AAPGPublishedP in the interestG of the people of AberdeenNNEWS Proving Ground,E MarylandWS www.teamapg.com THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014 Vol. 58, No. 12 Tax benefits for education explained Office of the SJA, Client Services Division Tax credits and deductions can help taxpayers with their expenses for higher education. A tax credit can reduce the amount of income tax they may have to pay and a deduction can reduce the amount of income that is subject to tax, thus generally reducing the amount of tax owed. Education credits and deductions are claimed on Form 8863, Edu- Photo by Sean Kief cation Credits and Form 8917, (From left) Outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. David M. Puig, Brig. Gen. JB Burton and incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Harold E. Dunn Tuition and Fees Deduction. IV salute during the 20th CBRNE Command Change of Responsibility ceremony at APG South (Edgewood) March 19. American Opportunity Credit Under the American Recovery 20th CBRNE welcomes and Reinvestment Act, more par- ents and students qualify for a tax credit, the American Opportunity credit, to pay for college expenses. new senior enlisted advisor The American Opportunity cred- it originally modified the exist- By DEBORAH INCE the APG South (Edgewood) recreation ed over the ceremony and led the passing ing Hope credit for tax years 2009 APG News center March 19. of the sword signifying the transition of and 2010 and was later extended enlisted leadership. The responsibilities of the senior Puig, who served the command for two through 2017, making the benefit years, leaves APG to assume the position Burton had nothing but praise for his available to a broader range of tax- enlisted advisor for the 20th CBRNE of command sergeant major of Redstone outgoing command sergeant major. payers, including many with high- Command transitioned from Command Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala. He said that Puig’s exceptional lead- er incomes and those who owe no Sgt. Maj. David M. Puig to Command Sgt. Maj. Harold E. Dunn IV during a Brigadier Gen. JB Burton, command- ership and counsel, unmatched technical See EDUCATION, page 14 Change of Responsibility Ceremony at er of the 20th CBRNE Command, presid- See DUNN, page 14 Chief of Chaplains promotes power of prayer By ALAN FEILER Army Public Health Command offered a scripture read- APG News ing and Col. Warline Richardson of the U.S. Army Test More than 300 attendees to the APG National Prayer and Evaluation Command introduced Rutherford. Luncheon at Top of the Bay March 19 listened to a The APG Praise Band provided musical selections message encouraging prayer and spiritual guidance and Renesha Robinson of CECOM, LRC sang the during times of anxiety over personal and worldly mat- national anthem. ters. Army Chief of Chaplains Maj. Gen. Donald L. Rutherford talked about the “anxious times” we live Rutherford assured APG Soldiers, civilians and con- in and how faith can provide the “survival skills” need- tractors that they are making a difference regarding the ed to overcome adversity. He alluded to Gen. George strength of Army and its missions. Washington who recognized the need for a faith-based The program included remarks by Gary Martin, act- Army as the nation’s first commander in chief in 1775. ing director of the U.S. Army Communications-Elec- See PRAYER, page 12 tronics Command. Prayers for the Nation, Families and Workforce were offered by Chaplain (Col.) William Senior Command CSM Kennis Dent and Michelle Sean Lee, Maryland National Guard State Chaplain; Gibson, wife of Acting Senior Commander Col. Charles Col. Jonas Vogelhut of PEO C3T; and Chaplain (Maj.) Gibson, bow their heads in prayer during the APG James Collins, APG installation deputy chaplain. National Prayer Luncheon at Top of the Bay March 19. Chaplain (Lt. Col.) David Bowerman of the U.S. Photo by Rachel Ponder ARL thanks Maryland National Guard for support but also for the Twenty-five civilians from ARL recent- Several MDNG crew members said military. This is ly completed what turned out to be “one of they were happy to support the event. where we [the the best” greening courses the organization “I and the aircrew were honored to military] get to has planned and executed. The event took receive the group plaque and the indi- feel like we are place at APG in January and included an vidual certificates from Sgt. Maj. Harris contributing and aviation orientation by the MDNG and a on behalf of the ARL staff,” Pilot and making a differ- UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter ride. Chief Warrant Officer 5 David Eppler, ence,” said ARL Vishal Bhagwandin from ARL’s 29th Combat Aviation Brigade. “We are Sgt. Maj. Chris- Weapons and Materials Research Direc- happy the course participants enjoyed