Soundoff January 22, 2015

real id actMeade officials set to enforce federal regulation

page 3

UPcOMiNG eVeNtSMONday, 11 a.M.: Fort Meade Tax Center opening - 4217 Roberts Ave.JaN. 29, 10 a.M.-2:30 P.M.: Cooking Matters Commissary Tour - CommissaryFeb. 1, 6 P.M.: Super Bowl Party and Buffet - The LanesFeb. 5, 7 a.M.: Monthly Prayer Breakfast - Club MeadeFeb. 19, 11:30 a.M.: Black History Month Observance - McGill Training Center

ciVil riGhtSStoryteller honors legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

page 4

Soundoff!́vol. 67 no. 3 Published in the interest of the Fort Meade community January 22, 2015

celebrating life

Marion Jordan blows out her “100” birthday candle at her surprise birthday party held Friday at Jessup Community Hall. The Meade Area Garden Club threw the party for Jordan, a long-standing Fort Meade community member and volunteer. For the story, see Page 10.

photo by daniel kucin jr.

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil� SOUNDOFF! January 22, 2015

Commander’s Column

Cont ent sNews............................. 3 Sports..................................12

CrimeWatch................. 8 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. rhodesStaff Writer Shari rosendesign 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.

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With winter in full swing, the air is cold and people are trying to keep warm.

Born in Michigan and once stationed in Alaska, I like winter. Cold doesn’t really bother me that much. However, as my wife will tell you, I am “special.” I know others don’t feel the same way about this wonderful winter weather.

During this time of year, we see space heaters all over the post, both in offices and homes. Fireplaces also are being used, both for the ambiance and to lower standard heat-ing costs.

The National Fire Protection Agency has provided the following information based on 2007-2011 annual averages:

• Space heaters, whether portable or sta-tionary, accounted for one-third, or 33 per-cent, of home heating fires and four out of five, or 81 percent, of home heating fire deaths.

• The leading factor contributing to home heating fires was failure to clean — princi-pally creosote — from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.

• Placing items that can burn too close to heating equipment or placing heating equip-ment too close to items that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattress or bedding, was the leading factor contrib-uting to ignition in fatal home heating fires and accounted for more than half of home heating fire deaths.

• Half of all home heating fires occurred in December, January and February.

Here are a few other tips that can help you stay warm safely:

• Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from heating equipment.

• Keep a 3-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.

• Have a qualified professional install sta-tionary space-heating equipment according to local codes and manufacturer’s instruc-tions.

• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a quali-fied professional.

• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.

• Always use the right kind of fuel, speci-fied by the manufacturer, for fuel-burning space heaters.

• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the

room. Ashes should be cool before putting them inside a metal con-tainer. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.

• Test smoke alarms month-ly.

FGGM Reg-ulation 420-7, Directorate of Emergency Ser-vices Installation Fire Regulation has specific guidelines about the use of space heaters used in garrison buildings.

• Space heaters must be self-contained oil-filled, radiator-style heaters or have ceramic elements. They are required to have tip-over protection. If the heater is placed in any other position than straight-up, it will shut off automatically.

• There should be no open or exposed elements of any type. The heater must also be UL (Underwriters Laboratories) or FM (Factory Mutual) listed.

• Ensure your smoke detectors are working. Change the batteries twice a year and test the detector monthly to ensure it is working.

Winter is a beautiful time of year, with the promise of spring around the corner. With these tips, I hope you have a safe and warm winter season.

For more questions, email [email protected].

Tips to stay toasty, safe during winter

Capt. Shaun M. Bagley Fort Meade Fire prevention Office

Commander’s Open DoorGarrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley

hasanopendoorpolicy.Allservicemembers,retirees,government

employees, family members or communitymembersage18orolderareinvitedtoaddressissuesorconcernstothecommanderdirectlybyvisitingFoley’sofficeonMondays from4to6p.m.atgarrisonheadquartersinHodgesHall,Bldg.4551,LlewellynAvenue.

Visitors are seen on a first-come, first-servedbasis.Noappointmentisnecessary.

Formoreinformation,call301-677-4844.

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil January 22, 2015 SOUNDOFF! �

News

Story and photo by Lisa R. RhodesStaff Writer

Rick Leitzau, a sophomore at Anne Arundel Community College, visited Fort Meade’s Army Education Center on Tuesday morning to meet with an academic advisor about his progress.

“I’m just making sure I’m on the right track,” the 19-year-old said.

His father, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Rick Leitzau of the Asymmetric Warfare Group, said he appreciates the services provided by the center.

“This [process] is far easier to see an academic advisor here than at the college where they are so busy,” Leitzau said.

The Army Education Center serves Sol-diers, their family members and Depart-ment of the Army civilians with tuition assistance, veteran benefits, educational and career goals, financial aid, and other educational services such as military and academic standardized testing.

Leitzau said he relies mostly on federal aid for his education.

John Anderson, education services spe-cialist at the AEC, said the Fort Meade community should be aware that the state deadline for the Free Application Fed-eral Student Aid program is midnight on March 1, Central Standard Time.

Service members, their dependents and DA civilians age 18 and older can apply.

All applications for FAFSA must be submitted online. Students interested in applying for federal aid can receive assis-tance at AEC.

“It’s a great program that people should take advantage of,” Anderson said. “If you’re searching for methods to pay for your education, you should submit a FAFSA application.”

The federal program is part of the U.S. Department of Education and is the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation.

Anderson said the federal government considers a student’s total household income to determine what level of finan-cial aid will be awarded.

Federal aid is often given in the form of a grant, loan or scholarship. Appli-cants are notified by the federal govern-ment about their financial aid award.

In addition to providing assistance with financial aid, the center offers edu-cational counseling; testing for language aptitude and military classifications; and on-duty instruction in math, reading and language skills.

AEC also provides a multi-use learning facility for students to work on college classes or Army projects.

Representatives from Anne Arundel Community College, the University of Maryland University College and Cen-

Army Education Center helps with financial aid process

Janice Gabriel-Tucci, an academic advisor at Anne Arundel Community College’s office at Fort Meade’s Army Education Center, discusses spring course offerings with Rick Lietzau, a sophomore at the college, and his father Chief Warrant Officer 4 Rick Lietzau of the Asymmetric Warfare Group.

tral Michigan University are available at the facility to help students enroll in academic classes at their respective institutions.

Lietzau, who is pursuing a liberal arts degree at AACC and eventually plans on a career in biomedical engineering, met with Janice Gabriel-Tucci, an aca-

demic advisor at AACC who works at the center.

“He’s halfway through to his degree,” Gabriel-Tucci said. “He’s doing a good job.”

