FRIDAY, DEC. 15, 2017
Eye on the Fleet
Key West, Florida
VOL. 17 NO. 46
WWW.CNIC.NAVY.MIL/KEYWEST NAVAL AIR STATION KEY WEST, FLORIDA
SAR busy with rescues
Elfin magic
From NAS Key West Public Affairs (Dec. 7, 2017) Lt. Patrick ‘Snoopy’ Imperato, left, and Lt. Roderick ‘Disco Stu’ O’Hearn of VFC-111 check out a display featuring Naval Aviator No. 2612 Lt. Paul Reams, who flew at Naval Air Station Key West in 1918, during the NAS Key West Centennial of Naval Aviation Celebration at the Key West Art and Historical Society’s Custom House.
U.S. Navy photo by Trice Denny
inside: ASK A SAILOR Holiday plans? . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 VISITING VET Pet checks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 SANTA Stops over at Sigsbee. . . . . 5 100 YEARS NAS celebrates . . . . . . . . . 6, 7 TOP OF PAGE ONE: U.S. Navy Sailors demonstrate the operation of the mobile crash crane during a crash and salvage drill as part of Tiger Cruise 2017 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), in the Pacific Ocean.
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aval Air Station Key West Search and Rescue crews were busy this week in two separate rescues. The first rescue occurred Saturday as SAR was on a routine maintenance check flight in the Lower Keys. A SAR crewmember spotted a semicapsized 32-foot white sailboat about 3:15 p.m. in the vicinity of Marvin Key. The crewmember then spotted a man and a small dinghy washed ashore just east of Marvin Key. After determining the survivor needed assistance, the crew contacted Coast Guard Sector Key West and received amplifying information to conduct a rescue. They then lowered a SAR medical technician to the mariner, who was hoisted to the helicopter. Once rescued, the flight diverted to Boca Chica Field as the inclement weather had fouled the landing at Lower Keys Medical Center. The victim was transferred to an ambulance and taken to LKMC. see SAR page 2
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U.S. Navy photo by Jolene Scholl
ransportation/Personal Property Assistant Stephanie Chapple, dressed as the ‘Elf on the Shelf,’ is all smiles after winning the Elf Contest during the Civilian Morale, Welfare Recreation Association’s Annual Holiday Appreciation Luncheon Tuesday at the Beachside Marriott. Also shown are, from left, CMWRA President Donald Allman, Naval Air Station Key West Commanding Officer Capt. Bobby Baker and Deputy Supply Officer Diane Moll.
NAS marks 100 years of naval aviation Monday From NAS Key West Public Affairs
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aval Air Station Key West celebrates its Centennial of Naval Aviation on Monday, marking 100 years since Naval Air Base Key West was commissioned at the
Trumbo Point annex. The nation’s southernmost Naval Base, established in 1823, proved to be an ideal training ground for the Navy’s fledgling aviation force as the U.S. prepared for World War I. Ground was broken for construction
of a small coastal air patrol station on July 13, 1917, at what is now Trumbo Point, on land leased from the Florida East Coast Railroad Company. The project involved dredging, erection of station buildings, three seaplane
ramps, a dirigible hangar, a hydrogenerator plant, and temporary barracks. On Sept. 22 of that year, the base’s log book recorded the first naval flight ever made from Key West - a see NAS page 6
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•Dec. 15, 2017
A place of peace
“T Dec. 15 1845 - Yorktown captures the slaver Panther off Kabenda, Africa. Previously that September, Yorktown also captured the slavers Pons and Patuxent.
Dec. 16 1998 - In Operation Desert Fox, Navy cruise missiles attack Iraq to degrade Saddam Hussein’s ability to make and use weapons of mass destruction.
Dec. 17 1917 - While underway off Point Loma, Calif., USS F 1 collides with her sister submarine, USS F 3. With her hull torn open amidships, she rapidly sinks and loses 19 crewmen.
Dec. 18 1941 - The U.S. declares war on Germany and Italy.
