soundoff november 13, 2014

Soundoff!́vol. 66 no. 45 Published in the interest of the Fort Meade community november 13, 2014

UPCOMING EVENTS TOday, 11:30 a.M.-1 P.M.:

National American Indian Heritage Month Observance - McGill Training Ctr

SaTUrday, 10 a.M.-6 P.M. & SUNday, NOON-5 P.M.:

OSC Holiday Bazaar - The Pavilion

TUESday, 4-6 P.M.:Facebook town hall -

facebook.com/ftmeade

wEdNESday, 9 a.M.-2 P.M.:Veterans Job Fair - Club Meade

NOV. 22, 8 a.M.:Turkey Trot 5K - Murphy Field House

GaTE hOUrS ChaNGINGReece Road gate temporarily closing; access points, hours

to change this monthpage 3

hEalING hOrSESTherapeutic riding improves

fine motor skills, social, mental well-being

page 14

Staff Sgt. Halsey Fontanez tries to hang on the mechanical bull at Fort Meade’s Right Arm night Goes Country held nov. 6 at Club Meade. The two-hour event, followed by Meade’s Gone Country, included a free buffet, music, dancing, a cow milking competition, Texas Hold ‘em, corn hole contest and mechanical bull riding tournament. For more, see 2.

Photo by Phil Grout

saddle up

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil� SOUNDOFF! November 13, 2014

Commander’s Column

Cont ent sNews............................. 3 Sports..................................15

Community................. 16 Movies.................................19

PlacesofWorship...... 20 Classified.............................21

Editorial StaffGarrison Commander Col. Brian P. foleyGarrison Command Sgt. Maj. rodwell l. forbesPublic affairs officerChad t. Jones [email protected], Command informationPhilip H. Jones [email protected] dijon [email protected] Editor & Senior Writer rona S. Hirsch Staff Writer lisa r. rhodesStaff Writer Shari rosendesign Coordinator timothy davis Supplemental photography provided by the Baltimore Sun Media Group

advErtiSinGGeneral inquiries 410-332-6300or email [email protected]

If you would like information about receiving Soundoff! on Fort Meade or are experiencing distribution issues, call 877-886-1206 or e-mail [email protected]. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Printed by offset method of reproduction as a civilian enterprise in the interest of the personnel at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, by The Baltimore Sun Media Group, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21278, every Thursday except the last Thursday of the year in conjunction with the Fort Meade Public Affairs Office. Requests for publication must reach the Public Affairs Office no later than Friday before the desired publication date. Mailing address: Post Public Affairs Office, Soundoff! IMME-MEA-PA, Bldg. 4409, Fort Meade, MD 20755-5025. Telephone: 301-677-5602; DSN: 622-5602.

Everything advertised in this publication must be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, marital status, handicap or sex of purchaser, user or patron. A confirmed violation or rejection of this policy of equal opportunity by an advertiser will result in the refusal to print advertising from that source.

Printed by The Baltimore Sun Co., LLC, a private firm, in no way connected with the Department of the Army. Opinions expressed by the publisher and writers herein are their own and are not to be considered an official expression by the Department of the Army. The appearance of advertisers in the publication does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of the Army of the products or services advertised.

www.ftmeade.army.milYou can also keep track of Fort Meade on Twitter at twitter.com/ftmeademd

and view the Fort Meade Live Blog at ftmeade.armylive.dodlive.mil.

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Greetings to all Team Meade, and thank you to all of our service members and their families as well as Department of Defense civilians for your com-mitment and support to accomplish the Fort Meade mission: “Proud to Serve.”

Congratulations to this year’s winners of the annual Halloween decorating contest in our housing neighborhoods and to the Religious Support Office staff and volunteer support for the Hallelujah Festival on Oct. 31. The event, once again, welcomed a huge turnout from the post community.

We definitely accomplish more together than as separate entities.

In honor of Veterans Day, I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to all veterans representing all branches of our military for their unyielding com-mitment to our nation.

I especially want to thank and express my apprecia-tion to our 9/11 generation of service members and their families on Veterans Day. As our Commander In Chief Barack Obama has said numerous times, this generation of service members has borne the burden of our security during a hard decade of sacrifice.

Just one-half of one percent of Americans served in uniform at any given time during the past decade — the longest period of sustained conflict in the country’s history.

A majority of today’s military personnel are also married, which means there are more than one mil-lion military spouses and two million children. That is in addition to the millions of parents and relatives who also have borne heavy burdens while their loved ones have been deployed.

These inspiring military families also deserve our thanks on Veterans Day as they continue to make sac-rifices on behalf of the country we love. We recognize not only those who have served in the past, but also those who are presently serving and those who will join our military in the future.

To all that are soon to retire or leave military ser-vice, I highly encourage you to be gainfully involved

in the Soldier For Life Transition Assistance Pro-gram. The pro-gram is designed to meet the needs of separating service members during their peri-od of transition into civilian life by offering job search assistance and related services. It is a resource that will help you match your skills with the realities of today’s job market.

Now that we have transitioned into daylight saving time, let’s be ever so vigilant with safety. If you have not done so already, please have your vehicles serviced for cold weather and give yourself more time in the morning to ensure your vehicle is warmed up and ready to go.

Many thanks go out to the Defense Informa-tion School command team for putting together a wonderful event for the school’s annual Dining Out on Oct. 25.

The same can be said of the Retired Officers’ Wives’ Club for the outstanding effort they and other Fort Meade organizations shared in sponsor-ing the Veterans Appreciation Day on Nov. 1 at Club Meade. Those in attendance know this was a first-class event.

The partnerships we have at Fort Meade are phe-nomenal. I love the way all branches intermingle and find different ways to get our mission accomplished.

As we approach Thanksgiving, let’s make sure we leave no one behind. Reach out to those who are single and away from their families and invite them over for a home-cooked meal. Your actions and ges-tures of kindness will go a long way.

Enjoy the rest of your time at Fort Meade.

Showing Appreciation

Garrison command sGt. maj. rodwell l. Forbes

Commander’s Open DoorGarrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley

hasanopendoorpolicy.Allservicemembers,retirees,government

employees, family members or communitymembersage18orolderareinvitedtoaddressissuesorconcernstothecommanderdirectlybyvisitingFoley’sofficeonMondays from4to6p.m.atgarrisonheadquartersinHodgesHall,Bldg.4551,LlewellynAvenue.

Visitors are seen on a first-come, first-servedbasis.Noappointmentisnecessary.

Formoreinformation,call301-677-4844.

CorrectionsIn last week’s article, “Partnerships fuel Army-Navy tailgate,” the sponsors of the tailgate, the West Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce and the United Services Automobile Association, were mis-identified. In addition, the West Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce has sponsored the Fort Meade Army-Navy tailgate for four years, not seven.In the article “Veterans Day Luncheon honors service members,” the instrumentalists were incorrectly identi-fied. Jay Thompson played guitar and Joe Burden played keyboard.

Soundoff! regrets the errors.

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil November 13, 2014 SOUNDOFF! �

News

By Lisa R. RhodesStaff Writer

Starting Nov. 22, Fort Meade’s 24/7 access control point will close for approxi-mately one month.

The Reece Road gate, which also serves as the main visitor entrance, will close so the road can be repaved.

