Soundoff April 2, 2015

open mindsJob fair helps youth navigate jobs of the future

page 6

UpCominG eVenTssaTUrday, noon: Easter Egg Hunt (ages 13 and under) - Youth CentersUnday, 7 a.m.: Postwide Ecumenical Easter Sunrise Service - Chapel CentersUnday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. & 2:30-4:30 p.m.: Easter Sunday Brunch - Club Meadewednesday, 6:30-8 a.m.: Joint Service Sexual Assault Awareness Run - Parade Fieldwednesday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Fort Meade Technology Expo - Club Meade

Thank yoUMeade service members salute Vietnam War veterans

page 3

Soundoff!́vol. 67 no. 13 Published in the interest of the Fort Meade community April 2, 2015

Photo by Daniel Kucin Jr.

Children gather eggs during Corvias Military living’s “Spring Into Fun” event held Saturday at Potomac Place Community Center. The event also featured the Easter Bunny, prizes and Easter-themed crafts. For more photos from the event, see Page 10.

egg-cellent!

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil� SOUNDOFF! April 2, 2015

Commander’s Column

Cont ent sNews............................. 3 Sports..................................11

Religion.......................... 9 Movies.................................15

Community................. 13 Classified.............................17

Editorial StaffGarrison Commander Col. Brian P. foleyGarrison Command Sgt. Maj. rodwell l. forbesPublic affairs officerChad t. Jones [email protected], Command informationPhilip H. Jones [email protected] dijon [email protected] Editor & Senior Writer rona S. Hirsch Staff Writer lisa r. rhodesdesign Coordinator timothy davis Supplemental photography provided by the Baltimore Sun Media Group

advErtiSinGGeneral inquiries 410-332-6300or email [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 Baltimore Sun Media Group, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21278, every Thursday except the last Thursday of the year in conjunction with the Fort Meade Public Affairs Office. Requests for publication must reach the Public Affairs Office no later than Friday before the desired publication date. Mailing address: Post Public Affairs Office, Soundoff! IMME-MEA-PA, Bldg. 4409, Fort Meade, MD 20755-5025. Telephone: 301-677-5602; DSN: 622-5602.

Everything advertised in this publication must be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, marital status, handicap or sex of purchaser, user or patron. A confirmed violation or rejection of this policy of equal opportunity by an advertiser will result in the refusal to print advertising from that source.

Printed by The Baltimore Sun Co., LLC, a private firm, in no way connected with the Department of the Army. Opinions expressed by the publisher and writers herein are their own and are not to be considered an official expression by the Department of the Army. The appearance of advertisers in the publication does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of the Army of the products or services advertised.

www.ftmeade.army.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 Celena FlowersFAP Manager/Supervisory Social Worker

During the month of April, America observes National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

It is a time to acknowledge the importance of families and communities working together to pre-vent child abuse and neglect, and to promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families.

In April and throughout the year, communities are encouraged to share child abuse and neglect awareness strategies and promote prevention across the country.

In the early 1980s, Congress made a commitment to identify and implement solutions to child abuse. Recognizing the alarming rate at which children continued to be abused and neglected and the need for innovative programs to prevent child abuse and assist parents and families affected by maltreat-ment, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives resolved that the week of June 6-12, 1982, should be designated as the first National Child Abuse Preven-tion Week.

They asked then-President Ronald Reagan to issue a proclamation calling upon government agen-cies and the public to observe the week with appro-priate programs, ceremonies and activities.

The following year, April was proclaimed the first National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The Office on Child Abuse and Neglect coordinates Child Abuse Prevention Month, providing informa-tion and releasing updated national statistics about child abuse and neglect.

In 1989, the Blue Ribbon Campaign to Prevent Child Abuse had its early beginnings as a Virginia grandmother’s tribute to her grandson, who died as a result of abuse. She tied a blue ribbon to the antenna of her car as a way to remember him and to alert her community to the tragedy of child abuse.

The Blue Ribbon Cam-paign has since expanded across the country, and many wear blue ribbons each April in memory of those who have died as a result of child abuse.

The Fort Meade Family Advocacy Pro-gram, or FAP, sponsors the annual Installation Blue Ribbon Campaign. Interested units, organizations and Child, Youth and School Services programs decorate a tree or door with blue ribbons.

Individual community members wishing to par-ticipate in this campaign are encouraged to tie a blue ribbon to their car antenna or place a blue ribbon at their residence in a visible location.

The Family Advocacy Program is dedicated to the prevention, education, prompt reporting, inves-tigation, intervention and treatment of spouse and child abuse.

The program provides a variety of services to Soldiers and families to enhance their relationship skills and improve their quality of life. This mission is accomplished through a variety of groups, semi-nars, workshops, and counseling and intervention services.

Seminars and workshops are available to the Fort Meade community, units, individuals, families and groups.

Unit commanders are encouraged to contact their Family Advocacy Program team to schedule trainings that meet specific needs.

For more information, call 301-677-4118.

Preventing child abuse is everyone’s business

Celena flowers family advocacy Program

Manager

Commander’s Open DoorGarrisonCommanderCol.BrianP.Foleyhasanopendoorpolicy.Allservicemembers,retirees,governmentemployees,familymembersand

communitymembersage18orolderare invitedtoaddress issuesorcon-cernstothecommanderdirectlybyvisitingFoley’sofficeonMondaysfrom4 to6p.m.atgarrisonheadquarters inHodgesHall,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 April 2, 2015 SOUNDOFF! �

News

By Denver Beaulieu-HainsChief, Community Relations

Monday night, service members from Fort Meade had the opportunity to wel-come home Maryland’s Vietnam veterans for the first time since the war ended.

The 50 service members volunteered to support the “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Celebration” hosted by state Sen. John C. Astle and the Hospice of the Chesapeake. The service members provided an official military salute dur-ing the ceremony held at Loews Annapo-lis Hotel in Annapolis.

“It was an incredible honor,” said Cpl. Vicky Johnson, coordinator for Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers at Fort Meade.

The event was celebratory after Mary-land Senate Bill 80 was introduced by Astle, a Vietnam veteran who represents District 30 in Anne Arundel County.

Gov. Larry Hogan signed the bill into law at the Maryland State House earlier in the evening. It passed both houses of the General Assembly as an emergency bill this session.

At the time of the proposal, 37 states had adopted a day of recognition or remembrance in honor of Vietnam vet-erans.

“No veteran is left behind,” Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Rodwell L. Forbes

said. “This is one more venue where the community is coming out in the state of Maryland to see, hear and to give respect and honor to those who have fought for their freedom.”

The event was standing-room only with more than 400 people in atten-dance.

The bill evoked high emotion. Many said the bill was long overdue.

