The Signature | February 19, 2021

February 19, 2021

Vol. 38 No. 4

NATIONAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH pages 6 & 7

NASSIG’S NEW SPACE GUARDIANS EMERGENCY! WHO YOU GONNA CALL?

2

The Signature

Direct Line

Chief Warrant Officer Rolando Abad, NAS Sigonella Food Service Officer he purpose of the General Mess, or the “galley” in Navy T lingo, is to provide wholesome and nutritious meals to active duty military personnel who are entitled to Rations-in-

Kind (RIK). This is a very cut and dry statement, but there is more to it for food service personnel.

At all levels in the Navy food business, we strive continually to attain the highest quality food service by efficiently and effectively using the latest food service management techniques.

Just like any other operation in the Navy, our food service operation continues to evolve. Advances in technology enable food service personnel to improve food procurement, inventory, sanitation, accountability and food production.

Additionally, these advances improve our mission readiness by allowing food service operations to serve a cost effective menu, cater to the needs of the customers, and allow our galley personnel to prepare food in accordance with specific health guidelines set forth by federal and military nutrition policy to ensure our Navy is manned with healthy and ready force. One of these guidelines is the Go4Green program.

Here at NAS Sigonella, our galley team was able to create a Go4Green compliant 35-day-cycle menu that received a 100% NAVSUP dietitian score. The changes in menus and incorporation of healthier recipes has become the standard in galley food service, and our 35-day-cycle provides more variety than the 21-day-cycle at many other galleys. Although healthy options may not be the most appealing items in the galley to some customers, they provide the necessary diet and health benefits and must be served by our galley staff in accordance with DoD and Navy policies.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created significant challenges for food service. Our galley has dealt with numerous service restrictions to mitigate the spread of the virus. Changes such as strict sanitation requirements, decreased seating capacity, increased social distancing, removal of self-serve bars, addition of take away and ROM meals, and other logistical challenges can be a heavy undertaking. Thanks to the Ristorante Bella Etna (RBE) team’s positive attitude and true dedication to our patrons, our team was able to overcome and embrace these challenges daily without sacrificing the quality of life of our main customers.

Despite the many changes in food service operation, one important special ingredient must remain consistent: providing “exceptional service.” Over the past 27 years of Ristorante Bella Etna’s existence, this special ingredient is always on the minds of our galley staff in order to meet our goal of achieving customer satisfaction daily. Our galley is a four time Capt. Edward F. Ney memorial award winner and a 9 consecutive years CNIC “Five Star” accredited food service operation.

How do we achieve customer satisfaction? The success of a galley operation is due to combination of many factors; we can view it as a well-oiled machine. One factor we rely heavily on is the feedback of our customers.

Constant and effective communication is vital to achieving our goals. Our team, consisting of U.S. military and local

national employees, continually looks for ways to improve its service and operation through self-assessments. Our external customers also provide useful feedback to galley leadership and staff. What sets Ristorante Bella Etna ahead of other galley operations is the amount of support from our customers and from our Chain of Command. There is no perfect galley operation, but our team at RBE is dedicated to striving for perfection to achieve excellence. We can only achieve what we strive for if we continue to get assistance from our customers.

We value your honest, professional and constructive feedback, so we ask that our patrons continue to use our Food Service’s suggestion box which is always available during each meal. We understand that tastes change, new personnel arrive, and new foods and recipes are introduced. We need our customer’s feedback to track the crew’s preferences to assess acceptability as well as to make it easier to predict the necessary portions and adjust our menu accordingly.

We also invite our customers to join our quarterly Menu Review Board (MRB). The purpose of the MRB is to allow patron representatives to share recommendations for future menu revisions as well as any concerns our customers may have to the Food Service division. The board also provides food service leadership a mechanism for providing patrons with an understanding of the resources and limitations of the food service operation, educating personnel, and sharing current changes to food service instructions, galley plans and special events. The MRB board schedules will be published on our social media page, POW and all-hands messages.

We thank you for your communication and feedback. Our galley leadership and our staff are on standby to make sure we meet or exceed our customers’ satisfaction!

February 19, 2021

Interactive Customer Evaluation Comment Regarding MWR Sports: We received comments about a lack of variety of recreational sports options available at NAS Sigonella.