During the closure, the Mapes Road/Route 175 gate will serve as the installation’s 24/7 access gate for DoD ID cardholders.

Additionally, the Llewellyn Avenue gate

will be open to visitors Mondays through Fridays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

After 6 p.m. and on weekends, all visitors must enter through the Mapes/175 gate.

Robert L. Holmes, deputy director of the Directorate of Emergency Services, said visitors include those who do not have a DoD Common Access Card.

Contractors with a CAC or Centralized Operations Police Suite badge have autho-rized access at any installation gate, pro-vided there are no passengers in the vehicles

who are required security screening prior to entering the installation. In that case, con-tractors and their passengers must enter the installation at the Llewellyn gate.

Visitors requiring a long-term access pass will be directed to the Demps Visitor Center.

Antiterrorism measures will be increased at the Llewellyn gate because it will serve as the installation access gate for visitors. Currently, the Llewellyn gate is a DoD CAC gate, so all military and civilian personnel

have access since they have already been screened, said Holmes.

DoD ID cardholders are encouraged to use the other access gates during this period to avoid delays.

If the repaving of Reece Road is com-pleted early, the gate will reopen.

For more information on gate hours, go to the Fort Meade website at www.ftmeade.army.mil/directorates/des/vcc/vcc.html or to the Fort Meade Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ftmeade.

Reece Road gate to close for repairs

AAFES Exchange mall, food court open for businessBy Shari RosenStaff Writer

After nearly two years of construction, the new Exchange mall and food court opened Friday evening.

Army and Air Force Exchange Service officials and garrison leaders broke ground on the $37 million facility in October of 2012. The Exchange’s main store is still under construction and will open at a later date.

The former Post Exchange will remain open until the new facility is completed.

“The much-anticipated opening of this first phase brings the Fort Meade community additional concession and food options,” said Michele Weisshaar, general manager of the Fort Meade Consolidated Exchange.

The new 167,000-square-foot Exchange includes a variety of stores and eateries such as: Starbucks, Domino’s Pizza, Sub-way, Charley’s Grilled Subs, Boston Market, Denny’s Express, GNC, GameStop, Paul Mitchell Concept Salon, Stripes the Altera-tions Place and Military Clothing Sales.

“The Exchange’s commitment to provid-ing quality service to the best customers in the world over the last five years has gener-ated over $7 million of contributions to Fort Meade’s [Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation],” Weisshaar said.

The previous Military Clothing Sales store was located on Ernie Pyle Street, which was inconvenient for service members without vehicles.

“We are eager to support service members

because, for [the Exchange] to be centrally located, that is such a plus,” said Patrice Jefferson, shift manager at Military Cloth-ing Sales, who has worked at the Exchange since 1997. “[Service members] would have to catch the bus and be out at a certain time [to catch] the last shuttle.”

Airman 1st Class Delano Scott and Air-man Arielle Vesquez, photojournalist stu-dents at the Defense Information School, also remarked on the convenience of the new Exchange’s location:

“It’s easier to find, compared to the older [one],” Vasquez said. “I like the convenience of it.”

“I like the centralized location, its proxim-ity,” Scott said. “For example, the cleaners is right here, so if you buy something, you can just have it altered right at the cleaners.”

Scott said he looked forward to trying “The Den,” also known as Denny’s Express, for lunch.

Meanwhile, Sgt. Mario Diaz of the 742nd Military Intelligence Battalion and his wife,

Judith, finished their lunch at the Exchange’s new, spacious food court.

“I’m amazed, honestly,” Mario Diaz said. “I mean it’s very nice and it’s big. It’s a lot nicer than it was before.”

His wife was also impressed by the over-all feel of the new Exchange and its food court.

“The ambience is just better,” Judith Diaz said. “Like for example, you shop and get hungry and you eat here. And before, it was like, let’s just go somewhere [else].”

photo by philip h. jones

Shoppers at the new AAFES Exchange browse the mall and food court, which opened Friday evening. Eateries and shops include: Starbucks, Domino’s Pizza, Boston Market, Subway, Denny’s Express, Paul Mitchell Concept Salon, Military Clothing Sales and Stripes the Alterations Place.


News


A brief downpour of rain did not damp-en the sentiments that paid tribute to the nation’s veterans at Fort Meade’s annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Nov. 6.

The 90-minute event, initially held in the plaza outside the Fort Meade Museum, was moved inside after the rain began about 10 minutes into the ceremony.

The ceremony featured guest speaker Air Force Maj. Gen. Jim H. Keffer, chief of staff of U.S. Cyber Command, and brief remarks from Rep. John Sarbanes and Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley.

“This month we honor the veterans of our nation’s conflicts, the men and women who answered the call to defend our nation when needed,” Foley said. “Men and women who understand through experi-ence that the world is not always a safe place — that there are those out there who would do us harm and that we must always remain vigilant and strong in defense of our nation.”

The ceremony began with somber bag-pipe music performed by Forrest M. Tay-lor, pipe major, Honorary Squadron, 2nd U.S. Dragoons, U.S. Army.

Sgt. Audrey Santana, an Army broad-caster with the Defense Media Activ-ity, sang the National Anthem. Chaplain (Col.) Warren E. Kirby Jr. delivered the invocation. The Joint Color Guard from the Defense Information School posted the colors.

In his remarks, Sarbanes said that “regardless of political stripe,” the nation’s political leaders are committed “to veter-ans and those who serve us every single day.”

As the rain fell, the audience of garrison leaders and staff, and community members moved inside where Keffer spoke.

During his speech, Keffer asked audi-ence members how they define a veteran.

“Is it an elderly person holding a flag at a ceremony in the Midwest?” Keffer asked. “Is it a service member deploying and leav-ing loved ones behind? ... Or is it a white cross on a green field?

“To me, [a veteran] is all of these things. That’s why it’s important to remember them today.”

Keffer shared the life story of an Ameri-can who he believes is the symbol of a veteran. That person, he said, is not well known, or the recipient of the Medal of Honor. Rather, Frank Buckles was the nation’s last surviving veteran of World

Meade ceremony honors all U.S. veterans

War I. He died in 2001 at age 110.Buckles, who was born Feb. 1, 1901 on

a farm near Bethany, Mo., tried to enlist in the Marine Corps at age 16 when the U.S. entered World War I. The Marines turned Buckles down because he was underage and underweight; the Navy turned him down because he had flat feet.

“The Army said ‘We’ll take you,’ ” Kef-fer said.

According to The New York Times, Buckles enlisted in August 1917 after lying about his age. He volunteered as an ambu-lance driver and later served in various locations in France during World War I.

After the Armistice, Buckles escorted German prisoners of war from France back to Germany.

Keffer recalled the story of how a Ger-man POW gave Buckles a belt buckle inscribed with the words “God with us” in German.

“That veteran kept the belt buckle until the day he died,” Keffer said. “It shows we’re brothers in arms no matter what side we fight on. There’s just that special

respect.”While working in Manilla at the start of

World War II, Buckles was imprisoned by the Japanese and held captive for almost four years. Keffer said that during Buckles’ internment, he led the men in an exercise session every morning and grew a garden to feed the children in the camp.

Buckles and other camp survivors were rescued by the 11th Airborne Division on Feb. 23, 1945.

