Direct Line A Proclamation on Mother’s Day, 2023

from The Signature | May 25, 2023

The Signature | May 25, 2023

American Rescue Plan helped keep the doors open for 220,000 child care providers - 90 percent of which are owned and staffed by women - so families could go to work while their children were cared for. We expanded the Child Tax Credit and cut child poverty in half during our first year in office. The historic infrastructure, manufacturing, and clean energy laws I signed as part of our Investing in America agenda are creating good-paying jobs for women in sectors where they have been previously underrepresented. And to ensure that new and expecting mothers can thrive in the workplace, I signed into law new protections for pregnant workers and nursing parents in the workplace: the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act.

Interactive Customer Evaluation

Q.Considering many are here accompanied as well as Active Duty, it would be nice if the NAS 2 Galley had special meals on occasions such as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. There are so many monthly themes that the Galley could implement in their menus but also be open for non-Active Duty members, such as Federal Civilians and Dependents.

Q.I am a government employee (GS) and was with a group of military officers and other GS employees, the GS employees were denied access to eat. Why is this? We are government employees. Any other galley I have gone to welcome all government employees. I would think about changing your policy and allow all government employees to dine at your galley.

Commanding Officer Capt. Aaron Shoemaker are being installed because they are a safe option to have in a barracks. If you leave the range on and no pan is on the range the coil isn’t engaged and won’t start a fire. Right now we have installed 80 in both buildings with a CAMO package to install the rest within the next year. If the old one fails they install one of the new ones that we have at the warehouse until those stores are depleted or the CAMO will replace them. In the handbook that you are given it states the purpose of the pans and what type you need to buy. These pans are available at the NEX. I do not know the availability at any given time because we are starting PCS swing at the barracks but they are a product that the NEX carries. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to housing.

Executive Officer

Cmdr. Ronald Cappellini

Command Master Chief CMDCM Randy Dickerson

Editorial

On Mother’s Day, we celebrate the moms and the women filling the role of a mother in our lives, who bless us with a total sense of what it means to be family. They believe in us so we can believe in ourselves. They sacrifice to give us opportunities they never had. They are there for us at our highest points and our lowest moments, lifting us up when we need it most.

The lessons I learned from my mother, Catherine Eugenia “Jean” Finnegan Biden, continue to guide me today. She led with honor. She believed everyone deserved to be treated equally. She reminded my siblings and me that failure was inevitable, but giving up was never an option. She would say that courage is the greatest virtue, because without courage, you cannot love with abandon.

My wife, First Lady Jill Biden, has loved our children and grandchildren with abandon as well. She was the glue that helped put our family back together after my boys and I experienced profound loss. Every day, her joy, wisdom, and strength bring light to so many, including the students she teaches full time.

Across the country, mothers are nurturing children, providing for families, and driving innovation in every field. They serve at the highest levels of government, lead our Nation’s military, and power our economy - running some of the biggest companies in the world and operating beloved small businesses on Main Streets across America. At the same time, many mothers work night shifts and jobs that often do not pay them enough to make ends meet and support their families. As moms continue knocking down the barriers that stand in the way of all women and girls reaching their full potential, my Administration is working to give them support and opportunity. Our

Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris is leading the charge to make pregnancy and childbirth safer for all women and to make sure pregnant women and moms in all communities are treated fairly. We released a Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis to lower the rates of maternal mortality and morbidity; reduce disparities in maternal health; and improve the experiences of women before, during, and after birth across the country. Our American Rescue Plan gave States the option to extend Medicaid postpartum coverage for a full year - up from just 60 days - and we have already approved requests from over 30 States and Washington, D.C., to expand this coverage. And my Administration continues fighting for a national, comprehensive paid family and medical leave program.

