Soldiers Swap War Stories
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
AAPGPublishedP in the interestG of the people of AberdeenNNEWS Proving Ground,E MarylandWS www.TeamAPG.com THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2016 Vol. 60, No. 20 newsbrief GARRISON TOWN HALL MAY 24 All APG Garrison employees are to attend a town hall meet- ing at the APG North (Aberdeen) post theater, Bldg. 3245, Tuesday, May 24 at 9:30 a.m. Directors and chiefs will ensure all available employees attend while maintaining necessary coverage to customers. According to garrison leadership, all employ- ees are expected to attend unless otherwise directed by their chain of command. The garrison town hall is expected to last until 11 a.m. inside Photo by Lindsey Monger, Army Test and Evaluation Command FREESTATE At a spryly 97-years-old, Vernon Foster, center, shares war stories atop an M1A2 Abrams tank, May 12, during a visit to the FCA cadets learn to Aberdeen Test Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground. A Baltimore County farmer, Foster served as an M-4 Sherman tank commander manage a budget and during World War II. put needs first during a Mad City Money exercise. Soldiers swap war stories Mad|4 World War II veteran shares tank experiences during APG visit EXCELLENCE Two APG tenant By RICK SCAVETTA a tank commander in World War II, fighting commander. During the ceremony, in which organizations recognize U.S. Army Garrison Aberdeen Proving Ground bloody battles in France and Germany. On Mack was promoted to lieutenant colonel, 40+ Federal Executive When Vernon Foster hung up his Army May 12, he visited Soldiers at APG to share Foster received standing applause. Board awardees. uniform in 1946, he figured he’d never see stories from his past and hear about cur- “He hasn’t been on a tank for more than rent tank operations, to include the research, MRICD & ATEC|8 a tank again. Seventy years later, at a spryly 70 years, until today,” Mack said. “We were 97-years-old, Foster climbed aboard a mod- development and testing done with tanks at able to bring him back and show him the ern tank, swapping stories with Soldiers cur- APG. combat power of the M1 Abrams tanks. “It’s rently serving in the U.S. Army at Aberdeen Foster also attended a promotion for Maj. such a true honor to have him here.” Proving Ground. Brian Mack, an armor officer who serves SERVICE A Baltimore County farmer, Foster was as U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center deputy See VETERAN, page 17 CECOM’s HR development branch chief recalls how 9/11 pushed her to become Event outlines retiree services an Army civilian. Why We Serve|11 Story and photos by YVONNE JOHNSON APG News TECHNOLOGY Military Appreciation Week activities kicked off with the annual Retiree Appreci- ARL works to improve ation Day at the APG North (Aberdeen) rec- ‘pilot balloon’ to reation center, May 14. increase aerial delivery Hosted by the APG Garrison and the accuracy. APG Retiree Council, the event offers area New|14 military retirees from all branches, their spouses and survivors a central location to learn about post services and facilities and meet and network with local and national Happy Armed Forces Week See RETIREES, page 18 We salute you! Paul McElroy, a military affairs represen- tative and Navy retiree, right, looks on The APG News as a local retiree fills out an interactive salutes the men and women who proudly questionnaire at the USAA display dur- serve in the U.S. ing the Retiree Appreciation Day at the Armed Forces, and APG North (Aberdeen) recreation center, their families. May 14. Your duty, courage and sacrifice do not go unrecongnized, and it is our honor to bring you the KUSAHC celebrates Nurses Week news on and around Aberdeen Proving Ground. Story and photos by YVONNE JOHNSON APG News Kirk U.S. Army Health Clinic celebrated National Nurses Week May 9-13 with a series of events geared toward appreciating the profession President Barack online Obama described as “the beating heart of our medi- cal system.” Nurses Week is observed nationally each year May www.TeamAPG. 