is done by some need and cause, although in
and harmony, and if one exceeds it, pleasure will be
reality we know nothing.
replaced by disappointment.
The truth rests in the bottom of the sea, that is, many
Lack and excess create great disorder in happiness. Man
things are unclear to us.
knows the way to make the right choices and it is better
to think before his actions than to regret afterwards. To be continued with Socrates…
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www.shape2day.com SCL 19Book Reviews
HARDCOVER By Eduardo Martinez Llarena
Thinking In time
“In this book, you will read about the uses of
history for decision-makers”
How did I run into this book? Boyd's Destruction and Creation, a model for analysis-
synthesis thinking. Following this approach at the desk-
I was reading Destined for War, can America and China level does not guarantee that we will yell Eureka! in our
Escape the Thucydides Trap by Graham Allison. In this next assignment but it will help us to improve our Point
book, he exposes an apparent tendency towards war
Papers.
when an emerging power challenges the ruling power.
The examples listed in the book and the thesis proposed Over the thirty cases presented in the book, probably
are more interesting than the book itself. The topic one that is most noteworthy for these times is the review
sparked my interest and let me to YouTube where I found of the Swine Flu of 1976 and Ford’s administration
a panel discussion held at Harvard Kennedy School. vaccination campaign. For those interested more in this
Other than learning how to pronounce "Thucydides" topic, Niall Ferguson will publish a new book this spring
correctly, you can skip the conference. However, one titled Doom: The politics of Catastrophe. He will address
of the speakers the always-riveting Niall Ferguson what we have learned from previous disasters.
tangentially recommended the book hereby reviewed
A great example of Thinking In Time was during the
and advocated to promote the discipline of “Applied
Cuban missile crisis. It is well-known that President
History” to support decision-making.
Kennedy made several referrals to his brother Robert
Applied history is not about looking to the past to about the classic work by Barbara Tuchman, The Guns
address problem solving by analogy. In fact, it is the of August about the 1914 war outbreak. He saw himself
process of unreasoning from analogies. You do not want as part of a procession of political leaders on whose
your generals to fight the last war. Applied history is the decisions many lives might depend and that shaped his
discipline that studies why and how certain policies decision-making. He did not want anyone to eventually
were made and in what manner we could improve our write a book titled "the missiles of October".
current decision-making process.
Another good example of the use of history at the
This book is informally divided into two parts. The staff level is the work undertaken on the Enablement
authors will present a methodology to analyze former of SACEUR Area of Responsibility. For example, the
policy and decision-making. As we read through the digitalization of NATO's main supply routes was inspired
chapters they will show how we could analyze different by the Red Ball Express route, which was developed by
historical examples. You will read about this discipline the Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Forces (SHAEF)
and at the same time, you will get to know some in 1944. The Enablement project is by definition a
interesting affairs. never-ending task. Planners and operators should not be
discouraged by it. This everlasting task proves a good
The book is addressed to those who command but understanding of why many campaigns have come to
also to those who assist the ones who govern. grief owing to a lack of peacetime logistics preparations.
The authors propose a number of "mini-methods" for In this regard, you could take a look to another classic
mind mapping. They advise to dissect our concern book: Supplying War, logistics from Wallenstein to Patton
into what we “know”, what is “unclear” and what is by Martin Van Creveld.
“presumed”. We should compare then and now, in
their words, what are the “likenesses” and “differences”
Thinking in Time by Richard E. Neustadt and Ernest R. May
of the event we are addressing. The ones serving in
the USAF will rapidly grasp the similarity with John The Free Press, 1986.
20 SCLBy Antoaneta S. Lazarova, Environmental Health Technician
SHAPE Healthcare Facility
January Blues
A
fter spending a wonderful holiday period, some Take care of your health, including eating well, exercising,
people feel blue and find it difficult to get back to
and getting enough sleep.
their daily rhythm. The most common symptom
of the holiday blues is amplified depression. If you feel Serotonin is a chemical messenger that is believed
like simple activities are more difficult than normal - to act as a mood stabilizer. It helps produce healthy
getting out of bed, making dinner, taking a walk, feeling sleeping patterns as well as boost your mood. Suitable
more tired than usual, losing interest in things that used foods that boost your serotonin neurotransmitters are
to bring you joy, having trouble concentrating, you may salmon, bananas, pineapple, nuts and seeds, turkey and
be experiencing a bout of seasonal depression. poultry, tofu and soy, dairy produce, eggs and peas.
There are many reasons people get sad after the holidays, Keep exercising no matter the weather, lethargy and
from social events during the month of December only weight excuses. Exercise will give us the mood-boost
to have nothing on the calendar in the month of January. we need and gets us moving again.
Holidays tend to bring up memories of those no longer
with us, our families, or those with whom we no longer Continue spending time around people.
have a relationship. Nutrition plays a role too. Sugar and Social interaction is a critical component of enhanced
alcohol use during the holiday period could also be a well-being. Lift the spirits by continuing to stay
culprit. Alcohol is a widely recognized depressant and connected with friends and family, and look for online
junk food has been linked to depression as well. activities to interact with others.
