fort meade soundoff jan. 17, 2013

MLK DAYMeade celebrates civil rights leader’s vision, dedication

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UPCOMING EVENTSTODAY, 7-10 P.M.: Karaoke Night - The LanesFrIDAY, 7-10 P.M.: Lounge Party - The LanesFrIDAY, 6:30-10 P.M.: CYSS Parents Night OutTUESDAY, 1 P.M.: Tax Center Ribbon Cutting Ceremony - Bldg. 4217, Roberts Ave.wEDNESDAY, 10 A.M.: DINFOS Ground Breaking Ceremony - DINFOS

INAUGUrATINGMeade units, NCO provide support to swearing-in ceremony

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Soundoff!́vol. 65 no. 2 Published in the interest of the Fort Meade community January 17, 2013

photo by Staff Sgt. Sean harp

Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein and Elaine Rogers, president of USo-Metro, cut the ribbon Tuesday morning, marking the official opening of the new USo-Metro Fort Meade Center. The 2,200-square-foot facility, located at 6th Armored Cavalry Road, was provided at no cost to the USo by the garrison. For the story, see Page 3.

grand opening

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil� SOUNDOFF! January 17, 2013

First, I want to take this opportunity to thank every service member and their family for their efforts over this past year to represent the United States and, specifically, its military services to the American people and the world as the pre-eminent profession of arms.

In my last column I discussed the foundation of our professional volunteer military forces, standards and discipline. In light of the fact that we just finished up the winter holiday season during which many of us have our own customs and traditions — sometimes, generations old — I want to discuss military customs, courtesies and traditions.

Customs are often those established practices that are so common that everyone should know them and continually instill them in new mem-bers of the profession. Taking responsibility for your actions, never offering excuses, admitting when you don’t know an answer but then finding out what the answer is are all customs of military professionals in all of our armed services.

Courtesies at their most basic are simply treating others with respect — seniors, peers and subordinates alike. For example, saluting, which is a gesture of respect, is one of the oldest mili-tary courtesies. It is exchanged by all ranks in all services that guard our nation and is utilized by most of the world’s armed forces as a greeting between professional warriors.

Traditions are sometimes just the way things are done that you take pride in. When you visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and see the Old Guard executing their duties as sentinels, you don’t have to be a member of their unit to take pride in the professional tradition they execute every day.

The bugle calls we utilize every day on every military installation are also an example of mili-tary traditions. Service members understand the significance of most bugle calls that punctuate daily life on a military installation.

These traditions make life in the U.S. Armed Forces distinctive and special for service mem-bers and their families.

The importance of knowing the customs,

courtesies and traditions of your unit, your service and the nation are espe-cially important because they provide struc-ture and rein-force core val-ues that build the military’s foundation of standards and discipline.

Once you learn your own service’s customs, courtesies and traditions, continue to learn those of your sister services, and after that, our civilian counterparts and foreign partners.

In the profession of arms you never stop learning about the military. Start with something as simple as how to properly address someone from another service and recognize their rank.

You’re walking from your vehicle to work and pass a United States Marine Corps E-6 and you say: “Good morning, sergeant.” But do you real-ize how important it is to address that Marine as staff sergeant?

You are a civilian supervisor or commissioned officer working with a Navy E-9 and often refer to her as chief. Do you know the level of exper-tise required to be a master chief petty officer in the United States Navy?

That service member has repeatedly demon-strated he or she is a member of the profession of arms and deserves to be addressed as master chief, at a minimum.

Ask yourself, would you recognize all of the ranks from all of the services and know how to properly address each?

Knowing, observing and enforcing customs, courtesies and traditions are an important part of maintaining America’s military as the pre-eminent profession of arms.

Please be safe in this new year and continue to enforce the standards.

Team Meade!

Military customs, courtesies, traditions

Commander’s Column

Cont ent sNews............................. 3 Sports..................................12

CrimeWatch................. 7 Movies.................................15

Community................. 14 Classified.............................16

Editorial StaffGarrison Commander Col. Edward C. rothsteinGarrison Command Sgt. Maj. thomas J. latterPublic affairs officerChad t. Jones [email protected], Command informationPhilip H. Jones [email protected] Editor & Senior Writer rona S. Hirsch Staff Writer lisa r. rhodesStaff Writer Brandon Bieltzdesign Coordinator timothy davis Supplemental photography provided by Patuxent Publishing Co.

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allison thompson 410-332-6850 [email protected]

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http://www.ftmeade.army.mil January 17, 2013 SOUNDOFF! �

News

By Lisa R. RhodesStaff Writer

The installation celebrated the formal opening of its new USO-Metro Fort Meade Center on Tuesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception attended by more than 400 people.

“This is a very special day,” said John Marselle, chairman of the USO-Metro board of directors, in his remarks during the ceremony. “If you look at the before- and after-pictures of the new center, you’ll get a chance to see how far we’ve come.”

The 2,200-square-foot facility, located at 8612 6th Armored Cavalry Road at the cor-ner Mapes Road, replaces the USO-Metro center in Midway Commons.

The new center, which was previously occupied by the Defense Information Sys-tems Agency, was provided to the USO at no cost by the garrison.

The facility features a nine-seat theater room, snack bar, wireless computer space, two offices, stoveless kitchen, an outdoor patio and ample room for the organization’s food pantry.

Several sponsors, including Computer Sciences Corporation, Northrop Grumman and SAIC, donated funds to cover the cost of the furniture, two televisions and a pair of gaming monitors.

The previous center, a small townhouse located at 7007A Baker St., did not provide parking for the USO-Metro clientele and was not located on a bus route.

A highlight of Tuesday’s ceremony was an appearance by Stephanie McMahon, executive vice president of Creative at World Wrestling Entertainment, and David Otun-ga, a wrestler with WWE. Both presented Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein with a WWE championship belt for the Soldiers at Fort Meade. McMahon and Otunga later signed autographs.

In addition, Kasey Staniszewski, Miss Maryland USA, served lunch to service members at the reception.

During the ceremony, Elaine Rogers, USO-Metro president, thanked Rothstein for securing the new facility.

“Thank you, sir, for your leadership in giving us this location,” said Rogers who called the colonel “a champion for the USO and the work that we do.”

Rothstein said the new center allows service members and their families to take a break from the stresses of military life. He also thanked the organization’s more than 40 volunteers.

“The support is all about the volunteers,”

USO-Metro Fort Meade Center officially opens

Rothstein said. “When asked how much this cost, it was zero. The cost of that build-ing and the cost of the opportunities that are given in that building are priceless.”

Maj. Gen. Michael S. Linnington, com-manding general of the Joint Task Force National Capital Region, said “true to its motto, the USO-Metro lifts the spirit of National Capital Region bases, service men and women and their families” with a wide range of programs, services and entertain-ment.

