fort meade soundoff dec. 20, 2012

Safety firStDES, post schools work together to keep students safe

page 3

UPCOMiNG eVeNtStOday, 7-10 P.M.: Karaoke Night - The LanesdeC. 31, 5-8 P.M. & 9 P.M.-1 a.M.: New Year’s Eve Parties (Family 5-8, Adult 9-1) - The LanesCLOSiNGS: Kimbrough closed Dec. 24, 25, 31, Jan. 1; Commissary closed Dec. 25; Post Theater closed until Jan. 4

a LOOk BaCkSoundoff! Year in Review highlights 2012 stories, photos

pages 13-24

Soundoff!́vol. 64 no. 51 Published in the interest of the Fort Meade community December 20, 2012

photo by sarah pastrana

lily and Beani dress for Saturday’s Reindeer 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk at Murphy Field House. The dogs’ owner Kiki Chabries was among more than 500 runners who participated in the final event in the annual Fort Meade Run Series. For the story, see Page 25.

last year i was rudolph...

Happy Holidays!

Soundoff! will not publish

Dec. 27 and Jan. 3.

Soundoff! returns Jan. 10.

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

Commander’s Column

Cont ent sNews............................. 3 Sports..................................25

YearinReview............ 13 Movies.................................30

Community................. 28 Classified.............................31

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

advErtiSinGGeneral inquiries 410-332-6300

allison thompson 410-332-6850 [email protected]

Michele Griesbauer 410-332-6381 [email protected]

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

Printed by offset method of reproduction as a civilian enterprise in the interest of the personnel at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, by the Patuxent Publishing Co., a subsidiary of 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 Patuxent Publishing Co., a private firm, in no way connected with the Department of the Army. Opinions expressed by the publisher and writers herein are their own and are not to be considered an official expression by the Department of the Army. The appearance of advertisers in the publication does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of the Army of the products or services advertised.

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

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

Soundoff!́Guaranteed circulation:

11,285

By Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. RothsteinThe holiday season means different things to dif-

ferent people.No matter how you approach the holidays, I hope

you will remember the children and adults whose lives were tragically cut short in Newtown, Conn., and their families who will have to somehow make it through the holidays without them.

For many of us, the holidays mean celebrating with family and friends, often traveling to do so. It also means being thankful.

I am thankful to be a part of Team Meade and thankful for all the hard work of everyone who is a part of our Fort Meade family. Your dedication has brought to close another successful year in 2012.

To everyone who has extended a helping hand this past year, whether in a professional capacity or as a volunteer, thank you. Thank you for choosing to go the extra mile to make a difference for service members, civilians and families.

Let’s all enjoy what the season offers, wherever we are, and enjoy time with friends and loved ones.

As we celebrate, let’s remember those who are deployed and extend extra support to their families. Being separated for the holidays can be especially difficult on our spouses and children.

Although the holidays are a time of celebration, the season can also be a difficult time for some. That’s why it’s so important for commanders, NCOs, gar-rison directors and managers to communicate and stay connected with service members, civilian workers and loved ones.

For those who need assistance, Fort Meade pro-vides a number of Soldier and family support ser-vices. If you are unsure where to go, start with Army Community Service or the Religious Support Office.

Just remember, even the smallest gesture of sup-port can mean a lot to those in need of care.

A successful 2013 begins by ending 2012 on a safe

note. As you have heard me say many times, when you celebrate the holidays, please plan your time with safety in mind. Don’t drink and drive.

Just as important, don’t text and drive. I can’t think of a text message or cell phone call important enough to risk a vehicle accident.

From my family to you and yours, we wish you a safe and happy holidays and a blessed new year.

Celebrate holidays with thanks, support, safety

photobYNatepeSCe

Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein, his wife Audrey, make friends with a llama at Picerne Military Housing’s “December in the City” event.

Commander’s Open DoorGarrisonCommanderCol.edwardC.Rothsteinhasanopendoorpolicy.all service members, retirees, government employees, family members

andcommunitymembersage18orolder are invited toaddress issuesorconcerns to thecommanderdirectlybyvisitingRothstein’sofficeonMon-daysfrom4to6p.m.atgarrisonheadquartersinhodgeshall,bldg.4551,Llewellynavenue.

Visitors are seen on a first-come, first-served basis. No appointment isnecessary.

Formoreinformation,call301-677-4844.

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

News

Story and photo by Brandon BieltzStaff Writer

Lt. Col. J. Darrell Sides refers to the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elemen-tary School in Newtown, Conn., as “a nightmare scenario that we all dread.”

There is no plan or preparation that can guarantee the prevention of similar events taking place, said Sides, direc-tor of the Fort Meade Directorate of Emergency Services.

But DES has recently joined forces with the Anne Arundel County Police Department and security officials with the school system to design plans to best respond to emergency situations at Fort Meade schools.

Over the past several weeks, DES has changed its emergency response plans with coordination from the schools and the Anne Arundel County Police.

In addition to a new system of responding, Fort Meade police officers are now spending time in the schools to become familiar with the layout of each of the facilities and with the staff.

“We’re doing what we can; we have an excellent plan,” Sides said. “[But] there’s no plan that is 100 percent to prevent something like this from happening.”

Although seven schools are located on Fort Meade property, the land is leased to Anne Arundel County Public Schools, which maintain the buildings. Because of this, federal police and county police have concurrent jurisdic-tion at the schools, meaning both can respond to the schools.

In addition to the two agencies, the school system also contains its own security department that includes school resource officers at several schools — including Meade High School and Meade Middle School.

Each organization has its own emer-gency response plan. But when Sides and the supervisor of the Office of School Security for the county met a month ago, they determined that the three plans were not well connected.

“What we discovered is all three of those different bodies of government had a plan, but the plans weren’t tied in real well with each other,” Sides said. “We were going to do what we do; they were going to do what they were going to do.”

Sides then took the information from the county public schools’ response

DES, schools prepared for emergencies

Fort Meade Police Officer Reynold D’Haiti stands outside Manor View Elementary School on Monday afternoon. Following the shooting in Newtown, Conn., the Anne Arundel County Police Department requested the temporary posting of officers outside all elementary schools periodically before and after school.

plans and altered the DES plans. The large focus of the plan is not only responding to the emergency itself, but creating an Incident Command System in the area that includes staging areas and a command post.

The plan allows all agencies to work as one. Sides said DES frequently practices the responses, with officers learning the correct response locations for each school.

After the plans were written, howev-er, another detail needed to be worked out for better preparation.

“The one thing that we discovered as a weakness when we started look-ing at our plans for the schools, and responding to an event at the school, is that the police officers didn’t really know the floor plans of the schools,” Sides said.

While some building designs are simple, Sides said, others are complex.

A few weeks ago, DES officers received permission to walk through Meade High School and Meade Middle School. Sides is continuing to meet with the remaining schools to work out details.

Sides said the new walk-throughs are about building relations with the school while learning the lay of the land.

“What that does for them is they start learning the floor plan of the school, they start getting the feel for what things should look like, and what normal is, and they start learning the staff,” Sides said. “The benefit to the schools is that they have more law enforcement presence, they start learn-ing who our officers are, and it gives them an open door to communicate.”

While local enforcement agencies prepare for the worst, Anne Arundel County Public Schools have their own security procedures and practices to protect students and faculty. A press release from Superintendent Kevin Maxwell, Board President Andrew Pruski and school system leaders said schools have intercom systems at main entrances where visitors must be buzzed into the building as well as an electronic visitor-tracking system.

Students and faculty also run peri-odic emergency drills to “familiarize students and staff with what to do in a variety of situations ranging from tor-

nadoes to active shooters in the build-ing,” according to the press release issued Friday.

“Our school system and our partners will continue to do everything we can to ensure that our children are edu-cated in, and that our staff works in, environments that are safe, healthy and supportive,” the release states.

In response to Friday’s shootings in Connecticut, Fort Meade Police officers were asked by county police to be at every elementary school on post peri-odically before and after school for the entire week.

“It was simply to remind the public that we are there, to give them a sense of security and that we’re ready for any type of emergency that needs our assis-tance at our schools,” Sides said.

Even so, Sides said the possibility for similar events still exists but will be more difficult for the offender.

“There is absolutely no method that is 100 percent,” he said. “Somebody could break into the gold depository at Fort Knox if they wanted to. However, it would be extremely difficult, and I feel that that is the situation here on post. Our schools have numerous secu-rity measures that are in place. Some are very well known by the public, others are not.”

Sides pointed out two striking advan-tages.

“One of the advantages that we have at Fort Meade that they didn’t have in Connecticut is we have two police departments within five minutes of every school on this post,” he said. “The second is that somebody can make that first 911 call, the calvary is coming and it will be there amazingly fast.”

‘The second that somebody can make that first 911 call, the calvary is coming and it will be there amazingly fast.’

Lt. Col. J. Darrell Sides Director, Fort Meade Directorate of Emergency Services


News

tible to recruitment by terrorists orga-nizations than people who are gainfully employed,” Casey said.