topher Harris. torate, said, “My favorite experiences their Black Hawk experience.” “Our Soldiers are so used to being were the Blackhawk helicopter ride and ARL Staff Sgt. Kirt Wheatley who is a part of something that’s bigger than driving the M1 Abrams tank – oppor- an avid woodworker created the plaque By JOYCE M. CONANT them. We learn as much from each par- tunities I thought I would never have!” that Harris presented to the group. ARL ticipant as they do from us.” Harris wanted to ensure the crew “It’s a great feeling to be able to put The U.S. Army Research Laborato- “I wanted to make sure this event at the Maryland Army National Guard your side talents to work by designing ry recently recognized the Maryland left the participants talking about it knew how much they were appreciated. and creating the plaque for those at the “I wanted to personally thank the Mary- Maryland Army National Guard who National Guard for its support of ARL’s for a long time and encouraging oth- land Army National Guard for their pro- were so supportive to ARL’s greening greening course during a ceremony at ers to participate and get to know the fessionalism and dedication in making this course,” said Wheatley. “The course APG South (Edgewood). Warfighters that they help provide the event so memorable. We couldn’t have participants were so excited about the “The greening course is not only technological edge for.” That’s exact- been successful without their support,” time they spent in the Blackhawk heli- a special event for the participants, ly what many of the participants felt. said Harris. “One team – one mission!” copter, as was I.” ONLINE INDEX IN THIS ISSUE WEATHER www.teamapg.com Pg 2 .................. Street Talk facebook.com/ Pg 15 ........... At your service Thursday APGMd Pg 8 .... Mark Your Calendar twitter.com/ Pg 9 ................... Crossword Partly cloudy USAGAPG chance of rain 0% Pg 11........APG News history flickr.com/photos/ usagapg/ Pg 14.............Did you know? ICE system http://ice.disa.mil/ Facebook, http://on.fb.me/HzQIow More inside ATEC remembers Kelly Keck PAGE 2 Health fair features free SHARP briefing educates APG ID Theft Prevention PAGE 6 screenings leaders 24 Receive Medal of Honor PAGE 7 Contracting cutoff dates for Fiscal Year 2014 PAGE 15 Page 3 Page 5 45° 37° 2 APG News • March 27, 2014 ATEC hosts memorial for Wounded Warrior Kelly Keck Were you named Story and photos by ing guest speaker Tammy YVONNE JOHNSON Duckworth, the U.S. Con- after anyone? APG News gresswoman from Illinois Aberdeen Proving who is an Iraq War veter- Ground leaders, Soldiers, an and double amputee. civilians and guests of the “He was not only an U.S. Army Test and Eval- example for Wounded I was named uation Command gathered Warriors, Kelly knew how after the song in the headquarters atri- others who thought they “Joanna” by um March 24 to remember couldn’t make it felt and [the band] Kool Wounded Warrior Kelly worked to be an example & the Gang. My of achievement to others middle name, Keck, who died suddenly like him. That’s why we Terrelle, is from March 13. Tammi Terrell, Keck’s funeral was called him ‘Special K.’” the Motown held March 18 in Havre de Fred Posadas who singer. Needless Grace. His interment will along with Steve Johnson to say, my mom 1st Lt. Joanna be at Arlington National of American Legion Post really likes music. Moore Cemetery at a later date. 128 arranged the Patri- KUSAHC Maj. Gen. Peter D. ot Guard flag detail, said Utley, ATEC commander, Keck served as junior vice gave remarks during the commander of the post. Service of Remembrance “Kelly was pure mili- which featured personal tary,” Posadas said. “He reflections by friends and never called me by my first I was named coworkers, a gun salute, name; he always called after my father, me ‘sergeant major.’ That and my father the playing of Taps and a was named flag detail by members of (From left) Army Test and Evaluation Command Cols. Dennis Smith was the respect he had after his father. American Legion Post 128 and Orlando Ortiz salute the memorial to the late ATEC civilian and for the military and for I am not a big Patriot Guard. Wounded Warrior Kelly Keck during a Service of Remembrance in his Wounded Warriors.” fan of sharing Utley said that Keck honor March 24. Keck died suddenly March 13 and will be interred The group also served names. It is too was a devoted husband to at Arlington National Cemetery on a later date. as flag bearers during confusing. his wife, Oxana Keck, and Keck’s funeral. Clark Justus a loving father to his young daughter, Zoya Kelly Keck. He Kelly Freeman Keck III leaves behind his mother, Sandra Spencer Sharp, three sib- Keck joined the Marine Corps in 1994 and served as an air- JPME lings, Elliott “Spencer” Keck, Peter Matthew Kellogg, and craft mechanic until his discharge in 1998.