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Jon’s Favorites · 2019

Jon’s Favorites · 2019

Harrison Henneberg, 16, of Clifton, Virginia (right) operates the fire hose nozzle as Joseph Telfer, 14, of Baltimore, (center) handles the hose and APG firefighter James Smith, left, supervises during an exercise at the APG South (Edgewood) fire station on Monday, July 1, 2019. Harrison and Joseph are two of more than 160 members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps who are taking part in a 9-day camp at APG. In addition to firefighting and emergency management skills, the cadets — ages 13–17 —spent their time at the installation learning military customs, Naval history and leadership lessons.

Another year bites the dust, as 2019 has come and (just about) gone very quickly. I spent the year at Aberdeen Proving Ground, writing about the Army’s achievements and innovations, as well as the local community, for APG News. Here’s a selection of my stories and photos this year that stood out.

Scroll down a bit for stories I enjoyed reading over the course of the year.

The 20th CBRNE Command moved from APG South to APG North, which had some great photo opportunities.

20th CBRNE Completes Move to APG North – APG News
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. – Members past and present of the 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and…apgnews.com
Harrison Henneberg, 16, of Clifton, Virginia (right) operates the fire hose nozzle as Joseph Telfer, 14, of Baltimore, (center) handles the hose and APG firefighter James Smith, left, supervises during an exercise at the APG South (Edgewood) fire station on Monday, July 1, 2019. Harrison and Joseph are two of more than 160 members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps who are taking part in a 9-day camp at APG. In addition to firefighting and emergency management skills, the cadets — ages 13–17 —spent their time at the installation learning military customs, Naval history and leadership lessons.
Harrison Henneberg, 16, of Clifton, Virginia (right) operates the fire hose nozzle as Joseph Telfer, 14, of Baltimore, (center) handles the hose and APG firefighter James Smith, left, supervises during an exercise at the APG South (Edgewood) fire station on Monday, July 1, 2019. Harrison and Joseph are two of more than 160 members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps who are taking part in a 9-day camp at APG. In addition to firefighting and emergency management skills, the cadets — ages 13–17 —spent their time at the installation learning military customs, Naval history and leadership lessons.

When some Soldiers on post had to get weapons training, we covered it.

APG Soldiers receive weapons training — APG News
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — A group of more than 40 Soldiers with the 1st Area Medical Laboratory, the U.S. Army…apgnews.com
Harrison Henneberg, 16, of Clifton, Virginia (right) operates the fire hose nozzle as Joseph Telfer, 14, of Baltimore, (center) handles the hose and APG firefighter James Smith, left, supervises during an exercise at the APG South (Edgewood) fire station on Monday, July 1, 2019. Harrison and Joseph are two of more than 160 members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps who are taking part in a 9-day camp at APG. In addition to firefighting and emergency management skills, the cadets — ages 13–17 —spent their time at the installation learning military customs, Naval history and leadership lessons.
Harrison Henneberg, 16, of Clifton, Virginia (right) operates the fire hose nozzle as Joseph Telfer, 14, of Baltimore, (center) handles the hose and APG firefighter James Smith, left, supervises during an exercise at the APG South (Edgewood) fire station on Monday, July 1, 2019. Harrison and Joseph are two of more than 160 members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps who are taking part in a 9-day camp at APG. In addition to firefighting and emergency management skills, the cadets — ages 13–17 —spent their time at the installation learning military customs, Naval history and leadership lessons.

A soldier was recognized for his lifesaving efforts in Baltimore

Kirk Soldier honored in life-saving effort – APG News
On Dec. 2, Pfc. Randy Ruby was walking along Baltimore’s Inner Harbor in Baltimore after enjoying a visit at the city’s…apgnews.com

I enjoyed writing this feature of an engineer in March.

Testing became “dream job” for female engineer – APG News
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. – Nancy Castaldo didn’t have the Army in mind when she graduated from the University of…apgnews.com

Here’s a feature about a Wounded Warrior helping out at the APG fire department.

Wounded warrior aids APG Fire Department – APG News
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. – The Aberdeen Proving Ground Fire Department has enlisted a wounded warrior to help with…apgnews.com

An engineer who works on post was inducted into the American Football Association’s Minor League Football Hall of Fame.

