August 25, 2017• VOL. 74 • NO. 48• NAVY.MIL/LOCAL/GUANTANAMO • FACEBOOK.COM/NSGuantanamoBay
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA • PSC 1005 BOX 25 • FPO, AE 09593 • 757-458-4520
Vacation Bible School 2017: Rome: Paul and the Underground Church
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Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (NSGB) children participate in Vacation Bible School (VBS), Rome: Paul and the Underground Church Aug 21-25 and the Base Chapel complex. During the week long VBS the more than 60 children and teens learned about the history of the ancient city of Rome, Paul and his underground church. The children also learned about the Roman Aqueducts got to see skits about life in Rome. (photos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Philip Wagner, Jr. NSGB PAO) VOL. 74 • NO. 48
COMMANDING OFFICER EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMAND MASTER CHIEF
Guantanamo Bay Gazette
CAPT. DAVID CULPEPPER CMDR. DENNIS MOJICA CMDCM (SW/AW) THOMAS MACE
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER PHOTOJOURNALIST EDITOR/LAYOUT
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA
MS. JULIE ANN RIPLEY PO2 JOHN PHILIP WAGNER, JR. PO2 JOHN PHILIP WAGNER, JR.
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 535.
A Sailor’s Journey Comes Full Circle in Guantanamo Bay
August 25, 2017• PAGE 3
by MC1 John Philip Wagner, Jr., NSGB PAO
Cmdr. Michael Venable, Joint Task Force Guantanamo (JTF), Joint Medical Group (JMG) Medical Operations Department, became a commissioned officer, Oct. 26, 1990, on the patio at the Bayview and recently celebrated his 26th anniversary of service. Venable worked as a civilian assisting with individualize fitness plans at the Moral, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) fitness center, which was located in the current chapel annex building, prior to his commissioning in 1990. “Over the years, I have always been blessed with good staff, including when I was working with MWR,” said Venable. “All through the ranks, I have been able to learn something from everyone that I have been in contact with.” In August of 2016, he returned to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay working for the JTF. “I never thought I would have the opportunity to ever come back. It was really surreal,” said Venable. “I was lucky enough to celebrate and remember a lot about the past here in Guantanamo, it’s a full circle you know, and this is my last tour so coming back and finishing up where I started was meaningful.” Over the years, many things have changed about the base. Fleet Training Group was one of the main missions of the naval station during the 1990’s. “Probably one of the biggest changes has been JTF,” said Venable. “The area and cliffs where the JTF compound sits was a pristine, gorgeous area, but now it’s a little different. I think that’s the biggest change for me to see.”
Venable said the past 26 years has gone by in a flash. “It didn’t seem like that much time had gone by,” said Venable. “Did 26 years really go by? Was it a dream? It went by so quick, the only thing that is different is I’m here again but don’t have my family, which would have been nice.” In January1991, Venable started his active duty career in Pensacola, Florida, going through training at Naval Air Medical Institute, where they train flight surgeons, aerospace physiologists and aerospace experimental physiologists. “I have been an active duty Sailor my entire career,” said Venable. In 1990, while Venable was working with MWR as an exercise physiologist, his wife was teaching at the elementary school. At the time, Venable had his hands in a lot of different programs around base and welcomed the opportunities both his start and his future positions in the Navy would give him. He has no regrets and would do it all over again if given the chance. “Without a doubt, I would have definitely done it all over again,” said Venable. “The Navy has provided my family and I a way forward with good stability and plenty of opportunities for education. I have told my wife on several occasions that the Navy has really taken good care of us. I have had a good career with a lot of opportunities.” Upon returning to the United States in May 2017, Venable’s next plans included retirement and returning to the tropics to visit family and friends.
