andrewsgaz 021414

AN INDEPENDENT PUBLICATION OF COMPRINTMILITARY PUBLICATIONS AT JOINT BASE ANDREWS,MD.DCMILITARY.COM FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2014 | VOL. 3 NO. 6

Air RefuelingWing warriorsbeat Wing StaffAgency

5CSAF recognizes2014 BlackEngineer ofthe Year

4 Air Forceleaders stepoutside servicebranch to mentorstudents

7

BY CHRIS BASHAMSTAFF WRITER

Kim Davis, of Fort Washing-ton, works with her husband intheir business, and raises hertwo children. It’s the sort of or-dinary life that doesn’t seem tohave room for drama, self-doubtor struggle, aside from the con-stant effort of any working par-ent trying to balance all thegood things in life. A few yearsago, Davis wrote, “The Woman’sGuide to Creating Balance,” abook intended to help womenkeep from “getting weigheddown by the day-to-day.”“I’m not perfect, nobody is, so I

don’t always follow even my ownadvice,” Davis said. “If you havea family, you got kids?womenjust have way too much to do.You have to find balance.”Though she enjoys the writing

process and the occasional royal-ty check, Davis hadn’t planned onfocusing on writing again whilebuilding a new business, until shebecame involved with the Womenon Fire organization, a groupwhich brings women together toinspire each other to make the

most of their lives. Founder Deb-bie Phillips hosts women’s teasat venues around the country forwomen to meet like-minded peo-ple and be inspired.“She had one at the Hay Ad-

ams Hotel and my good friendinvited me to come and join her.Twenty women chat in a relax-ing environment. You can shareyour stories or just take it all in,”

said Davis, who went on to jointhe organization, participatingin retreats and women’s trips.“Her goal is uplifting women

in all walks of life?teachers,small business owners, women

working in Fortune 500 compa-nies. She embraces all of that,”Davis said of Philips. Beyond theretreats and teas, Philips has al-so turned to compiling antholo-gies of inspirational stories toldby the women who have livedthem. In January, the second“Women on Fire: 21 InspiringWomen Share Their Life Secrets(and Save You Years of Strug-gle!)” anthology was released.Davis submitted her own storyfor inclusion in the book.Davis wrote about losing her

father when she was 14. Shortlyafter his death, her mother de-veloped a serious mental illness.The teenager had no relativesliving near their Detroit, Mich.home, and found herself dealingwith grief and loss, trying to un-derstand her mother’s decliningmental health, getting help forher mother and explaining theirsituation to friends and family,“and at the same time havinga younger brother, making surehe was OK and able to be a kid,”Davis said.As an adult, Davis looks back

at those rough years and saysthey have made her sympathet-

ic to people who struggle withmental illness, and to their fam-ily members.“The issue needs to be ad-

dressed in our country aroundmental health issues. There’sa number of treatment optionsavailable, but people don’t gofor help because of the stigmaand fear that they’ll lose theirjob,” Davis said. “Every mentallyill person is not the homelessperson on the street talking tothemselves. Lack of treatmentis what causes all these massshootings. I’m very passionateabout it.”Davis told her story of grief,

loss, and family to inspire wom-en who face the same issues, andto shed light on the need for bet-ter mental health care. Otherstories in the book address over-coming obstacles, tragedies andchallenges to create success inlife, wherever women happen tofind themselves.“It’s always good to be part of

something that’s uplifting,” saidDavis. “It’s one of those booksthat are very positive. You canalways go back and refer to itand remember.”

Fort Washington woman “on fire” in new book

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

“Women on Fire,” released Jan.15, tells the inspirational storiesof 21 women.

Fort Washington-based KimDavis wrote about overcomingobstacles as a teen when herfather died and her mother devel-oped mental illness.

EXPRESSIONS OF A PEOPLEDISPLAYS LOCAL BLACKHISTORY, CULTURE

PHOTO/BOBBY JONES

Dance Dimensions students from Forestville, Md. display graceful agility during one of several danceroutines at Harmony Hall Regional Center’s Annual Expressions of a People in Fort Washington Feb. 9.More photos on page 6.

BY AIMEE FUJIKAWA11TH WING PUBLIC AFFAIRS

This Valentine’s Day, evalua-tors from the National Restau-rant Association are scheduledto make their third stop of aworldwide tour to the FreedomDining Hall here for the AirForce 58th Annual HennessyTrophy Awards Program Compe-tition tour.“It is an honor to be nominat-

ed,” said Honre Batie, FreedomDining Hall food service officer.“This is the first time, since I’vebeen here, that we’ve been nomi-nated.”Batie, a retired Naval culi-

nary specialist, has worked atthe facility for three and a halfyears.Ten installations will be eval-

uated on the tour. Freedom Hall

Hennessey joins FreedomHall for Love Feast

see FEAST, page 8


Prince George’s County is avibrant community with a brightfuture. According to current Cen-sus data, Prince George’s Countyis younger than the rest of Mary-land, with an estimated 10.3 per-cent of the population over 65,as opposed to 13 percent state-wide. Prince George’s Countiansare slightly more affluent thanMarylanders as a whole, with 8.7percent of the county living be-low poverty, while 9.4 percent ofMarylanders do so. And the com-munity is more ethnically diverse:Approximately 20.4 percent ofPrince George’s County residentsspeak a second language at home,while only 16.5 percent of Mary-landers do. The growth of ourlarge, diverse, urban communityis evident in the development ofnew public transit options, ex-panded business and residentialdevelopment and increased shop-ping and health care options forall. But growth can come withgrowing pains, too.Individuals, private and pub-

lic organizations and politicalleaders each have their own dis-tinct perspectives on the PrinceGeorge’s County we know, and areworking together to create a placewhere all of us can feel safe, op-timistic, nurtured, free and readyto impact the region and theworld at large. Whether a lifelongresident or just here for a singletour, everyone on Joint Base An-

drews has reason to look outsidethe base gates; to be involved inthis exciting era of progress; toreach back and help young peoplefind their way; to turn our com-munity into a beacon for prosperi-ty, diversity, learning and growth.Here are some of the people whoare pushing our county forward,in 2014:

Gwen S. McCallPresident and CEO ofPrince George’s CountyEconomic DevelopmentCorporationAfter serving as Operations

Manager for the Washington, D.C.Office of Planning, Gwen McCallwas tapped by Rushern Baker III(D) to become his Chief of Staff.The County Executive later ap-pointed McCall as president andChief Executive Officer of the

People toWatch in 2014

see WATCH, page 3

PHOTO/CHRIS BASHAM

Gwen S. McCall, President andCEO of Prince George’s CountyEconomic Development Corpora-tion.

2 Friday, February 14, 2014Andrews Gazette

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HOTTICKETSAround TownFebruary 14Date Night at the PlanetariumDavid M. Brown Planetarium, 1426 North Quincy

Street, Arlington, Va.Doors open 6:15 p.m.Heckle a sort-of-date-themed 1950s B-movie with Mys-

tery Science Theater 3000. For ages 14 and up. For infor-mation, visit www.friendsoftheplanetarium.org.

February 15George Washington Birthnight Banquet and BallGadsby’s Tavern Museum, 134 North Royal Street, Al-

exandria, Va.5:30 p.m.Wear your after-five or period clothes to enjoy English

country dancing, an 18th-century feast and a visit withGeneral and Mrs.Washington. For tickets visit http://shop.alexandria.gov.

February 15Comedian Michael KostaArlington Draft House, 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington,

Va.7:30 p.m. or 10:30 p.m.Sarcastic and sexy comedy from a former tennis pro

turned stand-up performer. For information visit www.ar-lingtondrafthouse.com.

February 16George Washington MusicaleMontpelier Mansion, 9650 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, Md.2 p.m.The Washington Friends of the Baroque perform arias

and cantatas from early Baroque operas. For reservationscall 301-377-7817.