Today, at family gatherings across America, let us give thanks for all the mothers and mother-figures, who we love so much. Let us be sure to make the most of our precious time together. Let us also keep in our prayers those who observe this day with a hole in their heart, missing a mom’s irreplaceable presence and the comfort it brings, as well as the mothers who know the pain of losing a child. Finally, let us continue working to extend our country’s promise of dignity and opportunity to America’s mothers - the least we can do for the people in our lives who have given us the most.

The Congress, by joint resolution approved May 8, 1914 (38 Stat. 770), has designated the second Sunday in May each year as “Mother’s Day” and requested the President to call for its appropriate observance.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 14, 2023, as Mother’s Day. I urge all Americans to express their love, respect, and gratitude to mothers everywhere. I call upon all citizens to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twelfth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-seventh.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

A. CNICINST 4061.1A is the guidance that ALL Navy Galleys must follow. This instruction specifically states AUTHORIZED PATRONAGE FOR NAVY SHORE GALLEYS and specifically annotates that all Headquarters, Regions and Installations must abide. For your awareness the following are AUTHORIZED PATRONS at Shore

Galleys: Rations-in-Kind (RIK) Sailors permanently assigned to the installation or supporting commands or RIK Service Members assigned to commands not directly supported by the host installation galley (i.e., ships in homeport, hospitals, brigs, etc.).

The following personnel are authorized to purchase meals in a shore galley: Active Duty personnel (U.S. and Foreign Military); Reservists on Active Duty; escorted family members of Active Duty personnel & reservists on Active Duty; midshipmen, cadets & Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps personnel on orders; government civilian and contractor travelers on orders when authorized to subsist from the shore galley; Civilians & contractors who work in the galley (only at their work location).

Nonprofit youth organizations and military sponsored tour groups may dine at the galley but only when approved by the installation CO.

The primary function of base Galleys is to provide food to RIK and Active Duty eligible Sailor’s or service members that are permanently assigned to the ashore installations. Because the current surcharge rates do not currently provide sufficient reimbursements of costs, ashore Galley patronage is limited to this list. Now in response to why they are allowed in during special meals per this instruction the CO may authorize opening the Galley once a month to retirees and other civilians. We schedule this special meal to recognize the strength of diversity in our armed forces and heritage. (Asian-Pacific heritage month, Pride month, Navy Birthday, etc). Additional occasions per month are not budgeted for but can still be recognized with a cake cutting. However if these special meals create a financial or manpower burden to the Galley and/or hinders access to the meal for RIK personnel, then access will be revoked. Our manning is budgeted off of RIK Service Members, NOT CASH PAYING PATRONS and even active duty members receiving BAS can be turned away if the cost or man-hours spent to produce becomes too much for the Ashore Galley. A potential example was for the Christmas Special Meal when there was the water shortage on NAS II.

Q. The electric stove that was issued to us doesn’t work. They tell us we need a certain pan called the induction pan. The NEX doesn’t even sell these types of pans. I already have my own pans and I shouldn’t have to buy a whole new set of pans. If you issue use new electric stoves you should at least make sure you have the pot and pans in the NEX or you should issue you use something to use.

A. We currently have been swapping out the old electric heating coil ranges at both buildings over the last year. The new units that are going in require a magnetized base pan to trigger the heating coil to introduce heat and if the pan is taken off or not connecting then the coil shuts off. These

Q. Today 17MAY23, the driver did not bring the appropriate shuttle during the first run. The posted schedule states that the first run of the day from Monday-Friday is supposed to be a 55-Passenger Vehicle (Bus). Luckily, there was only 15 in total this morning but this can turn into a safety issue if this becomes a trend. 1. Please post accurate POC information at each bus stop so riders know who to call or report issues. Currently there are no posting at any bus stop or on the shuttles. The schedule does not have POC information either.