Editor’s note: The Army Education Center is located at 8601 Zimborski Ave. and can be reached at 301-677-6421.

By Veronica CastroPublic Affairs Office

In an effort to prevent unlawful entry onto the installation, beginning March 19 Fort Meade officials will enforce a federal law that sets specific standards for all driver’s licenses and identification cards.

Enforcement of the law — the REAL ID Act of 2005 — will result in individuals being barred from entering the installation if they present a driver’s license or ID card from certain states that are not in compliance.

The REAL ID Act is a coordinated effort by the states and the federal government to improve the reliability and accuracy of state-issued identification documents, which are designed to inhibit terrorists’ ability to evade detection by using fraudulent identification.

The law, which implements a 9/11 Com-mission recommendation urging the federal government to “set standards for the issuance of sources of identification, such as driver’s licenses,” is designed to impose much stricter measures on how people can obtain a driver’s

license or ID card, and sets more thorough standards as to what will be displayed on them.

“This new policy is good for the safety and security of Fort Meade and all federal facilities,” said George Cartagena, supervi-sor of the Demps Visitor Control Center. “Compliant states have ensured that indi-viduals receiving ID documents have met all security and identification requirements of the Homeland Security Directives and the REAL ID Act of 2005.”

The REAL ID Act covers 56 jurisdictions including the 50 states, the District of Colum-bia, and the U.S. Territories of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Individuals with a driver’s license or state IDs from Arizona, Louisiana, Maine, Okla-homa and American Samoa, and those with New York, Minnesota and Washington state IDs that do not have a GOLD Star on the top right corner will not be allowed access to

the installation without an additional accept-able photo ID such as a passport.

Currently, Fort Meade security guards have begun to inform individuals with ID cards from noncompliant states about the requirement of having a second form of ID when entering the installation.

After this two-month period of provid-ing notice to individuals attempting to use driver’s licenses or identification cards from noncompliant states to gain access into the installation, individuals from noncompli-ant states will be barred from entering the installation without an additional acceptable photo ID.

“Notifying individuals from noncompliant states that their IDs will not be honored after March 19 is already underway,” Cartagena said. “Notices are also posted at the Reece Road inspection station. An information handout is also being provided to individuals from those noncompliant states.

“For individuals who use the [National Security Agency] access points, the NSA

gates and inspection stations started denying access to individuals with IDs from noncom-pliant states on Jan. 19,” he said.

Cartagena noted that the law lessens the burden on the VCC to research and locally approve individual identification documents.

Fort Meade, he said, is complying with a Department of Homeland Security require-ment to deny access to individuals whose identity and citizenship may be in question, since their states have not complied with federal security requirements.

In addition to being denied access to fed-eral installations, the law raises the possibility that individuals from noncompliant states will also not be able to board commercial airlines with their state-issued identifica-tion unless they are also able to present an alternative form of identification such as a passport.

Editor’s note: For more information about the REAL ID Act, visit www.dhs.gov/real-id-public-faqs or call the Demps Visitor Control Center at 301-677-1083.

Fort Meade to begin enforcing REAL ID Act


News

By Lisa R. RhodesStaff Writer

A professional storyteller told fables about turtles, an African boy and an Afri-can village to highlight the ideals that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stood for during Fort Meade’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Day observance.

Bill Grimmette, a storyteller and moti-vational speaker, was the guest speaker at the 90-minute event held Jan. 14 at McGill Training Center. The observance was hosted by members of the the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade and the Fort Meade Equal Opportunity Office.

“Bringing people into the circle, that’s what Dr. King celebrated,” said Grim-mette, in speaking about King’s lifework to achieve full equality and civil rights. “The power of the circle is that it can expand.”

The event began with the presentation of the colors by the color guard of Meade High School’s Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. Brigade Chaplain (Maj.) Joshua A. Metz gave the invocation and LaWanda Wiliams, a civilian, sang the national anthem.

McGill’s ballroom featured displays of photographs of King’s life, as well as

a timeline of major achievements in the nation’s civil rights movement.

Club Meade provided a catered lunch of traditional African-American soul food that included barbecue and fried chicken wings, macaroni and cheese, and collard greens.

Grimmette, who resides in Gambrills, began his presentation by discussing the importance of a circle and how it includes all members of the community. To illus-trate his point, he told a fable about a group of turtles who formed a circle to avoid being eaten by an alligator.

Grimmette said King’s desire to achieve equality for African-Americans and peo-ple of all racial and cultural backgrounds is an ideal that the founding fathers enshrined in the Constitution.

“Our founding fathers saw this in their vision,” Grimmette said of the preamble to the Constitution. “How can you write such poetry and not mean it? They meant every word of it.”

Grimmette told the story of an African boy who was named “Yes I Can, I Know I Can” by his grandfather to motivate him to live his best life. He also spoke about an African village that witnessed the rebirth of one of its members to highlight the

importance of passing on traditions.“What we got today is what Dr. King

was fighting for,” Grimmette said.He noted that although Americans still

have work to do in resolving racial ten-sions, the nation must look forward to the future as King and the founding fathers did to achieve the goal of full equality.

Grimmette said there are forces in soci-ety “busy telling you what is negative and limiting about the world.” But, he said, there is always hope for the future.

“All you have to do to change is tell a different story,” Grimmette said. “All of America changed the way we look at things.”

In closing, Grimmette said that in observing King’s birthday, it is important to remember the ideals he stood for.

“We’re not celebrating the man; we’re celebrating the idea, the idea behind the dream,” he said.

Grimmette said that as King’s birthday has been designated as a day of com-munity service, members of the military are making the ultimate sacrifice to serve their country for an honorable cause.

“The next time someone thanks you for your service, say ‘Thank you for giv-ing me a democracy worthy of service,’ ”

Grimmette said.After Grimmette spoke, Garrison

Commander Col. Brian P. Foley and Command Sgt. Maj. Rodwell L. Forbes presented him with a plaque of apprecia-tion.

During the event, former Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston presented four Meade High School students with certificates of achievement for winning the high school’s first Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest.

The contest, a collaboration between the 780th MI and Meade High, was spon-sored by the school’s JROTC program.

Serene Duke, a senior, was the first-place winner for her essay about not ste-reotyping people. The 17-year-old, who was enrolled in JROTC for two years, was presented with a certificate and a $100 prize.

“It was amazing,” said Serene, who plans to attend Roanoke College in Salem, Va., and major in student counseling.

“I thought I was going to pass out and cry,” she said. “It’s such a great honor to win.”

Junior Toral Patel, 16, won second place and was presented with a certificate and a $50 prize.

Storyteller honors King at Meade MLK event

Former Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston presents Serene Duke, 17, with a certificate of achievement and a $100 prize for her first-place win in Meade High School’s first Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest, a collaboration with the 780th MI Brigade.

photos by daniel kucin jr.

