LIBERTY LIFE/WINTER 2021-ISSUE 2 VOLUME 2

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WINTER 2021-2022 / Volume 2 / Issue 2 LIBERTYLIFEMEDIA.COM

Supporting the Military, Veterans, and their Families across The Liberty Coast

On Base • In Town • Pro-Military WHATEVER IT TAKES Camp Blanding’s Commander

FATHER OF THE WALL Ray Moore’s Legacy

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Caring for the invisible wounds.

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Liberty Life

FROM THE PUBLISHER’S LAPTOP

WINTER 2021-2022/VOLUME 2 ISSUE 2 6 FROM THE PUBLISHER’S

21 SIOUX CITY

6 MILITARY TRANSITION:

22 VETERAN RESOURCES:

8 CHECKING IN AT THE

24 THE GOUGE:

10 FATHER OF THE WALL 12 SUPPORTING THE TROOPS:

26 PRESIDENT’S DAY HISTORY:

LAPTOP

The Sky’s The Limit LIGHTHOUSE

t’s Card Party Season

12 TRACKING SANTA CLAUS 14 LIBERTY LIFE FEATURE: Whatever It Takes

20 WINGS OF GOLD 20 MAYPORT-BASED FREEDOM 21 THE LIBERTY COAST: Bring Home The Bold One

On Tour

Happiest Place On Earth

Wanted: Enlisted Women Submariners Veteran Commander-In-Chiefs

28 BRAVO ZULU 30 NEWS & INFO 30 ANNIVERSARIES, MILESTONES AND REMEMBRANCES

Cover Photo: Colonel Elizabeth Evans is the Commanding Officer of Camp Blanding Joint Training Center

Publisher

Advertising Sales

Joe Snowberger, U. S. Navy Mustang (Ret)

Sam Taylor, Pro-Military

(904) 476-7861 Publisher@LibertyLifeMedia.Com

(904) 860-2465, SamTaylor1342@Gmail.Com

LIBERTY LIFE STAFF: Social Media Manager Serena Legg, Military Spouse

Art Director

Susan Jones U.S. Army Veteran Spouse

Contributor

Chistine Swansen Pro-Military

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Liberty Life Media welcomes editorial, photographic and calendar contributions. Submit stories, events, people, milestones and military/ Veteran discount offers at

www.LibertyLifeMedia.Com Please share and recycle issues.

The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

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DD-214: FLORIDA CLERK OF COURTS WILL “LOCK IT UP” FOR FREE “Do you have your DD-214?” is a question Veterans are asked when verifying their military status. Often, it is the first question military and Veteran widows and widowers are asked after hearing “I’m sorry for your loss.”

What is a DD Form 214 The Defense Department issues to each Veteran a DD-214. It contains information to verify military service for benefits, retirement, employment, and membership in veterans’ organizations.

Each of Florida’s county Clerk of Courts knows how valuable the DD-214 is and will record it for free. By recording your DD 214 with the clerk’s office, a copy is readily available to you in case the original is lost or destroyed.

To find the office near you, visit: StateOfFlorida.Com/Clerks-Of-Court To learn how to acquire your DD-214 visit: DD214.US 4 | LibertyLifeMedia.Com | WINTER 2021-2022 VOL. 2 / ISSUE 2

A NAS Jacksonville-based P-8A Poseidon from Patrol Squadron 16 shared the runway with the Aurora Borealis on a flight line in Iceland. The squadron is currently on a six-month deployment to the area. Safe Travels, War Eagles.

(Photo: U.S. Navy, Released)

First, thank you for picking up this copy of Liberty LifeSM. We hope you’ll enjoy it and invite you to share it with others. You’ll find more on base, in town and pro-military features, news and events everyday on our website, including an easy sign-up for our well-received weekly newsletter.

The recurring theme of the stories in this issue has emerged as “whatever it takes”- to deliver excellence and make a difference. It is the foundation of our conversation with Camp Blanding’s newest commanding officer, Colonel Elizabeth Evans. As a traditional Guardsman, she shares how the theme has guided her military career, professional accomplishments and leading Florida’s COVID-19 response.

The doing whatever it takes attitude was central to the eternal honoring of over 1,700 Jacksonville Servicmembers and the legacy of Ray Moore. That same theme has served Coast Guard Veteran, Megan Huerta, well during her transition to her civilian career.

Doing whatever it takes is what drives Tiffany Morales and her colleagues in Jacksonville’s Military Affairs and Veterans Department to achieve their life-changing support to our Veterans. The Navy is doing whatever it takes to encourage women to volunteer for submarine duty.

As we look forward to the holidays, readers of all ages will most likely smile over the tale of how a misdialed number, 63 years ago, has resulted in one of the Department of Defense’s largest community outreach programs.

With anticipation of a richly adventurous new year, how about a little trivia? Do you know how many and which of the commander-in-chiefs (AKA U.S. presidents) served in the uniformed military services? Do not fret, we’ve provided a cheat sheet. Enjoy this issue!

While trivia is defined as information of little importance or value, our military and Veteran-related holidays are very much defined. I’ve observed that sometimes, speeches and symbology presented at these ceremonies gets confused or a tad blurred. This is most common with Veterans Day and Memorial Day. So, as a public service and with some publisher’s privilege (it is my letter), I offer a basic clarification of the big three of military and Veteran holidays.

ARMED FORCES DAY evolved from President Truman’s proposal to celebrate and thank those serving in the U.S. military.

VETERANS DAY has evolved into a day to honor all who have served in the U.S. military.

MEMORIAL DAY is a day to honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.

Liberty Life is very thankful for our past year’s growth and are excited about the potential of 2022. One of our resolutions is to promote our stage as your platform for your stories, as you are the stars. We’re eager to hear from you and share your perspective of serving and living on The Liberty LifeSM. Please accept our genuine Merry Christmas, happy holidays and all the best in the New Year.

On Base • In Town • Pro-Military Joe Snowberger U.S. Navy Mustang Veteran (Ret) Publisher | Liberty Life Media

LibertyLifeMedia.Com | WINTER 2021-2022 VOL. 2 / ISSUE 2

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Military Transition The Sky’s the Limit Guardian’s Leadership Skills Aid Her Transition

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As an Aviation Fuel Handler on Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf, she had no problem when it came to leadership.

“Whether fighting fires, tackling a flood or seizing contraband, some were reluctant but I loved problem solving and kept a calm head,” said Huerta. “I’ve always carried a can-do attitude which is why I was chosen to do certain tasks over others. And that has continued in all the jobs since I got out, getting promoted because of my willingness to take on more responsibility.”

That can-do attitude came from her family’s rich military service. Huerta’s father, uncle and brother have all served in the Marine Corps. “I grew

Megan Huerta soloing a Cessna 150 solo over Georgia

up loving, admiring and honoring military members and Veterans,” said Huerta.

Huerta cites her dad, David, as being her mentor, challenging her to be strong in mind and body as he taught her such useful skills as car maintenance and how to ride a motorcycle.

To prepare for boot camp, they worked-out together, going for runs at night, bench pressing weights in their garage and practicing calisthenics at neighborhood playgrounds. “He always challenged me to keep up with him, which influenced me to be both stubborn and successful,” she said with a smile.

Huerta credits her two years with the Coast Guard with teaching her work skills that she took from the boat shop to the hanger in her current position as an aviation mechanic at the Jacksonville Executive at Craig Airport. “I learned a lot about strength from carrying five-gallon buckets of fuel down small hatches and steep ladder-wells

and demand respect. “I learned how to read people, assess situations and act accordingly,” said Huerta.

Oftentimes, she guarded as many as a dozen detainees from boats that were carrying illegal contraband. “As a small woman, I had to take myself very seriously and have the mindset to do whatever I needed to do to keep the detainees in control, protect the ship, myself and my shipmates.”

In her short time in her civilian career, her meticulous work ethic has elevated her to being the lead maintainer of a turbine Cessna 206 and shop safety supervisor. Huerta is also active in Jacksonville’s chapter of the Ninety-Nine’s and is the social media coordinator for Craig Airport Pilots Association.

Huerta and her boyfriend, also a Coast Guard Veteran, chose to live in Jacksonville because of all the airports that are a part of The Liberty Coast.

After earning her pilot and helicopter ratings, Huerta hopes to fly Medivac or rotary wing fire fighting missions.

“One day, I hope to open my own flight school and incorporate my creative side by developing and hosting aviation programs that will draw women in,” said Huerta.

The sky’s the limit for Huerta!

Helicopter refueling operations in the seas off of Costa Rica

Growing up in Oceanside, CA, a Marine Corps town by the beach, also known for its large art community, made an impact on Huerta. She immersed herself in all of it to become a self-described artist and aviatrix, which led to her Coast Guard career.

