Happy Birthday Navy USN Celebrates 243 Years PAGE 5
Autumn Food Festival See What There is to Eat this Season
The Perfect Squat Perfect Your Form
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N A S SIG O N E L L A
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OCTOBER 12, 2018
Vol. 35 No. 38
NAS Sigonella Raises Awareness During Domestic Violence Prevention Month www.militaryonesource.com
Since 1981, October has been commemorated as National Domestic Violence Prevention Month (DVAM). The observance serves to educate communities, individuals, couples and families about Family Advocacy Program services and other community resources that can help prevent, raise awareness of community responsibility and resources for addressing domestic abuse. The 2018 DVAM campaign, “Know the Signs,” is designed to help service members, military spouses and intimate partners build, maintain or strengthen their relationship and prevent domestic abuse. The campaign focus is to reach people as early in the relationship lifecycle as possible, invite them to think about their relationship, and consider whether it could be classified as healthy, unhealthy or abusive. How to Help Service-Connected Victims of Domestic Abuse Whether or not you recognize the signs, it’s likely that someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse. The person may be someone you serve with, someone from your community, a family member or friend. Victims frequently hide their abuse out of fear that revealing it will escalate the violence. In military families, victims and abusers may avoid reporting abuse when they’re concerned about the consequences it might have on the service member’s career. But abuse usually doesn’t stop without outside intervention. Instead, it tends to become more frequent and more severe over time. The best outcomes for a victim’s safety and a service member’s career come when abuse is identified early and abusers have the opportunity to change before their violent behavior becomes a long-term pattern. Understanding domestic abuse Domestic abuse usually involves a pattern of violence and emotional and verbal abuse. Besides physical abuse, abusers may hurt their victims and maintain control over them using insults, put-downs, public humiliation and name calling. Or they may threaten violence, suicide, financial deprivation or to take away the children. These tactics are meant to silence victims so that they’re afraid to seek help. Underlying all domestic abuse is the abuser’s need to feel powerful and in control of another person’s behavior and actions. Although the Department of Defense has made it clear that domestic abuse within military families is not acceptable and will not be tolerated, abuse continues to damage military families. While being in
the military does not cause abuse, the demands of military life may increase the risk of domestic abuse within some families. These demands include: • High levels of stress created by the cycle of deployment and reintegration • Frequent relocation that separates military families from social support systems • Economic dependence of many military spouses Victims of domestic abuse often have great difficulty getting out of abusive relationships. They may feel ashamed or responsible for the violence, as if it were provoked or deserved. Or they may feel isolated and alone, believing there’s no one to turn to for help. They may fear for their life or their children’s safety or be financially dependent and have no means of support for themselves and their families. The signs of domestic abuse No one should try to diagnose situations of domestic abuse. But being aware of the signs is the first step in getting help or offering support to someone who may be at risk. Some of the signs of domestic abuse include the following: • Fear of one’s spouse or of ending the relationship • Physical abuse, including grabbing, pinching, shoving or hitting • Emotional abuse (put-downs, or embarrassment in private or in front of others) • Social isolation (not being allowed to see or talk to relatives or friends) • Threats of violence against the victim, the victim’s children or people the victim loves • Unexplained bruises or injuries • Increased or unexplained absences from work • Harassing phone calls at work or at home • Withdrawal from friends, family or fellow service members If you have a friend, relative, neighbor or coworker who may be a victim of domestic abuse, reach out and offer support. Many people are uncomfortable raising an issue they believe is none of their business, or they fear that revealing suspicions will increase the risk of abuse or adversely affect a service member’s career. But domestic abuse can be a matter of life and death. Here are ways that you can offer support: • Show your concern. Let the victim know you are ready to listen and help. You might begin by saying, “I’m concerned for your safety. I’m here to help.” Encourage the victim to seek medical attention for any injuries. • Offer information on support resources. You
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can urge the victim to contact the installation’s Family Advocacy Program and speak with a victim advocate, call the command chaplain, or contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-SAFE [7233]). Military OneSource (800-342-9647) can offer information and confidential counseling. You might say, “I’m afraid for your safety. Here’s a number to call.” Make sure the victim understands the military’s options for reporting domestic abuse. Victims can, except in certain circumstances, get assistance from an FAP victim advocate and receive medical care without it automatically resulting in an abuse investigation or notification to the service member’s command. Call Emergency Dispatch if the victim is in immediate danger of assault or physical injury. Remind the victim of the impact of domestic abuse on children. Whether or not they physically experience violence, children who live in violent households suffer emotional and psychological damage. Remind the person that abusers rarely stop without help, regardless of promises. An incident of domestic abuse is often followed by a “honeymoon” period. When tensions mount, the violent behavior returns. Be there for the person. A victim of domestic abuse may need you to make phone calls, go with her to the police or help with child care as she works out a safety plan. Although you can’t do it all, ask and do what you can to help. Respect the victim’s decisions. You may wonder why the victim stays in an abusive relationship. There may be many reasons - none of which are simple. It can be because of religious beliefs, worries about breaking up the family unit, family and social pressure, financial dependency, or fear that the abuse will increase if they attempt to leave. Help the victim who chooses to stay. The choice to stay or leave remains with the victim, but addressing the problem can be a shared effort. Be sure the victim knows that your support remains available regardless of how she handles the situation. Often, a victim returns to the abuser several times before leaving for good. Your continued help, support and encouragement are vital.
