Standard 121115 flipbook

Vol. 32, No. 25

December 11, 2015

Happy Holidays

from Fort Detrick

Installation Hosts Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony Nick Minecci

USAG Public Affairs

Under gray skies and a chill in the air, the Fort Detrick community gathered on Blue and Grey Field Dec. 3 for the annual installation holiday tree lighting. The Frederick High School choir, under the direction of Ken Lewis, serenaded those who gathered with songs from the holiday season; followed by remarks from U.S. Army Garrison Fort Detrick Commander Col. Bob O’Brien.

O’Brien then gathered all the children in attendance around the tree and, following several chants of “Go Army! Beat Navy!” the tree was lit to applause and cheers. The children were then surprised when, on the back of a Fort Detrick Fire Department truck, Santa Claus appeared.

After talking with the children, the group then moved to the Community Activities Center for light refreshments, more carols from the choir and pictures with Santa.

Story Time with Col. O’Brien

Service Members, employees and families from the Fort Detrick community gathered on Blue and Grey Field Dec. 3 for the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony, hosted by Col. Bob O’Brien, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Detrick commander.

Photos by Lanessa Hill, USAG Public Affairs

Santa Claus arrived on the back of a Fort Detrick Fire Department truck to the surprise of the children gathered for the Dec. 3 Fort Detrick holiday tree lighting ceremony.

Following the annual installation holiday tree lighting on Blue and Grey Field Dec. 3, the Fort Detrick community gathered at the Community Activities Center for refreshments and photos with Santa. Children decorated their own ornaments to take home and hang on the tree.

Social Media

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Santa’s helpers were on hand to meet the public and provide assistance for the annual installation holiday tree lighting, Dec. 3. Army Volunteer Corps Coordinator Sarah Polanco was one of the elves who helped make the night a memorable one for children and adults alike.

Fort Detrick Garrison Commander Col. Bob O’Brien reads to a group of students at the Child Development Center during story time Dec. 2. O’Brien shared that the book he chose to read “A Christmas Wish for Corduroy” was a book that he had read often to his children when they were younger. Following the reading, O’Brien led the kids in a “Go Army, Beat Navy! cheer.

Photo by Crystal Maynard, USAMRMC Public Affairs

What’s Inside

#Flashback Friday: How a Day of Infamy Changed Fort Detrick, p. 3

Army Medicine Researchers Evaluate Promising New Malaria Drug, p. 4

My Daughter, My Hero: Unique Sport Teaches Life Lessons, p. 6

Commentary: In the past week Garrison leadership has received abundant feedback from the community on installation access.

Some mention a more detailed identification check at the gates. Others have expressed frustration at the amount of time to enter Fort Detrick through the Veterans Gate, sometimes taking 30 minutes to access the installation. There are several factors I must consider in balancing security with convenience on post. Please keep in mind, my number one priority is the safety and security on Fort Detrick.

We are at Force Protection Condition Bravo which requires increased security measures. I constantly review our FPCON measures to ensure the garrison can provide all tenants with a safe and secure working and living environment.

I tasked our Directorate of Emergency Services with looking at our procedures for identification checks to ensure compliance with Army standards. I specifically directed a more detailed ID card check for two reasons. First, we have had reports of individuals using expired ID cards to access the installation and services on the installation. Second, although there are no specific threats against any Fort Detrick site, the high intensity attacks against unsuspecting people and facilities in Europe and the U.S. have resulted in scores of deaths and injuries in recent weeks.

In a preemptive effort to prevent a disaster similar to what we saw in Paris or San Bernardino, I also closed Rosemont Gate in October because it did not meet even minimal force protection standards. As we expected, this changed the traffic patterns during morning and evening rush hours. The morning pattern has resulted in long delays along 7th Street for those accessing the installation via Veteran’s Gate. We have a detailed traffic study underway that will end in the New Year, and we are trying different gate configurations to determine what works well while striking a balance between convenience and security.

