National Suicide Prevention Month Reach Out to a Shipmate
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International Couscous Festival
Emergency Preparedness Kits
Sample Couscous From Across the Globe in San Vito Lo Capo
Are You Prepared?
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N A S SIG O N E L L A
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SEPTEMBER 15, 2017
Vol. 34 No. 34
Naval Air Station Sigonella Memorializes September 11
SIGONELLA, Sicily (September 11, 2017) – Capt. Brent Trickel, commanding officer of Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, right, and Senior Chief Aviation Electronics Technician Bill Rhodes, acting command master chief, present a wreath during a 9/11 remembrance ceremony onboard NAS Sigonella. NAS Sigonella is an operational ashore base that enables U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to be where they are needed and when they are needed to ensure security and stability in Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Gordon/Released) By MC2 Christopher Gordon NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – On September 11, 2017 service members and civilians congregated on Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella at a remembrance ceremony to memorialize and honor those affected by one of the darkest time periods in American history, vowing to “Never Forget.” Sixteen years prior, terrorists coordinated four heartless attacks targeting the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, causing a total of 2,977 deaths and more than 6,000 nonfatal injuries. “First responders, our military, and ordinary civilians selflessly and heedlessly sacrificed it all to save others,” said Assistant Fire Chief Robert Bethea, Naval Air Station (NAS) Sig-
onella Fire Department assistant fire chief and guest speaker. “Throughout our American history certain images have ingrained themselves in our minds... an emotional photograph of firefighters erecting an American flag in the rubble of what was the Twin Towers is one of them.” After 9/11, the slogan “Never Forget” became the national watchword and a solemn oath of the fire service to the 343 firefighters who rushed to the Twin Towers without regard for their personal safety and never returned. “Never forget we are Americans and have a responsibility to watch our neighbor’s back,” said Bethea. “Never forget, we do live in an uncertain post 9/11 era, but we do not live in fear.” In closing, Bethea cautioned against the country dividing, and quoted
John F. Kennedy: “The path we have chosen for the present is full of hazards, as all paths are. The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission.” After the speech, the 28 FY18 Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Selectees unveiled a memorial in the shape of the Pentagon, with the quote “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” Because of the promotion cycle, CPO Selectees were given the honor of facilitating the ceremony, and included a passing-of-the-flag that was given to Robin Richmond, who was present at the Pentagon during the attack. “This is the second year I’ve been a part of this, and I have to say this is
one of the best events if not the best event I have seen so far,” said Capt. Brent Trickel, commanding officer of NAS Sigonella. “They did an outstanding job, the assistant fire chief spoke again this year and gave some very wonderful words, and I just can’t say enough about how well our CPO Selectees pulled it off this year.” NAS Sigonella, “The Hub of the Med,” is a U.S. Navy installation and an Italian Air Force base in Sicily, Italy. NAS Sigonella is the Navy’s second largest security command, second only to that located at Naval Support Activity Bahrain. Because of its location near the center of the Mediterranean Sea, NASSIG is well placed to support operations by the U.S. 6th Fleet, other U.S. military units, and U.S. allies and coalition partners.