Response: Thank you for your feedback concerning our MWR recreational sports program. We are sorry to hear that you are not satisfied by the calendar offered over the past year. The 2020 MWR Sports Calendar published last January included four basketball leagues, three softball events, four racquet sports events, two football events and a golf clinic. Unfortunately, our plans were thwarted by COVID-19, and we had to improvise.

When COVID-19 risks were lowered last summer and we reopened limited programming in June, we were only able to offer COVID-19-safe options which underwent a lengthy mitigation and approval process from inception to implementation. As the risk of COVID-19 has risen through the holiday and winter season, we had to cancel many activities. Like much of the world, we are limited to activities which ensure our patrons are six feet away from each other. More recently approved sports options have been archery and bean bag toss. Though we strive to get back to a more normal recreational sports calendar, we will continue to abide by the Italian local and national decrees to the maximum extent possible as we shift color code designations. As the risk subsides, our goal is to reintroduce a variety of recreational sports and, once approved, we will announce them on our MWR Facebook page and website.

If you have more questions, comments or concerns, please contact Elizabeth Leonard at elizabeth.leonard@ eu.navy.mil.

Comment Regarding Galley Payment Options: Just decided to comment upon

the Bella Etna, which is a great and efficiently ran operation. However, due to the current COVID situation I thought to perhaps add my two cents regarding the use of paper money at the cashier. We are all held accountable for washing our hands and taking our temperatures upon entrance, yet I could not help but notice that they are still using paper money - one of the, if not the most unsanitary modes of transmitting disease and germs. I can go to Chocks, Umberto’s and even the Hamburger joint on Marinai and even they have the ability to take cards. I believe this needs to change and would be definitely more cosmopolitan and sanitary in these more health conscious times.

V/R, A Well Wishing Patron Response: Thanks for your positive feedback and recommendation. The galley leadership has already taken this concern into consideration and, as a matter of fact, Ristorante Bella Etna is now accepting credit cards as a method of payment!

Bravo Zulu BZ to Security: Leadership has been a tremendous help in Charlie Section. The First Class Petty Officers are incredibly prompt, professional, and always available to accommodate the needs and necessities of fellow Sailors of both junior and colleague level. It’s been impressive working closely and witnessing the great help of the superiors set the standard for NAS Sigonella. I look forward to seeing them in the near future as I myself have also greatly benefited in spades working for leadership in the past. I cannot personally thank them enough for the support. "BZs" cont’d on Page 11

3

THE SIGNATURE

U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA

Commanding Officer Capt. Kevin Pickard Executive Officer Cmdr. Ronald Cappellini Command Master Chief CMDCM Anna Wood EDITORIAL Public Affairs Officer Lt. Karl Schonberg karl.schonberg@eu.navy.mil Assistant Public Affairs Officer Megan Mills megan.mills@eu.navy.mil Public Affairs Leading Petty Officer MC1 Kegan Kay kegan.kay@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 MCSN Triniti Lersch triniti.lersch@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

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.

4

The Signature

Name: AnneMarie Watt Command: American Red Cross

By Megan Mills, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

nneMarie Watt is a labor and delivery nurse, Certified A Childbirth Education instructor, Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), and Red Cross

volunteer here onboard Naval Air Station Sigonella.

You may have seen her recently as she administered voluntary COVID-19 vaccines to eligible personnel on base.

Whether she’s helped you navigate early parenthood, fed you pumpkin toffee bread, or given you a vaccine, Watt has been an indispensable asset to the Sigonella community.

Originally from Tappahannock, VA, Watt grew up in an Air Force family and joined the Navy in 1985 as a dental technician. She began volunteering with the Red Cross while stationed in Antigua, West Indies in 1994, and she has continued to volunteer wherever she moved.

“Even when I was hired as a contractor at the hospital, I still volunteered,” she said. “I wanted to keep my skills up. I wanted to help the patients.”

She married a fellow Sailor and eventually used the GI bill to study nursing, becoming a labor and delivery nurse in 2000.

“As soon as I started working with the moms in labor, it just clicked,” said Watt. “It never felt like work, and that’s what you really want.”

