Maryland

Digest

Military Department

WWW.md.ngb.army. M I L

Fallen Warriors

Not Forgotten

We Honor Those Who Made The Ultimate Sacrifice 

While Serving Their Nation & State.

Brig. Gen. 

Solomon 

inducted into 

Hall of Fame

Brig. Gen. Solomon was one 

of five distinguished women 

inducted into the Maryland 

Women’s Hall of Fame.

Summer 2009

EXTENDED

BENEFITS For MD

GUARD

Tuition assistance for Guard 

members taking graduate, 

professional, vocationaltechnical and trade school 

courses.

65th Anniversary 

of D-Day

Governor commemorates 

65th anniversary and Maryland’s historic role in the 

invasion. 
Chaplain’s Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MDDF Officer Awarded . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MD Women’s Hall of Fame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Gov. Signs MDDF Legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MD Guard’s Extended Benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Hurricane Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Logistics Workshop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

MDDF Band Honor’s Veterans . . . . . . . . . . 

Soldier & NCO of the Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

To the Men and Women of the Maryland Military Department:

As we continue through the summer, the remarkable pace 

of projects, taskings and operations that the Maryland Military 

Department accomplishes is done with the utmost dispatch and 

proficiency.

I had the opportunity earlier this year to participate in the 

Maryland Defense Force’s annual muster and to recognize a number 

of MDDF volunteers with awards and promotions that symbolize the 

importance of the volunteer element of the department to our overall 

mission success. The Maryland Emergency Management Agency 

hosted its 24th Annual Severe Storms Awareness Conference at the 

Maritime Institute in Linthicum. 

On the day before Memorial Day, Governor Martin O’Malley 

and Lt. Governor Anthony Brown hosted a crab cake picnic at the 

Governor’s mansion for World War II veterans as well as Soldiers 

from the 224th Area Support Medical Company who had recently 

returned from duty in Iraq. On Memorial Day, members of our department paid homage to fallen members of the U.S. 

Armed Forces at numerous ceremonies across Maryland. Perhaps the most poignant of these was the tribute at the 

Fallen Warrior Memorial at Camp Fretterd where nine members of the Maryland National Guard, who lost their lives in 

service during the Global War on Terror, were remembered in a moving ceremony. 

Governor O’Malley and I went to Normandy to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. After 

meeting with several World War II veterans from the 29th Infantry Division and laying wreaths at the National Guard 

and 29th Infantry Division memorials, we traveled to Bosnia & Herzegovina and Estonia to meet with officials as part 

of the State Partnership Program. There, the Governor and I paid official visits to the leaders of those two countries and 

discussed issues of mutual concern and cooperation. 

As we move further into the summer, remember that schools are out, vacations have started for many and that 

we must be extra vigilant in our work and our play. Watch your speed when driving, swim with a buddy, and remember 

that alcohol and driving are a deadly combination. All of these are tips that you have heard before. We have already 

suffered the tragic loss of a member of the Maryland Army National Guard to an accident that was preventable. You all 

are precious to your families and vital to the accomplishment of the missions of this department. Have a safe summer.

 God speed.

 Respectfully,

 JAMES A. ADKINS

Brigadier General, MDARNG

The Adjutant General

Martin O’Malley

Governor

Anthony G. Brown

Lt. Governor

Cade Armory Dedication 18

Fallen Warrior-Memorial Day 

This Memorial Day Maryland Guard Members were remembered at the Fallen 

Warrior Memorial at Camp Fretterd. 4

COVER PHOTO

During the Memorial Day 

ceremony the I.D. tags of nine 

fallen Soldiers were brought 

and placed on the Fallen 

Warrior memorial.

Photo by 

Spc. Thaddeus Harrington

224th Crab Feast . . . . . . . . . . . 

Governor O’Malley hosted a welcome home 

ceremony & crab cake feast for the 

224th Area Support Medical Company. 6

Women’s Hall of Fame . . . . . . . 

Brig. Gen. Allyson Solomon was one of 

five distinguished women inducted into the 

Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame by the 

Maryland Commission on Women. 8

D-Day Landings . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Governor commemorates 65th anniversary 

and Maryland’s historic role in the invasion. 

The 29th ID was the only Guard 

division to land on D-Day. 7

Memo with Estonia . . . . . . . . . . 

The governor signed a memorandum of 

understanding designed to strengthen cultural 

and social relationships between Maryland and Harju County in Estonia. 9

32nd CST Trains with USCG . 32nd CST joined the U.S Coast Guard and 

the 31st CST from Delaware in responding to 

a report of a simulated radiological 

device aboard the S.S. John Brown. 12

5

7

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2 Summer 2009 Maryland Military Department Digest www.md.ngb.army.mil 3

Governor: 

Martin O’Malley

Adjutant General: 

Brig. Gen. James Adkins

Editor & Layout Designer: 

Spc. Thaddeus Harrington

Contributors:

Col. (CHA)William Lee * 1Lt. Kurt 

Rauschenberg * Staff Sgt. Kristofer 

Baumgartner * Sgt. April Hawes * Lt. Col. 

(MD) Robert Hastings * Cpl. (MD) Allison 

Hastings * Govenor’s press office * Bowie 

Baysox

Public Affairs Office

Fifth Regiment Armory

29th Division St.

Baltimore, MD 21201 ---

paomd@md.ngb.army.mil

410.576.6179

Mail:

6 9

www.md.ngb.army.mil

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MDGUARD

Twitter: www.twitter.com/MDNG

FlickR: www.flickr.com/photos/mdng
4 Summer 2009 Maryland Military Department Digest www.md.ngb.army.mil 5

By Spc. Thaddeus Harrington

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, 

officially began May 5, 1868, to be observed 

on May 30, honoring Soldiers killed in the Civil War. 

After World War I, Memorial Day was expanded to 

honor those who have died in all American wars. 