The Family Advocacy Program helps individuals, couples, and families develop healthy relationships and address common relationship and parenting challenges in every stage of life. Learn more about healthy relationships by contacting the Fleet & Family Support Center at 624-4291, Commercial: 095Dr. John Ferreira, Sigonella Fleet and Family Support Center Counseling Advocacy Program Supervisor 56-4291 or contact the National Domestic Violence and Clinical Counselor gives opening remarks during a Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or www.thehotline.org. For emergency situations please call 1911. Signing ceremony on board NAS Sigonella. (U.S. Navy Photo By Lt. Andriana Genualdi)
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Direct Line
Regina Fivella Director, Fleet and Family Support Center Saluti Sigonella, Since 1981, October has been commemorated as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, an annual observance that generates awareness of community responsibility and educates individuals, couples and families on where to find resources to help prevent and address domestic abuse. The theme for 2018’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month is “Know the Signs of Healthy Relationships and How to Strengthen Yours” which speaks to the need that everyone in Sigonella has a responsibility to prevent domestic violence and build a healthy, safe community. Helping couples develop healthy relationship skills is a key violence prevention strategy for the Family Advocacy Program. Additionally, promotional activities will emphasize the impact of exposure to domestic violence on children and adolescents and the generational continuation of familial maltreatment if not addressed. Finally, the observance will feature tools and resources available to support and empower victims. Helping victims of domestic abuse can be tough. You might not know
how to help, who to talk to or may question whether it’s your place to intervene. But domestic abuse is everyone’s problem, and if you see something you need to step up and say something. In order to help, you need to know what to look for and what you can do. Be aware of the signs of domestic abuse. If you notice that someone is afraid of their spouse, or seems anxious about making decisions without their partner’s consent, they may be in an abusive relationship. Victims may have unexplained bruises or injuries caused by pinching, shoving, hitting or grabbing. As abuse often includes threats of violence against a victim or loved ones, victims may become socially isolated and withdraw from friends, family and co-workers. Finally, victims of abuse may receive threatening phone calls and have increased or unexplained absences from work. If you think you know someone who is being abused, you should reach out and offer support. You may hesitate to offer help, because you think it’s none of your business or you’re afraid that revealing your suspicions will increase the risk of abuse
or adversely affect the service member’s career. It’s important to get past these fears, because domestic abuse tends to escalate over time and can be a matter of life and death. Victims of domestic violence may feel scared, confused and alone. Family Advocacy Program counselors are available to provide confidential information and support tailored to each victim’s needs and concerns. Services include safety planning, emotional support, help with military and civilian resources, legal or law enforcement matters and accompaniment to court. Victim advocates help empower victims to understand their options and make decisions about what’s best for themselves and their family. Throughout the month of October, you will see purple ribbons displayed around the installation. Traditionally, displaying purple ribbons during the month of October promotes awareness of domestic violence. The Navy is supporting the purple ribbon campaign by motivating community members to wear purple ribbons, clothing, etc. on Thursdays during October. Join us in knowing the signs and preventing domestic violence.
The Fleet and Family Support Center offers counseling to help develop healthy relationship skills and address stressful situations. You and your partner deserve a respectful and healthy relationship, and our community is here to make it happen. By learning to recognize the signs of healthy and unhealthy behaviors, you can help strengthen relationships and set the stage for a better life. Learn more by contacting the Fleet and Family Support Center at DSN: 624-4291, or visit ffsp.cnic.mil #NavyDVPM2018. Know the signs, Sigonella!
Commanding Officer's Suggestion Box The ICE/CO Suggestion Box is for our community and Commanding Officer to discuss, with an eye toward constant improvement, how we are excelling* and how we can improve**. The community is strongly encouraged to leave contact information when submitting comments. This ensures that a response will come directly to you. The Signature and NASSIG Facebook Page typically publish comments and responses for the benefit of the Sigonella community. Comments/suggestions are useful when objective, constructive, and specific. ICE/CO Sug-
gestion Box is NOT a forum for mean-spirited attacks. Anonymous comments will be published only if they benefit the greater community at large. * If you submit a "BZ" about a specific person or department, PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR NAME in order to ensure comment authenticity and therefore publicly recognize employees or organizations. ** The Commanding Officer will ensure a response to all signed comments/suggestions and the vast majority of anonymous ones but reserves the right to disregard
those comments/suggestions disinterested in the spirit of the program! There are two ways to submit; go to: 1) Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE) home page on a One-Net computer at: http://ice.disa.mil, All Sigonella services are found under the Navy Europe Listing in the scroll-down menu. – or – 2) NAS Sigonella's website www.cnic.navy.mil/Sigonella, go to the "About" drop down menu and click on "CO Suggestion Box".
Interactive Customer Evaluation Comment regarding Yard Conditions in Marinai:
My husband and I were relieved when we saw all the information in re-gards to upholding residents to the Housing regulations and policies. However, although things seem to be outlined in the policy that I was given when we signed the paperwork to move on base – they aren’t being enforced. We were walking around the community over the weekend and a critter actually scurried out of a yard on Via Etna. The grass in that resident’s yard is high and definitely unkempt. I would think it is not only a health hazard to whoever is living next door to them, but it is also unsightly. We need to take pride in our properties, and we need to take pride in our community. There are several residents that aren't respecting those of us that are trying to do so. On Via Etna there are people that have adult swings hanging from their rafters in the front carport and others still that have regular furniture in front of their homes. How do we make change actually happen? Write congress in regard to the lack of rule following on a military base?
