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![http://www.ftmeade.army.mil SOUNDOFF! February 19, 2015
News
By Shari Rosen
Staff Writer
Financial issues are a leading cause
of divorce and stress in the military,
said Ryan Yarnell, Financial Readiness
personal specialist at Army Community
Service.
Military Saves Week, which will be held
Monday to Feb. 27, provides classes and
events to help service members and civil-
ians combat these financial stressors.
“Having Financial Readiness events
on this installation is important because
being financially stable is an essential part
of anyone’s life,” said Spc. Nikki Horne,
Alpha Company, 742nd Military Intel-
ligence Battalion, who has utilized ACS’
financial counseling and classes.
“ACS has been a huge help in my
financial planning and investing, and I
encourage [everyone] to take advantage of
the opportunities that they provide.”
The week of events is sponsored by
ACS and the Navy Fleet and Family Sup-
port Center. All events are free and open
to the Fort Meade community. Advance
registration is required for all classes.
“Military Saves Week is a great time
to highlight the resources available to
the Fort Meade community regarding
personal finances,” Yarnell said. “Money
touches all areas of our lives, and we
make decisions about money every single
day.
“We want to help our service members
and their families make informed deci-
sions with their money.”
The week begins with a “Transition-
ing to Retirement” class that will be
held Monday at 9 a.m. at the Commu-
nity Readiness Center, located at 830
Chisholm Ave. Other classes include
“Getting Out of Debt” and “Raising
Money Smart Kids.”
All classes are by appointment only
on Fort Meade’s ACS website at www.
ftmeademwr.com/acs/frp.php.
“Our goal is to raise awareness of the
resources available to service members
and their families, many of which are
free,” Yarnell said. “We hope that indi-
viduals will take time to reflect on their
personal financial situation and establish
goals for the future.
“For most, this includes paying down
debt, increasing savings and building
wealth.”
The highlight of the week is the Finan-
cial Readiness Fair that will be held Feb.
26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at McGill Train-
ing Center.
The fair will feature guest speakers,
such as Pamela McClelland from the
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau,
as well as breakout sessions on financial
topics, which include saving and investing;
how to outsmart scams and fraudsters;
repaying student loans; and credit man-
agement.
Various organizations on and off post
will provide information on a range of
financial issues.
Dollars and sense
Military Saves Week provides tools
to help combat financial stressors
PHOTO BY PHILIP H. JONES
Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley signs a proclamation designating Military
Saves Week, from Monday to Feb. 27, as Deborah Emerson (far left), Financial
Readiness personal specialist; Leanna C. Rahll, financial counselor for Survivor
Outreach Services; and Ryan Yarnell, Financial Readiness personal specialist, look
on. The week of classes and events is sponsored by Army Community Service and
the Navy Fleet and Family Support Center.
“We have numerous partner organi-
zations committed to participating in
the Financial Readiness Fair,” Yarnell
said. “These organizations, mainly from
county, state and federal agencies, offer
unbiased information on a host of finan-
cially related topics.”
Some of these organizations include:
the Maryland Insurance Administration,
Fort Meade Community Credit Union,
NSA (National Security Agency) Finan-
cial Coaches, Social Security Administra-
tion and the Air Force Aid Society.
“Financial readiness equals mission
readiness,” Yarnell said. “Our service
members and families make tremendous
sacrifices to serve our nation. We believe
it is imperative that the fruits of that sac-
rifice — their earnings — pave the way to
a secure financial future.”
Editor’s note: For more information on
Military Saves Week, call Army Com-
munity Service at 301-677-5590 or go to
www.ftmeademwr.com/acs/frp.php.
The Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Army
Military Intelligence Corps Association, or
MICA, seeks to recognize outstanding stu-
dents for their academic achievements by
providing financial aid to help them accom-
plish their career goals through educational
opportunities.
This is a performance-based scholarship
program, not needs-based.
Applicants must be first-year college stu-
dents or graduating high school seniors in the
Chesapeake Chapter region who are accepted
for undergraduate education at an accredited
institution.
Students accepted for trade and technical
schools are also eligible.
Applicants must be children of Army mili-
tary intelligence personnel including active
duty, Reserve, Department of the Army civil-
ian employees or retired service members of
all ranks.
Parents or sponsors of nominees do not
have to be MICA members.
Scholarship will initially be awarded as
single-year awards. This year, two $1,500
scholarships will be awarded.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens who are
outstanding, well-rounded college students or
graduating high school seniors.
High school students should have a cumula-
tive GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, plus a
combined math and verbal SAT score of 1200.
Equivalent ACT scores may be submitted.
College students should have a cumulative
grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0
scale, plus all transcripts.
Applicants also must have demonstrated
leadership and commitment to community
service. Special performance can lead to con-
sideration in cases of lesser scores.
Applications will be accepted from high
school seniors attending public or private high
schools in the central Maryland area.
Applicants also will be accepted from teens
who are home-schooled.
Applications also will be accepted from stu-
dents currently attending an accredited college
or vocational/technical school.
Submissions must include: Completed
application form, brief essay explaining aca-
demic interests and career goals, a certified
transcript and a copy of letter of acceptance.
College freshmen must submit transcripts
through December 2014 in lieu of the require-
ment for high school transcripts.
Applications must be submitted by May 9.
To obtain an application, email Maj. Cray-
ton Simmons, the MICA treasurer, at crayton.
e.simmons.mil@mail.mil or retired Col. Ken
McCreedy at kmccreedy1@comcast.net.
MICA offers scholarships for outstanding students](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/soundofffebruary192015-150218145043-conversion-gate01/85/Soundoff-february-19-2015-4-320.jpg)
![http://www.ftmeade.army.mil SOUNDOFF! February 19, 2015
News
By Lisa R. Rhodes
Staff Writer
Voncile Farmer, Fort Meade’s Survivor
Outreach Services Support coordinator,
often hears tragic stories from family
members who have lost a loved one in the
military.
But one story touched her heart and has
become one of the reasons why Farmer
finds her job so rewarding.
An older woman, who is a client, lost
her husband of 50 years while vacationing
in Mexico. The gentleman, age 80, woke
up one morning and was not feeling well.
When his wife returned from church, she
sat on the bed to comfort him. While they
were talking, he drew his last breath and
died.
“You’re talking to the man you’ve been
married to for 50 years ... ” Farmer said.
“He’s talking to the love of his life and
took his last breath. ... That’s remark-
able.”
Farmer said the woman did not have
to “sit and watch him suffer” in a nursing
home.
“Everything is not gloomy,” Farmer
said. “To me that was beautiful.”
The Fort Meade SOS program serves
130 military and retiree family members
who live in Anne Arundel County, How-
ard County, St. Mary’s County, Charles
County and Calvert County, and have lost
a service member.
“The program helps [family members]
to stay connected to the military in whatev-
er capacity is best for them,” said Farmer,
who came to Fort Meade in December
2013.
She provides referrals for grief and
bereavement counseling, as well as infor-
mation about recreational activities for
youth and education resources.
Farmer also keeps family members
informed about events and programs at
Fort Meade’s Army Community Service.
The Fort Meade SOS program serves
many members of the Maryland chapter
of Gold Star Mothers, as well as the Gold
Star Wives.
Gold Star Mothers was formed in the
U.S. shortly after World War I to provide
support for mothers who lost sons or
daughters serving in the war.
Lee Ann Doreflinger, president of the
Maryland chapter of Gold Star Moth-
ers, said Farmer has been “supportive,
accessible and always willing to help” the
organization serve its members.
“[Farmer] is a very compassionate and
caring person who makes sure the needs
Survivor Outreach Services program helps grieving families
of families are met,” said Janice Chance,
second vice president and chaplain of the
Maryland chapter of Gold Star Mothers.
“She is also an advocate for us with the
garrison leadership.”
The SOS program also sponsors the
annual Gold Star Wives Day in April and
Gold Star Mothers and Family Day in
September.
Last year, several Fort Meade Gold
Star Wives were recognized at the instal-
lation’s annual Women’s History Month
observance in March. Gold Star family
members were recognized at the annual
Massing of the Colors in May.
A native of Monticello, Fla., Farmer is
the wife of Command Sgt. Maj. Terence
Farmer, who retired from Army Cyber
Command last year. The couple have two
children, Sera, 14, and Brittany, 29, and
live in Midway Commons.
Farmer earned a bachelor’s degree in
psychology and a master’s degree in coun-
seling psychology from the University of
Central Texas, which is now Texas AM
University.
Prior to arriving at Fort Meade, Farmer
worked as an Exceptional Family Member
Program manager in Mannheim, Germa-
ny, from 2010 to 2011. She took a two-year
hiatus to help her daughter transition from
Germany to the United States.
When the SOS program position became
available at Fort Meade, Farmer decided to
take the position because she felt she could
best use her counseling skills here and help
military families as a military spouse.
