Pentagram
Vol. 62, No. 37 September 17, 2015
www.army.mil/jbmhh
Published For Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall
MDW’s Spirit of America honors first responders
PHOTO
BY
NELL KING
A Soldier with the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) steps onto the stage dressed as a fire fighter for the Spirit of America performance Sept. 11 at the D.C. Armory in Washington. First responders were recognized with a cheerful applause at the start of the performance to mark the 14-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001.
By Julia LeDoux Pentagram Staff Writer The United States Army’s Spirit of America performance paid tribute to first responders
during its opening performance the evening of Sept. 11, 14 years after the attacks on the Pentagon, World Trade Center and Flight 93. Hundreds gathered inside
the D.C. Armory for the free, two-hour patriotic show that took them through the nation’s history from the American Revolution to the present day. The crowd gave a warm welcome when it was
announced that first responders from Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia were also in attendance.
see SPIRIT, page 4
Freedmans Village Bridge dedicated; has historical ties to Henderson Hall By Julia LeDoux Pentagram Staff Writer
PHOTO
BY JULIA
LEDOUX
Members of the Armed Forces Color Guard from the Military District of Washington and the 1st Regiment of the United States Colored Troops prepare to present the colors during a Sept. 10 dedication ceremony of Freedmans Village Bridge, the bridge from Washington Boulevard to Columbia Pike, in Arlington. Henderson Hall now sits where Freedmans Village was built, according to Craig Syphax, a Freedmans Village descendant and president of the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington. Representing Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall at the ceremony were U.S. Army Lt. Col. Johnathon M. Kupka, commander, Headquarters Command Battalion, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall; Headquarters Command Battalion Command Sgt. Maj. Kenyatta L. Mack; and Marine Corps Lt. Col. Ken Barstow, executive officer, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall.
The bridge that takes Joint Base MyerHenderson Hall community members from Washington Boulevard to Columbia Pike was renamed Freedmans Village Bridge during a Sept. 10 ceremony. “Today, we’re not only about celebrating a bridge completed, but a community connected,” said Virginia Secretary of Transportation Aubrey Layne. Representing the joint base at the ceremony were the Headquarters Command Battalion leadership team of Commander Lt. Col. Johnathon Kupka and Command Sgt. Maj. Kenyatta Mack, as well as Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall Executive Officer Lt. Col. Ken Barstow. “We appreciate your partnership in this project,” Layne told the JBM-HH representatives. Henderson Hall now sits where Freedmans Village was built, said Craig Syphax, a Freedmans Village descendant and president of the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington. Freedmans Village was created by the United States government in the 1860s during the Civil War as a temporary wartime refuge
see DEDICATION, page 4
New policy change streamlines financial help for Soldiers By Guv Callahan Pentagram Staff Writer A new policy that went into effect Sept. 9 will allow most Soldiers, regardless of rank, to apply directly for financial assistance from Army Emergency Relief. Soldiers in grades E-1 through E-4, who have spent at least 12 months in the service or have completed initial entry training,
are now able to make appointments and submit requests for loans or grants from AER without the approval of a company commander or first sergeant. The policy change is meant to get Soldiers the help they need faster, said Trina Reliford, AER officer on Joint Base MyerHenderson Hall. Getting approval through the chain of command can be a time consuming process, she said, and
there are often circumstances where Soldiers can’t afford to delay financial assistance. For example, if a Soldier needs help with his or her rent but has to wait for chain of command approval of paperwork first, that Soldier is at risk of racking up late fees. “That delays the paperwork,” Reliford said. “By the time the paperwork is signed they could have already accumulated late
fees. It’s supposed to help them get taken care of.” Reliford said the number of active duty Soldiers applying for assistance has decreased 35 percent over the last six years, a trend that AER attributes to an intimidating application process and a perceived negative stigma with asking for financial help. “Our experience over the past
see POLICY, page 4
JBM-HH exercise Sept. 17 will test response to biological threat By JBM-HH PAO Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall will hold its annual fullscale response exercise Sept. 17 from 8 a.m. to noon on the Fort Myer portion of JBM-HH. The exercise will involve a coordinated response to a simulated biological attack. Staff from JBM-HH, the Andrew Rader U.S. Army Health Clinic, Arlington County police and medical responders, as well as the Arlington County Health Department, will work together to identify and treat personnel affected by the simulated biological agent. The basketball courts at the Fort Myer Fitness Center will serve as a Closed Point of Dispensing, where emergency responders will practice distributing medication to “victims” of an anthrax situation. No other portion of the fitness center will be impacted by the exercise, although there will be less parking available at the center during this exercise. Fit ness center pat rons are invited to participate in the exercise and learn how JBM-HH would treat those affected by a biological agent by going through the dispensing
see EXERCISE, page 6
News Notes New fire station at Fort McNair
Those who work and visit the Fort McNair portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall may be curious as to what is being constructed at the old basketball court between 4th and 5th avenues. This is the site of a new, temporary fire station to be manned by the JBM-HH Directorate of Emergency Services; the site will be operational this fall. A permanent fire station is slated for construction in coming years. Pick up the Sept. 24 edition of the Pentagram to read about this new asset and what capabilities it will bring to the joint base and its community partners.
