MdMilDep Newsletter

This newsletter is published for the benefit of the Military Department employees but is also available to the public. For questions or comments please email [email protected]. Volume V, Issue 8, August 2012

NEWS ITEMS OF INTEREST Hope We Didn't Let You Down ● Governor's Volunteer Appreciation Day For the first time in 5 years we failed to publish a newsletter. We apologize for that but the ● See Maryland by Water editor was feeling a bit under the weather during the week of the normal setup and posting ● Free Outdoor Movies of the letter. We hope we can go another 5 years before something like that happens ● Maryland Deals and Discounts again. ● Early Voting

● Apply for Federal Student Aid Shop Maryland- the State's Tax Free Week ● Latest FDA Food Recalls ● Save Money on Gas The second Sunday of August to the following Saturday is designated as Shop ● State Employees Night with the Orioles Maryland Week each year. That means qualifying apparel and footwear $100 or less are exempt from the Maryland 6% sales tax. This year, Shop Maryland Week "A WORD TO THE WISE" is August 12-18. Accessory items are not included. Go to Wise Additionally, there will be a tax-free three-day weekend during which the sales and use tax will not apply to the sale of any Energy Star Product listed below, or solar water heater. This tax-free weekend will occur the weekend of February 16, 2013, COMPUTER TIPS through February 18, 2013. ● Internet Tips - Using Search Energy Star Product means an air conditioner, clothes washer or dryer, furnace, heat pump, standard ● Internet Tips - Shortcuts size refrigerator, compact fluorescent light bulb, dehumidifier, or programmable thermostat that has ● Internet Tips - Tab Browsing been designated as meeting or exceeding the applicable Energy Star Efficiency requirements developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. click here for more information BIRTHDAYS THIS MONTH ROBERT TRIPLETT, BRUCE ALEXANDER, New Class at Challenge KEVIN BLAKE, RONNIE BROWN, DAVID The Acclimation period is over (previously referred to as the 2-week “Pre- GLENN, JOSEPH GUTIERREZ, JOSEPH ChalleNGe”). 107 Candidates crossed the stage at the Crossover Ceremony Monday, HAMBRICK, JIMMY HOLMES, JOSEPH 30 July and became Cadets. MG Robert S. Ferrell, APG Commander, was the keynote speaker. APG RECARD, THOMAS SMITH, JANET Garrison CSM, James E. Ervin, representing the APG Garrison Commander, COL Gregory R., CHRISMOND, CHERYL WILLIAMS- McClinton, also had a few motivational words for the “Cadets”. Class 39 will graduate on 15 WHETSTONE, DENNIS WILLIAMSON, December, 2012. DENNIS WILSON, LATOYA BROWN, MICHAEL FISCHER, JARI VILLANUEVA, JOANNE HOHMAN, HARRY HOPKINS III, MD DHCD Has Homes for Sale some at 1% Interest WILLIAM RUFFIN, MICHAEL JOYCE, JOHN BROADDUS, JR, JOSHUA BARLOW, The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development owns KARILYNN DUNMEYER, KEITH FEEN, family properties that may be purchased by homebuyers, non-profit organizations RAYMOND WILLIAMSON, BENJAMIN DAVIS and public housing authorities. click here for more information III, EDWARD WEBB, FLOYD FREYMAN, MARIE SOLOMON, FALLON BRICE, RYAN Women's Equality Day August 26th ADKINS, JOHN BLOUNT, QUINCY HOLDER, KENNETH SYKES, HERMAN LANTZ The Maryland Military Department proudly joins the rest of the nation to remember and honor the many women throughout American History who displayed dedication and commitment in their efforts to fight for equality for all women. The women's suffrage movement began in 1848 in Seneca Falls, NY. It was here that suffragists, led by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, drafted a Declaration of Sentiments that included Korea June 1950 demanding the right to vote for women. The Declaration of Sentiments was based on the Declaration of Independence. click here to read more about the Women's Suffrage Movement,

http://www.mdmildep.org/dmilnewsletter/newsletter.htm (1 of 5)8/6/2012 11:02:49 AM MdMilDep Newsletter

Honor Guards July Activities

The rendering of Military Funeral Honors is the ceremonial paying of respect and the final demonstration of the country’s gratitude to those who, in times of war and peace, have faithfully defended our nation. Military Funeral Honors are provided at no cost to Maryland Veterans. Total Funeral Details for July 2012 – 279

Members of the 726th Transportation Truck Company Presented Colors for the following special events in July: Havre De Grace Independence Day help load wounded Soldiers onto a helicopter for Celebration Parade; Towson July 4th Parade; Catonsville Parade; OCS Class 53 Camp Fretterd; evacuation in Korea in February 1951. ------Promotion Ceremony for Col Paul Maas, Jr to BG

The Korean War started on June 25, 1950 between Upcoming special events for August thus far are as follows: Rhode Island Day-Antietam National North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) Batterfield in Sharpsburg, MD on 8/11 at 1500 hrs / 80th Division Veterans Association 93rd Annual and South Korea (Republic of Korea), when North Reunion to be held at BWI Marriott Hotel-Nursery Road on 8/25 at 1000 hrs Korea invaded South Korea. The war stemmed from the attempts of both countries to reunify Korea. Both Upcoming special events for August thus far are as follows: Rhode Island Day-Antietam National North and South Korea believed that the country should Batterfield in Sharpsburg, MD on 8/11 at 1500 hrs / 80th Division Veterans Association 93rd Annual be unified under their administration. The Reunion to be held at BWI Marriott Hotel-Nursery Road on 8/25 at 1000 hrs disagreements in unification talks became intense and resulted in both countries attacking the other by click here to find more about the Honor Guard crossing the 38th parallel, which was the dividing line for the countries

