January 10, 2020
Vol. 37 No. 1
NAMRU-3 MOVES TO SIGONELLA on pages 6-7
HOLDIDAY DEPLOYMENT SHOUTOUT SWORDFISH KEEP ON WINNING (photo provided by NAMRU-3 in Djibouti, Africa)
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Direct Line NAMRU-3 Commanding Officer Capt. Marshall Monteville
B
uongiorno from Naval Medical Research Unit No. 3 (NAMRU-3)! Our headquarters are now officially onboard Naval Air Station Sigonella. As The Beatles say, “it was a long and winding road,” but NAMRU-3 is thrilled to be part of the NASSIG family. We are temporarily located in Building 318, but are working with the base to renovate the space that we will eventually call home in Building 303. I, along with the entire NAMRU-3 team, are excited to be here and are grateful for all the support that we have received from the base and our fellow tenant commands. We look forward to being a valuable member of the wonderful community that is NASSIG. Being stationed in Europe, and specifically Italy, has been a dream, and my wife, Kay, and I are ecstatic to finally have this opportunity. While I’m not complaining, as a Navy brat I only got to see Groton, CT and Honolulu, HI. My dad was a Chief, then an officer, onboard submarines. I am hopeful that my son, Ensign Monteville, might get the chance to be stationed here and enjoy the beauty and culture that we enjoy- as he is currently in aviation training in Pensacola, FL. I am exceptionally fortunate to have NAMRU-3 as my third command tour in twenty-six years with the Navy. My previous CO tours are NAMRU-2 in Singapore with a detachment in Cambodia (2014-2017) and Naval Health
Research Center located onboard Naval Base Point Loma in sunny San Diego (2017-2019). I am a Medical Service Corps Microbiologist and it is great to return to focusing on detecting, deterring and responding to infectious disease threats that can impact warfighter readiness and performance. We take this mission very seriously as disease has historically taken a bigger toll on military personnel during times of war than casualties or deaths from active combat. While this trend has reversed due to advances in medicine, the continued threat of new and emerging disease dictates that we remain vigilant. NAMRU-3 has been around since 1942 when it was established in Cairo, Egypt as the “Typhus Commission.” The mission of the command was important enough to both Egypt and the US that it was the only US organization to remain active between 1967 and 1973, when tensions were such that the US and Egyptian relations completely broke down. My first encounter with NAMRU-3 was in 2003 when I was stationed in Cairo as a staff scientists heading up the Virology Program. Yes, that was me combatting avian influenza (bird flu) as it spread from Asia to the Middle East and then down into Africa. At that time, NAMRU-3 had one of only three US World Health Organization Influenza Reference Centers, with the others being at the
Centers for Disease Control and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. That was pretty good company to be in back in the day. While we will not be establishing a laboratory in Italy, we have active laboratory detachments in Egypt, Ghana and Djibouti. Let me close by once again thanking base leadership for welcoming us into the NAS Sigonella family. As we rebuild our command structure following an unprecedented closure of our long standing headquarters in Cairo, as well as a greater than 90% staff turnover this past summer, we strive to maintain our historical reputation of quality research with a future of excellence in protecting US and allied warfighters. Rest well knowing the Navy Medicine Research and Development Enterprise, of which we are a part of, is actively out there collaborating with partner nations around the world to keep you safe.
January 10, 2020
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Interactive Customer Evaluation Comment Regarding Commissary:
I am a local national. It would be nice if we could enter the commissary periodically (for example one day per month) to be able to purchase items. Just a suggestion, thanks!
Response:
Thank you for your suggestion. We agree that the commissary is a wonderful amenity for our community and wish we could share it with our host nation partners. Unfortunately, the Defense Commissary Agency has strict statute and regulations it must follow regarding customer eligibility. DeCA is not authorized to grant shopping privileges to anyone who is not a member of the force according to our Status of Forces Agreement. Only the U.S. Congress has the authority to change the policy. Again, we appreciate your suggestion and encourage you to reach out directly to the commissary office, Edwin Rodriquez, with any future concerns or suggestions. He can be contacted at DSN 624-4385 / COMM 095-564385 or Edwin.Rodriguez@deca.mil.
