The document is a newspaper from Fort Meade dated July 3, 2013. It includes articles about construction projects on base being on schedule, a presentation given at Fort Meade about the dangers of drug use and criminal drug cartels, and details about an Independence Day celebration being held that day at McGlachlin Parade Field featuring performances, food, games and fireworks. The commander's column encourages attendance at the celebration and discusses entertainment acts, and warns people to be safe during the holiday weekend.
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Red, White and Blue Celebration kicks off Independence Day festivities
1. Top cop
Fort Meade bids
fond farewell to
chief of police
page 8
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 11, 7 a.m.: Monthly Prayer Breakfast - The Conference Center
July 11, 7 p.m.: The Volunteers “A Night of Country” Concert - Constitution Park
July 18, 7 p.m.: The U.S.Army Blues Summer Concert - Constitution Park
July 18, 7-10 p.m.: Karaoke Night - The Lanes
July 25, 7 p.m.: U.S. Navy Next Wave Jazz Ensemble Concert - Constitution Park
construction
Exchange, Express
projects in early stages
for on-time completion
page 3
Soundoff!´
vol. 65 no. 26 Published in the interest of the Fort Meade community July 3, 2013
Red, White,
Blue,
and YOU
The Budweiser-Fort Meade Red, White and Blue Celebration is today from 4 to 10 p.m. at McGlachlin Parade Field. The free public event will feature fireworks, a Budweiser
Clydesdales procession, a barbecue cook-off, children’s inflatables, two NASCAR simulators, food vendors, and corn hole games. Country music artists Jerrod Niemann,
Chelsea Bain and Brett Eldredge will perform. The U.S. Army Field Band’s Jazz Ambassadors will perform at 7 p.m. at Constitution Park.
TODAY, 4-10 p.m.,
McGlachlin Parade Field
Rain or Shine
2. http://www.ftmeade.army.mil SOUNDOFF! July 3, 2013
Commander’s Column
Contents
News.............................. 3 Sports...................................12
Crime Watch.................. 9 Movies..................................15
Community..................14 Classified..............................16
Editorial Staff
Garrison Commander
Col. Edward C. Rothstein
Garrison Command
Sgt. Maj. Thomas J. Latter
Public Affairs Officer
Chad T. Jones
Chad.T.Jones.civ@mail.mil
Chief, Command Information
Philip H. Jones
Philip.H.Jones.civ@mail.mil
Assistant Editor Senior Writer
Rona S. Hirsch
Staff Writer Lisa R. Rhodes
Staff Writer Brandon Bieltz
Design Coordinator Timothy Davis
Supplemental photography provided
by The Baltimore Sun Media Group
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Soundoff!´
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It’s hard to believe that tomorrow the coun-
try will be celebrating Independence Day. It
was not that long ago when we were dealing
with decisions regarding delayed openings at
the installation due to ice and snow.
As the seasons have changed from winter to
spring and now summer, we continue to have
issues related to the weather.
Lately we have been dealing with summer
thunderstorms and tornado warnings. We
have had a lot of great weather in between the
storms, but the weather over the past month
has made it difficult to host some of our favor-
ite summer events.
Case in point: the U.S. Army Field Band
has only been able to perform one of four
scheduled concerts this summer.
I’ve got to believe the tide (excuse the
weather pun) is turning our way for the bet-
ter. At the very least, let’s all hope that the
weather will cooperate with our plans today
and Thursday.
As most of you know, later this afternoon
we will kick off the Budweiser-Fort Meade
Red, White and Blue celebration at McGlach-
lin Parade Field.
The event, which starts at 4 p.m., will feature
a procession by the Budweiser Clydesdales, a
barbecue cook-off contest, children’s inflata-
bles, two NASCAR simulators, games, and of
course, food.
And like past Fourth of July events, the
celebration also will feature fireworks. There
will be three country music performances
by Chelsea Bain, Brett Eldredge and Jerrod
Niemann.
Bain is an up-and-coming country per-
former from Arizona. She’s been described as
a combination of country, pop and Southern
rock. If you enjoy hearing someone sing who
puts her heart and soul in song, then I’m sure
you’ll find her to be a real crowd-pleaser.
Eldredge, like Bain, is a country newcomer
with more talent than fame. He released his
first single in 2010 to good reviews, but it has
been his third single, “Don’t Ya,” that has a lot
of people talking about his sure-to-come fame
as a country singer.
Jerrod Niemann is also a fairly new country
singer. After watching and listening to him
perform, I’m sure many of you will leave the
parade field believing he will be on the music
scene for a long time. He’s a Kansas native
who released his first album in 2010. What
separates him from other country singers is
that he has already penned songs for Garth
Brooks, Chris LeDoux and Zona Jones.
And while these three bands are sure to give
us a great show, our own U.S. Army Field
Band knows a
thing or two
about crowd-
pleasing music.
At 7 p.m., the
Field Band’s
Jazz Ambassa-
dors will per-
form at Consti-
tution Park.
I’ve never
been to a Field
Band concert
I didn’t enjoy
and I can tell you now, ahead of tonight’s
performance, they are “good to go!” The walk
across the parade field will be worth your
time. It will definitely be a night of music we
will all enjoy.
We are so fortunate to have a community
partner and sponsor like Anheuser-Busch.
Other sponsors include BGE for fireworks
and NSA Civlian Welfare Fund. Otherwise,
Fort Meade would be joining a host of other
military bases across the United States that
will not be hosting a traditional Fourth of July
celebration and fireworks display.
The continuing military budget cutbacks
related to the sequester has forced installations
at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp LeJeune,
Forts Bragg, Joint Base McGuire, Dix and
Lakehurst, and Shaw U.S. Air Force Base
as well as other installations to forego this
year’s celebration of our nation’s Indepen-
dence Day.
And while Fort Meade is having its Indepen-
dence Day celebration one day early, I promise
it will be an event we will all remember for a
long time.
Don’t forget that while you’re having a great
time today, tomorrow and this weekend, to
think safety first.
Have a great week. Be safe.
An event to remember
COL. Edward c.
Rothstein
Garrison Commander
Commander’s Open Door
Garrison Commander Col. Edward C.
Rothstein has an open door policy.
All service members, retirees, govern-
ment employees, family members or com-
munity members age 18 or older are invited
to address issues or concerns to the com-
mander directly by visiting Rothstein’s office
on Mondays from 4 to 6 p.m. at garrison
headquarters in Hodges Hall, Bldg. 4551,
Llewellyn Avenue.
Visitors are seen on a first-come, first-
served basis. No appointment is necessary.
For more information, call 301-677-4844.
3. http://www.ftmeade.army.mil July 3, 2013 SOUNDOFF!
News
Story and photos by Brandon Bieltz
Staff Writer
Construction crews are on track to com-
plete the Army and Air Force Exchange
Service’s Exchange and Express shoppette
on time.
The new 167,000-square-foot Exchange is
scheduled to open in the summer of 2014,
while the Express is expected to be completed
by the end of this year.
Mangers at both construction sites said the
projects are going as planned and are meeting
the initial timelines.
“I’m very happy right now with how every-
thing is going,” said Jonathan Bright, gen-
eral manager of Fort Meade Consolidated
Exchange. “We’re still in the early stages, but
both projects are still on schedule with no
delays.”
The $37 million Exchange will replace the
current 130,000-square-foot facility and will
feature a gun shop, pharmacy and larger food
court with six food vendors. While not all food
vendors have been announced, Bright said
the new food court will include a Starbucks,
Dominos Pizza, Subway and Charley’s.
Work on the Exchange began in December
with the removal of nonfriable asbestos from
the old PXtra, which was demolished to cre-
ate new parking. The new Exchange is being
constructed on the former parking lot.
