The Signature | November 19, 2021

November 19, 2021

Vol. 38 No. 20

SIG CELEBRATES HALLOWEEN PAGE 6

NAVSUP READIES MAIL CENTERS SANTA BARBARA FESTIVAL RETURNS

The Signature

2

Direct Line

CMDCM Anna Wood, NAS Sigonella Command Master Chief

B

uongiorno, Sigonella!

I LOVE BEING A CHIEF! This year marks my 17th year as a Chief Petty Officer, and I remember the day I was pinned with my Gold Fouled Anchors like it was yesterday. I remember how excited, proud, and nervous I was. As this week culminates in the pinning of our newest Chiefs, my thoughts carry me back to that day. I recall what it meant to be “THE CHIEF” back then and how important it is to refresh our knowledge, discuss our experiences and develop our networks year after year. I wake up every morning knowing that I am a Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy and I am filled with humble pride!

I also wake up knowing that I have to earn my title by my words and my actions. As of November 19, 2021, I can now share those feelings with our newest Chief Petty Officers from Naval Air Station Sigonella across all our services! Yes, I said all of our services because this year we had members from the United States Marine Corps, Air Force, and Army go through initiation alongside our Navy comrades!

To all of the new Chiefs, you are doing far more than simply pinning on anchors, changing your uniform, and donning a new cover. These are the outward signs of your transformation, but more importantly, I want you to focus on the internal transformation as well. You have been trained, tested, and accepted. As a result of this, you should not be scared or daunted by what lies ahead of you.

Instead, you should be excited and honored by your newfound increased responsibilities.

You have now become the Navy’s newest standard bearers and standard enforcers. As the CPO creed states, your entire way of life has changed. More will be expected of you; more will be demanded of you. I am excited for each and every one of you and your families.

Congratulations to the new chief petty officers! Buona fortuna and buon lavoro!

“You are the chief. The exalted position you have achieved — and the word exalted is used advisedly — exists because of the service, character, and performance of the chiefs before you. It shall exist only as long as you and your fellow chiefs maintain these standards.

It was our intention that you never forget this day. It was our intention to test you, to try you, and to accept you.

Your performance has assured us that you will wear “the hat” with the same pride as your comrades in arms before you.

We take a deep and sincere pleasure in clasping your hand, and accepting you as a chief petty officer in the United States Navy.”

-Chief Petty Officer’s Creed

November 19, 2021

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

5 GREAT REASONS TO GIVE ONLINE Giving online is our favorite way to change the world through the CFC! The online pledge system is:

COMPREHENSIVE

QUICK

FLEXIBLE

Select from all available payment methods in addition to payroll deduction – like credit card or e‑check – and give to an unlimited number of charities online.

Renew each year with the click of a button once you’ve set up your initial pledge. Shorten the processing time for your pledge to have it show up sooner on your unit report.

Change your recurring pledge (credit, payroll or annuity) up until the last day of the campaign solicitation period.

EDITORIAL Public Affairs Officer Lt. Drake Greer drake.greer@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

SECURE

GREEN

Take comfort knowing that the online pledge portal meets all federal security standards. Your personal information is not exposed, and the CFC securely links to all payroll service providers.

Reduce paper waste and help the environment by submitting your pledge online.

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.

DONATE TODAY AT GIVECFC.ORG HOSTED BY THE U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

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: Brian Pearson Command: NAVFAC Department: Facility Management Division

By Megan Mills, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

hat do stop signs, sea lions, and Sacramento State W have in common? They are all part of Brian Pearson’s winding journey to Sigonella. A native of Diamond Springs,

Calif., Pearson is the requirements branch head in the facility management division of Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) here in Naval Air Station Sigonella.

Pearson first enlisted in the Army, serving in a combat unit until 1992. After his service and unsure what to do next, he chose to continue his education at Long Beach Community College, where he earned a two-year degree in marine technology while simultaneously pursuing a commercial diving certification.

“My first professional job outside of the military was for the Department of the Navy in their marine mammal program in San Diego as a contractor,” he said. “I worked as a professional diver and assistant animal trainer, and I did that for many years.”

Unfortunately, his work with dolphins and sea lions came to an end when the program was cut, and while searching for a career that was “recession-proof,” he turned to his father for advice.

“He’s the one who put the bug in my ear,” said Pearson.