McNair extension road closure Sept. 18 & 21
McNair Road on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base MyerHenderson Hall will be closed from the corner of Lee Avenue to where it ends on Marshall Drive on the mornings of Sept. 18 and Sept. 21 from 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. for the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) PT competition. Everyone is also reminded to proceed slowly on Marshall Drive as Soldiers will be directing traffic during the litter carry portion of the competition. This will limit Marshall Drive to one lane of traffic. For more information please call 703-696-3290/3291.
Warrior Bn. spouse meet and greet Sept. 21
The 4th Battalion, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) is hosting a spouse meet and greet for all Warrior Battalion spouses Sept. 21 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Memorial Chapel, 480 McNair
see NEWS NOTES, page 4
Index
This week in military history . . . . page In photos: First pitch . . . . . . . . . page Community . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page News notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page Stories from 9/11 . . . . . . . . . . . page SFL-TAP events . . . . . . . . . . . . . page
Local forecast
2 2 3 4 7 8
THURS. 86 | 63
FRI.
86 | 66
SAT.
86 | 65
SUN.
82 | 60
For more weather forecasts and information, visit www.weather.gov.
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Thursday, September 17, 2015
PENTAGRAM
Last swim is for the dogs
PHOTO
BY
NELL KING
Tater Tot, a 16-month-old golden doodle, jumps in after his owner, U.S. Army 1st. Lt. Daniel Spellacy, 4th Battalion, 3d. U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), throws in Tot’s favorite pool toy Sept. 11 at the Maj. Douglas A. Zembiec Pool on the Henderson Hall portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. Pups in the Pool is an annual event hosted by Marine Corps Community Services at the end of each summer.
A pitch for first responders
PHOTOS
BY JIM
GOODWIN
TOP LEFT - Col. Mike Henderson, commander, Joint Base MyerHenderson Hall, throws the first pitch at the 14th Annual First Responders Cup Tournament Sept. 12 in Arlington. The event - a tournament of youth girls, fast pitch softball teams - commemorates the response of first responders and service members following the terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001. Henderson was also the guest speaker at the event, which featured remarks from local county police, fire rescue and community leaders. BOTTOM LEFT - Members of The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps march past participating girls’ softball teams from throughout Virginia and Maryland, as part of opening ceremonies for the 14th Annual First Responders Cup Tournament Sept. 12 in Arlington.
This week in military history Sept. 17
1908:
Physicians tend to U.S. Army 1st Lt. Thomas Selfridge after he crashed with Orville Wright during a flight test at Fort Myer Sept. 17, 1908.
PHOTO
Pentagram
703-696-5401 pentagramjbmhh@yahoo.com
CONGRESS
Continental Soldiers, fighting under American Gen. Horatio Gates, defeats the British at Saratoga, N.Y., following a series of defeats, according to the U.S. Library of Congress. Less than a month later, the British surrendered their troops, which helped the Americans persuade France to provide military support.
Sept. 20
The 1st Marine Division crosses the Han River along a beachhead of some six miles, eight miles northwest of Seoul, Korea, according to the Marine Corps History Division. Just five days later, the 1st and 5th Marine Regiments would attack the city; Seoul was captured by the Marines seven days later.
Sept. 21
The 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, is activated at Fort Bragg, N.C., according to an entry on the This Day in U.S. Military History website. President John F. Kennedy reviewed the Special Forces program at Fort Bragg’s Special Warfare Center and authorized the wearing of the Green Beret by Special Forces troops – a symbol of the elite Soldiers.
Sept. 22
U.S. Air Force Col. David C. Schilling completes the first nonstop flight over the Atlantic by a jet aircraft, landing his Republic F-84 Thunderjet at Limestone, Maine, after flying some 3,300 miles from England in 10 hours, one minute, according to online U.S. Air Force records. Schilling refueled three times while in flight.
Sept. 23
In Baghdad, United Nations weapons inspectors discover documents detailing Iraq’s secret nuclear weapons program and reported that Iraq was close to building a bomb, triggering a standoff with Iraqi authorities, according to an entry on the This Day in U.S. Military History website.