“They are a huge hit around the world,” Linnington said.

The general praised the USO-Metro staff, who “continue to extend their special touch to make all of our lives better at home and in our communities.”

Gen. Keith B. Alexander, commander of U.S. Cyber Command, director of the National Security Agency and chief of the Central Security Service, also thanked the organization’s volunteers.

He noted that although the military is taking important measures to decrease suicide rates among service members, the military cannot do it alone.

“How do we take care of the troops and let them know that we care? That’s what the USO does,” Alexander said. “They [service members] have a place to go that brings them back to home.”

Alexander’s wife, Debbie Alexander, also thanked the volunteers.

“Thank you for your dedication, for your support,” Alexander said. “If the volunteers are not manning the desks, the doors do not open. ... When you see them [volunteers], they deserve a special pat on the back.”

photos by staff sgt. sean harp

Kasey Staniszewski, Miss Maryland USA, serves lunch to a service member during the reception at the grand opening of the new USO-Metro Fort Meade Center on Tuesday. The center, located at 8612 6th Armored Cavalry Road, includes a nine-seat theater room, snack bar and wireless computer space.

David Otunga, a wrestler with World Wrestling Entertainment, meets a young fan at the reception for the USO-Metro Fort Meade Center, where Otunga also signed autographs.


News

photo by spc. paul b. watts JR.

Marines from the Cryptologic Support Battalion exit a CH-46 helicopter after it landed on McGlachlin Parade Field on Jan. 9. Forty members of Company L had met with members of Marine Helicopter Squadron One in Quantico, Va., during a training exercise earlier that day.

By Brandon BieltzStaff Writer

When two CH-46 helicopters landed in the middle of McGlachlin Parade Field on Jan. 9, the huge green helicopters from Marine Helicopter Squadron One were carrying a different kind of cargo.

The helicopters generally ferry VIPs, including the president. But when they touched down at Fort Meade around 3:15 p.m., 40 Marines from the Cryptologic Support Battalion exited the rear of the “Sea Knights.”

Members of the battalion’s Company L were concluding daylong training, which included hitching a ride on the presidential choppers. The exercise included traveling to Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., and meeting with members of Marine Helicop-ter Squadron One.

“It’s a pretty rare opportunity to be able to do it,” said Marine Capt. Dane Gaynor, executive officer, Company L. “It was great to be able to get down there and see something that not a lot people even in the Marine Corps get to see.”

Marine Helicopter Squadron One, which is based at Quantico, supports the president and maintains the role as the pri-mary Operational Test and Evaluation unit for the Marine assault support helicopters and related equipment. According to its website, the unit also supports the Marine Corps Combat Development Command in the development of helicopter tactics, techniques and landing force equipment.

Company L’s exercise started in the morning, with the helicopters picking up the Marines at the parade field and transporting them 60 miles to Quantico.

Gaynor, who has ridden on similar models, said the 25-minute ride was a new experi-ence for him.

“That was a first, being on those birds,” he said. “It was a pretty smooth ride, much warmer than what they are in some places in Iraq or Afghanistan.”

Marine Capt. Robert Monday, com-mander of Company L, said the flight was beneficial for the Marines because it prepared them for deployments.

“Marines don’t get much opportunity to fly,” he said. “Especially when you’re deployed or are on an MEU [Marine expe-ditionary unit], you’re going to fly a lot. So it’s nice to get this opportunity to get them in an aircraft.”

Once at Quantico, the company trained at Marine Corps operations schools and met with members of the Marine Helicop-

ter Squadron One, Gaynor said.“We got to see a lot about the history

and see all the different presidents that they’ve supported, the history of [Marine Helicopter Squadron One], all the different kind of operations they support,” Gaynor said.

“It’s a very, very unique opportunity and unique organization that they’re a part of. It was great to be able to go down there to see them and talk to them and see the very special role that those Marines play for the president of the United States.”

Marine Helicopter Squadron One then flew the Marines back to Fort Meade. The exercise, said Monday, was a chance to get service members out from behind their desks and into training.

“It was awesome,” he said. “Marine training, Marine stuff. Marines love it.”

Cryptologic Marines catch ride in helicopter


News


Nearly 500 students, faculty members, and family and friends of the 10 Meade High School students and recent graduates who have died since March 2011 filled the school’s auditorium on Jan. 10 to attend a memorial service in their honor.

The somber 45-minute event included per-

sonal remembrances, poetry, photography slides and a candle-lighting ceremony.

“Words are inadequate to express how we truly feel at times like these ...,” said Meade High Principal John Yore at the beginning of the service. “We’ve assembled here today to remember, to reflect and to celebrate the lives of those we have lost over this past year. While their lives were far too short, we have been

Meade High pays tribute to deceased students, grads

photo by sgt. wally reeves

Casey Lewis, a recent Meade High School graduate, lights a candle in memory of Zachary Rose, one of 10 Meade High students who have died since March 2011, during a memorial service at the high school on Jan. 10. Meade High School Principal John Yore looks on.

honored to share our lives with them and had the privilege of walking alongside them during our journey.”

After the service, about 200 people headed to the school’s football stadium where they held lit candles as they walked around the track, following the lead of the Meade High Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps color guard.

Within the past two years, eight students have been killed on area roads. The most recent were Jaelin D. Ashe, 15, a freshman who was fatally struck by a car on Dec. 20 at the inter-section of Route 198 and Russett Green East, and Ajia Owens, 18, a senior who was fatally struck by a Jeep Wrangler on Dec. 7 at a busy intersection in Annapolis.

On Nov. 18, Crystal Jean Benton, who graduated in 2011, was killed in a car accident in Glen Burnie. Two days later, Chelsea Ann Combes, also a recent graduate, was killed by a truck on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway near Arundel Mills.

Last January, three former students were killed in a wrong-way crash on Route 50: Zachary Tyler Rose, who graduated in 2011; Brittany Ann Walker, who graduated in 2010; and Breanna Franco, who attended Meade High for three years before graduating from Severna Park High School in 2011.

Symone Johnson, a senior, died in October 2011 from illness; sophomore Chris Catron died in May 2011 from a ruptured aorta; and Kianna Thomas was killed in March 2011 in a Prince George’s County car crash.

The memorial service began when Xiomara Patel, a ninth-grade math teacher, and Nichole Fitzgerald, a ninth-grade English teacher, read the poem “We Remember Them,” by Sylvan Kamens and Rabbi Jack Reimer.

Lamar Turner, the head junior varsity foot-ball coach, then shared his remembrances of Ashe, who joined the team several weeks after the season began last year.

Turner said the 15-year-old was gifted with speed, size and strength.

