Waterline 121213

The Waterline

January 12, 2013

www.cnic.navy.mil/ndw

Vol. XXX No.47 waterline@dcmilitary.com

www.facebook.com/NavDistWash

NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION

NDW Kicks off Holiday Season with Annual Tree Lighting

By Patrick Gordon NDW Waterline writer Naval District Washington (NDW) officially began its holiday season with the annual tree lighting ceremony at the Washington Navy Yard (WNY) Dec. 7. Scores of guests attended the annual ceremony which included a reception, caroling, and a bonfire all hosted by Rear Adm. Markham Rich, commandant of Naval District Washington.

The evening began at the WNY Town Center, with food, drinks and children’s activities. Guests were also encouraged to decorate a smaller tree inside the Town Center during the event, including attaches who decorated with ornaments representative of their home countries. After recognizing the hard work of the event coordinators and staff, Rich offered warm welcomes to the crowd.

“I know we didn’t all come here tonight to hear me speak, so welcome everybody,

thank you very much, looks like we’ve got a great night with lots of great people, so let’s get started.”

Throughout the chilly night, revelers sang carols up and down the streets of WNY accompanied by the U.S. Navy Band. The crowd made their way to officers’ residences on the yard to spread holiday cheer before ending up in Admiral Leutze Park, where the official NDW tree was prepared and a bonfire was offered to warm guests during the ceremony. After a brief countdown from the crowd, the tree was lit, the switch being thrown by the commandant’s niece.

“This is such a great tradition that the whole community really enjoys,” said Bert Nash, occupational safety and health specialist for the Naval Support Activity Washington Safety Office. “It lets everyone, civilian, military, contractor and kids alike the chance to see the Yard really decked out for

See Tree Lighting, Page 3

U.S. Navy photo by Chatney Auger

Children of naval attaches dance to holiday music in Admiral Leutze Park after the NDW tree lighting Dec. 7. The tree lighting is a decades-long tradition that officially kicks off the holiday season in NDW.

Naval District Washington Remembers Pearl Harbor

By Patrick Gordon NDW Waterline writer

U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Pedro A. Rodriguez

Rear Adm. Markham Rich, commandant, Naval District Washington and Louella Large, national president of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors lay a wreath at the U.S. Navy Memorial during a Pearl Harbor Remembrance ceremony. The ceremony honored the 2,403 Americans who died during the Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Around the Yard page 2 Link directly to www.dcmilitary. com /waterline on your Smart phone

Naval District Washington (NDW) observed Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day with a wreath laying ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C., Dec. 7. Guests of the event included Pearl Harbor survivors retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Albert Grasselli and retired Chief Sonar Tech Howard Snell.

Guest speaker Louella Large, national president of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors, delivered comments on the impact of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and the importance of its remembrance today.

“Pearl Harbor will always hold a prominent place in the history of the United States, not only for the destruction and death that triggered our entry into World War II, but as a shining example of American heroism and courage in the face of adversity,” said Large.

“Most of those who died that day were just young boys. These young men defended

INSIDE

their country. On the night of December 7, 1941, the first night of the blackout and curfew that lasted almost three years, civilians saw shells flashing like sheet lightning and the dull, red glow of battleships reflected onto the night sky. At midnight, they saw a rare lunar rainbow, which native Hawaiians believe symbolizes an imminent victory.”

The crisp air and gray sky in Washington, D.C., stood in stark contrast to the sunny morning 72 years ago when service members stationed at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, fell victim to a surprise attack by Japanese forces in the morning hours of Dec. 7, 1941. The U.S. pacific fleet was nearly destroyed in the fight, with 18 U.S. ships damaged or sunk.

American Sailors, Marines, soldiers and airmen fought bravely against two waves of Japanese attacks, at a cost of 2,402 American service members killed and another 1,247 wounded. The unexpected event ushered the United States in to World War II, and ul-

Audiology, Speech Center Celebrates 70th Annivesary page 5

See Pearl Harbor, Page 6

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Thursday, December 12, 2013

American Legion - Fighting for Vets in King George

By Steven Moore Joint Warfare Analysis Center Public Affairs

Many vets didn’t want to have anything more to do with government stuff, because, they really came away disgusted with what they saw. A lot of guys you talk to came out of service with a bitter taste.”