Working with grieving families is a
special skill that Farmer plans to continue
to use in the future. She hopes to own a
funeral home someday.
When Farmer was growing up, a godfa-
ther was a funeral home director.
“I’ve always had a desire to get into the
business,” Farmer said. “It takes a special
person, and I have a skill [of] talking to
someone who has experienced a loss.”
While helping grieving families is the
most rewarding part of her job, learning
new technology has been a challenge.
Farmer is learning how to navigate the
Defense Casualty Information Processing
System, a database of all of the nation’s
military casualty cases, to properly iden-
tify survivors in the five counties that she
serves.
For the future, the SOS program will
sponsor the annual Gold Star Wives Day,
as well as a booth at the garrison’s Patriot
Pride Run on May 16.
SOS will participate in the run as part
of the Army’s Strong Bands initiative to
promote a healthy lifestyle. Participants in
the race will be able to run in memory of
a deceased service member.
Farmer said the work she is doing with
SOS is a great opportunity.
“If I can help somebody else, then my
work is not in vain,” she said.
Photo by Steve Ellmore
Voncile Farmer, Fort Meade’s Survivor Outreach Services Support coordinator talks with Jaquisha Kearson, a Military Family Life
counselor, about referrals for grief and bereavement counseling. Farmer is responsible for referring services and recreational
activities to family members, in five Maryland counties, who have lost a service member.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/soundofffebruary192015-150218145043-conversion-gate01/85/Soundoff-february-19-2015-5-320.jpg)
![http://www.ftmeade.army.mil February 19, 2015 SOUNDOFF!
News
By Shari Rosen
Staff Writer
This year’s Army Emergency Relief cam-
paign will be dramatically different than in
the past. The campaign will solely focus
on the contributions of active-duty service
members.
As a result, AER’s overall goal of
$55,000—donatedonlybyactive-
duty service members — is a
large increase in total instal-
lation contributions because
retirees usually donate the
majority of AER funds.
“This goal is a pretty dra-
matic increase from last year,”
said Maj. John Schoenfeldt,
battalion executive officer to
the garrison and AER campaign
coordinator. “And the only way we’re
going to achieve this is through more
active involvement through the commands.
That’s why we’re [starting early].
“The active-duty contribution side of
this campaign directly [results in] Soldiers
helping Soldiers.”
Retirees’ contributions will go directly to
AER Headquarters based in Alexandria,
Va. Civilians are still welcome to donate to
the campaign.
AER’s unofficial kickoff will be Feb.
26 at 9:30 a.m. at McGill Train-
ing Center before the Financial
Readiness Fair. However,
the two-month campaign
does not officially kick off
until March 1.
Since 1942, AER has
provided more than 3.2
million Soldiers and
family members with
more than $1 billion
in financial assistance.
AER also has reciprocal
agreements with other service
branches, allowing them to receive
AER assistance.
Last year, Fort Meade’s AER campaign
provided $712,000 in funds to 451 area ser-
vice members, retirees and family members
who needed emergency financial assistance.
The installation had set a 2014 campaign
goal of $90,000, which it far exceeded by
raising $110,000.
“AER is why I’m [in the Army],” said
Staff Sgt. Lynell Whitted, AER assistant
campaign coordinator, who received AER
assistance twice since 2005. “AER saved my
career. It saved me.”
Financial assistance, in the form of a no-
interest loan or grant, can be used in a wide
range of circumstances including emergency
transportation, car repairs, rent, and medi-
cal or funeral expenses.
“Everything is based on need,” said Wal-
lace Turner, the installation’s current AER
officer. “So, if Soldiers have a need, we want
them to be able to come [to us] first before
going to outside sources.”
AER’s motto of “Helping the Army Take
Care of its Own” means that the money
donated by Soldiers to AER directly helps
other Soldiers.
“The whole purpose of our [2015] AER
campaign is just to show awareness of what
AER can do for Soldiers,”Turner said. “We
want to make sure that we reach out to all
Soldiers and let them know that AER is
actually available [to] them.”
Capt. Larry Summers, AER campaign
coordinator for Fort Meade, said a suc-
cessful AER campaign would include some
kind of kickoff event; an organized AER
debriefing; two to three events that could
support a donation for a cash drive; and a
final “thank you” event.
Some of the more creative unit-level cash
drive events over the years have featured a
PlayStation 4 tournament and organized
runs.
In addition to providing zero-interest
loans, ACS helps those who receive AER
assistance by creating a budget for loan
repayments.
“It’s an outstanding program,” Turner
said. “I mean, it works.
Editor’s note: For more information on
Fort Meade’s AER campaign, call ACS
at 301-677-5590. For more information on
AER, visit www.aerhq.org/dnn563/.
AER campaign targets active-duty service members](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/soundofffebruary192015-150218145043-conversion-gate01/85/Soundoff-february-19-2015-6-320.jpg)
![http://www.ftmeade.army.mil SOUNDOFF! February 19, 2015
News
By Shari Rosen
Staff Writer
A 24-hour fitness center and new car-
dio machines are two of the projects that
Fort Meade will undertake with its remaining
Healthy Base Initiative funding.
The Directorate of Family and Morale,
Welfare and Recreation will use the funding to
transform Murphy Field House into a 24-hour
fitness center. Funding also will be used to pur-
chasenewtreadmillsandellipticalmachinesfor
Gaffney Fitness Center.
The renovation at Murphy Field House
requires the installation of new doors that can
recognize specified gym identification cards
as well as a security system that will allow the
Directorate of Emergency Services to monitor
Murphy Field House from a remote location.
The 24-hour fitness center is scheduled to
open this summer.
“[GarrisonCommanderCol.BrianP.Foley]
and everybody else really liked the idea because
we have a lot of shift work here on Fort Meade
because of the nature of the mission here,”
said Scott Myers, business operations officer
for DFMWR. “People work here 24 hours a
day, seven days a week. So we like the concept
of being able to support those people with
fitness.
“When the funding came available, [the
commander’s] number one priority was to fund
this initiative of 24-hour fitness.”
The purchase of new cardio equipment for
Gaffney Fitness Center will also further the
installation’s fitness goals.
“This is something we need at the fit-
ness center, cardio equipment to support our
community and our health needs and goals
— something that is not breaking,” Myers
said. “We are going to buy some ellipticals.
We’re going to buy some other new cardio
equipment. But we’re going to focus on the
treadmills because they are our biggest need.”
The new equipment is expected to arrive
by April.
“The colonel prioritized the list and based
on the prioritized list, that’s what we’re fund-
ing,” Myers said.
In addition to these projects, Fort Meade
will continue to conduct Cooking Matters
tours at the commissary as well as the “Go for
the Green” program, which labels the healthi-
est foods in the DFAC with green stickers to
indicate their nutritional value.
The farmers market will also reopen when
the weather becomes warmer.
“We’re making a good first step and we have
the support of Senator [Barbara A.] Mikulski
and people in our corner who are really sup-
porting this initiative,” Myers said. “So, hope-
fully going forward, we will be able to do things
Healthy Base Initiative to launch new projects
file photo
Fort Meade will continue to use its Healthy Base Initiative funding to purchase new treadmills and elliptical machines for Gaffney
Fitness Center as well as to transform Murphy Field House into a 24-hour fitness facility. Approximately $206,500 in HBI funding
was provided to Fort Meade to increase the health and wellness of the post community.
to [make] the community healthier.”
As one of 14 Department of Defense pilot
installations and sites selected for this initiative,
Fort Meade received approximately $206,500
in funding to create health-based programs.
“Everyonehasbeenmorefocusedonhealth,
healthy lifestyles and healthy eating — giving
everybody an opportunity to see where we fall
short and to improve,” Myers said.
Funding was allocated to DFMWR and
the Freedom Inn Dining Facility. DFMWR
received $180,000, while the DFAC received
approximately $22,000.
The DFAC spent its funding on equipment
such as two juicer machines, 500 fruit bowls
and two panini grills as well as additional
carts, machinery and utensils to support new
HBI stations.
“We want to make the healthy choice the
easy choice on post,” Myers said.
Editor’s note: For more information on the
Healthy Base Initiative, call Scott Myers at
301-677-3831 or visit www.militaryonesource.
mil/12038/MOS/Factsheets/HBI-Factsheet.pdf.
Copies of the 2015
Fort Meade
Welcome Guide
are available now.
Please call 301-677-
5602 or email philip.
h.jones.civ@mail.mil
to request guides for
your organization.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/soundofffebruary192015-150218145043-conversion-gate01/85/Soundoff-february-19-2015-7-320.jpg)
![http://www.ftmeade.army.mil10 SOUNDOFF! February 19, 2015
Cover Story
By Philip H. Jones
Chief, Command Information
Not even the superstitions of Friday
the 13th could put a jinx on Meade
High’s undefeated regular-season record
in Anne Arundel County’s boys high
school basketball.
The Mustangs rolled to a 92-70 home
victory against Northeast High School.
