May 29, 2015• VOL. 72 • NO. 21• 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 Hosts Memorial Day Ceremony
Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo Bay Commanding Officer Capt. David Culpepper and Executive Officer Cmdr. Al Ross lay a wreath along with the Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay Color Guard conducting morning colors during a Memorial Day ceremony, May 25. MC2 Kegan E. Kay Photojournalist
arly on Monday, May 25 with the fog and E morning dawn colors peeking through, school buses stood ready at Naval Station (NS) Guantanamo
Bay’s Downtown Lyceum to transport service members and community members to Cuzco Wells Cemetery for the annual Memorial Day Ceremony. At the start of the ceremony, Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay Color Guard conducted morning colors and presented a wreath to NS Guantanamo Bay Commanding Officer Capt. David Culpepper and Executive Officer Cmdr. Al Ross. After colors, the laying of the wreath and the invocation, guests took their seats while the formation of Sailors and Marines were called to “Parade Rest,” leaving the birds and insects as the only noise in the vicinity. Master of Ceremonies, Lt. Paul Tidd, took to the podium and read the “Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2015” Proclamation by the President Barack Obama. ““In solemn reflection, we gather in small towns and big cities, on battlefields, in cemeteries and at sacred places where blood has been shed for freedom’s cause,” recites Tidd. “Throughout our country and around the world to remember the unbroken chain of patriots, who won independence, saved our Union, defeated fascism and protected the Nation we love from emerging threats in a changing world.”” The graves throughout the cemetery were decorated with flags of the nationality of the deceased person emphasizing the words of the proclamation and highlighting the number of allies and sacrifices made in
defense of our country. Culpepper than addressed the ceremony attendees with the history of Memorial Day and quoting President Lincoln’s Gettysburg address. “‘It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced,” quoted Culpepper. “It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion, that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain.” Culpepper ended his speech filled with quotes and personal remarks to the men and women who have given their lives and to their families, friends and comrades left behind to honor their memories. “Today we remember those men and women, their belief in the greatness of the nation they defended, the principles that underpin who we are and their love and commitment for each other and their posterity,” concluded Culpepper. After the reading of the poem, “Memorial Day,” by Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Carl Holzhauer, the U.S. Marine Corps Security Force Company Guantanamo Bay marched out and rendered a three volley salute which silenced even the birds chirping in the trees, leaving only a ringing of the shots and solemn silence in its wake. Walking through the silence, Master-at-Arms Seaman Katelyn Johnson performed “Taps” on the bugle as a final tribute to the fallen and the conclusion of the ceremony.
PAGE 2• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
What is a UL Certified Fire Pit?
here is more to choosing a gas fire pit than simply by appearance. T Knowing that the fire pit you choose is safe and reliable is also a very important part of the selection process. But how do you know whether or
NS Guantanamo Bay Executive Officer, Cmdr. Al Ross congratulates BM2 Flint on his selection as Sailor of the Week. ■Job/Department: Small Boat Coxwain/ Port Operations ■Age: 26 ■Hometown: Cypress, TX ■Goal: To get an Associates in Radiology Technology ■Hero: Dad ■Favorite Movie: Star Wars: Return of the Jedi ■Favorite Book: Harry Potter Books 1-7 ■Favorite Hobbies: Working out at the gym ■Favorite TV Show: Once Upon a Time ■Favorite Accomplishment: Able to play the trumpet Favorite GTMO Restuarant: O’Kellys ■Favorite Quote: “Life is about making an impact, not making an income.”-Kevin Kruse ■Sailor of the Week Because: BM2 Flint is the go to Sailor in Port Operations department. He handles the majority of boat runs for high priority passengers and constantly picks up the slack for emergency runs. He handled five boat runs this week and due to the strenuous watch rotation of Port Control Dispatch, he helped stand 12 hours of watch due to a shortage of watch standers. BM2 Flint spearheaded the difficult construction of the Leeward Port services Jetdock. He is our Port Services Medivac Coordinator answering emergency calls at all hours and orchestrates the LCM movement in concern of the ambulance.
