Flagship 11.09.2023 by Military News

www.ﬂagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, November 9, 2023

IN THIS ISSUE

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society launches Operation Jingle program

This annual Hampton Roads holiday program provides complimentary hotel accommodations to the visiting families of locally stationed single service members who are unable to travel home for the holidays. PAGE A2 VOL. 31, NO. 39, Norfolk, VA | ﬂagshipnews.com

November 9-November 15, 2023

A look at NWS Yorktown’s 5-Star Scudder Hall galley By Max Lonzanida

Naval Weapons Station Yorktown

YORKTOWN, Va. — Naval Weapons Station Yorktown’s Scudder Hall galley was recently awarded another 5-Star accreditation during a brief ceremony earlier this week. Leadership from Navy Region Mid-Atlantic present, civilian staff members from Versability, dedicated Culinary Specialists and the installation’s Executive Officer, Commander Alfred Williams were present during the brief ceremony. A follow on visit to the galley during their lunch rush shed some insights into the operation of one of the region’s most awarded galleys. “One thing that we preach everyday is a good quality meal for our servicemembers because we are here for them,” said Chief Richard Anguico. He recently checked into this galley, and attended the installation-wide indoctrination just a few weeks prior. “We want to ensure that we touch their very soul when they are eating; and we want them to know they can relax when they come in,” he noted. “We often get an inﬂux of servicemembers that come through, and its challenging because we may have maybe 60 to 80 at once,” he said. Just like clockwork, at around 1100, a queue of hungry Marines cycled through the door and lined up. “We have trained Versability [civilian contractors] counterparts that help serve them in a timely manner and we set people in place so that we are setup for success,” said the Chief. Like a well oiled machine, diners cycling through were quickly served piping hot servings of a choice of spaghetti or baked chicken by one of the Culinary Specialists or contractors behind the hot serving line. On the other side of the hot serving line was CS2 Dion Hill who quickly replaced an empty tray of freshly cut watermelon chunks in the adjacent cold serving line. Just minutes before the lunchtime rush, he was busy cutting fresh watermelon and cantaloupe in the galley’s cold vegetable locker. Hill, like many of the dedicated Sailors and civilians on duty during this busy lunchtime watch, had been going since 0430 when the watch started. By 1120, the Marines and Sailors passed empty dishes and trays through a window to the galley’s scullery. Inside the space, two contractors were emptying food scraps into trash cans and rinsing dishes before loading them into an industrial dish washer. The team didn’t do much talking since the onslaught of dirty dishes could easily pile up. The lack of food waste was pointed out by the galley’s Food Service Officer, Chief Warrant Officer 3 David Burston. He pointed out that their menu review board places more ownership of the menu with the diners that they serve, and the lack of waste is an indicator of success. “Instead of doing

Yorktown, Va. (November 2, 2023) A civilian contractor from Versability Resources serves hungry diners at the Scudder Hall galley onboard Naval Weapons Station Yorktown. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MAX LONZANIDA/RELEASED)

catﬁsh and cod all the time, we do more grilled salmon because it’s a fan favorite. And of course, the chicken quesadillas, burger days and taco days are always popular,” he noted as he helped replenish the clean trays at one of the serving lines. “Our menu review board helps bring the morale up because our servicemembers put that together, not us,” he said. Around 1130, the all-important coffee dispenser needed to be replenished. CS2 Estle Hawkins, the on-duty Watch Captain, quickly pointed out that it goes empty around this time. “Around 1130, our workﬂow picks up, but our pace doesn’t slack,” said Hawkins, while replenishing fresh coffee grinds. Hawkins noted that he takes pride in his role in the busy galley, and was eager to share his enthusiasm for his watch collection in-between replenishing cups and

wiping the drink stations down while avoiding the onslaught on thirsty diners. In-fact, he showed this author one of his daily wears, a stainless steel matted Seiko dive watch. He was present earlier this week when the 5-Star Accreditation was presented. “The 5-star award adds that extra push to our production here, and its great,” he said, as he checked his watch one more with a beaming smile. As the lunch rush waned, a busy CWO3 Burston shared some insights to what it takes to earn a 5-Star accreditation. He noted that this was his ﬁrst assignment at a 5-Star galley. He noted that the rating cycle started in February this year, and evaluators look at how the staff keeps track of inventory, how food items are stored, sanitation, how individual dishes are prepared, and how closely his dedicated staff of Culinary Specialists

follow a recipe card. “The evaluators want us to look at the recipe card, even if it is one that we know by heart and make that conversion based on the how many people we are serving. They want us to follow the directions from the leading Culinary Specialist and what is on that NAVSUP 1090; We get scored on a lot of factors, even measuring the ingredients to ensure that we are not free styling,” he said. Burston noted some ﬁnal thoughts about this recent 5-Star accreditation. “It’s huge, because it highlights what we do here at Scudder Hall. Once we get that score above 95, we are not only a galley that is scraping by, but we are also going above and beyond to make sure we put our best foot forward. In turn the Sailors who are assigned here feel good because of the ownership that they take in their duties, and I’m proud of them.”

NAVSTA Norfolk’s Treasure Shop open to all Sailors By BM3 Jessica Nunes NORFOLK, Va. — Naval Station (NAVSTA) Norfolk’s Treasure Shop, a second hand uniform and household goods store, donated 12,000 dollars to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS), October 25th, 2023. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the base Treasure Shop being in operation. The Treasure Shop was founded in March 1973 by a group of women in conjunction with the NAVSTA Norfolk Commanding Officer and the Naval Hospital Commanding Officer. The original location was at the installation’s historic train station, now known as ‘The Cutlass’, but later moved to the unused Catholic chapel in 1999. The Treasure Shop is staffed entirely by volunteers. All the proceeds are donated annually to local charities supporting the active duty, retired, veteran communities, and their families. Donated and reclaimed Navy uniforms for Enlisted and Officers along with donated household items are sold. “I’ve been here for 22 years. It’s a very enjoyable experience seeing regulars and new faces who just found out about the

Treasure Shop,” said Kate Gray, the manager of the NAVSTA Norfolk Treasure Shop. “We would love for people to know that there is a source to buy low priced second hand uniforms items.” The Treasure Shop also encourages active duty Sailors or people who are interested in volunteering to help at the shop. Volunteers help by washing, stocking and pricing items as well as assisting with maintenance around the building. “Several of us are retired so it’s a great help when active Sailors volunteer and show us what current uniform items are being used,” said Gray. Through the sale of donated and reclaimed items this year the Treasure shop raised 12,000 dollars, which was presented to retired Fleet Master Chief, Richard O’Rawe, the director of the Norfolk NMCRS, as a donation to the NMCRS. The Treasure Shop’s hours are from 1000 to 1400, Mondays and Wednesdays and the ﬁrst and third Saturday of each month. For more information about the NAVSTA Norfolk Treasure Shop and volunteering opportunities please email, treasureshopnsn@gmail.com.

A group of Sailors shop at the Naval Station (NAVSTA) Norfolk Treasure Shop located in building U-53, Oct. 23, 2023. The Treasure Shop is a thrift store where Sailors can buy second hand uniform items. (U.S. NAVY PHOTOS BY BOATSWAIN’S MATE THIRD CLASS JESSICA NUNES)

USS Fitzgerald Sailor Honored at U.S. Navy Memorial

www.ﬂagshipnews.com

www.facebook.com/ The.Flagship

www.twitter.com/ the_ﬂagship

Yeoman 3rd Class Shingo Alexander Douglass was honored October 28, 2023, during a memorial service at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. Douglass was one of seven sailors who died in the June 17, 2017, collision of the USS Fitzgerald and the MV ACX Crystal. Attendees included YN3’s father, Master Sgt. (Ret) Stephen Douglass and grandfather Carl Douglass. PAGE A5

THE FLAGSHIP’S FREE HOME DELIVERY SOUTH HAMPTON ROADS: Get the convenience of your Navy newspaper delivered to your door for free!

CALL TODAY! 757.446.9000

The Flagship | www.ﬂagshipnews.com | Section 1 | Thursday, November 9, 2023

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society launches Operation Jingle program Courtesy Story NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society announces the start of Operation JINGLE (Join IN Giving a Little Extra) for 2023. This annual Hampton Roads holiday program provides complimentary hotel accommodations to the visiting families of locally stationed single service members who are unable to travel home for the holidays. All Hampton Roads area active duty single service members are invited to participate in Operation JINGLE, sponsored by the Hotel/Motel Associations and Visitors Bureaus from Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and the Williamsburg/Peninsula areas. Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is proud to partner with local hotels to offer this great opportunity to our active duty

military members. Operation JINGLE provides a threenight stay in hotels from December 23rd through the morning of the 26th. In 2022, a total of 51 rooms were donated to single service members across the Hampton Roads area, allowing them to spend the holidays together with their family. The only charge for the room is a non-refundable reservation fee of $10.00 per room, per night, to be paid when the lodging request is submitted. Reservation fees help ensure that all rooms are used and in turn, the entire reservation fee is donated to Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. The funds raised will be used to provide ﬁnancial, educational, and other assistance to Sailors, Marines, and their families. To qualify, single service members

must either live aboard a ship or reside in one of the local Unaccompanied Housing (UH-Barracks)/Unaccompanied Housing PPV (UH-PPV) units. Commands must verify that the rooms will be used for families traveling to and from the Hampton Roads area in order to spend the holidays with their service member. Room availability is extremely limited and will be reserved on a first come-first-served basis. Hotels require 24 hour cancellation in the event rooms cannot be used. To participate, commands must designate a representative to serve as the command’s single point of contact and who will coordinate the delivery of applications and confirmation information with the Norfolk Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. Deadline for submissions is 14 December

2023. For more information or to request registration forms contact: Ms. Dary Zardeskas Norfolk NMCRS Darylumie.Zardeskas@nmcrs.org 757-322-1188 Ms. Tammy Sanborn Norfolk NMCRS Tammy.Sanborn@nmcrs.org 757-322-1188 All incidental expenses incurred during the hotel stay, to include phone calls, laundry services, movies, room service and other meals are the responsibility of the service member reserving the room. Command representatives of underway commands/ units unable to meet the 14 December deadline should contact Ms. Zardeskas or Ms. Sanborn for more details.

Norfolk Naval Shipyard opens new IT Cafe for employees By Kristi R Britt

Norfolk Naval Shipyard

Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) held a ribbon cutting ceremony Oct. 13 for the new IT Café to support shipyard workers on the waterfront. This new café is part of an initiative of the NNSY Strategic Framework Infrastructure Pillar championed by Cybersecurity Department Head (Code 109) Bill Leidel and Facilities Support Department Head (Code 900F) Joe Singer in order to provide the needed tools to the workforce, including computers for those who do not have regular computer access to complete training as well as other work-related functions. Coordination between Code 109, the Facilities Support Engineering Branch (Code 900F.12), the Building Monitors Branch (Code 900F.13), and the Production Relocatable Facilities and Self-Help Department (Code 900F) led to an old office space renovation furnished into a café featuring multiple computers accessible to employees 24/7. “This is awesome!” said Shipyard Commander Capt. Jip Mosman during the ceremony. “We’ve taken this space, now it’s bright, it’s beautiful, it’s wonderful! This was championed by Bill Leidel and Joe Singer, I appreciate your leadership and your teams that made this happen. As we talk about focusing on the mechanic and supporting our people at the shipyard, this is part of that. Thank you very much!” “Mechanics are already using it to good effect and providing us feedback on ways we can improve the space with tools like printers which will be coming soon,” said C900F.5 Support and Administrative Manager Raphael Gagnon. “The feedback has been positive, especially with the convenience of having a location so close to the projects.” The team is already looking to the future for establishing additional IT cafés within the shipyard, including adding spaces to the Shop 99 break area, the Code 1102 Waterfront Office, and scouting locations that are viable for the north end workforce.

ABOVE: Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) held a ribbon cutting ceremony Oct. 13 for the new IT Café to support shipyard workers on the waterfront. This new café is part of an initiative to provide the needed tools to the workforce, including computers for those who do not have regular computer access to complete training as well as other work-related functions.

LEFT: Left to Right: Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) Commander, Capt. Jip Mosman, Facilities Support Department (Code 900F) Head Joseph Singer, Code 900F Project Work Leader Ollie Couther and Information Technology and Cybersecurity Department (Code 109) Head Bill Leidel cut the ribbon to the new IT Café Oct. 13. (PHOTOS BY TROY MILLER, NORFOLK NAVAL SHIPYARD)

Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (CNRMA): Rear Adm. Wesley McCall

Editorial Staff

Contributing Staff

Ninoshka Basantes, Kaitlyn Hewett, Elizabeth Reisen 757-322-2853 | news@ﬂagshipnews.com

Flagship, Inc.