Some of my earliest televisionmemories --I am American, so I havethose-- are of watching the Olympics.Coming from a family without a lotof athletes, it was amazing to see thepower, skill, discipline and commit-ment of some of the most prominentathletes in the world. People who, at15, had already dedicated half theirlives to becoming the best they couldbe, the best just about anyone couldbe, at their sport.Everyone has their favorite Olym-

pic event. While I can appreciate thestyle, strength, coordination andspeed of all Olympians, I have toadmit that only biathlon catches myeye and makes me watch every lastcompetitor. It looks like somethingout of a James Bond film, and I loveit, even though I know I could nevercompete in it.It’s great to see the pure, physical

competition, and to catch a glimpseof the training regimen all sorts ofOlympians undertake. Whateverthe sport, interviews with coaches,color commentary by former Olym-pians and explanations of the scor-ing system are just fascinating tome. I can’t count how many timesI have been stunned by the beautyand perfection of a ski jumper’s run

or a skater’s program, only to hearthe professionals’ assessment ofwhat was, apparently, an embarrass-ing moment for anyone who had anyidea what they were watching. I amin awe, even when the finer pointsare way above my head.Through the years, the Olympics

have also always served as an op-portunity for the host nation to showthe world their very best. Countriesinvest outrageous sums of money inthe Olympic Village, create pristinevenues for competitions that willonly be needed for a few short days,and scrub their civic faces with ev-erything they have. Every two years,some country is in the spotlight formaking both spectacular prepara-tions and a few efforts which seemcallous in comparison with the ev-eryday lives of the people who livein the shadow of the competition.We’re used to that: The glamor of theceremony and posh accommodationsfor temporary visitors can be a bit of-fensive when held up as a mirror tothe less than stellar living conditionsof the people who will still be on thescene long after the Olympics haveended and the tourists have gonehome.Sochi has all of those things:What

we used to call, “the thrill of victory,the agony of defeat.” The crowds oftourists. The offensive slaughter of

stray dogs, and bizarre treatmentof LGBTI athletes and others. Theyalso have managed to surprise us allwith their inability to prepare forthe Olympics. Journalists have beenTweeting about their unfinished ho-tel rooms, the unsanitary and un-safe conditions, the bathrooms withno running water and hotel lobbieswith no floors. And just as peoplewere starting to complain that jour-nalists were being mean-spiritedabout the whole thing, Olympic ath-letes themselves chimed in, with sto-ries of having to break down wallsto escape bathrooms with doorsthat won’t open, or hotel room doorsopening on to empty, gaping elevatorshafts. It’s not just that journalistsare poking excessive fun at the Rus-sians for incompetence that othernations exhibit. Russia just can’tget it together. And if you have anydoubt about why, well, the openingceremony’s prominent display of ahammer and sickle, surrounded bya red-lit stadium and, well, most ofthe Olympic rings, made it easy tofigure out. Maybe Boris and Natashaweren’t so far from the truth aboutthe way things work, over there.When it comes down to it, Russia

is just not ready for the spotlight.And it’s not the spotlight’s fault, thatwe can all see.

CommentaryThe Olympics are a window

COURTESY OF THE RETIREEACTIVITIES OFFICE

Commissary costs studiedThere are no plans to close mili-

tary commissaries, said Chairman ofthe Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen.Martin E. Dempsey. The budget envi-ronment is forcing the department tolook for savings anywhere possible,he added. The Joint Staff asked theDefense Commissary Agency for arange of options, including how thesystem would operate with reducedor no taxpayer subsidies. The chair-

man noted that military exchangeswork on this system and that thesame potential exists with commis-saries. The commissary agency re-ceived $1.5 billion in subsidies lastyear. “We haven’t made any deci-sions,” the chairman said. “We’ve gotto drive toward greater efficiencies,and this is just one of the potentialareas.” The Bipartisan Budget Actalleviated some of the sequesterpressure on the department throughfiscal 2015. But the Budget Reduc-tion Act of 2011 is still law, and se-quester-level spending cuts will be

back in play in fiscal 2016, unlessCongress changes the law. “We’rewell aware of the need for acquisi-tion reform, as well as the need toreduce unnecessary infrastructureand retire unneeded weapons sys-tems,” Dempsey said.

TRICARE can help youquitTobacco cessation medications

are available through the TRICAREPharmacy Home Delivery program.

Retiree Corner

see RETIREE, page 8

1041446B

3Friday, February 14, 2014 Andrews Gazette

Prince George’s County EconomicDevelopment Corporation, a non-profit that serves as the economicdevelopment arm of county gov-ernment while remaining moreflexible than the County Execu-tive’s side of the house.“County Executive Baker

wanted leadership he knew andtrusted, and said, ‘I can’t do anyof the things I want to do withoutrevenue,’” recounted McCall.What started as a small team

of business development special-ists became, within a year and ahalf, the force to restructure eco-nomic development and chart thecourse for Prince George’s Coun-ty’s efforts to attract, expand andretain businesses, provide work-force development services andjob training and ensure that thecounty can provide the amenitiesand human capital innovatorslook for as they seek a place to es-tablish their businesses. The keyto the county’s growth is a focuson the opportunities our countyhas beyond its proximity to thecenter of the federal government---although the FBI would be awelcome addition.“The Port of Baltimore and the

Panama Canal are expanding, sothat Baltimore can now acceptlarger ships. We need industrialand warehouse space here to takeadvantage of that expansion ofthe port, and the same is true oftrucking and shipping,” said Mc-Call, who is working on re-certi-fying the foreign trade zone hereso that manufacturing companiescan store good here duty-free.A technology incubator set up

around the University of Mary-land, College Park through theEDC provides short-term subsi-dies, networking and other ser-vices to information, communica-tions and electronics companiesjust starting out, in hopes thatthey will remain in the countyonce they have established them-selves and outgrown those exter-nal supports.Though each new or expanded

business is a boon to the county’seconomy, McCall is pushing forbroader projects with lastingimpact. Some of those projectsinclude luring state and fed-eral organizations to place theirheadquarters here, including theMaryland Department of Housingand Community Development,slated to bring 300 jobs to NewCarrolton and solidify that areaas a vibrant business communitycentered on a transit hub built onthe Metro, MARC, Amtrak andAcela rail systems. The focus onpublic transportation helps thecounty grow its economic basewithout harming its natural en-vironment.“With new green initiatives,

you want more people and carsoff the highway. No other jurisdic-tion has 15 Metro stations,” saidMcCall.“We have a lot of medical of-

fices, but no state-of-the-art hos-pital system.We’re going to brandthe Central Avenue corridor as ahealth care corridor,” said Mc-Call. From health care to retail,mixed-use developments to revi-talization projects in areas withstalled development. “We needsome game changers. Once youhave a major win (like a regionalteaching hospital, federal officeheadquarters or large entertain-ment venue), you have the indi-rect impact of that, as well.”“To be competitive, we can’t

just think locally. We’ve got totake it global,” said McCall, whohas worked with trade offices inAfrica, South America and else-where to build partnerships thatcan bring international businessto our county. There’s a lot ofbig things happening in PrinceGeorge’s County.”

Lorenzo CreightonPresident, MGM ResortsNational Harbor“I’ve been in the gaming in-

dustry for about 25 years, andhad the opportunity to work in

several jurisdictions around thecountry and run casinos aroundthe U.S. and Canada, and on theVegas Strip, and ultimately end-ed up in Prince George’s County,”said Lorenzo Creighton, Presi-dent, MGM Resorts NationalHarbor. “It’s a very refined pro-cess, here in Maryland. I thinkthe sates draw from each otherbut the one thing that impressedme about the Maryland processis that it is very thorough aboutthe background investment, andhow they put through the requestfor proposals and how the processwas handled.”Creighton knows that process

from both sides of the desk: Beforehe became involved in developingand running casinos, he workedas an attorney for the State of Io-wa, as an Iowa Magistrate StateJudge, as the Deputy Directorfor the Iowa Racing and GamingCommission and Executive Di-rector for the Mississippi GamingCommission. His background incasino regulation, “gave me someinsight, obviously, in how regula-tors view looking at these proj-ects. I would like to think it hadsome impact,” Creighton said.Unlike some projects in less

buttoned-down parts of the coun-try, Creighton said, “we won’thave a bunch of neon and gaudi-ness (at National Harbor).” Thegoal is to “draw from the regionand the look and feel of the capi-tal, as well as Maryland, and alsohave some sense of what’s hap-pening in Vegas as well.”Creighton said that local archi-

tects and designers have providedinput on the MGM project fromits initial concept, and continueto cooperate with the Texas-basedconstruction firm tasked with es-tablishing much of the exterior ofthe facility. The $925 million proj-ect is slated to be open for busi-ness by July 2016.“It’s in a great location that

focuses on drawing tourists in.Clearly this is a gateway intoMaryland,” Creighton said. “Weare planning on, and on track, ifall things go according to Hoyle,to start construction in late sum-mer.”

