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N A S SIG O N E L L A
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JUNE 23, 2017
Vol. 34 No. 24
NAS Sigonella Holds College Graduation By MC2 Christopher Gordon NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella held a graduation ceremony for 58 service members and civilians in the NAS 1 Chapel June 13. Of the 58 graduates, two earned certificates, 36 earned associates degrees, 13 earned bachelors degrees, and seven earned masters degrees, all from 16 different schools. NAS Sigonella Command Master Chief (CMC) Michael Kaszubowski hosted the ceremony and gave the microphone over to Capt. Brent Trickel, commanding officer of NAS Sigonella, for opening remarks. “What a phenomenal day, I’ve been here a little over a year now and I can say that this is without a doubt one of my favorite things to do,” said Trickel. “What I’ll leave you with today is this: do not stop learning. Learning is not just in the classroom. Read, read magazines, read newspapers, read from multiple sources, read the news, don’t just watch one news network— get the entire world view. Be educated and keep learning.” Following Trickel was the guest speaker Sharon Richards, director of education programs, Naval Education and Training Professional Development and Technology Center. “I just want to congratulate every single one of you graduates, family members and friends,” said Richards. “Don’t be fooled, all of you have a unique story to share of the journey to get to this point in your lives, share it with others.” Yeoman 2nd Class Brandon Boyles is one of the seven Sigonella citizens that earned a masters degree, in public administration. Boyles started his degree in March 2014 and did all his work while in the Navy, primarily while stationed aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). “I’m still in my last class so in my head I was just thinking about the homework I still had to do,” Brandon laughed. “But it felt fantastic walking up on stage to receive my diploma.” Now is the time to start or continue one’s college career. According to NETPDTC 1560 the Navy supplies 100% tuition and fees, not to exceed $250 each semester credit hour for 16 Semester hours every fiscal year. Additionally, most service members have accrued credits on their Join Services Transcript (JST) for achievements like boot camp, A and C School, and advancement in rank. Schooling opportunities are vast at NAS Sigonella, with representatives from University of Maryland University College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Central Texas College and University of Phoenix at the Navy College Office on base.
SIGONELLA, Sicily (June 7, 2017) – Service members and civilians aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella stand in observance of the national anthem during a college graduation ceremony in the base chapel. 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)
According to a Navy Times analysis of data obtained from the Navy Advancement Center, advancement rates among Sailors rising to E-4 through E-6 with degrees has been
over 31 percent, far higher than the rate of 23 percent among those without degrees. Additionally, enlisted Sailors with college degrees has increased fivefold over the past few
years, from about 11,000 in 2011 to 60,000 in 2015. For more information on earning your degree or using Tuition Assistance, visit www.navycollege.navy.mil.
USMC Commandant Visits Sigonella
Gen. Robert B. Neller, commandant of the Marine Corps, speaks to Marines and Sailors with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response Africa Logistics Combat Element during a visit at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy, June 16. SPMAGTF–CR– AF LCE provides logistical support to the entire SPMAGTF enabling the protection of U.S. personnel, property and interests in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by James Kanzaki/Released) By 1st Lt. James Van Eerden
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily -- The 37th Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Robert B. Neller visited Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella,
the “Hub of the Mediterranean,” on June 16 to meet Marines and Sailors from Special-Purpose Marine AirGround Task Force Crisis Response Africa 17.1. While recounting a recent dis-
cussion with a member of the famed New Zealand “All Blacks” rugby team, Neller referenced a key element of the team’s philosophy for success: “Many people believe that you have to learn from failure in order to succeed. Some professions don’t allow for that; for Marines, in combat and in life, we can’t afford to lose.” Since its inception in 2011, SPMAGTF-CR-AF has served as a rotational deployment of Marines and Sailors built to strengthen U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa as well as U.S. Africa Command’s ability to assist partner nations in addressing their security challenges. Marines and sailors with SPMAGTFCR-AF conduct theater security cooperation, military-to-military engagements and provide support to crisis response operations. During the visit to Sigonella, Neller hosted an all hands call and provided affirmation to service members for their diligence in carry-
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Direct Line
LCDR Allen Richmond, Security Officer Buon Giorno Sigonella, My name is LCDR Allen Richmond and I am the new Security Officer. I just finished a tour aboard the Mighty USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) homeported in Yokosuka, Japan, and am not only delighted to be back on shore, but also to be in Sicily! I have always wanted to be stationed here and the negotiation with the detailer was done in record time. I am here with my lovely and amazing wife Robin and we could not be any happier! Although, we did trade a dormant volcano in Fuji-san for a little more active Etna, but I will not miss the earthquakes! I was born in Alaska and raised in North Dakota which leads me to believe that my parents did not like me very much. I’m kidding!! I enlisted in the Navy in 1993 as a Yeoman and converted to Legalman shortly thereafter. After pinning on my highly coveted anchors, I commissioned as a Limited
Duty Officer/Law. The LDO/Law program was disestablished and I laterally transferred to Security which has been my job for the last decade and absolutely love it. I am very fortunate to have inherited a very strong Security team and program. Security is the first thing you see in the morning and the last thing you see as you leave. These Sailors work very long, thankless hours, but have everyone’s security and safety in mind. I would like to touch on a few programs that involve the most amount of interaction: • Traffic Safety. If you have driven in Sicily at least once, you can understand and appreciate the need to drive VERY defensively. It is very interesting to see each culture’s social norms and getting from point “A” to “B” in a hurry contrary to traffic laws and safety is rampant here. Exacerbating that problem, the roads are littered with potholes and
there are no shoulders. Please obey traffic laws, do not engage in road rage, and drive defensively. To date in 2017, there have been 118 traffic accidents, including 14 with injuries, and one death. • Crime Prevention. Please be cautious of your personal belongings i.e. bags, purses, cell phones. Currently, there have been 42 vehicle break-ins, six vehicle thefts, and six house breakins. Do not leave valuables in plain sight and never keep more than 40 or 50 liters of gas coupons in your vehicle. • MVRO. I know, I know, the bane of everyone’s existence! While I understand that people equate MVRO to a State-side DMV, I can assure you that the staff truly cares about you and work their tails off each and every day. Just to throw some statistics at you, we registered 348 vehicles in 2014, 714 in 2015, 885 in 2016, and as of 14 June 2017, 616. With the PCS season in full swing, we will exceed 1,000 vehicles be-
ing registered this year with no increase in manning or funding. That is not an excuse, because we work hard to provide every customer with the finest and professional support, but please keep in mind how busy and overworked we are as NAS Sigonella grows in size. It is an honor to be stationed at NAS Sigonella and I look forward to meeting and interacting with everyone!