Friday’s win extended Meade’s winning
streak to 18 games.
Instead of worrying about bad luck,
Meade High coach Pete Corriero used
the game as a learning experience for
his team, doing something he hates to
do — “break his routine.”
It was “Seniors Night” at Meade High
as the Mustangs played their final home
game of the season. And for the first
time in his four years as Meade’s head
coach, Corriero switched his routine and
started five seniors.
“I’m from New Jersey,” Corriero sad.
“You have no idea how hard it is for me
to break a routine. I just don’t do it.”
Starting five seniors meant Corriero
would have to sit one of his starters,
Tristan Easton. The move took away
some of the Mustangs’ trademark early-
game “get-in-your-face” style of play
that the team has perfected this season.
For Easton, sitting on the bench
instead of his normal starter’s role, gave
him an opportunity to see the game
from a different perspective. Easton
would finish the game leading the Mus-
tangs with 22 points, four rebounds, four
assists and two steals.
It may have been Corriero also knew
he had a little cushion to play with in
the “Friday the 13th” contest against
Northeast.
Meade, with its 19-1 overall record,
14-0 in Anne Arundel conference play,
has already clinched the county’s regular
season championship and a berth in the
Meade High Mustangs
roll to 18th straight win
PHOTOS BY DANIEL KUCIN JR.
Meade High head coach Pete Corriero talks with Mustangs players Joshua Qualls
(No. 4) and Tristan Easton during Friday’s final regular-season home game against
Northeast High.
RIGHT: Meade High’s Tristan Easton goes up strong for a jump-shot Friday against
Northeast High. Easton finished the game with 22 points, four rebounds, four assists
and two steals.
county championship game later this
month.
The Mustangs also blew out North-
east (14-6, 10-5) in their season-opener,
Dec. 5, with a 97-54 win.
Meade started slow in a fast-pace,
first half on Friday. The Eagles kept the
game close, hitting five 3-pointers in the
first half.
Northeast’s Trent Smoot had a double-
double with 25 points and 12 rebounds.
Will Clark hit four 3-pointers during
the game for the Eagles and finished the
contest with 16 points.
Bruce Spruell, who scored 10 of his 19
points in the fourth quarter, also pulled
down seven rebounds.
Corriero ended the night feeling “for-
tunate” to have the opportunity to find
playing time for everybody and still win
the game by 22 points.
“It was a good win,” Corriero said.
“Obviously, every team [we play] is
going to give us a run, their best shot.
This game helped toughen us up going
into the playoffs.”
It’s been a great season for Meade
High. Corriero said he expected the
team to be good but added that even he
is surprised by what the Mustangs have
accomplished this year.
During the year prior to Corriero
becoming head coach, Meade finished
the season with a 5-18 record. Since
then, the Mustangs have went 7-16,
11-13 and 11-12 before going 17-7 last
season.
There are multiple reasons why the
Mustangs have had success this season.
“We are real good because we have
what I call ‘character’ players,” Corriero
said. “They are solid students. They did
the right things from the start.
“The win-total is great. But the aca-
demic side is good, too. This year we
don’t have to worry about anybody not
being eligible to play. The whole group
here has been about the team. All they](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/soundofffebruary192015-150218145043-conversion-gate01/85/Soundoff-february-19-2015-9-320.jpg)
Uploaded byftmeade
Soundoff february 19, 2015
The document summarizes upcoming events at Fort Meade during the week of February 23-27, which is designated as Military Saves Week. It also provides a brief overview of the financial readiness fair to be held on February 26 from 9am to 4pm at McGill Training Center, which will feature guest speakers and breakout sessions on various financial topics. Additionally, it announces that the Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Corps Association is offering two $1,500 scholarships for outstanding students who are children of Army military intelligence personnel. Applications are due by May 9.
More Related Content
Soundoff february 19, 2015
- 1. Good news HBI funding supportsmore healthy choices page 8 UPCOMING EVENTS today, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: Black History Month Observance - DISA Conference Room Feb. 23-27: Fort Meade Military Saves Week Feb. 26, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Financial Readiness Fair - McGill Training Center March 5, 1 p.m.: Community public listening session, Q&A - McGill Training Center March 5, 4-6 p.m.: Right Arm Night - Club Meade bright light Survivor Outreach coordinator supports grieving families page 6 Soundoff!´ vol. 67 no. 7 Published in the interest of the Fort Meade community February 19, 2015 photo by daniel kucin jr. MUSTANGS ride highMeade High School’s head coach Pete Corriero uses a time-out to discuss his game plan with Mustangs players during the school’s final regular-season home game Friday against Northeast High School. Meade rolled to a 92-70 win, extending the team’s winning streak to 18 games. The Mustangs, 19-1 overall, are 14-0 and undefeated in Anne Arundel conference play. Meade High has already clinched the county’s regular season championship. For the story, see Page 10.
- 2. http://www.ftmeade.army.mil SOUNDOFF! February19, 2015 Commander’s Column Contents News.............................. 3 Sports...................................11 Places of Worship.......16 Movies..................................15 Community..................13 Classified..............................17 Editorial Staff Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Rodwell L. Forbes Public Affairs Officer Chad T. Jones Chad.T.Jones.civ@mail.mil Chief, Command Information Philip H. Jones Philip.H.Jones.civ@mail.mil Editor Dijon Rolle Dijon.N.Rolle.civ@mail.mil Assistant Editor Senior Writer Rona S. Hirsch Staff Writer Lisa R. Rhodes Staff Writer Shari Rosen Design Coordinator Timothy Davis Supplemental photography provided by The Baltimore Sun Media Group Advertising General Inquiries 410-332-6300 or email advertise@baltsun.com If you would like information about receiving Soundoff! on Fort Meade or are experiencing distribution issues, call 877-886-1206 or e-mail TP@baltsun.com. 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.mil You 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. Soundoff!´ Guaranteed circulation: 11,285 During February, our nation celebrates the cul- ture, history, contributions and patriotism of Afri- can-Americans. As we pay tribute this month to these Americans reflecting on their courage and inner strength, I am reminded that throughout our military history African-Americans have participated in every war fought by or within the United States. Their acts of patriotism include the Revolution- ary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the wars of Afghanistan and Iraq as well as other minor conflicts. In all these military conflicts, African-Americans have been noted for their bravery, sense of duty and loyalty to a country that did not always respect or appreciate their sense of patriotism. The fact is, many African-Americans served in our military at a time when our nation created social policies such as slavery and segregation that denied African-Americans civil rights and a fair opportu- nity to participate in the American dream. As a member of today’s military, I am proud our armed forces played a major role in helping pave the way to end discrimination and provide civil rights to all Americans. This year, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, the ASALH has selected “A Century of Black Life, History, and Culture” as the 2015 National Black History theme. When Carter G. Woodson founded the associa- tion in 1915, he labored under the belief that histori- cal truth would crush falsehoods and usher in a new era of equality, opportunity and racial democracy. Unfortunately, it would be another 33 years, in July 1948, that President Harry S. Truman would sign Executive Order 9981, integrating the military and mandating equality of treatment and oppor- tunity. And it would be six more years before the Department of Defense adopted an official policy of full integration, abolishing all-black military units. Despite the challenges of discrimination and segregation, African-Americans — both men and women — continued to volunteer in large numbers to serve in our military. And by the late 1950s and early 1960s, America saw a steady increase in the number of career officers in the U.S. military. Today, the achievements of African-Americans is unprecedented. African-Americans have made notable contribu- tions to Ameri- can popular cul- ture, government policy, and to the arts and sciences. And perhaps most notewor- thy of all of our country’s efforts to embrace diver- sity occurred in 2008 when Barack Obama became the first African-American elected as president and com- mander in chief of the United States. And while America still has work to do to over- come challenges and achieve true racial equity, the DoD continues to be committed to provide African- Americans countless opportunities to demonstrate their loyalty and patriotism, and to continue to con- tribute to the success of our military and nation. If your schedule permits, I invite you to join Fort Meade’s celebration of Black History Month today at the Defense Information Systems Agency. Our keynote speaker is Dr. Wayne Frederick, president of Howard University. Dr. Frederick will talk about how he overcame challenges regarding race and ethnicity and will give testimony on how he is fulfilling a new era of equal- ity, opportunity and racial democracy. Have a great week. I look forward to seeing you today! Editor’s note: The Defense Information Systems Agency, located at 6910 Cooper Ave., will host today’s African-American Heritage Month observance from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the DISA conference Room (M3C31). For more information, call 301-225- 6453. Celebrating Black History Month COL. Brian P. Foley Garrison Commander Commander’s Open Door Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley has an open door policy. All service members, retirees, government employees, family members or community members age 18 or older are invited to address issues or concerns to the commander directly by visiting Foley’s office on Mondays from 4 to 6 p.m. at garrison headquarters in Hodges Hall, Bldg. 4551, Llewellyn Avenue. Visitors are seen on a first-come, first- served basis. No appointment is necessary. For more information, call 301-677-4844.
