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![SOUNDOFF! | THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2015 NEWS 3
Every year Fort Meade’s Religious
Support Office sponsors Vacation Bible
School, a weeklong Christian religious
education program for youth.
This year, the program is seeking adult
volunteersage18andoldertoworkascrew
leadersinsupervisingupto220childrenin
the program.
“Volunteers are very critical,” said
Marcia Eastland, Protestant Religious Ed-
ucation coordinator and organizer of VBS.
“Our chapel youth-related programs
would dry up without volunteers.”
VBS will be held Aug. 3-7 from 9 a.m. to
noonatArgonneHillsChapelCenter.This
year’s theme is “Weird Animals: Where
Jesus’ Love is One-of-a-Kind.”
Eastland is seeking about 25 adult crew
leaders to supervise children from age 4
through fifth grade as they engage in
different activities as part of the weeklong
program. Activities include arts and crafts,
music, games and Bible study lessons.
Prospective volunteers must undergo a
series of background checks and finger-
printing procedures before working with
the children.
Eastland provides the paperwork for
background checks conducted by the
Directorate of Emergency Services, the
Criminal Investigation Division, Army
Substance Abuse Program, and Kim-
brough Ambulatory Care Center’s Social
Work Services.
Background checks also are conducted
by Anne Arundel County and the state of
Maryland.
The Motor Vehicle Administration per-
forms the fingerprinting. Prospective vol-
unteers can schedule an appointment for
fingerprinting at the MVA in Glen Burnie,
Salisbury, Waldorf, Frederick and Bel Air
and at the Criminal Justice Information
System headquarters in Reisterstown.
The garrison pays the costs of finger-
printing for volunteers who present the
RSO account number at the MVA. East-
land provides the RSO account number
and the MVA telephone number to
schedule the appointment.
If prospective volunteers have under-
gone a background check for Child, Youth
and School Services and have been ap-
proved, they do not have to undergo a
second check for VBS. However, CYSS
must send its paperwork to Eastland.
Volunteers who have an approved
backgroundcheckforotherpositionsmust
still undergo the VBS background check.
TheVBSbackgroundcheckprocesscan
take up to10 days.
Deanna Wehrman, wife of retired
Master Sgt. Paul Wehrman, has been a
volunteer crew member with VBS for five
years. A member of the historic Main Post
Chapel, Wehrman said she volunteers
each summer because she loves children.
“It’s really a lot of fun,” she said. “They
[the children] know you care about them
because you get involved in the activities.
It’s a good feeling.”
Wehrman, who works with children
ages 3 and 4, said that VBS is an important
religious activity for youth.
“It gives them something to do other
than watching television,” she said.
Wehrmansaidadultswhoaremembers
of any of the post chapels should consider
becoming a volunteer.
“They need to get involved,” she said.
“Thechildrenareourfutureandtheyneed
to know about God.”
The deadline to apply as a VBS
volunteer is July 2. To apply, call Eastland
at 301-677-0386.
“Theonlyrequirementistohaveagreat
time!” Eastland said.
Vacation Bible School
seeks volunteers
By Lisa R. Rhodes
Staff Writer
Children make arts and crafts during Vacation Bible School last year at Argonne
Hills Chapel Center.
FILE PHOTO
should text “follow FtMeadeAlert” to
40404.
40404 is the short code, or abbreviated
phone number, that U.S. cellphone carri-
ers use to identify Twitter for text
messaging.
In some cases, Fort Meade users have
reported unsolicited messages sent to
their phones from the number 40404.
This is because the short code allows
users to receive text messages from any
Twitterprofilejustbytexting“follow”and
the profile name to 40404.
TheFortMeadegarrisonhasharnessed
the power of social media to alert the
community of changes in operating status
due to emergencies or severe weather.
Launched in late 2011, Fort Meade Alert
is a Twitter-based service that sends text
alerts to a subscriber’s cellphone without
requiring a Twitter account.
Individuals who wish to subscribe
Users should always verify the source
of any message by checking for the
sender’snameprecededbyan“@”symbol
at the start of each message. For example,
Fort Meade hosts two distinct profiles:
@FtMeadeAlert and @FtMeadeMD.
Users have three options to stop
receiving unsolicited messages. To “un-
follow” another user, text “unfollow
username” (without the @ symbol) to
40404.
If users don’t want to “unfollow” the
sender completely, but only wish to stop
receiving text updates, the other options
are to text “leave” or “off,” followed by the
username. (Example: off username or
leave username).
Standard text messaging rates apply to
anyone receiving text alerts. However,
there is no cost to Fort Meade to offer this
service.
Fort Meade offers many other social
media venues to bring you the latest news
and information. To view them all, see the
“connect with us” section at the top of
ftmeade.army.mil.
Service provides weather, emergency alerts by phone
By Steve Ellmore
New Media Manager
Public Affairs Office
FACEBOOK TOWN HALL
Tonight 4:30-6 p.m.
Facebook.com/ftmeade
Text FOLLOW FTMEADEALERT
to 40404 to sign up for news
alerts on your mobile phone](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/soundoffjune252015-150625161347-lva1-app6891/85/Soundoff-June-25-2015-3-320.jpg)
![4 NEWS THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2015 | SOUNDOFF!
“The bicycle is a curious vehicle,”
American-born Olympic cyclist John
Howard once suggested. “Its passenger is
its engine.”
That may be true, but the chances for
injury and catastrophe increase greatly
without knowledge of the laws and
regulations regarding bike safety as well
as a healthy dose of common sense, said
Lt. Daniel P. Schismenos, traffic chief and
officer-in-charge with the Fort Meade
Police Department.
“It’s summertime; there’ll be a lot of
kids on bikes not wearing helmets or
brightlycoloredclothing,”hesaid.“We’re
going to say, ‘You’ve got to do this.’ We’re
not harassing people; we’re trying to look
out for people. We like safety at Fort
Meade.”
Schismenos said Fort Meade follows —
andsometimesexceeds—Marylandstate
lawsregardingtrafficsafety.Forexample,
he said, the installation requires helmets
to be worn by bicyclists of all ages, rather
than only minors as mandated by state
law.
Fort Meade’s regulation is in accord-
ance with Policy 190-5 set by the Depart-
ment of the Army and the Department of
Defense, he said.
“If you get hit by a car, it’s not your leg
injury that will make you die but your
head injury,” Schismenos said. “If you’re
not wearing a helmet, you probably are
not going to have a great chance for
survival.”
He strongly urged adults, particularly
parents, to always wear helmets while
riding a bicycle, particularly in front of
children.
“You’re the role model and example,”
Schismenos said.
Healsosaidadultsarenotpermittedto
ride their bikes on sidewalks on post
unless they are dismounted or have a flat
tire. Children are permitted to ride on
sidewalks and streets.
Schismenos said bicyclists, like anyone
driving a vehicle, are required to follow
the rules of the road, particularly regard-
ing traffic lights and regulatory signs.
He said motorists and bicyclists are
requiredtomaintainapproximately3feet
of space from each other.
Bikes must have a working headlight
and reflector. In addition, bicyclists are
required to wear light-colored clothing at
all times.
Bicyclists are not permitted to use
hand-held devices or be under the
influence of alcohol or drugs while
operating a bike, Schismenos said.
“Driving a bike while impaired, you
could hurt yourself or someone else. You
could make a car swerve off the road or
strike someone,” he said. “When you’re
on a bicycle, you’re in a vehicle. People
don’t always think of it that way, but it’s
true.”
Bicyclists should always remain on the
far right side of the lane; ride in a single
file rather than in tandem with other
bikes; never double up on passengers;
never ride against traffic; avoid riding on
especially hot or cold days or when there
is inclement weather; and refrain from
weaving in and out of lanes, he said.
Schismenos said bicyclists should re-
member to use hand signals when
making turns.
“A lot of times people don’t know what
a bicyclist will do,” he said, adding that
cyclists should also remember to use
crosswalks.
Schismenosencouragedbicyclists—as
well as pedestrians and runners — to use
the recently dedicated Sally Port/Pepper
Road gate entrance to Fort Meade, which
has free bike lockers and signage specifi-
cally geared toward cyclists. Fort Meade
employees can park in the MARC station
parking lot near the gate.
The Pepper Road gate, which is close
to the MARC station and Odenton Town
Center, is open Mondays through Fridays
from 6 a.m. to1:30 p.m.
Noncommercial vehicles are not au-
thorized to access this gate. Bicyclists can
access the gate 24/7 using the Sally Port
entrance.
Fort Meade employees who ride their
bikes to work and are Common Access
Cardholderscanobtainapassforthegate
at the Directorate of Emergency Services
by calling 301-677-6607.
“We want people to bicycle to work,”
Schismenos said. “We have limited park-
ing here [on post] as it is. If there are bike
racks outside of your [office] building,
ride a bike. I understand not during
winter. But during summer, spring and
fall, why not ride a bike?”
While bicyclists must take special
safety precautions, Schismenos said car
andtruckdriversmustbemindfulaswell.
He suggested keeping a distance from
cyclists and ensuring there are no bikes
around when making a turn.
Also, motorists should be cautious
before opening car doors.
“Motorists always need to remember
that there are bicyclists out there,” he
said. “It all boils down to safety and just
using common sense.”
Editor’s note: For more information
about bicycling on Fort Meade, visit the
Fort Meade Police Department’s Facebook
pageathttps://www.facebook.com/pages/
Fort-Meade-Police-Depart-
ment/110100065756249.
Rules of the Road: Obeying bike safety laws
By Alan H. Feiler
Staff Writer
Fort Meade requires helmets to be worn by bicyclists of all ages, rather than only minors as mandated by state law. The in-
stallation’s regulation is in accordance with Policy 190-5 set by the Department of the Army and the Department of Defense.
FILE PHOTO](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/soundoffjune252015-150625161347-lva1-app6891/85/Soundoff-June-25-2015-4-320.jpg)
![6 NEWS THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2015 | SOUNDOFF!
Embracing diversity and inclusion is
critical to recruiting and retaining the
force of the future, Defense Secretary Ash
Carter said at the Pentagon’s Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride
Month event June 9. Department of
Defense officials have recognized June as
LGBT Pride Month.
Speaking at the fourth annual cele-
bration since the repeal of the “Don’t Ask,
Don’t Tell” policy that prohibited homo-
sexuals from serving openly in the
military, the secretary said the DoD must
bediverse,openandtoleranttoattractthe
best and brightest people to the national
defensemission,garneringapplausefrom
military and civilian leaders and White
House representatives in the Pentagon
auditorium.
