Remembering 'Why We Serve'
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AAPGPublishedP in the interestG of the people of AberdeenNNEWS Proving Ground,E MarylandWS www.TeamAPG.com THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2015 Vol. 59, No. 45 Town Hall draws large numbers Story and photo by RACHEL PONDER APG News More than 400 Sol- diers, civilians, contrac- tors and family members received updates from APG senior leaders and garrison directors during the quar- terly installation town hall meeting at the APG South (Edgewood) recreation cen- ter, Nov. 9. The first town hall of the new fiscal year was hosted by APG Senior Command- er Maj. Gen. Bruce T. Craw- ford, APG Senior Command Sgt. Maj. William Bruns and APG Garrison Commander Col. James E. Davis. Crawford said the pur- pose of the town hall was Maj. Gen. Linda Singh, adjutant general of the Maryland National Guard, administers the oath to discuss issues raised dur- of service to Soldiers during the “Why We Serve” program at the Myer Auditorium, Nov. 10. ing a recent APG senior Photo by Sean Kief leadership luncheon. He said town halls are a forum for open dialogue between APG senior leaders and the community. Remembering ‘Why We Serve’ Crawford added that the Chief of Staff of the By RACHEL PONDER their contributions to the nation. He recognized the service of all Veterans Army Gen. Mark A. Mil- APG News “The thing we are doing today, paus- in the audience, asking them to stand for a ley’s number one priority is ing and reflecting who we stand for, I tru- round of applause in honor of Veterans Day readiness, which includes Nearly 700 Soldiers and civilians reaf- firmed their service to the nation during ly believe that this is what really makes us on Nov. 11. addressing the needs of Sol- different,” he said. The event included remarks from guest diers, civilians, contractors the second “Why We Serve” program at the Myer Auditorium Nov. 10. He recognized special guests including speaker Maryland National Guard Maj. and family members. Gold Star family members and World War Gen. Linda Singh, the first female and Afri- “There is no bigger task The theme of the event, hosted by APG Senior Commander Maj. Gen. Bruce Craw- II Veterans Milton Leigh and Francis Sparr. can American to serve as adjutant general in the area of readiness than “I thank you very much for your years of Maryland. taking care of the folks who ford, was “Ready to Win, Accountable to the Nation.” of service to this great nation and for the Singh said she tackled many obstacles either wear the cloth of the example that you set,” he said. nation as Soldiers or their Crawford asked attendees to think about See EVENT, page 17 See TOWN HALL, page 18 inside ARL hosts open campus at APG INDUSTRY Annual industry planning Open house connects brief outlines upcoming Army needs, future Army researchers, contracts. APG | 3 industry and academia By DAN LAFONTAINE VIETNAM RDECOM The Army research community joined its counter- Aberdeen Mayor Michael parts in academia and industry to discuss better collab- Bennett reflects on a life oration techniques during a conference Nov. 3-4. of service. The U.S. Army Research Laboratory, or ARL, held Hometown | 7 its second open campus open house at the APG North (Aberdeen) Mallette Auditorium with about 680 fel- low researchers from throughout the nation. ARL Director Dr. Thomas Russell led an hour-long question-and-answer panel discussion with the audi- HONOR ence. Eight ARL researchers,who manage the lab’s French-born Maryland science and technology campaigns, joined Russell. Photo by Conrad Johnson transplant to receive Army, academic and industry researchers discuss projects during an open cam- See OPEN CAMPUS, page 17 pus open house at the APG North (Aberdeen) Mallette Auditorium, Nov. 4. Medal of Honor. MD | 11 Observance honors America’s veterans TECHNOLOGY Future rucksacks By STACY SMITH may power Soldiers’ The thing that makes APG News electronic devices. Team APG service members, civilians, Vet- erans, and families gathered to honor those who Army | 14 me most proud to be an have served in the U.S. armed forces during a American is the fact that Veterans Day observance at the post theater on APG North (Aberdeen) Nov. 9. we recognize those who “The thing that makes me most proud to be an American is the fact that we recognize those who online are on our team. are on our team,” said APG Senior Command- er Maj. Gen. Bruce T. Crawford. “We recognize www.TeamAPG. Maj. Gen. Bruce T. Crawford our Veterans and we appreciate our Veterans,” com/APGNews APG Senior Leader he said. facebook.com/ All Veterans in attendance stood and were APGMd honored with a round of applause. As the 50th anniversary of the commencement of the Viet- twitter.com/ nam War, special