Additionally, her love of journaling influenced her obtaining an Associates’ degree in English to pursue her vision of combining the worlds of aviation and art.

Her parents also made sure any interests were explored first-hand. As a young teen, she visited the Coast Guard’s search and rescue station in San Diego. When she learned the Coast Guard mission was focused on saving rather than taking lives, she was hooked.

USCG boot camp graduation photo in service dress blues

Her quest began by attending an aviation camp for youth, joining her high school’s Air Force JROTC program and then taking a basic pilot ground school course at the local community college.

Huetra passed the private pilot written test and began taking helicopter flying lessons at Palomar Airport until she “ran out of money.” “The mechanics, the self-sufficiency, the traveling, the relationship with the weather, and the beauty of aircraft designs, were all so fitting for me,” explained Huerta. She also joined the local Ninety-Nines, Inc. (an international women pilots’ group) and met seasoned lady pilots who helped her with scholarships and other aviation events.

By Christina Swanson

strong-willed female with a self-taught leader’s mentality, United States Coast Guard (USCG) Veteran Meagan Huerta’s respect for the military and passion for aviation began in her early teens. She’s always been the one to take unwavering action and risks, whether looking out for her older brothers in the midst of their shenanigans, or being the first to investigate a problem when a nervous shipmate hesitated.

her own bucket-list book. She realized that what made her happy was being independent, continually learning, and experiencing the world. Huerta determined the best way she could do it all was by learning how to fly.

Around this same time, she discovered aviation through reflective examination after her sister unexpectedly died. Having viewed a film about a woman’s “book of possibilities” to record life goals, she created

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amongst the swaying of the cutter, as well as the mechanics of operating valves throughout the ship to complete missions,” said Huerta.

Huerta also learned how to persevere through fatigue and pain. She shared it was easy to get hurt on the boat from the exhaustion of 12-hour plus days and always being on-call when seizing drugs during night missions. As a woman in a predominantly man’s field, Huerta was educated in how to give

Fuel testing on the flight deck of the Cutter Bertholf before a helicopter comes aboard

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with a smile. “We reached out to The Home Depot to get a small grant to beautify the outside entrance. They approved it! We are now working with Mission Continues to help us with the manual labor. Mrs Delores Barr-Weaver has reached out to see what she could do.”

HerSPACE is an emergency and temporary housing program for women Veterans.

(Photo: ActionNewsJax.Com)

CHECKING IN AT THE LIGHTHOUSE “Just Doing The Work” To Assist Women Veterans and Their Children.

W

oven into the very promilitary community fabric of The Liberty Coast are collaborative partnerships that support the overall betterment of Veterans as they acclimate to civilian life. We introduced you to one such alliance this past spring. HerSPACE is an emergency and temporary housing program for women Veterans (and their children)in Jacksonville.

Liberty Life checked in Dee Quaranta, President/CEO, Northeast Florida Women Veterans to see how it was going.

“Thank you for reaching out! It has been a whirlwind month since we opened the doors at the Lighthouse,” said Quaranta. “We have ladies in the house now and today we will admit a mother and son.”

The “Lighthouse,” a four-bedroom, 3,000 square foot home, was made available for use as the HerSPACE house by St. Andrews Lutheran Church

By The Sea, in Jacksonville Beach. The facility, alongside the other impactful programs offered through Northeast Florida Women Veterans, temporarily houses up to eight women Veterans and their children - assisting and empowering homeless women Veterans along their path to self-sufficiency.

Quaranta gave us a glimpse of the difference the Lighthouse is already mak-

by Joe Snowberger

ing - “One of our first residents had a really good job but became ill. After spending 6 weeks in the hospital, she was laid off and found herself not able to recover. Another resident had her HUD voucher but needed a bed until she found permanent housing.”

Quaranta continued, “We may even have someone needing intensive care due to service-connected mental health challenges. The reasons vary but our organization serves as a cheerleader as they get themselves back on track.”

According to the Dept. of Veterans Affairs and numerous agencies, Florida is home to the second-largest population of women Veterans in America.

The Liberty Coast has the largest number of women Veterans in Florida.

Many women Veterans transition well and go on to be very successful in their lives. There are also women Veterans who have not handled transition well or things have happened beyond their control and now find themselves needing a little help.

One resident described her stay at HerSPACE as “A powerful place for new beginnings”. She came to the Lighthouse homeless and jobless. Today, she has been hired and found a place to live. “Having a clean place to live and going through the HerTOTALWellness program has changed my life!”

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Quaranta shared an important adage, “This is not just the work of the case manager, but the work of this Veteran who wanted to be in a better position.”

Now open, Liberty Life asked Quaranta to share some of the realities and needs of day-to-day operations. It took her a moment to ponder before she said: “The HerSPACE program could always use funds to purchase needed items, pay the light bill or hire additional staff but it is the story of every non-profit.”

Quaranta shared her appreciation for the initial providers and supporters of the Lighthouse: K9s For Warriors, Wounded Warrior Project, Nicholas J. Cutinha Vietnam Veterans of America (Chapter 1046), and Ms. Sal’s family.

“The diversity of community support always amazes me.” Quaranta said

Quaranta continued: “We also reached out to Wekiva Springs Center and the Cohen Clinic at Centerstone to assist those in crisis or who just need recurring counseling with very favorable responses. I will always say - just do the work - people will see your commitment and want to help.”

Coming full circle, Quaranta reflected, “Now that we are up and running, there are additional needs for the Lighthouse - like clothing and linens. We don’t take donations of used clothing or linen, but we will take gift cards to purchase those items.” Then, with a quip, Quaranta added, “Thanks for asking, and tell your readers, the beds are all twin sized.

We could always use laundry detergent, paper towels, toilet tissue, trash bags, and cleaning supplies.”

Quaranta also shared, “Funding is slow, so our staff has been filling in the gap for the house coverage. We try to maintain staff or security coverage 24 hours-a-day. This poses a challenge because the staff is working more hours than they are being paid and the security company covers the weekend and it is expensive. We have applied for grants but there is no guarantee. Nevertheless, we will keep working with the resources we have. This program is very much needed in our community so it will be around for a while.”

After reading this you may now take notice of the cute, two story house sitting next to St. Andrews Lutheran Church By The Sea on Beach Boulevard. Inside, caring people are “just doing the work” of operating this valuable resource for women Veterans and their children towards overall betterment and sustainment.

For more information and to donate to HerSPACE through Northeast Florida Women Veterans, visit www.ForWomenVets.org

The “Lighthouse” is Northeast Florida Women Veterans’ temporary transitional home for women Veterans provided by St. Andrews Lutheran Church By The Sea in Jacksonville Beach. (Photo: ActionNewsJax.Com)

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Making a Difference

Honoring The Father of The Wall

Liberty Never Tasted So Good Proudly Offering Military Discounts.

By Joe Snowberger, Retired Navy Mustang

“T

Ray Moore made a difference and gave us a legacy of honor.

he purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” Those words by Ralph Waldo Emerson express why The Liberty Coast will miss and always appreciate Ray Moore.

On the surface, Moore, who passed away on Wednesday, October 20, 2021, was a native of Jacksonville and son of the late Joe & Margie Moore.

He graduated in 1962 from Andrew Jackson High School, received his master’s degree from the University of Tennessee and was a longtime Volunteer Fan. Moore was the businessman, owner and operator of Ray Moore State Farm Insurance.

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Moore also had an undeniable love for this community as he supported and coached youth sport programs, was a dedicated Rotarian and supported many community programs for 40 years.

Ray Moore’s Difference - “Father of the Wall.”

In the spirit of Ralph Waldo Emerson words, the purpose of Ray Moore’s life absolutely made a difference. Moore made a very meaningful difference to the more than 1,700 families of Jacksonville-area Servicemembers who lost their lives during their military service to our nation.

Moore gave us a forever legacy as he is considered, by all involved, the father of the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall.

The Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall was dedicated in 1995. The original black granite monument and numerous additional sections contains the names of Servicemembers from World War I through the current conflicts and war on terrorism. In front of the wall stands a torch with an eternal flame.

Moore was instrumental in the research, creation and fundraising for the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall. In an interview, Ed Lawhon, who met Moore in 1981 lends total credit for the wall to Moore.

What started out as a tribute to his high school classmates lost in service grew into a memorial for everyone from Duval County. “This was his brainchild. Ray spent several years researching this for Veterans and gathering up money to get it built,” said Lawhon.

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One of the largest of its kind, the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall and Eternal Flame.

The City of Jacksonville’s Military Affairs and Veteran’s Department Supervisor, Harrison Conyers shared that Moore, while researching the wall, “read every Jacksonville newspaper from 1915 forward to make sure he did not miss a name in the obituaries.”

Conyers added, “He not only put the names on the wall, but he knew the stories. Ray Moore gave service above self and was diligent in his effort to be sure no Veteran went without his due recognition.”