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".
Interactive Customer Evaluation Comment regarding “Motorcycle Riders Basic Course Sign-up”:
My wife is active duty Navy and I am a dependent. I started trying to sign up for the motorcycle basic rider’s course in April after people at the MVRO said I must have the course. I stopped by safety, when they were still in the small building, and dropped off my information to the third or second class Petty officer who always sat up front and was told that I was the first one to want to sign up for the May course. The day before the May course I stopped in again to confirm that I was on the list and to check on the time and place of the meeting only to find that my name had never been entered into the system and that it was, of course, too late to get me into the class. Ok, I thought, honest mistake. So for the next 20 minutes I made sure that my name and information were put in for the next session which was to be 06 June. I was specifically told that there were 8 seats and that I was the 7th one to sign up. This took several other people in the office to confirm because the Petty officer had trouble entering a dependent’s information into the system. I show up to the 06 June session of the BRC only to find that my name was never on the list and that they did not remember me stopping in all these separate times to ensure that I was on the list. Now I am running into trouble with the MVRO for not having the course complete and with my workplace because I have requested several days off at this point and still have nothing to show for it. Sincerely, Jordan Keith
Response:
Dear Mr. Keith, Thank you for your comment regarding your experience with signing up for the basic rider’s motorcycle course. Unfortunately active duty and NATO personnel have priority for enrollment and maximum course size is 12 personnel. Civilians, including GS employees, contractors and dependents are offered the course on a space available basis. Personnel on the standby list may show up to the start of a course, if they choose, and if an active duty member fails to show then they can participate in the course. However, anyone who is more than 30 minutes late to a class will not be allowed to participate, even if there is space available, due to the compressed nature of the course. The Safety Office does their best to ensure standby personnel understand that there is no guarantee they will be enrolled in a specific course. In in the future, the Safety Office will attempt to notify personnel on the standby list when a course is full. Again, thank you for your comment and your patience. For any further concerns or questions please contact the Safety Director, Marlon Gomez at 6246261 or at Marlon.Gomez@eu.navy.mil.
Comment regarding “School parking”:
I have lived and worked at the Sigonella Base for a while now and while I know and understand that rules change and must be enforced for a myriad of reasons,
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"ICE" continued from Page 2 but I think the base has gone a bit too far with the recent ruling made for the school bus loop. I see no reason why the School bus loop should be roped off and ruled as a NO PARKING zone. The staff park in the designated area and risk ticketing if they move off the designated teacher lot for any reason. Our educators work hard for this community and they purchase and bring in goods and materials for the students often. Since the addition of all of the security gates, bringing in materials and BOOKS can be quite overwhelming. To ease this burden many of them wait until the posted hours and utilize the parking bus loop only after the busses have gone and after 5:30. Our teachers decorate their classrooms, create a creative learning environment, and want the best for the student population. These parking restrictions feel punitive and pointless. Beyond affecting the faculty, closing the bus loop will negatively affect the entire base. Off school hours the bus loop helps to ease parking overflow. Think about people with young children (and strollers, baby bags, etc.,) only using the pavilion. Parents picking up students late after a school bus trip in the wee hours of the morning. The bus loop is used, not abused. Please reconsider this change in policy.
Response:
Thank you for the opportunity to address this once again. One of my primary jobs is to insure the safety and security of all Sigonella citizens. The bus loop on NASI is a critical corridor for Fire and Emergency Services (FES) vehicles to respond if there is an incident at the schools. If there are vehicles parked along the curb it slows down the response time for FES to respond to incidents. Even when school is not in session (e.g. summer break) the facilities are open during regular business hours and thus need to have accessibility for the quickest response from FES. During non-business hours, on weekends, and on holidays Sigonella citizens are allowed to park in the bus loop as long as they don't park along a red curb which is a designated fire lane; addressing your comment "Off school hours the bus loop helps to ease parking overflow.”
Name: LSSN Dawn Enos Department: Housing Hometown: Rockport, Texas
When checking into the barracks on NAS 2, most check in with one of the friendly local national employees, and then go on with their day. Few realize that Sailors like Logistics Specialist Seaman Dawn Enos are working non-stop behind the scenes as a building manager to keep things running smoothly. “My favorite thing to do is room inspections,” said Enos. “Not necessarily to check the cleanliness – which we do – but to make sure the rooms are safe, fire alarms are up-to-date and emergency exits are clear.” When she’s not inspecting rooms or cleaning the barracks, Enos enjoys exploring the surrounding area and trying new restaurants. “I haven’t been here long so I haven’t had much time to explore yet, but the food here is amazing,” said Enos. “I love finding new restaurants that most people haven’t been to.”
