AN INDEPENDENT PUBLICATION OF COMPRINTMILITARY PUBLICATIONS AT JOINT BASE ANDREWS,MD.DCMILITARY.COM FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014 | VOL. 3 NO. 12

DTHC Renames‘Fit To Win’ inFormer Com-mander’s Honor

6Andrews YouthCenter aims forGuinness WorldRecord

3 Military officialstestify on seques-tration, readiness

7

BY ANDREW ALDRICHPRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY MEMO-

RIAL LIBRARY SYSTEM

Prince George’s County Me-morial Library System part-nered with MyFreeTaxes.comto help library customers filefree federal and state tax re-turns this year. To use the ser-

vice, customers must have hadan income of $58,000 or less in2013.In addition, the library offers

federal tax forms and other re-sources at branches throughoutPrince George’s County. To ac-cess these services and tax-re-lated links, customers can visitwww.pgcmls.info/taxforms.

Prince George’s CountyLibrary offers tax help

BY AIRMAN 1ST CLASSJOSHUA R. M. DEWBERRY11TH WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS

From sunshine to snowfallto rain, the weather has had acynical cycle this time of year.According to the 89th Opera-tions Support Squadron, thistype of erratic weather is un-usual for this area.“It’s because of the low jet

stream that’s been hitting intothe warmer coastal waters,”said Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Good-win, 89th OSS weather fore-caster. “What’s really unusualabout the snow is how long ithas lasted, not necessarily thatthere’s been so much of it.”Airman 1st Class Courtnie

Josey, 89th OSS weather fore-caster, said it is normal forthere to be a cycle of erratic

weather approximately everyseveral years for this area.“When the jet stream dips

down south, it’ll take a while toget back up north,” said Josey.“However, the winter seasonis nearing its end with springaround the corner.”Andrews residents are ad-

vised to still be on alert forrainstorms and the upcomingsummer heat to follow.“We’re expecting rainstorms,

thunderstorms, high winds,microbursts; in other words,severe weather could still bearound the corner,” said Airman1st Class Steven Narad, 89thOSS weather forecaster. “Thesnow may be gone, but we’re notout of the clear just yet.”Base residents can check

their local weather service forsevere weather notifications.

Weird weather is not so weird

COURTESY OF THESMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

AWorldWar II dive-bomber, theCurtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver, went onexhibition April 1 at the Steven F.Udvar-Hazy Center, where it hadundergone restoration for the past15 months. It is the first historicaircraft to be restored in the MaryBaker Engen Restoration Hangar,part of a major new addition to thecenter, also consisting of severalartifact storage facilities, a col-lection processing unit, the EmilBuehler Conservation Laboratoryand the museum’s Archives. Therestoration hangar, large enoughto hold seven aircraft at the sametime, is fully visible from a mez-zanine above, where museum visi-tors can view specialists workingon artifacts below.The museum’s Helldiver rolled

off the assembly line in Columbus,Ohio, in May 1945, four monthsbefore the war ended. It never sawcombat. From September throughDecember of that year, it was lo-cated on the USS Lexington and

flown by Bombing Squadron (VB)92 in the western Pacific and, later,in occupied Japan. It was trans-ferred by the U.S. Navy to theSmithsonian in 1960.“With the Mary Baker Engen

Restoration Hangar now fullyoperational, we can expect to seeother icons being transformed, asthey move from storage, throughrestoration and into full view onthe exhibition floor of the Udvar-Hazy Center,” said Gen. J.R. “Jack”Dailey, director of the museum.Support for the Mary Baker En-

gen Restoration Hangar included adonation of $15 million from Tra-vis and Anne Engen, the son anddaughter-in-law of Vice Adm. Don-ald D. Engen, a former director ofthe museum, who flew Helldiversin World War II. In appreciationfor the gift, the museum namedthe hangar after Adm. Engen’swife, Mary.The restoration of the muse-

um’s Helldiver was aided by twosurviving members of BombingSquadron (VB) 92, who providedaeronautics curator Jeremy Kin-

ney with firsthand knowledge ofits use on the Lexington; the chil-dren of other members donated asquadron yearbook with photo-graphs documenting its uniquemarkings. Another source of in-

formation was a former memberof the Curtiss-Wright EngineeringCadettes, who inspected Helldiv-ers at the Ohio plant in May 1945.The Cadettes were women engi-neers during World War II.

The restored Helldiver boastsnew paint and markings that takeit back to its days with VB-92 dur-ing the fall of 1945. The enginereceived a thorough cleaning andpreservation treatment. It has afully restored propeller with sig-nificant details that had been lostfor decades. Interior areas in thefuselage were preserved, as werethe wings, to stabilize corrosionand retain the original CurtissGreen paint as much as possible.The Helldiver was reconstructedwhere needed. Museum Collec-tions specialists replicated impor-tant parts of the aircraft, includingthe rear cockpit floor, the gun truckthat connects the twin .30-calibermachine guns to the rear seat andthe unique Curtiss-specific fabriccoverings for the ailerons, eleva-tors and rudder. Heavily damagedcomponents, primarily the rudderand a torn outer wing panel, re-quired extensive repair.During World War II, U.S.

Navy bombing squadrons flew

National Air and SpaceMuseumUnveils Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver

PHOTOS/DANE PENLAND, SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

Museum specialist Will Lee fabricated this rudder rib using plans onfile in the National Air and Space Museum’s Archives.

seeMUSEUM, page 4

BY CHRIS BASHAMSTAFF WRITER

When wounds, illnesses andinjuries pull our service membersfrom the battlefield, recoverycan be a long and grueling jour-ney. After passing through the79th Medical Wing’s AeromedicalStaging Facility at Malcolm GrowMedical Clinics and Surgery Cen-ter on Joint Base Andrews, manywounded warriors get the carethey need at Walter Reed Na-tional Military Medical Center atBethesda, Md. But beyond qualitymedical care, patients and doc-tors agree that recovery improveswith the presence of supportiveloved ones. Since 2008, that’swhere Luke’s Wings has steppedin, providing travel agency ser-vices and travel tickets for loved

LUKE’S WINGS HERO GALA

Gala honors, supportswounded warriors

Retired Navy Lt. Jason Redman, founder and Executive Director ofWounded Wear, receives the 2014 Hero Award from Fox News anchorShannon Bream for his service as a Navy SEAL, his bravery anddetermination as a wounded warrior, and his efforts to help raiseawareness and restore pride among the wounded warrior communitythrough his nonprofit.

PHOTOS/BOBBY JONES

MusiCorps Wounded Warrior Band, formed by service members recuperating at Walter Reed NationalMilitary Medical Center at Bethesda, Md., plays music to accompany dinner.

see GALA, page 9

BY BOBBY JONESSTAFF PHOTOJOURNALIST

Joint Base Andrews YouthCenter hosted the 4th AnnualJoint Services ExceptionalFamily Member Program Re-source Fair and Conferencefor families with special needschildren so families could seewhat resources are availableto them within the NationalCapital Region March 29.The event hosted several ex-

hibitors from the local area andfrom as far away as Pennsylva-nia and Newport News, Va. whocame to share their informa-tion with all DoD members whohave access to the base.“Along with the exhibit hall

we also made workshops avail-able,” said Adrienne Barnett,

EFMP Family Support special-ist. “The attendees had a choicebetween 20 workshops on vari-ous topics,” said Barnett.Among the workshops in-

cluded was Tricare Enrollmentand Services, What is AppliedBehavior Analysis, IEP Basics,along with Behavior Manage-ment, EFM safe care, PowerFatigue, and Empowering fam-ilies dealing with family mem-ber who has mental illness.“So there were a variety of

topics that we hope would reachfrom infancy to geriatrics, as faras support for the family,” notedBarnett. “So this is the fourthyear we have done this and theAir Force has taken the lead forthe past two years.”

Andrews hosts ExceptionalFamily Member Program Fair

see FAIR, page 8

2 Friday, April 4, 2014Andrews Gazette

HOTTICKETSAround Town

Andrews Gazette is published by Comprint Military Publications,9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, Md., a private firm in no wayconnected with the U.S. Air Force or any branch of the UnitedStates military. The appearance of advertising in these publications,including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement

by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or the prod-ucts and services advertised.

Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase,use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin,age, martial status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other nonmerit factor of the purchases, user or patron.

