Vol. 38 No. 10
May 21, 2021
NATIONAL NURSES MONTH SAILORS RENDER FIRST AID FINDING MENTAL BALANCE
The Signature
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Direct Line Cmdr. Jason Christensen, Public Works Officer
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ast November, a few months after PCSing to Sigonella, I received a phone call from my duty officer on a Saturday morning. He explained to me that despite having over one million gallons of storage, our NAS II water levels were dropping quickly and no one was completely sure why. The two Public Works Department (PWD) Sigonella water treatment plants process and treat 530 thousand gallons of water per day on average, and, despite this incredible capacity, we couldn’t keep up. Ultimately, we concluded that the only possible explanation was a severe water leak somewhere on the installation. Our team had actually just completed a series of repairs to three very large water leaks along the main road at NAS II, and those three leaks, even when measured together, didn’t have the nearly the impact that this leak was having on our system. A combined team of Seabees and Italian plant workers quickly put together plans to ration water throughout the base and set off on what I thought was a fool’s quest to find this leak. The team worked throughout the day tracing water lines, shutting off valves, and checking for new puddles throughout the grounds. All the while, our water storage continued to drop. That afternoon, UT2 Young, NAS II Treatment Plant Work Center Supervisor, followed a hunch. He had suspected that this enormous leak was emptying into one of the canals, therefore eluding detection. Sure enough, he found a huge flow of water entering the main east-west canal right behind the NAS II wastewater treatment plant. The team quickly verified what valves could isolate this line and shut them to secure the leak. Within one hour, the NAS II storage tanks were filling back up again – disaster averted! This was my introduction to the
drive, determination and capability of the PWD Sigonella team. We take for granted what we’re used to having on hand: safe drinking water, electricity, heat in the winter, air conditioning in the summer, and even the fact that somehow our wastewater is treated and our trash is collected on a regular basis. The outstanding team at PWD team works extremely hard to deliver these services to the Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, civilians, and all community members of Naval Air Station Sigonella—day or night, rain or shine, workday or weekend. Our Seabees and Italians work around the clock to maintain a network of offsite wells, raw water storage tanks, water treatment plants, treated water storage tanks, sewage lift stations, wastewater treatment plants, switch stations, substations, and high voltage lines worth millions in order to treat over 250 thousand gallons of wastewater, produce 530 gallons of safe potable water, distribute 92 megawatt hours of electricity per day, and collect over 30 tons of trash each week in an effort to support the multitude of diverse missions here on NASSIG. Ultimately, our goal at PWD Sigonella is to support you. As such, we’ve worked very hard to increase our level of service, our responsiveness and speed of delivery. We are responsible for grounds maintenance, pest control, janitorial services, refuse collection, environmental oversight, and other services supporting each individual on the installation. Our Seabees and Italian shop force put in thousands of man hours each year repairing and maintaining generators, boilers, mechanical systems, leaky pipes, light fixtures and minor electrical problems. Our high voltage team has been working hand in hand with a contractor to inspect every cable, substation, transformer and breaker on the NAS
II high voltage distribution system to increase the reliability of our power. After a major storm last September we created a roofing tiger team and sent Seabees on roofs to immediately reduce or stop the leaking with short term patches to buy us the time to enable a long-term solution. Now, eight months later, we are about to award over a million dollars in contracts that will repair 17 different roofs throughout the installation. This year we plan on executing nearly $8 million in repairs to critical infrastructure on this base and we are currently administering over $100 million in new construction to support some of our most critical missions here in Sigonella. We take your missions seriously and aim to give you the support you deserve. While we are far from perfect in the execution of our responsibilities, we are absolutely serious about serving each Sailor, each family, and each command on this installation. Our team operates outside of the spotlight; this is how it should be. However, given that we have just wrapped up National Public Works Week (May 16 – 22), please take a second or two and thank one of my hard working Italians, Seabees and civil servants for their efforts.