MNV Military Manager | Ski Miller ski.miller@virginiamedia.com

Regional program manager for Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (NRMA): Public Affairs Director | Beth Baker The Flagship® is published by Flagship, Inc., a private firm in no way connected with the Department of Defense (DOD) or the United States Navy, under exclusive written contract with Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. This civilian enterprise newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services. Contents of the paper, including advertisements, are not necessarily the official views of, nor endorsed by, the U.S. Government, DOD, or the Department of the Navy (DON). The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the DOD; DON; Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic or Flagship, Inc. of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase,use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user, or patron. If a violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, the publisher shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. Editorial content is edited, prepared and provided by the Public Affairs Department of Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. Stories may be submitted via email to news@flagshipnews.com. The Flagship® is published every Thursday by Flagship, Inc., whose offices are located at P.O. Box 2820, Norfolk, Va. 23510. © 2021 Flagship, Inc. All rights reserved

Free Classiﬁed Advertising 757-622-1455 | Distribution & Home Delivery 757-446-9000 • distribution@pilotonline.com

www.ﬂagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, November 9, 2023

Preventing pollution from pet waste Courtesy Story This article serves as part three in a four article series on everyday habits that residents can adopt to prevent pollution from stormwater runoff and to protect our local waterways. The final part of this series will be presented in the next issue of The Flagship. Stormwater pollution results when precipitation such as rain or snowmelt runs over surfaces picking up pollutants like pesticides, fertilizers, construction site sediments, pet waste, litter, etc. These pollutants can significantly degrade water quality and threaten aquatic, wildlife and human health. In addition, stormwater pollution impacts our drinking water supplies and use of waterways for recreational activities such as swimming, fishing or boating. Runoff from our lawns, rooftops, and driveways enter into the storm drain system. This system discharges directly to nearby streams, lakes, and bays without receiving any treatment. Because of this, it is important for us to prevent all pollutants, including pet waste, from being washed into storm drains. Pet waste is not only unsightly and smelly, but it is also a health risk to pets, people and our local water bodies. The problem is that pet waste contains harmful bacteria such as E. coli and fecal coliform, which can make the water unfit for irrigation, drinking water supplies, and recreation such as swimming or fishing. In addition to potentially causing gastrointestinal illnesses in humans such as Giardia and Salmonella, the bacteria from pet waste are harmful to the thousands of species of plants and animals that live in our waterways. Pet waste also contains nutrients that can lead to excessive algae growth in water bodies, which in turn can lead to fish kills and disrupting the water’s natural ecology. Some important statistics related to these issues include: When pet waste decays in our waterways, it uses up dissolved oxygen and releases compounds that are harmful to fish and other aquatic life. On average nationally, there are 0.58 dogs per household. Each dog produces approximately 0.42 pounds of fecal waste per day, or about 150 pounds per year. Just think how much waste is produced by the pets in your neighborhood! A single gram of pet waste contains an average of 23 million fecal coliform bacteria that can cause disease in humans. A single day’s waste from one large dog can contain 7.8 billion fecal coliform bacteria — enough to close 15 acres of shellfish beds. EPA estimates that 2 to 3 days of pet waste from a population of 100 dogs would contribute enough bacteria and nutrients to temporarily close an entire bay for swimming and shell-fishing. Source: EPA 1993 Preventing pollution from pet waste can be accomplished by simply using a bag to pick up the pet waste and properly disposing of it in the trash. Other facts and tips to make prevention easier include: Always carry waste bags with you on your walks with your pets. Turn pet waste collection baggies inside out over your hand to use the bag as a glove when picking up the waste, and properly dispose of it in the trash. Or even better if possible dispose of the pet waste into the sanitary sewer system where it will be treated! Always clean up after your pet, even in your own yard. Your pet’s waste is NOT fertilizer. Bury pet waste in your yards at least 5-6” underground away from gardens or ditches, to allow it to properly decompose. Other sources of bacteria include the waste from wild animals and septic systems. Because of this, it is important to not feed wild animals, such as ducks or geese, to prevent them from congregating in one area and causing spikes in bacteria. Also, the proper maintenance and inspections of septic systems is important to prevent bacterial pollution from leaching into our nearby waterways. Thanks for reading this article and hopefully you can incorporate some of these pollution prevention techniques into your everyday habits to help protect our local waterways. Be sure to pick up the next issue of The Flagship and read the final article in this 4 part series which will discuss the harmful materials found around your home and how to properly dispose of them.

(COURTESY PHOTO)

GET YOUR PROJECT DONE NOW WITH OUR

BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR!

OVER 155,250+ BATH REMODELING JOBS COMPLETED IN 1 DAY

25% OFF

shower & bath projects

BATH REMODELING DONE RIGHT 1

Employee Installers Free Consultation

Evening Appointments One Day Installation

Hassle Free Experience

Flexible Payment Plans Subject to credit approval.

LOCK IN

LOW MONTHLY PAYMENTS 2

Offer valid until 11/22/23

4.8/5

4.9/5

4.7/5

Based on 20,847 reviews

Based on 12,746 reviews

Based on 7,136 reviews

(Company reviews across all branches as of 10/01/2023)

757-280-2257 1 25% off is equal to 25% off the total project price. 2Plan 1599. Subject to credit approval. Loan term is 180 months at fixed rate of 9.99% APR. For example, assuming the full credit limit is used on loan approval date, for every $1,000 financed at 9.99% APR, 180 monthly payments of $10.74. This example is an estimate only. Actual payment amounts based on amount and timing of purchases. Call 866-936-0602 for financing costs and terms. Financing for the GreenSky® consumer loan program is provided by Equal Opportunity Lenders. GreenSky® is a registered trademark of GreenSky, LLC, a subsidiary of Goldman Sachs Bank USA. NMLS #1416362. Loans originated by Goldman Sachs are issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Salt Lake City Branch. NMLS #208156. www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. Minimum purchase $9,999 required. See design consultant for details. Other restrictions may apply. New orders only. Offer not valid on previous sales or estimates and cannot be combined with other offers. Offer expires 11/22/23.

4 The Flagship | www.ﬂagshipnews.com | Section 1 | Thursday, November 9, 2023

Naval District Washington boosts law enforcement hiring with special salary rate By Chatney Auger

Naval District Washington

WASHINGTON — Naval District Washington’s (NDW) special salary rate request for security personnel was approved by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on September 24, 2023. Approval of the special salary rate marks a significant development that will enhance the recruitment and retention of highly skilled police officers and bring NDW’s salary rate to a more competitive level in line with other law enforcement agencies in the National Capital Region. By offering a highly competitive salary package, NDW strives to create a competitive advantage when it comes to attracting top-tier law enforcement talent and bolstering security forces amidst the challenges of hiring and retaining law enforcement professionals in the National Capital Region. “We’re thrilled to announce the approval of the special salary rate for our police officers,” said Rob Shaffer, NDW operations director. “The new rate will enable us to build and retain a team of dedicated professionals with the necessary skills and capabilities to safeguard our personnel and installations.” The special salary rate recognizes the need for competitive compensation to recruit law enforcement personnel with the qualifications, experience, and dedication to serve NDW installations effectively. It aims to align the compensation more closely with the demands and challenges that security personnel face on a daily basis. The corresponding pay chart for the newly approved salary rate can be found by visiting the OPM’s website under salary table “0787,” which applies to NDW’s police officers that are GS-4 through GS-11. NDW is responsible for providing security and safety to five installations in the NCR as well as protecting the men and women who serve in the Navy. The newly approved special salary rate will significantly enrich the capabilities and overall effectiveness of NDW law enforcement personnel, and allow NDW to maintain the highest standards of safety and

WASHINGTON (June 24, 2015)--Naval Support Activity (NSA) Annapolis Chief of Police David Ennis responds to a radio call while on duty at NSA Annapolis. Ennis is the winner of the J. Stannard Baker Award for Highway Safety, the award is designed to recognize law enforcement officers and others who have made signiﬁcant contributions to, or outstanding achievements in highway safety over the course of their career. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 1ST CLASS PEDRO A. RODRIGUEZ/RELEASED)

security. For more information regarding NDW’s hiring initiative and available law enforcement positions, please visit: https://ndw.

cnic.navy.mil/About/Jobs/Police-Hiring/. Naval District Washington is the regional provider of common operating support to naval installations within the National

Capital Regions. Its primary mission is to support the ﬂeet, ﬁghter and family by providing strategic shore infrastructure and quality of life services.

Adm. Lisa Franchetti sworn in as 33rd CNO By Navy.mil

WASHINGTON — Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro swore-in Admiral Lisa Franchetti as the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations at a small ceremony in the Pentagon, Nov. 2. “I am honored to have been confirmed as the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations, and am proud to serve alongside the Sailors and civilians that make up our Navy team,” Franchetti said. “I look forward to continuing to lead the world’s most powerful Navy.” Franchetti most recently served as Vice Chief of Naval Operations, a billet held from Sept. 2022 to Nov. 2023. She is a native of Rochester, New York and was commissioned in 1985. Her operational tours include commanding officer of USS Ross (DDG 71) and DESRON-21, and served as commander of Pacific Partnership 2010, embarked on USNS Mercy (T-AH 19). Her flag assignments include commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea; commander, Carrier Strike Group 9; commander, Carrier Strike Group 15; chief of staff, Strategy, Plans and Policy (J-5) Joint Staff; commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO; deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe; deputy commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa; Joint Force Maritime Component Commander; deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfighting Development, N7; and director for Strategy, Plans and Policy (J-5), Joint Staff.. “It was my honor today to swear in Adm. Lisa M. Franchetti as the 33rd Chief of Naval Operations,” Del Toro said. “I have the utmost confidence that [she] will faithfully fulfill the duties of this esteemed position. I look forward to working with her to lead our Force into the future as we continue to strengthen our maritime dominance, build a culture of warfighting excellence, and enhance strategic partnerships.”

WASHINGTON (Nov. 2, 2023) - Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro swears in Adm. Lisa Franchetti as the 33rd chief of naval operations in the Pentagon, Nov. 2. Franchetti becomes the ﬁrst woman service chief and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. (CHIEF MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST AMANDA R. GRAY/RELEASED)

www.ﬂagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, November 9, 2023

USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) Sailor honored at U.S. Navy Memorial U.S. Navy Courtesy Story WASHINGTON D.C. — Yeoman 3rd Class Shingo Alexander Douglass, of Oceanside, Calif., was honored October 28, 2023, during a memorial service at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. Douglass was one of seven sailors who died in the June 17, 2017, collision of the USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) and the MV ACX Crystal. In attendance at the memorial service were YN3’s father, Master Sgt. (Ret) Stephen Douglass, grandfather Carl Douglass, Rear Adm. Luke A. Frost, Director, Reserve Warfare, OPNAV N95, and over 50 veterans who served during World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Korean War. Attendees joined the Gold Star family on the Honor Flight event, visiting many of the Washington D.C. veteran’s memorials ending at the U.S. Navy Memorial. Gold Star Dad, Master Sgt. (Ret) Stephen Douglass, served four years in the U.S. Coast Guard and 26 in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving in Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Kuwait, and Iraq. “I am here with the Honor Flight Maine group, and it’s just been a wonderful time traveling to Washington D.C., to see all of the memorials, remembering how great this country is,” said Stephen .”Attending the honor ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial here for my son, Shingo Alexander Douglass, left me speechless.” Grandfather Carl, a Purple Heart recipient, was in the U.S. Army for 28 years, fought in the Vietnam War, and served in Korea. “This honor ﬂight brought back many memories of the Vietnam War and the Korean War,” said Carl. “The memorial service at the Navy memorial for my grandson, Shingo Alexander Douglass, was a big surprise. We appreciate everything the Navy has done for us and my son and grandson.”

The Honor Flight Network, a national nonprofit organization, collaborates through independent hubs to fulfill its mission of showing appreciation and honor to veterans. “It is an honor to host this event in the auditorium of the U.S. Navy Memorial,” said Katherine McCarthy, Donor Relations Manager with the U.S. Navy Memorial. “Here is where row F, seat 09 in the auditorium is inscribed, ‘In Memory of YN3 Shingo Alexander Douglass, lost at sea,” Veterans participate in Honor Flight trips, providing them the opportunity to share experiences, remember fallen comrades, and connect with others who served during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and those who are critically ill from any service era. “We are so honored to have them on this trip,” said David Patch, Cmdr. (ret) Honor Flight Maine, Board of Directors, and Vice Chair. “Of course, all our veterans on these trips are heroes, and we don’t differentiate between those who served one enlistment, a career, or served in combat or not.” “I had the good fortune of being involved in the honor flight since 2007, working with the staff on Capitol Hill and going down to the World War II Memorial pretty early in the Honor Flight Program when Senator Bob Dole used to go,” said Rear Adm. Luke A. Frost Director, Reserve Warfare, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations OPNAV N95. “Every story is different, and I love connecting with Veterans, hearing their service stories, and personally thanking them for their service in a real and tangible way.” For further information about the U.S. Navy Memorial and the Honor Flight program, please visit www.usnavymemorial.org and www.honorflight.org, respectively. These initiatives embody the spirit of honor and remembrance, paying tribute to the sacrifices made by our service members and their families. ABOVE: WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 28, 2023) Gold Star father, Master Sgt. (Ret.) Stephen Douglass, left, Grandfather 1Sgt (Ret.) Carl Douglass, center, and Rear Adm. Luke Frost, director, Reserve Warfare, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, pose for a photo during a memorial service at the U.S. Navy Memorial hosted by Honor Flight Maine, Oct. 28, 2023. Douglass was assigned to the Arleigh-Burke Class destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) and was one of six who perished when the Fitzgerald collided with a cargo ship off the coast of Japan in 2017. Honor Flight Maine is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America’s Veterans for all their service and sacrifices. LEFT: Gold Star Family for Yeoman 3rd Class Shingo Douglass, and Veterans who served during World War II, the Vietnam War, the Korean War, pose for a photo during memorial service. (U.S. NAVY PHOTOS BY CHIEF MASS COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST ORLANDO QUINTERO)

FROM SERVICEMEMBER TO CYBERSECURITY EXPERT LAGARIAN S., CLASS OF ‘14 & ‘19

National University’s ﬂexible online options and convenient course formats enable you to ﬁt education around your military service. • 190+ career-focused programs • Dedicated military support team • 4- and 8-week courses available

NU.edu/military

6 The Flagship | www.ﬂagshipnews.com | Section 1 | Thursday, November 9, 2023

IKE Carrier Strike Group arrives in Middle East region By U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs MANAMA, Bahrain — The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKECSG) arrived in the Middle East as part of the increase in regional posture, Nov. 4. The strike group is commanded by Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2 and comprised of flagship aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), guided-missile destroyers USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Gravely (DDG 107) of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 with its nine squadrons, and the Information Warfare Commander. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Philippine Sea, and Mason entered the Red Sea after transiting from the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal, Nov. 4. CSGs bring to the region additional aviation and naval assets, providing greater flexibility and maritime capability to U.S. 5th Fleet. “The arrival of IKECSG to Middle East region displays our speed and agility to flex as our nation’s leaders determined a balance of maritime capability in support of national security priorities,” said Rear Adm. Marc Miguez, commander, CSG-2, IKECSG. “The strike group brings an unparalleled combat superiority to CENTCOM and we will be leveraging our presence in the theater to enhance regional security and operate alongside our allies and partners.” Squadrons of CVW-3 include the “Gunslingers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105, the “Fighting Swordsmen” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 32, the “Rampagers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 83, the “Wildcats” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 131, the “Screwtops” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123, the “Zappers” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130, the “Dusty Dogs” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7, the “Swamp Foxes” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 and the “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40. IKECSG units departed their homeports of Norfolk,

MANAMA, Bahrain -- The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKECSG) arrived in the Middle East as part of the increase in regional posture, Nov. 4. (COURTESY PHOTO)

Virginia, and Mayport, Florida, on Oct. 13 & 14 for a scheduled deployment. The U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses approximately 2.5 million square miles of water space and includes

the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean and three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, Suez Canal and Strait of Bab al-Mandeb.