COMPRINT MILITARY PUBLICATIONS

Maxine Minar, presidentmminar@dcmilitary.com

John Rives, publisherjrives@dcmilitary.com

Chris Basham, editorcbasham@dcmilitary.com

Deirdre Parry, page designdparry@gazette.net

Bobby Jones, photographerbjones@dcmilitary.com

April 4Washington Nationals Opening DayNationals Park, 1500 South Capitol Street, S.E. Wash-

ington, D.C.First pitch, 1:05 p.m.The Nationals play the Atlanta Braves in their home

opener. For information visit www.washington.nation-als.mlb.com. And if you get inspired at the park, contactThe Andrews Gazette to become our replacement TalkingBaseball columnist at cbasham@dcmilitary.com.

Workshop and Performance: Latin JazzFriday, April 4, 2014; workshop at 1:30 p.m. and con-

cert at 6 p.m.National Museum of American History. Reservations

Recommended: RSVP to SLCEvents@si.edu CelebrateJazz Appreciation Month with Latin jazz legend BobbySanabría & Quarteto Aché. In the workshop, musiciansof all ages participate in a moderated conversation withSanabría and an interactive music demonstration withhis band. Then, attend a special Latin jazz concert withBobby Sanabría & Quarteto Aché dedicated to trailblaz-ing curator Marvette Pérez (1961-2013), who laid a foun-dation for scholarship, collecting and exhibition aroundLatin jazz and Latin music at the Smithsonian. Seatingis first come, first served.

April 5Southwest Waterfront Fireworks Festival600-900 Water Street, S.W. Washington, D.C.1 p.m. Fireworks at 8:30 p.m.The National Cherry Blossom Festival continues with

free, family-friendly activities, music and a fireworks dis-play by the City of Nagaoka, Japan. For information visitwww.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.

BY CHRIS BASHAMSTAFF WRITER

After weeks of encouraging afriend of mine to join me on my less-than-regular walks, you guessed it.Today, she asked me if I’d gone for awalk yet, and I had to admit I hadnot. I have been parked in my officechair, or the seat of my car, a littletoo much for my own good, lately,and I can tell. I fessed up, and thenI went looking for a little more in-spiration to keep my feet in myrunning shoes, instead of under adesk. Because, sometimes, account-ability and desire are not enough.I need to feel like the time I spendon the streets is going to improvemore than just my own health andcomfort.And I found it at the app store.I pretty much love my smart-

phone, even though I was late tothat particular party. When mysix-year-old flip phone snapped inhalf last year, I finally upgraded tosomething a little less 20th Cen-tury. Ever since, I’ve been findinggreat new ways to use to to savetime, save money, keep in touchwith people who matter to me andmost importantly find my wayaround town. My sense of directionis notoriously poor, so I thank ev-eryone who had any part in creat-ing GPS. Without it, I almost needto tie a rope around my waist everytime I leave my apartment or my of-fice. Sad, I know, but honest vulner-ability is good for all of us.After talking with my walking

buddy, I looked for an app that wouldnot just track how far I walked, butwould make me feel good about push-ing myself beyond my comfort zone,

even on days when I really don’t careif I get into a smaller size, come sum-mer. I found it in Charity Miles.Charity miles is a free app for

both iPhone and Android. Log yourwalks, runs or bike rides and forevery mile you go, Charity Milesdonates cash to a charity that mat-ters to you. Choose where your do-nation goes, whether to an organi-zation dedicated to ending hungeramong American children, or help-ing wounded warriors rebuild theirlives, or several other causes worthyof support.On days when the weather is not

cooperative and my sweatpants feeltoo comfy for my own good, knowingthat my clumsy, lumbering stridewill be helping people who deserve ahand just may be enough to keep megoing. I think I’ll go put a few milesin, right now.

CommentaryDid you put your miles in?

COURTESY OF THE RETIREEACTIVITIES OFFICE

Home delivery saves $67MFollowing a Congressionally

directed study of the TRICAREPharmacy Home Delivery program,the Defense Department InspectorGeneral’s office determined it is acost-efficient way for beneficiariesto receive prescription medications.The mail-order program saved thegovernment 16.7 percent -- nearly$67 million -- in the third quarterof fiscal year 2012. The audit com-pared what the government spenton prescription drugs throughhome delivery and what the costwould have been at retail pharma-cies. Express Scripts reported thathome delivery offers a 99.99 per-cent prescription fill accuracy rate.Beneficiaries receive a 90-day sup-ply through the mail and have nocopayment for generic formularymedications and a $13 copay forbrand-name formulary medications.At retail network pharmacies, ben-eficiaries pay $5 for a 30-day supply

of generic formulary medicationsand $17 for brand name formularymedications. For more informationon home delivery, visit www.tricare.mil/homedelivery.

Military academies rankedForbes lists the Air Force Acad-

emy as the 31st best universityin the nation. West Point ranked7th and the Naval Academy 28th.The top-ranked school is StanfordUniversity, with Pomona Collegecoming in second and PrincetonUniversity third. The rankings as-sess post-graduate success, studentsatisfaction, student debt, four-yeargraduation rates and competitiveawards.

Call for a dental screeningThe 79th Medical Wing’s Ad-

vanced Education in General Den-tistry program at Joint Base An-drews and Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling is offering dental examina-tions for retirees and dependents. Toparticipate, call the Bolling RetireeActivities Office at 202-767-5244from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday,

April 23. Do not call the dental clinic.Dental technicians will review eachcaller’s dental history, looking forconditions that meet the needs forresident training. Selected retireesand dependents will be scheduled forexaminations at the Andrews dentalclinic, Wednesday morning, May 7,and at the Bolling clinic, Wednes-day, May 14. There are 96 examina-tions available – 48 at each location.Those selected will be considered forappointments, probably starting inOctober.

The Retiree Activities Office isopen 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mondaythrough Friday. Visit the office inBuilding 1604 at California andColorado Avenues or call us at 301-981-2726. Our e-mail address israo@andrews.af.mil. Call the officebefore your visit to ensure a volun-teer is on duty. The RAO has a web-site at www.andrews.af.mil; Under“Helpful Links” click on “RetireesActivity Office” for information onretiree subjects, including past cop-ies of “Retiree Corner.”

Retiree Corner

1033650B

3Friday, April 4, 2014 Andrews Gazette

BY BOBBY JONESSTAFF PHOTOJOURNALIST

Approximately 96 chil-dren and Joint Base An-drews Youth Center assis-tants joined Boys & GirlsClubs of America nation-wide to exercise their wayinto a Guinness World Re-cord for the “Most PeopleExercising to A FitnessVideo” within 24 hoursMarch 28.Andrews Youth Cen-

ter assistants led severalgroups of 25 children ormore in specialized anaer-obic exercises for five-min-ute periods from 1 p.m. to6 p.m., while following anexercise video in the cen-ter gymnasium.Brandon Compton, An-

drews Youth Sports andFitness director, recordedthe free event and notedthat they attempted therecord-breaking perfor-mance within the mandat-ed, 24-hour period.“I had to video each

group of children exercis-

ing to a BGCA video toprovide evidence that wewere actually doing theactivity and count off thenumber of participants,”said Compton. “They wereexcited about participatingin the record.”“They loved the exer-

cise video,” said Compton.“Everyone that participat-ed received a free T-shirt,

wrist band or some sort ofprize.”Understanding BG-

CA’s commitment to im-prove the overall fitnessof young people by livinghealthy, active lifestyles,Compton said, “We’re amember of the Boys &Girls Clubs of America,and we’re always lookingfor physical activities that

will be beneficial to ourkids. We use the WANNAPLAY activities becauseit’s a health and fitnessactivity that teaches chil-dren the reason why it’simportant to exercise andeat healthy every day.”

WANNA PLAY is a BG-CA activity that encourag-es youth ages 6 to 12 to in-crease their overall fitnessand health through physi-cal activity and improvednutrition education, whilelearning the fundamental

skills of baseball and soft-ball.“We also have Triple

Play, where we currentlyincorporate various otherexercises as well as basket-ball drills on Saturdays,”said Compton.

Andrews Youth Center aims for GuinnessWorld Record

PHOTOS/BOBBY JONES

Youth center children work out exuberantly to an exercise video.

Raynard Templeman, Joint Base Andrews Youth assis-tant, leads of group of Andrews children in anaerobicexercises while following a Boys and Girls Clubs ofAmerica exercise video, during a Guinness World Recordattempt for Most People Exercising to A Video March 28.

