Capflyer 121214

COMMENTARY ‘Tis the season to drink responsibly, Page 2

DCMILITARY.COM

STAFF WRITER

The Prince George’s County Commission for Veterans, part of Family Services, held a focus group on Monday in an effort to access the needs of Veterans in the county to determine the feasibility of creating a local Veteran’s Affairs office in the county.

The first of focus groups, the objective of the meeting is to have people voice their opinion on the subject with the intention of taking the results back to the County Executive in a feasibility study.

The aim of these meetings are to get ideas and thoughts on specific questions on what the county should do – if the county should do anything – regarding acquiring a local Veterans Affairs office.

BASE NEWS

Cancer survivor gives philosophy on living life , Page 3

AN INDEPENDENT PUBLICATION OF COMPRINT MILITARY PUBLICATIONS AT JOINT BASE ANDREWS, MD.

Commission for Veterans holds focus group on feasibility of local Veterans Affairs office

BY LESLIE C. SMITH

COMMUNITY NEWS

Attendees were divided into four groups, with commissioners leading each group, to better facilitate discussion and to focus on answering discovery questions including: the pressing concerns of the military community; best ways to attract military veterans to remain in the county working, living and raising families; as well as what should be the functions of a local office.

State Senator Douglas J.J. Peters (D-District 23) also spoke during the meeting with updates concerning several items in regard to veterans in the county including the creation of a second Veterans’ home locally (like the Charlotte Hall), the cemetery expansion at Cheltenham, and in particular

D.C. soldiers, airmen work alongside Jamaican partners, Page 4

FRIDAY,DECEMBER 12, 2014 | VOL. 3 NO. 48

Seven men from Troop 487 elevate to Eagle Scout

see VETERANS, page 3 PHOTO/LESLIE C. SMITH

LIBERATORS DEPLOY IN SUPPORT OF OPERATING ENDURING FREEDOM

PHOTO/ STAFF SGT. AMBER RUSSELL

A group of Airman from the 459th Maintenance Group prepare to board a KC-135 Stratotanker.

The 459th Maintenance and Operations Group deployed to the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia and will provide aerial refueling in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Seven Scouts were elevated to the Eagle Court of Honor on Dec. 6 at Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, Md.

er. He encouraged the young men, sharing stories of famous historical Last Saturday, seven figures and the fortitude young men from Troup they displayed to per487 elevated to the rank severe and accomplish of Eagle Scout. These great things while overyoung men were honored coming obstacles. for their hard work and Mark Adams Scoutdedication at the Eagle master shared his pride Court of Honor ceremony for his Troop, “Last year held at Ebenezer AME in we had seven Eagles; Fort Washington, Md. this year we had seven Seth Adams, Nathan Adams, Bishop Beverly, Eagles... The Dragon Jelani Foster, Marlon patrol were tagalongs; Waits, Matthew Waits they started when the and Hauns White stood older scouts started, before family and friends they tagged along so they and received their pins were able to jump ahead as they moved to Eagle of their fellow scouts because they were always Scout.

David Tapscott, Chief doing activities with the Marketing Officer at guys – That’s why you Combs Enterprises, was have two sets of brothers. the special guest speak- They’re all very intelliBY LESLIE C. SMITH STAFF WRITER

gent young men; they all do well … I’m so proud I really can’t speak. I’ve been with them for 9 years and just watching them grow has been incredible…Nathan and Seth not only made Eagle but also have bronze and gold palm; and next week they go for their Silver.”

Assistant Scoutmaster, Rodney Beverly shared, “It’s a group effort and Troop 487, as a whole, have been supportive of not only my son, Bishop Beverly, but of all the young men that have come through Troop 487. The bottom line is the resources the church provides and the community – knowing what we are trying to do with

these young men – if you join troop 487, pretty much with your will, desire and effort to move forward we have the resources to help you reach the highest ranking in Scouting, Eagle Scout.

Involved with the program for 10 years, Bishop Beverly joined when he was in second grade, he was was a wolf scout, “and we have been a scouting family ever since. My wife and I have four kids and both our daughters are Girl Scouts and we have another son who is a second class scout and so we pray the girls will get their gold Scout awards and that Langston will

see EAGLE, page 5

Andrews Gazette

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Hot tickets around town December 12-14

Noon-5 p.m.