www.ﬂagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, November 9, 2023 7

NRL ISS Mission seeks new bioinspired materials By Daniel Parry

U.S. Naval Research Laboratory

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory’s Melanized Microbes for Multiple Uses in Space Project, or MELSP, will use the International Space Station (ISS) to search for production of melanin variants and other useful biomaterials that can have applications both on Earth and in space. The mission is scheduled to launch in early November 2023. Melanin is described as a group of biopolymers responsible for various biological functions, including pigmentation of skin, hair, and iris of the eyes, which helps protect body cells from solar radiation damage. “The structure and properties of melanin are highly dependent on synthesis and polymerization conditions, therefore the production of melanin in microgravity may lead to new melanin variants with novel physico-chemical properties,” said Tiffany Hennessa, Ph.D., research biologist at NRL’s Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering (CBMSE) and co-principal investigator of MELSP. “We will investigate how microgravity and cosmic radiation inﬂuences microbial melanin production and study the role that melanin plays in adaptation to the ISS environment.” “Despite the significant research that has previously been conducted to understand the structure and properties of melanin, there remains considerable gaps in our knowledge that have hindered our ability to harness melanin for its full potential,” said Zheng Wang, Ph.D., principal investigator of MELSP and research biologist at CBMSE. “Assembly and polymerization of melanin in microgravity may lead to ‘more perfect’ structures with decreased heterogeneity.” NRL scientists will analyze ISS-grown bacterial and fungal strains that lack the

protective capacity of melanin to search for novel mechanisms of protection. The project will culture three microbial species on-board the ISS: bacterium Escherichia coli, along with its engineered strain synthesizing eumelanin, two melanized fungal strains: Aspergillus niger and Exophiala lecanii-corni, and their melanin-deficient mutants. Additionally, two defective DNA repair mutants of A. niger will be cultured to study the effects of space radiation on fungal DNA and melanin biosynthesis. The MELSP project may lead to economic gain across multiple markets by providing invaluable insight into the discovery and development of novel biomaterials. It is anticipated that MELSP will generate information invaluable to the growth of this field, including key insights into melanin biosynthesis and its resulting structure-driven activity that can be harnessed for various applications on Earth. These efforts will provide the first steps necessary to establish biomaterial production hosts for use during long-term space missions. The MELSP project will contribute to the growing body of data surrounding the influence of spaceflight on biological systems and incorporate novel perspectives on the involvement of melanin in such processes. About the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory: NRL is a scientific and engineering command dedicated to research that drives innovative advances for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps from the seafloor to space and in the information domain. NRL is located in Washington, D.C. with major field sites in Stennis Space Center, Mississippi; Key West, Florida; Monterey, California, and employs approximately 3,000 civilian scientists, engineers and support personnel.

TOP RIGHT: (Left) Wild-type Escherichia coli a non-melanin producing strain and (right) bioengineered E. coli mutant with the Tyr1 gene to produce melanin in liquid media. A melanin bioﬁlm is observable in the mutant strain that is part of a U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) project called Microbes for Multiple Uses in Space Project (MELSP) in Washington, D.C., October 10, 2023. NRL’s MELSP will use the International Space Station (ISS) to search for production of melanin variants and other useful biomaterials that have applications both on Earth and in space. MIDDLE RIGHT: Exophiala lecanii-corni is a naturally occurring melanized yeast (fungi) which is part of a U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) research project called Microbes for Multiple Uses in Space Project (MELSP) in Washington, D.C., October 10, 2023. BOTTOM RIGHT: (From left) Zheng Wang, Amanda Scholes and Tiffany Hennessa, research biologists from the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), stand together in the Microbes for Multiple Uses in Space Project (MELSP) laboratory in Washington, D.C., October 10, 2023. (U.S. NAVY PHOTOS BY JONATHAN STEFFEN)

THANK YOU TO OUR VETERANS “By far, one of my biggest successes . . . was deﬁnitely serving in the Marine Corps. It was a challenge . . . and it’s been one of my biggest prides and accomplishments thus far.” Pedram A. U.S. Marine Corps Veteran BS, Computer Networks and Cybersecurity

This Veterans Day, University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) salutes our military veterans, like Pedram, for their unwavering commitment, selﬂessness and service. We wish to extend our gratitude to all who have served

in the U.S armed forces. We thank you for your dedication, and we are honored to serve you as you strive to achieve your higher education goals.

8 The Flagship | www.ﬂagshipnews.com | Section 1 | Thursday, November 9, 2023

BEYOND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE We believe there’s no better way to show our appreciation than to make a difference in the many issues facing the veteran community. And there’s no challenge more urgent than the epidemic of veteran suicide. USAA founded Face the Fight™ to end veteran suicide. Learn how you can join the ﬁght, ﬁnd help and support your fellow veterans.

usaa.com/VeteransDay

Face the Fight™ is a coalition to prevent veteran suicide by breaking the stigma of seeking help, increasing awareness and supporting our partner organizations.

USAA means United Services Automobile Association and its affiliates. No Department of Defense or government agency endorsement. The trademarks, logos and names of other companies, products and services are the property of their respective owners. © 2023 USAA. 5904653-0923

www.ﬂagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, November 9, 2023

uarterdeck

Jack Lowe designated as honorary Marine Since childhood, Jack envisioned a future serving in the military – just like his great grandfather, grandfather and both parents. However, as a junior in high school, a devastating bone cancer diagnosis would prevent him from that dream. Page B2

GROTON, Connecticut (November 3, 2023) – The official party salutes during a change-of-command ceremony for the USS Newport News (SSN 750) in Groton, Connecticut, November 3, 2023. Newport News and crew operate under Submarine Squadron (SUBRON) 12, whose primary mission is to provide fast-attack submarines that are ready, willing, and able to meet the unique challenges of undersea combat and deployed operations in unforgiving environments across the globe. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY CHIEF PETTY OFFICER JOSHUA KARSTEN)

USS Newport News (SSN 750) holds change of command ceremony By Chief Petty Officer Joshua Karsten Submarine Readiness Squadron (SRS) 32

GROTON, Connecticut — Cmdr. Joseph Fontenot turned command of the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Newport News (SSN 750) over to Cmdr. Eric McCay in a traditional change-of-command ceremony held Friday, November 3, pierside at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut. Capt. Thomas O’Donnell, commander of Newport News’ parent squadron Submarine Squadron (SUBRON) 12, presided over the ceremony and praised Fontenot and crew for their “commitment to excellence and utmost professionalism through two recent deployments. They set the standard for forward deployed high end operations for other submarine crews to live up to.” “Cmdr. Fontenot and his crew exempliﬁed tenacity and resilience as they routinely navigated one of our Navy’s oldest submarines into harm’s way during his tour,” O’Donnell said. “His decades of experience in deployed submarine operations have beneﬁted both Newport News and my squadron, and I trust he will continue to positively impact the Submarine Force and the Navy as he contin-

ues his naval career - and I know his legacy will continue on Newport News.” Fontenot, an Apache Junction, Arizona native and 2001 graduate of the University of Arizona, enlisted in the Navy in 1997 as a Nuclear Machinist’s Mate. He took command of Newport News in August 2021 and his previous submarine tours include USS Augusta (SSN 710), USS Hawaii (SSN 776), and an Executive Officer tour on board USS La Jolla (SSN 701). “We spent a lot of time at sea on Newport News,” Fontenot said during his remarks. “In fact, during my tour we spent more than 400 days at sea preparing for and executing deployed tasking in defense of our Nation.” During his tour as commanding officer, Fontenot led the crew during two deployments to the 6th Fleet area of operations. Additionally, 108 sailors earned their submarine qualiﬁcation, also known as “dolphins,” and the crew was selected for the 2021 SUBRON 12 Weapons (W), Battle Efficiency (E), and both 202½2 Retention Excellence Awards for the Submarine Force. Fontenot praised the crew and congratulated his relief saying, “you’re getting a great ship, and an even better crew. It’s been awesome getting to know you over this past

month and I am certain that you’re the right person to lead Newport News to new heights during your time in Command.” Following his Newport News command tour, Fontenot will continue to serve on the staff of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (J35) Office in Washington D.C. He and his wife Nicolette have four children, Quentin, Lilian, Ansley, and Paisley. McCay, a Jonesboro, Arkansas native, praised his predecessor “for turning over an excellent submarine with an outstanding crew.” “You welcomed me onboard and it was clear to see that this is a high performing boat, and that is a testament to your hard work and dedication,” McCay said. “I look forward to seeing all the great things you accomplish as we move forward and continue to take care of the country’s business.” McCay’s previous submarine tours include USS Kentucky (SSBN 737), USS Olympia (SSN 717), and an executive officer onboard USS Chicago (SSN 721). He and his wife Kimberly have three daughters, Aleah, Olivia, and Natalie. USS Newport News is the third U.S. Navy ship named for Newport News, Virginia;

following USS Newport News (CA-148), a Des Moines-class heavy cruiser in service from 1948 to 1978 and USS Newport News (AK-3), a former German cargo ship named Odenwald, acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War I. The submarine Newport News has a crew of more than 135 personnel, is more than 361 feet long and can displace nearly 6,000 tons. The Los Angeles-class, sometimes called the LA-class or the 688-class, is a class of nuclear-powered fast attack submarines that forms the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s submarine force. Sixty-two submarines of this class have been completed, 41 are still in active service. Fast-attack submarines are multi-mission platforms enabling ﬁve of the six Navy maritime strategy core capabilities — sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security and deterrence. They are designed to excel in anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, strike warfare, special operations, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, irregular warfare and mine warfare. Fast-attack submarines project power ashore with special operations forces and Tomahawk cruise missiles in the prevention or response to regional crises.

SECNAV Del Toro visits front lines of Navy and Marine Corps’ cyber battlespace By Office of the Secretary of the Navy Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro toured Fleet Cyber Command (FCC) and Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command (MARFORCYBER) at Fort Meade, Md., Nov. 1, 2023, to receive an overview of ongoing efforts to build a culture of warfighting excellence through research, development, science, and technology. Personnel at FCC, which is also Navy Space Command, and U.S. 10th Fleet (C10F), and MARFORCYBER are responsible for the Navy and Marine Corps’ Cyber and Space Warfare and defend the Navy and Marine Corps’ networks, provide battlespace awareness to the fleet, and provide cyber and space-effects. They are part of the core of warfighter development leveraging innovation, new technologies, and competencies needed to ensure our competitive edge over our adversaries. “Modern warfare relies on Cyber and Space operations. Nowhere is innovation more needed than in the cybersphere and in our pursuit of information superiority. We must leverage new technologies to continue to evolve our networks and improve our warfighting and cyber domains. From our Command and Control Systems to defending ourselves from malicious cyber actors, the work our Cyber and Space Sailors, Marines and civilians carry out globally is vital to our operations,” said Secretary Del Toro.

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (Nov. 1, 2023) Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Carlos Del Toro takes a tour of command spaces at U.S. Fleet Cyber Command (FCC) at Fort George G. Meade on Nov. 1, 2023. SECNAV toured FCC and Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command (MARFORCYBER) to receive an overview of ongoing efforts to build a culture of warﬁghting excellence through research, development, science, and technology. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY CHIEF MASS COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST JON DASBACH)

During the visit, Secretary Del Toro met with Vice Adm. Craig Clapperton, Commander, Fleet Cyber Command, toured the defensive cyber operations spaces and command watchﬂoor, and discussed cyber and space capabilities. Additionally, Secretary Del Toro met with Gen. Paul M. Naka-

sone, Commander, U.S. Cyber Command, to discuss the Navy’s role in cyber operations. “Cyber and Space operations are integral to our warfighting efforts,” said Clapperton. “We will synchronize and integrate cyber capabilities to deter conflict where we can and to prevail in a conflict if we must.”

In the afternoon, Del Toro visited Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command, which, like Fleet Cyber Command, serves as a multi-function headquarters for Marine Corps Forces Space Command and Marine Corps Information Command, where he similarly spoke with leaders and Marines about their role in Cyber and Space warfare. “With the recent establishment of the Marine Corps Information Command, everything we do is through the lens of converging capabilities,” said Maj Gen Ryan Heritage, Commander, MARFORCYBER. “With a team of exceptional Marines and Civilians, we are converging cyber, space and information capabilities in order to provide comprehensive and effective support to warﬁghters around the globe.” FCC/C10F/Navy Space Command is responsible for Navy information network operations, offensive and defensive cyberspace operations, space operations, and signals intelligence. Comprised of more than 14,000 Sailors, Reservists and civilians stationed globally, C10F is the operational arm of the command and executes its mission through a task force structure similar to other warfare commanders. MARFORCYBER provides operational support to the Fleet Marine Force. It is a distributed force, integrated throughout the U.S. Cyber Command enterprise to increase warﬁghter lethality and provide domain-specific access to warfighting capabilities.

The Flagship | www.ﬂagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, November 9, 2023

NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA, Fla. – Captain Jeffrey A. Brown (center right), Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training commanding officer, stands with CNATT’s Chiefs Mess after a change of command ceremony Thursday. BELOW: Captain Jeffrey Brown, center, Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training commanding officer, salutes Naval Education and Training Command’s Chief of Staff Capt. Clifford Collins, left, after making his remarks during a change of command ceremony Thursday. Brown relived Capt. Vencent W. Logan, (right) of command, becoming the center’s 13th commanding officer. BELOW: Captain Jeffrey Brown, center, Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training commanding officer, salutes Naval Education and Training Command’s Chief of Staff Capt. Clifford Collins, left, after making his remarks during a change of command ceremony Thursday. (U.S. NAVY PHOTOS BY JERRON K. BARNETT)

CNATT welcomes new leadership during change of command ceremony By Jerron Barnett

Center For Naval Aviation Technical Training

NAVAL AIR STATION PENSACOLA, Fla. — Captain Jeffrey A. Brown relieved Capt. Vencent W. Logan of command of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training during a ceremony in the National Naval Aviation Museum Thursday. Dozens of CNATT staff, family, friends, local military leaders and even retired Naval Air Maintenance Training Group/CNATT commanding officers attended the ceremony against the backdrop of aircraft static displays and patriotic music played by the U.S. Navy Region Southeast Band. Logan had served as the center’s 12th commanding officer from May 2021 to November 2023. Brown had served as the center’s executive officer over the last two years. Naval Education and Training Command’s Chief of Staff Capt. Clifford Collins served as the presiding officer. We would like to send a genuine thank you to Logan and his family, while welcoming in new CNATT Executive Officer Capt. Michael Polito and his family! CNATT advises on development and manages the delivery, sustainment and continual improvement of technical training for Sailors and Marines operating, maintaining and repairing aircraft weapons systems and associated equipment in support of Chief Of Naval Operations approved requirements across 23 sites.