 In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national 

holiday and moved to the last Monday in May. This 

Memorial Day Maryland Guard Members were remembered at the Fallen Warrior Memorial at Camp 

Fretterd.

 Drums sounded as the I.D. tags of nine fallen Soldiers were brought and placed on the memorial with 

friends, relatives and military family in attendance. 

 “They answered the call when asked, and we recognize that service — that sacrifice — as well as the 

sacrifice of over one million men and women who 

gave their lives for this country, for our freedom,” said 

Brig. Gen. James. A. Adkins.

 Freedom lives, and through it, 

these young men and women, who 

have made the ultimate sacrifice, 

live on.

--Brig. Gen. James. A. Adkins

The adjutant general of Maryland.

“

”

Fallen, Not Forgotten

The new readiness center 

opened for the 58th Troop 

Command on April 4, in 

Adelphi, Md. Located near 

the Adelphi Army Research 

Laboratory, the facility was 

previously used by the U.S. 

Navy as a training site. As 

part of the Maryland Guard’s 

long-term plan for locating 

facilities in densly populated 

areas, the center will serve 

as the 58th Troop Command 

headquarters.

Ribbon Cutting - 58th Troop Command

Religious liberty is the greatest 

freedom granted any people 

by its government. The founders of our Republic understood that 

such earthly liberty is an extension 

the endowed right granted each person by their Creator. As citizens of 

this State and Nation we each have 

the freedom to exercise our particular faith according to the dictates of 

our conscience or beliefs.

 This liberty must never be taken 

for granted lest it be lost.

 The virtue of our citizenship as 

it relates to religious liberty must 

move beyond the sterile, cold parameters of toleration. It must become a 

passionate commitment that all are 

equally deserving of acceptance and 

embrace in the expression and practice of their particular faith. 

 The Maryland Military Department is a model for society to consider in the practice of ensuring the 

religious rights of all its members. 

The 20 chaplains of the Maryland 

Military Department: the Maryland 

Army National Guard, Air National 

Guard, and Defense Force represent 

fifteen different faith groups. 

 Each of these religious groups 

have necessarily endorsed their 

chaplains for service with the Maryland Military Department with the 

understanding that they represent 

their particular faith group to the 

military while fully supporting the 

religious faith of every soldier, airman, and their family members. 

Chaplains are not required to perform any support that violates their 

particular religious tradition, but are 

expected to provide for that which 

they cannot perform through other 

chaplains or resources.

 Faith can be a great source for 

coping, comfort, meaning, and resilience for Servicemembers and their 

Families. The Citizen-Soldiers and 

Airmen of the Maryland Military 

Department often rely on their faith 

to aide them in their civilian jobs, 

family relationships, and military 

service. It is the duty of our Chaplains and Assistants to encourage 

and support their reliance upon their 

faith in service for God, Guard and 

Country.

 The cornerstone of religious liberty in the first amendment to the 

United States Constitution remains 

key to the health of our State and 

Nation, as well as the sure defense 

of our Republic for generations to 

come.

 Chaplains serve standing upon 

this firm foundation with a commitment to support and defend the 

right of religious liberty for those 

military members and families who 

are encumbered by the stress and 

sacrifice of protecting such precious 

freedoms.

The Lecturn By Chaplain (Col.) Sean Lee, state chaplain
By Lt. Col. (MD) Robert Hastings

 A legal officer with the Maryland 

Defense Force has been recognized 

by the Maryland State Bar Association with the Brigadier General 

Philip Sherman Award, recognizing 

superior service by a civilian lawyer to uniformed service members 

May 28. Lt. Col. (MD) J. Michael 

Lawlor is the inaugural recipient of 

the award which was presented in 

a ceremony at the Towson Armory 

Tuesday.

 An MDDF volunteer since November, 2003, Lawlor is the deputy 

director of the MDDF Legal Directorate and head of its family law 

department. Lawlor was recognized 

for providing more than 200 pro 

bono hours of direct support to 

National Guard Members and their 

Families, saving them thousands 

of dollars in legal fees. The MDDF 

Legal Directorate provides a broad 

range of pro bono legal support to 

members of the Maryland National 

Guard in times of pressing need.

 “Mike Lawlor knows what to 

do, knows how to do it, and gets 

it done quickly, enabling Guardsmen to focus on their duties free 

of concern about their families and 

their future,” said Col. (MD) Michael 

Osborn, director of the legal directorate. “Mike is a role model and 

inspiration to us all.”

 A native of Baltimore, Lawlor has 

36 years experience as a solo practitioner. He is a graduate the Loyola 

College and the University of Baltimore School of Law, and a Vietnam 

veteran who has received numerous citations including the Bronze 

Star Medal, National Service Medal, 

Vietnam Service Medal with three 

battle stars and Vietnam Campaign 

Medal.

6 Summer 2009 Maryland Military Department Digest www.md.ngb.army.mil 7

Governor Martin O’Malley 

hosted a welcome home 

ceremony for the Maryland 

Army National Guard’s 224th Area 

Support Medical Company which 

included a crab cake feast on the lawn 

at Government House in Annapolis. 

Maryland’s WWII veterans are 

honored as well in a ceremony 

commemorating the 65th anniversary 

of D-Day. 

 “I couldn’t think of a better way to 

celebrate Memorial Day – remembering not only the sacrifices that the 

men and women of our armed forces 

have made in every generation – but 

also the blessings that we’re able to 

enjoy because of their dedication, service and commitment,” said Governor 

O’Malley. 

 The 224th recently returned from 

a deployment in Iraq where they 

provided direct medical support, 

including retrieval and stabilization 

of wounded troops, immediate triage 

care, and pass-on care to medical-surgical teams. They also conducted basic 

dental, physiological, and psychological care.

 The 224th deployed in March 2008 

and returned in February 2009. In 

December, Governor O’Malley held a 

video teleconference with the soldiers 

where he wished the troops a happy 

holidays and made phone calls to all 

of their families. When asked what 

they missed most about home, many 

mentioned Maryland crabs.

