journal_022813

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Vol. 25

No. 8

www.cnic.navy.mil/bethesda/

February 28, 2013

Stevens Talks Sequestration, Military’s Future with Patients, Staff By Bernard S. Little WRNMMC Journal staff writer

Photo by Sharon Renee Taylor

Army Staff Sgt. Travis Mills, 25, who lost all four limbs while serving in Afghanistan in April 2012, talks with Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Michael D. Stevens in the Military Advanced Training Center at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Feb. 22.

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Michael D. Stevens, saluted wounded warriors, their families and staff at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) and Naval Support Activity Bethesda (NSAB) last week during his first visit to the campus since becoming the Navy’s top enlisted Sailor on Sept. 28, 2012. During his visit on Feb. 22 to Walter Reed Bethesda, the 13th MCPON toured the state-of-the-art Military Advanced Training Center (MATC), where injured service members rehabilitate using the latest in cuttingedge equipment and technology, as well as Tranquility Hall, the outpatient resident for wounded warriors and their families specifically tailored to meet their special needs. The MCPON spoke with wounded warriors and their family members while touring the MATC and Tranquility Hall, and he made bedside

visits to services members who are inpatients in the medical center. Stevens concluded his visit by hosting an all-hands call to a standingroom only crowd in the Memorial Auditorium on base, where he discussed a number of issues and answered questions from the audience ranging from sequestration to what he sees as the future for the military. “Everybody who works here does a magnificent job,” Stevens said to the Walter Reed Bethesda community. “As I go around the fleet and run into folks who have had the experience of being here before as wounded warriors, I hear nothing but good things. They always say [they received] firstclass treatment, whether it [was] on the medical side or the support side. They always say the people here are the best in the world, and they are professionals beyond professionals.” He said his visit to WRNMMC, and discussions with beneficiaries and staff, will enable him to take

See FUTURE page 6

Military Day Celebrated at Special Olympics D.C. By Master-At-Arms Seaman April Beazer NSAB Public Affairs staff writer Members of the military, including five Naval Support Activity Bethesda (NSAB) members, volunteered on Feb. 21 at AMF Capital Plaza Bowling Center for the Special Olympics D.C. bowling competition. Anthony Sokenu, associate director of sports, spoke of the passion he has for working with the Special Olympics team. “We give [the athletes] what they deserve, not what they need. They are the epitome of what an athlete should be,” he said. At the end of a game, regardless of their scores, they are always proud of themselves and the team members they compete with, said Sokenu. “Not only do they come out and

do their best and show their amazing talents, they really show a great spirit,” said Sokenu. “Any athlete is about doing their best and hopefully getting the gold, silver or bronze, but the majority of my athletes, even the athletes that place fifth and sixth are equally as happy as the athlete that comes in first. So, not only are they excited for doing the best they can, they are excited for you to do the best you can.” The bowling competition takes place every winter. There are four competition dates each year that many volunteers attend, including the military. Sokenu said the athletes at the Special Olympics look forward to the day that military members come in to volunteer. “From the very first day when my athletes come in, the first questions they ask are: ‘Is today the military day? Are they coming today? Are the

men and women going to be in their uniforms?’ For the last 11 weeks, all I’ve been hearing about is ‘when is the military coming?’ So, the last time they are with me, I say, ‘next week is military week’ and they go crazy,” said Sokenu. The help the military provides and the spirit they bring is something the Special Olympics can’t do without, said Sokenu. “All of you coming together to work for this event – it shows. We can’t thank you guys enough, and we honestly can’t do this without you. Not only do you guys come to volunteer, you bring the spirit, you bring the joy – you are clapping, you are excited. You make this championPhoto by Master-At-Arms Seaman April Beazer ship for our athletes a highlighted event, and that’s not us, that’s you A participant in Special Olymguys. We thank you very much,” said pics D.C. throws a ball down the

See OLYMPICS page 10

lane at AMF Capital Plaza Bowling Center, Feb. 21.


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