Response:
Thank you for your comments regarding Marinai Family Housing. These comments help the Housing Office focus in on what they can improve on. Housing has been focusing on the carports and backyards in Marinai. Recently, housing has taken over the maintenance responsibility of front yard lawn mowing and shrub trimming to improve curb appeal. How-ever, as a reminder, residents are still responsible for maintaining their own back yards, including picking up after their pets, cutting the grass and bushes, and making sure nothing is collecting water to prevent mosquitoes from breeding. For carports, please keep in mind that Marinai has very limited out-door storage, so many residents store items in their carports out of necessity. Nonetheless, residents are required to make sure their car-ports are neatly organized. The Housing Office has already identified some houses that are not currently meeting this requirement and will be inspecting carports weekly for future violations. They are looking for safety violations like open storage of paint, gas cans, propane canisters, and aerosol cans—these items should be stored in a cabinet. Also, power tools and woodworking equipment should be put away after every use. The Housing Office also provides videos and information about the limited outdoor storage so that incoming residents have a better sense of what they can bring. They are also exploring the op-tion of providing outdoor sheds,
but this will likely take some time to finalize. In the last three weeks the Housing office has issued over 85 cita-tions for carports and back yards with follow ups happening this week. Understand the weather has not been great to cut the back yards but the Housing Office is working the issues, including looking at vacant units. Please contact the Marinai Housing Office for more information or email the installation’s Housing Director, Peter Faulk, at pe-ter.faulk@eu.navy.mil at any time.
Comment regarding Bravo Zulu for PSD Sailors:
My wife and I want to take a moment and thank two sailors at the NAS Sigonella Personnel Support Detachment (PSD), Petty Officer Second Class Rabi Serna and Petty Officer First Class Cody Ramsey. On Friday, October 5 during the DONSA day, these two gentlemen provided excep-tional customer service in particular PO1 Ramsey who came in on his day off in place of his colleague who unfortunately called in sick. Both were professional, courteous, and most helpful. Please thank these two gentlemen for helping during the period when most personnel were already enjoying their three-day weekend. Sincerely, Richard Norman Response: Mr. Norman, Thank you for providing us your valuable feedback as it much appreci-ated. PSD’s I.D. Lab was actually closed for services on Friday, 5 Oc-tober, however there was an emergent I.D. Card situation in which Petty Officer Ramsey voluntarily came in on his day off to assist. Petty Officer Ramsey is that guy who ALWAYS goes above and beyond to assist whenever and wherever needed - no matter what! Petty Officer Ramsey and Petty Officer Serna our two superstars at PSD Sigonella and I am so proud to have them as part of the team. As a matter of fact, Petty Officer Ramsey is the PSD Sailor of the Quarter this quarter and Petty Officer Serna is their Junior Sailor of the Quarter this quar-ter. They both consistently go above and beyond what is expected of them. They are extremely dedicated and work very hard and independ-ently. They are extremely professional and treat every customer how they would want to be treated. It's
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THE SIGNATURE U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA
Name: Aviation Boatswain’s Mate, Handling 2nd Class MaPaula Fuerte Department: Emergency Management Hometown: Murfreesboro, TN Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella’s Emergency Management Department is charged with the central task of coordinating the base’s emergency services. It operates the emergency dispatch center and plans responses to emergency situations that could develop, serving as a coordinating function of all the critical players on base for if and when a true emergency arises. It takes Sailors like Aviation Boatswain’s Mate, Handling 2nd Class MaPaula Fuerte to support Sailors at the department. Fuerte serves as the career counselor and administration officer for the 14 Sailors that are in her department. She has a big whiteboard in her office to keep track of each Sailor’s details. That way, she knows exactly what training milestones each Sailor has to hit and when reenlistments or overseas tour extensions need to be processed. She helps Sailors submit timely and correct packages so that their careers can stay on track. She also routes request chits and correspondence and processes paperwork for awards, evaluations, and any other departmental paperwork. Having a Sailor like Fuerte to do administrative support frees up other Sailors to do their jobs. Fuerte also has several collateral duties. She serves on the watch bill as a 911 dispatcher, is the department’s assistant hazmat and safety officer, is in charge of SIPR room access, and recently be-
came a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate. “I love this job,” said Fuerte. “I enjoy interacting with everyone here— they are all different rates and so I get to learn about different jobs and goals people have in life. We are a team unit, there is a lot of autonomy and trust here. It’s so interesting working with other departments and planning for emergencies. I’ve never felt this important before.” When Fuerte isn’t juggling her departmental duties, she is busy finishing her B.A. in Psychology, which she expects to receive in November. Her big goal is to become a commissioned officer and work as a social work nurse
"ICE" continued from Page 2 so wonderful to know that their hard work and dedication does not go unnoticed from personnel outside of PSD. Again, thank you so much for your wonderful feedback and I will definitely pass on your gratitude and will ensure their efforts are recognized.
Comment regarding CDC Manning:
On Thursday, 10 OCT, at approximately 0820, I dropped my child off at the CDC. There was not a single person at the front to greet or check my ID. I walked to his classroom, but still did not encounter anyone until entering the classroom. Per usual operations, I was not greeted by the teachers. As a trained STAR Service facilitator at a prior duty station under the N9 umbrella, I am unsure that the staff has had this training or they are simply not implementing it. I want my child to feel welcomed and wanted when he enters his school for the day, as any parent would. I certainly did not feel the trustworthiness of the fa-cility when I dropped my son off, knowing any person could walk in at any time. This is also concerning given that their CCTV is at the front for anyone to see, more so without supervision. I appreciate the CDC and
after completing the Medical Enlisted Commissioning Program. She should find out the results of the officer package she submitted this winter. In her free time, Fuerte volunteers for several organizations, including the NAS Sigonella Recreation Committee and Filipino American Association, and occasionally for the MWR, USO, and American Red Cross. She also is taking advantage of the travel opportunities and has trips to the Munich Oktoberfest, London, and a Greek cruise in the works. “It’s the best,” spoke Fuerte of the travel opportunities. “I love that you can just pick up and go to a place like Rome for the weekend.”