The 2011 repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t
Tell” followed years of gay and lesbian
service members having to hide who they
were, Carter said.
“Today,” he said, “we take pride in how
they’refreetoservetheircountryopenly.”
DoD believes no one should serve in
silence and everyone should be treated
with the dignity and respect they deserve,
Carter said, noting the department has
made a “lasting commitment to living the
values we defend.”
The Defense Department must be a
meritocracy, the secretary said.
“We have to focus relentlessly on the
mission, which means the thing that
matters most about a person is what they
can contribute to it,” he said.
It is a commitment that the Defense
Department must continually renew, the
secretary said.
“And that’s why today I’m proud to
announce that the Department of De-
fense has completed the process for
updating its military equal opportunity
policy to include sexual orientation,
ensuringthatthedepartment,liketherest
of the federal government, treats sexual
orientation-based discrimination the
same way it treats discrimination based
on race, religion, color, sex, age and
national origin,” Carter said to an ap-
plauding audience.
Emphasizing that he is “very proud” of
the work the military services have put
into the policy in the last several months,
Carter said “discrimination of any kind
has no place in America’s armed forces.”
Carter noted that Defense Department
officials work hard to ensure everyone
receives the benefits to which they are
entitled.
“We have been, and remain, strongly
committed to making sure that all our
military families and spouses can fully
and equally receive the benefits their
loved ones have earned, from Tricare
[militaryhealthplan]coveragetohousing
allowances to side-by-side burial at Ar-
lington [National Cemetery],” he said.
Recognizing that DoD’s openness to
diversity is what has allowed it to be the
best, everyone in the department must
ensure that those who are able and
willing to serve have the full and equal
opportunity to do so, the secretary said.
“And we must start from a position of
inclusivity, not exclusivity,” he added.
“Anything less is not just wrong. It’s bad
defense policy, and it puts our future
strength at risk.”
Developing the military’s future lead-
ers, innovators and strategists also re-
quires the Defense Department to be
inclusive, Carter said.
“While we don’t know who they’ll be
or what they’ll look like, we do know they
could come from anywhere,” he said. “It
takes decades to grow our senior military
leaders, and today, we can’t afford to close
ourselves off to anyone. As we remind
ourselves how diversity and inclusion
help make us stronger, we must also
remember another reason why they’re
important: because they’re part of our
national character.”
Gay and lesbian service members who
once desired to serve openly were not
aberrant or counter to the ideals that the
U.S. military has always defended, Carter
said. Those ideals are the same ones
enshrined in the nation’s founding docu-
ments, he said — “the belief that we’re all
created equal, endowed with unalienable
rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of
happiness.”
Diversity, inclusion critical to force of future
By Terry Moon Cronk
DoD News, Defense Media Activity
AmericanWateriscontinuingitsannual
Water Main Flushing Program.
The purpose of the program is to
provide the best quality water available to
customers by removing any buildup of
sediment that may have occurred in the
water lines.
Flushing may result in some temporary
discolorationandthepresenceofsediment
in the water. These conditions are not
harmful and should be of very short
duration.
During the hours between 8 a.m. and 4
p.m.,limityouruseofwatertohelpprevent
discolored water reaching service lines to
your residence.
If you notice an increase in discolored
water at your residence, flush all faucets
inside for15 minutes. If the water does not
clear up, contact the Water Treatment
Plant at 443-591-0909.
This number is monitored daily — 24/7
— 365 days a year.
Areasthatmaybeaffectedfromplanned
flushing from Monday through July10 are:
• Rock Avenue
• Redmond Road
• Leonard Wood Avenue between
Broadfoot Road and Rock Avenue
• Doyle Court
• Redwood Road
• Wright Avenue
• Bamford Court
• Varney Road
• Morrison Street
• Roberts Avenue
• Buck Road
• Parsons Road
• Wilson Street
• Huber Road
Streets adjacent to Rock Avenue and
Huber Road may see a temporary change
in their water during flushing activities.
Signs will be posted ahead of any
flushing activities to notify customers.
Water main flushing through next week](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/soundoffjune252015-150625161347-lva1-app6891/85/Soundoff-June-25-2015-5-320.jpg)
![12 NEWS THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2015 | SOUNDOFF!
In the U.S. Army, the German Armed
ForcesProficiencyBadgeisoneofthefew
foreign awards approved for wear.
It is believed to be among the most
sought-after awards to achieve, as wear-
ing the badge is evidence that a Soldier is
both physically and morally fit — and
earning it is not easy.
The metallic badge, which is an oval
wreath of oak leaves with a German eagle
in the middle, is known in German as Das
Abzeichen fur Leistungen im Truppen-
dienst and is awarded to German and
allied forces.
Toearnthebadge,Soldiersarerequired
to demonstrate proficiency in seven
different requirements. Among them are
swimming, running, pullup hang, pistol
marksmanship and a ruck march. The
cumulative scores then determine a final
ranking of gold, silver or bronze award.
On June 4, service members at Fort
Meade were afforded the opportunity to
prove themselves worthy of wearing the
GAFPB. Five were Soldiers from the
780th Military Intelligence Brigade and
its subordinate unit, the 781st MI Battal-
ion.
Thecompetitionwasbrokendowninto
two parts. The first was held at Fort
Meade; the second, final portion will be
theruckmarchandawardceremonytobe
held Sept. 21in and around Reston, Va.
Prior to beginning the physical portion,
participating Soldiers were required to
submit a Soldier evaluation report from
their first sergeants recognizing the Sol-
dier’s physical and moral standards.
Soldiers also had to show proof of a
current Combat Lifesaver Course certifi-
cate, or score not less than 70 percent on a
written test taken on site.
The physical portion at Fort Meade
consisted of a three-part basic fitness test,
which combined three events conducted
in sequence within 90 minutes: the
11x10-meter sprint test, flexed arm hang
and a 1,000-meter run; a swim test,
conducted in Army combat uniform
(without boots) while wearing a bathing
suit underneath; a Chemical Biological
Radiological Nuclear Explosive Mission-
Oriented Protective Posture Test, in
which Soldiers demonstrated they could
properly don a protective mask and all
CBRNE protective clothing; and German
pistol qualification.
Intheswimtest,participantsswam100
meters in a four-minute time limit.
Directly after the swim, and without
holding on to the edge of the pool, the
swimmer had to remove the ACU in deep
water without support and toss the
uniform out of the water to pass.
This seemed to be the most difficult
task for most competitors.
Despite preparation, several Soldiers
failed at the swim test, including Pfc.
Antonio Camacho, HHC, 781st MI, who
did not let that discourage him from
completing the rest of the tests.
“I did prepare myself for the events.
However, the psychological part was
harder than I thought,” he said. “Although
this was not an actual competition, since
there are no first or second or whatever
places, the fact that you are there with
people way more fit, younger and with
moreexperiencethanyou,madeitharder.
“The swimming part was the hardest,
as I knew it would be. It was the most
demanding challenge and where people
fail the most. And after that fail, keeping
the morale was an additional challenge.”
Pfc.RodolfoLara,ACompany,781stMI
— a more experienced swimmer — said
his most difficult experience was with the
run.
“Even with my training the GAFPB
proved to be a little difficult,” he said. “It
was only because I was still shy about 15
seconds from the [run] time I wanted to
attain in training. But at the end, when it
was the day of the event, I got the time
that I wanted.
“I participated to test myself and see
that I am capable of attaining an award
such as the GAFPB, and my company
supported my decision. On the day of the
GAFPB, both my first sergeant and a
sergeant first class — who’s mentored me
since I’ve gotten to Fort Meade — came
out to support me, which was a great
feeling having more people out there
cheering us on.”
Despite experience or rank, the overall
sentimentwasthattheparticipantswould
do it again and recommend others take
the opportunity as well.
“This is my first time at an event like
this, but definitely not my last,” Lara said.
“I would recommend this to any Soldier
looking to test their endurance.”
InAugust,competitorswillhaveanoth-
er opportunity to retake the swim test.
“This was my very first experience in a
challenge like this,” Camacho said. “I was
invited many times before, but I was
afraid of failing so I didn’t try it earlier.
Now that I did try, I’m glad I did since I
feel more confident of what I can
accomplish physically.
“I would definitely do it again. I’m
already looking forward to August and
kill[ing] that swim part.”
780th MI Soldiers aim for coveted badge
By Tina Miles
Public Affairs Office
780th MI Brigade
Spc. James Lovell, HHC, 780th Military Intelligence Brigade, puts on protective clothing during the Chemical Biological Radiological
Nuclear Explosive Mission-Oriented Protective Posture Test on June 4 at Fort Meade. During the test, a requirement to earn the
German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge, Soldiers must demonstrate they could properly don a protective mask and all CBRNE
protective clothing.
PHOTO BY TINA MILES](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/soundoffjune252015-150625161347-lva1-app6891/85/Soundoff-June-25-2015-8-320.jpg)
Uploaded byftmeade
Soundoff June 25, 2015
This document summarizes upcoming community events at Fort Meade and discusses two organizations that support leadership development: the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club and the Fort Meade Vacation Bible School program. The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club recognizes outstanding enlisted service members, and Fort Meade will host its first induction board in August. The Vacation Bible School program is seeking adult volunteers to supervise children during the week-long program in August. Background checks are required for all volunteers.