- 3. http://www.ftmeade.army.mil February 19,2015 SOUNDOFF! News County executive visits meade RIGHT: Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley discusses DoD growth at Fort Meade as newly elected Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh looks on during a luncheon briefing held Fri- day at the Freedom Inn Dining Facility. The briefing was part of Schuh’s first visit to Fort Meade. BELOW LEFT: Anne Arundel County Police Cpl. and pilot Jeff Reger shows Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh one of several Anne Arun- del County helicopters and aircraft at the hangar at Tipton Airport outside the Route 32 gate. Schuh and Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley took a 45-minute helicopter tour over the installation before ending the day with a private meeting at garrison headquarters. BELOW RIGHT: Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh (left) is greeted by Command Sgt. Maj. Rodwell L. Forbes during the county executive’s first visit to Fort Meade since his election. Schuh joined Forbes, Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley and garrison leaders at a briefing and lun- cheon Friday at the Freedom Inn. photos by daniel kucin jr.
- 4. http://www.ftmeade.army.mil SOUNDOFF! February19, 2015 News By Shari Rosen Staff Writer Financial issues are a leading cause of divorce and stress in the military, said Ryan Yarnell, Financial Readiness personal specialist at Army Community Service. Military Saves Week, which will be held Monday to Feb. 27, provides classes and events to help service members and civil- ians combat these financial stressors. “Having Financial Readiness events on this installation is important because being financially stable is an essential part of anyone’s life,” said Spc. Nikki Horne, Alpha Company, 742nd Military Intel- ligence Battalion, who has utilized ACS’ financial counseling and classes. “ACS has been a huge help in my financial planning and investing, and I encourage [everyone] to take advantage of the opportunities that they provide.” The week of events is sponsored by ACS and the Navy Fleet and Family Sup- port Center. All events are free and open to the Fort Meade community. Advance registration is required for all classes. “Military Saves Week is a great time to highlight the resources available to the Fort Meade community regarding personal finances,” Yarnell said. “Money touches all areas of our lives, and we make decisions about money every single day. “We want to help our service members and their families make informed deci- sions with their money.” The week begins with a “Transition- ing to Retirement” class that will be held Monday at 9 a.m. at the Commu- nity Readiness Center, located at 830 Chisholm Ave. Other classes include “Getting Out of Debt” and “Raising Money Smart Kids.” All classes are by appointment only on Fort Meade’s ACS website at www. ftmeademwr.com/acs/frp.php. “Our goal is to raise awareness of the resources available to service members and their families, many of which are free,” Yarnell said. “We hope that indi- viduals will take time to reflect on their personal financial situation and establish goals for the future. “For most, this includes paying down debt, increasing savings and building wealth.” The highlight of the week is the Finan- cial Readiness Fair that will be held Feb. 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at McGill Train- ing Center. The fair will feature guest speakers, such as Pamela McClelland from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, as well as breakout sessions on financial topics, which include saving and investing; how to outsmart scams and fraudsters; repaying student loans; and credit man- agement. Various organizations on and off post will provide information on a range of financial issues. Dollars and sense Military Saves Week provides tools to help combat financial stressors PHOTO BY PHILIP H. JONES Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley signs a proclamation designating Military Saves Week, from Monday to Feb. 27, as Deborah Emerson (far left), Financial Readiness personal specialist; Leanna C. Rahll, financial counselor for Survivor Outreach Services; and Ryan Yarnell, Financial Readiness personal specialist, look on. The week of classes and events is sponsored by Army Community Service and the Navy Fleet and Family Support Center. “We have numerous partner organi- zations committed to participating in the Financial Readiness Fair,” Yarnell said. “These organizations, mainly from county, state and federal agencies, offer unbiased information on a host of finan- cially related topics.” Some of these organizations include: the Maryland Insurance Administration, Fort Meade Community Credit Union, NSA (National Security Agency) Finan- cial Coaches, Social Security Administra- tion and the Air Force Aid Society. “Financial readiness equals mission readiness,” Yarnell said. “Our service members and families make tremendous sacrifices to serve our nation. We believe it is imperative that the fruits of that sac- rifice — their earnings — pave the way to a secure financial future.” Editor’s note: For more information on Military Saves Week, call Army Com- munity Service at 301-677-5590 or go to www.ftmeademwr.com/acs/frp.php. The Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Army Military Intelligence Corps Association, or MICA, seeks to recognize outstanding stu- dents for their academic achievements by providing financial aid to help them accom- plish their career goals through educational opportunities. This is a performance-based scholarship program, not needs-based. Applicants must be first-year college stu- dents or graduating high school seniors in the Chesapeake Chapter region who are accepted for undergraduate education at an accredited institution. Students accepted for trade and technical schools are also eligible. Applicants must be children of Army mili- tary intelligence personnel including active duty, Reserve, Department of the Army civil- ian employees or retired service members of all ranks. Parents or sponsors of nominees do not have to be MICA members. Scholarship will initially be awarded as single-year awards. This year, two $1,500 scholarships will be awarded. Applicants must be U.S. citizens who are outstanding, well-rounded college students or graduating high school seniors. High school students should have a cumula- tive GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, plus a combined math and verbal SAT score of 1200. Equivalent ACT scores may be submitted. College students should have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, plus all transcripts. Applicants also must have demonstrated leadership and commitment to community service. Special performance can lead to con- sideration in cases of lesser scores. Applications will be accepted from high school seniors attending public or private high schools in the central Maryland area. Applicants also will be accepted from teens who are home-schooled. Applications also will be accepted from stu- dents currently attending an accredited college or vocational/technical school. Submissions must include: Completed application form, brief essay explaining aca- demic interests and career goals, a certified transcript and a copy of letter of acceptance. College freshmen must submit transcripts through December 2014 in lieu of the require- ment for high school transcripts. Applications must be submitted by May 9. To obtain an application, email Maj. Cray- ton Simmons, the MICA treasurer, at crayton. e.simmons.mil@mail.mil or retired Col. Ken McCreedy at kmccreedy1@comcast.net. MICA offers scholarships for outstanding students
- 5. http://www.ftmeade.army.mil SOUNDOFF! February19, 2015 News By Lisa R. Rhodes Staff Writer Voncile Farmer, Fort Meade’s Survivor Outreach Services Support coordinator, often hears tragic stories from family members who have lost a loved one in the military. But one story touched her heart and has become one of the reasons why Farmer finds her job so rewarding. An older woman, who is a client, lost her husband of 50 years while vacationing in Mexico. The gentleman, age 80, woke up one morning and was not feeling well. When his wife returned from church, she sat on the bed to comfort him. While they were talking, he drew his last breath and died. “You’re talking to the man you’ve been married to for 50 years ... ” Farmer said. “He’s talking to the love of his life and took his last breath. ... That’s remark- able.” Farmer said the woman did not have to “sit and watch him suffer” in a nursing home. “Everything is not gloomy,” Farmer said. “To me that was beautiful.” The Fort Meade SOS program serves 130 military and retiree family members who live in Anne Arundel County, How- ard County, St. Mary’s County, Charles County and Calvert County, and have lost a service member. “The program helps [family members] to stay connected to the military in whatev- er capacity is best for them,” said Farmer, who came to Fort Meade in December 2013. She provides referrals for grief and bereavement counseling, as well as infor- mation about recreational activities for youth and education resources. Farmer also keeps family members informed about events and programs at Fort Meade’s Army Community Service. The Fort Meade SOS program serves many members of the Maryland chapter of Gold Star Mothers, as well as the Gold Star Wives. Gold Star Mothers was formed in the U.S. shortly after World War I to provide support for mothers who lost sons or daughters serving in the war. Lee Ann Doreflinger, president of the Maryland chapter of Gold Star Moth- ers, said Farmer has been “supportive, accessible and always willing to help” the organization serve its members. “[Farmer] is a very compassionate and caring person who makes sure the needs Survivor Outreach Services program helps grieving families of families are met,” said Janice Chance, second vice president and chaplain of the Maryland chapter of Gold Star Mothers. “She is also an advocate for us with the garrison leadership.” The SOS program also sponsors the annual Gold Star Wives Day in April and Gold Star Mothers and Family Day in September. Last year, several Fort Meade Gold Star Wives were recognized at the instal- lation’s annual Women’s History Month observance in March. Gold Star family members were recognized at the annual Massing of the Colors in May. A native of Monticello, Fla., Farmer is the wife of Command Sgt. Maj. Terence Farmer, who retired from Army Cyber Command last year. The couple have two children, Sera, 14, and Brittany, 29, and live in Midway Commons. Farmer earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in coun- seling psychology from the University of Central Texas, which is now Texas AM University. Prior to arriving at Fort Meade, Farmer worked as an Exceptional Family Member Program manager in Mannheim, Germa- ny, from 2010 to 2011. She took a two-year hiatus to help her daughter transition from Germany to the United States. When the SOS program position became available at Fort Meade, Farmer decided to take the position because she felt she could best use her counseling skills here and help military families as a military spouse. Working with grieving families is a special skill that Farmer plans to continue to use in the future. She hopes to own a funeral home someday. When Farmer was growing up, a godfa- ther was a funeral home director. “I’ve always had a desire to get into the business,” Farmer said. “It takes a special person, and I have a skill [of] talking to someone who has experienced a loss.” While helping grieving families is the most rewarding part of her job, learning new technology has been a challenge. Farmer is learning how to navigate the Defense Casualty Information Processing System, a database of all of the nation’s military casualty cases, to properly iden- tify survivors in the five counties that she serves. For the future, the SOS program will sponsor the annual Gold Star Wives Day, as well as a booth at the garrison’s Patriot Pride Run on May 16. SOS will participate in the run as part of the Army’s Strong Bands initiative to promote a healthy lifestyle. Participants in the race will be able to run in memory of a deceased service member. Farmer said the work she is doing with SOS is a great opportunity. “If I can help somebody else, then my work is not in vain,” she said. Photo by Steve Ellmore Voncile Farmer, Fort Meade’s Survivor Outreach Services Support coordinator talks with Jaquisha Kearson, a Military Family Life counselor, about referrals for grief and bereavement counseling. Farmer is responsible for referring services and recreational activities to family members, in five Maryland counties, who have lost a service member.
