COMMENTARY Leading the way: A spark to start a fire, Page 2
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Technology
Sports legends share history, support community
‘I have cancer; cancer doesn’t have me’, Page 7
BATMAN’s friend, BATDOK, uses technology to save lives,
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NLLHOF kicks off Education Outreach Program
HEALTH
Friday, November 6, 2015 | Vol. 4 No. 44
BSC provides job opportunities for the blind Employees, staff applaud BISM, AbilityOne Base Supply Centers By Bobby Jones
Staff Photojournalist
Bobby Jones
Meadowlark Lemon, Harlem Globetrotter legend, shares his life story with audience members at Ebenezer A.M.E. Church in Ft. Washington Oct. 27. It was the kick off of a week-long series of events spotlighting sports legends at various events around the Capital area Oct. 27 through Oct. 31. By Bobby Jones
Staff Photojournalist
Dwayne Renal Sims, Founder Negro League Legends Hall of Fame (NLLHOF) Inc., introduced a week-long series of events spotlighting sports legends at various events around the Capital area Oct. 27 through Oct. 31. The NLLHOF-sponsored activities concluded with a Celebrity Basketball game Oct. 31, with special guests discussing challenges they faced as a youth. The game was played to bring awareness against bully’s, featured local politicians as well as television and radio personalities at Northwestern High School, in Hyattsville. Sponsored through his NLLHOF Education Outreach Program, the activities kicked off with “An Evening with Meadowlark Lemon,” Harlem Globetrotter Ambassador at Ebenezer AME Church in Ft. Washington Oct. 27. “When we talk about our communities’ history, we actually bring the history right here in living color; and then we can have a conversation. Usually when we introduce someone in person it encourages you to read more about them. People are surprised to find out
see NLLHOF, page 3
October 29th marked a milestone for the Blind Industries of Maryland (BISM), celebrating two decades of supplying job opportunities for blind and low vision or vision-impaired people. Jointly hosted by the 11th Wing Mission Support Squadron, a ceremony was held at the AbilityOne Base Supply Center, a division of BISM, on Joint Base Andrews to commemorate the event. JBA’s store opened in 2012. Keith Tyson, a BSC retail associate on Joint Base Andrews, reflected on the past of being blind and jobless during a time of needing to provide for his family. “I remember many nights hearing my wife cry in the middle of the night because I didn’t have a job,” said Tyson, who lost his sight to glaucoma as a teenager. “At that time I felt like less than a man; my wife having to bear the pressures of being the bread-winner,” said Tyson, a native Washingtonian. “But I was glad when I received a call from my Department of Rehabilitation counselor about an opening at BSC on Joint Base Anacostia Bolling in 2001.” Ecstatic about the possibilities, Tyson later transferred to Joint Base Andrews in 2012 shortly after the new BSC opened its doors. “I wanted to do more than just help people carry bags
Bobby Jones
Justin Gibson, a JBA AbilityOne Base Supply Center warehouse assistant who has low vision, uses Counterpoint software to check incoming orders.
to their cars,” said Tyson. “My mission is to get the word out there; to inform people about what the BSCs mean to blind people as far as employment.” “Tyson was instrumental in pioneering the Assistive Technology and hand-held scanners to better help him and others perform their jobs,” said Michael Backstrom, JBA BSC store manager. “When he was at Bolling he thought all he was going to do was just answer phones. But over the years, Tyson was the go-to-person. “ “He would test out the equipment and give feedback from a blind person’s perspective,” said Backstrom. “It was a learning curve for me, but I found out that everyone is the same in
this company. We’re all equal and all want the same things, a job, home and to be able to take care of our family,” said Backstrom. Tyson learned how to use the new equipment and routinely trains all new employees on how to use it. “I love training other people. I remember how grateful a young employee was at Bolling when I trained her. She cried with joy, because she had low self esteem and didn’t think she could do it. I told her and all of the people I’ve trained that they can call me anytime. Even if they just want to talk,” said Tyson.
see BSC, page 5
Air Force recognizes D.C. Air Guard as Outstanding Unit For the 15th time in their history, the D.C. Air National Guard’s 113th Wing received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for operational performance and mission accomplishment, setting clear track record as a showcase unit that can get the job done. “The Capital Guardians are committed to exemplifying the highest standards in the military with exceptionally meritorious service to both country and community,” said Brig. Gen. George Degnon, 113th wing commander. “Although an Air Guard unit,
we support numerous Active Duty commands and conduct daily operational missions protecting the skies of D.C. and providing strategic airlift for the First Lady, members of Congress, and the executive branch.” The 113th Wing distinguished itself by exceptionally meritorious service by flawlessly executing more than 1,500 F-16 missions and 480 Aerospace Control Alert missions with more than 2,500 total flying hours protecting the nation’s capital. The unit also conducted 14 First Lady and
Second Lady missions, 16 congressional delegation missions and 33 White House and Department of Defense missions. During the 2015, the 113th Wing also deployed more than 500 members in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, multi-national exercises PITCHBLACK, TRI-SLING and CRUZEX, as well as joint-forces exercise SENTRY SAVANNAH, while accomplishing both their peacetime and wartime missions.
see Air Guard, page 4