“It was a very dignified ceremony. It was put together, just right. It was very special,” said Col. (retired) Bert Rice, a former Vietnam War pilot who is director of transformation at Fort Meade. “It was a memorable day. There was the signing of the bill, and all the speakers — even the person doing the invocation and benediction — were right on target.”

Many Vietnam veterans were shamed for their service after returning to the United States more than 40 years ago. Some were spit upon, called names and denied services.

When asked if he felt welcomed home after four decades, Rice said “I absolutely do.”

Moved to tears, several of the Fort Meade service members said they would reflect differently on the meaning of their own service.

“Events like these are so humbling,” Johnson said. “The veterans thank us

Meade troops give salute at event honoring Vietnam vets

By Mary DoyleChief, Media Relations

Just after 9 a.m. on Monday, one person was killed and another injured when they attempted an unauthorized entry at a Fort Meade gate on the National Security Agency portion of the installation.

The driver of the vehicle failed to obey the NSA security officer’s instructions, causing the security staff to deploy defensive barriers.

According to a statement from the NSA Public Affairs Office, the driver then accelerated toward NSA Police on the scene. The police fired at the vehicle when the driver refused to stop and eventually rammed an NSA security vehicle.

One of the vehicle’s occupants died on the scene. The other was injured and taken to the University of Mary-land Shock Trauma Center.

One NSA police officer was also injured during the incident and was taken to a local hospital.

“The incident has been contained and is under investigation,” said Fort Meade Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley. “The residents, service members and civilian employees on the installation are safe. We continue to remain vigilant at all of our access control points.”

Fort Meade’s Directorate of Emer-gency Services personnel, along with the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security, determined

the incident did not warrant a change in the installation Force Protection Levels.

Fort Meade first responders assisted at the scene along with Anne Arundel County Police. The FBI is the lead agency in the investigation.

In its statement to the media, the FBI indicated that the event lacked any tie to terrorism. An FBI Evidence Response Team processed the crime scene and agents interview witnesses.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Mary-land will become involved if federal charges are warranted.

“An incident like this reminds us why we need to stay vigilant,” Foley said. “It also reminds us that our secu-rity staff are well trained and we have

great partnerships not only with our tenant partners, but also with local, state and federal first responders.

“I’m proud and remain confident that Team Meade knows how to pull together when the need arises.”

A television helicopter captured video of the crime scene, and the event quickly took over the airwaves, with news organization across the world showing interest in the event.

“We received more than 100 calls,” said Chad Jones, director of Public Affairs at Fort Meade. “Everyone from Russian Sputnik TV, to BuzzFeed and CNN were understandably interested in what happened. The entire public affairs team pulled together to respond to this international news event.”

FBI investigates incident at NSA checkpoint

for our service, and it’s painful for me to think that they did not feel welcome [when they came home]. I’ve never been deployed and people thank me every day. I can’t imagine what that was like when they got home.”

Forbes cited the importance of recep-tion and integration for returning combat veterans. During the Vietnam War, there

were no resources to help them settle back into civilian life.

“Now, the services have learned from our history and now embrace the service members,” Forbes said. “No matter how large or small, there is always someone to receive them and give them the help that is needed as they integrate back into society.”

photo courtesy of hospice of the chesapeake

Fort Meade Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Rodwell L. Forbes gives a salute to fallen soldiers during the “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Celebration” on Monday night at the Loews Annapolis Hotel in Annapolis. The event was held after Gov. Lawrence Hogan signed a bill into law to adopt a day to honor Vietnam veterans.


News

Story and photo by Alan H. FeilerSpecial to Soundoff!

For the past 12 years, retired Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Gilbert Niesch has turned to the Joint Installation Fort Meade Tax Center for his annual tax preparation.

“As long as you’ve got your paperwork in order and your ducks in a row, it’s quick and fast,” the 63-year-old Odenton resident said of the free service. “It makes life a lot easier and saves you money from having to pay [commercial tax preparers].”

As of March 27, the tax center has pre-pared 1,729 federal and state tax returns for the 2014 tax season for more than 1,000 individuals and families, according to Capt. Sage Boyd, the center’s officer in charge.

For the 2014 tax season, Boyd said the tax center has saved active-duty and retired service members and their families more than $350,000 in preparation fees and resulted in more than $2,500,000 in federal and state refunds.

Last year, more than 1,800 people were served at the center, saving them $732,585 in tax preparation costs and filing fees, according to Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley. He said $5.3 million in

refunds were obtained.The tax center is no longer accepting

appointments for the 2014 tax season, but Boyd encouraged people to drop by the center “just in case we have a cancel-lation that day. We do have no-shows sometimes.”

Boyd said the tax center, which is available to active-duty service members and retirees of all military branches, has received a steady volume of clients since opening Jan. 26 of this year.

“People started calling early for appointments,” she said. “Word seems to have gotten out about the quality of service we provide.”

For this tax season, the tax center has employed 10 full-time tax preparation specialists from military manpower and two civilian hires. The tax center also has 10 part-time volunteers, military and civil-ian, to prepare taxes.

All of the tax preparation specialists are certified by the Internal Revenue Service.

Although tax season ends April 15, the tax center, which operates under the Legal Assistance Division, will be open until April 30 to assist individuals with tax return amendments. The only civilians

Tax Center still open for business

Pvt. Brandon King, a tax preparation specialist at the Joint Installation Fort Meade Tax Center, talks to retired Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Gilbert Niesch about his 2014 tax returns. The tax center is no longer accepting appointments for the 2014 tax season, but welcomes walk-in customers.

eligible for the center’s tax preparations are those on order to be deployed or are designated military essential.

Boyd said clients must bring their Social Security cards (and those of their depen-dents), valid military or retiree identifica-tion, and all W-2 and 1099 forms.

Boyd, an attorney, said working at the tax center has been a rewarding experi-ence.

“It’s nice to be able to provide some-thing tangible for people and to help them

with something that often gives them a lot of anxiety,” she said. “It’s also been very rewarding to help give the people working here the skills for tax preparation.”

Editor’s note: The Joint Installation Fort Meade Tax Center is located on the first floor of the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, 4217 Morrison St.

Use the entrance on the side of the build-ing. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For information, call 301-677-9366.

By Lisa R. RhodesStaff Writer

To continue to provide support to wound-ed service members and their families, Fort Meade’s Soldier & Family Assistance Center has moved to the Army Community Service building.

SFAC, which was located at 85th Medi-cal Battalion Road, is now located at 830 Chisholm Ave.

SFAC is one of 12 core service programs under the ACS umbrella.

Doris Tyler, director of ACS, said the

move was done to enhance the resources and support to SFAC, which has experi-enced a 25 percent decline.

“Although the SFAC staff has been reduced in correlation to the reductions in the Warrior Transition Unit population at Fort Meade, program services and support remain available for service members and their families,” Tyler said.