I personally assess the traffic situation every morning on the way to work, and this week I took the long way to work

to experience the traffic every morning. I exited post at the Old Farm Gate, where there has been a 1-5 car queue to get onto post. I went to Military Road and waited between 0 and 7 minutes to get to the light to turn onto post, then turned right on 7th Street where the backup has been between 0 and about 50 cars. I then turned left at McDonalds on 7th Street to make it over to Nallin Farm Gate, where there was a 4 -6 car queue in two lanes to get on post. After driving around post a bit to do other business, I walked into my office between 15 and 25 minutes after I left home.

Here are some tips that will help you deal with the requirements of getting onto post. First, everyone who works within the fence line of Fort Detrick works on an Army post.

Our security standards have taken a lot of risks in the past, allowing people to get on post who should not have been here. I ask for your understanding and helpful feedback on how things are working. The more precise detail you provide in your feedback, along with contact information so we can get more detail if necessary will help us strike a good balance. Specific, constructive comments help us assess our community’s current needs.

Second, there are several gates to get on to the installation and once you’re on post, it doesn’t take very long to get to your destination. My path of travel above proves that it is possible to move from one side of post to the other amongst the traffic in less time than it will take you to wait in a long line of traffic on 7th Street. If you don’t want to wait in a long line of traffic because it takes too long or you feel vulnerable, go to Nallin Pond or Old Farm Gate.

Third, one thing that exacerbates traffic at Veteran’s Gate is that people are running the red light to get one, two or three more cars ahead. This causes gridlock and prevents drivers from moving their cars when a light in their direction turns green. Please be courteous to everyone trying to get on post, exercise some patience and wait your turn to

Holiday Gate Schedule Old Farm Gate will be closed on Christmas Day (Dec. 25) and New Year’s Day (Jan. 1) to afford the maximum number of employees time to spend with family and friends on those holidays. Old Farm Gate will open the remainder of each holiday weekend for normal holiday hours. Nallin Farm Gate will be the ONLY Fort Detrick post gate open on Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Old Farm Gate Closed: Christmas Day — Dec. 25 New Year’s Day — Jan. 1, 2016

Display ad sales Frederick County 301-921-2800 Montgomery County 301-921-2800 Classified ads 1-888-670-7100

ext+. 2684 Circulation 301-670-2591 Editorial 301-619-3319 Printed on recycled paper Recycle when finished

The STANDARD is an authorized unofficial newspaper, published every two weeks under the provisions of AR 360-1 for the military and civilians at Fort Detrick. Circulation is 7,000. The STANDARD is a commercial enterprise newspaper printed by Comprint Military Publications, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, Md., 20877, a private firm, in no way connected with the United States Government or Department of Defense. The contents of the STANDARD do not necessarily reflect the official views or endorsement of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the U.S. Army. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, do not constitute endorse-

COL Robert A OBrien U.S. Army Garrison Commander get in if traffic is heavy.

Again, I appreciate your constructive feedback on the time it’s taking you to get on post. Please provide contact information so we can better assess the situation. I invite the senior leader of each tenant unit to attend the monthly senior leader brown bag lunches we host. In these forums, we provide leaders the “why” to address many of your concerns. Many of the questions I received this week from leaders are from those tenants who do not send someone to the brown bag lunches. You can see our operations schedule or get contact information for our Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security on the US Army Garrison extranet page at https://installation.detrick.army.mil/.

Support and Defend!

After Duty Numbers

Important After Duty Hour Numbers Provost Marshal Office

(301) 619-7114

Fire and Emergency Services

(301) 619-2528

Near Miss Hotline

(301) 619-3164

USAG Network Enterprise Help Desk

(301) 619-2049

Balfour Beatty

(240) 379-6518

Directorate of Public Works Trouble Desk

(301) 619-2726

Barquist Army Health Clinic

(800) 874-2273

Post Operator

(301) 619-8000

ment of DoD. 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 nonmerit characteristic of the purchaser, user or patron.

