Fort Meade SoundOff for May 3, 2012

top copDES director retires after 28 years in military

page 8

UpcoMING EVENtSFRIDAY, 7:30 A.M.: Army Ten-Miler Qualifier - Murphy Field HouseSAtURDAY, 9 A.M.-3 p.M.: Meade’s Mega Market - Meade Middle SchoolSAtURDAY, 10 A.M.-1 p.M.: Youth Fishing Rodeo - Burba LakeSUNDAY, 2:30 p.M.: Memorial Day Remembrance/Massing of the Colors - The PavilionWEDNESDAY, 10 A.M.-2 p.M.: Military Spouse Job Fair - McGill Training Center

GolF GooDbYEGolfers play final round at farewell Commander’s Cup

page 20

Soundoff!́vol. 64 no. 18 Published in the interest of the Fort Meade community May 3, 2012

Photo by Jen Rynda

Riley Bateman, 6, of Fort Meade attempts to swing a giant hula hoop during the installation’s 26th annual Family Fun Fair on Saturday at McGill Training Center. About 2,500 people attended the four-hour event. For more, see Pages 14-15.

fair playAnnual Family Fun Fair

brings community together

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil� SOUNDOFF! May 3, 2012

Commander’s Column

Cont ent sNews............................. 3 Classified.............................24

TroubleTicket............... 4 Sports..................................20

Community................. 17 Movies.................................23

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

advErtiSinGGeneral inquiries 410-332-6300

allison thompson 410-332-6850 [email protected]

Michele Griesbauer 410-332-6381 [email protected]

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

Printed by offset method of reproduction as a civilian enterprise in the interest of the personnel at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, by the Patuxent Publishing Co., a subsidiary of The Baltimore Sun Media Group, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore, MD 21278, every Thursday except the last Thursday of the year in conjunction with the Fort Meade Public Affairs Office. Requests for publication must reach the Public Affairs Office no later than Friday before the desired publication date. Mailing address: Post Public Affairs Office, Soundoff! IMME-MEA-PA, Bldg. 4409, Fort Meade, MD 20755-5025. Telephone: 301-677-1361; DSN: 622-1361.

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One thing there is never a shortage of around the Team Meade community is great things to do. And by great, I’m not just talking about the con-sistently superb services that are provided here on a daily basis.

I’m literally talking about great and fun things to participate in like we offered last weekend.

For starters, Saturday’s Family Fun Fair was awe-some!

For those of you who couldn’t make it, about 2,500 people attended the 26th annual event at McGill Training Center.

And per usual, DFMWR director Martha McClary and her Child, Youth and School Services team did a fantastic job. The event featured a bunch of activities that Audrey, the kids and I truly enjoyed. (See Pages 14-15.)

Then on Sunday we gave our historic golf course a proper send-off during the final Commander’s Cup tournament. Mother Nature helped out with the weather, the Courses was in its usual fantastic condition, and even though Gen. Alexander and I didn’t win the first-place trophy, it is fair to say that all 144 golfers who participated had a great time. (See Pages 20-21.)

And for those of you worried about the future of the Fort Meade golf community, let me say that thanks to our great partnerships, I can promise you that Sunday’s Commander’s Cup will not be the last time Team Meade gets together over a round of golf.

Both the Family Fun Fair and Commander’s Cup brought the entire community together, and I hope we will get together again Sunday for one of the more patriotic events on our calendar: Fort Meade’s Memorial Day Remembrance and 26th Annual Massing of the Colors.

The massing symbolizes the ideals of patrio-tism and love of county. It also gives me a better

understanding of what President George Washing-ton meant when he said, “When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen.”

I say that because during the event, which Fort Meade is hosting along with the General George G. Meade Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars, more than 60 color guards from various active-duty, Guard and Reserve military units will join their counterparts from civilian organizations such as local VFWs, Rotary Clubs and Boy and Girl Scout troops.

Each color guard will march into the Pavilion under its own banner, then come together around the United States Colors.

Beyond this impressive display, the event also will feature an Armed Forces Color Guard from the Mili-tary District of Washington and a performance by the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley will serve as the keynote speaker for the event, which will conclude with a free concert by the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus stationed here at Fort Meade.

If all of that isn’t enough to get you out to the Pavilion at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, there also is a reception with food after the concert.

Joking aside, Command Sgt. Maj. Smith and I hope you can make it out to this fabulous event and celebrate one more great thing that Team Meade makes happen.

Massing of the Colors for Memorial Day

COL. Edward C. rOthstEin

Garrison Commander

Commander’s Open DoorGarrisonCommanderCol.EdwardC.Rothsteinhasanopendoorpolicy.All service members, retirees, government employees, family members

andcommunitymembersage18orolder are invited toaddress issuesorconcerns to thecommanderdirectlybyvisitingRothstein’sofficeonMon-daysfrom4to6p.m.atgarrisonheadquartersinHodgesHall,Bldg.4551,LlewellynAvenue.

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

Formoreinformation,call301-677-4844.

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil May 3, 2012 SOUNDOFF! �

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DRUG take back DaY

Lt. Col. Michael Yapp (right), chief of the

Kimbrough Ambula-tory Care Center

Pharmacy, watches as Samson Robinson,

Fort Meade Army Substance Abuse

Program prevention coordinator, weighs

a bucket of prescrip-tion drugs collected Saturday morning in front of the Fort

Meade Exchange. The 11 pounds, 8 ounces of unused medication

were transferred to the Drug Enforcement Agency, which spon-sored the nationwide, same-day collection,

for disposal.

Photo by Jason Kelly

Story and photo by Jason KellyEmerging Media Manager

While the removal of the golf course’s sign along Mapes Road on Tuesday morning was the first indication that the course is now closed, more visible work is under way.

Crews began clearing trees on the southern portion of the course Wednesday, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Baltimore District’s schedule. Similar work is scheduled to begin on the northern portion of what is now known as East Campus on May 29.

The project, scheduled weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., is expected to add traffic to Mapes and Rockenbach roads. Planners are considering options to reduce the impact to weekday traffic including removing trees on Saturdays.

Another aspect of the planning process – minimizing the environmental impact – began years ago, said Mick Butler, chief of DPW’s Environmental Division.

The decision to develop the golf course to support national security had to be supported by an environmental study, which began with a July 2009 Federal Register Notice of Intent to prepare an environmental impact statement for the project, Butler said.

The notice informed the public of an open house followed by a scoping meeting later that month for public comment. A draft environ-mental impact statement was prepared and made available for public review June 25, 2010 with another open house and public meeting on July 21, 2010. The final document was signed September 13, 2010.

While laws such as the Maryland Forest Conservation Act guided the planning, the Army’s commitment to being good stew-ards of its resources was another important consideration, said John Houchins, Natural Resources Program manager for the Director-ate of Public Works.

“The Army realized many, many years ago that it must take care of its land to fulfill the Army mission,” Houchins said.

The land to be cleared, which will be par-tially used by the National Security Agency, covers approximately 127 acres. These trees are relatively spread out and only account for approximately 27 acres of forest. The Forest Conservation Act calls for 20 percent, approxi-mately 25 acres, of the project to be reforested or preserved, said Houchins.

As a part of the environmental planning process, the NSA indicated it would comply with the Forest Conservation Act to “the max-imum extent practical,” said Butler. “There may not be space left to do exactly 20 percent. So, it is a target.”

If space is not available, the goal can be achieved by reforesting off site, Houchins said.

This is not the first effort to minimize the environmental impact of construction on the golf course, which lost nine holes when the headquarters for the Defense Media Activity and Defense Information Systems Agency were built there.

DISA planted more trees than it removed to develop the site because its complex was built on fairways that had already been cleared of trees, Butler said.

The benefits of reforestation, said Butler, include reducing the heat generated on the buildings by providing shade, producing oxy-gen and capturing carbon dioxide, as well as creating and maintaining habitats for forest-dwelling species.

Houchins expects the wildlife, which includes groundhogs, foxes, squirrels and bird species, to relocate to other areas on post. The impact of the habitat loss should be minimal, he said, because the golf course is already partially developed.

transformation of golf course land enters next phase

DFMWR employees Jim Ladebush (left) and Ronald Allen remove the entrance sign on Mapes Road for the Courses on Tuesday, the same day the facilities closed. Ladebush was the former course superintendent, while Allen, a mechanic, worked there for 37 years.

Initial tree clearing schedule- Site protection and fencing: Until May 11

- Surveying: Until May 14

- Tree clearing on southern portion: Until May 25

- Tree clearing on northern portion: May 29 to June 18

- Site stabilization and restoration until: June 25

Source: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Baltimore District

Post looks to limit traffic disruption during construction


News

April 22, Larceny of private prop-erty: The victim stated that after he went to the barber shop on post, he returned to his barracks and noticed his credit card was missing.

April 23, Wrongful damage of private property: Unknown person(s) by unknown means damaged a vehicle legally parked in the driveway. Damages consisted of a broken, driver-side rear light and scratches to the driver-side quarter panel.

April 24, Wrongful damage of pri-vate property: Unknown person(s) by unknown means dented the left, rear fender well and bent the driver’s outside mirror of the legally parked vehicle.