bm2 JASON FLINT
VOL. 72 • NO. 21
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
not the fire pit you want performs as advertised? Most any quality fire pit will have what is know as a UL certification. You can tell by a special sticker or mark having the letters UL inside a circle that is affixed to the unit. This sticker shows that a UL certified fire pit has been independently tested to meet certain standards so you know it will be safe and perform as stated. UL stands for Underwriters Laboratories, a US-based international organization established in 1894. It develops standards and test procedures for product safety primarily for the US and Canada, including standards for gas fire pits. Fire pit manufacturers work with UL to conduct tests on their products. If the tests are successful, a gas fire pit is given UL certification and a gas-fired UL certified mark is placed on the fire pit by the manufacturer. This mark may only be used on certified products under license from the laboratory that tested the fire pit and that it meets safety and performance standards as determined by UL. What is the difference between UL certification and approval? Certification and approval are terms sometimes used to mean the same thing but there are key differences. What sets UL certification and UL approval apart is whether the testing has been conducted against the newest UL standards rather than older ones. The testing documentation should also by updated in what is known as a technical file and made available online on UL’s website. Basically, it means the manufacturer of the gas fire pit you choose has kept up with UL standards testing. As manufacturing processes improve, gas fire pit parts change and require re-testing, re-certification and the documentation updated. Some manufacturers choose not to re-certify their products to the newest standards because of expense. The certification becomes outdated and products are not approved to the latest standards. Should I choose a fire pit without UL certification? In a nutshell, no. There are many reasons a manufacturer will skip out on getting a product certified. Number one is likely because of expense but that is not always the case. Improper manufacturing of parts or lack of quality checking can result in poor performance and reliability. UL would never certify inferior parts or bad performance because they do not meet safety standards. Buying a noncertified gas fire pit means you are risking your safety and the safety of those around you. A manufacturer cutting corners just to save you a few dollars is not something worth taking a chance on. If inferior parts are used and there
May 29, 2015• PAGE 3
happens to be a malfunction, fire or explosion can result, possibly injuring you and your party guests. Manufacturers peddling uncertified products have no consideration to customer safety. A UL-certified gas fire pit may cost more but knowing it is safe and performs well is worth it. Can I use a UL certified fire pit during a fire ban? When a fire ban is in place, it means that no wood, charcoal or other materials can be burned. A ban is not only restricted to campgrounds and day use areas but may also extend to your neighborhood. Fortunately, you may still be able to have a fire for your backyard party if your gas fire pit is UL certified. Although you are still technically having a fire during a ban, the fire is much more controlled using a gas fire pit than when burning wood for example. The Division of Forestry considers UL-certified gas fire pits as a cooking appliances much like a barbecue and allows “cooking appliances” during fire bans. Be sure to check first just to make sure there isn’t an outright ban on any type of fire in your area. More reasons why UL Certification is important- Accidents can happen no matter how careful we are and that goes for operating a gas fire pit. If through no fault of your own your non-UL certified fire pit malfunctions and causes a fire, it is possible that your insurance company can deny your claim. Why? Because they will likely say that the malfunction was a result of faulty fire pit components citing lack of UL certification. That is why UL certification is important. UL certification is also important because by certifying the performance of a gas fire pit, you can be assured that it lives up to what the manufacturer states it will do. For example, all UL certified fire pit gas burners will have a rating of their BTU or heat output capacity. If the manufacturer states the burner puts out up to 30,000 BTUs of heat but UL tests show only 20,000 BTUs, the burner cannot be certified at the manufacture’s rating. Buying a gas fire pit with an overstated heat output rating means you won’t get the heat you thought you were buying. Buyer Beware. Fortunately, manufacturers have learned that in order to compete in the gas fire pit marketplace, they must go through the rigor and expense of having their fire pits UL certified. In fact only UL certified fire pits can be sold in certain states in the US as well as Canada. Make sure that before purchasing a gas fire pit, it has the mark of a circle with the letters UL inside. This means it is UL certified so you can be assured it will be safe to operate and perform as advertised. Why chance saving a few bucks on a non-certified gas fire pit?
Dehydration and Decompression Sickness HMC Dean Del Favero
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 595.