“I knew he would become a special player,” Turner said. “He had great character. He was well mannered, respectable and always with a smile.”

Turner recalled that last summer he had an accident at the same intersection where Ashe was killed. When he heard of Ashe’s death, he was stunned.

“To say that the news hit me hard is truly an understatement,” Turner said. “I’m grateful to have been a part of his life.”

In honor of Ashe, students showcased a banner of photographs and messages, which was displayed on the auditorium’s stage.

In remembering Owens, who volunteered at Happy Helpers for the Homeless in the Balti-more-metro area, Bobbi Coffman, an instruc-

tional assistant at Meade High and executive director of the nonprofit organization, called her “extraordinary, selfless and precious.”

Coffman said that humanitarian service was a top priority in Owens’ life.

“Ajia did not serve to receive recognition nor to earn service learning hours,” Coffman said. “She completed four times the amount needed for graduation.”

The senior, who volunteered at the organi-zation once a week for a year, “poured herself into serving others,” Coffman said.

In honor of Owens, Coffman said she will award the Ajia Owens Humanitarian Award to one of the organization’s youth volunteers at its anniversary celebration on March 16 in Annapolis.

Coffman also will present the award to a deserving Meade High student during the school’s senior award presentation at the end of the school year. The award will be presented at every future senior award presentation.

Both Ashe and Owens also were enrolled in the school’s JROTC program.

Master Sgt. Rickey Gethers, an Army instructor in the JROTC program, offered his condolences to the Ashe and Owens family during the service.

Senior Julie Benton, 17, delivered an emo-tional tribute to her sister, Crystal, along with a slide show.

Several friends of Combes were overcome with tears as they tried to share remembrances of her.

Later in the service, Yore joined family members and friends in lighting a candle for each of the deceased students. A unity candle also was lit in their memory.

After the service, Marquenta Taylor, a school counselor, was tearful during the vigil.

“It means so much; you can’t put it into words,” she said. “This is something that [the students] wanted to do, and look at the turnout.”

Richard Holzer, head coach of the var-sity football program, presented Vann Ashe, Jaelin’s father, with a football autographed by the coaches and team members.

Holzer said that the JV team’s Most Valu-able Player Trophy has been renamed as the Jaelin Ashe Memorial Most Valuable Player Trophy.

At the end of the vigil, Master Sgt. Jack Wengrosky, trumpet player for the U.S. Army Field Band, played Taps. To pay homage to their loved ones, several family members of the deceased students released balloons on the football field.

“Nothing will extinguish the memories and love that we have for the students we recently lost,” Yore said. “We know their memory will live on for the rest of our lives.”

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil January 17, 2013 SOUNDOFF! �

News

By Capt. William BiggersLegal Assistance Attorney

The recent debates in Congress over the so-called fiscal cliff have many tax-payers worried about their tax returns this year.

Congress did pass a last-minute deal that avoided both automatic cuts to government-funded programs and broad increases to the tax rate for most Americans.

Unfortunately, because this was a l a s t - m i nu t e deal, it has altered the normal time-line for the tax season. While this may not mean that average taxpayers will get less money from their tax returns, it cer-tainly means that they’ll have to wait a little longer to get it.

At an absolute minimum, we know that all taxpayers have to wait until Jan. 30 — nine more days than origi-nally planned. The original day set by the IRS to start filing your taxes was Jan. 22.

The IRS pushed back the date that they would accept tax returns in order to give them the time to make the nec-essary changes to the IRS systems and documents.

Futhermore, many Americans may still not be able to file their taxes on Jan. 30. Because the IRS is still work-ing on this year’s tax forms, employers and banks may not have the appropri-ate forms. They have to wait until the forms are released by the IRS before they can begin issuing W2s, 1099s, and all the other documents necessary to file returns.

So what does this mean to you? Unless you plan on filing a 1040 EZ — generally meaning that you are single or married, but you claim no dependents and have a taxable income of less than $100,000 dollars — then

you may not be able to file at the start of the tax season on Jan. 30.

Most taxpayers, particularly those with investment income, rental prop-erties or stock sales, will have to wait until they receive the necessary tax paperwork to file.

As a result of this delay, many tax-payers may be considering tax return advancement loans. While it should be noted that this year the IRS and other regulators outlawed this prac-

tice, these loans may still be in existence in some form or another. The bottom line is, advancement loans of any kind are often very expensive to the consumer and should be avoided.

While there are many other changes to the tax season other than an altered timeline, it is impor-tant to realize that

every year Congress and the IRS make changes to the Tax Code. Oftentimes, these are minor changes that do not affect many Americans. Sometimes, they are major changes that will affect the majority of taxpayers.

Regardless of what the change is, the Fort Meade Joint Installation Tax Center is here to help. The center is moving forward with its grand opening on Jan. 22 at 4217 Roberts Ave. and will start seeing clients on Jan. 28, as planned.

We’ll simply wait to file those first few tax returns until Jan. 30.

We have expert tax preparers who are well versed in the changes brought on by the new deal passed by Congress, and we’re here to help you and answer questions at no charge.

If you are an active-duty service member of any branch, a dependent with an ID card, a retiree, or a Reserv-ist or National Guardsman on active-duty orders for 30 days or more, call 301-677-9366 to schedule an appoint-ment at the Fort Meade Joint Installa-tion Tax Center.

Tax Man Delayed

Timeline to begin filing pushed to Jan. 30

Jan. 7, Shoplifting: The subject was observed by video camera at the Exchange force-open a package of earpods and proceed to the health and beauty section where he selected one lip balm, removed the pack-aging and applied the lip balm to his lips. The subject also was found with one iPhone 4/4S storage case with mir-ror; one OtterBox Commuter Series case for iPhone 4/4S; and one iPhone screen protector.

CommunityCrime Watch

Compiled by the Fort Meade Directorate of Emergency Services

Chaplain’s WordPROGRESS

“It is common sense to take a methodand try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and

try another. But above all, try something.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt

Available now!Copies of the 2013 Fort Meade Welcome Guide are available now. Please call 301-677-5602 or email [email protected] to request guides for your organization.

Stay updated with real-time information from Fort Meade on Twitter. Each tweet keeps you connected with news and updates about Fort Meade.Follow Fort Meade at Twitter.com/ftmeademd



The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was a leader with a vision whose life’s work helped to make it possible for every American to enjoy the full rights outlined in the Declaration of Indepen-dence.

This was the sentiment that Turhan E. Robinson, senior civilian aide to the secretary of the Army for Maryland, shared during his speech for the instal-lation’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance on Jan. 10.

“To be a full citizen, it wasn’t until Dr. King that that happened,” Robin-son said.

