Fort Meade Year in Review 2012

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil December 20, 2012 SOUNDOFF! 13

2012 Year in Review
2012 Year in Review
T
he following is a compilation
of stories and photos that
made news on Fort Meade
throughout the year of 2012.
From the closing of the Courses
and visits by high-profile legisla-
tors and senior military leaders
to historical storms and an award-
winning talent show, it was indeed a year to remem-
ber.

Photo by Noah Scialom

Photo by Pfc. Joshua R. Mckinney

Service members run down MacArthur Road during the Wellness and Remembrance
Joint Service Run on Sept. 21. More than 2,400 service members attended the run in
recognition of 9/11, POWS and MIAs, and to promote resiliency and wellness.

TOP RIGHT: Mercedes Drew sings “Movin’ On Up” during “Fort Meade’s Got Talent”
on Sept. 9 at McGill Training Center. The annual production won first place in the
Variety Entertainment and Talent Show category of the 2012 Army Festival of the Arts
and Recreation Program.

RIGHT: Children participate in Fort Meade’s celebration of the Army’s 237th birthday
at The Mall in Columbia on June 14.

Photo by Jen Rynda

14 SOUNDOFF! December 20, 2012 http://www.ftmeade.army.mil

January 2012 Year in Review February
JANUARY FEBRUARY
• Lt. Gen. Carroll F. Pollett transfers • Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center
directorship of the Defense Information completes renovations to its patient ser-
System Agency to Air Force Lt. Gen. vice center and medical laboratory, and
Ronnie D. Hawkins Jr. during a ceremony addition of new operating rooms and
on Jan. 11. medical teams to accommodate the nearly
• Col. Patrick J. Mahaney Jr., com- 1,500 patients who use the facility daily.
mander of the Asymmetric Warfare • Bettina Pickett, wife of Navy Lt.
Group, breaks ground on an AWG indoor Aaron Pickett, delivers a baby girl in her
gun range behind the old World War I Potomac Place home on Feb. 7 with the
barracks on Rock Avenue on Jan. 18. help of her neighbor, Dori Welsch.
• Yolanda Clark is the new acting prin- • The 780th Military Intelligence Bri-
cipal of Meade High School, taking over gade and Meade Heights Elementary
from Daryl Kennedy, who left to serve as School sign on Feb. 14 a formal agree-
executive director of principal support for ment establishing a partnership in educa-
the Baltimore City Public Schools. tion.
• Radio talk-show host Joe Madison, • Col. Jonathan Sweet, commander of
known as the “Black Eagle,” is the guest the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade,
speaker for the annual Martin Luther breaks ground Feb. 21 on the brigade’s
King Jr. observance on Jan. 12. new headquarters, operation center and
• The Anne Arundel County Board of training facility.
Education votes Jan. 18 to approve the • Pfc. Bradley E. Manning is arraigned
construction of 12 additional classrooms Feb. 23 at Fort Meade on 22 charges,
photo by brian krista at Meade High School. including wrongfully releasing intelli-
Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein (third from right) and former Garrison • Defense Information School launches gence, theft of records and aiding the
Command Sgt. Maj. Charles E. Smith (second from right) join Fort Meade Soldiers its first Public Affairs Course for Interna- enemy.
for Military Appreciation at the University of Maryland’s men’s basketball game at the tional Students on Jan. 23. • JoAnne Martin, co-founder of the
Comcast Center in College Park on Feb. 21. • Renovations to the Fort Meade National Great Blacks In Wax Museum
Express, formerly the Shoppette, are com- in Baltimore, is the guest speaker for the
pleted on Jan. 28. post’s Black History Month observance
on Feb. 23.
• Meagan Chesser, 17, a senior at
Meade High School, wins first place in
the high school essay category of the
State of Maryland International Reading
Association Council’s statewide Young
Authors Contest.

photo by Sarah Pastrana

A wax figure of Dr. Dorothy Height, a
former president of the National Council
of Negro Women, stands in the foyer of
Club Meade as part of the installation’s
photo by brian krista
annual observance of Black History
Month on Feb. 23. The figurine was on
Spectators and competitors fill the room as two young fighters battle in the 2012 East Coast National Qualifier karate tournament loan from the National National Great
held Feb. 11 at McGill Training Center. About 250 of the top Taekwondo students in the region attended the event. Blacks In Wax Museum in Baltimore.