1950:
Facebook: Facebook.com/jbmhh
OF
Sept. 19
2008:
1961
www.army.mil/jbmhh
LIBRARY
The USNS Carl Brashear, a dry cargo ship, is christened and launched at San Diego, according to an entry on Navy.mil. Named after the first African-American master diver in the U.S. Navy, Master Chief Carl Brashear, the ship provides logistical support - such as ammunition, food, parts, and fuel - for the U.S. Marine Corps.
1950:
Stay connected!
COURTESY
Sept. 18
1777:
Service members march the national standard and armed services colors, followed by The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, as part of opening ceremonies for the 14th Annual First Responders Cup Tournament Sept. 12 in Arlington.
Compiled by Jim Goodwin Editor, Pentagram U.S. Army 1st Lt. Thomas E. Selfridge became the first American service member to die in an airplane accident when he crashed with pilot Orville Wright during a flight test at Fort Myer, according to the This Day in Military History website. The exact spot where the plane crashed, which occurred after the aircraft’s propeller split and broke a wire supporting the rudder, is located in what is known today as the Tri-services Parking Lot across from Spates Community Club. The accident delayed the Signal Corps’ acceptance of airplanes for nearly a year.
1991:
Flickr: Flickr.com/photos/jbm-hh
The Pentagram is an authorized publication for members of the Department of Defense. Contents of the Pentagram are not necessarily the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Army, Department of the Navy, or Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. The content of this publication is the responsibility of the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Public Affairs Office. Pictures not otherwise credited are U.S. Army photographs. News items should be submitted to the Pentagram, 204 Lee Ave., Bldg. 59, Fort Myer, VA 22211-1199. They may also be e-mailed to james.m.goodwin3. civ@mail.mil. Circulation of 24,000 is printed by offset every Thursday as a civilian enterprise newspaper by Comprint Military Publications. Comprint Military Publications is located at 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877. Telephone (301) 921-2800. Commercial advertising should be placed with the printer. Comprint Military Publications is a private firm in no way connected with the Department of the Army or Department of the Navy. The appearance of advertisements in this publication, to include all inserts and supplements, does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of the Army or Department of the Navy of the products or 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, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. A confirmed violation of this policy of equal opportunity by an advertiser shall result in the refusal to print advertising from that source.
Twitter: @jbmhh Col. Michael D. Henderson Commander Command Sgt. Maj. Randall E. Woods Command Sergeant Major Mary Ann Hodges Director of Public Affairs Sharon Walker Command Information Officer
Slideshare: slideshare.net/jbmhh Jim Goodwin Editor james.m.goodwin3.civ@ mail.mil Helen Klein Graphic Designer hklein@dcmilitary.com Nell King Photographer nking@dcmilitary.com
Julia LeDoux Staff Writer jledoux@dcmilitary.com Guv Callahan Staff Writer wcallahan@dcmilitary.com
Community
PENTAGRAM
Thursday, September 17, 2015
3
The unforgettable memories of 9/11
By Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Darron Salzer National Guard Bureau Editor’s note: The following article has been edited for space limitations in the Pentagram. To read the full story, visit https://goo.gl/jX3GL8. Will you ever forget where you were, or what you were doing on Sept. 11, 2001, when two hijacked planes struck the World Trade Center in New York, another crashed into the Pentagon, and yet another crashed in a field outside Shanksville, Pa.? For most Guard members and future members that lived through that day, much like those before them when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded or when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, the answer is no – there is a story to tell. These are but a few of those countless stories.
FEMA
PHOTO BY
ANDREA BOOHRE
Two members of the National Guard stand beneath one of hundreds of American flags Sept. 19, 2001, that have been hoisted or worn by rescue workers at the site of the collapsed World Trade Center following terrorist attacks there more than a week prior.
E-corridor, Pentagon He spent a year not talking about what he saw in the halls of the Pentagon after a commercial passenger jet crashed through the walls, but eventually Chief Warrant Officer 4 Clifford
Community partnerships
PHOTOS
BY
Bauman began to share his story. “There was stuff floating everywhere,” Bauman said in a 2013 interview, describing his journey through knee-deep water into the Pentagon’s E-corridor. “We made our way back around between C- and B-corridor and saw where the nose of the aircraft detached and shot through the building.” His team then stepped outside to set up equipment designed to locate active cell phones, and went to work searching for survivors. “Once we started pinging I reentered the building, crawling,” he said. “We were there all day and into the night, looking for people – eighteen hours and no survivors – not one.” When he returned home, Bauman would only discuss general details, but nothing about the bodies he saw or the sights, sounds and smells that burrowed deep into his mind. “I felt guilty,” he said. “I wasn’t able to find anyone alive. When I would go to sleep at night I would have vivid dreams about what I saw – what I crawled through.” This guilt would eventually lead to Bauman attempting to take his own life. “I didn’t want to live with
Nonprofit partners with JBM-HH DFAC to employ those with disabilities
PHOTO
Attendees of the annual Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Commander’s Community Breakfast at the Fort McNair portion of JBM-HH listen as Scott J. Gower, technical informational specialist at the National Defense University, talks about historical photographs during a tour of the National War College Sept. 10. More than 40 community, civic and business leaders from southwest Washington attended the annual event, which featured a keynote speech by JBM-HH Commander Col. Mike Henderson.