The influence and power of technol-ogy is a trend that is a “double-edged sword,” Casey said. “The same technol-ogy that is bringing knowledge to anyone with a computer or cell phone can be used by terrorists” to distribute their message.

Of the 1 billion Facebook users, said Casey, 75 percent live outside the U.S.

A third trend is the growing popula-tion of developing countries.

“The population of some developing countries is expected to double in the next decade,” Casey said.

Sixty percent of the population in the Middle East is under age 25, he said.

“All the studies show that when you have a large, unemployed, young male population, the countries are more sus-ceptible to social strife, war and terror-ism,” Casey said.

By 2030, it is expected that 60 percent of the world’s population will live in cities.

“Cities are a tough place for the mili-tary to operate,” Casey said.

In the future, there is also likely to be a greater demand for limited resources such as a water, food and gas.

Casey said the two trends that worry him the most are the use of weapons of mass destruction, specifically biological, radiological and chemical warfare, by terrorist groups and cyber attacks.

He said he is also concerned about the emergence of non-state actors on the global scene who operate outside traditional military conventions.

To deal with these pressing and com-plex issues, Casey said Army leaders in the 21st century must have vision, cour-age and character.

They must have the vision, he said, to “anticipate the way ahead” and articulate a common goal and common purpose to subordinates.

In making judgments about the future, which involves risk because humans are not perfect, Casey said Army leaders must have the courage to make tough decisions.

Leaders also must have character.“Leaders with good values build

strong organizations,” Casey said. “They will do the right thing, when the going gets tough, for the organization and not themselves.”

To close his presentation, Casey spoke about the importance of resiliency among Soldiers.

“If you build yourself up so you are physically, mentally and emotion-ally strong as a leader, you will have the courage not only to act but to pick yourself up when you fail,” Casey said. “What’s important is that you are resil-ient enough to pick yourself up and then pick the organization back up and move forward.”

Casey said Soldiers must make time to read, think, exercise and get proper sleep.

“The clearer you are, the better it is for the organization,” he said.

After his presentation, Casey answered a wide range of questions from Soldiers regarding ethics training in the Army, standards for physical fitness, the impact of noncombat missions on future troops and his thought process while he com-manded the Multi-National Force in Iraq.

“I felt his spin on the current events, with his experience, provided a fuller pic-ture than what I would often see on the news,” Staff Sgt. Jesus Quintero said.

Sgt. Brad Goddard said Casey shared a “pretty good message” with the audi-ence.

“I think he had some really good points, especially about international conflicts,” Goddard said. “He has the institutional knowledge from the situa-tion in Iraq.”

By Lisa R. RhodesStaff Writer

Retired Gen. George W. Casey, the former 36th chief of staff of the Army, was the guest speaker for the start of the 704th Military Intelligence Brigade’s winter Family Readiness Group Leader-ship Training on Dec. 12.

Casey spoke about the impact of cur-rent international conflicts on the future of the Army, the importance of leader-ship and the value of resiliency before a packed audience of Soldiers and several military spouses at the Post Theater.

In his remarks, Casey noted the National Intelligence Council’s recent release of the “Global Trends 2030: Alternative Worlds” report.

“It’s a pretty good piece of work,” he said, suggesting the audience review the report online.

The country, he said, is now 11 years and three months from the Sept. 11 attacks.

“We are still a country at war,” he said. “The war that we are involved in still is a long-term ideological struggle.”

Casey said although there has been progress in the fight — primarily the deaths of Osama Bin Laden and Ameri-can-born Al Qaeda leader Anwar al-Awlaki — the turmoil of the war is now being played out in countries such as Egypt, Yemen, Syria and Pakistan.

“The good news is we have the battle going on that we need to succeed in this war,” Casey said.

The battle, he noted, is between the moderates and extremists in these coun-tries as the people struggle for democ-racy.

While it is unlikely that the U.S. will go into another Arab country, said Casey, there are trends heading toward the year 2030 that are likely to exacerbate the ten-sions in these areas of the world.

The first trend is the increased power of global economies in developing nations. In a report cited by Casey, of the top 20 economies that had more than 2 percent growth, only two countries - Sweden and Austria - were developed nations.

The concern is that as the economies grow in developing nations, there is increasing maldistribution of wealth.

In addition, said Casey, 20 percent of the world’s population control 75 percent of the world’s wealth. About 3 billion people in the world live on less than $2.50 per day, he said.

These populations are “more suscep-

Retired Gen. George W. Casey focuses on Army’s future

photo by sgt. amy lane

Retired Gen. George W. Casey, the former 36th chief of staff of the Army, speaks to a packed audience of Soldiers and several military spouses at the 704th Military Intelligence Brigade’s winter Family Readiness Group Leadership Training on Dec. 12 at the Post Theater.

‘If you build yourself up so you are physically, mentally and emotionally strong as a leader, you will have the courage not only to act but to pick yourself up when you fail.’

Retired gen. george W. Casey


News

photos by sarah pastrana

Fun and Food with SantaTOP LEFT: Aidan Hickey, 8, of Glen Burnie shows off his stuffed reindeer given by Santa Claus during the annual Brunch with Santa sponsored by Child, Youth and School Services on Saturday at Club Meade.

TOP RIGHT: Ashley Green gives her 1-year-old daughter Tamera Collins a stuffed reindeer from Santa. In addition to the gifts, families enjoyed a brunch that included eggs, bacon, hash browns and french toast sticks at CYSS’ annual holiday event.

LEFT: Jaiden Herrero, 3, and his 4-year-old brother Jovanni take a seat on Santa’s lap at Satur-day’s Brunch with Santa.

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

News

december is national 3d monthSamson Robinson, a

prevention coordinator for the Fort Meade Army Substance Abuse Pro-

gram, provides Staff Sgt. Joshua Birnbaum, of the 704th Military Intelligence

Brigade, with a pair of fatal-vision DUI goggles as part of an exercise to help Fort Meade Soldiers better understand which

physical functions are lost when impaired. The exer-cise was part of a “Drunk, Drugged, Driving Preven-

tion Month” event held Dec. 10 at McGill Training

Center.photo by philip h. jones

Dec. 13, Shoplifting: AAFES security observed the subject open a package of 10 mechani-cal pencils and a package of two pens, conceal the contents in his pocket and exit the store without rendering proper pay-ment.

Dec. 18, Shoplifting: AAFES security observed the subject conceal an iPhone 4 holster case and two sets of earbuds on his person and exit the store without rendering proper payment.

CommunityCrime Watch

Compiled by the Fort Meade Directorate of Emergency Services

Connect with Fort Meade at Facebook.com/ftmeade


News

Photos by sgt. Vanessa R. heRnandez

Thank you for your serviceSgt. Maj. Lorrie B. Nichols cuts the cake with the assistance of her husband, Dion, and son Avante following her retirement ceremony Friday at The Conference Center. Nichols, who served her last two years of active duty at the Directorate of Public Works, retired after 20 years of service in the Military Occupational Specialty 56M, chaplain assistant. During the ceremony, Nichols was presented with a citation from President Barack Obama, a U.S. flag and Meritorious Service Medal, as well as numerous gifts and good wishes from colleagues and friends. She is currently preparing her thesis for a Master of Arts in homeland security from the American Public University System. Along with their daughter Alleyah, the Nichols will reside in College Park.

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil10 SOUNDOFF! December 20, 2012

News

Volunteer Brittany Brower wraps a present during Project USO Elf on Dec. 13 at McGill Training Center. The program assists military families facing economic hardships by providing toys for their children during the holidays. More than 550 gifts were distributed from Fort Meade for Project USO Elf on Dec. 13. Presents were also prepared at Fort Belvoir, Va., with a combined total of nearly 1,300 gifts distributed from both sites.

Story and photo by Brandon BieltzStaff Writer

Last week, McGill Training Center’s back room was transformed into an elf work-shop.

With gifts packaged in bright red bags and wrapping stations overflowing with colorful paper, the site was a one-stop shop for Christmas preparation.

For nearly four hours on Dec. 13, gifts for more than 550 children of area military families were prepared and sent home ready for the holiday.

Project USO Elf, organized by USO-Metro, assisted the families by providing gifts for children of service members.

USO-Metro also hosted Project USO Elf at Fort Belvoir, Va., to provide gifts for 736 children. Between the two distribution sites, nearly 1,300 youngsters received gifts through the program.

“I think the program is wonderful. It is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen,” said Spc. Mittchell Williams as his children’s presents were wrapped by an “elf.”

In its third year, Project USO Elf aims to assist military families facing economic hardships by providing toys for their chil-dren during the holidays. Service members are signed up for the program by senior enlisted leaders of their organizations or can request to be registered.

“Once we have all the kids registered, we

go out and open our website to donor reg-istration,” said Pamela Horton, Warrior and Family Center manager for USO-Metro. “Then we start matching up donors with children. ... They go shopping for them. So all the gifts that are here have been pur-chased individually by our donors specifi-cally for the children in the program.”