Fort Meade’s Survivor Outreach Services coordinator, Voncile Farmer, has also moved to ACS from the SFAC building.

The SFAC facility has been converted to

Soldier & Family Assistance Center moves to ACSa Family Advocacy Center. Celena Flowers, Fort Meade’s Family Advocacy Program manager, now works in the building along with a permanent staff of 10 employees. Two Military Family Life consultants also work in the building, in addition to four interns.

FAP provides prevention, education, advocacy and support services to at-risk families and domestic violence victims.

In addition to FAP, the new location is now the home of Fort Meade’s Employment Readiness Program. Rose Holland, Fort Meade’s Employment Readiness Program manager, works with Anna Brown, the Employment Readiness Program specialist.

The program provides employment and career-related services to service members, military spouses, DoD civilians and retir-ees.

The move was made to allow for the expansion of the Employment Readiness

Program lab. The lab will provide comput-ers for job seekers, as well as a phone to call potential employers.

Tyler said the lab will serve as a venue for job seeks to take a variety of career develop-ment and skill exploration tests and work on their resumes. Job postings also will be available.

The lab is scheduled to open by the end of April.

“We have such a large transitioning popu-lation at Fort Meade right now,” Tyler said. “This [expansion of the lab} was the logical thing to do to meet the needs of the com-munity.”

Tyler said that moving the SFAC to ACS has benefited the program, as well as SOS, FAP and ERP.

“It has really made all four programs bet-ter by providing the resources and support that were needed,” she said.

Connect with Fort Meade atFacebook.com/ftmeade


News

By Alan H. FeilerSpecial to Soundoff!

With his 15-year-old daughter Aiyana Burnell in tow, Jon Parson carefully navigated through the crowd at the Youth Opportunity Fair held March 25 at Club Meade.

A government contractor for Booz Allen Hamilton, Parson wanted Aiyana to get a taste of the outside world.

“I heard about it from a co-worker, and I wanted my daughter to learn about all of the internship and employment and educational opportunities,” the Hanover resident said.

Aiyana, who attends Meade High School, said the fair was highly benefi-cial.

“It’s good because it gets you think-ing about certain things for the future,” she said.

Approximately 730 young people, between the ages of 14 and 21, and their parents attended the four-hour fair spon-sored by Army Community Service and the Fort Meade Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.

Also participating were 66 vendors, 18 service member volunteers, 10 ACS staffers and seven volunteers. Among the outfits manning booths were Towson University, the Anne Arundel County Volunteer Center, Central Michigan Uni-versity, H&R Block, T.J. Maxx, Six Flags America, the U.S. Department of Educa-tion, and Success in Style.

Rose Holland, Employment Readiness Program manager for ACS, said one par-ticipating company reported it hired 15 people at the fair.

The goal of the annual event, which took a hiatus last year, is to present the gamut of educational, employment, internship, volunteering and scholarship opportunities to teenagers and young adults, particularly offspring of military personnel, according to Holland.

“They don’t have the network,” she said of military children. “They didn’t grow up in the area or have friends with parents in different businesses. But they do have what’s needed in the workforce — discipline, the ability to show up on time, of living in culturally diverse com-munities. They just don’t realize it. It’s difficult for some of them to put them-selves out there socially.”

Holland said the fair was coordinated to show attendees a wide range of pro-grams and organizations to help young people get into the mindset of exploring

Youth job fair opens military kids’ minds

PHOTOs BY sTeve ellmOre

Approximately 730 young people and their parents attended the four-hour fair. Among the 66 vendors were Six Flags America, Towson University and the U.S. Secret Service.

all of their options.“We purposely call this an ‘opportu-

nity fair’ and not a ‘job fair’ because we want it to be well-rounded, because [the attendees] have amazing skills,” she said.

John Anderson, education services specialist at the Fort Meade Army Edu-cation Center, noted that 80 college cur-riculum programs were represented at the fair.

“We want students to have access to various programs and access to higher learning,” he said.

Jacqueline Thomas, Veterans Employ-ment Program manager for the U.S. Secret Service, was one of the more popular vendors at the fair. She said she largely spoke to young people about paid and unpaid internship possibilities that could lead to permanent positions at the agency.

“This is a good event because it’s an opportunity to talk to them about [main-taining] their credit records and about not doing drugs,” Thomas said. “We’ve had some good candidates. They learn that we’re more than law enforcement; they just don’t realize it.”

The fair afforded the chance for James Copeland Jr., an awareness and outreach specialist for Federal Student Aid, to reach a high volume of high school and college students.

“They need to know all of their options,

particularly in this volatile environment,” he said. “We need to be innovative in job creation and provide resources for young people. They need to know their future options.”

Jaelyn Franklin, 17, whose father Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone Figg works at Fort Meade, said he was impressed with the fair, particularly the vendors involved in information technology training and parks and recreation.

“I’m looking for afterschool and part-

time employment, and this gets me think-ing a lot about how I can plan my future,” said Jaelyn, a junior at Meade High School.

Jaelyn’s friend and classmate Zachary Armstrong, whose father is Command Sgt. Maj. William Armstrong, echoed that sentiment.

“I’m just looking for a secondary job, working with people,” Zachary said. “This gives us a chance to get out there and really open our minds.”

At the Youth Opportunity Fair held March 25 at Club Meade, Digital Harbor High School student Travon Williamson looks over a list of prospective employers with his friend Da’Shawn Shelton, of the Augusta Fells Savage Institute of Visual Arts.


News

By Lisa R. RhodesStaff Writer

Joshua Elekwachi, a junior at Meade High School, credits his part-time job at Panera Bread near Arundel Mills Mall to the high school’s Advancement Via Indi-vidual Determination program.

“I learned how to set up a resume,” said the 17-year-old who has been enrolled in Meade’s AVID program for a year.

A student in Project Lead The Way, Meade’s engineering program, Joshua is considering Duke University and the Uni-versity of Maryland, College Park.

“Last year, I didn’t know about col-leges. AVID expanded my knowledge,” he said. “Before, I wouldn’t have known what to do to prepare for college or a job.”

College and career readiness are the cornerstones of AVID, a global nonprofit organization that has been working to pre-pare students for higher education and the workforce for more than 30 years, accord-ing to the organization’s website.

Meade is one of 16 schools nationwide to be selected for the initiative to imple-ment AVID strategies throughout the high school’s curriculum for the 2015-2016 school year.

“We know these strategies are good for

all students,” said John Yore, principal at Meade High. “[They are] exemplary classroom practices which support student learning.”

More than 230 students at Meade take the AVID elective course, which has been offered for about a decade.

The course targets students in the aca-demic middle — B, C and even D students — who have the desire to go to college and may be the first in their family to aspire to higher education.