Sept. 17
5 p.m.
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Jack Busby has worked at the Dining Facility on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base MyerHenderson Hall for about a year, and according to him, it’s the best place he’s ever been employed. Busby, 50, is one of 23 employees who work at JBM-HH through ServiceSource, a leading nonprofit organization that helps people with disabilities find jobs, and the AbilityOne program, a federal initiative to help and create opportunities for individuals who are blind or have other significant disabilities. Busby, a native of Annandale, Va., has participated in the Ability One program for 15 years, working at Marine Barracks 8th and I in Washington, D.C., and the Navy Yard before coming to JBM-HH, he told the Pentagram. His duties include washing dishes, taking out the trash and busing tables. But he said
The United States Army Band CALENDAR OF EVENTS
BY
NELL KING
Erin Gallagher, food service worker with ServiceSource, wipes down tables during her shift at the Dining Facility on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Aug. 27. There are 23 Dining Facility workers employed through ServiceSource at JBM-HH. ServiceSource provides services to more than 30 federal agencies, according to Teresa Guzik, a media relations specialist for the organization.
By Guv Callahan Pentagram Staff Writer
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see 9/11, page 7
NELL KING
Col. Mike Henderson, commander, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, speaks with Frederica Kramer, vice chair, Southeast/Southwest Community Benefits Coordinating Council, ahead of the annual JBM-HH Commander’s Community Breakfast at the Fort McNair portion of JBM-HH Sept. 10. In his remarks, Henderson provided an overview of the joint base’s mission and current projects, such as the addition of a fire station at Fort McNair and the construction of a new water pumping station just outside Fort Myer’s Wright Gate. He also thanked key members of the Washington Waterfront Association and local businesses for support of JBM-HH-based service members and their families. Following the breakfast, Henderson and the community guests toured the National War College at Fort McNair.
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the guilt of not finding anyone alive,” he said. As Bauman lay in the hospital recovering, he began to feel like a weight had been lifted off of him and that he needed to make a change to fix what was bothering him. At first, Bauman said sharing his pain did not come naturally, but he pushed forward and felt his world begin to change immediately. And opening up to his therapist led to a proper diagnosis of Post-Traumatic Stress. “My life changed from night to day,” he said. “It’s still a process … but you learn how to control the triggers that lead you down negative paths.” Bauman still proudly wears the uniform, is a changed man and a huge advocate for the Army Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness program, a program designed to build resilience of Soldiers, their families and Army civilians. “I understand what it’s like when you don’t want to deal with the family anymore, to deal with the stress of trying to explain what you’re going through, but suicide
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his favorite part of working at JBM-HH is that he gets to work with his friends. ServiceSource has provided dining facilit y ser vices to JBM-HH since 2012 and operates on 30 different federal bases across the country, said Teresa Guzik, a media relations specialist for the organization. The AbilityOne program allows employees w it h disabilities valuable opportunities, Guzik said. Guzik added that AbilityOne provides its employees with individualized attention they wouldn’t necessarily get elsewhere. “It depends on the level of disability a person has,” she said. “That’s what’s really great about AbilityOne. You can adapt to the level of a disability. No person with a disability is the same.” AbilityOne also creates a collaborative environment that focuses on teamwork that ultimately
see DFAC, page 6
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The U.S. Army Blues presents the music of Herbie Nichols during a concert at Kogod Courtyard at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in D.C.
Sept. 18 & 19 7:30 p.m.
The U.S. Army Chorus Baritones in Recital will take place at All Saints’ Church at 18 Olive Ave., Rehoboth Beach, Del.
Sept. 20
3 p.m.
The U.S. Army Blues presents the music of Herbie Nichols during a concert at Brucker Hall on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.
Sept. 29
7:30 p.m.
The U.S. Army Voices will perform a Salute to Gold Star Mothers at Brucker Hall on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base MyerHenderson Hall.
Oct. 4
4 p.m.
The U.S. Army Band Downrange will perform at the Fort Belvoir Oktoberfest at Fremont Field at Fort Belvoir.
Oct. 4
4:30 p.m.
