Running Safety: How to stay safe on the road
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I amsterdam:
USDA:
Exploring the beauty
Know before you ship
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N A S SIG O N E L L A
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April 14, 2017
Vol. 34 No. 14
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Gordon NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily - Service members and civilians stationed at Naval Air Station Sigonella marked the start of Child Abuse Prevention month with a proclamation signing, cake cutting, and awareness walk on April 3, 2017. National Child Abuse Prevention Month, National Sexual Assault Prevention Month and the Month of the Military Child are all recognized during the month of April. After the signing, members took to the street, holding banners that support the awareness causes of April and chanted “See something, say something! See something, do something!” The Month of the Military Child and Child Abuse Prevention Month have a time set aside each April since 1986 to recognize the special sacrifices children make as a part of military families and to take action in preventing child abuse. “There’s a lot of stress in the military and our children are impacted by that,” said Wendy McCauley, the Family Advocate Representative at the Fleet and Family Support Center on NAS Sigonella. “This is a month for us to celebrate our children, be supportive and bring the attention to our parents to try to be the best parents they can.” According to the Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation, effective abuse prevention programs succeed because of partnerships among families, social service agencies, schools, religious and civic or-
SIGONELLA, Sicily (April 3, 2017) – Service members stationed at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella and staff from the Fleet and Family support center hold a Child Abuse Prevention Month banner while participating in an awareness walk on NAS Sigonella. National Child Abuse Prevention Month, National Sexual Assault Prevention Month and the Month of the Military Child are all recognized during the month of April. 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)
ganizations, law enforcement agencies and the business community. Part of having a successful prevention program, McCauley adds, is education. “It’s good to give training and bring awareness to what is considered abuse according to the DOD,” said McCauley. “A lot of people still spank their children, and that’s not against the DOD policy, but if you
spank with a whip or a belt that is considered abusive. And a lot of people didn’t know that because when they grew up it was common practice.” To help raise even more awareness, every Tuesday of April a resource table with handout information will be available at the base commissary. Additionally,
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NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella Fuels C-17 with New Hydrant System By Tia Nichole McMillen NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella Public Affairs
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) site Sigonella’s Fuel Team, led by Fuels Officer Lt. j.g. Igor Mendel, successfully operated a new hydrant system to refill a C-17 aircraft March 22. This repair effort took extensive teamwork involving personnel from NAVSUP Energy, NAVSUP FLC Sigonella, Naval Air Station Sigonella, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Naval Facility Engineering Sigonella, and Defense Logistics Agency. The team conducted proper testing for environmental compliance, and was followed by a comprehensive training effort. The aircraft received 5,980 gallons of aviation fuel in 14 min and 20 sec, which is about 420 gallons a minute. The entire evolution lasted around 30 minutes, more than 50 percent less time than refueling with the current truck refueling method. This is a significant cost savings, manpower savings and, most importantly, time savings to the warfighter. A hydrant system is a loop of pipeline located under the aircraft parking ramp that delivers fuel straight from the hydrant fuel tanks to the aircraft. This is done through a mobile pantograph a stainless steel pipeline to connect the
underground hydrant loop to the aircraft. These pantographs are mounted on wheels so they can be maneuvered to connect an aircraft parked within 135 feet of a hydrant pit to the hydrant piping, allowing continuous fuel deliver to the aircraft. In comparison, a truck fueling delivery is normally limited to less than 5,000 gallons of fuel.
“We are extremely satisfied that the evolution went so smoothly,” said Lt. j.g. Igor Mendel, NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center site Sigonella fuels officer. “This is how fueling should be done!” echoed Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Luis Sanchez, as he refueled the aircraft. The evolution’s cost and time savin-
SIGONELLA (March 22, 2017) Sailors and civilians of Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Sigonella operate a new hydrant system, fueling a C-17 aircraft. The aircraft received 5,980 gallons of aviation fuel in 14 min and 20 sec, which is about 420 gallons a minute. The entire evolution lasted around 30 minutes, more than 50% less time than refueling with the current truck refueling method. (U.S. Navy photo by Ms. Tia Nichole McMillen/Released)
gs led both the air crew and the Naval Air Station Sigonella airfield manager to request use of the hydrant to refuel the next time they fly through. “It’s been a long hard-fought battle to get this project to completion, but it was definitely worth it to see how smoothly everything went. We are now in an even better situation to support and sustain the warfighter,” said Lt. Cmdr. Michael Wheeler, NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Sigonella regional fuel’s director. NAVSUP FLC Sigonella is one of eight fleet logistics centers under NAVSUP GLS, which provides global logistics, business and support services to fleet, shore and industrial commands of the Navy, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Air Force, Army and allied forces. Services include contracting, regional transportation, fuel, material management, household goods movement support, postal and consolidated mail, warehousing, global logistics and husbanding, hazardous material management, and integrated logistics support. NAVSUP GLS provides global logistics to a global navy. The command is made up of more than 6,300 military and civilian logistics professionals operating from 105 locations worldwide, providing an extensive array of integrated global logistics and contracting services to Navy, Marine Corps, joint operational units, and allied forces across all warfare enterprises.