Working yourself out of a post-holiday stench requires
Give yourself the gift of giving.
putting some extra emphasis on the basics of physical and
Random acts of kindness are transformative, whether
mental well-being and adjusting expectations. it is a call to a distant relative or taking food to those in
quarantine, focusing on someone else’s needs has the
Grab the benefits of the post-holiday season. paradoxical effect of helping the giver.
The good side to the end of the holidays is you have had
a chance to rest, to relax, and to enjoy yourself. This Learn to say “no.”
is a good time to consider making changes to improve Overscheduling and not making time for ourselves can
our situation, especially because not making the changes
lead to emotional breakdowns. Learn how to say “no,”
can prolong our blues. Whatever changes made, we will
and stay firm on your decision.
never control everything. Most psychological troubles
stem from expectations. If we accept reality, we break
free from disappointment and take life for what it is: a
constant mix of possibilities. Things are not exclusively
or inherently good or bad, and so all experiences can
then become informative in some way.
Be kind to yourself with respect to any
New Year’s resolution, make them realistic. It is always
better to make a goal that is attainable rather than one
that is too far off the mark.
The post-holiday blues are temporary and natural. The best
way to deal with this is to examine our ever-changing states
without judgement, knowing feelings and circumstances
will inevitably shift again and practice celebrating real life
with all its many quirks.
www.shape2day.com SCL 21THE SPORTING LIFE
By Michael Adubato (USA-Civ)
I would like to start off by wishing every one of you a
very happy new year and all the best for 2021.
If you are brand new to SHAPE or arrived sometime last
year, you might not be familiar with this sports column;
perhaps due to the lack of hard copies of the magazine
being available around the base as was usual before
the pandemic struck.
I wrote my first sports column, not yet called The
Sporting Life, way back in January 2009. That was
when this monthly magazine came out every two weeks.
Needless to say, it kept me busy but I enjoyed writing it
and a dozen years later, I still do.
What I have been trying to do all these years is
introduce you, the reader, to sports in our host nation
and sometimes further afield. As I write for another
publication, Yanks-Abroad.com, as well as occasionally
freelance, I have professional press credentials that
allow me to access professional sporting events and
afterwards interview the athletes. But I try to mix sports
with culture of them as well. You’ll get the gist of it if
you find any old copies of the magazine lying around
or just go into the magazine archives at the website,
shape2day.com, where you can download .pdf copies.
In this column you can read about adventures of going
to professional sporting events as well as interviews with
professional athletes and also Shapians who are happy
to share their sporting achievements with the readers.
Now it’s time to confess. I am a massive football fan!
(My countrymen call it soccer and that’s OK but I’ve I drove up to Brussels at the end of November for what
been in Europe so long that I just fell in line with the is known as the Belgian Classic – Anderlecht against
Europeans.) My first love is Arsenal FC and I have Standard Liege. My mission was to watch hopefully,
covered them in the column on a few occasions when a very good game and write up a press box report for
they came to play in Belgium in Champions League the Yanks Abroad site. So there was me and about 20
games. (Those were the day!) In Belgium, I support other journalists in the stands and not another soul in
our local team – RAEC Mons. They’ve had their glory sight except for the players and coaches on the field. It
days and played in the top flight but are now a re-built was a very strange feeling and probably also strange to
team that plays a few divisions down. I’ll write more the players at the time.
about them at a later date. Right now however, except
for the top flight, all other games have been cancelled If I can misquote Forrest Gump, “football is like a box of
until further notice. chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.”
What I love best of all in the game is seeing young What is usually a very good game, and I have seen
American guys come to Europe, break into the European these teams go at it for over 20 years now, turned out
leagues and succeed. That has been happening a lot to be one where I kept looking at the clock so that I
lately and I’m ecstatic now that we have six of them could get out of the cold and go home. With no access
playing in the Belgian Pro League. The last one was to the players after the game, I could have left early
signed this month by KRC Genk from Philadelphia but was afraid of missing a goal. There were no goals.
Union of the MLS – Mark McKenzie. I would say that So as the final whistle blew I got up, waved to a few
our top player in Belgium at this time however is Matt Belgian journalist friends and walked out of the quiet
Miazga, who plays for the country’s most successful stadium and into the quiet streets to my car that was
team – Anderlecht. He’s on loan from Chelsea FC. parked just outside.
22 SCLsports & fitness
I don’t particularly like empty stadiums but I understand
why they are like this. The journalists were spaced out
and we had Plexiglas barriers between us and were
obliged to wear masks. I only hope that things will get
back to normal soon and fans will be allowed back in. I
bought a season pass for the Mons team as well so I’m
certainly not getting my money’s worth there.