Jack Lowe designated as honorary Marine By Chief Warrant Officer Bobby Yarbrough

Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Since childhood, Jack Lowe always envisioned a future serving in the military. Jack’s great grandfather was a pilot in the Marine Corps. His grandfather served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. Both of his parents served in the Marine Corps. So naturally, Jack planned to join the United States Marine Corps upon graduating high school in line with his family’s proud tradition of military service. However, in March 2022, as a junior in high school Jack received devastating news—he was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. In the weeks following his diagnosis, Jack received 36 proton radiation treatments while concurrently completing six months of in-patient chemotherapy. Within six months of his diagnosis, Jack was deemed cancer free and marked the milestone by “ringing the bell” as he left the hospital. In August 2023, Jack went in for surgery to have a rod and pins put into his left femur to help support the bone while it continued to heal from the treatments. During the procedure, he told his doctor he had been experiencing intense pain in his back and legs all summer. During the procedure, scans and tests were performed. Doctors discovered the cancer had returned and spread to his upper body. They immediately started Jack on six weeks of experimental chemotherapy; however, the cancer aggressively grew and spread to other places in his body. Further testing revealed the cancer to be chemotherapy resistant and his oncology team has declared him terminal with only a short window of life. Jack asked his family to stop treatment because he was tired of being “poked and prodded.” Following his terminal diagnosis, many of Jack’s friends and family began reaching out to see if they could make his dream of becoming a U.S. Marine a reality. The Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Eric Smith received the request and approved Jack for the title of Honorary Marine. On November 1, Jack was designated an Honorary Marine at his home in Flowery Branch, Georgia, by Brig. Gen. Walker Field, the commanding general of Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and the Eastern Recruiting Region. With Marines and family in attendance,

On behalf of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Walker M. Field, the commanding general of Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island and Eastern Recruiting Region, presents the“Honorary Marine”title to Jack Lowe, a Flowery Branch native, during a ceremony at the Lowe family residence on November 1, 2023. Lowe was honored for his unwavering dedication and his remarkable resilience in the face of adversity through his ongoing ﬁght with Ewing Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. Lowe has a long familial history of military service and always dreamed of serving his country. The Honorary Marine program officially began in 1992 under 30th Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Carl E. Mundy. The bestowment of the title“Honorary Marine”is“designed to reinforce the special bond between the American people and the Marine Corps by recognizing individuals in the civilian community who have made extraordinary contributions to the Marine Corps”.

Field removed his personal Eagle, Globe, and Anchor from his uniform and handed it to Jack’s father Daniel, a retired Marine. Visually emotional, Daniel awarded the EGA to his son. During the ceremony, Field praised Jack for his resiliency. “Our greatest weapon is the ﬁghting spirit found in each and every Marine,” said Field. “Throughout this very challenging time, Jack has displayed a tenacious ﬁght underpinned by steady resolve and a wry, witty sense of humor. Henceforth, we as Marines embrace him as one of our own.”

Jack Lowe holds his Eagle Globe and Anchor out after becoming an “Honorary Marine,” during a ceremony at the Lowe family residence on November 1, 2023. extraordinary contributions to the Marine Corps. (U.S. MARINE CORPS PHOTOS BY STAFF SGT. WARREN SMITH)

www.ﬂagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, November 9, 2023

GREAT LAKES, Il. (Nov. 1, 2023) Naval Station Great Lakes (NSGL) Security Forces participated in a Regional Assessment (RASS), with a team from Commander Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (CNRMA) reviewing all aspects of the installation’s security force and emergency response operations. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY GAS TURBINE SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN-MECHANICAL 2ND CLASS MADISON WILLIAMS)

Great Lakes passes security assessment By Petty Officer 2nd Class Madison Williams

GREAT LAKES, Il. (Nov. 1, 2023) A Sailor in the Naval Station Great Lakes (NSGL) Navy Security Forces participated in a drill as part of the Regional Assessment (RASS). The RASS took place from Oct. 30-Nov. 3, with a team from Commander Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (CNRMA) reviewing all aspects of the installation’s security force and emergency response operations (U.S.

Naval Station Great Lakes Public Affairs

GREAT LAKES, Ill. — Naval Station Great Lakes (NSGL) Security Forces participated in a Regional Assessment (RASS), Oct. 30-Nov. 3, with a team from Commander Navy Region Mid-Atlantic (CNRMA) reviewing all aspects of the installation’s security force and emergency response operations. RASS is part of Commander Navy Installation Command’s (CNIC) Navy security force shore assessment and certification cycle. During the weeklong assessment, the CNRMA team took a look at all aspects of security training and reviewed any corrections recommended by CNIC during the Command Assessment of Readiness and Training (CART) inspection. The NSGL installation training team (ITT), led by Installation Training Officer Terry Lanners, conducted an active shooter drill that evaluated response, containment and recovery operations with a unified incident command post that included security, fire, and medical personnel. The weeklong assessment was a demanding time for members of NSGL’s security department, training teams, emergency management and other emergency first responders. “Exercises like this one give us the opportunity to review our plans and response procedures and assess them,” said Lanners. “It went very well. We validated our plans and procedures while ensuring our responses are effective.”

NAVY PHOTO BY GAS TURBINE SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN (MECHANICAL) 2ND CLASS MADISON WILLIAMS)

DOD releases AI adoption strategy By Joseph Clark DoD News

On Nov. 2, 2023 the Defense Department released its strategy to accelerate the adoption of advanced artificial intelligence capabilities to ensure U.S. warfighters maintain decision superiority on the battlefield for years to come. The Pentagon’s 2023 Data, Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Adoption Strategy builds upon years of DOD leadership in the development of AI and further solidifies the United States’ competitive advantage in fielding the emerging technology, defense officials said. “As we focused on integrating AI into our operations responsibly and at speed, our main reason for doing so has been straight forward: because it improves our decision advantage,” Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks said while unveiling the strategy at the Pentagon. “From the standpoint of deterring and defending against aggression, AI-enabled systems can help accelerate the speed of commanders’ decisions and improve the quality and accuracy of those decisions, which can be decisive in deterring a fight and winning in a fight,” she said. The latest blueprint, which was developed by the Chief Digital and AI Office, builds upon and supersedes the 2018 DOD AI Strategy and revised DOD Data Strategy, published in 2020, which have laid the groundwork for the department’s approach to fielding AI-enabled capabilities. The new document aims to provide a foundation from which the DOD can continue to leverage emerging AI capabilities well into the future. “Technologies evolve. Things are going to change next week, next year, next decade. And what wins today might not win tomorrow,” said DOD Chief Digital and AI Officer Craig Martell. “Rather than identify a handful of AI-enabled warfighting capabilities that will beat our adversaries, our strategy outlines the approach to strengthening the organizational environment within which our people can continuously deploy data analytics and AI capabilities for enduring decision advantage,” he said. The strategy prescribes an agile approach to AI development and application, emphasizing speed of delivery and adoption at scale leading to five specific decision advantage

Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen H. Hicks conducts a press brieﬁng at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Nov. 2, 2023. (DOD PHOTO BY U.S. AIR FORCE SENIOR AIRMAN CESAR J. NAVARRO)

outcomes: Superior battlespace awareness and understanding Adaptive force planning and application Fast, precise and resilient kill chains Resilient sustainment support Efficient enterprise business operations The blueprint also trains the department’s focus on several data, analytics and AI-related goals: Invest in interoperable, federated infrastructure Advance the data, analytics and AI ecosystem Expand digital talent management Improve foundational data management Deliver capabilities for the enterprise business and joint warﬁghting impact Strengthen governance and remove policy barriers

Taken together, those goals will support the “DOD AI Hierarchy of Needs” which the strategy deﬁnes as: quality data, governance, insightful analytics and metrics, assurance and responsible AI. In unveiling the strategy, Hicks emphasized the Pentagon’s commitment to safety and responsibility while forging the AI frontier. “We’ve worked tirelessly for over a decade to be a global leader in the in the fast and responsible development and use of AI technologies in the military sphere, creating policies appropriate for their speciﬁc use,” Hicks said. “Safety is critical because unsafe systems are ineffective systems.” In January, the Defense Department updated its 2012 directive that governs the responsible development of autonomous weapon systems to the standards aligned

with the advances in artificial intelligence. The U.S. has also introduced a political declaration on the responsible military use of artificial intelligence, which further seeks to codify norms for the responsible use of the technology. Hicks said the U.S. will continue to lead in the responsible and ethical use of AI, while remaining mindful of the potential dangers associated with the technology. “By putting our values first and playing to our strengths, the greatest of which is our people, we’ve taken a responsible approach to AI that will ensure America continues to come out ahead,” she said. “Meanwhile, as commercial tech companies and others continue to push forward the frontiers of AI, we’re making sure we stay at the cutting edge with foresight, responsibility and a deep understanding of the broader implications for our nation.”

4 The Flagship | www.ﬂagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, November 9, 2023

LEON and the Corps’ robotic revolution in the global littorals By Johannes Schmidt

Marine Corps Systems Command

As the Marine Corp’ prepares to take the fight to the global littorals, Marine Corps Systems Command’s Program Manager for Explosive Hazard Defeat’s Littoral Explosive Ordnance Neutralization—LEON—integrated product team is working on fielding a family of systems to strengthen Marine Corps mine warfare capabilities. Designed to address the concerns outlined in the Littoral Operations in a Contested Environment guidance, these systems fortify Marines’ mine warfare capabilities as the Corps continues with the strategic modernization outlined in former Commandant Berger’s seminal Force Design 2030 guidance. The LEON family of systems encompasses various capabilities, among which the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Remotely Operated Vehicle—or ROV—stands out as an integral component. This innovative amphibious, unmanned robot system is specifically designed to detect, locate, reacquire, mark to avoid, render safe/neutralize, recover, exploit, and dispose of underwater explosive threats in the very shallow water, surf zone, beach zone and littoral transition points. This bleeding-edge robotic technology—along with its integrated family of capabilities—strives to secure safe maneuverability for Marines within the littoral regions, extending support to the explosive ordnance disposal community and enhancing the overall service proficiency. According to Product Manager for Explosive Hazard Defeat Rick Daley, LEON is a tool which will allow the support of ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship lane clearing operations more safely and effectively. “If we aim to conduct operations as part of a MAGTF or drug task force, it necessitates a World War II style island-hopping campaign, requiring safe access to the islands. Our adversaries will be trying to stop us, though. With the advent of the LEON initiative, the strategy shifts to ‘tech to avoid’—identifying safe lanes through minefields and enabling forces to securely land on the beaches,” he said. This innovative new system ultimately aligns with Force Design 2030’s modernization guidance, which calls on the Corps to, “acknowledge the impacts of proliferated precision long-range fires, mines, and other smart weapons, and seek innovative ways to overcome these threat capabilities.” The LEON team has certainly taken the call to innovate seriously. A notable facet of the team’s strength is its proactive stance towards embracing emergent technologies, thereby fostering state-of-the-art solutions tailored for the complexities of 21st-century naval warfare. This forward-thinking approach not only underscores their commitment to enhancing maritime operational efficacy but also positions them at the vanguard of navigating the multifaceted challenges inherent in contemporary littoral combat scenarios. According to Daley, “It’s imperative to note that unlike many unmanned capabilities, such as drones, our systems operate fully submerged. Until the acoustic communications are fully online, direct communication isn’t necessarily possible. Therefore, there’s a need for either pre-programming or having advanced software programming to enable

Q: What types of family housing are available? A: There are three types of housing available to families:

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Taylor Jenkins, a combat engineer with the Littoral Engineer Reconnaissance Team, 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3d Marine Logistics Group, utilizes the Android Tactical Assault System to input reconnaissance ﬁndings into an after action report during a littoral mobility and detection exercise on Camp Pendleton, California, Nov. 18, 2021. The ATAK is a tool that allows Marines to rapidly report critical geospatial information to support intelligence requirements for a given objective. During this exercise, 7th and 9th ESB are reﬁning their skills with emerging Marine Corps technologies in order to facilitate follow-on forces’ littoral mobility from shallow water to the objective. (U.S. MARINE CORPS PHOTO BY SGT. HAILEY D. CLAY)

complete autonomous operation. This allows the system to execute the required tasks and then return to a recoverable location, which is crucial. Without such measures, we’re merely deploying assets with the hope that they fulfill the intended objectives.” One of the ways that the LEON team has been able to gain so much success here is through the fostering of untraditional partnerships across the Corps’ — with a special focus on direct feedback from the fleet. According to Ronald Diefenbach, LEON project officer, this has made all of the difference. He noted, “Our collaboration with [Naval Information Warfare Center] Pacific has been pivotal in refining our platforms. Furthermore, we had the advantage of having a Marine from I Marine Expeditionary Force, I MEF, embedded with NIWC Pacific from the program’s outset, providing real-time feedback during the development process. This setup significantly bridged any communication gap, ensuring our technological advancements are aligned with practical operational needs from the very beginning of the development stage.” Similarly, Diefenbach noted how always picking the right contract vehicle for specific parts of the project helps save time—and ultimately—taxpayer dollars. And with the LEON team moving so quickly, the future of the program certainly looks bright. This was exemplified in a 2021 exercise when Marines from I and III MEF conducted a littoral mobility exercise, showcasing how this bleeding-edge tech can be utilized in joint-force operations with the Navy. The collaboration between the 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3d Marine Logistics Group, 7th ESB, 1st MLG and U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 1 ultimately demonstrated the seamless integration of diverse capabilities to establish secure beachheads for amphibious opera-

tions. The exercise highlighted the pivotal role of integrated capabilities in supporting naval maneuver, aligning with the tenets of Force Design 2030 to enhance real-time situational awareness and expedite decision-making in amphibious environments. At the time, 1st Lt. Brandon Cavil, who then served as Littoral Engineer Reconnaissance Team officer in charge, noted the “exercise was all about honing the Marine Corps’ interoperability with the Navy, specifically addressing where we can provide redundant and complementary capabilities.” Ultimately, the success of the LEON team is a testament to the foresight of the 2017 Littoral Operations in a Contested Environment document and underscores the growing importance of naval mine warfare as the Corps continues its strategic shift towards the Indo-Pacific. This important advance in maritime technology has not gone unnoticed. In recognition for their efforts, the LEON Integrated Product Team received the Department of the Navy’s 2023 Ron Kiss Maritime Technology Transition Award, which honors outstanding achievement in the defense acquisition community for successfully transitioning a technology into a program of record or operational use. By transcending traditional paradigms and fostering a culture of innovation and adaptability, Product Manager Explosive Hazard Defeat is not only responding to the shifting needs of the modern battlefield—it’s actively influencing the future of naval warfare. As the Marine Corps continues its strategic shift to the Indo-Pacific— guided by Force Design 2030— the robotic technology that is being developed by the LEON team will play a vital role in navigating the dynamic and complex global littorals—ensuring the warfighter is prepared to fight and win when duty calls.

