TESTER Naval Air Station Patuxent River
Vol. 72, No. 25
Pax River’s Natural Environment Page 2
Student 2 Student Peer Mentoring Page 4
Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Page 8
Celebrating 72 Years of Community Partnership
Distracted pedestrians
June 25, 2015
By Shawn Graham NAS Patuxent River Public Affairs
It only takes a few seconds of typing on your cell phone or listening to music to become distracted. That’s why the installation’s safety department is urging everyone to put down their devices when jogging or crossing the street. Kordeen Kor, NAS Patuxent River safety officer, said pedestrians must be attentive while they’re jogging or walking and limit distractions while in areas exposed to street or parking lot traffic. “Personnel can be seriously injured or be the cause of an accident by not following the rules,” Kor said. “Rules are in place for the protection of the personnel on the installation and have been written as a result of past experiences. Inattention can have serious, even deadly consequences.” Preoccupied pedestrians, especially those listening to loud music, risk more than hearing impairment. Their inattentiveness can create a loss of “situation awareness” similar to that of distracted drivers. According to Distraction.gov, there were 116 reported cases of death or injury to pedestrians in the U.S. between 2004 and
Caution: Jogging and electronics, a deadly mix
See Distracted, Page 4
U.S. Navy photo by Shawn Graham
St. Nicholas Chapel holds final Mass after nearly 100 years By Shawn Graham NAS Patuxent River Public Affairs
T
he Catholic congregation at the St. Nicholas Chapel celebrated their last Mass at the church June 14. Although the NAS Patuxent River congregation will dissolve, the chapel will remain open for Protestant services. Parish membership had dwindled over recent years without the services of a fulltime Catholic priest, said the air station’s Command Chaplain, Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Augustin. The Archdiocese of Military Services (AMS) and NAS Pax River collaborated efforts for more than a year to hire a priest.
U.S. Navy photo by Shawn Graham
St. Nicholas Chapel is unique among DOD chapels. It became a military chapel in April 1943; however, its roots go back to a Jesuit mission more than 350 years ago. The church is also listed as a Maryland State Historic Landmark.
In 1945, Felix de Weldon, America’s premier monument sculptor, created the altar’s 3,000-pound Vermont marble crucifix. De Weldon later sculpted the Iwo Jima Memorial, accomplishing both works of art while stationed at NAS Patuxent River as a Sailor during World War II.
After an exhaustive effort that yielded no interest in either parttime and full-time con-
that it was time for the Catholic congregation to assimilate into their local parishes.
tract positions, as well as an attempt to employ a government service position, AMS concluded
U.S. Navy photo
“A Catholic priest is the central figure of the parish and his presence is para-
mount to its success,” Augustin said. “Priests
See Church, Page 4