“He was the epitome of a veteran,” Kef-fer said. “He served his country until the day he died.”

In 2007, Buckles was named grand marshal of the National Memorial Day Parade and was a guest on Veterans Day at the wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.

Two years later, he appeared before a Senate subcommittee to support legislation named in his honor to bestow federal status on a World War I memorial built in the 1930s on the Washington Mall, according to The New York Times.

“When I think of a veteran, Frank Buck-

les is the guy I think of,” Keffer said. “He heard the calling when his nation called. He served. He served bravely. He served others. ... He served his community.”

Keffer said there are thousands of Frank Buckles across the country and that the veterans in the audience share his commit-ment to the nation.

“You are the ones who continue to motivate young people to sign up,” he said. “The character you bring, the stories you bring, the leadership you bring — never think that it doesn’t make a difference because young people are listening.”

Retired Sgt. Maj. Raymond Moran, a veteran of the Korean War, Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm who is known as Fort Meade’s “Old Soldier,” said he was proud to hear the message that the general shared.

“I think he had the attention of every-body in the room,” Moran said.

Editor’s note: Material for this article was taken from nytimes.com and pershings-lastpatriot.com. For more photos from this event, visit www.flickr.com/photos/ftmeade.

photo by nate pesce

Air Force Maj. Gen. Jim H. Keffer (center), chief of staff of U.S. Cyber Command talks with Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley (right), Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Rodwell L. Forbes (left) and Rep. John Sarbanes (far left) at Fort Meade’s annual Veterans Day ceremony held Nov. 6 at the Fort Meade Museum.


News


Almost two weeks before the actual holiday, children at the Youth Center cooked turkey breast and macaroni and cheese for parents as part of a Thanksgiving dinner.

Under the supervision of Child Youth Assistants Patience Heyward and Darcy Valdespino, a group of about 12 youths, ages 10 to 14, pre-pared the meal Friday in the facility’s kitchen.

“It feels so fun,” said Taylor Wod-faulk, 11, a sixth-grader at MacArthur Middle School, who helped to pre-pare a large bowl of turkey stuffing. “When I was a kid, I made brownies and cookies. I’m with my friends, and having fun with my friends and my parents before Thanksgiving.”

LaToya Cardwell, facility director at the Youth Center, said the food was provided through the Child, Youth and School Services vendor, which also supplies the program’s break-fasts, lunches and snacks.

In addition to Thanksgiving dinner, the event also featured board games and sports in the gymnasium.

“This is one of our efforts for family involvement,” Cardwell said. “As part of Character Counts [a national character education program sponsored by the Josephson Institute Center for Youth Ethics], we promote citizenship. By preparing and serving the food, the children share and learn the values behind the dinner.”

In preparation for the meal, Hey-ward and Valdespino sliced the turkey breast and ham. The children placed the slices on separate cooking trays that were put in the oven.

The youths then mixed the ingredi-ents for turkey stuffing and macaroni and cheese in separate bowls. They also cooked corn and made lemon-ade.

For dessert, Heyward and Valdes-pino warmed up two pumpkin pies.

“It’s quite fun,” said 11-year-old Amma Frimpong, a sixth-grader at MacArthur Middle School. “I haven’t cooked a big dinner like this before. It smells really good and we’re tempt-ed to try it, but we’ll wait ’till it’s ready.”

Brandie Fields, a contracting offi-cer representative for the Department of Justice, dined with her two sons, Brandin, 11, and Alfonso, 13.

Junior chefs prepare Thanksgiving dinner at Youth Center

“This is very important to bring family values to life,” Fields said. “You get so busy with work, you need to take time out from your busy schedule for family bonding.”

While the food was cooking, the youths swept and mopped the floor of the facility’s Character Café, where the dinner was held.

Yaw Frimpong said the experi-ence was an important lesson for his daughter Amma.

“It’s great that she can cook and do things for herself so she can be inde-pendent in the future,” said Frimpong, a safety officer for the DoD. “I just want to spend time with my daughter to celebrate Thanksgiving.”

photo by daniel kucin JR.

Eleven-year-old Jaylen Myers, a sixth-grader at MacArthur Middle School, helps to prepare the ham for a Thanksgiving dinner Friday evening at the Youth Center. Children from the facility helped to cook the meal, under adult supervision, and served parents in the center’s Character Café.


News

By Tanesha Matthews PettyAttorney Advisor Legal Assistance Division

The marital home is by far the biggest asset that most couples have, and the accompanying mortgage is one of the biggest liabilities that they share.

So it is not surprising that one of the most common questions that comes up during divorce consultations with an attorney is, “What are my options regard-ing the marital home?”

If this question is not properly addressed, divorcing couples can find themselves joined together long after the divorce is finalized.

One option is to sell the home. When the house is sold, the couple divides the proceeds or shares in the loss in a man-ner that is equitable for their particular situation. In reality, this is oftentimes the only option that divorcing couples have because, without dual incomes, neither party can afford the mortgage or upkeep of the house on their own.

The advantage to selling the house is that the couple gets to make a clean break from each other and might make enough cash to pay off marital debts or start over in their new lives. The disadvantage to selling the home is that the market could be on a downside for sellers and the couple may have to sell the home at a loss.

A second option is for one party to remain in the home. Typically, the spouse who wants to stay in the home (“staying spouse”) refinances the loan so that the mortgage will be in his or her name only. The second spouse (“leaving spouse”)

signs a “quit claim deed” to convey title to the staying spouse.

At closing, the leaving spouse will receive the agreed-upon share of the equity. A difficulty with this arrangement is that the staying spouse might not be able to qualify for a new loan because of credit issues or income.

The major advantage of refinancing a home is that the staying spouse gets to keep the home. The disadvantages of refinancing are the costs including title costs, a new survey, recording fees and attorney’s fees.

The divorcing couple will need to decide how to divide these costs.

A third option is for both parties to temporarily keep the home. This could be considered when selling the house doesn’t make financial sense due to a slow hous-ing market. Also, this could be a good option if the spouse who wants to keep the home is not in a position to do so but will be soon.

For example, the parties could draft a separation agreement that gives the potential staying spouse two years to refinance the house before it has to be sold. This option is only advisable if the divorce is amicable and both parties share a common goal.

The disadvantage to keeping the house is that it can be difficult for the leaving spouse to afford another home because the loan on the family home is still part of his or her credit record.

If you are in this situation, call the Fort Meade Legal Assistance Office to sched-ule an appointment with an attorney at 301-677-9504 or 301-677-9536.

Separating the marital home during a divorce

Find the Fort MeadereligiouS Schedule

atwww.ftmeade.army.mil.

Look for the “Community” tab then click on “Religious Services” for

schedules, events and contact information.

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil10 SOUNDOFF! November 13, 2014

News

Army Community Service is hosting “Slaying the Tax Dragon: Effective Plan-ning to Reduce Taxes” on Monday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Community Readi-ness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave.

The goal is to better inform the Fort Meade community about taxes and how to legally pay less.

The session will provide information relevant to those of all ages and stages of life: enlisted, officers, military retirees and DoD civilian employees.

Basic tax planning can qualify most junior enlisted and other service mem-bers early in their career for a Saver’s Tax Credit of up to $1,000.

