July 11, 2014• VOL. 71 • NO. 27• NAVY.MIL/LOCAL/GUANTANAMO • FACEBOOK.COM/NSGuantanamoBay
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA • PSC 1005 BOX 25 • FPO, AE 09593 • 011-5399-4090
FCPOA, JEA and Boy Scouts Team Up For Flag Retirement
Members of the First Class Petty Officers Association, Junior Enlisted Association and Boy Scout Troop 435 participate in a Flag Retirement Ceremony, July 4. MC2 Scott Pittman AFN Guantanamo Bay
M
any see the fourth of July as a chance to celebrate the birth of the United States in fun and creative ways. It usually involves barbecue, fireworks and a potential day off. For members of the Naval Station Guantanamo Bay First Class Petty Officers Association, Junior Enlisted Association, and local Boy Scout Troop 435, it involved putting on their uniform and honoring the flag that represents our nation through a retirement ceremony. “A flag retirement ceremony is an important tradition,” said Religious Program Specialist 1st Class Matthew Stoerrle, president of GTMO’s FCPOA. “It’s what our flag is supposed to go through when it’s tattered and torn, beaten and worn. That flag is a symbol of our freedom and we have to honor it.” Several of the people involved were happy to give special meaning to their holiday weekend. “We wanted to do this on the fourth of July because of the patriotism in it,” said Stoerrle. “It’s a wonderful thing to show people that the day is more than just a day to cook out, it’s about the tradition of what this country stands for.” The Boy Scouts spent months collecting many flags past
their prime and gave them to the FCPOA and JEA to store and prepare for the ceremony. “Prepping was basically separating the colors so they would all fit with the ceremony,” said Yeoman 2nd Class Mose Dantzler, the naval station JEA president. “We read the significance of each color and piece of the flag, and burn each piece separately.” Dantzler said he was pleased so many people came out in the middle of the holiday to participate, including several young scouts. Two scouts even paraded the colors at the beginning of the ceremony. “To see those young guys out there, carrying the flag and participating in the ceremony, I think it’s something they’re going to carry with them for a long time,” said Dantzler. “Not many people can say ‘when I was a boy scout, I was part of a flag retirement ceremony at GTMO.’ You can’t beat that.” During the ceremony, all participants lined up and took a handful of red, white, or blue. One by one, each Sailor and Boy Scout retired more and more pieces of the flags until they finally finished retiring old flags that have flown over Guantanamo Bay through the years.
PAGE 2• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
NS Guantanamo Bay Commanding Officer, Capt. J.R. Nettleton congratulates CE2 Rickert on his selection as Sailor of the Week.
■Job/Department: Switch Technician/BCO ■Age: 28 ■Hometown: Palm Bay, FL. ■Hero: Father ■Favorite Hobby: Building Computers ■Favorite GTMO Restaurant: Windjammer ■Goal: Complete IT certs/ Complete AS ■Passion: Photography ■Favorite Book: Angels and Demons ■Favorite Quote: “Strive not be a succes but rather to be of value.” ■Sailor of the Week Because:CE2 Rickert was instrumental in the fault isolation and repair of the phone system outage. He worked diligently with local technicians as well as stateside tier II personnel to restore phone service to over 900 customers.
CE2 RICHARD RICKERT
VOL. 71 • NO.26
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.