BY MASTER SGT.MATTHEW MURRAY

The members of TheUnited States Air ForceBand recently learnedthat they had won the2013 Squadron of the YearAward for the 11th Wingof the Air Force District ofWashington.This was the first time

the band has ever wonthis award. The honor ofthe award is all the morehumbling considering theexceptionally challengingfiscal environment of 2013and the truly stiff competi-tion from sister squadronsin the 11th Wing, includingthe renowned 11th SecurityForces Squadron and thePresidential Airlift Group.On March 1, 2013, the

policy of sequestrationwent into effect. Its imple-

mentation was the resultof Congressional gridlocksurrounding an intendedreduction of $1.5 trillion infederal spending over tenyears. In 2013 alone, $42.7billion in defense cuts wereimposed, effectively takingall of The U.S. Air ForceBand’s performances incur-ring financial expendituresoff the table immediately.Tours involving months

of painstaking planningwere cancelled; high-visi-bility conventions all overthe country, at which ourpresence had been explic-itly requested, had to bedropped at the very lastminute; time-honored tra-ditions, including the Air-men of Note’s Jazz Heri-tage Series and the D.A.R.Constitution Hall holidayconcerts and Guest Artist

Series could no longer takeplace. The situation createdincredible challenges forthe band.However, due to creative

vision, drive and a uniqueability to think outside thebox, those challenges wereturned into new opportuni-ties.

The band’s Operationsand Marketing and Out-reach departments under-went significant reorgani-zations and stepped intohigh gear, researching new,free venues and ensuringtheir viability. They alsoworked with their points ofcontact to turn innovative,new ideas into material re-ality.One important result

of their efforts has been arenewed and significant-ly expanded relationshipwith the Smithsonian In-stitution. For decades, theband has performed atthe Smithsonian’s Air andSpace Museums in down-town Washington, D.C. andChantilly, Va. Our collabo-ration has now expanded toinclude the National Mu-seum of American History,

the National Museum ofAfrican Art and potentiallyadditional Smithsonian In-stitution museums in thefuture, greatly benefitingboth organizations.The establishment of

the Advancing Innovationthrough Music (AIM) pro-gram was another profoundachievement while workingwithin the budget limita-tions of sequestration. AIMwas designed to build posi-tive relationships with localeducational communitiesand has enabled band mem-bers to work with studentsof all ages in a wide arrayof environments, includingclinics, master classes andlarge-scale assemblies. In2013, the Band’s Airmenmusicians performed for

Band Wins Squadron of the Year

see BAND, page 7

U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/SENIOR MASTER SGT. KEVIN BURNS

Chief Master Sgt. Craig LeDoux holds the AFDW Squad-ron of the Year trophy. LeDoux led the band as its chiefenlisted manager during the period covered by the award.

01041287B

1036421B

4 Friday, April 4, 2014Andrews Gazette

BY AMI NEIBERGER-MILLERTRAGEDY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR

SURVIVORS

The Tragedy Assistance Pro-gram for Survivors held its 2014TAPS Honor Guard Gala cel-ebrating its 20th anniversaryMarch 27 at the National Build-ing Museum. More than 100 fam-ily members who lost loved onesserving in the Armed Forces werein the crowd of more than 800 at-tendees.General Martin Dempsey,

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs ofStaff, delivered a keynote addressfor the event, which is in its sev-enth year.The Senator Ted Stevens Lead-

ership Award was presented toNicki Bunting, a military widowwho lives in the Washington, D.C.area and advocates for familiesof fallen troops. Bunting is thesurviving spouse of Army Capt.Brian “Bubba” Bunting, who waskilled in action in 2009 in Afghan-istan. Bunting found out she waspregnant with their second childdays after he died, and founded aMaryland race to honor her hus-band’s legacy only months later.Presenting the award was LisaDolan, a prior recipient. Dolan’shusband, Navy Capt. Tom DolanJr., died Sept. 11, 2001 at the Pen-tagon.The TAPS Engaged Philan-

thropist Award was presentedto Ted Leonsis, founder, chair-man, majority owner and CEO ofMonumental Sports and Enter-

tainment, which owns and oper-ates the Washington Capitals,Washington Wizards,WashingtonMystics and Verizon Center indowntown Washington, D.C. Thepartnership also operates KettlerCapitals Iceplex and the GeorgeMason University Patriot Cen-ter. The award was presented byLauren, 15, Justin, 12, and HopeStubenhofer, 10, the children ofArmy Capt. Mark Stubenhofer,who was killed in action in 2004in Iraq.The TAPS Honor Guard Gala

Congressional Award was pre-sented to Congressman AdamSmith, ranking member of theHouse Armed Services Commit-tee. The nine-term Congressmanhas served on the committee since1997 as a strong advocate for mil-itary personnel and their fami-lies. The award was presented byGabriel Rao, brother of Army Sgt.Elijah Rao, who was killed in ac-tion in 2009 in Afghanistan.The TAPS Honor Guard Gala

Military Award was presented toAir Force General Mark A. WelshIII, chief of staff of the Air Force.He serves as the senior uniformedAir Force officer responsible forthe training and equipping of690,000 active duty, Guard, Re-serve and civilian forces servingin the United States and over-seas. As a member of the JointChiefs of Staff, the general andother service chiefs function asmilitary advisers to the Secre-tary of Defense, National Securi-

ty Council and President Obama.The award was presented byCameron Santos-Silva, 15, son ofArmy Sergeant First Class Car-los Santos-Silva, who was killedin action in 2010 in Afghanistan.A special, 20th anniversary

presentation highlighted 20 peo-ple assisted by TAPS, represent-ing the more than 44,000 surviv-ing family members and theircaregivers TAPS has assistedsince its founding in 1994. Mili-tary widow Bonnie Carroll found-ed the organization in 1994 fol-lowing the death of her husband,Army Brig. Gen. Tom Carroll, whodied in a military plane crash in1992 in Alaska.CNN journalist Kyra Phillips

and FOX News correspondentJohn Roberts emceed the event.Rebecca Morrison, survivingspouse of Army Capt. Ian Morri-son, who died by suicide in 2012,sang the national anthem andGod Bless America. Doug Wind-ley, an Army chaplain and TAPSstaff member, delivered the invo-cation.TAPS provides peer-based

emotional support, grief and trau-ma resources, grief seminars andretreats for adults, Good GriefCamps for children, case workassistance, connections to com-munity-based care, online and in-person support groups, and a 24/7resource and information helplinefor all who have been affected bya death in the Armed Forces. Ser-vices are provided free of charge.

TAPS Honor Gala features Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Gen. Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at the Trag-edy Assistance Program for Survivors Honor Guard Gala last weekwith Elizabeth Yaggy, 8, the daughter of Marine Maj. David Yaggy, whodied in 2009 while on a routine military training flight that crashed inAlabama. Yaggy introduced General Dempsey and sang with him andother TAPS children on stage. In his remarks, Dempsey said, “Thisorganization is absolutely essential to who we are as a profession, andestablishing andmaintaining and living up to that bond of trust thatabsolutely has to exist among our ranks in peace and in war.”

Helldiver dive-bombers againstJapan from November 1943 un-til the war’s end in September,1945. About 30 Navy squadronsoperated Helldivers aboard 13carriers. Changes in carrier tac-tics, technology and weaponsmade dive-bombing—deliveringa bomb at a steep angle to in-crease accuracy—obsolete as thewar progressed. The Helldiverwas the last dive-bomber oper-

ated by the Navy and the lastsignificant combat aircraft pro-duced by Curtiss-Wright Corpo-ration.The Udvar-Hazy Center,

which opened in December 2003,includes two exhibition halls,the Boeing Aviation Hangar andJames S. McDonnell Space Han-gar, in addition to the Restora-tion Hangar.The National Air and Space

Museum building on the Na-tional Mall in Washington, D.C.,is located at Sixth Street andIndependence Avenue S.W. The

museum’s Steven F. Udvar-HazyCenter is located in Chantilly,Va., near Washington Dulles In-ternational Airport. Attendanceat both buildings combined ex-ceeded 8 million in 2013, mak-ing it the most visited museumin America. The museum’s re-search, collections, exhibitionsand programs focus on aeronau-tical history, space history andplanetary studies. Both build-ings are open from 10 a.m. until5:30 p.m. every day (closed Dec.25).

MUSEUM, from page 1

PHOTOS/DANE PENLAND, SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

One early November morning in 2010, Museum staff moved the fuse-lage of the Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver from storage at the Paul E. Gar-ber Preservation, Restoration, and Storage Facility in Suitland, Md. tothe Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va.