Ann Marie BinsnerExecutive Director,Court Appointed Spe-cial Advocates/PrinceGeorge’s CountySince 2001, Ann Marie Binsner

has served as executive directorof Court Appointed Special Advo-cates/Prince George’s County, aHyattsville-based nonprofit orga-nization which matches adult ad-vocates with children and youthin the foster care system. Somevolunteer/child pairings last foras long as the child is in fostercare. But with the average timein foster care before permanentplacement hovering at around 44months, that is not always pos-sible. CASA volunteers committo serve for at least one year, andlonger if they are able, offering tospeak for the child and providethe mentoring, advice and adultencouragement that can be lack-ing for youth in foster care. Out ofthe more than 600 children in fos-ter care in Prince George’s Coun-ty, CASA/Prince George’s volun-teers work with approximately140 children. There’s a waitinglist, always, of about 40 more.Lack of volunteers, coupled witha budget of only about $400,000per year, makes helping all thechildren in Prince George’s Coun-ty’s foster care system impos-sible. This past November, CASA/Prince George’s County was oneof five small nonprofits in thecounty to be selected for inclu-sion in the Greater WashingtonCatalogue for Philanthropy. It’san honor which may turn out tobe a game-changer for the fosterchildren Binsner and her army ofvolunteers seek to serve.“After looking at the finan-

cials, the committee chooses thetop small nonprofits in the area.This year they chose 74, only fiveof which are in Prince George’sCounty. We were thrilled to beincluded among this elite group,”Binsner said.The Catalogue for Philan-

thropy evaluates each nominatednonprofit on its ability to fulfill itsvision on a tight budget. It thenpresents the most fiscally sound,results-heavy organizations to do-nors who might not have heard ofthem before, but who want to en-sure that their donations go to anorganization they can get to knowbeyond just sending a check.“It’s a different kind of do-

nor. They’re not anonymous, andthey’re not saying, ‘I lived it, so Ivolunteer,’” said Binsner. “They’reinterested in knowing where theirdollars are going, and making animpact in the community.”Once selected, the organiza-

tions are included in the Cata-logue for Philanthropy for threeyears, or until their annual bud-get grows beyond $3 million.That’s a number Binsner keepson her mind.“To get closer to that is our

goal. To serve every foster child inPrince George’s County would re-quire about $3 million,” said Bin-sner. A fellow nonprofit directortold her that although the amountseems unattainable, “to put it inmy head. I keep reminding myselfof that magic number, and try notto get too overwhelmed by it.”

Joseph FisherFounder and CEO, FirstGeneration CollegeBoundGrowing up in the East Capi-

tol National Housing Project inSoutheast Washington, D.C., Jo-seph Fisher didn’t know manypeople who went on to college, orhad solid, full-time work. Movingout of the projects was a fantasyfew could afford. Thanks to a ded-icated track coach, Fisher did.“I was the stereotype of being

an outstanding athlete. My trackcoach, Mr. Gates, provided me thesupport and encouragement to at-tend college,” Fisher said. He wassought out by the PartnershipProgram at Catholic University,an initiative designed to help pooryouth escape poverty throughcollege education. It wasn’t all ahand-out. Fisher sought opportu-nities and made the most of them.“I have to say I wanted better.

There were challenges in the com-munity, and I didn’t want that.Grades were not as importantas dealing with the challengesof those who did not want to suc-ceed. The peer influence of want-ing to be an adult at a young age,and the challenges of juvenile be-havior were dominant in the com-munity,” said Fisher. “That makesit very tough.”Fisher’s parents explained to

him what “better” was, and didnot shelter him or his siblingsfrom the reality of worry aboutwhen the electricity might beturned off.“It was a major celebration in

our community for someone tograduate high school The nextstep was to work for the govern-ment or the military, like my twoolder brothers,” but Fisher soonfound that he was, “so glad tobe on a college campus, I didn’treturn home. I had three squaremeals a day for the first tie inmy life, and travel with the trackteam, and a community whereeverybody wanted to achieve.For the first time, I was in a com-munity where I was not worriedabout being threatened or bul-lied.”While a student at Catholic

University, Fisher also learnedabout the many opportunities forneed-based scholarships. Once helined up a need-based scholarshipfor himself, he returned his trackscholarship money to his coach,so that another student could getthe help needed to enter college.He earned his bachelor’s degreein elementary education, andlater a master’s degree in urban

education at Morgan State Uni-versity, expecting to return tothe community where he’d beenraised, when an internship at theBaltimore City Jail changed thedirection of his life and work.“I’ll never forget ti. I remember

talking to the students--nice kids,nice young men, not 16--many ofthem had been in the wrong placeat the wrong time, with somebodythey shouldn’t have been with.That bothered me. In adolescence,everybody wants to belong. Who-ever will take them, that’s wherethey go,” Fisher said.Fisher decided to create a place

where young people could belong,while pursuing educational op-portunities their family had notknown. He founded First Genera-tion College Bound 24 years ago,while teaching in Howard Coun-ty Public Schools. “I saw middleschool kids with all this potential,possibly going down the wrong di-rection,” Fisher said.He started out knocking on

doors around the school, tellingparents that their children couldgo to college, if they would onlyenroll in his program.“That first year, I sent kids to

college. People don’t realize thereare many students who want tobetter themselves. They graduatehigh school and don’t know theycan go to college,” Fisher said.He looks at SAT scores, gradesand attitude, and encouragesstudents to find a combination ofneed-based scholarships and af-fordable educational programs toget them the most bang for theireducational buck. This year, 150students entered college becauseof their participation in FirstGeneration College Bound’s pro-grams including tutoring, finan-cial aid awareness classes, semi-nars on how to navigate the col-lege admissions process, CollegeAccess programs in five countyhigh schools and the services ofcase managers who help studentsand parents find the right schooland the best financial aid packageto be able to graduate with mini-mal debt and a degree which willenable them to go on to a success-ful career. Together, last year’sstudents took advantage of $1.1million in scholarships.Laurel-based First Genera-

tion College Bound was one offive Prince George’s County non-profits selected for inclusion inthe Catalogue for Philanthropy,which identifies low-budget, high-community impact nonprofits forpotential donors.“We meet them where they are,

and get them where they want togo. That is the challenge,” Fishersaid. “With humility, discipline,staying on task and doing whatwe tell them to do, they will expe-rience success.”

Pastor Delman CoatesMt. Ennon BaptistChurchGrowing up the grandchild of

sharecroppers, and son of a pub-lic school teacher and a nurse,Delman Coates said that his par-ents taught him, “faith, family,and commitment to the commongood.” The connection betweenfaith, public policy and social ac-tivism was part of his upbring-ing, and led him to pursue botha doctoral degree from ColumbiaUniversity and a career in faith-based community organizationsin New York and Philadelphiabefore becoming pastor of a then500-member Mt. Ennon BaptistChurch in Clinton, Md. Atten-dance at Mt. Ennon has skyrock-eted since Coates’ arrival in 2004.Mt. Ennon now counts more than8,000 people as members, andwas listed by Outreach Magazineas one of the 100 Fastest Grow-ing Congregations in the UnitedStates in 2009. It’s not becauseCoates tells his congregationwhat he thinks they are used tohearing on a Sunday morning.“I preached in support of mar-

riage equality, not by taking thetemperature of the congregation,not by taking a poll. It was an ex-tension of my preaching over thepast 10 years,” Coates said. “It is

an attempt to protect personal re-ligious beliefs while at the sametime protecting the public square.People in the pews are much moreprogressive than us in the pulpit.People have been looking for aprogressive, religious left; a pro-gressive, evangelical left in theareas of social justice and elimi-nating poverty.”Coates said he was “very con-

tent and satisfied, serving thepublic at Mt. Ennon, and as partof national civil rights organiza-tions,” but recently he signed onto run for Lieutenant Governorof Maryland. “It’s not somethingthat I sought. It sought me.” Heis well aware that his backgroundas a pastor is not always seen asthe stepping stone to a position inpolitics.“Who said that you have to be

an elected official, to run for pub-lic office? I have devoted my life,really, it’s a calling, to the com-mon good.”

