By MAJ (MDDF) Stephen Rice
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
26 May 2014
The Maryland Society of Professional Engineers (MDSPE) recently established the David Thaler Leadership Award in honor of Col. (MDDF) David S. Thaler of the Maryland Defense Force. This prestigious award will be presented to professional engineers who exemplify the leadership and ideals of Col. (MDDF) Thaler. This new honor will be given “only in very special instances where an individual whose leadership within the engineering community has been transformational and who has mobilized and unified people, organizations, or causes that improve the engineering profession” according to a MDSPE statement.
Col. (MDDF) David S. Thaler previously served within the 121st Engineering Regiment and currently serves as executive advisor to Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Brian R. Kelm, the commanding general of the MDDF. A civil engineer by profession, Col. (MDDF) Thaler is the president and managing principal of D.S. Thaler & Associates, Inc. a Baltimore based civil and environmental engineering firm. He also serves as a lecturer on land use policy as a visiting scholar at the University of Baltimore School of Law. In addition, Col. (MDDF) Thaler serves as a fellow with the American Society of Civil Engineers and the National Society of Professional Engineers.
Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Brian R. Kelm shared that “We are extremely proud of Col. (MDDF) Thaler and this special recognition he has received. He serves as a wonderful example of the depth and breadth of professional expertise that exists within the MDDF. Given the talent within our ranks, we remain positioned to fulfill our mission and support the State of Maryland when called.”
The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) is the State’s uniformed volunteer military unit providing professional and technical assistance to the Maryland Military Department. Established in 1917, the MDDF consists of nearly 450 personnel who perform legal, engineering, finance, medical, chaplain, field support and ceremonial services for the State of Maryland. For more information: www.mddf.maryland.gov.
Monday, May 26, 2014
Sunday, May 4, 2014
The Maryland Defense Force Band Pays Tribute to 60 Years of Baseball in Baltimore
By CPT (MDDF) Richard Barnes
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
4 May 2014
Step right up. Get your popcorn, peanuts and crackerjack. The big game is about to start! Well, actually, the big concert about the big game was about to start. On Sunday, May 4th, the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) Band performed an afternoon concert of music honoring America’s great pastime – baseball! The band was led by its founding commander, Lt. Col. (MDDF) Jari Villanueva, who is an avid baseball fan himself.
After performing our National Anthem to start the program, the MDDF Band played a sprightly march by the Finnish composer Timo Forsström entitled Castle Park and the Festival Overture on the American National Air by Dudley Buck. The themes contained in this complex overture for wind band were taken from The Star Spangled Banner as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of its composition by Francis Scott Key this year.
At the Dundalk United Methodist Church, the MDDF Band then celebrated 60 years of baseball in Baltimore. Almost all of the music performed by the band was centered on the theme of baseball. The band played such memorable selections as Take Me out to the Ballgame. America’s “March King,” John Philip Sousa, wrote a march dedicated to baseball entitled, The National Game, which the band performed with great precision. “Guest musician” Master Sgt. (retired) Jan Holland, formerly with The U.S. Army Field Band at Fort Meade, MD, assisted the MDDF Band by performing the harp as the band played themes from the baseball movie, The Natural. Lt. Col. (MDDF) Villanueva, a noted music historian in his own right, unearthed a march dedicated to the early days of Baltimore’s baseball team entitled, Our Orioles. This march was written at a time when baseball “fans” were referred to as baseball “cranks.”
Music from the Band’s woodwind ensemble delighted the audience as they brought the feeling of summer to the concert with a medley of Gay Nineties favorites by Bill Holcombe. The performance by this quintet of woodwind players included several well-known melodies including: A Bicycle Built for Two, The Sidewalks of New York, In the Good Old Summertime and the Band Played On.
The highlight of the afternoon, however, was the narration of the dramatic essay Casey at the Bat, which was presented by Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Brian R. Kelm, the commanding general of the Maryland Defense Force, accompanied by the band. Gen. (MDDF) Kelm’s enthusiastic interpretation of this perennial favorite definitely knocked this one “out of the park!”
The concert ended with a stirring rendition of Irving Berlin’s God Bless America and the Maryland Defense Force’s state service song, Maryland, My Maryland.