AVID places these students on the college track, requiring them to enroll in their school’s most rigorous courses such as honors and Advanced Placement. To support them in their course work, AVID students learn organizational and study skills, develop critical thinking, receive academic tutoring from peers and college tutors, and participate in enrichment and motivational activities, according to the organization’s website.

Tracey Sellers is the AVID site coor-dinator at Meade High and has been teaching the curriculum for three years. The focus of the curriculum is on writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and reading.

On March 26, Rodney Bolton, the

internship coordinator of the Anne Arun-del County Public Schools, gave a presen-tation at a morning AVID class about the importance of internships for entering college and landing a job.

After the presentation, a class of about 20 students discussed strategies for getting the proper recommendations from teach-ers and guidance counselors for landing an internship.

Sellers said the program also teaches students how to annotate a text and per-fect their note-taking skills to improve their study habits, and prepares students for the SAT and ACT.

Resume writing is also a part of the curriculum, as well as career exploration and visits to local colleges.

About 85 percent of the students who take the AVID elective attend a four-year university after graduation, while others enroll in a community college or join the military.

“AVID has tremendous implications for all students as we incorporate strategies school-wide,” Yore said. “AVID naturally supports Meade as an International Bac-calaureate world school.

“AVID is woven through the Meade tapestry, which operates under the IB

umbrella and includes our Homeland Security Signature Program, Project Lead The Way and our Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program.

“All students deserve and would benefit from AVID strategies; we are fortunate to be taking Meade HIgh School in that direction.”

Kati Jandres, a junior, has been in the AVID program since her freshman year. The 16-year-old said a class trip to Frostburg State University in Maryland convinced her that she would like to attend the university after graduation.

“It’s rural and there is open space,” Kati said.

She intends to major in small-business entrepreneurship and hopes to someday own her own restaurant or catering busi-ness.

“This program prepares you for life,” Kati said. “It helps you decide what you want to do and how you can get there.”

Sellers said the AVID initiative is in line with Meade High’s educational phi-losophy.

“We want to help our students to be successful,” she said. “That’s what our mission for education has been — to open the door to opportunity.”

College readiness program shapes future graduates

By Katherine W. SenholziDepartment of GastroenterologyKimbrough Ambulatory Care Center

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and women in the United States and is also the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in America for both men and women.

Approximately 50,000 people die each year from colon cancer.

Since 2005, the death rate from colon cancer in the U.S. has been going down. This is due to better detection rates of pol-yps — the small overgrowths of colon tis-sue — in the early stages of development. With a better rate of finding these polyps, the chances of also finding colon cancer in its early stages are much better.

As with other cancers, early detection and treatment improve the survival out-come greatly. Ninety percent of patients whose colon cancer is found in the early stages are still alive at the five-year mark.

If the cancer has advanced to other organs or lymph nodes, that percentage drops drastically to around 39 percent.

Heightened awareness about colon can-

cer screening has helped greatly to bring the number of colon cancer deaths down in the past 10 years.

Screening guidelines have set forth that both men and women begin screening at age 50.

Studies have shown a higher risk of colon cancer in the African-American population in the U.S. The recommenda-tion for this group is to begin screening a bit earlier, at age 45.

If there is family history of colon can-cer, screening may be recommended ear-lier than these guidelines. Patients should discuss screening with their primary care providers.

Colon cancer is often found in patients who have had no signs or symptoms, which is why screening is so important. There are, however, some signs and symp-toms that should not be ignored if they persist and should be discussed with a care provider.

Signs and symptoms may include:• Blood in the stool• Unexplained weight loss• Unexplained anemia

• Unexplained change in bowel habits• Unexplained abdominal pain• Narrower than usual stoolsThese symptoms can also be caused

by other unrelated and benign issues such as hemorrhoids or irritable bowel syndrome.

Some of the risk factors for colon can-cer include:

• Family history/genetic• Age• Ethnic background• Lack of exercise• Diet• Personal history of bowel diseaseWhile some of these factors are out of

our control, others such as exercise and healthy diet can certainly improve health in general and lower the risk of colon and other cancers.

The community is also encouraged to talk to their primary care provider about their risks and when they should be screened for colon cancer.

Editor’s note: For more information about colon cancer, go to the American Cancer Society website at www.cancer.org/.

Screening is critical in preventing colon cancer

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil April 2, 2015 SOUNDOFF! �

Religion

Sunday - Postwide Ecumenical Easter Sunrise Service – 7 a.m., Chapel Center

Protestant ServicesToday – Maundy Thursday Service – 6 p.m., Post Chapel

Friday – Good Friday Service – 6 p.m., Post Chapel

Sunday – Easter Sunday Protestant Liturgical Service – 8:30 a.m., Post Chapel

Sunday – Easter Sunday Traditional Protestant Service – 10:30 a.m., Post Chapel

Sunday – Easter Sunday Contemporary Protestant Service – 10:30 a.m., Cavalry Chapel

Sunday – Easter Sunday Gospel Protestant Service – 11 a.m., Chapel Center

Catholic ServicesFriday – Good Friday Service – 6 p.m., Chapel Center

Saturday – Holy Saturday Easter Vigil – 8 p.m., Chapel Center

Sunday – Easter Sunday Masses – *Regular Sunday Mass Schedule

*Regular Catholic Weekend Mass Schedule: Saturday: 5 p.m. Cavalry Chapel; Sunday:

9 a.m. Chapel Center; 12:15 p.m. Post Chapel. Regularly scheduled noon Mass will be held at

the Post Chapel, except Friday and Saturday.

Spring religiouS ServiceS on Fort Meade

Mountain Rd.Mountain Rd.

Jum

pers

Hol

eR

d.

Jum

pers

Hol

eR

d.

Baltim

ore

AnnapolisB

lvd.B

altimore

AnnapolisB

lvd.

Gov. RitchieHw

y.

Gov. RitchieHw

y.

10

100

107 Mountain RoadPasadena, Maryland 21122

410-977-9389www.LBC4ME.org

Lighthouse Baptist Churchinvites you to join us on

Easter SundayApril 5, 2015 ~ 11:00 AMService Times:

Sunday School ..................10:00 amSunday Morning ..............11:00 amSunday Evening .................6:00 pmWednesday Evening ..........7:30 pm

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil10 SOUNDOFF! April 2, 2015

Cover Story

Photos by Daniel Kucin Jr.Youths ranging from infants to age 18 dropped by the Potomac Place Community Center on Saturday with their parents for Corvias Military Living’s “Spring Into Fun.”

The two-hour event featured such family-fun activities as egg hunts, photos with the Easter Bunny, prizes, crafts and refreshments.Parents were encouraged to bring cameras to the gathering.