Dr. Kevin MaxwellCEO, Prince George’sCounty Public Schools“My father was in the Army,

so I was born at DeWitt Hospi-tal on Fort Belvoir, and moved toPrince George’s County, gradu-ated school here,” said Dr. KevinMaxwell. After a stint as a Na-vy medical corpsman, he usedthe G.I. Bill to go to college. Hetaught in public schools, and wenton to serve as an assistant princi-pal and principal in middle andhigh schools in Montgomery andPrince George’s Counties, and asSuperintendent of Anne ArundelCounty Public Schools for sevenyears before returning to PrinceGeorge’s County, where he isbuilding a new role as Chief Ex-ecutive Officer of Prince George’sCounty Public Schools since hetook on that position Aug. 1, 2013.“In Anne Arundel County, we

had the Naval Academy and FortMeade, had some interactionwith the military,” Maxwell said.He returned to Prince George’sCounty, he said, “partly becauseit’s home. I hate to see the strug-gles, and I believe I can make adifference. I believe the new leg-islation County Executive Bakerpushed through gave me a bit ofan opportunity that did not ex-ist under the old system. Thatmade it attractive to me. I havelived here my entire life since Iwas seven years old. I know thecommunity well, and the peoplein leadership.”Optimistic though he may be,

Maxwell is not blind to the chal-lenges students and teachers face.“We all share the responsibil-

ity. Academic performance has toimprove. Business and the com-munity have a vested interest,and students have a responsibil-ity to study, to work hard for asuccessful future. Teachers needto be prepared for their lessons,to meet students at their place,and help them succeed.”So far, Maxwell has visited

more than 100 of the county’spublic schools to investigate thecondition of each facility, the lev-el of instruction and the engage-ment of students and parents.Though his role is an administra-tive one, as a parent of four adultchildren he sees parental involve-ment as key to school success.“Parents need to read to chil-

dren, and encourage them to be-come good readers before childrenenter preschool. The cloth booksthat babies drool on and chew on--giving them that background is atremendous help,” Maxwell said.“Working with kids when they areinfants so that they learn to ap-preciate books, taking them plac-es to give them world exposure,taking them to museums, givingthem a structure (to their days)because school and the world ofwork rely on those internal mech-anisms of self-control.”That “world exposure” is some-

thing Maxwell says military fami-

WATCH, from page 1

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Lorenzo Creighton, President,MGM Resorts National Harbor

PHOTO/CHRIS BASHAM

Ann Marie Foley Binsner, Execu-tive Director, Court AppointedSpecial Advocates/PrinceGeorge’s County

PHOTO/CHRIS BASHAM

Joseph Fisher, founder and CEO,First Generation College Bound

PHOTO/CHRIS BASHAM

Pastor Delman Coates

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Dr. Kevin Maxwell, CEO, PrinceGeorge’s County Public Schools

see WATCH, page 8


BY RANDY ROUGHTONAIR FORCE NEWS SERVICE

TUSKEGEE, Ala. (AF-NS) -- This year’s NationalAfrican American His-tory Month observancecelebrates 50 years sincePresident Lyndon B. John-son signed the Civil RightsAct of 1964 into law. Butfor the Air Force, an im-portant evolution on theroad to equality for AfricanAmericans can be tracedmore than two decadesearlier with an experimentfrom senior leaders to trainblack pilots at the famedTuskegee Institute.As the 13 young African-

American men steppedoff the train in this smallcentral Alabama town on aJuly day in1941, their firstimpression was the oppres-sive heat that immediatelyhit them in the face. Withno breeze, the stifling hotair could be practically cutwith a knife.When they stepped off

the bus at the nearby air-field, their first collectivethoughts were – where’sthe airfield? In front ofthe young men, who werethere to learn to fly, wasan open field that over thenext several years wouldbecome a bustling trainingbase. They would take anexperiment by senior Armyleadership to see if blackswere “teachable” to fly air-planes and turn it into theultimate experience forAfrican-Americans to dosomething that until thenwas strictly off limits.Eventually, Moton Field,

named for the formerTuskegee Institute presi-dent Robert Moton, wouldconsist of two aircrafthangars, wooden offices,storage buildings, a lockerbuilding, clubhouse, vehiclemaintenance area, and acontrol tower. However, inthe first few years of thewar, riggers hung para-chutes from the hangartrusses to dry because thefield’s tower wasn’t builtuntil 1943.Cadets first completed

their primary flight train-ing there before they ad-vanced to basic and ad-vanced training at Tuske-gee Army Air Field.Some Army leaders con-

sidered training in Tuske-

gee during World War II“an experiment.” But Afri-can American pilots saw itas an opportunity, with onesurviving Tuskegee Airmancalling it the “Tuskegee Ex-perience.”Surviving Tuskegee Air-

men say the standard washigher for them than itwas for white pilots, andthat the training was “anexperiment designed tofail,” with many qualifiedAfrican American pilotswashing out during basicand advanced training. Ofthe 3,000 who trained tofly at Tuskegee, only 1,000graduated. About 650 weresingle-engine pilots, withthe remainder qualified asbomber pilots who neversaw combat. Cadets facedracism and segregation atTuskegee and other train-ing bases such as SelfridgeField, Mich., and Walter-boro Army Air Field, S.C.“We just loved the air-

plane, but we knew seg-regation at that time wasthe rule of the world,” saidDr. Roscoe C. Brown Jr.,a Tuskegee Airmen whograduated on March 12,1944, and later becamecommander of the 100th

Fighter Squadron and oneof three Tuskegee Airmenwho shot down GermanMe-262 jets from the P-51Mustang.“People who never grew

up during segregation can’trealize how rigid it was,”said Brown. “You could goas high as you could in theblack community, but youcouldn’t go nearly as highin the white community.Opportunities were deniedto you, and you had no re-course. That was why theNAACP and the civil rightsmovement got started backin the 1920s and ‘30s. Thatwas the struggle the peo-ple of my generation wentthrough.”But, Brown said, “ex-

cellence is the antidote toprejudice.”Only six of those origi-

nal 13 cadets survived allfour phases of training toearn their wings on March7, 1942. That initial classincluded Capt. BenjaminO. Davis Jr., who would goon to become the Air Force’sfirst African American gen-eral.Because construction on

Moton Field was delayedby rain, the class started

training at Kennedy Field,where chief flight instruc-tor Charles A. (“Chief ”)Anderson took first ladyEleanor Roosevelt on herheavily publicized flight onMarch 29, 1941.According to historical

documents, if many mili-tary leaders had their way,the effort to train AfricanAmerican pilots for combatwould have been a failed ex-periment. As late as 1925,an Army War College studyreferred to African-Ameri-cans as “mentally inferiorsubspecies of the humanrace,” with “smaller brainsthat weighed 10 ounces lessthan whites.”Much of the leadership

believed blacks lacked theintelligence, leadership orcoordination to be pilots,much less fighter pilots.“Experiments within theArmy in the solution of so-cial problems are fraughtwith danger to efficiency,discipline, or morale,” woreGen. George C. Marshall,Army chief of staff, in aletter in 1941. Just a yearearlier, he had also writtenthat the military wasn’t theproper place to change thesegregation policy preva-lent in American society.Fortunately, President

Franklin Delano Roos-evelt was concerned aboutthe black vote in the 1940presidential election, andannounced after the CivilPilot Training Act passedin 1939 that African Amer-icans would be trained asmilitary pilots in the ArmyAir Corps.The Tuskegee Institute

was already training Afri-can American civilian pi-lots, and in 1939, the CivilAeronautics Administra-tion approved the schoolas a civilian pilot train-ing institution. The ArmyAir Forces allowed the99th Fighter Squadron tobecome the first AfricanAmerican flying unit to de-ploy to North Africa in thespring of 1943. Tuskegeepilots were initially lim-ited to flying patrols alongthe coast and on shippingtargets, but would go on tobecome one of the most suc-cessful escort groups withinthe Army Air Corps.But by the end of the

war, Tuskegee Airmen inthe 99th Fighter Squadron,

part of the 332nd FighterGroup, had flown about1,500 missions, destroyed260 enemy planes, andwere instrumental in thedestruction of many enemytargets.Not too long ago, many

Americans were unawareof the role African Ameri-cans and their training inTuskegee played duringWorld War II. Most of theTuskegee Airmen, like in-telligence officer 2nd Lt.Ted Lumpkin, kept theirexperiences to themselves.“There was no real rec-

ognition that we had beenoverseas, other than ourimmediate family andfriends,” Lumpkin said. “Iteventually got to the pointwhere most of us just didnot talk about the experi-ence at all, because no onereally believed you, and itbecame a secret.”Dr. Daniel C. Haulman

is the organizational histo-ries branch chief at the AirForce Historical ResearchAgency at Maxell Air ForceBase, Ala. and co-authoredthe book “The TuskegeeAirmen: An IllustratedHistory: 1939 – 1949.” Heexplained that for abouttwo decades after the war,important documents, his-tories and mission reportson the Tuskegee Airmenremained classified. Butbeginning in the late 1950s,several important steps ledto the Tuskegee Airmen fi-nally being recognized fortheir service, struggles andaccomplishments.“It was not until the doc-

uments were declassifiedand people could read themthat the Tuskegee Airmenslowly came to the atten-tion of the public,” saidHaulman, “The first stepwas the one that gave themtheir name, Charles Fran-cis’ book, ‘The TuskegeeAirmen,’ first came out in1955. The second step wasthe formation of TuskegeeAirmen Inc., which formedto publicize what they ac-complished during WorldWar II. The third step wasthe HBO movie (also called‘The Tuskegee Airmen’)in the 1990s that helpedincrease the publicity theTuskegee Airmen got.”The Tuskegee-trained