The temporary lot of roughly 208 spots will
soon be upgraded as well, Bright said.
“Pretty soon we’re going to be starting
on maintenance,” he said. “We’re going to
do more striping and filling up the potholes.
We’re working on the temporary parking
right now.”
Mike Hunter, construction superintendent
at the Exchange site, said all the construction
steel is set and crews are preparing for the
roofing with metal decking.
“The building shape has been defined,” he
said. “Right now we’re in the rough stages of
getting ready for concrete pourers. We have
those scheduled for the middle of July and
beyond.”
Bright said the facility is on schedule to be
turned over to AAFES next summer. Once the
new building is ready, the current Exchange
will be demolished and a parking lot will be
constructed on the land. The entire project is
expected to be finished in the winter of 2014.
The Express is a shorter-term project that
began in March and is scheduled to be finished
by the end of this year. The 8,420-square-foot
facility is being constructed on the former soft-
ball field on Mapes Road near the Route 32
gate and will feature six gas pumps, a Burger
King with a drive-through, mini-mart and
AAFES projects on schedule for completion
The Express construction crew digs a large hole for the oil tanks that will be installed next week near the Route 32 gate on Mapes
Road. The $5.6 million project is scheduled to be finished by the end of this year.
pizza restaurant with delivery.
Once the $5.6 million project is completed,
the Trading Post store across from the Defense
Information School will close, but the Express
on MacArthur Road will remain open as a 24-
hour store. The new site will mirror the hours
of the nearby gate.
Project manager Sebastian Cianciolo said
work is on schedule and all utilities are in
place, except for water.
“We’re doing ground work on the building
right now,” he said. “Right now the entire site
is 80 percent done.”
Currently, the construction crew is prepar-
ing to install the oil tanks for the gas pumps.
Cianciolo said the hole will be 16-feet deep
and roughly 60 feet by 80 feet to fit the large
tanks.
After the tanks are placed, construction can
begin on the buildings.
“The only thing we have right now is a huge
hole for the oil tank,” Cianciolo said. “Once
we get them in, we’ll get the instructions, back-
fill it all up and start working on the canopy
footings and foundation.”
Construction workers inspect the metal decking for the roofing of the new Exchange,
which is expected to open next summer. Officials said construction on the 130,000-
square-foot facility is on schedule.
4. http://www.ftmeade.army.mil SOUNDOFF! July 3, 2013
News
By Lisa R. Rhodes
Staff Writer
There is a good chance that if you
are buying marijuana in Baltimore, your
money is going to a Mexican drug cartel.
Charles Hedrick, group supervisor for
the Baltimore Intelligence Group of the
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration,
shared this and many other important
facts during Drug-Free Workforce Train-
ing sessions at the Post Theater.
The mandatory training, held June 24
and 25, was targeted to garrison man-
agers, supervisors and employees. Fort
Meade’s Army Substance Abuse Program
hosted the sessions.
Samson Robinson, ASAP prevention
coordinator, said that the training is an
opportunity to educate supervisors about
the signs and symptoms of drug use
among employees and to inform them of
the resources available.
“We also have the opportunity to keep
civilians abreast of the different drugs
that are available in the community and
to educate them about drug use by their
co-workers and their children,” Robinson
said.
On the morning of June 25, Hedrick
gave a nearly three-hour slide presentation
on the dangers of marijuana, cocaine, her-
oin and synthetic drugs to public health,
and spoke about how these illegal drugs
are transported to the Baltimore-metro
area by criminal drug cartels.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Adminis-
tration is the lead agency for the domestic
enforcement of federal drug laws, and
for coordinating and pursuing U.S. drug
investigations abroad, according to the
agency’s website.
In his presentation, Hedrick said drugs
are dangerous because they harm the
brain’s central cortex, which is responsible
for judgment. He said this part of the
brain grows until a person is about 25
years old.
As a result, people under age 25 should
not use any kind of illegal drug or any
legal drug without a doctor’s prescription
because it can cause irreparable damage to
the central cortex.
If one stops using drugs, the damage
can subside. However, no type of medical
intervention can reverse the damage that
has been done.
“People do drugs because they want
to reach a euphoric state,” Hedrick said.
“But you can have a bad trip.”
The consequences of drug use include
addiction, arrest and even death.
Training highlights dangers of drugs
photo by noah scialom
Charles W. Hedrick, group supervisor of the Baltimore Intelligence Group of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, gives a
presentation at a mandatory Drug-Free Workplace Training session for garrison supervisors, managers and civilian employees
at the Post Theatre. Hedrick spoke at the sessions, held June 24 and 25, about the dangers of substance abuse and the criminal
cartels that transport drugs to the U.S.
The drugs that pose the most danger
include cocaine, crack, heroin, pharma-
ceuticals, marijuana and synthetic drugs.
Some of these drugs are transported
illegally from South America and South-
west Asia and arrive through U.S. ports,
airports and highways.
“Drugs make so much money that at
their source, they are controlled by terror-
ists and criminals,” Hedrick said.
Terrorist groups and organized drug
cartels operated by criminals are the pri-
mary source of the illegal drug trade
worldwide.
The rise in the use of synthetic drugs
among youth is a top priority for the
DEA, Hedrick said.
Drugs such as Spice (synthetic mari-
juana), and bath salts (synthetic metham-
phetamine, cocaine or heroin) are manu-
factured in a laboratory by criminals to
duplicate the effects of the real drug.
“This is a growing problem [for] law
enforcement and medical professionals,”
Hedrick said.
The criminals who produce the drugs
often devise new chemical combinations to
substitute synthetic drugs that have been
categorized as illegal by drug authorities.
Hedrick said medical professionals are
concerned because the effects of synthetic
drugs in the body are unpredictable and
there are no medical protocols for care
for someone under the influence of these
drugs.
The solution to the country’s drug
problems, he said, is education.
“We’re not going to arrest our way out
of this problem,” Hedrick said. “You can’t
build enough jails.”
After the presentation, Marian Upton,
the installation’s Employee Assistance
Program specialist, gave a slide presenta-
tion on stress management. EAP provides
free, professional and confidential short-
term counseling and educational services
to all government civilian personnel and
family members.
The program’s objectives include
increasing employee productivity, reduc-
ing absenteeism and employee turnover,
encouraging a drug-free workplace and
providing a resource for managers, super-
visors and employees to promote employ-
ee wellness.
Bob Haagenson, an employee and labor
relations specialist with the Civilian Per-
sonnel Advisory Center, advised audience
members to take advantage of EAP ser-
vices if they are referred to the program
by their supervisor.
Jose Flores, a training and readiness
specialist at the Directorate of Plans,
Training, Mobilization and Security, said
the training was valuable.
“I didn’t know [the drug problem] was
so prevalent and the impact is has on our
community,” he said. “This was good
information.”
5. http://www.ftmeade.army.mil SOUNDOFF! July 3, 2013
News
By Chaplain (Maj.) Scott Thompson
Chaplain Resource Manager
On June 16, Fort Meade’s congregations
donated more than $11,000 to the tornado
victims in the form of designated offerings
that went to the Salvation Army (Arkansas
and Oklahoma Division) and the Catholic
Charities of Oklahoma City Archdiocese.
The donation is one example of how
Fort Meade religious services utilizes the
tithes and offerings collected each week-
end at the various chapel services on the
installation.
The tithes and offerings become part of
the Chapel Tithe and Offering Fund.
During the course of the year, various
chapel congregations support the military
community and communities beyond the
post through designated offerings from
the CTOF.
Each congregation determines what kind
of ministries it wishes to support through
designated offerings.
However, there are some regulatory
stipulations.
