Nimitz News Daily Digest - Nov. 8, 2013

Nov. 8, 2013

Vol. 2 Issue 136

DAILY DIGEST

HEADS AT EASE: GIFTS FROM HOME

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STORY BY MCSN (SW) Siobhana R. McEwen

e’ve all heard “there’s no place like home.”

Sometimes, adding a little touch of something personal to the inside of a locker or bunk can go a long way to making the ship feel more like home. An organization group called Heads at Ease (HAE)

does its best to help America’s military members feel at home no matter where they’re deployed, by making and sending homemade pillowcases to Sailors, soldiers and Marines around the globe. Sailors and Marines on board Nimitz have received more than 4,000 pillowcases since deployment be-

gan in March.

Chief Hull Maintenance Technician Aaron Lyon, Nimitz’ coordinator for the Heads at Ease program said the ship received a total of 175 boxes of pillowcases; each box contained 25 pillowcases.

Lyon said he began communicating with Maryellen Peller, Continued on page 3

Sailor of the Day

Story by MCSN (SW) Kelly M. Agee Photo by MCSN Eric M. Butler

A

viation Maintenance Administrationman 3rd Class Ryan L. Ragland, a native of Bessemer, Ala., was named Sailor of the Day Nov. 7.

“It feels good that your work is being recognized,” said Ragland.

Ragland performed his demanding duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner.

Ragland meticulously processed more than 5,000 maintenance actions for 1,562 support equipment assets supporting 11 tenant commands.

Ragland flawlessly managed 613 CNAF 4790/51 records and processed 418 acceptance and tracked 421 items of correspondence in support of 55 Sailors with zero discrepancies.

Ragland’s efforts have directly contributed to the division’s 94 percent availability rate and uninterrupted combat support of Carrier Strike Group 11 operations.

“Don’t let people bring you down,” said Ragland.

“Stay focused and motivated.”

Commanding Officer

Executive Officer

Command Master Chief

Public Affairs Officer

Capt. Jeff Ruth

Capt. John Cummings

CMDCM Teri McIntyre

Lt. Cmdr. Karin Burzynski

Editor MC3 (SW) George J. Penney III

Lead Designer MC3 (SW) Raul Moreno Jr.

Nimitz News accepts submissions in writing. All submissions are subject to review and screening. “Nimitz News” is an authorized publication for the members of the military services and their families. Its content does not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Marine Corps and does not imply endorsement thereby.

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Continued from page 1

a civilian volunteer for HAE from Florida, in May, after she contacted the ship about sending pillowcases for the crew.

Lyon had representatives from each department who recorded and reported how many people needed pillowcases in their department. He would collect the numbers, and then send them to Peller, who would pass that information on to HAE. According to Peller, the group was founded in 2008 by a woman named Sue Lamberson.

Lamberson sent pillowcases to her son and his shipmates who were stationed on board the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).

Before long, Lamberson had friends and family involved in the process, and eventually the organization grew to include individuals and quilting groups from around the country, said Peller.

Peller said she got involved sewing with the group as a way to stay connected with her daughter after she joined the Navy.

Currently, Heads at Ease is working on pillowcases for an Army unit stationed out of Ft. Hood, Texas.

“[...] it’s all worth it to see the smiles.”

-Peller

“After that group, we will have mailed over 37,000 pillowcases in 5 years,” Peller said.

Peller said that even though it takes a lot of time and effort to find each group, and to make and send the pillowcases, it is all worth it when she sees pictures of smiling service members.

“A lot of research goes into finding different units and ships to send pillowcases to,” said Peller. “In the end, though, it’s all worth it to see the smiles.”

In addition to Nimitz, Heads at Ease has sent pillowcases to the USS Boxer (LHD 4), USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).

“It gives me pride to receive the thank you notes from those who have gotten my pillowcases,” said Peller. “I don’t think there has been one that has not filled my heart and eyes with tears of joy.”

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Navy Announces New Holiday Stress Navigation Campaign,

“Thrive During the Holidays”

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From Chief of Naval Personnel

ith the holiday season approaching, Navy officials announced the launch of its annual holiday stress navigation campaign Nov. 1.

This year’s campaign, “Thrive During the Holidays,” will provide Sailors and families proactive resources to get ahead of holiday chaos while focusing on building resilience for the New Year.

“For many of us, ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ is as demanding as it is joyous,” said Capt. Kurt Scott, Navy resilience chief. “Our Sailors and families are operating under more stress and uncertainty than ever this year, and planning for the holidays can be overwhelming. Our annual campaign will address everything from financial preparations to maintaining diet and fitness goals, so that we can help everyone stay in the holiday spirit and position themselves to thrive in the New Year.”

Navy Operational Stress Control’s 2013 “Thrive During the Holidays” campaign will include collaboration between Navy’s 21st Century Sailor programs and other readiness programs to offer resources on topics such as responsible alcohol use during holiday celebrations; planning and time management; budgeting; incorporating physical fitness into busy schedules; 4

healthy eating tips; spirituality and relationship fitness; and more.

“Our focus is helping Sailors and families proactively identify these sources of stress before things start to pile up on them, so that they can truly enjoy their holidays and do so responsibly,” said Scott. “Continuing our effort to promote a sense of community, we really have something for everyone this year from families navigating the holidays with a loved one on deployment to helping Navy kids ‘Track Santa.’”

Engagement with the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s annual “NORAD Tracks Santa” promotion is a new initiative for the OPNAV N171 annual holiday campaign this year, part of an expanded effort to reach out to Navy kids.

The “Thrive During the Holidays” campaign will continue through early January 2014. Releases can be found on Navy Operational Stress Control’s blog, www.navynavstress.com, and the Navy Suicide Prevention website, www.suicide.navy.mil.

Follow Navy Operational Stress Control on Twitter and Facebook @ NavStress for the latest updates to help you and your family “Thrive During the Holidays.”

For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visit www.navy.mil/local/ cnp/.

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By MC2 (SW/AW) Jacquelyn D. Childs

AO3 Eric Lano observes the pre-flight inspection of an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter assigned to the “Wolf Pack” of HSM-75.

Sailors refuel an MH-60S Seahawk helicopter assigned to the “Indians” of HSC-6.

AS3 Matthew Collier, left, and ASAN Avikash Chand work on aviation support equipment in the hangar bay.

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By MCSN (SW) Siobhana R. McEwen

By MCSA (SW) Kelly M. Agee

By MC3 (SW) Raul Moreno Jr.

An F/A-18C Hornet, assigned to the “Blue Diamonds” of VFA-146, moves across the flight deck.

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O N THE CO pose with VER: CO, XO, C MC, and h omema HTC Lyo de pillow Ease. Ph n cases fr oto by M CSA (SW o m H ea d ) Kelly M s at . Agee