Williamson credits the revival to the election of several very dynamic commanders and their staffs, new programs such as the Sons of the American Legion and the American Legion Riders, and effective recruitment among younger veterans and their families.

“Sit down dinners, BBQs, fishing and other youth events were difficult-at best-to hold only a few years ago,” Williamson said. “Now, they are becoming more common, and drawing in more veterans to our post. This offers us the opportunity to strengthen and develop our post activities, including a youth-oriented voting/citizenship rights activity conducted during the last election.”

Williamson’s own journey to the Legion was not as direct as it might seem for anyone who served more than two decades in the military. After joining the Navy at 20, he served from 1976 to 1998, spending 17 of those years at sea in the Pacific and Indian oceans.

“One year, I was only in port five days where my family was located,” Williamson said.

During Brian M. Williamson’s 21 years on active duty with the U.S. Navy, he readily admits that the American Legion was of no interest to him. Yet, in the years since his retirement as a chief petty officer, he has become passionate about its mission of helping veterans.

In 2006 when Williamson first joined the Legion, King George had about 180 members. Today, it has grown to more than 200, including no fewer than 20 who work at Dahlgren, so many in fact that Williamson said that attendance at their monthly meetings overflows even in bad weather. But, these numbers do not reflect the whole story, he said.

“When I first joined the local post, most of the members were relatively inactive,” Williamson said. “They were aging out fast, and we considered ourselves fortunate to have a seven-member quorum at any monthly meeting. We now hold monthly meetings that often have between 20 and 35 members present.”

“There was a bit of desperation then,” Williamson said.

“So many posts had aged and died out. At 50, I was one of the youngest members. We lost the generation after the Vietnam War. The younger generations are not joiners.

See Vets, Page 6

Courtesy photo

The American Legion is a social and mutual-aid veterans’ organization for members of the United States military. Younger members and new leadership helped revitalize the King George chapter of the Legion.

Around the Yard What is your favorite part of the holidays?

The music. Can’t go wrong with the holiday music.

For me, it’s the closeness of family, and bringing families together.

Seeing the excitement in my nieces and nephews faces.

Paul Bello Joint Base Journal Writer Washington Navy Yard

Chief Mass Communications Specialist (SW) Terry Spain Regional EOA Washington Navy Yard

Alba Gonzales NDW N5 Washington Navy Yard

The Waterline

Commandant, Naval District Washington Rear Adm. Markham Rich NDW Public Affairs Officer Edward Zeigler Waterline Staff Writer Pat Gordon Copy Editor/Page Designer The Gazette/Comprint Military Publications Lorraine Walker All stories must be submitted by 4 p.m. the Thursday prior to publication. E-mail stories to: waterline.ndw.fcm@navy.mil or bring/mail to: The Waterline, 1411 Parsons Ave. SE, Suite 205, Washing-

ton Navy Yard, 20374.

Submissions should be free of military times and should contain the first and last names with ranks/rates, warfare qualifications, job titles and duty station/command of all persons quoted or referred to.

All submissions must also include the author’s name and office or telephone number where they can be reached. If you have further questions, call or contact the editor at (202) 433-9714, fax (202) 433-2158.

This commercial enterprise Navy newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the U.S. military services, retirees, DOD civilians and their family members.

Contents of The Waterline do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. government, Department of Defense or the U.S. Navy, and does not imply endorsement thereof.

The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute

endorsement by the Department of Defense, the Navy, Naval District Washington or Comprint, Inc., of the products or services advertised.

This paper is published by Comprint, Inc., 9030 Comprint Ct., Gaithersburg, Md. 20877, (301) 9481520, a private firm in no way connected with DOD or the U.S. Navy, under exclusive contract with Naval District Washington.

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The editorial content of The Waterline is edited and approved by the public affairs office of Naval District Washington.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

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This Week in Navy History December 12

dectomy on Torpedoman First Class W. R. Jones on board USS Grayback (SS-208). It is the second appendectomy performed on board a submarine.

1998 - In Operation Desert Fox, Navy cruise missiles attack Iraq.

1862 - Confederate torpedo (mine) sinks USS Cairo in Yazoo River.

1937 - Japanese aircraft sink USS Panay (PR-5) in Yangtze River near Nanking, China.

1941 - Naval Air Transport Service is established.