May 21, 2021
Interactive Customer Evaluation Comments Regarding Parking During BRC We have received several comments regarding the parking lot closure on NAS II required by the Basic Rider Course. This course is a regular occurrence which we are required to maintain for the safety of our motorcycle riders. We have looked into the feasibility of some of the suggested locations, but ultimately there is no regularly available location on NAS Sigonella which would have zero impact to base parking. The flight line is an untenable location not only due to aviation operations, but also the fact that drivers must undergo special training and license to drive on the flight line. Additionally, the location must be certified by a Motorcycle Safety Foundation inspector, traveling from Naples, to verify spacing, markings, and compliance with all requirements so it cannot just be “picked up and moved.” To minimize the impact, we publish advance notification via all-hands message that the parking lot will be closed as well as posting signs and barriers prior to the event. While we regret the fact that some parking is unavailable at these times, there is sufficient parking in building 555, the NAS 2 parking garage. If you would like to discuss potential alternatives to find out which options have already been explored, please contact the NAS Sigonella Safety Director Scott Rode at 624-6261 or michael.rode@eu.navy.mil. Comment Regarding Commissary Bottled Water: Bought two 24 pack of Levissima waters today and they all tasted as if they were left out in the sun for extended periods. The water had a weird plastic taste. This is the third time I have bought water from the commissary and have had the water taste odd/plastic like. I do understand it is in a plastic bottle, but water should not have an odd after taste. This is the only reason I submitted an ICE comment. Is it possible to review storage and handling practices for the 24 pack water cases? Or Limit sun exposure? Response: The Sigonella commissary strives to provide our community the best possible products including bottled water. Our bottled water inventory is transported in covered container vans and offloaded
directly into our warehouse upon delivery. Under no circumstances are the water bottles left outside of our warehouse to be exposed to the elements as we fully understand that doing so would degrade the quality of product available. If you experience a situation like this in the future, please bring the case of water back to the commissary and speak directly to the Store Manager, Edwin Rodriguez, or the assistant manager to resolve the issue.
Bravo Zulu BZ to Gym Today at 12:35 at the NAS 2 fitness center I asked the front desk staff for cleaning supplies to clean the equipment I was using and an employee Francesca would not let me clean my own mess. The customer service was above normal. BRAVO ZULU to Francesca! BZ to MWR I am very new to Sigonella, but as soon as COVID lifted, 4 of us signed up for a hike on Mt Etna. Been on many outdoor trips, several with MWR entities all over the world. But the trip we took was WELL worth the money. Rebecca Yarling and Rossario (guide) were great, nobody got lost so that was a plus, but the environment was fantastic, the massive buffet we got for lunch was some of the food I have had on the island. The hike itself was amazing, myself and the 3 I went with had a great time. I also really appreciate the trip packed weekends that they plan and keep great trips going. despite COVID restrictions they are always putting up new trips. Hands down the most active MWR I have ever been stationed with. BZ to MWR First I want to give shout out to the gym and their staff. Even through crazy COVID times, staff are continuously keeping us in good shapes with great events and challenges every month and every holiday. So big thank you, guys for that. I only wish the personal trainers could start providing their services since some of us, ladies need a bit guidance with equipment. So waiting (fingers crossed ) Second big thanks to library and their "ICE" cont’d on Page 11
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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.