Addressing your statement regarding staff risking a ticket if they move off the designated teacher lot: there are 12 undesignated spots next to the School Age Care drop off/pick up that are unassigned. There are 68 unassigned spots in the parking lot west of the Vet/Post Office portion of building 318. There are 79 unassigned spots in the parking lot between AFN and the NAS 1 Security Building. There are also 100 unassigned spots in the parking lot adjacent to NGIS. Yes, I walked each parking lot and counted the spaces available. With the exception of special events (Red/White/Boom, Autumnfest, etc.), I have never seen all of the unassigned parking spots on NAS 1 full. If there is member of DODEA staff or any other Sigonella Citizen that received a parking ticket for parking in an unassigned spot for less than 72 hours then please bring it to me and I will have it dismissed on the spot. On two occasions in the past two weeks I have observed teachers parking along the red curb/fire lane in front of the school, thus “abusing” the bus loop. On the first occasion I gave a verbal warning and on the second occasion I had a ticket issued. I hope you would agree that parking in a fire lane is unacceptable and not a legitimate use of that area. I understand that DODEA employees sometimes need to park closer to the school to load/unload supplies to make sure we have the best educational environment for our students. If that is the case then the school can ask for an exception to policy and I will designate a specific day/time for parking to be allowed in the bus loop. Mr. Dye called me on 16 June with just such a request and it was granted. For what it is worth I have served at 12 duty stations. At six of my stations I had to park at least as far or further from my place of work than any of the aforementioned parking lots are located from the school. I don't want to get into the "I walked uphill to school in the snow" discussion but let's focus on what's important. There is plenty of available parking on NAS 1 without increasing risk to the schools and personnel by parking in the bus loop during business hours. If you have any addition questions/comments regarding parking policies at Sigonella I would ask that you contact me directly or include contact info so we can discuss your concerns. Thank you.
Enos has only been in the Navy for five months, and is looking forward to her future travels while in Europe. “On the top of my list to visit is Greece,” said Enos. “I just love the history, culture and architecture there that I can’t wait to visit.”
In fact, Enos hasn’t seen much of the world outside of the Navy, which is one of her reasons for joining. “The farthest I’ve been away from my hometown of Rockport, Texas, is Colorado and Mississippi,” said Enos, “Now I’m halfway across the globe. It’s great!”
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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 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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JUNE 23, 2017
“This is interesting, 70% of the respondents to our survey said they don’t respond to surveys. EURAFSWA ENERGY MONTHLY BULLETIN - TEMPERATURES
WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND? Did you know….
EURAFSWA spent about $40 million on the utility last year. Research shows 5-10% of that is wasted energy that could be saved by just our changing behavior. That’s up to $4 million that WE can do something about. Every Installation has an Installation Energy Manager (IEM). He or she is working around the clock to identify and implement savings. But we need to know what you’re thinking so we know how to help. Is your opinion worth four minutes of your time?
Did you also know… It takes about 4 minutes to make a really good espresso? Next time you’re waiting for your coffee, please consider taking 4 minutes and provide your input on the energy program by going to your installations Energy 10 question Anonymous Survey: Ways to Save We are hitting the months were we are most likely to use cooling systems. Let’s take a second and understand what we can do to stay comfortable while we do our part with energy responsible practices:
SURVEY LINK: SIGONELLA https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BLH5367
Check the Temp: • Consider raising the thermostat just three degrees. If you usually keep it at 22°C, try 25°C. • Set it once in the morning: Thermostats are not gas throttles. Turning the thermostat way up or way down will not cool/heat the room any faster. Set it for 25°C and let it be. • Don’t have control over your A/C but think that it’s set too cold? Contact your IEM (right) to find out what can be done. • Have an idea or suggestion? Most facilities have a “Building Energy Monitor (BEM). Contact your IEM (right) to learn who is yours!