“My dad was a civil engineer who worked in a city municipality government, and he told me everyone needs water; they need to turn on the tap and have water come out and they need to flush their toilets and have the water go away.”

Once again, Pearson balanced school and work at the same time, this time earning a degree in engineering at Sacramento State focusing on water treatment.

“I started working for a public works department at the lowest level and just kept working my way up, taking classes and continuing my education,” he said.

First, Pearson started out in the signs and marking division in a city municipality public works department. “I went around fixing any sort of sign you can imagine in a city, right down to painting red lines on curbs,” he recalled.

After transferring to the wastewater department of the same city, he eventually moved into the federal government and ended

up working in project planning at Naval Base Coronado. He then served as facility manager there for five years before moving overseas to Sigonella one year ago.

As requirements branch head, Pearson not only work with the long-term budget for the public works department, but also prioritizing the many projects that arise onboard NAS Sigonella.

“My people also deal with all the emergency, urgent and routine submissions for the installation. We are constantly prioritizing and re-prioritizing work based on funding and whether or not it is imperative to get fixed now,” he said. “Storms can really throw your whole priority out of whack.”

However, events like the recent flooding also remind Pearson of why he loves his job so much.

“Right now, my favorite thing is working with the young people in the military, as well as the local nationals,” he said. “They really put their heart and soul into this place. I think a lot of the older generation likes to beat on the younger generation, but I think that the younger generations coming up are incredible and I think that our future is in good hands because of what I see here. When there’s emergencies, during Operation Allies Refuge and the storm—these Seabees go to work, and they’re killing it. To me, it’s awe-inspiring to see the teamwork that comes together in a place like Sigonella.”

Pearson has also found Sicily to be a wonderful place to experience a new culture.

“I’m here with my wife and son, and they love it here. They’ve been excited to travel and experience a different culture, and to be honest, the food here is amazing,” he said. “It’s good to get outside of your comfort zone and do something different.”

At the same time, Pearson is grateful for the Sigonella community.

“Everyone’s in the same boat of being overseas. It’s not easy to be here, so everybody gathers together and helps each other more than maybe than when you’re used to,” he said. “Here, if somebody needs something, everybody pulls in to help.”

November 19, 2021

5

Chief Petty Officer Selectees Participate in COMRELs

By NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

C

hief petty officer selectees took part in multiple community relations events (COMRELs) here in Sicily as part of the traditional chief season.

Every year, Sailors selected for advancement to the coveted rank of “Chief” participate in six weeks of intense training and special events before their official promotion. Dott. Alberto Lunetta, the director of Sigonella’s COMREL program, put together the volunteer events for the selectees.

In late October, chief-selectees joined forces with students at Battisti Middle School located in the Catania working-class neighborhood of San Cristoforo to clear the school grounds from

invasive plants.

On Friday, Nov. 12, twenty-five chiefs and selectees loaded approximately 15,000 books and magazines from the old library of the Sicilian Institute of Bioethics into a truck to bring them to their new home, the Acireale Bishop Seminary.

These materials will now be available to both the public and researchers.

“Having learned of the volunteer activities of the American military that have long been carried out in the Diocese of Acireale, I presented the need to move the library to Dr. Lunetta who promptly and cordially assured the feasibility of the operation,” explained Don Marco Catalano, Rector of the Episcopal Seminary of Acireale.

6

The Signature

Sigonella Celebrates Halloween Story by Megan Mills NAS Sigonella Public Affairs, Photos by Megan Mills and Ivan Messina, MWR Sigonella

he gray skies and eerie winds provided the perfect T backdrop for ghosts and ghouls to roam the streets of Naval Air Station Sigonella’s base housing in search

of candy Nov. 6, 2021. Although Halloween was almost a week earlier, the community postponed celebrations after severe flooding left many homes in base housing damaged in late October.

Originally scheduled for Oct. 30, Sigonella’s Morale, Welfare, and Recreation’s “Halloween in Sigonella” celebrations were moved to Nov. 6 not only because of rain scheduled for the original date, but also to allow those affected by the flooding an opportunity to regroup.

“We actually debated quite a bit about when the best time to celebrate was,” said Marissa Johnson, MWR’s community recreation director. “While an event may have been fun for everyone to get out of the house and celebrate that immediate weekend of Halloween, we also understood that a lot of people’s lives were affected in various ways by the flooding and storms that week.