Widely known as “Maryland’s Musical Ambassadors,” the MDDF Band is a ceremonial unit of the Maryland Defense Force. Members of the band include retired and former members of our nation’s military service bands, music educators and students from all over the state. The band provides musical and ceremonial support to the Maryland Military Department and the State of Maryland. There are 22 states (plus the commonwealth of Puerto Rico) that have State Defense Forces to provide additional uniformed volunteer support to the National Guard. Of that number, Maryland is only one of two states to have a State Defense Force band.
The summer schedule of the MDDF Band for this year includes a concert at the amphitheater of Hagerstown Community College on Sunday, June 22nd at 6:15 p.m., participation in the Independence Day parade on the Fourth of July at 3:00 p.m. in Catonsville, a concert at the Lurman Woodland Theater in Catonsville on Saturday, July 19th at 6:30 p.m. and a concert at the Chesapeake Arts Center in Brooklyn Park on Saturday, September 22 at 7:30 p.m. All MDDF Band concerts are free and open to the public.
For more information about the band’s performances, contact the MDDF Band’s Public Affairs Officer, Capt. (MDDF) Rick Barnes, at rbarnes@mddf.us.
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
4 May 2014
Step right up. Get your popcorn, peanuts and crackerjack. The big game is about to start! Well, actually, the big concert about the big game was about to start. On Sunday, May 4th, the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) Band performed an afternoon concert of music honoring America’s great pastime – baseball! The band was led by its founding commander, Lt. Col. (MDDF) Jari Villanueva, who is an avid baseball fan himself.
After performing our National Anthem to start the program, the MDDF Band played a sprightly march by the Finnish composer Timo Forsström entitled Castle Park and the Festival Overture on the American National Air by Dudley Buck. The themes contained in this complex overture for wind band were taken from The Star Spangled Banner as we celebrate the 200th anniversary of its composition by Francis Scott Key this year.
At the Dundalk United Methodist Church, the MDDF Band then celebrated 60 years of baseball in Baltimore. Almost all of the music performed by the band was centered on the theme of baseball. The band played such memorable selections as Take Me out to the Ballgame. America’s “March King,” John Philip Sousa, wrote a march dedicated to baseball entitled, The National Game, which the band performed with great precision. “Guest musician” Master Sgt. (retired) Jan Holland, formerly with The U.S. Army Field Band at Fort Meade, MD, assisted the MDDF Band by performing the harp as the band played themes from the baseball movie, The Natural. Lt. Col. (MDDF) Villanueva, a noted music historian in his own right, unearthed a march dedicated to the early days of Baltimore’s baseball team entitled, Our Orioles. This march was written at a time when baseball “fans” were referred to as baseball “cranks.”
Music from the Band’s woodwind ensemble delighted the audience as they brought the feeling of summer to the concert with a medley of Gay Nineties favorites by Bill Holcombe. The performance by this quintet of woodwind players included several well-known melodies including: A Bicycle Built for Two, The Sidewalks of New York, In the Good Old Summertime and the Band Played On.
The highlight of the afternoon, however, was the narration of the dramatic essay Casey at the Bat, which was presented by Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Brian R. Kelm, the commanding general of the Maryland Defense Force, accompanied by the band. Gen. (MDDF) Kelm’s enthusiastic interpretation of this perennial favorite definitely knocked this one “out of the park!”
The concert ended with a stirring rendition of Irving Berlin’s God Bless America and the Maryland Defense Force’s state service song, Maryland, My Maryland.
Widely known as “Maryland’s Musical Ambassadors,” the MDDF Band is a ceremonial unit of the Maryland Defense Force. Members of the band include retired and former members of our nation’s military service bands, music educators and students from all over the state. The band provides musical and ceremonial support to the Maryland Military Department and the State of Maryland. There are 22 states (plus the commonwealth of Puerto Rico) that have State Defense Forces to provide additional uniformed volunteer support to the National Guard. Of that number, Maryland is only one of two states to have a State Defense Force band.