NSGB Boy Scout Troop 435 Hosts Venturing Crew 429 by Mr Shane Dietriech,
The local Guantanamo Bay Boy Scout Troop 435 hosted the National Capital Area Council, Chesapeake City, Maryland-based, Venture Crew 429 from 10-18 August, 2017. They had been planning this trip for over a year. This Venture Crew is all about outdoor adventure, camping, backpacking, hiking, and travel venturing as a youth development program of the Boy Scouts of America for young men and women who are 13 and have completed the eighth grade, or ages 14 through 20 years of age. The Venture Crew’s purpose is to provide positive experiences to help young people mature and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults. Three Venture Crew scouts and two adult leaders spent the week camping and performing a total of five service projects to include cleaning and painting campgrounds and Order of the Arrow ring, repainting the scout troop entrance sign, as well as the scout building and doors, refinished and painted Troop 435 canoe, and loaded and unloaded the Order of the Arrow teepee poles out at the Boy Scout camp. They were exposed to the Guantanamo Bay experience with a scavenger hunt that took them to 36 historical sites on the base. Activities during the week-long adventure included a tour of
the Northeast Gate, fishing, boating, speaking on the radio, and visiting the local beaches, culminating in an awards campfire where they were presented with the Guantanamo Bay, Cuba 2017 Camp Patch. Several volunteers and island sponsors contributed unselfish service to help make this visit a success: CENTERRA - Logistical Support, Pole Setting for BSA Jamboree on the Air IMC - Material for Camp Cold Water Shower Project Masonic Clubs - Caribbean Naval Lodge A.F. & A.M. - Labor Support for Camp Gegachxis Cold Water Shower Construction Boy Scouts: For boys 11-17 years old, this is the traditional Scouting experience for young men. While there’s guidance from experienced leaders, Boy Scouts take their own lead, exploring places they’ve never been as they dive into the rugged world of outdoor adventure. If you are interested in joining the local Boy Scout Troop 435, or volunteering, please contact the local BSA Troop 435 Executive Director, Mr. Tony Ramirez at 904447-9106 or gtmoboyscouttroop435@gmail.com.
Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow by MC1 John Philip Wagner, Jr., NSGB PAO
Mr. Horacio Grant, a Cuban Special Category Resident, passed away on Monday, August 7, at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (NSGB). The NSGB community came together to celebrate the full life of Mr. Grant during a memorial service at the Base Chapel and a grave side service at Cuzco Wells Cemetery, Aug. 16. Mr. Grant was born on May 24, 1927, in Guantanamo Oriente, Cuba. Mr. Grant first came to work on the naval station in 1950. He is survived by his wife Mrs. Obdulia Grant. “Mr. Grant was an outgoing person,” said Mrs. Grant. “He was always there to help others in the community.” He always remembered special days and did things for Mrs. Grant. “Momma, I love you,” said Mrs. Grant. “He always took care of me, he remembered special days and loved to do gardening for me.” During his working life at NSGB, which spanned more than 40 years, he worked at the Comptroller’s Office as a budget analyst, Weapons Department and W. T. Sampson ElementarySchool. Mrs. Grant talked about why he didn’t go back to Cuba to live. “One time Castro’s police question
him about one of his jobs on base,” she said, “and once released he was afraid that if he went back and was questioned again he may not be released the next time so he decided to never go back.” He became a U.S. citizen in 1992. One of his favorite pastimes was playing dominos at the Cuban Community Center. “He always loved getting dressed up on Sundays and going to spend time with friends at the Cuban Community Center,” said Mrs. Grant. “He was my heart. Too many good memories, there was no one else like him.” Around the community, Mr. Grant was like a grandfather to many of the children on base. Everyone that knew him loved him and how he treated all with respect. “A lot of people from base, past and present, have called to send their condolences,” said Mrs. Grant. “So many people loved him.” One community member that spoke at the memorial service said, “He was a great encouragement, he helped encourage me to get a better paying job on base and I did.” Mr. Grant will be remembered around the base as a loving husband and a hard-working man.
