Soundoff September 25, 2014

UPCOMING EVENTS TOday, 11:30 a.M.:

Gold Star Mothers and Families Day - Potomac Place Neighborhood Center

FrIday, 8 a.M.-3 P.M.:Retiree Appreciation Day - McGill

WEdNESday, 11:30 a.M.-1 P.M.:National Disability Awareness Month

Observance - Club Meade

OCT. 4, 5:30-9 P.M.:Father Daughter Ball - Club Meade

OCT. 15, 11:30 a.M.:Hispanic Heritage Month Observance

- McGill Training Center

rElaxaTIONArmy Wellness Center celebrates anniversary

with ‘Yoga on the Lawn’page 8

yOU’VE GOT a FrIENdFort Meade spouses form connections at

Battle Buddies exercisepage 12

Soundoff!́vol. 66 no. 38 Published in the interest of the Fort Meade community September 25, 2014

PHOTO BY SPC. LANDON HARRIS 55TH SIGNAL (COMBAT CAMERA)

going LongSea Forces attempts to intercept a pass during the Defense Information School’s 35th annual Toilet Bowl flag football tournament. Air/land beat Sea Forces in the faculty and student games played Saturday at Mullins Field. For the story, see Page 14.

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil� SOUNDOFF! September 25, 2014

Commander’s Column

Cont ent sNews............................. 3 Sports..................................14

CrimeWatch................. 3 Movies.................................18

Community................. 16 Classified.............................21

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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11,285

Hello again, Team Meade!Fall is officially here and we have been enjoy-

ing some beautiful weather for the past few weeks. Let’s hope it holds out for a while.

We had a beautiful morning for the first fall race in our run series. Thanks to all who turned out for the Football FanFare 5K/10K Run/1 Mile Walk last Saturday and we’re looking forward to seeing some great costumes at the Ghosts and Goblins 5K on Oct. 25.

We also had a beautiful morning for our annual Installation Remembrance Run held Sept. 12. Rep. Donna Edwards graciously joined the more than 3,000 members of our team who came out for the run.

In our post-run remarks, the Maryland congresswoman and I both thanked the entire Team Meade community for their service and sacrifice in keeping our nation safe and secure. We reminded all to remain vigilant as we go through our daily lives in the interest of pro-tecting our nation and our co-workers, team members, friends and families.

As we continue to see and hear in the news, those who would like to do our nation harm are out there, and we must remind ourselves of that on a daily basis. The dangers from foreign extremist groups persist, and their influence can easily reach those here at home who may have become disaffected with our way of life for any number of reasons.

The recent anniversary of the Washington Navy Yard tragedy also reminds us that we are not just at risk of religious extremism, but also of untreated mental illness.

The only way to truly protect ourselves against these risks is by remaining vigilant and aware of the people around us. As we work hard on the cutting edge of vigilance to legally gather information and protect our nation — the new cyber domain that has become the world’s medium for conflict and competition in the

21st century — we also must remain vigilant in the human domain.

We must keep an eye out for those around us not in a spirit of fear or sus-picion, but in a spirit of caring. We must get to know those around us well enough to identify if they are struggling with life, and we must reach out to get them help when they are unwilling or unable to help themselves. By doing this, we can pre-vent them from harming themselves or others around them.

September is also Suicide Prevention Month. Last year I spoke of vigilance in the interest of caring for our friends, co-workers and battle buddies. Within 90 days of my speech, three young Fort Meade service members had com-mitted suicide.

Each one a wonderful human being who could have accomplished so much had they been able to overcome the short-term chal-lenges in their lives. Help us prevent this from happening again this year.

As we remain vigilant in the cyber domain, please remain vigilant in the human domain as well in the interest of caring for and protecting us all. Caring and vigilance lead to resiliency, resiliency leads to readiness, and readiness means being better able to defend our nation and protect ourselves from those that would do us harm intentionally and unintentionally.

Thanks again for all that you do every day, and I look forward to seeing you around our beautiful installation.

Vigilance protects us all

COL. Brian P. FOLeyGarrison Commander

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 September 25, 2014 SOUNDOFF! �

News

Story and photo by Lisa R. RhodesStaff Writer

Three days after Staff Sgt. Robert Citrullo returned Sept. 15 from a 10-month deployment to Afghanistan, he was presented with the Army Achieve-ment Award and Good Conduct Medal.

Cirtullo, a Soldier with the 2nd Mili-tary Working Dog Detachment, was honored Sept. 18 in a brief ceremony as he stood alongside Uran, the 6-year-old Belgian Malinois military working dog that served with him.

The ceremony was held at 2nd Military Working Dog Detachment headquarters on York Avenue.

Lt. Col. Eric Smith, commander of Headquarters Command Battalion, presented Citrullo with the award and medal. The 2nd Military Working Dog Detachment and the 241st Military Police Detachment are subordinates of the battalion.

Citrullo was awarded the Army Achievement Award for “exceptional meritorious service while performing security details” for the WikiLeaks trial from June to August 2013. He received the Good Conduct Medal for “exemplary behavior” from August 2011 to 2013.

Citrullo deployed to Afghanistan in

Soldier from 241st military working dog unit honored

Lt. Col. Eric Smith, (left), commander of Headquarters Command Battalion, presents the Army Achievement Award to Staff Sgt. Robert Citrullo of the 2nd Military Working Dog Detachment, a subordinate of the battalion, on Sept. 18 at the detachment’s headquarters. Citrullo and Uran, his 6-year-old Belgian Malinois, returned three days earlier from a 10-month deployment to Afghanistan.

Mandatory anti-terrorism trainingThe Garrison Security Office and the 902d Military Intelligence Field Office

are offering the Army’s Threat Awareness and Reporting Program training to all members of Fort Meade.