- 6. http://www.ftmeade.army.mil February 19,2015 SOUNDOFF! News By Shari Rosen Staff Writer This year’s Army Emergency Relief cam- paign will be dramatically different than in the past. The campaign will solely focus on the contributions of active-duty service members. As a result, AER’s overall goal of $55,000—donatedonlybyactive- duty service members — is a large increase in total instal- lation contributions because retirees usually donate the majority of AER funds. “This goal is a pretty dra- matic increase from last year,” said Maj. John Schoenfeldt, battalion executive officer to the garrison and AER campaign coordinator. “And the only way we’re going to achieve this is through more active involvement through the commands. That’s why we’re [starting early]. “The active-duty contribution side of this campaign directly [results in] Soldiers helping Soldiers.” Retirees’ contributions will go directly to AER Headquarters based in Alexandria, Va. Civilians are still welcome to donate to the campaign. AER’s unofficial kickoff will be Feb. 26 at 9:30 a.m. at McGill Train- ing Center before the Financial Readiness Fair. However, the two-month campaign does not officially kick off until March 1. Since 1942, AER has provided more than 3.2 million Soldiers and family members with more than $1 billion in financial assistance. AER also has reciprocal agreements with other service branches, allowing them to receive AER assistance. Last year, Fort Meade’s AER campaign provided $712,000 in funds to 451 area ser- vice members, retirees and family members who needed emergency financial assistance. The installation had set a 2014 campaign goal of $90,000, which it far exceeded by raising $110,000. “AER is why I’m [in the Army],” said Staff Sgt. Lynell Whitted, AER assistant campaign coordinator, who received AER assistance twice since 2005. “AER saved my career. It saved me.” Financial assistance, in the form of a no- interest loan or grant, can be used in a wide range of circumstances including emergency transportation, car repairs, rent, and medi- cal or funeral expenses. “Everything is based on need,” said Wal- lace Turner, the installation’s current AER officer. “So, if Soldiers have a need, we want them to be able to come [to us] first before going to outside sources.” AER’s motto of “Helping the Army Take Care of its Own” means that the money donated by Soldiers to AER directly helps other Soldiers. “The whole purpose of our [2015] AER campaign is just to show awareness of what AER can do for Soldiers,”Turner said. “We want to make sure that we reach out to all Soldiers and let them know that AER is actually available [to] them.” Capt. Larry Summers, AER campaign coordinator for Fort Meade, said a suc- cessful AER campaign would include some kind of kickoff event; an organized AER debriefing; two to three events that could support a donation for a cash drive; and a final “thank you” event. Some of the more creative unit-level cash drive events over the years have featured a PlayStation 4 tournament and organized runs. In addition to providing zero-interest loans, ACS helps those who receive AER assistance by creating a budget for loan repayments. “It’s an outstanding program,” Turner said. “I mean, it works. Editor’s note: For more information on Fort Meade’s AER campaign, call ACS at 301-677-5590. For more information on AER, visit www.aerhq.org/dnn563/. AER campaign targets active-duty service members
- 7. http://www.ftmeade.army.mil SOUNDOFF! February19, 2015 News By Shari Rosen Staff Writer A 24-hour fitness center and new car- dio machines are two of the projects that Fort Meade will undertake with its remaining Healthy Base Initiative funding. The Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation will use the funding to transform Murphy Field House into a 24-hour fitness center. Funding also will be used to pur- chasenewtreadmillsandellipticalmachinesfor Gaffney Fitness Center. The renovation at Murphy Field House requires the installation of new doors that can recognize specified gym identification cards as well as a security system that will allow the Directorate of Emergency Services to monitor Murphy Field House from a remote location. The 24-hour fitness center is scheduled to open this summer. “[GarrisonCommanderCol.BrianP.Foley] and everybody else really liked the idea because we have a lot of shift work here on Fort Meade because of the nature of the mission here,” said Scott Myers, business operations officer for DFMWR. “People work here 24 hours a day, seven days a week. So we like the concept of being able to support those people with fitness. “When the funding came available, [the commander’s] number one priority was to fund this initiative of 24-hour fitness.” The purchase of new cardio equipment for Gaffney Fitness Center will also further the installation’s fitness goals. “This is something we need at the fit- ness center, cardio equipment to support our community and our health needs and goals — something that is not breaking,” Myers said. “We are going to buy some ellipticals. We’re going to buy some other new cardio equipment. But we’re going to focus on the treadmills because they are our biggest need.” The new equipment is expected to arrive by April. “The colonel prioritized the list and based on the prioritized list, that’s what we’re fund- ing,” Myers said. In addition to these projects, Fort Meade will continue to conduct Cooking Matters tours at the commissary as well as the “Go for the Green” program, which labels the healthi- est foods in the DFAC with green stickers to indicate their nutritional value. The farmers market will also reopen when the weather becomes warmer. “We’re making a good first step and we have the support of Senator [Barbara A.] Mikulski and people in our corner who are really sup- porting this initiative,” Myers said. “So, hope- fully going forward, we will be able to do things Healthy Base Initiative to launch new projects file photo Fort Meade will continue to use its Healthy Base Initiative funding to purchase new treadmills and elliptical machines for Gaffney Fitness Center as well as to transform Murphy Field House into a 24-hour fitness facility. Approximately $206,500 in HBI funding was provided to Fort Meade to increase the health and wellness of the post community. to [make] the community healthier.” As one of 14 Department of Defense pilot installations and sites selected for this initiative, Fort Meade received approximately $206,500 in funding to create health-based programs. “Everyonehasbeenmorefocusedonhealth, healthy lifestyles and healthy eating — giving everybody an opportunity to see where we fall short and to improve,” Myers said. Funding was allocated to DFMWR and the Freedom Inn Dining Facility. DFMWR received $180,000, while the DFAC received approximately $22,000. The DFAC spent its funding on equipment such as two juicer machines, 500 fruit bowls and two panini grills as well as additional carts, machinery and utensils to support new HBI stations. “We want to make the healthy choice the easy choice on post,” Myers said. Editor’s note: For more information on the Healthy Base Initiative, call Scott Myers at 301-677-3831 or visit www.militaryonesource. mil/12038/MOS/Factsheets/HBI-Factsheet.pdf. Copies of the 2015 Fort Meade Welcome Guide are available now. Please call 301-677- 5602 or email philip. h.jones.civ@mail.mil to request guides for your organization.