March 2012 Year in Review April

Carson Johns,
9, of Monarch
Academy Glen
Burnie harvests
oysters at
the Oyster
Recovery
Partnership
display during
Fort Meade
Earth Day on
April 17 at
Burba Park.
photo by
Jen RYnda

photo by noah scialom

Retired Sgt. Michael Kacer, who lost his MARCH spend six weightless minutes 60 miles above • Master Sgt. Joshua E. Powell, an opera-
• Garrison officials announce the sched- Earth in a privately owned spacecraft. tional advisor for the Asymmetic Warfare
arm in an RPG attack in Afghanistan
uled closing of the Courses in May. • Twenty fifth-graders from Manor View Group, is presented the Soldier Medal during
in 2009, gives a high five of sorts to
• Maj. Savan Becker, a Space Systems offi- Elementary School win silver medals during a ceremony held March 23 at Fort Eutis, Va.,
retired Sgt. Robbie Gaupp during the final
cer and contractor at Fort Meade, is a finalist a mini-Olympic event hosted by first lady for saving the life of a South African soldier
selection held March 11 at Fort Meade for
in Space Race 2012, a Facebook-hosted com- Michelle Obama on March 13 at American during a training exercise in South Africa.
the Army team 2012 Warrior Games.
petition offering the winner the chance to University. • Six longtime employees of the the Direc-
torate of Human Resources are honored in
a retirement luncheon on March 23 at Club
Meade.
• Army Chief of Chaplains (Maj. Gen.)
Donald L. Rutherford speaks at the post’s
National Prayer Luncheon on March 28 at
Club Meade.
APRIL
• Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. begins
upgrades to the electric and gas lines in
Heritage Park, a historic section of the
installation that has the oldest infrastruc-
ture within Fort Meade housing.
• More than 250 children attend the 13th
annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 7 at the
Youth Center. Two days later, several Fort
Meade families participate in the 134th
annual White House Easter Egg Roll.
• Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center
unveils its technologically advanced surgi-
cal center after a ribbon-cutting ceremony
on April 11.
• The 902nd Military Intelligence Group
conducts a ribbon-cutting ceremony on
April 19 for its new headquarters and Army
Counterintelligence Center complex.
• Halina Silber, a Holocaust survivor
who was included on Schindler’s list, is
the guest speaker at the post’s Holocaust
Remembrance Day on April 19 at McGill
Training Center.
• Col. Thomas A. Johnson Jr. assumes
Photo by Jen Rynda leadership of the 48th Combat Support
Riley Bateman, 6, of Fort Meade, giggles while attempting to spin an oversized hula hoop during the installation’s annual Family Hospital from Col. Corinne M. Ritter on
Fun Day on April 28 outside McGill Training Center. April 21.

May 2012 Year in Review June

A procession
of color guards
participate in Fort
Meade’s Memorial
Day Remembrance
and the 26th
Annual Massing of
the Colors at the
Pavilion on May 6.
Photo by Jen Rynda