Comment Regarding PSD:
My Command Pay/Personnel Administrator (CPPA) has been waiting for PSD to approve his CPPA access for a month. We received no help until my CPO called. The CPPA was then told that he was required to update a training before his access could be approved. He followed up by sending the completed training certificate the same day. We have attempted to call PSD numerous times since then, and they promise to call back. My CPPA needs access to perform his duties, and provide service to command personnel for time-sensitive personnel issues.
Response (from PSD OIC Lt. Fox):
Thank you for providing feedback on this important issue. Customer service is a critical component of the PSD mission, and we strive to meet tenant command expectations. With respect to your particular issue, unfortunately the pending CPPA did not leave his contact information, and it is difficult to remedy the situation without it. Please know that anytime a customer has a personnel issue, they are welcome to contact the PSD chain of command for resolution, including the Officer in Charge. We are ALWAYS here to assist. Please reach out anytime to me at makia.fox@eu.navy.mil or at DSN 624-5300 / COMM 095-86-5300.
Comment Regarding NAS II Road Conditions
We have received some comments about the state of road conditions at NAS II. Allow us to discuss some of the ongoing road construction projects.
Response:
As all base personnel are aware, both installations are undergoing major constructions projects such as the new ECP at NAS II and solar panel installation on NAS I. In addition to these projects, Public Works is also diligently working to upgrade some of the utilities and asphalt across NAS II. For the utilities project, Public Works is currently working to repave sections of NAS II roads that were cut into to install new natural gas distribution pipelines. When complete, the new asphalt should make your ride much smoother. For comprehensive road repairs, Public Works is developing a longterm plan to repave all roads on NAS II over the next several years. Small sections will be repaved each year as budgetary resources become available. While all of these projects certainly cause temporary inconveniences, "ICE" cont’d on Page 11
THE SIGNATURE
U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA
Commanding Officer Capt. Kevin Pickard Executive Officer Cmdr. Patrick J. Moran Command Master Chief CMDCM Nancy Estrada EDITORIAL
Public Affairs Officer Lt. Karl Schonberg karl.schonberg@eu.navy.mil Community Relations Officer Dott. Alberto Lunetta alberto.lunetta.it@eu.navy.mil PAO Staff Writers \ Photographers MC2 Joshua Coté joshua.m.cote@eu.navy.mil
MR2 Kyle Drummond kyle.m.drummond@navy.mil CONTACT US Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily thesig@eu.navy.mil DSN 624-5440; 095-86-5440 PSC 812 Box 7, FPO, AE 09627-0001
This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services overseas. Contents of The Signature are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense (DoD), or the U.S. Navy. Editorial submissions are welcomed from all Naval Air Station Sigonella departments, divisions and tenant commands. Editorial submissions should be sent to the Public Affairs Office via thesig@eu.navy.mil. All articles submitted by non-staff members will be considered contributing writers.
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Name: YN3 Craig Steward Department: Administration Hometown: Chattanooga, Tenn. Whether it’s managing re-fueling operations, maintaining airplanes, or managing the NATO pier at Augusta Bay, the Naval Air Station Sigonella community works hard every day in order to maintain our status as the indispensable “Hub of the Med.” Of the many departments of NAS Sigonella and of the 38 tenant commands here, the typically unsung heroes of the NAS Sigonella Administration department, or admin, work tirelessly to overcome the complexities required to support our small town. As the sole provider of administrative management services to the installation Commanding Officer, Capt. Kevin Pickard, admin is known to have very busy and long days. A quick glance at their duties is all it takes to realize they have a lot on their plate to include official mail, command-level correspondence, military awards processing, personnel requests management and the list goes on. One standout Sailor in particular, Yeoman 3rd Class Craig Lebron
Steward, from Chattanooga, Tenn. is making waves in admin only after being here for a short period of time. Steward has been in the Navy for only one year and he recently promoted to 3rd Class Petty Officer, an achievement which usually takes many two years. “I joined the Navy because I wanted to see the world,” said Steward. “I’ve always loved the sea and my family also has a tradition of military service, so the Navy happened to be the branch closest to my interests. Growing up I knew I wanted to help people out in some type, and joining the Navy made it possible.” Since stepping onboard, he has shouldered the administrative responsibility to help spread the demanding workload. “I am the directives manager for NAS Sigonella Base Admin Department,” said Steward. “I manage, publish, and post all policies and procedures of NAS Sigonella and the Commanding Officer for 5,100 military personnel and their families.” Even with that responsibility, Steward
continues to find ways to excel. He was already the fitness leader for the admin department but recently he stepped up as an assistant command fitness leader (CFL) for NAS Sigonella to proctor physical fitness assessments for all Navy commands onboard. Steward didn’t just stop at becoming a CFL but has continues to grow and develop personally during his time ashore. “I currently enrolled for this upcoming semester,” said Steward. “My goal is to eventually get my bachelors in accounting.” Although at times the military can be stressful, Steward closed out his spotlight interview with the motivation which keeps him going every day. “My favorite part of my job is just knowing every day that I come to work I will be helping a sailor and their family,” said Steward. As well as helping the entire command in some type of way, it is really rewarding having a direct impact on the day to day lives of the people on base.”