Training dates:• Tuesday at 10 a.m. in McGill Training Center ballroom• Wednesday at 10 a.m. in McGill Training Center ballroom• Oct. 15 at 3 p.m. in McGill Training Center ballroom• Oct. 20 at 3 p.m. at Post TheaterThreat awareness and education training are designed to ensure that Department

of the Army personnel recognize and report incidents and indicators of attempted or actual espionage, subversion, sabotage, terrorism or extremist activities directed against the Army and its personnel, facilities, resources, and activities; indicators of potential terrorist associated insider threats; illegal diversion of military technology; unauthorized intrusions into automated information systems; unauthorized disclosure of classified information; and indicators of other incidents that may indicate foreign intelligence or international terrorism targeting of the Army.

According to IAW AR 381-12, 2-3, all DA personnel will undergo threat-awareness training at least annually.

Units are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. Non-garrison units/commands will have to document their individual members’ training completion and/or accountability.

November 2013 and received the Bronze Star in August for “meritorious service in a combat zone.”

Citrullo has been assigned to the 2nd Military Working Dog Detachment since July 2011. He and Uran served with the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force in Afghanistan and successfully completed two air assaults and seven ground operations into Taliban terri-tory.

They completed 150 missions search-ing for improvised explosive devices with no casualties.

“It is truly a great day to get this NCO back,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Tomas Gonzalez, command sergeant major of Headquarters Command Battalion, at the ceremony. “We are happy to have you back. You’re a great NCO. We have a lot of new canine Soldiers that are eager to get your leadership.”

Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Rodwell L. Forbes and Provost Sgt. Maj. Ramon L. Cruz from the Military District of Washington, also attended the cer-emony.

“I’m really excited to get back with these Soldiers,” Citrullo said. “I can’t wait to put more efforts back into the kennels.”

Sept. 18, Larceny of private property: Unknown person(s) by unknown mean(s) removed six fishing rods and a tackle box from a boat that was parked.

CommunityCommunityCrime Watch

Compiled by the Fort Meade Directorate of Emergency Services

For week of Sept. 15-21:• Moving violations: 20• Nonmoving violations: 19• Verbal warnings for traffic stops: 34• Traffic accidents: 7• Driving on suspended license: 3• Driving on suspended registration: 0• Driving without a license: 0

Get the insider’s advantage

Connect with more than 20,000 post community members on the installation’s Facebook page. Stay updat-ed with Tweets from Fort Meade’s Twitter feed. Catch the latest episode of Meade Week on YouTube. Visit the installation’s website at www.ftmeade.army.mil and visit the links to add your voice to the conversation.


News

By Lisa R. RhodesStaff Writer

The United Way of Central Maryland is funding a homelessness prevention program at MacArthur Middle School. The program serves 20 families whose children attend MacArthur and other Fort Meade cluster schools.

The nonprofit is investing $100,000 in the program for the school year and has hired a case worker to provide intensive services to families including connecting families to financial assistance, budget coaching, resume building and helping families identify income opportunities.

“The United Way of Central Mary-land is focused on changing the odds for families and communities by supporting the building blocks of self-sufficiency — education, financial stability and health,” said Sandy Monck, chief impact officer

for the organization.“Homelessness is a symptom of a

lack of stability, which the United Way is able to address with intensive case management and supportive services to put families back on track to a self-suf-ficient life.”

In addition to MacArthur Middle School, families whose children attend area schools also are being helped through the program. Schools include: Manor View, Pershing Hill, Seven Oaks, Meade Heights, Maryland City and Frank Har-mon-Hebon elementary schools; Meade Middle School; Meade High School; and West Meade Early Education Center.

To be eligible to participate, the fami-lies can be homeless or living in a shelter. (Some shelters only allow women and children, so families with both parents often choose other housing options in

an effort to remain together.) Or, families must be at risk of being homeless by fall-ing behind in their rent or mortgage and likely to be evicted.

Families also must meet certain income requirements, live in the target geographic area, and must be willing to participate in case management and other program responsibilities.

The families may be eligible to receive help with paying rent, or they may be provided with a deposit for an alternative and affordable form of housing.

They also will be connected with 2-1-1 Maryland at the United Way of Central Maryland, an information and referral call line that connects families to other nonprofit programs that may be able to provide other financial assistance.

The United Way of Central Mary-land’s Anne Arundel County Community

Partnership Board, in consultation with the Anne Arundel County Public Schools and health and human service stakehold-ers, identified the Fort Meade/Severn area as having a high number of homeless families with school-age children.

Many of the schools in the Fort Meade cluster were identified as having a need for additional support for homeless fami-lies.

In addition to the program at MacAr-thur, the United Way of Central Maryland is providing $82,500 to homeless families throughout the county. The funding is being used to provide stable housing for families, rather than living in a shelter.

Monck said that based on the effec-tiveness of the homelessness prevention program, the nonprofit plans to fund the program at MacArthur for another one to two years.

MacArthur Middle works to help homeless families

By Shari RosenStaff Writer

More than halfway through the NATO Chess Championship at the Citadelle in Quebec City, Team USA was tied with The Netherlands and Slovenia for fifth through seventh place.

“I had written us off for dead,” said Col. David Hater, team captain who serves as assistant chief of staff at U.S. Army Cyber Command. “The rest of the team didn’t believe it. They thought we could come back.”

Despite Hater’s pessimism, Team USA triumphed and took the bronze.

In this tournament played Sept. 8-12, the best four players’ scores are counted toward the team’s overall ranking. Play-ers receive 1 point for a win, half a point for a draw and 0 points for a loss.

“My attitude is, comebacks don’t hap-pen — occasionally they do, rarely they do,” Hater said.

Hater recognized that Team USA needed a big comeback in Rounds 5 and 6 on Sept. 11 to have any chance of medaling.

“So on Wednesday night [Sept. 10], I told the team we’ve got to have two big rounds,” Hater said. “We need three out of four points on the [following] Thurs-day morning and Thursday afternoon round or we have no chance.”