April 27, Wrongful damage of pri-vate property: Unknown person(s) by unknown means scratched the left passenger-side door and hood of a vehicle, which was legally parked.

April 28, Shoplifting: AAFES loss prevention at the Exchange observed two subjects open merchandise packaging and place it on their person and conceal the merchandise. They then proceeded beyond the point of sale and exited the store.

April 29, Wrongful damage of government property: The subject punched and broke the glass window on the door of his bar-racks’ room.

CommunityCommunityCrime Watch

Compiled by the Fort Meade Directorate of Emergency Services

Trouble Ticket

Youth Services Sports Complex needs renovations

Renovate the Youth Services Sports Complex

Actual use of fields is expected to be this fall after the grass matures

Have you noticed an issue on post and wondered if anything is being done to fix it? Email concerns and

issues to [email protected]. Each week, Soundoff! will

address issues identified on post and describe what is being done to

solve them.

Issue: Plan: Status:The Installation Safety Office

has deemed and marked some play equipment at Burba Lake as unsafe

Repair the play equipment so that it is functional

Repairs are under way

AER updAtEThe Fort Meade Army Emergency Relief campaign has collected $69,210 as of Friday, 86.5 percent of its $80,000 goal.Each unit should have an AER representative for the campaign, which ends May 15.For more information, call Wallace Turner, AER officer, at 301-677-5768.

By Wendy PoulsonSocial Security Administration, Glen Burnie

Friday is an unofficial holiday designated by fans as Star Wars Day.

Why Friday and not the more likely May 25, the day the first “Star Wars” movie was released? It all comes down to a simple but catchy phrase: “May the fourth be with you.”

When celebrating Star Wars Day, it can be easy to picture the space warriors in their original state, the way they have been cap-tured on film. But consider this: May also is Older Americans’ Month. That may be more fitting than you realize, since the heroes of Star Wars first burst into pop culture “a long time ago.”

Most of the heroes and villains of Star Wars are now closing in on retirement age. Yes, Han Solo is well into retirement; Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia are almost old enough to get Social Security benefits. (Sorry, Chewbacca, but you have to be human to receive benefits.)

You don’t have to have the wisdom of a Jedi or the knowledge of a Droid to figure out

retirement benefits. If you’re planning ahead for a distant retirement, visit the Retirement Estimator to get an instant, personalized esti-mate of your future retirement benefits. Blast off to www.socialsecurity.gov/estimator.

If you’re ready to apply now for retirement benefits, just go online. It’s so easy, and you can do it faster than the Millennium Falcon can outrun Imperial fighters — in as little as 15 minutes at www.socialsecurity.gov/apply-online.

This year’s theme for Older Americans Month is, “You’re never too old to play.”

When Star Wars first came out in 1977, social networking would have seemed like space-aged ways to play. But you now can connect with Social Security on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. What’s more, you can even do it from your own smartphone, even if it’s not a Droid.

Visit www.socialsecurity.gov and target the Facebook and Twitter icons.

On Friday, may the “fourth” be with you. And remember: the benefits will be with you — always.

May the benefits be with you

Follow Fort Meadeat Twitter.com/ftmeademd or at Facebook.com/ftmeade

Chaplain’s WordWITHIN

“Joy is not in things; it is in us.”— Richard Wagner

Find thE FoRt MEAdE

REligious schEdulE at

www.ftmeade.army.mil.


News

PHOTO BY MasTer sgT. rOBerT McIver

Staff Sgt. Daniel Erbe, Soldiers’ Chorus tenor, performs a solo in Tulsa, Okla., during the chorus’s Spring Tour 2012. The U.S. Army Field Band will perform a concert Sunday in conjunction with the Massing of the Colors.

By Jonathan AgeeU.S. Army Field Band

The U.S. Army Field Band will per-form a concert in conjunction with the Massing of the Colors on Sunday at the Fort Meade Pavilion.

The Soldier-musicians also will be on hand to provide ceremonial music through-out the event.

For those who have not yet attended a performance by the musical ambassadors of the Army, this is your chance. The event is free and open to the public.

The ceremony begins at 2:30 p.m. and will segue into a 45-minute concert featur-ing the Concert Band and Soldiers’ Chorus performing something for everyone, from marches to contemporary pop music.

As the musical voice of the Army, the Army Field Band is authorized to carry and display the U.S. Army flag. This ban-ner bears 183 streamers representing all of the Army’s past campaigns from the Revolutionary War to Iraq.

The Concert Band and Soldiers’ Chorus travel thousands of miles each year on three major concert tours, and is con-sidered by music critics to be one of the most distinctive musical organizations now appearing before the public.

All concert tours are conducted at the direction of the secretary of the Army. Per-formances are open to the general public at no charge.

For more information about the Army Field Band, visit ArmyFieldBand.com.

Musical ambassadors to perform at Memorial Day Remembrance

Celebrating the ColorsBy Fort Meade Public Affairs Office

Fort Meade and the Gen. George G. Meade Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars will host the installation’s Memorial Day Remembrance and 26th annual Massing of the Colors on Sunday at the Pavilion.

The event begins at 2:30 p.m.Gov. Martin O’Malley will be the keynote speaker.The remembrance will feature more than 60 color guards from

the region, including an Armed Forces Color Guard from the Military District of Washington and a performance by the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.

After the ceremony, the U.S. Army Field Band Concert Band and Soldiers’ Chorus will perform a 45-minute concert.

Since 1929, the Military Order of the World Wars has orga-nized and hosted the Massing of the Colors. The tradition is a patriotic ceremony to rededicate faith in the Colors of the United States and to present support to those Colors and of service mem-bers those Colors represent.

It combines the Colors and color guards of active-duty and Reserve Component military units, veterans’ organizations, and civic and patriotic organizations.

Visitors should use the gate at Llewellyn Avenue and Route 175.For more information, call the Public Affairs Office at 301-

677-1361.


News

By Rona S. HirschStaff Writer

For more than two years, Lt. Col. How-ard T. Yates affected the life of every Fort Meade resident, employee and visitor.

As head of the Directorate of Emer-gency Services since January 2010, he oversaw the Department of the Army civilian police, Department of Fire and Emergency Services, military police work-ing the roads and contract security guards. He also stopped a small crime spree, and worked on the transition of gate security from contract guards to DA guards and construction of a state-of-the-art access control point at Rockenbach Road.

After 28 years of military service, includ-ing a previous stint as Fort Meade’s direc-tor of Emergency Services from 2004 to 2005, Yates officially retires June 30.

Lt. Col. J. Darrell Sides, former DES operations officer, took over as director April 1.

In recognition of his service, Yates was honored April 18 at a retirement luncheon at Club Meade hosted by DES and attend-ed by family, friends and colleagues.

Wearing his dress blues, Yates summed up the essence of military service.

“You hear so much about the Army changing and trying to reinvent itself, to be relevant to our troops and training in modern warfare,” said Yates, who resides in Reisterstown with his wife, Wanda, and their four children. “However, some things stay the same. What is most important are three elements: moral compass, love of country and being prepared to provide selfless service.

“If you have these elements, then serv-ing will be a worthwhile endeavor. The bottom line is, it is not about glory and fame or getting rich. It is about taking care of people.”

Sitting beside Yates at the official table were Sides, Deputy Installation Command-er John Moeller, Fort Meade Police Chief Charles McGee, Yates’ wife, their 3-year-old daughter Riley, Yates’ mother Hilda Yates of Loch Raven and his mother-in-law Verdell Elliott of West Baltimore.

“Retirements are bittersweet,” said Moeller, a retired lieutenant colonel and former volunteer firefighter. “We hate the farewells. We hate to see Howard go. We all know it’s an end to a great military career, but also a start to a great second chapter. He will always be part of the Fort Meade family.”

Fort Meade Fire Chief E.J. Rouvet, who emceed the event, praised Yates’ service,

Top cop retires after decades of service

which initially started in computers.“How he went from an IT guy to a cop

is beyond me,” Rouvet said. “But he served in the most honorable field in the world — as an MP with the United States mili-tary. The ribbons on his chest bring honor to himself and to others.”

Rouvet, who called police and fire per-sonnel “brothers of the badge,” declared the event “Colonel Yates Day.”

“We want him to know we are going to miss him terribly,” he said.

Yates’ position as DES director was not his first assignment on the installation. In 1999, he served as a computer systems officer and information systems security engineer for the 704th Military Intelligence Brigade.

Yates returned to Fort Meade in Decem-ber 2003 as operations officer and deputy provost marshal for the Provost Marshal Office. Six months later, he became the provost marshal and director of Emer-gency Services until August 2005, helping

to establish the DA civilian police force and stand up the DES as the umbrella organization for the police and fire depart-ments.

The youngest of four, Yates grew up in his native Baltimore. His father, a Korean War veteran, died when he was 10.

After high school, Yates joined the Maryland Army National Guard in 1984. Five years later, he earned a computer science degree at Coppin State Univer-sity, where he joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. In 1990, Yates returned to the military on active duty. In 2000, he earned a master’s degree in manage-ment information systems at Bowie State University.