The U.S. Army String Orchestra will perform at Fairfax United Methodist Church in Fairfax, Va.
Performances are free and open to the public, unless otherwise noted. All outdoor concerts are subject to cancellation or location change due to weather considerations. Call 703-696-3399 for up-to-date information on concert cancellations or location changes. For additional details and a full calendar of performances, visit www.usarmyband.com/event-calendar.html.
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Thursday, September 17, 2015
PENTAGRAM
NEWS NOTES from page 1
Road on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall. For additional details and to RSVP to this free event please email Michelle Morgan at warriorfrg43@yahoo.com.
Brown bag lunch topics
SPIRIT
from page 1 “Those guys run in when everyone else is running out,” said Richard Simpson, a Marine veteran who lives in Alexandria, Va. Sgt. Derrick W. Anderson, Honor Guard Company, 4th Battalion, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard), also received a standing ovation after the crowd learned how he fought back from devastating injuries he received while serving in Afghanistan and made good on his vow to stay in the Army. “Since I was wounded in Afghanistan, I never gave up on wanting to be a Soldier or serving on active duty, and the Army never gave up on me,” he said. “I am honored to serve my country and grateful for the opportunity that I have every day to serve with the extraordinary men and women that make up our Army.” Soldiers from The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” and 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) serve as the show’s cast and
crew and took the audience on a journey from Paul Revere’s famous ride telling American colonists that the “British are coming” to today’s battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan. Four Caisson Platoon horses also took part in the performance, to the delight of 10-yearold Shalimar Colson of Washington, D.C. “They were my favorite,” she said. “I want to ride one of them.” Ja mes Fit zger a ld of Washington, D.C., was especially moved during the part of the show that depicted the Civil War, when two Soldiers, one from the South and the other from the North, came together to shake hands in a gesture that portrayed the end of the war. “This nation is like a big family,” he said. “It was great to see that.” Spirit of America will next be performed in Fairfax, Va., Sept. 18 and 19 at the Eagle Bank Stadium. For more information, visit www. spiritofamerica.mdw.mil or call 1-866-239-9425. Pentagram staff writer Julia LeDoux can be reached at jledoux@dcmilitary.com.
Marine Corps Community Services Henderson Hall Marine and Family Program’s Behavioral Health Branch offers lunchtime classes select Tuesdays in September from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dates and topics are: Sept. 22, coping strategies for the uncertainties of life; Sept. 29, principles for a healthy relationship and marriage. The classes are held in the conference room of Bldg. 12 on the Henderson Hall portion of the joint base. For more information, call 703-614-7204.
Shredding event Sept. 23-24
The Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Environmental Management Division has coordinated a paper and other materials mass shredding event for all three portions of the joint base beginning with the Fort McNair portion Sept. 23 at Bldg. 29 (9 to 10 a.m.) and Bldg. 62 (10 a.m. to noon). On Sept. 24, shredding will take place at Bldg. 29 (9 to 10 a.m.) on the Henderson Hall portion and Bldg. 59 on the Fort Myer portion (11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.) Materials that can be brought to each location for shredding include paper, manila folders, staples, paper clips and rubber bands. Materials not to be shredded include newspaper, credit cards, CDs, cardboard, binders and binder clips. For more information, call Mark Luckers at 703-696-2012.
Fort Myer Education Center events
PHOTOS
BY
NELL KING
ABOVE - A boy raises two American flags at the start of the Spirit of America performance Sept. 11 at the D.C. Armory in Washington. Soldiers were met with powerful cheers when they roused the crowd by giving away U.S. Army T-shirts. ABOVE LEFT - Fairfax County Police Officer Maj. Rich Perez, representing Fairfax County Police Chief Col. Ed Roessler, applauds prior to the start of the Spirit of America performance Sept. 11 at the D.C. Armory in Washington. Spirit of America took a moment to recognize first responders in attendance at the performance as a way to reflect on the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001.