Commanding Officer Capt. Brent Trickel Executive Officer Cmdr. Patrick J. Moran Command Master Chief CMDCM Nancy Estrada EDITORIAL Public Affairs Officer Lt. Andriana Genualdi andriana.genualdi@eu.navy.mil Assistant Public Affairs Officer Janine Scianna janine.scianna@eu.navy.mil Community Relations Officer Dott. Alberto Lunetta alberto.lunetta.it@eu.navy.mil Editor MCC Jessica Vargas Jessica.Vargas@eu.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 PUBLISHER Stampa Generale S.r.l., Sig. Bruno Brandi, Publisher, Naval Support Activity Capodichino (Naples), Italy stampagenerale@tin.it Tel. 081-568-7884 Fax 081-568-7887
what they do, however, the uneasiness I felt this morning was concerning.
Response:
I can understand your concern about the front desk being unmanned. I apologize for that lack of supervision. Based on the time and date given, it appears that the front desk clerk was escorting a new family to their room. If there is no Operations Clerk or person covering the front desk, the Director or Assistant Director are in their offices where they can see patrons coming in and out of the building, and they also have the CCTV monitors up and running in the offices where they can monitor all of the classrooms and entry ways. The CDC tries their best to greet patrons as they come into the building and I assure you that thanks to the monitors they do see everyone who enters the build-ing. All of the CDC Staff have received customer service training but I will ensure that they be retrained on how to properly greet custom-ers/parents/children to make them feel welcomed and comfortable. If you have any other concerns please contact the CDC Director, Ms. Lee Papa, at 624-3731. Thank you for reaching out and sharing your con-cerns. I sincerely apologize for the less than stellar service you received.
This civilian enterprise (CE) 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. The appearance of advertising in this newspaper, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the DoD or Stampa Generale S.r.l., 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, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. A confirmed violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser will result in the refusal to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. The Signature is published weekly by Stampa Generale S.r.l., Sig. Bruno Brandi, Publisher, Naval Support Activity, Capodichino (Naples), Italy. Tel. 081-568-7884. Fax 081-568-7887. E-mail: stampagenerale@tin.it 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, guard mail stop #68 or hand-delivered to our office no later than the close of business on the Friday preceeding the expected publication date. All articles submitted by non-staff members will be considered contributing writers. The Signature will not publish any anonymous articles. All advertisements in this publication are the property of Stampa Generale S.r.l. Any reproduction of advertisements in The Signature is unauthorized without the written consent of the publisher.
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Sigonella’s Own All-Navy Softball Player By Lt. Andriana Genualdi
Many people may know Lt. j.g. Dustin Kentzell of Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella’s Security Department, but they may not know that he was on the All-Navy Softball Team for seven years. We invited Kentzell in to talk about the All-Navy Sports program and his experiences as a member of the softball team. Kentzell, who joined the Navy in 2002, was an avid baseball player for the majority of his life. He grew up in San Jose and Los Banos, Calif. and first picked up a bat at 4-years-old. When the detailer told him that there would be opportunities for him to play in the Navy, he was on board. It wasn’t until the 2007 season that Kentzell tried out for the All-Navy team, after leaving his first command in Japan and the sports director on base mentioned it. He had some coworkers who played for the team so he started shadowing them for five or six days a week for almost a full year. He wanted to ensure he was in the best shape possible so he would make the team during the tryouts process. After getting smart on the application process, with some help from his coworkers, he submitted his package to his chain of command to be permitted to go try out. “It’s on the Sailor to submit the paperwork, talk to the athletic director, talk to their chain of command and let them know how the process works,” said Kentzell. “The Navy pays for this entire process, your command doesn’t lose any money, they don’t have to pay for your flights, per diem, or anything.
Photo courtesy of Lt. j.g. Dustin Kentzell
Photo courtesy of www.navyfitness.org
All they really need to do is issue the Sailor no-cost TAD orders.” For players who make it to tryouts, they can expect to be away from their commands from one week to one month from late August to late September, depending on whether they make the team. The first seven days are a series of tryout games played so the coaches can get an idea of the skill level of the athletes. Athletes, even returning players, must try out each year to make the team. After the team is chosen, they spend most of their time playing one or two practice games a day, practicing against experienced players in the Pensacola, Fl. area until the Armed Forces Championship begins. The Armed Forces Championship is hosted on an annual rotation by each service. The teams come together to battle it out on the field in a furious pace of multiple games a day. Following the Armed Forces Championship, players from all four teams are combined into the All-Armed Forces Team and they go on to compete in the USA Softball National Championship against teams from across the nation.
After the 2007 season Kentzell went on to make the team and compete six more times. He initially started out playing the position of outfielder but in later years switched to playing pitcher due to a back injury. The most memorable season for Kentzell was 2014 when the Navy team took silver. He was happy to have finally beaten the Army team, and felt that winning silver helped put the program back into the spotlight. Kentzell recommends that if a service member is interested in a sport, they should check the Navy Fitness website to see if there is a team they can try out for. He suggests asking around to see if they know someone who is involved with the Navy Fitness program and ask them for advice and a recommendation. It’s also important to include past achievements in your application, such as where they played and any awards, like MVP, they may have received. He stressed that applicants need to be well rounded, “You can’t be a 3.0 Sailor, the program looks at that as well during the selection process. They want ambassadors to represent the program, it’s important to be a good Sailor first, and then a good athlete.” For more information on what All-Navy sports are available and how to apply, visit https://www. navyfitness.org/all-navy-sports.