Bringing Her Home MC1 Jen Blake Defense Media Activity
recently escorted the remains of a fallen Sailor home to ISeveral her family. months ago, I was assigned to do a story on the
Navy Liaisons at Dover Port Mortuary at Dover Air Force Base. Actually, if I’m going to be real about it, someone in my chain of command brought up the idea, and I jumped all over it. I was intrigued. I had never heard that the Navy had its own morticians. This story was going to happen, and I would make sure I was the one to produce it. However, I was not at all prepared to be so affected by it. This story, those people, and that place really got to me, and I say that in the most positive way possible. I don’t know how else to say it, but I was touched. I was touched by the amount of care that these people - these Sailors - put into their jobs. The logistics, the attention-to-detail, and the precision with which they carry out their duties...it’s like nothing else I’ve seen in the nine years I’ve been in the Navy. I felt changed when I returned from that assignment, and the feelings are largely still with me. To say I was impressed is an understatement - I wanted to be a part of it. Short of going to mortuary school, which is actually not on my bucket list, I wasn’t sure how I could be. The corpsman there asked me if I wanted to put my name on the list as a volunteer escort. Yes. Yes I do. Where do I sign? Being involved with this organization, in any way, would be an honor. So, one day I received an email from one of the Navy’s morticians asking if I wanted to escort the remains of a fallen Sailor home to her family. While I wanted to do it, I instantly started coming up with excuses. But, but, but I have to do my SAPR Victim Advocate refresher training that day! I couldn’t possibly miss that. So, my chief says to me, “What’s more important? Bringing a Sailor home to their family, or scheduling a make-up day for your refresher course?” And that’s why he’s the chief. So I tell the mortuary yes and get my orders into DTS. I drive up to Dover to pick up the remains. All I know about this Sailor is that she passed away several months ago and the funeral has already been held. Sometimes, when you die, not all of you will arrive at the final resting place at the same time. There are many reasons for this. If this is confusing to you, I suggest you bring it up with your favorite mortician. I couldn’t help feeling like delivering these remains would be like picking off a scab, but the family wanted these remains returned very badly. As I walk in, I’m greeted by people who now feel like old friends, and I’m happy to see them. We walk back to their work space and commence with small talk. Out of my peripheral vision I see a wooden box with a gold handle. There’s a label on it and although I can’t read it, I know what it is. I intentionally avoid looking directly at the box for several minutes. If I don’t look at it, it’s not really there. Why was I so nervous? Eventually, I HAD to look at the intimidating box. On the top is the name of the fallen, date of birth, and date of death. There is another label taped to the front of the box. It’s actually an envelope containing paperwork required by the funeral home. The address of the next of kin is on that envelope. I pick up the box containing the urn, and it’s pretty heavy. I take it to the car and sit it next to me in the front seat. I’m very lucky because no one in my family has died since the late 80s. Death is a completely uncharted territory for me. I’m a little unnerved and ponder my own mortality as I drive to the airport. But I know I can do this. People are depending
JULY 11, 2014• PAGE 3
on me. And not just people. People who have suffered a loss I can’t even begin to imagine. I could never shun responsibility of this magnitude. I arrive at the airport in my dress blues with a small suitcase, a backpack and the wooden box. At the ticketing desk, the woman says, “You’re one of the last 15 people to check in, so I can’t give you a boarding pass. You’ll have to get that at the gate.” Great. I arrived an entire two hours before my flight. Does this mean I’m not guaranteed a seat?! I get up to the x-ray machine and gently put the box on the table. I ask the nearest security person if this is going to be an issue as I point to the box. She said, “I don’t think so. What is it?” I simply say, “An urn.” She whispered to the person monitoring the x-ray machine and I asked her if I need to take my jacket off. I just assumed I would have to since it’s full of metal and EVERYONE has to take their jacket off for these things. She opens a barrier to a scanner that no one is using and lets me come through, shoes and all. I was grateful. I wait for the urn to come out of the other side, but was able to see it on the monitor. The shape inside looked beautiful and ornate. The lady at the monitor strains her neck to see this oddly shaped cargo come off the conveyor belt, so much so that she almost falls off her stool. As I make my way to the gate, I feel like everyone is looking at me. No one is looking at me. I go back and forth between not wanting anyone to know what I’m doing and then wanting everyone to know what I’m doing; wanting everyone to know of this person’s sacrifice. I go to get my boarding pass and quietly tell the woman I’m escorting remains, just like the people at the mortuary said to. She doesn’t say anything. She just gives me a pre-boarding pass. This is the point where I begin to wonder about the rules for handling the box. Should I put it on top of the counter as if it’s on display? Putting it on the floor by my feet seems wrong. I decide that the rules are 1) don’t drop it and 2) don’t lose it. I can do that. I won’t let it out of my sight. Aside from any child that has ever been in my charge, this is the most precious cargo that has ever been entrusted to me. When it was my turn to go down the ramp, a flight attendant meets me halfway and says, “Ok...we’ve all been wondering! What could possibly be in that box?” He said this excitedly. Before we take off, the same flight attendant comes over and inquires further about this mission I’m on. I tell him that I’m escorting a fallen Sailor back home to her family. He asks if I would like to get off the plane first. I think long and hard about it. Do I want that kind of attention? I tell him yes, that might be helpful as I know the CACO will be waiting for me at my destination and the flight is already late. I also feel like this Sailor deserves some kind of acknowledgement for her service. We talk about what would and would not be appropriate for him to announce. As we make our final approach, he gets on the speaker and very sternly says something to the effect of, “Ladies and gentlemen, on our flight today we have a fallen Sailor returning home to her family. She will be getting off the plane first! Please stay in your seats until she exits the plane. I repeat, please stay in your seats so this ... Soldier can get off the plane first!” I smile to myself because he was so earnest. As I’m looking out the window, the woman next to me touches my arm and says, “I just want you to know that it was an honor to fly with you both. Thank you.” Her eyes fill with tears causing me to fight back my own. A minute goes by, and I can hear her sniffling still. I ask her if she’s ok and try to offer a polite smile. She nods. I was proud of myself for being able to control my emotions, but wondered if I would be able to do it again tomorrow when I met the family. The plane lands and the flight attendant asks everyone to Continued on Page 6