The organization receiving the offerings
must be a 501(c) (3) organization for tax
purposes and a U.S.-based charity, unless
an exception to the policy is granted by a
higher authority.
All the major religions believe in helping
others through charitable giving. Though
the liturgy may be different in each belief
system, the theme of giving as an act of
worship is a common theme.
Another example of a designated offer-
ing occured a few years ago when Fort
Meade congregations supported the people
of Japan who suffered in the 2011 tsunami.
Usually, the organizations receiving the
offering are religious in nature, but occa-
sionally they may have a mixed or secular
mission.
After the devastating tornadoes that
struck Oklahoma City in late May, a com-
muniqué came down from the Office of the
Army Chief of Chaplains through Installa-
tion Management Command, asking con-
gregations to consider collecting a desig-
nated offering for the tornado victims.
All congregations that collected offer-
ings on the weekend of June 15-16 chose to
make the collection a designated offering.
IMCOM’s total Chapel Tithe and Offer-
ing Fund collected more than $153,000
toward the effort.
Several other organizations have been
the recipients of designated offerings from
Fort Meade’s Army chapels during the
past year. They include the USO, Wounded
Warrior Project, The Fisher House, Sarah’s
House and the American Cancer Society.
In addition to designated offerings, many
other ministries are supported through
CTOF. One ministry that makes a signifi-
cant positive impact for service members
in financial trouble is Operation Helping
Hands. The funds help service members
experiencing personal tragedies.
Operation Helping Hands can assist
in such situations. The financial support
originates with the garrison CTOF, but it is
administered through unit chaplains.
Soldiers in crisis can be referred to the
unit chaplain by their command or they
can initiate the process by visiting with the
unit chaplain at their convenience. Assis-
tance requires a screening process by the
unit chaplain.
Last year, OHH assistance to Fort
Meade service members likely exceeded
$20,000.
Recently, the Fort Meade CTOF sup-
ported Soldiers and family members in
a remote location in Australia. The unit
falls under the command of a brigade at
Fort Meade. The financial support funded
marriage enrichment training, a single Sol-
dier camping trip and a Family Readiness
Group barbecue.
The CTOF also has supported an Air
Force marriage enrichment training event
in Williamsburg, Va.
In addition to supporting charitable
donations, the CTOF also funds numerous
prayer breakfasts and prayer luncheons
over the year. The CTOF also hosts the
annual National Prayer Luncheon.
Post congregations donate to tornado victims
Chaplain’s Word
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
“Never let what you cannot do
interfere with what you can do.”
— John Wooden, Former Basketball Coach
• First place: Senior Airman Matthew
Bruch
• First runner-up: Airman 1st Class
Erin O’Shea
• Second runner-up: Airman 1st Class
Nesha Humes
• Third runner-up: Mass Communica-
tions Specialist 2nd Class Michael James
• Fourth runner-up: Tech Sgt. Samuel
Morse
Excerpts of their work can be found
on the DINFOS Facebook page at face-
book.com/pages/Defense-Information-
School/126760086414.
Defense Information School Public Affairs
The Defense Information School held
its 21st annual DoD Worldwide Military
Photography Workshop from June 16-
22.
The workshop is designed to improve
professional knowledge, proficiency and
qualifications of DoD photographers and
photojournalists serving across the globe.
Entry into this workshop is highly
competitive. Those selected to participate
receive mentoring from a faculty of hand-
picked, recognized professionals from the
military and national news, publications
and national professional photography
and photojournalism organizations.
During the workshop the faculty pro-
vided technical instruction and mentor-
ship to increase the visual communication
skills of participants.
At the end of the weeklong workshop,
participants returned to their parent com-
mands better able to produce and deliver
high-quality imagery to the DoD.
This year, the workshop was limited
to 25 photographers and photojournal-
ists. Those selected to participate were
required to have a strong background and
working knowledge in still photography.
Their selection was additionally based
on nominative and qualified selections
from their command units who felt their
candidate would benefit from the special-
ized training.
The workshop also included 12 Light-
ing Workshop participants.
Faculty for the training included Eli
Reed, a noted photojournalist from Mag-
num Photos and assistant professor at
the University of Texas at Austin; Ear-
nie Grafton, a photojournalist from the
Union Tribune San Diego newspaper;
Donald “Chip” Maury, a retired director
of photography at The Indianapolis Star;
Mary Calvert, an independent photo-
journalist who owns her own studio; and
Mannie Garcia, an award-winning, free-
lance photojournalist and independent
video producer.
Winners include:
Military photographers improve skills at annual workshop
Air Force Tech
Sgt. Samuel
Morse (left) learns
to improve his
photography
skills from Air
Force Tech. Sgt.
Bennie Davis of
Airman Magazine
during the DoD’s
21st Annual
Worldwide Military
Photography
Workshop.
Photo by Navy Lt.
Cmdr. Karen E. Eifert
6. http://www.ftmeade.army.mil July 3, 2013 SOUNDOFF!
News
By Jane M. Winand
Chief, Legal Assistance Division
For those 62 years of age or older, the
proceeds from a reverse mortgage can be
used to supplement retirement income,
pay off a current mortgage, cover health
care expenses or pay for a home improve-
ment project.
A reverse mortgage allows you to con-
vert some of the equity in your home into
cash without having to sell your house or
take on additional credit obligations.
For a typical mortgage, you borrow
money from the lender and then pay it
back in monthly installments.
With a reverse mortgage, the lender
pays you money and you generally don’t
have to pay it back while you live in your
home. The reverse mortgage is paid when
you die, sell the house or no longer occupy
the house as your principal residence.
One advantage of the reverse mortgage
is that the proceeds are generally tax-free.
Also, most reverse mortgages don’t have
any income restrictions.
Things to consider before you get a
reverse mortgage:
• Although some reverse mortgages
have fixed rates of interest, most reverse
mortgages have variable rates tied to a
financial index. Thus, the rate may change
depending on market conditions.
• Interest is charged on the outstand-
ing balance of the reverse mortgage and
is added to the amount you owe each
month.
Thus, the amount owed on the reverse
mortgage grows larger over time. Your
total debt increases as the loan funds are
paid out to you, and the interest accrues.
This increase in your total debt load
could make it more challenging to obtain
credit in the future if the debt load is
very high.
• Interest charged on reverse mortgages
is not deductible on income tax returns
until the loan is paid off.
• Lenders usually charge origination
fees and other closing costs for a reverse
mortgage. They also may charge peri-
odic servicing fees during the term of the
reverse mortgage.
Pay close attention to the amounts of
these fees when negotiating for a reverse
mortgage.
• During the reverse mortgage, you
retain the title to your home and must
continue to pay property taxes, insur-
ance, maintenance, utilities and other
expenses.
If you don’t continue to pay these
expenses, the reverse mortgage lender may
require you to pay the reverse mortgage
off in full, immediately.
• A reverse mortgage uses up some or
all of the equity in your house, leaving
fewer assets for you and your heirs.
Many reverse mortgages include a
“nonrecourse” clause, which prevents you
or your estate from borrowing more than
the value of your house when the loan is
repaid.
For more information about reverse
mortgages, visit the Federal Trade Com-
mission website at ftc.gov, or schedule an
appointment to meet with an attorney at
the Fort Meade Legal Assistance Office at
301-677-9504 or 301-677-9536.
Reverse mortgage pros and cons
On the
lookout
The Directorate of
Emergency Servic-
es is actively work-
ing to keep neigh-
borhoods safe.
Families resid-
ing on post should
remember to ensure
that windows and doors to homes,
cars and garages are locked at all
times, regardless of time of day.
Although the crime rate in mili-
tary housing is lower than off
post, it is important to remember
that Fort Meade is not immune to
crime. To protect your family and
belongings, remember to take an
active role in deterring crime.