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Fall it’s Time for Caldarroste! Story by Alberto Lunetta NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
Fall is in full swing in Sicily and freshly roasted chestnuts “caldarroste” are cooked daily on traditional brown smoker pans that are located on every street corner, pervading narrow streets and neighborhoods with clouds of smoke and aroma. The fall is that time of the year when the chestnuts are ripe so they are ready to be cooked in different recipes. One of the best ways to eat them is to buy them warm and roasted! They are perfect for cold winter evenings. Roasted chestnuts are cooked with salt on special pans with holes. Chestnuts are cut on the rounded side to avoid popping during cooking and roasted until the peel becomes whitish. The custom of eating chestnuts dates back to the ancient Roman world when castagne (chestnuts) were considered as food for the aristocracy. A famous chef from Imperial Rome prepared them with a pepper sauce and other spices including mint, vinegar, honey and “garum” (sauce made up of fish entrails). In the Middle Ages and following centuries, chestnuts progressively became the staple food of peasants across Italy. Chestnuts are easy to find in the woods and rich in proteins. For centuries they helped the population survive during famine. During wars, Medieval and Renaissance European armies used to store chestnut flour because it can be preserved for a long time and used to bake as a substitute for bread. In the 18th century an Italian company from Piedmont called Marengo created “Marron Glaces” (glazed chestnuts) covered with sugar syrup; the best quality of large chestnuts are called “marroni” or marrons. Today, chestnuts can be cooked in a thousand ways and represent the symbol of the upcoming Christmas. A French chef suggested eating them roasted while sitting around a fire with friends sipping a light wine such as “Beaujolais Nouveau!” The chestnuts and wine coupling is a delight which is typical of one of the most important fall attractions in Italy: the “Estate di San Martino” or “Summer of St. Martin,” a festivity, falling during a period of unusually warm weather, similar to the Indian summer, which is celebrated in late autumn on Nov.11. The Summer of St. Martin is named after St. Martin of Tours and commemorates the wine-racking (the separation of wine from its sediment) period, when farmers used to pay visits to each other to compare the products of the winemaking process and dine together on fresh bread, salami, cheese and obviously, “caldarroste.” Legend has it that, during the 4th century (on Nov. 11), on a cold night, Roman officer Martino, who later became a bishop and then a saint, rescued a beggar by giving him half of his cloak. As Martino was on his way back home, there was a sudden weather change; the weather became beautifully warm! Today, this festivity still keeps alive a tradition, blending pagan (celebration of fertility, end of harvest and wine-making season etc.) and Christian (remembering the good heart of St. Martin) elements.
Fall Festivals Continue this Weekend: Zafferana and Cesarò Story by Alberto Lunetta NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
Ottobrata Festival (Oct. 14, 21 and 28)
Fall has arrived in Sicily and it’s big sagra (festival) time! October is filled with a plethora of mouthwatering autumn food festivals. In the Catania province, the 40th edition of the traditional Ottobrata Fall Festival, which kicked off last week in Zafferana, will continue every Sunday in October in the town’s historic center. With thousands of people attending every year, this festival is one of the main autumn events in the Etna area. Each Sunday has a different theme. The festival is paired with the Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany. After the Sunday event celebrating grapes (Sagra dell’Uva), Ottobrata continues this Sunday (Oct. 14) with an exciting
Fall is known for "caldarroste" or roasted chestnuts and the best way to eat them is when they are warm. You can sample them at city’s street corners or at the several fall Saint Martin’s festivals celebrating the Roman soldier who became a saint for living a holy and humble life. (Photo by https://pixabay.com/it/users/Antociano-8093739/ )
experience for anyone who loves miele (Honey). On Sunday, October 21, the festival will feature the delicious “Mele dell’Etna or Cassone,” one of the several varieties of delicious apples grown in the Etna area. The last Ottobrata Sunday (October 28) will promote the area’s production of mushrooms (Sagra dei Funghi) especially the scrumptious porcini variety. All festival Sundays will also feature lo-
cal food specialties such prickly-pear, olives, honey etc. as well as entertainment, folklore shows, guided tours of local attractions, arts and crafts booths including original designs in a variety of art such as: textiles, wearable art, exhibitions of decorated Sicilian carts, Nativity Scenes, hand-crafted ceramics, embroidery products, decorative and functional wood,
"ITALIAN NEWS" continued on Page 14
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MyNavy Career Center Open for Business 24/7 From Navy Personnel Command Public Affairs
MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) -Delivering on a promise to provide Sailor-focused customer service and around-the-clock assistance, Navy Personnel Command (NPC) opens the MyNavy Career Center (MNCC) contact center. “To put to sea the Navy the Nation Needs, we need a talented and committed total force team, focused on maintaining and expanding our operational overmatch against great power competitors. Attracting and retaining the caliber of Sailors needed for this force requires a modernized personnel system on par with industry-leading providers, and delivering an unprecedented level of customer service for our Sailors is at the core of our transformation efforts,” said Rear Adm. Jeff Hughes, commander, NPC. Opened Sept. 24, the contact center represents an evolution in Navy pay and personnel services delivery by providing Sailors a tiered system, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to handle their queries and transaction requests. Tier Zero is the service member’s self-service option through