We wanted to be respectful and understanding of those recovering from the storms, and allow the entire community to be able to come out, celebrate and enjoy some Halloween fun! “ The festivities began with a fun run in-costume at 12 p.m., and “The Pumpkin” followed with bounce houses, face painting, a pumpkin patch, and costume contests. Afterwards, a parade featuring a fire truck and several decorated cars wound through the streets of the

Marinai housing complex, with riders tossing candy to spectators. Finally, children trick-or-treated throughout the neighborhood, gravitating towards several houses that still sported Halloween decorations.

Last year’s trick-or-treating was canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions, but MWR created the candy parade in 2020 as a way to celebrate the holiday with social distancing in place.

“It was such a hit last year, and we thought what better way to celebrate the spooky holiday after a hard week than hitting the streets of Marinai at dusk with some frighteningly sweet treats for the community to enjoy,” said Johnson. “All the smiling faces and adorable costumes along the way are a great bonus!”

For children in Sigonella, the holiday was a welcome moment of joy in a year filled with challenges. Many sporting events and celebrations were canceled during the 2020-2021 school year as a result of the pandemic.

Christine Arnold, a science teacher at Sigonella Middle/High School, wore a candy corn costume as she trick-or-treated with her family. She also rode in the parade with the Scouts BSA car.

“It was great to be part of such an important American tradition on the heels of such a trying time for our community,” she said. “It was wonderful to see everyone out and about and enjoying life, and it was a wonderful chance for our Scouts to give back to their community!”

The MWR celebration wasn’t the only costume"Halloween" cont’d on Page 11

November 19, 2021

7

NAVSUP in Europe Readies Fleet Mail Centers for Holiday Season

By Joe Yanik, NAVSUP FLCSI Public Affairs

very year during the holiday season, hundreds E of military and civilian personnel assigned to Naval Supply Systems Command’s fleet mail centers

(NAVSUP’s FMCs) across Navy Region Europe-Africa (NAVEUR-AF) process higher-than-normal mail volumes beginning in November through April. This year is no different.

“Our postal teams have the same goal this holiday season as they have every year: to serve each of our postal customers with the highest level of professionalism and expediency,” said Capt. Douglas S. MacKenzie, NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella’s (FLCSI’s) commanding officer. “We take to heart this important responsibility of ensuring their packages arrive securely to their destinations in a timely fashion. This what our customers expect, and we are committed to exceeding those expectations.”

During any given year, NAVSUP FLCSI’s postal activities process six million pounds of mail across NAVEURAF, of which more than one million is processed during the annual holiday mailing season alone.

“With the increase in mail volume during the holidays, we are able to maintain the same level of superior customer service and productivity with good planning,” said Vic Gonzalez, NAVSUP FLCSI’s postal program manager.

Gonzalez explained how good planning involves taking concrete steps to clearly communicate with the command’s customer base, to train its postal teams and to add manpower with Reserve Component support.

“We’ve brought reservists on orders to augment our

postal operations throughout our AOR and help sort and deliver mail,” said Gonzalez. “Unbeknownst to most of our customers, postal personnel are not normally able to take leave during the months of November and December because of the increased mail volumes. There is a need for additional help, and our reserve component definitely helps make a difference, even if it means filling in to allow some of our active component personnel to enjoy a day off from time to time.”

When it comes to additional training of the command’s postal teams, Gonzalez said he and installation postal officers meet with their personnel to review proper procedures for handling mail. Topics covered are mail processing techniques, transportation challenges if encountered, and contingency plans to move mail in and out of AOR FMCs with minimum or zero interruptions.

“We also take opportunities to advertise and leverage use of technology available at some of our bases, such as availability and use of our intelligent lockers,” he said.

NAVSUP FLC Sigonella is a geographically-diverse command whose products and services, like postal operations, support Naval and joint warfighters across NAVEUR-AF in Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Romania and at the U.S.’ only permanent base in Africa Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.

“Because of how geographically spread out postal teams are, we’ve produced in-house training videos that cover topics like proper package handing processes and procedures,” Gonzalez said. “The video medium enables our postal professionals to benefit from the same training that can be viewed at different times and as often "Mail" cont’d on Page 11

8

The Signature

Saint Barbara Festival Returns to Paternò

By Dr. Alberto Lunetta, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

his year, the annual Santa Barbara Festival will be held T in Paternò from Dec. 3-5 featuring only religious celebrations held in the Church of Saint Barbara. Due to

the pandemic restrictions, the festival’s processions and parades, which draw annually thousands of devotees, have indeed been canceled for the second year in a row.

