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Serving the Hampton Roads Navy Family
Vol. 20, No. 51 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 12.20.12
Wreaths Across America highlights military honor, commitment, sacrifice By David Todd The Flagship Managing Editor
HAMPTON
Service members, Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) cadets, families and friends gathered at the Hampton National Cemetery on the campus of Hampton University to honor veterans during the holiday season as part of the National Wreaths Across America Day, Dec. 15. The ceremony, which was conducted across the country in more than 500 cemeteries, including Arlington National Cemetery, began promptly at Noon locally as a way to honor the sacrifices of military veterans and those who are prisoners of war or missing in action (POW/MIA). It also served as a way to teach younger generations about the high cost of freedom. This year’s theme was “Then, Now, and Forever – Let’s Make It Personal.” In total, 5,000 artificial wreathes were placed on the headstones of veteran’s graves at Hampton National Cemetery, ensuring that no veteran was forgotten this holiday season. The wreaths will continue to be displayed prominently for one month.
This cemetery complex is the final resting place for veterans from the Civil War to those who died fighting in Afghanistan.” - Rear Adm. Tim Alexander, Commander, Navy Region MidAtlantic
■ other ceremonies See A6 - A7 for coverage on ceremonies in Suffolk, Yorktown and Arlington.
“Our effort for next year is to have all live wreaths,” said Christina Rowley, President of Navy Wives Clubs of America Tidewater Area Council and Vice President of Navy Wives Club of America, Peninsula – Norfolk #91, noting that planning for next year’s event will begin in January. During the ceremony, a moment of silence was observed followed by a rendition of “Taps,” performed by Staff. Sgt. David Newman, staff bugler, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command. The Hampton High School JROTC color guard presented colors and the national anthem was performed by Heather Sreves of the St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Newport News. “The freedom we enjoy today has not come without a price,” U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Gandolfo said to the audience during the ceremony. “Lying here before us in cemeteries across this nation are men and women who gave their lives so that we can live in freedom without fear.” Each branch of service was honored individually with a ceremonial wreath, as well as a special wreath for POW/MIAs.
» see WREATHS | A22
Baby makes debut at on 12/12/12 at 12:12 p.m. at NMCP
Rebecca A. Perron Kennedy Kathleen Robbins made her grand entrance at 12:12 p.m. on Dec. 12 at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth.
David Todd Volunteers from all branches of service helped to place 5,000 wreaths on graves at the Hampton National Cemetery as a part of the National Wreaths Across America Day, Dec. 15.
By Rebecca A. Perron NMCP Public Affairs
PORTSMOUTH
Five-pound, 10-ounce Kennedy Kathleen Robbins made her entrance to the world on Dec. 12, which alone is significant, but she was also born at 12:12 p.m. at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP). While the rest of the world will have a fleeting memory of what they did that day, little Kennedy will have a permanent reminder – and a great conversation starter. Proud parents, Kristen and retired Master Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Daniel Robbins, were surprised by the timing, especially since the baby was not due until Dec. 19. “I had my 38-week check last week,” Kristen said. “But the doctor decided she was a little small. So I got a call
to come in on Dec. 11 for a growth scan, even though I had a 39-week appointment on the twelfth.” The staff never got around to the growth scan because the baby’s heart rate was low. “They decided to induce me the afternoon of the eleventh because her heart rate was low, and since we were so close to 40 weeks, they said everything should be OK,” Kristen explained. “I was in labor for almost a full day before she was born.” As Kristen’s contractions got stronger around 11:45 a.m., Daniel said he started joking with the Labor and Delivery staff about the possibility of a 12:12 p.m. birth. As Kristen began to push, Daniel kept one eye on her and one on the clock. “At 12:05 she was pushing
and I knew it would be close,” he said. “At 12:12, Kennedy popped out.” “I wasn’t really aware of the time as it was happening,” Kristen said. “I was just, oh my God, it’s over. Then when the doctor called it – 12:12 and 26 seconds – I realized the time and thought ‘no way.’” Other family members were also in disbelief, including big brothers Shawn, 16, and Julian, 10. “Everyone thought we were lying – no one believed it,” Kristen said. “When it sunk in, then they said it was a miracle, a sign. Regardless, she’s a blessing.” “Just the date alone is once in a century, but to have the time, too, is amazing,” Daniel added. There’s still another 12 to look forward to when Kennedy reaches her twelfth birthday.
I wasn’t really aware of the time as it was happening. ... When the doctor called it – 12:12 and 26 seconds – I realized the time and thought ‘no way.’” - Kristen Robbins
FACE OF DEFENSE: SAILOR GOES FROM BEAT COP TO ‘DOC’ By Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Robert L. Fisher III 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit
USS NEW YORK, AT SEA
From a police officer in Kingston, Jamaica, to a barber in New York City, Hospital Corpsman (HM) 3rd Class Steve A. Barnes, 35, has held many jobs throughout his life. But his time as a corpsman with
ENTERTAINER PERFORMS ON THE USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH Comedian Carlos Mencia visited the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) and performed for the crew to show his appreciation for the troops, Dec. 11. » see A12
the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, he said, has tested him much differently than any of his previous experiences. Barnes is a corpsman with Company A, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th MEU, and has been deployed since March. Since completing field medicine school and jumping into the Fleet Marine Corps, Barnes
said he has had rare opportunities to practice. That changed quickly on April 11, when an MV-22B Osprey crashed in Morocco, killing two Marines and seriously injuring two others. “My guys were 200 yards away from the crash,” Barnes recalled. “We have two bags for field medicine – I remember I grabbed my big bag and just started running. After
I got there, it was chaos. We set up a receiving area and they pulled the first guy out, he was in pain. That’s when this deployment became real for me.” Barnes said he went straight to work cordoning the area so the other corpsman could aid the Marines being pulled out of the
» see BARNES | A22
WHITE HOUSE/ TOYS FOR TOTS First Lady Michelle Obama arrived at Joint Base AnacostiaBolling carrying a big red bag filled with presents in support of Toys forTots.
HOLIDAY CONCERT Hundreds of service members and their families attended a holiday concert hosted at JEBLCFS by the School of Music, Dec. 7.
» see B3
» see C6
■ the 24th MEU Hospital Corpsman (HM) 3rd Class Steve A. Barnes has spent the last nine months deployed with the 24th MEU, which is currently returning home after completing a successful deployment as an expeditionary crisis response force in the Navy’s 5th and 6th Fleet AOR.
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