The 90-minute event, hosted by the Baltimore Recruiting Battalion, was held at McGill Training Center.

Among those who attended were Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein; Lt. Col. Mike Fife, com-mander of the Baltimore Recruiting Battalion; Col. Ricky Emerson, com-mander of the 1st Recruiting Brigade; and Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas J. Latter.

Pershing Hill Elementary School’s student choir was a highlight of the event. The fourth- and fifth-grade stu-dents, led by Lindsay Reisler, the school’s choral director and music teacher, sang the National Anthem and “Precious Lord Take My Hand,” a gospel hymn by Thomas A. Dorsey.

The hymn was King’s favorite song and was performed at his funeral by gospel singer Mahalia Jackson.

Master Sgt. Timothy Young, pianist for the Jazz Ambassadors, an ensemble of the U.S. Army Field Band, played the piano for the choir.

At the start of his speech, Robinson presented a brief overview of what he called “the history of the need for equality in our country.”

The Declaration of Independence, he said, contains the “essential ideas of democracy ... the belief in diversity and the inalienable rights of all the citizens ... the right to liberty and the pursuit of happiness of all individuals.”

But at the time the document was written, these rights did not apply to people of color or women.

“They were only applicable to white men,” Robinson said. “Only white men could be property owners and were eli-

Fort Meade observes Martin Luther King Jr. Day

gible to vote.”The Emancipation Proclamation,

signed by President Abraham Lincoln on Jan. 1, 1863, declared “that all per-sons held as slaves” within the rebellious states “are, and henceforward shall be free.”

According to the National Archives, the proclamation applied only to states that had seceded from the Union, leav-ing slavery untouched in the loyal bor-der states. It also expressly exempted parts of the Confederacy that had already come under Northern control. Most important, the freedom it prom-ised depended upon Union military victory.

Robinson said it was not until the passage of the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments, which respectively abol-ished slavery; guaranteed citizenship to blacks, due process, and equal protec-tion under the law; and granted voting rights to all men regardless of race, color or previous condition of servitude, that a foundation for equal rights to all men and people of color was laid.

King’s life work was dedicated to ensuring basic civil rights for all Ameri-cans, regardless of their race or socio-economic background. The nonviolent protests and marches he led helped to ensure the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of

1965 and the Civil Rights Act of 1968, which were all signed by President Lyn-don B. Johnson.

King was “ a leader with a vision,” Robinson said, “whereas others ... had the political will to put into legislation” what King hoped for the nation.

The election of President Barack Obama in 2008 was “one of the crown-ing points of Dr. King’s vision being attained,” Robinson said.

The election of a more diverse Con-gress is part of King’s vision “of [an] America that truly is a melting pot,” Robinson said. “We’re all one.”

King was an important leader, said Robinson, because he “revealed most of our nation’s faults, yet appealed to the nation’s conscience, the nation’s human-ity and also our destiny.”

As a minister, King saw racial con-flict as a “struggle between good and evil that required an uncompromising stance,” said Robinson.

These beliefs meant that King’s life “was always in danger,” he noted. “But sometimes you have to make that sacri-fice. ... The question is, do you do the right thing or the convenient thing?”

In closing, Robinson said that the diversity of today’s military, regardless of a service member’s ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation, is partly the result of King’s landmark “I Have A Dream” speech.

“That was his vision — all Americans working together for a common good,” Robinson said.

After the speech, a short PowerPoint slide of King’s life was presented, along with audio of several of his speeches.

The presentation was followed by a lunch of baked chicken, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, cornbread and cake prepared by Black Tie Caterers, based in Baltimore.

Among those on line was Juanita Phillips, a military spouse who resides in Gambrills.

“Mr. Robinson’s speech was very good, exceptional, outstanding,” she said.

Phillips, who said she lived through the civil rights era, said it was important that children attend the annual event because “they tend to forget” the signifi-cance of leaders such as King.

“They need to be reminded through things like this,” she said.

photo by sarah pastrana

Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein presents a plaque of appreciation to Turhan E. Robinson, senior civilian aide to the secretary of the Army for Maryland and guest speaker at the installation’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance on Jan. 10 at McGill Training Center.

News

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil10 SOUNDOFF! January 17, 2013

News


Sgt. 1st Class Buffie Hall, garrison chaplain noncommissioned officer in charge, and the U.S. Army Field Band are respectively lending support to, and participating in, the 57th presi-dential inauguration on Monday.

Hall has been assigned as the Army safety officer in the safety office at the Joint Task Force National Capital Region.

JTF-NCR consists of members of all five uniformed services and is the DoD agency tasked with coordinating military ceremonial support to the inauguration.

Hall works with an Air Force tech sergeant and civilian to ensure the safety of military personnel and civil-ians during the event.

“I love it,” Hall said. “It’s a great honor for me to be a part of some-thing this big. It’s a great honor for me to able to support the president of the United States.”

The U.S. Army Field Band will continue a long-standing tradition and join bands from the other service branches in the Presidential Inaugu-ral Parade.

Col. Timothy Holtan, commander of the Field Band, said the music organization takes “great pride in supporting a great national event.”

Hall was tasked by the Installation Management Command last July. She was assigned to Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C., last October.

In her position, Hall oversees non-commissioned and commissioned officers from all service branches who work as safety representatives on each of the inaugural teams.

The service members are respon-sible for safety matters such as cold-weather injuries, slips and falls, vehi-cle safety and computer equipment support.

“We also do spot inspections to ensure that safety is maintained,” Hall said. “It’s just good to work with all the different service branches.”

Hall is also responsible for submit-ting risk-assessment reports to Maj. Gen. Michael S. Linnington, com-manding general of JTF-NCR.

A highlight of her assignment, Hall said, has been the opportunity to be in the company of the general.

“I get to see General Linnington

Fort Meade units, NCO support inauguration

photo courtesy u.s. army field band

The U.S. Army Field Band rehearses at Fort Meade for its participation in the Presidential Inaugural Parade on Monday. It is a long-standing tradition for the Field Band to lead the Army element in the inaugural parade.

all the time,” Hall said, noting that she had the opportunity to contribute to his holiday safety messages to the troops.

On the day of the inauguration, Hall will be up at 6 a.m. and on duty until 3 a.m. the next day.

“I anticipate it will be an exciting event,” she said. “It is an historical occasion that I’m very proud to be a part of.”

Hall will be assigned to Fort McNair until March 10. When the inauguration is over, she will help pre-pare after-action reports of the safety detail that will be used to create a game plan for the next inauguration. JTF-NCR will maintain the reports in a database.

Holtan said it is a tradition for the Field Band to lead the Army element in the inaugural parade. The parade

will begin with the presidential escort, followed by honor guard members of each of the service branches, the Commander-in-Chief ’s Guard, the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, and then the Field Band.