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NAMRU-3 Moves to Sigonella, Italy By Cmdr. Dean J. Wagner Executive Officer of NAMRU-3
The newest of Naval Air Station Sigonella’s 38 tenant commands arrived in July, when Capt. Marshall Monteville assumed command of the Naval Medical Research Unit, Number Three. This symbolized the first step in transitioning NAMRU-3 headquarters from Cairo, Egypt to NAS Sigonella. With the arrival of NAMRU-3 comes great expertise in emerging infectious disease research. “NAMRU-3 looks forward to continuing its important work out of Sigonella,” says Capt. Marshall Monteville, commanding officer of NAMRU-3. “No matter where our HQ functions are located, we will always meet our mission in supporting the health and enhancing lethality of our forces deployed throughout Europe, Africa and the Middle East.”
CAPT Mashall Monteville (right) following taking command of the Naval Medical Research Unit No. Three
The recent decision to relocate the command away from Cairo was made because of the necessary security upgrades that are required for the NAMRU-3 facilities. NAS Sigonella was identified as the most ideal location for headquarter operations, since the “Hub of the Med” is geographically central to the three combatant commands it supports, U.S. Central Command, U.S. European Command, and U.S. Africa Command. The command began as the U.S. Typhus Commission in 1942, which was established to develop measures for the prevention, treatment, and control of the disease. Following World War II, the Egyptian government invited the U.S. Navy to continue collaborative studies of endemic tropical and subtropical diseases with Egyptian scientists. In 1946, NAMRU-3 was formally established as a command and based in Cairo. Over the years, NAMRU-3 has made significant contributions in the research and understanding of many infectious diseases, especially for its work with schistosomiasis, Rift Valley fever, and hepatitis. The mission of NAMRU-3 is to study, monitor, and detect emerging and re-emerging disease threats of military and public health importance as well as develop mitigation strategies against them throughout the U.S. Central, Europe, and Africa Command areas of responsibility. This is accomplished in partnership with host nations and international and U.S. agencies such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization. The important work of NAMRU-3
supports the larger Navy mission of force health protection and readiness. “Even after many years in the fleet, I had no idea that there were such smart and dedicated scientists and technicians who go into austere, and even dangerous, environments every day to ensure Sailors and Marines stay healthy and ready to fight,” said Chief Personnel Specialist Dwayne Smith, the NAMRU-3 senior enlisted leader. “There are many more laboratories around the world who are just as dedicated to the warfighter. This is another small reason why our Navy is the world’s finest.” NAMRU-3 has a variety of experts, stationed in Sigonella, Cairo, Ghana, and Djibouti, including entomologists, microbiologists, and infectious disease physicians who work together to ensure deployed forces remain lethal and ready to fight. Specific tasks include vector surveillance, where insects such as ticks and mosquitos are collected from the environment or animals and analyzed. The species of insect may provide information on what diseases or pathogens may be circulating in the area. Microbes may also be cultivated and examined from a variety of sources for the same reason. Many wonder if NAMRU-3 is similar to the CDC. There are some areas of overlap, especially with surveillance and an interest in public health. However, the primary difference is that NAMRU-3 focuses on the health of U.S. military forces and its partners. Of course, what is circulating through the general public is also likely to impact troops in the area, so community health frequently goes hand-in-hand with force health.