Horton said this year’s program at Fort Meade was bigger than in past years because USO-Metro absorbed Army Community Service’s Angel Tree project. By taking over the program, USO was able to request dona-tions and saved ACS 600 man hours.

Beginning Dec. 10, volunteers packaged gifts and decorated the large room before families arrived three days later. By the time the doors opened, a long line stretched to the corner outside the facility.

More than 30 volunteers from Alliant Techsystems Inc., or ATK, assisted with the event, wrapping gifts or searching for the family’s stash of presents.

Mike Kahn, ATK senior vice president and president of ATK Defense Group, said the staff enjoys being able to help and meet-ing with military families.

“When you see their faces light up, and you see the parents when they open up the bags and see what’s inside, it makes all the difference,” Kahn said.

Kendall Digiovanni, a volunteer from ATK, spent the evening searching for an

Toy story

Project USO Elf provides gifts to military families in time for Christmas

array of gifts including bicycles, play sets and games. Behind a makeshift wall covered in wrapping paper, the gifts were spread out in their red bags for the “pickers” to bring to the families on the other side of the wall.

“When they come back with a tag and a number, I run down the rows and pick up the boxes,” Digiovanni said at the event. “It’s a lot of fun.”

Horton said the minimum value of the gift package is $50, but the average value is more than $100. Project USO Elf, she said, helps alleviate the financial burdens of the holiday season.

“It really makes a difference for them,” Horton said. “They can now concentrate

on other things.”Williams, who was registered in Project

Elf for the past two years, called the pro-gram a “wonderful opportunity” and had encouraged other service members in his unit to participate.

“It really does help,” he said. “It’s over-whelming. I was never expecting to get anything near this.”

Through Project USO Elf, Williams picked up bicycles and an educational game for his 3-year-old son and 6-year-old daugh-ter. He said his children will be excited when they unwrap the gifts.

“I can’t wait to see the look on their faces,” he said.

The Washington Savings BankPurchase RewardsTurn EverydayPurchases into CashJust Use Your TWSB Debit CardClick

Shop

Enjoy

to activate exclusive cash back offers at thetypes of places you like to shop.

online or in stores to redeem your offers bypaying with your card.

cash back – deposited right into your accountat the end of next month.

Find out more at twsb.com

MEMBER

FDICFIVE CONVENIENT LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU!

ODENTON410-551-88001161 Annapolis Rd.

BOWIE301-352-3100

4201 Mitchellville Rd.

CROFTON410-721-88671669 Crofton Centre

MILLERSVILLE410-987-1515676 Old Mill Road

WALDORF301-843-72003225 Crain Highway

Saving Real MoneyJust Got Real Easy.

Just log on to TWSBat twsb.com to

learn more.

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil December 20, 2012 SOUNDOFF! 11

News

Fort Meade 2012 Holiday Religious services, activities

DATE SERVICE TIME/LOCATION

Dec. 24 “Happy Birthday Jesus” Mass (for children) 5 p.m. Chapel CenterDec. 24 Christmas Eve Midnight Mass 10 p.m. Chapel CenterDec. 24 Episcopal Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 7 p.m. Post ChapelDec. 24 Episcopal Christmas Eve Carols/Service 10:30/11 p.m. Post ChapelDec. 25 Christmas Day Mass 12:15 p.m. Post ChapelDec. 31 New Year’s Vigil Adoration 4-4:45 p.m. Post ChapelDec. 31 New Year’s Vigil Mass 5 p.m. Post ChapelDec. 31 Gospel Watch-Night Service 10 p.m. Chapel CenterJan. 1 Mary, Mother of God 12:15 p.m. Post Chapel

Times of the regular weekend Protestant and Catholic services during the day will remain the same (if not noted).

For more information about religious services, call the Garrison Chaplain’s Office at 301-677-6703.

Chaplain’s WordTHE NEED FOR SAINTS

“A man can be a saint in a factory as in a monastery, and

there is as much need of him in the one as in the other.”

— Robert J. McCraken

By Beth Ann CameronHealth EducatorU.S. Army Public Health Command

The holiday season is the time of the year when drunk and impaired driving accidents are most prevalent.

Drug and alcohol use impair judgment, delay reaction times and can result in deadly consequences when driving.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drugs (such as marijuana and cocaine) are involved in about 18 percent of motor vehicle driver deaths.

Drunk driving accidents account for 31 percent of all motor vehicle accidents, and thousands of drivers and passengers lose their lives each year because of drunk and drugged driving.

December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about the conse-quences of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Most people would never imagine that their holiday celebration could result in a fatality or imprisonment, but the risks associated with driving while impaired can result in tragic consequences for everyone involved.

The following list includes a few simple tips for celebrating and driving safely this holiday season:

• Designate a non-drinking driver ahead of time.

• If drinking alcohol at a party or other celebration, allow at least one hour between drinks.

It takes one hour to eliminate one drink from your body. One drink is equal to a 12-ounce beer, 5-ounce glass of wine or 1-ounce shot of liquor.

• Set limits beforehand of the number of drinks to have and stick with it.

• Alternate drinking alcoholic beverages with soda, juice or water and eat food.

• Don’t mix alcohol with other drugs including over-the-counter and prescrip-tion medications.

• Don’t ride with someone who is impaired. Use other means of transporta-tion such as a taxi, public transportation or driver who is sober.

If you are hosting a party, here are some steps to take to help your guests drive safely:

• Plan ahead and designate a sober driver.

• Collect each guest’s keys upon arrival and store in a designated basket.

• Serve foods along with alcohol-free beverages such as soda, juice or water.

• If making an alcoholic punch, use fruit juice instead of a carbonated drink. Alcohol absorbs faster into the blood stream when mixed with carbonated drinks.

• Stop serving alcohol one hour or 90 minutes before the party actually ends.

If you take a medication that makes you drowsy, do not drive. Have someone drive you.

During Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month, recommit yourself to preventing the loss of life by reminding others to be sober and drug-free, and use safe driving practices on the road.

Drink responsibly, drive responsibly and encourage family members, friends and co-workers to be safe and responsible drivers for the holidays and beyond.

For more information, visit the follow-ing websites:

• National Highway Traffic Safe-ty Administration at nhtsa.dot.gov/Impaired

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at cdc.gov/Motorvehiclesafe-ty/Impaired_Driving/index.html

• Mothers Against Drunk Driving at madd.org/feature-stories/december/december-is-national-drunk.html

Drive and drink responsibly during year-end holidays


News

Story and photo by Rona S. HirschStaff Writer

The miracle of the oil was celebrated last week at Argonne Hills Chapel Center with the lighting of the menorah, potato pancakes and a warm exchange of friend-ship between colleagues.

The post’s annual Hanukkah luncheon was held Dec. 11 during the weekly “Lunch with the Rabbi” program led by Rabbi Levi Finkelstein on Tuesdays at Argonne Hills.

Finkelstein was assisted by his grand-son, Yitzy Halon, a Baltimore student who led participants in the singing of holiday songs.

The hourlong event featured an array of kosher food including fried chicken, schnitzel, spaghetti and meatballs, bean salad and cucumber salad. But the big draw was the potato pancakes, called latkes, and matzah ball soup.

“If you don’t take a bowl of soup you’re missing something really good,” Finkelstein said as diners lined up at the buffet table. “This is the real deal. We’re not shooting blanks here.”

About 30 civilian employees and ser-vice members attended the luncheon. Guests included Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein and his wife, Audrey; Garrison Chaplain (Col.) Carl Rau; and Kirk Fechter, director of the Installation Safety Office who had studied Hebrew while earning a degree in near Eastern languages.

“It was great,” Fechter said of the luncheon. “It was an opportunity to celebrate Hanukkah and have great food. You don’t get latkes at the Bagel King or matzah ball soup. That was fantastic. Got to take those opportunities.”

Capt. Charles Lewis of the 48th Combat Support Hospital at the Army Reserve Center brought four non-Jewish colleagues to experience the celebration.

“Because the Army is so diverse, it’s always nice to experience the differences in culture and religion,” said Lt. Col. Joel Guinyard, operations officer for CSH, which is slated for missions in Honduras and Kuwait. “You need to know your Soldiers, what’s close to them and what helps them through difficult times.”

“It was fabulous and enjoyable,” said Capt. Emily Neighbor of CSH. “I’m Protestant, so being able to relate to the same events in Scripture from a new light gives it a new understanding. It is just a blessing to hear that, to have a personal ‘aha’ moment.”

Luncheon sheds light on Hanukkah traditions

In observance of the eight-day holiday that ended Sunday, Finkelstein recited two Hebrew blessings and lit the menorah that rested on the window ledge.

Hanukkah, which means rededication in Hebrew, commemorates the rededica-tion of the Temple by the Maccabees after their victory over the oppressive Syrian-Greek rule of Israel.

After the victorious Maccabees cleansed the defiled Temple, they found only one small jar of olive oil bearing the pure seal of the high priest. Although there was enough oil to light the Temple’s huge, seven-branched menorah for just one day, the oil miraculously burned for eight days until a new supply could be made.

