August 22 - August 28, 2019
Tribute Wall honoree Navy Veteran Raymond Poole of Bowie shared stories from his service which included the Korean War and being elbowed several times at a crowded USO event by Joan Crawford.
Veterans Tribute Wall Ceremony Brings Stories of Love and Patriotism
By ELYZABETH MARCUSSEN
Hospice of the Chesapeake
PASADENA, Md. (Aug. 12, 2019)—Storytelling took the spotlight as the military service of 21 men and women were celebrated at the sixth annual Unveiling of the Veterans Tribute Wall held Aug. 8 on the Hospice of the Chesapeake’s John & Cathy Belcher Campus in Pasadena.
Each of these veterans is now represented on the Veterans Tribute Wall which hangs in the Chesapeake Bay Room in the administrative building on the campus. The wall features photos of veteran patients during their Honor Salutes, a ceremony recognizing and thanking them for their service to our country. It is a rare treat that a living veteran is able to participate in the unveiling of his own Honor Salute photo during the event, but this year, there were two such honorees: World War II Army Veteran John Hennen of Pasadena and Korean War Navy Veteran Raymond Poole of Bowie.
During the event, guests first enjoyed dinner donated by Cafe Mezzanotte, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Harris Teeter, Mission BBQ and Safeway followed by a moving ceremony that included Honor Salutes from active duty service members led by Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Benjamin “Jake” Higginbotham, the Defense Intelligence Agency’s command senior enlisted leader at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling. Higginbotham also reflected on his own experience performing dozens of Honor Salutes, saying that the largest impact he felt through the program was his perspective on life, changing the way he views both life and death. “It has taught me that the end can be just as emotional and beautiful as the beginning.”
There also were messages from retired Navy Chaplain Wayne Bumbry, President and CEO Ben Marcantonio and the evening’s master of ceremonies, retired Navy Capt. Bill Malicki. Haley Marcussen, a member of the nonprofit performance group, the Voices of Vets, Inc., sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America.”
Most moving of all, though, were the words of love and pride that came from the family members who attended the event, as they remembered their loved ones and shared poignant stories of how their parent, sibling or spouse had served. The unveiled photos will replace the photos that have been on display since last year. The photos from 2018 will be given to the family of each of the honored veterans.
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National Down Syndrome Society to Feature Anian Caldwell in Annual New York City Times Square Video Presentation
By JOSHUA HARLOW
National Down Syndrome Society
New York, NY (August 8, 2019)—Anian Caldwell (aka Boo Thang) from Upper Marlboro, MD will be featured on the big screen in the heart of New York City as a part of the National Down Syndrome Society’s (NDSS) annual Times Square Video presentation on September 14. The Times Square Video presentation kicks off Down Syndrome Awareness Month on the morning of the NDSS Buddy Walk® in New York City.
Every year, NDSS reminds the world in a big way about the gifts that people with Down syndrome bring to their communities through a special video presentation on a jumbo screen in the heart of Times Square. The featured photographs highlight children, teens and adults with Down syndrome working, playing and learning alongside friends and family. These collective images promote acceptance and inclusion, which is the foundation of NDSS and the National Buddy Walk® Program. The video presentation is a reminder of the contributions, accomplishments and value of people with Down syndrome.
Anian’s photo was selected from over 3,000 entries in the NDSS worldwide call for photos. Approximately 500 photos will appear in the Times Square video. Anian is entering Kindergarden this year and loves to be included, make people smile and is a natural comedian and simply a joy!
The mission of NDSS is to be the leading human rights organization for all individuals with Down syndrome. NDSS provides state-of-the-art, comprehensive programming to all individuals with Down syndrome and their families, which include: The National Advocacy & Public Policy Center in Washington, DC, its Down Syndrome Health Resources & Promotion Program, the first of its kind #DSWORKS® Employment Program, which is showing the world that people with Down syndrome are ready, willing and ABLE to work as well as the National Buddy Walk® Program. NDSS envisions a world in which all people with Down syndrome have the opportunity to enhance their quality of life, realize their life aspirations and become valued members of welcoming communities. For more information, visit NDSS.org
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Prince George’s Ranks 4th Among the Top Ten Digital Counties in the United States as a Leader in Predictive Modeling, Cybersecurity, Collaboration and Shared Services
Center for Digital Government survey commends counties that deploy innovative technology practices
By DAWN PAGE
Prince George’s County MD
Office of Information Technology
Upper Marlboro, Md. (August 12, 2019)—Prince George’s County is named one of the top ten Digital Counties in the United 2019 Digital Counties Winner LogoStates, ranking 4th in the 17th annual Digital Counties Survey. The survey, conducted by the Center for Digital Government (CDG) and the National Association of Counties (NACo), identifies the best technology practices among U.S. counties, including initiatives that streamline delivery of government services, encourage open data, collaboration and shared services, enhance cybersecurity and contribute to disaster response and recovery efforts.
“This important national recognition is further evidence that Prince George’s County is a leader in our region, state and nation. Digital innovation is a fundamental strategy and technology is integral to the success of education, public safety, economic development priorities, and provision of government services,” said Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks. “I am proud of our Office of Information Technology and all of our county stakeholders for ensuring we have a modern, 21st century government to improve the quality of life for our residents.”
“Innovative counties across the U.S. are leveraging technology and data to complete unique projects that better serve citizens, save taxpayer money and protect citizen data,” said Teri Takai, Executive Director, CDG. “The Center for Digital Government congratulates this year’s winners for their accomplishments to make government work for the citizens and businesses they serve.”
“We applaud this year’s Digital Counties Survey winners for maximizing the value of technology in serving our residents,” said NACo Executive Director Matthew Chase. “Technology plays an important role in achieving healthy, safe and vibrant counties. The Digital Counties Survey demonstrates how we embrace cutting-edge approaches to strengthening our communities.”
Prince George’s County placed 4th among counties in the 500,000–999,999 population category.
500,000–999,999 Population Category
1st: Snohomish County, WA
2nd: County of Sonoma, CA
2nd: County of Ventura, CA
3rd: Gwinnett County, GA
4th: Prince George's County, MD
5th: County of San Mateo, CA
6th: DeKalb County, GA
7th: Douglas County, NE
8th: San Joaquin County, CA
9th: County of Chester, PA
10th: Polk County, FL
For the full list of winners, https://www.govtech.com/dc/digital-counties/Digital-Counties-Survey-2018--Winners-Announced.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery.
The 2019 survey found that the top ten technologies and initiatives which are likely to have an increased focus in local governments in the next year are:
• Cybersecurity (#1 for six years consecutively)
• Citizen Experience/ E-Service Provision (moved up from #3)
• Hire and Retain Competent IT Personnel (moved up from #4)
• Business Intelligence/ Analytics (moved up from #8)
• Disaster Recovery/ Continuity of Operations (was #2)
• Data Governance
• Infrastructure Modernization
• Cloud Computing
• Budget & Cost Control and Increased Agency/Department/IT Collaboration
• Shared or Collaboration Services
The Center for Digital Government is a national research and advisory institute focused on technology policy and best practices in state and local government. CDG is a division of e.Republic, the nation’s only media and research company focused exclusively on state and local government and education.
The National Association of Counties (NACo) unites America’s 3,069 county governments. Founded in 1935, NACo brings county officials together to advocate with a collective voice on national policy, exchange ideas and build new leadership skills, pursue transformational county solutions, enrich the public’s understanding of county government and exercise exemplary leadership in public service.
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