 “The last time I spoke to the 224th, 

I promised you crab cakes when you 

came home. We couldn’t be happier 

to deliver on that promise for you and 

your families today,” said Governor 

O’Malley.

 “The support provided by Governor 

O’Malley and Lt. Governor Brown 

for the 224th Area Support Medical 

Company during our deployment in 

Iraq was greatly appreciated,” said 

Captain Brad Hudson, commander of 

the 224th. 

Legal Officer Receives 

Award For Pro Bono 

Services

Feast for the 224th Area Support Medical Company 

By Spc. Thaddeus Harrington

Governor Martin O'Malley June 4 joined President Obama, French 

President Sarkozy and British Prime 

Minister Brown in Normandy, France 

to participate in ceremonies commemorating the 65th anniversary of 

D-Day, and in particular, Maryland's 

historic role in the invasion. 

 The Governor is in Normandy as a 

guest of the 29th Infantry Division 

Association, which represents veterans who previously served in the 29th 

Infantry Division. The 29th Infantry Division was the only National 

Guard division to land on D-Day, and 

was comprised of units representing 

Maryland, Virginia and the District of 

Columbia. 

 Since his arrival yesterday, the Governor has attended commemoration 

ceremonies along Omaha Beach, including observances at the American 

cemetery at Coleville-sur-Mer, and the 

National Guard and the 29th Infantry 

Division memorials, both of which are 

located at Vierville-sur-Mer. 

 "The historic landings here sixtyfive years ago remind us that our 

freedom must be defended, and often 

comes with the ultimate sacrifice," 

said Governor O'Malley. "The beaches 

of Normandy are hallowed ground. 

The efforts of those selfless soldiers, 

many of whom never made it off this 

expansive beachhead, and in particular those Marylanders from the famed 

29th Infantry Division, changed the 

course of history. Those soldiers who 

served so bravely here represented the 

best that Maryland had to offer, and 

as our greatest generation, deserve 

our unwavering gratitude." 

 In addition to the larger commemoration ceremonies, the Governor 

participated in a wreath-laying ceremony in the town of St. Laurent, and 

attended a dinner in honor of those 

29th Infantry Division veterans who 

participated in the D-Day invasion 

and traveled to France to participate 

in the 65th anniversary celebration. 

 "In a broader sense, Governor 

O'Malley's trip to Normandy not only 

honors those Marylanders who participated in the D-Day landings, but 

also those men and women who have 

served and continue to serve our state 

and our nation in times of peace and 

war" said Brig. Gen. James A. Adkins, 

adjutant general of Maryland.

65th Anniversary of D-Day

these veterans have always been there 

for us through times of turmoil and 

tranquility, famine, flood and war, we 

as a people are committed to being 

there for them.”

 “Sixty-five years ago, our nation 

asked the impossible of a group of 

young Americans,” said Brig. Gen. 

James A. Adkins, the adjutant general 

of Maryland. “They entered the continent of Europe on D-Day to free the 

oppressed from tyranny. Their efforts 

changed the course of world history, 

and they became known as our nation’s greatest generation.”

 There were 288,000 Maryland men 

and women who served in World 

War II. Of these, 6,454 did not come 

home. Their names appear on Maryland’s World War II Memorial near 

Annapolis and are honored by its 

visitors. 

 There are currently more than 280 

Soldiers and Airmen deployed in Iraq, 

Afghanistan and Kosovo. There have 

been more than 8,449 Soldiers and 

Airmen from the Maryland National 

Guard mobilized and deployed since 

9-11 for Operations Iraqi Freedom, 

Enduring Freedom, Jump Start, and 

KFOR.

Maryland’s World War II Veterans 

honored in advance of the 65th 

Anniversary of D-Day.

 “Our nation is built upon the 

generations of brave men and women 

who squared their shoulders against 

the forces of fear and tyranny so that 

we could continue to enjoy the blessings of this nation and our way of 

life,” said Governor O’Malley. “Just as 

 Those guys are incredible. They’re the real deal. 

Unfortunately . . . The time is running out to pay tribute 

and honor those guys. Whenever they show up it’s a 

real privilege. 

1st Sgt. Paul Kitchen, 

1st Sgt of the 224th.

”

“
The Maryland Air National 

Guard announced that Brig. 

Gen. Allyson Solomon, 

assistant adjutant general-Air for the 

Maryland National Guard, was one 

of five distinguished women inducted 

into the Maryland Women’s Hall of 

Fame on March 13 by the Maryland 

Commission on Women.

 Solomon was honored during an 

induction ceremony held at the Miller 

Senate Office Building in Annapolis, 

Md.

 “I am honored to be considered in 

the company of so many fine Maryland women who have received this 

honor in the past,” Solomon said. 

 Solomon was commissioned a 

second lieutenant in the Maryland 

Air National Guard in 1986. She has 

served in a variety of military assignments including commander of 

the 175th Mission Support Flight; 

commander, 175th Mission Support 

Group and chief of the General Officer 

Management Office, National Guard 

Bureau.

 Included among her honors and 

citations are the Meritorious Service 

Medal with three Bronze Oak Leaf 

Clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation 

Medal, the State of Maryland Distinguished Service Cross and the State of 

Maryland Meritorious Service Medal.

 Solomon holds a bachelor of arts 

degree from Loyola College of Maryland and a master of arts degree 

from Auburn University. She also is 

a graduate of the Air Command and 

Staff College and the Air War College.

 The Maryland Commission for 

Women and Women Legislators of 

Maryland established the MaryAIR GUARD OFFICER INDUCTED INTO

MARYLAND WOMEN’S HALL OF FAME

land Women’s Hall of Fame in 1985. 

Individuals are selected for induction 

through a process that begins with an 

annual statewide call for nominations. 

An all-volunteer selection committee 

reviews the applications and selects 

inductees.