1034014B

1032923B

5Friday, April 4, 2014 Andrews Gazette

BY JASON ALDERMAN

Last year the IRS paidout over 110 million in-come tax refunds averag-ing $2,803. Another wayto look at it is that collec-tively, Americans overpaidtheir taxes by nearly $310billion in 2012.Part of that is under-

standable: If you don’thave enough tax with-held throughout the yearthrough payroll deductionsor quarterly estimated taxpayments, you’ll be hitwith an underpaymentpenalty come April 15.But the flip side is that byover-withholding, you’reessentially giving the gov-ernment an interest-freeloan throughout the year.If you ordinarily receive

large tax refunds, considerwithholding less and in-stead putting the moneyto work for you, by eithersaving or investing a com-parable amount through-out the year, or using it topay down debt. Your goalshould be to receive littleor no refund.Ask your employer for

a new W-4 form and recal-culate your withholdingallowance using the IRS’Withholding Calculator(at www.irs.gov). This isalso a good idea wheneveryour pay or family situa-tion changes significantly

(e.g.., pay increase, mar-riage, divorce, new child,etc.) IRS Publication 919can guide you through thedecision-making process.Meanwhile, if you do

get a hefty refund thisyear, before blowing it allon something you reallydon’t need, consider theseoptions:Pay down debt. Beefing

up credit card and loanpayments can significantlylower your long-term in-terest payments. Supposeyou currently pay $120a month toward a $3,000credit card balance at 18percent interest. At thatpace it’ll take 32 monthsand $788 in interest to payit off, assuming no newpurchases. By doublingyour payment to $240you’ll shave off 18 monthsand $441 in interest.Note: If you carry bal-

ances on multiple cards,always make at least theminimum payments toavoid penalties.The same strategy

will work when payingdown(mortgage, auto, per-sonal and other loans. Askthe lender to apply yourextra payment to the loanprincipal amount, whichwill shorten the pay-off time and reduce theamount of overall inter-est paid. Just make sureto ask whether there’s a

prepayment penalty beforetrying this strategy.Boost your emergen-

cy fund. As protectionagainst a job loss, medicalemergency or other finan-cial crisis, try to set asideenough cash to cover six tonine months of living ex-penses. Seed the accountwith part of your refundand then set up monthlyautomatic deductions fromyour paycheck or checkingaccount going forward.Increase retirement

savings. If your debt and

emergency savings areunder control, add to yourIRA or 401(k) accounts, es-pecially if your employermatches contributions;remember, a 50 percentmatch corresponds to a 50percent rate of return ?something you’re not like-ly to find anywhere else.Finance education. En-

roll in college courses orvocational training to gainadditional skills in caseyou lose your job or wantto change careers. Askwhether your employer

will help pay for job-relat-ed education.You can also set money

aside for your children’s orgrandchildren’s educationby contributing to a 529Qualified State TuitionPlan. As an incentive, thegovernment allows yourcontributions to grow tax-free until they’re with-drawn.Finally, to check on the

status of your refund, go tothe IRS’s Where’s My Re-fund site. You can usuallyget information about yourrefund 24 hours after theIRS acknowledges receiptof your e-filed return orabout four weeks after fil-ing a paper return.

Jason Alderman directsVisa’s financial educationprograms.

Spend your tax refund wisely

CAPTION THIS

Send your silly captions for this week’s photo to cbash-am@dcmilitary.com. The funniest ones will be used in afuture edition of The Andrews Gazette.

BY ARMY SGT. 1ST CLASSTYRONE C. MARSHALL JRAMERICAN FORCES PRESS

SERVICE

Painful budget reduc-tions will reduce the futurecapabilities of combatantcommanders, Air ForceChief of Staff Gen. MarkA. Welsh III told CongressMarch 26.Testifying alongside Sec-

retary of the Air Force Deb-orah Lee James at a hear-ing of the House Appropria-tions Committee’s defensesubcommittee, Welsh dis-cussed the difficult deci-sions budget constraintshave presented and willcontinue to present to theAir Force’s role in defendingnational security.“Every major decision

reflected in this budgetproposal hurts,” he said.“Each of them reduces thecapabilities our combatantcommanders would loveto have and believe theyneed. Your Air Force is thefinest in the world, and weneed to keep it that way.

We built this budget to en-sure that Air Force combatpower remains unequaled,but that does not mean itwill remain unaffected.”There are no more easy

cuts, the general said.“We simply can’t ignore

the fact that the law is cur-rently written [to return]us to sequestered fundinglevels in [fiscal year 2016],”Welsh said. “So that’s alsoconsidered as part of ourplan. To prepare for that,we must cut people andforce structure now to cre-ate a balanced Air Forcethat we can afford to trainand operate in [fiscal 2016]and beyond.”Because the Air Force

needed to cut billions rath-er than millions of dollarsout of its budget, “the nor-mal trimming around theedges just wasn’t going toget it done,” Welsh said.“So we looked at cutting

fleets of aircraft as a wayto get to the significantsavings that are required,”he added.

Welsh explained thelogic of the “very toughdecisions” that had to bemade..“In our air superiority

mission area, we alreadyhave reductions in ourproposal,” he said. “Buteliminating an entire fleetwould leave us unable toprovide air superiority foran entire theater of opera-tions. We are the only ser-vice that can do so.”Intelligence, surveil-

lance and reconnaissanceconstitute the No. 1 short-fall of the combatant com-manders year after year,Welsh noted. “They wouldnever support even morecuts than we already havein our budget proposal,” hesaid.Noting the Air Force

has “several aircraft” inthe global mobility missionarea, Welsh said he spokewith Army Chief of StaffGen. Ray Odierno duringbudget planning to get histhoughts on reducing theairlift fleet.

“His view was that asmaller Army would needto be more responsiveand able to move quicker,”Welsh said. “He did notthink that reducing airliftassets further was a goodidea, and the [Air Force]secretary and I agree. Welooked at our air refuel-ing fleets and considereddivesting the KC-10 as anoption.Just one example, but

the analysis showed usthat the mission impactwas too significant.”Welsh echoed testimony

from James, who told thepanel that a return to se-quester funding levels infiscal 2016 would put themobility fleet back on thetable.“We looked at the KC-

135 fleet, but we wouldhave to cut many moreKC-135s than KC-10s toachieve the same savings,”he said. “And with thatmany KC-135s out of the

CSAF: Budget cuts affectcombatant commands

see CSAF, page 7

1036424B1036423B

Free Shuttle Service • Joint Base Andrews Location on Old Alexander Ferry Rd.

1036420B

BUCHANAN’SFINANCIAL&TAX SERVICES, INC.5623 Allentown Road, Suite 100 - Suitland, MD 20746(Across the street from Joint Base Andrews near Andrews FCU)

• Federal Electronic Filing

• All-State Electronic Filing

• Individual & Business Returns

• Notary Service Available

• Complete Year Round Service

• Military Members Welcome

240.838.3018

1041654B

6 Friday, April 4, 2014Andrews Gazette

BY NATALIE HEDRICKDILORENZO

TRICARE HEALTH CLINIC

As the former commander, Dr.(Col.) D. Kenneth Block impactedthe DiLorenzo TRICARE HealthClinic at the Pentagon greatly,specifically the Fit To Win Well-ness Program. A ceremony heldin Block’s honor March 27 re-named the program the “D. Ken-neth Block Pentagon Fit To WinWellness Center” honoring hisgood nature, professionalism, andspirit.Mark Jacobs, chief of Fit To

Win, spoke to Block’s friendsand family about the program’sgrowth with Block’s support.“First as commander of the

Pentagon Military Health Clinicfrom 1994 to 2000 and then ascommander of DTHC from 2002to 2012, Dr. Block not only se-cured the resources needed forthe operation of a world-classhealth promotion program, butallowed Fit To Win to grow to be-come more relevant and valuableto the Pentagon community fromone year to another,” Jacobs said.Early in 2012, Jacobs and his

team began preparing to dedicatethe wellness program to Block,who was showing signs of illness.The renaming ceremony was toaccompany the 25th anniversa-

ry of the program. Preparationswere met with a statement fromthe U.S. Army which explainedthat a person who would be thesubject of renaming had to be de-ceased.After Block died August 2012,

the paperwork to have the Fit ToWin program renamed was re-initiated.The ceremony came after 27

years of success from Fit To Winand celebrated the program’sgrowth, triumphs, and specialevents that could not have beenpossible without Block’s support.“We are stronger, more rel-

evant, and with a larger par-ticipant population than ever,”Jacobs said, “thanks to our goodfortune of having a bigger-than-life person who was the ‘wind be-neath our wings’.”

Clinic Director Dr. (Col.) Jo-seph Pina and Dr. Block’s wife,Cindy Block cut a red ribbon inthe Fit ToWin waiting room usingthe same scissors her husbandused at the official groundbreak-

ing of the DiLorenzo TRICAREHealth Clinic 14 years earlier.As the ribbon fell, a sheet was

lowered behind Cindy Block.Her daughter asked her to turnaround, and she did. Cindy, over-

come with emotion, was staringat the new plaque of the D. Ken-neth Block Pentagon Fit To WinWellness Center and her hus-band’s portrait. The room fellsilent.