homage was paid to Vietnam USAGAPG See OBSERVANCE page 18 fl ickr.com/photos/ usagapg/ APG Senior Commander Maj. Gen. Bruce T. Crawford speaks during the installation ICE system Veterans Day Observance at the post the- http://ice.disa.mil/ ater, Nov. 9. Facebook, http://on.fb.me/HzQIow Photo by Sean Kief Mark Your Calendar | 6 By the Numb#rs | 7 All Things Maryland | 9 MWR Events | 10 index APG History | 13 Crossword | 14 Did You Know? | 18 Snapshot | 19 2 APG News • November 12, 2015 2015 Army-Navy Blood If you had an airplane Donor Challenge underway that could take you anywhere in the world APG drives set for November, December for an impromptu vacation, where Armed Services Blood Program “The rivalry and the foot- The 2015 Armed Services ball game are great motivators. would you go? Blood Program Army-Navy We all know how important Blood Donor Challenge is offi- blood donations are for sav- cially underway in Washington, ing lives, especially this time D.C., Maryland and Virginia. of year,” said Navy Cmdr. Les- “I would like This year, the ASBP will lie Riggs, director of the Navy to go to St. conduct 11 blood drives all Blood Program. “By donat- Thomas, Vir- across the Washington metro ing at one of the Army-Navy gin Islands. - Blood Donor Challenge blood The people area Nov. 10 to Dec. 8. All blood collected will directly drives, you are helping us save were that friend- lives and showing pride in ly, the sky was support ill or injured service your service at the same. It’s a that blue, the members, Veterans and their sand was that families worldwide, and deter- win-win situation.” white. It was just Nancy Sheetz mine which service will win The 2015 Blood Donor an unbelievable Family member bragging rights and a trophy Tuesday, Nov. 17. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Challenge kicks off Nov. 10, place.” for the most units of blood APG South (Edgewood) Recreation Center with the last blood drive Dec. donated to the ASBP. 8. There will be two blood The challenge will be capped Tuesday, Dec. 1. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. drives at Aberdeen Proving off with an on-field award pre- APG North (Aberdeen) Recreation Center Ground: sentation during the third quarter • Tuesday, Nov. 17: “Probably Aus- of the Army vs. Navy football APG South (Edgewood) — tralia. When I game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Dec. 12. Recreation Center — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. was in Vietnam “The famous Army-Navy rivalry is a great way to encour- • Tuesday, Dec. 1: APG North (Aberdeen) — Recreation that was one of age donors to roll up their sleeves and donate blood,” said Center — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. our choices we Navy Capt. Roland Fahie, ASBP director. “I’m sure that Sol- To help ensure blood is not over-collected, ASBP leader- could take for diers and Sailors alike are looking forward to the football ship is requesting the recruitment of donors be limited to 100 our R & R [but] game in December; but the exciting part for us is the amount presenting donors at each challenge drive this year. Therefore, instead of going of blood collected for the Armed Services Blood Program and donors are urged to make appointments early using the ASBP’s there I chose to how many lives can be saved because of the donations.” online scheduling system, www.militarydonor.com. bring my wife Bill Townsend This is the fifth year the ABSP has conducted the challenge. “To ensure that military blood needs are met donors must and daughter to Retired military Last year, more than 1,000 units of blood were collected over support the Armed Services Blood Program throughout the Hawaii.” the course of 13 blood drives. The Navy has a slight edge when year,” said Army Col. Michelle D. Mitchell, garrison com- it comes to previous challenge wins — they took home the tro- mander at Fort Belvoir, Va. “The 2015 Army-Navy Blood phy in 2011, 2012 and 2014. The Army won in 2013, but only Donor Challenge is a fun way for us to celebrate our rivalry, time will tell who will win this year. while supporting this important cause. This year, I am sure that “The Army is ready to take home the win!” said Army Lt. the Army will prevail. GO ARMY, BEAT NAVY!” “The Italian Riv- Col. Audra Taylor, director of the Army Blood Program. “The “Good luck to everyone.” Fahie added. “No matter which iera. I’ve always timing of this blood collection challenge is key because the service takes home the Blood Donor Challenge trophy or the heard a lot win off the football field, the real winners are the recipients of about it, how entire Armed Services Blood Program — Army, Navy and Air Force alike — is working hard to make sure we have a contin- the blood donated during this event.