Fr. Salvatore Magrì, the Church of Saint Barbara’s parish priest, said that despite people’s desire to celebrate together and honor the city’s patron saint, the current pandemic situation still reduces the opportunities for social interaction. However, he encouraged believers to celebrate Saint Barbara with unchanged fervor.

“The patron saint feast is the occasion to look at ourselves with the eyes of the heart. With these eyes, we can also see God at work in the happy or sad events of our earthly journey. The feast is a beautiful and providential occasion to think about the good things that make life tasty and thus rediscover the flavor of true things,” said Fr. Magrì.

The town’s devotion to Santa Barbara began in 1576 when she saved the town from a terrible plague epidemic.

Legend has it that Saint Barbara had appeared in a dream to a nun promising to save the town if the townspeople would proclaim her as the patron saint. The nun disclosed the dream to the community, who hailed her as the Santa Patrona (patroness saint) right away. A few days later, the plague ended, so Santa Barbara became the official protector of the Paternò community. Townspeople erected a cathedral to honor her.

Santa Barbara’s protection of the town continued, according to legend. In 1780, she also intervened to stop a terrible Etna eruption. The “miracle” occurred after Paternò townspeople carried her relics in procession near the town of Ragalna on the slopes of the volcano.

Today, Saint Barbara is still invoked to grant safety from lightning, thunderstorms, and fires. Since the Middle Ages, she has been regarded as the patron saint of those who are in danger of fire or explosions. She is also associated with artillerymen, fire fighters and ordnance disposal personnel.

Historically, her image was placed on arsenals and powder magazines. In Italian, the ammunition magazine on a war ship is even called “santabarbara.”

As reported by Catholic.org, the Spanish word santabárbara, the corresponding Italian word Santa Barbara, and the obsolete French Sainte-Barbe signify the powder magazine of a ship or fortress. It was customary to have a statue of Saint Barbara at the magazine to protect the ship or fortress from suddenly exploding. Unsurprisingly, she is the patron of the Italian Navy.

The Saint Barbara feast returns to Paternò after the pandemic pause, continuing a centuries-old tradition. However, due to current Italy’s covid restrictions, large crowded parades and relics’ processions have been canceled. Photo by Alfio Spampinato

Saint Barbara’s Day, Dec. 4, is also celebrated by other military forces across the world including the British, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand armed forces.

Additionally, it is celebrated by Irish Defense Forces Artillery Regiments, Norwegian Armed Forces Artillery Battalion, United States Army and Marine Corps field and air defense artillery, many Marine Corps explosive ordnance disposal technicians, and other artillery formations. The units and sub-units celebrate the day with church parades, sports days, guest nights, cocktail parties, dinners and other activities.

Several mining institutions also celebrate, such as some branches of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. The West Australian Mining Club celebrates St. Barbara’s Day and uses it to remember those people who have died working in the mining industry during the year. Although they do not celebrate her saint’s day, she is also the patron saint of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviation ordnance men.

Festival Schedule Highlights On Dec. 3, blank cannon shots announce the beginning of the festival at 8 a.m. At 10 a.m., a wreath-laying ceremony, to be attended by the local military and civilian authorities and by a Sigonella Navy delegation, will be held at the War Memorial located in Piazza Santa Barbara. Around 10:45 a.m. the Sigonella Italian Air Force chaplain, Fr. Paolo Solidoro, will celebrate a solemn Holy Mass at the Church of Santa Barbara. At the end of the Holy Mass, Italian "Italian News" cont’d on Page 11

November 19, 2021

9

NMCPHC Fights Tobacco Addiction

By Hugh Cox, Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center

cross America each November, we ‘give thanks,’ honor A our veterans, and campaign heavily to help tobacco users address their addiction. At the Navy and Marine Corps

Public Health Center (NMCPHC), Dr. Mark Long, public health educator, has this month circled on his calendar.

Managing the Navy’s tobacco cessation efforts is “job one” for Long. Long works closely with Navy Medicine experts to help develop policy that will aid Navy and Marine Corps leaders implement a tobacco control approach that focuses on maintaining the health and readiness of sailors, Marines, and their families.