“I thought I was going to be a signal Soldier again,” Yates said. “But I was selected as a MP by the Army when I was commissioned.”

Subsequent assignments included serv-ing as an MP in Panama and later as company commander with the 142nd MP

Company in Korea; participating in pre-execution planning of Operation Iraqi Freedom with Joint Coalition Forces Land Component Command in Kuwait; chief of physical security and of the Law Enforce-ment Division for the Office of the Provost Marshal, U.S. Army Europe; and in Iraq with the Military Transition Team as com-mander of the 5th Division Iraqi Army MIT in 2009.

Throughout the two-hour luncheon, Yates was hailed for his dedication, par-ticularly during the Base Realignment and Closure, which brought three agencies on post, more than 5,000 new employees and a dramatic increase in traffic volume on and off post.

“He came in right in the middle of BRAC,” said McGee, who is also deputy director of DES. “He jumped in and got involved with all the plans, especially traf-fic and access control.”

On behalf of the Fort Meade Police, Sides presented Yates with a carved por-

PHOTOs BY DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF BYRON FRANK

Lt. Col. Howard T. Yates, director of the Directorate of Emergency Services, is presented with an honorary fire helmet by Fort Meade Deputy Fire Chief Bruce Smith during Yates’ retirement luncheon on April 18 at Club Meade. Yates served as director of DES from 2010 to 2012 and from 2004 to 2005.

http://www.ftmeade.army.mil May 3, 2012 SOUNDOFF! �

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trait of Yates and a folded American flag encased in glass with military awards.

“We’ve been through a lot,” Sides said. “Any Soldier will tell you they want two things from their leaders: an opportu-nity to do their job and top coverage. You let me do what I do. You gave me the resources I need. ... You brought me into the fold. ... Most commanders don’t want to let anything go. But this man allowed a transition so seamless. He was the best commander I’ve had.”

Deputy Fire Chief Bruce Smith present-ed Yates with an honorary fire helmet.

Dick Weaver, chief of physical security and force protection at the National Secu-rity Agency, gave Yates a black obelisk that “represents the solid relationship we enjoyed,” he said.

“Howard has been a great friend, a great colleague. Beneath the veneer of a tough cop, he is a nerd — a computer nerd. I won’t be surprised to see you coming to my house with the Geek Squad to fix my stuff. ... We’ve had a great run together. We’re going to miss you.”

Anne Arundel County Police Maj. Tom Wilson, who presented Yates with the Chief’s Recognition Award, spoke of the “fantastic” partnership between the coun-ty and DES. “It’s the best relationship the county has ever had with Fort Meade,” he said. “This is complimentary to your leadership.”

Throughout the event, Yates was cred-ited for providing support. “We always had the resources we needed to do our job effectively,” Fort Meade Fire Capt. John Ruth said. “He was an absolute pleasure to

work for. We’re sorry to see him go.”Michelle Kennedy, the youngest of

Yates’ three older sisters, spoke for the family. “He came from a family of women, raised by women,” said Kennedy, who resides in Parkville. “When he arrived, he came with expectations. [He] exceeded our expectations. He lives an exemplary life. We are very proud.”

After the presentations, Yates took the podium to offer thanks to the current and former garrison leadership, DES staff and directorates. “Thank you for the trust and faith you had in me,” he said. “I hope I kept that bond of trust. I hope I was able to supply the help you needed. ...

“To my fellow directors at Meade, the time shared and friendship forged is incredible. ... I’m proud of all of our achievements and I will never forget that. To all the DES staff — past and present — you guys are wonderful. ... I’ve had a great time. Yes, I was a geek. I am still a geek.”

But there were moments, he said, when he considered leaving the Army.

“Then a new challenge came along, and like a shiny coin, I would become entranced and I would see if I could solve the problem,” he said. “But there are no more shiny coins coming along as a Sol-dier. It’s a sad time; I’m doing it because I have to. I have old knees and an old back. I will be riding off into the proverbial sunset.”

Yates ended his speech as he started — with gratitude.

“To all the wonderful people, thank you,” he said. “It’s been a blast.”

Recently promoted Lt. Col. J. Darrell Sides, the new director of the DES, presents a carved photograph of Lt. Col. Howard T. Yates on behalf of the Fort Meade Police during Yates retirement luncheon on April 18.

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By Lisa R. RhodesStaff Writer

In 2001, a Soldier in Staff Sgt. Monique Barnes’ unit committed suicide.

“I knew the person was having prob-lems, but I didn’t think it would come to the person taking their life,” said Barnes, now a veterinary technician with the Pub-lic Health Command District at Joint Base Andrews Naval Air Facility Washington.

Eleven years later, Barnes participated in a two-day Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training interactive workshop held April 25 and 26 at Argonne Hills Chapel Center.

The monthly training is sponsored by Fort Meade’s Army Substance Abuse Pro-gram.

ASIST is a 15-hour workshop that teaches participants to connect, under-stand and assist people who may be at risk of suicide, according to the website of LivingWorks Education Inc. The public service company developed ASIST as well as other suicide prevention programs. The company considers ASIST to be suicide first aid.

The Fort Meade training, attended by 15 service members and civilians, was led by Alan Dagg, chief religious program specialist and suicide prevention manager at U.S. Fleet Cyber Command-U.S. Tenth Fleet; Kirk Fechter, director of the Instal-lation Safety Office; and Lamont Coger, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program tech-nician at Aberdeen Proving Ground. All three are certified ASIST trainers.

ASIST is open to active-duty service members, Reservists, National Guards-men, DoD civilians and military contrac-tors.

“This is a great way to give people the tools to make that first contact with a person at risk,” Dagg said. “There is still the taboo that asking for help is a sign of weakness. But we’re sending a clear mes-sage that it is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength to ask for help. The taboo is being broken.”

Suicide is an ongoing concern for the Department of Defense. Military leaders are addressing the issue through suicide prevention trainings such as ASIST.

The Army reported 18 potential suicides among active-duty Soldiers in March. So far this year, there have been 45 potential

active-duty suicides. Twenty have been confirmed as suicides and 25 remain under investigation.

Suicide prevention is a high-priority for the Department of the Defense. Last year, 164 active-duty Soldiers committed suicide Armywide. Training such as ASIST is one of many efforts to reduce the number of suicides in the military.

During the two-day training, ASIST participants discussed their attitudes about suicide, simulated role-plays and learned about the ASIST Suicide Intervention Model. The model presents three phases of addressing the concerns of a person at risk for suicide.

The first phase is connecting when a concerned person or caregiver learns to recognize and respond to an invitation for help from a person at risk for suicide.

The second phase is understanding. The caregiver listens to the person’s reasons for wanting to die, which are often accompa-nied by an ambivalence for wanting to live. The caregiver and the individual at risk then review the risks of suicide and develop a safe plan to remove the threat of suicide.

The final phase is assisting. The caregiv-er and individual at risk make a contract to follow the safe plan, which includes saying no to drugs and alcohol and taking precautions for the individual’s safety. The caregiver then connects the person with family and community resources for help.

Barnes said the training helped her to recognize the signs of suicide and gave her the confidence to ask an individual at risk if the person needs help.

“Before the class, I don’t think I would recognize the signs,” Barnes said. “It’s good for people in a unit to know that there is someone that can help them through the tough times.”

Staff Sgt. Nathan Falu Febres, 70th Operations Support Squadron, said the training is necessary and he would recom-mend it for all noncommissioned officers.

“If it can help an NCO save their peers or their subordinates, it’s worth it,” he said.

Editor’s note: The next Applied Sui-cide Intervention Skills Training will be held June 27 and 28. For more informa-tion, email Alan Dagg at [email protected].

Breaking the tabooSuicide intervention training helps identify service members in need

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http://www.ftmeade.army.mil May 3, 2012 SOUNDOFF! 11

News

By Brandon BieltzStaff Writer

Think. Adapt. Anticipate.The three-word motto of the Asym-

metric Warfare Group describes its mission, but they also are the con-cepts that make its training exercises unique.

Members of the Fort Meade-based unit trained April 25 at Fort A.P. Hill, Va., for worldwide deployments, focus-ing on creative thinking, problem-solv-ing and adapting to their situations. Exercises included interacting with the media, navigating an obstacle course, scaling a rappel tower and building a device from random equipment.

“What we’re trying to teach these guys is that if you think your way through obstacles and problems, you can get through it,” said Master Sgt. John Farlow, a troop sergeant major in Able Squadron. “All this morning is about is adapting and figuring out how to overcome stuff.”

AWG provides operational advisory support globally to the Army and joint-force commanders to enhance Soldier survivability and combat effectiveness, and enable the defeat of current and emerging threats in support of unified land operations.

“We are charged by the Army to help develop solutions to problems people haven’t necessarily seen before — asymmetric problems,” said Maj. John Stroh, a troop commander with Able Squadron. “We don’t even know what the problems we’re going to solve will be.

“We can’t possibly even imagine all the threats and the problem we’ll face in the future, but what we can do is build a good, solid foundation of prob-lem-solving.”

