July 31, 2015• VOL. 72 • NO. 30• NAVY.MIL/LOCAL/GUANTANAMO • FACEBOOK.COM/NSGuantanamoBay
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA • PSC 1005 BOX 25 • FPO, AE 09593 • 011-5399-4520
NS Guantanamo Bay Children Bring Fairy Tale to Life
Children from Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay participate in a Missoula Children’s Theatre production of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” at the Windjammer Ballroom, July 30. Kelly Wirfel NS Guantanamo Bay Public Affairs Officer
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he Child and Youth Programs (CYP) at Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay, Cuba hosted the Missoula Children’s Theatre production company, July 24-31. Missoula Children’s Theatre is a world renowned children’s theatre company based in Missoula, Montana, and has been touring for more than 30 years. The two person team arrived NS Guantanamo Bay on Friday, July 24 with scenery, costumes, props, make-up and basic lighting – everything it takes to put on a play….except the cast. Forty NS Guantanamo Bay youth auditioned and were cast in this year’s production of “Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, an original adaptation of the classic fairy tale. In this adaptation Snow White is being threatened by her stepmother, the Queen, when she realizes that Snow White is fairer than she. While wondering through the Black Forest with her friend Witless the Woodsman, Snow White finds shelter and safety with the Seven Dwarfs.
When the Queen discovers where Snow White is hiding she attempts to poison her. Luckily the Queen’s plans are ruined when her forest friends, her father and the Seven Dwarf ’s come to her rescue. “Bringing this play to the Guantanamo Bay community and in particular working with the youth on base has been an amazing experience,” said Kevin Harrington, Director. “There are many moving parts to putting something together like this and everyone has provided us with so much support, it is overwhelming. I would like to thank everyone who had a part in it and especially the parents and youth.” Missoula Children’s Theater began in 1970 and since then has fostered developmental life skills and a passion for theater in more than a million children. In 2015 alone they will work with 65,000 children in more than 1,200 communities in all 50 states and 17 countries. To learn more about the company you can visit their website at; http://mctinc.org/
PAGE 2• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
NS Guantanamo Bay Executive Officer, Cmdr. Al Ross congratulates MC2 Kegan Kay on her selection as the Sailor of the Week.
MC2 KEGAN KAY
■Job/Department: Photojournalist/Public Affairs Office ■Age: 28 ■Hometown: Gonzales, TX ■Goal: To be a Visual Effects Artist ■People I look up to: My mom, my best friend, MC1 Meranda Keller, Senior Chief Terrina Weatherspoon, Mrs. JoAnn Anderson and last but not least, my “adoptive” families. ■TV Show: Doctor Who and Once Upon a Time ■Favorite Quote: “I forgot that being a woman, 27, and single basically equates to being dead. I will start digging my own grave as soon as I finish making this lovely dress of cat hair.” - Wendy, The New Adventures of Peter and Wendy. ■Greatest Accomplishment: Having earned a degree and climbing Mt. Fuji. ■Sailor of the Week Because: MC2 Kay was selected as Sailor of the Week because over the last two months she has done an outstanding job in the Public Affairs office providing continuity while her supervisors were on leave. She ensured that the base newspaper was complete each week, wrote six articles, covered countless base events and took more than 15 official photos. She also spent approximately 10 hours over four weekends dedicating her time to the Navy Ball Committee, CSADD and Junior Enlisted Association. She is an outstanding representative for the Public Affairs Office, NS Guantanamo Bay and the United States Navy. VOL. 72 • NO. 30
COMMANDING OFFICER EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMMAND MASTER CHIEF
Guantanamo Bay Gazette
CAPT. DAVID CULPEPPER CMDR. AL ROSS CMDCM (SW/AW) RODD TOOKER
PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER GAZETTE EDITOR PHOTOJOURNALIST
NAVAL STATION GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA
KELLY WIRFEL MCC(SW/AW) KEITH BRYSKA MC2 KEGAN KAY
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.