 The Maryland Air National Guard 

is comprised of Joint Force Headquarters in Baltimore, the 175th Wing 

at Warfield Air National Guard Base 

in Middle River, Md., and its two 

flying units and support staff – the 

104th Fighter Squadron flies A-10C 

Thunderbolt II’s and the 135th Airlift 

Group flies C-130J Hercules cargo aircraft. More than 1,600 full-time and 

traditional members are employed 

by the Maryland Air National Guard, 

contributing more than $100 million 

annually to Maryland’s economy.

 I am honored to be considered in the company of 

so many fine Maryland women who have received this 

honor in the past.

-- Brig. Gen. Allyson Solomon, 

Assistant adjutant general-Air

“

” Governor Martin O’Malley and 

Mr. Nicolai Vojeikin, deputy 

governor of the municipality of Harju County in the Republic 

of Estonia, signed a memorandum of 

understanding designed to encourage and strengthen cultural and social 

relationships between the state of 

Maryland and Harju County on May 

18.

 “This agreement is further affirmation of our long-standing partnership 

between the state of Maryland and 

the Republic of Estonia, and in particular, Harju County,” said Governor 

Martin O’Malley. “This memorandum of understanding provides us 

a tremendous opportunity to combine our respective rich knowledge 

and resources to further research in 

academia as well as our industrial and 

public sectors.” 

 The Maryland National Guard has 

partnered with the Republic of Estonia si nce 1993 through the State 

Partnership Program, which was originally designed as outreach by the U.S. 

to new democracies in Eastern and 

Central Europe and the former Soviet 

Union. 

 The Maryland National Guard’s 

relationship with the Estonian military has encompassed a wide range 

of military-to-military, military-tocivilian and civilian-to-civilian efforts with an emphasis on civil and 

military cooperation–all within the 

context of civilian control of a professional military. The Maryland Military 

Department also has shared best 

practices related to state emergency 

management processes, procedures 

and techniques through the Maryland 

Emergency Management Agency.

 In 2003, Maryland was also selected to partner with Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of the State Partnership Program, in large part due to the 

state of Maryland’s relationship with 

the Republic of Estonia.

State of Maryland signs Memorandum of 

Understanding with Republic of Estonia

8 Summer 2009 Maryland Military Department Digest www.md.ngb.army.mil 9
College Expo

Command Sgt. Maj. Franklin J. Wright, Maryland Army National Guard command 

sergeant major, speaks with Strayer University representatives during the April College 

Expo hosted by the MDNG’s Education Office, the expo included more than 40 institutions of higher learning. 

32nd CST in Ft McHenry Tunnel

Members of the Maryland National Guard’s 32nd Civil Support Team respond to a 

training emergency April 30 involving an unknown chemical or biological agent inside 

the Fort McHenry Tunnel as part of a graded external evaluation. 

56th Presidential Inauguration 

The Maryland National Guard mobilized 1,200 citizen Soldiers and Airmen to support 

the 56th Presidential Inauguration for the 44th President, Barack Obama, Jan. 20. 

Soldiers from the 175th Infantry Regiment provide crowd-control help, assisting local 

authorities four blocks from the Capitol.

Beyond the Horizon

Soldiers from the 244th Engineer Company, work on a medical clinic renovation 

project in the Dominican Republic April 30. The project was part of Beyond the 

Horizon, a civic-action mission in the Dominican Republic.

Army Night with the Baysox

The Bowie Baysox is hosted its annual “Army Night with the Baysox” to celebrate 

the 234th Army Birthday and the year of the Year of the Noncommissioned Officer. 

The Maryland Army National Guard honored the Year of the NCO by throwing out the 

ceremonial first pitch of the June 5 game against the Erie Seawolves. 

Unity DAY

Unity Day is a combination of DoD ethnic events designed to enhance cross-cultural 

awareness and promote harmony among all members of the Maryland Guard. Unity 

Day, May, 7 2009, included displays, artifacts and food samples from the different 

groups with 22 different ethnic/cultural booths.

10 Summer 2009 Maryland Military Department Digest www.md.ngb.army.mil 11

Courtesy of the Bowie Baysox By Spc. Thaddeus Harrington

By 1Lt. Kurt Rauschenberg

By Spc. Thaddeus Harrington

By Sgt. April Hawes

Eyes on the Guard

By Staff Sgt. Kristofer Baumgartner
Governor Martin O’Malley 

signed legislation that 

removed antiquated 

references and modernized language 

pertaining to the Maryland Defense 

Force May 19. The bill clarified the 

status, roles and mission of the 

Maryland Defense Force.

 “This all-volunteer uniformed military unit has experienced a dramatic 

evolution and has become a unit of 

professional and skilled personnel 

who serve the needs of the Maryland Military Department on a daily 

basis,” said Governor O’Malley. “The 

accomplishments of the Maryland 

Defense Force are in keeping with my 

administration’s continued emphasis 

on homeland security preparedness 

and public safety. They have proudly 

and successfully served the citizens 

of Maryland, and I’m happy to sign 

this legislation, which clarifies their 

status.”

 The MDDF, which was established 

in 1917 under Title 32 of the United 

States Code and authorization of the 

Maryland State Legislature, supports 

the Maryland Military Department 

by providing trained, competent and 

ready personnel with professional 

and technical skills that augment the 

Maryland National Guard in its state 

mission and supports its mobilization 

to, and redeployment from, federal 

missions. The MDDF prepares for, 

and responds to, homeland security 

and civil emergencies by maintaining 

trained and ready personnel who can 

supplement the state’s emergency 

management and first-responder resources, and strengthens Maryland’s 

communities and families through 

service programs such as the 22-week 

in-residence Freestate ChalleNGe 

Academy for at-risk youth. 

 “I am tremendously proud of the 

accomplishments of the Maryland 

Defense Force, which has grown in 

the aftermath of 9/11 into a modern, 

professional, and respected organization which contributes to the success 

of the Maryland Military Department 

on a daily basis,” said Brig. Gen. (MD) 

Courtney Wilson, commanding general, MDDF.