For you basketball fans out there; Mons also has a
professional team. They are currently playing but again,
no fans allowed. So if you can’t watch games, how
about reading about one of the game’s most colorful
coaches? I’m talking about former high school, college,
NBA and WNBA coach, Richie Adubato. If the name
sounds familiar, that’s because he is my cousin. He’s
not only had an interesting career in the game that he
loves so much but a very interesting life.
His book, Having A Ball: My Improbable Basketball
Journey was released in October. I just got my copy
and am having trouble putting it down. Many of his
friends and colleagues have reviewed it but I just want
to share one that, to me, sums up Richie.
“Nobody loves basketball, and life, more than Richie With so many great experiences and accolades, can
Adubato. And nobody knows more about the game. You’ll you pick a couple that you are most proud of?
laugh like you’ve never laughed before.” “Some of my greatest thrills were each time I coached
Bob Lanier, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame the All Star Games (once in the NBA and once the
WNBA).
Hanging out with Richie when I managed to catch up
with him back in the States, I loved his stories and I Every time I’d go to Madison Square Garden and look
know that I wasn’t the first to tell him that he should up in the rafters and see three Eastern Conference
write a book. Thank God that he finally has. I asked him Championship banners hanging there (from when he
why he finally got around to it. coached the WNBA’s NY Liberty team) right next to
the NBA Knicks championship banner and the great
Knicks players’ banners was such a thrill.
I was also proud when I was named Coach of the
Year from the NJ Sportswriters Association back in
2000.”
I cannot recommend this book enough to you and
strongly suggest that you find yourself a copy. I
checked and it’s available on the American, British
and French Amazon.com websites.
You’ll have a ball reading it!
t Richie Adubato on the Orlando bench with legend, Shaquille
O’Neal
”I wrote it for my legacy.” he told me. “And so that my
children and grandchildren can enjoy my story of how
my dream to coach in the NBA came true, with hard Until next time
work, perseverance and luck.”
And what took you so long? stay safe
“It took me so long to write it because I was still working
broadcasting for the (Orlando) Magic and it’s hard for
me to multitask!”
and wear your mask!
www.shape2day.com SCL 23Volvo XC60
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24 SCL www.ardson.be +32 493 47 09 14Exploring Down-Hill &
Single Tracks in Belgium
By Ingrid Hernes and Cathrine Keyser
W
ho could have expected that Belgium, well aware, even if it is easy to ride along the wide trails
known for road biking and famous rides in in the area of Groenendael between Waterloo and
the spring, also would be an El Dorado for Brussels, there are a lot of people walking.
all-mountain biking?
It might be better to move into the more rural areas.
When the corona-virus invaded Europe, border- Did you know it is possible to walk from Amsterdam
crossings were banned and city walks at the weekend to Paris following one route? Or that Europe has
were not fun anymore because of the closed shops a pattern of long-distance hiking routes? The
and cafes – therefore we had to turn to outdoor Grande Randonnée (French), Grote Routepaden
activities. Riding along nice graveled roads in the or Lange-afstand-wandelpaden (Dutch), Grande
Belgian countryside and small tracks covered by Rota (Portuguese) or Gran Recorrido (Spanish) is a
leaves is a nice way of exploring the more hidden network of long-distance footpaths in Europe, mostly
parts of Belgium. in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain. You
can download the routes from the internet or buy a
The Ardennes, with its vast network of cycling routes
guide book covering part of the route. We have spent
and trails, Houffalize and La Roche-en-Ardenne
several Sundays on the GR12, in the area of Abbaye
are the ideal destination for cyclists and mountain
D’Aulne, Phillippeville, Walcourt and Pry.
bikers. In this area there are several marked routes
all starting in the centre of the village and then you Another helpful guide is an app named Komoot.
can follow the signposted routes until you are back (There might be other apps too providing similar
where you started, leaving behind several meters functionality). For a small fee, you will have access to
of elevation which challenges both your strength many maps in Europe that you can download to your
and courage. Nevertheless, it might be a good idea phone or using a Garmin computer. Here you can find
to have additional means like a map, either as a routes people have explored and uploaded and you
hardcopy or as an app on your mobile device. The can search for region, city, distance and challenge. In
tourist offices in the popular cycling areas provide Komoot you can find a route for all levels and for us,
maps. the weekend starts on Friday afternoon looking for a
new route to follow on Saturday or Sunday.
In Belgium you have the cycling node network you
can find on vhello.be. This is nice for exploring on What kind of bike do I need to do the adventure?
hybrid or gravel bikes, but for mountain biking you A full-suspension makes most fun, but a hard tail
might look for more challenges like single tracks. mountain bike is good enough, but then you should
And these you can find following hiking routes. In pay a little attention to the route description.
the Flemish part of Belgium, there is a similar hiking
node network as the one you can find on vhello.be So, what are you waiting for?
and this is perfect for a ride in the countryside. But be Get out there and explore!!
www.shape2day.com SCL 25You can also read