Dec. 19 1941 - The Naval Academy class of 1942 graduates six months early due to the nation’s entry into World War II.
he things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:9) I enjoy this time of year very much and love to see the joy that people seem to share as well. The heartbreak that I seem to have during this festive season is the hustle and bustle that our communities and society seems to get sucked into. We have to get the best gift for that friend or loved one, or set up that party just right for the guest, or attend just one more gathering to put a check in the
box for the unfinished category. I’m not saying these things are bad, but if it robs you of the feeling of peace, maybe you should stop and reflect on the peace of God by attending a local church worship service, or just sitting in that CHAPLAIN'S place of worship CORNER and meditating on how peace can be a part of your life. “The house of God can indeed be a haven of NAS Key West safety from Command Chaplain the whirl of Lt. Cmdr. the world. God Scott Mason knows that we need a place where we can feel safe and secure. We are shielded in our faith in God, and once shielded nothing in this world can penetrate.
“God loves us so much, and He protects us when we need it most. He is faithful to those who come to Him seeking rest. He cradles us in His loving arms and shuts out the assaults of the world. In Him we can know peace and tranquility beyond our wildest dreams.” (Taken from “Wisdom from the Bible, Daily Thoughts from Proverbs”). Please come and join us for worship at 10:30 a.m. every Sundays. This Sunday our service will be at the Community Center on Sigsbee Annex with our Praise Band and Children’s Church. Please visit our Facebook page (NAS Key West Chapel) for upcoming events. If you are in need of chaplain care, please call your chaplains at 305-293-2318, Naval Air Station Key West, or 305-292-8788, Coast Guard Sector Key West.
What are you doing for the holidays?
Naval Air Station Key West’s Sailors have made plans for their holiday leave, including those who work at Boca Chica Field. Sailors will be off in shifts, ensuring operations are covered even during the holidays. ABECS James Colley
AC2 Kristin Golder
ABH2 Roidy Amparo
“I am spending time with my family in Key West.”
“I am going to Colorado to spend time with family and go to my niece’s first birthday.”
“I am taking my daughter on all of the light tours in Key West.”
colley
golder
amparo
ACAN Matthew Cotter “I am saving money and spending time with friends in Key West.”
Dec. 20 1989 - Naval Special Warfare Task Force Papa attacks Punta Paitilla Airport during Operation Just Cause to prevent the dictator, Gen. Manuel Noriega, from leaving Panama.
Dec. 21 1861 - Congress authorizes the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military award, for Naval enlisted personnel.
cotter
Commanding Officer Capt. Bobby J. Baker Executive Officer Cmdr. Greg Brotherton PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER Trice Denny EDITOR Jolene Scholl STAFF MC2 Cody Babin This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military service and their families. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Navy and do not imply endorsement thereof. The editorial content of this newspaper is prepared, edited and provided by the Public Affairs Office of Naval Air Station Key West, Florida. Additional copy and photographs provided by the readers of the Southernmost Flyer should be addressed to: Editor, Southernmost Flyer, Public Affairs Office, Naval Air Station, Box 9001, Key West, FL 33040-9001. Copy can also be e-mailed to jolene.scholl@ navy.mil. Telephone (305) 293-2425/2434. DSN 4832425/2434. Deadline for all editorial copy is 4 p.m. the Friday preceding publication. All articles must be submitted on disk in text format, written in upper/lower case style.
SAR
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A second rescue was made Wednesday after SAR was notified by the Coast Guard at 8:35 a.m. of an injured fisherman onboard a fishing vessel 12 miles east of the Dry Tortugas. Arriving at 9 a.m., the crew used a rescue basket to hoist the injured man, who suffered a broken wrist and ribs in a fall, aboard the helo and headed to LKMC, landing at 9:40 a.m. The names of the two rescued men and their status weren’t available.