 In 2005, during the aftermath of 

Hurricane Katrina, the MDDF deployed more than 200 health care professionals to Louisiana. Once there, 

they established six health clinics and 

provided medical services to almost 

7,000 people during their three-week 

tour of duty. 

 Additionally, MDDF medical personnel deployed on humanitarian assistance missions with the Maryland 

Air National Guard in 2006 to provide health care to citizens of Bosnia 

& Herzegovina and in 2007 to the 

Rosebud Lakota Sioux Reservation in 

South Dakota

 MDDF medical personnel also 

supported the National Guard’s Post 

Deployment Health Reassessment 

Program by screening more than 900 

National Guard Airmen and Soldiers 

redeploying from overseas operations 

this past year. More than 30 MDDF 

medical and mental health personnel 

have been trained to perform these 

in-depth evaluations so that MDNG 

Soldiers can obtain further medical 

treatment and support as required. 

 Cavalry Troop A, the MDDF’s 

mounted ceremonial unit, represents 

the Maryland Military Department 

at a number of highly visible public 

events and parades across the state, 

while continuing to train to its secondary mission of providing mounted 

urban search & rescue. 

 MDDF’s Engineer Corps completes 

annual detailed inspections of dozens 

of MDNG installations and armories 

across the state, assessing the material condition of critical infrastructure 

in order to program maintenance and 

repair dollars for modernization and 

refurbishment. 

 Chaplains from the MDDF are fully 

integrated into the MDNG Chaplain’s 

Corps and provide a broad range of 

support throughout the year including spiritual counseling during unit 

training, deployment and redeployment activities, counseling for families of deployed Guard Members, and 

post-deployment stress counseling. 

 MDDF Financial and Legal Assistance teams continued to provide 

extensive pro-bono financial and legal 

counseling and assistance to members 

of the Maryland National Guard, providing support in particular to those 

deploying and their families.

 MDDF is continuing to collaborate with the MDNG and MEMA in 

an initiative to increase efficiency in 

the utilization of Maryland’s aviation 

assets and the control of airspace in 

the event of emergencies that involve 

extraordinary flight activity, such as 

a total closure of airspace like that 

which occurred following 9/11 to 

lesser contingencies and activities 

involving aviation assets.

 MDDF volunteers assist in the 

screening of potential candidates and 

assist with induction activities for 

the Freestate ChalleNGe Academy, 

a National Guard sponsored initiative which provides at-risk youth an 

opportunity to reclaim their lives by 

developing values, skills, education 

and self-discipline necessary to succeed as adults. 

 In 2009, MDDF established a military band to provide musical support 

to the Maryland Military Department and MDNG, back up the 229th 

Army Band and support community 

activities for the state of Maryland as 

required.

Governor 

Martin 

O’Malley 

signed into law two 

bills which will affect 

higher education 

benefits of members 

of the Maryland National Guard May 7.

 House Bill 1465, 

a departmental bill, 

authorizes the Maryland Military 

Department to provide tuition assistance for Guard members taking 

graduate, professional, vocationaltechnical and trade school courses at 

any University System of Maryland 

campus, any community college 

established under Title 16 of the 

Education Article, Morgan State University, or St. Mary’s College. 

 The Governor also signed Senate 

Bill 373, which enables Maryland National Guard members, who live in a 

different state, to pay in-state tuition 

at Maryland state schools. Introduced by Senator Ulysses Currie, District 25 (Prince George’s County), the 

legislation requires Guard members 

hold certain military occupational 

specialties to be eligible. 

 “These bills are essential recognition of the steadfast commitment 

of all Maryland National Guard 

members who serve this state,” said 

Governor O’Malley. “What these 

bills demonstrate is that no matter 

where you live, the State 

of Maryland is committed to furthering the 

education goals of those 

serving in the Maryland 

National Guard.”

 The new laws can 

affect a large number 

of Guard members, according to the Maryland 

National Guard EducaGOVERNOR SIGNS MARYLAND

DEFENSE FORCE LEGISLATION

12 Summer 2009 Maryland Military Department Digest www.md.ngb.army.mil 13

. . . . continued on next page 

. . . . cotinued from last page

tion Office. Approximately 40 nonresident Maryland Guard members 

are attending Maryland public 

universities, and an estimated 450-

500 Soldiers and Airmen are likely to 

pursue advanced degrees within the 

next three years. Enabling out-ofstate Guard members to pay in-state 

tuition is especially significant. The 

current in-state tuition at the University of Maryland-College Park 

is $8,005 per year compared with 

$23,076 for non-residents. Both 

modifications provide new education opportunities for our Maryland 

Guard Members. 

 “This legislation will no doubt 

enhance our ability to recruit and 

retain Soldiers and Airmen and puts 

the Maryland National Guard on 

the same level playing field as other 

states which offer similar educational opportunities and benefits,” 

said Brig. Gen. James A. Adkins, the 

Adjutant General for Maryland.

 In short, these new laws will make 

college more affordable for more 

families. 

EXTENDED EDUCATION BENEFITS TO

MEMBERS OF THE MARYLAND GUARD
14 Summer 2009 Maryland Military Department Digest www.md.ngb.army.mil 15

 More than 40 Maryland Army 

National Guard logisticians recently 

participated in a logistics training 

workshop at Camp Fretterd Military 

Reservation near Reisterstown, Md.

 The workshop, conducted March 

30-April 2, 2009 by the U.S. Army 

Materiel Command’s Logistics Support Activity team, was geared toward 

helping MDARNG logisticians update 

and hone their knowledge and skills.

 “The National Guard is changing,” 

said Command Sgt. Maj. Franklin 

J. Wright, Maryland Army National 

Guard command sergeant major. 

“These are skills [logisticians] will 

need to be successful in the new military environment.”