From 2002-2005, Watt and her husband were stationed at NAS Sigonella, and they returned as retirees in June 2018.

“We decided to come here as empty nesters, but a lot of things have changed,” Watt said. NAS Sigonella has a smaller population than in the early 2000s, and instead of 800 deliveries per year, the hospital on base now sees only around 100. There were also fewer services available for growing families, so Watt began to provide them through the Red Cross.

“AnneMarie is the epitome of the volunteer spirit,” said Karen Jorgenson, the program manager for the Sigonella branch of the American Red Cross. “She is driven to ensure that the needs of the clients are met, first and foremost. She

doesn’t limit herself though, and whenever she is able to support an event or activity which we are doing outside her normal volunteer position, she can be counted on to be there.

She has a heart of gold!”

The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization that provides disaster relief and services to members of the United States Armed Forces. In addition to delivering emergency messages, the Red Cross at Sigonella offers many health and safety courses and provides volunteer opportunities for people with medical certifications.

Watt regularly teaches childbirth education classes and breastfeeding classes, and she also provides breastfeeding support after delivery at the hospital, in clients’ homes, and via FaceTime, especially with the COVID-19 restrictions in place.

“It’s rewarding because, in the end, a lot of clients come back and say thank you, not only just for the service, but for the compassion and understanding that this is hard,” Watt said. “That is the best reward ever.”

When the COVID-19 vaccines arrived to NAS Sigonella, several Red Cross volunteer nurses including Watt jumped into action to administer the inoculations.

“I wanted to be safe, and I wanted to travel again,” she said.

In addition to travel, Watt enjoys cooking and baking, and her pumpkin toffee bread has become famous on base.

“Plus having a Danish mother fueled that love of cooking and enjoying my time with family and friends,” she added.

During her two stints in Sigonella, Watt has mastered Sicilian lasagna and learned the secret to pasta with pistachio sauce.

When asked for advice for people new to the island, she said, “Get involved! That’s the main way that you can find out about things. Sicily is a beautiful island. There’s so much to see, and you can’t walk away from a country and not take a little bit of it with you.”

February 19, 2021

5

NAS Sigonella’s First Space Force Guardians

By Lt. Col. Rolly Cooper, 7th RS

resident Trump signed the P United States Space Force Act designating the USSF as a

separate service on Dec. 20, 2019.

When the announcement went out, thousands of Airmen from all over the United States Air Force applied to become inaugural members of the new service. Most waited nearly a year to find out the news of their selection for the historic accession.

For two former Airmen at the 7th Reconnaissance Squadron (RS), their dream came to fruition on Feb. 5, 2021.

Former Staff Sergeants David Kim and Rylan Phung made history by taking the oath of enlistment into the United States Space Force in front of their peers in a physically distanced ceremony. They became Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella’s first Space Force Guardians, assuming the new rank of Sergeant.

“At first I thought it was a joke,” said Sgt. Phung when questioned about the call for volunteers, “but when they announced that my career field was eligible, a bunch of Airmen in my work center volunteered with me.”

Sgt. Phung is no stranger to pioneering circumstances.

In 2014, he was a founding member of the Surgical Robotics Program at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, LA. Before medical robotics, he founded his high school robotics club, constructing numerous projects for competitions.

Sgt. Kim had different reasons for crossing “into the black.”

“I just had a compelling interest in space from a young age,” explained Sgt. Kim. “My leadership talked it up and wrote up a very competitive package for me. I felt like I had as good of a chance as anybody for selection.”

Sgt. Kim and Sgt. Phung will continue to serve in their same jobs and in the same squadron: supervising Airmen executing the Europe-3 satellite communication mission with the 7th RS. “Our daily life shouldn’t change all that much,” explained Sgt. Kim. “Comm and space have always been loosely linked, and that has resulted in an un-inhibited transition.”

Acquiring uniform items is another story. As there are only two Guardians on NAS Sigonella, stocking USSF apparel at the Navy Exchange is not a reality yet. However, they have utilized alternate procurement means to ensure they can wear the USSF OCP uniform proudly.

“We are making history here,” Sgt. Phung said. “We have the chance to build culture, not just change it. It’s a time of unhindered opportunity, and that is incredibly exciting!”

