US, Morocco: Improving demining capabilities!
PAGE 4
Eggstravaganza:
USNH Choir
An egg-cellent day for Easter fun!
Excels the US & Italian National Anthems!
PAGEs 8-9
N A S SIG O N E L L A
PAGE 14
April 1, 2016
Vol. 33 No. 13
Alberto Lunetta: 2015 NASSIG Civilian of the Year… and Much More BY JOE O’BRIEN
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – Community Relations Officer Alberto Lunetta was recently named 2015 Civilian of the Year, a well deserved accolade for Lunetta who is passionate about building bridges of friendship between people of different cultures, languages and experience. Lunetta’s initiatives have been recognized throughout the fleet. Last year NASSIG received the USS Bainbridge Award for personal excellence in community relations programs for large overseas commands. His success is due in part to his temperament, talent and training. In 2004 Lunetta graduated with a Master’s degree in Political Science from Catania University. He is also a certified Journalist (Ordine dei Giornalisti) and contributor to local newspapers and magazines. A featured columnist for The Signature, Lunetta describes in detail and with colorful photos local historic sites to visit or annual town festivals to explore. “My articles inform and encourage Sigonelleans to go and discover the local culture and they are a great way to do community relations as well,” he noted. “I encourage our Sailors and families to venture ‘outside the triangle.”’ Lunetta’s 20-year career at NASSIG began March 6, 1996 when he was hired as a Relocation Assistant at the Navy Family Service Center (now Fleet & Family Support Center). “http://www.bulkpartysupplies. com/images/products/55782.jpg This gave me a good introduction into the human side of the Navy as far as families and how the system works,” Lunetta explains. In December 1999 Lunetta was named the very first Italian Public Affairs Officer in the 40 years since NASSIG was founded in 1959. “My job was created from scratch,” he recalled “and since everything
NAS Sigonella Community Relations Officer Alberto Lunetta organizes an average 200 COMRELs each year. COMRELs are volunteer opportunities for military personnel and/or dependents to serve the needs of the local community. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ramon Go/Released)
was new I have been enhancing the capabilities to interact not only with the military but also with the outside communities.” Initially, he did a lot of translation for the PAO and CO, but then started building up relationships with local mayors. “I visit mayors regularly, and in the larger towns I also meet with the Chairman for Environment, Chairman for Culture, Chairman for Education, priests, religious leaders, and leaders of volunteer organizations like Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, and Kiwanis Clubs. So I have been building up a network of friendship for many years.” This networking allows Alberto to organize an average 200 COMRELs each year. COMRELs are volunteer opportunities for military personnel and/or dependents to service the needs of the local commu-
nity. “I have worked with Dr. Lunetta on many COMRELs in the last two years,” said Lt. Cmdr. Edward H. Erwin, Command Chaplain, NASSIG. “He is a consummate professional, a tremendous enthusiast for helping people in need, and a passionate advocate for enhancing community relations with our host nation. Because winning the hearts and minds of the local nationals is key to mission accomplishment, Dr. Lunetta’s great work is second to none when it comes to the overall success of NASSIG.” Italy has one of the highest concentrations of cultural heritage in the world which is safeguarded and treasured by the Italian people. The Soprintendenza ai Beni Culturali e Ambientali (Department of Cultural and Environmental Heritage) owns Italy’s historic heritage and has the authority to stop construction if anything historic is discovered. “I came up with the idea of doing a COMREL partnership with local Historic and Archeological Preservation Offices which have exceptionally allowed us to operate,” he explained. “They are very picky and they won’t let just anyone touch these sites.” “This is something unique that only Sigonella does; there is no other U.S. military base in the world that has a sub-program part of community relations which supports the local heritage,” he said proudly. “We have Marines and Sailors cleaning up archeological sites and
ADFD Over Halfway to Fundraising Goal
NAS Sigonella fundraises for the Active Duty Fund Drive 2016 in support of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society with activities, sales and raffles. The Active Duty Fund Drive has two primary purposes: (1) To raise awareness of the programs and services available to active duty Sailors and Marines. (2) To raise funds to support the programs and services offered by the NMCRS. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ramon Go/Released)
helping historical museums.” They’ve volunteered at the Ursino Castle and Roman Amphitheater in Catania, and Greek Temples in Termini Imerese, Palermo and Syracusa. Another important project is English interaction assisting local teachers with the schools of Catania Province, Taormina, Caltagirone, and Belpasso. They also partner with students to spruce up their school. “This partnership with local mayors and schools gives the perception that we’re here not only for military work, but we want to be good neighbors who show the proud tradition of volunteering which is part of the American culture,” he explained. “The host nation really appreciates this and keeps sending more requests.” “Our Sailors and Marines are very young, very nice, very humble people; everybody likes them, so it’s a ‘win-win’ relationship and everybody is happy about this. The students are crazy about them, and when I see them working together, it’s very rewarding,” Lunetta acknowledged. “Dr. Lunetta was ready to engage the Marines and Sailors of the SPMAGTF in Community Relations Projects once we arrived in July 2015,” said Chaplain Derrick Horne, SPMAGTF-CR-AF, Logistics Combat Element, CLB 6. “We have now completed over 100 projects and it is all because of the unending energy, passion and commitment of a man who believes in something larger than himself. He believes in making a difference for the people of Sicily as well as the Marines and Sailors who participate in service. I believe there is not a charity official, school director, local official, or historical site supervisor on the Island of Sicily who does not