Public/Private Venture (PPV) Housing is also referred to as privatized housing in the Navy. The Navy partnered with different private management companies to provide housing to Service Members. These companies are responsible for the construction, renovation, maintenance and day-to-day management of the housing. PPV housing may be located on or off government property and in most cases will be former military housing. Government Owned (also known as Military Housing or Navy Managed Housing is what was formerly called on-base housing. While only available in limited quantities CONUS, Government Owned Housing is still widely available OCONUS. Community Housing is any housing that a Service Member may choose that is not PPV or government operated. This is housing outside of the base that is privately owned and operated.

NAVY HOUSING

Norfolk: 757.445.2832 JEBLCFS: 757.462.2792 Oceana/Dam Neck: 757.433.3268 Yorktown: 757.847.7806

Mid-Atlantic Fleet and Family Support Centers (FFSC) programs and services are designed to help you make the most of your military experience, and they’re all available to you at no cost. FUNCTIONS AND/OR SERVICES FFSC PROVIDES: ClinicalCounseling – Individual, Couples and Child Counseling Personal Financial Management Information & Referral Family Employment Assistance Transition Assistance Family Advocacy Program Deployment and Mobilization Support Ombudsman Support Relocation Assistance Parenting Programs Stress and Anger Management

New SEAC stresses need to accelerate change in military

Command Support

By Jim Garamone

Suicide Prevention

DoD News

Change is the key to winning in the future, and Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman Troy E. Black wants to accelerate change in the United States military. Black, who most recently served as Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, assumed responsibility from SEAC Ramón “CZ” Colón-López during a ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia, today. The SEAC is the highest-ranking enlisted person in the U.S. armed forces and advises the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense. Times have changed and the U.S. military not only needs to change with the times, but anticipate those changes, Black said in an interview. After 20 years of Sgt. Maj. Troy E. Black, the Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, visits Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, specializing in counterter- S.C., June 14, 2023. During this trip, Sgt. Maj. Black mentored drill instructors, observed depot staff and attended rorism operations, the U.S. the deactivation ceremony for the 4th Recruit Training Battalion. (U.S. MARINE CORPS PHOTO BY LANCE CPL. AVA military faces adversaries ALEGRIA) of different capabilities and strengths. They also present the will and ernment effort and the United States fielded a what will it look like a decade from now?” desire to overturn the rules-based interna- military force of more than 12 million combat- he asked. tional order that has preserved great power ants. The U.S. Marine Corps, alone, fielded Changing the equipment is one thing. peace since the end of World War II. 660,000. There was rationing in the civilian Using new technologies is another key. So is The National Defense Strategy calls China population and all industry and raw materials studying the strategy, doctrine and training America’s pacing threat. Russia, with its inva- were turned to war production and keeping needed to field these capabilities. sion of neighboring Ukraine, also is a major those service members in the fight. Black is the first SEAC to have served as problem. The U.S. military must change to The U.S. military is the most professional a service senior enlisted leader. “The roles deter these possible threats and if deterrence and deadly force in the world today. “If we and responsibilities of the SEAC are the same, fails, to win against these enemies. have to go to war, I hope today is the day,” but with a different balance,” he said. “As a “We spent the last … 20 years … in regional he said. “Because we will defeat anybody: service senior enlisted, “the organize, train conflicts with the potential to spread Today.” and equip,” Title 10 authorities took roughly trans-regionally,” he said. “Now we really are DOD needs to be able to focus on threats 80 percent of my time.” in that space where we’re trying to use the today, but also be ready for the future. “How He said the service chief, though, is also a whole-of-government approach. Obviously, do you maintain that primacy,” he asked. member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and “you we are hyper-focused on the military piece on “That we don’t want a fair fight is now a get a very solid global operational, strategic what happens if there is horizontal escalation cliché. But it is true. We want people chasing and often right down to the tactical level. and protracted warfare.” us, we don’t want to chase them in military That’s unique,” he said. “I think the chalHe said the Russian invasion of Ukraine is capabilities.” lenge coming from the service on the operan example of all-domain warfare that the This is why accelerating change is so ational side, is we have much breadth, but United States must prepare for. important. The U.S. military is changing, but not much depth. I’ve got to build depth of Black makes the point that no one on active the military is still largely equipped to fight a understanding. That’s where I find myself duty today has ever fought in a great power counterinsurgency fight, he said. “We’re tran- spending most of my time thus far into the war. World War II was the last whole-of-gov- sitioning, but what does that look like? And turnover.”

Crisis Support

SAPR Support

www.ﬂagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, November 9, 2023

YOUR PERFECT

JOB IS WAITING

Search jobs. Post your resume. Stand out from the crowd.

careers.tribpub.com

6 The Flagship | www.ﬂagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, November 9, 2023

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Nov. 3, 2023) – The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) conducts routine underway operations. Dewey is forward-deployed and assigned to Commander, Task Force 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 1ST CLASS GREG JOHNSON)

U.S. Navy Destroyer conducts Freedom of Navigation Operation in the South China Sea From U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs SPRATLY ISLANDS, South China Sea — On November 3, USSS Dewey (DDG 105) asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the South China Sea near the Spratly Islands, consistent with international law. At the conclusion of the operation, USS Dewey (DDG 105) exited the excessive claim area and continued operations in the South China Sea. This freedom of navigation operation (“FONOP”) upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law by challenging restrictions on innocent passage imposed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Taiwan, and Vietnam. This freedom of navigation operation (“FONOP”) upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law by challenging restrictions on innocent passage imposed by the People’s

Republic of China (PRC), Taiwan, and Vietnam. The PRC, Vietnam, and Taiwan each claim the entirety of the Spratly Islands, while the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei also claim certain features. The PRC, Vietnam and Taiwan each require either permission or advance notification before a military vessel or warship engages in “innocent passage” through their territorial sea, in violation of international law. Under customary international law as reflected in the Law of the Sea Convention, the ships of all States - including their warships - enjoy the right of innocent passage through a territorial sea. The unilateral imposition of any authorization or advance-notification requirement for innocent passage in unlawful. By engaging in innocent passage without giving prior notification to or asking permission from any of the claimants, the United States challenged these unlawful restrictions imposed by the

PRC, Taiwan, and Vietnam. The United States demonstrated that innocent passage in not subject to such restrictions. Unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas, including the freedoms of navigation and overﬂight, free trade and unimpeded commerce, and freedom of economic opportunity for South China Sea littoral nations. The United States challenges excessive maritime claims around the world regardless of the identity of the claimant. Customary international law reﬂected in the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention protects certain rights, freedoms and lawful uses of the sea enjoyed by all nations. The international community has an enduring role in preserving the freedom of the seas, which is critical to global security, stability, and prosperity. The United States upholds freedom of navigation for all nations as a principle. As

long as some countries continue to claim and assert limits on rights that exceed their authority under international law, the United States will continue to defend the rights and freedoms of the sea guaranteed to all. No member of the international community should be intimidated or coerced into giving up their rights and freedoms. U.S. forces operate in the South China Sea on a daily basis, as they have for more than a century. They routinely operate in close coordination with like-minded allies and partners that share our commitment to uphold a free and open international order that promotes security and prosperity. All of our operations are conducted safely, professionally, and in accordance with customary international law. The operations demonstrate that the United States will ﬂy, sail, and operate wherever international law allows regardless of the location of excessive maritime claims and regardless of current events.

Research and Development Business Opportunities for Small Biz with ONR By Navy.mil More than 225 representatives of technology-focused small businesses joined a webinar, Oct. 23, to learn the ins and outs of the contracting process for awards through the Office of Naval Research.Alonzie Scott III, Director, Mission Support, welcomed the participants, urging them to stick around for some valuable insight on how to move forward. More than 225 representatives of technology-focused small businesses joined a webinar, Oct. 23, to learn the ins and outs of the contracting process for awards through the Office of Naval Research. Alonzie Scott III, Director, Mission Support, welcomed the participants, urging them to stick around for some valuable insight on how to move forward with their proposals for Broad Agency Announcements (BAA). “I’m really excited that we have all these folks from the different commands within the ONR portfolio and our small business folks online today,” he said. “I’m very, very excited that PTAC [Procurement Technical Assistance Center] got involved with us and

look forward to having a fantastic webinar.” The Office of Small Business (OSB) at ONR initiated the webinar with the help of Virginia PTAC, an APEX Accelerator program that is partially funded through the Department of Defense (DoD) and administered by George Mason University. Lisa Wood, statewide director of the Virginia PTAC, moderated the event after giving an overview of the PTAC program, which offers free training and counseling to current and potential government contracting companies. The PTAC program has about 100 offices across the United States, so the Virginia PTAC covers just the state. However, Ellen Simonoff, director, Office of Small Business Programs, said the webinar, ““R&D Business Opportunities for Small Biz with ONR” was open to any U.S. based small company and it was heavily promoted in the weeks leading up to the webinar. Judging from the amount of questions asked — and answered — during the two-hour webinar, Simonoff said she believed many of the participants were getting answers for the ﬁrst time about how to do business with ONR.

“Working with a government agency can be difficult for any company so imagine how daunting it must be for a small business to figure out not just the paperwork involved, but how to fill it out properly in order to win a government contract” she said. “That’s why the Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) and SBIR exists at ONR. And programs like PTAC. But before a small business can take advantage of these avenues — they have to know about them,” Simonoff said. “I’m engaging industry and I’m trying to engage ONR program officers with the idea of using small business when the ONR mission is supported. So, I’m an influencer.” she said. That influence appears to be working. The webinar featured presentations from all five ONR departments about their research and development, and what programs or projects that may be open to opportunities for small business. ONR representatives included department leads from Ocean Battlespace Sensing; Warfighter Performance; Naval Air Warfare and Weapons; Sea Warfare and Weapons; Command, Control, Computing, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Targeting.

The Naval Research Laboratory Small Business Office, the Department of the Navy Technology Transfer Program, and Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) also participated in the webinar. Although the webinar focused heavily on research and development, Simonoff said there are two streams of contracts for small business at ONR — science and technology, and support services. While the webinar offered information about both types, science and technology services were emphasized, as well as where to ﬁnd information online about funding opportunities. ONR’s Office of Small Business Programs advises contracting officials and program managers, as well as small businesses owners, on the contracting process for small business awards. It advocates and advises on behalf of small business contracts, including those of small, disadvantaged businesses, historically underutilized businesses (HUBZone), veteran-owned small businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, women-owned and minority-owned small businesses.

Staying in the know is easy.

Listen to our top news stories for free.

Each weekday, you’ll get the latest stories curated by our editors on your smart speaker or streaming service. Available on Amazon Echo, Apple Music, Google Home, Spotify and more.

Start now at PlayOurNews.com

Tribune Publishing Company

www.ﬂagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 2 | Thursday, November 9, 2023 7

8 The Flagship | www.ﬂagshipnews.com | Section 2 | Thursday, November 9, 2023

YOUR PERFECT

JOB

IS WAITING Stop wasting time searching for jobs. Find the right jobs with tribune publishing recruitment services. We work hard to make your job search easy. With our expansive network of distinguished employers from coast to coast and advanced job matching technology, you’ll ﬁnd opportunities that match your skills, your personality and your life.

Search jobs. Post your resume. Stand out from the crowd.

careers.tribpub.com

On iberty

www.ﬂagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, November 9, 2023

Don’t just eat your veggies — stuff them! Recipes for veggies stuffed full of yummy goodness: Chipotle Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes, Turkey and Kale Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Boats with Savory Tomato Sauce, & Couscous Stuffed Acorn Squash. Page C4

Visitors enjoy Holi-Ray festivities. (COURTESY VIRGINIA AQUARIUM)

For two nights in December, the Virginia Aquarium is hosting their magical holiday event, Holi-Rays Press Release VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is decking the halls and exhibits, transforming into a winter wonderland with twinkling lights, carolers, and holiday cheer! Jingle all the way to “Holi-Rays” on December 15 and 16 from 6 to 9 p.m.! The holiday event is presented by PRA Group. Guests are encouraged to join the festive fun dressed in their holiday best or Christmas pajamas. Along with the usual Aquarium residents including sharks, sea turtles, and harbor seals, guests can also meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, who will be visiting from the North Pole.

Unique and meaningful activities and demonstrations from our animal ambassadors await, a gift all ages will enjoy this season. Aquarium members can purchase tickets on November 1 and 2, before they go on sale to the general public on November 3. Purchase tickets by visiting VirginiaAqaurium.com. Tickets are $32.95 for adults, $27.95 for youth and free for 4 years-old and under. Aquarium members receive a 50% discount on Holi-Rays tickets. Capacity is limited and tickets are only available to purchase online prior to the event. Thank you to PRA Group for sponsoring Holi-Rays and supporting many Aquarium events throughout the year, including E-Cy-

cling and Ocean Commotion. Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center: The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center’s mission is to connect people to the marine environment, inspiring a more sustainable future. The Aquarium aspires to be a driver in conservation, education, tourism, and sustainability, leading the charge to save wildlife and their ecosystems. Owned by the City of Virginia Beach, the Aquarium operates as a city department in partnership with the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation. The Aquarium is proud to be an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Alliance of Marine Mammal

Parks and Aquarium, and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonproﬁt organization, supports the work of the Virginia Aquarium. The Foundation procures and maintains the Aquarium’s exhibits, including the animals and habitats. It is also responsible for annual and capital fundraising, administration and funding for the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program, conservation and scientiﬁc research efforts, and the Aquarium’s mission-related education programs. You can be a part of our mission by making a tax-deductible donation to support our programming.