The decision of how to fund retire-ment — pre-tax vs. after-tax — impacts how much wealth you keep. Funding Roth vehicles and converting pre-tax assets to Roths make sense when in a lower tax bracket such as during a combat zone deployment or early in retirement. (A Roth IRA is an individual

retirement account that provides tax-free growth.)

Market downturns offer even bet-ter opportunities for Roth conversions. Thoughtfully harvesting portfolio gains and losses reduces taxes.

Health Savings Accounts, Flexible Spending Accounts and Dependent Care Spending Accounts help federal employ-ees pay less in taxes.

Finally, managing taxes in retirement extends the life of your financial assets.

Because current tax bills are not sig-nificant, tax planning is not often on the radar for young service members. But upon leaving active duty, veterans and retirees are often unpleasantly surprised by the full force of the tax code.

Minimizing taxes over a lifetime goes a long way toward building financial security. After all, the less you pay, the more you keep.

For more information, call ACS at 301-677-5590.

ACS class helps slay ‘tax dragon’

Corvias educational grants, scholarship applications now available nationwide

Corvias Foundation announced Nov. 3 that applications for the 2015 Scholarships and Educational Grants are now available to children and spouses at 13 Army and Air Force installations nationwide.

The foundation is committed to sup-porting military families in the pursuit of higher education and has awarded more than $5.2 million in scholarships and grants to children and spouses of active-duty service members since 2006.

Applications for Our Future Scholar-ships must be submitted by Feb. 12 and will be awarded to high school seniors with plans of attending a four-year university or college. Scholarships are in the amount of up to $50,000 per person.

Corvias Foundation will select 10 children of active-duty service members stationed at Forts Meade, Bragg, Polk,

Rucker, Riley and Sill; Aberdeen Proving Ground, Edwards Air Force Base, Eglin Air Force Base, Eielson Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field, McConnell Air Force Base and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

Recipients of the scholarships will be notified in April.

Applications for 2015 Educational Grants must be submitted by May 7. Grants are awarded in the amount of up to $5,000 to spouses of active-duty service members stationed at the military installa-tions listed above. Applicants may be in any stage of the educational process.

Recipients will be notified in July.Those chosen may begin using their

scholarship or grant in the fall of 2015.Families do not have to reside in on-

post/base housing to qualify for scholar-ships or grants. Eligible service members stationed at these 13 Army and Air Force installations can serve in any branch of the military.

Applications are available at http://cor-viasfoundation.org.

For more information about eligibility or the application process, email [email protected] or call 401-228-2836.

Howard Community College has been listed as a Military Friendly School by Victory Media for the 3rd consecutive year! This prestigious recognition is awarded to the top 20% of schools doing the most to embrace military service members, veterans, and their families.

With special services on campus for active military and veterans, including a Veteran’s Student Lounge, Howard Community College honors and supports our military in their academic and learning pursuits!

Office of Records, Registrationand Veterans’ Affairs

10901 Little Patuxent Parkway,Columbia, MD 21044

[email protected]

REGISTER NOW!Winter term begins January 2! Spring semester begins January 24!

Contact one of our military and veterans’ affairs specialists:

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Update your job skills You can get there from here!

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Cover Story

By Shari RosenStaff Writer

Pfc. Michael Clark clutched the mechani-cal bull, digging his knees into its sides. His face bright red, Clark, of the 781st Military Intelligence Battalion, was thrown from the bull less than 30 seconds later.

“It was a lot harder than it looked,” Clark said after he stood up.

Mechanical bull riding was one of the many activities that a packed room of ser-vice members, civilian employees and family members enjoyed at Right Arm Night held Nov. 6 at Club Meade.

Right Arm Night is an Army tradition that promotes camaraderie and esprit de corps, providing an avenue for service members and civilians to socialize. Leaders attend the event

Right Arm Night goes country at Club Meade

with their “right arm” — battle buddies they rely on to accomplish their daily mission.

The two-hour, country-themed event, which transitioned into Meade’s Gone Coun-try at 6 p.m., included a free buffet, the raf-fling off of televisions and an Xbox One, a cow milking competition, Texas Hold ’em tournament, corn hole contest, pin the tail on the donkey and other audience participa-tion games.

Fort Meade’s Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation sponsored the festivities with support from the Civilian Welfare Fund.

“I like the little games I do that make peo-ple look silly because that’s always fun and people have a good time,” said Scott Myers, business operations officer for DFMWR and emcee for the event.

Sgt. 1st Class Okoli Alexander won pin the tail on the donkey after being spun around multiple times while blindfolded. He received a $25 Visa gift card.

“It feels good to win,” said Alexander of Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center, who gave the gift card to his 11-year-old son Jaeden. “My son got some money.”

Attendees lined up to enjoy the buffet of chicken wings, meatballs, turkey sandwiches, chips, salsa and vegetables, while disc jockey Chris Temple played popular music in the background.

There was also a “grub wagon” where additional snacks and drinks could be pur-chased.

“We [want people] to have a good time, relax and build some team spirit,” Myers said. “That’s what we’re looking for.”

Later in the evening, Myers facilitated a competition in which three contestants had to push an egg across the floor using only their noses. The first person to cross the finish line without breaking the egg was declared the winner.

“I was a little worried in the beginning, but it was fun,” said Sgt. 1st Class Hugo Olvera-leija, noncommissioned officer in charge of the Fort Meade Directorate of Public Works, who was the only competitor who did not crack his egg.

Myers took a break from games to allow for dancing. Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Rodwell L. Forbes — clad in his dress blues

ABOVE: John Barnes, a military

police investigator, pins the tail on the donkey after being

blindfolded and spun around multiple

times. It took Barnes about five minutes

to find his way to the donkey poster.

RIGHT: Garrison Command Sgt. Maj.

Rodwell L. Forbes shows his rhythm

while dancing to the “Cupid Shuffle” at

Right Arm Night. The event, held Friday

at Club Meade, was sponsored

by Fort Meade’s Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare

and Recreation with support from

the Civilian Welfare Fund.

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil November 13, 2014 SOUNDOFF! 13

— boogied to line dances such as the Cupid Shuffle and the Wobble.

After the dancing, two volunteers com-peted in a cow milking contest. They had to squeeze the udders attached to a cardboard cutout of a cow as quickly as possible to see who could produce the most “milk” in 30 seconds.

“I’m not going to give any advice,” Myers said to the competitors. “I don’t know how to milk a cow.”

Myers blindfolded Spc. Tayvon Lester of the 781st MI before his turn so he could not steal strategies from his flannel-clad competi-tor.

“I’ve never seen a cow,” Lester said before his turn.

He successfully squeezed the udders all at once and won a 40-inch TV.

Throughout the rest of the evening, attend-ees mingled, talked with co-workers, prepared for the Texas Hold ’em tournament and took turns to see who could master the mechanical bull during the riding tournament.

“This is great,” said Deputy Garrison Commander John M. Moeller, who has attended every Right Arm Night for the last seven years.

“These keep getting better and better, more and more people attending. ... I can remem-ber when there were only 10 people here one night, so it’s nice to see the house full.”

photos by phil grout

Spc. Tayvon Lester of the 781st Military Intelligence Battalion wins the cow milking competition as part of Right Arm Night Goes Country. He received a 40-inch Vizio television for his efforts.