- 8. http://www.ftmeade.army.mil February 19,2015 SOUNDOFF! News By Sandra Drake Fort Meade Tax Center The Fort Meade Joint Installation Tax Center provides free federal and state income tax-return preparation and elec- tronic filing for service members, retirees and their family members. If any issues arise concerning a federal income tax return that you file yourself or through a tax preparer, you have essential rights and protections as a taxpayer. The Internal Revenue Service grouped these existing rights into a “Taxpayer Bill of Rights” to make them easier to access and understand. The Taxpayer Bill of Rights contains the following 10 provisions: 1. The right to be informed Taxpayers have the right to know what they need to do to comply with the tax laws. They are entitled to clear explanations of the laws and IRS procedures in all tax forms, instructions, publications, notices and correspondence. They have the right to be informed of IRS decisions about their tax accounts and to receive clear explana- tions of the outcomes. 2. The right to quality service Taxpayers have the right to receive prompt, courteous and professional assis- tance in their dealings with the IRS; to be spoken to in a way they can easily understand; to receive clear and easily understandable communications from the IRS; and to speak to a supervisor about inadequate service. 3. The right to pay no more than the cor- rect amount of tax Taxpayers have the right to pay only the amount of tax legally due, including interest and penalties, and to have the IRS apply all tax payments properly. 4. The right to challenge the IRS’s position and be heard Taxpayers have the right to raise objec- tions and provide additional documenta- tion in response to formal IRS actions or proposed actions, to expect that the IRS will consider their timely objections and documentation promptly and fairly, and to receive a response if the IRS does not agree with their position. 5. The right to appeal an IRS decision in an independent forum Taxpayers are entitled to a fair and impartial administrative appeal of most IRS decisions, including many penalties, and have the right to receive a written response regarding the Office of Appeals’ decision. Taxpayers generally have the right to take their cases to court. 6. The right to finality Taxpayers have the right to know the maximum amount of time they have to challenge the IRS’ position as well as the maximum amount of time the IRS has to audit a particular tax year or collect a tax debt. Taxpayers have the right to know when the IRS has finished an audit. 7. The right to privacy Taxpayers have the right to expect that any IRS inquiry, examination or enforce- ment action will comply with the law and be no more intrusive than necessary, and will respect all due process rights, includ- ing search and seizure protections, and will provide, where applicable, a collection due- process hearing. 8. The right to confidentiality Taxpayers have the right to expect that any information they provide to the IRS will not be disclosed unless authorized by the taxpayer or by law. Taxpayers have the right to expect appropriate action will be taken against employees, return preparers and others who wrongfully use or disclose taxpayer return information. 9. The right to retain representation Taxpayers have the right to retain an authorized representative of their choice to represent them in their dealings with the IRS. Taxpayers have the right to seek assis- tance from a low-income taxpayer clinic if they cannot afford representation. 10. The right to a fair and just tax sys- tem Taxpayers have the right to expect the tax system to consider facts and circumstances that might affect their underlying liabilities, ability to pay or ability to provide informa- tion timely. Taxpayers have the right to receive assis- tance from the Taxpayer Advocate Service if they are experiencing financial difficulty or if the IRS has not resolved their tax issues properly and timely through its nor- mal channels. Editor’s note: The Fort Meade Joint Installation Tax Center is now open. It is located on the first floor of the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, 4217 Morrison St. To schedule an appointment, call 301- 677-9366 or 301-677-9762. IRS adopts ‘Taxpayer Bill of Rights’ We accept The Wright Express Card (GSA) and all major credit cards. BG Products and Services Formerly located on Ft. Meade has moved to: 8176 Telegraph Rd. • Suite E Severn, MD 21144 443.795.4733 Conveniently located 5 miles from Base New Customer Special 10% OFF Labor(Capped at $50) New customers only. Expires 3/31/15. Must present coupon. Not valid with any other offers. $ 44.95Winter Package Special (Oil Filter Change, Tire Rotation, Brake Inspection and a 30pt Multi Inspection tailored to the Winter Season) Expires 3/31/15. Must present coupon. Not valid with any other offers. $ 10OFF Oil Change Expires 3/31/15. Must present coupon. TGAUTOMOTIVEMD.COM Find the Fort Meade Religious Schedule at www.ftmeade.army.mil. Look for the “Community” tab then click on “Religious Services” for schedules, events and contact information.
- 9. http://www.ftmeade.army.mil10 SOUNDOFF! February19, 2015 Cover Story By Philip H. Jones Chief, Command Information Not even the superstitions of Friday the 13th could put a jinx on Meade High’s undefeated regular-season record in Anne Arundel County’s boys high school basketball. The Mustangs rolled to a 92-70 home victory against Northeast High School. Friday’s win extended Meade’s winning streak to 18 games. Instead of worrying about bad luck, Meade High coach Pete Corriero used the game as a learning experience for his team, doing something he hates to do — “break his routine.” It was “Seniors Night” at Meade High as the Mustangs played their final home game of the season. And for the first time in his four years as Meade’s head coach, Corriero switched his routine and started five seniors. “I’m from New Jersey,” Corriero sad. “You have no idea how hard it is for me to break a routine. I just don’t do it.” Starting five seniors meant Corriero would have to sit one of his starters, Tristan Easton. The move took away some of the Mustangs’ trademark early- game “get-in-your-face” style of play that the team has perfected this season. For Easton, sitting on the bench instead of his normal starter’s role, gave him an opportunity to see the game from a different perspective. Easton would finish the game leading the Mus- tangs with 22 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals. It may have been Corriero also knew he had a little cushion to play with in the “Friday the 13th” contest against Northeast. Meade, with its 19-1 overall record, 14-0 in Anne Arundel conference play, has already clinched the county’s regular season championship and a berth in the Meade High Mustangs roll to 18th straight win PHOTOS BY DANIEL KUCIN JR. Meade High head coach Pete Corriero talks with Mustangs players Joshua Qualls (No. 4) and Tristan Easton during Friday’s final regular-season home game against Northeast High. RIGHT: Meade High’s Tristan Easton goes up strong for a jump-shot Friday against Northeast High. Easton finished the game with 22 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals. county championship game later this month. The Mustangs also blew out North- east (14-6, 10-5) in their season-opener, Dec. 5, with a 97-54 win. Meade started slow in a fast-pace, first half on Friday. The Eagles kept the game close, hitting five 3-pointers in the first half. Northeast’s Trent Smoot had a double- double with 25 points and 12 rebounds. Will Clark hit four 3-pointers during the game for the Eagles and finished the contest with 16 points. Bruce Spruell, who scored 10 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter, also pulled down seven rebounds. Corriero ended the night feeling “for- tunate” to have the opportunity to find playing time for everybody and still win the game by 22 points. “It was a good win,” Corriero said. “Obviously, every team [we play] is going to give us a run, their best shot. This game helped toughen us up going into the playoffs.” It’s been a great season for Meade High. Corriero said he expected the team to be good but added that even he is surprised by what the Mustangs have accomplished this year. During the year prior to Corriero becoming head coach, Meade finished the season with a 5-18 record. Since then, the Mustangs have went 7-16, 11-13 and 11-12 before going 17-7 last season. There are multiple reasons why the Mustangs have had success this season. “We are real good because we have what I call ‘character’ players,” Corriero said. “They are solid students. They did the right things from the start. “The win-total is great. But the aca- demic side is good, too. This year we don’t have to worry about anybody not being eligible to play. The whole group here has been about the team. All they
- 10. http://www.ftmeade.army.mil February 19,2015 SOUNDOFF! 11 care about is winning games — winning and having fun!” Corriero added that this year’s Mus- tangs have also taken well to coaching. “They are listening this year,” he said. “They listen to 100 percent of what we tell them. It’s the little things that make the difference.” Meade High finishes the season on the road as the Mustangs plays Severna Park on Tuesday and Old Mill on Fri- day. Forget Friday the 13th. If things continue to go well for the Meade Mus- tangs, the next date with a long-held superstition will come at the conclusion of Maryland’s state high school basket- ball playoffs. That date will be St. Patrick’s Day - March 17 - and who knows? Maybe, just maybe, the Mustangs will find their very own leprechaun with a pot of gold and their very own rainbow at the end of a memorable season. Jerry Washington, a senior for the Meade Mustangs, executes a difficult pass, avoiding Northeast’s Trent Smoot’s defensive tactics. Washington finished Friday’s game with 4 points, three assists and one rebound as the Mustangs honored their seniors in the final regular season home game. LEFT: Meade’s Kodie Jackson dribbles past Northeast’s Will Clark during an Anne Arundel County boys varsity basketball game. Jackson ended the game with 9 points, one assist and one rebound as the Mustangs defeated Northeast High, 92-70.
