55

TH
SIGNALCO.COMBATCAMERAFRGNEWSLETTER Issue#1
1

FALL 2014


I just wanted to say what a privilege and
honor it is for my wife, Jennifer, and me to
be a part of this great organization. I hope
everyone has been enjoying a blessed year
filled with family, friends, and love. We are
looking forward to serving you and
learning a lot from you as well.
I would like to thank the soldiers for the
amazing accomplishments they have made
over the last several months. We have been
very busy and will continue to be
throughout the upcoming months. I am
proud and appreciative of all the hard work
and team spirit everyone has been
demonstrating in their daily tasks.
Continue to strive to be the best.
I would like to say thank you to all the
volunteers, spouses, and other family
members who support the FRG with their
time, effort and participation. The families
are a key aspect of the units readiness, and
the efforts of our volunteers are what make
our FRG effective. All that you do is
appreciated. Please continue to come out
and participate. Your great ideas, selfless
giving of your time and talent, and caring
attitude is much appreciated and desired.
To all the new soldiers and families I
would like to say welcome to the unit. God
bless you all and thank you for what you
do!

Stewart N. Brown
MAJ, SC










1SG Joseph M. Billups Jr. 55th Signal
Company COMCAM was selected for the
United States Army Sergeants Major Course
USASMC for the purpose of promotion to
Sergeant Major!
There was a total of 4,238 E8s primary and
secondary zone considered for promotion to
SGM and selection to attend USASMC. Only 540
Soldiers were selected...that is a 12.74% select
rate. 1SG Billups was in the top 1% of his career
field!

Commanders Corner

|Issue#1 2

KEY POINTS OF CONTACT
COMMANDER
Major Stewart Brown
3016772347

FIRST SERGEANT
1SG Joseph Billups
3016772425

XO
1LT Joey Rodriguez
3016774626

OPERATIONS
1LT Brandon Chong
3016774633

HQ PLATOON
SFC Terrence McDuffie
3016772331

1
ST
PLATOON
SSG Kaily Brown
3016775624

2
nd
PLATOON
SFC David Hardy
3016775633

3
RD
PLATOON
SFC Rufus Smith
3016775612

FRG LEADERS
Jennifer Brown
2144980090

Kellie Paul
3017894636

Next FRG Event will be
the Fall Festival on
Friday, October 24

|Issue#1 3

FRG EVENTS

October
2
nd
FRG Steering Meeting @ 1700
17th Recipes Due for 55th Cookbook .
24thFall Festival Haunted House, Pumpkin
Carving, Soup CookOff, etc
November
Thanksgiving Luncheon
December
Holiday Dinner

Need Your Help

We are putting together a 55th cookbook. We need
your help with recipes ! To submit your recipe
online, go to http://www.typensave.com/getstarted/.
Login is 55comcam, password is whisk423. Contact
Jennifer Brown 2144980090 or Kellie Paul 301
7894636 for more information. Recipes needed by
October 17th.
New Additions
Tyler Brown, son of Major Stewart Brown
and Mrs. Jennifer Brown, was born July 5,
2014! 7 lbs, 10 oz.

Luke Anakin Sheets, son of Sgt Robert Sheets

and Rachel Heke and brother of Joshua, was
born July 8, 2014! 9 lbs, 8 oz.

|Issue#1 4

FORT MEADE EVENTS

Resource Center
Army Community Services ACS
830 Chisholm Avenue
Fort Meade, MD 20755
3016775590
Hours : 07301600 MF

New Spouse Connection and Meet n Greet
78:30 p.m., 2nd Monday of each month
Location: ACS building
Description: An opportunity for all new spouses to the Ft Meade community and surrounding area are
invited to attend. Information will include childcare options, scholarships for spouses, area attractions,
volunteer opportunities, public transportation, and MFTB. Will include social and activity get together for
meet and greet.
|Issue#1 5

USO EVENTSFort Meade USO Center Hours : 09002100, open every day of the year including holidays !
USO Patriots Play Group Every Monday @ 09301030 Active duty, spouses, & dependents under 5 years

New Release Movie Night Every Tuesday @ 1800

Bakery Bonanzadonated goods from Weis Food Market breads pastries, etc Thursdays @ 13001700

SuperMarket SweepsMaryland Food Bank will offer FREE produce/nonperishable goods for Active duty military
service members and/or their spouses. Last Thursday of the month @ 11001300

Please sign up to receive uptodate news about programs and events at www.usometro.org
Turkeys for Troops
USOMetro is honored to say thank you to local military families by providing Holiday Food Baskets! This program is
open to active duty service members, E5 and below, with a referral from your Senior Enlisted Advisor, E7 or
above. Grocery store gift cards may also be distributed in lieu of baskets. Registration opens October 1, 2014, deadline
to register is October 28, 2014.
HealthNet Celebration of Children
USOMetro partners with HealthNet to host a special holiday celebration with games, crafts, prizes, gifts, refreshments
and a visit from special guests including Santa! Children will be bused from installations around the area to the event
location and dropped off midafternoon. This event is open to all children ages 411 years of active duty military;
there is no rank restriction. Please note: 1 Children must ride the chaperoned buses for this event. 2 If you register
for this event you may not register for Project USO Elf. Registration opens October 1, 2014, deadline to register is
October 28, 2014.
BAE Systems Trees for Heroes
USOMetro partners with BAE Systems to host a special holiday tradition/experience at a local tree farm for military
families! The feature activity: families get to select and cut down their perfect tree to take home and decorate! Also
included are special activities, refreshments, arts and crafts, holiday decorations, a visit from Santa and much more!
This is open to active duty families E5 and below. Space is limited and registration will be done in a lottery
format. Registration opens October 1, 2014, deadline to register is October 28, 2014.
Project USO Elf
Project USO Elf is a signature USOMetro hosted program where companies, organizations, families and the community
at large register to "sponsor" our littlest patriots by selecting and providing gifts from an established wish list! Children
will receive age appropriate gifts personally selected by their sponsor. Registration is open to active duty service
members, E5 and below, with a referral from your Senior Enlisted Advisor, E7 or above. Please note if you register for
this event you may not register for HealthNet Celebration of Children. Registration opens October 1, 2014, deadline to
register is October 28, 2014.
Holiday Hotel
To thank our troops stationed in the WashingtonBaltimore Metropolitan area who may not be able to leave for the
holidays due to service obligations, duty requirements or other hardships, USOMetro partners with local hotels to
provide free stays for visiting family members who can travel to the area to be together! Apply for a free hotel stay for
any 3 consecutive nights max during the duration of the program December 20 30. Applicant families are placed as
close as possible to the duty station the service member is assigned to, within the Metropolitan Washington area. One
room per applicant. This program is open to service members E5 and below, with a referral from your Senior Enlisted
Advisor, E7 or above. Registration opens October 1, 2014, deadline to register is October 28, 2014.