Part of the strategy involves the development of tools and resources that health care providers and health promotion staffs Navy and Marine Corps-wide can use to help educate sailors and Marines on the dangers of tobacco use, and promote tobacco-free living.

In his preface to the 2020 Report on Smoking Cessation, U.S. Public Health Service Vice Adm. Jerome Adams, U.S. surgeon general stated, “As a nation, we can and must spare no effort to reduce the completely preventable health and financial costs that tobacco smoking has on society.

Everyone has a role in helping to continue to reduce the burden of tobacco use on our society.”

Long agrees and advises that with coronavirus and the flu season here, quitting now will improve your health and keep you on the job.

As noted on website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are many proven and effective ways to help with cessation. Developing an individual strategy can hold the key to quitting tobacco use. The CDC recommends that tobacco users find their reasons to quit, make a decision to quit, and create a plan.

Individuals who have never used tobacco or have successfully stopped using tobacco can also play a helping role in the strategy. “Have a support person or two to help you with quitting,” said Long. “If you are tobacco free, offer to be a buddy and assist someone who is preparing to quit.”

According to Long, tobacco users can speak with their Primary Care Provider about quitting and medications that help with urges and withdrawal. “Military medical treatment facility (MTF) pharmacies carry them and they are free. Tobacco users can also learn about the availability of counseling at their MTF,” added Long.

Additional resources to consider: • Chat and text live with a coach on YouCanQuit2 • Call the state quit line and speak with a coach/ counselor -1800-QUIT NOW • Consider using an app, like quitSMART, for support The NMCPHC develops and shapes public health for the U.S. Navy and Marines Corps through health surveillance, epidemiology and analysis, disease and injury prevention, and public health consultation.

Quitting tobacco doesn’t happen overnight. It takes planning, support and most of all – drive and hard work.

YouCanQuit2 is here every step of the way with interactive tools, tips and encouragement for Service members just like you. When you’re ready, we have what you need to make your future tobacco free.

Visit https://www.ycq2.org today and learn how to get started.

www.ycq2.org

Quitting tobacco doesn’t happen overnight. It takes planning, support and most of all – drive and hard work.

10

The Signature

6th Fleet Participates in Mare Aperto Exercise

By U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa / U.S. Sixth Fleet Public Affairs

he Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer T USS Porter (DDG 78), U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft from Commander, Task Force 67, and the

Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196) recently participated in the Italianled multilateral maritime exercise Mare Aperto in the Tyrrhenian Sea. U.S. forces worked alongside Italian, French, German and Turkish maritime forces to develop interoperability and proficiency among the NATO allies in various maritime warfare scenarios.

“It was a privilege to operate alongside our Italian allies,” said Cmdr. Christopher Petro, commanding officer of USS Porter. “[In] each multi-national exercise, the crew of Porter has the ability to participate in is a chance to not only maintain security and stability in the region, but also hone our skills as mariners and warfighters.”

Mare Aperto is designed to improve combined combat capability, increase operational capacity, and strengthen relationships among NATO allies and partners.

“We have completed Mare Aperto ‘21 and further reinforced the partnership among our NATO allies,” said Cmdr. Joseph Hamilton, executive officer of USS Porter.

“Mare Aperto was a fantastic opportunity to strengthen our relationship with the Italian Navy to show we are truly stronger together.”

Porter strengthened this relationship by performing naval maneuvers with Italian allied ships. The close proximity of ships operating in formation requires constant communication and professional ship handling ability. Coordinating with allied and partner navies in this fashion enhances the capabilities of both sides to operate in concert with each other and is a testament to the strength of the cooperation among navies.

CTF 67 aircraft improved combat capability among NATO allies by sharing key maritime domain awareness

data while conducting airborne maritime patrols. P-8A Poseidon aircraft, assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 1, the “Screaming Eagles,” transmitted, tracked, and communicated surface contacts with the Italian frigate ITS Carabiniere (F 593). This key information sharing between NATO allies builds an accurate picture of the maritime domain, enhancing commanders’ awareness of the area of operations and enabling a faster and more informed decision-making process.

USNS Kanawha’s (T-AO 196) participation provides a capable replenishment platform for U.S. and NATO ships underway for the exercise. Kanawha is one of 15 fleet replenishment oilers operated by Military Sealift Command (MSC). These ships provide underway replenishment of fuel to U.S. Navy and NATO ally ships at sea and jet fuel for aircraft assigned to aircraft carriers.