In observance of the eight-day holiday also known as the Festival of Lights, a nine-branch candelabra is lit each evening after nightfall with candles or olive oil and cotton wicks.

On the first night, one branch is lit and on each successive night another light is added until all eight are lit on the eighth night. The ninth branch, the shamash, is

used to light the other candles and is set at a different height to differentiate it. The menorah is placed by the window to publicize the miracle of the oil.

Another tradition is to dine on foods cooked in oil such as latkes and the contemporary treat, sufganiyot (jelly donuts).

After the lighting, Finkelstein spoke about the holiday’s significance, compar-ing it to Purim when Jews faced physical destruction in ancient Persia. By contrast, he said, Hanukkah celebrates victory over spiritual annihilation.

“Spiritually, they wanted to wipe out Judaism,” Finkelstein said. “But a small band of people led by Matisyahu, of the priestly class, and his sons fought the Greeks and overpowered them. And when they went into the Temple, they found a small cruise of uncontaminated olive oil to light the Temple menorah that lasted for eight days until they could make more oil. That’s the miracle of Hanukkah. …

“This sheds light on what the war was about,” Finkelstein said. “The main part

was the victory, then slowly getting back our religion. Otherwise, the Jewish people would have been wiped out.”

Finkelstein also spoke about the Jewish prayer group of 10 to 18 personnel who attend morning prayers in a small room down the hall every weekday at 6:15 a.m. – the only Jewish prayer service conducted daily on an Army installation.

“Is that a miracle or not? You don’t see that on any other Army base in the world,” Finkelstein said. “They are com-mitted on a daily basis.”

Finkelstein then expressed gratitude to both Rothstein and Rau for their sup-port.

“Hopefully, [the services] will continue [here] until the Messiah comes,” Finkel-stein said.

As the event winded down, Halon played Jewish songs on the piano.

“I had a wonderful time,” said Barry Greengart, a retired data analyst for the National Security Agency, after the pro-gram. “It’s nice to get together with every-body here and celebrate Hanukkah.”

Rabbi Levi Finkelstein (standing) is given a commander’s coin by Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein at the annual Hanukkah luncheon on Dec. 11 at Argonne Hills Chapel Center during the weekly “Lunch with the Rabbi” program. The luncheon, also attended by Garrison Chaplain (Col.) Carl Rau (seated) and Installation Safety Office Director Kirk Fechter (seated, center), featured traditional food and music, and the lighting of the menorah at the window (far left).


The following is a compilation of stories and photos that made news on Fort Meade

throughout the year of 2012. From the closing of the Courses and visits by high-profile legisla-tors and senior military leaders to historical storms and an award-winning talent show, it was indeed a year to remem-ber.

2012 Year in Review

2012 Year in Review

Photo by Pfc. Joshua R. Mckinney

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

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

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

Photo by noah scialoM

Photo by Jen Rynda


January 2012 Year in Review February

photo by brian krista

Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein (third from right) and former Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Charles E. Smith (second from right) join Fort Meade Soldiers for Military Appreciation at the University of Maryland’s men’s basketball game at the Comcast Center in College Park on Feb. 21.


Spectators and competitors fill the room as two young fighters battle in the 2012 East Coast National Qualifier karate tournament held Feb. 11 at McGill Training Center. About 250 of the top Taekwondo students in the region attended the event.

JANUARY• Lt. Gen. Carroll F. Pollett transfers

directorship of the Defense Information System Agency to Air Force Lt. Gen. Ronnie D. Hawkins Jr. during a ceremony on Jan. 11.

• Col. Patrick J. Mahaney Jr., com-mander of the Asymmetric Warfare Group, breaks ground on an AWG indoor gun range behind the old World War I barracks on Rock Avenue on Jan. 18.

• Yolanda Clark is the new acting prin-cipal of Meade High School, taking over from Daryl Kennedy, who left to serve as executive director of principal support for the Baltimore City Public Schools.

• Radio talk-show host Joe Madison, known as the “Black Eagle,” is the guest speaker for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. observance on Jan. 12.

• The Anne Arundel County Board of Education votes Jan. 18 to approve the construction of 12 additional classrooms at Meade High School.

• Defense Information School launches its first Public Affairs Course for Interna-tional Students on Jan. 23.

• Renovations to the Fort Meade Express, formerly the Shoppette, are com-pleted on Jan. 28.

FEBRUARY• Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center

completes renovations to its patient ser-vice center and medical laboratory, and addition of new operating rooms and medical teams to accommodate the nearly 1,500 patients who use the facility daily.

• Bettina Pickett, wife of Navy Lt. Aaron Pickett, delivers a baby girl in her Potomac Place home on Feb. 7 with the help of her neighbor, Dori Welsch.

• The 780th Military Intelligence Bri-gade and Meade Heights Elementary School sign on Feb. 14 a formal agree-ment establishing a partnership in educa-tion.

• Col. Jonathan Sweet, commander of the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade, breaks ground Feb. 21 on the brigade’s new headquarters, operation center and training facility.

• Pfc. Bradley E. Manning is arraigned Feb. 23 at Fort Meade on 22 charges, including wrongfully releasing intelli-gence, theft of records and aiding the enemy.

• JoAnne Martin, co-founder of the National Great Blacks In Wax Museum in Baltimore, is the guest speaker for the post’s Black History Month observance on Feb. 23.

• Meagan Chesser, 17, a senior at Meade High School, wins first place in the high school essay category of the State of Maryland International Reading Association Council’s statewide Young Authors Contest.


A wax figure of Dr. Dorothy Height, a former president of the National Council of Negro Women, stands in the foyer of Club Meade as part of the installation’s annual observance of Black History Month on Feb. 23. The figurine was on loan from the National National Great Blacks In Wax Museum in Baltimore.


March 2012 Year in Review April

MARCH• Garrison officials announce the sched-

uled closing of the Courses in May.• Maj. Savan Becker, a Space Systems offi-

cer and contractor at Fort Meade, is a finalist in Space Race 2012, a Facebook-hosted com-petition offering the winner the chance to

spend six weightless minutes 60 miles above Earth in a privately owned spacecraft.

• Twenty fifth-graders from Manor View Elementary School win silver medals during a mini-Olympic event hosted by first lady Michelle Obama on March 13 at American University.

• Master Sgt. Joshua E. Powell, an opera-tional advisor for the Asymmetic Warfare Group, is presented the Soldier Medal during a ceremony held March 23 at Fort Eutis, Va., for saving the life of a South African soldier during a training exercise in South Africa.

• Six longtime employees of the the Direc-torate of Human Resources are honored in a retirement luncheon on March 23 at Club Meade.

• Army Chief of Chaplains (Maj. Gen.) Donald L. Rutherford speaks at the post’s National Prayer Luncheon on March 28 at Club Meade.

APRIL• Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. begins

upgrades to the electric and gas lines in Heritage Park, a historic section of the installation that has the oldest infrastruc-ture within Fort Meade housing.

• More than 250 children attend the 13th annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 7 at the Youth Center. Two days later, several Fort Meade families participate in the 134th annual White House Easter Egg Roll.

• Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center unveils its technologically advanced surgi-cal center after a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 11.

• The 902nd Military Intelligence Group conducts a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 19 for its new headquarters and Army Counterintelligence Center complex.

• Halina Silber, a Holocaust survivor who was included on Schindler’s list, is the guest speaker at the post’s Holocaust Remembrance Day on April 19 at McGill Training Center.

• Col. Thomas A. Johnson Jr. assumes leadership of the 48th Combat Support Hospital from Col. Corinne M. Ritter on April 21.

Photo by Jen Rynda

Riley Bateman, 6, of Fort Meade, giggles while attempting to spin an oversized hula hoop during the installation’s annual Family Fun Day on April 28 outside McGill Training Center.

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

Photo by Jen Rynda

Photo by noah scialom

Retired Sgt. Michael Kacer, who lost his arm in an RPG attack in Afghanistan in 2009, gives a high five of sorts to retired Sgt. Robbie Gaupp during the final selection held March 11 at Fort Meade for the Army team 2012 Warrior Games.


May 2012 Year in Review June

Photo by Nate Pesce

Riley Wharton, 12, of Fort Meade Boy Scout Troop 377, carries an American flag to be placed among other worn or tattered flags during the troop’s flag retirement ceremony near the Fort Meade RV Park on June 14.

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

Photo by JeN RyNda

Photo by Noah scialom

Graduates line up to take their seats at Meade High School’s graduation ceremony held June 11 at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro.

MAY• The Directorate of Family and Morale,

Welfare and Recreation opens a revised jogging trail on May 1 after the closing of the East Campus, a trail around the former golf course.

• Gov. Martin O’Malley pays tribute to the military at the installation’s Memo-

rial Day Remembrance ceremony and 26th Annual Massing of the Colors on May 6 at the Pavilion.

• During the National Security Agency’s Armed Forces Week, five groups of service members compete in the annual Super Squad on Fort Meade on May 8.