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LCDR James Harwood, an entomologist with NAMRU-3 is positioning a mosquito surveillance trap with SSgt Danny Lim
NAMRU-3 does partner with the CDC and other organizations frequently. For example, NAMRU-3 provided collaborative research support with the Ministry of Health, CDC, WHO, and U.S. Agency for International Development during the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Liberia. The command has also been instrumental in research capacitybuilding initiatives throughout Egypt, West Africa, and the Middle East. Currently, NAMRU-3 researchers and collaborators are engaged in several areas of basic research, including acute febrile (fever) illnesses, drug resistance in malaria, Dengue fever, and other tropical and subtropical diseases in Egypt, Ghana, Djibouti, Cameroon, Liberia, Nigeria, and Jordan. What drives the current research agenda is often the result of surveillance performed by NAMRU-3
scientists as well as discussions with combatant commands and partner nations on what they see as threats. It may also be the result of an outbreak, such as the 2014 Ebola epidemic, or a virus moving through a unit, impacting its ability to deploy or fight. The command has always been structured as a “hub-and-spoke” model. NAMRU-3 has had a significant permanent presence in Ghana and Djibouti for many years and has deployed personnel to other locations, as required. Cairo also had a significant scientific staff, where research and epidemiology was conducted. With the transition to headquarters operations at NAS Sigonella, the command is maintaining a presence in each of those locations, with much more research and analysis being conducted in the field or in collaboration with
partner nations and agencies. This model is working well with NAMRU-2 (Asia), where the headquarters element is located in Singapore and research is conducted in remote places such as Cambodia and Vietnam, Malaysia and Laos. The staff of NAMRU-3 is currently composed of 10 Officers and Sailors and is one of five commands that are part of a larger Navy and DoD research and development enterprise aimed at optimizing warfighter readiness. In addition to NAMRU – 3, NAMRU-2 is located in Singapore, and NAMRU-6 is located in Lima, Peru. Stateside, there is NAMRU-San Antonio, Texas and NAMRU-Dayton, Ohio. So next time you see a member of the NAMRU-3 team be sure to give them a hearty welcome to the NAS Sigonella family!
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Discount Shopping season begins in Italy By Alberto Lunetta
NAS Sigonella Public Affairs Attention all bargain hunters! Italy’s winter “stagione di saldi” or discount season kicked off last week! Every year in Italy, there are two government-regulated periods for such a special sale. This period will last through the end of March. The next discount season will kick off in the late summer, so it’s time to take advantage of vendite promozionali (promotional prices), sconti or saldi (discounts). Every time a new promotional campaign begins, the Italy Consumers’ Association warn shoppers against “drastically cut” prices and suggests a few golden rules to score the “best deals.” Keep these tips in mind to avoid getting ripped off! First off, be wary of any discounts higher than sixty percent from the everyday price. Consumer Associations officials warn that a small number of unfair retailers may try to sell worn or damaged items as “promotional sales.” Be sure to scrutinize the stitching and look for signs of wear if you see a deal too good to be true. As for the return policy during the discount season, defective merchandise can be exchanged or returned as usual. Always keep your scontrino (receipt) or your return could be denied. Avoid stores displaying a sign which reads: “la merce venduta non si cambia” (purchased merchandise cannot be returned) or “all sales are final.” By Italian law, you have the right to be refunded or exchange any defective clothing item within two months. With that being said, once you buy something and later you don’t like it anymore, you cannot get your
Satisfy It’s sconti (sales) time in Italy. Shoppers can find great bargains but keep in mind a few tips to avoid rip-offs. (Photo by https://www.altoadigeinnovazione.it/ )
money back just because you don’t like it anymore. Personal taste is not a legitimate reason to exchange an item. Retailers are only obligated to exchange the item only if defective. So just because you have second thoughts about that new dress or you bought the wrong pair of sneakers for your child does not mean it is an obligation for storeowners to refund or exchange. If they do refund you, realize that it is just a courtesy. If you have questions, try to ask about the store’s policy before you buy! Additionally, stores must show the initial prezzo (price) and the reduced price on tags, both in numbers and in percentage. So be sure to check that the tag has all the required information to avoid a rip-off. Check different shops to compare prices. Lastly, be aware that you can use the standard forms of payment while shopping at sales. If some stores display signs saying “non si accettano carte di credito e bancomat” (credit cards and ATM cards are not accepted) or the sales clerk tells you the same
thing regarding the sales items yet they have a card machine and usually accept it, it’s best to just walk away. While you’re in search of big bargains, make sure you keep in mind some tips suggested by all the Italian Consumer Associations to avoid rip-offs. Good luck with your Italian shopping!