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April 14, 2017
Direct Line
Commanding Officer, Capt. Brent Trickel Buongiorno Sigonella,
Spring is already upon us and April has started off a great month although the weather has been somewhat unpredictable and reminds me of where I grew up in Missouri. The Navy Marine Corps Relief Society Active Duty Fund Drive concluded last month and was a huge success, thanks to the efforts of Capt. Chris Parker, Lt.j.g. Kaitlyn Franz and Chief Kasey Waldron. There were scores of other volunteers as well so thank you for your efforts. Hopefully Sigonella can lead the entire Navy/Marine Corps worldwide team in per capita contributions again this year. Unfortunately now I would like to address a couple of more serious subjects that have resulted in multiple complaints over the past couple of months – Sig’ citizens ignoring driving and parking regulations on base. The bottom line is that everybody needs to follow the driving and parking regulations on NAS 1 and NAS 2. Period. The speed limit on NAS 1 is 20 KPH and the speed limit on NAS 2is 30 KPH. A stop sign is just that, a stop sign which requires you to come to a complete stop before proceeding. The XO and I have been doing some informal traffic studies recently and we have found that many people are speeding, ignoring stop signs, talking on phones, and not wearing seat belts while driving. This is reckless and can easily result in in-
jury or death in places with a large amount of traffic and pedestrians. I received complaints of illegal parking on NAS 1 so I investigated and found multiple violations of parking policies. The DODDS parking lot is for school employees only on school days from 06001700. The School Age Care (SAC) parking spots are for SAC drop off and pickup only between 06001700. The customer service spots behind Building 318 are limited to three hour parking which is violated daily. The circle in front of the schools is not a drop off/pickup zone and does not allow parking on school days between 0630-1730. Additionally, the red curb in front of the school is a fire lane where parking is prohibited (as is the case with all red curbs on base). Finally, the entire parking lot in front of the NEX and Commissary is restricted to Commissary/NEX employees and customers. Employee parking is reserved from 0600-1700 and customer parking is limited to three hours. This means you can’t park in the NEX/Commissary parking lots while working or conducting other business on NAS 1. There are also 15 minute and one hour DODDS spots in the Commissary parking lot which are to only be used for conducting business with DODDS during school hours. This means they can be used for DODDS drop off/pickup, registration, etc. but not for Commissary shopping or other business. NAS 1 is a small base. I understand you may not
be able to park in the lot closest to your destination but there is plenty of parking available that may require a bit of a longer walk without violating parking regulations.
Commanding Officer's Suggestion Box The ICE/CO Suggestion Box is for our community and Commanding Officer to discuss, with an eye toward constant improvement, how we are excelling* and how we can improve**. The community is strongly encouraged to leave contact information when submitting comments. This ensures that a response will come directly to you. The Signature and NASSIG Facebook Page typically publish comments and responses for the benefit of the Sigonella community. Comments/suggestions are useful when objective, constructive, and specific. ICE/CO Suggestion Box is NOT a forum for mean-spirited attacks. Anonymous comments will be published only if they benefit the greater community at large. * If you submit a "BZ" about a specific person or department, PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR NAME in order to ensure comment authenticity and therefore publicly recognize employees or organizations. ** The Commanding Officer will ensure a response to all signed comments/suggestions and the vast majority of anonymous ones but reserves the right to disregard those comments/suggestions disinterested in the spirit of the program! There are two ways to submit; go to: 1) Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE) home page on a One-Net computer at: http://ice.disa.mil, All Sigonella services are found under the Navy Europe Listing in the scroll-down menu. – or – 2) NAS Sigonella's website www.cnic.navy.mil/Sigonella, go to the "About" drop down menu and click on "CO Suggestion Box".
Month of the Military Child – ARC Youth Volunteer With April being the Month of the Military Child, the Sigonella American Red Cross Chapter would like to honor one of its Youth Volunteer--Savannah Wilson! Savannah started volunteering with us in July 2014, and has accumulated over 407 hours. She is 17 years old, and very active with the Sigonella’s Girl Scouts group. Below is a quick interview we had with Savannah about her dedication: How do you feel about volunteering/events for the ARC? It’s fun working with all the volunteers in the office and during special events. I like working with children, so it has been especially enjoyable working at the various festivals and helping them have fun. Has the ARC given you any special opportunities? The ARC has provided me the opportunity to meet and befriend people I may have otherwise not met. I have been volunteering for 2 years and 8 months in Sigonella. What would you say about the ARC Sigonella to other youths your age? It’s fun and a GREAT way to get volunteer hours.
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"CHILD" cont'd from Pg. 1 on April 19, staff from the Fleet and Family Support Center are scheduled to go to the Child Development Center on base and bring story time to the kids. “We also have an April calendar on the Fleet and Family Support Center website of suggested actions parents can do to get closer with their children,” said McCauley. “Things like host a pot luck with other parents—it’s a great place for people to share with their parenting and connect with common struggles and frustrations. It helps create a healthy environment.” A healthy environment is crucial for the prevention of child abuse. The first line of the proclamation states: child abuse and neglect is a complex and ongoing problem in our society, affecting children in Naval Air Station, Sigonella. Every child is entitled to be loved, cared for, nurtured, feel secure and be free from verbal, sexual, emotional and physical abuse, and neglect. “Nine million children are injured a year in preventable accidents, and of those 9 million kids, 9,000 of them die in preventable accidents,” said Vice Adm. Dixon Smith, Commander, Navy Installations Command, at a speech held in Washington D.C. “The Navy averages about 11 child fatalities a year from child abuse.” For more information, resources, services and channels for help, you can go to the Fleet and Family Support Center Facebook page at Ffsc Sigonella, visit www.cnic.navy. mil/Sigonella, or call at 095-56-4291.