Remain aware of your sur-
roundings and immediately report
any suspicious activity to the Fort
Meade Police at 301-677-6622
or 6623.
7. http://www.ftmeade.army.mil SOUNDOFF! July 3, 2013
News
By Lisa R. Rhodes
Staff Writer
The most touching words during the
retirement luncheon on Friday for Charles
E. McGee Jr., deputy director of the Direc-
torate of Emergency Services and chief of
the Fort Meade Police, came from his wife,
Carolyn.
“You know him as the chief. Some of you
know him as a Soldier. But I only know him
as a man — the love of my life,” she said,
noting that the couple have been married for
more than 40 years. “… But what you don’t
see is the compassionate part of him. He’s a
very caring man.”
After eight years as Fort Meade Police
chief and seven years as deputy director of
DES, McGee retired from his dual post on
Sunday.
The 90-minute retirement luncheon was
held two days earlier at Potomac Place
Neighborhood Center.
Although McGee did not want much
fanfare for his retirement, and asked for an
informal event with few jokes, his colleagues
followed his wife’s lead and presented an
emotional tribute to a man they said rarely
smiles or laughs and always wore a suit to
work.
Serving as emcee, Fort Meade Fire Chief
E.J. Rouvet joked about the rivalry between
the fire department and military police, but
was quick to point out that his jesting was
in fun.
“There’s a mutual respect that we have for
each other and for our respective badges,”
Rouvet said. “I’ve always known that it’s
tough to be a cop.”
During McGee’s 45-year career, shared
between the Army and the Department
of the Army, he “honored himself and his
service,” said Rouvet.
DES Director Lt. Col. J. Darrell Sides
said that he could only speak from his heart
in regard to his deputy.
“The amount of time I’ve spent behind
closed doors with him,”Sides recalled. “And
we have rationally discussed and solved so
many issues, problems and concerns across
all three divisions within the directorate.
“So many times I’ve gone into his office
[and said], ‘What are we going to do about
this?’ and I walked out of there with a plan.
It takes an amazing person who can mentor
their boss.”
McGee has 45 years of combined military
and federal civilian service.
He began his career with the Army in
1969 after working briefly at a steel factory
in Milwaukee. He completed basic train-
ing at Fort Campbell, Ky., and completed
Advanced Military Police Training at Fort
Gordon, Ga.
McGee served one combat tour in Viet-
nam with the 504th Military Police Battalion
and a second tour in Vietnam with the 716th
MP Battalion.
In 1972, McGee served briefly at Fort
Meade with the 209th MP Company and
later re-enlisted to serve in law enforcement
at the Selfridge Air National Guard Base in
Michigan.
His career includes serving at Fort Polk,
La.; Fort Hood, Texas; and in both Ger-
many and Korea. Before retiring from the
Army in 1999, McGee served as the com-
mand sergeant major of the 8th MP Brigade
in Seoul, Korea, the largest MP brigade in
the Army.
During his 15 years of federal civilian
service, McGee served as a police captain
‘An amazing person’: Fort Meade’s top cop retires
at Aberdeen Proving Grounds and as the
exercise plans and operations officer for the
19th Theater Support Command in Daegu,
Korea.
McGee came to Fort Meade as the chief
of police in January 2005. He was named
deputy director of DES in July 2006.
During the luncheon, several colleagues
spoke fondly of McGee, including Jeffrey
Dozier, chief of Procurement and Adminis-
trative Law at the Office of the Staff Judge
Advocate; Miguel Ortiz, director of the
Civilian Personnel Advisory Center; and
Martha McClary, director of the Director-
ate of Family and Morale, Welfare and
Recreation.
Gifts included an American flag and the
stripes from his military career encased in
a glass shadowbox from DES; a portrait
of McGee and the symbols of his police
career painted and carved in wood from the
military police; a sculptured plaque from the
National Security Agency; and a personal-
ized brick at Constitution Park from the
installation.
But not every gift was serious. McGee
also received a T-shirt with a picture of a
suit and tie printed on the front from DES,
a bottle of Patron tequilia from the military
police, and a Fort Meade fire department
T-shirt.
Sides praised McGee for his profession-
alism and calm demeanor in helping to
manage DES, and his candor in solving
problems.
“I’m going to miss your friendship,”Sides
said.
During her remarks, Carolyn McGee,
who works at the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services in Washington,
D.C., said that although her husband may be
austere, his compassion and love for others
extend to the homeless man on the street
without a job and to young people in need
of a mentor.
She said McGee is a man who has worked
two jobs to provide for his family, and stands
up for his wife and employees.
“Charles, as you’re going to retire — for
the last time — I’m with you darling,” she
said. “I have your back.”
McGee ended the event with a bit of
humor.
“Thanks for coming to the party that I
didn’t want,” he said. “I don’t like farewell
luncheons because they remind me of funer-
als and I don’t plan on dying anytime soon.
“But thanks everybody here. It makes
me feel that I may have done something to
contribute to Fort Meade, and I hope I did
in the eight years I’ve been here.”
Photos by noah scialom
Fort Meade Fire Chief E.J. Rouvet (left) and Charles E. McGee Jr., deputy director of the Directorate of Emergency Services and
Fort Meade Police chief, hold a handmade wood-carved portrait of McGee and the symbols of his service with DES during his
retirement luncheon Friday at Potomac Place Neighborhood Center. DES Director Lt. Col. J. Darrell Sides (far right) looks on.
8. http://www.ftmeade.army.mil July 3, 2013 SOUNDOFF!
News
June 24: Driving under the influ-
ence of alcohol, driving while
impaired by alcohol, displaying
expired registration plate, driv-
ing with suspended registration:
The Directorate of Emergency
Services was notified by gate
security of a possible intoxi-
cated driver. Upon arrival,
a police officer made contact
with the driver and noticed a strong odor of
an alcoholic beverage. The officer administered
a Standardized Field Sobriety Test, which she
performed poorly. The driver submitted to an
intoxilyzer test, which gave a blood alcohol con-
tent of .23 percent.
June 27, Shoplifting: The Directorate of Emer-
gency Services was notified by AAFES loss
prevention personnel at the Exchange of a shop-
lifting. The subject was identified by her military
identification card. Military police observed the
video that showed the subject concealing mer-
chandise in a large bag and hiding the bag under
her purse as she went through the register and
leave the Exchange.
June 28, Driving while intoxicated: The Direc-
torate of Emergency Services was notified by
gate security of a possible DUI. Gate security
guards observed a vehicle drive up to the gate
and noticed a strong smell of an alcoholic bever-
age coming from the vehicle. The driver failed
the Standardized Field Sobriety Test. Her blood
alcohol content was .175 percent.
CommunityCommunity
Crime Watch
Compiled by the Fort Meade
Directorate of Emergency Services
Deputy Director of the Directorate of
Emergency Services and Fort Meade
Police Chief Charles E. McGee Jr. laughs
during a presentation at his retirement
luncheon Friday at Potomac Place
Neighborhood Center. McGee, who retired
June 30, served for 45 years in both the
military and federal civilian service.
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9. http://www.ftmeade.army.mil10 SOUNDOFF! July 3, 2013
News
By Michael D. Pattison
Occupational Vision Optometrist
U.S. Army Public Health Command
Healthy eyes are an important part of
quality of life.
However, it is estimated that millions of
people in the United States have undetected
vision problems, eye diseases and condi-
tions that affect their ability to see clearly
or can result in permanent damage to the
eyes.
A comprehensive dilated eye exam is one
of the best things people can do to main-
tain healthy vision.