DTHC Renames ‘Fit ToWin’ in Former Commander’s Honor

Dr. (Col.) Joseph Pina, DiLorenzoTRICARE Health Clinic directorkicks off the Fit To Win WellnessProgram renaming ceremony.

Dr. (Col.) Joseph Pina, DiLorenzo TRICARE Health Clinic director, and Cindy Block, wife of the clinic’sformer commander Dr. D. Kenneth Block, cut the ribbon marking the official renaming of the D. KennethBlock Fit To Win Wellness Center March 27 in the clinic.

BY MASTER SGT. JAKE MCCRAY

After more than 12 months ofbeing limited to performing formetropolitan Washington, D.C.,audiences, the Concert Band andSinging Sergeants will finallytake to the road again on theirspring 2014 tour of the Midwest.The Band and Singers will trav-el through Illinois, Indiana andMichigan, performing concertsfor audiences and presentingclinics and master classes to stu-dents in high school and college.The spring tour of 2013 was

cancelled last year due to thebudgetary challenges of the se-questration. During that time,the Band was restricted to lo-cal performances only. This didnot diminish the band’s impacton the community, as the bandcreated the education outreachprogram AIM (Advancing Inno-vation through Music). Nor didit dampen their holiday spirit,as demonstrated in an inventiveholiday concert series at localvenues to include the Udvar-Hazy National Air and SpaceMuseum, and the wildly success-ful holiday flash mob, viewed bymore than 30 million Internetusers worldwide.With the ban on stateside

travel lifted in late 2013, theband and singers can now go outand do what they do best - per-form, wow, and dazzle audiencesboth near and far. This tour’smusical programs will featuretraditional wind band music,clarinet and trumpet soloists, vo-cal opera selections and a debutof a new musical theater medleyfeaturing some of the latest hitsfrom Broadway shows.In addition to the Air Force

members on stage, the band fre-quently invites students to join

them for a selection, usually con-sisting of a traditional march.Also, it is not uncommon to seea guest conductor, often from thehosting institution, frequently acollege or university. This typeof outreach is a wonderful wayto integrate the community withthe band on stage, and providesa once-in-a-lifetime opportunityfor young players and conductorsalike.Along with the traditional

tour concert setting, instrumen-talists and vocalists will pro-vide clinics and master classesto high school and universitystudents. The nature of theseworkshops changes based uponthe size of the educational insti-tution, what is requested, andwhich groups are available onany given day of the tour. Theinteractions range from one-on-one settings to small groups, andeven may include a band mem-ber or vocalist critiquing a largegroup of instrumentalists or achoir. The feedback of a workingprofessional is vital to any bud-ding musician, whether they’repursuing the activity simplyfor the enjoyment of music, or ifthey aspire to become a profes-sional within the industry.Often, clinics and concerts

will occur on the same day, mak-ing for a challenging day on thejob. When the band and singersreturn from tour they’ll have afew days off to recover, and thenit’s right back to the grind withthe Concert Band rehearsing fora recording, and the singers pre-paring for multiple AIM eventsand the upcoming recording. Re-gardless, we are thrilled to havethe chance to serve our countrywith our natural talents, andeven more thrilled to be back onthe road once again.

Concert Band and SingingSergeants return to theroad after Sequestration

U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/STAFF SGT. KEYONNA FENNELL

Members of the Concert Band during their Fall 2012 tour. The Con-cert Band and Singing Sergeants hit the road in April for the first timesince that trip, traveling to Michigan, Illinois and Indiana.

BY CHIEF MASTER SGT.JENN PAGNARD

The U.S. Air Force Band laidto rest a former band memberMarch 27 at Arlington Nation-al Cemetery. Retired Air ForceChief Master Sgt. ElizabethSchouten died Nov. 26, 2013 aftera battle with lung cancer. ChiefSchouten retired from the AirForce in 2011 after serving 30years in The U.S. Air Force.Chief Schouten began her

career as a clarinetist in theConcert Band in 1981. She per-formed with the Concert Bandin concerts and ceremoniesthroughout the 48 contiguousstates and in seven foreign coun-tries. Her distinguished careerincludes playing for seven Presi-dential Inaugural Parades, fromPresident Reagan to PresidentObama, before billions of peoplevia media broadcasts.Schouten attributed a series

of coincidental encounters withmilitary band members leadingto her audition for the band. Shesaid, “You never know who willinfluence your future career or

goals.” Her elementary schoolband director, George Dietz, wasa clarinetist with The U.S. ArmyAir Corps Band in the 1940s.She continued her musical stud-ies in junior high under the di-rection of Edwin Daugherty, aformer tubist with The U.S. AirForce Band’s Ceremonial Brass.However, the most significantcoincidence to happen to ChiefSchouten as a student was whenshe performed at a solo and en-

semble competition. The adjudi-cator was retired Air Force MajorAl Bader, who was a staff officerwith The U.S. Air Force Band.He encouraged her to continuestudying music in college andlater audition for the band. Shetook his advice to heart.During her 30 years in the

band, Schouten served in manydifferent musical and adminis-trative positions, culminatingher career as the band’s super-intendent. Just before she re-tired she was interviewed for anarticle for which she said, “I feelso honored to have served thisgreat country, where we are freeto elect our leaders and have theopportunity to choose our careerpath.”Chief Master Sgt. Elizabeth

Schouten’s life was taken fromus far too soon, and she will besorely missed. She is survived byher husband, former band mem-ber, retired Air Force Master Sgt.John Schouten and their son,Nicholas. We at the band wish toextend our deepest condolencesto them and the rest of her fam-ily at this sad time.

Band lays to rest former member

U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO

Chief Master Sgt. ElizabethSchouten at the time of herretirement in 2011.

Children in military familiesmove six to nine times betweenkindergarten and high school. Amobile app launched in Decem-ber aims to help them cope withleaving a familiar place for theunknown.The Big Moving Adventure

app lets children create a Mup-pet friend to help them throughthe moving process.Developed for the Defense

Department in partnership withSesame Workshop, the nonprofiteducational organization behindSesame Street, the mobile app isavailable for download from theApp Store, Google Play and Ama-zon for Kindle Fire.“Moving can be stressful, and

kids need to express feelingsand say goodbye to people andthings,” said Dr. Kelly Blasko,a psychologist at the NationalCenter for Telehealth and Tech-nology at Joint Base Lewis-Mc-Chord, Wash. “The Muppet char-

acters in this app help make themove a fun experience.”Children can use the app to

help their Muppet friend makedecisions on a variety of move-related issues, such as whichtoys to pack in a box and whichto take along in their backpack.Children watch the Muppet saygoodbye to their house, their mil-itary base and their classroomand playground friends. At thenew house, children help theirMuppet unpack, settle into thehome and make new friends.“SesameWorkshop has always

been at the forefront of creatingresources for families with youngchildren to help address some oflife’s most difficult issues,” saidDr. Jeanette Betancourt, thesenior vice president for Com-munity and Family Engagementat Sesame Workshop. “The BigMoving Adventure is part ofSesame Workshop’s contributionto military families, who face the

challenge of helping a child copewith this major transition andhelp our kids reach their highestpotential.”Military parents face unique

challenges during a move, andthe app helps their young chil-dren through the experience. Aseparate parents’ section con-tains additional move-relatedtopics and tips.The Big Moving Adventure

mobile app is the newest addi-tion to a portfolio of multimediaresources developed by SesameWorkshop, in collaboration withthe Defense Department, tohelp military families with de-ployments and life transitions.While developed specifically formilitary families with children 3to 5 years old, it is useful for allfamilies with young children ex-periencing a move, officials said.(Courtesy of the National Cen-

ter for Telehealth and Technol-ogy)

Sesame Street helps military children move

BY SENIOR AIRMANCHRISTINA MAY

779TH MEDICAL GROUP,GASTROENTEROLOGY CLINIC

Cancer of the colon and rec-tum, known as colorectal cancer,is the fourth most commonly de-tected cancer in the US (exclud-ing skin cancer) with more than130,000 new cases every year.At the Gastroenterology

Clinic in Malcolm Grow MedicalClinics and Surgery Center weoffer a colorectal cancer screen-

ing class twice a month. Duringthe class we provide an overviewof colorectal cancer and discussthe colonoscopy procedure, thebenefits and risks associatedwith colonoscopy and alternativemodalities for colorectal cancerscreening.The development of colorectal

cancer is related to a combina-tion of lifestyle (diet, smokingand lack of exercise), age, andgenetics. Colorectal cancersarise from precancerous growths

called polyps in the lining of thelarge bowel; if left untreated, pol-yps can develop into colorectalcancer. Possible signs and symp-toms of colorectal cancer includeincreasing constipation, blood inthe stool, abdominal pain, loss ofappetite, and weight loss.The risk of colorectal cancer

generally starts to increase atabout 50 years of age; however,it can start earlier in some seg-