Ray Moore’s life was indeed useful, honorable, compassionate and made a difference.

Read more about Ray and the tribute by the Rotary Club of North Jacksonville at LibertyLifeMedia.Com/Articles/Wall.

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Supporting the Troops

A Wrong Number 63 Years Ago Became an Annual Global Mission

IT’S CARD PARTY SEASON ON THE LIBERTY COAST Heartillary’s Delivers Joy to Service Members away during the Holidays

by Chrisina Swanson Heartillary has sent millions of cards to Servicemembers away during the holidays.

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long with the Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle campaign to raise funds to help people year-round and the Marine Toys for Tots program that collects new, unwrapped toys and distributes them to less fortunate children, there are many ways to spread good will to others during the holiday season, especially to our deployed Servicemembers and may feel lonely, away from their families.

If you are looking to spread some “cheer” and appreciation to our troops here and overseas, check out Heartillery Group, a non-profit organization whose mission is to show love and gratitude in simple ways to those who serve.

Founded in 2013 by Emily Spencer, whose husband, Scott, was deployed to Afghanistan three months after their wedding, Heartillery began as a family act of support that has grown into a global campaign whose goal is to ensure that no service member (active duty or retired) feels alone or unappreciated.

The 9th Annual Mission Holiday Cards campaign inspires families with kids and houseKids at a Card Party creating holds of all ages to create holiday cards and holiday cards. write letters to lift the morale of active-duty military people who are away from friends and family during the holidays.

It is not too late to deliver some cheer to the deployed - here’s how you can participate: All the details are at HeartilleryGroup.Org. Create personalized cards or purchase cards and write positive messages and get them to Heartillery Group’s headquarters (P.O. Box 2649, Ponte Vedra, Fl, 32081) for shipping overseas.

Contribute $22.50 to cover the cost of overseas shipping (cost per box of 135 cards).

Buy a box of this year’s contest winner’s created cards for your own use (10 per box) for a donation of $25.

Donate directly and they will make and ship the cards (or items/gift cards) to troops and Veterans for you.

Contribute to this year’s Answering the Call program (in conjunction with USO and the Blue Star Families) by collecting essentials and grocery store gift cards. Mail them to P.O. Box 2649, Ponte Vedra, Fl, 32081 and they will be presented to military families in need.

Sponsor a military family by participating in Heartillery’s new Military Santa program. Here you select a family, pick a “card” and then purchase and ship their requests directly to them and make their holiday a special one. Go to Forms.gle/TN117Fd5qFMvXogp8.

These programs are a great opportunity for families, church, school or business groups to get together for a card party and spread love to our deployed Servicemembers. Heartillery’s goal is to exceed one million cards mailed this holiday season and you can help make it happen!

If you read this after the holidays but want to send cheer to deployed Servicemembers - they have a program for that too. HeartilleryGroup.Org. 12 | LibertyLifeMedia.Com | WINTER 2021-2022 VOL. 2 / ISSUE 2

How NORAD Started Tracking Santa Claus.

By Joe Snowberger, Retired Navy Mustang and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD)

W

hile Americans often imagine Santa Claus as a cheerful character with a white beard, dressed in a red suit and black boots, other countries around the world view the beloved festive figure differently.

In Belgium and the Netherlands, Santa Claus is known as Sinterklaas, who wears a bishop’s alb and cloak with a ruby ring ​​ and rides on a white horse.

In French speaking nations, children leave their shoes by the fireplace, filled with carrots and treats for Pere Noel’s donkey, Gui (Mistletoe) in Finland, Joulupukki knocks on children’s doors on Christmas Eve to ask them if they behaved well.

Call him Joulupukki, La Befana, Papai Noel, Or Santa Claus, no matter how one imagines what Santa Claus looks like or how he leaves gifts for the good girls and boys, getting to sleep before he arrives is a universal challenge for all children.

Enter the North American Aerospace Defense Command or “NORAD.” 2021 will be the 63rd year NORAD has been tracking Santa Claus’s trek across the world on Christmas Eve. According to NORAD, here is how they “accidentally” started tracking Santa Claus: “24 hours a day, 365 days a year, NORAD tracks everything that flies in and around North America in defense of our homelands. On Dec. 24, we have the very special mission of also tracking Santa.

NORAD has been tracking Santa since 1955 when a young child accidentally dialed the unlisted phone number of the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) Operations Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, believing she was calling Santa Claus after seeing a promotion in a local newspaper.

Air Force Colonel Harry Shoup, the commander on duty that night, was quick to realize a mistake had been made, and assured the youngster that CONAD would guarantee Santa a safe journey from the North Pole.

He and his colleagues together briefed the children who called throughout the night of Santa’s exact location. Thus a tradition was born that rolled over to NORAD when it was formed in 1958. Each year since, for over 60 years, NORAD has dutifully reported Santa’s location on Dec. 24 to millions across the globe.”

Each year, the NORAD Tracks Santa website receives nearly 15 million unique visitors from more than 200 countries and territories around the world. Volunteers receive more than 130,000 calls to the NORAD Tracks Santa hotline from children around the globe.

Though the program began due to a misdialed number, NORAD Tracks Santa has flourished and is recognized as one of the Department of Defense’s largest community outreach programs.

In 2021 there are several ways children, the young-at-heart and parents with last minute assembly requirements are able to track Kris Kringle and his reindeer.

On most social media: @noradsanta, Twitter: @noradsanta, IG: @noradtrackssanta_official or by calling 1-877-HI-NORAD (1-877446-6723).

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Liberty Feature Colonel Evans Official Command Photo

ing and therefore are able to ensure that Camp Blanding does all that is possible to prepare Florida’s Guardsmen for what our state’s leadership asks of them.

Like the mission of a popular, regional grocery chain, our goal is to ensure our culture continues to evolve during my tenure to the point where when others come to train at Camp Blanding they - our customers - truly feel Camp Blanding is where training is a pleasure.

LLM: What role(s) take the most energy and is the biggest asset absorber, given CBJTB’s footprint and mission?

Two items - the upkeep of the installation and preparing training for units.

First, we see 60,000 people a year who may stay here for 5 days at a time or for some, even as long as a month. In that time – each one person touches, say 10 things; 10 ranges, 10 restrooms, 10 light switches, 10 roads – all of that requires upkeep.

For example, our Dept. of Public Works cuts no less than 2 million acres of grass a year. That cut grass enables a unit to come and train – maximizing their time here at Blanding – with minimal distractions. They can use the parachute drop zones, they can use the helicopter landing zones, the parade field.

The air conditioning must work, hot & cold water must flow, vehicles need servicing and repair, ammunition must be received, stored and issued back out.

Most of the weapons systems that the Florida National Guard uses return to Camp Blanding at various stages for required maintenance and calibration - and the list goes on.

All those things that go on into any of our lives must be able to be sustained here – all nested in my vision for the installation - Camp Blanding, where training is a pleasure.

WHATEVER IT TAKES: A Conversation with Colonel Elizabeth Evans, Camp Blanding’s Commander.

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ne of the constants in life is change. On September 11th, 2021, Colonel Elizabeth Evans relieved Colonel Frank Zenko as the commander of Camp Blanding Joint Training Center.

Colonel Evans is a traditional Guardsman and will do what Guardsmen do. She will serve in uniform and lead Camp Blanding while also running a construction company, splitting her time between Nashville and The Liberty Coast.

Recently Colonel Evans graciously sat down with Liberty LifeSM to discuss her career, Camp Blanding and the Florida National Guard.

LLM: Congratulations on your selection as the Commanding Officer of Florida’s premier training center, the 73,000-acre, 160 square mile, historic Camp Blanding Joint Training Center.

In your new role, which is essentially the “Mayor” of Camp Blanding, with the motto of “Warriors Serving Warriors”, what is the mission of Camp Blanding?

It’s funny you should start with Warriors Serving Warriors as our motto because as soon as I took command, I had a discussion with the staff about our motto.

Our mission is to provide first rate service and realistic training to the more than 60,000 different faces we see on an annual basis. Camp Blanding hosts key assets that have an immediate and direct impact on Florida Guard and other military units’ readiness levels. We are to be ready for the variety of calls from our state or federal leadership.

Furthermore, almost all of the staff and Soldiers that I command have served overseas in combat zones and are intimately familiar with what it takes to train to be prepared before being called upon. Consequently, these same Soldiers know the demands that will be placed on Guardsmen who train at Camp Bland14 | LibertyLifeMedia.Com | WINTER 2021-2022 VOL. 2 / ISSUE 2

Next and at the heart of our mission is training. All the training accomplished here is based on each unit’s own service-related standards and requirements.