15th Annual Gingerbread House Contest & Show Darnall’s Chance House Museum, 14800 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro 20772 Come view an amazing display of edible gingerbread houses. You will have the opportunity to vote for best house in the Viewer?s Choice Award Competition. $1/person; Children 4 & under free

December 13-20

Holiday Trains and Planes College Park Aviation Museum, 1985 Cpl. Frank Scott Drive, College Park, Md Miniature trains, villages, tunnels and depots spark the imagination and bring history to life. The National Capital Trackers brings locomotive display of model railroads. Free with Museum Admission

December 13

11 a.m.

Movies at Montpelier: Frozen Sing-A-Long Montpelier Arts Center, 9652 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, MD 20708 For more information call 301-377-7800.

December 14

4 p.m.

An Cappella Holiday with The Capital Hearings Montpelier Arts Center, 9652 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, MD 20708 Since 2010, a cappella harmonies of The Capital Hearings have delighted Washington audiences, large and small. With repertoire ranging from Renaissance motets to modern hits, The Capital Hearings will be making spirits bright with a festive, family-friendly program of seasonal favorites, vocal jazz and contemporary arrangements.

Through January 1

Festival of Lights 5-9:30 p.m.

Watkins Regional Park, 301 Watkins Park Drive (Route 193) Upper Marlboro, MD 20774 This holiday drive-through event featuring more than one million twinkling lights. Please bring canned goods for donation to local food banks to make a difference this holiday season.

Through January 4

Gaylord National’s ICE! 201 Waterfront Street, National Harbor, Md. A special interactive, 100-acre, walk-through holiday park featuring a winter wonderland created of 2 million pounds of ice, hand sculpted by international artisans. This year’s theme is Frosty the Snowman.

COMPRINT MILITARY PUBLICATIONS Andrews Gazette is published by Comprint Military Publications, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, Md., a private firm in no way connected with the U.S. Air Force or any branch of the United States military.

The appearance of advertising in these publications, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force or the products and services advertised.

Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, martial status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non merit factor of the purchases, user or patron.

Maxine Minar, president mminar@dcmilitary.com John Rives, publisher

jrives@dcmilitary.com

Deirdre Parry, page design dparry@gazette.net Leslie Smith, editor lsmith@dcmilitary.com Bobby Jones, photographer bjones@dcmilitary.com

Friday, December 12, 2014

Commentary

‘Tis the season to drink responsibly speed at more than 80 mph in a 45 mph zone.

He never remembered what happened that night so the sequence It’s that time of year when holi- of events from his point of view is day parties and late night celebra- speculation. I expect he was too tions begin to fill our calendars and impaired to realize that the trafwe look forward to spending time fic light turned red as he couldn’t with family and friends to celebrate have slowed much to approach us our own special reasons for the sea- so quickly. son.

As we proceeded through the Every Christmas Eve, I cele- intersection, turning left on the brate my life and I give thanks for green signal, his vehicle suddenly being able to share the holiday with appeared on the right traveling tomy family. Nearly 30 years ago on ward us. Fortunately, his driver’s Christmas Eve, my father, brother side front bumper only clipped the and I were hit by a drunk driver. right front panel of our car, spinAfter a busy day of last-minute ning us 180 degrees and into the shoppers, my family and I closed grassy median. Our seat belts, forour business at the mall for the tunate timing, and the solid steel evening. We were one of the last framework of our 1978 Chevrolet cars to leave the parking lot and station wagon saved us from tragI remember being the only one on edy. the road. We sat patiently at a red Unfortunately, more than 30 light waiting to cross an intersec- years later, this is still a fairly pretion legally, even though there was dictable scenario. no cross traffic for as far as the eye Holiday drinking often leads to could see. Most travelers and shop- buzzed and drunk driving. Mothpers had returned home in prepa- ers Against Drunk Driving reports ration for the holiday. that approximately 1,000 people Meanwhile earlier that evening, die between Thanksgiving and New a 19-year-old male left a Christ- Year’s Day each year in drunk drivmas Eve party after drinking. He ing crashes. Hundreds more are inwas traveling on the divided high- jured or impacted, as we were that way that ran perpendicular to the night. access road we were exiting. The As an Airman, I have the rehighway patrol later estimated his sponsibility to lead by example;