Soldiers alternated between three stations, with about 45 minutes to complete each task. All of the exercises consisted of different challenges, but they required the team to find a solu-tion to a certain problem and move through it.

While each task could be achieved with brute force, Stroh said, the amount of physical work could be reduced by planning and creatively thinking of solutions. Eventually, Soldiers learn to be more innovative to accomplish the tasks.

“The goal is to adapt what you’re doing,” said Master Sgt. Drew Kirch-

AWG Soldiers train in adaptive drills

en, an AWG intelligence advisor. “It’s all about being able to problem-solve and mitigate.”

For example, one of the exercises was to create a contraption to carry a 300-pound bag down a gravel path. Soldiers were given three metal poles, a tire and ropes and were required to use each piece.

“This exact thing will probably never occur in combat, but it’s forcing us to work on problem-solving in general,” Stroh said. “It prepares us to deal with uncertain situations.”

Soldiers also were asked a series of questions by a journalist, similar to what could happen during a deploy-ment. This aspect of the drill helped participants figure out the best way to

interact with the media.“Our ability to clearly communicate

with the press is essential,” Stroh said.Soldiers also conducted a drill at a

rappel tower that required a variety of tools to get their team to the top of the tower within 35 minutes. With little time to plan, team members were forced to quickly find a solution to the challenging task.

“It’s designed so that if you have a perfect plan you can do it,” Farlow said. “If you have a less than perfect plan — which is going to happen — then you can’t do it. And they have to overcome that by adapting.”

The final task for the morning drills was to move through an obstacle course carrying a 160-pound stretcher. As a

group, the entire team had to make its way through the various obstacles while still searching for a specific water can among several decoys.

During the training, several AWG members called the drills strenuous and challenging. But that is the point, Kirchen said.

“It’s always difficult,” he said. “In order for the training to be effective, it needs to be challenging.”

photo by maj. sonise lumbaca

Soldiers from the Asymmetric Warfare Group use a tire, steel poles and ropes to move a 300-pound bag down a gravel road during a predeployment exercise on April 25 at Fort A.P. Hill, Va. The weeklong training focused on creative thinking, problem solving and adapting to challenges.

connect with Fort meade at Facebook.com/ftmeade


News

Story and photo by Sgt. 1st Class Mark Bell200th Military Police Command

POZNAN, Poland — For one week, a Fort Meade Reservist competed against some of the best military equestrians during the 2012 World Cavalry Champi-onships in Poland.

The competition was held April 18 to 22, 200 miles west of Warsaw.

Master Sgt. Cindy Babb, a noncom-missioned officer assigned to the 200th Military Police Command, won first place for the show-jumping portion and third place for team scores of the inau-gural competition.

Babb and 23 other competitors repre-senting Poland, Austria, Germany and other European countries tested their skills in dressage, skill at arms, horseback orienteering, tent pegging, show-jump-ing and other cavalry-related events.

“Here, it doesn’t matter who comes away with the time prize,” Babb said. “What’s more important are the new friendships that were developed through-out the week. I am here representing not only the Army Reserve, but all Ameri-cans.”

From the start, Babb was the favorite among competitors, media and local onlookers. As the only female com-petitor, Babb said it was important to demonstrate that women and men can compete, work and, if needed, fight side-by-side.

“Gender is not a factor in a cavalry competition,” she said. “What is impor-tant is that we all stand here this week carrying our countries’ flags with honor and remember those who have sacrificed before us.”

Although Babb initially struggled with communicating with her teammates from Poland, their love of horses quickly bridged any frustrations with the lan-guage barrier.

“Without a translator it’s tough to express my thoughts to them,” she said. “But when it comes to horses we share something in common, and that lan-guage barrier seemingly disappears for a

brief moment.”Polish rider Miroslaw Bajak said

watching Babb was amazing.“Cindy showed all riders in the com-

petition that Americans have the will to succeed and honor for others who win,” he said.

Babb, whose horse Calvin is stabled near Fort Meade, arrived in Poland a week earlier to train on a Polish horse.

When riding another horse, it takes time to build confidence between the rider and steed. Babb used that short week to grow a bond with Finka.

“I am so excited to be able to ride Finka,” Babb said while tightening the saddle prior to a military inspection.

Using a small piece of cloth, Babb buffed the round metal “U.S.” emblem that connected several leather straps around the horse’s head.

Finka remained calm as Babb walked around the horse, making final adjust-ments to the saddle and combing the long hair running down Finka’s back.

“Good girl,” Babb said to reassure the dark-brown muscular horse as she prepared for the next event of the com-petition.

“I want to take her home with me, but I don’t think I could get her in my luggage,” Babb said laughing. “She is so beautiful and rides fantastic.”

Following her Polish comrades who filled her international team, Babb wore her Army Service Uniform with riding pants that matched the blue and gold colors of her service pants.

Babb appeared from the large stable’s sliding door and into the cool air of the training facility where some of the best Polish equestrians have trained. Onlook-ers quickly focused their attention on Babb. They took turns standing next to Babb for a quick photograph while she waited for her inspection.

As the announcer started speaking in Polish, “Cindy Babb” were the only familiar words that cued her to move to the center of a line of more than 20 cavalrymen.

The judge talked with the scorekeeper

Forging friendships one horse at a timeReservist competes in World Cavalry Championship

Master Sgt. Cindy Babb, a training noncommissioned officer for the Army Reserve’s 200th Military Police Command on Fort Meade, tightens equipment on her horse prior to competing in the horseback orienteering course during the 2012 World Cavalry Championships held April 18 to 22 in Poznan, Poland.

as Babb’s eyes were trained forward. A little chuckle between the two judges raised concerns before a military transla-tor calmed everyone’s nerves.

“It’s OK Cindy,” he said. “They are looking for something wrong, and they can’t find it.”

For a brief moment, Babb broke her military bearing for a small smile, but quickly refocused on the inspection.

“She is perfect up there,” said one cav-alry service member from Great Britain. “She is doing wonderful, and you would never know she has been riding the horse for only a week.”

Babb returned to the line of competi-tors, and her Polish teammates had their turns with the judge.

“Horses require less attention than Soldiers,” she said laughing. “The best thing about horses is they don’t ask why, but at times they will do what they want to do.”

The most difficult and dangerous event of the competition was on the last day of field trials. Skill at arms tested both the

rider and horse in various elements of a cavalryman including working with a saber, pistol and lance and engaging various targets.

By this point Babb was clearly the crowd’s — and fellow competitors’ — favorite.

The crowd cheered and international media focused their cameras as Babb entered the skill-at-arms arena. A black pad with the 200th MP patch sewed near the bottom rear corner above a gold “U.S.” sewn into the fabric let everyone know a military police NCO had entered the large grassy area.

Babb was representing not only an entire country, but also was exposing others to the Army Reserve.

“I am very proud of who I am and what I have accomplished as an Army Reserve Soldier,” she said. “Hopefully, the international community here will walk away with a positive experience and better understanding of who we are as a nation and the values we understand are important as Americans.”


News

Story and photo by Brandon BieltzStaff Writer

The last time Ernest Fager was at Fort Meade, the installation was a training cen-ter for more than 200 units and approxi-mately 3.5 million Soldiers preparing to head to Europe or the South Pacific during World War II.

But last week, Fager celebrated his 90th birthday by returning to his first post with his five children. During the two-day visit, the Fager family toured the installation and the Fort Meade Museum and shared birthday cake with Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein.

“Nothing is the same,” said Fager, who traveled from his home in Murphysboro, Ill. “I’m going to try to see everything, but there ain’t no way you can see it all.”

The idea to bring Fager back to Fort Meade started after he wrote about his military experiences so his family could pass down the information to later generations. When reading about his experiences, his children discovered that Fager spent a brief part of his military service at Fort Meade.

“That’s when we decided we ought to take Dad back to the first post he went to after Fort Sill [in Oklahoma],” said Maj. Arthur Fager, of the Illinois Army National Guard.

Leaving in the afternoon of April 22, the family made the 850-mile trip from Murphysboro to the installation overnight, arriving at 3 a.m. Their first stop later that

afternoon was garrison headquarters for birthday cake with Rothstein.

The family then toured the museum with Fort Meade historian Robert Johnson. While walking through the exhibits, Ernest Fager spotted some equipment he used dur-ing his days in the military.

“A lot of this stuff here I’ve seen and handled,” he said.

When stationed at Fort Meade in 1943, Ernest Fager was assigned to the commu-nications section of the 89th Field Artillery, 25th Infantry Division.

The one thing he remembered most from his time on the installation was the good food.

“We didn’t have that good of food at Fort Sill,” he recalled.

After a few months, he was sent to Camp Stoneman, Calif., and then deployed to the South Pacific theater as a replacement in the Guadalcanal campaign.

“The campaign there was pretty well over, but we’d have a lot of air raids,” the former private first class said. “They’d come in with about 110 planes. It was quite a show. I didn’t see too much of it because the shrapnel was falling around so we would run into the jungle and get out of that. But you’d still hear the shrapnel falling into the jungle like hail.”