DEDICATION from page 1
for emancipated and fugitive slaves, he said. It became a thriving community with schools, a hospital and housing for residents until it closed in 1900. “Today, we memorialize the residents of Freedmans Village who paved the way for all future generations of African Americans with a bridge dedicated in their honor,” Syphax said. Members of the Armed Forces Color Guard from the Military District of Washington and the 1st Regiment of United States Colored Troops marched across the new bridge and presented the colors to begin the ceremony, which drew federal, state and local officials as well as community members. Gov. Terry McAuliffe said the new structure replaces the original bridge, which was constructed in 1942 as part of the roadway system which opened up the Pentagon. He said planning for the new bridge began in 1996. “This new bridge is a transportation asset that all Arlington residents and travelers will benefit from for years and years to come and also pays tribute to Freedmans Village,” he said. The bridge and newly constructed interchange also provides access for bicyclists and pedestrians and accommodates the future widening of Columbia Pike, said McAuliffe. “The Freedmans Bridge is a model for the commonwealth and I would say this, a model for the nation,” he said. “It demonstrates how partnership and cooperation can produce positive results and critical improvements.” The bridge is a result of a partnership between the federal government, the Virginia Department of Transportation
POLICY
from page 1 several years has clearly shown that Soldiers have been reluctant to request financial assistance through Army Emergency Relief due to the perception of a time consuming and intimidating review process involving the company/ battery level chain of command” said AER Chief of Assistance Charles Durr in a release from AER. “As a result, many young Soldiers have gone to non-bank lenders to respond to their emergency financial needs. These organizations often charge excessive fees and interest rates causing Soldiers to take on debt that they will be stuck with for years.”
On Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Fort Myer Education Center will host a teaching as a second career information session, presented by Greg Coogan, Virginia Troops to Teachers coordinator. The session will meet in room 105 in Bldg. 417. Interested personnel, including military members, spouses and Department of Defense civilians, can get information on how to become a public school teacher. Registration is required due to limited seating. On Sept. 24 from 9 to 10:30 a.m., a post 9/11 G.I. Bill briefing and question and answer session, presented by Dionne Vassell, VA benefits advisor, will be held at the education center. The briefing will be held in room 105, Bldg. 417. Interested personnel, including military members, retirees and family members, can get detailed information on the benefit program. Registration is required due to limited seating. To register for one or both sessions, contact Reginald Tim Battle at reginald.t.battle. civ@mail.mil or call 703-696-1579.
Drug take-back Sept. 24
A drug take-back will be held next to the commissary on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 24. Persons with expired or unused prescriptions or over-the-counter medicines can return them for safe, environmentally friendly disposal. The turn-in is not for liquid medications or illicit substances, such as marijuana or methamphetamines.The turned-in dry drugs may be in their original containers, other containers or bags. The turn-in will be no questions asked. For more information, call 703-696-3900.
Welcome aboard coffee Sept. 24
PHOTO
BY JULIA
LEDOUX
Saluting, from left, are: Marine Corps Lt. Col. Ken Barstow, executive officer, Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall; U.S. Army Lt. Col. Johnathon M. Kupka, commander, Headquarters Command Battalion, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall; and Headquarters Command Battalion Command Sgt. Maj. Kenyatta L. Mack; during the Sept. 10 dedication of Freedmans Village Bridge, the bridge from Washington Boulevard to Columbia Pike, in Arlington. Barstow, Kupka and Mack represented Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall at the dedication ceremony. Henderson Hall now sits where Freedmans Village was built, according to Craig Syphax, a Freedmans Village descendant and president of the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington.
and a number of community groups, said Victor Mendez, U.S. deputy secretary of Transportation. He said the new bridge carries roughly 80,000 vehicles a day and was badly needed. “People passing underneath the old bridge actually were concerned about
concrete falling,” he said. “Today, we have a new, safer, more reliable bridge.” Bronze medallions depicting scenes from Freedmans Village were also unveiled during the ceremony. Pentagram staff writer Julia LeDoux can be reached at jledoux@dcmilitary.com.
But the new policy streamlines the process, provided a Soldier meets the necessary requirements. “With the new system, since they don’t have to go through a first sergeant or commander, if they meet all guidelines, then they call and make an appointment with me and based on their needs they could walk out of my office the same day with a check,” Reliford said. Soldiers in initial entry training will continue to submit AER requests through their chain of command. Furthermore, all Soldiers, regardless of rank, who exhibit high-risk financial behavior in accordance with SecArmy Directive 2013-11 – writing bad checks, excessive debt or an inability to meet financial obligations – will also require
first sergeant or company commander review for AER requests. Financial assistance will be limited to two requests within a 12 month period without chain of command review. She noted that AER is expecting an uptick in requests once word spreads of the policy change. She reiterated that Soldiers should seek the help of AER before going to outside sources, such as payday loan agencies. Soldiers who meet the requirements and are seeking financial assistance from AER must make an appointment, Reliford said. For more information about the policy change or to speak to an AER officer, call 703-696-8435. Pentagram staff writer Guv Callahan can be reached at wcallahan@dcmilitary.com.
The annual Naval Officers’ Spouses’ Club of D.C. (NOSCDC) welcome aboard coffee event will be held at the Fort Myer Officers’ Club Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The club is located at 214 Jackson Avenue on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base. This year’s guest speaker is Adm. Bill Moran, chief of naval personnel. A charge of $15 includes a continental breakfast, payable either online or at the door. Membership forms may now be completed online. RSVP by Sept. 17 to Elizabeth Shaw at firstvp@noscdc.com. For more information about NOSCDC, visit www.noscdc.com or www.facebook.com/noscdc.