In diving, high levels of nitrogen are absorbed when a person is exposed to increased pressure. If this excess nitrogen is not metabolized naturally as a diver ascends, it forms bubbles that can lodge in various parts of a diver’s body. The term decompression sickness (DCS) describes any one of a variety of ailments caused by absorbed nitrogen coming out of solution in a person’s body. Every diver has a different level of DCS risk. Many risk factors are still not fully understood, but there are a few basic factors that experts agree increase the chance of developing DCS. Common risk factors are high body fat levels, exercising too soon before and after diving, poor fitness level of the diver, older age, illness or injury, alcohol consumption before or after diving, diving in cold water, increased blood carbon dioxide (CO2) levels, and dehydration. Dehydration causes less blood to be available for gas exchange which makes it more difficult for the body to offgas. With the warmer season fast approaching, we need to be mindful of our hydration levels and how being dehydrated adversely affects our risk of decompression sickness. In an effort to demonstrate the increased risk of DCS due to dehydration, the Naval Medical Research Center performed a study on 57 male pigs. The pigs were divided
into two groups: 31 hydrated and 26 dehydrated pigs. They were compressed on air to 110 fsw for 22 hours and brought directly to the surface at a rate of 30 fpm. In the hydrated group, 10 out of 31 developed DCS and 4 died. In the dehydrated group, 19 out of 26 developed DCS and 9 died. Dehydration significantly increased the overall risk of severe DCS and death. The key to avoiding dehydration and reducing your chances of DCS is prevention. A few key ways to prevent dehydration include drinking plenty of clear liquids, avoid diuretics like alcohol and caffeine products, consume a healthy vitamin and mineral rich diet, avoid over-exertion, and avoid too much sun exposure. If unsure of your hydration status, check your urine. The color should be light yellow to clear and odor free. If it is dark in color and smells strong, chances are you are dehydrated. Most importantly, use common sense! Sources: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16491576 http://scuba.about.com/od/divemedicinesafety/p/SkinBends-A-Frequently-Overlooked-Form-Of-DecompressionSickness-In-Divers.htm http://scuba.about.com/od/divemedicinesafety/a/dcs_2. htm
U.S. Naval Hospital and Joint Medical Group Change of Command
In a traditional change of command ceremony held May 21, CAPT David E. Jones, MSC, USN, became Commanding Officer of U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay (USNH GTMO), and Commander, Joint Medical Group (JMG), Joint Task ForceGuantanamo (JTF). RDML Terry Moulton, MSC, USN, Commander, Navy Medicine East, and RDML Kyle Cozad, USN, Commander, Joint Task Force-Guantanamo were the guest speakers. CAPT Daryl Daniels, MC, USN, has led the hospital staff and the JMG for the past two years. His exceptional professionalism, personal initiative and dedication to duty have been recognized by senior leadership, and RDML Moulton presented him with a Legion of Merit during the ceremony. The citation said in part, “CAPT Daniels instilled a culture of excellence through quality, people and pride. He expertly led 292 personnel in providing medical services in a highly challenging logistical and political environment, his focus on customer service and access to care resulted in the command being consistently ranked first or second in Patient Satisfaction across Navy Medicine.” Awarded by the President, the citation also noted that “As Commander, Joint Medical Group, he led joint initiatives which allowed Navy Medicine to recapture more than $2.4M in costs for resources allocated to the Joint Task Force mission and ultimately resulting in clear business rules and delineation of fiscal responsibility for both organizations.” CAPT Daniels leaves Guantanamo Bay to report to the Military Sealift Command, headquartered in Norfolk, VA, as Fleet Surgeon. CAPT Jones reports to Guantanamo Bay from the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center (FHCC), in North Chicago, IL, where he served as Executive Officer. FHCC is the nation’s first integrated Department of Defense and Department of Veteran’s Affairs medical facility. He began his naval career in 1993 as a psychology intern with Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP), VA. He earned a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Kansas in 1994, received his Bachelor’s Degree from Christian Heritage
College in El Cajon, CA, in 1981, and his Master’s Degree in Psychology from Wichita State University in 1991. Upon completion of his internship, his first duty assignment was to the Lafayette River Mental Health Clinic in Norfolk, VA, where he served as a staff psychologist and Head of Fleet Liaison Services. He was selected for special assignment in 1997 to New Zealand and Antarctica to conduct psychological evaluations for Navy and National Science Foundation personnel who were “wintering over” in Antarctica as part of Operation Deep Freeze. He reported to Headquarters Marine Corps in August 1997 as Health Affairs Officer, and to the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) in August 2000, as the ship’s Psychologist. While aboard the “Big E”, he completed an extended deployment in 2001 in support of Operation Southern Watch and Operation Enduring Freedom. After a tour at U. S. Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan (2002-2006), he served as the Department Head for Psychology at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth (NMCP). He deployed to the Role 3 NATO Hospital at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, from September 2009 until April 2010. Upon his return, he served as Interim Director for Mental Health Services at NMCP until March of 2011, when he was selected by Commander Navy Medicine East to create a regional program for Wounded, Ill, and Injured Care with a focus on Traumatic Brain Injury. He served as the Director for Mental Health Services at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth from August 2012 until he began his Executive Officer tour in late 2013. He is authorized to wear the Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star (4 awards), and the Navy Commendation Medal (4 awards), in addition to various other campaign and unit awards. He qualified as a Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer in July 2001, and was selected as Senior Navy Psychologist of the Year in 2009. CAPT Jones is looking forward to the challenges of his new assignment, saying, “I am pleased to be at Guantanamo Bay. We provide an incredibly diverse range of medical services here. Also, after two long and bone-chilling winters in Chicago, it will be great to enjoy all the outdoor activities available.”