BY COL. MAUREEN HARBACK

81ST DIAGNOSTICS AND THERAPEUTICS SQUADRON COMMANDER

to drink responsibly, designate a driver and be a good wingman; however, regardless of my actions, it is not enough to ensure my fellow citizens are following suit. As a result, I’ve adopted some defensive driving principles, and I am especially mindful of them at this time of year.

First, all riders wear a seat belt.

Seat belts are the best defense against drunk drivers. The safest place to be in an accident is in your vehicle and safety belts assure you stay there.

Second, avoid roadways late in the evening and very early mornings, especially on holidays and weekends. More crashes occur at these times.

Finally, when I have to travel, I pay attention. Impaired drivers often show clear signs of danger.

Swerving, traveling too fast or slow for the flow of traffic, and excessive braking, put me on alert.

Thirty years ago, timing was on my side. If the drunk driver had met us in the intersection a second later, the outcome may have been grim. So, I pay it forward and ask that everyone to think before they drink, designate a driver, have a plan and drive defensively. With a concerted effort, we can all enjoy a happy and healthy holiday and return safely in 2015.

Retiree Corner Arlington Ladies Always There

The Arlington Ladies attend funerals of members of the United States armed forces buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The group has attended nearly 30,000 funerals. In 1948, Gladys Vandenberg, wife of the Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Hoyt Vandenberg, noted some funerals were held without any family members present.

A chaplain and a military honor guard were the standard attendees.

She formed a group of members of the Officers’ Wives Club to attend all Air Force funerals. In 1972, the Army followed suit as did the Navy in 1985. The Marines send a representative of the Marine Commandant to every funeral. Originally, the women attended funerals alone. Escorts were eventually added from the Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment. Currently, there about 50 volunteers who attend an aver-

age of 70 funerals each month.

Awards Program Studied

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has initiated a comprehensive review of the military decorations and awards program, seeking to capture lessons learned from 13 years of combat. The review is to be completed by June. The review will focus on ensuring that the awards program appropriately recognizes all levels of combat valor, as well as the service, sacrifices and actions of all our service members, a spokesman said. It will examine the processes and procedures of how medals for valor are nominated in order to determine whether they can be improved or streamlined and help make the overall awards process more timely. Some awards and decorations are service-specific, and others cut across the military.

Joint military operations have become the norm, as demonstrated in Iraq and Afghanistan. A panel will

examine how the services decide on major combat awards, seeking to get a better sense of what discrepancies there may be between the services.

Consumer Complaints

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints on problems with gift cards, benefit cards, and general purpose reloadable cards. Also, complaints about debt settlement services, credit repair services, pawn and title loans.

Go to www.consumerfinance.gov/ complaint; call 855-411-2372 or write to CFPB, P.O. Box 4503, Iowa City, Iowa 52244 The Retiree Activities Office is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Visit the office in Building 1604 at California and Colorado Avenues or call 301 9812726. Call before your visit to ensure a volunteer is on duty. The RAO has a website at www.andrews.af.mil.

For more news from other bases around the Washington, D.C. area,

visit www.dcmilitary.com.

Andrews Gazette

Friday, December 12, 2014

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Cancer survivor gives philosophy on living life therapy I have numbness in my right arm, my feet are tender.

I feel like I’m walking on popCharles “Teddy” Richardson corn all the time. I’ve also exis an Army veteran who has perienced numbness on my left survived war as well as fought side from a pinched nerve in personal battles of drug depen- my neck from the radiation and dence. However, his greatest chemo,” Richardson said. victory is beating cancer and “I don’t have any more thyliving life without allowing the roids or salivary glands, and… after effects to affect his thriv- my teeth are decaying below ing. the gum line and they’re comNow a maintenance me- ing out,” he said. “The doctors chanic with the 11th Civil En- told me the medicine is worse gineer Squadron, Richardson’s than the disease... along with illness initially started out as them trying to kill the bad cells, an earache and progressed to a they destroyed a lot of the good nagging, bad cough. “It felt like ones,” he added. something that was stuck in “So it’s really been a roller my throat,” he said. “I couldn’t coaster ride dealing with this swallow and I couldn’t heave cancer. But you got to keep on it up.” He was sent to Kaiser going,” Richardson said with a Permanente in Kensington, smile.

