At Ease

The U.S. Coast Guard accepted delivery of the 63rd Fast Response Cutter, Jeffrey Palazzo (WPC 1163), on June 11 in Key West, Florida. Jeffrey Palazzo is the fifth FRC to be homeported in Guam, joining the recently commissioned Vincent Danz (WPC 1162).

The Fort George G. Meade Garrison is set to welcome Col. Sunny Kuehl as its 90th Commander in a change of command ceremony, while honoring the efforts of Col. Yolanda Gore, who will relinquish command after two years in the position. Kuehl, a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, who graduated from The U.S. Military Academy in 2002, comes to the command from the Pentagon where she was Vice Deputy Director of Analysis and Warning on the Joint Staff J2 (J22).

Each month, At Ease editor Eli Wohlenhaus goes on Wreaths Across America Radio to discuss the latest edition and more!

The Fort George G. Meade Garrison is set to welcome Col. Sunny Kuehl as its 90th Commander in a change of command ceremony, while honoring the efforts of Col. Yolanda Gore, who will relinquish command after two years in the position. Kuehl, a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, who graduated from The U.S. Military Academy in 2002, comes to the command from the Pentagon where she was Vice Deputy Director of Analysis and Warning on the Joint Staff J2 (J22).

More than a decade and a half ago, Irene Spatafore sent care packages to her grandson while he was stationed overseas. When he returned to the states, the plan was for Spatafore to stop shipping packages. But plans don’t always work out as intended. Spatafore’s grandson told her that there were a lot of service members without the same family benefits. “That’s how my wheels got turning,” Spatafore said.

The non-profit Corvias Foundation recently hosted a free Opportunity Expo for Fort Meade military families, connecting them with information, guidance, and resources designed to help them navigate school transitions, explore career opportunities, and achieve long-term success. Nearly 200 adults and children attended, demonstrating strong demand for support resources within the military community.

The University of Maryland and U.S. Army Garrison Fort George G. Meade have formally entered into Maryland’s first Intergovernmental Support Agreement (IGSA), establishing a landmark umbrella partnership that enables UMD faculty, staff and students to support Fort Meade’s installation operations and workforce modernization.

QUEENSTOWN — Neither Max Harar nor Mike Romano considered themselves runners. Former college athletes — Harar a wrestler and Romano a baseball player — the two 23-year-olds challenged themselves to complete a backyard ultra while raising money for veterans and first responders. After five months of training, the friends took to Bennett Road in Queenstown on June 13, where Harar's family lives, to compete in the unique endurance event.

CENTREVILLE — As motorists cross the Chesapeake Bay this Independence Day, they'll be greeted by a new symbol of American pride soaring above the Eastern Shore gateway — a 30-by-50-foot American flag installed near the eastbound approach to the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial (Bay) Bridge in celebration of the nation's 250th anniversary.

CHESTERTOWN — As the United States marks its 250th birthday this Independence Day, Kent County, Maryland, resident Lillian McDanolds will celebrate a milestone of her own: turning 100 years old. The former Worton resident was honored Friday at Chestertown Nursing and Rehabilitation Center by family, friends and local, state and federal officials, who recognized a century of service, sacrifice and resilience.