Listening to his motivational pep talk, Team USA did exactly what Hater said, scoring 3 points in the morning and

USA takes bronze at NATO Chess Championship

submitted photo

Team Captain Col. David Hater contemplates his next move at the NATO Chess Championship held Sept. 8-12 in Quebec City. This year, Team USA placed third, taking home the bronze medal.

afternoon rounds on Sept. 11.“Going into the last round we were in

a clear third place, but we all had to play strong players,” Hater said.

Team USA kept its lead, beating both Hungary and Denmark by 1 point.

“We won the bronze before our last game was even over,” Hater said.

At the closing ceremony on Sept. 12, Team USA was awarded the bronze medal. Germany took the gold and Poland got the silver.

Air Force Master Sgt. Robert Keough, a Team USA player, enjoyed the tourna-ment’s opening ceremony, closing cer-emony and cultural event. He addedthe team took a tour of Quebec City and learned about the history of Canada.

“I think we’ll be in strong contention for gold if we can get [to the tourna-ment] a little earlier and not have to deal with jet lag,” Keough said.

Although the tournament ended less than three weeks ago, Hater is preparing for next year’s tournament in Amster-dam.

“I want to have a team so good next year that I’m not good enough to play on it,” Hater said. “That might hap-pen.”

Editor’s note: If you are interested in joining the Armed Forces chess team, email Team Captain Col. David Hater at [email protected].

‘I want to have a team so good next year that I’m not good enough to play on it.’

Col. david hater, team Captain, team usA Chess


News

By Navy Mass Communication Spc. 2nd Class Zach AllanFort Meade Public Affairs Office

Fort Meade was recently selected as the only Army installation to receive the prestigious Federal Energy and Water Management Awards.

Each year the Department of Ener-gy, in conjunction with the Federal Interagency Energy Policy Committee, sponsors the Federal Energy and Water Management Awards. The awards honor individuals and organizations making significant contributions to energy and water efficiency within the federal gov-ernment.

The Directorate of Public Works

was recognized for its participation in a regional grid manager’s synchronous reserve program. Although the award was announced in August, it will be presented later this year in Washington, D.C.

Individuals recognized for the 2014 FEWM award include H.G. Chissell, Anthony Karwoski, Peter Mendonez, Dan Tobocman and Randy Williams

Participation in the program required the installation to have the ability to cut inductive electricity demand by at least 100 kilowatts within 10 minutes of a request from the grid operator and continue a demand-reduction event that could last up to 30 minutes.

In addition, the installation must be able to report electricity demand in one-minute increments before, during and after the event in order to demonstrate and record the load reduction.

The project required Fort Meade, along with its partners American Water Enterprise and Sain Engineering, to work in cooperation with Viridity Energy of Philadelphia to respond to an electric grid’s frequent fluctuations using Fort Meade’s water filtration plant, which is operated by American Water.

“For 2014, this is the only energy award given for an energy project at an Army garrison,” said DPW Resource Efficiency Manager Tony Karwoski. “I

understand that this is the first water plant in the Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland [PJM] grid region to suc-cessfully participate in the Synchronous Reserve Program.”

The project was the first water plant in the PJM electric region to system-atically cycle large water pumps on and off in response to the electric grid’s frequency fluctuations. This process is especially important when the electric grid is straining to provide power at peak load times, said Karwoski.

“There is no noticeable daily impact to the post from cycling water pumps because that was one of the project goals with American Water,” he said.

DPW receives federal energy award

HIP TO BE SQUArE

Square dancers grab their partners dur-

ing the first dance of the Swinging Squares

Square Dance Club on Saturday at Meade

Middle School. The club dances the first and third Saturday of the month. Classes on modern, West-

ern square dancing are offered Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. at

the school.

photo by daniel kucin jr.


News

Story and photo by Steve EllmoreNew Media ManagerFort Meade Public Affairs Office

Capt. Christine Argueza, chief of Operations of Public Health Com-mand Region-North, demonstrated how to tap into oneself through yoga.

Reaching for the leaves hanging from the trees, a dozen service mem-bers and civilians exercised their mind, body and spirit in the performance of one of the world’s oldest forms of physical fitness.

Argueza led participants in “Yoga on the Lawn” late Friday morning outside the Army Wellness Center at 4418 Llewellyn Ave.

The session was one of several fit-ness activities hosted last week by AWC in partnership with Kimbrough Ambulatory Center and the Director-ate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation in celebration of AWC’s one-year anniversary.

“We are calling it Wellness Week,” said Jalisa Trotter, a health promotion technician at AWC.

Among the week’s activities were walks around Burba Lake, an outdoor group exercise session with a personal trainer, a Healthy Sleep Habits class and a running clinic.

Argueza said yoga provides a means to step away from stress and focus on oneself, producing a positive energy.

“People talk about running. It gives me really good vibes after doing it, a release of endorphins. You get that also from yoga,” Argueza said. “You don’t have to be a runner to get a release of endorphins; you can do it with something light like yoga.”

Argueza said she was asked to help

AWC Wellness Week features outdoor yoga

AWC with Wellness Week because she had assisted them with other activities in the past.

“This time around they wanted me to do yoga classes,” she said. “I was really excited to do this because last time we only had five people and I was

really surprised at the turnout today.”The yoga classes began as an inter-

nal performance initiative within Pub-lic Health Command Region-North to stimulate members to start a fitness routine.

“It was a way to introduce them to

something light, nothing too strenuous to the point that they say ‘I don’t want to do this anymore,’ ” Argueza said. “I don’t like running; some people don’t like running. So this is kind of working in that beginner portion.”

Argueza said yoga is a great way of encouraging people to be more active and participate in fitness programs.

“I do it because it’s kind of a break from the strenuous exercise activities and it’s also really good for your mind and just being able to de-stress,” she said.