RIGHT: Pfc. Michael Clark of the 781st Military Intelligence Battalion tries to hold onto the mechanical bull at Fort Meade’s Right Arm Night Goes Country.


SportS

By Shari RosenStaff Writer

Sitting astride a halflinger pony, 7-year-old Matteo Taliaferro clipped clothespins to Bob’s golden mane during a 45-minute hippotherapy session Friday morning on a 25-acre farm in Crownsville.

Hippotherapy, or the use of the horse’s movements for therapeutic purposes, is one of the many services that Maryland Thera-peutic Riding offers its varied population, ranging from wounded warriors to individu-als with autism.

“We serve everything, [including] autism,” said Kelly Rodgers, MTR program director. “We serve cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, genetic disorders, traumatic brain injuries. And then there’s a variety of emotional and behavioral disorders that we see out here as well.”

In addition to hippotherapy and thera-peutic riding sessions, MTR conducts fund-raisers and community outreach events such as the “Salute The Troops” event Nov. 8, which benefited the military ridership pro-gram.

MTR also encourages and trains volun-teers.

“I always wanted to work with horses and I thought this would be a great oppor-tunity to learn a lot about how to take care of them, and then doing the lessons was an added bonus,” said Emily Downey, volunteer sidewalker, whose husband, Navy Cmdr. Richard Downey, teaches at the U.S. Naval Academy. “It’s hard to put into words. It’s just an amazing experience to be a part of it.”

Former Fort Meade Garrison Com-mander retired Col. Kenneth O. McCreedy, executive director of MTR, visited Fort Meade in late September for the Volunteer Speed Meet to offer MTR volunteer oppor-tunities to service members.

Rodgers said that riders participating in hippotherapy work on fine motor skills, such

Maryland Therapeutic Riding assists diverse populations

‘Being on the pad, feeling the warmth from the horse loosens her muscles and she can also feel the three-dimensional movements more clearly ...’

Katie Streett, head instructor Maryland Therapeutic Riding

as threading string and using clips, while they ride. Riders also climb hills and sit on their horses in a variety of positions to work on core strength and balance, Rodgers said.

“In the physical realm, the horse’s gait is an elongated version of the human gait,” McCreedy said. “In riding the animal, its movement strengthens the core abdominal muscles [of the rider]. The rider’s thigh and leg muscles are stretched and strengthened by the requirements of sitting astride a large animal.”

Later on in the lesson, occupational thera-pist Debra Taylor took Matteo on the sen-sory integration trail, where he experienced different forms of sensory input by throwing bean bags through shaped holes and walking over a bridge on his horse.

“Tell me when you hear the bridge,” Tay-lor said to Matteo, hoping to stimulate his auditory senses. “Do you hear the bridge?”

Four-year-old Amani Almagro also attended a hippotherapy session Friday, accompanied by her mother Lisa.

“Well, Amani is autistic and we wanted to give her something that would help her with her physical awareness and just, you know, make her a happy person,” said Almagro, wife of Navy Petty Officer Bran-don Almagro of the U.S. Navy Band. “She doesn’t do well with people, but she does amazing with animals.”

Sitting on a pad covered by a blanket, Amani began her lesson in the indoor arena because she needed to adjust to her new horse Fritz.

“She’s not in a saddle because it’s a hip-potherapy session,” said Katie Streett, MTR head instructor. “Being on the pad, the warmth from the horse loosens her muscles and she can also feel the three-dimensional movements more clearly sitting directly on the horse’s back instead of on the saddle.”

After a few laps around the arena, Amani and Fritz headed outside to climb over hills, while Amani practiced placing a foam sword through a ring.

Almagro said her daughter received a

scholarship from the Air Warrior Cour-age Foundation to help cover the cost of Amani’s hippotherapy sessions.

Halfway through her lesson, Amani raised her arms in victory for a “Go Navy” cheer.

“There is nothing more rewarding then to see the sense of accomplishment and pure joy on the face of one of our riders when they are mounted on one of our wonder-ful horses or getting nuzzled by one of the gentle giants,” McCreedy said.

Amani’s mother smiled and said that Amani never talked before she began her hippotherapy lessons. She used to sit and rock in the corner.

Amani now looks at the calendar, asking her mom when it will be time for her next lesson, Almagro said.

“For a lot of folks, this is the highlight of their week,” McCreedy said.

Editor’s note: For more information on MTR, visit www.horsesthatheal.org or call 410-923-6800. For more photos, visit www.flickrlcom/photos/ftmeade.

phoTo by naTe peSce

Matteo Taliaferro, 7, smiles during his hippotherapy session Friday morning at Maryland Therapeutic Riding in Crownsville. As part of the session, Matteo’s occupational therapist Debra Taylor (right) and volunteer sidewalker Emily Downey (left) took Matteo on the sensory integration trail to help stimulate his senses while riding.


SportS

There are so many ways a dude can fill up a blank page.

For example, what do Utah wide receiver Kaelin Clay and NFL wide receiver DeSean Jackson have in common besides graduating from Long Beach Polytechnic High School?

They both suffer from a serious case of pre-mature celebration. Hill’s overexuberance might have saved Oregon’s season and cost the UTES a shot at the PAC-12 title. bit.ly/1B8LECl

And, of course, no one will soon forget Jackson’s nonsense against the Cowboys. bit.ly/1EBqxHl I could certainly fill plenty of blank pages basking in the glow of Philly’s flops, but those glorious moments in sports history are not what’s on my mind right now.

Instead, I’m thinking about ulcers. Appar-ently I have them. I will know more tomorrow when I’ll be getting an endoscopy. That basically means that while you are reading these graphs, I’ll have a tube down my throat checking for any abnormalities or abscesses.

Now you may be wondering why I’m sharing this information. I will get to that. But first, let me clarify why I am not sharing this:

1. I am not trying to get sympathy — ulcers are common enough. Approximately 25 mil-lion people will get them this year, according to Web MD.

2. I am not making a plea that my life is too stressful. Life is actually going well, but more than that, research shows that stress has little to do with getting ulcers. Diet and genetics are more likely causes.

So why am I sharing this information?The older I get, the more I realize the biggest

issue regarding my health is machismo. I know I don’t have it like former WWE superstar Razor Ramon. youtube.com/watch?v=SiogyyHvT4M

But the fact remains that nothing screams weakness more than me having to write a sick note to my boss, or to even take time off work for an appointment. I am a man, and I’m sup-posed to work.

That is a stupid mindset that I am trying to break.

Another misconception I’m trying to correct is the notion that my health issues are resolved as soon as I start feeling better. Apparently, nothing could be further from the truth. The agony (and I do not use that word lightly) I went through Monday night and all-day Tuesday was very similar to the symptoms that laid me up during camp in August.

During camp I knew whatever I had wasn’t right, and I promised to get myself checked out when I got home. That vow was broken as soon as I started feeling better and life’s schedule took

over.That is, until

Monday night when I started feeling a burning sensation in the pit of my stom-ach. Then came the sharp pains, which brought on dry heaving. My skin got clammy, and I completely lost my appetite. To be honest, it felt like a really bad case of the flu, except more painful and with less fluids leaving the body.

As I visited my good friend Dr. Alif on Tuesday afternoon, I picked up two more valuable lessons. One, it is always good to have friends who are doctors — Dr. Alif penciled me in. More importantly, as the good doctor explained, it is important to know the medica-tions you are taking and your family’s medical history.