Bill Grimmette, a professional storyteller and motivational speaker, tells a fable about an African village as part of his guest speech for Fort Meade’s annual Martin Luther King Day observance held Jan. 14 at McGill Training Center. The 90-minute event was co-hosted by the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade and the Fort Meade Equal Opportunity Office.


News

Sixteen-year-olds Kara Diaz-Cope-land, a junior enrolled in the Interna-tional Baccalaureate Programme, and Eric Whitehorn, a junior enrolled in the Advancement Via Individual Determina-tion Program, tied for third place.

They were each presented a certificate and a $25 prize.

Editor’s note: To see more photos from this event, visit the Public Affairs Office Flickr page at www.flickr.com/photos/ftmeade/.

Sgt. 1st Class Andrea F. Williams, Equal Opportunity advisor for the 780th MI Brigade, cuts the ceremonial cake along with former Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston, Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Rodwell L. Forbes and Garrison Commander Col. Brian P. Foley for Martin Luther King Day at McGill Training Center. Serene Duke, a Meade High senior, and retired Sgt. Maj. Jim Gilbert, director of training at the Defense Information School, look on.

The Meade High School Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Color Guard presents the colors at Fort Meade’s annual Martin Luther King Day observance.

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Photo by Paul Farley

wellness championsMegan Rikas, Shirin Dabney, Carl Hamilton, Heaven Taylor and Elisa-beth Fleming, winners of the Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center Performance Triad Challenge, pose Jan. 5 at Kimbrough. More than 80 participants competed in the six-week challenge, which focused on strengthening individual performance and resilience through improved sleep, activity and nutrition. The group, members of the Internal Medi-cine Clinic, ate salads and Subway sandwiches and participated in yoga classes, group runs and High Intensity Interval Training to lose more than 20 pounds. The participants were named the overall winners and wellness champions for the command.

By Amaani LyleDoD News, Defense Media Activity

Efforts to eliminate the baneful issue of sexual assault “must be personal,” Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said in closing remarks Friday at the Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Summit.

Hagel said the military community is unique in its raised standards and the expectation that service members will commit to each other both on and off the battlefield.

“We should fundamentally begin tak-ing care of each other in personal rela-tionships and wherever else,” Hagel said. “If we don’t understand that dimension of this crime, then we will miss the whole point.”

The secretary noted that without personal accountability and responsibil-ity, sexual assault will persist no matter

how many laws, restrictions, directives or resources are created.

“It won’t be an Air Force or a mili-tary free of sexual assault unless we come at it from a basis of the humanity and the health of the force,” Hagel said. “We have to trust each other.”

While he cited “encouraging prog-ress” in stanching the issue over the last year, Hagel acknowledged more can be done, particularly in areas such as social retaliation, which he said stems from the overall environment.

“You cannot take the responsibility and the accountability for this out of the chain of command,” Hagel asserted. “If you see something, if you sense something, it’s your responsibility to step in and deal with it. Stop it, or if you can’t stop it, get somebody who will stop it.”

Hagel praised the military as a whole

for its transparency and recognition of the problem, but said awareness is just the starting point.

“College campuses, other areas that are dealing with this issue, are looking to the military for help … because we have institutionalized this as a huge challenge and a priority for who we are,” Hagel said.

Ultimately, Hagel said, the Air Force and members of all services are building a legacy as role models and leaders with a tremendous effect on the future.

“We have a unique opportunity because of how we are structured, how we are organized … that gives us possi-bilities and avenues of approach to this that no other institution or community of families has,” Hagel said.

“We’ve got to fix this problem. It won’t get fixed in Congress, in the White House or anywhere else.”

hagel: Fight to end sexual assault must be ‘personal’ New report shows active-duty suicides down in 2013By Nick SimeoneDoD News, Defense Media Activity

Suicides among active-duty mem-bers of the U.S. military decreased in 2013 from the previous year, while those among the Reserve components were slightly higher, according to a Defense Department report released Friday.

The 2013 DoD Suicide Event Annual Report lists 259 suicides among active-component service members and 220 such deaths among members of the Reserves and National Guard.

According to the report, failed inti-mate relationships were the most prev-alent stress factor precipitating suicide. Most of those who took their own lives were married.

Financial or workplace difficulties were also found to be a key factor. Young, Caucasian males — including junior enlisted troops — were found to be most likely to commit suicide.

The report found that just over 66 percent of those who committed sui-cide had deployed one or more times.

Pentagon officials say they are deep-ly concerned about suicides within the armed forces and are actively working to prevent them. At the same time, officials say, they have been encouraged to see more people seeking counseling over the past year, including increased calls to helplines and meetings with mental health experts.

More than a dozen suicide preven-tion programs are available to service members, veterans and their families. Each of the military branches conducts suicide-prevention awareness training.

In addition, DoD as a whole has increased the number of counselors available.

The Defense Department is also partnering with Veterans Affairs to promote the Veterans/Military Crisis Line, a confidential counseling service available around the clock at 800-273-8255.

In addition, Vets4Warriors.com pro-vides confidential peer support to ser-vice members and their families.

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Tax rates vary from state to state. For example, the District of Columbia has one of the highest tax rates in the country. Maryland has not only a state income tax, but also a local tax, which varies from county to county.

Service members serving at Fort Meade who have a legal residence in a different state need not file a return to Maryland because of the protections the SCRA affords. A taxpayer would only file a return to the taxpayer’s resident state, if required, following that state’s filing requirement.

The SCRA also provides some protec-tions from taxation for spouses of mili-tary members.

As an example, consider “Maj. Tax-payer” who entered the military from Arizona. She is now stationed at Fort Meade. She owns property in Arizona and is registered to vote there even though she currently lives in Maryland because of her military assignment.

Maj. Taxpayer has listed Arizona as her residence state on her LES, and state withholdings are withheld from her pay and paid to Arizona.

Where must she file?Maj. Taxpayer must file a federal

return with the IRS and a state return with Arizona. Some states exempt active-duty military pay from state tax. If Maj. Taxpayer’s permanent state of residence was one of those states, state filing would be unnecessary, unless income tax had been withheld from the taxpayer’s income during the year.

Changing one’s legal state of residency can be complicated. The military DD Form 2058, “State of Legal Residence Certificate,” makes it appear that a ser-vice member may simply change his or her state of legal residence by completing and submitting the form through person-nel channels.

The service member must, however, have both a physical presence in the new state along with the intent to make that new state his or her permanent home. The intent to establish a new legal state of residency must be shown clearly by actions that the service member takes in the new state that may include registering to vote, purchasing real estate, titling and registering vehicles, and signing a new Last Will and Testament that states the service member is now a resident of the new state.