 LOGSA helps maintain and provides support for logistics data in 

support of weapon systems maintenance, readiness, supply, transportation, authorizations and in-transit 

visibility. Its goal is to support the 

successful strategic transformation 

of the Army and to provide readiness 

and sustainment support to the joint 

U.S. military force.

 “This training is unique because 

we open it up to logisticians across 

the state,” said Sgt. Maj. Timothy E. 

Wittman, senior logistics NCO for the 

Maryland Army National Guard. “In 

the past, we’ve had (Department of 

the Army) civilians and (United States 

Property and Fiscal Office) employees 

who have come here and learned a 

lot.”

 This training will be especially useful as the Maryland Army National 

Guard is currently in the process of 

exchanging its old vehicles and equipment for updated models at Havre de 

Grace Military Reservation.

 The turnover is taking place gradually as older generation equipment 

such as HMMWVs, 2.5 ton and five 

ton trucks make way for up-armored 

HMMWVs and the Family of Medium 

Logistics

Tactical Vehicles, which includes the 

Light Medium Tactical Vehicle and the 

Medium Tactical vehicle. 

 The official homepage of the United 

States Army describes the FMTVs as 

rapidly deployable and built on a common chassis, which varies by mission 

requirements including local and line 

haul, unit mobility, unit resupply and 

other missions in combat, combat 

support and combat service support 

units. 

 The up-armored M1114 HMMWV 

weighs about 2,000 pounds more than 

the older generation M998 and is 

equipped with 200-pound steel-plated 

doors, steel plating under the cab and 

several layers of bonded, ballistic-resistant glass to replace zip-up plastic 

windows, according to the website.

 “This type of complex equipment 

exchange requires that we be on top 

of our game from an organizational 

logistics standpoint, and our Soldiers 

and civilians across the state are welltrained for this,” said Wittman. 

 In addition to DA and USPFO civilians, workshop attendees included 

supply sergeants from units around 

the MDARNG at all levels from companies, battalions and major subordinate commands. Training topics 

included force, assets and authorizations, Army serial number tracking 

and maintenance.

 The MDARNG’s Directorate of 

Logistics has a history of successful 

training and operations. In December 

2007, it received the highest assessment level of “Green” for the first 

time ever in the Command Logistic 

Review Team – Expanded inspection, a major federal inspection which 

gauged the state’s logistical posture. 

Many of the employees of 

the Maryland Military 

Department are classified 

as “Mission Essential,” which means 

that during an emergency, they could 

be summoned to duty to protect the 

lives and property of the citizens of 

Maryland. As we are approaching the 

Mid-Atlantic Hurricane season, it is 

important for all employees regardless of classification to prepare for 

the threats posed by hurricanes and 

tropical storms. The MDMILDEP Digest offers the following information 

to assist in the preparation for such 

storms.

 June 1st is the start of Hurricane 

season for the Mid-Atlantic states. 

The official season lasts until the end 

of November. 

 Hurricanes and tropical storms are 

the most powerful storms that impact 

the planet. These storms are cyclones 

with tropical origins. When the winds 

of a tropical storm (winds of 39 to 73 

miles per hour) reach a constant 74 

miles per hour, it is called a hurricane. 

Both hurricanes and tropical storms 

are characterized by torrential rain, 

high winds and storm surges as the 

storms approach land. 

 More dangerous than the high 

winds is the storm surge...a dome of 

ocean water that can be as high as 20 

feet at its peak and 50 to 100 miles 

wide. The surge can devastate coastal 

communities as it sweeps ashore.

 Most of the deaths associated with 

cyclone-type storms are flood-related. 

Freshwater inland flooding is a common occurrence with hurricanes and 

tropical storms. Torrential rains 

can cause extensive urban and river 

flooding. In addition to flood and 

wind damage, hurricanes and tropical 

storms are known to cause mudslides, 

landslide and spawn thunderstorms 

and tornadoes.

 Most people do not realize the 

threat of hurricanes, as each one is 

different. U.S. hurricanewarning 

systems have provided adequate time 

for people on barrier islands to move 

inland when hurricanes approach. Because of rapid population growth, it is 

becoming difficult to evacuate people 

from these coastal areas as the road 

networks have not kept pace with the 

expansion. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that 80 to 90 percent 

of the population living in hurricaneprone areas never experienced the 

“core” of a major hurricane and have 

a flawed perspective of a hurricane’s 

true damage potential. This leads to 

complacency and delayed actions on 

the part of residents that could cost 

lives. 

 The National Weather Service 

(NWS) is able to predict a target area 

for a hurricane or tropical storm within five days of landfall. This information is useful for emergency planning 

purposes even though the storm 

may change course, as it gets closer 

to land. The NWS issues Watches 

and warnings for areas where these 

storms are expected to come ashore as 

follows:

o A Hurricane Watch is issued when 

there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 24 to 36 hours.

o A Hurricane Warning is issued when 

hurricane conditions are expected 

within 24 hours or less. 

BEFORE THE HURRICANE OR 

TROPICAL STORM ARRIVES 

•	 Develop a family disaster plan.

•	 Learn about your community’s risk 

from hurricanes... contact your local 

emergency management office, local 

National Weather Service office or the 

local American Red Cross chapter for 

more information. Information also 

is available from the Maryland Emergency Management Agency.

•	 Determine whether you live in an area 

prone to flooding during hurricanes or 

heavy rain...contact the local emergency management office or the local 

planning and zoning office.

•	 Consider purchasing flood insurance...

you do not need to live in a flood plain 

to purchase flood insurance, and most 

homeowners insurance polices will not 

cover damage from floods. This insurance cannot be purchased at the last 

moment...flood insurance policies typically do not take effect until 30 days 

after the policy premium is paid. Make 

sure the policy covers both structure 

and contents.

•	 Ask about your community’s hurricane 

plan.

•	 Develop an evacuation plan...this 

should not be done at the last minute.

•	 If you own a boat, determine where 

you will secure it.

•	 Discuss your hurricane plans with your 

family.

•	 Elevate your home if it is located in a 

coastal area.