6 to May 12, Florence Nightingale’s birthday. com/APGNews Lt. Col. Maria Angeles, KUSAHC chief nursing facebook.com/ officer and deputy commander for Health Readiness, APGMd said the events were intended to inspire camarade- rie while observing the contributions and nurses have twitter.com/ USAGAPG See NURSE, page 18 fl ickr.com/photos/ usagapg/ Staff Sgt. Heather Alwine, non-commissioned offi- cer in charge of the KUSAHC pharmacy, tries bal- ancing a juice cup tray while speed walking during ICE system relay races in celebration of National Nurses Week, http://ice.disa.mil/ May 11. KUSAHC hosted a week full of events to Facebook, http://on.fb.me/HzQIow mark the annual observance. index By the Numb#rs | 3 Mark Your Calendar | 6 All Things Maryland | 9 MWR Events | 10 APG History | 13 Crossword | 16 Did You Know? | 19 Snapshot | 19 2 APG News • May 19, 2016 Commander’s Corner Summer is The Strength of Red, almost here. Have you White and Blue planned Since 1999, the month of May has been designated as National Military Appreciation Month to honor the current APG is extremely a vacation? and former members of the Armed Forces, including those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in Defense of this Great blessed to have Nation. My plan is to go My wife Dianne and I are constantly amazed by the dedi- the unwavering to Old Forge, cation and patriotism of the diverse and talented workforce of New York and Team APG. With more than 90 tenant units stationed here in support of our rent a cabin. It’s Aberdeen, Maryland, as well as the support we provide glob- kind of a secret ally, APG truly is on the tip of the spear in terms of providing local community for the family, to readiness to the Joint Forces. get them out of What I want to make abundantly clear is that the posture we through countless industry the house a lit- enjoy here on our installation (perhaps the best trained, best tle bit. It’s along lead we’ve ever had) stretches beyond our front gates. APG is partnerships (large and a stream in a pri- Sgt. Maj. Todd extremely blessed to have the unwavering support of our local vate little place Galindo community through countless industry partnerships (large and small business), military and and it has all the RDECOM amenities.” small business), military and veteran associations, local gov- ernment councils and those who simply adore its military and veteran associations, local what it stands for. government councils and These relationships form a unique bond that strengthen “I have two APG’s ability to innovate and maintain its “competitive advan- those who simply adore its cruises planned tage” in the face of new Global Strategic Realities and a time to the Baha- of transition for our Army. military and what it stands for. mas and then APG is no stranger to change, and despite going through my best friend over a decade of continuous combat that included a major and I are going base realignment moving thousands of personnel from Fort mon thread is the utmost respect given to our Soldiers who on our annual, Monmouth, New Jersey to here, this community has nev- stand in harm’s way every day. week-long trip. er skipped a beat. In fact, APG continues to be the model of During this Military Appreciation Week at APG, and in We just started excellence with the capabilities that are deployed by this sto- keeping with this year’s theme, “The Strength of Red, White the tradition last Mayann Scott ried installation. and Blue,” Dianne and I look forward to participating and year because we Retired military As we prepare to celebrate our centennial year of existence, sharing in this time where we honor those who wear the uni- never see each what will most be remembered is not just the latest technolo- form along with those who patriotically support them. It is other.” gy that we put in Soldiers’ hands, rather it will be the people of because of all of you who day in and day out answer the call this military community who had the foresight, dedication and of duty that our flag continues to stand for freedom and justice desire to be part of something bigger than themselves, and that around the world. “We’re going includes Soldiers, civilians and family members. MAJ. GEN. BRUCE T. CRAWFORD to Ocean City, No matter where I go in this tight-knit community, a com- APG Senior Commander Maryland. We’re beach people. We’re actual- ly a Navy family Hydrant flushing on APG North so we’ve always The annual hydrant flushing on APG North (Aberdeen) will begin May 23 and run through July 13. Flushing been near the will be completed Monday through Friday of each week, between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. The schedule listed water.” below is tentative and will be followed except in an unforeseen problem. For more information, contact APG DPW representative Dennis Overbay at 443-206-8910 or City of Lisa Blevins Aberdeen representative Roger Hall at 410-272-1449. Family member Dates Area May 23 – May 31 2000, 3000 & 4000 blocks June 1 – June 10 4000, 5000 & 6000 blocks “I’m planning to June 13 – June 20 4000, 5000 & 6000 blocks go to North Car- June 21 – June 28 Plumb Point Loop, Restricted Areas olina in August to see my sister. June 29 – July 5 ARL, Restricted Areas I’ve been gone July 6 ARL, Restricted Areas so long from home; I miss a lot of my fami- Employees eligible for donations in the ly.