A. We apologize you were inconvenienced with the shuttle bus service and completely understand your frustration. The shuttle is a contracted service and we are working closely with our contractor to resolve the well-founded issues you mentioned. While the bus drivers cannot predict or control traffic delays impacting their schedule, they surely should never be leaving the bus stop prior to listed timelines. The shuttle bus runs 8 times from Monday to Friday and 5 times on Saturday and Sunday/Holidays, from NAS I/Marinai/ NAS 2. We found that providing a 55-passenger bus during the 1st and 7th runs for the NAS I-NAS II Shuttle Bus daily from Monday through Friday, and a 19-passenger bus during all other NAS I-NAS II runs, has resulted in an acceptable level of service. This can always be discussed/negotiated with the contractor, in the event that the smaller bus is insufficient. The sub-contractor informed the contractor that multiple bus breakdowns have been experienced over the last week but they should have most of them repaired and back in service this week. We were informed, in the future, if their larger bus breaks down that they should use two of the smaller ones to make up the difference. PWD will update any outdated information at the stops. Thank you again for bringing this to our attention.

Public Affairs Officer Lt. Drake Greer drake.e.greer.mil@us.navy.mil

Public Affairs LPO MC2 Kelsey Culbertson kelsey.s.culbertson.mil@us.navy.mil

Community Relations Officer Dott. Alberto Lunetta alberto.lunetta.ln@us.navy.mil

PAO Staff Writer\ Photographer MR3 Max Rector Timothy.m.rector2.mil@us.navy.mil

Ao3 Samayaah Smith samayaah.k.smith.mil@us.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

Excellent service at PSD. The Analyst followed up and took great care to ensure received what needed. She went above and beyond.

I received wonderful service from our security team at the NAS1 gate office today. They promptly provided my friend with a week long pass and the process was seamless. They were so kind, helpful, and patient with my many questions. However, I was very disappointed at the site of the workspace we provide for our security team. This space is one of the first impressions guest have of our base, and our security team work exhausting hours (including nighys and holidays). It would be nice for them to have a clean, updated, professional environment for them to spend their time. A nice workspace can also benefit the emotional wellbeing for our security team. Thank you for your time

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.

In the Spotlight

Assigned to Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella (FLCSI), Logistics Specialist Seaman Leorhiza Jay An Vallite is a twenty-two year old Sailor from Manila, Philippines. She joined the Navy June 14, 2022, to follow in her father’s footsteps, a prior Navy Sailor. In addition, she plans on seeing the world. “I find it fulfilling to serve my country,” said Vallite. “It means everything to me. It gives me a chance to better myself while protecting the ones I love.” Her father gave her an influential quote that she uses to accept challenges and adversity, “The biggest risk is not taking any risk.”

Although she hasn’t been able to travel yet, Vallite says she hopes to travel to Switzerland and France. Vallite has been a part of NAVSUP FLCSI for the past seven months. Her primary responsibility is working as a Command Personnel Pay Administrator (CPPA) for NAVSUP. Her duties include helping Sailors transfer and check-in from one command to another and update their service records. She has also been assigned to Naval Air Station Sigonella’s Auxiliary Security Force (ASF) to enhance base security.

“Vallite has been a stellar performer and all around help,” said Retail Specialist 1st Class Vanessa Silva, Vallite’s leading petty officer. “Her positive attitude is nothing less than infectious. Junior and Senior Sailors alike can stand to have a Sailor like her on their team.”

“My favorite part of my job as a CPPA is helping Sailors make sure they are checked in, receiving the correct entitlements and making sure their records are current,” said Vallite. “My job is very rewarding, the skills I’ve developed: public speaking, organization and management, have benefited my life.”

In her free time she likes to go hiking, camping, play basketball and paint. She currently holds three associate degrees and plans to apply for tuition assistance once she has three years of service to complete her bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Vallite has said joining the Navy has been her proudest accomplishment. Reflecting on where she has come from to where she is now, she is extremely proud of herself. She has created meaningful relationships with her peers and leadership which she credits to her positivity and work ethic.

NAS Sigonella’s strategic location enables U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to deploy and respond as required, ensuring security and stability in Europe, Africa and Central Command.