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Vol. 20, No. 27 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 07.05.12
Courtesy of Cyndi Perry
Service dogs make dynamic impact on veteran community
By David Todd The Flagship Managing Editor
NORFOLK
The crew of amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) marked the 11th Anniversary of the ship’s commissioning with a celebratory meal and cake-cutting ceremony, June 30. Since the 2001 commissioning, Iwo Jima has assumed a unique personality by building upon the will, spirit and dedication of those who served on the first amphibious assault ship, USS Iwo Jima (LPH 2), and those who fought gallantly during the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945. “It is an incredible privilege to serve with this crew.
Throughout history, dogs have carried out a wide range of The reward tasks for their human is seeing counterparts. They protect livestock and how property, provide companionship, and this dog keep their owners out of harm’s way, among helps this other tasks. Service individual, dogs, however, provide a very specific physically and specialized task and for their owners. According to the Americans with Dis- mentally, abilities Act (ADA), being able first implemented in 1990 by President to give the George H.W. Bush, a service dog is de- love of a scribed as “any guide dog, signal dog, or dog – a other animal indi- well trained vidually trained to provide assistance to dog.” an individual with a disability.” And while - Cyndi Perry there are many organizations that provide assistance/service dogs to individuals of all ages with physical and mental health challenges, Veterans Moving Forward (VMF), founded in 2010, has set out from day one to provide service dogs, at no cost, to veterans with physical and mental health challenges, including those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). In 2009, only eight veterans received financial support from the VA for service dogs, and it is estimated that less than 150 veterans received service dogs through private placement in 2010. Cmdr. Karen Jeffries (ret.), the founder, president and executive director of VMF, and a service-disabled veteran herself, felt that the veteran population with disabilities was being under-served and she wanted to make a difference. “I founded Veterans Moving Forward with my business partner, and we created this very unique model to raise service dogs, as well as provide a network of therapy dogs that can engage in therapy one-on-one, or on a ratio of one to 10 at the group therapy sessions,” she said. VFW currently has seven puppies that are Assistance Dogs in Training, and 13 adult dogs that are anywhere from 2 to 10 years of age that are certified and registered to be therapy dogs at various hospitals, private clinics, long-term care facilities, medical centers or the VA. Jeffries said that seeing the dogs in action speaks volumes to the importance of the services they provide. “I had been raising a service dog for another organization, and in the process of doing that, I watched the miracles that occurred when I would take my dog with me
» see ANNIVERSARY | A7
» see SERVICE DOGS | A4
■ meet Chief and Nathan Given that no two dogs are alike, each dog’s path from puppy to service dog is entirely unique to him or her. Chief is currently in basic training with Sherry Mathews of Yorktown (left) and Nathan is currently in advanced training with Cyndi Perry (right) in Northern Virginia. If you are interested in volunteering for VMF, visit www.vetsfwd.org/site/applications.php.
USS Elrod rescues four people at sea
U.S. Navy Search and Rescue swimmers assigned to the guided-missile frigate USS Elrod (FFG 55) pull one of four survivors aboard their rigidhulled inflatable boat during search and rescue efforts in the Caribbean.
By Ens. Willie Jeter USS Elrod Public Affairs
USS ELROD, AT SEA
Norfolk-based frigate USS Elrod (FFG 55) rescued four people from a sinking small boat, June 26, while on patrol in the Caribbean Sea in support of Operation Martillo. Elrod received a call from a maritime patrol aircraft after spotting the submerged vessel. The ship made best speed to the reported site to investigate and located four survivors in distress. The mariners were clinging onto the bow of the damaged boat when Elrod made its approach. A rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) was
AWR1 Trey Knight
We came at the right time. I am not sure these people would have lasted much longer.”
lowered to pick up the stranded survivors. One of the four survivors lapsed in and out of consciousness and Chief Hospital Corpsman Cory Perry diagnosed their condition as life-threatening and in desperate need of immediate medical treatment. “We came at the right time,” said Cmdr. Jack Killman, Elrod Commanding Officer.
- Cmdr. Jack Killman, Elrod Commanding Officer
» see ELROD | A7
NEW SEABEE HEADQUARTERS FACILITY DEDICATED By Daryl C. Smith First Naval Construction Division Public Affairs
VIRGINIA BEACH
The First Naval Construction Division (1NCD) officially dedicated its new headquarters building with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, June 29. More than 16,000 U.S. Navy Seabees who deploy worldwide to provide military construction support and humanitarian assistance are overseen by 1NCD. The building, which incorporates many energy-saving and environmentally-friendly features, was dedicated
MIDDLE SCHOOLERS USE THEIR STEM SKILLS Students are using their science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills to solve problems of Navy interest at the National Defense Education Program (NDEP) Virginia Demonstration Project (VDP) Summer Academy, June 25 - 29. » see A6
in honor of Lt. Carl Milford Olson, a Civil Engineer Corps officer who took part in the North African and Sicilian campaigns during World War II as officer-in-charge of a Seabee pontoon causeway platoon. He helped develop and build many of the fittings and attachments which made the Seabee pontoon causeways successful in landing operations. He was killed on the beachhead at Salerno, Italy on Sept. 13, 1943. Olson’s granddaughter, Luann Olson and her husband, Don Olson, attended the ceremony and helped cut the ribbon.
» see DEDICATION | A7
Iwo Jima celebrates anniversary at sea By MCC (SW/AW) Johnnie R. Robbins USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Public Affairs
GULF OF ADEN
AWARENESS FOR PTSD The Navy and Marine Corps’ top doctor participated in support of National PostTraumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day, June 27.
» see B7
CHALK THE WALK Hundreds of artists will gather in Virginia Beach to draw Andy Warholinspired chalk drawings for three blocks along the boardwalk, July 7.
» see C1
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