CNRMA FCPOA adopts a family for Easter

Mc3JordanGrimes Commander Navy-Region Mid-Atlantic

NORFOLK, Va Commander, Navy RegionMid-Atlantic’s(CNRMA)FirstClass Petty Officer Association (FCPOA) partneredwithCrossroadsSchoolinNorfolkto give a local family in need an Easter dinner April7.

The FCPOA provided the family with ingredients and supplies to allow them to cookafulldinnerincelebrationofEaster.

Yeoman 1st Class Jamie Whitaker, one of the volunteers, said she hopes the association’sdonationshelpthefamilyrealizethere arepeoplearoundthemwillingtohelp.

“Ithinkbydoingthis,itgetsusoutintothe community,”saidWhitaker.“I’mhopingthis willgetustoamorepersonallevelandshow themwe’reheretoassist.”

PersonnelSpecialist1stClassChristopher Diaz,theFCPOAcoordinatorfortheevent said the association hopes to expand the numberofdonationsinthefuture

“As it is our first time, we are only doing one family for now,” said Diaz. “But if all goes well, we plan to expand our numbers forfutureholidays.”

The FCPOA broadens the professional development of all first class petty officers while volunteering in local communities andfostersmoraleandespritdecorps.

“This command has always been an important place for the Fleet,” stated Cmdr Christina Carino, NSWCDD DNA commanding officer “It’s interesting because it has stood the test of time Even in the face of a [Base Realignment and Closure],itwasdeterminedthatthisactivity whether it was called [Fleet Combat Direction Systems Support Activity] or [Combat DirectionSystemsActivity],hasevolvedand adaptedtocontinuetosupporttheFleetand has been an important fixture here on the waterfront.”

As a twist to Navy birthday tradition, where the oldest and youngest Sailors have the honor of cutting the cake, NSWCDD DNA which is predominantly comprised of civilians, had the longest tenured civilianinattendance,MaryKayAnderson,and the youngest Sailor, Information Systems Technician2ndClassJosephParker,dothe honorsofslicingintothecake

“Certain [employees] have been here long enough to have seen a lot of changes throughouttheinstitutionasitsmissionhas evolved, said Dave Richardson, NSWCDD DNA senior civilian and department head. “Thefamilyenvironmenthasremainedover time. [NSWCDD DNA] is kind of a smaller organizationsoyougettoknowpeopleand buildrelationshipsduringyourtimehere.”

There is a lot of pride and we thank you for all the contributions you’ve had in the pastforDamNeckActivity thecurrentand thefuture.”

NSWCDD DNA serves the world’s largestNavyfleetconcentrationareaasatenant commandonboardNavalAirStationOceana Dam Neck Annex in Virginia Beach, VA, housedinhistoricHopperHall,namedafter one of the Navy’s first and most respected and innovative computerengineers, Rear Adm. Grace Hopper This geographic location, unique facilities, talented workforce and strong customer focus has made NSWCDD DNA a recognized leader in developing innovative, affordable and effective integrated training systems, cyber warfare, fleet readiness and sustainment solutionsfortheNavalWarfighter