Name: Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Chris Meloni Department: Safety Hometown: Smyrna, Delaware Overseeing almost 1,000 ordnance inspections over around 31 weapons magazines while managing 10 safety programs, supervising on loads and offloads of all ships within the Area of Responsibility (AOR), and supporting on load of ordnance for aircraft on the flight line—Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Chris Meloni has kept himself busy
Running Safety Tips From NAS Sigonella Safety Office
• Be visible—help motorists see and avoid you. Wear a reflective vest before sunrise and after sunset. • When you approach a vehicle at an intersection or at the entrance to a subdivision, make eye contact with the driver before running in front of the vehicle. If you are uncertain, pass behind it. • Never assume that a driver sees you. • If you are running in periods of low visibility or when it is dark, wear light-colored clothing and reflective shoes. • Watch for thunderstorms. Pay attention to the weather forecast for the area when and where you’ll be running. This will help you avoid getting struck by lightning. • Carry an I.D. and dog tags. The information on them is sufficient for emergency personnel in case you get hurt. • If you are doing long, strenuous runs during the summer, carry water with you (there are numerous styles of water bottle holders and backpack-style containers). Some hold as much as two liters. Or if you are running in a familiar city, plan your route to include water fountains. • Know your route, and don’t run in unfamiliar areas after dark. Traffic, crime, broken pavement, and loose dogs are a few of the hazards you want to be aware of. • Let someone know your general route and approximate finish time. For more information please call the safety office at 624-5630 or 624-6261
since arriving to NAS Sigonella on May 7, 2014. “I’m basically the quality assurance for anything dealing with ordnance on NAS Sigonella,” said Meloni. Meloni is scheduled to leave around May 5 of this year to San Diego for C-school, then to USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) located in Yokosuka, Japan. He says he’s looking forward to Japan but will miss the service members he’s worked with on base over the years. “Working with people on base, talking and helping each other has been one of my favorite parts about working here,”
said Meloni. “This base has been very close knit and helpful, all working together to get the mission accomplished.” As far as volunteering goes, Meloni has done a lot. He volunteered for the Second Class Association since checking in to NAS Sigonella, worked with the Combined Federal Campaign, helped set up the last two Christmas Balls, cleaned up schools and churches countless times, set the stage for the Secretary of the Navy visit, and taught English to Italian students out in town. “It’s always good to see new faces and meet people, it helps with networking,” said Meloni. “I like meeting the community, just going out there and seeing what’s going on.” In Meloni’s free time, one of his favorite hobbies is riding around Sicily on his motorcycle, taking in the sights and historical landscapes. “It’s a beautiful country, I like the clear water. I’m from 20 minutes outside of Philly where we got brown water,” Meloni laughed. “So coming here and seeing this water is beautiful.” Since being stationed at Sigonella for almost three years, Meloni has a few words of advice to those that are just arriving here. “Make sure you have a passport, learn the language, keep records of everything if you live out in town, and just definitely travel,” said Meloni. “Get out there, you got to just get out there.”
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THE SIGNATURE U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA Commanding Officer Capt. Brent Trickel Executive Officer Cmdr. Charles G. McKinney II Command Master Chief CMDCM Mike Kaszubowski EDITORIAL Public Affairs Officer Lt. Andriana Genualdi andriana.genualdi@eu.navy.mil Assistant Public Affairs Officer Nicole Ybarra nicole.ybarra@eu.navy.mil Community Relations Officer Dott. Alberto Lunetta alberto.lunetta.it@eu.navy.mil Editor MCC Jessica Vargas Jessica.Vargas@eu.navy.mil PAO Staff Writer \ Photographer MC2 Christopher Gordon Christopher.Gordon@eu.navy.mil CONTACT US Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily thesig@eu.navy.mil DSN 624-5440; 095-86-5440 PSC 812 Box 7, FPO, AE 09627-0001 PUBLISHER Stampa Generale S.r.l., Sig. Bruno Brandi, Publisher, Naval Support Activity Capodichino (Naples), Italy stampagenerale@tin.it Tel. 081-568-7884 Fax 081-568-7887 This civilian enterprise (CE) newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services overseas. Contents of The Signature are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense (DoD), or the U.S. Navy. The appearance of advertising in this newspaper, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the DoD or Stampa Generale S.r.l., of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factorof the purchaser, user or patron. A confirmed violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser will result in the refusal to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected. The Signature is published weekly by Stampa Generale S.r.l., Sig. Bruno Brandi, Publisher, Naval Support Activity, Capodichino (Naples), Italy. Tel. 081-568-7884. Fax 081-568-7887. E-mail: stampagenerale@tin.it. Editorial submissions are welcomed from all Naval Air Station Sigonella departments, divisions and tenant commands. Editorial submissions should be sent to the Public Affairs Office via thesig@eu.navy. mil, guard mail stop #68 or hand-delivered to our office no later than the close of business on the Friday proceeding the expected publication date. All articles submitted by non-staff members will be considered contributing writers. The Signature will not publish any anonymous articles. All advertisements in this publication are the property of Stampa Generale S.r.l. Any reproduction of advertisements in The Signature is unauthorized without the written consent of the publisher.