Note: 22°C = 71.8°F, while 25°C=77°F
JUNE 23, 2017
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Online Conduct; Think Before You Post LN2(SW) Bryan A. Lottes, U.S. Region Legal Service Office
Today, more than one billion people are connected to social media platforms, such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Social media trends continue to evolve and surprise us and unfortunately there is no filter when it comes to unlawful misconduct online. Social Media misconduct is a serious problem that will not be tolerated in the military; it damages careers, degrades life and harms relationships. Earlier this year, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service opened a high profile investigation into information regarding a private Facebook group called “Marines United”. The group contained a link to a Google Drive folder storing hundreds of explicit photos of current and former female Marines and other service members. This behavior is not reflective of our Navy Ethos, which state “Integrity is the foundation of our conduct; respect for others is fundamental to our character; decisive leadership is crucial to our success.” This applies to all of us in and out of the work place 24 hours a day. Effective immediately, all Navy personnel who wrongfully distribute or broadcast intimate images are in violation of Article 1168 of the U.S. Navy Regulations and will face mandatory processing for administrative separation (ADSEP). The Navy announced this policy change in NAVADMIN 119/17 for enlisted personnel and in SECNAVINST 1920.6C for officers. What is “mandatory processing?” Per the Military Personnel Manual (MILPERSMAN) Article 1910-233; certain bases for ADSEP are so detrimental to good order and discipline, mission readiness, and appropriate standards of performance and conduct, that processing service members for ADSEP is mandatory for commanders. "There is no room in our Navy for this toxic behavior," said Chief of Naval Personnel, Vice Adm. Robert Burke. "This new policy shows that we are committed to eradicating this behavior from our force." Other social media groups have been flagged and reported for posting memes and other offensive images. In response to the uptick and possible discipline issues, Judge Advocate General of the Navy, Vice Adm. James W. Crawford III, published a memorandum fleet-wide to senior officer leadership discussing inappropriate online behavior, applying UCMJ articles to discipline and provided guidance on how to legally tackle these issues in their commands. Generally, the scope of UCMJ Article 120 dealing with sexual misconduct, includes; rape and sexual assault, stalking, rape and sexual assault of a child, and other sexual misconduct. The Manual for Courts-Martial of the United States now links toxic online behavior to violations of article 120c of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Article 120c is indecent viewing or broadcasting of another person, including viewing, photographing, video-recording, or distributing photographs or video-recordings taken without the other person’s consent. The Navy has made it very clear that inappropriate online conduct that is prejudicial to good order and discipline will not be tolerated. The Navy is an organization based on core values of
Graphic Illustration of Think Before You Post Campaign (#ThinkB4UPost). The campaign is used to highlight the importance of appropriate conduct online and social media behavior to help eradicate bullying, exploitation, and degradation of fellow service members. (Graphic Illustration by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Kegan E. Kay/Released)
Honor, Courage, and Commitment, and is devoted to eliminating these issues. The military has devoted significant resources to reporting and preventing the spread of inappropriate conduct online. If a service member has become the victim of this misconduct, witnessed it, or feels that it has potentially created a hostile work environment they are highly encouraged to intervene and report it. Available resources are: • Chain of Command • Command Managed Equal Opportunity (CMEO) managers • Region Legal Service Office – 624-5258 • Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) administrators • Family Support Services – 624-4291 • Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention personnel - 624-4291 • Inspector General (IG) http://www.dodig.mil/ NCIS has encouraged anyone with direct knowledge of online misconduct related to the recent reporting or who thinks that photos of them have been taken or posted without their consent to contact them via text; web or smart phone app. Specific instructions are available at: http://www.ncis.navy.mil/contactus/pages/reportacrime.aspx. The Navy Office of Information (CHINFO) has training references on appropriate behavior online available at: http://www.navy.mil/socialmedia.
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JUNE 23, 2017
Saint Paul’s Festival in Palazzolo Acreide June 28-29 Story by Alberto Lunetta
The community of Palazzolo Acreide, a small breathtaking Baroque town nestled among the hills of the Siracusa province that is on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its amazing historic beauty, is ready to display once again its never-ending devotion to San Paolo, its beloved patron saint. The traditional Festa di San Paolo (Saint Paul Feast), which has unchanged for centuries, takes place every year on the last week of June, featuring thousands of pilgrims who gather at the church of San Paolo to honor their celestial patron. Saint Paolo is depicted as a bearded man holding a sword pointing upward and a book from which a snake hangs downwards. He is considered as protector from snakebites and scorpion and tarantula stings. According to tradition, a viper bit Saint Paul, but the venom had no effect on him because of his supernatural powers. “San Paulu, maccia d’addauru, spina puncenti, nun muzzicari a mia e mancu a la genti “ (Saint Paul, laurel tree, stinging thorn, don’t bite neither me nor other people). This invocation, which was said to protect against those deadly bites, was given to devotees in return for offerings to Saint Paul by the “Ciarauli” who, according to legend, were shamans with supernatural healing powers. Typically born on the night between Jan. 24 and 25 (the night of Saint Paul’s conversion), they were believed to heal the poisonous bits with saliva and prayers. According to popular credulity, Ciarauli had also physical birthmarks on their body (bumps with tarantula or snakes’ shapes under their tongue or on their arms), which would “prove” their predestinated supernatural calling. Tradition holds that they attended Saint Paul festivals to collect the “dedicated gifts” which devotees had promised to give to Saint Paul to thank him for a miracle. Ciarauli were skilled in snake handling techniques that they used to impress pilgrims. Saint Paul is also invoked for good crops and for the healing of children affected by hernias. During the festival, devotees also buy the traditional “Cudduri di San Paulu,” (elaborate votive ring-shaped bread) which is offered to relatives and friends for good luck. The Saint Paul festival, which is also celebrated in several neighboring towns such as Buccheri, Buscemi, Ferla, Cassaro, Giarratana, Monterosso, Canicattini and Solarino, is the main religious event in Palazzolo. Over the centuries, Saint Paul became more popular than Saint Sebastian, the other protector who is indeed considered as a “minor” patron saint and is celebrated on Aug. 10 just by one town’s district. Supporters of Saint Paul are called “Sampaulari” while the ones upholding Saint Sebastian are named “Sammastianari.” Festival Highlights Wednesday, June 28 “Giro di Galà” (parade with flag wavers, street performers, town bands and horse parades – 6:30 p.m.); “A