Some of those training plans are well laid out, some others require some help from my staff. To that end, my staff routinely facilitate site visits for units prior to their training at Camp Blanding. That is part of the motto of “Warriors Serving Warriors.”

LLM: What is the most under-rated thing about Camp Blanding that the public, or even the Florida National Guard, may overlook?

We regularly host a large number of training events by other than Florida National Guard units. In fact, 53 percent of folks coming to train at Camp Blanding are other uniformed services, active duty units, federal and state governmental agencies, many law enforcement organizations and other states’ Guard units.

More than 25 U. S. Army Reserve units, the Marine Corps, the Navy, college and high school level ROTC units utilize Camp Blanding. For example, Coast Guard elements come out to both fly and shoot, no less than two times a month and a Navy Seal team is coming to train here.

Units from as far away as Rhode Island or Michigan – states that can get locked-in (indoors) because of the weather elements in their states train here at Camp Blanding, where we can facilitate quality training year-round.

Our civilian operations capability accommodates summer football camps, large encampments by the Civil Air Patrol and the Sea Cadets, and a myriad of other smaller scale organizations; church youth group retreats, community and other organizations looking for leadership retreats.

In some instances between military training schedules and community based events, we’ve had a Soldierly presence on Camp Blanding as many as seven consecutive weekends.

Camp Blanding is hardly the stereotypical “one-weekend a month” site that folks outside the Guard would assume is actually getting done here at Camp Blanding.

LLM: During the change of command ceremony, you were visibly nervous and then commented about that in your remarks. Would you reflect on your emotions at that moment?

Having the privilege of serving as a commander is a responsibility I have never taken lightly. Having served at Camp Blanding nine years ago, I never would have dreamed I would have the opportunity to command this installation.

As I walked out to the drill hall for the ceremony, seeing the number of people that were in attendance, including my First Sergeant from my deployment to Iraq in 2004, the emotions were overwhelming.

Combined with this, about 9 months ago, my legs essentially stopped working and I started a long road of working with neurologists at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville. A life-long runner and fitness enthusiast, I was scared to death that this was the end of my military career and being able to run which is something I enjoy so much. I am happy to report that I have made nearly a full recovery, thanks to the phenomenal team of doctors at Vanderbilt. Without them, I would not have had the opportunity to continue to serve and take command.

All of these moments hit me as the ceremony started and yes, the emotions were a bit overwhelming. Ironically, the calmest I felt that day was taking the podium and delivering my remarks. At that point I knew, this is it; this is the moment I have worked for and I am ready to continue to lead and serve the Soldiers and employees of Camp Blanding.

LLM: How did you come to join the “Long Gray Line” and attend the U. S. Military Academy? What were your initial expectations of serving in the Army?

Have you ever seen the movie Private Benjamin with Goldie Hawn? There is a scene where the recruiter paints the picture of how the Army would send her to beautiful Italy with a desk job, a condo and a pretty uniform. This was pretty close to what I thought the Army might be like.

I was recruited for tennis and the coach told us that as tennis players there wasn’t much military work we would have to do. Additionally, as there was not a conflict ongoing, once we graduated, we would all have nice desk jobs because - in 1996 - women were not in combat assignments. Then, after our 5 years of service requirement, we would all go on to the corporate world and get great jobs because of our resume and experience. To say this was not exactly the case is an understatement.

LLM: When the Governor dials 9-1-1, the Florida National Guard answers. Would you share your experiences during the COVID 19 Pandemic?

Sign up Your local weekday newsletter for news and ways to get involved in Northeast Florida.

Where do I start? It has been a significant undertaking for the Guard since early Continued on page 16

“Ever seen the movie Private Benjamin with Goldie Hawn? ...pretty close to what I thought the Army might be like.”

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Colonel Evans and her family (L-R): Anne Nicholas Weiss, Huck, Locke and Jones.

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I have been leading, managing and motivating civilians for 16 years and I have learned so much during that process and from my employees. Specifically here at Camp Blanding I think it will help even more.

On the flip-side, I created a construction company, founded on military values and employing Veterans and employees with ties to Veterans.

We do what we say we are going to do. We are organized. We show up ahead of time because if you’re on time you’re late. And we communicate constantly, up, down, and across.

These are all things my employees and I have learned during our military service and that we are reinforcing with our company values and SOPs at the firm.

My company has been as successful as it has been because of those things.

LLM: Living in both Nashville and Jacksonville, what are your favorite aspects of Northeast Florida?

Continued from page 15

March 2020. It started with a no-notice call-up of nearly the entire Guard, to support the Governor with mass testing, to the durational nature with no end date going late into summer 2020.

As for me, it began with a call from the Joint Task Force Commander who asked what the plan was to support the Governor’s COVID-19 response. I had 24 hours to develop a plan to best employ the Guard for mass testing across the state.

I reached out to my West Point peers in CA and NY and obtained the schematics for operating the drive-thru testing sites that they were employing. Now the question was how to do it at multiple places throughout the state.

Fortunately for me, I had recruited several very smart young officers as part of my staff. We locked ourselves in a room, started brainstorming and 24 hours later, we had a plan. We’d focus on metropolitan areas first and utilize the NFL football stadiums in Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa and Orlando. These had the most space for traffic patterns and were located near interstate highways for ease of access.

While it didn’t solve reaching the entire state, it was a solid start. Afterwards we worked on approvals for college football stadiums and high schools. Furthermore, we added walk-up testing to provide accessibility to those without cars.

In the end, just as my West Point classmates in CA and NY had shared their best practices for traffic flow and patterns with us, we shared our NFL stadium concept with other states and soon it became the standard across the country.

LLM: Are there any principles or motivators that sustain you in your military and professional life?

There are two quotes I constantly come back to in life as it relates to my own personal motivation. The first came from my childhood and my parents. “To whom much is given, much is expected.”

I did have a very fortunate upbringing surrounded with love and nurturing and support for me following whatever my passions were and still are today. Additionally, I watched my parents involve themselves in countless nonprofits, community boards and events - that set the pattern of my desire and willingness to give back in my life as well.

The second quote I come back to was on a coin that a close friend gave to me the day before I left for West Point. It says “Whatever It Takes.”

When I left for West Point I did not want to let my family or my friends down.

In life, that remains the same but I have added my Soldiers and my employees to that list. Whatever it takes – I will be there and I will give 100% to the organization and goals we share.

LLM: How does being a civilian business leader support your military installation leadership role?

Oftentimes it can be difficult for military leaders to lead or manage in any other way than when interacting with Soldiers. If they try to apply that same military style of leadership to a majority civilian organization, it often leads to friction on both sides.

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I absolutely love the First Coast (aka the Liberty Coast!) We have a growing community, home to a robust population of active duty and Veterans and we have the beach. What more could you ask for? People are just happier living in Florida – shoveling sunshine is so much better than shoveling snow!

LLM: What would you say to someone considering the Army, GUARD or military service as a job or career?

With service comes sacrifice. Make sure you understand that to the extent that you can as a young person. You will miss things like birthdays and family events and even other events with friends. But those are sacrifices the military needs you to make for the greater good of defending and serving our country.

Also, make sure you communicate these expectations with your family so they understand and support you in your service. No one serves their country alone, they are able to serve because of the network of support through friends and family that allow them to say, I am here, send me.

You can read the entire conversation at LibertyLifeMedia.com/Articles/Whatever-It-Takes.

COL. Evans delivering her first remarks as Camp Blanding’s Commander.

“Whatever it takes – I will be there and I will give 100% to the organization and goals we share.”

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US Navy Selects First Woman Directly for F-35C After Earning Her Gold Wings From Chief of Naval Air Training Public Affairs

M

ERIDIAN, Miss. - The U.S. Navy selected its first woman to go directly from earning designation as a naval aviator to postgraduate flight training in the F-35C Lightning II. Lt. j.g. Suzelle Thomas, assigned to the “Eagles” of Training Squadron (VT) 7, received her Wings of Gold alongside seven fellow naval aviators and one Italian Navy aviator during a ceremony at the chapel onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Meridian, in late October.

Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA) Rear Admiral Robert D. Westendorff, who oversees all undergraduate flight training for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, said the ceremony was the culmination of a year of advanced training and a lifetime of study and preparation.

“Getting through primary flight training and being selected for the advanced strike training pipeline is not an easy task,” Westendorff said. “It requires a lot of hard work and dedication and the men and women here today have proven they have what it takes. I’m so proud of each of you and know you will continue to meet the challenges ahead.”

Suzelle Thomas moments after she received her Wings of Gold. U.S. Navy photo by Penny Randall.