Editorial content is prepared and edited by the Fort Detrick Public Affairs Office, 810 Schreider Street, Fort Detrick, Md. 21702-5000. Editorial Offices are in Bldg. 810, Suite 004­, telephone 301-619-2018; e-mail: usarmy.detrick.usag.mbx. pao@mail.mil.

Visit our Web site at: www.detrick.army.mil

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Fort Detrick Standard December 11, 2015

Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development

Command Staff Maj. Gen. Brian C. Lein

Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Fort Detrick

Col. Robert O’Brien IV U.S. Army Garrison Commander

Editorial Staff PAO Staff

Chaplain’s Corner Happy New Year It has been a fast ride since arriving here last July. I can’t believe it has been almost five months since I arrived here at Fort Detrick. So many great things have taken place since then.

In September, we remembered 9/11 and the bravery of the men and women who serve our country in the military, police and fire departments. In October, we had a great time at the Harvest Fest with over 270 of our neighbors.

I was able to flip frogs, and if you have never had the privilege of frog flipping, you need to check it out next year. I learned the unicorn song from a special friend, and now I know about green alligators and long neck geese and why there were no unicorns on Noah’s ark. November came and went before I even knew it, with over 350 people served at the annual Fort Detrick community dinner. I enjoyed meeting all who came, and thank each of you for coming by; remember us next year and we will do it again. Following the community dinner, we put together 170 turkey baskets to share with our friends. We count it a privilege to be able to be a part of such a great community. I personally want to extend a “thank you” to all of my awesome Chapel family who made all this possible. All I had to do was say “yes” and let the great volunteers at the Chapel run with it.

Thank you so very much for your love, compassion and desire to serve; you are amazing.

December is not over yet, and the Chapel still has some great things to come. We will go caroling Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.; meet us at the Balfour Beatty Community Center if you would like to join us. On Sunday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. the Chapel

How a Day of Infamy Changed Fort Detrick Nick Minecci

USAG Public Affairs

will also hold a Christmas concert. I heard the choir rehearsing today and they were wonderful. There will be lots of songs for you to sing along with. Christmas Eve services will start at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 24 as the Catholic congregation has their children’s program followed by mass.

Following mass at 8 p.m., we will have a candlelight service to conclude the evening. All are welcome to attend the services this season.

Next comes that magical part of the year between Christmas and New Year’s Day when you get to slow down and catch your breath; a time that is quickly becoming my favorite time of the year. It is a perfect time to reflect upon the last year and plan the New Year. Personally, I am excited for 2016. I look forward to all the great things to come. I wish you all happy holidays and a very Happy New Year. 2016 is going to be great and I look forward to spending it with you all and getting to know each of you even more. Thank you for being a blessing in my life. Happy New Year Fort Detrick, God Bless, Chaplain Michael Jeffries

On Dec. 7, 1941, the United States was plunged into the World War II, already being fought for two years. On that fateful Sunday morning, planes of the Imperial Japanese Navy struck U.S. military installations across Hawaii; devastating the U.S. Navy’s Pacific fleet, destroying 188 aircraft and killing 2,403 Americans, wounding 1,178.

Although Pearl Harbor is 4,803 miles from Fort Detrick, the attack would change the mission of the small Maryland installation in profound ways.

Prior to the Japanese attack, Detrick Field was home to the Maryland National Guard’s 29th Division’s 104th Aero Squadron, as well as a cadet pilot training center. Following the United States’ entry into World War II, the aircraft stationed at Camp Detrick were reassigned to submarine patrol duty off the Atlantic Coast.

In March 1942, the U.S. Army stationed the 2nd Bombardment Squadron at Detrick Field prior to deployment to England in September; where it would be redesignated the 8th Air Force Headquarters. In 1943, Detrick Field ceased operations as an aviation center and the U.S. government renamed the facility Camp Detrick.