Sciuta Ra Cammira” (Public unveiling ceremony of the 16th century statue depicting the venerated saint and the Holy Relic - 8:30 p.m. San Paolo Basilica); concert featuring Kalascìma folk band, sand drawing performance and fireworks show (beginning at 10 p.m. piazza Umberto) Thursday, June 29: Blessing of animals and “cuddure” bread (9 a.m.); Solemn Holy Mass (11 a.m.); “Sciuta” (The float with the decorated statue of Saint Paul placed on top and the relics if the saint are carried in procession by devotees screaming “Viva San Paulu patronu!” (Long live Saint Paul the patron!) throughout the town historic center among firecrackers, colored ribbons called “Nzareddi”; Blessing of the babies is also performed -1 p.m.); Holy Mass (7 p.m.); Evening procession (8 p.m.); Anima Mediterranea Sicilian folk band concert in piazza Umberto (10 p.m.); Spectacular grand finale with fireworks (midnight). - Please note that this schedule is subject to change. For more information, directions and to confirm date/time of the events, visit http://www.sanpaolopalazzolo.it History of the Town As reported by Palazzolo-acreide.it, the town of Palazzolo Acreide, located 670 meters above sea level) stands on the eastern side of Acremonte. This place was chosen by the Siculi to build their village
"FESTIVAL" continued on Page 15
As it happens every year, devotion and folklore come alive in Palazzolo Acreide on the last week of June as rejoicing crowds take to the streets for the traditional and spectacular Festa di San Paolo (Saint Paul Feast) Palazzolo. Thousands of pilgrims gather at the church of San Paolo to honor their beloved celestial protector and attend the procession featuring the statue of the saint that is carried throughout the streets of Palazzolo Acreide, The festa features holy masses, processions, fireworks, live music as well as arts and crafts. (Photo by http://www.sanpaolopalazzolo.it)
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Coalition Defends Partner Forces from Syrian Fighter Jet Attack From Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve
SOUTHWEST ASIA (NNS) -- At approximately 4:30 p.m. Syria time, June 18, Pro-Syrian regime forces attacked the Syrian Democratic Forces-held town of Ja'Din, South of Tabqah, wounding a number of SDF fighters and driving the SDF from the town. Coalition aircraft conducted a show of force and stopped the initial pro-regime advance toward the SDF-controlled town. Following the Pro-Syrian forces attack, the Coalition contacted its Russian counterparts by telephone via an established 'de-confliction line' to de-escalate the situation and stop the firing. At 6:43 p.m., a Syrian regime SU-22 dropped bombs near SDF fighters south of Tabqah and, in accordance with rules of engagement and in collective self-defense of Coalition partnered forces, was immediately shot down by a U.S. F/A-18E Super Hornet. Ja'Din sits approximately two kilometers north of an established East-West SDF-Syrian Regime deconfliction area. The Coalition's mission is to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The Coalition does not seek to fight Syrian regime, Russian, or pro-regime forces partnered with them, but will not hesitate to defend Coalition or partner forces from any threat. The Coalition presence in Syria addresses the imminent threat ISIS in Syria poses globally. The dem-
Official U.S. Navy file photo of an F/A-18E Super Hornet launching from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) to conduct flight operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve June 6, 2017.
onstrated hostile intent and actions of pro-regime forces toward Coalition and partner forces in Syria conducting legitimate counter-ISIS operations will not be tolerated.
The Coalition calls on all parties to focus their efforts on the defeat of ISIS, which is our common enemy and the greatest threat to regional and worldwide peace and security.
Navy Family in Yokosuka Rallies to Support USS Fitzgerald Crew, Families By Tanya King, Commander, Naval Forces Japan Public Affairs Office
YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- Sailors and community members from
Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY), are rallying around the crew and families of USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) following the June 17 collision with a merchant vessel 56 nautical miles southwest of Yokosuka that
resulted in the death of seven Sailors. The Arleigh Burke-class guidedmissile destroyer sustained serious damage on her forward starboard side, including flooding in two berthing spaces, a machinery space and a radio
YOKOSUKA, Japan (June 19, 2017) Rear Adm. Greg Fenton, commander of Naval Forces Japan/Navy Region Japan, thanks the crew of the Navy Tug Seminole (YT 805) for their work in helping bring the guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) back to Fleet Activities Yokosuka after a collision with a merchant vessel June 17, 2017. The incident is under investigation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Richard L.J. Gourley/Released)
room and returned to port 16 hours after the collision. "The actions taken by the Fitzgerald crew after the collision enabled the ship's return to Yokosuka," said Rear Adm. Greg Fenton, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces/Navy Region Japan. "They truly shined when it counted most. Collectively, we mourn the loss of our seven shipmates." "Once we received the call about the collision we got in touch with our port ops crews to man up our [Oceangoing Tugs]," said Chief Warrant Officer Galo Moriera, CFAY's harbor movements officer. CFAY has three Valiant-class tugboats manned by U.S. Navy Sailors, the only Navy base in the world with this type of manning. Moriera said the two tugs were underway within an hour of receiving the distress call. "When the boats arrived on scene, they provided the Fitzgerald an additional P-100 Dewatering pump and hoses to assist in the effort," said Moriera, whose team provided muchneeded damage control support to help Fitzgerald make it back to CFAY.
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JUNE 23, 2017
Berlin: Old Meets New Photos and story by mc2 christopher gordon
From impactful monuments and breathtaking cathedrals to crazy graffiti and electric nightlife, Berlin has everything one might look for in a vacation destination. I took a quick trip to Berlin over a normal weekend on a whim with a friend of mine stationed in Germany. Our whole focus was to experience as much of Berlin as we could with as little money as possible. Depending on when you book your flight you can get a round-trip ticket from Catania to Berlin for less than 80 Euro, and—following the penny-pinching theme—instead of a pricey hotel for two nights, we got an Airbnb that planted us in the heart of Berlin for a fraction of the price. Our first day started off with a tour laid out for us by our friendly host Anna, which started off following the remnants of the Berlin wall. All along where the wall once stood are metal posts like skeletons of a not-so-distant past. You can spend a lot of time just following the wall, reading the informational signs, or even just taking a break at one of the many parks that border it. After a quick train ride across town we made our way over to arguably the most iconic German monument, the Brandenburg Gate. Thousands of tourists pour in and out of the “German Eiffel Tower” each day so the shops and restaurants are definitely accustomed to English speakers. You might even get lucky enough to snag a fresh pretzel from a travelling vendor in a stylish hat. Right down the street from the gate is the Holocaust Memorial, dedicated to the Jewish victims of the Holocaust. It’s an amazing place with a very quiet and somber atmosphere. The memorial spans across almost five acres of land with 2,711 concrete slabs.