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April 14, 2017
American Red Cross Sigonella’s Annual Volunteer Recognition Event By Madison Kim American Red Cross Sigonella
Every year, the American Red Cross Sigonella Chapter hosts a volunteer recognition event to recognize local volunteers. This year’s theme was “Heroes’ Round-Up” and the Red Cross presented awards to seven individuals including the Red Cross Volunteer of the Year and three Everyday Hero Awards on March 31. Volunteer Leader of the Year: Awarded to Andrea Taylor-Craft who has contributed over 340 hours this year as the Special Projects Lead, she has been instrumental in increasing the number of events offered to the community, establishing new partnerships, and giving volunteers unique and exciting ways to serve the community. Events included a Bike Safety Rodeo, Pet Appreciation Day, Fire Partnership Office partnership, and more. In addition, she has introduced Red Cross Reconnec-
tion Workshops to our community to help support local resiliency efforts. Volunteer of the Year: Awarded to Lisa Patmor who volunteers twice a week as an OR Nurse assisting with surgeries and providing much needed support to Naval Hospital Sigonella. She is a valuable and trusted member of the surgical team. In addition, she volunteers as a CPR / AED / First Aid and Babysitter Training Instructor for the Red Cross Health & Safety Program. Instructor of the Year: Awarded to Kyle Eveler, the Red Cross Health & Safety Program Lead and First Aid/CPR/AED instructor he has taught close to 40 people how to save a life this year. In addition, he has provided briefings to expectant parents on caring for infants and staffed numerous events promoting Red Cross Health and Safety education. Clinic Volunteer of the Year: Awarded to Carl Washington for his support at the Naval Hospital
The Red Cross presented awards to seven individuals including the Red Cross Volunteer of the Year and three Everyday Hero Awards during its Volunteer Recognition Event held March 31. (Photo courtesy of American Red Cross Sigonella)
Sigonella MID Information Systems department helping to ensure timely services are provided to patients. In addition, he helped deliver home cooked meals to nightshift caregivers at the hospital in support of Red Cross / Wounded Warrior Program partnership; and helped promote the new Red Cross Hero Care app to service members and their families in the Sigonella community. Service to Families: Ms. Codie Seier is a Key Spouse for the 7th RS. She is an instrumental link between the command and families. She goes out of her way to welcome new families, showing them around and answering questions. She mentors spouses new to the military life, guiding them through the complexities of military life. She also coordinates the new baby meal train, ensuring families have at least three meals upon returning home from the hospital. Her skills and knowledge have been crucial in assisting the families of airmen at Sigonella. In addition, she serves as the Chairperson for AWAG, Americans Working around the Globe, in Europe. AWAG seminars provide unique opportunities for leaders to obtain training and guidance, as well as network with other leaders in Europe. Service to the Host Nation: Ms. Denise Gutierrez’s commitment to the Sicilian community and passion for animals has created many unique opportunities for personnel to volunteer in our host nation community. She organized 26 personnel in assisting a local farm in cleaning stables, building shelters for animals, and general farm maintenance. Her care for animals also led her to volunteer her time at the Scordia Dog Shelter feeding, bathing, and cleaning kennels for abandoned strays. She planned a volunteer opportunity for nine personnel at the shelter in which they provided over 72 hours of time assisting with the care of the animals. In addition, Ms. Gutierre volunteers at the local Cub Scout Pack 35 weekly as the Treasurer monitoring a budget of over $2,000. Service to the Military: Mr. Pippo Pellegrino
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April 14, 2017
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Every Day is Earth Day
Sailors aboard NAS Sigonella participate in a base-wide clean up event in honor of Earth Day 2016. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ramon Go/Released) By Antonino Piluso Installation Energy Manager
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22. First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day events in more than 193 countries are now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network. The theme of this year’s Earth Day is Environmental & Climate Literacy. Our progress is based on education and building a global awareness of climate change and the unprecedented threat it poses to our planet. By raising awareness, we empower the global community with the knowledge to inspire action in defense of environmental protection. Saving energy is one of the best actions we can take to save our planet. Building Energy Monitor (BEM) training is held four times a
year by the Installation Energy Manager which covers energy saving best practices. The next BEM training will be held in June. This training is mandatory for every departmental or tenant command BEM. If you are interested in learning about energy savings please contact Antonio Piluso for more information on the next available training session. The Public Works Department will also be hosting monthly radio spots on AFN to teach Energy 101 to the Sigonella community and to help spread energy saving techniques. Stay tuned, save water, save energy and listen to the AFN eagle to learn more. See more at: http://www.earthday.org/ earthday/ For more information, please contact the Installation Energy Manager Antonino Piluso at 624-2901 or Antonino.piluso.it@eu.navy.mil.
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April 14, 2017
Good Friday Ancient Religious Traditions Come to Life in Pietraperzia Story by Alberto Lunetta
Today is Good Friday, which is the commemoration of the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. Just as it happens all over Sicily, this is probably the most awaited day in the town of Pietraperzia, a picturesque village in Enna province. This morning, the Chiesa del Carmine (Church of the Carmine), which houses the Confraternita of Maria Santissima del Soccorso, the religious club that has been organizing this celebration for years who will help prepare for this evening’s celebrationturies, will swarm with confraternity members of the “Lu Signuri di li Fasci,” (The Lord of the Bands). This afternoon at 2 p.m., a 14th century life-sized crucifix will be taken from a small chapel, where it is usually kept, and placed in the center of the church for adoration. Amidst a surreal silence, devotees will pay their respects the entire afternoon. Pilgrims will enter the church, make a small donation and get small red ribbons, called “Misureddi,” (little measures), which have the same measurements as the crucifix. Misureddi will then be blessed and tied around the arm as a sign of devotion. Later at 6 p.m., confrati (confraternity members) will mount the crucifix and “Lu munnu” (a globe symbolizing the world) on top of a 28-foot cypress wood pole. This majestic post will then be placed in the middle of a wooden frame called “Vara.” After that, brotherhood members will complete this magnificent and elaborate float, called “fercolo,” by tying to the upper part of the mast the traditional “Fasci,” which are devotional long strips of white linen cloth that are about 105 feet long and 16 inches wide. Several families in town own white linen bands with their names embroidered in red. These linen bands represent a “thank-you offering” for a miracle received. Devotees are allowed to tie them to the float on a rotational two-year basis in order to give everybody a chance to participate in the festival. Thousands of Pietrini (Pietraperzia townspeople) and tourists will crowd outside the church to see the huge religious float being hoisted at 8 p.m., one of the most important touching and spectacular moments of the entire festival. The float turns from being an inanimate object into an elaborate “living machine,” which is maneuvered by 500 believers, as it makes its way through the town’s narrow cobblestone streets. Some devotees roll, unroll, pull and hold the devotional linen strips while others carry the heavy wooden support on their shoulders. All this requires teamwork, precision and attention to perfectly balance this imposing float. In fact, as the float proceeds, it changes its shape by performing some rather delicate maneuvers, rotations and turns which create a dramatic and spectacular optical effect. It actually appears as if the crucifix is floating on top of a snow-covered mountain! Some Pietrini, who have immigrated to the United States, call their relatives to listen over the phone to the meek whispering of the bearers who say “Pietà e misericordia Signuri!” (God have Mercy and Pity on us!). Two leaders holding the statues of dead Christ (“L’Urna con il Cristo morto”) and Our lady of Sorrow (“L’Addolorata”) will accompany the float during the procession that will continue late into the night. The Pietraperzia townspeople join together to keep alive this tradition, dating back to the 14th century, which according to legend, is also “attended” by the souls of the deceased brotherhood members.