Md., for a biopsy removal and “You just have to alter your found out he had cancer of the life.” He noted even with all the epiglottis in 2004. He began im- ills of the disease he doesn’t almediate radiation treatment at low it to dampen his spirits. “I the Washington Hospital Cen- don’t really think about it. I still ter and started chemotherapy enjoy doing the job here,” said at Kaiser in Largo, Md. Richardson a carpenter, electriTen years later, Richardson cian and plumber. noted he is still going through “They told me that I was nevcomplications today, but has er going to be cancer free, I’m learned a lot from having the just in remission.” Richardson disease. recently had a false scare when “As a result of the chemo- a lesion was discovered on his

BY BOBBY JONES

STAFF PHOTOJOURNALIST

vocal cords about seven months ago. Fortunately, the doctors diagnosed it as benign.

Besides fostering a positive attitude toward his health, Richardson found a love for music while in the military and has nurtured it for more than 20 years as a professional drummer/percussionist in the metropolitan area in his off time.

His first experience was when he once played with the Kenilworth Knights Drum and Bugle Corp in Washington, DC. He later, began backing up well-known musicians like the legendary Blues singer, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Latimore, the Ohio Players, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, The Intruders, Betty Wright, En Vogue, William Bell, and Don Covay. He’s even played alongside long-time friend, Robert “Mousey” Thompson, drummer for the late “Godfather of Soul,” James Brown. He currently plays drums with the Hardway Connection “Right now, I do it on the side, but when I retire from here I’m going to give my son one year of college and call it a day and just do music.”

Richardson also has the in-

PHOTO/BOBBY JONES

Charles “Teddy” Richardson, Army veteran and now a maintenance mechanic with the 11th Civil Engineer Squadron, uses a positive outlook for thriving after surviving epiglottal cancer.

spiration of his 93-years-old mother to encourage him to fight against the disease. “My mother is real ‘Old School.’ She told me, ‘don’t claim it [the disease], just keep on rollin’,” said Richardson. “Once you put a

tag of approval on it then it’s all over for you. The doctor’s say I have cancer and it’s in remission, but I don’t think about. The more you worry about something the worse it becomes.”

VETERANS, from page 1 the Veterans Treatment Court coming to Maryland. This specialty court would be a vehicle in which a veteran could appear in front of a Judge (perhaps a veteran) that has been trained to deal with combat stress or post traumatic stress disorder. Expressing full support of the program, Peters said, “What is great about it is it brings the VA into the game, which mean federal dollars. The great things about it the different studies of all the veteran courts the recidivism rate in some is virtually zero percent. Which is amazing… the average is about 30 or 40 percent but when the soldier has a mentor from veteran service groups like the American Legion the DAV, Marine Corp League, the VFW … to kind of bond with them and help them out through the process you can see less state dollars and the repeat offense is lower, we just need to fund it.”

Later Peterson shared, “Judge Tillerson Adams says she is moving forward; she has requested $250,000 in state money, she believes in it and wants to move forward and she’s been granted the authority to do it by the court of appeals. She already has a specialty court, drug court, and mental health court; she wants

PHOTOS/LESLIE C. SMITH

Rick Parker, Commission for Veterans, leads a group discussing the feasibility of a local Veterans Affairs office in Prince George’s County on last Monday. The next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 18 in Bowie.

to wrap those together into veteran’s court. In order to do this, you need a champion like her.

It’s not going to be a one size fits all for every judge but as long as we can improve education for those who might not want to set up these courts at first.”