Merely filing the DD Form 2058 to stop income tax from being withheld from

a service member’s pay from the service member’s former state may result in the old state challenging the establishment of a new legal residency. A service member who has not taken any of the actions listed above could still be liable to the old state for income tax, even if no withhold-ing was taken for the old state.

The state that a taxpayer claims can have a huge impact on tax liability. How to receive the proper state refund involves many details, especially from those states that offer a full refund.

The Fort Meade Joint Installation Tax Center can assist with these issues.

The tax center will open Monday on the first floor of the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, 4217 Morrison St.

To schedule an appointment, call 301-677-9366 or 301-677-9762.

By Sandra DrakeFort Meade Tax Center

Clients seeking tax assistance at the Fort Meade Joint Installation Tax Center are frequently unsure about their poten-tial state income tax liability.

Many Soldiers must file a separate state income tax return, even if it is to get a full refund of any income withheld and paid to the state during the tax year.

Determining which state you must file your income tax return with can be con-fusing for taxpayers. The starting point in making this determination is what state appears on the W-2 as withholding state income tax. This is likely the home of

record and is the state to which the tax-payer has some permanent connection.

However, additional factors to consider are where the individual votes, owns real estate, and has a driver’s license and a motor vehicle registered. The Service-members’ Civil Relief Act, or SCRA, allows active-duty service members to claim their permanent residency state and continue to file their income tax returns to that residency state, despite a military assignment in a new state.

In many cases, it is advantageous for the service member to avoid taxation in the state where he or she temporarily lives because of a military assignment.

State income tax filing for service members

Jan. 14, Shoplifting: AAFES loss prevention personnel at the Exchange stated she observed the subject, via surveillance camera, remove various mer-chandise from their packag-ing and proceed to the men’s department. She took a men’s hoodie jacket into the men’s dressing room to hide the mer-chandise, then exited the store without rendering payment.

Jan. 14, Simple assault, consummated by a bat-tery: The Directorate of Emergency Services was notified of an assault at the commissary. An investigation revealed that while in the frozen food section, the victim and subject were involved in a verbal altercation. The altercation became physical when the subject struck the victim with his forehead, causing a slight discoloration to the center of the forehead.

CommunityCommunityCrime Watch

Compiled by the Fort Meade Directorate of Emergency Services

For week of Jan. 12-18:• Moving violations: 23• Nonmoving violations: 31• Verbal warnings for traffic stops: 16• Traffic accidents: 10• Driving on suspended license: 1• Driving on suspended registration: 1• Driving without a license: 1

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By Karla SimonIndustrial Hygienist, Public Health Command

January is National Radon Action Month.

The Environmental Protection Agency has launched the “Test Your Home, Pro-tect Your Health” campaign to educate the public about how easy it can be to kick radon out before and after a home, school or worksite is built.

EPA officials estimate that nearly one out of every 15 homes in the United States has elevated radon levels. Although radon is a naturally occurring gas, it is radioac-tive.

According to the EPA, exposure to radon in the home is responsible for an estimated 20,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States each year.

Radon is colorless, odorless and taste-less. This invisible enemy can only be detected by testing. There is no known safe

level of exposure to radon.What can you do to protect yourself and

your family from radon? The first step is measuring the levels of radon gas. It’s a relatively easy and inexpensive process.

Most often, the radon in your home’s indoor air can come from two sources: the soil underneath your house or your water supply. Radon migration through the soil into the lowest level of your home is the main cause of radon problems.

However, if you have a private well, con-sider testing for radon in both air and water. The devices and procedures for testing your home’s water supply are different from those used for measuring radon in the air.

Test kits are available at most hardware stores for about $20 to $30. Some state pro-grams offer low-cost or free kits. Those who are not comfortable performing the radon test can find a qualified contractor familiar with radon to do the testing for them.

The amount of radon gas in the air is

measured in picocuries per liter of air or pCi/L. The EPA has set an “Action Level” for radon gas of 4.0 picocuries.

However, the EPA strongly recommends that you take immediate action to fix your home, school or workplace if the results from the radon test show 4.0 pCi/L or more.

Elevated radon levels can cause lung cancer. If your test level shows between 2 and 4 pCi/L, consider making changes to reduce the amount of radon levels.

Here are some steps you can take to prevent and reduce radon levels in your home:

• The EPA recommends that you test your home every two years or after home renovations to monitor radon levels.

• If you are building a new home, school or business, ask about radon-resistant con-struction.

• If elevated levels of radon are detected, repair any problems with the foundation.

Seal cracks and other openings around pipes and drains.

• Cover exposed earthen walls.• Paint concrete floors with a sealant.• Maintain the heating, ventilation and

air conditioning systems, and have them serviced to ensure proper operation.

• If confirmed high levels are found in the air, have a radon-reduction system installed.

Consult with a qualified professional to determine the best system dependent on the foundation type: basement, slab-on-grade or crawlspace.

• If elevated levels of radon are detected in your water supply, treat the water at the point of entry or at the point of use.

It may require that you have a water treatment system installed to remove the radon before it enters the building or right before it comes out of the tap.

For more information, visit www.epa.gov/radon/nram.

Test your home for radon, protect your health

By Terri Moon CronkDoD News, Defense Media Activity

As tax season begins, Defense Department officials want to remind TRICARE beneficia-ries of changes in the tax laws, which require all Americans to have health care insurance or potentially pay a tax penalty.

For the first time since the Affordable Care Act passed in 2010, all U.S. citizens includ-ing service members, military retirees and their family members must report health care coverage on their 2014 taxes, said Mark Ellis, a Defense Health Agency health care opera-tions program analyst.

For this year only, taxpayers will “self-attest” on their 2014 tax forms to each month in which they had health care coverage, he said.

The ACA mandates that health care must meet minimum essential coverage. TRICARE coverage meets that criteria for the majority of service members and their families, Ellis said.

TRICARE Prime, TRICARE Standard, TRICARE for Life, TRICARE Overseas, TRICARE Remote and the Uniformed Ser-vices Family Health Plan meet the minimum essential coverage, Ellis said. When purchased, a premium-based plan such as TRICARE Reserve Select or TRICARE Retired Reserve also fulfill ACA requirements.

Uniformed service members who have questions about TRICARE, the ACA and

the individual coverage mandate can visit the TRICARE website to download a fact sheet on TRICARE and the ACA, with TRICARE plans compared to minimum essential cover-age, Ellis said.

Military beneficiaries who are solely eli-gible for care in military hospitals and clinics, for example, and parents and parents-in-law have an automatic exemption from the tax penalty for tax year 2014 only.