More Related Content
Soundoff June 25, 2015
- 1. ´ PUBLISHED IN THEINTEREST OF THE FORT MEADE COMMUNITY THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2015 | 67th Year Number 25 FTMEADE.ARMY.MIL PHOTO BY PFC. CHRYSTOPHER GAINES/ FFiirrsstt rreessppoonnssee Pvt. Quanell Carter, assigned to 55th Signal Company (Combat Camera), takes cover during an “ambush” as part of the Combat Camera First Responders Program on May 28 at Gunpowder Military Reservation in Glen Arm, Md. The program also helps Soldiers learn to apply first aid to the wounded. EMBRACING DIVERSITY DoD officials mark LGBT Pride Month PAGE 6 Today, 4:30-6 p.m.: Facebook town hall - facebook.com/ftmeade Monday,10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: Cooking Matters tour - Commissary Wednesday,10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Fort Meade Farmers’ Market - The Pavilion July 2, 4 p.m.: Red, White & Blue Celebration - McGlachlin Parade Field UPCOMING EVENTS ASKING FOR HELP Vacation Bible School staff seeks volunteers PAGE 3
- 2. 2 NEWS THURSDAY,JUNE 25, 2015 | SOUNDOFF! ´ EDITORIAL STAFF Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Rodwell L. Forbes Public Affairs Officer Chad T. Jones 301-677-1301 Chad.T.Jones.civ@mail.mil Chief, Command Information Philip H. Jones 301-677-5602 Philip.H.Jones.civ@mail.mil Editor Dijon Rolle 301-677-6806 Dijon.N.Rolle.civ@mail.mil Assistant Editor & Senior Writer Rona S. Hirsch 301-677-1438 rhirsch@tribpub.com Staff Writer Lisa R. Rhodes 301-677-1432 lrhodes@tribpub.com Staff Writer Alan H. Feiler 301-677-5159 alanfeiler03@gmail.com Design Coordinator Timothy Davis 301-677-1431 trdavis@tribpub.com Supplemental photography provided by The Baltimore Sun Media Group DEADLINES Community notices Friday, noon Dijon.N.Rolle.civ@mail.mil CIRCULATION If you would like information about receiving Soundoff! on Fort Meade or are experi- encing 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 Sun- day, 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 en- dorsement by the Department of the Army of the products or services advertised. Guaranteed circulation: 11,285 ftmeade.army.mil or ftmeadesoundoff.com Like Fort Meade on Facebook at facebook.com/ftmeade Follow Fort Meade on Twitter at twitter.com/ftmeademd View the Flickr photostream at flickr.com/photos/ftmeade Get text alerts from Fort Meade by texting “Follow FortMeade” to 40404 And view the Fort Meade Live Blog at ftmeade.armylive.dodlive.mil ADVERTISING General Inquiries 410-332-6300 advertise@baltsun.com Death Notices: 410-332-6781 deathnotices@patuxent.com Greetings, Team Meade. First of all, I would like to say Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers serving at Fort Meade. I hope you had a wonderful day and were able to spend time with your loved ones. This month I want to focus on organizations helping to build and support our leaders, both present and future. Have you heard of the Ser- geant Audie Murphy Club? This is a private U.S. Army organiza- tion for enlisted noncommis- sioned officers. NCOs,fromtherankofcorporaltofirst sergeant, whose leadership achieve- ments and performance merit special recognition, can earn an opportunity to join the ranks of this prestigious organi- zation. Members must “exemplify leadership characterized by personal concern for the needs, training, development, and welfare of Soldiers and concern for families of Soldiers (U.S. Army Forces Command Regulation 600-8, paragraph 1).” On Friday, the Military District of Washington inducted seven NCOs into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club. We have established an SAMC at Fort Meade to ensure that we also have this tremen- dous opportunity to recognize stellar Soldiers who have set themselves apart from their peers. In fact, Fort Meade will host its first SAMC board Aug. 6. If you would like more information or have already been inducted into SAMC, call1st Sgt. Kenneth Farley at 301-677-0178 and we will start coordinating some events to better serve the community. I’d also like to recognize some of our young leaders in the making. On Monday we conducted a hiring fair for teens wanting to work in the commissary as baggers as part of the “Summer Hire Program.” The fair was a huge success and we were able to hire 25 young people. Thank you par- ents for allowing your children to take advantage of this valu- able opportunity. It’s one that can help them build their communication and customer service skills, both of which are important for effec- tive leadership. Finally, we look forward to celebrating Independence Day with everyone this year. Fort Meade is scheduled to host its annual “Red, White and Blue Celebration” on July 2 from 4 to 10 p.m. at McGlachlin Parade Field. Please take the time to thank our service members for committing them- selves to serve this great nation. Here are some safety tips to consider if you and your family are planning to attend the event. Due to the large number of people expected to attend, it is crucial that families focus on child safety and meet- up plans. • Families should consider wearing unique identifiable colors; hold hands at all times; and/or buddy up. • A good way of ensuring you are contactedifyourchildislostinacrowdis to have your child wear a beaded bracelet with your contact information or con- sider getting an ID bracelet or something similar. • Determine a time and place to meet iffamilymembersbecomeseparated,and make sure your child knows to find a police officer if he or she gets lost in a crowd. Thanks for all that you do, day in and day out. On behalf of the Forbes family, we wish you a blessed and fruitful stay or visit to Fort Meade. COMMANDER’S COLUMN Building great leaders Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Rodwell L. Forbes Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley has an open door policy. All service members, retirees, government employees, family members and 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. Commander’s Open Door
- 3. SOUNDOFF! | THURSDAY,JUNE 25, 2015 NEWS 3 Every year Fort Meade’s Religious Support Office sponsors Vacation Bible School, a weeklong Christian religious education program for youth. This year, the program is seeking adult volunteersage18andoldertoworkascrew leadersinsupervisingupto220childrenin the program. “Volunteers are very critical,” said Marcia Eastland, Protestant Religious Ed- ucation coordinator and organizer of VBS. “Our chapel youth-related programs would dry up without volunteers.” VBS will be held Aug. 3-7 from 9 a.m. to noonatArgonneHillsChapelCenter.This year’s theme is “Weird Animals: Where Jesus’ Love is One-of-a-Kind.” Eastland is seeking about 25 adult crew leaders to supervise children from age 4 through fifth grade as they engage in different activities as part of the weeklong program. Activities include arts and crafts, music, games and Bible study lessons. Prospective volunteers must undergo a series of background checks and finger- printing procedures before working with the children. Eastland provides the paperwork for background checks conducted by the Directorate of Emergency Services, the Criminal Investigation Division, Army Substance Abuse Program, and Kim- brough Ambulatory Care Center’s Social Work Services. Background checks also are conducted by Anne Arundel County and the state of Maryland. The Motor Vehicle Administration per- forms the fingerprinting. Prospective vol- unteers can schedule an appointment for fingerprinting at the MVA in Glen Burnie, Salisbury, Waldorf, Frederick and Bel Air and at the Criminal Justice Information System headquarters in Reisterstown. The garrison pays the costs of finger- printing for volunteers who present the RSO account number at the MVA. East- land provides the RSO account number and the MVA telephone number to schedule the appointment. If prospective volunteers have under- gone a background check for Child, Youth and School Services and have been ap- proved, they do not have to undergo a second check for VBS. However, CYSS must send its paperwork to Eastland. Volunteers who have an approved backgroundcheckforotherpositionsmust still undergo the VBS background check. TheVBSbackgroundcheckprocesscan take up to10 days. Deanna Wehrman, wife of retired Master Sgt. Paul Wehrman, has been a volunteer crew member with VBS for five years. A member of the historic Main Post Chapel, Wehrman said she volunteers each summer because she loves children. “It’s really a lot of fun,” she said. “They [the children] know you care about them because you get involved in the activities. It’s a good feeling.” Wehrman, who works with children ages 3 and 4, said that VBS is an important religious activity for youth. “It gives them something to do other than watching television,” she said. Wehrmansaidadultswhoaremembers of any of the post chapels should consider becoming a volunteer. “They need to get involved,” she said. “Thechildrenareourfutureandtheyneed to know about God.” The deadline to apply as a VBS volunteer is July 2. To apply, call Eastland at 301-677-0386. “Theonlyrequirementistohaveagreat time!” Eastland said. Vacation Bible School seeks volunteers By Lisa R. Rhodes Staff Writer Children make arts and crafts during Vacation Bible School last year at Argonne Hills Chapel Center. FILE PHOTO should text “follow FtMeadeAlert” to 40404. 40404 is the short code, or abbreviated phone number, that U.S. cellphone carri- ers use to identify Twitter for text messaging. In some cases, Fort Meade users have reported unsolicited messages sent to their phones from the number 40404. This is because the short code allows users to receive text messages from any Twitterprofilejustbytexting“follow”and the profile name to 40404. TheFortMeadegarrisonhasharnessed the power of social media to alert the community of changes in operating status due to emergencies or severe weather. Launched in late 2011, Fort Meade Alert is a Twitter-based service that sends text alerts to a subscriber’s cellphone without requiring a Twitter account. Individuals who wish to subscribe Users should always verify the source of any message by checking for the sender’snameprecededbyan“@”symbol at the start of each message. For example, Fort Meade hosts two distinct profiles: @FtMeadeAlert and @FtMeadeMD. Users have three options to stop receiving unsolicited messages. To “un- follow” another user, text “unfollow username” (without the @ symbol) to 40404. If users don’t want to “unfollow” the sender completely, but only wish to stop receiving text updates, the other options are to text “leave” or “off,” followed by the username. (Example: off username or leave username). Standard text messaging rates apply to anyone receiving text alerts. However, there is no cost to Fort Meade to offer this service. Fort Meade offers many other social media venues to bring you the latest news and information. To view them all, see the “connect with us” section at the top of ftmeade.army.mil. Service provides weather, emergency alerts by phone By Steve Ellmore New Media Manager Public Affairs Office FACEBOOK TOWN HALL Tonight 4:30-6 p.m. Facebook.com/ftmeade Text FOLLOW FTMEADEALERT to 40404 to sign up for news alerts on your mobile phone