pilots went on to earn theirplace in U.S. military histo-

ry, but some historians areskeptical of the role theyplayed in President HarryS. Truman’s decision to de-segregate the military onFeb. 2, 1948. Haulman hasa much different view.“Not everyone agrees

with me, but I believe theydid have an influence onTruman’s decision,” Haul-man said. “The Air Forcewas already moving towarddesegregation even beforeTruman issued Execu-tive Order 99801. The firstsecretary of the Air Force,Stuart Symington, waswell aware of the TuskegeeAirmen record, and he waslong an advocate of deseg-regation of the Air Force.“There are those who

believe Symington helpedTruman draft the executiveorder because the Air Forcewas already moving towarddesegregation. (Col.) NoelParrish wrote a thesis ad-vocating the desegrega-tion of the Air Force rightaround the time the AirForce was born. I think Par-rish influenced Symington,and Symington influencedTruman.”Lumpkin, now 94, some-

times uses his lessons fromovercoming prejudice toserve his country duringWorld War II to help pre-pare young people for their“own Tuskegee experience.”“I think one of the things

the Tuskegee experiencecan do for youngsters is tohelp them to realize that,because the Tuskegee Air-men were able to do theirbest on a day-to-day basis,these kinds of actions ac-cumulate,” Lumpkin said.“And as they do, they builda strength which connectswith other people and alsostrengthens the person go-ing through this experi-ence.“Tuskegee was a chal-

lenge for the Tuskegee Air-men. I think this is impor-tant for youngsters to knowthat they are going to havetheir own Tuskegee experi-ences because those thingscome up in life. But if theydo their best, each and ev-ery day, the accumulationof that effort will show it-self in a positive way intheir lives and help themto be better citizens and bemore comfortable in theirlife activity.”

Black Airmen turn racism, bigotry into opportunity

U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO

Benjamin O. Davis, one of two black line officers in theU.S. Army, was chosen to lead the all-black 99th FighterSquadron.

JBA BuzzWhat single moment or person inBlack History inspires you?

Senior AirmanCecelia Green,459th Mainte-nance SquadronAerospace air-craft mechanic

Tech. Sgt. Mi-chael Wilson,459th Air Refu-eling Wing air-crew chief

Logistics Spe-cialist 2nd ClassJeffrey Ulyse,Fleet LogisticsSupport Squad-ron One

Tech Sgt. CarlRichardson,459th Air Refu-eling Wing Qual-ity Assurance

“The single momentin Black History thatinspired me was dur-ing President BarackObama’s inaugura-tion.”

“Marcus Garveybecause of hismovement to upliftBlack people. Heencouraged them tokeep moving forwardtoward progress.”

“For me it was Mal-colm X because hemade a stance for anation when no oneelse believed in it.”

“Martin Luther KingJr. inspired mebecause he had togo through so muchand endure so muchsuffering for equalityfor a nation of peoplefrom various ethnicbackgrounds. Heaccomplished somuch in such a shortperiod of time.”

COURTESY OF AIR FORCEPUBLIC AFFAIRS AGENCY,OPERATING LOCATION – P

Both active and retiredAfrican-American gen-eral officers and membersof the senior executiveservice were recognizedduring the Ninth AnnualStars and Stripes dinnerFeb. 7, in Washington, D.C.

Air Force Chief of StaffGen. Mark A. Welsh IIIpresented this year’s BlackEngineer of the Year awardto Air Force recipient Brig.Gen. Cedric D. George, theWarner Robins Air Logis-tics Complex commanderat Robins Air Force Base,Ga.Current and retired

leaders participated in atwo-hour mentoring ses-sion prior to the dinner.The mentors passed downlife lessons to approxi-mately 360 college andhigh school students fromthe Washington metro ar-ea, who are interested inpursuing professions in

CSAF recognizes 2014Black Engineer of the Year

U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/SCOTT M. ASH

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III and former Air Force Vice Chief of StaffGen. Lester L. Lyles congratulate Brig. Gen. Cedric D. George on his receipt of the BlackEngineer of the Year Award at the Ninth Annual Stars and Stripes dinner, Feb. 7, 2014,in Washington, D.C. George is the commander of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Com-plex, Robins Air Force Base, Ga. The dinner is held every year to honor engineers, bothactive and retired African American general officers and members of the senior execu-tive service.

see CSAF, page 5


Team Wins Losses Total Games Win %

779 MDG 9 2 11 82%

11 CES (a) 8 3 11 73%

D SQUAD 8 4 12 67%

11 SFG 7 5 12 58%

VR-53 7 5 10 58%

779 MOS 2 10 12 17%

744 COMM 0 12 12 0%

JBA IntramuralBasketball Standings

Monday/Wednesday

Tuesday/Thursday

Team Wins Losses Total Games Win %

459th ARW 9 2 11 82%

WSA 8 2 10 80%

FRC MA 8 3 11 73%

11 LRS 7 5 12 58%

89 COMM 5 6 11 45%

11 CES (b) 4 9 13 31%

PAG 2 9 11 18%

89 APS 2 9 11 18%

779th Medical Group, 11th Civil Engineering Squadron (A), D Squad and 11th Security ForcesGroup are all playoff-eligible as of Feb. 7, 2014.

459th Air Refueling Wing, Wing Staff Agency, Fleet Reserve Center Mid-Atlantic and 11th LogisticsReadiness Squadron are all playoff-eligible as of Feb. 7, 2014.

BY LAUREN EHRSAM JAVELIN

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Hon-or Flight Capital Region is ac-tively recruiting WWII veteranswho live in and around the na-tion’s capital to participate inone of two trips scheduled forthis April. As part of the HonorFlight Network, the D.C. metroarea-based chapter serves veter-ans by organizing all expensespaid trips to visit the WWII Me-morial, Arlington Cemetery, andother sites in the nation’s capi-tal. April’s trip will provide bustransportation for area veteransto gather with their comradesand commemorate their serviceto the nation.Michael Garceau, founder of

Honor Flight Capital Regionsaid, “It’s a privilege and anhonor to show our appreciation

to these members of our Great-est Generation. If you know anyWorld War II veterans who livein the greater Washington area,we’re asking for your help insigning them up. This is a power-ful experience, and one we wantto provide for all veterans, wher-ever they live.”WWII veterans living in the

D.C. area have two opportunitiesto join Honor Flight Capital Re-gion in April:

* April 5, 2014 – WWII vet-erans living in metropolitanWashington, D.C. and northernVirginia* April 26, 2014 - WWII vet-

erans living in Southern Mary-land.Veterans may apply to par-

ticipate in the April 5 or April26 trip at http://www.honor-flightCR.org/veterans, or, if an

individual would like to refera veteran, enter his or her in-formation at http://www.honor-flightcr.org/greatest-generationand a representative from HonorFlight Capital Region will reachout.Applications for all Honor

Flight Capital Region trips willbe accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis, and space is limited.The trip is free for veterans,

who will travel by charter bus tothe National Mall, where theywill visit the memorials dedicat-ed to their service and sacrifice,and experience a day of honorand recognition.Additional events for 2014

will be announced later thisspring.Please visit http://www.honor-

flightcr.org for more information,or to make a donation online.

Honor Flight D.C. announcestrips for area veterans

science, technology, engineeringor mathematics.

Brigadier General Ced-ric D. GeorgeBrig. Gen. Cedric D. George

is the Commander, WarnerRobins Air Logistics Complex,Robins Air Force Base, Ga.The WR-ALC performs pro-grammed depot maintenanceon all variants of the F-15, C-5,C-130, C-17 and special opera-tions forces aircraft. GeneralGeorge leads more than 8,400employees in the restoration ofequipment to serviceable con-dition through structural andcomponent repair, manufac-ture, and modification; avionicand airborne electronics weap-ons system repair, manufac-ture, modification, calibration,and certification; and softwaredevelopment and sustainmentof operational flight programs,test program sets, and auto-matic test equipment. He isalso responsible for providinga ready source of critical item

maintenance and repair bysupporting peacetime mainte-nance requirements, meetingwartime emergency demands,and accomplishing expedition-ary aircraft maintenance andrepair.General George entered the

Air Force in 1987 as a graduateof Norwich University’s ROTCprogram. He is a fully quali-fied Maintenance Commanderand a Level III senior acquisi-tion professional, with a widearray of leadership experienc-es in Air Force and joint pro-grams. His commands includethe 49th Aircraft MaintenanceSquadron at Holloman AFB,N.M.; 35th Maintenance Groupat Misawa AB, Japan; and 11thWing at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C. Hehas also served as the Directorof Pacific Air Forces Air ForceSmart Operations 21, HickamAB, Hawaii and Special Assis-tant to the Vice Chief of Staff,Headquarters U.S. Air Force,Washington, D.C. Prior to hiscurrent position, he was Com-mander, 76th MaintenanceWing, Tinker AFB, Oklahoma.