• The installation’s 2012 Army Emer-gency Relief campaign raises $98,988 as the fundraising effort ends May 15, collecting 123.7 percent of its $80,000 goal.

• Ten World War II-era letters written to Fort Meade Soldiers are found on May 24 by Melwood employees in the wall frame of Bldg. 249 on Chisolm Avenue.

• The Directorate of Emergency Services unveils its new mobile command post nick-named “The Beast,” a self-contained com-munications center with cameras, satellites, computers and radios.

JUNE• Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F.

Chandler III meets June 7 with Soldiers and families during a tour of the post with his wife, Jeanne, and speaks at a town hall.

• Meade High’s first class of 49 graduating seniors in the Homeland Security Signature Program receive their diplomas on June 11.

• The 780th Military Intelligence Brigade welcomes Col. Jennifer G. Buckner as its new commander on June 15.

• Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein and Howard County Executive Ken Ulman celebrate the Army’s 237th birthday in a cake-cutting ceremony at The Mall in Columbia on June 14.

• Lt. Col. Marion Bakalorz takes com-mand of Headquarters Command Battalion on June 22 from Col. Edmund Barrett.

• On June 29, a fierce storm called a derecho whips through Fort Meade with high winds and heavy rain, causing dam-age to property and leaving the installation without electricity.


July 2012 Year in Review AugustJULY

• Chaplain (Col.) Carl Rau begins his tenure as the garrison chaplain on July 2, replacing Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Sid A. Taylor, who became deputy garrison chaplain.

• Col. Danny B. N. Jaghab takes com-mand on July 12 of the U.S. Army Medi-cal Activity, Fort Meade, and Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center from Col. Leon E. Moores.

• Lt. Col. Roseanne M. Bennett is named the garrison’s new staff judge advocate on July 15.

• The Fort Meade Fire and Emergency Services is named the Department of the Army’s Small Fire Department of the Year on July 17.

• Col. James M. Howell III assumes command of U.S. Army Dental Activity during a ceremony on July 18 at Club Meade from Col. David B. Hembree.

• Col. Yvette Hopkins takes command of the 902nd Military Intelligence Group on July 20 from Col. Andrea L. Thomp-son.

• The 704th Military Intelligence Bri-gade welcomes its incoming commander, Col. Anthony R. Hale, in a ceremony on July 24 from Col. Karen H. Gibson.

AUGUST• Maj. Gen. Michael S. Linnington,

commanding general of the Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region/Military District of Washington, visits Fort Meade on Aug. 9. Linnington attended a lunch and meeting with garrison officials in addition to taking a windshield tour of the installation.

• Maryland photographer Greg Schaler uses Fort Meade service members as models

photo by Anthony CAstellAno

Fireworks brighten the sky over McGlachlin Parade Field at Fort Meade’s annual Fourth of July Celebration. An estimated 12,000 to 15,000 residents and visitors attended the event that featured music, carnival rides, games and novelty vendors.

BELOW: A convoy of emergency vehicles makes a grand entrance at Fort Meade’s 29th annual National Night Out held Aug. 7 on McGlachlin Parade Field. The free event featured law enforcement demonstrations, music, pony rides, laser tag, inflatables, a zip line and food.

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

photo by nAte pesCe

for his photographs taken Aug. 15 for an art exhibition at Sarasota National Cemetery in Florida.

• Col. Michael R. Bell takes command of Public Health Command Region-North from Col. Bradford W. Hildabrand on Aug. 28.

photo by nAte pesCe

photo by lt. Col. j. DArrell siDes

An uprooted tree rests on a house on Washington Avenue in the historic section of Heritage Park on June 30. Winds in excess of 60 mph moved across the region June 29 at around 11 p.m. and left behind more than 75 downed trees and power outages on post, the aftermath of the band of storms called a derecho.


September 2012 Year in Review October

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


SEPTEMBER• Air Force Tech. Sgt. David Perez of U.S.

Cyber Command competes at the Inter-national Triathlon Union’s Long Course Dualthlon World Championships on Sept. 2 in Switzerland. As a member of Team USA, Perez finished the competition 113th overall and 11th in his age group.

• The Fort Meade Museum transports a 21-cm Morser 16 on Sept. 6 to Fort Sill, Okla. The German howitzer, captured by First Army in 1918 and displayed outside the museum, was donated to the U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum at Fort Sill.

• More than 400 Boy Scouts learn new science, technology, engineering and math skills during the Scouts’ first S.T.E.M. Merit Badge Day hosted Sept. 8 by Fort Meade.

• The Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation sponsors “Fort Meade’s Got Talent” on Sept. 8 at McGill Training Center. The annual talent show drew its biggest crowd since its inception in 2008.

• Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein and more than a dozen Soldiers and Airmen from the Defense Information School participate in Towson University’s “Hometown Heroes Day” on Sept. 15 at Johnny Unitas Stadium. DINFOS students helped extend the National 9/11 Flag prior to the game, while Rothstein conducted the coin toss.

• First Army Division East welcomes its new senior enlisted leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis E. Defreese, on Sept. 21.

• More than 2,400 service members participate in the three-mile Wellness and Remembrance Joint Service Run that paid tribute to 9/11 and to POWs and MIAs while promoting wellness and resiliency.

• MacArthur Middle School Princi-pal Stacy Gray signs a three-year sister school agreement of education and cultural exchange with the Beijing Yucai School in China on Sept. 21. Lui Jizhong, principal of the school in China, visited Fort Meade with a delegation of educators.

• Eight Fort Meade firefighters respond Sept. 30 to a two-alarm fire at the Seven Oaks apartments in Odenton. Two dozen apartments were evacuated, including four occupied by Fort Meade personnel.

• Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas J. Latter replaces former Garrison Com-mander Sgt. Maj. Charles E. Smith.

OCTOBER• The Civilian Wellness and Civilian

Fitness Program begins a pilot run on Oct. 1. The program allows civilian employees to take off one hour, three days a week, from work to engage in an exercise or fitness program.

• Beginning Oct. 1, service members pro-vide additional personnel at the installation’s five access control points, part of a mitigation plan to keep the gates open while the Director-ate of Emergency Services transitions from

contract security guards to Department of Army security guards.

• Fort Meade hosts the University System of Maryland’s monthly meeting of the uni-versity presidents on Oct. 1 at the Conference Center, providing an opportunity for the installation to build a partnership with the university system.

• Garrison leaders join Exchange officials in breaking ground on the site of the new Exchange during a ceremony on Oct. 16. The

photo by Joshua kruger

Airmen from the Defense Information School’s Air Force Student Detachment reach up to secure the flag during Retreat on Oct. 29 at McGlachlin Parade Field during Hurricane Sandy. The superstorm left minimal damage on post.

photo by staff sgt. sean k. harp

BELOW: Fort Meade firefighters work to extinguish a two-alarm fire at the Seven Oaks apartment complex in Odenton on Nov. 7. The fire was the second at the complex in six weeks.

new $26 million shopping center is scheduled to be completed in 2014.

• Sarah’s House celebrates 25 years of providing emergency shelter and transitional housing with a reception on Oct. 19 featur-ing Anne Arundel County Executive John R. Leopold and Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein.


November 2012 Year in Review December

NOVEMBER• The Fort Meade Religious Support

Office coordinates a designated offering, collecting $14,770.14 for the Maryland Food Bank in response to Gov. Martin O’Malley’s call to engage Marylanders in community service projects aimed at ending childhood hunger.

• The Fort Meade Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recre-ation is notified that the “Fort Meade’s Got Talent” production held Sept. 6 won first place in the Variety Entertain-ment and Talent Show category of the 2012 Army Festival of the Arts and Recreation Program competition.

• Fort Meade service members par-ticipate in the University of Maryland’s Military Appreciation Day on Nov. 3, prior to the Terrapins football game. Air Force Col. Michael Downs, commander of the 707th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group, conducted the coin toss.

• Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin visits Manor View Elementary School on Nov. 5 as part of Operation Caring Class-room, an education initiative adminis-tered by the Armed Forces Foundation. Cardin discussed Veterans Day and the sacrifices made by service members and their families.

• Nine Fort Meade firefighters respond to a two-alarm fire at Oden-ton’s Seven Oaks apartment complex on Nov. 7. The fire, which displaced two

Fort Meade Soldiers, was the second fire at the complex in six weeks.

• The Freedom Inn Dining Facility is judged Nov. 8 for the 45th annual Philip A. Connelly Award, which recognizes excellence in food service, for the civilian garrison category. The Freedom Inn is one of only seven civilian-operated dining facilities in the Army, out of more than 120, that was selected to compete.

• Fort Meade service members take on rugby players from the Australian Embassy in Washington, D.C., during a friendly series on Nov. 10 at Mullins Field.

• David Hatch, senior historian at the National Security Agency’s Center for Cryptologic History, speaks at the post’s Native American Heritage Month observance on Nov. 15 about the role of code talkers in World Wars I and II.

