August 1, 2014• VOL. 71 • NO. 30• NAVY.MIL/LOCAL/GUANTANAMO • FACEBOOK.COM/NSGuantanamoBay
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA • PSC 1005 BOX 25 • FPO, AE 09593 • 011-5399-4090
JEA and Cuban Residents Hold Luncheon
Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Kerron Predergast, Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay’s Junior Enlisted Association Vice President helps with Cuban residential community center luncheon, July 29. MC2 Scott Pitman AFN Europe
The Junior Enlisted Association of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay is always on the lookout for a worthy cause to support. Recently, they set their sights on helping the Cuban residential community center. “It all happened because Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Rubyann Blanco was talking to Esther at the community center,” said Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Kerron Prendergast, the Vice President of the base Junior Enlisted Association. “We decided instead of just dropping everything off, we’d get lunch for everyone and make it an event.” The community center hosted the lunch, but the JEA picked up the bill. The Cuban Club catered the meal, including beans, rice, and chicken. “It was in their schedule to have a nice lunch Tuesday the 29th anyway, so we said why not?” said Prendergast. “Afterwards we presented them with some paints and other materials we know they’ll enjoy using.” Their life is full of planned out activities around the base, but a big part of their day-to-day lives includes arts and different craft projects. For the JEA, Prendergast said it was about more than the standard JEA events of meeting new Sailors and giving back to the junior Sailors: It was about giving back to the community. “They love art, they love crafts, they love to draw
and paint. They asked for more craft supplies, so we made that happen.” said Prendergast. “I can’t say how often, but I can tell you we’ll be doing this again. We could tell that spending time with them really made their day.” The Cuban residents living on base have been here since the gates closed in 1959. Most were working different jobs around GTMO around the time of communist party coming to power. Several have raised families on base who are still here.
PAGE 2• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
NS Guantanamo Bay Commanding Officer, Capt. J.R. Nettleton congratulates MA2 Denton, QM2 Worley and QM2 Mendez on their selection as Sailor of the Week.
QM2 KEVIN WORLEY QM2 SERGIO MENDEZ MA2 BLAKE DENTON ■Sailor of the Week Because: As the Lead Dockmasters for the USS America port visit QM2 Mendez and QM2 Worley ran the entire logistical request for items such as cranes, stores, fuel, repair technicians, and port and hotel services. They ensured everything was on station and ready for use at the ships disposal creating an atmosphere of confidence in NAVSTA GTMOs ability to fulfill our mission. MA2 Denton was selected for his planning and execution of the Force Protection measures for the USS America visit. Coordinating with the Sea Bees from PWD Self-help, NAVSUP, and contractors MA2 accomplished this task with the upmost professionalism.
VOL. 71 • NO.30
COMMANDING OFFICER EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMAND MASTER CHIEF
Guantanamo Bay Gazette
CAPT. JOHN NETTLETON CMDR. COLIN CASWELL CMDCM (SW) JEFFERY TIDWELL
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER GAZETTE EDITOR PHOTOJOURNALIST
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA
KELLY WIRFEL MCC(SW/AW) KEITH BRYSKA MC3 JASON BAWGUS
The Guantanamo Bay Gazette is an authorized publication for members of the military services and their families stationed at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. The 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 is prepared, edited and provided by the Public Affairs Office of U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. The Guantanamo Bay Gazette is printed by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Document Services with a circulation of 1,000.
August 1, 2014• PAGE 3
NEX Gives Back to Students with Its A-OK Student Reward Program Kristine M. Sturkie NEXCOM Public Affairs Specialist
T
he Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) 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 held at the end of August 2014. 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” average or equivalent record of accomplishment. Eligible students include dependent children of active duty military members, reservists and military retirees enrolled
in 1st 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 to19 discount coupons for NEX products and services. Along with the award, each winner will receive a lapel pin, certificate and medallion ribbon “In Honor of Academic Excellence.” Since the program’s inception, NEXCOM has awarded over $640,000 to students with the help of its generous vendor partners.
Chaplain’s Corner
A Thought On Joy CDR Gabriel Mensah
NS Guantanamo Bay Command Chaplain
I
n my career as a Navy chaplain, I have counseled a countless number of people, and it amazes me that a lot of people tend to confuse joy with pleasure. Even though semantically there may not be a big difference between the two, I think philosophically there is a world of difference between joy and pleasure. Pleasure can be momentary; something fleeting. Joy, the way I see it, is living life to the fullest; it is having a gentle, warm heart, and goodwill towards all men and women, seeing your fellow human beings as companions on the journey of life. Joy is sharing laughter with those upon whom success has smiled, and sharing the sorrows of those who have fallen on hard times. It is sharing with people the good things you have been blessed with. It is looking for genuine happiness in things which others may consider inconsequential.