Continuing down the street for maybe 15 minutes holds one of the most impressive cathedrals in Germany. The Berlin Cathedral stands prominently in the center of Berlin, towering over the neighboring buildings. Out front is a modern water fountain with a large field for tourists and locals to relax their feet and soak in the sun—a common theme it seems. Later that night we took part in what the city of Berlin is known for: the nightlife. Going to one of the many nightlife districts in Berlin you couldn’t throw a stone and not hit a nightclub. The biggest thing to remember when going out to the clubs is to keep drinking water. The insides of these clubs get hot and some might not even notice it if only drinking alcohol. We followed a simple set of rules: drink responsibly, drink a ton of water, and keep a sober friend with you to make sure you make it home safely. You’ll be hardpressed to fail if you just follow those rules. The next day my friend and I walked over to Mauerpark to spend our last few hours before we had to head over to the airport. Every Sunday Mauerpark is filled to the brim with a flea market selling all types of handmade goods, a wide variety of buskers, and strange vendors selling things like energy crystals, hugs, and even custom poems. But the real staple of Mauerpark on Sundays is the popular street Karaoke they hold on the hill. Hundreds of people gather on the hillside amphitheater to watch as foreigners and locals alike muster the courage to sing their favorite songs. All in all the entire trip was one of my favorites to date, reminding me of a Frankenstein combination of Portland, Oregon and New York City. With amazing monuments to spend the day taking photos of, to dancing the night away, Berlin has a lot to offer for whatever you might be into.
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JUNE 23, 2017
NAS SIGONELLA COMMUNITY PAGE All Hands News Bulletin: MYERS-BRIGGS TYPE INDICATOR WORKSHOP FOR COUPLES Command, Department or Organization: HEALTH PROMOTION AND WELLNESS CENTER Date of Event: Thursday, JULY 13th Time of Event: 08:00- 13:30 Location of Event: NAS I MIDTOWN CLASSROOM Point of Contact Name: Giuseppe Licari Point of Contact Phone Number: 624-4710 Point of Contact Email Address: giuseppe.licari.ln@mail.mil Additional Information: Do you want to discover your couple's personality? Register for the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Workshop! Facilitated by CDR Goldberg, the Hospital's Internal Behavioral Health Consultant, this class will give you a deeper understanding of your own and your significant other's personality type! A FREE catered lunch will also be provided.
Sigonella Religious Ministries Department Worship Services
Sign up by July 7 - Max 12 participants - Open to individuals and couples (single or married). To register, please call Health Promotion at 624-4710 or email giuseppe.licari.ln@mail.mil.
2017 OHA UTILITY EXSPENSES SURVEY STILL OPEN Command, Department or Organization : Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) Date of Event: 1-30 JUNE 2017 Additional Information: The target population for this survey is all Service members who currently reside in offbase housing and are in private leases under the OHA program. Homeowners do not need to take this survey as historically their expense data is different from renters upon which the OHA program is based. While taking the survey is voluntary, maximum participation in this survey is essential as the utility allowance will be updated based on the results and determine what Service members are paid at your location. This survey is available online at the link below. http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/ohaSurvey.cfm?ID=jun-util
Weekly Traffic Report: June 12 - June 19, 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.
JUNE 23, 2017
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RECYCLING EVENT AT MARINAI A SUCCESS
Marinai Residents participate in an annual recycling event hosted by the Housing Department and Pizzarotti. (Photo by Peter Faulk)
By Peter Faulk, Installation Housing Director
More than 100 families recently attended the second annual recycling day event held at the Marinai Housing Complex. Naval Air Station Sigonella Housing Department and Pizzarotti joined forces to host the event. The purpose of the event is to promote recycling to Marinai residents through community outreach and awareness booths. The average monthly recycling percentage at Marinai is over 30 percent. Since last year, the recycling
percentage increased 5 percent with a goal of continuing to increase the number every year. Benefits of recycling include the conservation of energy, natural resources, valuable landfill capacity and environmental protection. By taking an extra minute, Sig’ Citizens can help save the environment from harm — it is as simple as that! The Housing Department also officially started a Marinai Resident Council! If you are interested in joining the residence council, email Housing for more information at NASSIGHousingMarinai@eu.navy.mil.