- 11. http://www.ftmeade.army.mil12 SOUNDOFF! February19, 2015 News Sports Shorts Dollar Days Dollar Days at the Lanes are offered every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bowlers receive a game of bowling, shoe rental, a hot dog, hamburger, small fries, pizza slice or small soda for $1 each. For more information, call 301-677-5541. Texas Hold ‘Em Tournaments All service members and civilians are invited to play in the Texas Hold ‘Em Tournaments held Mondays and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at the Lounge at the Lanes. Tournament is free to enter. Prizes are awarded for the top winners. Food and beverages are available for purchase. For more information, call 301-677-5541. Youth spring sports Registration for spring sports is underway. Spring sports include baseball, softball, tennis, lacrosse, basketball, track, NFL flag football and soccer. To register online, go to ftmeademwr.com. For more information, call 301-677-1179. Youth Sports seeks volunteer coaches Volunteer coaches are needed for baseball, softball, tennis, lacrosse, basketball, track, NFL flag football, and soccer. All volunteers will receive free training and will be certified through the National Youth Sports Coaches Association. All volunteers must complete a background check. Apply at the Child, Youth and School Services’ Youth Sports Fitness Office at 1900 Reece Road. For more information, call 301-677-1179 or 301-677-1329. 2015 Run Series Schedule The Fort Meade Run Series will resume in April. There will be a total of seven 5K runs and 1-mile walks throughout the year with a variety of themes: • Earth Day 5K and 1-Mile Walk: April 18, 8 a.m., Burba Lake Park • Patriot Pride 5K/10K: May 16, 8 a.m., Murphy Field House • Army Birthday Summer Sizzler 5K: June 13, 8 a.m., The Pavilion • Football Fanfare 5K: Sept. 19, 8 a.m., Constitution Park • Ghosts, Ghouls Goblins 5K: Oct. 24, 8 a.m., The Pavilion • Turkey Trot 5K: Nov. 21, 8 a.m., Murphy Field House • Reindeer Run 5K: Dec. 19, 8 a.m., Murphy Field House You know how dominant a journalistic force Jibber is? Sometimes it doesn’t just take a snow day, it takes a snow week. Actually, this week’s truncated dose of excellence is due to a few things: the Presi- dents Day holiday sucked up Monday; Mother Nature took out my Tuesday; and my Wednesday was front-loaded with some meetings and whatnot. When I finally got to fire up the com- puter, it became clear our network masters transferred over to the new Microsoft Office suite. Progress may be nice, but when it comes to my office desktop, it is also a pretty traumatic experience. It took an additional 15 minutes and three restarts to figure out how to pull up my email, and another 10 minutes to open up a Word document. Bottom line is, at 10:44 a.m. on Wednes- day I had only 146 words. So instead of scrounging around for a topic — maybe how the Patriots got caught cheating again or A-Rod’s apology or the Cowboys mess- ing with Dez’s money (Jerry Jones: Please pay the man!) bit. ly/1zOcY24 — I decided to keep thingspositiveand remind everybody that today, pitch- ers and catchers are reporting for spring training. That means regardless of what the ther- mometer or groundhog might say, spring is coming and so is baseball. In fact, I visited Camden Yards Wednesday afternoon to ensure that our ongoing partnership with the Orioles is in place. So with that, I bid you adieu. But as always ... If you have comments on this or anything to do with sports, contact me at chad. t.jones.civ@mail.mil or hit me up on Twit- ter @CTJibber. Snowed under Chad T. Jones, Public Affairs Officer Jibber Jabber - Opinion file photo Tae Kwon DoChild, Youth and School Services offers tae kwon do classes for youths of all ages Tuesdays and Thursday at the Youth Center. Classes are broken into different age groups. Cost is $45 for ages 4 to 6 and $85 for ages 7–17. For more information, call 301-677-1149. www.quickscores.com/ftmeadesports. • Basketball • Football • Softball • Soccer Find schedules, scores, standings and upcoming seasons for All-Army athletics, new sports and special events at And more, plus
- 12. http://www.ftmeade.army.mil February 19,2015 SOUNDOFF! 13 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 dijon.n.rolle.civ@ mail.mil or call Editor Dijon Rolle at 301-677-6806. Public listening session Maj. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, commander, U.S. Army Military District of Washington, Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region, will host a public listening session March 5 at 1 p.m. at McGill Training Center. Buchanan and a representative from the Army’s Operations and Plans Office will discuss the Army’s ongoing planning effort to achieve fiscal reductions required by the Budget Control Act of 2011. Additionally, Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley will discuss ongoing growth at Fort Meade. Leaders will then take questions from the audience. All members of the Fort Meade community including current employees, retirees, concerned citizens and family members are invited to attend the session. The listening session will be live- streamed from the Fort Meade website; individuals will be able to submit questions online. For more information, call 301-677- 1361. Black History Month observance The Defense Information Systems Agency will host an African-American Heritage Month observance today from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the DISA Conference Room (M3C31). The guest speaker is Dr. Wayne Frederick, president of Howard University in Washington, D.C. Light refreshments will be served. The event is open to Fort Meade service members and civilians. A sign language interpreter will be provided. No electronics (including cellphones) will be permitted in the building. For more information, call 301-225-6453. Kimbrough town hall Dr. (Col.) Michael J. Zapor, commander for Clinical Services at the Fort Meade Medical Department Activity, will conduct a town hall meeting today 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. Pepper Road gate open The Pepper Road gate is now open for pedestrians and cyclists Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cars and other motorized vehicles are not authorized to access this gate. Pepper Road is located toward the southeast corner of Fort Meade near Range Control off Route 175 (adjacent to Route 32) in Odenton. The gate is also close to the MARC station and Odenton Town Center. The gate opening is part of Fort Meade’s ongoing efforts to improve transportation options to and from the installation. Karaoke Karaoke Night is held every Friday from 7–10 p.m. at The Lounge at the Lanes. The free event is open to everyone. Food and drink specials are available for purchase. For more information, call 301-677- 5541. ESC scholarships The Enlisted Spouses’ Club is offering scholarships for graduating high school seniors and continuing education students for the 2015-2016 academic school year. Applicants must be dependent children of service members from any branch: active duty, retired or deceased military personnel; Reservist; or National Guard The service member must reside in the Fort Meade area. Application packages must be completed and submitted to the ESC by March 27. The complete application package and a full list of scholarship requirements are available at www.ftmeadeesc.org/ scholarship-oportunities. For more information, email scholarshipdirector@ftmeadeesc.org. OSC scholarships Applications are now being accepted for the Fort Meade Officers’ Spouses’ Club scholarships. Applications must be postmarked by March 2. Applicants must possess a valid military dependent ID card or be a dependent of a Fort Meade OSC member, enrolled at an accredited institution as a full-time student for the 2015-2016 academic school year, and meet one of the following criteria: • The military sponsor must be an active-duty or retired service member assigned to, attached to or working on Fort Meade. • Applicants must reside on Fort Meade and have a parent who is a member of the Fort Meade OSC. • Applicants may have another affiliation with Fort Meade. For example, the sponsor deployed from Fort Meade or the sponsor was assigned to Fort Meade, but was recently reassigned to another duty station. Scholarships include: • Merit Scholarships: Applicant must have a cumulative, unweighted grade point average of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale. Applicants must be a candidate for graduation from high school in the spring of 2015 or enrolled in college prior to June 2015. • Etta Baker Memorial Scholarship: High school seniors who apply for the Merit Scholarship will automatically be considered for the Etta Baker Memorial Scholarship, the club’s highest merit scholarship. • OSC Family Member Scholarship: The scholarship is awarded to a high school senior who is a family member of an OSC member in good standing as of Jan. 1. Scholarship will be based highly on the applicant’s community service. To download an application, go to www.fortmeadeosc.org. For more information, email Anita Skelton, scholarship chairperson, at scholarships@fortmeadeosc.org. Cooking Matters Commissary Tours The next Cooking Matters Commissary Tours Challenge are today and Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the commissary. Tours are free and open to all eligible commissary patrons. Hands-on store tours are offered every hour and teach participants the skills to compare foods for cost and nutrition. Select tours will receive a $10 coupon. To sign up for the event, go to http:// cmatscommissaryfm.eventbrite.com. For more information, email nwilson@strength.org. Financial, Employment Readiness Army Community Service offers Financial and Employment 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. Employment Readiness: • How to Work a Job Fair: Today, 9 a.m. to noon • Job Search Strategies: Tuesday, 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. To register or for more information, call 301-677-5590 or go to fortmeadeacs.checkappointments.com. Free classes The 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 ID cardholders including active-duty service members, retirees and their family members, DoD civilian employees and contractors. Registration is required for each class. • Pre-Separation Brief: Today, 9-11:30 a.m. • Pre-Deployment Brief: Today, 10- 11:30 a.m. • Meet Greet: Today, 5-7 p.m. Learn about available resources in a fun, interactive orientation to Fort Meade. The free event will feature food and prizes. • Time Management: Tuesday, 9-11 a.m. • Sponsorship Training: Tuesday, 2-3:30 p.m. • Assessing Higher Education: Wednesday and Feb. 26, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. To register or for more information, call 301-677-9017 or 301-677-9018. NEWS EVENTS EDUCATION CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
