THE SIGNATURE
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May 6, 2016
Military Spouse Appreciation Day 2016: Honoring Military Spouses From Fleet and Family Support Center
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – It is often said that the hardest job in the military is that of the military spouse. The military way of life can be difficult on everyone in the family – the service member, his or her spouse, and their child(ren). Everyone knows how hard it can be on service members – always being on call, long deployments, and putting the military first, often ahead of family and personal interests. But being a military spouse is no easy task either. When his or her service member deploys, a spouse is left to carry on the roles of two people, taking care of the home, the family and the numerous daily responsibilities of the entire household. While a spouse’s significant other defends and protects our country, the spouse defends and protects the home until his or her partner returns. Spouses and children are often required to frequently move, to change jobs and schools, and hold down the fort while the service member is deployed or on temporary duty. Without military spouses and the support they give, military service members wouldn’t be able to concentrate on their tasks. It is a challenging job, and this month we honor all of our military spouses for carrying such great responsibility and fulfilling these important roles NAS Sigonella's Commanding Officer Capt. Chris Dennis gives a speech during the 2015 military spouse appreciation which help to support our military during its many month, May 8, 2015. The 2016 military spouse appreciation will be celebrated on May 6, 2016. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ramon Go/Released) missions. Thank you for your sacrifice.
"SAINTS" continued from Page 6 the saints has also been driving pilgrims, who were healed after praying to the saints, to paint or commission Ex-votos that are pictures on wood, cardboard or canvas describing their healing.
Festival Schedule Highlights
The festival started yesterday (May 5) with the procession of the three candelore, (heavy wooden floats, about six meters in height, with a big main wax candle surrounded by sculptures representing the martyrdom of the three saints) leaving from Saint Alfio’s sanctuary. These beautifully decorated floats were carried in procession throughout the city's is historic center. These processions will be repeated daily through May 11. Tomorrow evening (May 7), the Sagra delle Musiche, a music show is performed at 6 p.m. by local bands in piazza Saint Alfio. In the evening, at 9 p.m. a religious play telling the story of the saints’ lives is staged in piazza Aldo Moro. On May 8 at 7:45 p.m. the relics of the Saints are solemnly brought in procession from the main church to the Saint Alfio sanctuary. The procession lasts until late evening. During the tour of the relics, the city band will be performing in piazza dei Bianchi throughout the night. On the festival eve (May 9) celebrations begin at 4 a.m. with “A Fiera,” a fair where all kind of animals and plants are sold. In the evening, don’t miss the breathtaking musical and fireworks’ show that is performed at 9 p.m. in
piazza Marconi. Several pyrotechnic operators from all over Sicily will be competing for the best performance. The climax of the celebrations takes place on May 10 with the unveiling of the Three Saints’ Statues at 9 a.m. The ceremony takes place at Saint Alfio’s Sanctuary, located in piazza St. Alfio, where the statues are usually kept. And, at 10 a.m. a parade of typical Sicilian Carts tours the streets of the city. Later on, the solemn procession during which the statues will be carried in procession until late evening begins at 1 p.m. Holy Mass is celebrated at 6 p.m. A concert of a symphonic orchestra, beginning at 8:30 p.m. is held in the main square. The last day of the festival (May 11) features a solemn Holy Mass, held at 7 p.m. at the main church, at which the Catania Archbishop will preside. During the mass a choir and organ concert is performed. A symphonic orchestra concert ends the festival in piazza dei Bianchi at 8:30 pm. Festival goers strolling around the center of the town will be impressed by the fragrance and strong aroma of hundreds of garlic bundles displayed by street vendors, something which has led some Sigonellans to nickname this religious festival as the “Garlic Festival.” No, you won’t find chefs cooking special garlic-based delicacies but you can surely buy some fresh aglio! Please notice that schedules might be subject to changes, call the St. Alfio Sanctuary at 095-7806502 or the Trecastagni City Hall at 095-7020011 (both Italian speaking only) before you decide to attend the Festa. You can also check the updated schedule on the following website: www.santuariotrecastagni.it