The TRICARE and ACA fact sheet is available at www.tricare.mil/~/media/Files/TRICARE/Publications/FactSheets/ACA_FS.pdf.

The site also has suggestions for those who need to purchase coverage to meet the ACA’s minimum requirements. That could include retired Reservists, Reserve Select members, young adults up to age 26, and those who leave military service but need transitional coverage, Ellis said.

TRICARE beneficiaries with tax questions should contact the Internal Revenue Service or their tax advisers.

“The experts there can help them,” Ellis said.

Editor’s note: The Fort Meade Joint Instal-lation Tax Center is now open. It is located on the first floor of the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, 4217 Morrison St. To schedule an appointment, call 301-677-9366 or 301-677-9762.

TRICARE patients must attest to health care coverage Copies of the 2015 Fort Meade Welcome Guide

are available now.

Please call 301-677-

5602 or email philip.h.jones.

[email protected] to request guides for your organization.

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil10 SOUNDOFF! January 22, 2015

Cover Story

By Shari RosenStaff Writer

The year Marion Jordan was born, Wood-row Wilson was president, the United States lost its first ship of World War I and 25,000 women marched in New York City demand-ing the right to vote.

To celebrate her 100th birthday last week, community members packed the Meade Area Garden Club’s monthly meeting Friday morning at Jessup Community Hall to throw Jordan a surprise party, complete with cake, balloons, flowers and presents.

“She’s beautiful,” said Veola Hall, who has lived in the house behind Jordan for the past 30 years. “I hug her all the time because I want some of it to rub off on me.”

Jordan, whose official birthday is Jan. 15, is a member of the Meade Area Garden Club, Retired Officers’ Wives’ Club and the Protes-tant Women of the Chapel at Fort Meade.

photos by daniel kucin jr.

Marion Jordan cuts the ceremonial slice of her birthday cake at her surprise 100th birthday party. Jordan’s late husband, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Arthur Jordan, retired in 1975 at Fort Meade.

Dancing through lifeGarden club celebrates beloved

member’s 100th birthday

Dana Rogers, wife of Adm. Michael Rogers, director of the National Security Agency, commander of U.S. Cyber Command and chief of Central Security Service, embraces Marion Jordan at her surprise party.

“[She’s] a very spirited person,” said Sha-ron Durney, president of the garden club. “She could run circles around all of us. She likes to walk and she likes to dance. She helped decorate Club Meade for Christmas and she helped take it all down. She was run-ning all over the place bringing us stuff.”

The centenarian celebrated at the party by slow-dancing with her tuxedoed partner, retired Lt. Col. Hank Bellinger, to “Unfor-gettable” by Nat King Cole. Jordan said she loves to dance and dances every day, some-times even by herself.

Bellinger, who has known Jordan since the early 1970s, was close friends with her late husband, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Arthur E. Jordan Jr., who died in 1992. The couple married in 1942 in Clifton Forge, Va.

“I think she is an outstanding lady,” said Bellinger before proceeding to dance and twirl Jordan in front of the room. “To have a mind like she has; her mind is wonderful.”

Jordan, adorned in a purple suit and a white beret, bounced around the room greet-

ing friends.“I didn’t know she was turning 100 today

— I thought she was turning 90,” said Elva Cox, who graduated with Jordan in 1981 from Tufts University in Massachusetts.

Jordan also helps decorate Club Meade every year for Christmas and attends monthly garden club meetings and events such as the club’s annual trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show.

“She’s such an inspiration,” said Dana Rogers, wife of Adm. Michael Rogers, direc-tor of the National Security Agency, com-mander of U.S. Cyber Command and chief of Central Security Service. “I just met her back in the fall and I feel like I’ve known her all my life.”

The secret to living a long life, Jordan said, is praying and dancing.

“I pray every day and I dance,” said Jor-dan, who resides in The Provinces. “I stay on the go. I don’t let myself sit around. Be active. I’m very active.”

Other highlights of the 30-minute cel-

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil January 22, 2015 SOUNDOFF! 11

ebration included Jordan blowing out the “100” candle on her cake, making the first ceremonial cut of the cake, and the packed room singing “Happy Birthday” to a beam-ing Jordan.

“My life motto is, ‘I don’t feel 100 years old,’ ” Jordan said. “I stay on the go all the time. I belong to a lot of clubs.”

Jordan, who was married for half-a-centu-ry, has three children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Both her daughter and daughter-in-law traveled from Tennessee and North Carolina to be with Jordan for her special day.

“I think for our family it’s a blessing from God that my mother is healthy and that she’s active and that we still have her, that we can enjoy her,” Mary Jordan said. “My mother is a very delicate and gracious person. She’s not only my mother, but my best friend and over the years we have really developed a wonder-ful relationship.”

Jordan’s daughter-in-law Kelly Jordan could not stop raving about the feats of her

mother-in-law.Kelly Jordan said her mother-in-law does

her own grocery shopping, attends church every Sunday and even drank mimosa cock-tails with her grandchildren on Christmas. She said Jordan sometimes has two social events on one day, including dances, lun-cheons and teas.

“She runs her own home,” Kelly Jordan said. “She has a social calendar fuller than mine.”

Marion Jordan said her proudest accom-plishments are her 50-year marriage and her children, and the amount of traveling she has done.

“We all want to be like her,” said Nan Horrom, publicity chairperson for the garden club.

Jordan said she has lived all over the world while traveling with her husband when he was in the service. They lived in Japan for five years, as well as Hawaii, Massachusetts and Alaska from 1962 to 1965.

“[Alaska] was all so different,” Jordan said.

“It took me almost a year to get used to it. The darkness, it was just like a dreamland.”

Jordan said her husband’s first assign-ment was at Fort Meade and together they took a total of three tours at the post, the last in 1975.

Jordan continues to remain active in the community and has developed a number of lasting friendships.

“She knows everybody,” Hall said. “Everybody knows her. She is a beautiful person.”

LEFT: Marion Jordan, accompanied by Betty Wade, is shocked when she arrives at her surprise 100th birthday party celebration Friday morning at Jessup Community Hall. The Meade Area Garden Club threw the party for Jordan in honor of her strong commitment to the club and the Fort Meade community.

Retired Lt. Col. Hank Bellinger spins Marion Jordan during their dance at Jordan’s surprise party at Jessup Community Hall, which was packed with members of the Meade Area Garden Club and Jordan’s friends.

Marion Jordan slow dances to “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole with retired Lt. Col. Hank Bellinger, dressed in a tuxedo. Jordan said one of her secrets to a long life is dancing every day.


SportS

By Philip H. JonesChief, Command Information

Last season’s Division 2 champions, Navy Information Operations Command Maryland, kicked off the start of the 2015 Fort Meade intramural basketball season with a resounding 65-30 victory over the 327th Signal Company Spartans on Tuesday at Murphy Field House.