Dec. 15, 2017 •
NEX A-OK rewards students From NEXCOM Public Affairs
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he Navy Exchange Service Command has been offering students a chance to help pay for college through its A-OK Student Reward Program since 1997. The A-OK Student Reward Program offers all qualified students to participate in a quarterly drawing for monetary awards of $2,500, $1,500, $1,000 or $500 for a total of $5,500 per quarter. The next drawing will be at the end of December 2017. Any eligible full-time student that has a B-grade point average equivalent or better, as determined by their school system, may enter the drawing. Homeschooled students can also qualify with acknowledgement that the student has a “B” aver-
Tender touch
Briefly…
age or equivalent record of accomplishment. Eligible students include dependent children of active duty members, reservists and military retirees. Students must be enrolled in first through 12th grade. Dependent children without an individual dependent identification card must be accompanied by their sponsor to submit their entry. Each student may enter only once each grading period and must re-enter with each qualifying report card. To enter the drawing, stop by any NEX with a current report card or progress report and have a NEX associate verify the eligibility. Then fill out an entry card and obtain an A-OK ID which entitles the student to discount coupons for NEX products and services.
Survey underway NAS Key West Homes’ 2017 Resident Satisfaction Survey is now underway. Surveys are being accepted throughout the month of December, and residents who return their surveys are entered into a drawing for several great prizes. Surveys are available at the housing office. Call 305-292-5590 for more information.
Get active with MCHC The Multicultural Heritage Committee is looking for more people - Sailors and DOD civilians - to join the organization. The MCHC meets every Thursday at noon in Bldg. A-324 conference room, Boca Chica Field. For more information, email PRC Michael Dees at michael.dees@navy.mil.
Join CSADD
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U.S. Navy photo by Jolene Scholl
rmy veterinarian Capt. Katy Edwards, with Sgt. John Snook, examines Sakura Tuesday at Trumbo Point. Edwards, from Patrick Air Force Base, was here for the quarterly veterinary clinic at Naval Air Station Key West this week.
The Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions is currently looking for new members. Meetings are every Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Air Ops Conference Room. For more information, email AZCS (AW) Amy-Shirelle Santos at amy-shirelle.santos@ navy.mil.
Fix the leaks - every wasted drop counts
Job Title: T-Line
tips to help with that effort: Check your water meter before and Take a look at your water usage dur- after a two-hour period when no water ing a colder month, such as January or is being used. If the meter changes at id you know that an American February. If a family of four exceeds all, you probably have a leak. home can waste, on average, Identify toilet leaks by placing a more than 10,000 gallons drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. of water every year due to running If any color shows up in the bowl after toilets, dripping faucets, and other 15 minutes, you have a leak. (Be sure household leaks? to flush immediately after the experiNationwide, more than one trillion ment to avoid staining the tank.) gallons of water leak from homes each Examine faucet gaskets and pipe year. That’s a good reason to peri- 12,000 gallons per month, there are fittings for any water on the outside odically check for leaks. Here are some serious leaks. of the pipe to check for surface leaks. From NAS Key West Energy Manager
Hometown: Apopka, Florida
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Prior Duty Stations: USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) Hobbies: Traveling. Most Interesting Experience: Deployment. Future Plans: Finish school.
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ABH3 Robert Wynn Jr.