During his time with the 25th ID, Fager would move to front lines with officers and a few noncommissioned officers to direct fire. One of his jobs was carrying on his

World War II vet returns to Fort Meade

Ernest Fager, a World War II veteran who was stationed at Fort Meade in 1943, tours the post museum April 23 during his two-day visit to the installation. Fager and his family also met with Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein and toured the installation.

back a radio built for a Jeep.At the museum, he pointed out a few

radios and telephones similar to those he operated.

The following day, Johnson took the family on a driving tour throughout the installation to view historical sites and markings.

Arthur Fager said his family was

“blessed” to take the trip and learn more about their father.

“I think all my brothers could agree we had the best role model in the world,” Arthur Fager said. “Coming to see the places that shaped him is what makes us proud and makes us a little bit in awe of the things he’s seen and done. We just wanted to have a little piece of that.”

Beware of gum diseaseBy Lisa YoungU.S. Army Public Health Command

Clean and healthy teeth and gums are more important than for just an attractive smile. Gum diseases are serious infections that can lead to tooth loss.

Unfortunately, the beginning stages of gum disease are not painful and often go unnoticed. Many people develop gum dis-ease to a varying degree in early adulthood due to hormonal changes that persists, depending on the health of the teeth and gums.

Gum or periodontal disease begins when the bacteria in plaque, the sticky colorless film that is constantly being formed on the teeth, causes the gums to be infected and swollen. If the plaque is not removed, it

turns into a hard deposit called tartar that is trapped at the base of the tooth and irritates the gums.

The mildest form of periodontal disease is gingivitis. It often occurs when a person does not brush and floss their teeth ade-quately, or does not have regular cleanings with a dental hygienist.

Symptoms of gingivitis are not usually painful. They include:

• Bleeding gums, particularly when teeth are brushed

• Bright red gums• Gums that are tender when touched

but otherwise painless• Swollen gums• Shiny appearance to gumsThis form of gum disease is reversible

with professional treatment and good oral care.

If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis, which occurs when the plaque and bacterial infection grow below the gum line.

Over time, the toxins produced by the bacteria stimulate an inflammatory response in the body so that the tissues and bone that support the teeth are broken down and destroyed.

As the disease progresses, the gums sepa-rate from the teeth, and the spaces between the teeth and gums deepen and eventually more gum tissue and bone are destroyed.

The risk of periodontal disease is increased by:

• General illness• Poor dental hygiene• Hormonal changes during pregnancy

that increase gum sensitivity• Uncontrolled diabetes• Misaligned teeth and rough edges of

fillings, ill-fitting braces, dentures, bridges or crowns

• Certain medications such as phenytoin and birth control pills

The goal of treatment for periodontal disease is to reduce inflammation. The teeth are cleaned professionally by a dentist

or dental hygienist with various devices to loosen and remove the plaque and hard tartar from the teeth.

Teeth cleaning at least twice a year and possibly more often is required to keep the buildup of plaque off teeth. This is followed by careful oral hygiene on a daily basis.

Antibacterial mouth rinses may be rec-ommended in addition to frequent tooth brushing and flossing. Special tools such as certain toothpicks or floss, antiplaque toothbrushes and tooth paste, water irriga-tion or other devices also may be suggested by the dentist for people who are particu-larly prone to plaque deposits.

To prevent the reoccurrence of peri-odontal disease, strict oral hygiene must be maintained for a person’s whole life.

For more information about gum dis-ease, visit the American Dental Association website at www.ada.org or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.cdc.gov/OralHealth.


Cover Story

The fairesT of Them allBy Lisa R. RhodesStaff Writer

A spring chill did not prevent about 2,500 people from attending Fort Meade’s 26th annual Family Fun Fair on Saturday at McGill Training Center.

The four-hour event, sponsored by Child, Youth and School Services, was part of the installation’s annual observance of the Month of the Military Child.

“This is our opportunity to pay hom-age to military kids,” said Francisco Jamison, CYSS youth administrator. “It’s our chance to give a little back to them for all that they go through as military children.”

Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein, who attended with his wife, Audrey, and children Emily and Sam, welcomed families.

“This program is important to me as garrison commander and also as a dad,” Rothstein said. “Emily and Sam didn’t sign up for this life, they got into it by birth. The resilience of military kids comes from their parents and programs like this. Enjoy the day.”

The fair’s teenage hosts were Nate Hutchings, son of Chaplain (Capt.) Wyne Hutchings, chaplain for the 308th Military Intelligence Battalion, and Rebekah Bra-nham, daughter of Navy Chief Daniel

Branham of Naval Support Activity in Washington, D.C.

The event featured a wide range of activities including a youth talent show; dance performances, a piano recital and Tae Kwon Do demonstration by SKIES Unlimited; pony and train rides; face-painting; a moon bounce and inflatable slides. Families also enjoyed low-cost hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken tenders, fries, sodas and funnel cake.

Many on- and off-post organizations and businesses displayed informational booths about youth and health services and community programs. They included the Fort Meade Family Advocacy Pro-gram, the Fort Meade School Liaison Office, the Fort Meade Girl Scouts, the Anne Arundel County Recycling Divi-sion, the Fort Meade Credit Union and Johns Hopkins-U.S. Family Health Plan.

“We look forward to doing this every year,” said Celena Flowers, Family Advo-cacy Program manager. “It gives us a chance to interact with Fort Meade fami-lies. We don’t often see families unless they come into the office, so this is exciting and meaningful for us.”

Flowers said many families asked about Army Community Service parenting class-es and other programs.

Jillian Waitcross, corresponding secre-

Family Fun Fair strengthens bonds with community

Photos by Jen Rynda

Isaac Blankenship, 4, of Fort Meade slips down an inflatable slide, one of several attractions at the Family Fun Fair.

RIGHT: Ryan Cano, 6, of Odenton waves to his parents during an amusement ride. Several post organizations participated in the fair including the Family Advocacy Program, the School Liaison Office, the Enlisted Spouses Club and the Fort Meade Credit Union.


Cover Story

statement of support

Claire Louder, president and CEO of the West Anne Arundel County

Chamber of Commerce, signs a statement of sup-port for National Guards-men and Reservists on Saturday at the Family

Fun Fair. Jean Hulet, out-reach director for the

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Mary-

land Committee, also signed the statement. ESGR is the lead DoD advocate for Reserve

Component employers.

Photo by Jen Rynda

tary for the Enlisted Spouses Club, said the event gave the club the opportunity to inform the community about its services and programs.

“Many people don’t know about us,” Waitcross said. “We’re all about giving back to the community.”

Janelle Aten, wife of Air Force Tech Sgt. David Aten, said she came to the event to support her 15-year-old daughter Tiffany who performed in several SKIES dance routines.

“We’re so proud of her,” Aten said. “She really expresses herself on stage.”

Tiffany, a sophomore at Meade High School, said she enjoys performing for the Fort Meade community.

“It was really fun. I like to be on stage,” Tiffany said. “It’s not as nerve-racking to perform for Fort Meade. It feels like it’s family. I know many people in the audi-ence.”

Five-year-old Brian Reba spent part of the afternoon with Lisa Polinroi, a profes-sional unicyclist and juggler who taught the youngster several juggling tricks.

“He loves it,” said Brian’s mother Stephanie Reba, a resident of Glen Bur-nie. “He’s having such a good time,”

Reba said that ever since her son saw a street performer in Baltimore several weeks ago, Brian has been practicing jug-

gling at home and was glad to see a juggler at the fair.

“It’s cool,” Brian said of juggling. “I like when I spin the plate on my finger.”

Maj. Keith Haskin, U.S. Cyber Com-mand, and his wife, Molly, watched as their 4-year-old son Luke jumped on the moon bounce.

“We just came out to let our son burn off some energy,” said Haskin, who lives with his family in Meuse Forest. “We came to the July 4th celebration and the National Night Out and had a lot of fun.”

Lisa Polinori, a professional juggler and unicyclist, entertains children at the Family Fun Fair on Saturday. The annual event featured a wide range of activities including pony rides, face painting, a moon bounce and skateboarding park.

Jordan Voegele, 2, of Glen Burnie and Beau Barron, 2, of Fort Meade become friends during a balloon-sword fight.

LEFT: Sgt. Eric Perez of Fort Meade holds up his smiling 8-month-old daughter Victoria during the Family Fun Fair on Saturday. Other parents enjoyed watching their children perform dance routines and participate in a Tae Kwon Do demonstration through SKIES Unlimited.

Steve Singer attended with his wife, Katy, a receptionist at the Fort Meade Veterinary Treatment Facility, and their son Victor, 10, and daughter Amber, 8.

Amber, who is enrolled in SKIES Unlimited, performed in jazz, ballet and tap routines. Victor participated in activi-ties at the Arundel Mills Lego Store booth.

“I like building and I like creating stuff,” said Victor after he built a model car.

Steve Singer said he appreciates activi-ties such as the fun fair because it builds a bond between Fort Meade and families.

“It’s fantastic,” the Glen Burnie resi-dent said. “It’s a way to stay involved in the Fort Meade community.”