When the eyes are dilated, an eye care
professional can examine them more thor-
oughly to look for common vision prob-
lems and eye diseases, many of which have
no signs or symptoms until the condition
has progressed.
A comprehensive exam enables the eye
care professional to detect eye conditions
and diseases early and can often prevent
any subsequent loss of vision.
How often people should have a com-
prehensive eye exam is best determined
between them and their eye doctor. The
frequency depends on age, overall health
and family history.
As people grow older they should have
exams more often. Some medical condi-
tions such as diabetes make annual eye
exams a must.
Most people have heard that eating car-
rots is good for the eyes. Eating a diet rich
in fruits and vegetables, especially leafy
greens like spinach, is also important for
eye health.
Recent research has shown the benefit
of eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids
— such as salmon and tuna — and that
maintaining a healthy weight can prevent
the onset of high blood pressure and dia-
betes. These medical conditions can affect
the eyes and lead to blindness.
Eating right will always help protect
sight.
Research also has linked smoking with
the risk of developing age-related macular
degeneration, cataracts and optic nerve
damage. Smokers should quit. Nonsmokers
should never start.
It is also important to remember to give
the eyes a break. Most people work with a
computer, which can cause the eyes to dry
out and become fatigued.
Remember to rest the eyes often. Try
the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes or
so, look up and away from the computer
to an object at least 20 feet away for 20
seconds. This can help reduce the effects
of eyestrain.
To protect the eyes, make it a habit to
wear the appropriate form of eyewear at
all times, especially if the work involves
outside labor. Encourage co-workers to do
the same.
If an eye injury occurs, report it to the
supervisor immediately.
Wearing protective eyewear should not
stop at the end of the workday. Wearing
protective eyewear when playing sports
or doing potentially dangerous activities
around the house is just as important.
Anddon’tforgettowearpropersunglass-
es that block the sun’s ultraviolet light.
See a doctor to protect your vision for life
By Defense Information Systems Agency
Who responds when a 911 call is
placed from Defense Information Sys-
tems Agency headquarters?
It’s the Fort Meade Fire and Emer-
gency Services team, part of the Direc-
torate of Emergency Services.
During fiscal year 2012, Fire and
Emergency Services responded to an
average of three 911 calls per month
from DISA.
DISA Chief of Staff Brig. Gen.
Frederick A. Henry presented the Fire
and Emergency Services team with the
2012 DISA Honorary Award for Out-
standing External Contributor of the
Year during a short ceremony June 26.
Henry thanked the team for being
exemplary partners and for exceed-
ing expectations in exercises and real-
world, life-saving events.
The Fire and Emergency Services
team is consistently responsive and
fast, administering the necessary assis-
tance when fires and emergency medical
situations occur, said Henry. The team
plays a pivotal role in providing service
and protection to more than 4,000
DISA personnel at headquarters.
Along with being the first responders
for DISA headquarters, the Fire and
Emergency Services team also assists
the agency by:
• Visiting the headquarters facility
DISA recognizes post Fire and Emergency Services
each week to identify compliance defi-
ciencies and ensure DISA employees
are following established guidelines
• Providing oversight of DISA’s auto-
mated external defibrillators by main-
taining the devices, as well as deliver-
ing their event memory data to other
medical professionals after the AEDs
have been used
• Conducting annual fire drills and
inspections to make sure DISA is in
full compliance and providing technical
guidance if deficiencies are found
• Providing fire prevention support
during major events at DISA head-
quarters
• Assisting with the approvals for
the facility’s refuge rooms, intended
for individuals unable to exit during
evacuations
• Working with the Manpower, Per-
sonnel, and Security Directorate to
integrate the agency’s independent fire
alarm panels with the master fire alarm
panel in DISA’s Security Operations
Center
• Augmenting DISA’s programs for
safety and fire protection including
guidance applicable to DISA field loca-
tions
Each Fire and Emergency Services
team member was recognized with a
medal at the event. Henry also thanked
members individually for their sup-
port.
“It’s a great feeling to be recognized
by DISA,” Fire Chief E.J. Rouvet said.
“Working hand-in-hand with DISA as
partners allows my crew to be familiar
with the people and headquarters-build-
ing structure so that they are able to get
the job done in a timely manner.”
Photo courtesy Defense Information Systems Agency
Defense Information Systems Agency Chief of Staff Brig. Gen. Frederick A. Henry
presents the 2012 DISA Honorary Award for Outstanding External Contributor of
the Year to Fort Meade Fire Chief E.J. Rouvet and the entire Fort Meade Fire and
Emergency Services team.
10. http://www.ftmeade.army.mil July 3, 2013 SOUNDOFF! 11
News
Story and photo by
1st Lt. William M. Carraway
Operations Officer
124th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Georgia Army National Guard
Editor’s note:One of the most famous
and important Civil War battles occurred
over three hot summer days, July 1 to
July 3, 1863, around the small market
town of Gettysburg, Pa. The battle begin
as a skirmish but by it’s end involved
160,000 Americans.
The following article is in remem-
brance of the 150th anniversary of the
Battle of Gettysburg and in tribute to
a very young and untried commander,
Maj. Gen. George G. Meade, who led the
Union Army of the Potomac to victory
over Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Confederate
Army of Northern Virginia, ending Lee’s
invasion of the North.
The messenger arrived at the gener-
al’s headquarters before dawn June 28,
1863 at full gallop.
Despite the early hour and the recip-
ient’s reputation for having the temper
of a snapping turtle, the messenger
insisted upon immediate delivery of the
news he carried.
Roused from his tent and groggy
from lack of sleep, Union Maj. Gen.
George Gordon Meade glared at the
messenger. The glare gave way to shock
when Meade was informed that he was
the new commander of the Army of
the Potomac.
Why was Meade chosen to command
over generals who outranked him? How
did his contemporaries view him? How
has history remembered him? And why
was this post named after George Gor-
don Meade?
Dr. John Fuld and Steven Eden,
instructors at the Public Affairs Leader-
ship Department at the Defense Infor-
mation School, discussed the impact of
Meade’s leadership on U.S. history.
(Background information also was
gleaned from the Civil War Trust’s biog-
raphy of Meade and the Fort Meade
Museum.)
“Meade was one of the finest gen-
erals of the Civil War,” said Fuld, an
Air Force Reserve major who holds a
doctorate in American history from the
University of Central Florida. “He was
brilliant at using the talents of subordi-
nate commanders.”
Eden observed that Meade was one
of the war’s forgotten heroes.
“When Lincoln needed a new general
Hero of Gettysburg: Maj. Gen. George G. Meade
to command the Army of the Potomac,
there were others who were senior to
Meade,” said Eden, who earned his
Master of Arts in American history
from the University of Wisconsin. “But
Meade had done very well at Antietam
and Fredericksburg, where he was the
only general to break the Confederate
lines. The selection of Meade was there-
fore a safe choice.”
Commissioned a second lieutenant
after graduation from the U.S. Military
Academy at West Point, N.Y., Meade
spent time in Maryland not far from the
location of the installation that eventu-
ally would bear his name.
“Meade went to school in Balti-
more,” said Eden, a West Point gradu-
ate. “He was a topographical engineer
and designed breakwaters and light-
houses in Maryland.”
Upon the outbreak of the Civil War,
Meade was promoted to the rank of
brigadier general and assigned com-
mand of a brigade. He fought well
throughout the war and was advanced
to division and corps level command
before selected to command the Army
of the Potomac.
“At the time [of his appointment]
there were a few generals who were
jealous,” Eden said. “There were also a
few who disliked him, probably because
of his temper. A few were worried. You
never know what is going to happen
when you go from corps to Army com-
mand. Meade turned out to be up to
the challenge.”