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The Signature
Name: Hollie Kelly Command: FFSC Sigonella Department: Information & Referral By MCSN Triniti Lersch, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
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f you’ve stopped by the NAS Sigonella Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC), chances are you’ve seen Hollie Kelly, a rising star of the office. Kelly is originally from Nevada, Missouri and moved to Naval Air Station Sigonella in February of 2019 with her husband who is stationed at the Naval Hospital onboard. Kelly and her husband have been to three prior commands, and this is her second time overseas. She works in the Fleet and Family Support Center as an Information and Referral Specialist. She also serves as Building Manager, government purchase card holder, volunteer coordinator, Sig Safe facilitator, outreach point of contact, and marketing specialist, and she is trained as an Ombudsman and Command Financial Specialist. “I do a little bit of everything,” said Kelly, “although my official job is information and referral. I basically help military members and spouses connect with resources on the installation or within the community.” According to Regina Fivella, the director of FFSC Sigonella, Kelly is a superstar. “She has a lot of initiative and continues to go above and beyond while building her career portfolio,” said Fivella. One thing all of Kelly’s duties have in common is the focus on supporting people in Sigonella. “I think my favorite part of my job is the people that I help within the community,” said Kelly. “Being an active duty spouse myself, I understand the stresses and the needs of living overseas and the military lifestyle itself, so whenever I can help somebody and connect them to
something that will better them in the future, it’s very rewarding and satisfying.” Thanks to her personal experience, Kelly knows the difficulties in balancing family and work firsthand. “As a working military spouse, my husband’s mission comes first,” said Kelly, “so finding that work and life balance can be difficult.” Nevertheless, Kelly finds strength in her family. “I love my kids, and I think its really special being a military family,” said Kelly. “It’s usually just the four of us, and I think that strengthened our bond as a family. I just love spending time with them” One of her favorite things to do with her family is to travel, so this move overseas was exactly what she was hoping for. “It’s why we campaigned so hard for orders to Sigonella,” said Kelly. “I really wanted to travel, and the first place I want to go to when we are able to is Florence.” Kelly loves the community here in Sicily and is grateful that she works with three Italian employees who have shown her the culture first hand. She especially loves the food and is excited for gelato and granita season, which started in the beginning of May. Her favorite things about Sicily, though, are the wine and Mt. Etna. “I love going up on Mt. Etna,” said Kelly. “I’ve hiked it a few times and I’ve taken my kids. I also did the gondola ride with one of my friends from work; we went up to the very top. I love Mt. Etna and the wine that’s there, especially in the summertime when it’s hot. You can just go up to the mountain and cool off a little bit.”
May 21, 2021
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Finding Mental Balance By MC1 Kegan E. Kay, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs Office
ental health is a pillar of overall health and wellness M inside and out. May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, so it’s a good time to check in on your
emotional, psychological and social well-being. “I know this past year has been hard,” remarked Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday in a video message for Mental Health Awareness Month. “Many of you have endured extended deployments, had increased stress levels, or felt isolated and overwhelmed.” For those of us living in Sicily, our challenges have included multiple transitions to and from yellow, orange and red zones, which have limited our ability to travel and pursue leisure activities. “But let me be clear,” Gilday continued. “Mental health is absolutely critical to wellness, and shouldn’t be ignored and it shouldn’t be hidden.” Here onboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, we have a robust suite of tools available if you feel that you or your families’ mental health and well-being has been compromised by the persistent changes we have experienced over the past 18 months. Community members can reach out to Sigonella’s Fleet and Family Support Center for counseling services. Our installation chaplains with the NAS Sigonella religious ministry departments also offer confidential counseling services as well as the Chaplains Religious Enrichment Development Operation (CREDO) services, which include meditation outings and fully paid family and marriage enrichment retreats. Military and family life counselors are also available for families and children ages 18 and younger. U.S. Naval Medical Readiness and Training Command Sigonella has a Behavioral Health department that offers many wellness programs that span not only professional counseling services, but also readily provides resources and