News

By Lisa R. RhodesStaff Writer

Jaron McKinnon is a determined young man.

For a second consecutive year, the Meade High School senior has earned the title of Fort Meade’s Youth of the Year. McKinnon was recognized Sat-urday at the Family Fun Fair for his accomplishment.

“I’m excited, I’m extremely ecstatic,” the 18-year-old said.

The Fort Meade honor is the Boys and Girls Clubs of America’s local con-test for its National Youth of the Year competition.

Fort Meade’s Child, Youth and School Services is a longtime affiliate of the BGCA. McKinnon is a member through his activities at the Teen Center.

“Jaron is an exceptional young man,” said Francisco Jamison, CYSS youth administrator. “He is an excellent stu-dent, a first-rate poet and a wonderful role model for all youths and teens in our community.”

McKinnon, who competed against another Fort Meade teen for the local honor, was selected by Garrison Com-mander Col. Edward C. Rothstein and other garrison leaders.

McKinnon, who resides in Patriot Ridge with his parents, Nikole and Staff Sgt. John Daniel McKinnon, has been active in BGCA and the Teen Center for three years. He is the president of the center’s Keystone Club, a community service club, and tutors teens at the cen-ter. He also is a member of the center’s technology and music clubs.

A poet, McKinnon organizes the center’s monthly Poetry Jam, one of its most popular youth activities, said Kal-lie James-Wintjen, assistant director of the Teen Center who submitted an essay about him for the award. McKinnon also is president of the poetry club at Meade High School and a member of its drama and Socratic clubs.

“It’s awesome,” said James-Wintjen of McKinnon’s selection. “It’s a big honor for both Jaron and us. He is one of our family. We are proud of him. He deserves it.”

To be selected, McKinnon had to write two essays — one on what the BGCA means to him and another on the importance of a post-high school

Poetry in motionMeade High School senior selected as Fort Meade Youth of the Year

education.“I believe that a post-high school

education is important to me because it may increase my chances of making a difference in the lives of others,” McK-innon wrote in his essay. “I want to help people see that if we all incorporate our personal truth and commit to change, we can alter history.”

McKinnon also had to ask several adult mentors and his peers to write an essay about his commitment to his home and family, community, school and the Teen Center, as well as the strength of his moral character and his life goals.

The eldest of three, McKinnon plans to attend DePaul University in Chicago

to major in psychology and journalism. He hopes to work as a radio disc jockey and write a book.

“Staying focused and being involved in the community can culminate in achieve-ment,” he said.

McKinnon is confident that he has a good chance of being named Maryland Youth of the Year when he competes later this month against fellow members of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

“I feel I will fare well,” the teen said. “I feel that I am focused and willing to represent the Fort Meade Boys and Girls Clubs to the fullest. I will do my best to express all I have learned at the Teen Center and at school, and that will help

me to win.”If McKinnon wins the state title, he

will receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Tupperware Brands Corporation. He will then compete for the title of the Northeast Region Youth of the Year and an additional $10,000 scholarship from Tupperware.

In September, five regional winners will compete for the national title in Washington, D.C. The national winner will receive an additional scholarship of up to $50,000 from the Rick and Susan Goings Foundation, a private nonprofit organization. The winner also will have the opportunity to meet with the presi-dent at the White House.

photo by jen rynda

Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein presents Meade High School senior Jaron McKinnon, the Fort Meade Youth of the Year, with a certificate of appreciation at the installation’s 26th annual Family Fun Fair on Saturday.


Community news & notes

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

For more information or to submit an announcement, email Chad Jones at [email protected] or call 301-677-1301.

Kimbrough closureKimbrough Ambulatory Care Center will

be closed May 11 to allow its staff to partici-pate in their quarterly mandatory training.

Medical out-processingTo better assist all active-duty service

members and their families scheduling to depart Fort Meade, Kimbrough Ambulatory Care Center’s Outpatient Medical Records department is requesting they contact Outpatient Medical Records 30 days in advance to complete out-processing of the Medical Records section.

This request applies to active-duty service members who are either leaving Fort Meade or the military. The information will allow the Medical Records department to review and complete all administrative processing before the service member departs the area.

Official orders may be brought to Outpatient Medical Records or faxed to 301-677-8693 to begin the out-processing of their medical records.

BOSS Cinco de Mayo Barbecue

Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers will celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a free barbecue for single Soldiers on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Freedom Center Barracks Courtyard.

Participants can enjoy volleyball and flag football.

For more information, call 301-677-7785.

Meade’s Mega MarketMeade’s Mega Market will be held

Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Meade Middle School, rain or shine.

The community yard sale will feature a silent auction from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Turn in your gold for cash from 9 a.m. to

Photo by Pfc. AlexAndrA cAmPo

tea time for cinderellaQueen Waddell, Fort Meade USO Center coordinator, helps line up young girls waiting to enter the Tulip Cafe for the Princess Tea Party at Project Cinderella on April 21 at McGill Training Center. Project Cinderella is a USO event for female military spouses and active-duty service members, which allows them to browse “Cinderella’s” closet and take home a new or slightly used dress and accessories.

noon. A hamburger/hot dog stand will be on hand from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Yard sale tables are available for $25 each or $40 for two. Vendors are welcome.

For table space or more information, email [email protected] or [email protected] or call 410-674-2355.

Military Spouse Appreciation Luncheon

A free luncheon to honor military spouses will be held May 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Club Meade.

The event is open to the first 100 spouses who register.

A lunch buffet will be served. Speakers include Audrey Rothstein, wife of Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein, and Frank Klein, husband of Rear Admiral Margaret Klein, chief of staff of U.S. Cyber Command.

To register or for more information, call 301-677-4118.

Naval Academy Band performance

The U.S. Naval Academy Band will perform a special Armed Forces Day Concert on May 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Annapolis Area Christian School, 109 Burns Crossing Road, Severn.

Conducted by Devona Schiller, chief musician, the band will present a program including “Lincoln Portrait,” by Aaron Copland, and “Summon the Heroes” and “Midway March” by John Williams.

Midshipman 2nd Class Samuel Strelkoff will be the featured vocal soloist, performing the “Toreador Song” from Georges Bizet’s opera, “Carmen,” as well as a salute to America’s veterans with “Armed Forces on Parade.”

The free concert is open to the public with no tickets required.

For more information, call 410-293-1262, or visit the band online at www.usna.edu/USNABand or www.facebook.com/USNABand.

Latin NightEnjoy an evening of dancing in a

nightclub ambiance on May 11 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Club Meade.

There is no cover charge. A cash bar will be available.


Military Appreciation Barbecue

The USO’s third annual Military

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

NEWS & EVENTS


pages/chapel/chapel.html.

Auto care coursesThe Automotive Skills Center at 6530

Taylor Ave. is offering the following courses:

• “How to replace brake pads and shoes,” on Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m.

• “How to change CV boots/axles” on June 3, 1 to 3 p.m.

Cost is $10 for each.An FMWR card is required to use

the Auto Skills Center. New patrons must first view a 20-minute safety video, then attend a 10-minute briefing at the Auto Skills Center before receiving the FMWR card.


Youth Cinco De Mayo dance

Youths in grades six to eight can celebrate Cinco De Mayo with a dance Friday from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the

Youth Center.Light refreshments will be sold at the

snack bar. A coupon for free nachos will be given to the first 100 guests.

Cost is $5. For more information, call 301-677-1437.

StorytimeThe Medal of Honor Memorial

Library offers pre-kindergarten Storytime on Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

• Garden-themed stories will be read today.

• Mother’s Day Storytime, featuring stories, songs and finger plays about mothers, will be held May 10.


Out & About• Celebrate the 20th annual Cinco de

Mayo Festival on Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. at the Sylvan Theater at the

National Mall in Washington, D.C., rain or shine. The free festival will include live performances, a Mexican market, Latino food, arts and crafts, and a health fair with free health screenings. The Maru Montero Dance Company will perform. For more information, visit marumontero.com/cinco.htm.

• The Annapolis City Fair will be held Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Monday from noon to 6 p.m. at the Annapolis City Dock during the National Offshore One-Design Regatta. The fair will feature pony rides, a Lego building station, a “Jaws of Life” demonstration and a life-sized chess game. For more information, visit www.ci.annapolis.md.us.

• The Bowie Baysox is celebrating a “Mardi Gras in May Beer Dinner” with a Cajune theme on May 16 at Prince George’s Stadium, when the Baysox take on the Altoona Curve at 7:05 p.m. The event includes a two-hour buffet and three-hour open bar in the Diamond View restaurant.

Food is served from 6 to 8 p.m. Beer is served from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $44, or $39 for Baysox ticket-plan holders.


Appreciation Barbecue will be held June 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the courtyard at the Freedom Center Barracks.

The free event will feature hamburgers, hot dogs, side dishes, desserts and prizes.

This barbecue is open to active-duty service members only.

For more information, call Queen Waddell at 410-305-0660 or email [email protected].

Karaoke NightThe 11th Frame Lounge at the Lanes

hosts a free Karaoke Night on the third Thursday of the month.

The next Karaoke Night will be May 17 from 7 to 10 p.m. The public is invited.