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•Dec. 15, 2017
MWR Update Craft nights
a.m. - 9 p.m. daily Sunset Lounge on Sigsbee MWR Community Park: - 10 p.m., Wednesday Recreation offers a number - Sunday of craft nights at the Sigsbee Community Center each Corn hole tourney month. All supplies are provided and patrons are welRegister for MWR’s come to bring their favorite the Holiday Corn Hole beverages. Most activities Tournament by emailing are open to children unless kwathletics@gmail.com. stated otherwise. To regis- The tournament starts at 5 ter, make full payment at p.m. Dec. 22 at the Sunset the Tickets & Travel Office Lounge. For more informaon Sigsbee Park. tion, call 305-797-7791. Tuesday: Mini Yarn Hat Ornaments, 6 - 8 p.m. Single Sailor
Sunset Lounge Live entertainment and free events can be found at the Sigsbee Park Sunset Lounge. All events are from 6 - 9 p.m. unless stated otherwise. Friday: Karaoke with DJ Gunz Saturday: Outdoor Movie Night Dec. 22: Karaoke with DJ Gunz Dec. 22: Corn Hole Tournament at 5 p.m. Dec. 24: Tracking Santa ‘til midnight Dec. 29: Karaoke with DJ Gunz
Dining open
The Liberty Program offers events and activities for single or unaccompanied E-6 and below. Follow on Facebook at www.Facebook. com/MWRLibertyKeyWest or register for text updates by texting request to 305797-4468. The following are scheduled activities for December: Thursday: Gingerbread house competition in the barracks at 5 p.m. Dec. 22: Corn Hole Tournament at Sunset Lounge on Sigsbee Park at 5 p.m. Dec. 25: Christmas breakfast at the barracks at 10 a.m.; win a Fury Water Adventure certificate! Dec. 28: Game Night in the barracks at 5 p.m. Dec. 30: Parasailing with Fury Water Adventures. The cost is $25; register by Dec. 28 Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve pre-party in the barracks from 5 - 6 p.m.; free pizza and SWAG
regular hours, 5 a.m. - 8:30 p.m., Monday - Friday and 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Saturday - Sunday. A limited class schedule continues. The schedule: Yoga: 6:30 - 7:45 p.m. at the Sigsbee Community Center Cycling: 5:30 - 6:15 p.m. Cycling Studio on Boca Chica Cardio Caliente: 5:30 6:30 p.m.
Woof Walk
ing the season, and the Fly Away Café will serve dinner specials. For additional information, call 305-293-2468 or visit www. NavyMWRKeyWest.com/ events Saturday: Wavy Dave from 6 - 9 p.m. Dec. 31: Island Time Band from 7 - 10 p.m. New Year’s Eve Party
Job opportunities
There are currently a Dress up your dog and number of open positions head over to the Sigsbee within MWR and NGIS. Dog Park for the Holiday There is an urgent need for Woof Walk Saturday. The one-mile walk begins at 10 a.m. Prizes are awarded for the best dressed, best trick and best behaved. Thanks to the sponsors who provided prizes for this event: Doggie Style Pet Groom Salon, Island Dogs, Pet Supermarket & Salty Paws Pet Spa. Sponsorship does not imply federal endorsement of product or service.
Outdoor movie Community Recreation is hosting an outdoor movie night at 6 p.m., Saturday at the Sigsbee Park Sunset Lounge. Sunset Lounge will have a kids menu along with their dinner specials for bigger kids and grownups. Candy, popcorn and stacks will cost a $1 each. This month’s feature film is “Elf,” rated PG. Call 305563-0364 for more details.
The following MWR dining options are available: Airlanes Grill on Boca Chica: 6:30 a.m. - 3 p.m., Monday - Friday Beachside Grill on Truman Annex: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily Fly Away Café at Navigator’s on Boca Chica: Navigator’s music 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Monday Fitness center - Friday; 10 a.m. - 5 Navigator’s Bar at the p.m., Saturday - Sunday; Boca Chica Fitness Boca Chica Marina has Navigator’s Bar is open 11 Center is now operating on live entertainment dur-
full time and flex Child Care Workers and Housekeepers but many other positions available. For a full list of open positions and a PDF application form visit www. NavyMWRKeyWest. com/jobs.
MWR Website MWR has a new website and APP that provides our patrons with a full list of facilities, programs, services and current employment opportunities. Visit www.navymwrkeywest.
com to find out what MWR has to offer: restaurants and bars, sports and fitness, child care, leisure recreation, pool and splash parks, special events, gear rentals, marinas, lodging, discounted attraction tickets and more. Visit your Apple or Android APP store and search for: NavyMWR Key West. Have it all at your fingertips and make the most of what MWR has to offer. Other sources of information include Facebook and Twitter “NAS Key West MWR” and the Weekly Activities Sheet.