training on mindfulness, meditation, personality types, tobacco cessation, and more. While the base has provided as many resources as possible throughout the pandemic while still adhering to Department of Defense and host nation policies, it is easy to recognize that the restrictions have taken a toll on our community. “No matter your situation, there are shipmates ready to do whatever they can to help you find hope,” urged Gilday in his video message. “Reach out. Ask someone for help. Don’t let stigma stand in your way.” Sigonella does have one other unique non-Navy resource available for service members who wish to improve their mental health – resiliency training provided by Resiliency Trainers from the 7th Reconnaissance Squadron. This past November, the trainers opened up what is usually a U.S. Air Force specific program to allow Navy personnel to be trained as Resiliency Training Assistants. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines resiliency
as “an ability to recover from or adjust easily to adversity or change.” However, the use of the word “easily” in the definition is debatable. Resiliency takes work. “Resiliency training focuses on four domains: mental, physical, social and spiritual,” explains U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Heather Neef, a Master Resiliency Trainer. “Within those domains, this training covers adaptability, positive thinking, communication, connectedness, teamwork, perseverance, perspective and purpose.” Resiliency is more than just an individual effort as it applies teamwork and works to create an overall positive work space which can wear down a person’s mental happiness and increases stress when left in a toxic or negative environment. “Resiliency training equips us all with knowledge and tools to navigate our way through life and adjust to our environments,” said Neef. “It empowers us to maintain the necessary balance of mental, physical, social connectedness and spiritual well-being to thrive and carry out the mission.” Neef also added that resiliency training helps service members to keep each other accountable, to uphold strong values, and grow not only as individuals but also as team. One of the biggest components of resiliency training is in regards to communication. Evaluating how we think and how
"Mental Health" cont’d on Page 11
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The Signature
Celebrating National Nurses
By Lt. Chereé Nagle, U.S. Naval Medical Readiness and Training Command Sigonella
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very year from May 6-12, we take the time to celebrate National Nurses Week and honor the memory of Florence Nightingale, the foundational philosopher of modern nursing, who was born on May 12 in 1820. This year, the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), extended the traditional week-long celebration to the month of May to fully recognize the contributions and vital impact that nurses have made and continue to make in the treatment of all patients during the global COVID-19 pandemic. From the early days of Florence Nightingale on the front lines of the battlefields of Crimea, where she risked her life to treat the ill and injured fighters, to our present-day nurses who have truly evolved in providing a wide range of care across all specialties and settings. Across inpatient and ambulatory care environments, nurses are highly trained, educated and specialize in over 33 clinical areas to include emergency medicine, labor and delivery, pediatrics, family medicine, and surgical specialties just to name a few. The list of nursing specialties continues to grow, as does the importance of nursing contributions to healthcare. Serving as a Navy Nurse Corps officer means providing high-quality healthcare to military personnel and eligible beneficiaries for routine appointments to the most critical medical conditions or injuries. You will find Navy nurses proudly treating
patients at U.S. and overseas military treatment facilities, as well as austere environments such as naval deployments at sea, embedded with deployed Marine units, and even during humanitarian aid missions on the ground or at sea aboard the USNS Comfort or USNS Mercy hospital ships. U.S. Naval Medical Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Sigonella, which includes clinics in Bahrain and Souda Bay, boasts over 52 military and civilian nurses who serve in a variety of inpatient and outpatient specialties. “Nursing is more than a job. It is giving oneself and a dedicated commitment to service and caring for others sometimes when they may be most vulnerable or in their most critical states,” said NMRTC Sigonella chief nursing officer Capt. Tracey Giles. “During the pandemic, we have seen nurses genuinely go above and beyond by working under arduous conditions with limited resources and becoming surrogate family members to COVID-19 patients when loved ones could not provide comfort and say their last goodbyes. During the height of the pandemic, many nurses faced the challenge of risking their health and well-being to provide continuous care to COVID-19 patients. Nurses showed up and persevered.” When celebrating the heritage of nursing, some of our local nurses shared some of their personal reflections and commitment. “The reason I love doing this job is that I know that I can make a difference in my patients’ lives during
