Saint Paul: Festivities held in Palazzolo Acreide
PAGE 4
Malta:
Election Season:
Exploring the island!
Political Guidance
PAGEs 8-9
N A S SIG O N E L L A
PAGE 15
July 15, 2016
Vol. 33 No. 28
Sigonella Honors Fallen during Ceremony at Ponte Dirillo
Naval Computers and Telecommunications Station (NCTS), Sicily, Sailors salute during a ceremony for the 73rd anniversary of Operation Husky at Ponte Dirillo, July 8. July 10 marked 73 years since the Allies invaded Sicily and launched Operation Husky, the Italian campaign during WWII. (Photo courtesy of NCTS) By ET2 pattrick jones NCTS Sicily
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – July 10 marked 73 years since the Allies invaded Sicily and launched Operation Husky, the Italian campaign during WWII. To mark the anniversary, Naval Computers and Telecommunications Station (NCTS), Sicily Commanding Officer Cmdr. Donald Hocutt, members of the U.S. and Italian armed services, and a small group of civilians gathered to honor the fallen during a ceremony at Ponte Dirillo. Lt. Mathew Brassart, Officer in Charge of Naval Radio Transmitter Facility in nearby Niscemi, served as the master of ceremonies. “This year, on May 8, we took time to remember
that it’s been 71 years since Germany signed the act of military surrender to the Allies in Berlin. VE Day marked the end of World War II in Europe,” said Brassart. “None of that could have happened without the events that took place here during Operation Husky in Sicily.” During his remarks, Brassart noted the operation’s success, then turned his attention to the tragic yet heroic efforts of the Americans who fought and fell at Ponte Dirillo July 10-11. Brassart spoke of a group from the 1st Battalion of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, took off from Tunisia only to miss their drop zones east of the village of Gela. “There was a strong western wind and these paratroopers landed miles beyond their actual drop
zones,” Brassart said. “Men of the 82nd Airborne Division found themselves amidst three German pillboxes in Ponte Dirillo.” Despite their precarious position, the small detachment of paratroopers formed small groups and wreaked havoc on Italian and German positions during heavy nighttime fighting. By the early hours of July 11, 39 paratroopers from the 1st Battalion unit had perished. The battlefield today sits near a farmhouse adjacent to a highway. In front of the farmhouse is a marker that lists the 39 fallen service members. What the plaque does not mention are the several instances of awe inspiring bravery carried out by 1st Battalion’s young men, starting at the top of their chain of command. They were led into action by Lt. Col. Arthur Gorham, a 28-year-old Brooklyn native whose unit took fire from German Tiger tanks and infantry. On the early morning of July 11, about 10 Tigers with a battalion of men following began an assault on the American position. While his men stayed low, Gorham kept moving, avoiding incoming fire while maneuvering around the enemy, bucking up his outnumbered men. After one of his bazooka teams was wiped out, Gorham seized an incendiary weapon, loaded it and fired, setting a Tiger ablaze. For his actions he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the second highest Army medal awarded. Later that morning Gorham was killed alongside his men. Despite being largely outnumbered, their tenacity did not waiver. As the Germans retreated, a U.S. paratrooper picked up a discarded bazooka and took out another German tank. During this year’s ceremony at Ponte Dirillo, the small group of civilians and service members silently stood side by side as ET2(IW/SW) Samuel Whisman, read aloud the names of those brave souls. For each name, a bell was rung until all 39 names were accounted for. A wreath was placed by Cmdr. Hocutt and Signore Ventura to honor the fallen troops. Taps followed and then ET2 shouted the traditional “Airborne!” cry before the chaplain prayed the benediction. The ceremony had concluded, but the fighting spirit of those who gave all at Ponte Dirillo and during Operation Husky will live on.
Sigonella Youth Take Trip of a Lifetime By Vanessa Ogletree NAS Sigonella MWR
NAS Sigonella, Sicily – Since 2011, the Navy Teen Summer Camp Scholarship Program (SCSP) has provided Navy teens with specialty camps that promote healthy, lifelong hobbies and provide opportunities for teens to reduce stress and stay active over the summer. This year, Sigonella was chosen as one of six host sites for the 2016 program. As one of the host sites, Sigonella was allowed several slots for its teens to represent the Sigonella community amongst the other 16 Navy youths selected from a worldwide pool. The Sigonella teens chosen were: Austin Brehmer, Chris Kaszubowski and Samantha Sanders. In order to be chosen for the program, they had to have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in the 2015-2016 school year and answer essay questions about their experiences as military children. “Of the hundreds of kids who applied, I was fortunate enough to be selected for this prestigious camp which gave me the opportunity to travel across the beautiful country of Italy along with 18 other teens from all around the world,” said Brehmer. Once selected, the Tour d’Italy Camp started their two-week whirlwind adventure. From June 17 – July
1, the group explored Agrigento’s Valley of the Temples and Turkish Steps; Taormina; Catania; the Aeolian Islands; Pompeii; Amalfi Coast; Naples; Rome; Florence and Pisa. They learned about ancient civilizations in Pompeii, the history of Italian pizza in Naples and participated in a variety of physical activities to include kayaking and stand up paddle boarding in Giardini Naxos and hiking on the Island of Stromboli. For some participants, this trip was the first time they had ever been away from their parents for an extended period of time. Four Sigonella MWR Child and Youth Program Specialists led the group of teens on the adventure. Eric Barge, Chris McKibbin, Lee Papa and LaChelle Carr, were with the group every step of the way organizing, preparing, and of course guiding this fun bunch. Summer Camp Scholarship Program team lead, Eric Barge, said he enjoyed watching the 19 kids with different backgrounds build relationships which quickly turned into friendships that will last a lifetime. “The staff did an excellent job of keeping us all together and reinforcing group bonding. After the second day of festivities, we were all very good friends and any sense of awkwardness subsided instantly. I am so thankful for the opportunity to partake in Tour d’Italy and
Sigonella teens traveled throughout Sicily and mainland Italy as part of the Navy Teen Summer Camp Scholarship Program. The program provides Navy teens with specialty camps that promote healthy, lifelong hobbies and opportunities for teens to reduce stress and stay active over the summer. (Photo courtesy of Sigonella MWR)
I’d recommend it to any teens willing to experience Italian culture outside of Sigonella,” said Brehmer. As for why Barge supports the Navy SCSP he says, “I think the Navy created this program to provide our military teens an opportunity to visit new places around the world, create new friendships between youth in similar situations, and give them an outlet to
build their character in a way they may never be able to.” For all the youth and parents in the Sigonella community, Barge recommends, “Keep an eye out for camps just like this next summer! The Navy provides multiple opportunities for military teenagers to travel to other parts of the world and take part in camps just like this one.”