CSAF, from page 4

AIR REFUELING WING

WARRIORS BEAT WING

STAFF AGENCY

PHOTOS/BOBBY JONES

Shaquille Luke, 459th Air Refueling Wing point guard, glides in fortwo points off a fast break in the closing moments of the secondof an Intramural Basketball game against the Wing Staff Agency.The ARWwon handily 47 to 38.

Wayne Booth Jr., left, 450th Air Refueling Wing guard utilizes speedinside the paint as he goes in for a two-point lay up against a WingStaff Agency defender, during an Intramural Basketball game atthe West Fitness Center Feb. 11.


BY BOBBY JONESSTAFF PHOTOJOURNALIST

Harmony Hall Regional Center in Fort Washington,Md. hosted its annual FESTIVAL: Expressions of a Peoplecelebration Feb. 9 in honor of Black History Month. Theday included workshops in belly dancing, liturgical dance,African dance and drumming. The free event entertainedlocal residents with the Upton Blues Band and Black His-tory Live with Culture Queen featuring Uncle Devin andDance Dimensions from District Heights. There were alsoarts and crafts activities for children and families. Localresidents also learned about black history and the growthof Prince George’s County.

Expressions of a People displays local black history, culture

A local resident views a cultural image of a mother braid-ing her daughter’s hair. The image was burned into par-ticle board.

PHOTOS/BOBBY JONES

The African Heritage Dancers and Drummers fromWashington, D.C. chant and entertain a captivated audience.

African art and fabrics were displayed at the AnnualExpressions of a People in the lobby of Harmony HallRegional Center. The artwork was createdby Baba-C,Griot Master storyteller, motivational speaker, mentor,cultural arts specialist and co-founder of The Academyfor Ideal Education, Washington, D.C.

“Drumcussionist” Devin Walker, left, known as “UncleDevin,” and Jessica “Culture Queen” Smith engage theaudience in song and dance.

The Dance Dimensions are from District Heights, Md.,instead of Forestville.

Kalia Chesley, 7, receives an education from her grand-mother, Angela Wood about how Negroes were treatedprior to the Civil Rights era.

A sign designating a separate entrance for blacks is oneof many remnants of the Jim Crow era on display insidethe art gallery at Harmony Hall Regional Center.

BY JASON ALDERMAN

One topic I’ve learnedto avoid with new acquain-tances until I know thembetter (along with politicsand religion) is where theystand on the treatment ofpets. Some people, whentheir dog gets sick or badlyinjured, say, “It’s an animal

– that’s just part of the cir-cle of life.” Others considerRover a close family mem-ber and would take out asecond mortgage to savehis life.Pet owners from both

camps probably see thebarrage of ads for pet insur-ance and wonder whetherit’s worth the expense,which might be several

thousand dollars over thelife of your pet. I did someresearch and the best an-swer I can come up with is,it depends.First, ask yourself: Do

you regard pet insuranceas a financial investment,where you expect to getback more in benefits thanyou paid out in premiumsover the pet’s life? Or, is itmore like auto or homeown-er’s insurance, where youhope nothing ever goes se-

riously wrong, but you wantcoverage in case there’s acatastrophe?Either way, here are

some basic facts about petinsurance that may helpyou decide whether it’sright for you:Pet insurance shares

many features with humanhealth insurance: Policiestypically have annual de-ductibles, copayments andexclusions, and some poli-cies limit which veterinar-

ians, clinics and hospitalsyou can use.But there are numer-

ous differences as well. Forexample, pet insurers areallowed to refuse coveragefor preexisting conditionsand to set annual and life-time payout limits. Amongthe many other restrictionsyou should watch for whencomparing plans are:• Premiums vary great-

ly depending on whereyou live and may increasebased on your pet’s age,breed, veterinary cost infla-tion and other factors.• Typically you must

pay the vet or hospital billout of pocket and get reim-bursed later.• Many plans deny or re-

strict coverage for congeni-tal or hereditary conditions(like hip dysplasia in dogsor kidney failure in cats)and preventable conditionslike periodontal disease.• Along with annual and

lifetime maximums on ben-efits paid out, there may bea limit on how much it willpay for treatment of an in-dividual illness or accident.• If your pet suffers a

particular disorder oneyear, don’t be surprised ifthat condition is excludedat renewal – or if you’re re-quired to pay an additionalfee for future coverage.• Pets over certain age

limits frequently are de-nied coverage.• Certain breeds are of-

ten excluded or only eligi-ble for restricted coverage.• Some carriers let you

augment your accident andillness policy with optional“wellness care” coveragefor things like spaying andneutering, annual physi-cals, vaccines and routinetests. Make sure the ad-ditional premium is worththe extra cost.Perhaps the biggest

challenge when choosingpet insurance is trying tocompare plans, apples toapples. There are about adozen carriers in the U.S.Each offers a variety ofplans with varying deduct-ible, copayment and maxi-mum coverage amounts, aswell as different coveredbenefits and exclusions.You can go directly to

their websites for plan de-tails and to request a quote,or use an independent com-parison website to pullquotes from multiple car-riers. I’d recommend creat-ing a spreadsheet to com-pare benefits and costs sideby side, just as you wouldwhen shopping for auto in-surance.Bottom line: If you de-

cide pet insurance isn’tright for you, at least besure you’re setting moneyaside to cover expected –and unexpected – expenses.

Jason Alderman directsVisa’s financial educationprograms.

Pet insurance: Is it worth the money?

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BY STAFF SGT. DAVID SALANITRIAIR FORCE PUBLIC AFFAIRS AGENCY,

OPERATING LOCATION - P

WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Uniformedand civilian Air Force leaders volunteeredtheir Friday evening to mentor black highschool and college students during the2014 Black Engineer of the Year Science,Technology Engineering and Mathematicsconference Feb. 7.During the two-hour mentoring ses-

sions, the Airmen passed down life lessonsto 360 students from the Washington, D.C.metro area, who are interested in pursu-ing professions in science, technology, en-gineering or mathematics.The students, who were hand-selected

by their school administrators, had theopportunity to peek into the life of theirmentors’ Air Force service, whether thatservice is as a military or civilian member.Among the handful of senior executive

service and general officer Airmen attend-ing was Timothy Bridges, the deputy as-sistant secretary of the Air Force for instal-lations.For the past few years, Bridges has

taken an active part in the mentorshipprogram. He said approaching the topic ofgrowing youth is a responsibility he feelshe has.“I think all senior leaders should take

the opportunity when they have it to en-gage with our youth and to motivate andencourage them,” he said. “It is time wellspent, part of our responsibility and pro-vides a forum to help make a difference insome youngster’s life.”For Brig. Gen. Cedric George, the War-

ner Robins Air Logistic Complex com-mander, mentorship began at an early age.George was the son of an enlisted sol-

dier, whose 30 years of service took placeduring a challenging time for black men

and women, he said.“Needless to say, having a father who

earned such longevity in the military pro-vided me with a great example,“ Georgesaid. “I also had the priceless example ofhow a successful military man conductshimself. My dad’s time had its share of in-equities and difficulties. Nevertheless, hewas undeterred in his loyalty and pride.My dad’s stature … the way he carriedhimself, the way he walked, the way hewore his uniform … had a huge impact onme.”Children don’t always have active role

models in their lives. For Bridges, being a

mentor is an opportunity to change a stu-dent’s life.“There are some great kids out there

who want to do well,” he said. “We need tohelp them, teach them and inspire them.”According to the Air Force mentoring

program, mentorship is an essential ingre-dient in developing well-rounded, profes-sional and competent future leaders, withthe overall goal to help individuals reachtheir full potential.Bridges said mentorship helped estab-

lished the framework of the man he is to-day.“I think for me, early mentors not only

challenged me to do my very best, theyheld me accountable for my own actionsand put their trust and faith in me,” hesaid. “I felt if they thought I could do it,then it must be true. Most importantlythough, they opened my eyes to my ownpotential and motivated me to go for it.”Throughout Bridges’ career, mentorship

came in many forms and at many stages.“During my career mentors came at all

levels, but I think I learned the most froma few key senior NCOs” he said. “Theyhelped shape and mold me early, and Icame to understand my role as a leaderand as a role model. They reinforced in-tegrity and accountability by what theydid, and didn’t do.”Mentorship isn’t a one-way process for

Bridges. As a mentor, his goal is to de-velop students but the students alwaysmanage to teach him something.“I’ve been attending these sessions

for the last few years, and I always comeaway rejuvenated and encouraged,”Bridges said. “It’s not just a ‘give’ for me,it’s a ‘get,’ too.”Bridges said growing and developing

the upcoming generation of today helpsensure a positive and successful genera-tion of tomorrow.“If we don’t invest in our future, we

will become bankrupt,” he said. “If wedon’t teach them the way in which theyshould go, they will be lost. The world is avery confusing and scary place -- a littlelight in the darkness is a big help to thosewho seek it.”Even with the tremendous success

George has earned, he said he hopes thosehe has mentored see greater success.“I hope for all of the young people their

experience can be as good, even betterthan mine,” he said. “Hopefully then, theywill pass it on down the line and be thatbest example for the next generations.”