MyNavy Portal (MNP), my.navy.mil. Tier One is communication with one of our contact center agents by phone and email. Finally, if a Sailor’s inquiry or transaction request cannot be handled by a customer service agent, they will be escalated to Tier Two, where a subject matter expert will take appropriate action and then reach out to them. “This is good for everyone, Sailors, because they will have 24/7 access through a single point of entry for answers to questions, current information and responsive support to their transaction needs. This returns time and energy to Sailors to focus on the mission and their families,” said Hughes. “It benefits commands because it allows for more effective and efficient service by the Manpower, Personnel, Training and Education (MPT&E) enterprise team, command administrative leaders and command pay and personnel administrators. Finally, it is good for the MPT&E enterprise team, as the services rendered on-line or by the call center agents provide more opportunity and time for subject matter experts to focus on transaction pro-
U.S. Navy Observes Hispanic Heritage Month By Yonca Poyraz-Dogan Navy Office of Information Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy observes National Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15-Oct. 15, highlighting the histories and accomplishments of Americans from Spanish-speaking areas. This year’s theme is “Hispanics: One Endless Voice to Enhance our Traditions.” As of June 2018, approximately 59,000 active and Reserve Sailors of Hispanic heritage serve in the U.S. Navy contributing to the strength of the nation’s force. Hispanic Americans’ military service dates back to the Civil War. One well-known example is Jorge Farragut who was born on the Spanish
island of Minorca and joined the South Carolina Navy in 1779. Remembered as one of the first Hispanic Revolutionary War heroes, he was instrumental in securing a Union victory in New Orleans on April 28, 1862. When Adm. Farragut died in 1870, President Ulysses S. Grant led 10,000 Soldiers and Sailors through the streets of New York during his funeral procession. Several members of the Hispanic community — military and civilian — have significant contributions toward protecting the nation and embodying Department of Defense values. Sixty people of Hispanic heritage have been awarded the Medal of Honor, two were presented to members of the Navy, 13
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MILLINGTON, Tenn. (Sept. 11, 2018) A customer service agent speaks with a Sailor by telephone at the MyNavy Career Center (MNCC) contact center at Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tenn. Staffed with more than 200 agents, the MNCC contact center is a customer service center offering aroundthe-clock support for Sailors who need help with administrative needs. Sailors can contact the MNCC at 1-833-330-MNCC, via email at askmncc@navy.mil, or at MyNavy Portal at my.navy.mil. (U.S. Navy photo by Doug Bedford/Released)
cessing and complex cases,” Hughes added. Another aspect of the MNCC contact center is its ability to evolve, to increase its functionality and provide improved support. “As we receive feedback from Sailors and gain more insight and experience into what services Sailors need, we’ll continually add more capability to the MNCC contact center,” said Ann Stewart, director, Pay and Personnel Management.
This MNCC contact center launch is just the beginning. It is an incremental step toward an evolving development effort, where we will field modern and industry standard telephony and customer relationship management tools later next year, to enhance our ever-expanding list of services offered. For questions regarding pay and personnel issues, reach out to the MNCC contact center at 833-330MNCC (6622) or askmncc@navy.mil.
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Congratulatio
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ons Awardees!
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NAS SIGONELLA COMMUNITY PAGE All Hands News Bulletin: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: AUTUMN FEST/TRICK OR TREAT LANE Command: Moral Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Date of Event: 20 October 2018 Time of Event: 1600-1830 Location of Event: Next to ITT/ORD Point of Contact Name: Chris McKibbin Point of Contact Phone Number: 624-3732 Point of Contact Email Address: Christopher.mckibbin@eu.navy.mil Additional Information: If your organization or command would like to volunteer passing out candy at our annual Trick or Treat lane during Autumn Fest on Saturday, 20 October from 16001830 please contact Chris McKibbin at christopher.mckibbin@eu.navy.mil or call 624-3732 for more information. All candy and treats will be provided by MWR.
RLSO AND U.S. CONSULATE PROVIDING NOTARY AND INFORMATION ABOUT IMMIGRATION, ON OCTOBER 19 Command, Department or Organization: Region Legal Service Office EURAFSWA Det Sigonella Dates of the Events: 19 October 2018 Location of Event: Region Legal Service Office Sigonella NAS II (Bldg 564) Point of Contact Number: 624-2953 Additional Information: IMMIGRATION, VISAS and GREEN CARD BRIEF On Friday 19 October 2018 at 1400, Department of State Representative will be at the Legal Office on NAS 2 at 1400 to provide in-person presentation on Immigration and Visas. There will be a Q+A session to follow the presentation and the Department of State Representative will be on hand to answer individual questions. NOTARY SERVICES FOR ALL US CITIZENS On Friday 19 October 2018 from 1200 until 1530, the US Consulate will provide unlimited notary services to all US Citizens, regardless of their DoD eligibility. Walk-in services will be accepted first come-first served from 1200 till 1530 A USD $50 US Postal money order made payable to "US Consulate Naples" and issued at the US Postal Office on base are required for each signature that needs a notary.