Archive photo

The government also purchased more land to expand the new facility, which housed the newly activated U.S. Army Biological Warfare Laboratories. The USBWL was charged with conducting research on biocontainment, decontamination, gaseous sterilization and agent purification. Construction of the new facilities was budgeted for $1.25 million, and from 1943 through the end of World War II, Camp Detrick would continue growing with an additional $3 million in facilities construction; and as home to 240 officers and 1,530 enlisted personnel by the end of the war.

In and Around Fort Detrick Story Time and Craft December 14 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Fort Detrick Library Enjoy stories and fun crafting activities at the Post Library. Children 12 years or younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Free admission Mandatory 1st Term Soldier’s Personal Finance Class December 15 8:30 a.m. — 4 p.m.

Army Community Service — Freedman Drive, Building 1520, Classroom 3 This workshop focuses on basic financial skills to help develop self-reliance and personal responsibility. The goal is to encourage Soldiers and families to understand their personal finances and learn tools for finan-

cial success. This is a mandatory program of instruction for First Term Soldiers. To register, call (301) 619-2197.

Webinar: Parenting Skills for the Single Service Member December 15 1 p.m.

School Support Services — Freedman Drive, Building 1520, Room 155 Parenting skills for the Single Service Member will focus on the perspective of being a single parent while serving in the military. The webinar will discuss the single parents personal expectations, positive discipline and communication techniques, family separation and support systems. You may submit your questions to Benicia Hernandez Gill before the webinar by sending an email to MOSWe-

binars@militaryonesource.com.

Visit http://www.militaryonesource.mil/webinar for information on upcoming webinars and to view archived webinars. To register visit: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9096477769951456513 Glen Haven Playgroup December 16 10:15 — 11:15 a.m.

Army Community Service — Balfour Beatty Community Center — Glen Haven Bring a blanket for your children to sit on.

Playgroup is structured for a younger age group however, if they have an older sibling, they may attend as well. Playgroup includes circle time, singing, reading, and play activities that vary from a walk, craft time, or free play. If weather permits, outside play is an option.

Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development

Cross Cultural Spouse Group Meeting December 16 11 a.m. — 1 p.m.

BBC Neighborhood Center, Ditto Avenue, Building 6000 Connect with other families and receive support and assistance in: International Cross Cultural Training to include language skills development Career enhancement Obtaining citizenship Financial management Adapting to military lifestyles Basic survival skills Interpersonal relationship building Driver’s license Service utilization All Fort Detrick and the surrounding community spouses and their families are welcome. To register, call (301) 619-2208.

Fort Detrick Standard December 11, 2015

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Army Medicine Researchers Evaluate Promising New Malaria Drug Crystal Maynard

USAMRMC Public Affairs

Researchers at the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have just completed a critical evaluation of a promising treatment for severe and complicated malaria.

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite that, if left untreated, can lead to severe complications and death.

An estimated 198 million cases of malaria occurred worldwide, with 500,000 fatalities, in the year 2013; mostly comprised of children under age 5 in Subsaharan Africa, according to the CDC. In the United States, 1,000 to 1,500 reported cases of malaria occur annually; mostly in persons traveling to areas of the world with ongoing malaria transmission.

“We were able to work with the CDC to have the intravenous artesunate formulation available to physicians in a compassionate use capacity under an investigational new drug protocol,” said Col. Bryan L. Smith, M.D., a USAMMDA researcher and lead investigator on the study. “The CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have both been very supportive of this study and what the findings could mean for saving lives of not only Service

Members, but of people around the world.”

U.S. military forces are at great risk of developing malaria while deployed in endemic areas.

“Malaria can be a very severe disease affecting the health of the U.S. Service Members and thus the health of the U.S. Forces,” said Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Scientist and Study Investigator Maj. Patrick Twomey. “The WRAIR recognized, more than 20 years ago, that a safer U.S. drug was needed for curing malaria in severely ill patients. Thanks to many WRAIR researchers, intravenous artesunate is that drug.”