Saint Sebastian Festival to be held in Acireale on JAN 20
“Evviva Sam Mastianu! Evviva lu rizzareddu, Vàddatilu quant’è beddu, li miraculi ca fa” (Long live Saint Sebastian! Long live the curly-headed, look at his beauty and the miracles he performs). This ancient prayer demonstrates that that reverence to San Sebastiano (Saint Sebastian) is deeply embedded in the religious history of Acireale, an elegant town in the Catania province. Every year, thousands of pilgrims and tourists swarms the streets of the historic center to show love and respect to their celestial patron. Despite being just the town’s compatrono (co-patron saint) along with Santa Venera, whose festival is "ITALIAN NEWS" continued on Page 13
January 10, 2020
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Vector 5: Jan. 3, 2020: Business Operations Plan By Thomas B. Modly
Acting Secretary of the Navy
Maintaining our U.S. Naval Forces at the highest possible state of readiness and lethality requires the focus and attention of all those who support the business mission of the Department of the Navy. This cannot be accomplished in silos, but rather through an integrated, enterprise approach to business process improvement and modernization. Critical to this effort is that each of us understands and executes the scope of this work from the same plan. This is why we created the Department of the Navy’s (DON) Business Operations Plan (BOP). This plan is tied directly to the National Defense Strategy and it details the steps we are taking to transform our business operations. The initiatives in the plan have 6, 12, 18, and 24-month milestones that allow us to manage and monitor progress on the path to a more agile and accountable business enterprise. We publish the plan annually in October and update it every six months. The BOP is OUR plan for business improvement as an integrated naval enterprise. I encourage you to read it, to understand your individual roles in executing it, and to monitor how these initiatives are improving your ability to serve our Sailors and Marines at www.navy.mil/donbop. Also, if you see areas in the BOP that need improvement, it is your job to let me know, via the Office of the Chief Management Officer at Office of the CMO@navy.mil.
While the BOP describes and tracks nearly 200 individual initiatives, I will be paying particularly close attention to the following areas:
Human Capital Strategy:
We are implementing a new human capital strategy to better access and curate best in class talent. This strategy was developed leveraging leading private sector business practices designed for the new economy. Initial pilot programs in support of this strategy will begin this year.
Supply Chain and Logistics Processes:
Supply chain and logistics processes are currently disjointed and create issues of poor visibility and accountability of inventory and suboptimization of our multiple supply chains. We have assembled a senior group to develop a long-term strategy to address these deficiencies and will start executing reforms this year.
Digital Transformation:
With the creation of the new Office of the Chief Information Officer, we will be exploring ways to accelerate business process modernization across the naval enterprise through the use of advanced digital tools and technologies. These tools and technologies have the potential to substantially improve business process performance, speed, accuracy, and data security.
Financial Management and Audit:
The financial audit is the lynchpin to both monitoring, and catalyzing, improved business operations performance. We have completed our second full scope financial audit as an enterprise, and we continue to learn more about our financial management and business process deficiencies. Most importantly, because of the audit, we are learning a lot more about how to fix these deficiencies. This has been a painful and revealing process, but we must keep at it. Just as rapid change in the global security environment is the new normal, the business mission of the Department of the Navy cannot be allowed to stagnate. Rather, we must continuously improve how we do business in order to keep up with changes in the “outside world” and to sustain our competitive advantage as a naval force. In the private sector the bottom line is profitability. For us in the naval service the bottom line will be measured by our agility and accountability-as they will determine our ability to achieve victory if called upon. Agile and accountable naval forces are impossible without agile and accountable business processes that support them. We should all expect that reaching that standard will require change, and that change itself will be a never-ending process. So, let’s get comfortable with that reality and get after it as a team!