The Field Band will participate as a 99-piece marching band and will perform “National Emblem” and “March Grandioso,” which are two marches. When the parade passes the White House, the Field Band will play “Ruffles and Flourishes” and will end their march with the Army song.

The Field Band began rehearsing for the event in August.

“For us, this is a fairly big deal,” Holtan said. “It is different from our normal way of doing business. We’ve been ready for this for a good long while, so we’ll be properly pre-pared.”

photo by lisa r. rhodes

Sgt. 1st Class Buffie Hall, garrison chaplain NCOIC, has been tasked as the Army safety officer with the Joint Task Force National Capital Region in preparation for the presidential inauguration.

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil January 17, 2013 SOUNDOFF! 11

News

photo by sgt. Katryn tuton

INAUGURAL SUPPORTMaj. Gen. Michael S. Linnington, commanding general of Joint Task Force-National Capitol Region, presents opening remarks during a map exercise on Dec. 12 at the D.C. Armory in Washington, D.C. The map exercise was used by JTF-NCR to discuss plans for military support of the 57th presidential inauguration scheduled for Monday. JTF-NCR con-sists of members of all five uniformed services and is the DoD agency tasked with coordinating military ceremonial support to the Inaugura-tion.

By Sgt. Jeannette McAllister200th Military Police Command

The 6-foot-2-inch Army Reserve Soldier appeared even taller as he rigidly stood to have his height carefully measured as dozens of Soldiers waited in line behind him.

The Soldiers representing 10 Army Reserve major commands were at the 200th Military Police Command headquarters at the Army Reserve Center on Annapolis Road on Nov. 3 and 4. They were part of a unique selection process for the U.S. Army Reserve Command’s participation in the Presidential Inaugural Parade on Monday.

“Today is the first step we make toward marching in the historic event,” said Maj. Gen. Sanford Holman, commanding general of the 200th MPCOM. “And I know our Soldiers will not only represent the Army Reserve to the highest standard but all service members — past, present and future.”

Holman said his staff took on the challenge of bringing Soldiers from 10 different com-mands to the 200th MPCOM headquarters, ensuring all Soldiers were a match for the mis-sion and everyone knew the importance of the inaugural parade for the American people.

“We are a nation that prides itself on peace-ful transfer of power,” Holman said. “This is a unique opportunity, not only as a citizen Soldier but as an American.”

As Sgt. Mark Horn, who is assigned to the 818th Maintenance Company, 377th Theater Sustainment Command — the Army Reserve’s largest command — stepped out from under the small metal bar marking his height, he said he remembers standing in the cold to watch the parade four years ago.

This year, Horn said, his dream to march in the parade will be reality.

“We must support our commander in chief, regardless of political party affiliation,” the Washington, D.C., native said. “This is the highest honor for any service member and a part of American history.”

Spc. David Shobe of Indianapolis moved through the various in-processing stations to ensure the Army Reserve is well represented when they step onto Pennsylvania Avenue for the historic parade.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be there for our president and commander of all American forces, and an opportunity to sup-port our nation,” Shobe said.

As a half dozen forms were filled out and height and weight were carefully recorded by Master Sgt. Robert Wood, 200th MPCOM operations sergeant, Reserve Soldiers from the 1015th Quartermaster Company, 377th TSC,

discussed why it was important for them to take time away from their families and friends to be here. Pfc. Kasmere Thomas said only five Soldiers of a formation with more than 200 were chosen to represent citizen warriors within her company.

“It was not only an honor but a great oppor-tunity and learning experience for any young Soldier,” she said.

“It’s a great opportunity to be a part of something bigger than myself, my unit and our command,” said Spc. Matthew Volpe, 312th Psychology Operations Company, out of Upper Marlboro.

The 312th PSO is assigned to the Army Reserve’s Civil and Psychological Command (Airborne) in Fort Bragg, N.C., with more than 12,000 Soldiers across 39 states and Puerto Rico.

Next in the long line to have their Army ser-vice uniform inspected was Spc. Michael Bul-lis, who also volunteered for the high-profile mission. Bullis said his parents are extremely proud he is participating in the parade.

“This is the first presidential election where I can vote,” he said. “So I thought it was a great opportunity to do both.”

As uniforms were inspected under the watchful eye of several senior NCOs, the long day continued with more briefings, preparation and heading outside for the basics of drill and ceremony.

With a mass formation filled with enlisted and officers, the Reserve professionals set aside rank to ensure the ranks and columns were near perfection. Young specialists stepped up and marched small platoon-sized formations around the large parking lot before coming together into one formation.

1st Lt. Mary O’Neill Charles, who is assigned to the 3rd Medical Command (Deployment Support), or “Desert Medics,” which is head-quartered in Atlanta, stood shoulder-to-shoul-der with two sergeants as marching orders were given.

“We live in the greatest country on Earth,” said Charles, who lives in Chester. “We have freedoms others dream about. We have the right to vote, and the inauguration represents one of our greatest rights, the right to elect our own leaders.”

Holman said Reserve Soldiers come from all walks of life and that he is excited to see the melting pot of Army Reserve command standing in the formation.

“Today and during the inauguration parade we will march as Soldiers, but more important-ly, stand proud as Americans to support the president and commander in chief,” he said.

200th MP honored with role in inaugural parade


SportS

By Brandon BieltzStaff Writer

On a typical Wednesday night, Petty Offi-cer 3rd Class Grayson Hart would be study-ing for military tests. But on Jan. 9, the Sailor from Navy Information Operations Command Maryland was standing on the court at Comcast Center, gripping a large American flag.

“This is a lot better,” he said.More than 20 service members from Fort

Meade participated in the university’s Mili-tary Appreciation Day during the Terps’ men’s basketball game against Florida State. Service members assisted during the Nation-al Anthem by extending an American flag across the court.

Four Marines from the installation also were honored during the first half of the game. All of the service members received seats near the court to see Florida State pull off a comeback and win 65-62.

Last week’s event was part of the Universi-ty of Maryland’s service member recognition program “Terps for Troops.” The university recognizes four service members at every home football and men’s basketball game.

The partnership allows Fort Meade to highlight its more than 95 partner units and gives the university an opportunity to thank the troops for their service.

“The relationship between Fort Meade and the University of Maryland is a tre-mendous example of community partner-ship,” Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein said. “The university’s ongoing commitment to our service men and women is one of the many reasons why they are such a valuable member of Team Meade.”

The evening began with service mem-bers from various post units unfurling the flag across Gary Williams Court during the Maryland Pep Band’s rendition of the National Anthem. The large flag spanned a majority of the court, from free-throw line to free-throw line.