May 21, 2021
Month at NMRTC Sigonella both happy and stressful times,” said Lt. Chereé Nagle, NMRTC Sigonella health promotions coordinator and registered nurse. “I was a civilian nurse for a long time before I decided to join the Navy, but I wanted to be able to do more in my nursing career and felt the call to join the military. Furthermore, being a Naval officer has allowed me to work in a variety of roles and mentor junior Corpsman and Sailors as a nurse all over the world.” “My favorite thing about being a nurse is getting to help people through what can be a scary time for them,” Lt. Augustina Aure said. “I really enjoy the professional relationships that nurses get to build with doctors and corpsmen and the opportunity to mentor the corpsmen.” “Nurses occupy a unique place within the medical field and in a patient’s episode of care,” said Lt. Cmdr. Danielle Braiotta, a nurse stationed at the Souda Bay clinic. “Nurses are the ones that are at the bedside with patients for a 12 hour shift; they are providing education and advocacy for the patient struggling to navigate through the network of referrals and specialty care; they are the ones balancing the metrics and data expectations of healthcare business with the clinical experience and provider needs in the clinical setting. The opportunity that I have had to step into each of these roles as a nurse, to advocate for my providers and for my patients, has truly been a blessing.” “I became a nurse to educate and empower others,” said Lt. Jenna Misuraca, a nurse stationed
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in Bahrain. “Nurses see the world in its most raw, unfair, and unapologetic form. Yet, somehow, by the grace of innate hope, humankind, and courage, they show up every because they love helping people at the deepest level to ensure they feel safe, comfortable, and valuable. I don’t think there is anything more admirable than that.” “It’s my life’s purpose helping those in need. It is second nature to me,” said Lt. j.g. Riletha “Riley” Godfrey. “I’ve always known I wanted to help people; however, initially I wasn’t sure in what way that would be, and then I came across nursing and all the different realms it entailed. Beside nursing and mentoring other officers and enlisted, it has truly sustained me as a Navy nursing corps officer.” Godfrey continued, “I have been told ‘Thank you for being here,’ ‘You saved my life,’ and ‘Will you pray with me?’ all while doing what I love, what comes second nature to me: nursing those in need. That is why I am and will retire a Navy Nurse Corps Officer.” Thank you to all those nurses across NMRTC Sigonella for sharing their stories and inspiration for following the footsteps of the trail blazed by Florence Nightingale. Every story is unique and inspiring on why they made the choice to be a nurse. As we close out this month, please take the time to give thanks to our community of nurses here in Sigonella, Bahrain and Souda Bay who each play important roles in the care they provide to our beneficiaries and warfighters across Europe.
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The Signature
A Journey Through Catania Street Food By Dr. Alberto Lunetta, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs Although Palermo has a beautiful street food tradition, Catania has boasts its own unique and delicious flavors to be found at roadside stands, bars, cafes, and kiosks. In fact, the street food tradition of Catania dates back to ancient GrecoRoman world, when people used to buy ready-to-eat boiled, grilled, or fried food at the “thermopolium,” a hot-drink-food shop. A food tour of Catania must begin with a meat you rarely find in the United States. If you happen to stroll at sunset along via Plebiscito, a large, noisy, busy and chaotic street of the historic center of Catania, you will be definitely notice the aroma of grilled horsemeat. It’s “arrusti e mangia” time! On streets like via Plebiscito, forget about hamburgers, pork ribs, chicken wings and hotdogs: this is the carne di cavallo kingdom! “Roasting and eating” is indeed one of the favorite street food habits of the Catanesi, especially in the evening. This lively and long street is dotted with many small restaurants and butcher shops displaying fresh horsemeat, which is cooked on large charcoal barbecues. Eating horsemeat is so deeply rooted in the Catania street food tradition that when Catanesi order “un panino con la carne” (a meat sandwich), they mean a horsemeat sandwich. If you want to eat a different kind of meat, you need to specify it. Horsemeat is actually very healthy. New studies claimed that a moderate regular consumption of horsemeat can even lower cholesterol because it is very low in saturated fatty acids and rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids. It is also an important source of omega 3 and boosts blood iron levels. The most popular way to eat horsemeat at these trattorie is to order a panino with either a fresh “fettina di cavallo” (slice of horsemeat) or the “polpette di cavallo,” the crunchy horse meatballs made by mixing the minced meat with garlic, pecorino cheese, eggs, bread crumbs and parsley. These mouthwatering meatballs are crispy on the outside and soft inside.