Easter Weekend Events in Caltagirone Story by Alberto Lunetta
Caltagirone “Easter Week” includes processions, religious plays, art and photo exhibitions, Holy Masses, and concerts. This year’s celebrations opened on Tuesday with the religious play, “The Passion of Christ,” the account of the last Days of Jesus Christ and will continue through Good Friday. At 6:30 p.m., the procession of “Cristo Morto” (Dead Christ) is held through the streets of the center. During this solemn and gloomy procession, hundreds of devotees accompany the sculptures of Jesus Christ (the “Cataletto,” a wooden life-sized sculpture depicting the dead Christ that is preserved inside an elaborate glass urn dating back to 1853) and the grieving Virgin Mary dressed in mourning. Among the Good Friday processions usually held in Sicily, Caltagirone’s processione (procession) is the only in which the statues are still carried on the
"EASTER" continued on Page 15
After a year of preparation, tonight, the Pietraperzia community commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ through a mournful procession featuring a must-see magnificent and elaborate float, called "fercolo," that is pulled by devotees holding devotional long strips of white linen bands representing a "thank-you offering" for a miracle received. (Photo by NASSIG PAO)
April 14, 2017
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Ross, Porter Commanding Officers Receive Phone Calls from President Trump From U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/ U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs
MEDITERRANEAN SEA (NNS) -- On April 9, the commanding officers of Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Ross (DDG 71) and USS Porter (DDG 78) received phone calls from President Donald J. Trump. The president called to thank the commanding officers, Cmdr. Russell Caldwell and Cmdr. Andria Slough, and their crews for their professionalism and quick response to the tasking to conduct a cruise missile strike against Shayrat airfield in western Syria April 7. This strike was in response to the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime. Ross, commanded by Cmdr. Russell Caldwell, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, departed on its fifth forward-deployed patrol April 3 and is conducting routine patrols in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. Caldwell took command of Ross Nov. 12, 2015, and is scheduled to be relieved by the current executive officer, Cmdr. Brian Gallo, in a ceremony onboard the ship April 11, in port Larnaca, Cyprus. "The success of this mission hinged upon our Sailors' excellent training, technical knowledge and dedication to their work," Caldwell said. "It was a distinct honor to hear firsthand from our commander in chief that these operations had a direct impact in support of his national objectives." USS Porter, commanded by Cmdr. Andria Slough, forward-deployed to Rota, Spain, departed on its third forward-deployed patrol Nov. 30, and is conducting routine patrols in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. "In general, the President was impressed with Porter's precision and lethality. It was obvious he was
WASHINGTON (April 9, 2017) President Donald J. Trump speaks with the commanding officers of the guided-missile destroyers USS Porter (DDG 78) and USS Ross (DDG 71) from Air Force One. With President Trump is National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster. (White House photo by Shealah Craighead/Released)
extremely pleased with our performance and is glad we're out here patrolling in U.S. 6th Fleet," Slough said. Slough took command of Porter Jan. 28, 2016. In February Porter went to the Black Sea and participated in the Romanian led exercise Sea Shield. In March, Porter participated in the multilateral Allied Maritime Command anti-submarine, anti-surface warfare Exercise Dynamic Manta 2017. Also in March, Porter was
awarded the 2016 Atlantic Fleet "Bloodhound" award, signifying the best ship in the fleet at anti-submarine warfare. U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.
NKO Content Shifts to My Navy Portal From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy announced Thursday, following the successful launch of My Navy Portal, Navy Knowledge Online (NKO) will be disestablished April 14. My Navy Portal provides Sailors a more user-friendly interface, is easier to navigate and contains the majority of the training content found on NKO. Going forward, all NKO users will be redirected to use My Navy Portal at https://my.navy.mil. Sailors will be able to access tools such as Navy eLearning, Navy Advancement Center information, Personnel Qualification Standards and other career management tools from the portal's front page. More information about My Navy Portal can be found on the My Navy Portal public page at https://my.navy.mil and the Navy Personnel Command Career Toolbox website at www.public.navy.mil/bupers-npc/career/toolbox/Pages/My-NavyPortal.aspx. For more information on the disestablishment of NKO, read NAVADMIN 087/17 on www.public.navy.mil. For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnp/.