MAY rial Day Remembrance ceremony and 26th
Annual Massing of the Colors on May 6
• The Directorate of Family and Morale,
at the Pavilion.
Welfare and Recreation opens a revised
Photo by Nate Pesce • During the National Security Agency’s
jogging trail on May 1 after the closing of
Riley Wharton, 12, of Fort Meade Boy Scout Troop 377, carries an American flag to be Armed Forces Week, five groups of service
the East Campus, a trail around the former
placed among other worn or tattered flags during the troop’s flag retirement ceremony members compete in the annual Super
golf course.
near the Fort Meade RV Park on June 14. Squad on Fort Meade on May 8.
• Gov. Martin O’Malley pays tribute
• The installation’s 2012 Army Emer-
to the military at the installation’s Memo-
gency Relief campaign raises $98,988 as the
fundraising effort ends May 15, collecting
123.7 percent of its $80,000 goal.
• Ten World War II-era letters written to
Fort Meade Soldiers are found on May 24
by Melwood employees in the wall frame of
Bldg. 249 on Chisolm Avenue.
• The Directorate of Emergency Services
unveils its new mobile command post nick-
named “The Beast,” a self-contained com-
munications center with cameras, satellites,
computers and radios.
JUNE
• Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F.
Chandler III meets June 7 with Soldiers and
families during a tour of the post with his
wife, Jeanne, and speaks at a town hall.
• Meade High’s first class of 49 graduating
seniors in the Homeland Security Signature
Program receive their diplomas on June 11.
• The 780th Military Intelligence Brigade
welcomes Col. Jennifer G. Buckner as its new
commander on June 15.
• Garrison Commander Col. Edward C.
Rothstein and Howard County Executive Ken
Ulman celebrate the Army’s 237th birthday
in a cake-cutting ceremony at The Mall in
Columbia on June 14.
• Lt. Col. Marion Bakalorz takes com-
mand of Headquarters Command Battalion
on June 22 from Col. Edmund Barrett.
• On June 29, a fierce storm called a
photo by noah scialom derecho whips through Fort Meade with
Graduates line up to take their seats at Meade High School’s graduation ceremony held June 11 at the Prince George’s Equestrian high winds and heavy rain, causing dam-
Center in Upper Marlboro. age to property and leaving the installation
without electricity.


July 2012 Year in Review August
JULY
• Chaplain (Col.) Carl Rau begins
his tenure as the garrison chaplain on
July 2, replacing Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Sid
A. Taylor, who became deputy garrison
chaplain.
• Col. Danny B. N. Jaghab takes com-
mand on July 12 of the U.S. Army Medi-
cal Activity, Fort Meade, and Kimbrough
Ambulatory Care Center from Col. Leon
E. Moores.
• Lt. Col. Roseanne M. Bennett is
named the garrison’s new staff judge
advocate on July 15.
• The Fort Meade Fire and Emergency
Services is named the Department of the
Army’s Small Fire Department of the
Year on July 17.
• Col. James M. Howell III assumes
command of U.S. Army Dental Activity
during a ceremony on July 18 at Club
Meade from Col. David B. Hembree.
• Col. Yvette Hopkins takes command
of the 902nd Military Intelligence Group photo by lt. Col. j. Darrell Sides

on July 20 from Col. Andrea L. Thomp- An uprooted tree rests on a house on
son. Washington Avenue in the historic section
• The 704th Military Intelligence Bri- of Heritage Park on June 30. Winds in
gade welcomes its incoming commander, excess of 60 mph moved across the
Col. Anthony R. Hale, in a ceremony on region June 29 at around 11 p.m. and left
July 24 from Col. Karen H. Gibson. behind more than 75 downed trees and
power outages on post, the aftermath of
AUGUST the band of storms called a derecho.
• Maj. Gen. Michael S. Linnington,
commanding general of the Joint Force
Headquarters National Capital Region/ photo by Anthony Castellano
Military District of Washington, visits Fort for his photographs taken Aug. 15 for an art
Meade on Aug. 9. Linnington attended a exhibition at Sarasota National Cemetery Fireworks brighten the sky over McGlachlin Parade Field at Fort Meade’s annual
lunch and meeting with garrison officials in Florida. Fourth of July Celebration. An estimated 12,000 to 15,000 residents and visitors
in addition to taking a windshield tour of • Col. Michael R. Bell takes command attended the event that featured music, carnival rides, games and novelty vendors.
the installation. of Public Health Command Region-North
• Maryland photographer Greg Schaler from Col. Bradford W. Hildabrand on BELOW: A convoy of emergency vehicles makes a grand entrance at Fort Meade’s
uses Fort Meade service members as models Aug. 28. 29th annual National Night Out held Aug. 7 on McGlachlin Parade Field. The free event
featured law enforcement demonstrations, music, pony rides, laser tag, inflatables,
a zip line and food.