Dec. 15, 2017 •
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Santa rolls in to visit NAS at Winter Fest
Naval Air Station Key West Commanding Officer Capt. Bobby Baker, top, and Santa talk to youngsters attending the annual Tree Lighting ceremony Dec. 8 at the Sigsbee Park Community Center. In addition to the visit with Santa, children got to pet a holiday pony from Monroe County Sheriff’s Animal Farm, with Jeanne Sealander, bottom left. From NAS Key West Public Affairs
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he annual Tree Lighting and Winter Fest drew more than 550 to watch Santa and Naval Air Station Key West Commanding Officer Capt. Bobby Baker light
the holiday tree at the Sigsbee Community Center Dec. 8. After the tree lighting, children enjoyed face painting and making crafts in Santa’s Workshop. The highlight, of course, was meeting Santa. Sponsors were USAA,
Fury Water Adventures Key West, The Home Depot, Sparkling Ice, Key West Military Affairs Committee, Navy League Key West Council, Southernmost VFW Post 3911 and the NAS Key West Area Chief Petty Officers Association.
U.S. Navy photo by Tim Campbell
U.S. Navy photos by Danette Baso Silvers
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•Dec. 15, 2017
U.S. Navy photos by MC2 Cody Babin
Naval Air Station Key West Commanding Officer Capt. Bobby Baker, above, shares the century-old history of the air station at the start of the Centennial Celebration Dec. 7. Air Force Reservist Staff Sgt. Vanessa Hunter, bottom right, shares Navy history with her daughter. Hunter also is the command administrative assistant at Boca Chica Field.
NAS
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Curtis N-9 sea plane flown by Coast Guard Lt. Stanley Parker. Then, on Dec. 18, 1917, Naval Air Base Key West was commissioned and Lt. Parker became the first commanding officer. Naval Air Base pilots flew seaplanes and blimps in search of German submarines resting on the surface to recharge batteries. Naval aviation anti-submarine warfare was born. From the first class of student flight officers on Jan. 18, 1918, until the end of the war, more than 500 aviators were trained establishing NAS Key West as a premier training site for Naval aviators. Following World War I, the air station and subma-
rine base were closed and its personnel released. Most of the buildings on Trumbo Point were destroyed or dismantled and moved to other locations. A small Navy force maintained a radio wireless station at the Naval Station in Truman Annex and the remaining facilities were used only occasionally during 1920-1930 for seaplane training. International events and a growing German submarine menace in nearby waters began to revive Navy operations in the Keys during the late 1930s. Seaplanes operating from Trumbo Point led to the reopening of NAS Key West on Dec. 15, 1940. Other satellite facilities were established in the local area to support the war effort. Meachum Field,
which is now the Key West International Airport, was used to support blimps flying anti-submarine patrols. Monroe County provided a seldom-used county airport on Boca Chica Key for Army fixed-wing aircraft. Boca Chica Field was eventually transferred to the Navy and become a part of NAS Key West. Naval Station Key West reopened and the Navy established a Sonar School at Truman Annex. By the end of the war, Key West was a homeport for submarines, destroyers and aircraft squadrons. After the war ended, NAS Key West was retained as a training facility. The air station’s strategic location proved vital during the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis. Reconnaissance and operational flights began Oct. 22, 1962, in support
of the Cuban blockade. President John F. Kennedy visited NAS Key West afterwards to thank service members and their families for their contributions during the crisis. As in the past, the naval presence in the Keys was reduced during the 1970s with the closure of the naval station and eventual sale of the former base property to local developers. However, the superior, year-round flying weather and strategic location of the southernmost air station was not overlooked. In August 2017, Tactical Combat Training System a major component in training aviators - recorded its 100,000th sortie. The system, which tracks and records flight training using GPS, began tracking flights in March 2006.
