Commissary Changes: Refrigeration upgrade
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Athens Marathon:
Buon Appetito:
Learn its origins
Understand Italian food culture
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N A S SIG O N E L L A
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November 13, 2015
Vol. 32 No. 43
Sigonella remembers Veterans Day MC1 Cody R. Boyd NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily - November 11 is a day set aside each year to commemorate achievements and sacrifices of veterans around the world. With roughly 20 million military veterans living in the United States, this day is significant since most Americans personally know someone who is serving or has served in the military. “Being a veteran means I have a responsibility to remember the past and mentor the future. You are really never done serving," said Adam Rosendahl, a former hospital corpsman from 1993 to 2013. The time of reflection, now known as Veterans Day, did not start out as such. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in the year 1918, an armistice was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in World War I, a huge historical triumph leading to our observation of this time in history. On November 11, 1938 “Armistice Day,” now known as Veterans Day, became a federal holiday in the U.S. Congress officially changed the name to Veterans Day in 1954. Veterans Day is celebrated all over the world. It is common in Europe, Britain and the commonwealth countries to observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. every Nov. 11. France, Australia, and Canada commemorate their veterans on or near Nov. 11 as well. Veterans who chose to continue serving alongside the military after retiring or separating from the armed forces are often sent all over the world like our military men and women on active duty. They, too, make sacrifices for their families; all while serving our country. John Ogletree, Assistant Chief of Training at the Fire Department in Sigonella, said he enjoys training and learning from those who serve. "I think what I like about it is that I get to see our future taking care of some of the same stuff I was able to do as a member of the military,” said Ogletree “I get to not only watch and learn from what we're doing today serving our country but I also get to give some advice and help them on their path to be that good veteran and serve our country the right way." Being a veteran in Italy is special, according to William Garcia, an Administrator with NAS Sigonella’s Navy College Office. Garcia was stationed in Italy almost 20
years ago and said that coming back to Italy and working as a government employee means he can continue to serve his country and Sailors as a civilian. “It's a wonderful feeling to give back to the military and use the knowledge I've gained and utilize my skills and tailor to the military member to the best of my ability," said Garcia. Whether stateside or overseas, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard, Ogletree says the teamwork and camaraderie is an important thing he learned during his service in the Air Force. "No one person is too important that they need full control of anything,” added Ogletree. “You're going to have to have your team and your guys working together and I think I try to get that especially here in our fire department with our people."
Aside from being a day off given to employees so that they may recognize their veterans, at Arlington National Cemetery a wreath-laying ceremony is held at the Tomb of the Unknowns while in other U.S. municipalities parades and celebrations pay tribute to those who have served. "It's a proud feeling to know that I was able to contribute 20 years and work with so many of my other brothers and sisters in arms and whenever it came to defend the country, to walk around and know that people appreciate it,” said Ogletree. It's not just for people who served 20 years and retired, don't assume that. It's people who served any amount of time and they should be respected as well.
Sigonella holds reverse COMREL with local national dignitaries By LT PAUL NEWELL NAS Sigonella Public Affairs Officer NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily - From beach and park cleanups to historical site preservation to language and cultural exchanges with local students, business in Fiscal Year 2015 (FY-15) was certainly brisk for NAS Sigonella’s community relations (COMREL) team and the more than 3,000 volunteers who helped complete its record 207 COMREL projects and engagements. To show some appreciation, on Nov. 6 NAS Sigonella Commanding Officer, Capt. Chris Dennis, hosted nearly 75 local civic and elected leaders during a first-of-its kind “Reverse COMREL.” Though novel in execution, the concept behind the day’s event was simple: NASSIG wanted to say thank you to Sicilian leaders who put their trust in us, allowing Sig's Citizens partnership opportunities in local communities. The day included a welcome reception and base briefing at the Duomo Conference Center, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force statics displays, a K-9 Military Working Dog demonstration, a tour of Sigonella’s U.S. Air Force Remotely Piloted Aircraft Predator squadron, and finished with an American-style outdoor barbecue lunch at the Ristorante Bella Etna gazebo. Throughout the day Dr. Alberto Lunetta, NAS Sigonella’s Community Relations Director, and other Italian base employees helped with translation. “Our base community relations program, though abundant with generous and spirited volunteers would be much less impactful if not for all the Sicilian civic leaders who host our COMREL efforts,” said Dennis. “Their faith in our character, intentions and ability is what allows us the opportunities to work in our neighboring communities, to give back, and to build lasting friendships. COMRELs at their core are about friendship and they do so much good for everyone involved; Reverse COMREL is simply us saying thank you for being friends.” Those feelings were reciprocated by NASSIG's invited guests. After finishing a plateful of hamburger, hot dogs and potato salad, Fabio Cantarella, Deputy Mayor of Mascalucia, commented on his excitement in getting the chance to see the workplace of those who regularly reach out to local neighborhoods and municipalities. "I appreciate the initiative because it allowed us to learn more about the service members and civilians of the Sigonella base with whom we have carried out many community relations activities in Mascalucia,” Cantarella said. “This is certainly the highest model of integration between the Italian and American peoples here." Dr. Maria Paola Iaquinta, principal of Catania’s I.C. Cesare Battisti School, echoed the deputy mayor’s sentiments. "It was a beautiful and instructive experience,” Iaquinta
On Nov. 6 NAS Sigonella Commanding Officer, Capt. Chris Dennis, hosted nearly 75 local civic and elected leaders during a first-of-its kind "Reverse COMREL." The day included a welcome reception and base briefing at the Duomo Conference Center, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force statics displays, a K-9 Military Working Dog demonstration, a tour of Sigonella's U.S. Air Force Remotely Piloted Aircraft Predator squadron, and finished with an American-style outdoor barbecue lunch at the Ristorante Bella Etna gazebo. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tony D. Curtis/Released) said. “The Sigonella community showed to be grateful and appreciative of the partnership with my school. We believe that these NAS Sigonella COMRELs are a great way to create civic consciousness and pursue the common good." To volunteer or learn more about the NAS Sigonella Community Relations program, contact Dr. Lunetta at 624-5229 (095-86-5229) or e-mail him at: Alberto.Lunetta.IT@ eu.navy.mil.