1951 - First flight of helicopter with gasturbine engine at Windsor Locks, CT, demonstrates adaptability of this engine to helicopters.

1972- Navy Capt. Eugene A. Cernan, commander of Apollo 17, walks on the Moon. Cmdr. Ronald E. Evans was the Command Module Pilot. The mission lasted 12 days, 13 hours and 52 minutes. Recovery

by HC-1 helicopters from USS Ticonderoga (CVS-14).

December 13

December 17

1846 - Ships under Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry capture Laguna de Terminos during Mexican War. 1941 - Admiral Chester W. Nimitz named Commander in Chief, US Pacific Fleet, to relieve Admiral Husband Kimmel. Admiral William Pye becomes acting commander until Nimitz’s arrival.

December 18 Photo courtesy of U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command

1775 - Continental Congress provides for the construction of five ships of 32 guns, five “The Great White Fleet” painting by John Charles Roach, 1984, depicting U.S. ships of 28 guns, and three ships of 24 guns Atlantic Fleet battleships steaming at sea during their 1907-1909 world cruise.

1941 - Cmdr. William A. Sullivan is designated the first Supervisor of Salvage with December 16 office in New York City.

December 15 1821 - Lt. Robert F. Stockton and Dr. Eli 1943 - Bureau of Naval Personnel Cir- Ayers, a naval surgeon and member of the December 14 cular Letter on non-discrimination in Navy American Colonizing Society, induce a lo1814 - British squadron captures U.S. V-12 program. cal African king to sell territory for a colony gunboats in Battle of Lake Borgne, La. 1944 - Congress appoints first three of which became the Republic of Liberia.

1944 - Rank of Fleet Admiral, U.S. Navy four Fleet Admirals.

1907 - Great White Fleet departs Hamp(five star admiral) is established.

1965 - Launch of Gemini 6 with Capt. ton Roads, Va., to circumnavigate the world.

1945 - Capt. Sue S. Dauser receives the 1922 - USS Bainbridge (DD-246) rescues first Distinguished Service Medal awarded Walter M. Schirra, Jr., USN, as Command Pilot. The mission included 16 orbits in 25 482 persons from burning French transport to a nurse.

1965 - Navy announces the completion hours and 51 minutes. Recovery was by HS- Vinh-Long.

1941 - USS Swordfish (SS-193) sinks Japof a 1,272 ft. radio tower at North West Cape, 11 helicopters from USS Wasp (CVS-18) 1988 - End of Earnest Will convoy opera- anese cargo ship Atsutasan Maru.

Australia, the highest manmade structure in 1942 - Pharmacist’s Mate First Class the Southern Hemisphere at the time, as a tions to escort reflagged tankers in the Persian Gulf.

Harry B. Roby, USNR, performs an appenlink in fleet communications.

1902 - Admiral of the Navy George Dewey receives orders to send his battleship to Trinidad and then to Venezuela to make sure that Great Britain’s and Germany’s dispute with Venezuela was settled by peaceful arbitration not force.

1944 - Admiral Halsey’s Third Fleet encounters typhoon northeast of Samar. Destroyers USS Hull (DD-350), USS Monaghan (DD-354), and USS Spence (DD-512) sink, while 21 other ships are damaged.

1965 - River Patrol Force established in Vietnam.

1965 - Helicopters from HS-11 on USS Wasp (CVS-18) pick up crew and capsule of Gemini 7, after picking up the crew and capsule of Gemini 6 two days earlier.

1967 - Operation Preakness II begins in Mekong Delta.

1972 - Mining and bombing of North Vietnam resumes with Linebacker II Operation.

TREE LIGHTING

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the season and get in the spirit.”

Nash commented that the safety office and fire department participate in the event every year to ensure that the event runs smoothly and safely, particularly with the bonfire.

“The bonfire is such a big part of the celebration,” said Nash, “It’s almost as big a part of the event as the tree itself, and we want to make sure that everything goes safely and according to plan, just like in all holiday planning.”

The event is a decades-long tradition of NDW and WNY. While there is no clear indication as to when the event began formally, some speculate that the tree lighting began after the Chief of Naval Operations’ (CNO) official residence was moved to Quarters A at the Washington Navy Yard in 1974.

Though few can dispute how large a part of the holiday season it has become to the installation and region as a whole.