DECEMBER• The Fort Meade USO-Metro opens

its new center at 8612 6th Armored Calvary Road on Dec. 5. The 2,200-square-foot facility features a nine-seat theater room, wireless computer space, snack bar, patio and the organization’s food pantry.

• Air Force Tech. Sgt. Joshua Strang, an instructor at the Defense Information School, is one of 12 photographers hon-ored Nov. 30 at the Pentagon for their participation in the Arts in Embassies

photo by nate pesce

Nineteen-month-old Max Tjaden takes a gander at the rooster and hen that were a part of the petting zoo at Picerne Military Housing’s “December in the City” holiday event for residents on Dec. 1.

photo by noah scialom

Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein and his wife, Audrey, hand out eggnog during the Thanksgiving dinner at the Freedom Inn Dining Hall attended by a record crowd of 527 people.

Program.• Retired Washington Redskins defen-

sive end Dexter Manely signs autographs at the Exchange on Dec. 1.

• Jason Acuna, also known as “Wee Man,” screens his Christmas movie “Elf Man” at the Post Theater on Dec. 2.

• Fort Meade celebrates the holidays with the U.S. Army Field Band Holiday Concert on Dec. 6 to a packed audience in the Meade High auditorium and with the Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 7 on McGlachlin Parade Field that drew more than 600 people.


Ryan Maclean, 3, has his photo taken with Santa, who arrived atop a fire truck and then met with children in the gazebo during the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 7 at McGlachlin Parade Field.


2012 Year in Review — Sports

photo by brendan Cavanaugh

“Good Bye” is painted in the grass near the ninth-hole green at the Courses during the final Commander’s Cup on April 29. On May 1, the 27-hole course closed after more than 70 years.

photo by phil grout

Four-year-old Erin Peltier shows off her catch during the Youth Fishing Rodeo on May 5 at Burba Lake.

photo by nate pesCe

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

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

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

photo by Jen rynda

photo by ed bunyan



photo by Jen Rynda

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

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

photo by donna o’shea

Twenty fifth-graders from Manor View Elementary School proudly display the silver medals they won during a mini-Olympic event hosted by first lady Michelle Obama on March 13 at American University in Washington, D.C.

photo by Jen Rynda

Fort Meade Highsteppers Kyla Hall (No. 3) and Emylyn Porter (No. 2, far right) compete in the 1,500-meter race walk event during the USA Track and Field National Junior Olympics Track and Field Championships on July 23 at Hughes Stadium at Morgan State University in Baltimore. Thirteen Highsteppers competed in the national event.

photo by steve RuaRk




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

photo by Jen Rynda

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

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

photo by Jen Rynda

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

photo by Jason Kelly




1st Sgt. Marlon Green wipes a whipped cream pie off his face while Defense Information School students cheer during the school’s annual Toilet Bowl on Sept. 28 at Mullins Field.


Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein talks to members of the 5- and 6-year old Fort Meade Cougars baseball team in the Bowie Baysox dugout on June 15 at Prince George’s Stadium. The Baysox were celebrating the Army’s 237th birthday with Fort Meade Day.


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

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

photo by brian Krista


SportS

photos by sarah pastrana

reindeer fun runMore than 500 runners participated in the Reindeer Run 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk at Murphy Field House on Saturday. The early morning run was the final event in the Fort Meade Run Series, which featured seven runs throughout the year. In the spirit of the holidays, many runners — and their pets — dressed in festive costumes.TOP LEFT: Chris Harkins and Adam Elwell don Santa outfits for the Reindeer 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk on Saturday at Murphy Field House.MIDDLE LEFT: Eleven-year-old Charles Mack and Emma Mellamphy speed to the finish line outside Murphy Field House during Saturday’s Reindeer 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk.RIGHT: Jeremy Fisher finishes the 1-Mile Walk with his son Jeremiah and daughter Sophia.

Top men finishers:

Paul Coover, 16:56Stephen Wills, 19:10Daniel Merwin, 19:23

Top women finishers:

Alison Slade, 19:21Sarah Fisher, 20:40

Renee Oravec, 20:45


SportS

By Brandon BieltzStaff Writer

Sugary snacks and large meals have become a staple during the holiday sea-son. And come Jan. 1, many will set New Year’s resolutions to cut a few pounds.

For the fifth year, Gaffney Fitness Center is sponsoring Dump Your Plump, an eight-week weight loss competition to help people attain their goal. Registra-tion opened Dec. 10 and will continue through Jan. 4. The competition offi-cially kicks off Jan. 7.

“It’s a do-it yourself wellness pro-gram,” said Katie Harrington, swim instructor at Gaffney and a Dump Your Plump coordinator. “It’s very flexible for people who are working or busy.”

The competition consists of weekly weigh-ins on Mondays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays. The private weigh-ins mea-sure the percentage of weight lost, not total pounds.

How the competitors lose the weight is up to them; they devise their own pro-gram individually or as a group.

“It’s very do-it-yourself at your own pace type thing,” Harrington said.

Missing a weigh-in, however, can hurt competitors for the weekly awards or the overall winners at the end of the eight weeks.

A pound is added for failure to weigh in at the fitness center, and missing a total of four or more weigh-ins elim-

inates the competitor. Missing more than two consecutive weigh-ins also will result in elimination.

“[Participants] can do whatever they want, they can work out wherever they want,” Harrington said. “It doesn’t have to be at Gaffney as long as they weigh in here.”

Competitors can sign up as an indi-vidual or part of a team. In previous years, competitors formed teams of members from the same organization or unit.

The teams, said Harrington, provide another push to keep up with the pro-gram.

“They get teams that are at work and are seeing each other and motivating each other,” she said.

Last year, the 267 competitors lost a combined 1,527 pounds over the eight weeks.

Dump Your Plump has received posi-tive feed back from participants. Many of the same competitors return each year to continue their weight loss, get back on track, or top what they did last year, Harrington said.

“The competition keeps people moti-vated to do it,” Harrington said. “Hav-ing the board up — seeing who are the top people — really helps people. People really do get into it. I think the compe-tition aspect of it kind of helps people and gives them a push.”

Dump Your Plump offers flexible weight-loss competition

file photo

Registration for Dump Your Plump opened Dec. 10 and will continue through Jan. 4. The flexible weight-loss competition, which runs from Jan. 7 through Feb. 28, allows participants to create their own program to shed pounds.

in LaurelAt the intersection of Whiskey Bottom Rd.and Rt. 198 (Ft. Meade Rd.)

301-498-1616 • www.startinggateservice.com

ROAD SERVICETOWING24/7

GREAT DISCOUNTS ON SERVICEComfortable lounge makes

waiting for your car a pleasure!Knowledgeable Mechanics

MILITARY DISCOUNT10% OFF all services

MARYLAND’S BEST CAR AND TRUCK SERVICE CENTERMARYLAND’S BEST CAR AND TRUCK SERVICE CENTER

Located close to base

FULL MINIMUMONE YEAR WARRANTY

on all services

FULL MINIMUMONE YEAR WARRANTY

on all services

We Support Our Troops

COME IN ANDSEE WHY WE’RE

#1

RVICE CENNNNTTTT RRVICE CENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNTTTTTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRCENNNNTTTTTEEEEEEEEERCENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNTTTTTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRVICERVICE CE TTTTTTTRVICE CENTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT RCCCCCCCC RRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEETTTTTTTTTTTTTTNNNNNNEEEEEEICEICEVVRVRVRR CC CENNNNNTTTTTTTTTTEEEEEEEEEEEERCENTTTTTTTTTTTTTEEEEEEEEEEERCENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERCENNNTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRVICERVICERVICERVICERVVVV

E

333 Busch’s Frontage Road • 410-349-8800 • AnnapolisVolvo.com

Be Free To Spend On Loved Ones This Holiday SeasonBecause You Spend Nothing Upfront On A New Volvo.NOW

THROUGHJANUARY

2nd

SIGN & DRIVE

DUE AT SIGNINGSECURITY DEPOSIT1ST MO. PAYMENT

$0NEW 2013 VOLVO S60 T5 FWD

$378/MO. 39MO.LEASE †Excludes tax & tags.

V9063. WithApproved Credit•MSRP $35,545

Premier Package, Climate Package

SAFE + SECURECOVERAGE PLAN• 5 YEAR WARRANTY• 5 YEAR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE• 5 YEAR WEAR & TEAR• 5 YEAR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE

FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY

THE VOLVOH LIDAYSALES EVENT

SIGN & DRIVEDUE AT SIGNINGSECURITY DEPOSIT1ST MO. PAYMENT$0

volvocars.com/us Offers expire 1/02/13 ©2012 Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. The Iron Mark is a registered trademark of Volvo. Always remember to wear your seatbelt.


SportS

It is safe to say that the last week has been pretty tough on all of us.

As a father of three, including a 5-year old son who is the light of my life, I’m devastated at the thought of what those families in Connecticut are going through.

And as a citizen, I’m sad to be so relieved at the site of a police car outside of my daughter’s school.