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The Signature
Sigonella Swordfish Reinforce Winning Reputation
By Capt. Brice Goodwin, USNH Sigonella
Sixteen Sigonella Swordfish swimmers competed at the European Forces Swim League’s (EFSL) annual Long Distance Championship held in Brugge, Belgium over Thanksgiving holiday weekend. True to their reputation of being a small but fierce team, the swordfish swimmers displayed their successful skill for 13 podium finishes. David Goodwin rounded out the Swordfish wins in the boy’s 15-16 age group, collecting three gold medal finishes. Giada D’Ignoti covered down for the girl’s 13-14 age group, sweeping gold in her three events. Jake Jennings and Brayden DeBoer, boys ten year age group, followed up with two gold medal and two sixth place wins in their 400 meter and 800 swims. Alyah Perkins proudly walked away with one silver and two bronze medals in the girl’s 15-16 age group. Avery DeBoer and Jill Jennings, girls eight and under age group, brought home two silver medals. Head Coach Justin Jennings focused practices on increasing endurance and efficiency for the longer distances in preparation for this season culminating event,
When asked about their training routine, Coach Tony Dinatale remarked that the swimmers “had the right focus on sets and practices” which led to “experienced swimmers dropping thirty-plus seconds in events.” The time improvements extended to much of the team, with Emma Jarosz, girl’s 10 year age group, dropping 41 seconds in her 800m, and Gabriella Goodwin, girl’s 13-14 year age group, dropping 23 seconds in her 400 individual medley to place first in her heat. Grace Cooper’s, girls 1314 year age group, power and determination were on display during the breaststroke cycle of her 400 individual medley, enable her to turn a 15 meter gap into a 20 meter advantage over her competitor. The first step in receiving an invitation to compete in the championships is to meet preestablished time standards based on age and gender. Through daily repetitions of stroke refinements, turns, starts, and finishes, 21 Swordfish swimmers qualified. Sixteen finalists were selected to travel and compete against swimmers from 16 other teams in the EFSL to
put their skills and endurance to the test against the best of the best long distance swimmers in the league. Coach Austin Link, who swam competitively during high school, and also works as a Physical Therapy Technician at U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella, ensured swimmers had properly warmed up and stretched prior to their races to reduce the potential of strains and injuries. “My goal is to make sure they have the right mental attitude in preparation for their race, and to also make sure they’re physically prepared in order to compete and meet their goals.” This winning physical and mental preparation extended well beyond top place finish medals; David Goodwin, Giada D’Ignoti, and Jake Jennings also accumulated the most points in their races and were awarded High Points Winner trophies for their age groups from across the EFSL. Giada also reset the achievement bar for EFSL record-breaking times in all three of her events. Following a few days of welldeserved rest the swimmers were back in the pool with a new practice set to prepare for their short distance championships at the end of February.
January 10, 2020 "ICE" cont’d from Page 3
they all are improving the safety, functionality, and efficiency of the base. We appreciate your patience as we continue to make strides towards upgrading our installation.
Housing BZ:
I want to thank housing for what they do, especially Simona. I live out in the economy and had an issue with my water not running. I went on "ITALIAN NEWS" cont’d from Page 10
celebrated on July 26, Sebastiano still gets most of the attention by the Acireale’s religious community. The festival honoring him will be held on Thursday Jan. 20 at the Saint Sebastian Basilica. It begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Saint Sebastian church with the opening of the little chapel that houses both the statue of the Christian martyr and the relics. Holy mass will occur at 9:30 a.m. by Acireale Bishop Antonino Raspanti . At 11 a.m., the statue of San Sebastian begins its procession through the streets of the town’s historic heart. The “fercolo” or float, on top of which the statue depicting the saint is placed, will be taken around by a group of 60 “divoti” (devotees) who perform spectacular maneuvers even running and going up steep climbs. The divoti who carry the float belong to a confraternity continuing an centuries-old tradition handed down from father to son. The procession lasts all day and ends at midnight when the statue is brought back to the San Sebastiano church. Firework shows and ringing church bells are performed all day long throughout the city. The San Sebastiano church is located in piazza Leonardo Vigo next to the Acireale Cathedral. San Sebastiano is probably one of the most famous martyrs in the Christian tradition. His martyrdom was a favorite subject of Renaissance painters who