When war broke out on the Korean Peninsula two Welcome to the Bay Bridge Live Web Cams! Maryland National Guard companies from Baltimore, the 726th Transportation Truck Company and 231st These live traffic cameras provide round-the-clock video of Bay Bridge traffic, so Transportation Truck Battalion Headquarters you can see for yourself what things look like – before you go! Headquarters Detachment became the first National Guard units to arrive in Korea. With U.N. forces fighting (click here for Bay Bridge Information) a desperate holding action along the Pusan Perimeter, they were immediately put to work ferrying supplies and materiel to the front. Teen Adventure Camp (Guard Children)

The war lasted until an armistice was signed on July The MDNG Child & Youth Program is offering a FREE Teen Adventure Camp for teenagers 13-18 27, 1953, and as a result a Korean Demilitarized Zone years of age. The dates are 13-17 August. was established. Over the course of the three years of civil war, the country was the scene of constant fighting The overall mission of the camp is to work together as a team and build leadership skills. Teens will and damage to property. Because of the war, over 2.5 million civilians, both North and South Koreans, were be participating in activities such as: killed. In addition, over 1 million soldiers lost their lives Team Work(leadership), Outdoor Safety, Adventure Challenge Course, Swamp Walk, Mystery tour, during the war. The Korean War was fought for three Survival, Night Hike, Orienteering, Chesapeake Bay Studies, just to name a few. There is no cost for years, with no real victory on either side. The same this camp. Registrations will be taken "First come First Served", I will notify each family regarding their geography existed after the war that was in place acceptance to camp and I will also be the POC for this event my contact info is listed below. before the war. Theresa (Beth) Stoddard LEAD- Child and Youth Program Coordinator SRI Contractor MDNG Child & Youth Program Office: 410-576-2994 Cell: 410-300-9014 Fax: 410-576-6150 [email protected]

Maryland State Facts

1. Other Major League Ball player besides "The Babe" born in Maryland include Cal Ripken, Jr., Billy Ripken, , Frank (Home ) Baker, , , Denny Neagle, and . . 2. During revolutionary times Rockville was known as Hungerford's Tavern the name of its most familiar landmark. One of the first calls to freedom from British rule was heard at the tavern in 1774. 3. Fort Meade near Laurel became a base because a train engineer delivering soldiers to Meade knew only one Meade, the one in Maryland. He was not aware of Fort Meade, Florida. The confusion happened so often a second base was built in Maryland in an attempt to avoid the confusion. 4. The first dental school in the United States opened at the University of Maryland.

http://www.mdmildep.org/dmilnewsletter/newsletter.htm (2 of 5)8/6/2012 11:02:49 AM MdMilDep Newsletter

"Items of Importance to State Employees"

Procedures for Release of State Employees Under Emergency Conditions (click here)

Military Department Reg 5-8 Management of MDNG Personnel During Emergencies (click here)

Emergency Essential Employee Acknowledgement Document (click here)

TID BITS - Federal Holidays for the Year (click here) - State Holidays - For the Year (click here)

A WORD TO THE WISE Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot and the IRS warn of scam using fraudulent emails

VETERANS, ACTIVE DUTY PERSONNEL, & CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES The emails appear to be from Defense Finance and Accounting Services (DFAS) and display .mil Domain addresses. ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 5, 2012) - Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot, following the lead of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), warned Marylanders of an emerging scam involving fraudulent emails. The emails, being sent to military personnel, military retirees and civilian employees, indicate that individuals who are receiving disability compensation from the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) may be eligible to obtain additional funds from the IRS. "We want to inform every Marylander of this scam," said Comptroller Franchot. "In these tough economic times, unscrupulous people prey on the vulnerabilities of others. While an unexpected windfall may sound mighty appealing, we urge Marylanders not to take the bait." The email appears to come from Defense Finance and Accounting Services, and while the email address displays a .mil domain, it is not a legitimate government email address. The email states that by sending copies of VA award letters, income tax returns, 1099-Rs, Retiree Account Statements and DD 214s to a colonel at an address in Florida, individuals who are currently receiving VA disability compensation can receive additional funds from the IRS. To avoid falling victim to this or other scams, the IRS reminders taxpayers to beware of the following: 1. Fictitious claims for refunds or rebates based on false statements of entitlement to tax credits 2. Emails from unfamiliar senders asking for personal information 3. Internet solicitation that direct individuals to toll-free numbers and then solicit Social Security numbers or other personal information For further protection, if you receive suspicious correspondence from the IRS or the Comptroller of Maryland, contact the respective office to verify the information. Back to Top

Funny Quote of the month Evening news is where they begin with 'Good evening', and then proceed to tell you why it isn't.

http://www.mdmildep.org/dmilnewsletter/newsletter.htm (3 of 5)8/6/2012 11:02:49 AM MdMilDep Newsletter

http://www.mdmildep.org/dmilnewsletter/newsletter.htm (4 of 5)8/6/2012 11:02:49 AM MdMilDep Newsletter

http://www.mdmildep.org/dmilnewsletter/newsletter.htm (5 of 5)8/6/2012 11:02:49 AM