“I was very happy at the turnout for this meeting you can see that the veteran community is interested. The main thing I saw was that veterans are not aware of the benefits that are here within Prince George’s County… That’s the biggest issue that I really want to address is to go find the

benefits here; then we need to make sure our veterans utilize them. With the largest concentration of veterans in the state of Maryland, we should be leading the way with incentives for our veterans to not only continue to live here but for others to come and join us.” said Henry C. Turner Jr., who is heading the feasibility study.

Most participants expressed a satisfaction with the meeting.

Bill Milligan, Commissioner representing the American Legion Southern District, shared, “I’m glad everyone came with an open mind with concern for veterans and veteran issues.

Mike Zabel, Commission for Veterans, leads a group in a discussion on the need for a local Veterans Affairs office in Prince George’s County on Dec. 8.

What better way for them to express it. What I like about it was there wasn’t anyone who said ‘Oh, that’s a stupid idea.’

Everybody accepted everyone has an opinion – everyone’s input has an impact. I think it was well done. I hope there is a local office of Veterans Affairs established under the County Executive and our Veteran’s Commission is put in place as an advisory.”

William L. Proctor also shared his satisfaction with the meeting as well as his opinion on the function of a local office.

“I’d like it to do something for

the homeless issue. I’d like a local office to help with finding housing – a place a stay – or even a job. I also want a local office to help with receiving our benefits without having to go through such a hard process.

I plan on attending the other meeting and talking to some of the other veterans on my job that didn’t come tonight and get them to come to the next meeting.”

The next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 18 at the Disabled American Veterans Chapter in Bowie.

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Friday, December 12, 2014

AFDW/A1 announces D.C. soldiers, airmen annual award winners work alongside

Gen. Benjamin Oliver Davis, Jr., ME Award - Master Sgt. Gregory Frank II, U..S. Pacific Command Gen. Billy J. Boles Mentorship Air Force District of Washington Award - James Fleming, AFISRA leadership released the headquartersDr. Edwin C. Peterson Ed and Trainlevel 2014 Directorate of Manpower, ing Award - Master Sgt. Dawn WoodPersonnel, and Services annual award ard, AFDW winners..

“Performers were recognized at the Staff Level Officer Awards: staff, operational, and installation levForce Support Field Grade Officer els,” said Celisa M. Stephens, AFDW of the Year - Maj. Charlotta Hornig, Manpower, Personnel and Services di- Headquarters Air Force/Vice Chief of rector. “(We) received 73 nominations Staff from units around the world. Those Force Support Company Grade Offi73 nominations competed at various cer of the Year - Capt. Bridgette Falosk, levels in 12 categories. The quality of U..S. Central Command this year’s packages was amazing, and Force Support Field Grade Officer of the competition was close in every cat- the Year, Air Reserve Command - Maj. egory.”

Heather Mahowald, USSTRATCOM Forty-four nominees will move forForce Support Company Grade ward to compete at Air Force level.

Officer of the Year, ARC - Capt. Erin “All the nominees should be ex- Palleres, USSTRATCOM tremely proud of their accomplishments,” Stephens said. “All nominees Operations Level Officer clearly demonstrated their commit- Awards: ment to excellence by providing excepForce Support Field Grade Officer of tional leadership, innovation, and inge- the Year - Lt. Col. Teresa Darrow, Air nuity to improve manpower, personnel, Force Intelligence Agency and support services affecting Airmen Force Support Company Grade Ofand families around the world.” ficer of the Year - 2nd Lt. Amanda MaThe 2014 AFDW Headquarters-lev- cLean, AFISRA el Manpower, Personnel, and Services Installation Level Officer award winners are:

BY MASTER SGT. TAMMIE MOORE AIR FORCE DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON PUBLIC AFFAIRS

LeMay/Euband Awards:

Awards:

Maj. Gen. Eugene L. Eubank Award - 707th Force Support Squadron, Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Agency

Force Support Field Grade Officer of the Year - Maj. Kimberly Hurd, AFDW Force Support Company Grade Officer of the Year - 1st Lt. Cory Howe, AFISRA

Legacy Awards:

Staff Level Enlisted Awards:

Gen. Robert J. Dixon Award - Lt. Force Support Airman of the Year Col. Ann Igl, U.S. Strategic Command - Senior Airman Sulai Baddour, USRoger M. Blanchard Memorial TRANSCOM Award - Linda Ray, U.S. Northern see AWARDS, page 6 Command

Jamaican partners

BY CAPT. RENEE LEE

113TH WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS

District of Columbia National Guard soldiers and airmen kicked off a weeklong subject matter expert exchange with their Jamaican Defence Force counterparts Monday.