Colorectal cancer screening saves lives

see CANCER, page 7

7Friday, April 4, 2014 Andrews Gazette

fleet, we simply can’t meet our worldwidemission requirement.”In the strike mission area, Welsh said,

cutting the A-10 fleet would save $3.7 billionacross the future-year defense program andanother $500 million in cost avoidance forupgrades that would no longer be necessary.“To get that same savings would require amuch higher number of F-15E’s or F-16s [tobe cut], but we also looked at those options,”he added.Air Force officials ran a detailed op-

erational analysis, Welsh said, comparingdivestiture of the A-10 fleet to divestitureof the B-1 fleet, reduction of the F-16 andF-15E fleet, and to deferring procurementof a large number of F-35s, as well as to

decreasing readiness by standing downa number of fighter squadrons and justparking them on the ramp.“We used the standard DOD planning

scenarios,” Welsh said. “The results veryclearly showed that cutting the A-10 fleetwas the lowest-risk option, from an opera-tional perspective, of a bunch of bad op-tions. While no one is happy, from a mili-tary perspective, it’s the right decision,and it’s representative of the extremelydifficult choices that we’re facing in thebudget today.”The U.S. military must modernize,

Welsh said, but today’s declining budgetsplace limits on modernization.“And we must maintain the proper

balance across all our mission areas,” headded, “because that’s what the combatantcommanders expect from us.”

CSAF, from page 5

6,831 students in the National CapitalRegion. The program has been such a re-markable success that it has continued tooperate even after some of the fiscal re-straints of sequestration have eased.The many profound accomplishments

noted in the Band’s Squadron of the Yearaward include a 166-member parade el-ement for the Presidential Inaugura-tion; 878 hours dedicated to the VictimsAdvocate program for victims of sexualassault; sponsorship of 30 new HonorGuardsmen; 1,250 hours devoted to pro-fessional development; performances for63 Honor Flights reaching 15,000 WorldWar II veterans and of course, the now-infamous Flash Mob, which reached 23.8 million television viewers and 2.6

million YouTube views and generated$637,000 in free public relations adver-tising.In a congratulatory e-mail to the mem-

bers of the band, Col. Larry H. Lang said,“Your world-class talent, remarkable in-novation and steadfast professionalismhas made, and will continue to make, apositive, enduring impact for our AirForce members and their families, ournation and the world. Thank you for yourcontinued dedication to excellence. I’mhonored to serve with each of you.”2013 was a banner year for The Unit-

ed States Air Force Band. Winning theSquadron of the Year Award for the 11thWing of the Air Force District of Washing-ton was a profound and humbling honorfor all of us. Congratulations to all the in-spiring, talented and dedicated men andwomen of this elite organization.

BAND, from page 3

JBA BuzzWhat’s the best April Fool’s joke you’ve

pulled--or had played on you?

Airman 1stClass ChaseBurnette, 11thSecurity ForcesSquadron ap-prentice

Erica Myrick,Joint Base An-drews Commis-sary cashier

Charles Steven-son, 11th ForceSupport Squad-ron West FitnessCenter supervi-sor and sportsspecialist

Capt. EllenDonohue, 779thDental Squad-ron dentist

“Last year, someoneput my telephone num-ber on Craigslist for afree washer and dryer.I was getting calls allday long.”

“This April’s Fool Day Italkedwith a couple ofmy staff members aboutplaying a joke on a toothimplant patient. Dur-ing the procedure thepatient was sedated.Afterward the patientwas awakened. I toldher that the proceduredidn’t go aswell asexpected. I told her thatwe had to perform astem cell implant froman orangutan and that itmight grow in a little dif-ferently, but wewouldtake care of it. To oursurprise she took it well.But, I immediately toldherwewere playingan April Fools’ joke onher and she instantlylaughed.”

“Last April Fools’ DayI had just gotten a jobappraisal and I wastold that I had gottena pay raise. When Ichecked my pay stubI found out that it wasa joke.”

“Last April Fools’ Day,I toldmymom Iwaspregnant. Shewasvery upset. Not longafter that my grand-mother and grandfatherstopped by our houseand askedme to go fora ridewith them. I askedwherewe are going.She said, ‘Just comealong.’ Aswe pulled upin front of the hospitalI asked, ‘Why arewehere?’My grandmothersaid, ‘We need to haveyou checked out.’ I said,‘Grandma Iwas justjoking about being preg-nant.’ My grandmotherthen said, ‘If my arthritiswasn’t botheringme somuch, I’d take a switchand beat you.’”

BY TERRI MOON CRONKAMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

Sequestration would degrade militaryreadiness, senior military officials recentlytold a Senate panel.Army Gen. John F. Campbell, vice chief

of staff; Marine Corps Gen. John M. PaxtonJr., assistant commandant; Air Force Gen.Larry O. Spencer, vice chief of staff andNavy Vice Adm. Philip H. Cullom, deputychief of naval operations for fleet readinessand logistics, testified March 26 before theSenate Armed Forces Committee’s subcom-mittee on readiness and management sup-port.“Today, the Army remains globally en-

gaged with more than 66,000 Soldiers de-ployed, including about 32,200 in Afghani-stan and about 85,000 forward-stationedin over 150 different countries,” Campbelltold the Senate panel.While restoration of some funding for

fiscal 2014 helps the Army restore readi-ness, he said, it is not sufficient to fullyeliminate the shortfall in core capabilitiescreated from the past decade of counterin-surgency operations, and made greater bysequestration.“The current level of [fiscal 2015] fund-

ing will allow the Army to sustain thereadiness levels achieved in [fiscal] ‘14, butwill only generate minimum readiness re-quired to meet the defense strategic guid-ance,” Campbell added. “We anticipate se-questration reductions in [fiscal 2016] andbeyond [will] severely degrade manning,readiness and modernization efforts andwould not allow us to execute the defensestrategic guidance.”The Army is in the process of a draw-

down to 490,000 active duty Soldiers,350,000 Army National Guardsmen, and202,000 Reservists by the end of fiscal ‘15,Campbell said.By the end of fiscal 2017, the Army will

decrease its end strength to 450,000 activeduty, 335,000 Army National Guardsmenand 195,000 Reservists, he said.“This cuts disproportionally on the ac-

tive Army and they will reverse the forcemix ratio going 51 percent active and 49percent reserve in [fiscal] 2012 to 46 per-cent active and 54 percent in our reservecomponent in [fiscal] ‘17. So we have agreater preponderance in our reserve com-ponents, in both our National Guard andour reserve,” Campbell added.As the Army continues to draw down

and restructure over the next three to fouryears, “readiness and modernization defi-ciencies” will exist, he said.“Fiscal realities have caused us to im-

plement tiered readiness as a bridgingstrategy [by] ... maintaining different partsof the Army at varying levels of prepara-tion,” he added.“This year is critical to deciding the fate

of what is the greatest army in the worldand could have significant implications onour nation’s security for years to come,”Campbell said. “Cuts implemented underthe Budget Control Act and sequestrationinstantly impaired our readiness.”About 30,000 Marines are now forward-

deployed around the world, promotingpeace, protecting the national interest andsecuring U.S. defense, Paxton said.Marine readiness has been proven

many times, he added, and “significantly”twice in the last year with humanitarianmissions during a typhoon in the Philip-pines and the rescue of American citizensin South Sudan.Both missions “demonstrated the real-

ity and the necessity for maintaining acombat-ready force that’s capable of han-

dling crisis today,” Paxton said. “Such aninvestment is essential to maintaining ournational security and our prosperity in thefuture.”As the nation continues to face fiscal

uncertainty, the Marine Corps is makingnecessary choices to protect its near-termreadiness and to place the service on thebest trajectory to meet future defense re-quirements, Paxton said.Marine Corps leadership, he said, rests

decisions on five pillars: To recruit andretain high-quality people, maintain thehighest state of unit readiness, meet thecombatant commanders’ requirements forMarines, maintain appropriate infrastruc-ture investments, and “keep an eye on thefuture” by investing in capabilities for to-morrow’s challenges.In the Air Force, decades of sustained

combat operations stressed the ranks anddecreased its readiness to unacceptablelevels, although Airmen performed “excep-tionally well” in the counterinsurgency andcounterterrorism fights in the U.S. CentralCommand area of responsibility, Spencertold the Senate panel.“We will continue to maintain our abil-

ity to respond to today’s requirements, butwe must also regain and maintain our abil-ity to effectively operate in the most de-manding threat environment,” he said.The bottom line on readiness, Spencer

added, is that the Air Force knows the “[fis-cal year] ‘15 [proposed] submission sets theconditions that enable us to begin the roadto recovery in the years ahead, but we willneed your help to get there.”Sequestration “has cut the Air Force

budget by billions of dollars. Our only op-tion is to reduce our force structure. Wecannot retain more force structure thanwe can afford to keep ready,” Spencer said.Properly trained and equipped, the Air