Fried, grilled, oven baked and absolutely buonissimo! It’s the Catania street food where horsemeat is king of a century-old tradition of ready-to-eat foods and beverages prepared by street vendors and tiny restaurants. (Photo by https://www.dissapore.com )
Eating horsemeat can also be a social occasion. Some Catanesi love to eat horsemeat by hand, standing next to other patrons and people who sometimes show up just to chat and meet their friends. When you’re there, don’t forget to order the “‘insalata della nonna,” (grandma’s salad), a salad with cherry tomatoes and red Tropea onions, sprinkled with a lot of grated salted ricotta. Onion lovers should not miss out on the cipollate, which are delicious spring onions wrapped in pancetta (a seasoned, saltcured meat cut from pork belly). Cipollate are cooked on the charcoal grill until they are almost completely charred. If you are not into horsemeat because you grew up with horses as beloved companions, there are many other meat options. These restaurants also serve a large variety of chicken, pork and beef dishes that you can eat plain, stuffed with cheese and ham, or breaded that are prepared on the charcoal grill as well. All meats are sprinkled with “salmoriglio,” a southern Italy sauce made with olive oil oregano, vinegar or lemon, and accompanied by a glass of vino. Cavallo meat is also found in food trucks around the Ursino Castle square, in the Central Catania Railway Station area, on via della Concordia, and other parts of Catania. In these locations, panini food trucks sell “monster” sandwiches at reasonable prices that you can fill with either classic meat or a wide variety of traditional Italian cured-meats (such prosciutto crudo and cotto, salame, porchetta, etc.). These sandwiches can also be stuffed with huge selection of different fillings and sauces, as well as French fries galore. Some panini trucks offer as many as eighty different fillings! However, you should be aware that these food trucks use gas grills, so if you are a fan of smoky flavors, you might prefer other street food areas. But Catania street food is not just about horsemeat. Be ready to open your eyes and stomach for the tavola calda, or “hot table.” Catanesi love to choose from an array of popular hot snacks at bars, cafes, patisseries, rotisseries and bakeries. The name tavola calda refers to the fact that the snacks displayed at the bars are kept hot throughout the day. "Italian News" cont’d on Page 11
May 21, 2021
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Sailors Render First Aid after Traffic Accident By MC2 Josh Coté, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
aniele Motta, Mayor of Belpasso, and Moreno D Pecorino, head of city road network, recognized two Sailors on May 17 for their heroic actions after a truck struck a pedestrian last month. Hospitalman Donald Leal and Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Erika Shirley were honored for their selfless effort in serving as first responders during a traffic accident that occurred on April 16, 2021. The Sailors said they did not see the actual accident, but they witnessed the truck race past them and heard a tremendously loud crash. Unfortunately, a local Sicilian man in his seventies was standing on the sidewalk at the entrance to a local café when the truck struck him. The two Sailors and a couple of bystanders played a key role in helping the man survive this ordeal. The man is currently recovering in a local hospital and wishes to thank the Sailors in person when he finally recovers from his injuries. “We would like to praise the two corpsman,” said Motta at a ceremony honoring the Sailors outside the town hall in Belpasso. “Although the man was unfortunate to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and was struck by the truck, he was very lucky that the two corpsman happen to be nearby to be first responders to help him.” Even in the middle of a chaotic moment, both Sailors were able to calm down and spring into action. “It just looked really bad and there was glass all over,” said Leal. “It looked like something straight out of a movie. There was one man lying on the ground near a stopped truck, and we could tell it was a bad. We were lucky he was alive; at the time it did not look like anyone could come
back from that within the few minutes we were there.” In emergency situations, a person can cycle through a number of different emotions. “It was a little spooky and I was a little jittery, but I had the odd sense of calm over me knowing I had someone’s life in my hands,” said Shirley. “That kind of helped me keep my composure; there were a lot of people around us who were also very comforting. It was my first experience ever being in a trauma situation like that, and it was scary, but we knew this was something we had to do, so we had that calm come over us.” Knowing that you helped save someone’s life can be a very rewarding feeling. “It was pretty amazing,” said Shirley. “Sometimes you don’t get to see what you do payoff and in that moment we got to see it payoff, so it was pretty cool. It was a great feeling.” Capt. Denise Gechas, U.S. Navy Medical Readiness and Training Command Sigonella commanding officer, was also present at the ceremony and expressed her pride in the Sailors. “We have all of these training programs in the Navy, and we train our corpsman to meet the mission,” said Gechas. “When they step outside the training environment or deployment arena and they go out into the civilian community in a foreign country, it is even more impressive that they stopped and they did what they are trained to do to save a life. And that speaks volumes to us as leaders about the quality of people that we have in the Navy and especially with our Navy corpsman, so we are extremely proud.”