Air Force leaders step outside service branch to mentor students

U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/SCOTT M. ASH

Timothy K. Bridges talks with Giselle Gonzales, of Hayfield Secondary School, Alexan-dria, Va., during the Black Engineer of the Year Science, Technology Engineering andMathematics conference Feb. 7 in Washington, D.C. Bridges is the deputy assistant sec-retary of the Air Force for installations, at the Headquarters Air Force, in the Pentagon,Washington, D.C.

Belvoir Officers’ Spouses’ Club Schol-arships available The Belvoir Officers’Spouses’ Club is accepting applicationsfor its scholarship program throughApril 12, 2014. The scholarship programis open to spouses and dependents of allranks—active duty, retired or deceased—in all branches of military service includ-ing Guard/Reserves, with a valid militaryidentification card. Eligible applicants ortheir military sponsor must reside in thegreater Washington, D.C. area. All appli-cants, spouses and child dependents mustenroll at either an accredited two- or four-year college/university or an accredited/licensed vocational/technical program forthe 2014-2015 academic year. Spouses cur-rently enrolled in an accredited programare also eligible to apply. Child/dependentapplicants (up to age 23 with valid militaryID card) must be both high school gradu-ates and rising freshmen in an accred-ited program for the 2014-2015 academicyear. Those who previously received BOSCscholarships or who are pursuing a seconddegree (technical, second undergraduate orgraduate, etc.) are not eligible to apply.Applications and package requirements

for the BOSC Scholarships are availableon Fort Belvoir at the Officer’s Club, Edu-cation Office, ACS, SFAC, Belvoir FederalCredit Union, or online at www.belvoirosc.org. Applications are also distributed toall high school counselors in the greaterWashington, D.C. area. Incomplete packag-es will not be considered. Packages mustbe postmarked between now and April 12,2014 and sent to:BOSC Scholarship CommitteeP.O. Box 322Fort Belvoir, VA 22060BOSC has awarded nearly $60,000 in

scholarships for military families in thegreater Washington, D.C. area since 1951.As the cost of higher education continuesto rise at alarming rates, these scholar-ships have played an essential role inmany members of our local military com-munity pursuing their education.BOSC is a volunteer-driven, private,

nonprofit organization that exists to pro-vide support to families of service mem-bers through friendship, camaraderie, andphilanthropic work among the militarycommunity. Membership is open to all of-ficers’ spouses in all branches of service,

both active duty and retired. Informationon joining the BOSC is available at bel-voirosc.org.Scholarships are made possible by the

fundraising efforts of BOSC members, cou-pled with the generosity of First CommandFinancial Services and Belvoir FederalCredit Union. They are awarded in partbased upon civic-mindedness.This focus on strong moral character,

community involvement, and service isreflected in the philanthropic work andcountless outreach efforts by the hundredsof members of Belvoir Officers’ Spouses’Club.Scholarship winners will be honored at

an awards reception in May at the FortBelvoir USO. For more information, con-tact BOSC Scholarship Chair, JenniferWilder at 703-532-1383 or [email protected].

Belvoir Officers’ Spouses’Club Scholarships available

The Andrews Officers’ Spouses’ Clubat Joint Base Andrews is now acceptingapplications for its 2014 Scholarship Pro-gram. The scholarship is open to depen-dent spouses and children of active duty,DOD civilian, Guard, Reservist, retiredor deceased service members assigned toor living on JBA or the National CapitalRegion. All ranks and branches of serviceare encouraged to apply. Scholarshipsare awarded based on academic achieve-ment, written essay, leadership, honors,athletics, community service, and workexperience. Financial need is NOT takeninto consideration. The minimum schol-arship awarded is $1500. For applica-tion and more information please emailaoscscholarship2014(at)gmail.com, visitwww.andrewsosc.org or pick up an appli-cation packet at the Joint Base AndrewsThrift Shop. All applications MUST bepostmarked by April 1, 2014.

Andrews OSCScholarshipdeadline nears

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Valentines DinnerCandle Light Dinner for Two

2-14-14Annual Candle Light Dinner EventServed in our Upstairs Dining Room

Reservation for 2 or 4 adult guests onlyTo provide a quiet romantic dinnerReservations from 4 pm to 10 pm

Dinner for TwoCup of soup or Prepared Saladchoose two entrees per person

8 oz Prime Rib - 6 Jumbo Steamed Shrimp1 cluster Crab Legs - Premium Crab Cake

one side per personCapt. John’s Valentine Cake

$59.99 per couple

Regular Dining Downstairs. No reservationrequired. Full Menu and Dinner Specials availablein entire restaurant. Reservations 301-259-2315

1041302B

1036361B

• Serving the Community for 35 Years!• Affordable Whitening Systems Available

• Braces for adults & children including Invisalign (invisible braces)

• White Fillings • Digital X-Rays • Root Canal Treatment• Crown & Bridge • Implants & Dentures

301-868-07779015 Woodyard Rd.,

Ste. #104 Clinton, MD 20735www.clintonfamilydental.com

Alan H. Michaels • Sam J. Hamam • Jared W. LambFamily & Cosmetic Dentistry

Premier

Most Major Insurances Accepted


Medications are available to beneficiaries18 years or older who are not eligible forMedicare. A wide range of gums, pills,lozenges, patches and nasal sprays aredelivered. For more information on homedelivery, go to www.tricare.mil/homede-livery. Those same prescription medica-tions should also be available throughmost military clinics and hospitals. TRI-CARE estimated in 2007 that treatmentof tobacco-related diseases cost the De-partment of Defense at least $500 mil-lion. Although a health behavior surveyof active duty service members in 2008showed a small decline in self-reportedtobacco use -- about 31 percent -- smok-ing in the military typically exceeds theoverall U.S average for adults. That U.S.average was estimated at 19 percent in2010 by the Centers for Disease Controland Prevention.

Thunderbirds, Wings of BluereturnThe Air Force is resuming public out-

reach and community engagements at a re-

duced capacity. Two popular, high-visibilityprograms, the Thunderbirds and Wings ofBlue aerial demonstration teams, are back.However, the Air Force did not resume apublic flyover program, nor Air Force staticdisplay aircraft at civilian air shows. Fu-neral flyovers are not affected by this planand continue to be coordinated throughnormal procedures. The Thunderbirds have34 shows divided between civilian and mil-itary events, while the Wings of Blue JumpTeam has 33 shows scheduled. The onlyarea appearance for the T-Birds is June14-15 at Ocean City, Md. Also continuinglimited schedules are the Air Force Band,based at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, andseveral regional bands.

The Retiree Activities Office is open 10a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.Visit the office in Building 1604 at Cali-fornia and Colorado Avenues or call us at301-981-2726. Our e-mail address is [email protected]. Call the office before yourvisit to ensure a volunteer is on duty. TheRAO has a website at www.andrews.af.mil;Under “Helpful Links” click on “RetireesActivity Office” for information on retireesubjects, including past copies of “RetireeCorner.”

RETIREE, from page 2

The Security Forces Blotter is intendedto keep members of the Joint Base AndrewsCommunity informed and aware of thecrimes and offenses that occur throughoutthe base each week. If you have any infor-mation that may help Security Forces solvea crime or prevent a criminal act, pleasecontact BDOC (Base Defense OperationsCenter) at 301-981-2001, CRIME STOPLINE at 301-981-2677 (COPS) or the in-vestigations section at 301-981-5656.

12:03 p.m., Jan. 25 2014: There wasa minor vehicle accident involving oneprivately owned vehicle and one govern-ment-owned vehicle at Building #1657/Dormitory. Driver admitted to striking theadditional vehicle while parking.. The indi-vidual was charged accordingly.