Farmers march
onstage during
the Missoula
Children’s
Theatre camp’s
production of
“Jack and the
Beanstalk” on
July 28 at McGill
Training Center.
More than 50
Fort Meade
youngsters
participated in
the play.

photo by nate pesce

photo by nate pesce


September 2012 Year in Review October
SEPTEMBER Airmen from the
• Air Force Tech. Sgt. David Perez of U.S. Defense Information
Cyber Command competes at the Inter- School’s Air Force
national Triathlon Union’s Long Course Student Detachment
Dualthlon World Championships on Sept. reach up to secure
2 in Switzerland. As a member of Team the flag during
USA, Perez finished the competition 113th Retreat on Oct.
overall and 11th in his age group. 29 at McGlachlin
• The Fort Meade Museum transports Parade Field during
a 21-cm Morser 16 on Sept. 6 to Fort Sill, Hurricane Sandy.
Okla. The German howitzer, captured by The superstorm left
First Army in 1918 and displayed outside minimal damage on
the museum, was donated to the U.S. Army post.
Field Artillery Museum at Fort Sill. Photo by
• More than 400 Boy Scouts learn new Staff Sgt. Sean K. Harp
science, technology, engineering and math
skills during the Scouts’ first S.T.E.M. Merit
Badge Day hosted Sept. 8 by Fort Meade. BELOW: Fort Meade
• The Directorate of Family and Morale, firefighters work
Welfare and Recreation sponsors “Fort to extinguish a
Meade’s Got Talent” on Sept. 8 at McGill two-alarm fire at
Training Center. The annual talent show the Seven Oaks
drew its biggest crowd since its inception apartment complex
in 2008. in Odenton on Nov.
• Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. 7. The fire was
Rothstein and more than a dozen Soldiers the second at the
and Airmen from the Defense Information complex in six weeks.
School participate in Towson University’s
“Hometown Heroes Day” on Sept. 15 at
Johnny Unitas Stadium. DINFOS students
helped extend the National 9/11 Flag prior OCTOBER contract security guards to Department of new $26 million shopping center is scheduled
to the game, while Rothstein conducted the • The Civilian Wellness and Civilian Army security guards. to be completed in 2014.
coin toss. Fitness Program begins a pilot run on Oct. 1. • Fort Meade hosts the University System • Sarah’s House celebrates 25 years of
• First Army Division East welcomes its The program allows civilian employees to take of Maryland’s monthly meeting of the uni- providing emergency shelter and transitional
new senior enlisted leader, Command Sgt. off one hour, three days a week, from work to versity presidents on Oct. 1 at the Conference housing with a reception on Oct. 19 featur-
Maj. Dennis E. Defreese, on Sept. 21. engage in an exercise or fitness program. Center, providing an opportunity for the ing Anne Arundel County Executive John
• More than 2,400 service members • Beginning Oct. 1, service members pro- installation to build a partnership with the R. Leopold and Garrison Commander Col.
participate in the three-mile Wellness and vide additional personnel at the installation’s university system. Edward C. Rothstein.
Remembrance Joint Service Run that paid five access control points, part of a mitigation • Garrison leaders join Exchange officials
tribute to 9/11 and to POWs and MIAs plan to keep the gates open while the Director- in breaking ground on the site of the new
while promoting wellness and resiliency. ate of Emergency Services transitions from Exchange during a ceremony on Oct. 16. The
• MacArthur Middle School Princi-
pal Stacy Gray signs a three-year sister
school agreement of education and cultural
exchange with the Beijing Yucai School in
China on Sept. 21. Lui Jizhong, principal
of the school in China, visited Fort Meade
with a delegation of educators.
• Eight Fort Meade firefighters respond
Sept. 30 to a two-alarm fire at the Seven
Oaks apartments in Odenton. Two dozen
apartments were evacuated, including four
occupied by Fort Meade personnel.
• Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas
J. Latter replaces former Garrison Com-
mander Sgt. Maj. Charles E. Smith.