NIOC, which finished the 2014 season with an 11-1 record, opened the new year with only three returning players from last year’s squad.

Prior to Tuesday’s tip-off, NIOC Coach Mike Gay said he was not sure what kind of team was suiting up for NIOC this season.

“I know I have a lot of guys who want to play, especially this first game of the season,” Gay said. “My goal tonight is make sure everybody gets their minutes. It may take us a game or two to figure things out, to see what kind of talent we really have and see how we’re going to go forward.”

The 327th Spartans, on the other hand, were suiting up for their first installation intramural basketball game.

Spartan Coach Brian Shadwick said the 327th had played intramural football and softball in the past but never bas-ketball, and kindly referred to his team as “signal people” who are comfortable staying at home playing video games.

And while Shadwick didn’t go as far as referring to his team as “couch potatoes,” there was little doubt that the Spartans were more comfortable making plays with an Xbox controller than a regulation-size basketball.

Shadwick’s expectation for the Spar-tans’ first game of the season was a simple one.

“My goal was to get us together and do a physical activity,” he said. “As long as we were out there playing hard and hav-ing fun, [the season will be a success].”

Despite the differences in the makeup of the two teams, NIOC and the 327th opened the game showing more rust than basketball skills as the first 10 minutes of the half was plagued with turnovers, missed shots and sloppy plays.

Both teams failed to make jump shots, however NIOC’s inside game proved to be the difference between the two squads. After a resounding dunk by Tim Taylor, NIOC held a commanding 23-6 lead over the Spartans with less than five minutes remaining in the first half.

One bright spot for the Spartans was the play of George Smith, one of the

NIOC opens season with win over 327th Signal Company Spartans

smaller players on the court. Smith scored a basket at the end of the half, a layup that showcased some skillful dibbling through traffic underneath the 327th basket.

The Spartans also get credit for hav-ing a co-ed team as Sharmaniik Lawson showcased her basketball skills as the team’s point guard. And while her “no-look” pass to a teammate failed to put points on the scoreboard, it did provide basketball fans in Murphy Field House with an “Aha!” moment that proved Lawson belonged on the court with her teammates.

The first half ended with NIOC hold-ing a commanding 31-13 lead.

Unfortunately, the second half opened with reality again pointing out the differ-ence between the two teams after Taylor threw down his second dunk of the game, giving NIOC a 39-16 lead.

Smith followed Taylor’s play, sinking the game’s first 3-point shot. Lawson added a 2-point jump shot to cut the Spartans’ deficit to 39-20.

NIOC, however, continued to make layups throughout the remainder of the second half and with the outcome never in doubt, finished the game with a 65-30

victory.Taylor led all scorers with 20 points,

while Jermaine White added 12 points for NIOC. Smith ended the game mak-ing four 3-pointers, finishing the game with 14 points. Austin Prosser tossed in 8 points for the Spartans.

While Gay said he was pretty happy with NIOC’s play in the team’s first game of the season, he was more impressed with how the team responded to coach-ing.

“They want to listen. They want to win, too,” Gay said. “We’ll see how they do when they face tougher competition.”

photo by nate pesce

The intramural basketball season opened Tuesday evening with a Division 2 game between Navy Information Operations Command Maryland’s team and the Spartans of the 327th Signal Company at Murphy Field House. NIOC defeated the Spartans 65-30.


Community news & notes

Sports ShortsYouth spring sports

Registration for spring sports is underway.Spring sports include baseball, softball, tennis, lacrosse, basketball, track,

NFL flag football and soccer.To register online, go to ftmeademwr.com.For more information, call 301-677-1179.

Youth Sports seeks volunteer coachesVolunteer coaches are needed for baseball, softball, tennis, lacrosse,

basketball, track, NFL flag football, and soccer.All volunteers will receive free training and will be certified through the

National Youth Sports Coaches Association.All volunteers must complete a background check.Apply at the Child, Youth and School Services’ Youth Sports & Fitness

Office at 1900 Reece Road.For more information, call 301-677-1179 or 301-677-1329.

Tae kwon doChild, Youth and School Services offers tae kwon do classes for youths of

all ages Tuesdays and Thursday at the Youth Center.Classes are broken into different age groups. Cost is $45 for ages 4 to 6 and

$85 for ages 7–17.For more information, call 301-677-1149.

sports

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.

241st MP change of command

Capt. Hamid C. Conteh of the 241st Military Police Detachment will relinquish command to Capt. Malik Stuckey on Feb. 5 at 10 a.m. at the Conference Center.

RSVP by Jan. 30 to [email protected] or call 301-677-4592.

Burial at ArlingtonThe interment at Arlington National

Cemetery for Isadore Albert Powell Jr. of Severn, who died Nov. 5, will be Jan. 29 at 9 a.m.

Family and friends will gather at the administration building about 30 to 45 minutes before the burial.

Following the ceremony, a continental breakfast will be served in the Abrams Room at the Fort Myers Club.

For directions or information about the sequence of events for a burial at Arlington, go to arlingtoncemetery.mil.

Pepper Road gate openThe Pepper Road gate is now open

for pedestrians and cyclists Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cars and other motorized vehicles are not authorized to access this gate.

Pepper Road is located toward the southeast corner of Fort Meade near Range Control off Route 175 (adjacent to Route 32) in Odenton.

The gate is also close to the MARC station and Odenton Town Center.

The gate opening is part of Fort Meade’s ongoing efforts to improve transportation options to and from the installation.

Fort Gordon town hall at Fort Belvoir

Representatives from Fort Gordon and

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

NEWS & EVENTS

As your PAO at Fort Meade, I’m never quite sure what I’m going to be getting myself into and when.

Sure, parts of my day are scheduled. For example, I have command and staff on Tuesdays, and Wednesday mornings are normally reserved for writing your dose of Jibber and editing pages.

Speaking of which, I should probably inform you all that this could very well be your last dose for a while.

You see, I was going to write about my outstanding trip to the Motor City for the International Car Show. It may have seemed odd to take a weekend trip to Detroit in the middle of January, but it was amazing.

You were fixing to hear all about my late night walk from Greektown to the Renaissance Center without a single hint of crime. I’m sure I would have even brought up how Karma came back to bite the Packers in the bum after Green Bay choked on some cheese against Seattle.

However, that changed when I woke on Wednesday and read: NFL finds that 11 of 12 Patriots game balls were underin-flated. Innuendos aside, are you kidding me, New England? Why can’t you play by the rules?

I get that athletes have been trying to get an advantage on the competition since the very first race or Greco-Roman wrestling match. It is common knowledge that holding could be called on every NFL play, and NBA and soccer players practice flopping as much as they practice dribbling.