Sgt. Kim added, “I think the freedom to innovate and write the future is what drew me to this opportunity the most.”

It has not been all fun and games, however. The Space Force has

faced its fair share of ridicule and skeptics. The internet went crazy when the official Space Force logo was announced last year, drawing comparisons to the Star Trek logo made famous in the Gene Roddenberry television series and its multiple spinoffs. Then, there was the term chosen for Space Force service members. The easy answer of “Spacemen” was not befitting of such a forward thinking service, and the term Guardians became the official namesake. Again, the internet went crazy, as viral memes flooded social media outlets.

Whether it’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” or “Star Lords,” the attention doesn’t bother Sgt. Phung. “I love it,” he announced.

“All the publicity I see as good publicity, even if it may look like they are making fun of us. Maybe it’s even foretelling!”

For NASSIG personnel, “Joint Team” took on an expanded meaning on Feb. 5, 2021. It’s unlikely that NAS Sigonella will be onboarding a talking raccoon or a linguistically challenged tree anytime soon, but there is a fair chance that these two Guardians may settle scheduling disputes via epic dance-offs to toe-tapping retro music.

Semper Supra, Space Force Guardians, and congratulations as NAS Sigonella welcomes you aboard. You have earned the right to make history. Keep blazing trails. “To the stars!”

6

NATIONAL BLACK The Signature

By LN2 Tramaine Hunden, RLSO EURAFSWA Det. Sigonella, Photos courtesy of National Archives and Naval History and Heritage Command

merica is a nation of innovators, thinkers A and inventors. We pride ourselves on the fact that we are comprised of many

multicultural citizens who stand for equality, freedom and justice.

February is a month dedicated to African American History. It is a time that, as a nation, we purposefully reflect and honor the many contributions of Black Americans in shaping our country. In the U.S. Navy, we honor those who came before us to serve as a steadfast example to guide our actions today. For us here at Sigonella, we want to remember those heroes who dedicated their lives in reverent service to our nation in the name of freedom and justice even amidst tumultuous cultural upheaval. So please join us in reflecting on these African American Sailors who served

while standing for their rights and dreams to help make the difference for us all.

Carter G. Woodson, an African American historian and author, initiated the first “Negro History Week” on Feb. 1, 1926 in order to highlight the contributions of African Americans to the United States of America.

In February of 1976, during the bicentennial year of American independence, President Gerald Ford issued the first Black History Month proclamation, calling upon American citizens to celebrate: “We can seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history. I urge my fellow citizens to join me in tribute to Black History Month and the message of courage and perseverance it brings to all of us.”

HISTORY MONTH February 19, 2021

By MC1 Kegan E. Kay, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

W

hat if I challenged you to go one full day of not using any products created by Black Americans? Could you do it?

It would mean a whole day without using your cell phone.

Does your internet come through a fiber optic cable? Then say good bye to internet access. Does your home have an alarm system? Nope, can’t use that either. What type of light bulbs are you using? If they’re not LED or tungsten, then get comfortable with the dark as you won’t be able to use your lightbulbs.

Traditionally when we celebrate heritage months such as Black History Month (aka -- African American History Month), we focus squarely on the military contributions which makes sense; this is a naval air base, and Black Americans have a long and distinguished history in the United States military. They have defended our nation with loyalty, honor, and patriotism, during peace time and in every war fought by or within the United States and account for approximately 228 thousand of today’s military service members.

However, the impacts to our way of life and overall technological advances are often not mentioned in these celebrations.

Dr. Shirley Jackson was a theoretical physicist whose experiments were responsible for the development of the touch-tone telephone, caller ID and the fiber optic cable. Can you imagine going back to life without these developments? I’ve worked with people who have never known life before the existence of cell phones and know many people who struggle to go even an hour without checking their phones. I, myself, would probably cry at the loss of high-speed internet, and I know I was super excited when fiber optic internet was made available in my small home town.

Going back to lights and lightbulbs, I know f that Edison

comes to mind first for most people, but it was inventor and draftsman Lewis Latimer who improved upon Edison’s design by creating a carbon filament. His filament design increased the durability of the lightbulb as well as made it more accessible and affordable. After all, what use is a lightbulb if lasts less than a day? On another note, Latimer also served two years in the U.S. Navy as a Landsman onboard the Union Navy steamer USS Massasoit during the Civil War. Go Navy!