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Tooling up for the Future
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Philip Wagner, Jr., NSGB Public Affairs
Naval Station Guantanamo Bay’s (NSGB) Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) conducts Auto Skills 101 courses at the auto skills (auto hobby) shop to ensure that the patrons of the shop are aware of all the safety requirements to work on their car, as well as the tools and services that are available. Auto Skills 101 is a basic introduction course. The staff goes over policies, procedures, safety and tools at the auto skills shop. The course is required for all patrons that want to work on their cars in the auto skills spaces. During the month of August, the class will be offered twice a week: Wednesday at 5 pm and Saturday at 9 am. Starting September 1, patrons will be required to have attended the class prior to using the auto skills spaces which will take place every first and third Saturday from September 1 on. “The class is a really good comprehensive overview of safety, tools, what you can and can’t do, policies and procedures,” said Christina Neumann, MWR Outdoor Recreation Director. “Its real focus is on safety.” Everyone that has worked on a car has banged themselves up whether it’s loosening a bolt or dropping something on their foot. “We go over a lot of policies like wearing closed-toed shoes in the bays, certain tools that require different types of personal protective gear, and tools that aren’t available like the tire changer, things of that nature,” said Neumann.
The staff at auto skills goes over what you can do and what the staff has to do or assist with. “In the near future, we will be having other classes that are going to be coming,” said Neumann. “We have a whole series of classes called ‘Heels on Wheels.’ These classes are specifically designed for women to assist them and help them be able to do basic maintenance things with their cars.” The auto skills shop is a hobby shop for do-ityourselfers. There is a nominal fee to rent a bay and to use available tools, so that you can do your auto maintenance yourself. “We are really getting back to the root of the program for do-it-yourselfers,” said Neumann. “We want to make sure everyone is on the same page as far as safety, hazmat disposal, what we can and cannot provide.” There are things that don’t require your auto skills card such as vehicle inspections, tire changes and signing up for classes. “The only time your auto skills card is required is if you’re renting a bay and doing work in the shop,” said Neumann. This course is a way for MWR and the auto skills shop to ensure that all personnel that use the bays are on the same page as far as safety and how to rent a bay at the shop.
Your Command Ombudsmen
The Navy Family Ombudsman Program was created by Admiral E.R. Zumwalt, Jr. in 1970 by issuing the Z-Gram 24, as a way of establishing self-reliant families via communication between Command Leadership and Ombudsman. A Navy Ombudsman is a volunteer, Military Spouse of an Active Duty Member, appointed by the Command, to serve as the liaison between Command and Navy Family Members. Ombudsman undergo a 16-hour training to acquire and demonstrate knowledge of navigating the Navy lifestyle, providing confidential information and referral 24/7, while ensuring that responsive and accurate information is disseminated between commands and families. NS Guantanamo Bay Ombudsman can be reached by calling 757-324-8881 or visit their page at www.facebook.com/ombudsmannsgb. Here is a list of all the ombudsman for the base NSGB Ombudsman-ombudsmannsgb@gmail.com (Cynthia Roman, Angela Thompson and Melissa Robinson (Coast Guard) Jamaican Community Ombudsman - jn.gtmombudsman@ gmail.com (Nikisha Hendricks) Filipino Community Ombudsman - JuliusCaesarS.Lacamora@ centerragroup.com (Julius Lacamora) Naval Hospital –(Monty Robinson)
August 25, 2017• PAGE 7
Naval Station Guantanamo Bay would like to congratulate to the staff of MWR for achieving 5 Star Accreditation Status. This accreditation is the highest level that CNIC awards. Bravo Zulu and thank you for all that you do for the community.
Celebrating Jamaican Style
Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (NSGB) and the Jamaican communities celebrated the 55th Anniversary of Jamaica’s Independence from England at Ferry Landing August 12. The evening included Jamaican food, interpritive dance, skits, music and a may pole dance. (photos by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Philip Wagner, Jr. NSGB PAO)