Still in her first year at Fort Meade, Argueza said she is impressed with how well organized the activities are here.

“I just came from Fort Bragg [in North Carolina], and it’s a very huge installation,” Argueza said. “Coming here, I didn’t think there was going to be something this focused on the Performance Triad at all because it’s a small post. I’m really glad.”

The Performance Triad is a com-prehensive plan to improve readiness and increase resilience through pub-lic health initiatives and leadership engagement. The program focuses on sleep, activity and nutrition as key actions that influence Soldiers’ health.

Trotter said all AWC services are free and available to active-duty ser-vice members, dependents and DoD civilians.

“We’re trying to get the word out about the Army Wellness Center,” Trotter said “We offer different ser-vices including metabolic testing, body composition and fitness assess-ment.”

Capt. Christine Argueza (right), chief of Operations of Public Health Command Region-North, leads participants in a variety of yoga poses on Friday morning outside Fort Meade’s Army Wellness Center. “Yoga on the Lawn” was among several fitness activities hosted last week by AWC in partnership with Kimbrough Ambulatory Center and the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.

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http://www.ftmeade.army.mil10 SOUNDOFF! September 25, 2014

News

By Jacqueline K. LovdahlIntern, Legal Assistance Division

Many consumers regularly check their credit card statements each month and look for suspicious, unexplained charges that might be the result of a scam.

The Better Business Bureau, or BBB, has reported a new con in which scammers charge a small amount to a consumer’s credit card in hopes that this small, unauthorized charge goes unnoticed by the average credit card-holder.

Unfortunately, when one million people are charged this small amount, these scammers walk away with nearly $10 million that they stole straight from the pockets of unknowing consumers.

Large, unexplained sums that pop up on a credit card statement are easy to spot and can be promptly removed after the credit cardholder reports the unauthorized transac-tion to his or her banking institution. It can be hard to remember every small transaction that one makes.

However, the BBB has given a very specific warning: consumers should check their credit card statements for a charge of $9.84 because this number is most often associated with credit card scams.

The source listed next to the $9.84 charge is often an unfamiliar website, and after visiting the web address, the consumer is taken to a generic web page that claims to offer “cus-tomer support” and a “full refund of your last payment.” Victims of this scam have contacted those listed on this website and were verbally assured that the charge would be canceled.

These victimized consumers, however, should not hold the scammers at their word.

Credit cardholders should contact their banks to report the small charge and to request a new credit card. These scammers have compromised the consumer’s credit card information, and they will undoubtedly try to take more money if the first charge goes unnoticed.

Credit cardholders should take these steps to better protect their banking accounts and credit card information:

1. Promptly report lost credit cards and incorrect charges. The consumer may be responsible for up to $50, but if reported before the card is used, the consumer will not be responsible for any unauthorized charges. Some credit cardholders may have a zero liability policy that protects consumers from such fraudulent activity.

2. Request a new card if you find unau-

thorized charges on your monthly statement. Fraudulent charges mean that the consumer’s credit card information is in the hands of someone else. Even if the scammer never uses the credit cardholder’s information again, the consumer should request a new card to be safe.

3. Never lend someone your credit card. A consumer’s credit card number and informa-tion are the key to the kingdom — the holder’s hard-earned money. The credit cardholder should not leave this “key” laying around in the office, car or home.

4. Never sign a blank charge slip. Draw lines through blank spaces on charge slips so the amount cannot be altered.

5. Use extreme caution when shopping online or ordering over the phone. Be cautious when handing over credit card information to online shopping sites. Make sure the site is legitimate and that it uses proper security measures such as password logins.

Delete any credit card information from the site as soon as the order is placed. If purchas-ing by telephone, take measures to confirm the integrity of the company.

To find out more about scams, visit BBB’s Scam Stopper at http://www.bbb.org/council/bbb-scam-stopper.

If you have been the victim of credit card theft, schedule an appointment with an attor-ney at the Fort Meade Legal Assistance Office at 301-677-9504 or 301-677-9536.

Scammers charge small amounts to credit cards

Corvias awards educational grants to military spouses

Corvias Foundation, a private charitable foundation and the charitable arm of Corvias Group, has been committed to supporting military families in the pursuit of higher education since 2006.

This year alone, Corvias Foundation has awarded 20 grants totaling $100,000 to the spouses of active-duty service members.

Recipients are stationed at nine Army and Air Force installations across the United States.

Since its founding by Corvias Group CEO John Picerne, the foundation has awarded more than $5.2 million in grants and scholarships to the spouses and children of active-duty service members.*Military Retirees under age 65 with TRICARE eligibility can enroll in the Plan.

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For more details, please visit www.NSA.gov/Careers and use “advanced search” to search for the Job ID.


News


Army Wife Network recognizes the impor-tance of military spouses forming meaningful connections.

The organization’s chief program, Battle Buddies, is a nationwide field exercise that enables male and female military spouses to meet one another and form support systems.

“I think it is fabulous that they are bringing women together to network and be supportive of each other,” said Tracy Adkins, wife of Lt. Col. Winfield Adkins, who works for the DoD’s Field Research Activity Family Readi-ness Group. “The military life is one where you can have a hard time networking and building those connections because of the moves and inconsistency.”

Fort Meade’s four-hour Battle Buddies event was presented in partnership with Cor-vias Military Living on Sept. 18 and Friday morning at Potomac Place Neighborhood Center.

“We look to our battle buddies for encour-agement,” said Tara Crooks, co-founder of Army Wife Network and creator of Army

Wife Talk Radio.She referred to research from Tasha R.

Howe, associate professor of psychology at Humboldt College in California, that having a close friend can yield health benefits such as fewer cardiovascular and immune problems, an increase in oxytocin production and lower levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.

Crooks recalled how she met her battle buddy Starlett Henderson, a veteran of full-time and Army Reserve components whose husband serves in the National Guard.