Ever given blood? What about needing or knowing someone who needed a blood transfusion? You can thank Charles Drew, a physician and medical researcher, who was largely responsible for the creation of the large scale blood and plasma banks. Here was a man who was looking out for humanity at large but still had to contend with policy that only allowed white people to give blood to white people and Black people to Black people, a policy that wasn’t changed until the 1950s.

Do you love watching videos online? Yup, online videos were made possible by Lisa Gelobter, who was heavily involved with the development of Shockwave.

If we want to look at someone’s contributions that are a little bit more impactful in regards to the military, we can talk about Otis Boykin, an inventor who created the electronic resistor used in controlled missiles and many other electronic devices.

I’m not even scratching the surface of the many contributions by Black Americans. I haven’t even covered Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP), gas masks, the threelight traffic signal, walkers, toilet-tissue holders, ironing boards, refrigerated trucks, air conditioning, and even super soaker squirt guns.

If we were to lose anything and everything that has resulted from the ideas, experiments, and creations of Black Americans, our way of life today would not be recognizable.

7

8

The Signature

Carnival fun amid cancellation of floats, parades and festivities

By Dr. Alberto Lunetta, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs arnival is usually a week of revelry, cheer, good food, and, above all crazy fun. In previous years, thousands of Italians would fill the streets while attending colorful parades, wearing costumes, playing pranks on friends, and having a blast. As the popular Italian saying goes, “A Carnevale ogni scherzo vale,” (which translates to “Any prank is accepted at Carnival”).

This year, all Carnival celebrations were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even the dazzling parades in Acireale, which claims to host the “Carnevale più bello di Sicilia” (the most beautiful Carnival in Sicily), were postponed.

According to Acireale Commissioner for Tourism Fabio Manciagli, “It was really difficult to plan and organize what would have been an atypical carnival.” Manciagli told the media that he had initially tried to organize scaled-down Carnival festivities for February but later decided to suspend all type of celebrations and rescheduled them to the summer.

“We Sicilians are warm people who love to stay close to each other, and Carnival is an occasion to be together, to laugh and joke. We must be confident that we will soon return to smile, stay together and enjoy the events with happiness without giving up our safety,” said Manciagli.

Walking down the streets and shopping centers of the Catania province during this past week, one couldn’t help but notice children dressed up in their favorite Carnival costume.

Sicilian families did not want to give up to this centuries-old fun

C

tradition, so they put on their face masks and came together to celebrate the “craziest time of the year,” even in the difficult time of a global pandemic.

Carnival Tradition Historians believe that the word Carnevale (Carnival) derives from the Latin words “carne levare” (put meat away). It refers to the period preceding the beginning of Lent, the austere 40 days during which Roman Catholics abstain from eating meat.

Throughout the centuries, despite its religious origin, Carnival has become a less religious celebration.

In ancient times, many Carnival-like festivals were held in different cultures. In ancient Greece, floats were used for the yearly celebration in honor of Dionysus, the god of wine, in order to guarantee fertility and successful breeding among the animal stock. Ancient Egyptians celebrated the renewal of life brought about by the yearly flooding of the Nile through a joyful festival held in the springtime.

Ancient Romans celebrated Saturnalia to honor the god Saturn in hopes of procuring plentiful harvests. Celebrations included feasting, gift-giving, drunkenness, big meals and pranks. Young boys and girls danced on allegorical floats during masked parades of merrymaking through the streets.

Romans would also burn the effigy of the “king of ancient Saturnalia.” It was a grotesque puppet embodying the feast that was publicly burnt at the end of the celebrations. Today, this practice is still performed in many countries. A straw puppet named the “King of Carnival” is burnt on the evening of Mardi Gras.

Carnival in Acireale and Sciacca Even though Carnival is usually celebrated throughout Sicily, two towns deserve special attention for their traditions.

North of Catania, Acireale boasts an ancient tradition dating back to the 16th century. In Acireale, Carnival celebrations typically begin at the end of January in the historic center and run through midFebruary.