JEA Hosts Independence Day BBQ MC3 Jason Bawgus
Photo’s by MC3 Bawgus and MC2 Scott Pitman
Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay’s Junior Enlisted Association (JEA) and Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay JEA held a July 4th picnic for the bases E-5 and junior service members and families. The JEA is an association for service members that are E-5 and junior and provides training, activities and fellowship while they are stationed at NS Guantanamo Bay. “We wanted to give some of the young service members a safe place to celebrate the 4th of July,” said Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Scott Pittman, NS JEA’s Public Affairs Officer. “A lot of people are here unaccompanied and we wanted to try to make it as much of a family atmosphere as possible.” The JEA and volunteers began setting the picnic up at around lunch time and began cooking for the crowd that was to come.
The picnic started out with a hot dog eating contest for anyone who wanted to participate which was followed by volleyball and cornhole games. “The JEA bought the hotdogs for the contest but all of the food was provided by the NS Galley,” said Pittman. “They really helped us out by providing hamburgers and chicken as well as all the sides.” Approximately 50 Sailors and Marines showed up for the picnic and took part in the festivities as well getting the opportunity to meet new people. “I think it’s very important that we take these opportunities to branch out and get to know people other than the ones we see at work every day,” said Yeoman 2nd Class Mose Dantzler, NS JEA’s President. “We all fight for the same team at the end of the day and you never know when you will run into a friend you make in Guantanamo Bay.”
PAGE 6• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
stay seated, this time in a much calmer voice. You see emails and stories making their way around cyberspace of airline pilots announcing there are service members on board and he makes some sort of meaningful statement and everyone claps and cheers. That didn’t happen. You could have heard a pin drop. That bothered me. Why isn’t anyone clapping for this Sailor? Why aren’t they cheering for her service? I’m not positive about this, but I choose to believe that their silence equals respect. I was relieved to see the CACO on the other side of the security barrier. He’s very professional and very kind. He gave me some more of the back story and told me about this family that he has been assisting for months. He asked if I was given any instructions about the handling of the remains. “What do you mean, Sir?” “Would you like me to take it, or would you like to keep it?” he asked. “I really think I should keep it, Sir.” I meet the CACO at his office at 9:30 the next morning. He asked his brand new chief to come with us. We undo all the screws at the top of the box, remove all the packaging and inspect the urn. Everything is as it should be. The family lives 15 minutes away. On the way there, the CACO tells us what they teach you in CACO training and what the family is like. He tells us this could take 10 minutes or it could take a few hours. When we pull into the driveway, I say, “Sir, are you going to present them with the urn?” “No. I think you should have that experience.” My first thought was, “WHY are you doing this to me?!” But it was instantly replaced by, “You know what? I volunteered for this, and I can do it.” I remove the urn from the box and hold it tightly, making sure the plaque was facing away from me. An elderly woman answers the door and invites us in. She calls the CACO by his first name and is very pleasant, but she seems tired. She follows us into the dining room and asks us
Chaplain’s
to sit down, but the CACO waves his arm in my direction. She turns to me, and I hand her the urn and quietly say, “I’m very sorry for your loss, ma’am.” I almost didn’t get it out. She musters a sweet “thank you” and we all sit down around the table. I didn’t speak again until it was time to leave. She looks at the urn and lovingly runs her hands over it. “I don’t know what to say,” she says. “She’s finally home.” For the next thirty minutes, she repeatedly cycles between quiet tears, funny anecdotes about her deceased loved one, and conversation that was completely off-topic. It was the most heart-breaking thing I have ever witnessed in my life. She tells us about her husband’s health issues. He’s not going to recover, and I wonder how she is going to get through all this. I try to smile kindly at her when appropriate, and once or twice I force down the lump in my throat and try to briefly distract myself with random thoughts. We patiently sit with her while she tries to process the fact that she finally has this urn she’s been waiting so long for. Any amount of time is a “long time” when it comes to things like this. She shows us pictures of the Sailor and the rest of her family. I remember everything she said. When it’s time to leave, I offer my hand and tell her to please take care of herself. She promises she will. When we left, I was emotionally all over the place. I was proud of myself for maintaining my bearing. I was relieved it was all over. I was sad it was all over because I wasn’t needed anymore. I was humbled by the experience and honored that I was trusted with this immense responsibility. I was heartbroken for this Sailor’s family, but comforted because I truly believe she’s at peace. At times, I felt awkward and scared, but I’m ready to do it all again. This is the most meaningful thing I’ve done in my short career, and I’m certain I will never forget it. This kind of task isn’t for everyone, but if you are ever asked to escort the remains of a fallen service member, please consider doing it. I know that I would want someone to do it for me.