The team of wheeled vehicle maintenance experts will spend one week working alongside their JDF colleagues, also vehicle maintenance experts, to share best practices and ultimately learn from each other.

“This mission is an opportunity for us to exchange knowledge,” said Master Sgt. Linroy Davis, vehicle maintenance superintendent of the 113th Wing, D.C. Air National Guard. “While working together, we can offer suggestions and our JDF counterparts can also offer us suggestions on what we can do.”

Since 1999, Jamaica and the D.C. National Guard have built on their partnership under the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program.

The SPP, a security cooperation program, links U.S. states’ and territories’ National Guard units with the armed forces of more than 70 partner nations.

On the first day, the Jamaican hosts provided an overview of the JDF’s vehicle maintenance operations’ various shops, including used parts, textiles, welding, carpentry, machine, and telecommunications.

Sgt. Amelia Jones Ellis, the JDF technical store representative of the stores shop, spent the first afternoon showing CW2 Courtney Britton, D.C. National Guard team lead, explaining her shop’s mission. They discussed different ways of processing inventory, while learning about similar shared processes.

For some D.C. National Guard soldiers and airmen, this visit to Jamaica is their first SPP mission. Others, like Davis, are veterans.

“After learning about the SPP last year, I volunteered to support this mission this year,” said Senior Airman Renardo Butler, 113th Wing vehicle mechanic. “I wanted to see how our counterparts operate and see what we can learn from them.”

For both SPP first-timers and veterans, the first day was an opportunity

U.S. AIR NATIONAL GUARD PHOTO/CAPT. RENEE LEE

Maj. Baron Mason, D.C. National Guard Bilateral Affairs Officer, and Senior Airman Renardo Butler, vehicle mechanic of the 113th Wing, D.C. Air National Guard, examine vehicle parts during a tour of the Jamaica Defence Forceís vehicle maintenance operations at Up Park Camp. As part of the State Partnership Program, the D.C. National Guard team of Air Force and Army wheeled vehicle maintenance experts are working alongside their JDF counterparts to exchange information and learn from each other.

to create and continue building existing relationships with their Jamaican colleagues. Touring the JDF’s various facilities, both the American and Jamaican wheeled vehicle maintenance experts shared common knowledge and offered insight and different perspectives.

The subject matter expert exchange is an opportunity to compare our systems and listen to each others’ suggestions, said JDF WO2 Rattray D. “I look forward to tomorrow, when we’ll get our hands dirty and see how we do.”

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Andrews Gazette

Friday, December 12, 2014

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EAGLE, from page 1

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be an Eagle Scout.”

Barbara Waits, mother of Marlon and Matthew Waits, shared her joy of the accomplishments of these young men, “Very, very proud that they stuck with it and they’ve done so well. They’ve done way more than the minimum,” pointing to the display tables, “They have so many badges – participating in inaugurations and different parades on the National Mall. They’ve volunteered at camps and have helped younger scouts along.

It exposed them to so many different people. The boys have done so well. We’re so happy.”

Jackie Foster, mother of Jelani Foster, “Long journey, long journey I’m just so overwhelmed, so proud. The special thing is they have been together since they were so young. It’s a sacrifice; of course when you have children it’s no longer about you. Every Friday night and some weekends,” she joked, “I’m just so proud.

Seth Adams shared, “I started scouting when I was 5, when I was a Cub Scout. I started Scouting when I was 10. Usually a lot of people usually reach Eagle at 15, 16; I reached it when I was younger because I did a lot of the ac-

David Tapscott, Chief Marketing Officer for Combs Enterprise, was the special guest speaker at the Eagle Court of Honor ceremony for Troop 487.