- 4. 4 NEWS THURSDAY,JUNE 25, 2015 | SOUNDOFF! “The bicycle is a curious vehicle,” American-born Olympic cyclist John Howard once suggested. “Its passenger is its engine.” That may be true, but the chances for injury and catastrophe increase greatly without knowledge of the laws and regulations regarding bike safety as well as a healthy dose of common sense, said Lt. Daniel P. Schismenos, traffic chief and officer-in-charge with the Fort Meade Police Department. “It’s summertime; there’ll be a lot of kids on bikes not wearing helmets or brightlycoloredclothing,”hesaid.“We’re going to say, ‘You’ve got to do this.’ We’re not harassing people; we’re trying to look out for people. We like safety at Fort Meade.” Schismenos said Fort Meade follows — andsometimesexceeds—Marylandstate lawsregardingtrafficsafety.Forexample, he said, the installation requires helmets to be worn by bicyclists of all ages, rather than only minors as mandated by state law. Fort Meade’s regulation is in accord- ance with Policy 190-5 set by the Depart- ment of the Army and the Department of Defense, he said. “If you get hit by a car, it’s not your leg injury that will make you die but your head injury,” Schismenos said. “If you’re not wearing a helmet, you probably are not going to have a great chance for survival.” He strongly urged adults, particularly parents, to always wear helmets while riding a bicycle, particularly in front of children. “You’re the role model and example,” Schismenos said. Healsosaidadultsarenotpermittedto ride their bikes on sidewalks on post unless they are dismounted or have a flat tire. Children are permitted to ride on sidewalks and streets. Schismenos said bicyclists, like anyone driving a vehicle, are required to follow the rules of the road, particularly regard- ing traffic lights and regulatory signs. He said motorists and bicyclists are requiredtomaintainapproximately3feet of space from each other. Bikes must have a working headlight and reflector. In addition, bicyclists are required to wear light-colored clothing at all times. Bicyclists are not permitted to use hand-held devices or be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while operating a bike, Schismenos said. “Driving a bike while impaired, you could hurt yourself or someone else. You could make a car swerve off the road or strike someone,” he said. “When you’re on a bicycle, you’re in a vehicle. People don’t always think of it that way, but it’s true.” Bicyclists should always remain on the far right side of the lane; ride in a single file rather than in tandem with other bikes; never double up on passengers; never ride against traffic; avoid riding on especially hot or cold days or when there is inclement weather; and refrain from weaving in and out of lanes, he said. Schismenos said bicyclists should re- member to use hand signals when making turns. “A lot of times people don’t know what a bicyclist will do,” he said, adding that cyclists should also remember to use crosswalks. Schismenosencouragedbicyclists—as well as pedestrians and runners — to use the recently dedicated Sally Port/Pepper Road gate entrance to Fort Meade, which has free bike lockers and signage specifi- cally geared toward cyclists. Fort Meade employees can park in the MARC station parking lot near the gate. The Pepper Road gate, which is close to the MARC station and Odenton Town Center, is open Mondays through Fridays from 6 a.m. to1:30 p.m. Noncommercial vehicles are not au- thorized to access this gate. Bicyclists can access the gate 24/7 using the Sally Port entrance. Fort Meade employees who ride their bikes to work and are Common Access Cardholderscanobtainapassforthegate at the Directorate of Emergency Services by calling 301-677-6607. “We want people to bicycle to work,” Schismenos said. “We have limited park- ing here [on post] as it is. If there are bike racks outside of your [office] building, ride a bike. I understand not during winter. But during summer, spring and fall, why not ride a bike?” While bicyclists must take special safety precautions, Schismenos said car andtruckdriversmustbemindfulaswell. He suggested keeping a distance from cyclists and ensuring there are no bikes around when making a turn. Also, motorists should be cautious before opening car doors. “Motorists always need to remember that there are bicyclists out there,” he said. “It all boils down to safety and just using common sense.” Editor’s note: For more information about bicycling on Fort Meade, visit the Fort Meade Police Department’s Facebook pageathttps://www.facebook.com/pages/ Fort-Meade-Police-Depart- ment/110100065756249. Rules of the Road: Obeying bike safety laws By Alan H. Feiler Staff Writer Fort Meade requires helmets to be worn by bicyclists of all ages, rather than only minors as mandated by state law. The in- stallation’s regulation is in accordance with Policy 190-5 set by the Department of the Army and the Department of Defense. FILE PHOTO
- 5. 6 NEWS THURSDAY,JUNE 25, 2015 | SOUNDOFF! Embracing diversity and inclusion is critical to recruiting and retaining the force of the future, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said at the Pentagon’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month event June 9. Department of Defense officials have recognized June as LGBT Pride Month. Speaking at the fourth annual cele- bration since the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that prohibited homo- sexuals from serving openly in the military, the secretary said the DoD must bediverse,openandtoleranttoattractthe best and brightest people to the national defensemission,garneringapplausefrom military and civilian leaders and White House representatives in the Pentagon auditorium. The 2011 repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” followed years of gay and lesbian service members having to hide who they were, Carter said. “Today,” he said, “we take pride in how they’refreetoservetheircountryopenly.” DoD believes no one should serve in silence and everyone should be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve, Carter said, noting the department has made a “lasting commitment to living the values we defend.” The Defense Department must be a meritocracy, the secretary said. “We have to focus relentlessly on the mission, which means the thing that matters most about a person is what they can contribute to it,” he said. It is a commitment that the Defense Department must continually renew, the secretary said. “And that’s why today I’m proud to announce that the Department of De- fense has completed the process for updating its military equal opportunity policy to include sexual orientation, ensuringthatthedepartment,liketherest of the federal government, treats sexual orientation-based discrimination the same way it treats discrimination based on race, religion, color, sex, age and national origin,” Carter said to an ap- plauding audience. Emphasizing that he is “very proud” of the work the military services have put into the policy in the last several months, Carter said “discrimination of any kind has no place in America’s armed forces.” Carter noted that Defense Department officials work hard to ensure everyone receives the benefits to which they are entitled. “We have been, and remain, strongly committed to making sure that all our military families and spouses can fully and equally receive the benefits their loved ones have earned, from Tricare [militaryhealthplan]coveragetohousing allowances to side-by-side burial at Ar- lington [National Cemetery],” he said. Recognizing that DoD’s openness to diversity is what has allowed it to be the best, everyone in the department must ensure that those who are able and willing to serve have the full and equal opportunity to do so, the secretary said. “And we must start from a position of inclusivity, not exclusivity,” he added. “Anything less is not just wrong. It’s bad defense policy, and it puts our future strength at risk.” Developing the military’s future lead- ers, innovators and strategists also re- quires the Defense Department to be inclusive, Carter said. “While we don’t know who they’ll be or what they’ll look like, we do know they could come from anywhere,” he said. “It takes decades to grow our senior military leaders, and today, we can’t afford to close ourselves off to anyone. As we remind ourselves how diversity and inclusion help make us stronger, we must also remember another reason why they’re important: because they’re part of our national character.” Gay and lesbian service members who once desired to serve openly were not aberrant or counter to the ideals that the U.S. military has always defended, Carter said. Those ideals are the same ones enshrined in the nation’s founding docu- ments, he said — “the belief that we’re all created equal, endowed with unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Diversity, inclusion critical to force of future By Terry Moon Cronk DoD News, Defense Media Activity AmericanWateriscontinuingitsannual Water Main Flushing Program. The purpose of the program is to provide the best quality water available to customers by removing any buildup of sediment that may have occurred in the water lines. Flushing may result in some temporary discolorationandthepresenceofsediment in the water. These conditions are not harmful and should be of very short duration. During the hours between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.,limityouruseofwatertohelpprevent discolored water reaching service lines to your residence. If you notice an increase in discolored water at your residence, flush all faucets inside for15 minutes. If the water does not clear up, contact the Water Treatment Plant at 443-591-0909. This number is monitored daily — 24/7 — 365 days a year. Areasthatmaybeaffectedfromplanned flushing from Monday through July10 are: • Rock Avenue • Redmond Road • Leonard Wood Avenue between Broadfoot Road and Rock Avenue • Doyle Court • Redwood Road • Wright Avenue • Bamford Court • Varney Road • Morrison Street • Roberts Avenue • Buck Road • Parsons Road • Wilson Street • Huber Road Streets adjacent to Rock Avenue and Huber Road may see a temporary change in their water during flushing activities. Signs will be posted ahead of any flushing activities to notify customers. Water main flushing through next week
- 6. 8 NEWS THURSDAY,JUNE 25, 2015 | SOUNDOFF! It’s at the bowling alley where Kirk M. Fechter, Fort Meade’s safety director, joins forces regularly with his son Airman 1st Class Kirk Gabriel Fechter of the 70th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnais- sance Wing. But not on the lanes. Most Thursday nights, the Fechters can be found at The Lanes at Fort Meade for “Trivia Night” competitions. Recently, their team emerged victorious when the younger Fechter, whose father calls him Gabe, identified British actress Helen Mirren as the star of the recent film “Woman In Gold.” “He was the only one who knew it,” Kirk gushed with paternal pride. Recalling another tournament, he boasted, “We both knew that the Russian Orthodox Church is the official church of Russia.” Father’s Day was particularly special this year for the Fechters. For the first time since Gabe was a toddler, the father and son live in the same geographic region. Four months ago, Gabe, 27, a language analyst who joined the Air Force in 2013, was reassigned to Fort Meade — much to his father’s delight. “Ialwaysknewitwasapossibility,even beforeIwenttobasictraining,”saidGabe, who lives on post. “But I didn’t really know it would happen until last August. I wanted to be here, mainly for Dad.” Learning that his son would be relocat- ing here meant that Kirk, who came to Fort Meade eight years ago, needed to start conducting some serious research. “I really had to go to work and find out where in the area all the good Korean restaurants and used bookstores are located that he would like,” he said. Nowadays,theFechtersmeetuponcea weekforlunchattheFreedomInnDining Facility and at the bowling alley. They’ve also run into each other a couple of times on post. “I’m very proud of him and I love him,” Kirk said. “I’m so happy to have him around. It’s fantastic. I’m very proud that hehassuchanimportantjobthatrequires technical expertise and attention to de- tail.” Although the elder Fechter has an outgoing personality while Gabe tends to be more reserved, the two men — both of whom are not currently married — share a number of similar interests. For exam- ple, both are proficient or fairly con- versant in several languages, including the classical ones. “I’m better in ancient Greek, while he’s better in Latin,” Kirk said. Both also love reading books, listening to popular music and participating in rigorous intellectual discussions. “He comes over and looks through all my books,” said Kirk, 62, a Seattle native wholivesinColumbiaandhasthreeother children and four grandchildren. But that doesn’t mean all of their conversations are high-minded. “He usually asks, ‘How was your weekend?’ Then we might go a little deeper,” Gabe said. “He likes to talk a lot. When I was younger, he was more exhausting. But I appreciate it now.” His father compares their conversa- tions to a dinner buffet. “We’ll talk and talk, and we’ll have a little smattering of this and then a smattering of that,” Kirk said. “It’s great.” Gabe admits that his father’s 29-year Army service heavily influenced his own decision to join the military. He recalled going as a youngster with his dad to the latter’s Reserve unit duty. “Ifelt,‘Yeah,thisissomethingIwantto do,’ ” said Gabe, whose mother Joanna Fechter lives in Florida and is a former Army officer. Kirk and Gabe say they are thoroughly enjoying their status as a father and son who work on the same military in- stallation. Kirk noted that when his son first arrived at Fort Meade, Gabe worked for a short while at the Demps Visitor Control Center, which meant both of them at the time worked for the garrison. “Being in the same unit, that’s kind of rare,” Kirk said. When visiting his father at garrison headquarters, Gabe said, Kirk’s col- leagues often joke around and ask if his dad is the smartest person on post. “I tell them, ‘Well, I think he’s probably one of the smartest,’ “ he said. “I’m a very technical and exact person.” On Father’s Day, Gabe went over his dad’shouseandhelpedhimstraightenup. Kirk confesses to being a bit of a pack rat. “I’ve got a lot of stuff,” Kirk said. “It all accumulates after a while.” The Fechters later dropped by an Outback Steakhouse for a father-and-son lunch. Recently, Kirk took Gabe to one of his favorite haunts, the Cancun Cantina in Hanover, where Kirk often indulges in country line dancing. (For the record, Gabe said he doesn’t dance.) “I used to drive nine hours from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to Florida on Thanksgiving just to see him,” Kirk said. “ButnowIcanseehimanytime.Ienjoyed it immensely and am very glad that he lives nearby.” Fechter family ties Kirk M. Fechter, Fort Meade’s safety director, and his son Airman 1st Class Kirk Gabriel Fechter of the 70th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing spent Father’s Day this year at a local Outback Steakhouse. PHOTO BY ALAN H. FEILER Father and son enjoy serving together on Fort Meade By Alan H. Feiler Staff Writer
- 7. 10 NEWS THURSDAY,JUNE 25, 2015 | SOUNDOFF! ▲▲ ▲▲ ▲▲▲ ▲▲ ▲ Summer's for Everyone @ HCC! Summer's for Everyone @ HCC! howardcc.edu u Earn college credit in as little as 5 weeks u Sharpen your skills or enhance your credentials u Explore a personal interest Register NOW for credit course that fit your schedule. Classes fill fast – register TODAY! Courses and programs for kids, seniors, and everyone in betweennn. es Duringthesummermonths,manypeople start a new diet or hit the gym with the goal of dropping a few pounds. At a seminar presented June 9, Allison Smith, the project lead for Fort Meade’s Army Wellness Center, discussed how proper nutrition and exercise can boost a person’s metabolism and lead to healthy weight loss. The 45-minute seminar, part of Kim- brough Ambulatory Care Center’s monthly Lunch and Learn series, was held at Kimbrough’s Rascon Center. A small gathering of civilians and Kim- brough employees attended the event. “I think it’s great and I’d like to come more often,” said Barbara Linnenburg, a retired military dependent who lives in Potomac Place. “It never hurts to learn more.” In the PowerPoint presentation, “Upping YourMetabolism,”Smithdiscussedthemost common barriers to good health and well- ness. She also addressed the services that AWC provides to help the Fort Meade community prevent chronic disease and maintain a healthy weight. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2013 every state in the nation had an obesity prevalence greater than 20 percent — and 20 states had an obesity prevalence greater than or equal to 30 percent. “We’re very busy with technology, but we’re not getting out enough and exercis- ing,” Smith said. During the presentation, she also pointed toexamplesofhigh-caloriemealsatpopular restaurants. For example, the bistro shrimp pasta at the Cheesecake Factory is 3,120 calories. “One pound of fat is equal to 3,500 calories,” Smith said. “A lot of calories we don’t recognize that we are consuming.” Along with consuming too many calories, Smithsaid,mostpeopledonotengageinthe recommended amount of daily activity or exercise. For example, most health experts recom- mend that people take at least 10,000 steps per day — or walk 5 miles daily. The average American only takes about 3,000 to 4,000 steps per day, Smith said. “Our body doesn’t know we’re in the 21st century,”shesaid.“Attheturnofthecentury, people worked hard to put food on the table.” A century ago, many Americans worked on farms, harvesting crops and tending to livestock. All required a good amount of physical activity. “We’re not moving the way we did in the past,” Smith said. To lose weight, people must burn more calories than they consume. To burn calo- ries, Smith said people must increase their metabolism, which is defined as the calories that are needed to keep the body’s systems going. AWC provides metabolic testing to help people determine their personal metabolic rate and achieve their health goals. Themetabolictestincludesmeasuringan individual’s resting metabolic rate, which is the amount of calories required for the body’s vital functions, and measuring body fat percentage through a body composition analysis. With this information, AWC’s health educators can determine which lifestyle changes are needed and how much daily exercise will result in a weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds per week. This is considered to be a healthy way to lose weight. Smith said there are several simple ways to increase metabolism. (See sidebar below.) “Anyofthesechangesinyourlifestylewill result in positive outcomes for your health,” she said. Smith invited audience members to scheduleanappointmentatAWCtoachieve their health goals. One participant who requested anonym- ity, a retired military dependent who lives in Patriot Ridge, said the seminar was helpful. “I wanted to learn more about the Army Wellness Center and what they offer,” she said. “I will look into the metabolic testing and work with AWC for the accountability.” Editor’s note: For more information about the Army Wellness Center, call 301-677-2006. Seminar focuses on tips for healthy weight loss By Lisa R. Rhodes Staff Writer June18, Larceny of private property: The vic- tim stated that his wife’s iPhone 6 was stolen from his locker at Gaffney Fitness Center. June 19, Shoplifting: An unknown female scannedtwoitemsatthecommissaryandleftthe self-checkout lane without paying and exited the store. June 19, Shoplifting: The subject went into the dressing room at the Exchange holding a set of earrings. When the subject departed the room, she no longer had the earrings in her hands. Loss prevention personnel went into the dressing room and found an empty plastic container that the earrings were in. Personnel then stopped the subjectaftershepassedthroughthefinalpointof purchase without rendering payment for the earrings. June 21, Shoplifting: Police were notified of a shoplifter who had fled the Exchange. Investiga- tion revealed that an unknown male had fled the Exchange without making payment after being observedconcealingpropertybyAAFESsecurity personnel. June 21, Assault: Police were notified of a pos- sible physical domestic incident. Investigation revealedthatSubject1threwaglassbottleatSub- ject 2, striking him in the head. Subject 2 then struck Subject1on the head, leaving a laceration. COMMUNITY CRIME WATCH Fort Meade Directorate of Emergency Services For week of June 15-21: • Moving violations: 18 • Nonmoving violations: 1 • Verbal warnings for traffic stops: 16 • Traffic accidents: 7 • Driving on suspended license: 0 • Driving on suspended registration: 0 • Driving without a license: 0 Allison Smith, project lead for Fort Meade’s Army Wellness Center, offers the following suggestions for increasing metabolism: • Eat breakfast. • Eat healthy foods often. • Control food portions. • Reduce unhealthy fats. • Get seven to eight hours of sleep each night. • Move more: Exercise a minimum of 30 minutes five days a week. • Build muscle: Engage in resistance training two to three days a week. • Leverage technology: Schedule time with- out the cellphone or iPad and get active. INCREASING YOUR METABOLISM
- 8. 12 NEWS THURSDAY,JUNE 25, 2015 | SOUNDOFF! In the U.S. Army, the German Armed ForcesProficiencyBadgeisoneofthefew foreign awards approved for wear. It is believed to be among the most sought-after awards to achieve, as wear- ing the badge is evidence that a Soldier is both physically and morally fit — and earning it is not easy. The metallic badge, which is an oval wreath of oak leaves with a German eagle in the middle, is known in German as Das Abzeichen fur Leistungen im Truppen- dienst and is awarded to German and allied forces. Toearnthebadge,Soldiersarerequired to demonstrate proficiency in seven different requirements. Among them are swimming, running, pullup hang, pistol marksmanship and a ruck march. The cumulative scores then determine a final ranking of gold, silver or bronze award. On June 4, service members at Fort Meade were afforded the opportunity to prove themselves worthy of wearing the GAFPB. Five were Soldiers from the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade and its subordinate unit, the 781st MI Battal- ion. Thecompetitionwasbrokendowninto two parts. The first was held at Fort Meade; the second, final portion will be theruckmarchandawardceremonytobe held Sept. 21in and around Reston, Va. Prior to beginning the physical portion, participating Soldiers were required to submit a Soldier evaluation report from their first sergeants recognizing the Sol- dier’s physical and moral standards. Soldiers also had to show proof of a current Combat Lifesaver Course certifi- cate, or score not less than 70 percent on a written test taken on site. The physical portion at Fort Meade consisted of a three-part basic fitness test, which combined three events conducted in sequence within 90 minutes: the 11x10-meter sprint test, flexed arm hang and a 1,000-meter run; a swim test, conducted in Army combat uniform (without boots) while wearing a bathing suit underneath; a Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Explosive Mission- Oriented Protective Posture Test, in which Soldiers demonstrated they could properly don a protective mask and all CBRNE protective clothing; and German pistol qualification. Intheswimtest,participantsswam100 meters in a four-minute time limit. Directly after the swim, and without holding on to the edge of the pool, the swimmer had to remove the ACU in deep water without support and toss the uniform out of the water to pass. This seemed to be the most difficult task for most competitors. Despite preparation, several Soldiers failed at the swim test, including Pfc. Antonio Camacho, HHC, 781st MI, who did not let that discourage him from completing the rest of the tests. “I did prepare myself for the events. However, the psychological part was harder than I thought,” he said. “Although this was not an actual competition, since there are no first or second or whatever places, the fact that you are there with people way more fit, younger and with moreexperiencethanyou,madeitharder. “The swimming part was the hardest, as I knew it would be. It was the most demanding challenge and where people fail the most. And after that fail, keeping the morale was an additional