Replenishments-at-sea are complex evolutions which require precision ship handling of highly skilled professional mariners from both of the providing and receiving ships. The ability to replenish U.S. and allied forces allows for increased on-station time to successfully accomplish maritime missions.

Italian Aircraft Carrier Cavour and Landing Helicopter Aircraft Garibaldi, as well as Landing Platform Dock San Giorgio, Auxiliary ships Vulcano and Stromboli, Destroyer Doria, Fregate Fasan, Carabiniere and Rizzo participated in the exercise, alongside many other vessels.

Vessels comprising Standing NATO Maritime Group 2, flagship ITS Fasan, the Turkish Navy frigate TCG Gokçeada (F 494) and German tanker FGS Spessart also participated in the exercise.

U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests, security and stability in Europe and Africa.

November 19, 2021

11

"Halloween" cont’d from Page 6

related-event that was postponed due to the flooding. Sigonella Elementary School’s annual Storybook Parade, which was canceled last year due to COVID-19 restrictions, was rescheduled due to floods this year as well. On November 5, parents and community members lined the sidewalks to admire the students’ creative costumes and variety of books as they meandered through NAS I. Known as the “Hub of the Med,” NAS Sigonella’s strategic location as the Navy’s only overseas air station enables U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to deploy and respond as required to ensure security and stability in Europe and Africa.

"Mail" cont’d from Page 7

as needed.”

When it comes to clearly communicating with their customer base, NAVSUP FLCSI has pushed out important customer service information in October and in November through NAVEUR-AF public affairs offices and AFN stations.

“The information we send out to our postal customer base has to be accurate, relevant and early,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said that NAVSUP FLCSI’s recommended mailing dates are earlier than those published by USPS. “We believe NAVSUP’s recommended mailing dates give our customer base a more realistic timeline for their mail to arrive to its destination before December 25th,” he said.

These recommended mailing dates account for COVID impact, current mail transit times and anticipated mail volumes that are specific to NAVEUR-AF. “For the past few months, we’ve been able to resume using commercial air carriers for moving mail, which means our postal operations have largely returned to normal for this holiday season,” Gonzalez said. “Nevertheless, we remain flexible and have plans in place, such as commercial trucking to most locations, in the event our air transportation pipeline gets clogged.”

FLCSI is one of NAVSUP’s eight globally-positioned logistics commands that provides for the full range of the fleet’s military operations. FLCSI delivers solutions for logistics, business and support services to the Naval and Joint and Allied Forces throughout Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central.

Additional shipping resources: USPS Click-N-Ship at: https://cns.usps.com USPS Customs Form Online at: https://cfo.usps.com Proper Packaging Tips https://go.usa.gov/x7KEg Tracking/Reporting Missing Mail https://go.usa.gov/x7KE2 Insuring Your Mail https://go.usa.gov/x7KEb Prohibited Items For Shipping - https://www.usps.com/international/shipping-restrictions.htm USPS Recommended Mailing Dates - https://www.usps.com/holiday/holiday-shipping-dates.htm Learn about how your mail moves in and out of our AOR through the military postal service by clicking here: https:// youtu.be/61URFM2JVGo "Italian News" cont’d from Page 8

firefighters will pay homage to the saint by reaching her statue on a fire ladder and placing a wreath of flowers.

The highlight of the festival is on Dec. 4. Celebrations will begin early in the morning with cannon shots and bell ringing at dawn. Later, the statue depicting the saint and her holy relics will be unveiled at 7:30 a.m. (Svelata del Simulacro di S. Barbara) with a holy mass at 10 a.m.

Then a children’s choir will sing traditional religious chants (cantate delle corporazioni cittadine) by the “Mulinari” and “Muratori” religious clubs in piazza Indipendenza at 12:30 p.m.

A spectacular fireworks and music show will be performed in Piazza Santa Barbara at 9, 9:30 and 10 p.m.

On the last day of the festival (Dec. 5), at 11 a.m., the Catania Archbishop Salvatore Gristina celebrates a solemn holy mass at the church of Saint Barbara.

The city band will perform during the three-festival day throughout the city center at 6 p.m.

For more information and a detailed schedule, visit www.parrocchiasantabarbara.org.