PHOTOS/LESLIE SMITH

Troop 487 elevated seven young men to the Eagle Court of Honor. With lots of hard work and dedication, they achieved the honor of Eagle Scout.

tivities… This achievement – it’s a lot of hard work and not a lot of people get to the rank of Eagle; that’s why it’s so important to me. My parents said I’m going to get my Eagle; they have helped me all along the way.” The 14-year-old Central

High School student has plans to help younger Scouts reach their rank of Eagle.

Jelani Foster reflected on the achievement, “I can’t take the full credit; it’s because of that wonderful lady right there,” gazing off toward Mom,

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“It feels so good; I’ve come a long way. This is like my brother; we’ve been together 10 years and just to see us all grow and get stronger and we all achieved this goal.” Class of 2017, Foster has his sights on Lincoln University or Texas

Tech with a plan to join the Air Force.

“It’s really big to my family because I am the first one; no one else has earned it. My parents are really proud of me for taking that big step and setting the example for my little brother; and my Dad says I’m a man now. He [Dad] could have done it but he didn’t really have the opportunity then; so I’m grateful for them helping me on this long journey, 9 years. I could say I did it on my own but behind closed doors they were the ones helping me with paperwork; they got it done for me, we got it done together. It’s not just my Eagle Scout it’s theirs, it’s all of ours,” said 15-year-old Bishop Beverly, who attends Grace Brethren Christian School.

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AWARDS, from page 4 Force Support NCO of the Year - Tech. Sgt. Michael Pritcheet, Joint Staff Force Support SNCO of the Year - Master Sgt. Nicole Snowden, USTRANSCOM

Operational Level Enlisted Awards:

Force Support NCO of the Year - Tech. Sgt. Noah Smith, AFIA Force Support SNCO of the Year - Senior Master Sgt. Tiffany Smith, Secretary of the Air Force, Internal Affairs

Installation Level Enlisted Awards:

Force Support Airman of the Year - Senior Airman Lisa Henry, AFDW Force Support NCO of the Year - Tech. Sgt. Matthew Warden, AFISRA Force Support SNCO of the Year - Master Sgt. Tiffany Brown, AFDW Force Support SNCO of the Year ARC -Master Sgt. Stephen Tao, USPACOM

Staff Level Civilian Awards:

Manager of the Year - Shantia Bryant, AFDW Action Officer of the Year - Michael Piccolo, USNORTHCOM Technician of the Year - Heidi Bettison, U.S. Southern Command

Operation Level Civilian Awards:

Manager of the Year - Pamela Ballard, AFISRA Specialist of the Year - Jere Pace, AFISRA

Technician of the Year - April Hall, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center

Installation Level Civilian Awards:

Flight Chief of the Year - Brenda Taylor, AFISRA Section Chief of the Year - Donna Malone, AFDW Specialist of the Year - Sherry Mathews, AFISRA Technician of the Year - Cheryl Hickerson, AFISRA

Friday, December 12, 2014

TREE, MENORAH LIGHT UP JBA

Team/Program Awards:

A1 Special Recognition Team/Program of the Year - Detachment 3, 786th FSS/NATO Airman & Family Readiness Center Program of the Year - Joint Base Andrews, AFDW Civilian Personnel Program of the Year Defense Civilian Personnel Systems Office/ AFISRA Enlisted Professional Military Ed Team of the Year - Chief Master Sgt. Donald L. Harlow Airman Leadership School, AFDW Fitness & Sports Program of the Year - JBA Fitness Center, AFDW George Washington Award for Protocol Excellence - National Air and Space Intelligence Center Protocol Office/Air Force/Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Golf Program of the Year - JBA, AFDW Manpower and Organization Program of the Year - Manpower Office, AFISRA Nathan Altschuler Outstanding Ed and Training Program - NASIC Director of Personnel/AF/Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Youth Program of the Year - JBA, AFDW U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/ J.D. MAIDENS

For more news from other bases around the Washington, D.C. area,

visit www.dcmilitary.com.

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The Joint Base Andrews’ Christmas tree lights up the sky after the Christmas Tree and Hanukkah Menorah Lighting Dec. 3 on JBA. The lighting is an annual event kicking off the holiday season.

Friday, December 12, 2014

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Andrews Gazette

Friday, December 12, 2014