Fleet Center classesThe Fleet and Family Support Center

at 830 Chisholm Ave. offers free classes to DoD ID cardholders. Advanced registration is required.

• Consumer Awareness, May 10, 1 to 3 p.m.

• Federal Employment: May 15, 9 a.m. to noon. The free workshop teaches the basics of the federal employment system.

• ID Theft: May 15, 9 to 11 a.m. Learn to minimize your risks and protect your identity.

• Credit Management: May 17, 1 to 3 p.m.

To register or for more information, call 301-677-9017 or 301-677-9018.

Couples Resiliency Workshop

The Fort Meade Couples Resiliency Workshop will be held May 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Argonne Hills Chapel Center.

The free workshop will feature Kelly Simpson, author of the evidence-based active relationships skills program.

To register, call the Religious Sup-port Office at 301-677-6703. For more information, visit www.ftmeade.army.mil/

EDUCATION

YOUTH

Photo by JAson Kelly

walking with purposeMore than 30 people participate in the installation’s “Walk a Mile in a Victim’s Shoes” on Friday around McGlachlin Parade Field. The walk was the final event in Fort Meade’s observance of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

RECREATION

NEWS & EVENTS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 17



Tickets must be ordered by May 11 at 3 p.m. For more information or to order tickets, 301-464-4881. Parking is free at every Baysox home game.

Tickets are available at www.baysox.com or by calling the Baysox box office at 301-464-4865.

• Port Discovery Children’s Museum, 35 Market Place, Baltimore, is sponsoring “Saluting the Troops” through May 28. Active-duty service members and retirees who present their military identification will receive free admission for themselves and one guest, plus a 10 percent discount at the gift shop. For more information, call 410-727-8120 or visit www.portdiscovery.org.

• The Association of German-American Societies of Greater Washington’s annual German-American festival will be held Sunday from 2 to 7 p.m. at Blob’s Park in Jessup.

The event will feature German food and beer, raffles, door prizes, Hugs the Clown, music performed by Mike and the Continentals, and German folk dancing by the Alpine Dancers.

Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for students with student identification. Entry is free for children ages 12 and younger. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.agas.us or email [email protected], or call 301-577-6488 or 301-559-1944.

• Fort Meade Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America will meet today at 11:30 a.m. at Club Meade. Retired Navy Capt. Norm Taylor, president of the Maryland Council of Chapters of MOAA, will discuss the annual “Storming the Hill” efforts by MOAA in April on Capitol Hill. The public is invited. For more information and reservations, call Wayne Hobbs at 410-799-8331.

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

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

The group is for families who have a service member at any stage of deployment. Children may participate in activities designed to aid their understanding and coping skills related to deployment.

For more information, call Rikki Ford, Parent Support coordinator, at 301-677-3617 or email [email protected].

• NARFE Chapter 1519 will meet Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Holy Trinity Parish Hall, 7436 Baltimore-Annapolis Blvd., Glen Burnie.

The speaker will be Sen. James “Ed” DeGrange Sr., who represents District 32 and is a member of the Budget and Taxation Committee and is chairman of the Capital Budget and the Public Safety, Transportation, and Environment subcommittees.

All current and retired federal employees and their spouses are invited. For more information or to join, call Diane Shreves, publicity chairman, at 410-760-3750.

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

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

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

• Fort Meade E9 Association meets the second Friday of every month at 7 a.m. in the Pin Deck Cafe at the Lanes. The next meeting is May 11. The association is open to active, retired, Reserve and National Guard E9s of any uniformed service. All E-9s in this area are invited to attend a breakfast and meet the membership. For more information, visit www.e9association.org or call 410-551-7953.

• Single Parent Support Group meets the second and fourth Monday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m. at School Age Services, 1900 Reece Road. The next meeting is May 14.

Topics include legal and custody issues, discipline, dating and co-parenting with a previous partner. Free child care will be provided on site.

For more information, call Rikki Ford, Parent Support coordinator, at 301-677-3617 or email [email protected].

MEETINGS

PREAKNESS®CELEBRATION

presented by THE BOB LUCIDO TEAMRE/MAX ADVANTAGE REALTY

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FESTIVALHE BOBB LUCUCIDIDO TEAMAMat Turf Valley

FESTIVAL THURSDAY & FRIDAYMay 10th - 11th 4pm - 9pmBALLOON LAUNCHESTHURSDAY May 10th 6:30pmFRIDAY May 11th 6:30amFRIDAY May 11th 6:30pmSATURDAY May 12th 6:30am

T U R F V A L L E Y

Admission is free. All parking will beoff site at Howard County Fairgrounds,$5 per car. Shuttle service from TurfValley to Fairgrounds.

410-465-1500 ext. 2874WWW.TURFVALLEY.COM

CelebratingThe Sun’s

175th Birthday

Must present this ad in order to receive these offers.Offer valid May 17-24, 2012. Not valid during Day Out With

Thomas or combined with any other offer.

Commemorative admission prices from May 17th-May 24th

B&O Railroad Museum

Ellicott City Station

Mount Clare Museum House

$10.75 per ticket

$1.75 per ticket

$1.75 per ticket

www.borail.org

www.ecborail.org

www.mountclare.org


SportS

photos by brendan cavanaugh

“Good Bye” is painted in the grass near the ninth-hole green at the Courses. The 27-hole golf course closed Tuesday after 70 years.BELOW: Adam Kalafos chips his ball toward the green as Nick Couzantino watches during Sunday’s Commander’s Cup. More than 140 golfers participated in the annual event held at the Courses.

‘End of an Era’

By Brandon BieltzStaff Writer

After sponsoring countless golf tour-naments at Fort Meade for more than a decade, Matt Hauser stood on the tee-box preparing for the final hole he’ll play at the Courses. With mixed emotions, Hauser was just happy to have hit the ball well.

“We’ll miss this more than you know,” he said.

Hauser was among the 144 golfers who squeezed in a final round at the Courses during the Commander’s Cup on Sunday afternoon before the facilities shut down after more than 70 years of golf.

The Courses at Fort Meade, which opened in 1950, originally featured 18 holes, a driving range, putting green and clubhouse, and hosted notable golfers, including President Dwight D. Eisenhow-er. In 1952, the Courses grew by another 18 holes.

But in recent years, the Courses lost nine holes and the driving range during the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure

when headquarters for the Defense Media Activity and Defense Information Systems Agency were built on a portion of the course.

Last year, 35,000 rounds of golf were played at the 27-hole facility.

The Courses closed Tuesday for major construction projects tied to mission expansion, making the Commander’s Cup the last tournament to be played on Fort Meade.

“This is not a very solemn event right now,” said Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein prior to the tourna-ment. “This should be a happy occasion.”

Golfers who have claimed the Courses as their home course for years flocked to the event to give the facility a proper farewell.

“I wouldn’t miss the last tournament,” said Joe Pacileo, who has played at the Courses for 15 years. “It’s the end of an era.”

Lewis Shipp, who began playing at Fort Meade when he joined the National

Post bids farewell to Courses with Commander’s Cup


SportS

‘End of an Era’

After nearly 20 years of playing at the Courses, Tom Thomas prepares to putt during the final tournament. Opened in 1950, the Courses closed Tuesday to make way for major construction projects tied to mission expansion.

Security Agency in 1967, returned for the Commander’s Cup for the first time in three years. He called the experience of participating in the final tournament “bit-tersweet.”

“It was a place you could always get a starting time, and you could always play,” Shipp said. “You always met your friends, people you knew from the [NSA] or from around the base. Even if you came out and

you didn’t have a foursome and you joined some people, they were good people. ... I know all the people who play here are going to miss it.”

At noon, golfers lined up in their carts ready to begin the 18-hole scramble tour-nament. After a brief welcome from Roth-stein, players were sent on their way for the last time.

“It was kind of sad, just knowing that it was the last time to play here,” said Rick Herrera, a patron since 2010.

Following the round of golf, partici-pants returned to the Clubhouse for a banquet. Rothstein assured golfers the Commander’s Cup will continue to live on, even if held at another course.

“This is the last drive you’re going to have on [the] Parks or Applewood [courses]; this is the last putt you’re going to have on these phenomenal greens,” he said. “But it doesn’t mean it’s going to be the last time you drive or you putt as part of the Fort Meade community.”

Winners of the tournament also were honored during the 40-minute banquet.

Sonny Sargent tees off during the Commander’s Cup, an 18-hole scramble.

John Dustin, Rod Frank, Bill Knapp and Bill Lange finished the competition with the lowest score, after shooting a 57.

Michelle Miller, Phil Nelson, Joan Lovelace and Don Vandeusen finished in second place with a score of 61. Also shooting 61, Jerry McFadden, Joe Belich, Fred Comings and John Petterson finished third. The tie-breaker was decided by the results of the last nine holes.

Individual-hole contest winners also were announced. Neil Dohtery won the

men’s closest-to-the-pin competition on the 18th hole; Lovelace won the women’s closest-to-the-pin on the sixth hole; and Ralph Darvey won the mixed closest-to-the-pin on the first hole.