Recharge to Be In Charge (Focusing on Fatigue) According to the CDC 1 in 3 adults do not get enough sleep, and it is thought that 37% of the American workforce is sleep deprived. Sleep deprivation can increase the risks of depression, obesity and heart disease. Tips to be alert and well rested: • Get 7-9 hours of sleep a night • Go to sleep and wake up at the same time everyday • Keep your bedroom dark • Keep the temperature temperate • Avoid eating before bedtime • Avoid using electronics before bedtime Driving while fatigued is dangerous. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration driving while tired caused 72,000 crashes, 44,000 injuries, and 800 deaths in 2013. To avoid falling asleep at the wheel: • Take regular rest breaks and rotate drivers • Avoid alcohol and medications that make you drowsy • If you feel drowsy, pull over and take a short walk or nap • If you are too tired to continue driving even after a break, don’t drive For more information please call the safety office at 624-5630 or 624-6261
JUNE 23, 2017
JUNE 23, 2017
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GAMEZONE Washing a Car
SPONGE SQUEEGEE SUDS TAIL LIGHTS TIRES TOP TOWELS VEHICLE WASH WATER WAX WHEELS WINDOWS WINDSHIELD
MEDIUM
GLASS GRIME HEADLIGHTS HOOD HUBCAPS LICENSE PLATE MIRRORS MUD PREPARATION REAR RINSE ROOF SCRUB SIDES SOAP
EASY
BRUSH BUCKETS CHAMOIS CHROME CLEAN DEAD BUGS DIRT DOOR HANDLES DOORS DRIVEWAY DRY OFF FENDERS FRONT GARDEN HOSE
DIFFICULT
Find and circle all of the words that are hidden in the grid. The remaining 13 letters spell something that you wash off of a car.
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"COMMANDANT" cont'd from Pg. 1 ing forward the spirit of the Marine Corps to various locations throughout Africa and Europe. He thanked them for the work they accomplished and for their dedication to the country and the mission at hand. “Most Americans have no idea why you’re here,” said Neller. “They go to bed at night and sleep well, yet they don’t know what you’re doing. But I know why you’re here and I know what you’re doing, and I’m grateful for it.” Neller visited Sigonella as part of a week-long trip to meet with Marines and Sailors in forward deployed locations across the Middle East, including places like Syria, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. The Commandant plans to return to Washington D.C. with some poignant ideas and recommendations for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Joseph Dunford. The recommendations from the Marine Corps will be combined with suggestions from the other service branches to form a broader Department of Defense strategy that is expected to be unveiled next month. Cpl. Diego Martinez, a Marine from Combat Logistics Battalion 8, asked the Commandant about his stance concerning Russia’s strategic foreign policy. Neller replied, “Culturally, the U.S. and Russia have more in common than other destabilizing actors like North Korea or Iran.”
Nonetheless, Neller admonished that Russia must be “held accountable” for its actions in the Baltics and throughout Europe. Neller was also asked about his perspective on retention for firstterm NCOs. After stating the Marine Corps had fully met its objective for first-term retention goals, he encouraged Marines to honestly consider life after the Marine Corps. “You will always have the title ‘Marine,’ but what else will be said about you? Will you be known as a good husband or wife, a good father or mother, a Lawyer or a Congressman? What will be said of you? That is for you to decide.” The visit from Neller was a highlight for the Marines and Sailors in attendance. “From the moment he arrived and gathered us together in a ‘school circle,’ I could feel that he was excited to spend time with us,” said Lance Cpl. Benjamin Guess. “My fellow Marines and I felt that he answered our questions honestly and cared about the issues that affect junior Marines and NCOs today.” Neller’s straightforward leadership continues to shape and guide the Marine Corps in a challenging geopolitical landscape. In closing, Neller reminded Marines that, “This is the world we have, not the world we want.”
"YOKOSUKA" cont'd from Pg. 7 Upon arrival of USS Fitzgerald, Sailors from USS Stethem (DDG 63), USS Antietam (CG 54), USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), and USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), USS Benfold (DDG 65), along with 7th Fleet and CFAY Ship Repair Facility staff jumped into action to continue damage control efforts and stand watches, allowing Fitzgerald Sailors to recover after spending the day containing flooding, stabilizing the ship, and steaming back to base under very difficult circumstances. "Right now, ships on the waterfront are providing support by manning some of the watches that would be normally be manned by Fitzgerald," said Cmdr. Douglas Pegher, USS Stethem commanding officer. "This is going to be a long process and that crew is going to be intimately involved in the recovery and repair efforts for getting Fitzgerald back to sea again." While port operations personnel were doing their part to sustain the fleet, Sailors and community members assembled on shore to support the families. Within hours of the collision, CFAY stood up an Emergency Family Assistance Center for Fitzgerald families. More than 50 people manned the EFAC around the clock, manning a phone bank, and meeting individually with Fitzgerald family members. "We had volunteers and Sailors from the Family Assistance Support Team answering phones and counselors from our Chapel, Fleet and Family Support Center standing by to help," said Cmdr. Chad Spencer, CFAY's chief of staff officer and EFAC coordinator.
JUNE 23, 2017 "I was very proud of the job these CFAY community members did. A lot of very distraught and worried family members from across both the United States and Japan called in seeking information during this tragic event," he said, adding that the call center handled more than 500 calls during the initial hours of event. "It was a total team effort," said Spencer. "The FFSC stands for Fleet and Family Service Center and this weekend we lived up to this virtue and the motto of 'Service to the Fleet'." While Fitzgerald families were receiving briefings from Navy leadership prior to the ship's arrival, CFAY's Childcare Development Center provided free childcare. "The entire community at Fleet Activities Yokosuka has come together over this past weekend in support of our Navy team," said Capt. Jeffrey Kim, Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka. "From our Chaplains and Fleet and Family Support counselors helping Sailors and families cope, to our many volunteers providing meals and other necessities, we all have been working together to ensure the USS Fitzgerald crew and their families are taken care of." CFAY Chaplains are providing emotional, religious and spiritual support for community members. In addition, a special team of counselors will be available soon specifically to serve USS Fitzgerald Sailors. Additionally, the FFSC offers non-medical counseling services. "Navy Region Japan is 100 percent behind Fitzgerald, her sailors and her families, and will provide around-theclock physical, emotional and spiritual support during this most difficult time," said Fenton.