The study, Intravenous Artesunate for the Treatment of Severe and Complicated Malaria in the United States: Clinical Use Under an Investigational New Drug Protocol, was published online Aug. 25 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

“We found that IV artesunate is safe and effective in patients with severe and complicated malaria,” said Twomey. “Severe malaria occurs when infections are complicated by serious organ failures or abnormalities in the patient’s blood or metabolism. Quinidine gluconate, the only FDA-approved treatment for malaria in the U.S., has a problematic safety

USAMRIID Receives Army Superior Unit Award

Col. Thomas S. Bundt (right), commander, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, accepts the Army Superior Unit Award from Maj. Gen. Brian C. Lein, commanding general, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Fort Detrick, in a Nov. 23 ceremony at Fort Detrick. This award recognizes outstanding meritorious performance of a unit during peacetime of a “difficult and challenging mission under extraordinary circumstances.” The USAMRIID was honored for its “exceptionally meritorious service in support of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa and Operation United Assistance,” according to the citation from Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh. The USAMRIID significantly contributed to almost every therapeutic, vaccine and diagnostic product being developed or used in this devastating outbreak; spearheaded the provision of personnel, training and diagnostic laboratory support to the Liberian Institute for Biomedical Research on a continuous rotational basis; performed over 5,000 assays onsite during the outbreak; and provided all testing and evaluation in support of more than 10,000 diagnostic assay kits used to detect Ebola virus from patient samples in Liberia, Sierra Leone and the U.S. In addition, the USAMRIID’s Ebola virus diagnostic test was made available for use in U.S. citizens under an Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and quickly became the gold standard assay. In support of Operation United Assistance, and with only a few days’ notice, the USAMRIID pulled together teams of biosafety specialists from throughout the organization, who trained nearly 5,000 Service Members deploying to West Africa on the proper use of personal protective equipment.

Photo by Spc. Patrick Sjoding, USAMRIID VIO

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Fort Detrick Standard December 11, 2015

File Photo

profile and is often unavailable in hospitals.”

The study analyzed data from the first 102 patients with severe or complicated malaria who received the drug under the investigational new drug protocol. Seven deaths occurred during the study and were attributed to the severity of the disease. Median time to discharge from the hospital intensive care unit was four days, even though many patients had severe liver disease or cerebral malaria before treatment. This finding highlights the clinical benefit of IV artesunate among patients severely ill with malaria.

All of the malaria cases in the study were people that had returned to the U.S. from visit-

ing countries where malaria is endemic.

“Most of these people returned home to the U.S. and just thought they had a cold,” said Smith. “Then they weren’t getting well, ended up in the emergency room severely ill, and were diagnosed. At that point, the physician would quickly request IV artesunate from the CDC. There is an unmet need in the U.S. for an effective treatment of severe and complicated malaria. We think that IV artesunate is the answer, and this study backs that up.”

Other countries now use artesunate to treat malaria with great success, and the medication is on the World Health Organization’s Model List of Essential Medicines, which serves as a guide for the development of national and institutional essential medicine lists.

According to the researchers, the U.S. market needs this drug as soon as possible. The Army is working closely with the FDA to work through the medication review and approval process as quickly as allowable. Smith hopes that this medicine will be approved by early 2017.

“This medicine is saving lives now,” said Smith. “The fact that someone who is severely compromised by the disease can walk out of the hospital four days after treatment is nearly miraculous.”

HOT Dome Comes Down

The Hot Dome, located across the street from Building 810, is currently being torn down. The project is occurring in several phases, including takedown and the demolition of the concrete slab. The project will temporarily reduce parking availability in the gravel lot and is expected to be completed by early spring 2016.

Photo by Shannon Bishop, USAG Public Affairs

Command Sgt. Maj. Speaks at Local Rotary

Command Sgt. Maj. Franklin Jordan (left) and Mount Airy Rotary President Mark Messick, take time for a photo at a recent Mount Airy Rotary meeting where Jordan spoke to members about leadership and the history of Fort Detrick.

Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development

Photo by Lanessa Hill, USAG Public Affairs

Relief for Special Needs Families Shannon Bishop

USAG Public Affairs

Imagine spending 24 hours per day, seven days per week and 365 days per year providing care for a loved one with special needs. You do what you need to in order to provide for the ones you love, but eventually, it will wear on you.

Fortunately, for families in this situation, the Army Respite Care Program provides assistance so family members and caregivers can benefit from a well-deserved break.

The program, which is funded by the Army G9 is available to active-duty Soldiers, allows families to have inhome care for their loved ones for up to 40 hours per week; giving them

the opportunity to take a break, run errands or just have a few minutes to themselves.

“People have a sense of relief and really appreciate this service,” said Michelle Hewitt, Exceptional Family Member Program manager. “The program decreases family stress and increases family stability.”

Hewitt explained that customers can self-refer themselves to the Army Community Service EFMP office for screening into the Respite Care Program. There is strict criteria to be eligible for services, but Hewitt explained her role is to walk clients through that process.

To be eligible for care through the Respite Care Program, clients must

exhibit at least one of the following criteria: • Little or no age-appropriate, selfhelp skills • Severe continuous seizure activity • Ambulation with neurological impairment that requires assistance with activities of daily living • Tube feeding • Tracheotomy with frequent suctioning • Apnea monitoring during hours of sleep, if another family member must remain awake during monitoring • Inability to control behavior with safety issues requiring constant supervision • Life threatening or chronic con-

dition requiring frequent hospitalizations or treatment encounters, which require extensive family involvement in care giving.

Once a client has been approved to receive support from the Respite Care Program, they are given a care provider that works with families to agree on a schedule.

“Respite care is not intended to replace child care,” said Hewitt. “It is not supposed to be for any extended amount of time, but rather for shorter periods of time throughout the week to allow family members and care givers the opportunity to rest. Care is provided in the family’s home and can be up to 40 hours per week.”

Providers employed through the Respite Care Program are recruited through the use of a private contractor and are subject to strict security screenings in order to provide the highest level of care for military families. According to Hewitt, providers must have the Childcare National Agency Check and Inquiries background check completed to be eligible to provide care for children under the age of 18.

The EFMP provides resources and services to families with special needs through the Army Community Service Office. For more information about the Respite Care Program, or other resources, call (301) 619-3385.

VITA Volunteers Needed for 2016 Fort Detrick Tax Center Brett Conyers Staff Judge Advocate Office

The Fort Detrick Tax Program needs civilian volunteers to provide tax assistance to Service Members, retirees and their family members.

Instructors from a national accounting firm have volunteered for the Internal Revenue Service to teach five days of training. In addition, the Legal Assistance Office gives volunteers training on the use of IRS-provided computer software for preparing returns. All training is held

in the Community Support Center, Building 1520.

Volunteers must pass a certification test at the end of the training to be enrolled in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, the same program operated in civic organizations for moderate to low income taxpayers. The training qualifies volunteers to prepare basic federal income tax returns, some state income tax returns and to address military-specific tax issues, such as combat zone tax benefits.

Once enrolled in the Army’s Vol-

unteer Management Information System, volunteers will work with active-duty Soldiers in the Fort Detrick Tax Center under the supervision of the Legal Assistance Office, Jan. 25, through April 15, 2016. Active-duty Service Members, their families and anyone receiving military retired pay are eligible for this cost-free assistance.

Anyone interested should contact Brett Conyers, the Fort Detrick Tax Officer, at (301) 619-2221 and Sarah Polanco, the Fort Detrick Volunteer Coordinator, at (301) 619-3171.

Dive into Fitness Jenni Benson

USAG Public Affairs

Put on a swimsuit and get ready to dive into fitness and fun at Fort Detrick Odom Fitness Center’s indoor pool, located at 1507 Porter Street.

Doug Henneberger, Odom Fitness Center’s aquatics manager led a small, but mighty class through a sequence of low-impact resistance and cardio training exercises during the aqua aerobics class Dec. 8; a class that I personally participated in.