Henderson reached out to Crooks about her radio show and offered to create a book list and newsletter for Crooks’ blog. The two decided to form Army Wife Network.

“I think this is a testament to what two battle buddies with a common interest com-ing together were able to create,” said Janet McIntosh, Army Wife Network social media coordinator who is retired from the Army and Army Reserve.

Friday’s field exercise began with an ice-breaker in which spouses found out who matched categories on their worksheets such as “loves mac and cheese” and “has a Febru-

Battle buddies behind the linesArmy Wife Network leads field exercise for military spouses

photoS by nate peSce

Carrie Warfel (center) and Sabrina Thomas write in their journals during the Army Wife Network’s Battle Buddies exercise held Sept. 18 and Friday at Potomac Place Neighborhood Center.

ary birthday.”After finishing this exercise, spouses spoke

to some of the event’s sponsors who had tables lined with information and giveaways.

“We are always trying to offer our best ser-vice and contribute to the base and the mili-tary community,” said Sonia Videl-Aubrey, benefits counselor for Metlife, an event spon-sor.

Approximately 100 women were placed at tables in the gymnasium named for important military landmarks and installations such the Pentagon, Fort Meade and Fort Polk, La.

Representatives from the Army Wife Net-work conducted a discussion about the impor-tance of battle buddies and the qualities mili-tary spouses should look for in a battle buddy. Event attendees followed along, jotting down notes and recording feelings in a journal that was provided for each participant.

“We want you to talk, to come out of your shell,” said Crooks as she walked between tables.

Crooks, whose husband, Maj. Kevin Crooks, works in field artillery for Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 6,

and McIntosh discussed various resources available to military spouses such as the blog on lovingasoldier.com; Army Wife Network’s “Post With The Most” resource, which pro-vides a comprehensive database for installa-tions; and Army Wife Talk Radio podcast on Monday nights at 8 p.m.

Army Wife Network staff members drew raffle tickets for prizes for individuals and their battle buddies, which included informa-tional books, lotions and jewelry. Spouses also were supplied with free appetizers, a Mexican buffet and dessert bar.

“I love it — just meeting new people,” said Janet Clark, who resides in Midway Com-mons with her husband, Master Sgt. Eric Clark. “The food is just an added bonus.”

The spouses enthusiastically participated in more networking activities throughout the exercise.

“When we come out and see spouses smil-ing, laughing and having a good time, it makes us smile, laugh and have a good time,” Crooks said. “We want to give spouses a day to just forget about all the other things we have in life that we’re stressing about and just have fun.”

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil September 25, 2014 SOUNDOFF! 13

Christy Theisen takes a selfie with “Wilma” the volleyball companion at Battle Buddies. The goal of the Army Wife Network event was for military spouses to network and form lasting friendships.

LEFT: (From left:) Lorrie Short, Terri Latter, Hillary Hund, Sonia Zoller and Lanelle Bradley talk during the event’s icebreaker. Spouses enjoyed appetizers while meeting some of the other participants.

Tara Crooks, co-founder of Army Wife Network, discusses the qualities to look for and the importance of having a good battle buddy.

LEFT: Army Wife Network provided spouses with a Battle Buddies journal to record their feelings and take notes throughout the course of the exercise.


Cover Story

Sea Services attempts a pass during the annual DINFOS Toilet Bowl. The two-game tournament between DINFOS faculty and students took place Saturday at Mullins Field.


Air/Land easily defeated Sea Services in the 35th annual Defense Information School Toilet Bowl flag football matchup Saturday morning at Mullins Field.

“King John,” portrayed by DINFOS Provost Michael Gannon, presided over the tournament, wearing a jeweled crown and royal robe and holding a jeweled toi-let plunger that served as a scepter.

“Thank you for your service,” Gannon said during the pre-game announce-ments. “Thank you for your support of our school and our country.”

The first game was between DINFOS faculty with the blue Air/Land team consisting of Airmen and Soldiers, while the yellow Sea Services team included Marines, Soldiers and Coast Guards-men.

“Everybody got together,” said Staff Sgt. Audric Burnett, DINFOS instructor and MVP for Air/Land in the faculty game. “We work well together and just

came out here and had fun.”By the end of the first half of the

faculty game, Air/Land proved its domi-nance with a score of 13-0. Although Sea Services scored a touchdown in the second half, they missed the extra point and were not able to come back.

The game ended 20-6.“I think we played a good game,”

said Sgt. 1st Class Billie J. Nelson Jr., an instructor at DINFOS and Air/Land defensive captain. “I think we’ve been doing outstanding.”

During halftime, fans and players enjoyed a free, outdoor lunch buffet catered by Mission BBQ.

The second game between Air/Land and Sea Services DINFOS students was more evenly matched.

“The [new members] are hanging out with some of the older members who have been here for a little bit longer, and it’s cool to see them all getting along,” said Airman Alexa Ann Henderson. “It’s nice to see the Army and Air Force play-

Air/Land flushes competition in annual DINFOS Toilet Bowl

ing together and getting along.”With 1:15 left in the second half,

Air/Land tied the game 13-13. Air/Land took over possession with 10 seconds left in the second half, forcing the game into overtime.

“It’s getting more intense, but it’s a good game so far,” said Ana Valdez,

spouse of DINFOS student Seaman Melanie Almada.

Air/Land scored in overtime, winning the game.

“This is the third [consecutive] year Air/Land has won,” Nelson said. “I think we are going to continue that tradition.”

PHOTOS BY SPC. LANDON HARRIS 55TH SIGNAL (COMBAT CAMERA)

DINFOS Commandant Col. Jeremy Martin serves fans and players a complimentary lunch buffet catered by Mission BBQ at the Defense Information School’s 35th annual Toilet Bowl flag football tournament. Land/Air beat Sea Services in both the faculty and student games.