Truck owner and operator Bobby Jones
helps guide a 21-cm Morser onto his
truck on Sept. 6. The Fort Meade Museum
donated the German howitzer captured
during World War I to the U.S. Army Field
Artillery Museum at Fort Sill, Okla.
photo by Brian krista photo by Joshua Kruger


November 2012 Year in Review December

photo by nate pesce photo by noah scialom

Nineteen-month-old Max Tjaden takes a gander at the rooster and hen that were a Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein and his wife, Audrey, hand out eggnog
part of the petting zoo at Picerne Military Housing’s “December in the City” holiday during the Thanksgiving dinner at the Freedom Inn Dining Hall attended by a record
event for residents on Dec. 1. crowd of 527 people.

NOVEMBER Fort Meade Soldiers, was the second
• The Fort Meade Religious Support fire at the complex in six weeks.
Office coordinates a designated offering, • The Freedom Inn Dining Facility is
collecting $14,770.14 for the Maryland judged Nov. 8 for the 45th annual Philip
Food Bank in response to Gov. Martin A. Connelly Award, which recognizes
O’Malley’s call to engage Marylanders excellence in food service, for the civilian
in community service projects aimed at garrison category. The Freedom Inn is
ending childhood hunger. one of only seven civilian-operated dining
• The Fort Meade Directorate of facilities in the Army, out of more than
Family and Morale, Welfare and Recre- 120, that was selected to compete.
ation is notified that the “Fort Meade’s • Fort Meade service members take
Got Talent” production held Sept. 6 on rugby players from the Australian
won first place in the Variety Entertain- Embassy in Washington, D.C., during
ment and Talent Show category of the a friendly series on Nov. 10 at Mullins
2012 Army Festival of the Arts and Field.
Recreation Program competition. • David Hatch, senior historian at
• Fort Meade service members par- the National Security Agency’s Center
ticipate in the University of Maryland’s for Cryptologic History, speaks at the
Military Appreciation Day on Nov. 3, post’s Native American Heritage Month
prior to the Terrapins football game. Air observance on Nov. 15 about the role of
Force Col. Michael Downs, commander code talkers in World Wars I and II.
of the 707th Intelligence, Surveillance photo by sarah pastrana
and Reconnaissance Group, conducted DECEMBER Ryan Maclean, 3, has his photo taken with Santa, who arrived atop a fire truck
the coin toss.
• The Fort Meade USO-Metro opens and then met with children in the gazebo during the annual Holiday Tree Lighting
• Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin visits
its new center at 8612 6th Armored Ceremony on Dec. 7 at McGlachlin Parade Field.
Manor View Elementary School on Nov.
5 as part of Operation Caring Class- Calvary Road on Dec. 5. The 2,200-
room, an education initiative adminis- square-foot facility features a nine-seat
tered by the Armed Forces Foundation. theater room, wireless computer space,
Cardin discussed Veterans Day and the snack bar, patio and the organization’s Program. • Fort Meade celebrates the holidays
sacrifices made by service members and food pantry. • Retired Washington Redskins defen- with the U.S. Army Field Band Holiday
their families. • Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joshua Strang, sive end Dexter Manely signs autographs Concert on Dec. 6 to a packed audience
• Nine Fort Meade firefighters an instructor at the Defense Information at the Exchange on Dec. 1. in the Meade High auditorium and with
respond to a two-alarm fire at Oden- School, is one of 12 photographers hon- • Jason Acuna, also known as “Wee the Christmas tree lighting ceremony on
ton’s Seven Oaks apartment complex ored Nov. 30 at the Pentagon for their Man,” screens his Christmas movie “Elf Dec. 7 on McGlachlin Parade Field that
on Nov. 7. The fire, which displaced two participation in the Arts in Embassies Man” at the Post Theater on Dec. 2. drew more than 600 people.