Thomas was named to the Commodore’s List during primary flight training, during which she flew the T-6B Texan II turboprop aircraft. She was also named VT-7 Student of the Quarter for spring 2021. She

Navy News

The Freedom-variant littoral combat ships Sioux City, Wichita and Billings participate in a maritime training exercise in the Caribbean Sea on July 4, 2021. (MC3 Austin Collins/U.S. Navy)

Mayport-Based Freedom LCS Fleet Embraces Virtual Training and Finds Way Back to Full Speed

By Joe Snowberger, Retired Navy Mustang

O

ne of the newest ships in the Navy is designated as Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). The LCS is a fast, agile, mission-focused platform designed to operate in near-shore/ shallower environments and operate against coastal threats.

The LCS is capable of supporting various missions like showing the flag (forward presence), maritime security, sea control, and deterrence.

The LCS is designed to be deployed close to the operating area they are assigned, called a forward operating base (FOB). LCS crews are rotated to and from the ship as the mission or deployment periods dictate.

While the “Blue” crew is deployed and operating the ship from it’s FOB, for example -Singapore, the “Gold” crew is in Mayport and training to be ready to deploy and operate the LCS. This allows for the warship to stay in the operational area.

Navy Embraces Virtual Training. Nine LCS’s are homeported at Naval Station Mayport, with more on the way. To support the Sailor’s training, teamwork development and readiness, the Navy has developed and employs some very advanced virtual trainers for the LCS crews.

All LCS Sailors and officers train in watch stations using virtual-reality technology, before manning live, shipboard watches.

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carrier qualified in the T-45C Goshawk jet trainer aircraft onboard aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).

“I feel blessed and it was an honor to finish with my fellow aviators,” Thomas said. “We studied together, flew together and did everything together. I felt supported by everyone at VT-7. The instructors are very helpful and the squadron works as a team.”

Thomas will report to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 125 in Lemoore, California. VFA-125 is the fleet replacement squadron for the F-35C Lightning II. The F-35C is a powerful combination of fourth- and fifth-generation fighter aircraft with advanced electronic attack, and command and control capability.

“I have realized I will never fly with another person again since the F-35 is a one seater,” Thomas said.

“I am looking forward to controlling the flight in a very advanced and tactical way.”

Thomas, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, is a 2018 graduate of the United States Naval Academy where she received a Bachelor of Science in political science. Thomas also received a master’s degree in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

There are currently three women in the Navy who transitioned from other aircraft to the F-35C. In addition, Marine 1st Lt. Catherine Stark became the first woman in the Marine Corps to directly select F-35C after earning her Wings of Gold in August 2019.

Read the full story of Lt. j.g. Suzelle Thomas’s selection and more about the F-35C Lightning II at LibertyLifeMedia.Com/Articles/Wings_Of_Gold.

The Freedom-class LCS Gets Back To Full Speed Ahead. There are two types of LCS’s. The Independence-class is a tri-hulled variant and they are all homeported in San Diego. The Freedom-class is a mono-hulled variant and all of those ships call Mayport their home.

The Navy announced they completed the first repair design of the Freedomclass littoral combat ships that will allow them to sail at full speed again.

First discovered on Mayport-based USS Detroit (LCS 7) in 2020, a combining gear design issue in the new class of warship had limited the speed of the warships. The problem was severe enough to freeze the building of the ships.

The USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (LCS 21) is the first LCS to get the full fix.

She was going through her preparation to be transferred from the ship builder to the Navy. With the fix in place and tested, the Navy also announced it had accepted the new ship which will eventually be homeported in Mayport.

The COOPERSTOWN (LCS 23) is in the final stages of joining the fleet and will get the fix before joining the fleet and coming to Mayport.

The Navy has not determined a schedule or negotiated the cost of repairing the rest of the commissioned ships at Mayport. This may not be overtly impacting on the class of ships as the Navy has been very slow at fully deploying this new class of ships.

There have been ten Freedom-class ships commissioned and sent to Mayport.

The class namesake, USS Freedom, has already been decommissioned. Three others, FORT WORTH, DETROIT and LITTLE ROCK, are scheduled for decommissioning in 2022.

The Navy’s “experiment” with this specialized class of warship is still ongoing.

Sailors assigned to the future Mayport-based, Freedom-class, littoral combat ship USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (LCS 21) train in a virtual environment in a Integrated Tactical Trainer.

(Credit: PO2 Nathan Beard | U.S. Navy)

Mayport-based Sioux City and Dominican Republic Conduct Bilateral Maritime Interdiction Exercise

Bring Home the Bold One USS Jacksonville, “A Steely-Eyed Killer of the Deep” Retires.

By Joe Snowberger, Retired Navy Mustang

O

f all the commissioned warships and vessels that have served in the US Navy since its inception in 1775 there has been only one ship named after Jacksonville, Florida, and it represented its namesake with honor.

That special ship is a nuclear powered, Los Angeles (688) Class submarine, the USS Jacksonville (SSN 699).

The ship, errr, “boat” as submarines are called, was commissioned on May 16, 1981 and made its first port visit to its namesake city in June 1981 where she and her crew received a warm welcome from the city and its residents.

After 40 years of service defending this great country and deploying around the globe, the “Bold One” was recently decommissioned in November 2021.

She is in Bremerton, Washington being prepared for her after-life as dismantling a nuclear anything is an extensive process, as one may expect.

The rifle team onboard the Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Sioux City conducted a 21-gun salute to Sint Eustatius in honor of Statia Day, Nov. 16, 2021.

Courtesy Story from U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/ U.S. 4th Fleet

C

ARIBBEAN SEA: The Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Sioux City (LCS 11) and the Dominican Republic Navy conducted a bilateral maritime interdiction exercise off the coast of Santo Domingo, Oct. 30.

During the exercise, Sioux City deployed her 11-meter rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) and MH-60S Sea Hawk attached to the “Sea Knights” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22, Detachment 4 while the Dominican navy participated with coastal patrol vessel Orion (GC 109) and Boston Whaler interceptor patrol boat Regulus (LI 165).

The ships worked together to find, track and intercept the simulated “vessel of interest. ”They practiced two different interdiction scenarios, the first conducting an air pursuit of the vessel with Sioux City’s helicopter and second intercepting with the surface vessels.

The ships also practiced a series of tactical shipboard movements and formations and tested maritime command and control capabilities.

“The strength and fortitude of these nations as they tactically maneuvered and swiftly executed the mission, created a perfect image of what interoperability is supposed to look like,” said Lt. Sarah Shaeffer, HSC-22 Det. 4.

“The professional mariners from the Dominican Republic are truly a pleasure to work with,” said Cmdr. Brad Tonder, commanding officer of Sioux City.

“These partner nation engagements are a great way to keep our teams proficient and ensure we can effectively conduct real world interdiction missions as a team when the need arises.”

Bilateral engagements allow both navies to strengthen tactical readiness for future operations, maintain readiness at sea, and support continued commitment to security and stability in the region.

During her four decades of distinguished service, the SSN 699 made 15 overseas deployments, circumnavigated the world twice (mostly submerged), served as a duty station for seven future admirals and one future master chief petty officer of the navy (MCPON), received numerous awards including three battle efficiency awards, underwent underwater shock testing representing the entire 688 Class submarines, resided at three homeports (Groton CT, Norfolk, VA and Pearl Harbor, HI) and served as home away from for a few thousand proud sailors “There are two special crews in the life of a submarine: the commissioning crew and the decommissioning crew,” said Cmdr. James Wiest, commanding officer of Jacksonville. “We as the decommissioning crew were tasked with gracefully, nobly, and respectfully retiring this warship and honoring the 1,700 plus Sailors who served in her over the last 40 years.”

“As we close the chapter of this magnificent warship, it is important to remember that without the crew, a Naval vessel is just a hulk of steel,” said Wiest. “It is the crews that served aboard her that brought her to life, and kept her alive to do her duty. The rules of the Silent Service prevent specific discussions of her accomplishments, and that is as it should be. Jacksonville was a steely-eyed killer of the deep because of the men who served aboard her. And that, my fellow Americans, is how she should be remembered.”

While the USS Jacksonville’s distinguished career is ending, her legacy is not.

The effort is underway to retire the entire sail structure of the USS Jacksonville in its namesake city to honor its service and represent yet another example of The Liberty Coast’s rich naval and military heritage. For more information email BringTheSail2Jax@GMail.Com. Los Angeles-class submarines are the backbone of the submarine force.

The mission and capabilities of these submarines include undersea warfare, surface warfare, strike warfare, mining operations, special operations forces delivery, reconnaissance, carrier battle group support, escort, intelligence collection and maintaining safety of the seas.

Sioux City, homeported at Naval Station Mayport on The Liberty Coast is deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations to support Joint Interagency Task Force South’s mission, which includes counter illicit drug trafficking in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet is also located on Mayport Naval Station and supports U.S. Southern Command’s joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American region.

USS Jacksonville (SSN 699), AKA the “BOLD ONE” served her nation for 40 years.