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The Signature
Safety in the Summer Time By MCSN Triniti Lersch, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
ummer fun includes a lot of time in the sun, so it S makes sense that May is the month of Skin Cancer Awareness. As we begin to plan beach trips and vacations
to sunny spots, take a moment to consider your skin safety as a part of your personal risk management and mitigation practice. Your skin has a lot of different functions; it is a stable but flexible barrier that protects your body from moisture, temperature, and UV Rays, as well as germs and toxic substances. Needless to say, protecting your skin so it can continue to protect your body is important. Limiting sun exposure can protect you against skin cancer, wrinkles, age spots, discolorations, and benign growths. Wearing protective clothing like hats and long sleeve shirts can help protect your skin from the sun. Using skin care products that offer UV protection is one of the best ways to keep your skin safe. Using sunscreen everyday is also ideal in aiding to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Spending time in the sun can also put you at risk for heat-related sicknesses, so drink lots of water to help fight against heat-related illnesses or injuries. Remember that alcohol will dehydrate you and it not an effective
substitute for water. No matter what you plan to do this summer, make sure to do exactly that—plan. “It’s important to understand what you’re going to do before you go do it,” said Machinery Repairman 2nd Class Kyle Drummond, Leading Petty Officer of the Safety Department Drummond. “For instance, if you are going to go swimming, you shouldn’t go by yourself or go to far off the coast, and you should also understand riptides.” Before a trip, it is best to make sure you have a plan, use the buddy system, and take the proper items for your planned activities. Make a list of the required materials needed for specific activities and pack accordingly. When you’re a member of the military, it is not recommended to travel alone. Traveling in groups can help protect you from theft, assault, and getting lost. If you are traveling alone, make sure to tell your friends, family and chain of command where you are going. Making sure you’re prepared and your skin is protected will help you have fun while avoiding the pain of a sunburn and long term skin damage. Stay safe this summer, Sigonella!
"ICE" cont’d from Page 3
May 21, 2021
dear staff. They kept my (virtually schooled due to Covid) three kids happy with fun activities, during closures. Always greeting every kid with smile. My kids excitedly wait for next visit to the library. BZ to Housing I would like to take this opportunity to share how fantastic my experience with Housing was. What at first seemed to be stressful with the task of moving turned out to be a breeze. My experience with Monica Drago and Simona Tringali was spot on throughout the whole process. They are on top of everything like clockwork. I was amazed by their attention to detail and handling of everything with incredible expediency. They made the whole process so simple. Thank you so much! BZ to PSD Ms. Young’s professionalism and knowledgeable service really made the experience a pleasure!
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BZ to PPS Ms. Rosa Rabuazzo and LS3 Oyedokun were friendly, knowledgeable, and really put my mind at ease about my move. Everyone at the PPO office inquired as to if I was being helped, and I saw them do the same to other patrons. I feel very fortunate to have them here to assist with what can be very complicated overseas moves! Thank you PPO Office especially Ms. Rosa and LS3 Oyedokun BZ to N6 Giuseppe Pagano and his team were very professional and timely in our request to extend the cell service capabilities in building 724 and 725 allowing our Military forces to conduct timely response to any call they may receive. We have previously had an issue with cell services in these buildings and yesterday his team came to investigate and troubleshoot the issue. Issue was resolved in an expeditious and professional manner. Thank you N6 and company for your help!