Hart, who is a member of an honor guard for funeral services, said that despite handling the flag regularly, the task of extending the flag across the court was a new challenge.

The large crowd of 14,157 basketball fans in the arena surprised Hart when he walked out of the tunnel and onto the hardwood.

“I had to bite my lip to keep from smil-ing,” he said.

Following the National Anthem, the ser-vice members moved to their courtside seats to catch the game.

Show of appreciation

UMD ‘Terps for Troops’ honors service members

Near the midway point of the first half, four Marines from the Defense Media Activ-ity were recognized on the court during a break in the game. Sgt. Aaron Hostutler, Sgt. Jimmy D. Shea, Cpl. Christofer P. Baines and Cpl. Jacob D. Osborne received a standing ovation from the packed arena.

The group of Marines also had courtside seats. Last week was the first time Osborne had attended a college basketball game. He said he was “very excited” to be close to the Atlantic Coast Conference action.

Osborne and other service members said they appreciated the opportunity to partici-pate in the University of Maryland’s Military Appreciation Day and to represent Fort Meade and its branches.

“I think it’s awesome,” Osborne said. “It’s a great experience for us. It’s also great to represent the Marine Corps.”

photos by sarah pastrana

Marines from the Defense Media Activity - Sgt. Aaron Hostutler, Sgt. Jimmy D. Shea, Cpl. Christofer P. Baines and Cpl. Jacob D. Osborne - stand on the court at Comcast Center at College Park. The group was recognized during the first half of the University of Maryland’s men’s basketball game on Jan. 9 during Military Appreciation Night.

Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein, Marine Master Gunnery Sgt. Gary Engle and Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Latter pose for a photo at their courtside seats during the University of Maryland’s Military Appreciation Night on Jan. 9. Nearly two dozen Fort Meade service members participated in the event.


SportS

Sports Shorts NFL playoffs at the Lanes

The Lanes’ lounge is a showing venue for NFL games this football season, with the exception of local blackouts, on eight, 42-inch high-definition flat-screen televisions. Food service and full bar are available.

For more information, call 301-677-5541.

Texas Hold ‘emTexas Hold ‘em no

buy-in games are played Mondays at 7 p.m. at the Lanes.

Games are free and open to the public.


Dollar DaysThe Lanes offers Dollar Days every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Bowlers receive a game of bowling, shoe rental, a hot dog, hamburger,

small fries, pizza slice or small soda for $1 each.For more information, call 301-677-5541.

EFMP bowlingThe Exceptional Family Member program is sponsoring its monthly bowling

event on Feb. 20 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Lanes.Exceptional family members will receive a free game and shoe rental. Other

family members will receive discounted games and shoe rental.To register, call 301-677-4473 or email [email protected].

For more Fort Meade sports, visit quickscores.com/ftmeadesports.

There are few things I enjoy more than tak-ing my daughter to school.

Anyone who has a 9-year-old girl knows getting her ready is a completely different story. But once I get her in the car, it’s the best 15 to 20 minutes of my day.

I just never know what’s going to come out of her mouth.

For example, on Wednesday, somewhere on Route 10, we started talking about Sunday’s Ravens-Patriots game.

We were both rooting for the Ravens to win, but when I tried to enlighten her about the greatness that is Tom Brady — best QB of my generation, perfect hair, model wife and, of course, Michigan grad — the “Pumpkin Girl” turned the tables by dropping some knowledge on me.

“I know that, Dad,” she said. “But don’t we have to root for our home team?”

I was speechless. Not by her logic, which was more than sound. I mean I know homers. Heck, I am a homer. Just ask Ohio fans.

However, it wasn’t until her statement, or more correctly, the matter-of-fact way in which she made it, that I realized that Maryland is home.

Please pardon my self-psychoanalysis, but as a former foster child who needs to use his toes to count the number of schools I attended growing up, the concept of home is still some-what foreign.

Obviously, I’m a proud Michigander, but the fact that I have a place other than “the Mitten” to call home is huge.

It’s also a blessing because there are a ton of reasons why the Fort Meade region is a great place to live: Annapolis, crab cakes, big birds chilling on the Magothy.

But for this column I’m going to focus on two.

The first, obviously, is sports. I don’t know about you, but I certainly can’t call a place home unless it has a reputable sports scene, which we do.

Be honest. Who wasn’t excited about the Orioles’ run in September? Moreover, there are certainly a lot of teams less likable than the Ravens, and the University of Maryland is more than relevant in college athletics.

Now for full disclosure. It certainly doesn’t hurt that all three of those organizations sup-port Fort Meade, but it is more than that.

Our fans are passionate and knowledge-able. Our media coverage is appropriately biased and unrealistic. And our teams have quality rivalries: The disdain between Duke

and Maryland is palpable. Same with the O’s and every team in the AL East and, of course, Ravens fans have a healthy hatred for anything Black and Gold.

Now none of that is to say that I’m going to stop rolling with Big Blue, my Tigers and Dal-las. But I can tell you that when Joe Flacco hooked up with Jacoby Jones to send the Denver game into overtime bit.ly/11zrC1d, we Joneses cheered as loud as we ever had for any Michigan game.

The second reason why the Fort Meade region is a great place to call home is Fort Meade.

I was strolling from my office on Llewellyn Avenue to Hodges Hall on Tuesday. It’s a walk I make at least 10 times a week, and usually I’m either thinking about what the Boss just said to me or what I’m getting ready to say to the boss.

Yet for some reason on Tuesday, I recalled that where I was currently walking was the same stretch of road I used to run on when I was a young, thinner and awesome private attending DINFOS. It was the one place on post we couldn’t call cadence in fear of waking up the locals.

I remembered how impressed I was with all the brick and how peaceful, yet important, the place seemed to be.

Then I fondly remembered running to the Class Six for a bottle and hiding out at the golf course so that my drill sergeant wouldn’t catch me and my friends drinking it.

Then, right next to the chapel, I realized how peaceful and important Fort Meade still is, and that I couldn’t imagine going any place else.

When I walked into Hodges Hall and used the old “cross-my-fingers” trick to get Mr. Mowery to eat a Crisco-covered cupcake cour-tesy of the Air Force, I realized there were no people I would rather work with.

And then Wednesday, right after my daughter left me speechless with her insight, I realized there was no place like home.

If you have comments on this or any-thing to do with sports, contact me at [email protected].

No place like home

Chad T. Jones, Public Affairs

Officer

Jibber Jabber - OpiniOn

www.quickscores.com/ftmeadesports.