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Veteran Resources

LLM: What does the MAVD (Military and Veterans Affairs Department) do?

The MAVD does so MANY things! They advocate for our Veterans and our Military in so many ways and provide many resources. Our VSOs (Veteran Service Officers) file benefit claims for Veterans and they can answer any questions about a Veteran’s benefits.

Twice a week (Mondays and Wednesdays, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.) Career Source is in our office in City Hall helping our Veterans with their resumes. Three Rivers Legal Services provides free legal help once a month. The VSSs (Veteran Social Service Officers) help our Veterans with rent or utility payments. During tax season, MAVD provides free tax services.

The MAVD is also home to the Jacksonville Resource Homeless Veterans Reintegration Center which is sponsored by the Jacksonville Jaguars. This is a one stop shop that helps Veterans with financial needs, career support and legal services.

These are just a few of the resources the MAVD can provide to Duval County Veterans and the best part is that they are all free! Veterans should never pay for these services as they are already paid for through tax dollars.

To-date the MAVD has served more than 10,000 Veterans and has generated $27 MILLION in new money, yearly.

THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH Meet Tiffany Morales, the 4-1-1 for Jacksonville Veterans Interview by Joe Snowberger Retired Navy Mustang

I

n 2020, Tiffany Morales joined the robust staff at the City of Jacksonville’s Military and Veterans Affairs Department(MAVD) as the Veterans Outreach Coordinator. After running into her at every single Veteran-related event in Duval County for the past few months, Liberty Life thought we would get to know her. Here is what we found out.

LLM: Where are you from?

MAVD also advocates at the federal level for DoD investment in Jacksonville.

As a result, that partnership has protected over 1500 acres around area military bases from encroachment by purchasing the development rights.

LLM: What do most folks not realize about the MAVD?

I think that what most people do not realize is the impact the MAVD has on people’s lives. First, the VSO, VSS and Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP) folks genuinely care about our Veterans. They go the extra mile to help them. This has a huge impact on not only the Veterans physical life, but also, I feel, eases their mental stress.”

“By their “physical life”, I mean that I have seen Veterans, who were receiving the minimal amount of their eligible benefits, begin receiving more of their earned benefits that the Veteran didn’t know they qualified for. This is all because our VSOs look into ALL benefits available for that Veteran.

I’m proud to say I’m from the most Military and Veteran friendly city in the country – right here in Jacksonville, FL. I went to Bishop Kinney - Go Crusaders!

Veterans have gone from being homeless and jobless to having a roof over their head and a steady job. That has such a positive impact on them and our community! The MAVD will go above and beyond to find all benefits that they are due.

LLM: How is it to work in City Hall everyday?

LLM: What did I miss?

I LOVE working Downtown and in City Hall! Jacksonville is a beautiful city, and it has changed so much from when I was growing up here. The best part about working in City Hall is that there is so much to do that is within walking distance. I love having lunch in James Weldon Park with the live music and all the restaurants have such good food.

LLM: What does the Veterans Outreach Coordinator do?

My primary task is to let our Veterans know about services available to them. I do this by talking to various groups about our service.

I attend job/career fairs, coordinate events such as the Homeless Veterans Stand Down, Military Spouses Night Out and events during the Celebration of Valor.

I also produce a monthly newsletter that includes many events and resources available to our Veterans throughout Jacksonville.

LLM: Sounds like you are 4-1-1 for Duval’s Veterans.

I really enjoy interacting with our Veterans and keeping them informed of everything that is available to them, especially making them aware of additional resources that they may not know are available to them.

I love all aspects of my job, but I think the one part that I love the most is planning the events for our Veterans. It’s a great feeling to be able to give back to that population that has given so much to our country.

I am really looking forward to putting together the Military Spouses Night Out. It’s an evening of pampering and fun for the spouses. The Military members serve and their families serve too. They deserve a night out full of fun and good times.

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Working for the Military Affairs and Veterans Department is the best thing that could have happened to me. It’s like my own Disney World - the happiest place on earth. Harrison Conyers is a fantastic supervisor and I look forward to coming to work every day, always something different.

On Base Snapshot

The Navy Welcomes It’s New Chiefs NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla. Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russell Smith poses for a photo with Chief Culinary Specialist Thaddeus Dorsey during a chief petty officer pinning ceremony on board Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Winston Churchill (DDG 81) on Nov. 19, 2021 at Naval Station Mayport, Florida.

MCPON Smith visited the Winston Churchill and Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS St. Louis (LCS 19) to participate in the final capstone of events of the chief petty officer season, a culmination of a demanding professional training regiment to prepare Sailors for the increased responsibility and authority of carrying out the Navy’s mission. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Aaron Lau/ Released)

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Women Submariners operating USS Ohio.

Photo by PO2 Kelsey Hockenberger, USN.

ENLISTED WOMEN SUBMARINERS

Three Kings Bay-based Submarines among those with integrated billets to fill.

WANTED:

By Joe Snowberger, Retired Navy Mustang

T

he nation’s submarine force is transitioning in the coming years. New boomers* and fast attacks will replace many of the submarines in the current fleet as they retire from serving our nation.

In addition to having the latest in advanced technologies, the new submarines are being built to accommodate fully integrated crews. This will provide more opportunities for women to serve in the submarine force. As one would expect, the Navy is planning ahead.

Recently the Navy’s human resources manager encouraged enlisted women Sailors interested in serving on submarines to consider converting to non-nuclear trained submarine jobs. In an administrative bulletin, the Navy announced it will process submarine rating conversion applications for women Sailors, E-8 and below, on a continual basis. (Enlisted jobs and occupations in the Navy are called ratings.)

According to the Navy, the general submarine ratings available for enlisted women Sailors, E-6 and below in include the yeoman (administrative), culinary, and logistics specialist career fields. Submarine electronics and mechanical rat-

ings available for female Sailors include sonar technician, fire control technician, electronics technician-navigation, missile technician, torpedoman and machinist’s mate-auxiliary and some information systems technician career paths.

Accepted applicants would fill open billets on the submarines that can accommodate enlisted women. Among those are the USS Florida (SSGN 728), USS Georgia (SSGN 729) and USS WYOMING (SSBN 742) which are based at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay on The Liberty Coast.

The recruitment of enlisted women to serve on submarines will also boost the force of experienced enlisted women submarines to fill billets in the new submarines as they come online. The Navy posted that “Going forward, all future Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines and all Virginia-class fast attack submarines, starting with the USS New Jersey (SSN 796), will have enlisted women in their crews.”

Nuclear-trained women Submariners are selected for submarines during their training and do not have to apply.

Limitations for enlisted women serving on current submarines is not due to policy, but primarily because the boats do not have adequate female berthing accommodations. The new boats coming online are designed to accommodate integrated crews, eliminating the berthing obstacle.

USS Florida (SSGN 728) has integrated billets. Photo by PO1 Ashley Berumen, USN.

Female officers have been going to sea in submarines since 2011 as converting the typically smaller officer berths have been possible.

While not every submarine can or will accommodate enlisted women, the Navy states that all classes of submarines will be integrated with female officers.

The complete list of rating conversion opportunities, eligibility and process, including those available for Corpsman and E-7 and E-8 personnel are described in the Navy’s administrative bulletin called NAVADMIN 233/21 and can be found at LibertyLifeMedia.Com/Articles/ Woman-Submariners-Wanted. *Ballistic missile submarines are nicknamed “boomers.”

THANK YOU

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In most cases, only one award will be given per student. If a student is eligible for multiple scholarships, the scholarship that is most beneficial to the student will be awarded. Scholarships will be distributed incrementally over the entire duration of the program. Scholarship eligibility requires continuous enrollment. Failure to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress may result in the probation and possible loss of scholarship. Termination from training may also result in the loss of a scholarship, which may increase your tuition obligation to TWS. Tuition charges will be based on the amount reflected on your Enrollment Agreement. See the reverse side of your Enrollment Agreement or the School Catalog for the school’s refund policy.

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President’s Day History

By Stephanie Thompson, U.S. Navy Mustang Veteran

P

residents’ Day (Monday, February 21, 2021) started as a way to celebrate the birthday of our nation’s first president: George Washington. It has since expanded to include all people who have held the title of U.S. president.

BUILD YOUR OWN DREAM First Commander-N-Chief.

This Business Model is Perfect for Veterans!

Everyone Has A Floor And They All Need Something That We Sell. With home construction and remodeling booming, now is a great time to make owning your own business a reality and Making Your Financial Dreams Come True! If you don’t build your own dream, someone else will hire you to help build theirs. After 46 years, it’s time to turn the dream over to a new dreamer. The business has an excellent reputation in the community and online and our client base includes residential, commercial and local military bases. We prescribe, sell & install carpet, luxury vinyl tile & plank, ceramic & porcelain tile, engineered wood, shutters and window coverings.

