Leadership
Operation Santa
IMCOM welcomes new CSM
Generals win title
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Pentagram
Published for Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall
Vol. 60, no. 49 December 20, 2013
2014 military housing allowance rates announced
REMEMBER
By Terri Moon Cronk American Forces Press Service
PHOTO
BY JIM
DRESBACH
United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps’ Stephen Christopher Clark lays a wreath at the grave of his grandfather, Navy Cmdr. Stephen P. Ragan, in Arlington National Cemetery’s Section 60 at the beginning of Wreaths Across America Dec. 14.
Wreaths Across America stories pull on heartstrings By Jim Dresbach Pentagram Staff Writer
Survivors regularly pay respects to fallen family members inside the stone walls of Arlington National Cemetery from January through November, but the numbers of military family members multiply on the advent of the holidays. Trips are made from near and far. Warm tears flow on cold December days, voices choke with emotion and knees quiver on a walk over the frozen sod to a child’s or spouse’s final resting place.
The second Saturday in December has evolved into an annual trek to Arlington for many brothers, sisters, girlfriends, wives and mothers. Wreaths Across America (WAA) brings them all together on the ANC’s hallowed acreage. For the 22nd year, graves at America’s most recognizable military cemetery were adorned with 143,000 remembrance wreaths by nearly 30,000 volunteers who honored loved ones and heroes during the 2013 WAA mass wreath laying Dec. 14. see ANC, page 6
The 2014 basic allowance for housing rates for servicemembers released Dec. 17 represent an average increase of 5 percent or up to $75 to $80 per month, the Defense Department’s BAH program manager said. The new rates will take effect Jan. 1 at a cost of about $20 billion for the Defense Department program, which will affect nearly 1 million service members, Cheryl Anne Woehr said. The allowance differs by pay grade, location and whether or not servicemembers have dependents. “How each servicemember is impacted is local,” Woehr said, explaining that BAH rates are based on the costs of housing for civilians with comparable incomes in 306 areas in the country with significant military populations. “The program focuses strictly on the rental market and certain types of housing, such as rental prices for townhouses, apartments and single-family homes,” Woehr said. BAH rate adjustments, she said, are based on three factors: data gathered from property managers for existing vacancies in each area, the costs of utilities based on data from the American Community Survey and renter’s insurance costs, based on data collected from insurance carriers in each state. BAH rates are routinely reviewed and are adjusted each year to account for fluctuations in rent, utilities and renter’s insurance in a given location, said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Nate Christensen, a Pentagon spokesman. “BAH is designed to assist servicemembers assigned to permanent duty stations within the United States with acquiring housing comparable to civilians in the same income range at that location,” he added. The largest BAH area increase for 2014 will be in Mobile, Ala., at an average of 14.9 percent, which translates into about $1,500 for BAH per month for servicemembers with dependents, compared to $1,305 per month for 2013. Increases in Honolulu County, Hawaii and Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn., follow at 14.7 percent see BAH, page 6
Volunteers needed at 2014 tax center By Julia LeDoux Pentagram Staff Writer
Looking for a way to help the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall community in the new year? The tax center is looking for volunteers to prepare federal and state returns throughout the 2014 tax season and might just be the opportunity you’re looking for. “We’re looking for as many people to volunteer as possible; there are multiple positions available,” said Capt. Aaron Matthes, a legal assistance attorney, who will serve as the tax
Index
Community Spotlight p.2 Commentary p.3 Community p.4 News Notes p.4 Feature p.7 Classifieds p.11
center’s officer-in-charge. “Retirees, family members, people who are new to the area, this is a great opportunity for them,” he added. Ten Soldiers from Fort Myer and throughout the National Capital Region have been assigned to the tax center this year, Matthes said. In addition to volunteer tax preparers, other volunteer opportunities at the center include administrative positions and working the front desk. “I don’t think anyone should disqualify themselves. You don’t have to be a tax guru to volunteer
your time and energy at the tax center. We can use everybody,” he stressed. “We’re looking for people who are motivated and ready to learn.” “We are already in the preparation stage right now,” Matthes continued. “The preparation phase has been going on for a number of months now. We’re now in the process of having the special duty Soldiers attach to the tax center.” Volunteers and the Soldiers PHOTO BY RACHEL LARUE who are assigned to the center Sgt. Joshua Murphy of 911th Engineer Company prewill attend a free week-long train- pares the taxes of David Person (right), retired Army, ing session known as Volunteer and Diane Person at the Tax Center on Joint Base Myer-
Rising star
Soldier shines at competition
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see TAX, page 6
Henderson Hall Feb. 29, 2012.
Holiday hours
JBM-HH activities
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