• Basketball• Football

• Softball• Soccer

Find schedules, scores, standings and upcoming seasons for

All-Army athletics, new sports and special events at

And more, plus


Community news & notes

The deadline for Soundoff! community “News and Notes” is Friday at noon. All submissions are posted at the editor’s dis-cretion and may be edited for space and grammar. Look for additional community events on the Fort Meade website at www.ftmeade.army.mil and the Fort Meade Facebook page at facebook.com/ftmeade.

For more information or to submit an announcement, email Philip Jones at [email protected] or call 301-677-5602.

Kimbrough closureKimbrough Ambulatory Care Center

will be closed Jan. 25 for mandatory training.

Club Meade closureClub Meade will be closed through

April 6 for renovations.Lunch will be served at The

Conference Center, formerly the Courses Clubhouse.

For more information, call 301-677-4333 or 301-677-5330.

Karaoke NightThe next Karaoke Night will be

tonight from 7 to 10 p.m. in the 11th Frame Lounge at the Lanes.

The event is held the third Thursday of the month.

For more information, call 301-677-5541 or visit ftmeademwr.com.

Parents Night OutThe next Parents Night Out will be

Friday from 6:30 to 10 p.m.The fee is $10 for the first child and

$5 for each additional child ages 6 weeks to 12 years old.

The program is open to active-duty service members and Reservists on active-duty status, DoD personnel, retirees and Fort Meade DoD contractors.

For more information, call 301-677-1149 or 301-677-1156.

Marriage Enrichment Group

Army Community Service is offering a Marriage Enrichment Group on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Community Readiness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave.

The next meeting will be Wednesday.

The goal is to introduce couples to the processes of growth in marriage while speaking with other couples; to provide effective ways to deal with conflict; maintain personal boundaries; and establish effective communication to maintain a healthy relationship.

For more information, call Celena Flowers or Jessica Hobgood at 301-677-5590.

Discussion on marriageThe Exceptional Family Member

Program is sponsoring “Let’s Talk About Marriage: A Discussion” on Feb. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Community Readiness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave.

The discussion will focus on what is needed for a strong and healthy marriage.

The event is open to the community. Registration is required.

To register or for more information, call 301-677-4473 or email [email protected].

Preschool openingsThe Little Meade Mustangs, Meade

High School’s preschool program, has openings for ages 4 and 5.

The preschool will be held one to two days per week. The program reopens the first week of February and ends in May.

The fee is $30 per semester.For more information, email Amanda

Bolt at [email protected].

Story TimeThe Medal of Honor Memorial Library

offers pre-kindergarten Story Time on Thursdays from 9:30 to 10 a.m. or 10:30 to 11 a.m.

• Today: “Warm, Woolly, and Wonderful” - stories, songs and fingerplays about sheep

• Jan. 24: “Touchdown!” - a football-themed story time

• Jan. 31: “Ice is Nice” - a story time focusing on penguins and polar bears

For more information, call 301-677-5522 or 301-677-4509 or visit ftmeademwr.com.

Pizza, movie nightChild, Youth and School Services is

offering an evening of Pizza Boli’s and a movie to grades six to eight on Friday from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at the Youth Center.

Cost of pizza is $7.For more information, call 301-677-

1437.

Grilling and ChillingGrilling and Chilling will be offered

for grades six to eight on Jan. 25 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Youth Center.

Cost is $5.For more information, call 301-677-

1437.

Romp ‘n StompRomp ‘n Stomp playgroup for parents

and their children up to age 5 meets Tuesdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., when school is in session, at the Youth Center gym.

For more information, call Kimberly McKay, Parent Support coordinator, at 301-677-7823.

Out & About• The People’s Presidential Pre-Inaugural

Ball will be celebrated Saturday at the Bolling Air Force Base Club Capital Ballroom, 50 Theisen St., Washington, D.C.

Cocktails will be from 7:30 to 8 p.m. Dinner will be served from 8 to 9 p.m. Dancing is from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Dress is formal black tie or military dress uniform.

Tickets cost $100 per person. For tickets, call Jo Ann Way at 301-839-7190; Robbie Smith at 202-459-3821; or Sonny Brown at 301-674-8992.

To purchase tickets online, go to eventbrite.com/event/5102291090.

• Baltimore Orioles FanFest will be held Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Baltimore Convention Center. FanFest features autograph and Q&A sessions with current and former Orioles players and coaches as well as clinics, exhibits and interactive games. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for ages 55 and older and for children ages 14 and younger. To purchase tickets, go to orioles.mlb.com or call 888-848-BIRD.

• The Wizard of Oz at Port Discovery Children’s Museum will be featured Jan. 26 to Sept. 15 at Port Discovery Children’s Museum, 35 Market Place, Baltimore. Follow the Yellow Brick Road to the educational exhibit based on the beloved

movie classic.Hours are Tuesday to Friday from 9:30

a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Admission costs $13.95 for ages 2 and older.

For more information, call 410-727-8120 or visit portdiscovery.org.

• Leisure Travel Services is offering monthly bus trips to New York City on Feb. 9 and March 23, with discounts to attractions. Bus cost is $55. For more information, call 301-677-7354 or visit ftmeademwr.com.

• Retired Enlisted Association meets the third Tuesday of the month from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Perry’s Restaurant, 1210 Annapolis Road, Odenton. The next meeting is tonight. For more information, visit trea.org or call Elliott Phillips, the local president, at 443-790-3805 or Arthur R. Cooper, past national president, at 443-336-1230.

• Meade Area Garden Club will hold its next meeting on Friday at 10 a.m. at the Jessup Community Hall located at Route 175 and Wigley Avenue.

Sharon Hyde will present the program “Hydroponic Gardening in Small to Medium Spaces.” Hydroponics is the science of growing plants in a solution with minerals.

The community is invited. No reservations necessary. Refreshments will be served. Annual dues are $20.

For more information, call Pat Loosarian, membership chairman, at 410-519-6443, or Sharon Durney, club president, at 410-761-5019.

• Air Force Sergeants Association Chapter 254 meets the fourth Wednesday of the month from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Roost, 9827 Love Road. The next meeting is Wednesday. For more information, call 443-534-5170 or visit afsa254.org.

• Society of Military Widows meets for brunch the fourth Sunday of the month at 11 a.m. at the Lanes. The next meeting is Jan. 27. For more information, call Betty Jones at 410-730-0127.

• Single Parent Support Group meets the second and fourth Monday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m. at School Age Services, 1900 Reece Road. The next meeting is Jan. 28. Free child care will be provided on site.

For more information, call Rikki Ford, Parent Support coordinator, at 301-677-3617 or email [email protected].

• Families Dealing with Deployment meets the first and third Monday of every month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Meuse Forest Neighborhood Center. The next meeting

NEWS & EVENTSEDUCATION

YOUTH

RECREATION

MEETINGS


Community news & notes

The movie schedule is subject to change. For a recorded announcement of showings, call 301-677-5324. Further listings are available on the Army and Air Force Exchange Service website at www.aafes.com.