ABOVE: Three-year-old Ava Dudding meets the Easter Bunny during the “Spring Into Fun” at Potomac Place Community Center.

TOP LEFT: Three-year-old Dean McFarland receives a cute ducky dur-ing Corvias Military Living’s “Spring Into Fun” on Saturday.

CENTER LEFT: Three-year-old Natalia Nicholson works on Easter-themed crafts during the festivities.

LEFT: Nine-year-old Emily Brown dons her bunny mask as she works on a craft during the celebration.

‘SPRING INTO FUN’

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil April 2, 2015 SOUNDOFF! 11

SportS

photos by daniel kucin jr.

Christopher Stokes, 34th Intelligence Squadron, dribbles past a defender in the installation’s Intramural Division 1 basketball championship game on March 25 at Murphy Field House. The 430th Transportation Company won the game 55-54 after completing a jump shot in the game’s final seconds. The 34th IS finished with the best regular season record at 9-3.

Navy Information Operations Command Maryland’s Kevin Boehler goes up for a shot in the post’s Division 2 championship game on March 25 at Murphy Field House. The 780th MI made two free throws with less than 10 seconds remaining in the game to defeat NIOC, 39-38.

1. After receiving a bye in the first round of the tournament, NIOC defeated the Defense Media Activity, 43-36.

The Midshipmen then lost to the 780th MI, 51-39. The loss dropped the team to the tournament’s loser’s bracket. NIOC would go on to defeat Defense Media Activity, 45-25, to get to the championship round against the 430th.

In the championship game, NIOC raced out to an early 7-point lead over the 780th before fatigue and turnovers began to take their toll on both teams. NIOC led 21-16 at the half.

In the second half, the 780th went on a key 11-point run that gave the team a 29-26 lead with 9:08 to play. The 780th would hold on to the lead for the remainder of the game. With 30 seconds remaining, NIOC would cut the lead to 37-34 after an offensive rebound and layup by Jermaine White.

However, the 430th added two more free throws to secure the win.

“We couldn’t be happier,” said 780th MI coach Cain Bassett. “We played our hearts out. We just left it all on the floor.”

By Philip H. JonesChief, Command Information

It took both games of a double-elimina-tion tournament and an overtime contest to determine the installation’s best intramural basketball teams on March 25 at Murphy Field House .

But when the dust finally settled, Fort Meade was able to laud this year’s Division 1 and Division 2 champions.

The 430th Transportation Company’s Running Rebels celebrated a game-win-ning jump-shot by Derek Bailey in the final moments of overtime for the team’s 55-54 Division 1 tournament victory over the 34th Intelligence Squadron.

In the Division 2 tournament, the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade sinked two free throws with less than 10 seconds remaining in the game to defeat Navy Information Opera-tions Command Maryland, 39-38.

The game was the final contest of the night after NIOC forced a second game in the double-elimination tournament by defeating the 780th MI, 43-31, earlier in the evening.

In Division 1, the 34th IS finished intra-mural competition with the best regular sea-son record at 9-3, while the 430th TC entered the tournament with an 8-4 record.

The 34th IS entered the tournament with a 75-57 win over 55th Signal Company. The Airmen lost their second tournament game, 60-49, to the 430th TP, causing the team to drop to the tournament’s loser’s bracket.

A 63-54 win over the 704th MI Battalion put the 34th IS in the championship game.

The 430th TC defeated the 29th Intel-ligence Squadron, 55-29, and the 704th MI, 70-62, along with the win over the 34th IS to reach the championship game.

In the championship game, the 34th IS simply out-hustled the 430th in the first half, taking a 33-24 lead at the break. Darren Sie-fring led the 34th in scoring with 10 points.

In the second half, the 430th — led by Keenan Bennett and Gary Robinson — played with an increase in defensive intensity and chipped away at the score.

With 2:22 remaining in regulation play and the 34th leading 52-47, Bennett sank two free throws to cut the deficit to 52-49. Bennett sent the game into overtime after hitting a three-point jumper with 1:18 in regulation play.

Off an assist from Bennett, Bailey hit a short jumper for the game winner.

“We just came out and played hard-nose defense in the second half,” Robinson said. “Those shots at the end of the half don’t hap-pen if we don’t play closeout defense.”

In the Division 2 play, NIOC ended the year with the best regular season record at 11-

430th TC, 780th MI win post intramural basketball titles


SportS

Sports ShortsWanted: Group fitness instructors

The Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation is seeking group fitness instructors to work within the sports and fitness departments at Gaffney Fitness Center.

Professionals are needed who:• Are responsible, attentive, highly-motivated and energetic• Can teach a variety of fun and productive group-fitness

classes at various times and dates• Are interested in a career that allows you to make your own

schedule and be your own boss• Possess a national certification for the discipline you are

looking to teach such as BootCamp; Insanity/P90X blends; YogaFit; Zumba; Aqua Zumba; the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America or American Council of Exercise group fitness; and CPR/AED (automated external defibrillators)

• Are older than age 18These are contracted positions. However, certified volunteers

wishing to serve the community are also also welcome.Volunteers will be registered through Army Community

Service.For more information, call Lauren Williams at 301-677-5822

or email [email protected].

Youth summer sports registrationRegistration for summer sports is underway.Summer sports include tennis and dodgeball.To register, go to ftmeademwr.com.For more information, call 301-677-1179.

Earth Day 5KThe Fort Meade Run Series kicks off April 18 for the Earth Day

5K/1-mile walk at 8 a.m. at Burba Lake.Pre-registration for individuals costs $15. Registration on event

day costs $25.Pre-registration costs $45 per family of three to six people

and $60 on the day of the event. Pre-registration for groups of seven to 10 runners costs $85.

Individuals can register for the entire season for $80.All pre-registered runners will receive a T-shirt.For more information, call 301-677-3318.

EFMP walking groupExceptional Family Member Program families are invited

to join the EFMP walking group on the second and fourth Monday of each month from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the Arundel Mills Mall, at the entrance between Best Buy and Old Navy.

Registration is required.To register, call 301-677-4473.

Personal trainers availableGaffney Fitness Center offers personal training programs for

those eligible to use the facility.Individual or two-person sessions are available.For more information, call 301-677-3318.

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

It’s frustrating sometimes having to constantly explain the differences between things just because they are similar.

Just ask the copy editor, who spends way more time than she would like to admit, explaining the differences between “they’re, there and their” or “its and it’s.”

It’s more frustrating — and difficult — repeat-edly parsing the differences between actions, especially when you have to skirt around whether an action is legally and morally acceptable.

The issue I always get caught up in this time of year is why I will pay to join a fantasy sports league but not pay to be part of an NCAA bracket pool.