How does one celebrate this special day?

Liberty Life has a couple of ideas.

This Business Model is Perfect for Veterans!

THERE’S A FESTIVAL FOR THAT

Everyone Has A Floor And They All Need Something That TheSell. cityWith of Eustis, Florida, goes out in celebration We home construction andall remodeling booming, of Presidents’ Day in an annual event known as “Georgefest.” This year’s theme is “Let the Good Times Roll”, with now is a great time to make owning your own business a activities planned (including a parade) February 25-27. For details, visit Eustisreality and Making Your Financial Dreams Come True! If you GeorgeFest.org. don’t build your own dream, someone else will hire you to TAKE BITE CHERRY help build A theirs.

After OF 46 years, it’s time toPIE turn the dream over a new dreamer. business hassouth an excellent Not to able to make the The two-hour drive of Jacksonville to join the festivities? You can still honor first president byand eating cherrybase pie includes (who could forget commercial the cherry reputation in the our community and online our client residential, tree?) with service buddies, family members, friends, andvinyl perhaps a game and local military bases.

We prescribe, sell & installorcarpet, luxury tile & playing plank, ceramic U.S. president trivia. wood, shutters and window coverings. &ofporcelain tile, engineered

TRIVIA: COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF’s MILITARY SERVICE

The majority of U.S. presidents—31 to be exact—were Veterans of military service.

Do you know which branch of service each of our former presidents served in? Here is a look that could win the prize in your family trivia competition!

Contact Herb Mynatt at 904-571-4803 TheCarpetTree.Com • Facebook.com/TheCarpetTreeJaxFL

The University of North Florida’s Military and Veterans Resource Center provides veterans, active duty military, spouses and families with the support they need to smoothly transition from a military environment to campus life.

Contact us, and start the next chapter of your journey at UNF! Phone: 904-620-5131 Email: mvrc@unf.edu unf.edu/military-veterans

George W. Bush Contact Herb Mynatt at Andrew Johnson 904-571-4803 First Lieutenant, Texas Air National Guard Brigadier General, U.S. Army TheCarpetTree.Com • Facebook.com/TheCarpetTreeJaxFL (Volunteers) George H. W. Bush Lieutenant (junior grade), U.S. Navy Abraham Lincoln Captain, Illinois Militia Ronald Reagan Captain, U.S. Army James Buchanan Private, Pennsylvania Militia Jimmy Carter Lieutenant, U.S. Navy Franklin Pierce Brigadier General, Gerald R. Ford, Jr. New Hampshire Militia Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Naval Reserve Millard Fillmore Major, Union Continentals Richard M. Nixon (home guard) Commander, U.S. Naval Reserve Zachary Taylor Lyndon B. Johnson Major General, U.S. Army Commander, U.S. Naval Reserve James K. Polk John F. Kennedy Colonel, Tennessee Militia Lieutenant, U.S. Naval Reserve John Tyler Dwight D. Eisenhower Captain, Virginia Militia General of the Army, U.S. Army William Henry Harrison Harry S. Truman Major General, Kentucky Militia Colonel, Army Officer Reserve Corps Andrew Jackson Theodore Roosevelt Major General, U.S. Army Colonel, U.S. Army (Volunteers) James Monroe William McKinley Major, Continental Army Brevet Major, U.S. Army (Volunteers) James Madison Benjamin Harrison Colonel, Virginia Militia Brevet Brigadier General, U.S. Army (Volunteers) Thomas Jefferson Colonel, Virginia Militia Chester A. Arthur Brigadier General, New York Militia George Washington General and Commander in James A. Garfield Chief, Continental Army Major General, U.S. Army (Volunteers) Rutherford B. Hayes Major General, U.S. Army (Volunteers) Ulysses S. Grant- General, U.S. Army According to History.com, this president was born “Hiram Ulysses Grant.” The congressman who appointed Grant (to West Point) mistakenly believed his first name was Ulysses and his middle name was Simpson (his mother’s maiden name). Grant never amended the error and went on to accept Ulysses S. Grant as his real name.

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Ulysses Grant, circa 1867.

By Fabronius Gurney.

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Making Your Special Day Memorable....

At a Historic Chapel Setting with Military Emphasis

Memorials Services & Weddings Renew Wedding Vows Christian Seminars

BRAVO ZULU Bravo Zulu (BZ) is a naval signal meaning “Well Done” with regards to one’s performance, operations or action.

Liberty Life shares the following Bravo Zulus of Servicemembers and military units across The Liberty Coast. BRAVO ZULU to: Lieutenant Junior Grade (Lt j.g.) Suzelle Thomas for selection as the Navy’s first woman to go directly from earning designation as a naval aviator “Wings of Gold” to postgraduate flight training in the F-35C Lightning II. Read the full story at LibertyLifeMedia.Com/Articles/F-35C. USS COOPERSTOWN (LCS 23) Chief Petty Officer Promotions: Gas Turbine System Technician (Electrical) Chief Malone, Fire Controlman Chief Grissom, Sonar Technician Surface Chief From And Sonar Technician Surface Chief Parker.

HELICOPTER MARITIME STRIKE SQUADRON 40 AIRWOLVES Naval Aircrewmen Tactical Helicopter First Class Maples upon your reenlistment.

FLEET LOGISTICS SUPPORT SQUADRON 62 (VR 62) NOMADS Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal Recipients: Chief Petty Officer Rochasoto, Aviation Structural Mechanic First Class Hill, Logistics Specialist Second Class Beland.

Located on the Future National POW-MIA Memorial & Museum at Cecil Commerce Center

Aviation Maintenance Administrationman First Class Robinson upon receipt of a meritorious mast for dedication to the AMI inspection.

Reverend Patrick Archuleta, Chaplain U.S. Air Force Retired To Book Your Special Event Call 904-616-0327

USS HUE CITY (CG 69) GOLDEN DRAGONS Machinist Mate Chief Petty Officer (Select) Bush on his selection to Chief Petty Officer.

Naval Aircrewmen Mechanical Second Class NOEKER upon your promotion.

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Great Food, Great Music and most importantly Great Friends!!!

Military Discount of 10% OFF Everyday.

Gas Turbine System Technician (Electrical)First Class ValenciaLopez upon selection to Officer Candidate School as a Civil Engineering Corps Officer Candidate.

USS DONALD COOK (DDG 75) 2021 Sailors of the Year: Navy Counselor First Class Segatto, Logistics Specialist Second Class Rios, Information Systems Technician Third Class Bridges and Retail Services Specialist Seaman Granville.

Sailors of the Quarter (4th Qtr): Operations Specialist First Class Foreman, Logistics Specialist Second Class Rios, Boatswain’s Mate Third Class Acostaserranos, Culinary Specialist Seaman Hutchins.

Sailors of the Quarter (3rd Qtr): Operations Specialist First Class Wade, Operations Specialist Second Class Grider, Information Systems Technician Second Class Masters and Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Reed.

Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medal Recipients: Retail Services SPecialist First Class Weems, Fire Controlman Second Class Andrade, Operations Specialist Second Enoh, Gunner’s Mate Second Class Keene, Fire Controlman Second Class Kovacs and Electronics Technician Third Class Garza.

Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist Qualified: Gunner’s Mate Second Class Binder, Fire Controlman (Aegis) Second Class Love, Fire Controlman (Aegis) Second Class Reynoso, Cryptologic Technician Technical Second Class Scott, Cryptologic Technician Collection Third Class Campbell, Electronics Technician Third Class Rel and Electrician’s Mate Fireman Burlison.

Gunner’s Mate Third Class Ferro upon his advancement.

“THE WORLD FAMOUS PELICANS” OF PATROL SQUADRON (VP) 45 For a safe return of their 304 Officers and Sailors following a six-month deployment to Kadena Air Base, Japan in the 7th Fleet area of operations.

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THE “RED LANCERS” OF MARITIME PATROL SQUADRON (VP) 10 For a safe return home from a six-month dual-site deployment in support of the Navy’s 4th and 7th Fleets with detachments from Misawa, Japan to Misawa, El Salvadore and the Philippines.

Submit your Bravo Zulus to be considered for publication to Info@LibertyLifeMedia.Com.

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News & Info

TriCare Drops Walmart, Adds CVS to Pharmacy Coverage

FNG’s Gator Brigade Deploys to Ukraine 165 soldiers from Florida National Guard’s (FNG) 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) are leaving their base at Camp Blanding and deploying to Ukraine for 9 - 12 months.

The “Gator Brigade’s” first stop is Texas for some fine-tuning and final training. Once in Ukraine, the IBCT will help train and mentor the Ukrainian Armed Forces to improve their training and defense. Rock Steady, Gator Brigade.