CAPT David E. Jones, MSC, USN, assumes command of U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay from CAPT Daryl K. Daniels, MC, USN, with a salute and the words, “I relieve you Sir!”, as RDML Terry Moulton, Navy Medicine East, observes. The change of command ceremony was held May 21, on the Bayview patio.
CAPT David E. Jones, MSC, USN, passes the JMG guidon to HMCS Isabel Roper, JMG Senior Enlisteed Leader, representing assumption of command of the Joint Medical Group, Joint Task Force-Guantanamo.
RDML Kyle Cozad, USN, Commander, Joint Task ForceGuantanamo, one of the guest CAPT David E. Jones, MSC, USN, the speakers, thanked the members new Commanding Officer of U.S. Naval of the JMG, saying they “serve Hospital Guantanamo Bay, salutes as with a fierce commitment, and he is piped ashore through the sidea determination to care for their boys. patients.”
CAPT Daryl K. Daniels, MC, USN, is presented with a Legion of Merit medal by RDML Terry Moulton, Navy Medicine East. The citation said in part, “CAPT Daniels instilled a culture of excellence through quality, people and pride.”
PAGE 6• THE GUANTANAMO BAY GAZETTE
Chaplain’s
GTMO SHOPPER
Great for power outages or Hurricane OUTDOOR preparedness; Brand New TiresP235/70R17 GoodYear, FMI 77800 or Selling the perfect bicycle to get 90042. Best Offers. around GTMO. It is a Diamond back I. I will also throw in my bike 10.1” Toshiba Tablet $150, Clothes dryer Insight pump, spare tube, helmet and Shi$50, clothes washer $100, charcoal grill mano SPD pedals if you need them. $75, small fridge $80, grass trimmer $50, Bicycle without extra’s is $399 at Lawn mower $100. POC # 90139. E-mail classified ad submissions to NEX. The bike and extras can be PAO-CLASSIFIEDADS@ yours for $300. Call Mark at 79525 USNBGTMO.NAVY.MIL VEHICLES (evening), 9777 (day). If sent to any other e-mail, it may not be published. Submit your ad NLT noon Wednesdays 1999 Chevy Truck, runs great $1500 for that week’s Gazette. Ads are removed after OBO working hours 4201, after two weeks. Re-submit the ad to re-publish. The working hours 77732.
Corner
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.
MISC
We are in need of a French speaking tutor with a good command of grammar to help our French students study for a successful final exam completion in June. Please call 77199 and leave a message with clear name and phone number. Wanted: Experienced person to bathe and groom a small long haired dog on a regular basis. Contact Randy or Harriet at 78948 after 1700. Ford Ranger 14” rims and new tires for sale, best offer. FMI call Tony @ 84968. Brand new car starter for 2003/2004 Honda CRV, 2.4L, Parts Number: PPA-50531200PPA A02. Call 78466 or 78471. Electric Fishing Reel Winders w/ reels & pools. (1 is a 6.0 & 1 is 4.0); High Pressure Test Pump H7-90E- brand new; Ridig Rotor Snake Model K-40 Brand New; Diesel Generator- Light Plant 2002,
Personal Fire Pit Safety
Joseph Carroll NS Guantanamo Bay Fire Inspector
aving a fire pit in the back yard can be a fun and an enjoyable experience, when H used properly and safely. Policies and regulations
are for your safety. In order to keep Naval Station Guantanamo Bay fire safe, follow these Fire Prevention guidelines. •Practice fire prevention safety good order and discipline to protect your belongs and family. •Use Fire Pits Underwriters laboratories (UL) or Electrical Testing Labs (ETL) listed. •Use fire pits 15 feet away from fences or structures. •Use fire pits in an open area not under a covered patio or inside any building as wood and coal burning fires produce “carbon monoxide.” Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that cannot be sensed or detected without the use of special equipment. Propane burning fires generate enough heat in fire pits to catch a house on fire.