“They’re both gambling,” Cousin Claw claims.Claw happens to be the commissioner of multiple

fantasy leagues that I pay $20 a pop to play in. He also organizes a $20-a-sheet bracket pool I have refused to be a part of since I converted to Islam. As you may know, the religion prohibits gambling or any game of chance.

Anyway, it’s an annual go-around that leads nowhere except to a perceived assault on my moral compass and claims of hypocrisy. Even so, and despite the fact that I love brackets and the chance to beat Claw, I still avoid paying for the bracket pool because it feels wrong.

I also continue to pay for fantasy sports. I just had a draft last night with my friends from high school, and after I picked a dominant team that features the likes of Paul Goldschmidt and Josh Donaldson, I slept like a baby. My conscience clear.

Here’s why: Fantasy sports is not gambling, which is defined as the wagering of something of value on an outcome that is unknown.

Assuming that money is valuable (more on that in a bit), it is true that I do not know the outcome of my fantasy league in regard to winning or losing in large part because there are so many variables I can’t control. Last year I was in prime position to win my first title until Goldschmidt and all-star shortstop Troy Tulow-itzki went down with season-ending injuries.

But in the broader sense, I knew what the outcome of joining the league would be, and I knew exactly what I wanted for my money: camaraderie with my friends, additional interest and motivation to follow the game I love, and competition.

There is no doubt that I want to win, and I’m not going to say the cash isn’t nice — mostly because it pays for the rest of my fantasy expenditures (roughly $200 a year). But mostly I want to win so I can walk into our chatroom or meet up at the annual draft and scream, “The Champ is Here!” à la Muhammad Ali. bit.ly/1EZApZm

I could make the same case for participating in the annual bracket challenge, but it would not be true. If I put money into a pool, I expect it to parlay into more money.

So instead, I started a competition sort of like the

Meade TV/Corvias Chal-lenge, where there is no staking of something valu-able, and the only poten-tial risk is to your ego — though my ego is pretty good right now because I picked three teams in the Final Four. It would have been all four if Gonzaga would have beaten Duke.

There is one more aspect to the whole fantasy sports/bracket pool debate, and it is outlined in U.S. Code § 5362, Paragraph E, Sub-Paragraph ix, line II, which states:

“All winning outcomes reflect the relative knowl-edge and skill of the participants and are determined predominantly by accumulated statistical results of the performance of individuals (athletes in the case of sports events) in multiple real-world sporting or other events.”

There are certainly some unknowns with fantasy sports — draft position and injuries to name a few. However, to be successful over an entire season against a set group of similarly motivated players, you also need some skill and plenty of knowledge, which in turn will help you mitigate those unknowns.

In a bracket pool you pick your winners before Thursday at noon and let it ride. But when your best player goes down in fantasy sports, you have the ability to adjust your roster and better control your outcome. You have the ability to offer and evaluate trades and roster moves. You can listen to your podcast and learn Joakim Soria is making a charge to be the Tigers’ closer, and that knowledge lets you scoop him up in the 21st round and lock down saves for the season.

Let’s be honest. In bracket pools, you pick several teams based on your gut feeling even though your stomach is empty since you’ve never seen that team play a minute of basketball. And when your gut is wrong, there’s nothing you can do except hope other people were wrong as well.

All that being said, I view fantasy sports leagues the same way our good friend Mike Sinek probably views his bowling leagues: You have to pay for the opportunity to hang out with your buddies, talk smack and compete.

Trust me. I’d prefer if the leagues I played in were free. But they are not, so I have to pay to play. The same is true for bracket pools, but the intention is different.

You may view it as semantics, or a rationalization, but I guess that’s why having to explain it gets so frustrating.

If you have comments on this or anything to do with sports, contact me at [email protected] or hit me up on Twitter @CTJibber.

A game vs. gaming

Chad T. Jones, Public Affairs

Officer

Jibber Jabber - OpiniOn


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 [email protected] or call Editor Dijon Rolle at 301-677-6806.

Freedom Inn to open temporarily to DoD civilians

From April 1-30, the Freedom Inn Dining Facility will start allowing DoD civilians, contractors and retirees to dine in the facility Monday through Friday for the lunch meal only.

This is a trial basis.The following rules must be adhered

to:• Service members in uniform are

priority through the entire serving time.• DoD civilians, contractors and

retirees are allowed to enter from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.

• All food is to be consumed in the dining facility.

• No large bags are allowed.• Carry-out for civilians is not

permitted.Violation of any of these rules may

result in loss of privilege to dine in the facility.

For more information, call Christine L. Griggs, food program manager, at 301-677-9350.

Closings for trainingThe Outdoor Recreation Center and

Leisure Travel Services will be closed April 13 and April 14 for seasonal changeover and training.

The facility will reopen April 15 at 8 a.m. for normal operation.

Submit requests for pothole repairs

Due to the cold weather this winter, an increasing amount of potholes have developed on Fort Meade.

Community members can submit a work order to [email protected] to repair potholes.

The work order must include the

Easter EventsEaster Egg Hunt

Hop on over to the Youth Center for its annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m.

The free event for ages 13 and younger will feature games, activities and a huge egg hunt.

Bring a basket for eggs.For more information, call 301-677-

1437.

Easter brunch at Club Meade

Club Meade will serve Easter Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Brunch is open to all services and ranks.

Cost is $21.95 for members and $26.96 for nonmembers.

Cost for member children, ages 3 to 10, is $11. Cost for nonmember children is $13.50

For reservations, call 301-677-6969.

street name (and closest building or intersection) where the pothole is located; a primary and alternate point of contact; and a telephone number.

Fort Meade Technology Expo

The Fort Meade Technology Expo will be held Wednesday at Club Meade from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The expo will feature more than 35 exhibits and live demos of the latest mission-centric technologies.

Featured technologies include: hardware and software products, communications interfaces, data protection, optical switching systems, digital library, security testing, data storage, cyber defense and security, modular power systems, software integration, digital forensic solutions, training solutions, oscilloscopes, media destruction tools and supply chain solutions.

For more information, go to federalevents.com.

Installation RunThe installation is sponsoring a

Joint Service Sexual Assault Awareness and Resiliency Installation Run on

Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 a.m. at McGlachlin Parade Field.

Master Sgt. Cedric King, a double amputee, will lead the run alongside Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley and Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Rodwell L. Forbes.

The purpose of the run is to raise awareness of sexual assault and spotlight the need for prevention and intervention.

In addition, the run will support mental, physical, emotional, behavioral and spiritual resilience for service members, DoD civilians and their families.

The entire Fort Meade community is invited to participate in the run.

Earth Day eventFort Meade’s annual Earth Day event

will be held April 22 at the Pavilion.The Garrison Commander’s Call will

begin at 9 a.m., followed immediately by Earth Day festivities.

The event will feature games and activities, free food and educational Earth Day exhibits.