But there is a big difference between players on the field trying to get away with a clutch here or a charge there in front of a paid, professional referee, and what the Patriots organization pulls — first with “Spygate” and now “Deflategate.”

No one in their right mind is going to say that deflated footballs were the reason why New England destroyed Indianapolis 45-7 on Sunday. Flat pigskins didn’t have anything to do with LeGarrette Blount going off (30 carries, 148 yards, 3 TDs), or the Patriots D holding Indy to one touchdown.

So we can squash any talk about Indy possibly deserving to be in the Super Bowl instead of New England.

That doesn’t mean deflated footballs can’t have an impact on a game. A soft

football is easier to throw and catch than a hard one, especially when it is cold outside.

So even though India-napolis might not have a beef, the Baltimore Ravens could. Who is to say that Julian Edelman wasn’t throwing a soft ball when he threw a dart to Danny Amendola a few weeks ago? bit.ly/1Jet4Ys

That was an awfully good pass by a wide receiver. We’ll probably never know, but I’d be surprised if that ball wasn’t doctored.

It’s true, nothing nefarious has been proven yet.

But the Patriots do not get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to these mat-ters because they have proven, on multiple occasions, that they are a dirty organiza-tion. They don’t just have dirty players; they have no moral code or concept of fair play.

They are also stupid. They already tried to dupe the system once with Spygate and got caught. So what would make them think they could get away with this?

Moreover, why would coach Bill Belich-ick even put his legacy on the line like this? The master of the “Hoodie” was being talked about as the greatest coach in NFL history — greater than Landry, Noll, Walsh and even Lombardi.

More ridiculous than that, some (including a certain commander) claim the Patriots are America’s Team of the 21st Century.

I would certainly say the Patriots, and their deceitful, dirty ways, represent the Wolves of Wall Street America, or maybe the shyster, televangelist, con man Amer-ica. But as for the greatest country on Earth, America, no way.

Those claims are laughable. First, Bill and Patriots owner Bob Kraft have not won a Super Bowl since the team got bust-ed for “Spygate,” and now they can’t even get there without doctoring footballs.

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

The Patriot Way

Chad T. Jones, Public Affairs

Officer

Jibber Jabber - OpiniOn


Community news & notes

the greater Augusta, Ga., area will present a town hall-style series of presentations and exhibits for Army Cyber Command personnel on Wednesday at the Belvoir Community Center at Fort Belvoir, Va.

The event is designed to provide infor-mation about the area to personnel who may relocate to Georgia when ARCY-BER moves to Fort Gordon.

The town hall will begin with a series of briefings at 9:30 a.m., followed by the opportunity to explore exhibits and dis-plays and ask questions.

Although the town hall is intended pri-marily for ARCYBER personnel, every-one is welcome.

PX Pharmacy openThe new Post Exchange Pharmacy

opened near the GameStop video game store.

Hours are Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The pharmacy is closed weekends and federal holidays.

The full-service pharmacy fills prescriptions written by providers from Military Treatment Facilities (including Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center) and off-post providers.

The facility is the sole location for refill prescriptions on Fort Meade. The refill pharmacy at Kimbrough is no longer operational. All refill prescriptions that have not been picked up at Kimbrough must be picked up at the new PX Pharmacy.

All refills at the PX Pharmacy are required to be called in through the automated pharmacy refill line at 1-800-377-1723.

Follow the appropriate prompts to ensure refills are filled and ready for pickup. Allow 72 hours for refills to be processed.

Team Trivia NightTrivia Maryland, Team Trivia Night

is held every Thursday from 7-9 p.m. at The Lounge at The Lanes.

Registration begins at 6:30 p.m. Game starts at 7 p.m.

Teams must have a minimum of two people and a maximum of 10.

Weekly prizes will be awarded to the top three winners.

For more information, call 301-677-5541.

OSC scholarshipsApplications are now being accepted

for the Fort Meade Officers’ Spouses’ Club scholarships.

Applications must be postmarked by March 2.

Applicants must possess a valid mili-tary dependent ID card or be a depen-dent of a Fort Meade OSC member, be enrolled at an accredited institution as a full-time student for the 2015-2016 aca-demic school year, and meet one of the following criteria:

The military sponsor must be an active-duty or retired service member assigned to, attached to or working on Fort Meade.

Applicants must reside on Fort Meade and have a parent who is a member of the Fort Meade OSC.

Applicants may have another affilia-tion with Fort Meade. For example, the sponsor deployed from Fort Meade or the sponsor was assigned to Fort Meade, but was recently reassigned to another duty station.

Scholarships include:• Merit Scholarships: Applicant must

have a cumulative, unweighted grade point average of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale. Applicants must be a candidate for graduation from high school in the spring of 2015 or enrolled in college prior to June 2015.

• Etta Baker Memorial Scholarship: High school seniors who apply for the Merit Scholarship will automatically be considered for the Etta Baker Memo-rial Scholarship, the club’s highest merit scholarship.

• OSC Family Member Scholarship: The scholarship is awarded to a high school senior who is a family member of an OSC member in good standing as of Jan. 1. Scholarship will be based highly on the applicant’s community service.

To download an application, go to www.fortmeadeosc.org.

For more information, email Anita Skelton, scholarship chairperson, at [email protected].

Cooking Matters Commissary Tours

The next Cooking Matters Commissary Tours & Challenge are Jan. 29, Feb. 12 and Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the commissary.

Tours are free and open to all eligible commissary patrons.

Hands-on store tours are offered

every hour and teach participants the skills to compare foods for cost and nutrition.

Select tours will receive a $10 coupon.To sign up for the event, go to http://

cmatscommissaryfm.eventbrite.com.For more information, email

[email protected].

Lunch and Learn SeriesKimbrough Ambulatory Care Center

hosts a brown bag Lunch and Learn series on the first floor of the Rascon Center (Bldg. 2481), adjacent to Kimbrough.

The next lunch is Feb. 10 at noon.Megan O’Connell, an integrated

behavioral health consultant, will present “Resilience: Learning to Thrive in Uncertain Times.”

The 20-30 minute lecture will be followed by a question-and-answer session.

The series is open to the public. Bring lunch.

For more information, call Maj. Anne Spillane at 301-677-8463.

Financial, Employment Readiness

Army Community Service offers Financial Readiness and Employment Readiness: classes to all ranks and services and to DoD civilian employees at the Community Readiness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave.

Registration is required for each class.Financial Readiness:• Repaying Student Loans: Monday,

9-11 a.m.• Basics of Investing: Tuesday, 9-11 a.m.• First-Term Financial Readiness

(Online): Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.To register or for more information,

call 301-677-5590 or go to fortmeadeacs.checkappointments.com.

