IN THIS ISSUE
Front page- Community to honor Armed Forces
- Local widows set to start Gold Star Wives chapter
- A journey for our vets
- Motorcyclists urged to join Iron Horse Rally
- Soldier Show returns to APG June 1
- FCC offers child care in a home setting
- Street Talk: "Heroes on the HomeFront" is the theme for the 2012 Armed Forces Week. How do YOU define a hero?
- A father's pride in son's service
- Stress and depression: Is there a connection?
- Lopez becomes ATEC's first master gunner
- Edgewood Contracting Division establishes early cutoff dates for 2012 procurement requests
- Richard Simmons offers tips for APG Spring Challenge participants
- ECBC, with FBI and Homeland Security, make STEM lessons real
- Lean Six project savings estimated at $37 M, aids in fight against insurgents
- Mark your Calendar
- SSCF fellows graduate
- APG drinking water safe to consume
- Front page stories continued
- RDECOM engineer raises $10,000, cycles 350 miles for wounded vets
- Front page stories continued
- A shot at making a difference
- Front page stories continued
WEEK OF MAY 10, 2012
TOP STORIES
Local widows set to start Gold Star Wives chapter
Thanks to four local women, APG may soon be home to a Gold Star Wives chapter.
Annette Sanders, Survivor Outreach Services support coordinator, is working with local widows of service members to help get the chapter off the ground. Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., is a nonprofit national service organization made up of widows/widowers whose spouses died while serving in the armed forces, as a result of service-connected disabilities or in armed conflicts involving U.S. forces.
The organization was incorporated in 1945 and granted a federal charter by Congress in 1980. Members of Gold Star Wives appear before House and Senate committees on issues concerning compensation, educational benefits, medical care and other programs pertaining to the welfare of military survivors.
Sanders, while not directly involved with the chapter, will help set up the group. As the installation's SOS support coordinator, Sanders said this is just an extension of what she does every day on the job-finding programs and resources to assist survivors.
"What I've found is that while some survivors are working or spending time with their children or grandchildren, a lot of them are lonely; a lot of them miss the military lifestyle" she said. "Having Family and friends is not the same as being around people with shared experiences and common bonds."
An important advantage to membership is the Gold Star influence on Capitol Hill, Sanders added.
"Any legislation affecting surviving widows, they will know about it. New widows and widowers are urged to come and be a part of this. The older ones have pushed a lot of legislation through to help the newer ones. Now they can get on board to help those coming after them." Along with official functions, Gold Star Wives chapters plan events for patriotic holidays, participate in public events and plan Family outings, she said.
"Most importantly, it allows the surviving spouse to stay connected to the Army so they know they are not forgotten," she said. "I tell survivors that when their Soldier was alive, he or she took care of you. Now that they're gone; it's the Army's turn to take care of you." The group is open to any widow/widower of a service member, regardless of where, when or in which branch they served.
One of the group founders is Spc. Margaretta Beckerman, a Soldier assigned to the 22d Chemical Battalion. Beckerman came to APG on a compassionate reassignment after her husband was killed in 2010 in Afghanistan, where they both were serving while assigned to Fort Campbell, Ky.
She said she met other potential group members through Sanders and the SOS program.
"The group brings a lot of relief when you find someone sharing the same feelings you have," she said. "It makes you realize you're not as alone as you thought you were."
"We all have children and other responsibilities but we've come together and now we keep in touch on a regular basis. It's more of a relationship now because we understand each other's sensitivities."
She said they plan to get the group off the ground as soon as they can manage some time issues.
"With new wives coming in all the time, it's very much needed," she said. "Being a young military widow, sometimes I feel forgotten. We want to reach out to other widows to let them know they're not forgotten."
To connect with organizers of the new Gold Star Wives chapter, contact Sanders at 410-278-2861 or e-mail casandra.a.sanders-nash.civ@mail.mil.
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Community to honor Armed Forces
Monday marks the beginning of a weeklong celebration to demonstrate appreciation for America's armed forces, and recognition throughout the week of the area's own "Heroes on the Home Front."
The celebration begins with a golf tournament Monday and veterans luncheon Tuesday, then highlights the diverse missions performed at Aberdeen Proving Ground with the Armed Forces Day open house Wednesday, May 16, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., on the grounds of the APG Museum. The opening ceremony at 10 a.m. will feature performances by the Chapel Hill Elementary School choir and the Southhampton Middle School band.