SportS

photo by noah scialom

Runners, joggers and walkers begin the Football Fanfare 5K/10K on Saturday at Constitution Park. The event was part of the annual Fort Meade Run Series, which continues with the Ghost, Ghouls & Goblins 5K on Oct. 25 at the Fort Meade Pavilion, the Turkey Trot on Nov. 22 at Murphy Field House and the Reindeer Run 5K on Dec. 13 at Murphy Field House.

Football Fanfare 5K/10K Run Results

• 5k Overall Winner: Tom McManuels (41): 19:26

• 5K Overall Men: 1. John Szkotnicki, age 34: 21:102. Troy Reisch, age 49: 21:113. Francisco Medina, age 30: 21:39

• 5K Overall Women:1. Alex Szkotnicki, age 10: 21:102. Lynda Layson, age 54: 23:06

3. Kathryn Orsini, age 21: 23:28

• 10K Overall Winner: Luke Rodina, age 32: 32:49

• 10K Overall Men:1. Michael Zinno, age 47: 40:112. Mitch Smalley, age 46: 40:353. Anthony Freire, age 33: 45:34

• 10K Overall Women:1. Jennifer Gannon, age 41: 44:242. Caitlin Kohli, age 24: 45:433. Kelli Brown, age 27: 50:36

Sports ShortsLacrosse survey

Want to see youth lacrosse come to Fort Meade?Fill out the Interest Survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/P99JP3M. Survey closes Friday.

EFMP Walking GroupThe Exceptional Family Member Program Walking Group will meet today

from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at Gaffney Fitness Center.For more information call 301-677-5590.

Schedule school/sports physicalsAppointments for school/sports physicals are now available for enrollees of

Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center.A number of Saturday appointments also are available.To schedule an appointment, call the Appointment Line between 6 and 6:30

a.m. at 301-677-8800 or 1-866-511-8748.

The Jabber lair, aka my office, has a whole new look thanks to my new ergo-friendly floating table. Actually, calling what I have a table is an understatement, on par with saying the NFL has some minor image issues.

My new getup is less like a table and more like an ergonomic office system that will keep my body in balance, whether typing in my ergo-chair or standing like our hero, Fort Meade Fire Chief Rouvet.

I also don’t have to worry about car-pal tunnel anymore because my wrists and forearms will always be properly supported, thanks to the pull-out key-board tray with an adjustable hinge.

Bottom line is, the system really ties the office together and provides Jabber Nation with a whole new feng shui. At least that’s what our new reporter Shari Rosen said right after she informed me what feng shui is, using lofty language one might expect from a Hopkins grad.

But since I’m a Towson grad who didn’t know feng shui from egg foo yung, I’ll just provide the wiki. bit.ly/1un6sCd

Besides, with all the new around, I figured it would be appropriate to get back to something old that reared its ugly head Tuesday while the system was being installed: Cowboys bashing.

The technician who installed the sys-tem seemed nice enough. He actually looked like a puffy will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas bit.ly/1ruvxZP, with longer dreads. Anyway, the dude was looking woozy during his break, so I asked him what was wrong.

“Being around Cowboys stuff makes me sick,” he said.

It was funny and the timing was pretty much perfect, but then he went on the familiar tangent all Cowboy haters flock to like a bug to a neon light.

“Yeah, they were the self-proclaimed America’s Team, and Tony Romo is a choker, and yada, yada, yada.”

Pretty soon I was the one getting nauseous due to a severe case of “lame-argumentitis.”

It’s a common condition caused by haters who dislike obvious truths while at the same time having nothing original to say in defense of their lame argu-ments.

So since Mr. Technician wants to

provide the same lame argu-ments, I will fire back with the same thing I’ve told every Cow-boys hater from Doug Wise to Bob Johnson, to Frick and Frack over in PAIO (Raul and Mil-ton), to everyone else who feels the need to chirp anytime the word Cowboys is spoken.

Dallas is the most important franchise in football. You can blame it on market-ing and success bit.ly/1wLt7X5 (sorry for the Journey), or the greatest running back of all time, Emmitt Smith. bit.ly/1mScMQ7o

Or, you can measure it by the fact that they are the most valuable fran-chise in American sports with the most recognizable symbol and brand in American sports. Or you can blame the cheerleaders, though I don’t know who in their right mind would do that. I mean, look what they do for charity. bit.ly/1mszA8g

And even though the Cowboys may not be the most liked team in the NFL — I think it is the Packers or Steelers — there is no doubt that Dallas with its 7,466,686 Facebook followers is the most important and followed team in America. The Packers have 4,574,009 followers, while the Steelers are just under six million.

So, just like the Yankees in baseball or that scrub team from South Bend, Ind., in college football, the Cowboys mean more. When they win, it gets more coverage and when they lose, it’s the same thing.

So it doesn’t matter whether the Cow-boys lose this Sunday to the Saints or fail to play in the final Sunday of the season for the next six or 60 years.

At the end the day, the league will always be dominated by that one shining blue star on the side of those magnifi-cent silver helmets.

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

Lame-argumentitis

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 Philip Jones at [email protected] or call 301-677-5602.

Directorate offices to moveThe Office of the Fort Meade

Inspector General and the Directorate of Public Works Environmental Division will relocate Monday to Building 2460, 85th Medical Battalion Road.

For more information, call the IG office at 301-677-7393 or the DPW Environmental Division at 301-677-9188.

Disability Awareness Month Observance

The Fort Meade garrison and the Equal Employment Opportunity Office will host the National Disability Awareness Month Observance on Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Club Meade.

A question-and-answer session will be held from 9-11 a.m.

The guest speaker is Juliette Rizzo, a special assistant for communications in the Office of the Secretary in the Depart-ment of Education.

The event also will feature a perfor-mance by the Hugh Gregory Gallagher Motivational Theatre, which raises aware-ness of disability issues and discrimina-tion through dramatizations of real-life and fictionalized experiences.

