Active Duty Fund Drive
2018 Seabee Week:
Weekly Update
Bees of the Seven Seas
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PAGES 8-9
Updated Guidance Regarding the Hatch Act
N A S SIG O N E L L A
From the U.S. Office of Special Counsel
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MARCH 16, 2018
Vol. 35 No. 10
2018 Seabee Ball: Celebrating 76 Years of Seabees!
ACIREALE, Sicily (March 10, 2018) – CMCA Kevin Burdine, left, Robert Kidd, Cmdr. Michael Jarosz, Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Public Works Officer, and Capt. Michael Blount, retired, pose for a photo after a cake cutting ceremony during the 2018 Seabee Ball. The Seabees celebrated their 76th birthday on March 5, with a week full of games leading up to the ball. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Gordon/Released) by MC2 Christopher Gordon NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
ACIREALE, Sicily – On March 10, the Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Seabees celebrated 76 years of “Can do” heritage at Ricevimenti Oasis in Acireale, Sicily during the 2018 Seabee Ball. At this year’s Seabee Ball, Sailors paid tribute to POW/MIA and fallen comrades, honoring their sacrifices and vowing to never forget. Following the remembrance, Cmdr. Michael Jarosz, NAS Sigonella
Public Works Officer (PWO), gave the opening remarks and introduced the guest speaker, U.S. Navy Capt. Michael Blount, Civil Engineer Corps, retired. Blount, also former NAS Sigonella PWO, opened his speech with Seabee history and trivia, awarding lucky attendees with memorabilia when a trivia question was answered correctly. Blount spoke about all of the many accomplishments Seabees have achieved, and spoke about his personal stories when he was on active duty. “Seabees are extremely active right now,” said
ACIREALE, Sicily (March 10, 2018) – Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Seabees and guests dance during the 2018 Seabee Ball at Ricevimenti Oasis in Acireale, Sicily. The Seabees celebrated their 76th birthday on March 5, and celebrated with a week full of games leading up to the ball. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Gordon/Released)
Blount, “We’re all over the world in unbelievable places. You Seabees are doing amazing things and are continuing to do amazing things. I am extremely honored to be the guest speaker here and encourage you to keep up your amazing work.” After Blount’s speech, Engineering Aide 3rd Class Colton Miller and Jarosz took center stage and conducted a reenlistment, where Miller reenlisted for an additional six years. Guided by the motto, “We Build, We Fight,” Seabees have served in all major American conflicts, supported humanitarian efforts, and helped build communities and nations around the globe. However, March 5 has not always been celebrated as its birthday. From their inception until 1954, the Seabee anniversary was observed on Dec. 28, in commemoration of the date on which Adm. Ben Moreell requested authority to recruit enlisted personnel to serve in a naval construction force. In the early 1950s, it was decided the anniversary needed to be moved since many of the Seabees were on holiday leave during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Several historically significant dates in Seabee history were considered for the new birthdate. However, after deliberations, March 5 was determined to be the most appropriate day to celebrate the Seabee birthday as it had dual significance. Not only was March 5, 1942 the date that the Construction Battalions were given official permission to assume the name of Seabees, but it was also the anniversary date of the Civil Engineer Corps which had been established in 1867. This year’s event was the culmination of almost a year of planning and fundraising by the Sigonella Seabee Ball Association, which took part in fundraising events throughout the year such as Red, White and Boom!, Autumn Fest, hosted bake sales and more in order to put on a memorable event for the 76th Seabee birthday.