Force can set the conditions “for successin any conflict in any region of the worldwhenever we’re called upon,” he said.The Navy continues to deliver ready,

certified forces forward and will not com-promise, Cullom said, calling it a responsi-bility to Sailors, their families and combat-ant commanders.“With the budget you provided for this

[fiscal] year ‘14, we’re meeting our forward-presence commitment to the combatantcommanders,” the admiral said..“We are able to execute the deeper main-

tenance plan for our ships and aircraft,and we have restored a normal trainingand readiness progression within the fleet.“Our maintenance plan continues to

execute the re-set of surface ship mate-rial condition after a decade of high tem-poral operations,” Cullom continued. “Butbecause of the need to drive our ships formuch of this work, it must continue for atleast five more years.”The Navy accepted “increased risk” into

the mission areas of defense strategic guid-ance because of slowed modernization andrestricted ordinance procurement, and therisk continues into the long-term viabilityof shore infrastructure, Cullom said.“If we must return to sequestration lev-

els in [fiscal] ‘16 and beyond, we will con-tinue to strive to have a ready Navy, butit would require us to become smaller andless capable,” he said.“Our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Ma-

rines are the finest we have ever had andthey’re going into harm’s way every day.We must continue to provide them theright training and capable equipment tomeet the challenges they face today andwill face in the future,” Cullom said.

Military officials testify on sequestration, readiness

U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/SCOTT M. ASH

Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Larry Spencer provides an update of current readinessof the U.S. Air Force before the Senate Subcommittee on Readiness and ManagementSupport in Washington, D.C., March 26. Also testifying for their own services were Gen.John F. Campbell, Army Vice Chief of Staff; Gen. John M. Paxton Jr., Assistant Com-mandant of the Marine Corps; and Vice Adm. Philip Hart Cullom, deputy chief of NavalOperations for Fleet Readiness and Logistics.

Pepco contractor W.A. Chester willbe working on underground utilities im-provement along Suitland Parkway April7 - May 23. The work will cause lane clo-sures and reduced speed in work zones.Most work will be carried out 7 p.m. to 6a.m. weekdays, and longer on weekends.District of Columbia and Maryland policewill enhance traffic enforcement duringthe project.

Slow down onSuitland Parkwaythrough May

ments of the population.“Colorectal cancer screening should

typically begin around 45-50 years of age;however, it depends on several factorssuch as ethnic background and family his-tory,” said Dr. Christopher Lee, MGMCSCgastroenterologist.“If you have a strong family history of

colorectal cancer or advanced colon pol-yps, screening should start at age 40 orpossibly earlier. Do not wait until youhave symptoms because most polyps andearly colorectal cancers do not cause anysymptoms,” said Lee.

The use of fecal blood testing, virtualcolonoscopy, barium enema and sigmoid-oscopy are good screening tools, but theyare less accurate than a colonoscopy inthe detection of polyps and colorectalcancer.“The goals of colonoscopy are to find

polyps and remove them before they canbecome colorectal cancer, and early de-tection of colorectal cancer. Colonoscopyis the preferred method for colorectalcancer screening because it can accu-rately detect and remove polyps duringa single procedure and reduce the riskof colorectal cancer by 70 to 80 percent,”said Lee.While lung cancer ranks as the num-

ber one cause of death due to a cancer,colorectal cancer is the second leadingcause of cancer death in the U.S., withover 50,000 deaths per year. One in 20people will eventually develop colorectalcancer in their lifetime. Ironically, colorec-tal cancer is one of the most preventabletypes of cancer through awareness andproper screening.After completing the colorectal screen-

ing class at MGMCSC, attendees can bescheduled for their colonoscopy as well asreceive their pre-procedure medications.Ask your primary care provider to enter areferral for colorectal cancer screening ifyou have not had a screening and you arein the appropriate age group.

CANCER, from page 6

8 Friday, April 4, 2014Andrews Gazette

One of the highlights of the day-longevent came when guest keynote speaker,Brenda Sheaffer, a custodial employeeat the New Executive Office within theWhite House gave a personal testimonyof her life. The partially blind, Oxon Hillnative spoke about her learning disabilityand how Melwood placed her in a custo-dial training program and gave her thenecessary tools and respect to eventuallyland her current job. Sheaffer noted how

thankful she was for the pay raise she re-ceived with the new job at the ExecutiveOffice. “I don’t understand money, but Ido understand the getting more is good,”said Sheaffer jokingly.Sheaffer also spoke candidly about the

celebrity that Melwood afforded her. “I’vebeen featured in the Washington Post,been on radio and a Melwood T.V. com-mercial.“I felt like a celebrity. Someone said I

heard you on the radio and said can I haveyour autograph,” said Sheaffer. But shenoted her greatest joy came when she was

invited to the White House to meet thenFirst Lady, Laura Bush. “I had my picturetaken with her,” said Sheaffer, proudly dis-playing the photograph to the audience.“In conclusion, none of these wonderfuland exciting things would have happen if Ihadn’t been working for Melwood and Abil-ity One,” said Sheaffer.Although she was quick to note that

she has a disability she proudly said “If Ididn’t work for Melwood I would be collect-ing government benefits, but instead I’mcollecting a pay check and paying taxes.”

FAIR, from page 1

Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Brent Yesefski andhis wife Sara ask questions during a JointServices Exceptional Family MemberProgram Resource Fair workshop heldMarch 28 at the Joint Base Andrews YouthCenter.

Brenda Sheaffer, EFMP keynote speaker,addresses an Andrews Youth Center audi-ence during a Joint Services ExceptionalFamilyMember ProgramResource FairMarch 28 at the Joint Base Andrews YouthCenter.

PHOTOS/BOBBY JONES

Molly McGinnis, clinical director, Applied Behavior Analysis, provides a summary of different interventions and tools used in ABA forspecial needs children to parents at an ABA workshop March 28 at Andrews Youth Center.

SUDDEN SPRING SNOW STORM

HITS TEMPLE HILLS

PHOTO/BOBBY JONES

A patch of flowers are pummeled by a sudden snowMarch 30.

1036425B

7401 Surratts RoadClinton, Maryland 20735

301-856-4500www.colonysouth.com

WashingtonD.C.’s

Best KeptSecret!

Hotel Services & Amenities -Expressly designed to meet the needs of military,government and leisure travelers, our hotel nearJoint Base Andrews offers a full service hotelexperience rich in amenities. Multiple diningchoices that include our International Café, DecoyLounge and Wayfarer Restaurant, 8,000 square feetof elegant meeting and wedding space,complimentary shuttle to the Metro rail station andJoint Base Andrews, plus so much more.

Joint Base AndrewsArea Lodging -Recently renovated yetretaining our traditionalcolonial style, this Clinton,Maryland hotel lodgingoffers a home away fromhome experience.

Events & Catering -Whether you are hosting an eventfor your association, a family,military or academic reunion,business meeting, luncheon, awardsdinner or banquet reception, ourcatering services will provide thepersonalized service and guidanceto insure a successful andmemorable event.

1041652B

MMiilliittaarryy SSppoouusseess::MMiilliittaarryy SSppoouusseess::Military Spouses:

WWEE WWAANNTT YYOOUUWWEE WWAANNTT YYOOUUWE WANT YOUComprint Military Publications is seeking interested militaryspouses in the Northern VA area to sell advertising into ourmilitary newspapers & websites. A great way to support yourfamily’s income while supporting your military community’spublications. Telecommuting is available for part of the week!Looking to share your understanding of military lifestyle with

local businesses who want to reach the bases/posts.

For more details please contact Publisher John Rives at:jrives@dcmilitary.com, and include your resume.

1041495B

9Friday, April 4, 2014 Andrews Gazette

PHOTOS/BOBBY JONES

Put a male model in a suit, and enthusiastic admirers will reach outfor a kiss--or a quick photo.