“I believe the tree lighting marks the formal beginning of the holiday season here in NDW,” said Stuart McLean, NDW director of ceremonies and special events. “The lights and decorations on the tree at Leutze Park and the multicolored lights on Display Ship Barry are reminders of special times with family and friends, but are also reminders that many of our shipmates will be on watch around the world away from their families and friends during the holidays.”

The tree will be on display at WNY for the remainder of the holiday season. To see photos from the Tree Lighting ceremony, please visit NDW’s Facebook page at www. facebook.com/NavDistWash.

U.S. Navy photo by Chatney Auger

Rear Adm. Markham Rich, commandant of Naval District Washington, welcomes guests at the pre-tree lighting reception in the Washington Navy Yard Town Center Dec. 7. The tree lighting is a decades-long tradition that officially kicks off the holiday season in NDW.

U.S. Navy photos by MC2 Pedro A. Rodriguez

Guests add decorations to the tree inside the Washington Navy Yard Town Center prior to the NDW tree lighting.

U.S. Navy photos by MC2 Pedro A. Rodriguez U.S. Navy photos by Chatney Auger

The bonfire was lit to help revelers stay warm during the tree lighting in Admiral Leutze Park.

Carolers sing with the accompaniment of the U.S. Navy Band to officers on the Washington Navy Yard.

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Thursday, December 12, 2013

NSA Washington-JBAB Fleet Family and Fun Centralized Scheduling

Military and Family Support Center (MFSC) located on Joint Base Anacostia Bolling introduces a comprehensive centralized scheduling service for your individual appointment needs. One call to our screeners gets you an appointment for pre-separation briefs, employment services, clinical counseling, personal financial management, relocation, deployment and a host of other programs and services. MFSC is here to support you and stands ready to assist with every career and life change.

Contact our Centralized Scheduling Center for individual, marriage and family counseling, individual resume assistance, financial counseling, relocation assistance or deployment/reintegration support. Please call 202-685-6019 to schedule an appointment.

CAREER SUPPORT AND RETENTION

The Transition Assistance Management Program (TAMP)

Offers an array of services and benefits to transitioning service members, including computers setup for individuals to go online to different job banks, college and scholarship resources and career assessment tools.

Resume Writing Workshops are offered which includes Federal Resume Writing Interview Skills, information on veterans’ benefits and a professional resource library; Two TAP Seminars and one Executive TAP Seminar - five-day programs - are offered monthly sponsored by the departments of Labor and Veteran Affairs, and include information that will benefit the transitioning military member.

Family Employment Readiness Program (FERP) Offers seven basic services, which include job search strategies, job readiness, resource information, job referral service, individual counseling assistance, career planning and links to education and volunteer opportunities.

Improve your speaking skills with Helmsmen Toastmasters

Join us Thursdays, 7:30-8:45 a.m., at the Pentagon Library and Conference Center. Toastmasters is an international organization that helps everyone speak, think, lead and listen better. For more info, contact Carl Sabath at carl.sabath@osd. mil, 703-695-2804, or Elizabeth Femrite at elizabeth.m.femrite.civ@mail.mil, 571256-8674. Remember, great Helmsmen say, “Yes!” To learn more about Helmsmen Toastmasters, visit http://helmsmen.toastmastersclubs.org

Pre-Separation Briefings

Service members preparing to transition from military to civilian life are required by law to attend a pre-separation counseling briefing. The pre-separation brief is designed to make transitioning military members aware of all the services and benefits available to them and their family members under Transition GPS. These briefings will provide the information necessary to make

more informed decisions. For your convenience the pre-separation counseling briefing is available through one-on-one appointments at Military and Family Support Center and can be made through Centralized Scheduling at 202-685-6019.

DEPLOYMENT READINESS/ FAMILY SERVICES Personal Financial Management (PFM)

FFR/MWR Phone numbers Fitness Centers Washington Navy Yard, bldg. 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 433-2282/2829

Information, Tickets & Travel (ITT) Ticket Office, WNY Bldg. 22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 433-2484 Travel Office, WNY Bldg. 184 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 685-8299

Program offers individual and family financial counseling, financial classes, and is responsible for the Command Financial specialist training in the Region (NDW).