2012 Year in Review — Sports

photo by Brendan Cavanaugh photo by phil grout

“Good Bye” is painted in the grass near the ninth-hole green at the Courses during the final Commander’s Cup on April 29. On Four-year-old Erin Peltier shows off her
May 1, the 27-hole course closed after more than 70 years. catch during the Youth Fishing Rodeo on
May 5 at Burba Lake.

Andre Ward
shadow boxes
during a training
session in Laurel.
A staff sergeant
with the
742nd Military
Intelligence
Battalion, Ward
also competes
as a professional
boxer with the
Young Titans
Boxing Club.
Photo by Jen RYnda

photo by nate pesce

Marcus Atchison of the U.S. Army Medical Activity team fights to hold on to the ball
during an intramural basketball game on Feb. 6 at Murphy Field House. The Surface
Force Logistics Center and U.S. Army Signal School Detachment Division won the
championship in their respective divisions.

RIGHT: Taylor Creek of Meade High School wrestles Mason Kilcarr of Reservoir High
School in the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association 4A/3A East
Regional Wrestling Tournament at Wilde Lake High School in Columbia on Feb. 25.
Eleven Meade High wrestlers qualified for the regional tournament after the team won
the Anne Arundel County Championship on Feb. 18. photo by ed bunyan



photo by jen rynda
photo by donna o’shea

Twenty fifth-graders from Manor View Elementary School proudly display the silver Fort Meade Highsteppers Kyla Hall (No. 3) and Emylyn Porter (No. 2, far right) compete
medals they won during a mini-Olympic event hosted by first lady Michelle Obama in the 1,500-meter race walk event during the USA Track and Field National Junior
on March 13 at American University in Washington, D.C. Olympics Track and Field Championships on July 23 at Hughes Stadium at Morgan
State University in Baltimore. Thirteen Highsteppers competed in the national event.

photo by Jen Rynda

Ann Quinlan from the Defense Media
Activity postures in Wholyfit, a Christian
alternative to yoga, on July 9 at Argonne
Hills Chapel Center.

RIGHT: The Military District of Washington
Armed Forces Color Guard stands in the
outfield for the National Anthem, as nine
Fort Meade service members join the
Baltimore Orioles starting lineup on the
field at Oriole Park at Camden Yards for
the team’s Military Appreciation Day on
May 27.

photo by Steve Ruark



photo by Jen Rynda

Navy quarterback Will Brown throws the
ball downfield early in the Army-Navy
game. Brown was unable to lead his
team to a win, resulting in Navy’s fourth
consecutive loss, 18-6.

photo by Jen Rynda

Tim O’Donnell holds up his glove after making a diving play for an out on June 25 at
Donahue Field. The 241st Military Police Detachment and 7th Intelligence Squad won
the intramural championships in their divisions.

BELOW: Baltimore Ravens safety Ed Reed signs autographs for service members
during the team’s Military Appreciation Day on Aug. 5 at M&T Bank Stadium in
Baltimore. The open practice was attended by 20,324 fans.


Meade High School’s Davonte Vincent stiff-arms D’Angelo Niler of Henry A. Wise
High School during the Class 4A State Semifinals at the Upper Marlboro school on
Nov. 24. The Mustangs broke an 11-year playoff drought on the way to a Class 4A
East Regional title.
photo by jason Kelly




Fort Meade Cougars youth basketball players relax
on the bench before their game at the Youth Center
on March 3.

LEFT: Nearly 350 participants begin the Summer
Sizzler 5K Run and One-Mile Walk on June 16.
The installation’s annual Run Series featured seven
events.
photo by Brian Krista

photo by sarah Pastrana
photo by noah Scialom

Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein talks to members of the 5- and 6- 1st Sgt. Marlon Green wipes a whipped cream pie off his face while Defense
year old Fort Meade Cougars baseball team in the Bowie Baysox dugout on June 15 Information School students cheer during the school’s annual Toilet Bowl on Sept.
at Prince George’s Stadium. The Baysox were celebrating the Army’s 237th birthday 28 at Mullins Field.
with Fort Meade Day.

Fort Meade Year in Review 2012

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Fort Meade Year in Review 2012