•	 Make a list of items to bring inside in 

the event of a storm.

•	 Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed.

•	 Remove any debris or loose items in 

your yard...they could become projectiles in a high wind.

•	 Clear loose and clogged rain gutters 

and downspouts.

•	 Install permanent hurricane shutters on windows and doors...placing 

masking tape on windows to prevent 

breaking will not work.

•	 If you do not have permanent hurricane shutters, install anchors for 

plywood and pre-drill holes in pre-cut 

half-inch outdoor plywood boards so 

that you can cover your windows and 

doors quickly....most homes destroyed 

during hurricanes had no window 

protection as the wind entered the 

structure lifting the roof and collapsing the walls.

•	 Install protection to the outside areas 

of sliding glass doors.

•	 Well ahead of time, purchase other 

items needed to board up windows and 

protect your home.

•	 Strengthen garage doors.

•	 Turn the refrigerator and freezer to 

their coldest settings, and open only 

when absolutely necessary and close 

quickly. This will help keep perishables 

last longer in the event of a power failure. If you anticipate a long departure, 

remove food from your refrigerator 

that might spoil when electric power 

is lost.

•	 Have an engineer check your home 

and advise about ways to make the 

structure more resistant to hurricane 

winds.

•	 If you live in a flood plain or your 

home is prone to flooding, follow the 

flood preparedness precautions found 

on MEMA’s web site.

•	 If a Hurricane Watch is announced, 

make sure your gas tank is full.

•	 If you live in a manufactured home, 

check and reinforce the tie downs.

DURING THE HURRICANE OR 

TROPICAL STORM

•	 Continue listening regularly to a 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration Weather Radio, or local 

radio or television for updated information.

•	 Listen to the advice of local officials 

and evacuate if they tell you to.

•	 If you are not advised to evacuate, stay 

indoors and stay away from windows, 

skylights and glass doors, even if they 

are covered.

•	 Close all interior doors...secure and 

brace external doors.

•	 Have a supply of flashlights and extra 

batteries handy.

•	 If power is lost, turn off major appliances to reduce the power surge when 

electrical power is restored.

•	 If you and your family are in a mobile 

home, check the tie downs and evacuate...most manufactured homes made 

prior to 1994 were not designed to 

withstand even moderate winds.

•	 Be aware that the calm eye of the 

storm is deceptive...the storm is not 

over.

•	 Watch out for flooding.

•	 Be alert for tornadoes.

The Maryland Emergency Management 

Agency has published the Maryland 

Hurricane Preparedness Guide, which is 

available through its web site at 

www.mema.state.md.us .

HURRICANES & 

TROPICAL STORMS

June 1 the Official Start 

: of Hurricane Season
Members of the Maryland 

National Guard’s 32nd 

Civil Support Team joined 

response units from the U.S Coast 

Guard and the 31st Civil Support Team 

from Delaware in responding to a 

report of a simulated radiological device 

aboard the S.S. John Brown on May 

28. The famed Liberty Ship S.S. John 

Brown is moored at the Clinton Street 

Terminal in Baltimore.

 “In this scenario, the Coast Guard 

received credible intelligence about a 

radiological source aboard the S.S. John 

Brown,” said Lt. Col. Paul Kastner, commander of the 32nd CST. “The ship was 

so large, that we were requested to assist the Coast Guard in the search. Once 

we arrived at the scene, we realized that 

the ship was larger than our expectations and we requested assistance from 

the Delaware’s CST. 

 The 32nd CST, weapons of mass destruction, is a highly specialized

unit that supports local authorities by 

responding to situations involving

potential use of WMD. The CST’s 

mission is to assess the incident consequences and to identify chemical, 

biological, or radiological sources

or agents. The CST advises civilian responders on appropriate actions

through on-site testing, expert consultation and facilitate the arrival of additional state and federal military forces 

and responders.

 The unit is composed of 22 full-time 

members of the Maryland National 

Guard, and their skills encompass 14 

military occupational specialties. The 

unit consists of six sections: command, 

operations, administration, logistics, 

medical/analytics and survey. Each section uses state of the art equipment to 

provide support to the first responder 

community.

 Under the terms of a Memorandum 

of Agreement between the U.S. Coast 

Guard and the Maryland National 

Guard, the two agencies agreed to 

conduct joint exercises in order to share 

expertise.

 On May 25th, the band performed 

at the 20th Anniversary of the Maryland Vietnam Veterans Memorial 

ceremony, which was attended by 

many veterans and their families as 

well as current political and military 

officials. Maryland’s Governor Martin 

O’Malley spoke at the event honoring 

veterans along with Brig. Gen. (MD) 

Courtney Wilson, commander of the 

Maryland Defense Force and Brig. 

Gen. Allyson Solomon, Maryland’s assistant adjutant general-Air. 

 “The men and women of the 

Maryland Defense Force are all tremendously proud to be part of these 

events honoring our fallen veterans 

and their families,” said Brig. Gen. 

Wilson. “Our nation is indebted to 

those who have given the full measure 

in defense of our freedom.” 

Maryland Defense Force Band Honors 

America’s Veterans On Memorial Day

Maryland National Guard Civil 

Support Team assists U.S. Coast 

Guard in shipboard exercise

The newly formed Maryland 

Defense Force (MMDF) Band 

played in two events honoring 

America’s veterans this Memorial 

Day weekend. The Band provided 

ceremonial support for the dedication 

of Patriots Plaza in Towson and for 

the 20th Anniversary of the Maryland 

Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 

Baltimore. 

 In Towson on May 22nd, the band 

played at the dedication and renaming of the Towson Court Plaza; now 

known as Patriots Plaza. The dedication brought out many top officials, to 

include Brig. Gen. James Adkins, the 

adjutant general of Maryland, James 

Smith, the county executive for Baltimore County, as well as a number of 

veterans of the 29th Infantry Division.