Fleetwood Lilley won the 17th hole’s longest drive competition. Belich had the straightest drive on the 15th hole.

Despite the closing, golfers said the tournament was still a good time.

“It couldn’t have been a better end,” Pacileo said.

‘I know all the people who play here are going to miss it.’

Lewis shipp, who began playing at the courses in 1967

Lewis Shipp, who began playing at Fort Meade in 1967, loosens up before Sunday’s tournament at the Courses.


SportS

Sports ShortsBaltimore Orioles 4-H Day

Maryland 4-H Day will be held May 11 from 6 to 11 p.m. at Oriole Park at Camden Yards when the Baltimore Orioles take on the Tampa Bay Rays.

Members will sit in a designated section in matching shirts.The event is open to all registered middle school/teen members of Child,

Youth and School Services in grades six to 12.Cost is $5. A portion of every ticket sold will benefit the Maryland 4-H

Foundation. Payment and permission slip are due by Friday at 6 p.m. at the Youth Center.


Army Ten-Miler qualifierA qualifying run for active-duty service members interested in joining the

Fort Meade Army Ten-Miler team will be held Friday at Murphy Field House.The five-mile run will begin at 7:30 a.m.To register, call 301-677-7916 or 301-677-3318, or email lauren.l.williams@

us.army.mil.

Meade Athletics’ Boosters Golf ClassicThe Meade Athletics’ Boosters will sponsor its Golf Classic on Saturday

from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Compass Pointe Golf Course, 9010 Fort Smallwood Road, Pasadena.

The cost is $125 per golfer or $500 per four-person team and includes cart rental, driving range, beverages, breakfast and lunch.

Proceeds benefit the Meade High School Athletic Department.To register, visit www.meadeathletics.org. For more information, call Toby

Allen at 520-678-9313.

Youth Fishing RodeoThe community is invited to the Youth Fishing Rodeo on Saturday from 10

a.m. to 1 p.m. at Burba Lake.Registration will be held from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Burba Lake

Cottage. There will be no registration fee or pre-registration.Youths ages 3 to 16 will be divided into three age divisions. The Maryland

Department of Natural Resources will stock the lake. State fishing regulations will apply.

Awards will be presented for each age group.For more information, call Outdoor Recreation at 301-677-3810 or 301-677-3825.

Free golf in countyTo kick off the partnership between Fort Meade and Anne Arundel

County, Eisenhower Course at 1576 Generals Highway in Crownsville will offer free golf to the Fort Meade community on Tuesday.

To play, patrons must show a valid DoD identification card.To reserve a tee-time, call Eisenhower at 410-571-0973.

Patriot Pride runsThe installation’s annual run series continues with the Patriot Pride 10K Relay, 5K

Run and One-Mile Walk on May 19 beginning at 8 a.m. at Murphy Field House.The pre-registration cost for individuals is $15. Cost on the day of the run is $25.The pre-registration cost for groups of seven to 10 is $85.The pre-registration cost is $40 for a family of three to six people. On the day of

the event, the cost is $60 per family.All pre-registered runners will receive a T-shirt.The next run will be the Summer Sizzler 5K run and One-Mile Walk on June 16

at Constitution Park.For more information, call 301-677-7916.

Let me start by wishing you all a happy, belated “Bye Bye bin Laden Day.”

I get that it is not usually “appropriate” to celebrate death. But I think it is OK in this case. The Rolling Stones may have sympathy for a devil, but I do not. So please do not expect an apology (unless, of course, my boss makes me do it).

A few weeks ago, I shared some thoughts on the importance of making an apology when necessary. I even had examples of what a sincere apology looks like.

But what I didn’t get into is the other side of that issue: that is, knowing when not to make an apology. That’s significant because sticking to your guns seems to be a lost skill. If you are not sure what I mean, research a majority of the recent public apologies and you will see that the individuals making those apologies weren’t doing so out of remorse or because they did something out of character.

The apologies were made because the indi-vidual was caught or informed that he possibly insulted someone — anyone. For example, if I were a little more “sensitive,” I’d probably apol-ogize for using “he” in my last sentence instead of something gender neutral like “their,” even though literary style says to use masculine pronouns and “their” would be grammatically incorrect.

As you know, however, I’m not that sensitive but, apparently, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh is.

For those of you who don’t know, our hometown coach is currently in full backtrack mode after he said that the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots Super Bowls are “stained” by the actions the teams took in getting those titles — New Orleans with Boun-tygate, New England with Spygate.

The average sports fan, outside of those who root for the cheaters, thinks Coach Harbaugh’s original statement is fair, mostly because it is accurate.

Despite that logical thinking, Harbaugh felt the need to qualify his comments with the following quote:

“I could have been more clear that I was referring to those viewpoints. I totally believe that the Patriot and Saint coaches and players earned those championships. ... There has been some distortion about what I said.”

Don’t get me started about how lame and passive-aggressive the “out of context”

apology is.More impor-

tantly, why does he, or anybody for that matter, feel the need to apologize for the truth?

The simplest answers to those questions are:

1. It is easier to apologize as opposed to answer the hard questions that may come with your stance. Weak and un-American I know, but true.

In Harbaugh’s case, backtracking is easier than standing up and calling them cheaters. It also greatly reduces the chances of the accused to start checking under the hood of what the Ravens may or may not be doing to maintain their AFC Championship-game caliber success.

2. The public has come to expect an apology for anything remotely controversial, whether it is true or not.

The Pats and Saints cheated, but since say-ing so isn’t nice, Harbaugh is now the bad guy. This trend is not limited to sports. You also can check out politics for some great examples of what we now expect people to apologize for, i.e. being rich or touting the fact you took down Public Enemy No. 1.

But in an attempt to stay above the fray, I’ll end with an example of how to handle a tough issue without relying on a false apology.

We all know that the closing of the Cours-es stinks. Nobody — not the golfers, nor DFMWR or the commander — wanted the facility to close. And I think it is safe to say everyone feels bad that it had to close.

But as Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein has said, “It is an emotional decision but a necessary one.” And instead of trying to make everything better by saying sorry, the garrison decided to solve the problem — most notably, the recent agreements with Anne Arundel County.

But we also are pushing toward long-term solutions. Those actions are more sincere and show more empathy than any apology, and I’m proud of the fact we decided to let our actions show how we feel about a tough situation as opposed to just using words.

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

Standing tall makes you look good

Chad T. Jones, Public Affairs

Officer

Jibber Jabber - OpiniOn


Movies

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

Movies start Wednesdays to Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $4.50 for adults (12 and older) and $2.25 for children.

Today through May 20 (Closed Saturday)

Today: “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance” (PG-13). Johnny Blaze (Nicolas Cage) is still strug-gling with the curse of the Ghost Rider, a.k.a. the devil’s bounty hunter.

Friday: “A Thousand Words” (PG-13). In this comedy, Eddie Murphy plays a literary agent who stretches the truth on a business deal, and is then forced to realize the consequence of every word he speaks. With Kerry Washington, Cliff Curtis, Clark Duke and Allison Janney.

Sunday: “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax” (PG). Adap-tation of the classic Dr. Seuss story about a creature who speaks for the trees and, ultimately, shares a message of preservation and hope.

Wednesday & May 10, 12: “Mirror Mirror” (PG). Seven dwarfs help an exiled princess win back her kingdom. With Julia Roberts, Lily Collins and Armie Hammer.

May 11: “Project X” (R). Three high-school seniors throw a party designed to be an unforget-table experience.

May 13, 17 & 18: “21 Jump Street” (R). Two cops join a secret unit and use their youthful appear-ances to go undercover as high-school students.

May 16 & 20: “Wrath of the Titans” (PG-13). Ten years after defeating the Kraken, Perseus (Sam Worthington) is living as a fisherman and parent. But the gods must be angry, and it’s mainly due to mankind’s lack of devotion. With Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes.

Present This Ad and Receive$10.75 General Admission* May 12th and 13th

*Regular admission price is $13.95. Must present ad at the Box Office to receive discount. Cannot becombined with any other discounts or applied to tickets purchased online. Not valid for groups or

birthday parties. Offer valid on 5/12/12 and 5/13/12 only.

Children’s MuseumChildren’s Museum

New Exhibit! Opens May 19th

35 Market Place, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor • portdiscovery.org

TheAdventures of MR. POTATO HEAD exhibit was created by the Betty

Brinn Children’s Museum in collaboration with Hasbro.

Ranked Among the Top 5Children’s Museums in the U.S.!

175thAnniversarySpecial

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

Access Gates on Fort MeadeDemps Visitor Control Center,

Bldg. 902 Reece Road7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.,

Monday through Friday

Gate 1: Mapes Road and Route 32

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

Gate 2: Mapes Road and Maryland Route 175

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

closed weekends and holidays

Gate 3: Rockenbach Road5 a.m. to 9 p.m.,

7 days a week

Gate 6: Llewellyn Avenue and Maryland Route 175

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

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

Gate 7: Reece Road and Maryland Route 175

(Demps Visitor Control Center gate) 24-hour access

News & Politics

Fort Meade SoundOff for May 3, 2012