challenge.” Pfc.RodolfoLara,ACompany,781stMI — a more experienced swimmer — said his most difficult experience was with the run. “Even with my training the GAFPB proved to be a little difficult,” he said. “It was only because I was still shy about 15 seconds from the [run] time I wanted to attain in training. But at the end, when it was the day of the event, I got the time that I wanted. “I participated to test myself and see that I am capable of attaining an award such as the GAFPB, and my company supported my decision. On the day of the GAFPB, both my first sergeant and a sergeant first class — who’s mentored me since I’ve gotten to Fort Meade — came out to support me, which was a great feeling having more people out there cheering us on.” Despite experience or rank, the overall sentimentwasthattheparticipantswould do it again and recommend others take the opportunity as well. “This is my first time at an event like this, but definitely not my last,” Lara said. “I would recommend this to any Soldier looking to test their endurance.” InAugust,competitorswillhaveanoth- er opportunity to retake the swim test. “This was my very first experience in a challenge like this,” Camacho said. “I was invited many times before, but I was afraid of failing so I didn’t try it earlier. Now that I did try, I’m glad I did since I feel more confident of what I can accomplish physically. “I would definitely do it again. I’m already looking forward to August and kill[ing] that swim part.” 780th MI Soldiers aim for coveted badge By Tina Miles Public Affairs Office 780th MI Brigade Spc. James Lovell, HHC, 780th Military Intelligence Brigade, puts on protective clothing during the Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Explosive Mission-Oriented Protective Posture Test on June 4 at Fort Meade. During the test, a requirement to earn the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge, Soldiers must demonstrate they could properly don a protective mask and all CBRNE protective clothing. PHOTO BY TINA MILES
- 9. SOUNDOFF! | THURSDAY,JUNE 25, 2015 NEWS 13 American men are at risk for living less healthy and shorter lives than American women. AccordingtotheMen’sHealthNetwork, thisriskmaybea“silenthealthcrisis”inthe UnitedStatesandisalsoonethatwecanact on. There are several reasons that men may beathigherriskforsicknessanddeaththan women. A report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that women are 100 percent more likely to visit the doctor for annual exams and for services tosupport health thanmen. Men are also more likely than women to smoke cigarettes, to die in motor vehicle accidentsandexperienceotherpreventable events. For younger men, much of the difference comes from increased risk- taking and suicide, according to the Men’s HealthNetwork. Men aren’t the only ones affected by these health issues and risks. Since women generallylivelongerthanmen,theycansee their dads, brothers, sons, husbands and friendssufferor die early. Each June, the nation celebrates Men’s Health Month to increase awareness of preventable health issues and encourage early detection and treatment for men and boys. Toreducemen’shealthrisksandidentify and treat any health conditions or diseases early, focuson: • Getting quality sleep, engaging in physical activity andimproving nutrition These are the focus of the Army Medicine’s Performance Triad campaign and are fundamental mechanisms to opti- mize health. • Not smoking and avoiding second- handsmoke • Drinking alcohol only in moderation and finding a designated driver to ensure thatno one drinksanddrives Army Wellness Centers and installation resources such as athletic centers and recreational programs can help make and continue these important changes for health. Taking care of mental and emotional health is also of key importance. Men often experience stress and suffer from depres- sion. They are also less likely to seek help for depression than women and are four timesaslikelytocommitsuicideaswomen. Depression affects overall health and well- beingandshouldn’tbe ignored. To help improve mental and emotional health: • Find ways to de-stress, including maximizing physical activityand sleep. • Talk to a chaplain or health care professional if you are struggling with negative thoughts, excessive worries or hopelessness. • If you have suicidal thoughts or plans for suicide, speak to a chaplain, behavioral health professional, health care provider or member of the chain of command immedi- ately. Get regularhealth exams. • Schedule an appointment to see a health care provider for a checkup at least once peryear. • Go to the exam prepared to share personal medical history including current or past substance use; risk factors for sexually transmitted diseases; diet and exercise habits; and symptoms of depres- sion. • Bring up any questions or concerns about any particular health issues, signs or symptoms with the provider during the exam. Early detection of many conditions or diseasescanleadtoearlytreatmentandcan often reducesuffering or risk of death. To ensure that appropriate preventive screenings are given and to increase chances of finding any health issueearly: • Know the medical history of family and shareit with thehealth careprovider. If a family member was recently diag- nosed with a disease, be sure to update this information with the provider. Knowing family medical history can help the pro- vider identify any screenings that might be of special importance. • Keep any follow-up screening ap- pointments thattheprovider recommends. Screenings like colonoscopies, blood pressure checks and blood tests are all important parts of prevention and early detection of illness and disease. Women are in a unique position to help men overcome barriers they face in getting health care and in detecting potential health risks or diseases early. Men can be supported through positive encourage- ment and letting them know it is a sign of strengthtopreventandaddresshealthrisks or conditions. Menandwomencanbothhelpboysand teens develop these habits early in life, which is thebest course of prevention. For more information on how to make healthy lifestyle choices, obtain a health exam or seek early screening, contact your primary careprovider. Prevention, early detection can improve men’s health By Lauren A. Shirey Program Evaluator Public Health Command In the wake of a natural disaster, a natural outpouring of gifts to charities usually follows to help the disaster victims who have lost so much. These generous donations are crucial to help the victims get back on track with their lives. Unfortunately, charity scams also pop up after a disaster as unscrupulous individuals seek to profit from the misfortune of others. It is imperative that before you make a donation, you make sure your contri- bution is going to a reputable charitable organization that will use the money for the disaster victims. There are many legitimate charitable organizations to which you may give a donation. However, there are also many scammers who collect for a charity that doesn’t exist, or who use the contribu- tions for a cause different from the one for which you give the donation. These scammers may solicit contri- butions by phone, email, in person or on social networking sites. Before you contribute, you should look to guidance provided by the Federal Trade Commis- sion at http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/ features/feature-0011-charity-scams for how best to evaluate a charity. This website also includes informa- tion on charities that specifically benefit service members, veterans and their families. If you receive an appeal to contribute to support victims of a disaster, do the following: 1. Donate to charities that you know and trust from previous dealings. Becarefulwhenconsideringacharity that seems to have suddenly been created after a current disaster. 2. If you receive a phone call request- ingadonation,inquireastowhetherthe caller is a paid fundraiser, whom the caller works for, and what percentage of the contribution will go to the charity and what percentage will go to the fundraiser. Be wary of vague answers and consider donating to a different charity ifahighpercentageofeachcontribution will be paid to the fundraiser. 3. Never provide financial or personal information such as your bank account number or credit card information unlessyouarepositivethatthecharityis legitimate. 4. Do not send cash to the charity. You will not be able to determine whether the charity actually received the money and you will not have a receipt for income tax purposes. 5. Before giving, research the charity using GuideStar (http://www.guides- tar.org/), the Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.org/us/charity),Char- ity Watch (http://charitywatch.org/), or Charity Navigator (http://www.chari- tynavigator.org/). 6. You may also determine if the charity must be registered in your state by contacting the National Association of State Charity Officials at http:// www.nasconet.org/documents/u-s- charity-offices/. For more information about a charity or if you believe that you have been scammed, contact the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov. To schedule an appointment to speak with an attorney at the Fort Meade Legal Assistance Office, call 301-677- 9504 or 301-677-9536. Be wary of scams involving phony charitable organizations By Jane M. Winand Chief, Legal Assistance Division Find us on Facebook at Facebook.com/ ftmeade
- 10. 14 SPORTS THURSDAY,JUNE 25, 2015 | SOUNDOFF! The Bowie Baysox minor league baseball team held its annual “Fort Meade Appreciation Night” Friday evening at Prince George’s Stadium in Bowie. This year marked the fifth season that the Baysox hosted a “Fort Meade Appreciation Night.” The 2015 event was presented by the United Services Automobile Association. Approximately 2,500 free tickets were distributed in advance of the game to the installation’s service members, retirees and civilian employees. More than 4,500 people attended the game, said Matt Wilson, communications manager for the Baysox. GarrisonCommandSgt.Maj.RodwellL.Forbesthrewoutthegame’sceremonial first pitch. Also throwing out ceremonial pitches at the game were 1st Lt. Katsaitis Angelos and Staff Sgt. Nick Waddell. ANewYorknative,AngelosistheexecutiveofficerattheU.S.ArmySignalCorps Student Detachment. Waddell, a St. Louis native, is a platoon sergeant at the detachment. Master Sgt. Laura Lesche, a vocalist with the U.S. Army Field Band, performed“TheStar-SpangledBanner”priortothegameand“GodBlessAmerica” during the seventh-inning stretch. The Baysox defeated the Trenton Thunder, 5-3. Fireworks were launched after the game. The Baysox are the class-AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles and play in the Eastern League. “TheBaysoxtakegreatprideinsupportingallofthemembersofthemilitaryand theirfamilieslivinginthisarea,”Wilsonsaid.“Weareproudtohavepartneredwith FortMeadethepastfiveseasonstoprovideanenjoyablenightoutforallofthemen and women and their families who live and work on the base. “They deserve the recognition they receive during ‘Fort Meade Appreciation Night’ with the Baysox, and we are always looking for new ways to recognize the numerous local individuals who have served or are serving in the military.” Play Ball! The Bowie Baysox pay tribute to Fort Meade with appreciation night By Alan H. Feiler, Staff Writer Garrison Command Sgt. Maj.Rodwell L. Forbes greets Bowie Baysox pitcher Terry Doyle after throwing out the first pitch. The Baysox, the class-AA affili- ate of the Baltimore Orioles, sponsored "Fort Meade Appreciation Night" on Friday at Prince George’s County Stadium in Bowie. PHOTOS BY DANIEL KUCIN JR. Staff Sgt. Nick Waddell, a platoon sergeant of U.S. Army Signal Corps Stu- dent Detachment, also threw out a ceremonial first pitch before the game. The Defense Information School Joint Service Color Guard performs before the game.