Through Tuesday, that portion of every appointment where the doctor asks you about family history and current medications seemed eerily similar to a pop quiz. My answers were filled with a bunch of “ums” and “maybes,” which apparently do doctors about as much good as an expired insurance card.

As for medicines, Dr. Alif explained there are three things a patient should always remember:

1. Names of medicines you are allergic to2. Medicines that don’t work3. Medicines that do workSo in short, as we make our way through

“Movember” — Men’s Health Month — the biggest thing you can do to advocate for men’s health isn’t necessarily growing a mustache. It’s doing what it takes to be a healthy man.

If it makes it easier, treat your health like it’s your J-O-B.

Schedule checkups just like you schedule meetings. Listen to your boss, or in this case, the doctor. If a bad situation miraculously gets better, still sit down and go over the issue. And be accountable to yourself. You are your biggest advocate.

Finally, taking sick leave is not a privilege; you earned it.

And though you may think it is a minor inconvenience, any leader worth their salt would rather have an employee out for a day or two as opposed to a month or three.

You get all that sick leave for a reason.If you have comments on this or anything to do

with sports, contact me at [email protected] or hit me up on Twitter @CTJibber.

A rumbly in my tumbly

Chad T. Jones, Public Affairs

Officer

Jibber Jabber - OpiniOn

phoTo by naTe peSce

Volunteers walk Bob, a halflinger pony, through the Indoor Arena at Maryland Therapeutic Riding in Crownsville. Matteo Taliaferro, 7, (on horse), participated in a 45-minute hippotherapy session.


Community news & notes

The deadline for Soundoff! community “News and Notes” is Friday at noon. All submissions are posted at the editor’s discretion 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 [email protected] or call Editor Dijon Rolle at 301-677-6806.

Facebook town hallGarrison Commander Col. Brian P.

Foley will host a Facebook town hall Tuesday from 4-6 p.m.

The online town hall is an opportunity to post Fort Meade-related questions, comments and suggestions on the garrison’s Facebook page, facebook.com/ftmeade.

Foley and other garrison leadership will respond to posts on Fort Meade’s Facebook page during the town hall.

For more information, email Steve Ellmore at [email protected] or call 301-677-1109.

Ebola briefing town hallA town hall meeting will be held

Wednesday at 6 p.m. at McGill Training Center, 8452 Zimborski Ave.

Col. Beverly Maliner, chief of Preventive Medicine for Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center, will provide a briefing on the Ebola virus and conduct a question-and-answer session.

This briefing is open to all service members, civilian employees and family members.

RAB meetingFort Meade will conduct a

Restoration Advisory Board meeting on Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Express BWI, 7481 Ridge Road, Hanover.

RAB meetings are held to keep the public informed and involved in Fort Meade’s environmental cleanup and restoration program and to provide opportunities for public involvement.

Major topics include an overview

NEWS & EVENTS

Run SeriesThe Fort Meade Run Series

continues with the Turkey Trot 5K Run and 1-Mile Fun Walk on Nov. 22 at 8 a.m. at Murphy Field House, followed by the Reindeer Run on Dec. 13 at 8 a.m.

All pre-registered runners will receive a T-shirt.

Pre-registration for the Turkey Trot ends today.

Pre-registration for each run costs $15 for individuals and $45 per family, and $75 per group.

Cost on the day of the run is $25 per person and $60 per family.

To register or for more information, call 301-677-7916 or go to ftmeademwr.com.

Laser tagThe Teen Center is offering laser tag

for grades nine to 12 on Friday from 6-8 p.m.

Teens will gear up and compete against their friends to win the grand prize.

For more information call 301-677-6054.

CYSS winter sportsRegistration for winter sports is

underway.Participants can register at the

Central Registration Office at 1900 Reece Road or online at https://webtrac.mwr.army.mil/webtrac/meadecyms.html.

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

Volunteer coaches needed

Volunteer Youth Sports coaches are needed for winter sports including basketball, wrestling and futsal.

All volunteers will receive free training and will be certified through the National Youth Sports Coaches Association.

Volunteers must submit and complete a background check.

Apply at the Youth Sports & Fitness Office at 1900 Reece Road.


Sports Shorts

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of northern areas of interest, site-wide progress review, and updates on the Operable Unit 4 system performance and Nevada Avenue area.

The public and media are invited to attend. In order to foster communication and open discussion, video recording devices are prohibited from the meeting room.

Those interested in learning more about the restoration program or in becoming an RAB member should attend the meeting.

For more information, call 301-677-7999 or visit http://www.ftmeade.army.mil/environment/ (Click on RAB link).

Kimbrough town hallDr. (Col.) Michael J. Zapor, deputy

commander for Clinical Services at the Fort Meade Medical Department Activity, will conduct a mini town hall Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. in the Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center lab reception area.

The purpose of this forum is to disseminate information, answer questions and discuss concerns regarding Kimbrough.

All beneficiaries are invited.

Reece Road gate closureThe Reece Road access control

point will be closed to all traffic for approximately four weeks starting Nov. 22.

The closure is part of the installation’s ongoing road improvement projects.

During this period, the Mapes Road/Route 175 gate will be open and serve as the installation’s 24/7 access control point.

Additionally, the Llewellyn Avenue gate will be open Mondays to Fridays from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. for visitors, businesses and all non-DoD ID cardholders.

Individuals seeking long-term passes will be directed to the Demps Visitor Center.

While the Llewellyn gate is open, DoD ID cardholders are encouraged to use the installation’s other ACPs: Mapes/Route 175, Mapes/Route 32 and Rockenbach Road gates.

The Llewellyn gate will be closed weekends. When Llewellyn is closed, visitors enter through the Mapes/175 gate.

For more information, go to http://www.ftmeade.army.mil/directorates/des/vcc/vcc.html#gatehours.

Community Readiness Center closure

Army Community Service and the Airman and Family Readiness Center, located at the Community Readiness

Center, 830 Chisholm Ave., will be closed Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for facility improvement projects.

If emergency assistance is needed, contact:

• Domestic violence victim advocate at 1-240-688-6918

• SHARP Hotline at 1-443-845-0876• Andrews Air Force Base Airman

and Family Readiness Center at 1-301-981-7087

Army Emergency Relief customers may request emergency assistance by visiting the Soldier and Family Assistance Center from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Bldg. 2462, 85th Medical Battalion Ave.


Veterans Job Fair The Fort Meade Veterans Job Fair will

be held Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Club Meade, 6600 Mapes Road.

The annual event is open to the public,

veterans and non-veterans.Dress for success. Bring resumes.A free resume evaluation and

preparation assistance service will be available.

A free shuttle service to and from Fort Meade’s Smallwood Hall parking lot and Club Meade’s front door is also available.

For more information, go to ftmeademwr.com or email [email protected].

OSC evening luncheonThe Fort Meade Officers’ Spouses’

Club will sponsor an evening luncheon Nov. 20 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Conference Center, 6800 Taylor Ave.

The holiday-themed event, “Make It/Bake It/Fake It,” is open to OSC members, spouses and guests.

Cost is $18.If you are crafty, make something! If

you are a baker, bakesomething! If you are a shopper, buy

something!