Sigonella Religious Ministries Department Worship Services NAS 1 Tuesday Protestant Women of the Chapel: 0900-1100 Daily Mass: 1130-1200 Chapel Youth Middle School: 1445-1615 AWANA: 1645-1900 Wednesday Protestant Men of the Chapel: Daily Mass:
0600-0700 1130-1200
Thursday Chapel Youth High School: 1330-1500 Choir Practice: 1545-1700 The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults: 1800-2030 Friday 1130-1200 Daily Mass: First Friday Mass and Holy Hour: 1700-1830
Phone Numbers: NAS I 095-56-3975, NAS II 095-86-9049, Chaplain Duty: 335-831-4493, RP Duty: 335-786-1950. Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Naval Air Station Sigonella Chapel
Saturday First Saturday Rosary and Mass:
1100-1200
Sunday Catholic Mass: 0900-1000 1045-1200 Catholic Religious Education: Protestant Service: 1100-1200 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: 1330-1600
NAS 2 Tuesday AA: 1730-1830 Wednesday Protestant Women of the Chapel: 1830-2100 Thursday Daily Mass:
1130-1200
Weekly Traffic Report: October 2 - October 7, 2018
As a reminder to everyone: There are no PTUs allowed at the Galley. Appropriate athletic gear is authorized at the discretion of the Galley staff. Please remember that for sanitation purposes and for the consideration of other customers, if you have been out for PT, been working out at the gym, or have just been engaged in any physical activity where you and or your clothing has become soiled or sweaty you will be asked to turn around.
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GAMEZONE FALLING FIRE FLYING FROGS GERMS GETTING OLD GHOSTS HEIGHTS HORROR MOVIES HOSPITALS INSECTS LIGHTNING LOUD NOISES NEEDLES NUMBER THIRTEEN OPEN SPACES PAIN
PEOPLE POPPING BALLOONS PUBLIC SPEAKING RATS REJECTION ROLLER COASTERS SHARKS SICKNESS SNAKES SPIDERS STORMS THE DARK THUNDER WASPS WATER WORMS
MEDIUM
BASEMENTS BATS BEES BIRDS BLOOD CLOWNS COCKROACHES CROWDS DEATH DENTISTS DOCTORS DOGS DOLLS DRIVING ENCLOSED SPACES FAILURE
EASY
Find and circle all of the things that some people are afraid of, hidden in the grid. The remaining letters spell an additional beach word.
DIFFICULT
Fears and Phobias
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"ITALIAN NEWS" continued from Page 6 pottery, jewelry, leather, paintings, drawings, prints, and metal work. Music shows will be held every night at 8:30 in piazza Umberto. Sicilian Folklore parades will be performed every festival day from 5 to 8 p.m. in the historic heart. Visitors can also enjoy a visit to the Museo degli Antichi Mestieri e del Giocattolo di Latta, a museum showcasing tools from the old crafts and tin toys which is located in the Palazzina Liberty in the town’s park. Festival booths will be open all day throughout Zafferana’s historic center. Before you leave the festival, don’t forget to try the delicious Siciliana, a fried calzone filled with tuma cheese and either anchovies or ham that are prepared by local bars and pizzerias. Zafferana is an enchanting town, located in the eastern slopes of Etna, whose name derives from the Arabic word Za’faran (yellow) for its proximity to woods rich in yellowish saffron and broom plants. Zafferana Etnea is a town in the Province of Catania in the Italian region Sicily, located about 12 miles north of Catania. The town spread around the Priory of San Giacomo, founded in 1387 in the upper part of the Valle del Bove, the point of confluence of the lava streams from Etna’s Eastern craters which frequently have destroyed the town, which has always been rebuilt. Zafferana Etnea was threatened by the 1992 volcanic eruption of Mt. Etna. It is now a summer resort with views of landscapes toward both the mountain and the sea. The second Sunday in August is the Festa of Madonna della Provvidenza. Zafferana, along with Nicolosi, is now regarded as one of the major tourist stopping points for summer and winter expeditions to the summit of Mt. Etna. For more information on the festival and detailed schedules visit http:// www.ottobrata.it
Nebrodi Black Pig and Porcino Mushroom Festival in Cesarò (Oct. 13-14, 20-21, and 27-28) In the Messina province, the 19th edition of the Sagra del Suino Nero e del Fungo Porcino dei Nebrodi (Nebrodi Black Pig and Porcino Mushroom Festival) kicks off this weekend (Oct. 13, 14) in Cesarò at the town’s public gardens (villa Aldo Moro). The event, which continues next weekend (Oct. 20 and 21), celebrates the mouthwatering Nebrodi Black Pig and the Porcino mushroom. As reported by homefood.it, the Nebrodi black pig’s presence in the Nebrodi woods dates back to the Greek period of Carthage (VIII -VI sec. to. C.). This animal is a wild pig very similar to the wild boar that lives in a free state feeding on the foods found in the covered grounds of the woods. Delicious prosciutto, salami and sausages are made from its meat after it is cured with salt. Nebrodi Black Pig is one of the 28 Sicilian “presìdi slow food” (protected breeds threatened with extinction). As reported by slowfoodfoundation.org, Slow Food “Presìdi” indeed sustain quality production at risk of extinction, protect unique regions and ecosystems, recover traditional processing methods, and safeguard native breeds and local plant varieties. The Presidia directly involve producers, offer technical assistance to improve production quality, organize exchanges among different countries, and provide new market outlets (both locally and internationally). Slow Food is an international member-supported nonprofit association and a worldwide network of people committed to improving the way food is produced and distributed. Festival specialties will include: “risotto ai porcini” (porcini mushrooms risotto), “arrosto di suino nero dei Nebrodi” (roast of Nebrodi Black Pig), “pane caldo condito con olio sale e peperoncino” (freshly baked bread dressed with olive oil, salt and chili pepper and other delicacies). The festival will also feature arts and crafts and live music. Cesarò is a picturesque Sicilian town located on the slopes of the Nebrodi Mountains (Messina province) and park, near Bronte. The Nebrodi Park was created in 1993 spreading over an area of forests, which makes the largest in Sicily. Its inhabitants have preserved the uniqueness of this setting, keeping their differences from the rest of the island by their language that still has some features of the French-Lombard dialect. The forest is situated between 1200 and 1500m above sea level. Cesaro’ has a special longstanding good relationship with the US Navy which began in 1996 when an HC-4 helicopter helped the population to place a 7,000-pound statue of Christ on top of a mountain. The festival will also include arts as well as crafts and entertainment. For more information and detailed festival schedules, visit http://www.comune.cesaro.me.it/ or https://www.facebook.com/Cesar%C3%B2-Sagra-delSuino-Nero-e-del-Fungo-Porcino-dei-Nebrodi-1785383748398960/