Don and Janet Henscheid, par-ents of Army Special Forces StaffSgt. Landon Leo Henscheid, afield medic, whose spinal cancerwas discovered after he wasinjured on patrol in Afghanistan.Staff Sgt. Henscheid was treatedfor his severe injuries and cancerat Walter Reed National MilitaryMedical Center, Bethesda, Md.,and died in 2013.

ones so that they can be on handwhile their service member heals.The Washington, D.C.-based non-profit also provides flights for thefamily and loved ones of specialoperators under the Special Op-erations Command Care Coali-tion, and for families of veteransin hospice care.Luke’s Wings held its annual

Hero Gala March 29 at the Ritz-Carlton Washington, D.C. Theevening, hosted by Mistress ofCeremonies and Fox News an-chor Shannon Bream, included arunway fashion show, a live auc-tion, dinner, dancing, and musicby MusiCorps Wounded War-rior Band, a group which formedamong patients in the halls ofWRMMC. Part fundraiser, partceremony, the gala shone a spot-light on the people who serveour nation through fierce battlesabroad and back home in treat-ment facilities, and on those whogo on to work to support and in-spire their fellow service mem-bers during the tough times thatfollow a severe injury or illness.Luke’s Wings honored Lock-

heed Martin with a PartnerAward, accepted by Will Johnson

Jr., director of Federal Servicesin the Energy Solutions programarea within Lockheed Martin’sInformation Systems and GlobalSolutions-Civil organization.“More than 24,000 veterans

are Lockheed Martin employees,so it is very important to us tosupport the veteran communityand our Soldiers. Luke’s Wingsmeans a lot to me,” said Johnson,who was once stationed at JointBase Andrews before he retiredfrom the Air Force in 2008. “Asan enlisted man and a Mustang,I really understand the financialstruggle service members andtheir families face (when theirloved one is far from home in amedical facility).”Retired Navy Lt. (SEAL) Jason

Redman received the 2014 FlyingFamilies, Lifting Spirits HeroAward for the work he has doneto inspire wounded warriors, con-nect them to valuable opportu-nities and support them as theywork toward their new lives aftera severe injury, an effort that be-gan in his own hospital room atWalter Reed, where after a 2007firefight he recovered from hiswounds, posting a sign demand-ing positive attitudes instead ofpity, strength and growth insteadof grief. He went on to found

Wounded Wear, which providesclothing modifications for wound-ed warriors, retreat weekends, jobsearch assistance, suicide preven-tion programs and other efforts,guided by caseworkers who helpthem, and the families of thefallen, reach past a catastrophicevent into a future filled withhope and pride.“The message is, despite your

injury, despite your loss, you’restill here,” Redman said.Virginia Beach, Va.-based

Wounded Wear works with com-bat veterans from World War II,to Korea, to Vietnam, to modernconflicts, to restore the “power,pride and purpose” of servicemembers who are set to becomewhat Redman sees as “the nextGreatest Generation. Americaneeds individuals who have over-come major adversity. Woundedwarriors and the families of thefallen can be a shining examplewhile they get themselves wholeand healed.”Presenting the Hero Award

to Redman, Assistant Secretaryof the Navy (Manpower and Re-serve Affairs) Juan M. Garcia IIIspoke of the “stunning advancesin military medicine,” seen inrecent conflicts. “We’re bringinghome wounded personnel, alive,

who in previous wars would havecome home in flag-draped cof-fins. That’s where the challengebegins, to make sure that PTSD,TBI and IEDs don’t become theAgent Orange of this generation.”On a somber note, Don and

Janet Henscheid, parents ofArmy Special Forces Staff Sgt.Landon Leo Henscheid, a fieldmedic, whose spinal cancer wasdiscovered after he was injuredon patrol in Afghanistan, spokeof the comfort and support theyreceived from Luke’s Wings whilecaring for their son. Staff Sgt.Henscheid was treated for his se-vere injuries and cancer at Wal-ter Reed National Military Medi-cal Center, Bethesda, Md., anddied in 2013. Luke’s Wings helpedthe Henscheid family, of Utah, be

near Staff Sgt. Henscheid duringhis repeated hospitalizations.“Our family bonds were

strengthened,” said Janet Hen-scheid of the time she, her hus-band and children spent atWalterReed for surgeries, chemotherapy,rehabilitation, and hospice care.“The service they provided to

our family went far beyond someflights,” said Don Henscheid.“This is a war, and Luke’s Wingsentered this battle with us with-out knowing what the resultswould be. They were with us theentire time. Landon lost this par-ticular battle, but he fought withcourage.”The Henscheids have gone on

to work with organizations intheir home state of Utah, to helpveterans at risk of suicide.

GALA, from page 1

Models, service members, veterans and wounded warriors partici-pated in a fashion show featuring dress and casual wear for menand women.

1041559B

10 Friday, April 4, 2014Andrews Gazette

BY STAFF SGT. TOREY GRIFFITH11TH WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS

The Air Force Honor GuardDrill Team is slated to displaytheir skill and precision at the2014 Joint Service Drill Exhibi-tion April 12 at the Jefferson Me-morial. The exhibition is free andopen to the public.Beginning at 11 a.m., teams

from the Army, Air Force, Navyand Marines will perform theirbest drill routines, so arrive earlyto secure a front-row seat. Theevent will take place during theCherry Blossom Festival, so useof public transportation is recom-mended.Use the hashtag #AFDrillTeam

to share your photos of the eventwith the world.

AF Drill Team to displayskill at 2014 JointService Drill Exhibition

U.S. AIR FORCE GRAPHIC/STAFF SGT. TOREY GRIFFITH

Come see the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team display their skilland precision at the 2014 Joint Service Drill Competition April 12 atthe Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C. Teams from the Air Force,Army, Navy and Marines will perform beginning at 11 a.m.

BY TECHNICAL SGT.KRISTIN KING

From April 2013 to March2014, the Department of Defensecelebrated The Year of MilitaryWomen. The United States AirForce Band chose to culminatethis celebration in very a uniqueway. On March 2, the Band pre-sented an all-female rendition ofStravinsky’s “Soldier’s Tale.” It israre for an Air Force Band perfor-mance to include musicians frommany different flights. However,this celebration brought togetherwomen from the Concert Band,Singing Sergeants, StrollingStrings, Ceremonial Brass andSupport Staff. It was conductedby 1st Lt. Shanti Simon Nolan.Stravinsky’s hour-long com-

position is a monumental piecefor seven musicians, and theconcert was staged at an equallyimportant location. The Womenin Military Service for AmericaMemorial, presided over by re-tired Air Force Brig. Gen. WilmaL. Vaught, is the only major na-tional memorial honoring womenwho have served in our nation’sdefense during all eras and in allservices. The beautiful and inti-mate concert hall within the me-

morial was the perfect locationto highlight the talents of thesefemale band members.“Soldier’s Tale” is composed

for a unique combination of in-struments. The violin plays a so-loistic role throughout the pieceand is joined by a clarinet, bas-soon, trumpet, trombone, doublebass and percussion. The story ofthe “Soldier’s Tale” is based on aRussian folk tale and is told by anarrator throughout the perfor-mance. The story tells of a na?vesoldier who trades her violin tothe devil in exchange for eco-nomic fortune. Chief Master Sgt.Jennifer Pagnard performed bril-liantly as the narrator, bringingthe text to life with her captivat-ing storytelling.Perhaps the most interesting

and unique aspect of this partic-ular performance was the incor-poration of multimedia. Tradi-tionally, the complete “Soldier’sTale” is performed with actorsportraying the roles of the Sol-dier and the Devil. In this per-formance, the actors were filmedin advance and projected ontoscreens above the stage. Pag-nard often carried out dialoguewith the projected image of the

Soldier, charming the audi-ence with the story. Master Sgt.Emily Wellington, who playedthe role of the Soldier, made abrief onstage appearance earlyin the piece as she played thefiddle she would later trade tothe Devil. Technical Sgt. JuliaBrundage played the role of theDevil. She thrilled the audiencewith her live performance of the“Devil’s Song” near the end ofthe work.Though every performer in-

volved in the performance wasfemale Chief Master Sgt. Jebo-diah Eaton was the mastermindbehind the multimedia presenta-tion that was so carefully inter-twined with Stravinsky’s music.His work, along with help frommany others in the Band’s Tech-nical Support section, made thisperformance of Stravinsky “Sol-dier’s Tale” a once-in-a-lifetimeexperience.The Women in Military Ser-

vice for America Memorialhosts frequent musical eventsby service members through-out the year. For more informa-tion, please visit their websiteat http://www.womensmemorial.org/News/events.html.

Year of Military Women ends

PHOTO/MASTER SGT. TRACEY MACDONALD

The Soldier’s Tale by Igor Stravinsky at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial 1st Lt.Shanti Simon Nolan leads members of the USAF Band in The Soldier’s Tale by Igor Stravinsky at theWomen in Military Service for America Memorial. Tech. Sgt. Emily Wellington and Tech. Sgt. Julia Brund-age performed as The Soldier and The Devil respectively.

1041811B

11Friday, April 4, 2014 Andrews Gazette

1036417B

12 Friday, April 4, 2014Andrews Gazette