Venice with kids: IT AIN'T FOR SISSIES!
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Energy Biggest Loser :
FFSC:
Where does Sig' stand?
Tips to manage stress!
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N A S SIG O N E L L A
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July 17, 2015
Vol. 32 No. 28
Remembering Ponte Dirillo 72 years later By MC1 Tony D. Curtis NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
GELA, Sicily — July 10 marked 72 years since the Allies invaded Sicily and launched Operation Husky - the Italian campaign during WWII. To mark the anniversary, NAS Sigonella Commanding Officer, Capt. Christopher Dennis, Lt. Cmdr. Robert Matthias, Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station Sicily executive officer, and a small group of civilians and members of the U.S. and Italian armed services joined to honor the fallen during a ceremony at Ponte Dirillo. Lt. Matthew Brassart, officer-in-charge of Naval Radio Transmitter Facility in nearby Niscemi, served as master-of-ceremonies. “This year, on May 8th, we took time to remember that it’s been 70 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 success, then turned his attention to the tragic-yet-heroic efforts of the Americans who fought and fell at Ponte Dirillo July 10 and 11. Brassart explained how 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 Gela village. "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 made the best of it, forming little groups of men who 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 bat-
Lt. Matthew Brassart, officer-in-charge of Naval Radio Transmitter Facility in nearby Niscemi, leads a small group of civilians and members of the U.S. and Italian armed services to honor the fallen during a ceremony at Ponte Dirillo. July 10 marked 72 years since the Allies invaded Sicily and launched the Italian Campaign during World War II. This major effort was named Operation Husky. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ramon Go/Released)
tlefield today sits near a farmhouse adjacent to a highway. In front of the farmhouse is a marker that lists the 39 dead. 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
"PONTE DIRILLO" continued on Page 12
Corpsman up: Answering the call for 117 years
True to tradition, the Hospital Corpsman Pledge was recited during the celebration of the Hospital Corps' 117th birthday held at the Hotel Valle Degli Ulivi, June 20. (Photo courtesy of Ed Lucio) By HM1 Christopher Aquino and HM2 Joseph Castro U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella Public Affairs
NAS SIGONELLA – The Navy’s largest and most decorated rating celebrated 117 years of steadfast service. Here in Sicily, Naval Hospital Sigonella proudly hosted the occasion with the
Hospital Corpsman Ball at the Hotel Valle Degli Ulivi June 20. The rating has come a long way since President William McKinley signed an Act of Congress in 1898 establishing the Hospital
Corps: the HM rate has grown from 25 senior “apothecaries” to today’s fleet of 30,000 active duty and reserve corpsmen. Since 1898, those who have worn the Caduceus and their predecessors have responded to the call “Corpsman up!” wherever the Navy and Marine Corps took them. Navy Hospital Corpsmen are at the frontlines of combat zones treating the wounded, delivering humanitarian assistance in hospital ships, providing crisis response in areas of dire need and caring for the sick at military treatment facilities. They are present across all theaters of operations at land, sea and air. To ensure our fighting force is medically ready for the mission while delivering high quality, family-centered patient care. “It is impossible to imagine Navy Medicine without our corpsmen,” said Naval Hospital Sigonella Commanding Officer Capt. William Davidson. “We are proud of our corpsmen and everything that they do for us to be able to deliver world class care anytime, anywhere.” he adds. The Medal of Honor has been awarded to 22 corpsmen, many of them posthumously. Additionally, 174 Navy Cross Recipients, 946 Silver Stars, 1,582 Bronze Stars and so much more. These honors come at a price; recent statistics
count more than 2,000 corpsmen who have made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. Every Corpsman Ball is rightfully theirs as well: their lives celebrated and their legacy carried on proudly. Coming close to 30 years of faithful and dedicated Naval service, this will be Command Master Chief Jill Eastin’s last Corpsman Ball on active duty. “The past 30 years have been characterized by great changes not only in the Navy but in the world around us”, Eastin observes. In her address, she ardently emphasized the importance of embracing change in today’s Navy. “Change is good, do not run away from it,” she highlights. “The Military and Navy Medicine is changing quickly and as these changes come from the top, I challenge each and every one of you to bring them to fruition to the grassroots. Become leaders of change.” The Hospital Corpsman Pledge holds the care of the sick and injured to be a privilege and a sacred trust. This is a tradition that has been kept for 117 years. With a heroic heritage and a decorated history, much is expected of the Hospital Corps in the years to come and this ball is just another reminder of the great task at hand –to respond to the call “Corpsman Up!” for the generations to come.