However, it’s time for your final dose of Jibber in 2012, and I refuse to let it be soured by this tragedy. Seriously, what good is sports and all things related if they can’t help take our mind off of such things, even if it’s only for a few moments?

So even though it’s so easy to get caught up in the negatives involved with our games - player strikes, PEDs, LeBron James and Notre Dame - I’m going to spend these closing graphs highlighting some of the great things about sports this year.

For example, my ongoing debate with the DPTMS staff has reached an all-time low now that Doug Wise claimed that the only game the Steelers ever truly lost was “12/5/71, when Earl Campbell and an obviously better Houston Oilers team put a beating on the Black and Gold.”

Now I love me some Earl Campbell as much as the next guy youtube.com/watch?v=Ui844C3TQVI, and Doug is correct is saying the “Tyler Rose” did dominate the Steelers on multiple occa-sions. However, it was 1981 instead of ‘71. And Mr. Wise’s claim that the hundreds of other Steelers’ losses since then were because they “handed an inferior team the victory” is just another example of the wonderful absurdity I get to deal with.

And how about Felix Baumgart-ner? He’s the dude that jumped from 128,000 feet and free fell at 729 mph simply because he could youtube.com/watch?v=7f-K-XnHi9I. Sure, he’s still no Evel Knievel, but he certainly pants that dude who walked across Niagara Falls attached to a cable that could hold up an elephant.

As you all know, 2012 was an Olym-pic year. And while everyone will prob-ably remember Usain Bolt youtube.com/watch?v=lacjJVxC5d0 or the U.S. Wom-en’s Gymnastics team, the moment I’ll

take from Lon-don is this gem courtesy of the U.S. Swim team yo u t u b e. c o m /watch?v=YPIA 7mpm1wU.

Say what you will, but “Call Me Maybe” is a catchy tune.

Of course, any recap about 2012 or things that are great about sports wouldn’t be complete without a shout-out to the baddest man on the planet. No, I’m not talking about Mike Tyson (he actually may be the craziest man on the planet). I’m talking about Justin Verlander: He’s dating Kate Upton, has a 100 mph fast-ball and makes Major League hitters look like Little Leaguers youtube.com/watch?v=y9OJEcNXxnw.

And while I’m at it, I better mention baseball’s first triple crown winner in 45 years, League MVP and 2013 World Series champion, Miguel Cabrera you-tube.com/watch?v=Lft6PESMrMY.

With all this baseball talk, it’s only fair to mention the Baltimore Orioles, and not just because Buck’s Boys made it to the playoffs.

In fact, they could have lost 100 games this season and still be in this column because of their commitment to Fort Meade. Col. Rothstein and I thought Ori-oles owner Peter Angelos was only kid-ding when he said he wanted to provide us with 20,000 tickets this season.

Apparently, he wasn’t.The Orioles provided Team Meade

with 500 tickets to every Sunday home game, a key role in their Military Appre-ciation Day, and today, Gold Glover Nick Markakis and his wife are taking some of our service members to do some early Christmas shopping.

If that’s not an example of sports step-ping up when we need it most, I don’t know what is.

I’ll see you all on Jan. 10 with some 2013 predictions that are sure to go wrong. Until then, have a happy and safe holiday season.

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

Year in Review

Chad T. Jones, Public Affairs

Officer

Jibber Jabber - OpiniOn Sports ShortsYouth girls basketball

Child, Youth and School Services has openings for 10- and 11-year-old girls on the girls’ county basketball team.

For more information, call 301-677-1179.

Dump Your PlumpRegistration for the fifth annual Dump Your Plump weight-loss competition

will be open through Jan. 4 at Gaffney Fitness Center.Participants can compete as an individual or a team.The free competition runs from Jan. 7 through Feb. 28.For more information, call 301-677-7916.

NFL SundayThe Lanes’ lounge is a showing venue for NFL games this football season,

with the exception of local blackouts, on eight, 42-inch high-definition flat-screen televisions. Food service and full bar are available.


Texas Hold ‘emTexas Hold ‘em no buy-in games are played Mondays at 7 p.m. at the Lanes.Games are free and open to the public.For more information, call 301-677-5541.

Dollar DaysThe Lanes offers

Dollar Days every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Bowlers receive a game of bowling, shoe rental, a hot dog, hamburger, small fries, pizza slice or small soda for $1 each.


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

www.quickscores.com/ftmeadesports.

• Basketball• Football

• Softball• Soccer

Find schedules, scores, standings and upcoming seasons for

All-Army athletics, new sports and special events at

And more, plus


Community news & notes

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

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

Seeking business ownersEntrepreneurs, tell us your story!Next month, Soundoff! will publish an

article about Fort Meade entrepreneurs and the products they sell or services they offer.

For consideration, email your name, telephone number and a brief summary of your business to Phil Jones, command information chief, at [email protected].

Demps Visitors Center holiday closings

The Fort Meade DEMPS Visitors Center will be closed Monday and Tuesday for Christmas and Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 for the New Year’s holiday.

Visitors requiring access to the installation should proceed to the inspection station at Reece Road, Gate 7.

Enter the DVC parking lot and follow the perimeter road behind the DVC to the inspection station.

Drivers are required to present a driver’s license and vehicle registration.

All visitors age 16 and older must present a photo ID.

For more information, call DVC at 301-677-1064.

Club Meade closureClub Meade will close Jan. 7 through

April 6 for renovations.Lunch will be served at The

Conference Center, formerly the Courses Clubhouse.

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

ACS online assessmentHelp Army Community Service tailor

programs and services to better meet the demographics and interests of Team Meade by completing this quick and

easy online survey: surveymonkey.com/s/ACSNeedsAssessment2012.

Baltimore County Police seeking applicants

The Baltimore County Police Department is now hiring police officers.

The deadline to apply is Friday. The written test will be administered in

January. The academy class starts in June.Applicants must be 21 years old by

graduation from the academy, have a high school diploma or GED, be a United States citizen and have a valid driver’s license.

Starting salary is $46,699.The position offers benefits such as

medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, tuition reimbursement and deferred comp.

To apply, visit joinbaltimorecountypd.com or call 410-887-BCPD.

Kimbrough holiday closings

Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center will be closed on the following days for the Christmas and New Year’s holiday period:

• Friday at noon for staff holiday parties

• Monday and Tuesday for Christmas• Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 for New Year’s.

Commissary holiday closings

The Fort Meade Commissary hours on Monday will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The store will be closed Christmas. It will reopen Wednesday at 7 a.m. for early-bird shopping and at 9 a.m. for regular store hours.

For more information, call the commissary at 301-677-7465.

Karaoke NightThe next Karaoke Night will be today

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

The event is held the third Thursday of the month.

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

Chicago Steppin’Chicago Steppin’ will be held Friday

from 7 p.m. to midnight at Club Meade.A free beginner’s lesson will be offered

from 7 to 8 p.m.For more information, call 301-677-6969.

New Year’s Eve partiesBowl the night away at The Lanes Cos-

mic New Year’s Eve Party on Dec. 31.• The family party will be held from 5

to 8 p.m.Cost is $75 and includes one lane rental

for six people, shoe rental, one pizza topping, popcorn, one pitcher of soda, a bottle of sparkling cider, party favors, games and events.

• The adult party will be from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

The party will include Ithe package above, plus champagne instead of spar-kling cider.

Cost is $100.Book unit and private parties early. For

reservations, call 301-677-5541.

Super SaleThe Post Thrift Shop Super Sale will

be held Jan. 8 to 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Each of the three days will have exceptional bargains. View Facebook for items to be featured each day.

The thrift shop will be closed Dec. 21 until the bag sale on Jan. 5.

For more information, call the shop Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 410-672-3575 or Evelyn Silva at 410-695-2511.

MLK celebrationThe Fort Meade community is invited

to “A Martin Luther King Jr. Celebra-tion” on Jan. 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at McGill Training Center, 8452 Zimborski Ave.

The guest speaker is Turhan E. Rob-inson, civilian aide to the Office of the

Secretary of the Army for Maryland.The event will feature music, courtesy

of Pershing Hill Elementary School, and food samplings.

The free event is open to the public.All Fort Meade service members and

civilian employees are encouraged to attend with supervisory approval and without charge to annual leave. Adminis-trative leave is authorized.

RSVP to Master Sgt. Batiste at 301-677-7063 or email [email protected] or Sgt. 1st Class Palmore at 301–677-6687 or email [email protected].

EFMP programThe Exception Family Member

Support Group is offering the program, “How to survive in the home and community without losing your cool or creating behavioral monsters” on Jan. 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Army Community Service, 830 Chisholm Ave.

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

For more information, email [email protected] or call 301-677-4473.

PWOC Bible studyProtestant Women of the Chapel will

hold its spring kickoff on Jan. 16 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Argonne Hills Chapel Center.

This year’s theme is Generation 2 Generation. Learn what it means

NEWS & EVENTS

EDUCATION


Community news & notes

to leave a Godly legacy for the next generation.

Eleven different Bible studies will be available for the spring semester.

Free child care will be provided.For more information, email meade@

pwoc.org or visit Facebook: Meade PWOC.