Joy is making the most of your current situation in life, even though sometimes, admittedly that may not be an easy task. It is enjoying every waking moments of your life with your families and loved ones. It is letting the love you have for your loved ones bubble over into life. Amazingly, looking at joy in this manner, it can coexist with pain. An Irish priest, Flor McCarthy, hit the nail on the head when he said, “Joy consists in having a love affair with life.” Chaplain Gabriel Mensah
GTMO Residents Help Preserve History MC3 Jason Bawgus
Photo’s by MC3 Bawgus and BU3 Eric Malinski
V
olunteers from various Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay organizations donated their time to help renovate portions of the lighthouse museum, July 26. For years lighthouses were used to mark dangerous coastlines, hazardous shoals, reefs, safe entries to harbors and can also assist in aerial navigation. Once widely used, the number of operational lighthouses has declined due to the expense of maintenance and replacement by modern electronic navigational systems. The lighthouse at Guantanamo Bay was used for the same reason and also served as a beacon of hope for those looking to escape persecution in their home country. All around the lighthouse small boats litter the ground and show the desperation of people looking to improve their quality of life. Unfortunately, weather and time has taken its toll and made much of the grounds unsafe to be around for small children. “We decided to clean up the grounds of lighthouse because there was a lot of loose debris around that could become very dangerous projectiles during a storm,” said Emily Kolenda. “The area was very dangerous for small
children and people that would wear open toed shoes and we wanted to make it safe for everyone to come and visit.” A group of Volunteers including the Chief Petty Officers Association (CPOA), Seabees, and numerous volunteers from NAVSTA and the Joint Task Force (JTF) met at the lighthouse and began to take apart some of the more dilapidated boats saving the aft end with the names of each boat for the lighthouse museum. “We are currently working with the Seabees to try and come up with a system so that we can mount the pieces that we kept and preserve them inside the museum,” said Kolenda. “We have the information for most of the boats and can tell where they came from and about what time they landed here at Guantanamo Bay.” The lighthouse museum opened officially for tours a few months ago and contains many important Guantanamo Bay artifacts. “We are open for tours the first and third Saturday of every month from 0900-1200 and from 1400-1700,” said Kolenda. “We would love for more people to visit and take advantage of this rare piece of history that GTMO has to offer.”
PAGE 6• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
FFSC Holds Command Financial Specialist Course
By Mike Rivera Personal Financial Specialist
F
leet and Family Support Center (FFSC) recently conducted a 5-day Command Financial Specialists (CFS) course that is designed to help command representatives provide financial education and training, counseling and information referral at their command. The OPNAV instruction 1740.5B is the regulation, which outlines the responsibilities and functions of the CFS. This rigorous and intensive financial training and information course is designed to help service members successfully provide financial strategies and enhance the education of their command and their Military members. The CFS is the first line of assistance and sometimes defense for the Military member who has questions or issues concerning their financial readiness. If the CFS cannot assist the Military member, they are referred to Mr. Michael Rivera, the Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) at the Naval Station’s FFSC. “Money is one of the main reasons personnel experience stress on the job and it is one of the top things couples fight about. By helping individuals achieve financial success we can foster confidence in facing their finances and alleviate many of these stressors. Also, DOD promotes sound financial practices, personal integrity, and responsibility among its members,” explained Mike Rivera, FFSC’s Personal
Financial Counselor and Educator at FFSC. PFM is a key Quality of Life (QOL), readiness, and retention program. FFSC offers a variety of services and workshops that are free as part of your benefit while onboard NAVSTA GTMO. These include: One-on-one or couples financial counseling, credit report review, consumer awareness, retirement planning, paying for college, insurance, credit considerations, budgeting, and Command Financial Specialist training; just to name a few. As one of the graduates stated, “Finances are a very critical part of life learning. I plan to implement what I have learned within my command and definitely my personal life, specifically my kids to help guide them to financial success.” It is our goal at the FFSC to provide personal financial education, training, counseling, and information and referral to active duty/retired/ reserve service members, their families, Department of Defense employees, contractors, and third country nationals on NAVSTA GTMO. These courses are FREE to everyone residing on base. “The Full Steam section of the electronic financial planning worksheet is an amazing tool that uses the members’ numbers from their indebtedness to find them the greatest savings and knock out those debts quicker and more efficiently. The best part is that the numbers don’t lie it because it shows the member when, who and how much to pay”, said Joint Medical Group Hospital Corpsman Chief Petty Officer Kevin Graham. For additional information on other available financial classes, please contact FFSC at 4141 /4153.