Food & Beverage

Life Skills Education

MFSC, JBAB Bldg. 72 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 433-6151 MFSC, JBAB Bldg. 13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 767-0450

Provides presentations to help commands meet requirements, as well as enhance operational and personal readiness including parenting skills training, couples communication, anger and stress management, conflict resolution, Child Abuse Awareness, Spouse Abuse Awareness and suicide prevention. Trainings can be customized to fit needs of the command.

New Parent Support Program (NPS)

Assists new parents in coping with the demands of parenting and military life through parenting education and training and home visits to new parents prior to delivery and after delivery; information and referral for military and community resources; child development screenings and monitoring. All active duty members and their families who are pregnant and or have children in the home from infancy to three years old are eligible for these home visitation services.

Deployment/mobilization/readiness

Assisting Sailors and family members prepare for deployment, manage separations and reunite and reintegrate with families and community through services including the Family Accountability and Assessment System, Individual augmentee (IA) Indoc Course and Deployed Family Fun Days.

Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)

Provides assistance to service members with special needs children and family members with medical needs including resource referral to medical, counseling and educational services, support groups and care providers. Assists in finding duty stations where needs are met. Mandatory enrollment per OPNAVINST 1754.2D.

Catering & Conference Center, WNY Bldg. 211 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 433-3041/4312 Mordecai Booth’s Public House, WNY Bldg. 101 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (202) 678-0514

Military and Family Support Center Other Important Numbers FFR Administrative Office, WNY Bldg. 101. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

FFRP Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MWR Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MWR Marketing Department, WNY Bldg. 101. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Regional Child Placement Office, JBAB Bldg. 414. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Family Housing Office, JBAB Bldg. 414 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Liberty Program/Center, JBAB Bldg. 72. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Outdoor Recreation/Equipment Rental, JBAB, Bldg. 928 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Navy Gateway Inns & Suites, JBAB, Bldg. 602 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . off Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. You may also drop off Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Gooding Center lobby, in front of Temptations.

Please place in the Toys for Tots box. For further information please call Naval Services FamilyLine 202-433-2333 during office hours.

Boys and Girls Club volunteers

The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington needs volunteer coaches for their youth baseball league for 10-year-olds and 12-year-olds. For more information or to sign up, call 512-560-5548 from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. or email Michael.martinez@afncr.af.mil.

Toastmasters Club seeks members

The Bolling Toastmasters Club is available for everyone on JBAB as a place to practice your leadership skills. Toastmasters clubs are where leaders are made, and leadership starts with good communication.

The program is self-paced, and it works. The Bolling Toastmasters Club meets Wednesdays from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. at the JBAB Chapel Center. Visitors are welcome. For more information, call Jim Queen at 301452-6931.

Washington Navy Yard Fitness Center Military and Family Support Offers Resume Review Now Open The Washington Navy Yard Fitness Center, located in W-22, has completed its renovations and is now open. Regular hours of operation is Monday through Friday from 5 am to 7 pm. Amenities include group exercise classes, cardiovascular equipment, free weights, racquetball courts, indoor tennis and basketball, nautilus equipment and personal training.

Toys For Tots

Naval Services FamilyLine is a toy drop off location for the Marines’ Toys for Tots.

Please bring a new unwrapped toy to our office located on The Navy Yard by Dec. 5. The address is 1043 Harwood Street SE, Bldg 154 Suite 100; Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. 20374. We are available for drop

Call for appointment | 202-685-6019 Military and Family Support Center offers a one-on-one resume review session for those that are job seeking. Knowledgeable staff will sit down with you and review your resume and assist you in developing a results-oriented resume. Having a solid and effective resume can greatly improve your chances of landing an interview. According to a recent study from TheLadders, recruiters spend just six seconds scanning your resume for certain information. Will your resume make it in those six seconds? Your resume should portray your skills, talents, career highlights and make you stand out from the crowd. Focusing on your accomplishments vs. simple job experience and using key words can open the door for an interview.

(202) 433-3659 (202) 433-4052 (202) 433-4662 (202) 433-5912 (202) 433-3055 (202) 433-0346 (202) 685-1802 (202) 767-9136 (202) 404-7050

Download the Free “ABSalute” App

The JBAB Warfighter & Family Readiness Marketing Department developed a free smartphone application, bringing its resources to customers and employees on a mobile platform. Perfect for iPhone and Andriod devices.

“ABSalute” is a fast and easy-to-use application designed to allow quick access to events and programs. Download the app and receive the latest information about MWR, as well as Warfighter and Family Readiness programs.