“There are several benefits to aqua fitness... people can’t see you working out while you are in the water; you get resistance in both directions, which is different than when you are using free weights; and it’s fun. Plus, 45 minutes in the water is the equivalent of an hour and a half of ‘land’ exercise, such as walking on a treadmill,” said Henneberger.

Henneberger, who has been at Fort Detrick for almost a year, likes to vary his classes with themes and music.

“I like to change it up and keep it interesting,” said Henneberger.

The group has grown in numbers since first integrating into the schedule, and the more interest shown in aqua aerobics means the possibility of classes being added.

I initially thought, “how hard can it be?” It looks like you’re just relaxing in a pool. Well, I’m here to tell you that, although you’re not feeling the impact of jogging on a treadmill or trying to keep up with complicated dance moves, you’re still burning tons of calories and, because of the water’s continuous resistance, you are consistently engaging your muscles.

By the end of the class, I felt refreshed without the typical aches and pains felt after a bout with the treadmill or a high-impact aerobics class. The next day, however, I was acutely aware of my workout from the day before. It felt good to use muscles I hadn’t felt in a while.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I love a good dance aerobics class, but taking the water aerobics class was a great change and one that I will be

incorporating into my workout regimen. Now I just need to stick with that workout regimen!

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, swimming has been found to be especially effective when it comes to promoting improvements in the cardiovascular system. In fact, exercising in water on a regular basis offers many physical and mental health benefits and is a good choice for people who want to be more active.

With the New Year quickly approaching and resolutions being made, it’s a great time to try something new and maybe something that will last beyond February 1st.

Aqua aerobics takes place at the Odom Fitness Center’s indoor pool on Tuesday’s at 9 a.m. and Thursday’s at 5:15 p.m. The cost is $5 per class.

For more information on this class and other group exercise classes offered at the Odom Fitness Center, contact (301) 619-2498.

I hope to see you in the water!

Restoration Efforts at Forest Glen Lead Discussion Joe Gortva

Fort Detrick Environmental Management Office Recently, Fort Detrick hosted a number of congressional staffers on a tour of the Ireland Trail at Forest Glen Annex. Staffers from Senator Benjamin Cardin, Senator Barbara Mikulski and Congressman John Delaney’s offices were present.

The purpose of the tour was to help staffers understand the full scope of the environmental restoration issues affecting Forest Glen as a result of common waste disposal practices that occurred in the past, as well as to discuss the way ahead and respond to concerns that may be raised by their constituents.

As an interim action, a fence will be installed in 2016 until the environmental studies are concluded and final remedial action decisions are made. The fence will restrict pedestrians from wandering off of the trail and through the woods and streams on the Army property that have been impacted by former waste disposal activities and a chlorinated solvent spill.

Although the Feasibility Study has not been completed, it is likely that the final remedial action for the disposal areas will include partial capping of the waste areas with land use controls for the entire waste disposal site.

In addition to the fence project, staffers were given information on known contaminated areas outside of the trail, including neighboring property formerly owned by the Army, which will require clean up.

The entire process will take time, but Fort Detrick is committed to doing what is right and cleaning up the result of past practices.

For more information on this topic, Fort Detrick will hold the next Forest Glen Annex Restoration Advisory Board Meeting Dec. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Armed Forces Pest Management Board conference room, Building 172.

Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development

Fort Detrick Standard December 11, 2015

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My Daughter, My Hero: Unique Sport Teaches Life Lessons Caree Vander Linden USAMRIID Public Affairs

Three local gymnasts recently returned from The Netherlands, where they spent Thanksgiving break competing in the Breda Open Acro Cup Nov. 28-29. My daughter, Sydney, was one of them. Despite worldwide concerns about travel, and my family’s worries about our flight into Brussels, we made the trip-and I’m so glad that we did. Not only did the girls come home with three medals, they had an amazing experience they will remember for a lifetime.