“HISPANIC” continued from Page 7 to members of the U.S. Marine Corps and 46 to members of the U.S. Army. USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115) was named in honor of Navy Cross recipient Marine Corps Sgt. Rafael Peralta who was killed in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004. An Arleigh Burke-class guidedmissile destroyer, Rafael Peralta was commissioned in a ceremony at Naval Air Station North Island in July last year. Peralta, who was born in Mexico City, Mexico, immigrated to the United States with his family. He joined the Marine Corps in 2000, after receiving his Green Card. Peralta was awarded a Navy Cross, the country’s second highest military award, subsequently. The tradition of observing Hispanic heritage began in 1968, when President Lyndon B. Johnson designated a week in mid-September as
OCTOBER 12, 2018 National Hispanic Heritage Week. Twenty years later in 1988, President Ronald Reagan extended that week to a month-long observance. The heritage month’s dates refer to Independence Day anniversaries of Latin American countries – Sept. 15 is the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico declared its independence Sept. 16, and Chile Sept. 18. The Navy is strengthened by the diversity of its force as it underlines that patriots of Hispanic American Heritage continue to build legacies of freedom and diversity as they fight for the security of the country and the peace of the world. For more information about the history of Hispanic Americans and their numerous contributions to the Navy, visit Naval History and Heritage Command's website.
October is Energy Action Month!
Energy Action Month is a time to renew our commitment to using energy more effectively at home and at work. With your help, we are transforming our energy culture –making our bases more energy efficient, resilient and reliable, and thus strengthening our capacity and capability to meet the energy needs of the fleet we serve. Technology will get us only so far. Our individual actions, commitment, and leadership can make the difference between mission success and mission failure. To stay mission-ready, we must stay continually energy-conscious and always be on the look-out for ways to be even more efficient with our energy and water resources at home and at work. Here are ways you and I can improve our energy security: We turn it off. • If a light isn’t needed: • If a door/window is open while the AC/heat is on: We close it. • If a faucet/showerhead/water is leaking: We report it For more energy tips, visit http://energy.gov/energysaver/energy-saver. For help with reducing energy waste, talk to the Installation Energy Manger Antonino Piluso who can be reached at Antonino.Piluso.IT@eu.navy.mil or 624-2901. Through collaboration, we will continue to increase our efficiency, innovate our systems, and improve mission readiness. Saving our Energy for the Mission!
OCTOBER 12, 2018
Health Promotion Toolbox Women’s Health
Photo by MCC Jessica Vargas
The Perfect Squat By MWR Fitness
By Naval Marine Corps Public Health Center
Women and Exercise - Physical activity need not be strenuous to achieve health benefits. Women of all ages benefit from a moderate amount of physical activity, preferably daily. The same moderate amount of activity can be obtained in longer sessions of moderately intense activities (such as 30 minutes of brisk walking) as in shorter sessions of more strenuous activities (such as 15–20 minutes of jogging). Additional health benefits can be
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gained through greater amounts of physical activity. Women who can maintain a regular routine of physical activity that is of longer duration or of greater intensity are likely to derive greater benefit. However, excessive amounts of activity should be avoided, because risk of injury increases with greater amounts of activity, as does the risk of menstrual abnormalities and bone weakening. Moderate physical activity reduces the risk of dying from coronary heart disease and of developing high blood pressure, colon cancer, and diabetes. It helps maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints. It helps control weight, build lean muscle, and reduce body fat. It helps control joint swelling and pain associated with arthritis. Also, physical activity may enhance the effect of estrogen replacement therapy in decreasing bone loss after menopause and reduces symptoms of anxiety and depression and fosters improvements in mood and feelings of well-being. It can also help reduce blood pressure in some women with hypertension.
We’ve all seen that guy or girl in the squat rack with terrible form, struggling to push their way up, knees folding in and chest concaving just to get that PR. Although you may love to see that one rep max rise, take time to learn and practice good form or else you may end up injured. We’ve jotted some of the “do’s and don’ts” so you can work your way to the perfect squat. - DO maintain a neutral position in the lower back. - DO NOT pronate your pelvis (avoid turning your knees inward). - DO keep your knees in line with your toes. - DO NOT lock out your knees in the up position. - DO keep weight on your heels or evenly distributed on the balls of your feet. - DO avoid anterior pelvic tilt. - DO NOT hold your breath. Inhale on your way down, exhale on your way up. - DO keep upper leg parallel to the floor in the “down” position, squat to 90 degrees or it doesn’t count! - DO squeeze your glutes at the top of the squat. - DO flex at the hips first then the knees and ankles. - DO maintain your feet slightly shoulder width apart. - DO keep your toes forward or slightly out. - DO keep core tight during the entire duration of the exercise. If you want to learn more tips and tricks for good form, visit our fitness office or any one of our Personal Trainers and they will gladly walk you through any exercise you want to improve.
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