Dec. 15, 2017 •
The Key West Art and Historical Society’s year-long exhibit ‘The Navy in Key West’ at the Custom House, above, now includes memorabilia and displays highlighting Naval Air Station Key West’s centennial. NAS Key West’s Centennial of Naval Aviation Celebration, Dec. 7, opened with the station’s Honor Guard, right. KWAHS Director Michael Gieda, below, welcomed the crowd and opened the doors free of charge for the celebration.
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U.S. Navy photos by Jolene Scholl
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•Dec. 15, 2017
cmwra elves
This week at FFSC Thrift Savings Plan basics
behaviors when faced with conflicting situations. Participants will practice skills Tuesday, 9 - 10 a.m., FFSC that prevent conflicts from escalating. As a member of the uniformed services Register with Amanda Slater at 305-293or federal employee, you have the oppor- 2766 tunity to participate in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), a retirement savings plan Fleet and Family Support Center’s similar to 401(k) plans offered to private hours of operation are 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. sector employees. Monday - Friday. The center is closed Dec. The purpose of the TSP is to give you 25 and Jan. 1, 2018. the ability to participate in a long-term FFSC services including deployment retirement savings and investment plan. support, relocation assistance, family This training provides an overview and employment readiness, life skills educahighlights the many advantages of the tion, personal financial management, criTSP. For more information, call 305-293- sis incident response and training, sexual 3770 assault prevention and response, ombudsman support, transition assistance management, family advocacy and profesManaging stress/anger sional counseling. For more information or to request services, call 305-293-4408 10 - 11 a.m., Dec. 22, FFSC This workshop helps people manage or visit the center at 804 Sigsbee Rd., conflict by examining their attitudes and Sigsbee Park.
NAS Classifieds FOR SALE 1999 Honda Valkyrie one owner, V-6, 1500cc, 27,000 miles, black with saddlebags. $2,900. Call 313-415-8763 ROOMMATE WANTED One or two roommates for 3/2 in Sigsbee Park housing. Rent currently about $1,400 a month. One pet already in household. Must be eligible for government housing. Call Allison at 479-235 -0001 for more info. HELP WANTED Summerland Wines and Spirits (located at MM25) has a part-time position available; flexible hours. Positive upbeat environment. Respond to steve@ summerlandwinesandspirits.com or call 480-8885910. Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition has two full-time positions open in the Key West area: Executive Administrative Assistant and Lower Keys Community Liaison/ Program Director. Starting salary is $38,000 annually plus benefits, depending on experience. Go to KeysHealthyStart.org for details. Key West Dental Practice seeking an experienced
(five-plus years) dental hygienist to work at a family operated practice that focuses on general and cosmetic dentistry. Positions are available from two - four days/week. Candidates should be able to perform basic hygiene duties that include, but are not limited to scaling and root planning, periodontal maintenance, full mouth debridement, probing, be familiar with computer
charting and taking digital X-rays. Local Anesthesia Delivery certification is a plus, but not required. Please email a cover letter with resume to: dentalkeywest@gmail.com. NAS KEY WEST CLASSIFIEDS are free for activeduty and retired personnel, their families and civilian base employees only. Deadline for submissions is noon the Tuesday prior
to that Friday’s issue. Make submissions to the NAS Key West Public Affairs Office by email, jolene. scholl@navy.mil; mail, P.O. Box 9001, Key West, FL 33040-9001; or fax submissions to 305-293-2627. Unless otherwise directed, ads will run for four issues. Name and phone number must accompany all requests in order to be considered for publication. Call 305-293-2425.
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U.S. Navy photo by Jolene Scholl
aval Air Station Commander Capt. Bobby Baker, far left, recognizes board members of the Civilian Morale, Welfare Recreation Association Tuesday during the annual CMWRA Holiday luncheon. Organizing the event were, from left, Marilu Johnson, Robin Boucree, Kecia Eleby, David Patrocky, Noelle Lohse-Salyers, Kehaulani Murray, Gina Sonzogni and Tom Boeskool. CMWRA President Donald Allman was at the microphone and CMWRA treasure Mike Benfield wasn’t present.