a work trip that prevented me from being in the local area and just by email my problem was fixed that same day. They are doing an amazing job and even provided follow-up afterwards. Thank you Housing office!!! Thanks to the whole Housing staff allowing me and my family to occupy a wonderful house in the economy. My counselors, Guiseppe Fresta, Monica Drigo, Tony and depicted him as a handsome young man. He became known for keeping his dignity through the gruesome pain of terrible arrow wounds and allegedly triumphing over physical suffering. Sebastiano was born in northern France 256 AD. He served as an officer in the Roman army under Diocletian. During the time of his rule, the emperor issued an edict prohibiting Christianity. Sebastiano maintained his Christian religious practice and was eventually discovered. For violating the law in 288 AD, the Roman authorities arrested Sebastiano, shot him with arrows and left him for dead; tradition holds that he survived the arrows which miraculously failed to pierce any vital organ. Thus the arrow became his identifying attribute. Tradition holds that he was eventually beaten to death. A true hero of the Catholic religion, San Sebastiano is also worshipped almost everywhere in Sicily, but particularly in the province of Siracusa and in Maniace. Acireale townspeople consider him as a protector against the plague as he reportedly saved the city during plague epidemics. According to one tradition, the city was spared by the plague in 1466, and therefore, devotees built a church to thank him. However in 1693 the church sustained heavy damage during a catastrophic earthquake which struck the Catania province. The Acireale devotees did not give up and erected a new magnificent basilica dedicated to San Sebastiano in the 17th century. Gian Battista Marino,
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Carmello were very professional, courteous and helpful. Overall a great experience. Thanks again! Thanks to the whole Housing staff that helped me and my family find a wonderful house in the economy. My counselors, Guiseppe Fresta, Monica Drigo, Tony and Carmello were very professional, courteous, and helpful. Overall a great experience. Thanks again! a sculptor from Catania, decorated its façade in the second half of the 17th century in Baroque style. The church’s interior is decorated by paintings depicting scenes from the life of the saint and other masterpieces telling the story of Christ by Venerando Costanzo. Today, the Basilica Collegiata di San Sebastiano is among the most beautiful Baroque buildings in Acireale, and remains a top wedding ceremony destination. San Sebastiano continues to be sought by pilgrims to aid in healing from illnesses and thanked for surviving a natural disaster or accident. If a miracle occurs, devotees offer tall wax objects, money and small golden objects. Sometimes these objects are taped on red ribbons and tied to the branches of the stump against which the statue of San Sebastiano is placed. Tradition also holds that in the past, one who would miraculously survive plague epidemics would offer white linens to the saint. At that time an infected person was indeed required to wear white linen around their neck as a symbol of carrying the disease. Once the epidemic was over, these linens were taped on the pillars that support the carriage on which the statue of the saint is carried in procession. Even nowadays, devotees still wear the linen around their chest and head. For more information and detailed schedules visit https://www.facebook. com/La-Festa-di-San-SebastianoAcireale-1505740462973806/
Calling All Actors! The Sigonella Players want YOU to be a part of an evening of live comedy plays! We need actors, costume, prop and set folks, lighting and sound techs and backstage crew. Come join the fun! No experience necessary. Must be 18+ and out of high school.
Auditions
Monday, January 13, 5:30 - 7:30 pm Compass Room, NAS 1 Bring any scheduling conflicts with you to auditions.
Call Backs
Tuesday, January 14, 5:30 - 7:30 pm Compass Room, NAS 1
Rehearsals
JANUARY 22 I 7:30 PM AT JOX PUB
Monday - Friday January 21 - February 27 (Monday - Friday, 5:30-7:30 pm) Rehearsals schedules will vary based on casting
Performances
Contagious Laughter: a series of hilarious short comedy plays Friday & Saturday, February 28 & 29
For All MWR Event Info
For more info
624-0502
For MWR Event info @ your fingertips
download the app!! NAVYMWR SIGONELLA
the sun soaking of ocean Spend the day iful Mediterranean in the beaut
and playing
the sun soaking of ocean Spend the day tiful Mediterranean in the beau
and playing
June 1 st &June 15 th
the sun soaking of ocean Spend the day l Mediterranean in the beautifu
and playing
June 1 st &June 15 th
June 1 st LA CUCARACHA BEACH &June 15 th Sign-up at Take 5 by May 29th $5 for transportation
For more info call 624-5602 LA CUCARACHA BEACH
visit our website www.navymwrsigonella.com Sign-up at Take 5 by May 29th $5 for transportation
For more info call 624-5602
LA CUCARACHA BEACH
Sign-up at Take 5 by May 29th $5 for transportation
For more info call 624-5602