Movies start Wednesdays to Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. NEW PRICES: Tickets are $5 for adults (12 and older) and $2.50 for children.

Today through Feb. 10

Today & Friday: “Killing Them Softly” (R). A mob enforcer goes after a pair of low-level thieves. With Brad Pitt, Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn.

Saturday & Sunday: “Hotel Transylvania” (PG). Animated film finds Dracula hosting a party. With Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez.

Wednesday & Jan. 26, 27: “Red Dawn” (PG-13). Young Americans fight back against foreign invaders. With Chris Hemsworth, Josh Peck, Josh Hutcherson.

Jan. 24-25: “Flight” (R). An airline pilot makes a heroic landing, but faces a level of scrutiny he didn’t expect. With Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle, Kelly Reilly, John Goodman, Bruce Greenwood, Brian Geraghty, Tamara Tunie, Nadine Velazquez, Peter Gerety, Garcelle Beau-vais, Melissa Leo.

Jan. 30, Feb. 2-3: “Skyfall” (PG-13). James Bond must track down and destroy a mysterious threat to MI6. With Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris.

Jan. 31, Feb. 1: “Playing For Keeps” (PG-13). A former sports star who’s fallen on hard times starts coaching his son’s soccer team as a way to get his life together. His attempts to become an adult are met with challenges from the attrac-tive soccer moms who pursue him at every turn. With Gerard Butler, Jessica Biel, Uma Thurman, Dennis Quaid.

Feb. 6, 9, 10: “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Jour-ney” (PG-13). Bilbo Baggins begins a journey to reclaim a stolen treasure. With Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage.

movies

is Feb. 4. For more information, call Rikki Ford, Parent Support coordinator, at 301-677-3617 or email [email protected].

• Bully Proofing Support Group meets the first and third Tuesdays of the month from 1 to 2 p.m. at Potomac Place Neighborhood Center. The next meeting is Feb. 5. The group is geared for parents of children ages 5 to 12. For more information, call 301-677-5590.

• Monthly Prayer Breakfast, hosted by the Garrison Chaplain’s Office, is held the first Thursday of every month at 7 a.m. at Club Meade. The next prayer breakfast is Feb. 7.

All Fort Meade employees, family members, and civilian and military personnel are invited. There is no cost for the buffet; donations are optional. For more information, call 301-677-6703 or email [email protected].

• Meade Rod and Gun Club meets the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at Perry’s Restaurant and Odie’s Pub at 1210 Annapolis Road, Odenton. The next meeting is Feb. 7 in the banquet hall in back of the building. Dinner is served at 6 p.m. For more information, call 410-674-4000.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness of Anne Arundel County conducts a free support group for families with a loved one suffering from mental illness on the first Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Odenton (West County) Library, 1325 Annapolis Road. The next meeting is Feb. 7. For more information, visit namiaac.org.

• Military Council for Catholic Women is open to all women ages 18 and older for

Commander’s Open DoorGarrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein has an open

door policy.All service members, retirees, government employees, family

members or community members age 18 or older are invited to address issues or concerns to the commander directly by visiting Rothstein’s office on Mondays from 4 to 6 p.m. at garrison head-quarters in Hodges Hall, Bldg. 4551, Llewellyn Avenue.

Visitors are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. No appoint-ment is necessary.


prayer, faith, fellowship and service at the Main Post Chapel.

Mother’s Prayer & Apologetics meets Tues-days from 9:45 a.m. to noon when Anne Arundel County schools are in session. Monthly programs are held Mondays from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

For more information, email Beth Wright, president, at [email protected] or call 305-240-1559.

• Fort Meade Homeschool Co-op meets Fridays at 9:30 a.m. at 1900 Reece Road. For more information, call Kelli Stricker at 410-674-0297 or email [email protected].

• Cub Scout Pack 377 invites boys in first through fifth grades,, or ages 7 to 10, to attend its weekly Monday meetings at 6 p.m. at Argonne Hills Chapel Center.

For more information, email Cubmaster

Tom Johnston at [email protected] or Committee Chairperson Elizabeth Johnston at [email protected].

• Boy Scout Troop 379 meets Mondays at 7 p.m. at Argonne Hills Chapel Center on Rockenbach Road. The troop is actively recruiting boys age 11 to 18. For more information, email Lisa Yetman, at [email protected] or Wendall Lawrence, Scoutmaster, at [email protected].

• American Legion Post 276 is open to veterans and active-duty service members at 8068 Quarterfield Road in Severn. Breakfast may be purchased beginning at 9 a.m. Lunches may be purchased from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Happy Hour is from 4 to 6 p.m. Dinner may be purchased at 6 p.m. on Fridays and the fourth Sunday of every month.

Membership discounts are offered for active-duty military. For more information, call 410-969-8028 or visit americanlegionpost276.org.

• Fort Meade E9 Association meets the second Friday of every month at 7 a.m. in the Pin Deck Cafe at the Lanes. The next meeting is Feb. 8. The association is open to active, retired, Reserve and National Guard E9s of any uniformed service. All E9s in this area are invited to attend a breakfast and meet the membership. For more information, visit e9association.org or call 410-551-7953.

• Enlisted Spouses Club meets the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at Potomac Place Neighborhood Center. The next meeting is Feb. 11. For more information, visit ftmeadeesc.org or email [email protected].

• Bridging the Gap deployment support group, sponsored by Army Community Service, meets the second Tuesday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m. at Potomac Place Neighborhood Center. The next meeting is Feb. 12. For more information, call Sharon Collins at 301-667-4116 or email [email protected].

Flu vaccine offers best protectionBy Maj. Kerry S. GarthArmy Public Health Nursing

If you have not received a flu vaccine, it is not too late.Here are some facts about flu prevention:Flu season lasts until May. Yearly vaccination is necessary because the flu vac-

cine you received last season won’t protect you this current flu season.Influenza is a serious disease that causes more than 25 million illnesses, more

than 150,000 hospitalizations and more than 30,000 deaths every year in the United States.

Prevention is key. The single best prevention available is an annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older. Frequent hand-washing helps. Staying home and away from groups of people when ill with fever and cough or runny nose also reduces spread.

If you are an eligible beneficiary who is not yet vaccinated, options for free vac-cination include getting it done while seeing your health care provider for another reason or getting it at pharmacies and other sites that accept TRICARE.

Wallk-in flu shots are available at Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center’s Allergy & Immunization Clinic on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and on Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

For more information about seasonal flu, talk to your health care provider or visit the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control’s flu website at cdc.gov/flu/.

fort meade soundoff jan. 17, 2013

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