 The Defense Force Band is directed 

by Maj. (MD) Jari Villanueva. The 

band was first authorized late last 

year and was fully operational in 

March for their first performance at 

the Annual MDDF Muster. Currently, 

the band has 24 members and is seeking to expand to 40 members total in 

the coming months. Opportunities 

exist for any qualified MDDF members especially within the woodwind 

section.

 “The Maryland Defense Force 

Band is honored to be part of the 

many ceremonies that recognize the 

great accomplishments of this nation’s veterans,” said Villanueva. “We 

stand ready to support the citizens of 

Maryland and our partners the Maryland National Guard wherever and 

whenever needed.”

By Cpl. (MD) Allison Hastings

16 Summer 2009 Maryland Military Department Digest www.md.ngb.army.mil 17 By Cpl. (MD) Allison Hastings
18 Summer 2009 Maryland Military Department Digest www.md.ngb.army.mil 19

The drill floor at the Melvin H. 

Cade Armory in Baltimore was 

dedicated to 1st Sgt. Lloyd R. 

Scott, Sr., during a ceremony May 30.

 Scott enlisted as a private at the 

end of World War II and was ordered 

to active duty to serve in Korea with 

the 231st Transportation Truck Battalion – now the 229th Main Support 

Battalion. Scott worked at Cade Armory from 1960 until his retirement 

in 1986 with 41 years and five months 

of military service.

 He joined the Army Sept. 7, 1945, 

and was assigned to the 231st which 

began as an African-American independent city militia company in 

Baltimore in February 1879. The 

militia companies were patriotic social 

clubs made up of officers and enlisted 

who competed in military drills. The 

unit called itself “The Monumental 

City Guards” and was accepted as an 

“Some of the Soldiers didn’t have someone who 

cared about them. . . . They didn’t have someone to 

look up to, a mentor, or someone who would take time 

to focus their attention in the right direction, and he 

would do that. He’d take that time. 

-- Brig. Gen. Edward H. Ballard, (Ret.)

”

Cade Armory’s drill floor, dedicated 

to 1st Sgt. Lloyd R. Scott, Sr.

infantry company in 1882 into the 

Maryland National Guard. It was redesignated the 1st Separate Company. 

 In 1946, the all African-American 

unit was reorganized and federally 

recognized as the Headquarters and 

Headquarters Detachment, 231st 

Transportation Corps Truck Battalion 

and was responsible for three truck 

companies. on Aug. 19, 1950, the 

231st was mobilized to serve in Korea. The 231st was the only Maryland 

National Guard unit ordered to active 

duty to support the Korean War. 

 “We are here to honor a truly outstanding Soldier. A Soldier as strong 

as the steel and blocks that make this 

building strong. A Soldier who served 

our country and our state at a time 

when that dedication and loyalty may 

not have been fully understood or appreciated by some in our nation. Not 

all of 1st Sgt. Scott’s battles were on 

the battlefields of Korea,” said Brig. 

Gen. James A. Adkins, the adjutant 

general of Maryland.

 A few years after his 1951 discharge, 

Scott re-enlisted in the 231st as the 

battalion truck master, moving on to 

become an admin supply technician 

when the 231st was re-designated 

the 229th Supply and Transportation 

Battalion.

 “I had no idea that they had 

planned that event so beautifully for 

him,” said Effie G. Scott. “That was his 

love; he loved the military.”

 Lloyd and Effie were married for 58 

years before his death in 2005. They 

raised 15 children. Many would join 

the U.S. Army, Air Force and Navy. 

 “He worked hard, but he never 

brought his work home. When he 

came home, he came home to me and 

his family,” said Effie G. Scott.

By Spc. Thaddeus Harrington

Soldier and NCO of the Year

By Staff Sgt. Kristofer Baumgartner

 The Maryland Army National 

Guard named its Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer of the Year following a competition at Camp Fretterd 

Military Reservation near Reisterstown, Md.

 Pfc. Karl Kunze, representing the 

29th Combat Aviation Brigade, was 

awarded Soldier of the Year honors, 

while Sgt. Brandon Kennedy, 58th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, won the 

NCO of the Year title at the competition held April 25-26, 2009.

 “These Soldiers represent 

the essence of the warrior 

spirit,” said Command Sgt. Maj. 

Franklin J. Wright, Maryland 

Army National Guard command 

sergeant major. “They set the 

bar extraordinarily high and 

can inspire others to follow in their 

footsteps.”

 The MDARNG developed and 

implemented its own competition 

to determine who moves on to the 

regional board in May at Fort Pickett, 

Va., and then on to the national level 

at Fort Benning, Ga. if they are successful at the regional competition.

 This year’s competition was very 

different from previous years, said 

Wright. Soldiers used to appear before 

a board of senior NCOs and answer 

military-related questions. The person 

who answered the most questions 

correctly was generally 

the winner, he said.

 The familiar 

formal 

board 

was a 

large 

part 

of 

the 

competition, 

but this year’s contest also tested the 

Soldiers on the Army Physical Fitness 

Test, rifle qualification, land navigation, first aid, chemical, biological, 

radiological, nuclear, and high yield 

explosive tasks, communication skills, 

knowledge of defensive measures 

and a 3-mile road march carrying a 

35-pound ruck sack.

 The MDARNG’s goal was to train 

the Soldiers as realistically as possible 

by duplicating the national competition’s requirements, which will include Army hand-to-hand combatives, 

a 12-mile ruck march and combat 

in an urban environment clearing a 

room in close quarters in addition to 

the events at the state level.

 Each Soldier selected a mentor 

from his unit to help coach and guide 

the Soldier’s preparation. “What I 

hope they look for in a mentor is 

someone with experience that can 

motivate and challenge the competitors to achieve greatness,” said 

Wright. “...someone that is competent 

at each task that can raise the competitor’s level of knowledge.” 
An Airman from the 175th Wing dem

capabilities of an A-10C Thunderbolt II ipatrol over Baghdad, during media day a

Base on March 4.

Final Frame