Vol. 28 No. 9
march 11, 2011
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NAS Sigonella participates in Read Across America By GM2 Kris Carmody The Signature Staff
Teachers, students and volunteer parents from Naval Air Station Sigonella’s Stephen Decatur Elementary School marched through the streets on Mar. 2 to celebrate Dr. Seuss’s 107th birthday. The parade was not only to celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday, but also was designed to raise awareness of the importance of reading while children are young. Each student, depending on their grade level, wore READ, continued on page 12
Photo by GM2 Kris Carmody, The Signature Staff
NMCRS kicks off Active Duty Fund Drive By MCSA Cameron Bramham The Signature Staff Sigonella Elementary School Students display their favorite Dr. Seuss books during a parade around NAS Sigonella for the 14th annual Read Across America Parade held on Mar. 2.
Leapin’ Lizards! NAS Sigonella stars in Annie
More on pages 8 & 9 Weather
top StorieS
Mar. 11 H: 64 update L: 43 The Navy's Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is designed to assist sailors by addressing the special needs of their exceptional family members (EFM) during the assignment process.
iNSide
Mar. 12 H: 63 L: 47
Photos by MCSA Cameron Bramham, The Signature Staff
Mar. 13 H: 60 L: 50
Mar. 14 H: 72 L: 52
A request for assistance from a Japanese-owned merchant vessel in the Somali Basin led to Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) warship USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) securing the release of the vessel and its 24 crew members from four suspected pirates, Mar. 6.
The community of Francofonte, a beautiful town located in the Siracusa province, will host a twoday family-oriented event, the annual Giornate dell’Arancia Rossa (Blood Orange Days).
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Direct Line 2
Navy News 3
Community Calendar 4
Mar. 15 H: 73 L: 51
Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Commanding Officer, Capt. Scott Butler joined NAS Sigonella’s Navy Marine Corps Relief Society’s (NMCRS) Director, Esther Scott and NMCRS volunteers at Ristorante Bella Etna Mar. 3 to kick-off the NMCRS Active Duty Fund Drive (ADFD). The ADFD officially began Mar. 1 and will run through the rest of the month. The purpose of the ADFD is to increase awareness of Sailors and Marines and their families about the availability of assistance from the NMCRS and to obtain funds that are essential to the continuation of the organization. “Today’s event is a great kick-off in series of upcoming events which will be highlighted by a fashion show,” Butler said. “Every event is another unique way you can Mar. 16 H: 73 L: 47
Leapin’ Lizards! NAS Sigonella came together to watch a musical performance of Annie this past weekend. Check out the photo collage of the event!
PAGE 8 MWR Corner 11
help the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society and have fun at the same time.” Founded in 1904, the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society is a private non-profit charitable organization. It is sponsored by the Department of the Navy and operates nearly 250 offices ashore and afloat at Navy and Marine Corps bases throughout the world. The Mission of NMCRS is to provide, in partnership with the Navy and Marine Corps, financial, educational, and other assistance to members of the Naval Services of the United States (active and retired), and their eligible family members and survivors, when in need. “Every year the campaign brings Sailors and Marines together to bring awareness and participation to our cause,” Scott said. “We have been around for a long time, and NMCRS, continued on page 12
Traffic Numbers
Mar. 17 H: 67 L: 47 This weekend is the Base to Base run/walk. All those days of training and the big event is here! Get ready, and get all of the details on MWR’s page.
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Jan. 11 Feb. 11
Jan. 10 Feb. 10
Accidents
32
31
Injuries
3
4
DUIs
3
1
Traffic Deaths
0
0
please, don’t become a statistic!