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April 14, 2017
I amsterdam
BY CDR charles mckinney NAS Sigonella Executive Officer
If you have ever considered visiting the Dutch city of Amsterdam, I highly recommend following your instincts. Rich in history and notoriety, this free-spirited city does not disappoint and has something for everyone. Like many Sig’ Citizens, my family and I took advantage of the DoDDS spring break and ventured north to this quaint, unique city dubbed “The Venice of northern Europe.” With three weeks to plan, it was relatively easy to lock in lowcost airfare with EasyJet, direct to/from Catania on Sunday and Thursday only (seasonal). The savings allowed upgrading our lodging, which was key as our hotel was smack in the city center by Damplein (Dam Square). From there, we were able to walk everywhere we desired in what seemed no time at all since taking in the continuous panorama interlaced with scents of flowers, waffles and (potato) fries keeps you from noticing how far you’ve gone. Amsterdam is set up well for pedestrian as well as
mass transit, with an extensive tram network dating back to 1875. Most traffic (48% in city center) is the roughly 800,000 bicycles conveying in discrete lanes paralleling sidewalks and streets, complete with signals. To be, or not to be overlooked are the near endless canals dissecting the city center into about 90 serene and chaotic islands. The canals were established in the 17th century with three main canals forming concentric belts about the center, and more added over the years. A collection of around 1,500 bridges makes traversing them a breeze, and offers great photo opportunities – just don’t fall in! Water management is serious business in The Netherlands, with most of the country at, or below sea level, with parts of Amsterdam being 3 meters below. With only Sunday through Wednesday to tour (Thursday doesn’t count; very early departure:), we got fully introduced to the city after checking in to the hotel, strolling to various squares like Rembrandtplein, walking a marketplace, and sampling sugar-sweet waffles. The next day began with a hop-on/hop-off bus tour of the city; something I recommend wherever you travel
as a means to quickly acquaint yourself with the surrounding area, history and attractions you might not be aware of. It paid off, and we enjoyed the rest of the day visiting more points of interest like the Van Gogh museum, shopping and sampling local cuisine like cheeses and some world-famous appeltaart (Dutch apple pie). Pre-arranged tour tickets to the Keukenhof Tulip Gardens set us up for day three. An hour ride out and back with three hours in the gardens was just enough to take in the glory of nearly seven million blooming tulips of all varieties. Best time of year to visit is March-May with late April into May being best target for full effect. Another city stroll followed by a traditional Dutch restaurant completed the day. The final tour day began with a cruise on one of the many canal tours gaining perspective only afforded by being on the water. All tours were worthwhile investments in time and money, as were the museums. The rest of the day was spent at a leisurely pace, dodging random cannabis coffee shops and briefly passing by the Anne Frank House, which we learned while planning must be booked (time and date) roughly seven weeks in advance… Next time!
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NAS SIGONELLA COMMUNITY PAGE All Hands News Bulletin:
ASIST (APPLIED SUICIDE INTERVENTION SKILLS TRAINING)
PREPARE EARLY FOR HOUSEHOLD GOODS MOVES Command, Department or Organization: Personal Property Service Office Date of Event: Present - Summer 2017 Location of Event: BLDG 720 Point of Contact Name: Derek Roncaioli Point of Contact Phone Number: 624-5503 Point of Contact Email Address: Derek.Roncaioli@eu.navy.mil Additional Information: Navy Advises Sailors Expecting PCS Orders in Summer 2017 to Prepare Early for Household Goods Moves Visit http://www. navsup.navy.mil/household to review various "how-to" guides for using the Defense Personal Property System (DPS) and basic entitlement information. Visit http://www.move.mil to obtain a login and password for DPS, and start their application. Sigonella Religious Ministries Department Worship Services
Command, Department or Organization: Religious Ministries Department Date of Event: 20-21 APR 2017 Time of Event: 0900-1700 Location of Event: NAS 2 Chapel Point of Contact Name: Richard Graves Point of Contact Phone Number: 624-5231 or +39-345-307-8460 Point of Contact Email Address: richard.graves.ctr@eu.navy.mil Additional Information: CREDO will be offering an Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training workshop April 20-21 from 0900-1700, at the NAS II Chapel. ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) was developed in 1983 and is regularly updated to reflect improvements in knowledge and practice, ASIST is the world's leading suicide intervention workshop. During the two-day interactive session, participants learn to intervene and help prevent the immediate risk of suicide. Over 1,000,000 people have taken the workshop, and studies have proven that the ASIST method helps reduce suicidal feelings for those at risk. If interested, would like to register,or just have a question, contact Rich Graves, the Sigonella CREDO facilitator.