Corner
Lt. Baron Miller
Decision Making 101
NS Guantanamo Bay Command Chaplain
The other night I was watching one of my all-time favorite T.V. shows, Man vs Wild. There’s Bear Grylls taking on the best nature can through at him only this time he had two rookies with him. These were city dwellers that won a lottery for a two day adventure with Bear. One of them was visibly deteriorating after hours of hiking, eating worms, and confronting fears. On camera he said he was hungry, tired, and agitated. As I watched the adventure unfold, I was reminded of a decision making technique called H.A.L.T.—Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired. H.A.L.T. is an acronym that can prevent you from making decisions that may not turn out well for you. For instance, if you are experiencing any of the H.A.L.T. symptoms, then chances are you’re not performing at your best and should avoid major life decisions, or even smaller decisions that may have major consequences. If you’re
heading into an important meeting and don’t want to offend anyone or ruin your career, then H.A.L.T.. If you and your spouse are having, say, ‘intense fellowship’ (an argument) and either of your aren’t at your best, then H.A.L.T. before the conversation gets out of control. When you’re traveling with your kids, either to the NEX or to JAX, check H.A.L.T. and be sure everyone is satisfied before chaos ensues. H.A.L.T. can be a difficult self-assessment but one that is well worth it. If you’re hungry, get some food and clam your nerves. If you’re feeling angry, then definitely don’t make big decisions, but instead ask yourself why you’re angry. Get a rational grip on the situation and confront the source of anger first, then move on to what’s next. When you’re feeling lonely or just have a case of the blues; that will affect how you function. Find ways to satisfy your spirit so it will be lifted prior to any life changes. Finally, if you’re tired, get rest. There is 0% of the population that is at its best with less than eight hours of sleep so know that recovery is key. So remember H.A.L.T. when you’re faced with tough decisions. Halting and waiting may be the best thing you can do as a leader and a person.
GTMO SHOPPER
MOVIES
YARDSALE Multi Family Yard Sale, 731 Radio Point, Furniture, Small Appliances, Clothes and much more 0630-1030 No Early Birds Please
Yard Sale - Radio Point 720, Saturday, 12 July 0800-1100. MultiP A O - C L A S S I F I E D A D S @ family sale with lots of different U S N B G T M O . N A V Y . M I L items. E-mail classified ad submissions to
If sent to any other e-mail, it may not be published. Submit your ad NLT noon Wednesdays for that week’s Gazette. Ads are removed after two weeks. Re-submit the ad to re-publish. The Gazette staff and NS Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, page. The Public Affairs Office has final editorial discretion on all content. Call MCC Keith Bryska at 4520 with your questions or concerns. Please keep ads to a minimum of 5 items.
VEHICLES 2011 Toyota Highlander, blue, great condition, 16K miles asking $27,000 ask for Samedi a 84809 or email at humboldtll11@ yahoo.com 1996 Geo Tracker hard top, 51K miles, manual transmission, new tires and battery, $3500 call 78474 or email shaukatpir@ gmail.com 2001 DODGE RAM 2500 V8 PICK UP TRUCK AND 18 FT Pontoon Boat … $8,500 OBO. FMI Call: 58814 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 please call 90443 or 74474.
