There was a time in my life that I had the privilege to be detached from my USAF military unit and…read moreassigned to work for No Such Agency. The team leader of my new civilian side of what we were doing in our tasking was such a super guy and he as did others made me see the importance of being very diligent in our job And he continued to further the critical Importance of not taking our job home with us. Truly enjoyed the wonderful opportunities that came from having a high level security clearance So it was with great enthusiasm that after years of not stopping to see the Cryptologic museum and visit the memorial to "Those Who served in silence". What a treat to visit and see things I was quite familiar with on display and written about. They also have a good library on the subject and those who did exceptionally well at their work.

I called the number listed: 301-688-6311, and after 45 rings, a lady answered. I asked her for the…read morethe name they used for the general data gathering centers around the United States. I later found out they are called "Fusion Centers". She said their agency had nothing to do with them and then abruptly hung up on me. What she told me was patently untrue based on the information about the centers posted right on their website. I will follow up with whomever they are accountable to, if anyone. I'm so sick of government agencies, NSA or not, not treating American Citizens (who pay their high salaries) as customers, instead of bothersome people wasting their bureacratic time. They don't get it, nor understand where they fall in the pecking order of things. We The People are their bosses. In order to get someone to talk to me I had to call The White House switchboard and have them transfer me through. The lady that had hung up on me 3 times before now answered in just 2 rings instead of 45, but when asked to speak with her supervisor, claimed she didn't have one. No accountability equals the poor customer service I received. Instead, not allowing me to speak to consumer affairs, she transferred me to an equally rude person in security who would not identify herself either, who also refused to answer my simple question, or tranfer me to public affairs. All she would say is look at our website for consumer affairs.

Countless thousands (millions?) have driven this stretch of US1 (Baltimore Road) and missed the…read morehistorical marker that's buried a bit in the weeds and trees across from a closed camera factory at Ritz Way. And really, none of these folks should be concerned. There's nowhere to stop or really even pull over to get a good look at this marker. And while it's absolutely an important one, why it's here in Beltsville makes no sense to this Yelper. The marker reads "The first telegram 'What Hath God Wrought' was sent from the Capitol in Washington DC to Baltimore May 24, 1844 over wires laid along the right of way of the B&O railroad adjacent to this highway. The telegraph was invented by Samuel F.B. Morse (1791-1872)." The statement "What Hath God Wrought" is from Numbers 23:23. It was the first message that Mr. Morse (yes, the Morse code guy) sent along the lines and is similar to "Watson! Come here. I need you." or "That's one small step." Historic. Important. Deep thinking. But why they put this marker here, where no one can really see it or look at it, as opposed to further down the road where there's at least a decent intersection, I do not know. But now you don't have to, because I risked my life for you, my fellow Yelper.

Five stars for the marker. Zero stars for any website that puts this marker in Beltsville, MD. They…read moremoved the mile marker to Laurel (roughly 104 1st. St. in Laurel MD) in 2015. It marks the first telegram from the U.S. Capitol in D.C. to a train station in Baltimore so I suppose the location represents the electrons in transit.

My review for National Archives is solely based on digitalized search records as ulterior motive…read morefor genealogy research or ancestry records retainment. I personally find familial history and records fascinating including oral history. I plan to sustained these military records perpetually. I sorrowfully wished I have driving skills enabling car ownership to make the long-haul trek to this federal archival material data files record keeper office at 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD 20740 from New York City as I would search deeper obtaining more information. National Archives' website has painstaking digitalized and categorized military personnel records by all military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. It is all personal to me as a next of kin seeking my beloved family member who was a U.S. Army veteran. Searches are further categorized by war periods dating back 250 years American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), War of 1812, Mexican War, Civil War, World War I, World War II including later wars and conflicts Korean War and Vietnam War. Oh! I am highly impressed that U.S. military personnel records dating 250 years are maintained and retained perpetually because my search is dating 83 years ago as it is not in recent years. My online search is very gruesome, daunting, extensive time consuming with high level of patience tolerance as there are many, many layered links and sub-links in a national centralized database. Links take users to more links and further complicated specified links. The records or biographical information are mostly abbreviated as "19" for birth year rather than year 1919 and does not explain rank, title, grade, grade code military jargon or military codes in everyday ordinary civilian language. The DD Form 214 Certificate of Release or "Discharge from Active Duty," is the official discharge paper and Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) which can also be obtained either online or mail. My data search encountered United States, Army Enlistment Records and Flexoline Index Database, by Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) under Department of Justice originated the Alien Registration Act of 1940 which I did successfully achieved basic biographical results from both file units. Further document requests can be obtain by submitting requests either online or U.S. mail for fees as draft registration cards and Records of the Selective Service. National Archives is a federal government official record keeper. These were service members who have names. They are significantly more than Army Serial Number. They lived and served. They have narratives. They are still loved, honored, celebrated and remembered.