Despite having only three days com-
mand time prior to Gettysburg, Meade
deftly managed his subordinate’s efforts
and blunted Confederate Gen. Robert
E. Lee’s attacks at what would come to
be called “The High Water Mark of the
Confederacy.”
“Meade did several things right,”
Fuld said. “When it became clear that
he was going to be engaged, [at Get-
tysburg], Meade sent his best general,
John Reynolds, forward. When Reyn-
olds was killed, Meade dispatched Maj.
Gen. [Winfield Scott] Hancock. Meade
was very good at delegation and he
delegated the right tasks to the right
people.”
“Meade didn’t want to fight at Get-
tysburg,” Eden said. “Most of [Meade’s
corps commanders] said Meade should
fall back. It was Meade who made the
final decision to stay and fight, and then
over the next two days calmly fended
off everything Lee threw at him.”
Meade was hailed for his victory.
Gettysburg was the first time that Lee
had been defeated in the open field,
Eden noted. At the time, people rec-
ognized the battle as a turning point
of the war.
Meade’s overall reputation was
harmed by his performance after the
Battle of Gettysburg, when he failed to
pursue Lee’s retreat.
“Meade realistically could have ended
the war at Gettysburg,” said Fuld. “Fol-
lowing Gettysburg … Lee was vulner-
able, but Meade did not pursue him.”
Both Eden and Fuld said Meade
needed time to rebuild his army.
Despite the victory, his command had
been shattered at Gettysburg and he
needed to rebuild his command and
control.
He had lost three corps commanders
(one killed, two wounded) and sus-
tained several thousand casualties.
“Remember, units were all mixed
up,” Eden said. “During the last two
days, reinforcements were grabbed and
sent here and there. The entire chain of
command was disorganized, and a lot
of units were in no shape to fight.”
Despite his victory, Meade’s fame
has faded over time. Eden suggests the
lesson here is that service, many times,
is its own reward.
“Meade was a little resentful that he
was not more recognized for his ser-
vice,” Eden said. “He had commanded
at the regimental to army level and
fought well. He beat Robert E. Lee at
Gettysburg and yet, he is not remem-
bered as part of the Pantheon of great
generals.”
Meade would likely have been grati-
fied to learn his victory at Gettysburg
was recognized nearly 45 years after his
death when Fort George G. Meade was
officially designated by War Depart-
ment General Order 95.
Since that time, Fort Meade has
trained Soldiers through two world
wars, the Cold War and into the mod-
ern era.
Meade’s legacy of leadership lives on
through training excellence.
Editor’s note: Carraway conducted
his interviews as a student in the Public
Affairs Qualification Course at DIN-
FOS.
For more information on the Battle of
Gettysburg, go to www.nps.gov/gett.
Maj. Gen. George G. Meade with Civil War-era, 6-pound Napoleon cannon, which is
featured in the Meade exhibit at the Fort Meade Museum. A Meade re-enactor will
be at the McGlachlin Parade Field gazebo tomorrow during the Red, White and Blue
Celebration.
11. http://www.ftmeade.army.mil12 SOUNDOFF! July 3, 2013
Sports
By Brandon Bieltz
Staff Writer
The indoor pool at Gaffney Fitness Center,
which has been closed since March 4, is sched-
uled to reopen next week.
Repairs resulting from a broken pool pump
were recently completed. The facility is finish-
ing final details.
After it reopens, the pool will continue
with its regular programs, including swim-
ming lessons.
“The pool is actually up and running,”
said Lauren Williams, Fitness and Aquatics
supervisor with the Directorate of Family and
Morale, Welfare and Recreation. “We’re just
waiting for the chemicals to balance.”
Repairs started in early June after facility
staff struggled to find the funding.
During the repairs, the pool pump was
replaced. But once the pool was drained, the
staff noticed that work needed to be done to
the bottom of the pool as well. Work included
plastering a few patches at the bottom of the
pool and plastering the caulking.
Williams said the pool has been refilled,
and the staff is in the process of balancing
the chemicals.
The pool closure, said Williams, was a
“constant reminder”of how many people use
the facility on a regular basis. The staff, she
said, is looking forward to opening.
“All my lifeguards are excited,” Williams
said. “Swim lesson instructors are excited to
not miss the start of lessons.”
Gaffney pool to open next week
Swimming options on and off post
Corvias Military Living neighborhood pools
• Now through Aug. 21: Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.,
and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Aug. 27 through Sept. 3: Weekdays from 4 to 8 p.m., and weekends and
holidays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Pools are open to residents only. Residents may bring up to four guests per
family.
Residents must provide pool passes to access the pool. To pick up a pool pass,
visit your neighborhood center.
Columbia Association
The Columbia Association is offering special military and DoD rates at five
of its pools in Columbia.
Cost per visit is $4 for adults and $2 for children. A valid military or DoD
identification card is required.
• Talbott Spring, 9660 Basket Ring. Information: 410-730-5421
• Faulkner Ridge, 15018 Marble Fawn Court. Information: 410-730-5292
• Jeffers Hill, 6030 Tamar Drive. Information: 410-730-1220
• McGills Common, 10025 Shaker Drive. Information: 410-730-5995
file photo
The indoor pool at Gaffney Fitness Center is expected to open next week. Repairs to the pool, which initially closed in March,
included replacing the pool pump.
12. http://www.ftmeade.army.mil July 3, 2013 SOUNDOFF! 13
Sports
Sports Shorts
Premier soccer
The Arundel Soccer Association Premier 99’s Rising Girls U14 Division I
team is looking for a goalkeeper and field players born between Aug. 1, 1999
and July 31, 2000.
Interested players should call 443-956-3828 or email coachthomas20@
verizon.net
Gaffney pool
The swimming pool at Gaffney Fitness Center is closed for maintenance. It
is scheduled to open next week. See Page 12 for more information.
EFMP bowling
The Exceptional Family Member program is sponsoring its monthly
bowling event on July 17 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Lanes.
Exceptional family members will receive a free game and shoe rental. Other
family members will receive discounted games and shoe rental.
To register, call 301-677-7836 or email theresa.r.strawhecker.civ@mail.mil.
EFMP walking program
The new Exceptional Family Member Walking Group will meet at Arundel
Mills Mall on July 11 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m.
The group will gather at 8:15 a.m. in front of Best Buy, inside the mall.
Registration is required.
For more information or to register, call 301-677-4473 or email latoya.
travis@us.mail.mil.
Dollar Days
Summer hours for Dollar Days at the Lanes is offered every Thursday from
10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Bowlers receive a game of bowling, shoe rental, a hot dog, hamburger,
small fries, pizza slice or small soda for $1 each.
For more information, call 301-677-5541.
Texas Hold ‘em
Texas 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.
For more Fort Meade sports, visit quickscores.com/ftmeadesports.
Happy Wednesday to you all.
Yes, you are getting your dose of Jibber a
little earlier than normal, but even I know my
place when it comes to our nation’s birthday,
so here we are.
Plus, this being Fort Meade and all, named
after Maj. Gen. George G. Meade, aka the
Hero of Gettysburg, it seems fitting that we
publish on the 150th anniversary of the famed
battle, which is credited with being the turning
pointintheCivilWar,andthereforeinnosmall
measure, our nation’s history.
I was making my normal commute Tuesday
morning — the light traffic on 100 was refresh-
ing — and after making a stop at Carlson’s for
some doughnuts, I turned onto Reece where I
switched the radio station to 105.7 The Fan.
Norris and Davis were doing their thing,
and for once they actually brought a smile to
my face with a story tied to the Washington
Redskins.
Apparently, the Skins cable show “Redskins
Nation”dropped some information ops on the
football and PC worlds regarding the team’s
mascot.IntrueDanielSnyderfashion,theydid
so by using a faux Indian chief who claimed to
be in favor of the team’s current name.