RSVP at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/osc-november-luncheontickets-14026267945.

For more information, go to http://www.fortmeadeosc.org/events/[email protected].

OSC Holiday BazaarThe Fort Meade Officers’ Spouses’

Club’s 15th Annual Holiday Bazaar will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. at the Pavilion.

The event is open to the public and will feature approximately 80 artisans representing the region including jewelry, pottery, crafts, woodwork, artisan chocolatiers, books and candles.

In addition, the event will feature holiday music performances by the Meade High School Music Department, photos with Santa, food and hot chocolate.

file photo

american indian heritage month observanceFort Meade and the 902nd Military Intelligence Group invite the community to the National American Indian Heritage Month Observance today from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at McGill Training Center, 8452 Zimborski Ave. Admission is free.The guest speaker is award-winning storyteller Dovie Thomason.All Fort Meade service members and civilian employees are encouraged to attend with supervisory approval and without charge to annual leave.Administrative leave is authorized.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18



Proceeds benefit the OSC’s community welfare grants and scholarships.

For more information, email [email protected] or go to the OSC website at http://fmoscholidaybazaar.com.

ROWC Sweet Shop The Retired Officers’ Wives’ Club will

operate the Sweet Shop at the Officers’ Spouses’ Club’s Holiday Bazaar on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. in the Pavilion.

The Sweet Shop will offer homemade goods, treats, candy, coffee, tea and hot chocolate.

For more information, call Genny Bellinger, ROWC president, at 410-674-2550, or Lianne Roberts, ROWC advisor and OSC representative, at 301-464-5498.

Thanksgiving at Club Meade

Enjoy a Thanksgiving Day buffet Nov. 27 at Club Meade.

Two seating times are available: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 2:30-4:30 p.m.

The buffet is open to the public. Reservations are recommended.

Cost is $21.95 for members; $26.95 for non-members; and half-price for children ages 10 and under.

Reservations are required.Dinner includes: a carving station with

roast turkey, glazed ham and roast top round of beef; Seafood Newburg; roast chicken; Beef Burgundy; glazed sweet potatoes; mashed potatoes and giblet gravy; tuna, chicken and seafood salads; steamed shrimp; vegetable, fruit and cheese display; and assorted pies and cakes.

For reservations or more information, call 301-677-6969.

Karaoke NightThe next Karaoke Night is Nov. 21 at

7 p.m. at The Lanes.For more informaiton, call 301-677-

5541.

Consumer AwarenessConsumer Awareness, a program

focusing on deterring, detecting and defending against consumer fraud in the

marketplace, will be held Tuesday from 9-11 a.m. at the Community Readiness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave.

This interactive program also focuses on basic steps consumers should take to ensure they get the most for their money.

To register or for more information, call 301-677-5590 or go to fortmeadeacs.checkappointments.com.

Cooking Matters Commissary Tour

The next Cooking Matters Commissary Tour & Challenge is Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Tuesday from 6-7 p.m.; and Nov. 24 from 6-7 p.m. at the Fort Meade Commissary.

Tours are open to all eligible commissary patrons.

Cooking Matters is designed to help consumers stretch their food budget over the holidays, shop smarter and make healthier choices.

Hands-on store tours are offered every hour and teach participants the skills to compare foods for cost and nutrition.

Participants also learn how to plan and budget for healthy, affordable and delicious meals for their families.

Select tours will receive a $10 coupon.To sign up for the event, go to http://

cmatscommissaryfm.eventbrite.com.For more information, email

[email protected].

Financial, Employment Readiness

Army Community Service offers Financial Readiness classes to all ranks and services and to DoD civilian employees at the Community Readiness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave.

Registration is required for each class.• Consumer Awareness: Tuesday from

9-11 a.m.• First Term Financial Readiness:

Nov. 25 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.To register or for more information,

call 301-677-5590 or go to fortmeadeacs.checkappointments.com.

Free classesThe Navy Fleet and Family Support

Center offers a variety of classes at its facility at 2212 Chisholm Ave.

The free classes are open to DoD identification cardholders including active-duty service members, retirees and their family members, DoD civilian employees and contractors.

Registration is required for each class.

• Common Sense Parenting: Monday from 9-10 a.m.

• Job Search Strategies: Tuesday from 9 a.m. to noon

Learn techniques to help you succeed in your job search as well as the tools for networking and negotiating job offers.

• Pre-Deployment Brief: Nov. 20 from 10-11:30 a.m.

• Ten Steps to a Federal Job: Nov. 24 from 9 a.m. to noon

• Medical Record Review: Have your medical records reviewed by an AMVETS representative. Appointment required.

To register or for more information, call 301-677-9017 or 301-677-9018.

StorytimeThe Children’s Library offers pre-

kindergarten Storytime on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. at Kuhn Hall, 4415 North County Emergency Outreach Network Llewellyn Ave.

• Today: “Bears, Bears and More Bears” - Books, songs and finger plays about bears

• Nov. 20: “Feed Your Mind at the Library” - Storytime about foods

For more information, call 301-677-5677.

Romp ‘n StompRomp ‘n Stomp playgroup for

children age 5 and younger and their parents meets Tuesdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Youth Center gym at 909 Ernie Pyle St.

For more information, call 301-677-5590.

Out & About• The Senator Theatre at 5904 York

Road in Baltimore will show “The Wizard of Oz” on Sunday at 11:30 am. in celebration of the movie house’s 75th anniversary. Tickets cost $7. For more information, call 410-323-4424 or go to thesentatortheatre.com.

• Leisure Travel Services is offering its next monthly bus trip to New York City on Saturday, with discounts to attractions. Bus cost is $60. For more information, call 301-677-7354 or visit ftmeademwr.com.

• The 21st Annual Symphony of Lights in Columbia will offer two Military Appreciation Nights on Dec. 1 and Dec. 8 from 6-10 p.m. at Symphony Woods.

Drive through the 1.4-mile spectacular display of 70 larger-than-life, animated and stationary light creations, rain or shine.

Complimentary sliders from Mission BBQ will be provided Dec. 8 from 6–10 p.m., while supplies last.

Active duty, Reserve and retired military members and their dependents will receive $10 off admission cost (with government-issued ID). Proceeds benefit Howard County General Hospital.

For more information, go to hcgh.org/symphonyoflights or call 410-740-7666.

• 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 Friday. 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, go to e9association.org.

• Marriage Enrichment Group, sponsored by Army Community Service, meets the second and fourth Monday of every month from 3-4 p.m. at the Community Readiness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave. The next meeting is Monday. For more information, call Celena Flowers or Jessica Hobgood at 301-677-5590.

• Families Dealing with Deployment meets the first and third Monday of every month from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Meuse Forest Neighborhood Center. Children welcome. The next meeting is Monday. For more information, call 301-677-5590 or email [email protected].

• Retired Enlisted Association meets the third Tuesday of the month from 7:30-8:30 p.m. at Perry’s Restaurant, 1210 Annapolis Road, Odenton. The next meeting is Tuesday. 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.

• Military District of Washington Sergeant Audie Murphy Club meets the third Wednesday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. at the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Dining Facility in Virginia. The next meeting is Wednesday. All members and those interested in joining the club are welcome. For more information, contact Master Sgt. Erica Lehmkuhl at [email protected] or 301-833-8415.