July 31, 2015• PAGE 3
Navy Base in Cuba Houses one-of-a-kind Music Collection Matt Yurus Medill News Service
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his isolated U.S. Navy base has many facilities and services to make life comfortable for the service members and their families stationed here. That includes a radio and TV broadcast facility holding more than 22,000 reel-to-reel and vinyl records, valued at as much as $2 million. But it’s not just any old music collection. This one, which includes a reel-to-reel of the Beatles anthology album and a recording of the “Good Morning, Vietnam” soundtrack, is rumored to house recordings that were never formally released. “I believe this is one of the largest, if not the largest, collection in the Armed Services Network,” said Kelly Wirfel, base spokeswoman. Album track lists for the huge number of recordings in the Radio GTMO collection are neatly catalogued on index cards in filing cabinets. (Photo: Matt Yurus/ Medill News Service) Alphabetized on wooden shelves, the records sit in square cutouts with their album track lists catalogued on index cards in nearby filing cabinets. Broken souvenirs, Radio GTMO apparel and other electronic equipment surround the treasure. The Armed Forces Radio and Television Service reportedly last appraised the collection in 2007 and found that the only way to yield the maximum value of $2 million would be to auction the records and reels individually. But that’s impossible, since they’re government property, Wirfel said. Radio GTMO, which has been on the island since the 1940s and in its present location since 1964, is the only source of American radio for American personnel
on the base. It offers three stations — two play modern tunes and classic rock while the other is reserved for talk radio and news. The signal stops at the northeast gate, the entrance point to Castro’s Cuba. The stations mainly play digitized songs, but the vinyl does come out for special events. “We’ll play vinyl records during the radiothon (fundraiser) because we’ll get some really old requests,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Kevin Outzen, a disc jockey for the station. “I’ve heard that Armed Forces Network would like those records back to be archived and put into a museum,” he added. Wirfel confirmed that the military is working hard to digitize the collection with the intent of turning it over to AFRTS. Radio GTMO has more than 22,000 reel-to-reel and vinyl recordings in its massive collection. (Photo: Matt Yurus/Medill News Service) Adrian Cronauer, the Air Force DJ portrayed by Robin Williams in the classic film “Good Morning, Vietnam,” said the collection is a “tremendous resource, and it should be put in a collection somewhere, a museum, a record company.” Radio GTMO also broadcasts television programming from the U.S., and was reportedly the first Navy television outlet to have live studio color capabilities. Jarod Collins, a petty officer and engineer at Radio GTMO, said the television signal comes in from satellites positioned in Europe on a six-hour delay. “So instead of Game of Thrones coming on at 9 a.m., it comes on later in the afternoon,” Collins said.
NS Guantanamo Bay Performs Public Health Review Commander, Navy Installations Command Public Affairs
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ommander, Navy Region Southeast (CNRSE) is working with Navy public health and environmental experts to conduct a preliminary inquiry into allegations of cancer among personnel assigned to the Department of Defense Office of Military Commissions site at Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay. In response to a notification on July 14, 2015, Commander, Navy Region Southeast (CNRSE) is working with Navy public health and environmental experts to conduct a preliminary inquiry into allegations of cancer among personnel assigned to the Department of Defense Office of Military Commissions site at Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay. The complaint alleges that military and civilian personnel who worked at the Commissions area of Guantanamo Bay were likely exposed to carcinogens. According to the complaint, up to seven individuals who lived and worked in the area have subsequently been diagnosed with cancer. In response to this complaint, CNRSE and NS Guantanamo Bay Commanding Officer Capt. David Culpepper have requested the support of the Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center (NMCPHC) and other Navy environmental officials to review available records pertinent to the site and the allegations in the
complaint. As part of their review, NMCPHC public health experts are reviewing historical medical records of the individuals identified in the report to confirm the type of cancer and date of diagnosis. Historical environmental data is also being reviewed by NMCPHC to determine if there are any potential health risks from exposure to environmental hazards. This initial review must be completed before a final plan would be developed. The initial records search is in coordination with NS Guantanamo Bay, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Atlantic and NAVFAC Southeast. To ensure an exhaustive process and review are met, the records search could take several weeks. Additionally, while records review is taking place, a small team of PH professionals will be traveling to Guantanamo Bay next week to provide subject matter expertise for the base commanding officer and leadership. Navy leadership is committed to the safety and security of all personnel at its installations and will provide regular updates on the progress of the inquiry at http://www.cnic.navy.mil/regions/cnrse/ installations/ns_guantanamo_bay.html, on the Armed Forces Network’s weekly radio news program “Open Line,” and in the pages of the “Guantanamo Gazette.”