Virginia Beach Sports Card Comic Book, Pokemon & Collectibles Expo returns this Saturday November 11th, ECW star Francine shares great wrestling memories Interview By Yiorgo The Virginia Beach Sports Card Comic Book, Pokemon & Collectibles Expo returns this Saturday November 11th at the Virginia Beach Fieldhouse from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Very proud co-promoter Russell SavageFink said, “We are the largest Collectibles show on the East Coast that does not charge admission. Our Expo this Saturday is an event with 250 tables of all kinds of collectibles and Grading Company will be on site to submit cards for on site grading. We have something for everybody.” Russell was very excited to share that, The Ric Flair Robe Experience is making its first ever appearance in the Hampton Roads Area at the Expo and there will be seven autograph guests. They are: Former Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) star Francine, former Redskin Ken Harvey, former professional football player Koren Robinson, former professional baseball players Mickey Tettleton and Rudy May and Negro League Legends Sam Allen and Pedro Sierra. For all the info on the Expo this Saturday, go to www.757cardshows.com Wrestling fans will have a field day, pun intended, with ECW Star Francine and Ric Flair’s iconic Starrcade robe at the Fieldhouse. Bringing The Ric Flair Robe Experience to life is Virginia Championship Wrestling’s senior referee West Potter who tells us all about it. Yiorgo: Thank you West. This is such a treat for all of us wrestling fans especially in this area who got to see Ric Flair live at the Norfolk Scope and the Hampton Coliseum wear the iconic Starrcade Robe to the ring for his matches. What will the fans experience and get to do with Ric’s robe? West Potter: It is my pleasure. Fans continue to ask me all the time, when can we see and take a picture with Ric’s Starrcade Robe? Ric has won his first three NWA World Heavyweight Titles in that robe so I have decided to take it on tour “If you will,” to quote Ric’s nemesis the legendary Dusty Rhodes. So a photo op is only $20 and that includes a picture with (NOT IN) the Starrcade Robe, a replica NWA World belt to pose with and a robe lapel pin, a $15 value that is included with the picture and we will be there from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Y: You and The Robe were featured in A&E’s Most Wanted Treasures two part episode about Ric Flair and you got to tell your story. (I highly encourage all fans to check the episode out.) Can you tell us about that experience? WP: It was an honor to have been featured

(PHOTOS COURTESY RUSSELL SAVAGE-FINK)

in the episode that includes Darius Rucker, Charles Robinson, Bad Bunny and others. I consider myself a historian and an archivist at heart so it was fulﬁlling to be featured and have my stewardship of this relic highlighted. I was one of the earliest preservationists of this type of memorabilia back in 1997⁄98, long before the term “Ring Worn” was coined or before others made the niche more mainstream in the wrestling community today. I believe WWE recognizes that and appreciates my perspective. Y: What else will you have for sale for the fans to buy and see? WP: There will be plaques featuring robe relics and custom, limited cards as well as other vintage and modern wrestling rarities for sale. And along with seeing The Robe, the fans will also see a pair of Ric Flair’s trunks with a butterﬂy on it from the 70’s and a pair of ring worn boots from the 1989 Chi-Town Rumble against Ricky Steamboat. Pre sale tickets for the event are live on https://www.facebook.com/StarrcadeRobe83 and more info, merch and shop can be found at http://www.FlairRobe.com

Y: All wrestling fans are aware of the tremendous impact that Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) had in the wrestling world. Here to share some great memories is an ECW Original, former WWE Superstar and “The Queen of Extreme” the one and only Francine. Thank you Francine for being with us today. Why should fans come to the Expo to see you? What will you have for sale and can they bring their own items for you to sign? Francine: Well ﬁrst of all, I have not been in the Hampton Roads Area since my time in ECW well over 20 years ago when we came to the Boathouse in Norfolk. I do not get down there much so this would be the perfect opportunity for my fans and I to see each other. As far as merchandise goes, I will have 8X10’s available, maybe some DVD’s, some micro brawlers. I have an inventory that I go through before each show and I bring what I have available. Also, if the fans have something for me to sign I would be more than happy to sign that. Y: How do you make it fun and interesting for the fans?

F: Our fans who have supported us all these years, when they come out to see us, I want to give them the best experience they can have. If there are 40 people in line or 1, if they want to ask me a question and have a little chat, I am more than happy to take the time out to talk to them. If it is busy, I always tell them to come back when the line is not as long. I talk to each and every person till the very end. If it is my time to go and there is still a line, I am more than happy to stay and accommodate everyone that took the time to come out. I want them to get their money’s worth. I enjoy reminiscing about their favorite ECW memories. Without our fans, I would not be there signing. I appreciate everyone that takes the time to say hello. Y: What is a fun memory about being recognized out in public? F: It’s a surreal feeling you get because you are a regular person just like everyone else and you do regular things. One of my favorite ones happened three-four years ago when I was at Disney World. It was in a dark room Turn to Collectibles Expo, Page 8

INSIDE: Check out Flagship Values, your source for automobiles, employment, real estate and more! Pages C6-7

The Flagship | www.ﬂagshipnews.com | Section 3 | Thursday, November 9, 2023

Community SUBMIT YOUR EVENTS, NEWS AND PHOTOS

The Flagship welcomes submissions from our readers online. Please submit events here: www.militarynews.com/users/admin/calendar/event/ Please submit news and photos here: www.militarynews.com/norfolk-navy-ﬂagship/submit_news/

The Capital Wheel salutes active and retired service members on Veterans Day with free rides, fireworks and Santa! Press Release The Capital Wheel at National Harbor will be saluting all active and retired service members in honor of Veterans Day, November 11, which is also the start of National Harbor’s holiday celebrations with free rides on The Capital Wheel. In honor of the day Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be at The Capital Wheel from 2-4 p.m. for pictures. National Harbor will launch the holidays with their tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. followed by a spectacular display of fireworks which is free for everyone! Where: The Capital Wheel at National Harbor 141 American Way, National Harbor, MD 20745 When: Friday, November 11 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Who: Active and retired U.S. service members are invited to take a free spin on The Capital Wheel. Accompanying family members are eligible for the military discount. Service members must show military ID to redeem offer. Why: To salute the men and women who sacrifice so much for the safety and security of the United States of America. About The Capital Wheel: The iconic Capital Wheel—a 180-ft observation wheel—offers guests unprecedented views of DC, Maryland and Virginia. Located at National Harbor, Maryland, it is open 365 days a year. Enjoy breathtaking views in enclosed warm and cozy climate-controlled gondolas. Take in the bird’s eye view of the nation’s capital, Washington Monument, National Harbor and the Potomac River. Book your tickets or package today for an experience you’ll never forget! While you’re here, don’t miss National Harbor’s only waterfront lounge — Flight Deck. Nestled under The Capital Wheel, it is the perfect spot to relax and reconnect with friends and family or enjoy date night with your love. Our covered, open-air pavilion offers panoramic views, multiple cozy fire pits and heaters, comfortable seating, and delicious alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverage from our specially curated menu. Flight Deck is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday noon to 10 p.m. Also, enjoy timeless fun on The Spirit Park Carousel where childhood memories come to life. Our beautiful 36-foot American themed carousel features 28 hand-painted wooden fantastical creatures and animals plus two chariots to take your kiddos on a magical ride. Spirit Park Carousel is open noon to 8 p.m. Friday – Sunday. Tickets are just $7 and adults ride free with child. Military tickets are available from the Ticket Booth at the carousel for $5 with a valid military ID. For more information visit https://thecapitalwheel.com/. About National Harbor: The vibrant Waterfront District at National Harbor features boutique shops, restaurants and entertainment options along the picturesque promenades. National Harbor is home to two of Maryland’s Four Diamond rated hotels. The Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center is the East Coast’s largest non-gaming hotel and convention center. It has almost 2,000 hotel rooms and 600,000 sq. ft. of meeting space. The MGM National Harbor is an integrated luxury entertainment resort featuring renowned chef-driven restaurants, a 3,000-seat state-ofthe art theater and one of the largest gaming floors outside of Las Vegas. Tanger Outlets offers guests the best deals with 85 premium brands. Interactive public art and a robust calendar of events round out this destination that welcomes more than 12 million visitors a year and is home to more than 2,000 residents. For more information visit https://www.nationalharbor.com/.

Wanda Sykes announces Please & Thank You Tour is coming to Chrysler Hall on March 15 Press Release NORFOLK, Va. — Wanda Sykes returns to the road with her Please & Thank You tour coming to Norfolk’s Chrysler Hall on Friday, March 15! Tickets go on presale beginning Thursday, October 26 at 10 a.m. and the general on sale starts Friday, October 27 at 10 a.m. at the Scope Arena box office, Ticketmaster and wandasykes.com. The Scope Arena box office is located in the Scope parking garage at 201 E. Brambleton Ave, Norfolk, VA 23510. It is currently open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit sevenvenues. com/events or call 757.664.6464. Sykes is nominated for two 2023 Primetime Emmy Awards for her latest Netflix Special Wanda Sykes; I’m and Entertainer - “Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special” and “Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special.” “I’ve been doing dates sporadically throughout the years, but this time I’m doing a legit tour, and I’m very excited about it” said Sykes. About Wanda Sykes: WANDA SYKES is an Emmy winning, fourteen-time nominated stand-up comic, writer, actress and producer. She can currently be seen in season four of the Netflix comedy The Upshaws which she co- show runs and stars in. In 2020, she was nominated for an Emmy for her role as ‘Moms Mabley’ in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and for her voice work as ‘Gladys Murphy’ in Crank Yankers, a role she originated in 2004. Wanda’s guest-starring role on ABC’s Black-ish also brought her two back-to-back Emmy nominations for “Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series” in 2017 and 2018. Her fifth standup special, Wanda Sykes: Not Normal, streaming on Netflix and was nominated for two 2019 Primetime Emmy Awards; “Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special” and “Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special.” The special also received a Broadcast Critic Award nomination. About Sevenvenues: The City of Norfolk’s SevenVenues serves to link Norfolk’s residents, visitors and tourists to Norfolk’s rich cultural arts and entertainment community. Besides providing entertainment services, the City of Norfolk’s Department of Cultural Facilities, Arts and Entertainment is also responsible for the maintenance, repair, management and operation of the City’s seven public assembly facilities which include: Scope Arena, Chrysler Hall, the Attucks Theatre, the Wells Theatre, Harrison Opera House, Harbor Park, and Open Air Events. To learn more, visit SevenVenues.com.

www.ﬂagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, November 9, 2023

Legendary wrestler Nikita Koloff brings his Man Up Conference in Chesapeake this weekend, tells great wrestling stories Interview By Yiorgo As a professional wrestler “The Russian Nightmare” Nikita Koloff’s job was to bring fear in the hearts of wrestling fans and his wrestling opponents. His battles with the legendary Magnum TA were epic. With his “uncle” Ivan Koloff, they would win the NWA World Tag Team Titles. From challenging Ric Flair for the NWA World Title, to winning the NWA US Title, to ﬁnally becoming a fan favorite and tagging with Dusty Rhodes, battling the Road Warriors in War Games and so much more, Nikita has had a stellar wrestling career. In 1993, Nikita became a born-again Christian and through his Koloff for Christ Ministries, Nikita has traveled to all 50 states and 30 countries, preaching to approximately 1200 churches in 28 different denominations telling his testimony and some great wrestling stories. This weekend, November 10th and 11th, Nikita is bringing his Man Up Conference to Kingdomlife in Chesapeake, Virginia. Friday night November 10th is an outdoor BBQ Dinner and a meet and greet with Nikita at 6:30 PM. Saturday November 11th is the Men’s conference with Nikita and KL Worship from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM, beginning with breakfast at 8:30 AM. For more info and to sign up for Nikita’s Man Up Conference, go to https://kingdomlife.com/events/ Yiorgo: It is such a pleasure to talk with you again Nikita and very proud to call you my friend. Can you tell us what the Man Up Conference is about? Why should men attend and what will they experience and get out of it? Nikita Koloff: The pleasure is all mine Yiorgo. I truly appreciate our friendship and it is always great talking to you again as well. Our Man Up Conference is about equipping, empowering, training men to be healthier, spiritually of course, even physically, emotionally, mentally and just being better equipped to be Godly men, husbands and fathers. That’s the ultimate goal, equip them, empower them and deploy them, to impact their family and their community. We call it Restoring Biblical Manhood. Y: You and wrestling legend Lex Luger have been doing these Man Up Conferences for quite a while now. NK: In 2015 the Lord gave Lex Luger and I the vision for these conferences and camps. We started these conferences and twice a year we did a man camp. They center around the scripture of ﬁrst Thessalonians 5:23, which refers to being whole, in other words, healthy in spirit, soul and body. That really embodies the message. It is the foundational scripture and from there, through our experiences we are able to take what the Bible says and speak into men’s lives about what it means to be healthy in spirit, soul and body. Y: Tell us about your Koloff for Christ Ministries. NK: Koloff for Christ Ministries encompasses ministering to men. We have a radio show, a podcast and now our The Man Up TV show. The theme is the same. The conference is called Man Up, the camps are called Man Camp, and the radio show and TV show and Podcast are called, It’s Time to Man Up. We have a one stop website where you can access everything and that website is http://www.nikitakoloff.com/ Y: From wrestler to minister, you have had quite a journey and have written a book to tell your story. Tell us about it. NK: In my book, “Nikita A tale of the Ring and Redemption” I share my whole life story. The short version of that is as an athlete, I loved playing football until an opportunity opened up for professional wrestling in the 80’s through the early 90’s. I took advantage of that opportunity, and was blessed with a meteoric rise to stardom. I walked away under my own terms, and about eleven months later, October 17th, 1993 to be exact,

Legendary wrestler Nikita Koloff. (COURTESY PHOTO)

I surrendered my life to Jesus and now 30 years later, the journey has been surreal. Y: As a wrestling fan myself, I followed your career, both booing and cheering for you. What have been some of your favorite highlights of your professional wrestling career? NK: I appreciate that Yiorgo. Our wrestling fans are the lifeblood of the wrestling business. Here are three of my personal favorites: At the ﬁrst ever Great American Bash I wrestled against “Nature Boy” Ric Flair for my ﬁrst opportunity for the World Heavyweight title. With only 13 months into the business, I was already the world tag-team champion, the world six-men champion and wrestling Ric for the world title was huge. I also had my Best of Seven series of matches for the U S Heavyweight title against Magnum TA. That series of matches are probably the most talked about of all in my career with the fans and a major highlight. The third highlight was when I made

the turn from a bad guy to a good guy and I came to the aid of the American Dream, Dusty Rhodes, and became the Superpowers. That set us into an incredible series of matches with the Four Horsemen, along with the Road Warriors, culminating in the ﬁrst ever War Games in Atlanta, Georgia. Y: What was it like learning under the learning trees of Ivan Koloff and Don Kernodle? NK: I credit much of my success to both Ivan and Don. When I broke in, they were the World Tag-Team Champions at the time and they went well above the call of duty. When I stepped into wrestling, I had no experience, no training, no background of any kind of amateur or professional. Essentially I had on the job training with those two guys, the ﬁrst two-three months of my career. They were instrumental in my early rise to stardom, along with the other guys that we got in the ring with. We became good friends, and in fact, I was honored to speak at Ivan’s graveside service. I spoke at Don’s funeral with

Legendary wrestler Nikita Koloff brings his Man Up Conference in Chesapeake this weekend. (COURTESY IMAGE)