OUTDOOR REC
Multi-family yard sale. July 12, 0700-1000.
CC 3A.
Yard Sale NH 24B, Sat. July 12, 0800-1200
GTMO JOBS
MWR is offering the Following jobs:
Senior Library Technician Cashier Recreation Assistant Housing Manager Custodial Worker Operations Clerk Front Desk Clerk Front Desk Associate Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Victim Advocate Support Specialist NEX is offering the following jobs:
Two bikes for sale: One old school Schwinn Varsity road bike, new tires and tubes, well maintained. $100.00/obo., Mongoose Montana mountain bike, well maintained. $100.00/ obo. Call Mike Office: 2446 Cell: 84437
NAVSTA HRO is offering the following jobs:
ELECTRONICS
SCSI modem 4 sale $45 Call 77798
MISC FOUND: Celtic style men’s silver ring with center cross and green stone on Girl Scout Beach 6/29. Contact 9742 or 79658.
Housing Manager Environmental Protection Specialist Facility Management Assistant
GOT PETS? Are you PCSing, or leaving island and have pets? If so, please be sure to make an appointment for
Apes PG13 22 Jump Street 10:30p.m.: R
SUNDAY 8 p.m.: Earth to Echo
July 13
MONDAY 8 p.m.: Maleficent
July 14
PG
Past
Housekeeping Attendant
scoop
PG13
PG13
AIR TERMINAL July 17 Need updated flight informa- THURSDAY tion? Call the AMC terminal’s 8 p.m.: Ghostbusters PG information line at 6204 to find out seat availability and arrival and departure times. This line is updated daily. CALL THE MOVIE HOTLINE @ 4880
Hair Stylist
The
Extinction
SATURDAY July 12 8 p.m.: Dawn of Planet of the
PG
Burns & Roe Services is offering the following jobs: Blackberry Bold 5 New $130.00 o.b.o. Omar 77689(h) 8153(w) P/T Passenger Service 6’ metal satellite dish with dual Representative LNB and brackets. All new still in box. $200. Call 84147
PG13
10:15p.m.: Transformers Age of
NEX The Navy Exchange wants to July 15 remind everyone that effective TUESDAY 8 p.m.: Blended July 21 that Camp America and PG13 TK Mini-Marts new operating hours are Mon-Sat 0700-2400 WEDNESDAY July 16 and Sunday 0700-2200. 8 p.m.: X-Men: Days of Future
Front Desk Clerk-Navy Lodge Barber
Blackberry Bold 5 New $130.00 o.b.o. Omar 77689(h) 8153(w)
DEFY Youth sign-ups for the annual Drug Education for Youth (DEFY) program are currently underway. The program is open to youth ages 9-12 and the mission of the program is to teach youth positive lifestyle habits so they can make positive decisions. The camp is from August 13 to August 22. For more information contact Brandon.stafford@gmail.com
Sales Clerk
Full Scuba set $700, dive rite travel exp with a polymer lightweight back plate, weight trim pockets, large D-rings, dive rite regulator, SPG gauge, din and yoke regulator please call 77219.
JULY 11, 2014• PAGE 7
your pet’s Health Certificate as soon as you are aware of your travel plans, as appointment times get filled quickly. If you have any questions or concerns DOWNTOWN LYCEUM please feel free to contact us at FRIDAY July 11 2212 or 2101. 8 p.m.: The Fault in Our Stars
Local 24/7 Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program Contact #:
84578
Your Installation Sexual Assault Response Coordinator’s Contact #:
84577
Happy Independence Day Kelly Wirfel
Public Affairs Officer
G
uantanamo Bay residents had the opportunity to celebrate the nation’s 238th Birthday at a variety of festive events, July 4. Along with the JEA sponsored Barbecue for junior enlisted personnel, the Guantanamo Bay Community Club and Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) held events for the community. The Guantanamo Bay Community Club kicked off the festivities with a celebration at the Lyceum parking lot which included a pig roast, karaoke and games. Later that evening MWR and Armed Forces Entertainment hosted Arizona rock band Jimmy Eat World and offered numerous family-friendly activities which provided base residents with a traditional American Independence holiday experience.
JULY 11, 2014• PAGE 7