Both as a PAO who takes tons of pleasure
watching these man-made media disasters play
out with my colleagues — it is true, we DIN-
FOS-trained killers love examples of what not
to do in the business — and as a die-hard Skins
hater, this story was too good to be true.
So I hurried through the Llewellyn gate and
to my new computer — big ups to my peeps
at the NEC. I needed to verify the piece for
myself. And after marveling at the speed of
my new machine, here is the proof: deadsp.
in/15d8C9t.
There are three things I like about this
piece:
1) Chief Dobson’s (his real name is Stephen
D. Dodson) opening salvo where he said he
was doing the interview because, “People are
speaking for Native Americans that aren’t
Native American.”
2) Dodson’s explanation of his family’s
lineage
If you watch the clip, notice the stammer-
ing when he is asked the question about his
lineage.
We PA professionals like to call this the
“Oh, crap”moment because you know you are
lying. Normally when faced with this situation,
a good spokesperson would come out with
the truth, or at minimum, tell a little less of a
mistruth. However, Mr. Dodson took the road
more traveled and doubled down on his lie.
3) The sincerity of interviewer Larry
Michael
Few people
drink the burgundy
and gold Kool-Aid
like Larry, but you
could tell he was
all-in on the mes-
sage.
That convic-
tion filtered down
to Redskins owner
Daniel Snyder, who
followed up the
interview by telling USA Today that the team
would never change its name. He said you
could put the word “never” in caps.
The NFL followed suit when Commissioner
RogerGoodellwrotealettertotheco-chairsof
the Congressional Native American Caucus,
which is urging the team to change its name.
Goodell wrote that the “Redskins was a
unifying force that stands for strength, courage,
pride and respect. ... Importantly, this positive
meaning is shared by the overwhelming major-
ity of football fans and Americans generally,
including Native Americans.”
He then went on to cite Dodson, whom
Goodell identified as “an American Inuit chief
and resident of PG County.” Here is the full
letter: deadsp.in/1cM4A8L
Now for the record: I think the whole
argument against team names is stupid and
purposefully oversensitive, and not because
the term couldn’t be viewed as racists because
it obviously can.
But, with Ramadan less than a week away, I
can’thelpbutframethemascotissuewithinone
of the cornerstones of my faith: Intention.
Do teams that have Native American mas-
cots really intend to insult individuals, or are
the mascots a source of pride for the institu-
tion? To put it another way, is Snyder being
so defiant because he feels the need to make a
mockery of his organization?
Obviously not.
He is proud of his mascot and spends
billions to promote it. A vast majority of his
fans feel the same way and spend billions to
support it.
So why are we spending so much time listen-
ing to a handful of naysayers?
I’m not sure.
But after this latest PR blunder, it is safe to
say that the only thing bringing disgrace to the
football team in Washington is the organiza-
tion itself and not the name of its team.
If you have comments on this, or anything
to do with sports, contact me at chad.t.jones.
civ@mail.mil.
What’s in a name?
Chad T. Jones,
Public Affairs
Officer
Jibber Jabber - Opinion
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
13. http://www.ftmeade.army.mil14 SOUNDOFF! July 3, 2013
Community News Notes
The deadline for Soundoff! community
“News and Notes” is Friday at noon.
All submissions are posted at the editor’s
discretion and may be edited for space and
grammar. Look for additional community
events on the Fort Meade website at www.
ftmeade.army.mil and the Fort Meade
Facebook page at facebook.com/ftmeade.
For more information or to submit an
announcement, email Philip Jones at philip.
h.jones.civ@mail.mil or call 301-677-5602.
Death notice
Air Force Maj. Nora DeLosRios
regretfully announces the death of
Senior Airman Keegan Eli McCaskie.
Anyone having claims against or
indebtedness to the estate of McCaskie
should call DeLosRios, the Summary
Court Officer, at 301-677-2144 or email
nora.delosrios@us.af.mil.
Red, White and Blue
Celebration
The Budweiser-Fort Meade Red,
White and Blue Celebration is today
from 4 to 10 p.m. at McGlachlin Parade
Field.
The free event is open to the public.
The celebration will feature fireworks,
a Budweiser Clydesdales procession, a
barbecue cook-off, children’s inflatables,
two NASCAR simulators, food vendors,
and corn hole games.
Country music artists Chelsea Bain,
Brett Eldredge and Jerrod Niemann will
perform.
The U.S. Army Field Band’s Jazz
Ambassadors will perform at 7 p.m. at
Constitution Park.
For more information, visit
ftmeadefmwr.com.
MILITARY STARR
Card savings
Any fuel purchases made with a
MILITARY STARR Card at Express
locations today and Thursday will be
reduced by 10 cents per gallon.
MILITARY STARR Card users also
enjoy a discount of five cents per gallon
discount on all fuel purchases and a 10
percent discount on all Exchange food
court purchases year-round.
For more information about the
features and benefits of the MILITARY
STARR Card, visit shopmyexchange.
com/ExchangeCredit.
Water main flushing
American Water has begun its
2013 Annual Water Main Flushing
Program.
The purpose 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 discoloration and the
presence of sediment in your water.
These conditions are not harmful and
should be of very short duration.
Limit use of water between 8 a.m.
and 3 p.m. to help prevent discolored
water reaching service lines to your
residence.
If you notice an increase in
discolored water, flush all indoor
faucets for 15 minutes. If the water
does not clear up, contact the Water
Treatment Plant at 443-592-0909. This
number is monitored 24/7 daily.
Road closures
Cooper Avenue will be closed until
Thursday at 6 a.m. for Wednesday’s
Red, White and Blue Celebration.
English Avenue will be closed from
Wednesday at 6 a.m. until Thursday at
6 a.m.
VTF upgrades
The Fort Meade Veterinary Treatment
Facility is upgrading its services by
adding new staff and a new, centralized
web-based record program.
In the future, when the program is
fully implemented, pets’ records will be
connected and accessible at any military
vet clinic that service members PCS to.
The facility will train and test this
program throughout July and August.
As a result, the VTF will moderate its
appointment availability.
The facility will be open weekdays
from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., except on
Thursday and July 12, 15 and 31.
For more information, call the VTF
at 301-677-1300.
Comcast service
Corvias Military Living residents
who need to have their Comcast
cable television service installed or
are experiencing service problems
should call Kevin Yeagley, a Comcast
representative, at 410-562-7456.
Ramadan Iftar
A Ramadan Iftar will be held Aug. 2
from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Argonne Hills
Chapel Center Fellowship Room.
For more information, call 301-677-
6035 or 301-677-1301.
70th ISRW change of
command
Col. Mary F. O’Brien, commander of
the 70th Intelligence, Surveillance and
Reconnaissance Wing, will relinquish
command to Col. Kevin D. Dixon on July
10 at 9 a.m. at McGlachlin Parade Field,
rain or shine.
The Fort Meade community is welcome
to attend. Dress for service members is
duty uniform. Civilian dress is casual.
For more information, call Master Sgt.
LaSanda M. Seymore-Frazier at 301-677-
0366.
Jummah prayers
Individuals interested in praying
Jummah prayers on Fort Meade should
call 301-677-1301.
Fort Meade has a room available
at Argonne Hills Chapel Center, 7100
Rockenbach Road.
The community also is seeking
individuals who would like to pray a
morning prayer on Fridays.
Trivia Night
The Lanes hosts Trivia Night every
Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m., except the
third Thursday of the month.
The event is open to the public.
Teams must have a minimum of two
players and a maximum of 10.
Weekly prizes are awarded to the top
three winners. Food and beverages are
available for purchase.
