57th year, NO. 39
Serving the NatO, Naples and Gaeta military communities in italy
Friday, OctOber 19, 2012
Splashing around Sardinia
Ringing in the 238th year of the U.S. Navy By Melissa Kabukuru
he clear ringing of a bell sounded at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples Oct. 12 to mark the 237th birthday of the United States Navy. Members of the NSA Naples community gathered at the Capodichino Reel Times theater for the bell-ringing ceremony, which featured a speech by Capt. Scott Gray, NSA Naples’ commanding officer, on the history of naval forces in America. Gray recounted the U.S. Navy’s beginnings, which can be traced back to a piece of legislation that the Continental Congress passed on Oct. 13, 1775. The act formally allowed two armed vessels to patrol the seas. “This piece of legislation constituted the birth certificate of the United States Navy,” Gray told the theater full of sailors. “The Continental Navy began the proud tradition carried on today by our sailors all around the globe.” Gray further discussed how U.S. sailors distinguished themselves during the War of 1812, when they stood up to the powerful British Royal Navy. “The war of 1812 served as a critical turning point for our Navy,” Gray said. “The great battles that followed proved the mettle of our sailors.” As part of the ceremony, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Second Class Thomas Delgado rang a bell to signal the completion of the Navy’s 237th year and the beginning of its 238th year in existence. In his birthday message to the fleet, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus said that while naval warfare has seen numerous advances in the past 237 years, its sailors are what ensure its continued success. “What makes our Navy part of the best expeditionary fighting force the world has ever known is our sailors,” Mabus said. “You are standing the watch and sustaining peace in the global commons.” In addition to the bell-ringing ceremony that took place Oct. 12, the Naples military community will celebrate the birth of the U.S. Navy at the 2012 Navy Birthday Ball, which will take place Oct. 20.
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See page 13: J.B. Benham, age 2, enjoys a dip in the waters of La Pelosa beach during an October visit to the island of Sardinia. even in early fall, the island's coasts are pleasant to explore. (Photo by Lt. Cmdr. David Benham)
Runners come out to support breast cancer awareness
Runners press forward during the 1mile portion of a breast cancer awareness run held Oct. 13 at the Naval Support Activity Naples Support Site. (Photo by MC2 John Stratton)
By MC2(SW/AW) John Stratton, NSA Naples Public Affairs
Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples Morale, Welfare and Recreation joined forces with U.S. Naval Hospital Naples Health Promotions to host a breast cancer awareness run Oct. 13 as part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The event, which consisted of a 1-mile, a 5K and a 10K race, included participants and volunteers from the Girl Scouts of America, U.S. Naval Hospital Naples Health Promotions and the hospital’s radiology department. Each organization provided information booths about early
detection of breast cancer and ways to help raise awareness of the disease. “This was definitely a team effort,” said Solange Markvart, Capo FitZone facilities manager and coordinator for this year’s race. “Our goal was to make this day as fun as possible for everyone, and that includes informational booths.”
The hospital staff who attended the event emphasized that early detection is the best way to combat breast cancer. “This month, this day is all about raising awareness,” said Silvia Murray, a nurse with Health Promotions and an information booth representative. see BREAST CANCER Page 4
FRIDAY
W hAt ’ S I NSIde
High 82 / Low 61 Sunny
SATURDAY High 82 / Low 64 Sunny
Weekly crime statistics Review what happened between Oct. 8 and Oct. 14. Page 9
Students get special Tae Kwon Do lesson Page 10
Hunting ancient ruins on Via dei Tribunali Page 11
Cross country team runs away with another win Page 12
SUNDAY High 82 / Low 66 Partly cloudy