The summer schedule of the MDDF Band for this year includes a concert at the amphitheater of Hagerstown Community College on Sunday, June 22nd at 6:15 p.m., participation in the Independence Day parade on the Fourth of July at 3:00 p.m. in Catonsville, a concert at the Lurman Woodland Theater in Catonsville on Saturday, July 19th at 6:30 p.m. and a concert at the Chesapeake Arts Center in Brooklyn Park on Saturday, September 22 at 7:30 p.m. All MDDF Band concerts are free and open to the public.
For more information about the band’s performances, contact the MDDF Band’s Public Affairs Officer, Capt. (MDDF) Rick Barnes, at rbarnes@mddf.us.
Saturday, May 3, 2014
Maryland Adjutant General Addresses MDDF at 2014 Annual Muster
By MAJ (MDDF) Stephen Rice
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
3 May 2014
On May 3, 2014 the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) held its Annual Muster at the Pikesville Military Reservation. The Annual Muster is a mandatory all day training activity for all Maryland Defense Force personnel. Company formation and ceremonies commenced at 9:00 a.m. The keynote speaker for this year’s muster was Maj. Gen. James A. Adkins, the adjutant general of Maryland.
Maj. Gen. Adkins is the 28th adjutant general of Maryland and has served in that role since 2008. As Maryland’s adjutant general, he manages the operations of the Maryland Military Department (MILDEP) which includes the Maryland Army National Guard (MDARNG), the Maryland Air National Guard (MDANG), the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF). Maj. Gen. Adkins also serves as a senior advisor to the governor while overseeing a state department of more than 7,200 military and civilian personnel.
Maj. Gen. Adkins’ military career includes more than 30 years of service in both the enlisted and officer ranks. He has served in various staff assignments and at almost every level of command. His distinguished service includes assignments in intelligence, infantry and cavalry units in the United States and overseas. Some of his many military decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Maryland Distinguished Service Cross and the Order of the White Cross from the Republic of Estonia.
Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Brian R. Kelm, the commanding general of the Maryland Defense Force shared that, “It is always an honor for the MDDF to host Gen. Adkins at our annual muster. His leadership and career of selfless service is an inspiration to our state soldiers. He thanked us for the volunteer work that we do but we also appreciate his stewardship and professional example.”
The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) is the State’s uniformed volunteer military unit providing professional and technical assistance to the Maryland Military Department. Established in 1917, the MDDF consists of nearly 450 personnel who perform legal, engineering, finance, medical, chaplain, field support and ceremonial services for the State of Maryland. For more information: www.mddf.maryland.gov.
Maryland Defense Force Public Affairs
3 May 2014
On May 3, 2014 the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) held its Annual Muster at the Pikesville Military Reservation. The Annual Muster is a mandatory all day training activity for all Maryland Defense Force personnel. Company formation and ceremonies commenced at 9:00 a.m. The keynote speaker for this year’s muster was Maj. Gen. James A. Adkins, the adjutant general of Maryland.
Maj. Gen. Adkins is the 28th adjutant general of Maryland and has served in that role since 2008. As Maryland’s adjutant general, he manages the operations of the Maryland Military Department (MILDEP) which includes the Maryland Army National Guard (MDARNG), the Maryland Air National Guard (MDANG), the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and the Maryland Defense Force (MDDF). Maj. Gen. Adkins also serves as a senior advisor to the governor while overseeing a state department of more than 7,200 military and civilian personnel.
Maj. Gen. Adkins’ military career includes more than 30 years of service in both the enlisted and officer ranks. He has served in various staff assignments and at almost every level of command. His distinguished service includes assignments in intelligence, infantry and cavalry units in the United States and overseas. Some of his many military decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Maryland Distinguished Service Cross and the Order of the White Cross from the Republic of Estonia.
Brig. Gen. (MDDF) Brian R. Kelm, the commanding general of the Maryland Defense Force shared that, “It is always an honor for the MDDF to host Gen. Adkins at our annual muster. His leadership and career of selfless service is an inspiration to our state soldiers. He thanked us for the volunteer work that we do but we also appreciate his stewardship and professional example.”
The Maryland Defense Force (MDDF) is the State’s uniformed volunteer military unit providing professional and technical assistance to the Maryland Military Department. Established in 1917, the MDDF consists of nearly 450 personnel who perform legal, engineering, finance, medical, chaplain, field support and ceremonial services for the State of Maryland. For more information: www.mddf.maryland.gov.
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