PAGE 6• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
Chaplain’s Corner
Part II: The Medal of Honor and the Chaplain Corps CDR Daniel Mode
NS Guantanamo Bay Command Chaplain
he Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest medal for valor in combat T that can be awarded to members of the armed forces. The Medal of Honor was first authorized in 1861 for Sailors and Marines, and the
following year for Soldiers as well. Since then, more than 3,400 Medals of Honor have been awarded to members of all DoD services and the Coast Guard. A total of nine chaplains from the U.S. Army and Navy Chaplain Corps have been awarded the Medal of Honor: four from the Civil War; one from World War II, one from the Korean War, and three from the Vietnam War. In addition, the only Chaplain Assistant/Religious Program Specialist to receive the Medal of Honor was Calvin P. Titus during the Boxer Rebellion in China. When you think of the Medal of Honor the first or even the fifth images are not chaplains. Most are surprised when I mention that there have been nine chaplains to receive the Medal of Honor. While chaplains are noncombatants, they have always served where the forces need them most—on the front lines. Thus it is actually not surprising that chaplains have distinguished themselves with honor and bravery. Part I in this series noted the four chaplains who received the Medal of Honor during the Civil War; this article will feature the account of the most recent chaplain to have been awarded the Medal of Honor. Father (Captain) Emil J. Kapaun of the 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on April 11, 2013, for his heroic actions in the battle of Unsan during the Korean War on November 1-2, 1950. During the battle, Kapaun was attached to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, which was assigned to provide a rear guard for the regiment’s withdrawal. As Chinese Communist forces encircled the battalion, Kapaun moved fearlessly from foxhole to foxhole under enemy direct fire in order to provide comfort and reassurance to the outnumbered Soldiers. Despite continuing enemy fire, he repeatedly crawled to wounded men and either dragged them back to safety of the American lines or dug shallow trenches to shield them from enemy fire. Shortly after Kapaun’s capture, he intervened to save the life of Staff Sergeant Herbert Miller, who was lying in a nearby ditch with a broken ankle and other injuries. Chaplain Kapaun later died in a Chinese POW
camp on May 23, 1951. Citation: “The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of Congress the Medal of Honor to Chaplain (Captain) Emil J. Kapaun, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty: Chaplain Emil J. Kapaun distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 3d Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division during combat operations against an armed enemy at Unsan, Korea, from November 1-2, 1950. On November 1, as Chinese Communist Forces viciously attacked friendly elements, Chaplain Kapaun calmly walked through withering enemy fire in order to provide comfort and medical aid to his comrades and rescue friendly wounded from no-man’s land. Though the Americans successfully repelled the assault, they found themselves surrounded by the enemy. Facing annihilation, the able-bodied men were ordered to evacuate. However, Chaplain Kapaun, fully aware of his certain capture, elected to stay behind with the wounded. After the enemy succeeded in breaking through the defense in the early morning hours of November 2, Chaplain Kapaun continually made rounds, as hand-to-hand combat ensued. As Chinese Communist Forces approached the American position, Chaplain Kapaun noticed an injured Chinese officer amongst the wounded and convinced him to negotiate the safe surrender of the American Forces. Shortly after his capture, Chaplain Kapaun, with complete disregard for his personal safety and unwavering resolve, bravely pushed aside an enemy soldier preparing to execute Sergeant First Class Herbert A. Miller. Not only did Chaplain Kapaun’s gallantry save the life of Sergeant Miller, but also his unparalleled courage and leadership inspired all those present, including those who might have otherwise fled in panic, to remain and fight the enemy until captured. Chaplain Kapaun’s extraordinary heroism and selflessness, above and beyond the call of duty, are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 3d Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, the 1st Cavalry Division, and the United States Army.
Base Communication Conducts Confined Space Drill James Dillon NS Guantanamo Bay Safety Office
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n July 22, 2015 Naval Station Safety Department conducted its annual Confined Space Drill with Naval Computer and Telecommunications Area Master Station (NCTAMS) – Base Communications Office (BCO). The event encompassed; performing equipment operational checks, review of safety policy and procedures, conducting personnel rescue (Rescue Randy) and most of all providing care for the victim until EMS arrived. Toby Burns, the BCO Confined Space Program Manager said, “He could not be more proud of his team CE1 Matthew Robison, CE2 Adam Caballero, and CE2 German Valdez who executed with precision from start to finish on accessing the confined space (manhole), to retrieval of victim and providing patient care (First Aid/CPR) while awaiting emergency medical assistance. The process reflected just how crucial training and teamwork are in preparing and responding to crisis situation.
GTMO SHOPPER
MOVIES
E-mail classified ad submissions to
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VEHICLES
2003 Suzuki GSXR 1000cc for $3500 OBO. Please call 76824 for more information.
The
Scoop
FIRE DEPARTMENT BBQ Safety- Never leave cooking unattended; Keep it fire safe and you won’t have unexpected guests for dinner. Cookouts are great fun and makes for great food, but it only takes a second for everything to go wrong. Safe BBQ is Good BBQ. 53RD INDEPENDENCE Come celebrate the 53rd Jamaica Independence on Saturday, Aug. 1 at Phillips Park. There will be food, entertainment, door prizes and a night of celebration.
SUN SAFETY Stay in the shade, especially during midday hours. Wear clothing that cover your arms and legs. Wear a hat. Wear sunglasses. Use sunscreen and of course remember to hydrate. IOM JOB VACANCIES International Organization for Migration are now hiring Social Services Assistants and Social Services Admin Assistant. Interested applicants may contact Lori Seymour at 74788. LANE/ROAD CLOSURE Sherman Ave Southbound lane and southbound entrance to marine hill will be closed due to repairs on Monday, July 27 thru Sunday, Aug. 2. Sherman Ave Northbound Lane will be open and the northbound entrance to Marine Hill will remain open. JOG-A-THON The Navy Ball Committee is hosting a Jog-A-Thon on August 1 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. the Joga-Thon will start at the Naval Hospital. Prizes will be awarded to: Top Fundraiser, Most Laps and Most Sponsors. For more information please contact HM1 Benitez at 84682 or LS2 Prendergast at 84364. TRASH Remember to pick up your trash and dispose of it in the proper receptacles. Help keep our base looking clean.