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"FESTIVAL" cont'd from Pg. 6 around the 12th century B.C., before the Syracusans discovered and esteemed it. According to ancient historian Tucidide, Akrai was the oldest small colony founded by the Corinthian settlers around 663-664 B.C., seventy years after the foundation of Siracusa, in a strategic position on the top of the Iblean mountains, between the upper valleys of Anapo and Tellaro rivers to oversee a broad part of the Sicilian territory. Many ancient historians and writers wrote about the Akrai’s role in important events of the Sicilian history. Akrai reached its apogee during the wise ruling of Hieron II (306-215 B.C.). Akrai was politically subject to its motherland Siracusa, in fact the only Akrai,s bronze coin (called Akraion) dates back 241-212 B.C., when Sicily was under Roman rule. Akrai was indicated as “civitas stipendaria” by Plinius, meaning a town enforced to pay a fixed tribute to Rome. The information sources of Akrai have no records of the imperial period. During the Byzantine age, Akrai was proclaimed “the most important Christian centre of eastern Sicily after Siracusa” and this is witnessed by the great number of catacomb found in its territory (S. Lucia di Mendola, Bibinello). Akrai was destroyed by the Arab army of Ased Ibn Al forat around 827 A.C., and every trace of the ancient town was lost for centuries. The population built a new town lower down from Akrai on the eastern slope of the hill. This new city was first mentioned in 1145 by the geographer Edrisi who called it Balansùl or Palatiolum when the Norman King William II, granted the territory of Palatiolum to Stephen the Hermit. After that, Palazzolo was often cited in papal bulls, feudal and barony documents. Only by the end of the ‘500, thanks to the studies of Tommaso Fazello, the ancient site of Akrai was identified. The Castle of Palazzolo, built on a rock dominating the Anapo Valley, dates back to the Norman period. There are only a few ruins of this superb castle which was destroyed in the 1693 earthquake with most of the town and which was the home of the Alagona barons and other lords. The town was rebuilt in the 18th century and the late original Baroque style of architecture blends with 19th and early 20th century architecture.
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Wine devotees can get collections stateside By Robert Szostek, USEUCOM Customs PAO
WIESBADEN, Germany - Many Americans start a wine collection while stationed in Europe. With some advance planning, wine connoisseurs can still enjoy their favorite European vintages when they move to their new stateside homes. “First contact your transportation office for shipping options and procedures, and how to get reimbursed for the transportation costs,” said Tim Sellman, director of the U.S. European Command's Customs and Border Clearance Agency. He added that each military service allows for the importation of alcoholic beverage shipments. However, their methods of importation vary and you will have to pay any customs duty or tax due on the wine. Actual taxes vary from state to state as Customs & Border Protection (CBP) generally determines the admissibility of wine according to the regulations of the state where the shipment first enters the U.S. Depending on the shipment options offered by your branch of service, military transportation officials may recommend you not pack wine in personal property shipments for fear of damage if bottles break. Transportation offices also maintain lists of wine merchants and moving companies that ship wine at personal cost or if your service provides it as a paid option. “The company will tell you about state restrictions on alcohol and how to pay any tax that needs paying,” said Sellman. While the only federal regulation governing the importation of alcohol for personal use requires the importer to be 21 or older, a federal permit is needed to import alcohol for commercial or resale purposes. If your wine collection is really large, a CBP officer might suspect that you are importing it for resale and require you to get a permit from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (U.S. Department of the Treasury). If you think this could be a concern, call the port where your goods will be entered into the U.S., and ask what proof they will need that the shipment is for your own personal consumption. Many states, but not all, will allow you to enter with up to one case of wine without
requiring you to get a license from that state's Alcohol Beverage Control Board. Some states make a distinction between personal and commercial importations, and will grant a license for one-time importations, while others will not. The fee for such a license can vary from state to state. Some states simply will not permit the importation of more than a specified amount. As a general rule, the carrier handling your shipment will make arrangements for a Customs Broker to handle all the paperwork, and if your collection is large enough that you do need a license to import it, the broker will need a copy of it, preferably before your wine arrives at the port of entry. Wines that were in your collection that were shipped abroad will be subject to duty when they return to the U.S., although Americanmade wines may be entered duty-free as "American Goods Returned." Shippers should be cautioned that the inspection process to verify this claim might be hard on fine wines. Customs will work out the duty and tax and stamp the customs clearance. Customs officials report that the duty on wine is currently $1.59 per liter but can be as little as 33 cents for specific wines such as vermouth, tokay or marsala. Federal tax depends on the alcoholic strength of the beverage concerned and works out to around 21 cents for a 0.75 liter bottle of wine with 14 percent alcohol or less. However, these rates of tax and duty are subject to change. As for other shipping options, Sellman pointed out that the U.S. Postal Service does not allow mailing wine and express shipping companies are usually unwilling to ship wine. Some airlines, however, will allow small collections to be checked as excess baggage for a fee. Follow these rules and you can enjoy the best products of Old World vineyards at your new stateside home. Contact your transportation office to find out more about shipping liquor products to the United States and visit the following websites for additional information: State Wine Laws: www.wineinstitute.org. Personal Imports of Alcoholic Beverages: w w w. t t b . g o v / i m p o r t e r s / p e r s o n a l _ importation.shtml. Alcohol Beverage Control Boards: www.ttb. gov/wine/state-ABC.shtml.
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