GTMO SHOPPER
MOVIES
16” Pavers $1 ea.,Gas Grill $30, Plants $10-$40, 6’ round yard table w/ 4 chairs $50, Computer Desk w/ chair $20. contact Ed Wilson at 77126
The
scoop
TRAVEL 3 Gallon compressor, new with all The Air Terminal wants to remind attachments everyone that according to AMC E-mail classified ad submissions to Travel Regulations, minors under PAO-CLASSIFIEDADS@ YARDSALE USNBGTMO.NAVY.MIL the age of 18 must be accompaIf sent to any other e-mail, it may not be pub- Garage Sale RP-726, Saturday Aug 2. nied by their PARENT or COURT lished. Submit your ad NLT noon Wednesdays 0730-1030. Strollers, car seats, kids APPOINTED LEGAL GUARDIAN for that week’s Gazette. Ads are removed af- clothes, kitchen items. when traveling on a paid ticket or ter two weeks. Re-submit the ad to re-publish. The Gazette staff and NS Guantanamo Bay, Space “A.” Also, a parent travelCuba, page. The Public Affairs Office has final ing in a duty status intending to editorial discretion on all content. Call MCC Keith MWR is offering the accompany his/her minor who is Bryska at 4520 with your questions or concerns. Following jobs: traveling in a Space “A” status is Please keep ads to a minimum of 5 items. Senior Library Technician NOT authorized. For additional questions or concerns contact VEHICLES Cashier the air terminal at 6204.
GTMO JOBS
2006 VW New Beetle Convertible - Metallic Gray, Less Than 10K Miles, Excellent Body and Leather, Interior, Mechanically Sound - Great AC, New Tires, Battery and Wipers, Rag Top Rear Window Needs Replacement (GTMO Heat) Asking Under Blue Book at $11,000 but very negotiable! Available July 31. Please call 90443 or 74474. 1990 Dodge Pick-up, rough body but runs good, $450 call 75674 1997 Chevy Lumina, Cold A/C, runs great, recently sprayed and tinted. $2500 contact Franno at 77830 or 72185 2002 Mitsubishi Lancer, excellent condition $4500 contact Sara at 78463 or 8235 after 1500
2011 Toyota Highalnder- blue, great condition 15K miles, all time 4 wheel drive. Sunroof, roof rack, leather interior, backup camera, runs great asking $27K ask for Samedi at 84809 or email at humboldtll11@yahoo.com.
ELECTRONICS
Nikon DSLR 3100 Camera for sale, still under warranty. comes with case and original paperwork and accesories, $300 call 75749 leave message if no answer. ASUS Eee-PC 10.1” netbook, 1.6gh processor 160gbHD, Factory reset with MS Office Enterprise Edition installed $100 call 72410 or 77219
HOUSEHOLD GOODS
Counter high eclipse table four chairs set. Table has storage and is expandable $300, two vases $7 each, little tikes wagon $25, radio flyer tricycle $25. call 77516.
MISC
Looking for Antiques or Vintage/ Modern Toys, Games, and Collectibles on GTMO? We have what you are looking for! Please contact Tommy Gun: Collectibles, Toys and Games on Facebook or Mr. Tommy Beauchene, 45B Villamar, 77055
OUTDOOR REC.
New unused Zeagle Ranger LTD w/Octo BCD, $800 call 84809.
Recreation Assistant
STATE PRIMARY The following states will hold their primary elections in August; Operations Clerk Connecticut, Hawaii, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Carpenter South Dakota, Tennessee and To register to vote Sexual Assault Prevention & Washington. absentee, you can do so using Response Victim Advocate the Federal Post Card ApplicaSupport Specialist tion available at FVAP.GOV. If you need assistance please contact Recreation Aid ETC Robles at 4888 or ETC@ gtmo.navy.mil. Materials Handler
Custodial Worker
NEX is offering the following jobs: Sales Clerk
DOWNTOWN LYCEUM
FRIDAY 8 p.m.: Tammy
Aug. 1
R
10 p.m.: Lucy R SATURDAY Aug. 2 8 p.m.: How to Train you Dragon 2 PG
10 p.m.: Get on Up PG13
SUNDAY 8 p.m.: Hercules PG13
Aug. 3
MONDAY Aug. 4 8 p.m.: The Fault in Our Stars PG13
TUESDAY 8 p.m.: Jersey Boys
Aug. 5
R
WEDNESDAY Aug. 6 8 p.m.: Deliver Us From Evil R
THURSDAY Aug. 7 8 p.m.: Transformers : Age of Extinction PG13
CALL THE MOVIE HOTLINE @ 4880
Hair Stylist Barber Front Desk Clerk-Navy Lodge Housekeeping Attendant Personalized Services Clerk Sales Clerk Receptionist NAVSTA HRO is offering the following jobs: Supply Technician Financial Technician Burns & Roe Services is offering the following jobs: P/T Passenger Service Representative Community Bank is offering the following jobs: Banking Center Service Specialist
August 1, 2014• PAGE 7
Local 24/7 Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program Contact #:
84578
Your Installation Sexual Assault Response Coordinator’s Contact #:
84577
Farewell and Following Seas Captain J.R. Nettleton, Commanding Officer Naval Station Guantanamo Bay presented Mrs. Leyla Padilla, Human Resource Specialist (GTMO), Mrs. Karen Adelman, Installation Human Resource Office Satellite Manager (GTMO) and Mr. Lee Adelman, Installation Business Manager with the Meritorious Civilian Service Award, July 30. He also presented Mrs. Rudy Sammons, Housing Director with a Commanding Officers Special Act Award, July 29. All awardees are departing Guantanamo Bay on August 1.
August 1, 2014• PAGE 7