Sargent Slaughter in the front row and I said, had it not been for Sarge and Don, Nikita Koloff would have never been born. They approached Jim Crockett with the idea, he loved it, and Don is the one who approached Road Warrior Animal If he knew any big guys who wouldn’t mind saving their head. Animal said I know a guy right now, gave me a call, I showed up and Don and Ivan, they ended up training me on the job. So that’s the back story. Y: You and Road Warrior Animal (Joe Laurinaitis) have always been very tight. How did you originally meet and became friends? NK: I recruited Joe out of Irondale High School in Brighton, Minnesota. He was a standout high school football player and I recruited him to play college football with me. I gave Joe, his mom Lorna and dad, Joe Sr. a tour of the campus, we had an instant connection, and became like a prodigal son to his family. We became best of friends, and so you might say, ironically, I recruited him out of high school to play football. He dropped out of college. I finished. He got into wrestling. He in turn recruited me out of football to get into wrestling. Y: How about a Dusty story? NK: Once Dusty and I partnered up, one of my favorite memories was traveling up and down the roads together, building a friendship and a love for one another. One regret I have is we forever talked about buying some land together out in Idaho and Montana but we never did it. Actually, post wrestling, I called him up one day, said I’m coming to Atlanta and I want to take you to lunch. We went to lunch. Dusty said what else are you doing here? I said nothing else. I love you, I wrote my first book Breaking the Chains. It’s a simple story of my life transformation of how I came to Christ and how others can come to Christ. I wanted to personally give it to you, thank you for everything then I am going back home to Charlotte. I personalized the book, gave it to him and left. A friend of mine who was in Dusty’s school at the time said that Dusty went into his office for about two hours and shut the door and read the book. Y: Next month, December 2nd at Virginia Championship Wrestling’s Tidings of Destruction show at the Norfolk Masonic Temple, I will be retiring from wrestling myself after more than 50 years around and in our crazy, lovable, business. My dear friend David Crockett will be there to help me reminisce and fans can get more info, buy tickets and a photo opp with David at vcwprowrestling.com You were not very kind to my friend David back then and you actually gave David the Russian sickle move. Can you tell us about it? NK: I would like to thank you so much Yiorgo for everything you have done not only in our business but in also preserving our business through your great film footage and doing these interviews. In regards to David, let me first say that I am forever indebted to the Crockett family and for Jimmy Crockett, giving me my break. I remember hearing David talking about taking my Russian sickle on Conrad Thompson and Tony Schiavone’s “What Happened When” podcast that he knew it was coming, but did not know when it was coming. Tony said that he did not know anything about it and when it happened, Tony was like Oh my gosh. David said he laid there for a minute to make sure everything was working. In my young mind, it’s television, it has to look good so I laid it in. It was nothing personal. I loved all the Crocketts including David. David described it as if he had run into a neighbor’s clothesline in the backyard at night. It was Dusty’s idea, David went along with it and he lived to talk about it. Thank you very much David. Yiorgo is an arts, entertainment and sports writer. A stage, TV and movie actor, he is also a sports entertainer, educator, motivational speaker, writer, storyteller and columnist.

4 The Flagship | www.ﬂagshipnews.com | Section 3 | Thursday, November 9, 2023

Food

I’m stuffed!

Don’t just eat your veggies — stuff them! Chipotle Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Savory sweet potatoes can be a comfort food on a chilly evening.Stuff with sweet and spicy pulled chicken with corn or beans and lime! Calories: 494 Per Serving Protein: 36g Per Serving Fiber: 12g Per Serving Servings: 4 Ingredients 4 medium sweet potatoes (thoroughly washed) 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (all visible fat discarded) 2 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil ½ teaspoon black pepper Cooking spray ½ medium white or yellow onion (diced) ¾ cup frozen corn (thawed, drained) 15 ounces canned, low-sodium black beans juice of 1 lime 1 tsp no-calorie sweetener, granulated, 1 packet 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon chili powder ½ teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon dried oregano 2 tablespoon water 2 tablespoon reduced-fat pepper jack cheese Directions Preheat oven to 400. Pierce each sweet potato all around with a fork. Place potatoes on a baking sheet and bake for 1 hour until potatoes pierce easily with a fork. While potatoes are baking, rub chicken breasts with olive oil and place in a baking dish, sprinkle with pepper. Bake in the same oven as the potatoes in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken from the oven and let cool. Once cooled, shred chicken gently with a fork and set aside. Spray a large skillet with cooking spray. Over medium heat, sauté onion 2-3 minutes until translucent. Stir in corn and beans stirring occasionally until heated through, approximately 3-5 minutes. Gently add chicken, lime juice, no-calorie sweetener, cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, oregano, and water. Stir until well blended and cook until mixture is warmed through. Carefully remove potatoes from oven and slice open lengthwise (be careful of steam!). Add ¼ of bean and chicken mixture to each potato and top with cheese. Return to oven until cheese is melted.

Turkey and Kale Stuffed Spaghetti Squash Boats with Savory Tomato Sauce There’s a certain awe-factor in serving these stunning spaghetti squash boats that are piled high with spaghetti squash noodles and sauce! Calories: 261 Per Serving Protein: 28.6g Per Serving Fiber: 7.0g Per Serving Servings: 4 Serving Size: 1 boat Ingredients 1 medium spaghetti squash 1 teaspoon canola oil 1 medium finely diced yellow onion ¾ pound ground turkey (extra-lean) 1 ½ cups frozen chopped kale, thawed (can substitute spinach) 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 can no-salt-added, crushed tomatoes 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning blend (salt-free) ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper ¼ cup Parmesan cheese Directions Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Cut the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise. (Having trouble? See tip below). Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and discard them. Place the halves cut-side-down into a large baking dish. Add 1 inch of water into the dish. Cover with foil and bake in the oven until squash strands are easily removed with a fork, about 50 to 60 minutes. Meanwhile, in a heavy-duty medium pot, warm oil. Add onions and saute; until soft and translucent, about 6 to 8 minutes. Add ground turkey, using a spatula to break up the meat until it is cooked, about 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in chopped kale and garlic, cooking about 1 minute. Add tomatoes, Italian seasoning blend, salt, and pepper. Bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and let cook about 20 to 30 minutes. When squash is done, remove from oven (but keep oven on). Using a fork, carefully shred the inside of the squash into shreds. In a large bowl, add all the spaghetti squash strands. Add the tomato sauce, using tongs to coat the spaghetti squash in sauce. Add the spaghetti squash shells onto a rimmed baking sheet. Transfer the spaghetti squash strands into the 2 shells, piling as high as you can. (Note: If there is too much filling to fit into the boats, add the extra into a small baking dish and cook alongside.) Return to the preheated oven and cook until spaghetti squash boat is fully warm, about 10 to 15 minutes. Use a serrated knife to cut each spaghetti squash in half for servings of half a boat each. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve. Tip: If it’s difficult to halve the spaghetti squash, use this little trick: Warm the whole squash in the microwave for a few minutes to soften. It will be easier to cut from there.

Couscous Stuffed Acorn Squash One taste and you’re sure to fall in love with this vegetarian autumnal dish full of earthy,nutty,and pungent flavors. Calories: 381 Per Serving Protein: 10g Per Serving Fiber: 9g Per Serving Servings: 4 Serving Size: 1 stuffed acorn squash Ingredients ½ cup boiling water ½ cup uncooked whole-wheat couscous 4 small acorn squash (1 to 1 ¼ pounds each) 1 tablespoon canola or corn oil and 1 tablespoon canola or corn oil, divided use 1 cup chopped celery (about 2 medium ribs) 1 medium onion, finely diced ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon pepper (freshly ground preferred) 1 teaspoon dried rubbed sage 1 ½ cups chopped frozen spinach, thawed ¼ cup chopped unsalted walnuts 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup ¼ cup low-fat blue cheese crumbles Directions Preheat the oven to 400˚F. Put the couscous in a small bowl. Pour the boiling water over the couscous. Let stand, covered, for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, cut about 1 inch off the top of each squash, reserving the tops. Using a spoon, scoop out the seeds and strings, discarding them. Cut off the bottoms of the squash so they will sit upright. Put the bottoms on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. In a large nonstick pan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat, swirling to coat the bottom. Cook the celery, onion, salt, pepper, and sage for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft, stirring occasionally. Stir in the spinach. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until the heated through. Remove from heat. Stir in the couscous, remaining 1 tablespoon oil, walnuts, and maple syrup. Spoon about 1 cup of the couscous mixture into the cavity of each squash. Top each with its lid. Bake for 60 to 75 minutes, or until the squash is tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife. Remove from the oven. Carefully remove each lid. Top with the blue cheese crumbles. Presentation Tip: When ready to serve, microwave any couscous stuffing that didn’t fit in the squashes in a microwaveable bowl on 100% power (high) for 1 minute, or until heated through. Serve the stuffing as a side dish or spread it in the center of the plates and place the squashes on top for an attractive presentation.

www.ﬂagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, November 9, 2023

Health

Leaders and Soldiers receive their inﬂuenza vaccination as the annual ﬂu shot campaign kicks off, at the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence headquarters at Fort Novosel, Ala., October 18, 2023. (U.S. ARMY PHOTO BY KELLY MORRIS)

Protect your family with ﬂu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines By TRICARE Communications

Flu and COVID-19 Vaccines RSV Vaccines

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Are you preparing to spend time with friends and family this holiday season? Now is a good time to make sure you and your loved ones are up to date with COVID-19, ﬂu, and RSV vaccines. TRICARE covers these vaccines based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations. “Vaccination against ﬂu, COVID-19, and RSV offers the best protection from serious illness caused by these diseases,” said Capt. John Iskander, MD, MPH, chief, Immunization Healthcare Division, Defense Health Agency. “People ages 6 months and older should get the seasonal flu vaccine and updated COVID-19 vaccine. Certain people, including older adults, pregnant people, and infants, can get vaccinated against RSV.” Read on to learn about the vaccines recommended for you and where to get them.

Flu and COVID-19 are contagious diseases that affect millions of Americans each year. These diseases can cause severe illness, hospitalization, and even death. The seasonal flu vaccine and the updated COVID-19 vaccine can help reduce these risks. The updated COVID-19 vaccine can also reduce your risk of developing Long COVID. The CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19. This year’s flu vaccine is available as a flu shot or nasal spray. COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Novavax have all been updated for the 2023-2024 season. The types of flu and COVID-19 vaccines you can get are based on your age and other factors. Your health care provider can help you decide which options are best for you.

RSV is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. However, infants and older adults are more likely to develop severe RSV. This can lead to hospitalization. TRICARE covers RSV vaccines for certain people, based on CDC recommendations: All infants younger than 8 months Infants and children ages 8 to 19 months at increased risk for developing severe RSV Adults ages 60 and older Pregnant people during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy

Where Can I Get Vaccinated? There are three ways you can get these vaccines at no cost: Go to a military hospital or clinic. Call

ahead to make sure the vaccine is available. Go to a TRICARE retail network pharmacy. Make sure the person who gives you the vaccine is a pharmacist. If another type of provider gives you a vaccine at a participating pharmacy, you may have out-ofpocket costs. See a TRICARE-authorized provider. However, if you get other services at the same time, you may have to pay copayments or cost-shares. These costs vary based on your health plan. You can get the flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines recommended for you at the same time. Talk to your provider if you have questions about vaccines. For more info on vaccine coverage, check out Immunizations. Would you like the latest TRICARE news sent to you by email? Visit TRICARE Subscriptions, and create your personalized profile to get benefit updates, news, and more.

6 The Flagship | www.ﬂagshipnews.com | Section 3 | Thursday, November 9, 2023

Don’t pay full price!

Houses For Rent

Misc. Merchandise For Sale #01A BLACK SIFTED TOPSOIL 6 yds $300. Mulch $30/yd; Compost $35/yd. Rock, playground mulch, firewood, lawn care. D Miller’s 536-3052

Fully-furnished beach homes and condos avail thru April. $1,600-$3,000 includes phone & internet. 3 month min. lease. Online application/photos at siebert-realty.com or call 757-4266200 EXT. 701.

With The Virginian-Pilot’s coupons and sales inserts, shop smart and save big every week!

Renting or Selling Your Home?

Wanted To Buy

CARDS, COMICS, RECORDS

COLLECTIBLES

Etc., Cash Paid Today. Please Call 757-636-5466 Thanks! WE BUY MUSIC RECORDS $$ Jazz, R & B, Rock, albums & 45’s from the ’60’s, ‘70’s & ‘80s. Call Howard 757-717-8945 We’ll come to you 24/7!

reach your buyers at

Classic, Antique Cars

CLASSIC & COLLECTIBLE

old

$500

DACHSHUNDS MINI 4 chocolate and tans 2 redish creams Akc vet checked and shots ready to go home nov 17th $900 please call or text 7577540883. ENGLISH SETTERS

6 month old Tri-color female pup. Sweet disposition, great family dog. Vet checked, all shots up to date. Call 757-615-7465. $650. GERMAN SHEPHERD

AKC German Shepherd Puppies 8 weeks old, Solid White and Black & Tan. Both parents Embarked and DM clear. $900 Call 406-425-4433 for info! GOLDENDOODLE PUPPIES!

beautiful litter, ready for new homes! $700 Call or text 540-421-9811 / shenvalleygoldens@gmail.com MAINE COON CAT

LOST CAT--Furry Female Maine Coon Cat, light brown, bushy tail, lost October 26 on Elm View Avenue in Bayview section of Ocean View. $500.00 reward. 757-685-7632.

SHIBA-INU

8wk old Mini Shiba Inu puppies $1500 757-972-4582 YORKIES 3 male Yorkies (6weeks). 1550$ 7573433635

ABSOLUTELY ABLY ACQUIRING AUTOS All Makes & Models, Best Price Paid!! FREE TOWING. 757-749-8035 AUTOS ACCEPTED-ANY YEAR Make or Model. Top Dollar, Fast, Free Towing. 757-737-2465, 252-232-9192

Shop smart. Save big! Sunday Room For Rent

The right place to advertise your Merchandise, Pets, Auto, Real Estate, Tag Sales & Flea Markets, Vacation Property, Wanted to Buy Items and more!

PilotOnline.com

CHIHUAHUA Female, 8wks 7574072935

placeanad.pilotonline.com

Wanted Automotive

Pick a pet in the CLASSIFIEDS MARKETPLACE.

BICHONPOO Bichonpoo puppies D.O.B 7/4 (2) Males white w/ Apricot markings Price reduction $600 pad, and crate trained, vet checked, de-wormed and vaxed. Puppy pack included. #757618-6569

Autos. We will purchase your collectible, classic, late model autos, we will come to you. Call 757-675-0288

Cockatoo,too.