Free classesThe Navy Fleet and Family Support

Center offers a variety of classes at its facility at 2212 Chisholm Ave.

The free classes are open to DoD ID cardholders including active-duty service members, retirees and their family members, DoD civilian employees and contractors.

• Pre-Separation Brief: Today, 9-10 a.m.

• Pre-Deployment Brief: Today, 10-11:30 a.m.

• Retirement Brief: Monday, 8-11:30 a.m. (if within two years of retirement)

• Career Exploration: Tuesday, 9 a.m. to noon

Learn about your personality

preferences, values and interests and how to utilize them to achieve success.

• Common-Sense Parenting: Jan. 29, 9-10 a.m.

Registration is required for each class.To register or for more information,

call 301-677-9017 or 301-677-9018.

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.

• Today: “Toys, Toys & More Toys” — Stories, songs and finger plays about toys

• Jan. 29: “Ice is Nice” — Storytime about penguins and polar bears


Weekly playgroupChildren ages 4 and under are invited

to a weekly playgroup held every Friday from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Soldier and Family Assistance Center, 2462 85th Medical Battalion Ave.

The playgroup features a variety of engaging activities to build strong parent-child relationships.

Space is limited. Registration is required for each session.


Out & About• The Medical Museum Science Cafe

is featuring “Air Force Medicine: The Contributions of Enlisted Medics” on Tuesday from 6-7 p.m. at the National Museum of Health and Medicine, 2500 Linden Lane, Silver Spring.

Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Adam H. Marks, chief of Medical Operations and Research, will discuss the keys to success for an enlisted medic and will highlight their contributions, which embody the Air Force vision.

For more information, go to medicmuseum.mil or call 301-319-3300.

• BOSS is offering a sightseeing day trip to Washington, D.C., for single service members on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost is $10 and includes transportation

For more information, email your BOSS rep or [email protected].

EDUCATION

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

YOUTH

RECREATION

NEWS & EVENTS


moviesCommunity news & notes

• The 19th Annual Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Maryland will be held Saturday at Sandy Point State Park, 1100 E. College Parkway, Annapolis.

Registration is from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Minimum of $75 in donations required. For more information, go to plungemd.com.

• Shen Yun will perform Jan. 30-Feb. 1 at the at the Modell Performing Arts Center at the Lyric, 110 W. Mount Royal Ave., Baltimore.

Performances are Jan. 30 at 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 31 at 2 and 7:30 p.m.; and Feb. 2 at 2 p.m.

The troupe presents classical Chinese dance, song and music with choreography ranging from grand processions to legions of thunderous drums, with costumed dancers moving in synchronized patterns.

Tickets cost $65-$200.For more information, call 410-900-

1150 or go to www.baltimore-theater.com/theaters/lyric-opera-house/shen-yun-performing-arts.php#sthash.wJcgKUmC.dpuf.

• Leisure Travel Services is offering its next monthly bus trip to New York City on Feb. 7, with discounts to attractions. Bus cost is $60. For more information, call 301-677-7354 or visit ftmeademwr.com.

• Society of Military Widows meets for brunch the fourth Sunday of the month at 1 p.m. at the Lanes. The next meeting is Sunday. For more information, call Betty Jones at 410-992-1123.

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

• Calling All Dads meets the second and fourth Monday of every month from 4-5 p.m. at Potomac Place Neighborhood Center, 4998 2nd Corps Blvd. The next meeting is Monday.

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

• Retired Officers’ Wives’ Club will hold its next monthly meeting on Feb. 3 at 11 a.m. at Club Meade.

Alan Devalerio will share his memories as a contract butler at the White House. Bring your family and friends to hear this unique

presentation.Cost of luncheon is $15. Reservations are

required by Jan. 29 at noon. Call your area representative or Betty Wade at 410-551-7082.

Annual membership dues are $2, but start-ing with this February meeting, you can join for $12.50 for the remaining programs. Mem-bers may bring guests to the luncheons, which are held the first Tuesday of each month, except June, July, August, and January.

For more information, call Genny Bellinger, ROWC president, at 410-674-2550 or Jean Simmons, membership chair, at 410-721-7761

• Families Dealing with Deployment meets the first and third Monday of every month from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Meuse Forest Neighborhood Center. Children welcome. The next meeting is Feb. 2. For more information, call 301-677-5590 or email [email protected].

• 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 Feb. 5.There is no cost for the buffet. Donations

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

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

first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at Perry’s Restaurant and Odie’s Pub at 1210 Annapolis Road, Odenton, in the banquet hall in back of the building. The next meeting is Feb. 5. Dinner is served at 6 p.m. For more information, call 410-674-4000.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness of Anne Arundel County offers a free support group for families with a loved one suffering from mental illness on the first Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. at the Odenton (West County) Library, 1325 Annapolis Road. The next meeting is Feb. 5. For more information, visit namiaac.org.

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

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

• Moms Walking Group, sponsored by Parent Support, meets Thursdays from 8:30-9:15 a.m. at Potomac Place Neighborhood Center. To register, call Colaina Townsend or Michelle Pineda at 301-677-5590.

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

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

For more information, call Larry Vawter, program leader, at 443-535-5074 or email [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 Services, meets every Monday from 2:30-3:30 p.m. at the Community Readiness Center, 830 Chisholm Ave.

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

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

For more information, email Cubmaster Christopher Lassiter at [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 Rd. 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.

MEETINGS

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 Feb. 8

Friday & Sunday: “Wild” (R). A chronicle of one woman’s 1,100-mile solo hike undertaken as a way to recover from a recent catastrophe. With Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Gaby Hoffmann.

Saturday: “Top Five” (R). A comedian tries to make it as a serious actor when his reality-TV star fiancée talks him into broadcasting their wed-ding on her TV show. With Chris Rock, Rosario Dawson, Gabrielle Union.

Jan. 30: “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb” (PG). Larry spans the globe, uniting favorite and new characters while embarking on an epic quest to save the magic before it is gone forever. With Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Owen Wilson.

Jan. 31: “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” (PG-13). Bilbo and company are forced to engage in a war against an array of combat-ants and keep the Lonely Mountain from falling into the hands of a rising darkness. With Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage.

Feb. 1: “The Imitation Game” (R). During World War II, mathematician Alan Turing tries to crack the enigma code with help from fellow math-ematicians. With Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode.

Feb. 6 & 8: “Annie” (PG). A foster kid, who lives with her mean foster mom, sees her life change when business tycoon and New York mayoral candidate Will Stacks makes a thinly-veiled cam-paign move and takes her in. With Quvenzhané Wallis, Cameron Diaz, Jamie Foxx.

News & Politics

Soundoff January 22, 2015