Raymund "Dimo" Dimatulac, plans and operations specialist for Garrison APG, said the event is "a fun day to celebrate with our armed services."
"This is our opportunity to honor our service members, their Families and our retirees," he said. "Our leadership asked us to show the entire community the work that goes on at APG every day. APG is a vital link to the success of our nation's military."
He said a total of 36 displays from more than two dozen installation organizations are slated for the event. Also planned are demonstrations from the National Guard's Freestate ChalleNGe cadets, Chemical Response Team, Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel, and canine units from the Directorate of Emergency Services.
Featured throughout the day will be music by "The Volunteers," the U.S. Army's premier touring show band, and "Leftstronger," a Baltimore-area band. Food will be available for purchase, and activities for children include a live wildlife exhibit, Kiddie Corner, McGruff the Crime Fighting Dog, D.A.R.E. activities and fire-fighting displays.
The events are open to the public. Visitors without a government ID must use the Maryland Boulevard (Route 715) gate off Route 40 to enter the installation. Visitors age 16 and older must have a photo ID and drivers must present a valid driver's license and vehicle registration at the visitor center.
Parking will be available in the vicinity of the APG Museum along Aberdeen Boulevard, between Maryland Boulevard and Rodman Road. See the shuttle schedule available for employees who would like to attend. For more information about the day's activities, call 410-278-4500.
The focus on healthy living will be reflected that day, as the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command; the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation; and the Community Health Promotion Council host National Employee Health and Fitness Day, which includes a 5K walk/run at Fanshaw Field at 8:30 a.m., a bike rally behind Bldg. 2202 at 8:30 a.m., and fitness classes in Bldg. 320.
An Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program demonstration will be held in Bldg. 3300, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Body fat analysis tests will be performed from noon-1 p.m. in Bldg. 3300. For more information about National Employee Health and Fitness Day, call 410-417-2312.
Ending the week's activities will be the live fire demonstration, hosted by ATEC's Aberdeen Test Center Saturday, May 19. Free tickets made available to the public on May 2 were distributed in less than an hour, said Michael Lupacchino, director of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation.
"The line started to form at noon," he said. "When the doors opened at about 1 p.m., there were more than 125 people in line." Lupacchino said 1,500 tickets were available, which were given to more than 300 people.
"Each person was able to get up to 5 tickets, but some took only two or three," he said.
Those who did not receive tickets were put on a waiting list, which was filled by the end of the day.
Lupacchino said organizers will determine whether additional tickets will become available for people on the waiting list. Tickets are required to attend the event due to space and safety requirements.
The day's activities will take place at the main front firing range. Gates open at 1 p.m. for equipment and vehicle displays. A 2:45 p.m. parade of vehicles includes a demonstration of how helicopters are used to put out range fires. The live fire demonstration begins at 3:15 p.m. Hearing protection will be provided. Children under age 4 years are not permitted due to safety concerns.
Closed toed shoes are required, no outside seating is allowed and all bags are subject to search.
To attend the live fire, enter APG through the Maryland Boulevard (Route 715) gate off Route 40 to enter the installation. Visitors age 16 and older must have a photo ID and drivers must present a valid driver's license and vehicle registration. Tickets to the demonstration must be presented at the gate.
Follow the signs to parking between Firehouse and Colleran Roads near Bldg. 305. Parking also is available on Longs Corner Road in the vicinity of Bldg. 310, and Johnson Street between Bldgs. 320 and 321. VIP and handicap parking is available on Colleran Road.
The Harford County Chamber of Commerce's Military Appreciation Week Luncheon will be held May 17 at 11:30 a.m. at the Richlin Ballroom, where APG's Soldier of the Year, Non-Commissioned Officer of the year and Family of the Year will be recognized. Tickets for the luncheon have been sold out, but those wanting to attend can have their names added to a waiting list. For information about the luncheon, call 410-838-2020.
Honorees this year are NCO of the Year Sgt. Olayiwola Kugblenu, a radiology technician at Kirk U.S. Army Health Clinic (KUSAHC), and Soldier of the Year Spc. Matthew J. Gansel, a medical laboratory specialist with KUSAHC.
The Calhoun Family has been recognized as this year's Family of the Year. Master Sgt. Joseph Calhoun of ATEC, wife Darlene, daughter Kaseolra, and son Keyon will be honored.
Guest speaker will be Maj. Gen. Robert S. Ferrell, installation commander and commander of U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command.
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