Chief Corpsman Returns from Medical Mission PAGE 4
Sigonella Wrestling Team Heads to Championship Tournament
NAS Sigonella Firefighters Complete Rescue Technician Training
PAGE 5
PAGES 10-11
FEBRUARY 8, 2019
N A S SIG O N E L L A
Vol. 36 No. 3
Sigonella Sailor Wins Surprise Holiday Trip Home
Utilitiesman Third Class Regina Carroll, winner of the American Red Cross’s service member holiday homecoming trip, surprises her father, Reginald Carroll, during the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl Game on Dec. 22, 2018. (Photo courtesy of American Red Cross) By Janine Scianna NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
We’ve all seen those emotional military reunions on television before—a ship’s homecoming on the local news, a deployed Marine meeting their child for the first time, or a veteran being recognized during a football game for their heroic service. Certainly, we know all too well what it feels like to be reunited with our loved ones after a long separation, but that personal sacrifice often remains a highly private and individual experience. But one lucky Sigonella Sailor got to be reunited with her father while 45,000 fans cheered her on during the 2018 Armed Forces Bowl on Dec. 22, 2018. Utilitiesman Third Class Regina Carroll hit the jackpot when she was selected by the American Red Cross (ARC) and Armed Forces Bowl leadership to be flown to her hometown of Fort Worth, TX and reunited with her family for the holidays. The whole arrangement was a covert operation—Carroll told her father that she had won two tickets to the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl game and that she wanted him and her uncle to use them. And to get him down to the field, ARC staff told him that he’d be watching a live videocast of his daughter wishing her family members a Merry Christmas from Sicily. And so, during a television timeout during the second quarter, the reserved and hardworking Reginald Carroll watched the jumbotron with quiet pride as the taped remarks from UT3 Carroll were played for the stadium. Only after the fans started erupting in cheers and ARC staff turned him toward the player tunnel did he realize that his daughter, who he hadn’t
seen she since PCS’d to Sigonella two years earlier, was there in person. The level of emotion was palpable—the bond between a father and daughter runs deep—and in that moment one could truly grasp the sacrifices that service members go through in being separated from their families, friends, and communities. Since Carroll’s mother passed away unexpectedly when she was an infant, she was raised by a single father. The respect she has for him and the sacrifices he has made to provide for Carroll and her three siblings was evident. “Honestly, it was the greatest moment of my life. I just want to replay it [the video] so many times,” said Carroll. Carroll, who is finishing her first tour of duty at Naval Air Station Sigonella, came here after completing boot camp and “A” school. She enlisted just two weeks after finishing high school. So being able to visit her family after an extended period of time away, especially during her first tour in the Navy, was particularly meaningful. Peter Macias, Director of Communication for Service to the Armed Forces at ARC, was compelled by Carroll’s story and remarked how her selection was a first for the organization. “We've been in partnership with the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl for the last six years and it's been four years since we've reunited a sailor with their family. UT3 Carroll is the first female military member to participate in the surprise family reunion at the bowl game." Many individuals helped Carroll along the way, for which she was quick to credit. Several Pub-
lic Works department chiefs, her lead petty officer, and the regional manager of Sigonella’s American Red Cross program, Karen Jorgenson, encouraged her to apply and helped develop and submit her package. Out of 10 applications submitted to the Armed Forces Bowl committee (seven of which came from Sigonella!) Carroll was chosen as the winner. To pull off this fairytale homecoming, the American Red Cross teamed up with American Airlines, who offered a complimentary round trip airline ticket for Carroll. ARC provided all of the logistical support—ground transportation, hotel, food, and coordinating the bowl game reunion. Carroll arrived in Dallas on the Wednesday prior to the game. So, she had two full days on her schedule before the big reveal on Saturday. Thursday was spent doing a service project with ARC, installing fire detectors in a mobile home community. And Friday was a rest day prepping for the big game and filming the video message. Though she said it was hard being so close to family without being able to talk to them, she was grateful for the added opportunity to perform community service. “The Red Cross gave me this opportunity to come home and I want to be able to give back,” said Carroll. In fact, Carroll is currently going through process of becoming an official ARC volunteer here at Sigonella. Jorgenson was pleased to have been part of Carroll’s journey back to Texas and is thrilled with her decision to continue volunteering with ARC. “We are very grateful to have her join our team, and also so very proud to have been a part of this adventure for such a well-deserving Sailor,” said Jorgenson.