BILLINGS and the Snowmen Return From the U.S. Navy: The Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS BILLINGS (LCS 15) returned to Mayport, Fla. Oct. 30, following its successful maiden deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations.

BILLINGS (Gold crew), along with the “Snowmen” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28, Detachment 5, deployed June 30, to conduct U.S. Southern Command and Joint Interagency Task Force South’s counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean Sea. During their deployment, BILLINGS, with their embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET), assisted A long awaited, welcome home kiss. (U.S. Navy) in disrupting an estimated 1,597 kilograms of cocaine worth over an estimated street value of over $111.8 million and removed thirteen suspected drug traffickers from the narcotics trade.

It is Bill Dudley Day in St. Johns County Ralph Waldo Emmerson would be very proud of Retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Bill Dudley.

He has most definitely lived a useful, honorable and compassionate life and most definitely made a difference. All across The Liberty Coast, thousands of Veterans and civilians alike know this about Dudley. Recently the St Johns County Board of Commissioners made it official and honored Dudley’s decades of service to Veterans, declaring BILL DUDLEY DAY. Among so many contributions, Dudley, as longtime St Johns County’s chairman of the St Johns County Veterans Council, Bill Dudley was cited for initiating the Veterans Treatment Court, facilitating the opening of the Leo C. Chase Jr. Veterans Medical Clinic and providing vital support and leadership for numerous Veterans and youth programs.

Oh, and this honor came after an Air Force career, managing and leading Fortune 500 Aerospace firms for 45 years, leading the Navy League at state and national levels and advising the Florida Dept. of Veterans Affairs. Read more about the differences Dudley has made - just on The Liberty Coast at LibertyLifeMedia.Com/Articles/Dudley.

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Photo by A1C Zachary Hada, USAF.

On December 15th, TRICARE users will no longer be able to get their prescription copay benefit at Walmart or Sam’s Clubs. Beneficiaries using Walmart, will have to pay the full cost of their medication up front and file a claim with Tricare for partial reimbursement.

While Walmart, a pharmacy network of some 5,300 locations is leaving TRICARE, CVS is returning. With nearly 10,000 pharmacy locations, including many inside many Target stores, TRICARE users will again be able to fill their prescriptions at one of the nation’s largest retailers.

According to Express Scripts, the Tricare pharmacy network covers 56,000 stores, including the chains Walgreens and Rite Aid and supermarkets like Kroger and Publix. Express Scripts stated they will be reaching out to patients taking specialty medications to help them transfer their prescriptions without a gap in coverage.

Tricare provides health care coverage to 9.6 million military, Veteran and their families beneficiaries worldwide.

More Tricare News: Some Prescription Copays Up In 2022 You and your TRICARE covered family members may experience an increase to prescription drug copayments.

Express Scripts, the TRICARE pharmacy network has announced that if you get your prescription drugs through home delivery or a TRICARE retail network pharmacy, your copayments may change January 1, 2022.

Why the change? Congress determined this change to prescription drug copayments in the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act. Your prescription copayments vary based on where you fill your prescription and on the drug category they are in.

If you are an active duty service member (ADSM), you will continue to have $0 copays for covered drugs at military pharmacies, retail pharmacies and home delivery through Express Scripts Pharmacy.

Copayments for dependent survivors of ADSMs and medically retired service members and their dependents will remain the same. To read the full announcement and copay changes, visit: https://bit.ly/2ZCnraY.

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ANNIVERSARIES, MILESTONES AND REMEMBRANCES ON THE LIBERTY COAST

SM

A Lucky Rainbow Accross the Bow

by Joe Snowberger, LCDR, USN (Retired)

DECEMBER & THE HOLIDAYS

December brings very welcomed cooler weather and a significant list of anniversaries and remembrances.

This year marks the 80th National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Commemoration to honor the 2,390 American lives lost during the attack on Pearl Harbor and the island of O`ahu on December 7, 1941. While remembrance ceremonies will occur across the nation, the main ceremony will take place December 7th on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

December also marks the United States Civil Air Patrol’s 75th anniversary. Formed during World War II in 1936, the CAP serves as the official volunteer civilian auxiliary of the Air Force. Its cadets, ages 12 to 20 years old, serve in America’s premier public service organization for carrying out emergency services and disaster relief missions nationwide. The Jacksonville Composite Squadron (FL383) will celebrate at a week-long leadership development encampment on Camp Blanding.

Naval Station Mayport is one of three major Navy installations on The Liberty Coast and will blow out 79 candles this December - that’s a lot of candles.

Commissioned in 1942, Mayport is homeport to over 20 warships, US Fourth Fleet, Naval Surface Squadron Fourteen, LCS Squadron Two and much more.

Wreath Across America Placement Day is Saturday, December 18, when hundreds of volunteers and Gold Star Family members will place Christmas wreaths on Veteran grave markers.

Readers are encouraged to contact local Veteran organizations to purchase enough wreaths to cover all Veteran graves.

Happy birthday to the National Guard. Established in 1636, the National Guard is the oldest military organization in America. Its members serve during times of war and emergency.

On The Liberty Coast the ArmyNavy football game is much like a holiday. There is a viewing party on the world’s largest stadium video boards at TIAA Bank Field at 3 p.m., Saturday, December 11. $5 to enter, free parking, a performance by the Navy Band and a flyover.

Military commands serving birthday cake in December on the mess decks include Mayport-based USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) and USS Little Rock (LCS 9).

Since December 1979, the Greater Jacksonville USO’s three local USO Centers have served our very robust active duty military population by offering many programs of support to improve their quality of life.

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Call him Joulupukki, La Befana, Papai Noel, or Santa Claus, one of the most important annual December activities across the globe is NORAD’s tracking of Santa Claus travels on Christmas Eve. A wrong number 63 years ago now produces nearly 15 million unique website visitors from more than 200 countries and territories around the world. Volunteers receive more than 130,000 calls to the NORAD Tracks Santa hotline from children around the globe. Read the story at LibertyLifeMedia.Com/ Articles/Tracking-Santa.

JANUARY & FEBRUARY The Mad Foxes of Patrol Squadron Five (VP 5) and the Littoral Combat Ship, USS Wichita (LCS 13) start the new year parade of military commands that are celebrating their establishment anniversaries.

VP-5 is one of the oldest Navy maritime patrol squadrons. Deploying from their home airfield at NAS JAX, they now fly the Navy’s newest maritime patrol plane, the P-8A Poseidon. We just love their logo and saying “Mad Foxes.”

WICHITA is the third ship named after the largest city in Kansas.

USS Wichita (CA 45) was a unique heavy cruiser in service from 1939 to 1947 and active during World War II. USS Wichita (AOR 1) was a replenishment oiler in service from 1969 to 1993.

Marilyn Monroe’s famous USO Show photo.

One would think the biggest birthday party would be at the biggest and oldest military installation on The Liberty Coast - Camp Blanding Joint Training Center (CBJTB).

Established in 1940 to train folks for the United States’s impending involvement in WWII, CBJTB was once Florida’s fourth largest city.

Today, it is still very large at 73,000 acres and remains a premier training center. Liberty Life recommends a visit to the Camp Blanding Museum and reading the conversation in this issue with Colonel Elizabeth Evans, Camp Blanding’s commander.

Perhaps the most poignant remembrance in February is Four Chaplains Day as we honor the four military chaplains who sacrificed their own lives to save the lives of their fellow service members during WWII on USAT Dorchester. They were an inspiration to understanding duty, sacrifice and service. The historic Chapel of the High-Speed Pass at Cecil Commerce Center will host a memorial service on Thursday, February, 3rd at 10 a.m. Read the amazing story by visiting ArmyHistory.Org and searching “Four Chaplains” in the History Center.

Quick - the Jeopardy category is “How are they connected?” and the answer is Bob Hope, Raquel Welch and Marylyn Monroe. What is the properly formatted question? “What is the USO?” Since 1941, the USO has been supporting the troops with stress relief through recreation and creating a “Home Away from Home” and so much more both here and overseas.

Liberty Life recommends searching “Marilyn Monroe” at HistoryNet.Com for a superb story.

Looking for a good-paying, parttime job that comes with impressive benefits including action, adventure and the chance to make a difference?

Want to operate boats and save lives?

Try the Coast Guard Reserve, which has celebrated its establishment every February since 1941.

February also brings us Valentnes’ Day, National Vet Girls Rock Day, National Salute to Veteran Patients Week, and President’s Day. Did you know 31 U.S. presidents served in the armed forces? You may want to boneup on your trivia knowledge by reading about them at LibertyLifeMedia.

Com/Articles/Veteran-Presidents.

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LibertyLifeMedia.Com | WINTER 2021-2022 VOL. 2 / ISSUE 2

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34 | LibertyLifeMedia.Com | WINTER 2021-2022 VOL. 2 / ISSUE 2

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