Knowing history gives us a sense of perspective. If you think you have it tough, read history…read morebooks. We'd obtained the necessary advance tickets when I was last there in 2013 for further family research. I've done virtual visits there since then. This College Park, Maryland location is Archives II, which is solely a research facility. Archive I is in Washington, DC, which I'd previously reviewed at https://www.yelp.com/biz/national-archives-and-records-administration-washington. I have no complaints. The National Archives and Records Administration is an independent Federal agency of the United States government within the Executive Branch. It's charged with the preservation and documentation of government and historical records. Employees here certainly try to be helpful. Be aware that there are "millions of records, documents, photographs, maps, decrees, charters, videos" so impossible for employees to be an expert on all of them. So, do as much research before visiting so you have something to help you to find what you're looking for. If you are a History Addict such as myself, resist the temptation to read all that cool history that passes before your eyes here or you will never find out what you specifically came to find. The security procedures are different at each National Archives location based on many factors, including function and size of the facility, and are subject to change without notice. Rules can even change from floor to floor and employee to employee. Resistance is futile. When entering National Archives facilities, you must provide valid photographic identification and are subject to inspection upon entering, anytime while there and exiting. Just like at most IRS building, your id may be scanned as you travel from floor to floor. You are very limited on what you can bring in with you, Weapons are prohibited. There are a lot of security guards. If you have a heart pacemaker or other medical device that might be disrupted by the magnetometer (or give a false reading), ask to be screened with a hand-held wand. Surgical implants set off the security machines. If you have surgical implants, bring documentation of them from your doctor with you. On-site parking is limited. Any papers you are allowed to bring in are required to be first approved and then stamped / Permitted. Phones, their cases, and computers cases are prohibited. Computers require a previously obtained Permit. Recommend putting your stuff in clear plastic bags. Large or bulky clothes, hats, even some boots, prohibited due to previous thefts, hence why some requests come back as "unavailable". Has a cafeteria on the ground floor. Has specific times you can make a request to "Pull" an item. Be prepared that it can take a while to fulfill your request, it may be fulfilled damaged, and that it may not even be fulfilled due to previous thefts. There is a cost to get copies of anything. On this day in history 31 December: 1775 - George Washington ordered his recruiters to accept Blacks into the Army. Standing shoulder to shoulder, an ethnically diverse soldiery formed. From free and enslaved Blacks, to Native Americans, native born colonists, to foreign recruits, to women, Washington's integrated Army was a diverse fighting force for the long and grueling eight-year war. One of the most famous units was the 1st Rhode Island Regiment. The Rhode Island Assembly decreed on 14 February 1778, to allow, "every slave, so enlisting, shall upon his passing muster before Col. Christopher Greene, be immediately discharged from the service of his master or mistress; and be absolutely FREE, as though he had never been encumbered with any Kind of Servitude or Slavery." The integrated Army in the American War For Independence was shamefully the last integrated American military until 26 July 1948 (WWII ended 2 September 1945), when President Harry S. Truman signed an executive order banning segregation in the US Armed Forces. For it is essential that there be maintained in the Armed Services of the United States the highest standards of democracy, with equality of treatment and opportunity for all those who Serve in our country's defense. During World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt had responded to complaints about discrimination at home against African Americans by issuing Executive Order 8802 in June 1941. It directed that Black Americans be accepted into job-training programs in defense plants, forbid discrimination by defense contractors and established a Fair Employment Practices Commission (FEPC) to enforce the policy. Truman had previously appointed the first African-American judge to the Federal bench, and named several other African-Americans to high-ranking administration positions.

Vote. Ballet. Gym…read more Gymnasium. Home owners association. Field sports. Classes. My staple in my community.

Very friendly staff...they know who you are...it's like a family affair whenever I go to Zumba!…read moreCarol is the best Zumba instructor ever and the atmosphere of her class makes you want to dance all the time...even the folks with no rhythm or clue be grooving! Come join us if you're in the area!

This place is the most bizarre USPS facility ever. Personnel are rude, and act as if they are doing…read moreyou a HUGE favor to DO THEIR JOB. The last time I was there the AA male was giving me grief for something stupid like where I placed the mailing sticker. REALLY? I was very stressed out due to the fact that he was sloth slow with me and others as if exhausted to move and he gave others grief too. Not the customers fault you do not like nor want to be working dude. My package arrived but late. I was happy it arrived intact and not damaged due to the careless way he tossed it back. I would not recommend this location for anything other than purchasing stamps.

Smooth and Easy experience I had today mailing a letter. I've never done that before because as you…read morecan imagine sending letters is a dying artform here in our age of technology. The gentlemen at the front desk kindly helped me with this and I was on my way within 2 minutes. Thanks a bunch!

It's like the employees here are having a contest to see who can work the slowest. No wonder FedEx…read moreand UPS are so successful and necessary Ok. Here is an update. I have been to the Laurel Post Office a few times since my first review. My more recent experiences have been much better. Long lines move faster now. They are doing a great job, especially during COVID.

Lost important mail with tracking on it and I was asked by the Postmaster of that post office to…read morewait in the lobby to see if he could find it after one hour he never came back to the lobby they acted very unprofessional and that was rude afterwards I was told by one of the employees to get the sender to resend the letter again. That's a joke