To supply an exhibit, call Suzanne Teague at 301-677-9185 or Jim Ayers at 301-677-9170.

SHARP 1.5-mile walkKimbrough Ambulatory Care Center

will host the SHARP 1.5-mile walk on April 21 in support of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month.

The walk will begin at noon in front of Kimbrough.

Participants will walk to Burba Lake and around its perimeter, then return to Kimbrough.

Everyone is invited.Participants are asked to wear the color

teal to support this cause.For more information, call Sherry L.

Williams at 301-677-9983 or 301-677-9984.

Volunteers Awards Banquet

The Fort Meade Volunteers Awards Banquet will be held April 16 at 6 p.m. at Club Meade.

For information on nomination procedures and tickets, call the volunteer coordinator at 301-677-4128.

‘Clean Up! Fort Meade’For a seventh year, the Enlisted

NEWS & EVENTS

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14



Spouses’ Club will host its annual “Clean Up! Fort Meade” event on April 11 at Burba Lake.

This event gathers various members of the Fort Meade community to dedicate a few hours of their time to giving back and cleaning up the community.

The main check-in point will be near the Post Library parking lot.

A $400 top school prize (sponsored by the ESC) and a $200 second school prize (sponsored by the OSC) will be awarded to the top-two participating schools.

The winning schools will have a choice of a “green-themed” library or gardening supplies and materials.

Additional prize categories are top-participating child organization/club, top-participating military unit/command and top-collecting individual adult/child.

In conjunction with this event, the ESC will offer an additional incentive for students of Fort Meade schools.

A drawing competition with the topic of “How do you see recycling being used in 20 years?” in which students will have the opportunity to create their own work of art and write a few sentences about what they have drawn.

Completed works of art must be turned in the day of the event. In order to enter, students must attend the event. The grand prize is a Kindle Fire tablet.

To pre-register for an extra raffle ticket, go to FtMeadeESC.org.

For more information, email [email protected].

Prostate cancer progrmThe next quarterly program for men

and families dealing with prostate cancer will be held May 7 from 7-8:30 p.m. at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in the America Building, Room 2525.

Dr. Timothy Donahue will discuss “Rise in PSA After Treatment for Pros-tate Cancer.”

Family and friends are invited. No registration required.

Military ID is required for base access. Those without a military ID should call the Prostate Center at 301-319-2900 at least four business days prior to the event for base access.

For more information, call retired Col. Jane Hudak at 301-319-2918 or email [email protected].

Cyber symposiumA cyber information session will be

held April 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at McGill Training Center.

Corvias education grantsCorvias Foundation is still accepting

applications for the 2015 educational grants.

Applications must be submitted by May 7.

Grants are given in the amount of up to $5,000 to spouses of active-duty service members stationed at Fort Meade.

Applicants may be in any stage of the educational process.

For more information, go to corviasfoundation.org.

Free dental screeningsFree dental screenings for children

ages 1-12 will be offered April 15 from 10 a.m. to noon at the commissary, 2786 Mapes Road.

The event will include dental health information and children’s dental care kits.

The screenings are sponsored by Colgate’s Bright Smiles, Bright Futures children’s oral health-improvement program.

For more information, go to colgatebsbf.com.

StorytimeThe Children’s Library offers pre-

kindergarten Storytime on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. at Kuhn Hall, 4415 Llewellyn Ave.

For more information, call 301-677-5677.

Youth Center CarnivalThe Youth Center Carnival will be

held Friday from noon to 7 p.m.The carnival kicks off the Month of

the Military Child and will feature a moon bounce, cake walk, face painting and sack races.

Ticket prices range from 25 cents to 50 cents.

For more information or to register, call 301-677-1437.

Out & About• Port Discovery Children’s Museum

is featuring its new exhibition, Lego Castle Adventure, through Sept. 20 at 35 Market Place, Baltimore.

Hours are Tuesday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

General admission is $14.50 for ages 2 and older. For more information, call 410-727-8120 or go to portdiscovery.org.

• “Eggscellent Adventure” will be featured Saturday at 11:15 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. at Terrapin Adventures, 8600 Foundry St., Savage.

Children will decorate their own egg cartons, pet bunnies, hunt for candy-filled eggs, and dress up in climbing gear to climb for one hour on the Terrapin Explorer Course designed for ages 5-9.

Cost is $35 per child. A portion of each ticket will be donated to a local rabbit shelter.

For more information, call 301-725-1313 or go to http://www.terrapinadventures.com/events/.

• “The Price Is Right Live,” the interactive stage show that gives eligible individuals the chance to “come on down” to win, is coming to Baltimore on April 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric, 110 W. Mount Royal Ave., Baltimore.

Tickets cost $28-$48.To register for a chance to be a contestant, visit the registration area three hours prior to show time.

For more information, call 410-685-5086 or go to lyricoperahouse.com.

• The grand opening of the Crofton Farmers Market — Anne Arundel County’s largest farmers market — will be celebrated April 15 from 4-7 p.m. at Route 3 North and Davidsonville Road (Giant parking lot).

Fifty vendors will participate including Greek on the Street food truck; All Fired Up brick oven pizza; Frankie Falafel; C&JDs Stand Carolina-style barbecue; and Short Thing Shellfish.

The farmers market also will feature a Kids Zone that includes face painting, balloon animals and free crafts.

For more information, go to CroftonFarmersMarket.com.

• 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 today. There is no cost for the buffet. Donations

are optional. All Fort Meade employees, family members, and civilian and military personnel are invited.

For more information, call 301-677-6703.• Meade Rod and Gun Club meets the

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

• Retired Officers’ Wives’ Club will hold its next monthly luncheon Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Club Meade.

Bring your family and friends to see the newest trends in fashion at “Spring into Summer 2015.” The club’s annual fashion show will feature clothes from the Exchange, modeled by ROWC models.

Cost of the luncheon is $18. Reservations are required today. Call your area representative or Betty Wade at 410-551-7082.

Annual membership dues are $25, but you may join now through May for $12.50.

Members may bring guests at any time to the luncheons, which are held on the first Tuesday of each month, except June, July, August and January.

For more information, call Genny Bellinger, ROWC president, at 410-674-2550.

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

• Swinging Squares Square Dance Club dances the first and third Saturday of the month from 7:30-10 p.m. through May at Meade Middle School. The next dance is Saturday. Admission is $6. Square dance attire is optional.

Dance classes are offered Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. at Meade Middle School. Each class costs $6.

For more information, call Darlene at 410-519-2536 or Carl at 410-271-8776.

• Families Dealing with Deployment meets the first and third Monday of every month from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Family Advocacy Program, 2462 85th Medical Battalion Ave. Children welcome. The next meeting is Monday.