The app features: - Facility finder including hours of operation, phone listings, and GPS capabilities - Upcoming special events and programs that can be added directly to your calendar - Outdoor Recreation and Capital Cove Marina equipment and boat rentals - Full dining facility menus - Quick links to the Navy-Air Force Half Marathon and Navy 5 Miler website, CNIC JBAB website, Naval District Washington (NDW) Facebook page and the current edition of the 411 magazine - Facility and Event Photos - Push notifications to alert users with the most current information.

Mordecai Booth’s Hours Change

Mordecai Booth’s, located on the ground floor of Building 101 on the Washington Navy Yard, has changed its hours. The new hours of operation are Tuesday-Friday, 2:30-8:30 p.m. Come on in and enjoy the same great service at a new time!

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Waterline

NDW News Follow NDW on Facebook and Twitter

NDW has a Facebook fan page in order to provide updated information to all NDW residents, tenants, employees (military, civilian, and contractors), and the American public.

Show your support, “Like Us,” and become a fan to see exciting news relating to the Naval District Washington. www.facebook.com/NavDistWash Follow us on Twitter @navaldistwash - http://twitter.com/NavalDistWash NSAW has a Twitter page for the Washington Navy Yard to provide the public with up-to-date operating hours of the Navy Yard portion of DC’s Riverwalk.

Follow us on Twitter @WNYRiverwalk - http://twitter.com/WNYRiverwalk.

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Audiology, Speech Center Celebrates 70th Anniversary

DSO Changes Walk-in Hours

Defense Service Office North has changed walk-in hours to Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. DSO North is the local office for legal defense services. Attorneys are available to provide advice to service members regarding nonjudicial punishments, summary courts-martial, Article 138 and 1150 complaints, administrative separation processing, hardship discharges and suspect’s rights. Consultations are confidential. DSO is located onboard WNY in Building 200, Suite 1200. Service members should present in uniform.

Wearing of Portable headphones, earphones, and Bluetooth devices:

The wearing of portable headphones, earphones, cellular hands-free devices, radios, recording devices or other portable listening devices while running, jogging, walking, bicycling, skating, or skate boarding in roadways and streets interferes with and impairs recognition of emergency signals, alarms, announcements, and the approach of EVs. NSAW personnel are advised use of these devices while performing the noted activities aboard NSAW fence line installations is prohibited. (TRAFFIC OPNAVINST 5100.12J)

Helmsmen Toastmasters Want to improve your speaking and leadership skills? Come to Helmsmen Toastmasters! Join us Thursdays,7:30-8:45 a.m., at the Pentagon Library and Conference Center (PLCC). Toastmasters is an international organization that helps everyone speak, think, lead and listen better. For more info, contact Annika L’Ecuyer (annika. lecuyer@pentagon.af.mil or 703-614-7160) or Elizabeth Femrite (elizabeth.m.femrite. civ@mail.mil or 571-256-8674). More information can be found at the Helmsmen Toastmasters website, http://helmsmen.toastmastersclubs.org.

NAVY 311 “NAVY 311” is the place to go for all types of information to help support Navy military, civilian, and retiree personnel and their families. Access NAVY 311 at 1-855NAVY-311 or (DSN) 510-NAVY-311. You can also email NAVY311@navy.mil or visit www.NAVY311.navy.mil.

Navy Wives Clubs of America

The D.C. Metro chapter of Navy Wives Clubs of America, Eleanor Roosevelt #37, hosts meetings every second Thursday of the month to discuss and plan volunteer activities in the local military and civilian communities. Military spouses of all branches are welcome to attend. For more information, email angeladowns@ me.com or visit www.facebook.com/NWCA37.

PAX Clinical Counseling Services

Clinical Counseling services can directly improve the quality of life of service members and their family by addressing the stressors facing today’s military: family hardships, marital conflicts, parent/child issues, money concerns, frequent moves, health and environmental factors, and many other difficulties. Make an appointment with a counselor by calling 301-342-4911 or 202-685-6019.

JBAB Cub Scouts

Attention all boys grades 1st through 5th interested in scouting. Please contact the JBAB Cub Scouts, Pack 343, at jbabcubscouts@yahoo.com for more information.

