Joint Base Journal - Sept. 27, 2013

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Joint Base Journal Vol. 4, No. 37

September 27, 2013

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J OINT B ASE A NACOSTIA-B OLLING

www.cnic.navy.mil/jbab

AF Honor Guard honors ‘The Greatest Generation’ New York State Sen. Greg Ball and members of his party accompany Paul Raphael, World War II veteran and two-time prisoner of war, to lay a wreath at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

BY LT. CMDR. JIM REMINGTON JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-B OLLING PUBLIC AFFAIRS

WASHINGTON – World War II veterans, their accompanying family members, and more than a dozen volunteers gathered in Brewster, N.Y. on Sept. 17 to board buses bound for the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. Nearly 300 miles southwest at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB) U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Airmen began the meticulous preparation of their uniforms, rifles, swords and flags for a unique ceremony paying tribute to these veterans traveling so far. New York State Sen. Greg Ball, who is a retired Air Force officer, teamed with Heroes in Transition and the Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 21, in planning an all-expenses-paid bus trip for 42 World War II veterans from New York to visit the National World War II Memorial located on the National Mall. “According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, our World War II veterans are dying at a rate of 600 per day,” Ball said. “These brave men and women gave so much to fight for our nation’s safety and freedom. This trip will never be forgotten and is a true

U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY LT. CMDR. JIM REMINGTON

See HONOR GUARD, Page 5

Navy Ombudsmen/Air Force Key Spouses recognized for dedication to families BY PAUL BELLO JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING PUBLIC AFFAIRS

WASHINGTON – It takes someone special to reach out to others in their time of need. That’s the primary role of Navy Ombudsmen and Air Force Key Spouses across the military and right here on Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling (JBAB). As fellow military spouses, these groups are counted on to funnel information in times of emergencies, assist new families with housing concerns and help answer any questions regarding adult or children’s programs and activities on a particular base. At a recent luncheon recognizing the contributions of Navy Ombudsmen and Air Force Key Spouses, Naval District Washington Command Master Chief Christopher Adams told guests that Ombudsmen have been an irreplaceable link between command leadership and families for more than 40 years. “They help maintain the morale and welfare of our service members so that families never feel alone,” Adams said. “We all know

family readiness is tied to mission readiness. Having a strong family support structure allows our service members to do their jobs while the Navy and Air Force can accomplish their missions.” In the aftermath of the Washington Navy Yard tragedy, Adams believes the program is more important now than ever before, particularly on shore for Sailors and their families. In the case of the Navy, Adams said leadership can learn much more about issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sexual assault, domestic violence and depression if it has more of a focus on programs based on shore. JBAB Commander Navy Capt. Anthony T. Calandra added that it’s important to recognize the establishment of the Ombudsmen and Key Spouse programs on base. He said JBAB is committed to ensuring the Navy goal of at least 80 percent of its families being registered with the Ombudsmen program by Jan. 1. Another goal is to have every base command specifically designate someone to assist service members and families whenever needed, Calandra said.

U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY LT. CMDR. JIM REMINGTON

Amy Inselmann, Navy ombudsman coordinator for Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, joins Aubrey Stull, Naval Support Activity Washington ombudsman, at a luncheon Sept. 18 recognizing the contributions of Navy ombudsmen and Air Force key spouses.

INSIDE

Influenza vaccine now available

Director forges ahead in finding the right people

Honor Guard pays tribute to ‘Greatest Generation’

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Pages 6 and 7


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