Couples evening studyProtestant Women of the Chapel is

offering the final evening study of the book, “The Marriage You’ve Always Wanted,” today at 6:45 p.m. at Argonne Hills Chapel Center.

Free child care is provided.For more information, call 301-677-

6035 or email [email protected] or visit ftmeadepwoc.org.

Auto care coursesThe Automotive Skills Center at 6530

Taylor Ave. offers monthly courses from 1 to 3 p.m.

An FMWR card is required. New patrons must first view a safety video.


Youth Book SwapThe Medal of Honor Memorial

Library is sponsoring a Youth Book Swap through Saturday.

Bring in your gently used books to trade with others.


Romp ‘n StompRomp ‘n Stomp playgroup for parents

and their children up to age 5 meets Tuesdays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Youth Center gym.

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

Out & About• Ring in 2013 with a fireworks

display and music at Baltimore’s New Year’s Eve Spectacular on Dec. 31 from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at the Baltimore Inner Harbor Amphitheater, Pratt and Light streets. Live music begins at 9 p.m. The choreographed

fireworks show starts at the stroke of midnight. For more information, visit promotionandarts.com.

• Leisure Travel Services is offering discount tickets to Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia to its production of “A Christmas Carol” through Dec. 30. For more information, call 301-677-7354 or visit ftmeademwr.com.

• Leisure Travel Services is offering a holiday shopping trip to New York City on Saturday. Bus cost is $55. For more information, call 301-677-7354 or visit ftmeademwr.com.

• Holiday Festival of Trains & Toys is presented through Dec. 31 at the B&O Railroad Museum, 901 W. Pratt St., Baltimore.

Celebrate the holiday season at Baltimore’s largest holiday display of toy and model train layouts. Weekend train rides and photo opportunities with Santa continue through Tuesday, and with Frosty the Snowman through Dec. 31. All ages can enjoy indoor train carousel rides and crafts at Santa’s workshop.

Admission is $16 for adults; $14 for seniors ages 60 and older; and $10 for children ages 2 to 12. Cost for Mile One Express Train ride is $3 for adults and $2 for children. Carousel rides cost $2 for one ride and $5 unlimited for the day. For more information, visit borail.org or call 410-752-2490.

• Retired Enlisted Association meets the third Thursday of the month from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Perry’s Restaurant, 1210 Annapolis Road, Odenton. The next meeting is tonight. For more information, visit trea.org or call Mary Gray, the local president, at 410-916-5385 or Arthur R. Cooper, national president, at 443-336-1230.

• Society of Military Widows meets for brunch the fourth Sunday of the month at 11 a.m. at the Lanes. The next meeting is Dec. 23. For more information, call Betty Jones at 410-730-0127.

• Air Force Sergeants Association Chapter 254 meets the fourth Wednesday of the month from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Roost, 9827 Love Road. The next meeting is Dec. 26. For more information, call 443-534-5170 or visit afsa254.org.

• Monthly Prayer Breakfast, hosted by the Garrison Chaplain’s Office, is held the first Thursday of every month at 7 a.m. at Club Meade. The next prayer breakfast is Jan. 3.

All Fort Meade employees, family members, and civilian and military

personnel are invited. There is no cost for the buffet; donations are optional. For more information, call 301-677-6703 or email [email protected].

• Meade Rod and Gun Club meets the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at Perry’s Restaurant and Odie’s Pub at 1210 Annapolis Road, Odenton. The next meeting is Jan. 3 in the banquet hall in back of the building. Dinner is served at 6 p.m. For more information, call 410-674-4000.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness of Anne Arundel County conducts a free support group for families with a loved one suffering from mental illness on the first Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Odenton (West County) Library, 1325 Annapolis Road. The next meeting is Jan. 3. For more information, visit namiaac.org.

• Families Dealing with Deployment meets the first and third Monday of every month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Meuse Forest Neighborhood Center. The next meeting is Jan. 7. For more information, call Rikki Ford, Parent Support coordinator, at 301-677-3617 or email [email protected].

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

• Spouse Connection meets the second Tuesday of every month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Potomac Place Neighborhood, 4998 Second Corps Blvd. The next meeting is Jan. 8. The program provides an opportunity for all spouses in the Fort Meade community and surrounding area to meet and get connected. For more information, call 301-677-4110 or email [email protected].

• Fort Meade TOP III Association meets the second Wednesday of each month at 3 p.m. at the Courses. The next meeting is Jan. 9. The association is open to all Air Force active-duty and retired senior noncommissioned officers. For more information, call Master Sgt. Jonathan Jacob at 443-479-0616 or email [email protected].

• Meade Branch 212 of the Fleet Reserve Association meets the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at VFW Post 160 on Route 170 in Glen Burnie. The next meeting is Jan. 9. Active-duty, Reserve and retired members of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard are invited. For more information, call 410-761-7046 or 301-262-6556.

• Military Council for Catholic Women

is open to all women ages 18 and older for prayer, faith, fellowship and service at the Main Post Chapel.

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

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

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

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

For more information, email Cubmaster Tom Johnston at [email protected] or Committee Chairperson Elizabeth Johnston at [email protected].

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

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

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

• Fort Meade E9 Association meets the second Friday of every month at 7 a.m. in the Pin Deck Cafe at the Lanes. The next meeting is Jan. 11. The association is open to active, retired, Reserve and National Guard E9s of any uniformed service. All E9s in this area are invited to attend a breakfast and meet the membership. For more information, visit e9association.org or call 410-551-7953.

• Patient/Family Advisory Council meets the third Tuesday of each month at 3 p.m. at Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center. The next meeting will be Jan. 15 in Kimbrough’s main conference room on the third floor, room 3C03.

For more information or to become a council member, call Becky Mays Jenkins, coordinator of Patient and Family Centered Care, at 301-677-8261.

YOUTH

RECREATION

MEETINGS


Movies

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

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

Today through Jan. 12

CLOSED through Jan. 3 for building repairs. Will reopen Friday, Jan. 4.

Jan. 4, 5: “Alex Cross” (PG-13). A serial killer (Matthew Fox) pushes a detective/psychologist (Tyler Perry) for the Detroit Police Department to the edge. With Edward Burns, Jean Reno, Carmen Ejogo, Cicely Tyson, Rachel Nichols and Werner Daehn.

Jan. 6, 9, 10, 12: “Wreck-It Ralph” (PG). Disney animated film in which a video game “bad guy” wants desperately to be a hero. With John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch.

Get to work on time. Know the hours of operation for

Access Gates on Fort Meade

Gate 1: Rockenbach Road5 a.m. to 9 p.m.,

7 days a week

Gate 3: Reece Road and Maryland Route 175

(Demps Visitor Control Center gate) 24-hour access

Demps Visitor Control Center, Bldg. 902 Reece Road7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.,

Monday through Friday

Gate 4: Mapes Road and Maryland Route 175

5 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday;

closed weekends and holidays

Gate 5: Llewellyn Avenue and Maryland Route 175

6 to 8 a.m., Monday through Friday for inbound traffic;

3 to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday for outbound traffic

Gate 7: Mapes Road and Route 32

5 a.m. to 9 p.m., 7 days a week

Follow Fort Meade on Twitter.com/ftmeademd

Enter to winTHE BALTIMORE SUN MEDIA GROUP’S

Big Santa ContestOne lucky winnerwill win $1,000 Visit any of the merchants below and look for the

Big Santa displayFill out an entry form to win a Big Santa

Only one of the Big Santasis hiding

$1,000so register atall locations!

Complete contest rules online at baltimoresun.com/bigsantarules

10760 Hickory Ridge RdColumbia

10155 Balt. Natl. PikeRt. 40

Ellicott City

10132 Balt. Natl. PIkeEllicott City

1514 Rock Spring RoadForest Hill

696 Baltimore PikeBel Air

2913 Emmorton RoadAbingdon

5805 Clarksville Square DriveClarksville

1827 Mountain Rd.Joppa

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Sweepstakes runs from 9 am (ET) on 11/27/12 to 5:00 pm (ET) on 12/20/12. Sweepstakes open to legal U.S. residents residing in Harford, Howard, Carroll, Anne Arundel, Baltimore Counties & Baltimore City, MD who are 21 & older as of 11/27/12. Void where prohibited & outside MD. To enter, complete form at participating retailers. For list of participating retailers & Official Rules, visit www.baltimoresun.com/bigsantarules. Limit 1 entry per person, per retailer. Odds of winning Grand Prize depend on number of eligible entries; odds of winning First Prize depend on number of eligible entries per retailer. 1 Grand Prize: $1,000. 15 First Prizes (one per participating retailer): stuffed Santa. ARV: $149.99. Total ARV of all prizes: $3,249.85. Sponsor: The Baltimore Sun Company, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21278.

®

s

roomarket b

bou l d e r g a t sa

6600 Balt. Natl. PikeCatonsville

(location opening 12/7/12)

8895 McGaw RoadColumbia

fort meade soundoff dec. 20, 2012

Documents