Sydney, 12, has been an acrobatic gymnast for the past five years. Before I explain what “acro” is, I’ll tell you what it’s not.

It is not the combination of balance beam/bars/vault/floor exercise that we’ve all watched with awe during the Summer Olympics. In fact, Acro is not even an Olympic sport-yet-but it should be.

Acro is “a spectacular sport that combines the athletic prowess of tumbling and artistic gymnastics with the grace, artistry and presentation of dance,” according to the USA Gymnastics website. Athletes compete in pairs, trios or fours. Women’s groups are composed of a base, a middle and a top partner. In Sydney’s case, she started out as the top in a Level 6 Women’s Pair and is now the top in a Junior Elite Women’s Group, one of the highest levels in the sport.

Elite athletes perform three routines: Balance features skills that highlight strength and flexibility; Dynamic includes daring throws, pitches and catches, with high-flying tumbling; and Combined uses both Balance and Dynamic elements in a powerful demonstration of the athletes’ skill and grace.

For Sydney and her partners-Helena Hall, 17, and Lindsay Maier, 16-the road to Breda was paved with hard work and long hours of training at Skyview Gymnastics in Mount Airy, Maryland. The trio has been together for four years, starting at Level 8 and steadily moving up. They’ve competed internationally twice before, once in Germany in 2013 and once in Belgium in 2014. Last season, the group was plagued by injuries and self-doubt until their coach, LeeAnn Lenhart, helped them to work through it. This year-their last one as a trio-they seem more determined than ever to leave their mark on the sport.

In Breda, Helena’s mom, Laura, and I watched as the girls performed their Balance routine first. It was good, although

U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases Public Affairs Officer Caree Vander Linden stands with daughter Sydney, 12, as she prepares to compete at the Breda Open Acro Cup in The Netherlands Nov. 28-29.

Photos courtesy of Caree Vander Linden, USAMRIID Public Affairs

we could tell they were a little nervous, and that was reflected in the scores. But we’d seen them perform under pressure many times before. Sure enough, the next day they came out and wowed the crowd with their Dynamic routine; winning the silver medal. About two hours later, their Combined routine earned them a bronze medal. When all the scores were totaled, the trio placed third overall; winning another bronze medal for their efforts.

It was a thrill to see them compete on an international stage and it was a lot of fun to have the support from homethe competition was live-streamed, so many of their teammates and friends were watching and sending messages of encouragement throughout the weekend. I was also touched by the way all the athletes supported each other.

Some trios on the U.S. delegation were competing against Sydney’s group, but you could hear them cheering when our girls took the floor.

We left Breda for a day of sightseeing before returning to the U.S. Despite their success at the competition, Laura and I were proud to hear the girls say that visiting Amsterdam (and touring the Anne Frank House) was the best part of the trip.

Later this month, the trio will compete for a spot on the U.S. team that will travel to the Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships, slated for March 2016 in the Eastern Chinese city of Putian. It might be a long shot, but with these girls, you never know.

Regardless of what happens this year, I am so proud of all of them and thankful for the life lessons that Sydney has learned from this demanding and beautiful sport. She is an excellent student who juggles schoolwork with 18 hours of training each week. No matter how difficult a practice is, she picks herself up and tries even harder the next day. She has learned humility from her mistakes and gained confidence from her successes.

Sure, medals are nice, but all the trips she has taken and all the wonderful people she has met add up to a priceless experience that Sydney and I will never forget.

You can view the trio’s routines from Breda at the following links: Dynamic routine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx5_P1QxLzM Combined routine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BT-YuHVc6Y Balance routine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-1PnMKe54A

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Fort Detrick Standard December 11, 2015

Acrobatic gymnasts Helena Hall (far left), Sydney Vander Linden (middle) and Lindsay Maier (far right) earn three medals for their performances at the Breda Open Acro Cup in The Netherlands Nov. 28-29.

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Fort Detrick Standard December 11, 2015

Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development