NEWS & EVENTS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

EDUCATION RECREATION MEETINGS

YOUTH


movies


The group is for families experiencing an upcoming or current deployment, or who have recently returned from deployment. For more information, call 301-677-5590 or email [email protected].

• Calling All Dads meets the first and third Monday of every month from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Family Advocacy Program, 2462 85th Medical Battalion Ave. The next meeting is Monday.

The group is for expecting fathers, and fathers with children of all ages. Children welcome. For more information, call 301-677-5590 or email [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 Wednesday. 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].

• 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 April 10.

The association is open to active, retired, Reserve and National Guard E9s of any uniformed service. All E9s in this area are invited to attend a breakfast and meet the membership. For more information, go to e9association.org.

• Meade Branch 212 of the Fleet Reserve Association meets the second Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. at VFW Post 160, 2597 Dorsey Road, Glen Burnie. The next meeting is April 11. Active-duty, Reserve and retired members of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard are invited.

For more information, call 443-604-2474 or 410-768-6288.

• Marriage Enrichment Group, sponsored by Army Community Service, meets the second and fourth Monday of every month from 3-4 p.m. at the Community Readiness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave. The next meeting is April 13. For more information, call Celena Flowers or Jessica Hobgood at 301-677-5590.

• Women’s Empowerment Group meets Wednesdays from 2-3:30 p.m. to provide a safe, confidential arena for the support, education and empowerment of women who have experienced past or present family violence.

Location is only disclosed to participants. To register, call Samantha Herring, victim advocate, at 301-677-4124 or Katherine Lamourt, victim advocate, at 301-677-4117.

• Moms Walking Group, sponsored by Parent Support, meets Thursdays from 8:30-9:15 a.m. at the Family Advocacy Program, 2462 85th Medical Battalion Ave. To register, call 301-677-3617.

• Project Healing Waters meets Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. at the Soldiers and Family Assistance Center, 2462 85th Medical Battalion Ave.

The project is dedicated to the physical and emotional rehabilitation of wounded warriors and veterans through fly fishing, fly tying and outings.

For more information, call Larry Vawter, program leader, at 443-535-5074 or email [email protected].

• Dancing with the Heroes, free ballroom dance lessons for the Warrior Transition Unit, meets Thursdays at 6 p.m. at Argonne Hills Chapel Center in the seminar room.

Participants should wear loose clothing, comfortable shoes with leather soles. No super high heels or flip-flops.

• Spanish Christian Service is conducted Sundays at 1 p.m. at the Cavalry Chapel located at 8465 Simonds St. and 6th Armored Cavalry Road.

For more information, call Elias Mendez at 301-677-7314 or 407-350-8749.

• Couples Communication Group, sponsored by Army Community Service, meets every Monday from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the Community Readiness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave.

For more information, call Celena Flowers or Katherine Lamourt at 301-677-5590.

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

For more information, email Cubmaster Christopher Lassiter at [email protected] or Committee Chairperson Marco Cilibert 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 ages 11 to 18. For more information, email Lisa Yetman, at [email protected] or Wendall Lawrence, Scoutmaster, at [email protected].

• Catholic Women of the Chapel meets every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. for prayer and Bible study in the Main Post Chapel, 4419 Llewellyn Ave. Monthly programs are held Mondays at 6:30 p.m. The group is open to all women in the community ages 18 and older — active duty, retiree and civilian — for prayer, faith fellowship, and service. For more information, email Mariana Yinh at [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 4-6 p.m. Dinner may be purchased at 6 p.m. on Fridays and the fourth Sunday of every month.

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

• Odenton Masonic Center, located at 1206 Stehlik Drive, invites the community, local military, fire/emergency services and local businesses to enjoy its breakfast and specialty dinners.

The center offers a fundraising “all-you-can-eat” breakfast every second Sunday from 7-11 a.m. Fundraising specialty dinners are held the third Friday of the month from 5-7 p.m.

Menus vary and are listed on the center’s website at odentonlodge209.net.

• New Spouse Connection meets the second Monday of every month from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Community Readiness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave. The next meeting is April 13. 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 [email protected] or 301-677-4110.

• AARP Chapter 606 will meet April 13 at 12:30 p.m. in the Glen Burnie Improvement Association Hall.

This month’s guest speaker is Maryland Del. Mark Chang who will discuss what is happening in the current legislative session.

Chapter dues are due this month. Bring your national card for AARP and current chapter card. Dues are $4 per person or $6 per couple at sign-in.

Members are urged to bring food for the North County Emergency Outreach Network, loose change for charities and used toner cartridges to be reconditioned.

For more information, call Judy Litke, at 410-760-6253.

• NARFE Chapter 1519 will meet April 14 at 1 p.m. at the Holy Trinity Church Hall, 3436 Baltimore-Annapolis Road, Glen Burnie.

Dr. Kristin Krotz of the Advanced Hearing Group is the guest speaker.

Those interested in joining this chapter or finding out more information concerning the National Active and Retired Federal Employee Association should attend this meeting. Personnel are needed to become active members of the chapter and attend meetings.

For more information, call Diane Shreves, publicity chairman, at 410-760-3750.

• Air Force Sergeants Association Chapter 254 meets the third Wednesday of every month from 3-4 p.m. in the auditorium of the Airman Leadership School, 8470 Zimborski Ave. The next meeting is April 15. For more information, call 831-521-9251 or go to AFSA254.org.

• Military District of Washington Sergeant Audie Murphy Club meets the third

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

Movies start Fridays and Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.

PRICES: Tickets are $5.50 for adults (12 and older) and $3 for children. 3D Movies: $7.50 adults, $5 children.

Today through Sunday

Friday & Sunday: “Focus” (R). In the midst of a veteran con man’s latest scheme, a woman from his past — now an accomplished femme fatale — shows up and throws his plans for a loop. With Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Rodrigo Santoro.

Saturday: “Kingsman: The Secret Service” (R). A spy organization recruits an unrefined but prom-ising street kid into the agency’s ultra-competitive training program, just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius. With Colin Firth, Taron Egerton, Samuel L. Jackson.

Wednesday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. at the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Dining Facility in Virginia. The next meeting is April 15.

All members and those interested in joining the club are welcome. For more information, contact Master Sgt. Erica Lehmkuhl at [email protected] or 301-833-8415.

• Prostate Cancer Support Group meets at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda on the third Thursday of every month. The next meeting is April 16 from 1-2 p.m. and 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the America Building, River Conference Room (next to the Prostate Center), third floor.

Spouses/partners are invited. Military ID is required for base access. Men without a military ID should call the Prostate Center at 301-319-2900 at least four days prior to the event for base access.

For more information, call retired Col. Jane Hudak at 301-319-2918 or email [email protected].

News & Politics

Soundoff April 2, 2015