MOVIES
•Locate fire pits on hard surface like a concrete slab or paving stones. •Consider high winds that may blow embers •Never leave fire unattended. •Have a fire extinguisher available where the fire pit is located. •Use 9-1-1 to call for assistance with address where the emergency is located. •Don’t wait until the problem gets so large that it’s uncontrollable before calling for help. •Properly dispose ash. Use plenty of water to drown the ashes before throwing them into a dumpster. Countless dumpster fires are started by smoldering ashes and/or coals. •Recommend renters and/or liability insurance to cover damage to contents and facility. Please contact the base Fire Department at extension 4598 or 4002 if you have any questions. The Fire Department is here to help keep the experience fun and safe for everyone.
Scoop
2007 Jeep Wranger, unlimited, 51K miles, V-6 standard trans. Gobi Rack, FACILITIES Rino lining. $22,000. Call 84013 if Need to place a trouble call? interested. Facilities has changed their number. It is now 3694 for all 1990 Ford Ranger. $1100 OBO. trouble calls. Runs great, spare tire, radio. 2001 Chevrolet Venture MPV, $2600. Runs W.T. SAMPSON great, cold A/C, lots of room for W.T. Sampson High School friends and cargo. Call 77681 FMI on Class of 2015 Commencement Ceremony will be held at the ELECTRONICS Chapel on June 5 from 1700 to 40 inch Coby HDTV Full HD, HDMI, 1800 with a reception to follow still have the box and will include a in the Chapel Annex. HDMI cable. $125.00 call 84623. For Sale: SCSI Modem and Wireless FILAM Belkin Rounter N3000. Call 78741. The Filipino-American AssociaSelling- 6 Foot Direct TV Dish, tion would like to invite everyone includes pole and cable $700 to their 117th Philippine IndeOBO.,4000 Watt Generator $200, pendence Day Celebration on Starband Internet Dish and Service June 13 starting at 1900 at Phil$600, Patio Bricks: Various Sizes. lips Dive Park. There will be culWorking Hours 4201, After working tural performances, a live band, hours 77732. Filipino food and an after party. For more information please call Sadoun 6’ Satellite Dish. $350. Call Neil Mendoza at 90201. 77681 FMI. HURRICANE SEASON YARD SALES Remember that Hurricane GARAGE SALE, Saturday May 30 and season starts June 1. Make Sunday May 31, from 8 a.m. - noon sure you have your emergency @ Caribbean Circle 30C, Everything preparedness kit ready to go! must go.
May 29, 2015• PAGE 7
DOWNTOWN LYCEUM
FRIDAY 8 p.m.:
Tomorrowland
May 29
PG
10:15 p.m.: Ex Machina R
SATURDAY 8 p.m.: San Andreas
May 30
PG13
10 p.m.:
Aloha PG13
SUNDAY May 31 The Age of Adaline 8 p.m.: PG13
MONDAY Little Boy 8 p.m.:
June 01
PG13
TUESDAY June 02 The Longest Ride 8 p.m.: PG13
WEDNESDAY It Follows 8 p.m.:
June 03
R
THURSDAY June 04 8 p.m.: Mad Max: Fury Road R
CALL THE MOVIE HOTLINE @ 4880
!!!!WATER RESTRICTIONS!!!!
THE NAVAL STATION IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING WATER PRODUCTION LIMITATIONS. TO PREVENT A CATASTROPHIC LOSS IN SERVICE PLEASE ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES: No lawn watering. No washing of sidewalks with potable water. No vehicle washing at residences. Limit plant watering. During working hours report possible leaks or violations to PWD at 5601 and after hours to 4375.
1
May 29, 2015• PAGE 7