Each den holds their own meetings each month along with one pack event. Boys will earn badges together and can work on individual achievements as well. Come join us for popcorn, camping and so much more

JBAB Girl Scouts

Calling all Girls! Girls registered in Kindergarten - 12th grade this fall and interested in joining should contact JBABgirlscouts@yahoo.com. The troop meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at the community center on Chappie James Blvd at 6 p.m. Girl Scouts; building girls with confidence, character and courage for 100 years.

Photo by Bernard S. Little

Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin, a beneficiary of the National Military Audiology and Speech Pathology Center (NMASC) at Walter Reed Bethesda, speaks at the 70th anniversary celebration for the NMASC, as Navy Capt. David Larson, deputy director for clinical support services at Walter Reed Bethesda, and Army Col. Nancy Vause, NMASC director, look on.

By Cat DeBinder and Bernard S. Little ed in the NMASC preserves and improves WRNMMC Public Affairs staff writers the health and quality-of-life of wounded The National Military Audiology and Speech Pathology Center (NMASC) celebrated its 70th anniversary recently at Walter Reed Bethesda.

“There’s a tremendous amount of history in the audiology and speech pathology professions that have been part of the military tradition for a long time,” said Navy Capt.

David Larson, deputy director for clinical support services at WRNMMC. “It started here,” he added.

The NAMSC began at the former Walter Reed General Hospital in Washington, D.C. in 1943 as the Audiology and Speech Correction Center, and later, renamed as the Army Audiology and Speech Center. Walter Reed General Hospital became the Walter Reed Army Medical Center during the 1950s, and was later integrated with the National Naval Medical Center in 2011 to form Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC). As part of the integration, the NMASC moved to WRNMMC in the America Building, the largest military outpatient facility in the world, at the nation’s largest joint military medical center, Walter Reed Bethesda.

“Throughout the decades, patient care has been provided to service members who returned from war with hearing loss, dizziness problems, cognitive communication impairments and swallowing deficits as a result of injuries sustained while deployed,” said Dr. Therese Walden, research audiologist and chair of the 70th anniversary committee for the NMASC. Army Col. Nancy Vause, NMASC director, called hearing loss and tinnitus (ringing of the ears) “signature injuries of 10 years of the war” [in Iraq and Afghanistan]. She added millions of people, including Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines, have tinnitus, and hundreds of service members have hearing loss. She explained the care provid-

warriors, their families and other beneficiaries of the military healthcare system, by developing, incorporating and disseminating state-of-the-art clinical practices in audiology and speech-language pathology.

Nearly 300 people from various federal and local agencies and institutions, including Veterans Affairs, National Institutes of Health, Gallaudet University, NASA, the Montgomery County government, Food and Drug Administration, University of Maryland and Towson University, attended the day-long celebration for the 70th anniversary of the NAMSC, which included workshops and a reception.

Workshops covered such topics as hearing aid selection and fitting; cognitive-communication assessment and training for patients with traumatic brain injury; cochlear implantation; vestibular diagnosis and treatment; a patient’s perspective of progressive hearing loss and treatment; dysphagia resulting from combat-related injuries; and current practices and new techniques in assessing vocal fold motion disorder.

During the reception, U.S. Senator from Iowa Tom Harkin and U.S. Representative of Maryland Chris Van Hollen praised the work of the NMASC. They spoke of their personal experiences with hearing challenges.

“Many of you may know I grew up with a brother who was deaf,” said Harkin, who explained he also began to develop hearing challenges in recent years. He thanked Walden, “for taking such good care of me over the last several years when I first noticed I wasn’t hearing people very well.

Through the years, you have just been so helpful, [enabling] me to pick up on what people say when I am in meetings and things like that. I’m better capable of doing my job because of your center here.

See 70th Anniversary, Page 6

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timately, on to victory.

After an invocation by Capt. Gary Clore, regional chaplain for NDW, Large spoke about the veterans of Pearl Harbor and their memory as their ranks begin to thin with time. “[The veterans’] families have witnessed the results of that day through their parents’ eyes, and carry the survivors’ memories as their legacy,” said Large. “The Pearl Harbor Survivors Association disbanded in December, 2010, due to the ages of the survivors, their health, and the fact they were unable to have officers hold state and national levels any longer. At its peak they had 29,000 survivors that met regularly, shared their stories of the war, and paid tribute to their comrades who perished on December 7, 1941, and those who have passed away since that day. The Pearl Harbor Survivors Association started on December 7, 1958, by 11 men who met to remember and honor their friends from Pearl, and locate those

Waterline who were still alive in order to unite them into one association with a common bond.