Weekly Traffic Report: April 3 - April 10, 2017
Phone Numbers: NAS I 095-56-3975, NAS II 095-86-9049, Chaplain Duty: 335-831-4493, RP Duty: 335-786-1950. Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Naval Air Station Sigonella Chapel
NAS 1
Mondays AA Meeting: . . . . . . 1800-1900 Tuesdays Protestant Women of the Chapel: . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0900-1100 Daily Mass: . . . . . . . . 1130-1230 AWANA: . . . . . . . . . . 1645-1900 Youth for Christ (YFC) Youth Meeting: . . . . . . . . . . . 1200-1430 Wednesdays Protestant Men of the Chapel: . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0600-0700 Daily Mass: . . . . . . . . 1130-1230 Catholic Ladies' Guild (3rd Wednesday): .1600-1800 Thursdays Daily Mass: . . . . . . . . 1130-1230 Youth for Christ (YFC) Youth Meeting: . . . 1200-1530 Choir Practice: . . . 1630-1800 The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA): . . . . . . . . . . . . 1800-2030 Fridays Daily Mass: . . . . . . . . 1130-1230 First Friday Mass and Holy Hour: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1700-1830
Saturdays First Saturday Rosary and Mass: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1100-1200 Sundays Catholic Mass: . . . . 0900-1000 Catholic Religious Education (DoDDS): . . . . . . . . . 1045-1200 Protestant Service: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1100-1200 Latter-Day Saints Service: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1330-1600
NAS 2
Wednesdays Knights of Columbus (1st Wednesdays): . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1700-1800 Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC): . 1800-2100 Thursdays AA Meeting: . . . . . . 1800-1900 Sundays Protestant Service and Fellowship: . . . 1800-2000
Ristorante Bella Etna
As a reminder to everyone: There are no PTUs allowed at the Galley. Appropriate athletic gear is authorized at the discretion of the Galley staff. Please remember that for sanitation purposes and for the consideration of other customers, if you have been out for PT, been working out at the gym, or have just been engaged in any physical activity where you and or your clothing has become soiled or sweaty you will be asked to turn around.
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USDA Upholds Soil-Free Standard for US-Bound Shipments By Robert Szostek U.S. European Command Customs Public Affairs Office
WIESBADEN, Germany – Europe is home to many agricultural pests that are not found in the United States and soil is a natural hideout for them. Importation of soil into the United States from foreign sources is prohibited. Personnel assigned to Europe must remember to clean anything that collects dirt before they send it stateside. The
pests soil contains can cause great damage to the U.S. farming economy. “You can unwittingly introduce invasive pests into the U.S.,” said Julie Aliaga-Milos, U.S. Department of Agriculture adviser at the U.S. European Command’s Customs and Border Clearance Agency. “It only takes one bit of soil on your car, lawn furniture, bicycle, field gear or boot.” Vehicles and military equipment are especially prone to collecting dirt, mud
and soil, she added, which is why they must be thoroughly washed before they can be shipped stateside. Screening soil for the spectrum of organisms that might be harmful is expensive, which is why it is cheaper and more effective to wash items contaminated by soil overseas. “Soil is strictly controlled under USDA’s quarantine regulations because it can readily provide a pathway for a variety of dangerous organisms into the United States,”
Soil is strictly controlled under the USDA’s quarantine regulations because it can readily provide a pathway for a variety of dangerous organisms into the United States. Personnel assigned to Europe must remember to clean anything that collects dirt before they send it stateside. The pests soil contains can cause great damage to the U.S. farming economy.
Aliaga-Milos explained. The Code of Federal Regulations 7 CFR 330.300 lists the federal authority for these conditions and safeguards. That is why EUCOM has a border clearance program that inspects household goods, privately owned vehicles and military shipments destined for the U.S. to ensure they are free of soil. The Department of Defense works directly with USDA in the EUCOM and AFRICOM areas to enforce this soil-free standard. Soil is a mixture of organic and inorganic materials. It is the loose surface material of the earth and the major medium for plant growth. Some examples of soil or soil constituents are topsoil, forest litter, wood or plant compost, humus and earthworm castings. This mixture can support biological activity and can therefore also contain numerous harmful animal diseases,
plant pests and noxious weed seeds. These pests include bacteria, viruses, fungi, nematodes, and life stages of destructive mollusks and insects. Materials free of organic matter such as pure sand, clay, talc, rocks, volcanic pumice, chalk, salt, iron ore and gravel, however, can be imported. These materials must be mined or collected so they are free of organic material such as roots, grasses, plant debris or leaf litter. Likewise, road dust, sand or grime on a car is not a threat because it cannot support biological activity. However, dirt that has collected over time and contains organic materials is a threat and must be removed. Call a military customs office to find out more about agricultural threats to the U.S. or visit our website at www.eur. army.mil/opm/customs/uscustoms.htm.
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GAMEZONE
Find and circle all of the Hockey words that are hidden in the grid. The words may be hidden in any direction.
CROWD
DEFENSEMEN FACE-OFF
FORWARDS GOALIE
HELMET ICING
OFFSIDE
PENALTY PUCK REFEREE RINK SCORE SKATES STICK TEAMS
MEDIUM
ASSIST
PASS
EASY
ARENA
DIFFICULT
Ice Hockey
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"RED CROSS" cont'd from Pg. 4
SIGONELLA, Sicily (April 10, 2017) – Congressman Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania shakes hands with Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Victoria Hoffman during a lunch where congressional delegates met with Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Sailors from their respective states. 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)
SIGONELLA, Sicily (April 10, 2017) – Congressional delegates met with Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Sailors from their respective states at the base galley. 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)
volunteers his time assisting with translation services, community gatherings and communications for the Emergency Management Office as well as other agencies across the installation. His support directly impacts the military community by strengthening relationships with external partner agencies ensuring that the Emergency Operations and Dispatch Centers are prepared and able to respond fastidiously when time is of the essence. Without him, there would be no coordination with those necessary outside agencies. This past year alone, Sigonella Red Cross Volunteers have dedicated to the community over 5,859 hours which counts in total equivalent of $138,565 in volunteer labor hours.
Their support has made more than nine Red Cross base events happen to include assisting MWR with the Sigonella Run Series. The annual Pet Appreciation Day in April, and Bike Safety Rodeo in May had the largest turnout yet. Sigonella Red Cross has also partnered with organizations to help deliver services to our military, including the Wounded Warrior Project to provide a free resiliency day trip, the Christmas Winter Wonderland, and the USN Sigonella Dental Clinic to provide vocational training to military dependents. On behalf of the Sigonella Red Cross office, we would like to extend our thanks to the Red Cross Volunteers and Everyday Heroes in our local community.
