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One thing there is never a shortage of around the Team Meade community is great things to do. And by great, I'm not just talking about the consistently superb services that are provided here on a daily basis.

I'm literally talking about great and fun things to participate in like we offered last weekend.

For starters, Saturday's Family Fun Fair was awesome!

For those of you who couldn't make it, about 2,500 people attended the 26th annual event at McGill Training Center.

And per usual, DFMWR director Martha McClary and her Child, Youth and School Services team did a fantastic job. The event featured a bunch of activities that Audrey, the kids and I truly enjoyed. (See Pages 14-15.)

Then on Sunday we gave our historic golf course a proper send-off during the final Commander's Cup tournament. Mother Nature helped out with the weather, the Courses was in its usual fantastic condition, and even though Gen. Alexander and I didn't win the first-place trophy, it is fair to say that all 144 golfers who participated had a great time. (See Pages 20-21.)

And for those of you worried about the future of the Fort Meade golf community, let me say that thanks to our great partnerships, I can promise you that Sunday's Commander's Cup will not be the last time Team Meade gets together over a round of golf.

Both the Family Fun Fair and Commander's Cup brought the entire community together, and I hope we will get together again Sunday for one of the more patriotic events on our calendar: Fort Meade's Memorial Day Remembrance and 26th Annual Massing of the Colors.

The massing symbolizes the ideals of patriotism and love of county. It also gives me a better understanding of what President George Washington meant when he said, "When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen."

I say that because during the event, which Fort Meade is hosting along with the General George G. Meade Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars, more than 60 color guards from various active-duty, Guard and Reserve military units will join their counterparts from civilian organizations such as local VFWs, Rotary Clubs and Boy and Girl Scout troops.

Each color guard will march into the Pavilion under its own banner, then come together around the United States Colors.

Beyond this impressive display, the event also will feature an Armed Forces Color Guard from the Military District of Washington and a performance by the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley will serve as the keynote speaker for the event, which will conclude with a free concert by the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers' Chorus stationed here at Fort Meade.

If all of that isn't enough to get you out to the Pavilion at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, there also is a reception with food after the concert.

Joking aside, Command Sgt. Maj. Smith and I hope you can make it out to this fabulous event and celebrate one more great thing that Team Meade makes happen.