The first written record of Carnival celebrations held in Sicily date back to the 16th century. Sicilians used to celebrate “Carnalivari” (the Sicilian word for Carnival) through dance festivals. Dancers performed shows throughout the streets accompanied by drums and trumpets.

As the cities of Acireale and Sciacca announced the cancellation of this year’s carnival celebrations due Masked revelers from different social to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sicilians still tried to have a Carnival good time by having their children in classes used Carnival as an excuse costumes and hanging out at malls and strolling along city’ streets. (photo by Dr. Alberto Lunetta) "Italian News" cont’d on Page 11

February 19, 2021

Protect Your Heart This February

By Megan Mills, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs t was an unseasonably cold and icy week in Georgia. My mother had been feeling ill for a few days with an upset stomach and a strange sleepiness she couldn’t shake, but she decided to wait for the roads to clear before going to the doctor.

She never made it to the doctor, though. Instead, she suffered a massive heart attack in her sleep and died at the age of 58.

Many people associate heart disease with men, and many people believe that a heart attack looks like it does in the movies—a sudden pain, a quick clutch of the left shoulder, and then it’s time to call 911. However, heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in the United States, and heart attacks can present with other symptoms, especially in women.

February is American Heart Month, so it’s a great time to not only consider our own heart health, but also to take a moment to learn about the signs of a heart attack that might save someone’s life.

According to the American Heart Association, the most common sign of a heart attack for both men and women is chest pain or pressure. However, women are more likely to experience less common symptoms, and some may not feel chest pain at all.

These less common symptoms include extreme fatigue, fainting, indigestion, nausea or vomiting, shortness of breath, and jaw, neck, or upper back pain.

Unfortunately, many of these symptoms can be confused with acid reflux or the flu, which means that many people suffering heart attacks may not seek emergency attention. Nevertheless, if you are concerned that you or someone nearby who may be having a heart attack, you should call the emergency number 095-861911 from a cell phone or DSN 624-1911 on base to reach NAS Sigonella emergency dispatch.

Although heart disease is more common among older people, people of any age can build healthy habits that will improve their overall health. “Making small, realistic lifestyle changes that you can adopt for the rest of your life can play a huge role in bettering your health and wellness,” said Lt. j.g.

Breanna Butler, registered dietitian at the U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella. “Identify one to two areas needing improvement in your day to day life, and make a plan. Don’t overcomplicate your health; Life is complicated enough. And when you need that extra help, know your resources and understand that we are here just for you!”

The food we eat can have a big impact on our hearts, and one way to change our thinking around our diets is to focus on what we can add to our plates instead of what we could take away. Consider what fruits and vegetables you enjoy, and then make a point to eat a few more of them in your meals or as a

I

9

snack. Cooking at home more is also associated with improved nutrition, so maybe try to plan just one more meal per week.

Small changes like this can add up, and you’re more likely to stick to them over the long run. If you’re interested in working with a registered dietitian nutritionist, you can call 624-4710 at the U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella to schedule an appointment.

Exercise is another habit that can have a big impact on heart health. If you’re not currently making time for working out, getting the recommended 150 minutes per week may seem daunting. Of course, military members should be reaching this goal through their required PT, but if you’ve fallen off the wagon or are starting from sedentary, even just taking short walks to start can help improve your blood pressure. One of the best ways to start a fitness routine is to find an activity you enjoy and look forward to, whether that’s exercise classes (many are available virtually now), a sport you find fun, or even simply walking or running while listening to music or a podcast.

The important thing is that you’re moving and you can stick with it. To learn more about MWR’s fitness facilities and programming here at Sigonella, check out their Facebook page.

Perhaps the biggest risk factors for heart disease is smoking, and there are many resources available to help you quit. Even if you’ve tried before, it’s worth it to try again—most people don’t quit after one try. If you’re interested in learning more, either for yourself or for a loved one, call our very own Giuseppe Licari at Health Promotions at 624-4710 for an appointment. Also, please take advantage of the Defense Department’s new website “You Can Quit 2” at https://www.ycq2.org/ for resources, live chat and text, and more.