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"EASTER" cont'd from Pg. 6 shoulders of the devotees. This is not an easy task as the statues are incredibly heavy and holding them requires a continuous rotation of strong men. There is no difference in age, social status or political opinion. Typically, the “penitent” bearer is someone who has had a recent death in the family or wants to express his devotion to Jesus’ agony through his own physical suffering. On Easter Sunday (Apr.16) at 4:30 p.m., “A Giunta,” (The reunion) begins in via San Pietro. This spectacular religious play features three statues depicting Jesus, the Virgin Mary and St. Peter. It consists of a series of scenes illustrating Saint Peter’s announcement of the resurrection of Jesus to the Virgin Mary, the following meeting between the Vergine Maria or Virgin Mary and Jesus, and their sorrowful final separation. The play begins with the huge papier-mâché statue of St. Peter (about 10 feet tall) wandering around the crowd of devotees in search of the Virgin Mary to tell her about the resurrection of her beloved son. After several unsuccessful attempts, Saint Peter eventually finds the Virgin Mary and tells her the good news. Thus, the meeting of the Virgin Mary and Christ takes place between piazza Loggia and via Luigi Strurzo. The black mantle that covers the Virgin Mary as a sign of mourning falls after the meeting with her risen Son, and a blue and white dress replaces it to express joy. Meanwhile, two surprised Roman soldiers named “Cicchittu” and “Nancittu,” who surround Christ, witness the miracle. During the play, the crowd follows with attention and anxiety the events featured. And when then meeting occurs townspeople express their joy by shouting “Viva Maria” (Long live the Virgin Mary). After that, the procession moves to piazza Marconi, where the “Spartenza” (separation) takes place. Eventually, the Virgin Mary bows three times to Jesus and bids farewell to him. It’s Easter again! Christ is resurrected! Complementing the Easter celebrations, there are several art exhibitions that will be hosted in the main historic buildings of the center and an Easter market that will be opened in the area that used to house the fish market area thru April 18. For more detailed information visit the official city of Caltagirone web site: http://www. comune.caltagirone.ct.it/
Sicilian Easter Cakes to Tempt Your Taste Buds Story by Alberto Lunetta
Knowing the importance of food in the Sicilian culture, it should be no surprise that home cooks and pastry chefs are quite busy during Easter. As the Sicilian saying goes “Aviri cchiu’ chiffari di lu furnu di Pasqua,” (busier than an oven during Easter), during Easter Sicilians bake a lot of scrumptious pastries that are still prepared according to secret ancient recipes handed down from Sicilian nuns and Moorish bakers. There is wide variety of Sicilian treats, which are basically made with eggs, flour, almonds, candied fruits and ricotta cheese. Although chocolate Easter eggs, which come in assorted sizes, are big sellers in Sicily, traditional dolci (treats) are still very popular in the island. Among the most famous treats there is the “Cuddura ccu l’ovu” that is a cookie with hard-boiled eggs placed in the middle.
PAGE 15 The marzipan “Agneddu Pasquali” (which in Sicilian means Easter Lamb) is undoubtedly, the most peculiar Easter cake. It comes from a Jewish tradition, and it is made with sugar and clove paste. It is shaped as the “Agnus Dei” (Lamb of God), whose bronze prototype is in Palermo’s National Museum. The lamb is always set in a grassy background with a banner placed in the back. The banner is a small reproduction of the medieval symbol of the French kings who ruled Sicily. The tantalizing “Agneddu di Pasta di Zuccaru e Jarofulu,” which is still made by hand with sugar and clove paste is a pretty traditional variety of Easter lambs. The most valuable lambs are indeed the “Agneddi di Pasta Riali,” or marzipan lambs, made with ground almonds and sugar, covered with icing and painted like the Martorana fruit. These particular lambs are often filled with citron jam and are a specialty of the towns of Erice and Acireale, where they’re made close to life size. Pasta Riali in Sicilian means royal paste because it was made in the kitchens of the great nobles and nuns of the Martorana Convent in Palermo. Another essential Easter cake is “Cassata,” one of the world’s most famous Sicilian pastries. It is made with ricotta, coated with icing and decorated with candied fruit. Cassata is also available in smaller and differently shaped versions named “Cassateddi.” Eating Cassata is a must for any good Sicilian as the saying tells, “Tintu cu nun mancia cassati la matina ri Pasqua,” which in Sicilian means: “Bad is the one who doesn’t eat Cassate on Easter morning.” Cassata was first prepared in 998 at the palace of Emir Yussuf in Palermo during the Arab rule. Its name derives from “Quas’at,” which in Arabic means: round bowl. Historians believe that this cake was prepared in a round bowl 33 cm in diameter and its inventor used all the delicacies available at the time. Over the centuries, this cake became so popular that in 1575, the Ecclesiastical Council of Mazara (province of Trapani) banned its production in convents and monasteries to prevent the nuns, who were very skilled and popular confectioners, from being disturbed during the Holy Week’s prayers. According to scholars, the first prototype of modern Cassata, which included sophisticated decorations with candied fruits, was prepared in the second half of the 16th century by the nuns of the Valverde Monastery in Palermo. “Viscotta di casa.” is another type of Sicilian Easter cookies worth mentioning. They are traditional home baked biscuits that are still prepared according to ancient recipes.
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