- 11. SOUNDOFF! | THURSDAY,JUNE 25, 2015 SPORTS 15 Howdoyoulikeyournewlook Soundoff!? New styles and a cleaner layout go along with the best command information that tax- payermoney canbuy. As for your weekly dose of Jibber, sure it’s got a souped-up Mercury italic font headline, but astheoldsayinggoes,youcanput lipstick on a pig, but it’s still a pig. Being the first full week of Ramadan, the pig analogy may not be apropos, but you get the gist of what I’m selling: The design of the dose may look more professional, but don’t expectthatproficiencytoleakintoitsprose. But what Jibber may lack in profession- alism or technical proficiency, it makes up for with truth, humor and the occasional video clip. In fact, here’s a clip of José Tabata stealing Max Scherzer’s perfect game on Saturday.read.bi/1Lkgifh I know people are whining and making excuses about why it was terrible that José stole Max’s opportunity to become the 24th pitcher in baseball history to throw a perfect game — a game where the pitcher getseverybatteroutinorder—nowalks,no runner getting on first base because of a wild pitch on a swinging third strike, no hits, andcertainly no-hit batters. The common complaints are that the umpire shouldn’t have given Tabata first base because a hitter can’t lean into a pitch; Joséshouldhavetriedtogetoutoftheway; and most popular, breaking up a perfect game that way is against baseball’s un- written rules — a mysterious code only ball players seemto know. Iwassquarelyinthe“BooTabata”camp, and the incident led to a multihour Hangouts debate, which pitted Claw and me against my brother Sam, who thought there was nothing weak about Tabata taking the pitch except for the fact he had enough body armor on his elbow to stop anything50 caliberand below. In our family feud, the theory is, if Claw and Iagreedon somethingit’strue because weargueabouteverything—from Pythagorean’s theorem bit.ly/1LnAP2z to the weather. Some proofs to our theory include these undeniable facts: The great- ness of frozen pizza, the Michigan Wolverines and Detroit Tigers: Ohio’s stinkiness; Jason Voorhees being the best movie killer ever; andP-Diddybeing ananus. Well, after watching the video of Tabata taking the pitch, I’m here to say that our theorem — I’ll callittheBoog-ClawTheoremfor Debate — has beenproven wrong. Tabata didn’t break any unwritten rule, nor did the umpire make a bad judgment call by giving Tabata first base. Instead, Scherzer lost his perfect game all on his own by throwing an imperfect pitch. He threw too far inside, and what some are calling leaning in, was merely Tabata loading uphis swing. I’m not saying Tabata should brag about taking the pitch off his Kevlar-covered elbow, but to claim it was his responsibility to dive out of the way is wrong as well. His job as a batter is to get on base because in baseball you never know what’s going to happen. Just a few weeks ago, your Fort Meade Cougars were down by 5 with two outs in thelastinning.Iwasreadytostartdropping curve balls so we could get to snack. But withone swingofthebat, westartedarally that put the game-tying run on third base, and the winning run 90 feet behind him on second. The rally came up short, but our boys played hard and reminded me of the great Yogi Berra’s creed, which has become a mantra in every sport: “It ain’t over till it’s over.” Sothenexttimeapitchergetsthefirst26 batters out in a row and has two strikes on batter27,myadvicewouldbe:Ifyouwanta perfect game, don’t throw inside. 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 Twitter @CTJibber. JIBBER JABBER - OPINION Just a bit inside Chad T. Jones PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER Ten-year-old Vivian Machmer plays a round of tennis at the courts on York Ave- nue. Fort Meade’s Child, Youth and School Services partnered with the U.S. Ten- nis Association to offer a tennis program for children ages 5 to 10 from March to June. Registration is now open for the fall session scheduled for Aug. 3 to Oct. 31. For more information, call 301-677-1149 or 301-677-1156. PHOTO BY DANIEL KUCIN JR. Quite the racket Body tone Gaffney Fitness Center is offering a full-body resistance-training class on Tuesdays from 5:15-6:15 p.m. Cost is free and open to all authorized users age 18 and older. For more information, call 310-677-2349. Hip-Hop Indoor Spin Gaffney Fitness Center is offering Hip- Hop Indoor Spin, a high-energy cardiovas- cular workout, on Wednesdays from 5:15- 6:15 p.m. This class combines cycling with upbeat hip-hop and R&B music. Cost is free and open to all authorized users age 18 and older. For more information, call 410-677- 2349. Youth Sports fall registration Registration for fall sports is underway. Fall sports include: NFL Flag Football, tackle football, volleyball, tennis, soccer and cheerleading. Youth Sports is seeking volunteer coaches for every sport. To register or for more information, go to ftmeademwr.com or call 301-677-1179 or 301-677-1329. Cosmic Bowling The Lanes at Fort Meade offers Cosmic Bowling on Saturday nights from 7-11 p.m. For more information, call 301-677-5541. Zumba classes Zumba is offered Wednesdays from noon to 12:45 p.m., Tuesdays and Thurs- days from 7-8 p.m., and Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Gaff- ney Fitness Center. The free class, which incorporates Latin dance, is open to all authorized users age 18 and older. For more information, call 301-677-2349. Aqua Zumba Gaffney Fitness Center offers Aqua Zumba, a class blending Zumba and water resistance, on Mondays from 4:15-5 p.m. in the Gaffney pool. The free class is open to authorized users age 18 and older. For more information, call 301-677-2349. For more Fort Meade sports, visit quick- scores.com/ftmeadesports. SPORTS SHORTS Follow us on Twitter @ ftmeademd
- 12. 16 COMMUNITY THURSDAY,JUNE 25, 2015 | SOUNDOFF! The deadline for Soundoff! community “News and Notes” is Friday at noon. All sub- missions 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. NEWS & EVENTS Facebook town hall Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley will host a Facebook town hall today from 4:30-6 p.m. The online town hall is an opportunity to post Fort Meade-related questions, com- ments and suggestions on the garrison’s Facebook page: facebook.com/ftmeade. Foley and other garrison leaders will respond to posts on Fort Meade’s Facebook page during the town hall. For more information, email Steve Ell- more at stephen.d.ellmore@mail.mil or call 301-677-1109. Death notice Air Force 2nd Lt. Ry L. Ottulich an- nounces the death of Senior Airman Ryan A. Shackleford. Anyone having claims or indebtedness to the estate of Shackleford should contact Ottulich, summary court officer, at 443- 634-4818 or 845-797-8667. Armed Forces Voting Week Armed Forces Voters Week, scheduled Tuesday to July 7, provides voters the oppor- tunity to receive key materials such as the federal post application. For voting-related questions or more information, call Installation Voting Assist- ance Officer Derrick L. Horsley at 301-677- 2506 or email Derrick.l.horsley.civ@mail.mil. Ramadan observance Fort Meade and the National Security Agency will host the installation’s annual Ramadan Iftar on July 9 at 7 p.m. at Argonne Hills Chapel Center, 7100 Rockenbach Road. This year’s event features guest speaker Rep. Andre Carson of Indiana’s 7th District, and a traditional breaking of the fast and meal. Reservations are required by July 3. For more information, call Chad Jones, director of the Fort Meade Public Affairs Office, at 301-677-1301. RAB meeting The next Fort Meade environmental Restoration Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for July 9 at 7 p.m. at the Court- yard Marriott, 2700 Hercules Road, Annapo- lis Junction. All community members are invited. RAB meetings are held to keep the public informed of Fort Meade’s environmental cleanup and restoration program, and to provide opportunities for public involve- ment and open discussion. Anyone who would like to learn more about the restoration program or become a RAB member is encouraged to attend. For more information, call 301-677-7999 or visit www.ftmeade.army.mil/director- ates/dpw/environment. (Click on the RAB link.) Summer Concert Series The U.S. Army Field Band will present its weekly Summer Concert Series from Aug. 1-22 at 7 p.m. at Constitution Park. The Saturday evening concerts are free and open to the public. • Aug. 1: The Jazz Ambassadors: “One Hundred Years of Holiday” • Aug. 8: Concert Band and Soldiers’ Chorus: “Army Goes to the Movies” • Aug. 15: The Volunteers: “Kings of the Highway: Road Music” • Aug. 22: Finale concert featuring the Concert Band and Soldiers’ Chorus: “Tchai- kovsky’s 1812 Overture” For more information, go to armyfield- band.com or call 301-677-6586. 2016 Welcome Guide submissions The Fort Meade Public Affairs Office is compiling information for the 2016 Fort Meade Welcome Guide and Telephone Directory. Garrison organizations, partner com- mands, and installation clubs and service organizations are requested to submit a brief summary about their organizations. Consider including information regarding the organization’s mission, date of unit activation, and unique attributes as part of the brief descriptive paragraphs. Also include the organization’s address, main telephone number and important secondary phone numbers, and organiza- tional email address. Limit submissions to one to two para- graphs. Organization photos are welcome. Email submission to Philip Jones at philip. h.jones.civ@mail.mil before July 10. For more information, call 301-677-5602. Dental rep at Kimbrough A representative from the Tricare Retiree Dental Plan (Delta Dental) will be available July 15 from 10 a.m. to noon at Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center in the pharmacy waiting area. Dinner and dance “Magic of Motown” dinner and dance will be held July 31 from 5:30-9 p.m. at Club Meade. The event is open to Club Meade mem- bers and nonmembers, civilians and mil- itary, all ranks and services. Cost is $23 for Club Meade members and $25 for nonmembers. Advance tickets are recommended. Tickets purchased at the door cost $27 for club members and $30 for nonmem- bers. For more information, call 301-677-6959. Farmers’ market The Fort Meade Farmers’ Market is open every Wednesday through Sept. 9 from 10 NEWS AND NOTES ‘RED,WHITEANDBLUECELEBRATION’ FortMeade’sannual“Red,WhiteandBlueCelebration”willbeheldJuly2from4-10 p.m.at McGlachlin ParadeField. The freeeventis open to thepublic. Thecelebrationwillfeaturefreeinflatablerides,aziplineandakiddietrainaswellas avariety of food andnoveltyvendors. Rideswill be open from 4-8:30p.m. Fireworks start at approximately9:30 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by the U.S. Army Field Band’s Jazz Ambassadors, a discjockey,andthe band TilSeptember. Parking willbe limitedor restrictedin certain key areas. On-post residents are encouraged to walk to the event due to limited parking areas and roadclosures. To ensure traffic flow, residents who are driving may be directed to exit the installationandre-enterthroughadifferentgatetoreachhome.Driversmusthavetheir DoDidentification card withthem to ease their re-entryontothe post. Belowis alist of restrictedparking areas androad closures duringthe event: • Commissary andExchange (limitedparking) • DefenseInformationSystemsAgencyparkinggarage,firstlevel(parkingofflimits) • Mapes Road (between MacArthur Road and Leonard Wood Avenue) will close July 2at 2 p.m. tovehicles forthe safetyof pedestriansandto allow event setup. • Reece Road (between MacArthur Road and Cooper Avenue) will be closed at approximately 9p.m. forexiting the installation. For more information on parking changes, go to www.ftmeade.army.mil/ RWB_Parking.pdf. FILE PHOTO