1:06 p.m., Jan. 31, 2014: SF discoveredan individual with an outstanding warrantwho was trying to gain access to the instal-lation. SF contacted Glen Burnie Sherriff?sOffice, who arrived and took custody of theindividual..

1:50 p.m., Jan. 31, 2014: There was aminor vehicle accident involving two gov-ernment-owned vehicles at Building #1522.A driver admitted to striking a vehiclewhen his foot slipped off the brake pedal.There were no injuries and the damage tothe vehicles consisted of minor dents andscratches.

8:31 p.m., Jan. 31, 2014: There was aminor vehicle accident involving one gov-ernment owned vehicle and the flight linefence line. The driver admitted to strik-ing the fence line while backing withouta spotter. There were no injuries and thedamage to the vehicle consisted of minordents and scratches. There was no damageto the fence line.

11:52 a.m., Feb. 3, 2014: SecurityForces responded to the Presidential Innwhen there was distinct odor of marijuanaemitting from a vacant room. Upon furtherinvestigation it was discovered the tenantin question had already departed the in-stallation. The case was turned over to 11SFS/S3I.

10:32 a.m., Feb. 4, 2014: SF discoveredtwo individuals with outstanding war-rants who were trying to gain access tothe installation. SF contacted the PrinceGeorge’s County Police Department andthe Maryland Department of Natural Re-sources who arrived and took custody ofthe individuals.

10:50 a.m., Feb. 4, 2014: The EntryControllers at the Virginia Gate discoveredan individual driving under the influenceof alcohol. A Standard Field Sobriety Testdetermined the individual unfit to oper-ate a motor vehicle. The individual wascharged accordingly and was released tohis/her First Sergeant.

Security Forces Police BlotterCAPTION THIS

Send your silly captions for this week’s photo to [email protected]. The funni-est ones will be used in a future edition of The Andrews Gazette.

lies often have, much more than their ci-vilian counterparts, in large part becauseof overseas tours of duty and deploy-ments. The down side, of course, is thatall those moves can be disruptive to botheducational continuity and the develop-ment of relationships young people needto feel welcome and engaged in the life ofa school.“Our school system wants to be a good

partner, and wants to be supportive ofchildren who live on Andrews,” said Max-well. “I know the charter school there;parents seem very happy with it. I’vemet with command leaders from the baseand plan to be on the base in the not-too-distant future to further those conversa-tions.”As he visits schools and speaks with

parents, Maxwell said that he hopes toraise the overall level of achievement inthe district and plans to expand popularprograms to eliminate waiting lists, andto add additional programs families wantfor their children.“From French immersion and Montes-

sori, to STEM, and art education is verymuch not as robust and vibrant as weshould have. Foreign languages? We arenot meeting hte demands of the globalsociety we have, and to meet the needsof students who speak other languages.We need Chinese, Spanish immersionand more French. Environmental litera-cy--we’re not meeting the needs we havethere,” Maxwell said. He hopes that en-hanced partnerships with the UniversitySystem of Maryland and with businesseswill enhance academic and career educa-tion.“We’re gong to see the results in edu-

cational outcomes. The drop in enrollmentis already turning around, which is an in-dicator that people have confidence in ourschools,” said Maxwell.

Councilwoman Karen TolesD-Dist. 7“I grew up in Suitland, and used to

go to the movies on Joint Base Andrews,at the theater that is closed now,” saidKaren Toles. Sticking close to home, sheattended the University of Maryland, Col-

lege Park, and pledged the traditionallyAfrican American sorority Alpha KappaAlpha. It was a choice which helped herthrough unexpected grief, as a young stu-dent, and has helped form her career andinvolvement in the community ever since.As a new “line sister,” Toles was shakenby her father’s sickness and death.“Pledging a sorority helped me focus

and stay in school. I’m like a Daddy’s girl,so it was hard,” Toles said. “Twelve otherwonderful women just came around meand told me it would be OK. They keptme focused on academics. That’s a servicewe probably didn’t know, at the time, thatwe provided for each other.”After graduating with a degree in

public health, she worked for the UnitedMine Workers of America for seven years,before deciding that a K Street career wasnot her destiny.“I felt closed in, like something greater

was waiting for me. All I had was faith inGod, courage and a pension, when I de-cided to figure out how to fulfill my life’sdestiny. Faith drove me,” Toles said. Shefound a position working for the Demo-cratic National Committee, and later forthe Maryland Democratic Party in An-napolis.“I worked in Prince George’s County,

Montgomery County, Southern Marylandand the Eastern Shore. I still have some ofthose friends around the state, now,” saidToles, who focused on legislation aimed atprotecting working families, ensuring fairemployee rights and pay and living wagesfor home health care workers.“Being an organizer, like President

Obama, talking to people around theEastern Shore who didn’t look like me,but who had some of the same concerns aspeople from my home in Prince George’sCounty, and as a lobbyist for AFSCME inAnnapolis, I didn’t know where God wastaking me. You don’t know the gifts youhave; other people see them.”When a seat opened in the Prince

George’s County Council, friends encour-aged Toles to run. Nearing the end of herfirst term representing District 7, Tolessaid she sees it as “only a starting pointfor greater things to come for me politi-cally and the people of the county.”Some of those, “greater things to come,”

she said, can be found in other parts ofthe region as metropolitan Washingtonrecovers from the extended economic hardtimes.“The region was suffering, but now

we’re coming out of that, and here weneed to focus on the opportunities D.C.has to revitalize older communities. Oldercommunities are the hardest to develop.We need to make sure the money is com-ing back to the community, that we’re notseeing another chicken spot, another fastfood place.”Businesses approach the County Coun-

cil, she says, wanting to be convinced thatPrince George’s County, and Suitland inparticular, are safe areas in which busi-ness owners can invest.“There are bad perceptions about the

county, from previous years. It could havebeen 20 years ago, it sticks with them,”Toles said. She credits new public safetylaws and the cohesive efforts set out un-der County Executive Rushern Baker III(D)’s Transforming Neighborhoods Ini-tiative program with creating change inthe county to make people feel more safe.“People better watch out. The barriers (toeconomic growth) are gone, now. As you goaround and see the trash is picked up, thetest scores are going up, there are men-tors and tutors in schools, the culture ischanging. It’s making the community vi-able for the development we want.”Toles said that the prosperity growing

in District 7, in Northern Virginia and inWashington, D.C., “feeds off each other.It’s going from my border, to your border,”eliminating blighted businesses, creatinginfrastructure and bolstering confidenceamong residents and investors.

WATCH, from page 3

SUBMITTED PHOTO

Councilwoman Karen Toles, D-Dist. 7speaks at the opening of DimensionsFamily Health and Wellness Center inSuitland.

is one of five competing in Region 1, withfive more in Region 2.The other Region 1 competitors are

Offutt Air Force Base, Whiteman AFB,Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, andRamstein Air Base.“We are here for the Airmen and their

needs,” said Batie. “As food service pro-fessionals, we strive to build customer-oriented programs by creating innovativesolutions responsive to meeting them.”There will be two evaluators for Region

1: Joseph M. De Rosa, Chairman and CEOof the De Rosa Corporation and Jara N.Allen, Executive Director or the Interna-tional Military Community Executives As-sociation. Both members of the NRA, DeRosa and Allen will evaluate the facilitybased on five overall categories: Kitchenoperations, serving and dining, training,personnel and readiness and sanitationand maintenance. There are 48 subcat-egories. The final decision will be basedon the highest score in each section andoverall ratings.Additionally, evaluators look for cus-

tomer service, management and seniorleadership involvement in the food serviceoperation.De Rosa and Allen will observe meal

services on Feb. 14 and ask customers forfeedback about their dining experience.The evaluated meal will be the Valen-

tine’s Day menu titled Love Feast, offer-ing: cream of mushroom soup, barbequedpork ribs, five spice chicken, meatloaf,scalloped potatoes, ranch style beans, eggnoodles, corn on the cob, Southern stylegreens, sweet peas, French bread andfresh strawberries with whipped cream.Evaluators will record their scores the

next day and prepare for their next visitto Ramstein AB, Germany.The award recipients reflect the dedica-

tion, pride, and fellowship of the civilianfood service industry and the Air Force,thus improving the Air Force way of life.The winning facility will be recognizedand awarded a trophy during an awardsceremony this May in Chicago.Airmen are encouraged to dine at Free-

dom Dining Hall for the special meal andgive evaluators their honest feedback.

FEAST, from page 1

1036362B

Print & OnlineMedia Packagesfor Colleges/

Schools/Universitiesto Reach the

Military Market inMD/VA/

Washington, D.C.1041447B


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