Light refreshments will be served.All Fort Meade service members and

civilians are encouraged to attend with supervisory approval and without charge to annual leave. Administrative leave is authorized.

A sign language interpreter will be provided.

For more information, call the Fort Meade Equal Opportunity Office at 301-677-6687.

Hiring commissary baggers

The Fort Meade commissary is accept-ing applications for 20 bagger positions for the weekday morning and afternoon

file photo

retiree appreciation day fridayThe 39th Annual Retiree Appreciation Day will be held Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at McGill Training Center, 8452

Zimborski Ave.Retiree Appreciation Day is conducted by the installation Retirement Services Office to keep retired service members

and their families current on changes in their retirement rights, benefits and privileges, and to foster goodwill between the retired and active-duty communities.

The event will feature information booths and medical screenings from 8-11:45 a.m. Flu shots will be provided from 8 a.m. to noon.

Lunch at the Freedom Inn Dining Facility will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost is $4.65. Shuttle service begins at 11:30 a.m.

The afternoon session will feature a benefits symposium of speakers from the Department of Veteran Affairs, Social Security Administration and Army Community Service.

For more information, call 301-677-9434/9600/9603.

shifts only.Bagger positions are open to active-

duty service members, dependents and retirees.

Applications will be processed Oct. 6 from 9-10:30 a.m. on a first-come, first-serve basis at Club Meade, 6600 Mapes Road.

Applicants must come in-person and bring their current military/dependent ID card and Social Security number.

For more information, call 301-677-5502.

National Preparedness Month

September marks the 11th annual

National Preparedness Month.With winter approaching, Garrison

Emergency Manager Jeffrey McClendon encourages all Soldiers, family members, DoD civilians and contractors to be self-sufficient for 72 hours when the installation services such as water, power and government support may not be available.

A limited number of Family Emergency Preparedness Handbooks to enhance individual and family preparedness are available.

For more information, call McClendon at 301-677-6315.

Gold Star Mothers DayThe Fort Meade Survivor Outreach

Services Program will observe the annual Gold Star Mothers and Families Day today at 11:30 a.m. at Potomac Place Neighborhood Center at 4998 2nd Corps Blvd.

For more information, call Voncile Farmer at 301-677-4116 or 301-677-6930 or email [email protected].

Drug Take-Back DayPrescription Medication Take-Back

Day will be held Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Exchange and commissary.

For more information, go to ftmeademwr.com.

NEWS & EVENTS


Community news & notes

Toys for TotsThe Anne Arundel County Toys for

Tots program is hosting the 3rd Annual Anne Arundel County Toys for Tots Kick-Off event Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Fort Meade Pavilion.

The event is free, but attendees are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy.

The annual Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots toy drive for 2014 is getting underway in Anne Arundel County.

The main attraction of this year’s Fort Meade toy drive will be the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon.

The event also will feature live entertainment.

Last year, the program provided toys, games, books and sporting goods to more than 25,000 children, thanks to the generous donation of toys and financial support from local donors and national sponsors.

The mission of the U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.

Fundraising protocolIf a private organization or military unit

on Fort Meade is planning to conduct any fundraisers (such as car wash or bake sale), a memo detailing the event must be submitted in writing to the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation at:

DFMWR, NAF Support Services Division, 4216 Roberts Ave., 2nd Floor, cubical #22.

Information should include: who, what, when, where, how, purpose, POC contact information, and signature of the PO president or designee.

All fundraiser requests must be submitted six to eight weeks in advance.

The fundraisers may require co-ordination and routing through several directorates on Fort Meade including the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate and the garrison commander.

Fundraisers during the official Combined Federal Campaign are limited in number and scope to minimize competition with CFC.

For more information, call the NAF Support Services Division at 301-677-3772.

Gulf War Illness research project

The Institute for Health and

Environment, University at Albany has received funding from the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs of the Department of Defense for a Gulf War Illness research project.

The project involves veterans of the 1990-1991 Persian Gulf War who live in the Baltimore-Washington D.C., area.

For more information, go to www.albany.edu/ihe/49645.php.

Father Daughter BallThe Father Daughter Ball will be held

Oct. 4 from 5:30-9 p.m. at Club Meade.A dinner buffet will be served from 6-7

p.m. and includes an ice cream sundae bar.The event will feature a magic show

from 6:30-7 p.m.; dancing and a DJ from 7-9 p.m.; and craft tables from 5:30-9 p.m.

Formal attire is required: dress uniform or suit and tie, and party dress.

Tickets cost $35 per father/daughter pair and $15 for each additional daughter.

Limited tickets are available for purchase at the Youth Center (Child, Youth and School Services members only) and at Club Meade.

For more information, go to ftmeademwr.com or call 301-677-6969.

Volunteer Speed MeetJoin the corps of community

volunteers at a Volunteer Speed Meet on Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Potomac Place Neighborhood Center, 4998 2nd Corps Blvd.

Learn about volunteer opportunities and meet with volunteer agency representatives form Fort Meade and Anne Arundel and Howard counties.

For more information, email Marie Miles, volunteer coordinator, at [email protected].

Flu vaccinationsInfluenza vaccinations will be

provided throughout October:• Active-duty Soldiers: Oct. 6-10 from

8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at McGill Training Center

• Active-duty service members in the Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard: Oct. 14-17, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at McGill Training Center

• Tricare beneficiaries (excluding Johns Hopkins Primed): Oct. 20-24, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at McGill Training Center

For more information, call 301-677-8661 or go to www.kacc.narmc.amedd.army.mil.

Square Dance ClubThe 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.

Admission is $6. Square dance attire is optional.

Dance classes are offered Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. at Meade Middle School beginning tonight.

Each class costs $6. The first two classes are free.