Although I fully expect some readers to laugh out loud when I discuss the importance of managing stress in improving our heart health, it’s perhaps even more important as we approach a full year of living with the COVID-19 pandemic. Stressrelieving activities can be different for everyone—I prefer watching funny TV shows and connecting with friends in COVID-19 safe ways—but studies show that meditation and breathing exercises have a measurable impact. Here onboard NAS Sigonella, you can take advantage of meditation and mindfulness classes held at the U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella.

And, as always, mental health help is available for when your stress feels unmanageable through the hospital, the chaplains, or Fleet and Family Support Center.

Taking care of your heart is important for military readiness, but it’s also important for your own well-being. If you have any concerns about your own heart health, please contact your doctor. Just one visit might make a big difference.

10

The Signature

Emergency!!! Who You Gonna Call?

By Kyrene Resel, NAS Sigonella Emergency Response Dispatch

uick! Someone call 9-1-1!”

“Q If you find yourself situation in which emergency services are required in the United States, you probably

know exactly what to do: call 9-1-1. However, what do you do when you find yourself in an emergency in Sicily?

Similar to 9-1-1 centers in the United States, the Naval Air Station Sigonella (NASSIG) dispatch center is uniquely qualified to assist anyone attached to NASSIG with any kind of emergency, regardless of where you live.

Sigonella’s dispatch center should be your first call when you recognize an emergency situation, even if you are out on the economy. The emergency communications center is staffed around the clock by a mix of active duty, civilian and local national personnel who are trained to handle any kind of situation.

Just like in the United States, emergency situations in Sicily usually fall into two different categories: fire and medical emergencies or law enforcement emergencies.

Each type of emergency requires different information and different responses.

Fire & Medical Emergencies: NASSIG dispatchers are trained to provide life-saving instructions to people experiencing a fire or medical emergency. They can assist in situations such as childbirth, choking, bleeding control, trauma, animal attacks, and just about every other kind of medical emergency. The NASSIG dispatchers are also trained to take calls for fire department emergencies, such as smoke in a building, gas leaks, flooding, and of course, fires.

Law Enforcement Emergencies: Whether you live in Marinai housing or out in town, any kind of law enforcement emergency or situation should be reported to the Emergency Communications Center first. Situations such as break-ins, theft, domestic violence situations, and traffic accidents are just a few examples of the situations which dispatch is prepared to respond.

One of the most common calls to the dispatch center is for traffic accidents. In the event you experience a traffic

accident, within the triangle or “out in town,” the first thing you need to do is get yourself to safety and away from any traffic hazards. When you do call for help, the dispatchers will ask you for your location, your phone number, and what exactly happened. Next, they will ask for specific information such as injuries, damage to vehicles, descriptions of vehicles involved, and whether or not tow trucks are necessary.

When you call to report an emergency, the NASSIG dispatchers will coordinate security, fire and emergency medical services, the security liaison, Italian emergency services, the Carabinieri, and the hospital to provide a translator if necessary. One call to the emergency communications center can result in all necessary parties being notified so that you can focus on the emergency at hand to help put your mind a little more at ease.

The NASSIG dispatch team can also assist those attached to Sigonella who are in need of a tow truck, so don’t be afraid to call in the event something happens to your car or you become locked out of your vehicle. NASSIG dispatchers can also coordinate assistance if something happens to you while you are traveling in other countries while you are stationed here.

“Where is the location of your emergency?” is the most important question we ask. If you have been in Sicily for any length of time, you know that specific addresses are sometimes not easy to come by. So, it is essential to know where you are or know how to find out at all times, and the technology available on our cell phones can help answer that questions.

If you have Google Maps, press and hold the blue dot that appears when you open the app. This will cause your coordinates to appear at the top of the screen as well as additional location information if there is any available. If you have an iPhone, you can find your location by opening the Maps app or by opening the compass app and pressing the center of the compass. However, if you are living out in town, it is beneficial to have the GPS location of your

"Emergency" cont’d on Page 11

"Italian News" cont’d from Page 8

February 19, 2021

to mingle. The most popular masks included “jardinara,” (gardeners), “briganti” (bandits), “baruni” (barons) and “abbati” (abbots). Aristocrats and politicians were publicly mocked during the festivals. Revelers also staged mock battles, throwing rotten eggs and vegetables at one another. In 1612, local authorities in Acireale forbade these battles because they damaged property and injured people.