Fall family fun festival in October
Department of Defense families are welcome to attend the fall family fun festival Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. inside the Cpl. Terry L. Smith Gymnasium on the Henderson Hall portion of the joint base. The event features games, bounce houses, a presentation by the Long Branch Nature Center, three sessions of Stranger Danger and three sessions of Kinderjam. Snack and beverages will be available for sale (cash only). This is a great opportunity to find out resources for your military family while having a good time in a family-friendly environment. Visit www.mccsHH. com/FunFestival2015 for more information.
Death notice
Anyone with debts owed to or by the estate of Maj. John H. Mark, Office of the Judge Advocate General, Pentagon, must contact Lt. Col. Jeff Thurnher, the summary courts officer for the Soldier. Mark passed away Sept. 4. Call Thurnher at 571-256-2921.
News Notes submissions
Send your submissions for the Oct. 1 edition of the Pentagram via email at pentagramjbmhh@ yahoo.com no later than noon, Sept. 23.
PENTAGRAM
Thursday, September 17, 2015
JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL 2016 ANNUAL WELCOME GUIDE Don’t miss your chance to advertise in THE ONLY comprehensive guide to resources, facilities, attractions and more for military personnel at JBM-HH! Advertising deadline:
November 6
Reserve your ad space today! Email mminar@dcmilitary.com or call:
301-921-2800
Ask about special pricing and custom packages for new advertisers!
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EXERCISE from page 1
stations on the center’s basketball courts. Personnel will be notified of what’s happening during the exercise via the joint base’s mass notification system. Notifications will come through emails, text messaging and computer screen pop-up alerts, as well as the “giant voice,” loud-
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speaker announcements for community members who may not be indoors. Such announcements will include either a verbal or written broadcast that what follows is part of an exercise. In the event of a real threat, announcements and other communications will include a statement that “this is not an exercise.” While the exercise will minimally impact normal services and operations at Fort Myer, customers,
visitors and other personnel are asked to cooperate fully with JBM-HH staff during the exercise. Further, all staff sections involved with the exercise are expected to use established procedures to account for all personnel, as identified in Operations Order 15-032. For more information, contact Malanya We s t m o r e l a n d a t 703 - 696 - 8340/3290 or v ia email at malanya.s.westmoreland. civ@mail.mil.
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benefits the employees, said Project Manager Paulette Williams. “I see a lot of independence,” she said. “They learn how to earn a living, how to earn a paycheck. They can come out, earn a living and form a team.” Sgt. 1st Class Kevin A. Cordon, noncommissioned officer for regimental food service operations, agreed. “It builds a team environment between the Soldiers and the employees because I know [the employees] enjoy it and I know we look forward to seeing them every day,” he said. “It becomes like a family.” Busby has also been an usher at the National Cathedral for 25 years and has advocated for the AbilityOne program on Capitol Hill. In Fiscal Year 2014, Ser viceSource placed 948 people with disabilities with community employers. They have been an authorized AbilityOne partner since 1981. Pentagram staff writer Guv Callahan can be reached at wcallahan@dcmilitary.com.
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Sgt. 1st Class Kevin A. Cordon, fifth from left, regimental senior food service operations noncommissioned officer in charge, poses for a photo with other Dining Facility employees Aug. 27 on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.