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

Farmers marketThe Fort Meade Farmers Market

is held every Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Nov. 12 in the Smallwood Hall parking lot, across from McGlachlin Parade Field.

For more information, go to ftmeademwr.com.

Lunch and Learn SeriesKimbrough Ambulatory Care Center

hosts a monthly brown bag Lunch and Learn Series on the second Tuesday of the month on the first floor of the Rascon Building, adjacent to Kimbrough.

The next lunch is Oct. 14 at noon.For more information, call Maj. Anne

Spillane at 301-677-8463.

Free classesThe Navy Fleet and Family Support

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

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

Registration is required for each class.• How to Work a Job Fair: Tuesday, 9

a.m. to noon• Medical Record Review: Have your

medical records reviewed by an AMVETS representative. Appointment required.

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.

For more information, call 301-677-5522.

Out & About• The Baltimore Book Festival will be

held Friday and Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. The event offers a full day of activities to get readers con-nected with authors. For more information, go to baltimorebookfestival.com.

• The Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., will host American country music artist Keni Thomas on Oct. 3 at historic Conmy Hall.

Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission is free. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

The former Army Ranger and Southern rocker will perform singles from the album “Flags of Our Fathers: A Soldier’s Story,” which charted on the Billboard country music charts.

Thomas, a former staff sergeant, retired from the Army in 1997 after six years of service. In 1993, as a Task Force Ranger, he was a member of Operation Restore Hope in Mogadishu, Somalia. The 18-hour fire-fight was recounted in the book and movie, “Blackhawk Down.”

After being recognized by the president in receiving the American Patriot Award and the Bronze Star of Valor, Thomas served as assistant team leader for the 75th Ranger Regimental Reconnaissance Detachment. Since retiring from his mili-tary service, he has leaped into the Nash-ville music scene.

For more information, call 703-696-3469 or 703-696-3470.

• The Orthodox Church of St. Matthew is sponsoring its annual multicultural festival on Oct. 4 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Oct. 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at 7271 Eden Brook Drive, Columbia.

The event, Howard County’s largest international festival, will feature homemade Greek, Slavic, Romanian, Ethiopian, American and Lebanese foods; a wine and beer garden; raffles and door prizes; and live cultural entertainment including Chinese dance troupes and belly dancers.

For more information, go to stmatthewfestival.org.

EDUCATION

YOUTH

RECREATION

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18


moviesCommunity news & notes

• The Maryland Renaissance Festival runs weekends through Oct. 19 at 1821 Crownsville Road, Annapolis. Gates open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Tickets cost $8 to $22. Admission is free for children ages 6 and younger. Multiday discounts are available. Active-duty service members with photo ID can purchase tickets at the group discount rate.

For more information, call 410-266-7304 or go to rennfest.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 410-730-0127.

• 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 Oct. 2.There is no cost for the buffet; donations

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

For more information, call 301-677-6703.• 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 Oct. 2. 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 Oct. 2. For more information, visit namiaac.org.

• Retired Officers’ Wives’ Club will hold its next luncheon on Oct. 7 at 11 a.m. at Club Meade.

The event will feature a mini fur fashion show. Harry Evans of Mano Swartz, America’s oldest furrier, will present the newest in fur fashion including fashion outerwear, reversible vests, fur-trimmed shawls and fur accessories by ROWC models.

Cost of luncheon is $18. Reservations are required by Oct. 2 at noon. Call your area representative or Betty Wade at 410-551-7082.

Annual membership dues are $25.

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

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

• Families Dealing with Deployment meets the first and third Monday of every month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Meuse Forest Neighborhood Center. Children welcome. The next meeting is Oct. 6. 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 Oct. 8. 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].

• Women’s Empowerment Group meets Wednesdays from 2 to 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 to 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 to 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.

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 Oct. 10

Friday: “The Expendables 3” (PG-13). Barney augments his team with new blood for a per-sonal battle: to take down Conrad Stonebanks, the Expendables co-founder and notorious arms trader who is hell-bent on wiping out Barney and every single one of his associates. With Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Mel Gibson.

Saturday: “If I Stay” (PG-13). Life changes in an instant for young Mia Hall after a car acci-dent puts her in a coma. During an out-of-body experience, she must decide whether to wake up and live a life far different than she had imagined. With Chloë Grace Moretz, Mireille Enos, Jamie Blackley.

Sunday: “Let’s Be Cops” (R). Two struggling pals dress as police officers for a costume party and become neighborhood sensations. But when these newly minted “heroes” get tangled in a real-life web of mobsters and dirty detectives, they must put their fake badges on the line. With Jake Johnson, Damon Wayans Jr., Rob Riggle.

Oct. 3, 5: “The Giver” (PG-13). In a seemingly perfect community, without war, pain, suffering, differences or choice, a young boy is chosen to learn from an elderly man about the true pain and pleasure of the “real” world. With Brendon Thwaites, Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep.

Oct. 4: “Sin City: A Dame To Kill For” (R). Some of Sin City’s most hard-boiled citizens cross paths with a few of its more reviled inhabitants. With Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Josh Brolin.

Oct. 10: “As Above, So Below” (R). When a team of explorers ventures into the catacombs that lie beneath the streets of Paris, they uncover the dark secret that lies within this city of the dead. With Perdita Weeks, Ben Feldman, Edwin Hodge.

RECREATION

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17

MEETINGS

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

Access Gates on Fort Meade

Gate 1: Rockenbach Road5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

weekends; closed holidays

Gate 3: Reece Road and Maryland Route 175

(Demps Visitor Control Center gate) 24-hour access

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

Monday through Friday

Gate 4: Mapes Road and Maryland Route 175

CLOSED until further notice

Gate 5: Llewellyn Avenue and Maryland Route 175

6 to 9 a.m., Monday through Friday for inbound traffic;

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

Gate 7: Mapes Road and Route 32

5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday;

9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekends and holidays

Soundoff September 25, 2014

News & Politics