The sons and daughters of the Pearl Harbor survivors have taken up that baton now, and are carrying on. We are over 4,000 strong and still growing with new members every month; sad to say, that our survivors numbers are dwindling at a faster pace. We will keep alive their memory, tell their stories, and pay tribute to them for generations to come. All Americans should say thank you to those of the ‘greatest generation’ and every man and woman in uniform for their service to their country for fighting for our freedom and preserving our way of life.”

The event included a full color guard provided by the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard, and the U.S. Navy band played to the crowd before offering a solemn rendition of taps when Rear Adm. Markham Rich, commandant, Naval District Washington and Large laid a wreath in honor of Pearl Harbor veterans.

For more photos of the NDW Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day wreath laying, visit www.facebook.com/NavDistWash.

Thursday, December 12, 2013

U.S. Navy photo by MC2 Pedro A. Rodriguez

From left, Capt. Gary Clore, regional chaplain for NDW, Rear Adm. Markham Rich, commandant, NDW, Louella Large, national president of the Sons and Daughters of Pearl Harbor Survivors, and retired Pearl Harbor survivors Chief Sonar Tech Howard Snell and U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Albert Grasselli watch the colors being paraded at the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C., Dec. 7.

VETS

Continued from 2 Williamson credits his wife Teresa for her strength and devotion during the long periods of separation. Together, they had five children. It was not until his son joined the Army, however, that Williamson became involved with the Legion.

A representative of the Legion approached him and asked him to join. Wanting to do something for his son, Williamson agreed.

“I wanted to be a voice for him and others like him,” Williamson said.

Once Williamson learned the ropes from older members, he quickly moved into a leadership role, serving as post vice commander until last year. Now 58, Williamson serves as one of three vice commanders of Virginia’s 12th district.

In this role, Williamson helped revitalize the Legion’s oratorical and writing contests on the Constitution, which focuses on high school and middle school students.

In addition, each year, the Legion sponsors high school students to attend Boys State, an education program about how government works. The Legion also provides speakers to schools who bring a personal perspective to matters such as patriotism, sacrifice, and honor.

The Legion meets more traditional needs of veterans themselves, raising money for wounded warriors, counseling vets suffering

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“We’ve had a great progression in technology, science and research, which have enabled people who have had hearing or speech problems to be fully functioning members of our society,” Harkin said. “People now can communicate better, and we are taking that even further into the future.”

Van Hollen agreed, calling the NMASC and WRNMMC, “national treasures.”

“The whole country is grateful for all the work you do. The successes you’ve had in military medicine, including those in the

from post-traumatic stress disorder, providing financial help, and even serving as honor guards for funerals when the military and the Veterans Administration are unavailable to provide support, Williamson said.

“If we are not actually conducting an event, we are often planning or setting up for it,” Williamson said.

Originally from Richmond, Va., Williamson moved to King George and started working at the Joint Warfare Analysis Center in Dahlgren in 2006. His passion for vets and the American Legion is apparent to anyone who talks with him.

“Our members believe in and fought for America,” Williamson said. “Sometimes their ideals don’t coincide with current or popular beliefs, but they recognize that, and while vocal in opposition, continue to support this nation.”

The American Legion is the only veterans organization chartered by Congress. It was established after World War I in 1919 in Paris, France. Today, with more than three million members, it is the largest veterans organization in the country. The Legion currently has 55 departments in every state as well as Washington, DC, Guam, Puerto Rico, and several countries. The King George chapter has two posts, one on Dahlgren Road and the other on U.S. Hwy. 301.

For more information about the Legion and its programs, contact Williamson at 540-775-3671. areas of audiology and speech pathology, have helped those in the field, and men and women throughout the world,” said the Maryland congressman.

Van Hollen said his grandfather’s hearing was impacted by his service in World War II when a blast went off near his ear.

“With the help of his hearing aid, we were able to communicate with him.”

The ceremony concluded with dignitaries cutting the 70th anniversary cake for the NMASC, located on the fifth floor of the America Building. The audiology and speech pathology department can reached at 301-295-7820 or 301-295-7840.

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