• Meade Area Garden Club will meet Nov. 21 at 10 a.m. at the Jessup Community

NEWS & EVENTS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

EDUCATION

YOUTH

RECREATION

MEETINGS


Community news & notes movies

Center at the corner of Route 175 and Wigley Avenue.

The club’s annual bake sale will be featured at the meeting. Purchase homemade baked goods for the Thanksgiving holiday.

The guest speaker is Sarah von Pollaro, founder of Urban Petals Floral Design who creates one-of-a-kind floral designs for events, then donates them to nonprofit organizations the following day.

All are welcome; reservations not required. Refreshments will be served. For more infor-mation, call Sharon Durney, club president, at 410-761-5019 or Jenny Garcia, member-ship chair, at 443-949-8348.

• Prostate Cancer Support Group meets at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda on the third Thursday of every month. The next meeting is Nov. 20 from 1-2 p.m. and 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the America Building, River Conference Room (next to the Prostate Center), third floor.

Spouses/partners are invited. Military ID is required for base access. Men without a military ID should call the Prostate Center at 301-319-2900 at least two days prior to the event for base access.

For more information, call retired Col. Jane Hudak at 301-319-2918 or email [email protected].

• Society of Military Widows meets for brunch the fourth Sunday of the month at 1 p.m. at the Lanes. The next meeting is Nov. 23. For more information, call Betty Jones at 410-992-1123.

• Calling All Dads meets the second and fourth Monday of every month from 4-5 p.m. at Potomac Place Neighborhood Center, 4998 2nd Corps Blvd. The next meeting is Nov. 24.

The group is for expecting fathers, and fathers with children of all ages. Children welcome. For more information, call 301-677-5590 or email [email protected].

• Women’s Empowerment Group meets Wednesdays from 2-3:30 p.m. to provide a safe, confidential arena for the support, education and empowerment of women who have experienced past or present family violence.

Location is only disclosed to participants. To register, call Samantha Herring, victim advocate, at 301-677-4124 or Katherine Lamourt, victim advocate, at 301-677-4117.

• Moms Walking Group, sponsored by Parent Support, meets Thursdays from 8:30-9:15 a.m. at Potomac Place Neighborhood Center. To register, call Colaina Townsend or Michelle Pineda at 301-677-5590.

• Project Healing Waters meets Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. at the Soldiers and Family Assistance Center, 2462 85th Medical Battalion Ave.

The project is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of wounded warriors and veterans through fly fishing, fly tying and outings.

For more information, call Larry Vawter, program leader, at 443-535-5074 or email [email protected].

• Dancing with the Heroes, free ballroom dance lessons for the Warrior Transition Unit, meets Thursdays at 6 p.m. at Argonne Hills Chapel Center in the seminar room.

Participants should wear loose clothing, comfortable shoes with leather soles. No super high heels or flip-flops.

• Spanish Christian Service is conducted Sundays at 1 p.m. at the Cavalry Chapel located at 8465 Simonds St. and 6th Armored Cavalry Road.

For more information, call Elias Mendez at 301-677-7314 or 407-350-8749.

• Couples Communication Group, sponsored by Army Community Services, meets every Monday from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the Community Readiness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave.

For more information, call Celena Flowers or Katherine Lamourt at 301-677-5590.

• 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 Christopher Lassiter at [email protected] or Committee Chairperson Marco Cilibert 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 ages 11 to 18. For more information, email Lisa Yetman, at [email protected] or Wendall Lawrence, Scoutmaster, at [email protected].

• Catholic Women of the Chapel meet every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. for prayer and Bible study in the Main Post Chapel, 4419 Llewellyn Ave. Monthly programs are held Mondays at 6:30 p.m. The group is open to all women in the community ages 18 and older — active duty, retiree and civilian — for prayer, faith fellowship, and service. For more information, email Mariana Yinh 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 4-6 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.• Odenton Masonic Center, located at

1206 Stehlik Drive, invites the community, local military, fire/emergency services and local businesses to enjoy its reasonably priced breakfast and specialty dinners.

The center offers a fundraising “all-you-can-eat” breakfast every second Sunday from 7-11 a.m. Fundraising specialty dinners are held the third Friday of the month from 5-7 p.m.

Menus vary and are listed on the center’s website at odentonlodge209.net.

• Swinging Squares Square Dance Club dances the first and third Saturday of the month from 7:30-10 p.m. through May at Meade Middle School. The next dance is Nov. 15. Admission is $6. Square dance attire is optional.

Dance classes are offered Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. at Meade Middle School. Each class costs $6.

For more information, call Darlene at 410-519-2536 or Carl at 410-271-8776.

• Air Force Sergeants Association Chapter 254 meets the fourth Wednesday of the month from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the multipurpose room of Building 9801 at the National Security Agency. The next meeting is Nov. 26. For more information, call 443-534-5170 or visit afsa254.org.

• 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 Dec. 4.There is no cost for the buffet; donations

are optional. All Fort Meade employees, family members, and civilian and military personnel are invited.

For more information, call 301-677-6703.• 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, in the banquet hall in back of the building. The next meeting is Dec. 4. Dinner is served at 6 p.m. For more information, call 410-674-4000.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness of Anne Arundel County offers 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 Dec. 4. For more information, visit namiaac.org.

• New Spouse Connection meets the second Monday of every month from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Community Readiness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave. The next meeting is Dec. 8. The program provides an opportunity for all spouses new to the military or to Fort Meade to meet and get connected. For more information, contact Pia Morales at [email protected] or 301-677-4110.

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 Fridays and Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

PRICES: Tickets are $5.50 for adults (12 and older) and $3 for children. 3D Movies: $7.50 adults, $5 children.

Today through Nov. 29

Friday & Sunday: “The Judge” (R). Big city law-yer Hank Palmer returns to his childhood home where his father, the town’s judge, is suspected of murder. Hank sets out to discover the truth and, along the way, reconnects with his estranged family. With Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga.

Saturday: “The Good Lie” (PG-13). Sudanese refugees given the chance to resettle in America arrive in Kansas, where their encounter with an employment agency counselor forever changes all of their lives. With Reese Witherspoon, Arnold Oceng, Ger Duany.

Nov. 21 & 23: “Alexander and the Terrible, Hor-rible, No Good, Very Bad Day” (PG). Alexander’s day begins with gum stuck in his hair, followed by more calamities. He finds little sympathy from his family and begins to wonder if bad things only happen to him. But he discovers his mom, dad, brother and sister all find themselves living through their own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. With Steve Carell, Jennifer Garner, Ed Oxenbould.

Nov. 22: “Addicted” (R). A gallerist risks her family and flourishing career when she enters into an affair with a talented painter and slowly loses control of her life. With Sharon Leal, Boris Kodjoe, John Newberg.

Nov. 28: “Gone Girl” (R). With his wife’s disap-pearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when it’s suspected that he may not be innocent. With Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris.

Nov. 29: “Dracula Untold” (PG-13). As his king-dom is being threatened by the Turks, young prince Vlad Tepes must become a monster feared by his own kingdom in order to obtain the power needed to protect his own family, and the families of his kingdom. With Luke Evans, Domonic Cooper, Sarah Gadon.

soundoff november 13, 2014

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