- 13. SOUNDOFF! | THURSDAY,JUNE 25, 2015 COMMUNITY 17 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Pavilion. The farmers market features a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, breads and hot food lunch options. For more information, call 301-677-3579 or 301-252-8688. EDUCATION Cooking Matters Commissary Tours The next Cooking Matters Commissary Tour & Challenge is Monday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 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 nwil- son@strength.org. Financial, Employment Readiness Army Community Service offers Financial Readiness and Employment Readiness classes to all ranks and services and to DoD civilian employees at the Community Readi- ness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave. Registration is required for each class. Financial Readiness: • Financial Planning for Care Givers: Tuesday, 9-11 a.m. • Dollars & Sense: July 7 or Aug. 4, 9 a.m. to noon • Banking Basics: July 14, 9-11 a.m. • Car Buying: July 21, 9-11 a.m. • Basics of Investing: July 28, 9-11 a.m. • First Term Financial Readiness (online): July 28 or Aug. 25, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Thrift Savings Plan: Aug. 11, 9-11 a.m. • Home Buying: Aug. 18, 9 a.m. to noon Employment Readiness: • Ten Steps to a Federal Job: July 8, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., McGill Training Center • Social Media for Job Seekers: July 23, 8 a.m. to noon, McGill Training Center To register or for more information, call 301-677-5590 or go to fortmeadeacs.check- appointments.com. Free classes The Navy Fleet and Family Support Cen- ter 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 mem- bers, DoD civilian employees and contrac- tors. Registration is required for each class. • Deployment Brief: Today, 10-11:30 a.m. • Budget For Baby: Friday, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. • Building Healthy Relationships: Tues- day, 9-11 a.m. • Resume Workshop: July 7, 9 a.m. to noon • Stress Management: July 9, 9:30-11:30 a.m. • TGPS Workshop (Transition, Goals, Plans and Success): July 13-17 or July 27-31, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. • DTAP Brief: July 20, 1-2:30 p.m. • Common Sense Parenting: July 20, 9-10 a.m. Topic: “Parents Are Teachers” • Ten Steps to a Federal Job: July 21, 9 a.m. to noon • Career Technical Training: July 22-23, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Anger Management: July 30, 9:30-11:30 a.m. • Medical Records Review: Appointment required To register or for more information, call 301-677-9017 or 301-677-9018. YOUTH Teen Leadership Challenge Fort Meade Volunteer Services is hosting its 4th Annual Teen Leadership Challenge for ID cardholders between the ages of 13-18. The challenge is designed to assist in the development of positive leadership qualities in teens that can help lead to better paid, intern or volunteer opportunities, self- confidence and other virtues. Orientation and all leadership seminars will be held at Potomac Place Neighbor- hood Center, 4998 Second Corps Blvd. • Orientation: Tuesday, 9 a.m. to noon • Money Habitudes: July 2, 9 a.m. to noon Discover what’s behind the way you save, spend, give away your money or go into debt. • Public Speaking and Customer Service Skill Development: July 9, 9 a.m. to noon • Science, Technology, Engineering and Math: July 16, 10:30 a.m. to noon • Positive Life Choices: July 23, 9 a.m. to noon • Cyber Security and End of Summer Bash: July 30, 9 a.m. to noon, Community Readiness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave. • Entrepreneurship: “So you want to own your own business?”: July 16, 9-10:30 a.m. Teens can preregister for the challenge at www.myarmyonesource.com. For more information, email ma- rie.n.miles.civ@mail.mil or call 301-677- 5590 or 301-677-4128. ‘Blackbeard The Pirate’ Missoula Children’s Theatre drama camp for grades one to 12 will be held July 20-25 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Registration costs $55. The camp will present a free perform- ance of “Blackbeard The Pirate” on July 25 at 3 p.m. To register or for more information, go to Parent Central Services at 1900 Reece Road or call 301-677-1196. Weekly playgroup Children ages 4 and younger are invited to a weekly playgroup held every Friday from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Family Advocacy Center, 2462 85th Medical Battalion Ave. The playgroup features a variety of en- gaging activities to build strong parent-child relationships. Space is limited. Registration is required for each session. For more information, call 301-677-5590. RECREATION Out & About • A Community Health Forum will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Nich- ols-Bethel United Methodist Church, 1239 Murray Road, Odenton. The event is sponsored by the church’s health ministry to provide an educational and informational event for the community stressing the importance of living a healthy, vibrant, “involved” life-style and presenting the many correlating providers and services of the local community. Resources include: Help with Medicare and Medicaid facilities; assisted living/rehab facilities; information on free hearing screenings; the Vitamin Shoppe; free nerv- ous system screenings; and fitness and cooking demonstrations. Get your medication questions answered and information on medication safety. For more information, call 410-674-2272 or email office@nicholsbethel.org. • The 37th Anniversary of the Montpelier Summer Concert Series in Laurel begins Friday. Bring a picnic and blanket or chair and enjoy free performances on the west lawn of the Montpelier Mansion grounds. Concerts are held from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. • Friday: I and I Riddim (Caribbean: reggae, calypso, soca) • July 10: Four Star Combo (rockabilly, honky tonk) • July 17: Shakespeare in the Park featur- ing “ Romeo and Juliet” (Rain location: Deerfield Run Community Center, 13000 Laurel-Bowie Road, Route 197) • July 24, 7:30-9:30 p.m.: The Tribe (rhythm and blues, jazz, soul, funk) • Aug. 7: Jazz Caravan (blues, swing, Motown) In the event of heavy rain, concerts will be canceled. Call 301-953-7882 after 5 p.m. the day of the concert for verification. • Celebrate Independence Day at the American Legion Post 175 on July 4 from 1-7 p.m. at 832 Manhattan Beach Road, Sev- erna Park. Admission is free. Donation to the build- ing fund is appreciated. The community event will feature chil- dren’s games and activities and the band, “Ahead Full.” Food and drink will be available for purchase. For more information, call 410-544-2066. • The Bowie Baysox’s “Red, White and Boom All-American Independence Day Celebration” will be held July 4 at Prince George’s Stadium, as the team takes on the Erie SeaWolves at 6:35 p.m. A fireworks display follows the game. Fans can enjoy the game along with a two-hour buffet served from 5:30 -7:30 p.m. at the annual Independence Day Picnic. The menu includes grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, corn on the cob, barbecue baked beans, chilled watermelon and soft drinks. Tickets cost $27 for adults; $22 for chil- dren age 6 to 12; $10 for children age 3 to 5; and $22 for season ticket holders. The picnic includes a general admission ticket. Fans can upgrade to box seat tickets for $5 each. To order tickets for the picnic, call Patrick Gotimer at 301-464-4890 by 3 p.m. Tues- day. Individual tickets for the celebration range from $7 to $15 when ordered in ad- vance. They are available online at baysox- .com or by calling 301-464-4865. MEETINGS • 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. • 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 July 2. 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. • 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 July 2. For more informa- tion, visit namiaac.org. • Calling All Dads, for expecting fathers and fathers with children of all ages, meets the first and third Monday of every month from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Family Advocacy Program Center, 2462 85th Medical Battal- ion Ave. See NEWS & NOTES, page 18
- 14. 18 COMMUNITY THURSDAY,JUNE 25, 2015 | SOUNDOFF! The next meeting is July 6. Children are welcome. Registration is required. For more information, call 301-677-4118. • Families Dealing with Deployment meets the first and third Monday of every month from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Family Advocacy Program, 2462 85th Medical Battalion Ave. Children welcome. The next meeting is July 6. The group is for families experiencing an upcoming or current deployment, or who have recently returned from deployment. For more information, call 301-677-5590 or email colaina.townsend.ctr@mail.mil. • Fort Meade TOP III Association meets the second Wednesday of each month at 3 p.m. at the Courses. The next meeting is July 8. The association is open to all Air Force active-duty and retired senior non- commissioned officers. For more informa- tion, call Master Sgt. Jonathan Jacob at 443-479-0616 or email jajacob@nsa.gov. • Fort Meade E9 Association meets the second Friday of every month at 7 a.m. in the Pin Deck Cafe at the Lanes. The next meeting is July 10. The association is open to active, retired, Reserve and National Guard E9s of any uniformed service. All E9s in this area are invited to attend a breakfast and meet the membership. For more information, go to e9association.org. • Meade Branch 212 of the Fleet Re- serve Association meets the second Sat- urday of each month at 10 a.m. at VFW Post 160, 2597 Dorsey Road, Glen Burnie. The next meeting is July 11. Active-duty, Reserve and retired members of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard are invited. For more information, call 443-604-2474 or 410-768-6288. • 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 the Family Advocacy Program, 2462 85th Medical Battalion Ave. To register, call 301-677-3617. • Project Healing Waters meets Thurs- days from 6-8 p.m. at the Soldiers and Family Assistance Center, 2462 85th Medi- cal 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 ball- room dance lessons for the Warrior Transi- tion 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 con- ducted 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 meets every Monday from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the Family Advocacy Program Center, 2462 85th Medi- cal Battalion Ave. The session is aimed at helping couples develop tools to enhance their relationship, gain problem-solving strategies, and create a long-lasting relationship. For more in- formation, call 301-677-4118. • 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@ya- hoo.com or Committee Chairperson Marco Cilibert at pack377_cc@yahoo.com. • Boy Scout Troop 377 meets Mondays from 7-8:30 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; Scoutmaster Ed Smith at eksmith91@hotmail.com; or Wen- dall Lawrence, committee chairperson, at lawrencewendall@gmail.com. To see what the troop offers, go to www.troop377.retiredguy.net. • 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. Break- fast 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 americanlegion- post276.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. • Marriage Enrichment Group, spon- sored 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 July 13. For more informa- tion, call Celena Flowers or Jessica Hobgood at 301-677-5590. • Military District of Washington Ser- geant Audie Murphy Club meets the third Wednesday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. at the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Dining Facility in Virginia. The next meeting is July 15. All members and those interested in joining the club are welcome. For more information, contact Master Sgt. Erica Lehmkuhl at erica.lehmkuhl@us.army.mil or 301-833-8415. • Air Force Sergeants Association Chapter 254 meets the third Wednesday of every month from 3-4 p.m. in the audito- rium of the Airman Leadership School, 8470 Zimborski Ave. The next meeting is July 15. For more information, call 831-521-9251 or go to AFSA254.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 July 16 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 four business days prior to 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. • Meade Rod and Gun Club will meet July 16 at 7 p.m. at Perry’s Restaurant and Odie’s Pub at 1210 Annapolis Road, Oden- ton, in the banquet hall in back of the build- ing. The club usually meets the first Thurs- day of the month. Dinner is served at 6 p.m. For more information, call Charisma Wooten at 240-568-6055. • Retired Enlisted Association meets the third Tuesday of the month from 7:30- 8:30 p.m. at Perry’s Restaurant, 1210 Annap- olis Road, Odenton. The next meeting is July 21. For more information, visit trea.org or call Elliott Phillips, the local president, at 443-790-3805 or Arthur R. Cooper, past national president, at 443-336-1230. NEWS & NOTES, From page 17 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 $6 for adults (12 and older) and $3.50 for children. 3D Movies: $8 adults, $5.50 children. Today through July 12 Friday & Sunday: “Mad Max: Fury Road” (R). In a stark desert landscape where humanity is broken, two rebels just might be able to restore order: Max, a man of action and of few words, and Furiosa, a woman of action who is looking to make it back to her childhood homeland. With Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult. Saturday: “Hot Pursuit” (PG-13). An uptight and by-the-book cop tries to pro- tect the outgoing widow of a drug boss as they race through Texas pursued by crook- ed cops and murderous gunmen. With Reese Witherspoon, Sofia Vergara, Mat- thew Del Negro. July 3 & 5: “Pitch Perfect 2” (PG-13). After a humiliating command performance at Lincoln Center, the Barden Bellas enter an international competition that no American group has ever won in order to regain their status and right to perform. With Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld. CLOSED JULY 4 July 10 & 12: “Tomorrowland” (PG). Bound by a shared destiny, a teen bursting with scientific curiosity and a former boy- genius inventor embark on a mission to unearth the secrets of a place somewhere in time and space that exists in their col- lective memory. With George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Hugh Laurie. MOVIES JASIN BOLAND/WARNER BROS. PICTURES