DPW engineer selected to AFA Hall of Fame – APG News
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. – The Aberdeen Proving Ground Directorate of Public Works might be the only Garrison…apgnews.com

I learned about duck decoys.

Decoy & Wildlife Art Festival returns to Havre de Grace – APG News
HAVRE DE GRACE, Md. – It’s no secret that Havre de Grace is proud of its duck decoy heritage. Since 1982, the city has…apgnews.com

I also learned a bit about how police investigate and reconstruct car accidents, when a representative from Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network came to examine an area on post where a car accident took place earlier this year.

APG Police Teams with National Crash Injury Program — APG News
ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — Whenever a car crash in Maryland involving late-model passenger vehicles and fatalities…apgnews.com

Finally, since you made it this far, here are some of my favorite photos of the year that I took. It’s from APG’s Greening Week, designed to give civilian newcomers a taste of what it’s like to be a soldier. It’s turned into one of my favorite assignments of the year to cover. Links to photo galleries below.

Harrison Henneberg, 16, of Clifton, Virginia (right) operates the fire hose nozzle as Joseph Telfer, 14, of Baltimore, (center) handles the hose and APG firefighter James Smith, left, supervises during an exercise at the APG South (Edgewood) fire station on Monday, July 1, 2019. Harrison and Joseph are two of more than 160 members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps who are taking part in a 9-day camp at APG. In addition to firefighting and emergency management skills, the cadets — ages 13–17 —spent their time at the installation learning military customs, Naval history and leadership lessons.
Harrison Henneberg, 16, of Clifton, Virginia (right) operates the fire hose nozzle as Joseph Telfer, 14, of Baltimore, (center) handles the hose and APG firefighter James Smith, left, supervises during an exercise at the APG South (Edgewood) fire station on Monday, July 1, 2019. Harrison and Joseph are two of more than 160 members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps who are taking part in a 9-day camp at APG. In addition to firefighting and emergency management skills, the cadets — ages 13–17 —spent their time at the installation learning military customs, Naval history and leadership lessons.
Harrison Henneberg, 16, of Clifton, Virginia (right) operates the fire hose nozzle as Joseph Telfer, 14, of Baltimore, (center) handles the hose and APG firefighter James Smith, left, supervises during an exercise at the APG South (Edgewood) fire station on Monday, July 1, 2019. Harrison and Joseph are two of more than 160 members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps who are taking part in a 9-day camp at APG. In addition to firefighting and emergency management skills, the cadets — ages 13–17 —spent their time at the installation learning military customs, Naval history and leadership lessons.
Harrison Henneberg, 16, of Clifton, Virginia (right) operates the fire hose nozzle as Joseph Telfer, 14, of Baltimore, (center) handles the hose and APG firefighter James Smith, left, supervises during an exercise at the APG South (Edgewood) fire station on Monday, July 1, 2019. Harrison and Joseph are two of more than 160 members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps who are taking part in a 9-day camp at APG. In addition to firefighting and emergency management skills, the cadets — ages 13–17 —spent their time at the installation learning military customs, Naval history and leadership lessons.
Harrison Henneberg, 16, of Clifton, Virginia (right) operates the fire hose nozzle as Joseph Telfer, 14, of Baltimore, (center) handles the hose and APG firefighter James Smith, left, supervises during an exercise at the APG South (Edgewood) fire station on Monday, July 1, 2019. Harrison and Joseph are two of more than 160 members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps who are taking part in a 9-day camp at APG. In addition to firefighting and emergency management skills, the cadets — ages 13–17 —spent their time at the installation learning military customs, Naval history and leadership lessons.
Harrison Henneberg, 16, of Clifton, Virginia (right) operates the fire hose nozzle as Joseph Telfer, 14, of Baltimore, (center) handles the hose and APG firefighter James Smith, left, supervises during an exercise at the APG South (Edgewood) fire station on Monday, July 1, 2019. Harrison and Joseph are two of more than 160 members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps who are taking part in a 9-day camp at APG. In addition to firefighting and emergency management skills, the cadets — ages 13–17 —spent their time at the installation learning military customs, Naval history and leadership lessons.
Harrison Henneberg, 16, of Clifton, Virginia (right) operates the fire hose nozzle as Joseph Telfer, 14, of Baltimore, (center) handles the hose and APG firefighter James Smith, left, supervises during an exercise at the APG South (Edgewood) fire station on Monday, July 1, 2019. Harrison and Joseph are two of more than 160 members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps who are taking part in a 9-day camp at APG. In addition to firefighting and emergency management skills, the cadets — ages 13–17 —spent their time at the installation learning military customs, Naval history and leadership lessons.
APG Greening Course: Gunpowder Trail Obstacle Course, Aug. 27, 2019
100 members of the APG civilian workforce took part in Greening Week activities, designed to emulate life as a Soldier…flic.kr
APG Greening Course: Combat Fitness Test, Aug. 30, 2019
Team APG civilians took part in the APG Greening Course’s combat fitness test on Friday, Aug. 30, 2019.www.flickr.com