"Italian News" cont’d from Page 8
Just like in other parts of Sicily, one of the most popular snacks is undoubtedly the arancino. It is a scrumptious deepfried rice ball coated with breadcrumbs and stuffed with different fillings such as ragu, mozzarella, spinach, pistachios, mushrooms, prosciutto and mozzarella, ham, spinach and even squid ink. Don’t forget that here in Catania, the word arancino is masculine, while in Palermo the arancina is feminine! If you are crazy about onions, then your favorite Catanesi snack will definitely be the cipollina, a mouthwatering sweet-andsour puff pastry with onions, mozzarella, tomatoes and ham. In addition to the classic “pizzetta,” in Catania you can also find a delicious small calzone called “cartocciata.” The classic version is filled with tomato, ham and cheese. Other variations include
ingredients such as boiled eggs, eggplant, mushrooms, spinach, pistachio and even French fries and hot dogs! If you like your food greasy, you will surely enjoy the “Siciliana fritta!” This deep-fried dough is filled with tuma cheese and anchovies, although you can substitute ham if you don’t like fish. A larger version of this delicious fried calzone is incredibly crispy and flaky. Besides the classic “tuma e acciughe” (Tuma cheese and anchovies) and the “mozzarella, pomodoro e prosciutto” (ham, tomato sauce and mozzarella) fried Siciliana, there is also a vegetarian version filled with spinach, broccoli, olives and tomato sauce. Other iterations feature mortadella, porcini mushrooms, pistachios, and even Nutella! You will find these fried snacks in almost all cafes and bars in Catania and its surroundings.
As a seaside city, Catania also offers the opportunity to eat delicious and crispy deep-fried anchovies, cod, prawns, squid and cuttlefish at the Pescheria, the lively Catania fish market. In the Ognina harbor area, there are also fish shops selling fresh raw and cooked fish and seafood for a quick and tasty lunch. Street food is absolutely delicious, but some people might find it hard to digest. If you are one of them, don’t worry: Catanesi have a solution! “Seltz, limone e sale” is a magic beverage made with fizzy water, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and salt that you can order at another street food sanctuary: the “chiosco” or drink kiosk. You can also sample a wide variety of fruit syrups at the chiosco. It’s refreshing during the summer heat and will help you digest everything on your street food tour of Catania!
"Mental Health" cont’d from Page 5
we act on those thoughts, both positive and negative, helps us to become more mindful of our thoughts and actions when interacting with those around us. “It teaches us to communicate with each other. Even though we think differently and come from different backgrounds, we can work together through differences,” added Neef. “Overall resilient individuals build resilient teams that accomplish the mission efficiently and effectively.” A major tenet of resiliency training is that you evaluate yourself first, defining what resiliency means to you, laying out what your personal beliefs are, and uncovering your strengths and your mindset on how you think and react. After that, the training moves into methods and tools such as mindfulness, physical fitness, balancing your thinking, and “ReFraming,” which is a process of controlling how you react. This training isn’t just good for the individual; it’s good for
everyone around the individual too. “Resiliency training creates a mindset that is contagious. That in turn creates a culture of positivity and well-being,” concluded Neef. “Resiliency training provides the tools to help others and support the teams’ well-being. Being resilient does not always mean you never fall or fail; it means you know how to get back up.” Sometimes it takes multiple tools to help build up your mental health to where it needs to be. Speaking to someone, meditation, working out, medication, resiliency training, pursuing a spiritual path, or even a walk in nature … are all ways to improve your mental health. Many people need a combination of tools and methods or may need to try a few to find avenue which works for them. Remember, mental health is a personal journey, and what works for one person may not work for another.