and Lt. Colonel (Retired) U. S. Army Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty Cell: 410-371-2216 Email: Joshindel@comcast.net
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9/11
from page 3 is not the answer,” he said. An interesting first day A 10-year veteran of the regular Air Force at the time, Air Force Col. Mark Valentine was getting a tour of the District of Columbia Air National Guard’s 113th Wing when the events of Sept. 11 began to unfold. It was his first day in the Air Guard. “As a group of pilots, we all looked at one another and thought it might have been someone improperly trained or caught in bad weather,” Valentine said in a 2011 interview. “I will never forget that when I looked at the television that the hairs on the back of my neck stood up – that is ingrained in my memory – and it was not because of the big burning hole in the side of the Trade Center … it was because of the fact that it was a blue, clear day.” He knew then that it was no accident, and as he stood there in front of the television he watched the second plane hit. “From there it was like time dilated,” he said. “We stood there for what seemed [like] an hour … and then everyone just scattered and started doing their jobs.” Even though air defense was not a specific mission for the unit at the time, Valentine said the capability was there and the Airmen of the 113th knew what to do and how to execute their roles. As part of Operation Noble Eagle, an ongoing NORAD mission started in response to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to protect the continental United States from further airborne aggression, the unit has been providing
Thursday, September 17, 2015
a i r defense capabi l ities ever since. I n 2 013 t h e u n i t responded to its 4,000th alert since 9/11. An alert event is designated by the unit’s F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter aircraft being alerted to the runway or beyond to respond to a possible airborne threat. Valentine said he does not believe anyone could go through the events of that blue, clear day in 2001 and not be affected in some way. “We would hope that it makes us wiser, but it does definitely change your outlook,” he said. A possible fifth plane Running late for work due to the traffic on her commute, Air Force Brig. Gen. Carol A. Timmons, a Delaware Air National Guard member, would never have thought that that day would be the last time she’d ever see the towers of the World Trade Center as she crossed the VerrazanoNarrows Bridge. As a pilot for a major airline, Timmons said she was scheduled to take off that morning from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York,
headed for Los Angeles. “We’d gotten clearance to push-off the gate and clearance to taxi, and literally at 9:03 is when we released the brakes,” she said in a 2011 interview. “We turned right so our tail was facing the city and we couldn’t see the city.” A s t hey sat t here, Timmons said news of what was happening began to come over her and the pilot’s radio, including an order from the ground controller for every plane to stop where they were and another to barricade the door to the cockpit. “It was a very difficult thing to do,” she said, adding that she regretted leaving the flight attendants in the rear of the plane to deal with whatever. Timmons was able to tune into a local AM station on one of the radios and play it over the PA system so passengers would know what was going on as well. Then at approximately 9:20, the traffic control tower announced that the airport was being evacuated and all planes were left to figure out how to get back to their departure gates. “When we turned to taxi
back to the gate, I could see that the Twin Towers were on fire – I can still see that pretty clearly,” she said. It was shortly after arriving at the gate that a flight attendant alerted the pilots that a few of the passengers were unusually agitated that the plane was
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not taking off after all. As soon as we opened the doors, those guys were off, she said. “It was total chaos at the airport and they just disappeared,” Timmons said of the two men. Investigators would later find evidence of links to al Qaida in their
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abandoned bags aboard the aircraft. “The whole world has changed since that day, and we must always remember that loss,” she said. National Guard Bureau note: Air Force Staff Sgt. Jared A. Denton contributed to this story.
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Thursday, September 17, 2015
PENTAGRAM
A biological threat
PHOTO
BY JIM
GOODWIN
U.S. Army Master Sgt. Edres K. Rhone, right, noncommissioned officer in charge of the Andrew Rader U.S. Army Health Clinic, reviews patient registration paperwork with Walter J. Andersen, chief, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Executive Management Housing Division, before Andersen receives medication to treat illness from a biological agent during a medicine dispensing demonstration Sept. 11 at the Fort Myer portion of JBM-HH.
Soldier for Life
Transition Assistance Program seminars and workshops
Reservations are required. Spouses are encouraged to register and attend. Call the SFL-TAP office, 703-696-0973 or login at www.acap.army.mil. Available to all registered clients who have completed DD2648/2648-1 and initial counseling. Location of seminars and workshops are in the SFL-TAP Bldg. 404 on the Fort Myer portion of JBM-HH unless otherwise noted. Retiring transition Accessing higher Home buying assistance program education 10 a.m. to noon 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Sept. 22 • Oct. 19 through 23 • Oct. 26 through 27 • Oct. 20* • Nov. 16 through 20 • Dec. 7 through 8 • Nov. 23
ETS TAP 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Oct. 5 through 9 • Nov. 2 through 6 Entrepreneur track boots to business 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. • Dec. 3 through 4** Business franchise opportunities • Oct. 16, 10 a.m. to noon • Oct. 21, 1 to 3 p.m. Finding and applying for federal jobs 9:30 a.m. to noon • Sept. 23 • Oct 21* • Nov 10 Federal resume 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. • Oct. 15 • Nov. 12
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Career technical training 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Oct. 13 through 14 • Dec. 15 through 16
Debt free 10 a.m. to noon • Sept. 24 • Oct. 22* • Nov. 25
Career resources
TRICARE benefits in depth 10 a.m. to noon • Oct. 15 • Nov. 12
8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Sept. 21 • Oct. 19* • Nov. 9 Smart investments 1 to 3 p.m. • Sept. 23 • Oct. 21* • Nov. 24 Credit scores from good to excellent 1 to 3 p.m. • Sept. 24 • Oct. 22* • Nov. 25
Capstone (Fridays) 10 a.m. to noon • Sept. 18 or 25 Marketing yourself for a second career 1 to 3 p.m. • Sept. 22 • Oct. 19* • Nov. 9
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