Here is a list of stories I enjoyed reading and bookmarked over the course of the year, without much context, in the order they were bookmarked.

Washington could become the first state to legalize human composting
When Americans die, most are buried or cremated. Washington could soon become the first state to allow another option…www.nbcnews.com
To Save the Sound of a Stradivarius, a Whole City Must Keep Quiet
CREMONA, Italy – Florencia Rastelli was mortified. As an expert barista, she had never spilled a single cup of coffee…www.nytimes.com
His brother gunned down 17 people. But he’s the only family Zach Cruz has left.
He kept his head down as he walked into the judicial complex, knowing his presence would attract stares. He emptied his…www.washingtonpost.com
A Tiny Screw Shows Why iPhones Won’t Be ‘Assembled in U.S.A.’
SAN FRANCISCO – Despite a trade war between the United States and China and past admonishments from President Trump “to…www.nytimes.com
He Survived More Than 40 Hours as Scores Drowned Around Him
The water kept rising. The air pocket around his head kept shrinking. And nearly two days after his ferry capsized, no…www.nytimes.com
From 1969 to 2019, a Day at The New York Times
TIMES INSIDER The book “A Day in the Life of The New York Times” chronicled 24 hours at the Gray Lady 50 years ago. On…www.nytimes.com
The ‘Top Chef’ judges never ate Eric Adjepong’s finale meal. So he made it for us instead.
The dish that could have won “Top Chef” for Eric Adjepong was one he never had the chance to make. It’s a dessert: a…www.washingtonpost.com
Inside L.A.’s Secret Society of Jeopardy! Champions
It’s the Wednesday evening before the Oscars, and all of the TVs at O’Brien’s Irish Pub in Santa Monica have been tuned…www.lamag.com
Who Is the Real Alex Trebek? I Think I May Have Caught a Glimpse
A few weeks ago, I attended the last taping day of Jeopardy! ‘s 35th season. Accompanying me were eight of the show’s…www.lamag.com
How Emma Boettcher Beat James Holzhauer on ‘Jeopardy!’
The 27-year-old librarian from Chicago dethroned Holzhauer before he was able to beat Ken Jennings’s record. Before…www.nytimes.com
You have this many minutes to consume McDonald’s French fries before they’re inedible
Features Features Stories from The Takeout about food, drink, and how we live. Robert Frost got it, man. He understood…thetakeout.com
How ‘Sesame Street’ Started a Musical Revolution
Fifty years ago, the television show united children’s education, puppetry and songs. Pop stars have been singing the…www.nytimes.com
Abuela, Chef, Boss: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s Grandmother Feeds the Majors
For about two decades, Altagracia Alvino has lived with and cooked for her baseball-playing offspring – as well as…www.nytimes.com
Leaving Prison at 72
Credit… For nearly two decades, Geneva Cooley assumed she would die in prison for nonviolent drug crimes. Then a…www.nytimes.com
How befriending Mister Rogers’ widow allowed me to learn the true meaning of his legacy
Making the most of a beautiful day with Mrs. Rogers. At 91, Joanne Rogers tends to the legacy of her late husband…www.latimes.com
The New York City Subway Map as You’ve Never Seen It Before
The city has changed drastically over the past 40 years, yet the M.T.A. map designed in 1979 has largely endured.www.nytimes.com
The Champion Who Picked a Date to Die
DIEST, Belgium – Champagne flutes were hastily unpacked from boxes, filled to their brims and passed around the room…www.nytimes.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jon Bleiweis has written for a variety of publications in Maryland and Delaware since 2011. For more about Jon, visit JonBleiweis.com. He can be reached at @JonBleiweis on Twitter.

Categories:Jon's Favorites