Dogs, Cats, Other Pets

(and every day).

PORTSMOUTH - PARKVIEW Furnished room. $180/wk. No deposit. Call: 757-235-7299 or 757-284-1554

placeanad.pilotonline.com 757.622.1455 | placeanad.pilotonline.com

Hauling / Moving (A) FAMILY TRASH MAN-HOUSEHOLD, Demo inside & out, construction sites, dumpster drop off, backhoe work. We haul it all! 20 yrs. exp., lic & ins. 485-1414 B & J MOVING Reasonable Rates, Licensed & Insured. bandjmoving.com 757-576-1290

Fencing

Home Improvements

ACTION ONE FENCE & DECK Custom wood, aluminum, chain link, vinyl. Quality work, great prices. Free Estimates. 40 Yrs. Exp. Call 757-438-7057.

★ BRICK AND STONE REPAIRS ★ Professional Brick Repair by a real Mason Earl Smith 757-270-0578

AIR DUCT CLEANING UNIVERSAL DUCT CLEANING FREE INSPECTIONS MEMBER BBB. 757-502-0200 BEST PRICE EXTERIORS Siding, Windows, Roofing, Soffit, Trim, Gutters. Licensed. & Insured. A+ BBB. Call 757-639-4692. BULKHEAD & PIER REPAIR Grading, Excavation & Demolition Services, Free Est 757-262-6511

Subscribe to The Virginian-Pilot today. Call 757-446-9000 or go to PilotOnline.com

FENCES, DECKS & FOUNDATION REPAIR Moisture Control, 20+ Year’s Experience. FREE ESTIMATES. Call Office at (757) 995-5445. HOME INSULATION UNIVERSAL INSULATION DOCTOR Attic Insulation, Crawl Space Insulation FREE Inspections. 757-502-0200

Lawn and Tree Service ★ 100% DRAINAGE & YARD CLEANUP ★ Shrub & Tree Removal, Pruning, Tractor Work & Grading, French Drains, Mulching, Fences. ★★757-282-3823★★

★AFFORDABLE TREE SERVICE★ Josh 757-998-5327 Theo 757-515-6933 Tree Trimming & Complete Tree Removal LANDSCAPE SPECIALIST Fall Clean Ups. Renovations, monthly maintenance, mulching, shrub trimming seeding, aeration. Call Buddy 757-535-0928 WOOD FOR SALE $300 per cord. Call Clifton at 757-4789914.

Early home delivery. 757-446-9000 or PilotOnline.com

Painting/Paperhanging INTERIOR/EXTERIOR PAINTING Wallpapering, Pressure Washing, Carpentry & Renov! Free est! Senior citz. discount! Paint & Wallpaper By Bob: 757-714-4573

Roofing

A ROOFING SALE 30 Yr. Architect Shingles 900 sq ft. $2000. Labor & material inclu. Repair leaks. Class A Lic & Ins’d. 757-880-5215.

www.ﬂagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 3 | Thursday, November 9, 2023 7

Creating your own ad in this publication is easy, affordable and will reach thousands in print and online.

Advertising categories include:

• Announcements & celebrations • Merchandise & cars for sale • Job recruitment • Honoring a life • Pets for adoption And more

Place your ad today!

PlaceAnAd.tribpub.com

Crossword

GOLDEN STATE GIRLS

Sudoku

CryptoQuip

LAST WEEK’S CRYPTOQUIP ANSWER: What would everybody call the top official leader of Dear Abby’s fan club? Advice president.

LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS

Religious Serivices For your installation’s religious service times visit www.ﬂagshipnews.com⁄ base_information⁄ religious_services

8 The Flagship | www.ﬂagshipnews.com | Section 3 | Thursday, November 9, 2023

Collectibles Expo from Page 1

and granted, nowadays I do not walk around in a ballgown with my hair and makeup done so people don’t recognize much these days, lol. So I have no makeup on and I think a Donald Duck tee shirt on, I am with my kids and husband, getting ready to go to an attraction. It really was very dark in there and you could not see anything in that room. A man leans over and whispers in my ear, “Are you Francine from ECW?” I could not believe it. I turned around and said yes I am, how did you recognize me? And he said, “I heard your voice, I saw your face and I realized it was you.” Another one was the last time we were there at Disney World, a woman came up to me and said, “My husband made me come over to ask you if you were Francine from ECW.” I had on Maleficent ears and tee shirt, no makeup, just sitting there by myself because I’m too chicken to go on some of the rides. Lol, So I said yes, I called him over, we talked for about 20 minutes and took pictures with them. When those moments happen, they make me feel happy inside because it is always nice to be appreciated and that I did something nice to brighten someone’s day. Y: What has been the coolest thing that you have ever signed? F: The coolest thing I ever signed was a man’s arm and he had it tattooed. He came back to a different show and showed me his arm that now had the tattoo. I was very flattered and I told him so. Y: Let’s learn about you. Where are you from and how did you get involved with ECW? F: I was watching TV and came across ECW. I was working at a life insurance company and hated every minute of it and wanted a change. A month later ECW had a commercial saying if you want to be a manager, wrestler or a referee call this number. It looked fun to me, I had nothing to lose so I called, met the owner Todd Gordon, had a tryout and I started their wrestling school. I was aspiring to be a wrestler but I met Paul Heyman and he told me that I could make more money as a manager because it was the 90’s and women’s wrestling was not over (popular) like it is today. Paul said,”Let me utilize you as a manager, I swear I will get you over.” I trusted him. I trained but not that long and I was put on house shows shortly after and then on TV. Things moved quickly for me and you learn on the job. Y: Before we do a deep dive about ECW, is it true that WWF approached you about being Sister Love, a valet to Brother Love? F: Yes it is. A man named Ed Cohen who worked in the WWF office would call me quite frequently. I was really green, I was with the Pitbulls, it was my first year on television, feeling the ropes and feeling comfortable in the locker room, trying to bump and prove myself, show the guys that I really want to work. When I was on the road, Ed would call my home and he tried to convince my mother so she could convince me that I should leave ECW because Paul can’t pay me what they can pay me. The way Ed pitched the idea to me, is that I am going to come out in a red dress with a red face and I am not going to take any bumps, I’m just going to kinda just stand there. But to me, I was trying to work to establish my name back then and I wanted to take the bumps. I was telling the guys, give me your finisher, I’ll take whatever. So the way WWF pitched it to me, it did not sound appealing or that it would help my career at all so I said no. Ed kept telling me, don’t tell Paul, don’t tell Paul. But I did go to Paul because I felt guilty and I told him everything. Paul’s face dropped and the first thing he said was, “I can’t compete with their money. What can I do to make you stay?” I said, just give me a raise and I’ll stay because as you know, you do not make much at the beginning. Back then we were on a handshake, we didn’t have a contract. He gave me

a considerable amount of money, better than I was doing and I stayed. Y: Tell us about the ECW locker room. F: We had a very special locker room and I remember it fondly. We were all very close and to this day, I am still very close with a lot of the guys. Shane Douglas, Sandman, we talk on the phone and try to get our bookings together so we can still travel together. We have been friends for 30 years and I trust them. Not many people in the business can say that. I cherish every booking and project I get to do with these guys and speaking about that, with WrestleMania 40 being in Philadelphia next year, we have a lot of stuff planned that I am super excited for and there will be a lot of ECW things going on, so stay tuned is all I can say to that. Y: Here is a list of several ECW names. Can you give me a sentence or two about them? F: Paul Heyman was good to me. If it was not for Paul, I would not be here. He gave me the ball and let me run with it. I am extremely grateful for that. He truly was the best boss I ever had. He would make time for me if I had questions and a lot of people said he never answered his phone, but he always answered it for me. If I had an idea, he would always listen and back then maybe the girls were not seen as that important as the men but he always made me feel just as important as the men. F: Tod Gordon was the ﬁrst person in ECW that I met. I had to go down to center city at his pawn shop. I still talk to him to this day. Go buy his book, “Tod is God” is a great book. If it wasn’t for him and the wrestling school, I don’t think I would be in this business. I credit Todd with giving me my start. F: Shane Douglas to this day is one of my best friends in and out of the business. He will call me and we will talk for hours about life, our kids and everything else that is going on. Shane has been a mentor, a brother and a friend to me. It’s so great after 30 years that we are as close as we are. I truly love him. He perks me up. He is so funny and fun to hang out with. When we do these conventions we try to book them as a team because people like the dynamic of the Franchise and Francine. It’s been working for us and I couldn’t imagine being with anyone else in this scenario. For three and a half years we worked together and we had that chemistry since day one. I’ve learned so much from him and the best part is the friendship that we have. F: Justin Credible, PJ was another one that I really clicked with. Super fun to work with. I wish it could have went on further because at the last PPV there were plans for Justin Credible to join Steve Corino and then me and Jack Victory, because we were always against each other. We were doing the most fun vignettes, goofy, silly to try to pop each other, ad libbing things leading up to this merger that we were going to do. I remember on that last PPV, it closed with a promo from us. I think the last line I said was something like, three men are better than one. We honestly thought we were going to

(PHOTO COURTESY FRANCINE)

become this new faction but unfortunately it was our demise as a company. What could have been with those three guys. Over all they were such great to work with. F: Steve Corino, I love Steve, I worked with Steve, traveled with him, babysat his son Colby who is now a tremendous wrestler. There was a point with Steve where I was always pinning him at house shows and a PPV. I went up to him and I apologized saying, “I’m so sorry, I hope this does not hurt your career or status. It’s not me, it’s Paul.” Steve and I were from the Philadelphia area so our love of the sports teams, the Phillies, we both loved Britney Spears at the time and we would listen to Britney on the road. He was a fun guy to hang out with. I knew I could trust him to take care of me in the ring. We had our Philly click and all of us would just hang out after the shows. F: Tommy Dreamer taught me a lot about the business. He was talent but he also worked in the office, who knew how to use the women in the ring. He would always let the girls shine. That’s what I appreciated about him that he would always give us the spotlight. I had so much fun working against him just because of the dynamic of me being a heel and him a babyface. F: Sandman is a dear friend and I love him. He just sent me a picture of his boys and told me that he missed me. It’s the comradery that I love because I have not seen him in a while. I loved working with him because he always was willing for me to beat the snot out of him. There is one clip that I adore that is my favorite spot ever. He lets me cane him about 10 times in a row. The crowd was so into it and it is another example of letting the guys get beat up by the women, putting their egos to the side. In reality, I’m not a bodybuilder, I’m not muscled up, but they made me look like a super woman out there and I appreciated it. I always went up to the guys that made me look so good and I apologized for beating them up. They all were great about it and I totally appreciated it. Y: Let’s talk about your “Eyes Up Here” podcast with your co-host Chad (Two Man Power Trip/Triple Threat Podcast.) F: Chad and I have been doing our podcast together for over four years. We talk a lot about wrestling but other topics as well. I love Disney so we talk about that, our kids, our spouses, my travels, where I’m working. Our guests range from being in professional wrestling, to actors and comedians. I enjoy doing it. We have some big changes coming up for the better so stay tuned. We are very excited for our future. I just did a signing in North Jersey a couple of weeks ago and there were a lot of ECW guys there and Chris Chetti was there. This was one of his ﬁrst appearances. I had not seen him in 20 years. It was so nice to see him in person because we were so close back then. So I am going to have him on the podcast soon. I’m going to have a lot of the guys on. There are a lot of people that I have interviewed but I like having them on a second time to talk about different things. The Dudleys, I still talk to Bubba and Devon,

they are very good friends of mine. I can not say enough good things about the locker room. The guys were and are great human beings and great to work with. Y: How about some of your favorite moments of you in ECW? F: Now being older and being a mother, I look back and I can’t believe the outfits that I wore. I would never wear them again. The one moment that clearly stands out that changed my whole career, was the night of the four corners match when the Pitbulls put me through the table. Paul called me and the pitch was, you’ll be the first girl to ever go through a table and people will remember you for this. I was all about being first but I was so scared. We did it and my whole character switched over and I went from being a dominatrix. I loved the Pitbulls but I hated the clothing by the way. When I went through the table and got to be with Shane, I got to be this bad girl and actually be a character, this horrible person that everybody despised and hated. It was so different from the real me that it was so great to play this role. 90% of my career I was a heel. Don’t get me wrong, being a babyface is nice and all but being a heel is where you can really shine your acting chops and I enjoyed every minute of it. The crowd was so creative, calling me every name in the book that I had to hide my smile eternally. I never took offense because it’s part of the show but there were some doozies out there. I loved being a heel. Y: How about a pinch me moment or two in your life? F: Working on television, I still can’t believe it, having action figures made of me, being in a video game so many different opportunities have come from this little company, the little engine that could we use to call it. It was the land of misfit toys. I look back so fondly on it. Now being 51 years old and having opportunities still come to me, it just blows my mind that people are still interested in myself and in our product. ECW chants are still heard on the major shows and it goes to show you that what we did was timeless. You can watch our show today and it will still make sense. Paul was so creative, that we have fans watching the product that are young at these signings that are new fans of us. The angles are still hot and relevant and people tell me that they like to watch our old stuff. And this gives us new life. Y: What are you grateful for in life? F: Family, God that to me is my core. I never wanted to be in the business, to be a wrestler. I wanted to be a mother. When I was little I played with dolls and pretended that they were my children. I wanted to get married at an early age and have lots of children. That didn’t happen. I didn’t meet my husband until I was 34 years old. I have two healthy beautiful children and this is what I was meant to do in life. So first and foremost being a mom and my faith is very important to me and then wrestling because without it I would not have this career and all the friends I made along the way. I have a blessed life. I was lucky enough not to have fallen into the world of drugs and drinking. I want to thank everyone for their support for the last 30 years. It’s been a journey, we’ve had some downs but mostly ups, and I am looking forward to next year because there is a lot of stuff on the horizon. For me personally and at 51 years old, I never, ever thought I would be doing anything involving wrestling. I am blessed to have an active role in it. I get to be with my friends and I am so grateful. Thank you to everyone who has been on this journey with me and there is more to come in 2024. Y: You can see and hear Francine’s Eyes Up Here podcast on all social platforms and you can follow her on Instagram and Twitter/X at ecwdivafrancine. Yiorgo is an arts, entertainment and sports writer. A stage, TV and movie actor, he is also a sports entertainer, educator, motivational speaker, writer, storyteller and columnist.

(PHOTO COURTESY WEST POTTER)

(PHOTO COURTESY RUSSELL SAVAGE-FINK)