By the 18th century, celebrations were less violent and had become comedic plays performed by jokers named “abbatazzi.”

Under the Bishop’s authorization, they made fun of nobles or priests and took part in prank competitions.

Celebrations continued to evolve during the 19th century and began to include the “casariata,” a parade of flower-decorated carriages named “landò” that toured the historic center. Local nobles paraded on the carriages wearing masks and throwing coins and colored sugar-coated almonds at the crowd. Today, people throw confetti and spray each other with foam as a popular modern Carnival prank.

In the 1930s, artisans in Acireale began to create huge floats called “carri” that consist of animated papier-mâché figures of politicians, animals and other fantastic subjects mounted on a mobile platform. Throughout the years, Carnival carri have become much more elaborate and spectacular. The parades are usually held throughout the day in the Piazza Duomo and the historic center accompanied by musical and ballet performances.

The town of Sciacca also holds a spectacular Carnival. Just as the ancient Romans burnt the “king of ancient Saturnalia” in

11

effigy, a grotesque puppet that embodies the feast is burnt on the night of Shrove Tuesday.

Sicilian clergyman Mario Ciaccio was the first historian to describe the Carnival of Sciacca in 1890. However, historic sources tell us that the Carnival has been actually celebrated since the 17th century.

Sciacca’s Carnival was originally a celebration of country life with food and wine. Peasants, fishermen and herdsmen with painted faces and funny hats played pranks, exchanged insults, reversed social roles and made political satire. This was called “lu gabbu” (the mockery). Nobody was offended because that was what carnival was all about.

The grand finale for the celebrations was the burning of “lu Nannu” (now known as “Peppi ‘Nnappa”), a straw puppet embodying the spirit of carnival. Bad luck and sins were burned away with the puppet, leaving the town pure and filled with hope for good things to come.

Today, just as in Acireale, the carri are the highlights of the celebrations. Associations of amateur musicians, ceramists, costume designers, poets, craftsmen and decorators begin creating these majestic parading papier-mâché floats after the summer. At the end of every working day around midnight, everyone involved in building a float gathers for the “schiticchio” (dinner among friends).

Although this year’s celebrations have been altered or canceled throughout Sicily, everyone hopes for their return in the near future.

"BZs" cont’d from Page 3

BZ to Housing: I would like to commend our housing office for doing such a wonderful job while staying positive and friendly during difficult times. The director, Peter Faulk, is efficient and keeps everything in working order. Our housing agent, Luana Amordeluso, has been attentive, aware, and informative as we embark on our moving adventure. Anna Massimino always goes the extra mile or kilometer to make sure we receive bills that aren’t always delivered in the mail. Bravo to the whole office of military members, civilians, and local national friends.

Thank you NASSIG Housing Office. You are very much appreciated!

BZ to Community Bank: Boungiorno. I would like to take this important opportunity to recognize the following exceptional employees of Community Bank NAS II, Daniella, Sarah, and Stephania with their very prompt, pleasant, professional and accommodating attitude that surely makes all the difference living overseas. These Excellent employees goes beyond than just your day to day banking needs; paying (off-base living) utilities is never been more convenient for service members and their families. You are walked through how to set up rent payments and so much more that truly closes the gap juggling through someone’s demanding schedule. Thank you for making it easy for all of us!

"Emergency" cont’d from Page 10

residence saved on your phone or written down somewhere that is easy to find in the event of an emergency.

We also strongly encourage you to save these numbers in your phones or keep them written down nearby: Emergency Numbers: DSN: 624-1911, Off Base or from a Cell Phone: 095-86-1911 or 095-56-1911 Non-Emergency Numbers (past occurrence events or situations which do not require an emergency response): DSN: 624-5225, Off Base or from a Cell Phone: 095-86-5225 or 095-56-5225 The NASSIG dispatchers have a wealth of resources on hand to provide you with the same level of care that you would receive in an emergency if you were stateside. It is important to have a conversation with your family about what “9-1-1” looks like here at Sigonella and make sure that everyone knows how to call the emergency numbers.

During your time at Sigonella, any kind of situation can happen in the blink of an eye, and you can rest assured knowing that NASSIG has a team of public safety dispatchers who work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to take care of our community.