HONDA/ACURA Honda is planning to visit Guantanamo Bay to complete ANY RECALL REPAIR to which your Honda or Acura vehicle may be subject. To check if your vehicle requires a repair, go to: recalls.honda. com or recalls.acura.com. If you vehicle does require repairs or you have questions please contact American Honda by e-mail at csc@ ahm.honda.com or call 1-800999-1009. They need to hear from you by Aug. 15 so that arrangements and repair appoints can be made. COAST GUARD 5K Saturday, Aug. 1 the Coast Guard is hosting a 5K run in honor of Coast Guard Day. Registration and start will be at Cooper Field. Registration begins promptly at 0600 and cost is FREE. Race begins at 0700.
July 31, 2015• PAGE 9
DOWNTOWN LYCEUM
FRIDAY 8 p.m.:
Vacation
10:15 p.m.:
Pixels
July 31
R
PG13
SATURDAY Minions 8 p.m.:
Aug 01
PG
10:15 p.m.:
Trainwreck
SUNDAY 8 p.m.:
Max
MONDAY 8 p.m.:
Ted 2
TUESDAY 8 p.m.:
Jurassic World
R
Aug 02
PG
Aug 03
R
Aug 04
PG13
WEDNESDAY Aug 05 Ant-Man NAVY BALL COMMITTEE 8 p.m.: PG13 The Navy Ball Committee would like to invite everyone to come join them as they THURSDAY Aug 06 bag groceries and sell Fruit 8 p.m.: Insidous Chapter 3 Smoothies at the NEX Atrium PG13 on Sat., Aug. 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. SURVEY Let your voice be heard by taking part in a IG survey: CALL THE MOVIE HOTLINE @ 4880 http://www.secnavy.navy.mil/ ig/Pages/gtmo-areavisit.aspx
On World Day against Trafficking in Persons, IOM calls for renewed commitment against exploitation and trafficking Leonard Doyle International Organization for Migration
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iting a new study, “Addressing Human Trafficking and Exploitation in Times of Crisis,” International Organization for Migration Director General William Lacy Swing called the exploitation and trafficking of victims, a growing phenomenon in a world awash in conflict and natural disasters. “Trafficking in persons not only flourishes during a disaster, it is a direct result of disasters, every bit as much as the infrastructural damages, the loss of life or the food shortages which garner far more attention,” said Ambassador Swing. He added: “In all three categories of disaster – conflict zones, natural calamities, or man-made disasters – we found that the lack of normalcy allowed traffickers to exploit existing or crisis-induced vulnerabilities. In conflict, the lack of rule of law creates a condition of impunity, where people are trafficked to finance war, to provide sexual services, and to reinforce enslavement of ethnic minorities.” Ambassador Swing cited a growing trafficking crisis in Libya and countries across the Middle East, where migrant workers are facing increasingly hostile and abusive working conditions. He warned that the on-going conflict in Syria has forced many families and individuals to adopt harmful coping mechanisms such as forced early marriages and child labour, often resulting in exploitation and trafficking. “Addressing Human Trafficking and Exploitation in Times of Crisis” looked at the armed conflicts in Libya,
Iraq, Syria and across West Africa, at the earthquakes in the Indian Ocean region, Haiti and Nepal, Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, and the protracted unrest in Eastern Africa leading to migration through North Africa and onwards to Europe. Out of millions of men, women and children trafficked each year, only approximately 45,000 victims are identified. IOM assists one in seven of those cases, helping victims return to normal lives often after years of appalling abuse and cruelty. In one recent case, IOM helped free 600 men from fishing trawlers in the seas off Indonesia. Some had not been on dry land for years; one of the victims had been separated from his family, without any contact, for 22 years. “People like this need understanding and help, often long-term, in times of stability as much as in times of crisis,” Ambassador Swing said. He concluded: “The chaos that results from massive natural disasters such as those seen in Nepal, the Philippines, Haiti and the Tsunami-affected countries in the Indian Ocean region can provide a perfect laboratory for trafficking activities where criminals experiment with new ways of exploiting vulnerable people. Meanwhile irregular migrants on the dangerous and remote migratory corridors of northern Africa can quickly be found by traffickers and duped into slavery.” To access the study, “Addressing Human Trafficking and Exploitation in Times of Crisis,” please download here: http://ow.ly/PfG6F