For more information, call 301-677-
5541 or visit ftmeademwr.com/lanes.php.
New civilian employee
orientation
The Fort Meade Garrison New
Employee Orientation class will be held
July 11 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at McGill
Training Center, 8452 Zimborski Ave.
Attendance is mandatory for all
garrison employees.
For those who confirm in advance,
lunch is free with Garrison Commander
Col. Edward C. Rothstein at the
Freedom Inn Dining Facility.
For more information, call Jose Flores
at 301-677-5663 or Linda Winkels at
301-677-4719.
NEWS EVENTS
EDUCATION
14. http://www.ftmeade.army.mil July 3, 2013 SOUNDOFF! 15
Community News Notes
Networking Symposium
The Team Meade Networking
symposium for SHARP (Sexual
Harassment/Assault Response and
Prevention) personnel will be held Aug.
5 from 1 to 4 p.m. at McGill Training
Center, 8452 Zimborski Ave.
The symposium will provide
information to sexual assault response
coordinators and victim advocates of
services available throughout Maryland
and Washington, D.C.
The event also will provide SARCs
and VAs with the opportunity to
network, build/create referral lists and
establish rapport with external agencies.
For more information, call Fort
Meade VA Angielina Wilson at 301-677-
6933 or the Fort Meade SARC at 301-
677-7802.
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School, for ages 4
through fifth grade, will be held Aug.
12-16 from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at
Argonne Hills Chapel Center.
The theme is: “Kingdom Rock Bible
School: Where kids stand strong for
God.”
The program features a new friends
tournament games, crafts, Royal Theatre
Missions, music and epic Bible
adventures.
The free program includes lunch.
Registration is limited to the first
200 children and will close Aug. 1.
Registration tables will be set up
through Aug. 1 at Argonne Hills Chapel
Center and the Main Post Chapel.
Volunteers are needed to sign up
immediately, including adults and youths
in sixth grade and above. Only 30 youths
below age 16 will be needed this year.
For more information, call Marcia
Eastland at 301-677-0385 or 301-677-
6305 or Ms. Stewart at 301-677-6038.
Wanted: Girl Scout leaders
Girl Scout leaders and co-leaders are
needed for Daisy, Brownie, Junior and
Cadette level troops.
Meetings are held at Argonne Hills
Chapel Center on Rockenbach Road.
They will resume at the end of August.
Training is available from Girl Scouts
Central Maryland, 4806 Seton Drive,
Baltimore, MD 21215 (410-358-9711) or
online at gscm.org.
Registration and background check
are required.
For more information, email Lorrie
Short at jnlshort@gmail.com.
Out About
• African American Festival will be
held Saturday from noon to 10 p.m.
and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. at
MT Bank Stadium, 1101 Russell
St., Baltimore. The free event will
feature live entertainment, cultural
exhibits, arts, food, health screenings,
youth performances, and arts and
crafts. Patti LaBelle and Fantasia will
perform. For more information, visit
africanamericanfestival.net.
• The Columbia Association’s Lakefront
Summer Festival is being held through
Aug. 18 at the Columbia Town Center
Lakefront, 10275 Wincopin Circle.
Admission and parking are free. Sunday
concerts begin at 6:30 p.m. All other
concerts begin at 8 p.m.
Free dance instruction with music will
be offered Fridays from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
under the People Tree.
Movies begin at dusk, about 8:30 p.m.
No glass containers or alcoholic beverages
are permitted. In inclement weather, call
410-715-3127.
For more information, visit
lakefrontfestival.com.
• Leisure Travel Services is offering
its next monthly bus trips to New York
City on July 13 and Aug. 10, with
discounts to attractions. Bus cost is $55.
For more information, call 301-677-7354
or visit ftmeademwr.com.
• Enlisted Spouses Club meets the sec-
ond Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at
Midway Common Neighborhood Center.
The next meeting is Monday. For more
information, visit ftmeadeesc.org or email
membership@ftmeadeesc.org.
• New Spouse Connection meets the
second Monday of every month from 7
to 8:30 p.m. at the Community Readiness
Center, 830 Chisholm Ave. The next meet-
ing is Monday. The program provides an
opportunity for all spouses new to the
military or to Fort Meade to meet and get
connected. For more information, contact
Pia Morales at pia.s.morales.civ@mail.mil
or 301-677-4110.
• Marriage Enrichment Group, spon-
sored by Army Community Service, meets
the second and fourth Monday of every
month from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Commu-
nity Readiness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave.
The next meeting is Monday. For more
information, call Celena Flowers or Jessica
Hobgood at 301-677-5590.
• Single Parent Support Group meets the
second and fourth Monday of the month
from 6 to 8 p.m. at School Age Services,
1900 Reece Road. The next meeting is
Monday. Free child care will be provided
on site.
For more information, call Kimberly
McKay at 301-677-5590 or email kimberly.
d.mckay.ctr@us.army.mil.
• Bully Proofing Support Group meets
the second and fourth Monday of the
month from 4 to 5 p.m. at Potomac Place
Neighborhood Center. The next meeting is
Monday. The group is geared for parents
of children ages 5 to 12. For more informa-
tion, call 301-677-5590.
• 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 Tuesday. For more information, call
Sharon Collins at 301-667-4116 or email
sharon.j.collins@us.army.mil.
• 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 Wednesday. 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.
• Fort Meade TOP III Association meets
the second Wednesday of each month at 3
p.m. at the Courses. The next meeting is
Wednesday. The association is open to all
Air Force active-duty and retired senior
noncommissioned officers. For more infor-
mation, call Master Sgt. Jonathan Jacob at
443-479-0616 or email jajacob@nsa.gov.
• Meade Rod and Gun Club will meet
July 11 at 7 p.m. at Perry’s Restaurant
and Odie’s Pub at 1210 Annapolis Road,
Odenton, in the banquet hall in back of
the building. The club usually meets the
first Thursday of the month. Dinner is
served at 6 p.m. For more information, call
410-674-4000.
• Monthly Prayer Breakfast, hosted
by the Garrison Chaplain’s Office, will be
held July 11 at 7 a.m. at the Conference
Center.
All Fort Meade employees, family mem-
bers, and civilian and military personnel
are invited. There is no cost for the buffet;
donations are optional. For more infor-
mation, call 301-677-6703 or email diana.
l.durner.civ@mail.mil.
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 $5.50 for adults
(12 and older) and $3 for children. 3D Movies:
$7.50 adults, $5 children.
Today through July 25
Today Friday: “The Hangover Part III”
(R). The Wolfpack hits the road in this third
installment of the comedy series. With Brad-
ley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis.
Thursday Saturday: “Fast Furious 6”
(PG-13). A driver and his crew are offered a
full pardon if they help complete a danger-
ous mission. With Vin Diesel, Paul Walker,
Dwayne Johnson.
Sunday July 11, 12: “Now You See Me”
(PG-13). An elite FBI squad matches wits
with a team of great illusionists. With Jesse
Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson.
July 10, 13, 14: “After Earth” (PG-13). A
boy traverses hostile terrain to recover a res-
cue beacon. With Jaden Smith, Will Smith,
Sophie Okonedo
July 17, 18, 21: “The Internship” (PG-13).
Old-school salesmen finagle internships at
Google, then struggle to adjust to new ideas.
With Vince Vaughn, Owen Wilson, Rose
Byrne.
July 19: “The Purge” (R). All crime is legal-
ized during an annual 12-hour period. With
Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Adelaide Kane.
July 20, 24, 25: “Man of Steel” (PG-13).
Clark Kent roams the world helping people,
but returns home to face his destiny: becom-
ing Superman. With Henry Cavill, Amy
Adams, Michael Shannon. (3D)
YOUTH
RECREATION
MEETINGS