- 13. http://www.ftmeade.army.mil14 SOUNDOFF! February19, 2015 Community News Notes Financial Readiness Fair The Army Community Service’s Financial Readiness Fair will be held Feb. 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at McGill Training Center. The free event, which is open to all military services and ranks and to civilians, will feature guests speakers, informational displays and break-out sessions. Bag lunches will be available for purchase. For more information, call Army Community Service at 301-677-5590 or the Fleet and Family Support Center at 301-677-9410. Financial Readiness Week Army Community Service is offering the following classes during Financial Readiness Week at the Community Readiness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave. • Transitioning to Retirement: Monday, 9 a.m. to noon • Getting Out of Debt: Tuesday, 9-11 a.m. Learn strategies to wipe out debt. Topics include: budget development, record-keeping and credit. • First-Term Financial Readiness (Online): Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Raising Money-Smart Children: Wednesday, 9-11 a.m. • Financial Planning for Caregivers: Feb. 27, 9-11 a.m. To register or for more information, call 301-677-5590 or go to fortmeadeacs.checkappointments.com. “Mr. Meade Pageant” The Meade High School Key Club will present the “Third Annual Mr. Meade Pageant” on Friday at 7 p.m. in the Meade High Auditorium. Seventeen seniors are vying for the title. Contestants will showcase a talent, model formal wear, and participate in an on-stage interview. This charity fundraiser benefits the “Eliminate Project.” The goal is to eliminate maternal/neo-natal tetanus by the end of this year. This disease kills mothers and their newborns. A life-saving, three-dose vaccination costs $1.80. Everyone is welcome. Tickets cost $6 at the door. Teen events The Teen Center is offering the following events for grades nine to 12: • Career Readiness: Job Search Strategies: Today, 2:30-4 p.m. • Mardi Gras Party: Friday, 3:30-4:30 p.m. For more information, call 301-677- 6054. Youth Center events The Youth Center is offering several activities for grades six to eight. • Black History Month Poetry Night: Friday, 4:30-6 p.m. • February Birthday Party: Feb. 27, 5-8 p.m. For more information, call 301-677- 1437. Girl Scouts of Fort Meade There is still time to join Girl Scouts. All levels of Girl Scouts are offered on Fort Meade, beginning with kindergarten through high school. Slots are available in all levels. Registration is required. To register, email Megan Horton at mash3281@gmail.com or Jessica Pryor at jpryor@gscm.org. Storytime The Children’s Library offers pre- kindergarten Storytime on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. at Kuhn Hall, 4415 Llewellyn Ave. • Today: “Zoom, Zoom!” - Stories and fun about all things that “go” • Feb. 26: “Quiet as a Mouse” - Storytime about mice For more information, call 301-677- 5677. Out About • The Meade Area Garden Club is sponsoring a bus trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show on March 2. This year’s theme is “Lights, Camera, Bloom” with iconic movie scenes depicted in floral displays. The bus will leave from the Ridgeview Shopping Plaza on Route 175 and Rockenbach Avenue at 8:45 a.m. and return by 6 p.m. Cost of the trip, which includes the bus and admission, is $63 for club members and $68 for nonmembers. Reservations are required along with payment. No refunds after Friday. For reservations or more information, call Beverly Durana at 410-551-2263. • Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) invites single service members to a day trip to Philadelphia on March 21 from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost is $15 and includes transportation. Registration is required by Tuesday. For more information, call 301-677- 6868. • The Anne Arundel Genealogical Society will host the program “An African-American Quaker: Journey to Home,” by Margo Lee Williams on March 5 from 7-9:30 p.m. at Severna Park United Methodist Church, 731 Benfield Road, Severna Park. The event is open to the public. Refreshments will be served prior to the start of the program. For more information, call 410-760- 9679, Thursday-Friday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. • The Freestate Happy Wanderers will host a 6- and 10-kilometer Black History Walk on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Queen’s Chapel United Methodist Church, 7410 Old Muirkirk Road, Beltsville. Registration is not required. Walkers will receive commemorative black history items, while supplies last. For more information call 301-572-5574 or email donjoy5@comcast.net or visit http://www.mdvolks.org/freestate/. • The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African-American History and Culture in Baltimore will host a showing of the documentary “Half Past Autumn: The Life and Works of Gordon Parks” on Sunday at 2 p.m. at 830 E. Pratt St., Baltimore. The documentary focuses on Parks’ life and career as a celebrated photographer, novelist, journalist, poet, musician and filmmaker. Admission is free with the purchase of museum entry. For more information, call 443-263-1800 or go to rflewismuseum.org. • The Medical Museum Science Café is featuring “Vietnam War Medicine: A Look at the Medical Museum, 2nd Surgical Hospital” on Tuesday from 6-7 p.m. at the National Museum of Health and Medicine, 2500 Linden Lane, Silver Spring. After the 2nd Surgical Hospital (Mobile Army) was established in 1966 at An Khe in Vietnam, Army surgeon Maj. Norman Rich began collecting retrieved foreign bodies (fragments and shrapnel) from patients he was treating. Rich established a traveling museum of those objects in his Quonset hut operating room Learn more about Rich’s experiences as a surgeon during the Vietnam War and see artifacts he has donated to the NMHM. For more information, go to medicmuseum.mil or call 301-319-3300. • The Harlem Globetrotters are coming to the Wicomico Youth Civic Center on the Eastern Shore on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at 500 Glen Ave., Salisbury. Tickets cost $22 through $246 and are on sale at 410-548-4911 or online at www. WicomicoCivicCenter.org. For more information, go to http:// www.wicomicociviccenter.org/events- listings/harlem-globetrotters-1#sthash. FX0RURZO.dpuf. • Leisure Travel Services is offering tickets to Monster Jam, which will be held Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and March 1 at 2 p.m. at the Royal Farms Arena, 201 W. Baltimore St., Baltimore. For ticket prices or more information, call LTS at 301-677-7354. • Leisure and Travel Services, located at 2300 Wilson St., sells discounted tickets to movie theaters, the Baltimore Zoo, National Aquarium, Maryland Science Center, Colonial Williamsburg and other historical sites, and theme parks. For more information, call 301-677- 7354. • Officers’ Spouses’ Club will meet today at 10:30 a.m. at Club Meade. The theme is a winter luau. The meeting is open to OSC members, spouses and guests. Cost is $20. For more information, go to http://www. fortmeadeosc.org/monthly-luncheons-2/ or email publicity@fortmeadeosc.org. • 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 today 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 EDUCATION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 YOUTH RECREATION MEETINGS
- 14. http://www.ftmeade.army.mil February 19,2015 SOUNDOFF! 15 Movies Community News Notes the event for base access. For more information, call retired Col. Jane Hudak at 301-319-2918 or email jane. l.hudak.ctr@health.mil. • 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 Saturday. 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. • Society of Military Widows meets for brunch the fourth Sunday of the month at 1 p.m. at the Lanes. The next meeting is Sunday. For more information, call Betty Jones at 410-992-1123. • 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. • 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 Monday. The group is for expecting fathers, and fathers with children of all ages. Children welcome. For more information, call 301- 677-5590 or email colaina.townsend.ctr@ mail.mil. • 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 March 2. For more information, call 301-677-5590 or email colaina.townsend.ctr@mail.mil. • Retired Officers’ Wives’ Club will meet March 3 at 11 a.m. at Club Meade. Bring your family and friends for a rocking “Tis the Wearin’ of the Green” program featuring the Retro Rockets, who will entertain during the Saint Patrick’s Day celebration. Cost of luncheon is $18. Reservations are required by Feb. 26 at noon. Call your area representative or Betty Wade at 410-551-7082. Membership dues are $25 per year, but you may join from February through May now for half price. Members may bring guests to the luncheons, which are held on the first Tuesday of each month, except June, July, August and January. For more information, call Genny Bellinger, ROWC president, at 410-674- 2550. • 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 March 5. 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 March 5. 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 March 5. For more information, visit namiaac.org. • 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 thecarptman@msn.com. • 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 pack377_cm@ yahoo.com or Committee Chairperson Marco Cilibert at pack377_cc@yahoo.com. • 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 lisayetman@verizon.net or Wendall Lawrence, Scoutmaster, at lawrencewendall@juno.com. • Catholic Women of the Chapel meets 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 themariana@yahoo.com. • 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 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. • New Spouse Connection meets the second Monday of every month from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Community Readiness Center, 830 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 Sunday Friday: “Taken 3” (PG-13). Ex-government operative Bryan Mills is accused of a ruthless murder he never committed or witnessed. As he is tracked and pursued, Mills brings out his par- ticular set of skills to find the true killer and clear his name. With Liam Neeson, Forest Whitaker, Maggie Grace. Saturday: “The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death” (PG-13). Forty years after the first haunt- ing at Eel Marsh House, a group of children evacuated from World Warr II-London arrive, awakening the house’s darkest inhabitant. With Helen McCrory, Jeremy Irvine, Phoebe Fox. Sunday: “Selma” (PG-13). A chronicle of Martin Luther King’s campaign to secure equal voting rights via an epic march from Selma to Mont- gomery, Ala., in 1965. With David Oyelowo, Carmen Ejogo, Tim Roth. Chisholm Ave. The next meeting is March 9. The program provides an opportunity for all spouses new to the military or to Fort Meade to meet and get connected. For more infor- mation, contact Pia Morales at pia.s.morales. civ@mail.mil or 301-677-4110. • Fort Meade TOP III Association meets the second Wednesday of each month at 3 p.m. at the Courses. The next meeting is March 11. The association is open to all Air Force active-duty and retired senior noncommissioned officers. For more information, call Master Sgt. Jonathan Jacob at 443-479-0616 or email jajacob@nsa.gov.