58th year, no. 23
Serving the nato, naples and Gaeta military community in italy
Naples Class of 2013 Graduates
Friday, June 14, 2013
W hat ’ s I nsIde
By MC1 Christopher Stoltz, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs
Sailors gathered to watch guest speaker Adm. Bruce W. Clingan, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples, but instead of an all-hands call, it was to see their children graduate high school in Naples, Italy, June 6. Sixty-nine students walked the stage at the Certosa San Giacomo in Lauro as the 60th class to graduate from Naples American High School. The Italian countryside setting provided a different experience compared to the typical graduation. “I extended so that my son Dylan could graduate,” said Yeoman 1st Class Marshal Kessler. “I thought the ceremony was good. How often do you see a high school graduation in a 13th-century abbey? Where I grew up, the graduations were in gyms.” During the ceremony, Clingan commended the graduates for their achievements and credited the families for their outstanding support. He encouraged the students to remember the experiences they had overseas, in Italy - to plan for the future, but not forget to live in the present.
NJROTC Naples Receives Unit Award Page 4
Adm. Bruce W. Clingan, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, and commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples speaks to students and parents of the Naples American High School during the class of 2013 graduation ceremony. (Photo by MC1 Christopher B. Stoltz)
“Savor this moment,” said Clingan. “Soon, this will be a distant past.” Lt. Ruben Garcia came to see his neighbor, Austin Miller, graduate and appreciated what the
admiral had to say to the class. “He mentioned integrity as a key point to success,” said Garcia. “I agree that no matter what you do after high school it plays a major role.”
After the ceremony, there was a reception held in the open fields surrounding the abbey. Cake and punch were served as parents and friends took photos of the graduates.
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USO Takes Group on ‘Best of Russia’ Tour By William Maloney
It has been said the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. For a group of adventurous folks from Naples, that first step was taken on May 24 when they boarded a plane at Capodichino Airport to participate in the Best of Russia tour under the watchful eye of Oscar Pullido. An eight-day USO tour to Moscow and St. Petersburg promised to be the best trip ever; it was just that. Stopping first in Moscow, the group had an outstanding tour of the city. It included stops at the Kremlin, Red Square, St. Basil’s Cathedral, and two cathedrals inside the Kremlin walls. The tour also included a stop at the Novodevichy Convent which was founded in 1524. The convent was known to have sheltered many ladies from Russian royal families that were forced to take the veil. While in the city several members of the group attended the Moscow Ballet production of Swan Lake at the Bolshoy Theater. While in Moscow the group also visited
Sergiev Posad, which was built in the 15th century and is one of Russia’s greatest monasteries. One afternoon, the group spent several hours visiting the Arbat, a pedestrian street about one kilometer long that runs through the historical center of Moscow. The Arbat has existed since the 15th century, thereby laying claim to being one of the oldest surviving streets in Moscow and forming the heart of the Arbat District. Originally the street formed part of an important trade route and was home to a large number of craftsmen. Today the Arbat is full of craftsmen, souvenir shops, artists, and just about any type of item you wish to purchase. All members of the tour group arrived that afternoon at the Arbat empty handed; they left with great treasures purchased along that one kilometer. After the excitement of Moscow, the group departed for St. Petersburg, formerly known as Leningrad. While in St. Petersburg the group visited the Peter & Paul’s Fortress and toured the Hermitage Museum. The
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SATURDAY The Church on Spilled Blood in St. Petersburg, Russia was a highlight of the eight-day USO ‘Best of Russia’ tour. (Photo by Oscar Pullido)
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Hermitage is one of the largest and oldest museums in the world. It was founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great. Its collections of art
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comprise more than three million items, including the largest collection of paintings in the world. See BEST OF RUSSIA Page 10
SUNDAY