Live to Play and Play to Live The Critical Days of Summer are Here Again
Story by Mass Communication 2nd Class Aaron M. Pineda
The time between Memorial Day and Labor Day marks the Critical Days of Summer. During this period, the Navy kicks off its annual Critical Days of Summer Campaign reminding Sailors and Marines of the potential hazards that exist during the summer months. It may come as a surprise, but more Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines, and Coastguardsmen are lost during summer months from recreational activities, than from war. In most cases these fatal incidents have one major contributor, alcohol. Alcohol is not the only culprit when it comes to danger, personal vehicles play their part too. According to public. navy.mil, since January of this year 11, fatalities have come from motorcycles, four from four-wheeled vehicles, and 15 from personal motor vehicles (automobiles). USS Blue Ridge Command Master Chief David Unnone stresses that even though Blue Ridge will be underway for a large part of the summer, we still need to adhere to practicing good safety habits while we pull into foreign ports. Although Japan is a very safe country, it has its own safety related obstacles that should be avoided this summer. Traffic safety, severe weather, heat stress, and sexual assault are all potential dangers. For more information on how to keep it safe this summer, visit the Navy Safety Center website at www.navy.mil /navsafecen.
Asian Pacific Heritage Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Christine Deo performs a traditional Fijan dance as part of Asian Pacific Heritage Month celebration on the Blue Ridge mess decks May 31. The combined Sunday, C7F andJune Blue Ridge 12 2011 Multi-Cultural committee Nanadaru hosted the event that included speakers representing China; Japan; Vietnam; Philippines; Korea; Fiji; Hawaii; New Zealand; Somoa; Polynesia; and Guam.
Commanding Officer: Capt. Daniel Grieco Executive Officer: Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Ralston Command Master Chief: CMDCM(SW/SS) David Unnone Public Affairs Officer: Lt. j.g. Clinton Beaird Editor: MC1(SW) Todd Macdonald Newsletter Staff: MC2 Aaron Pineda MC2(AW) Steven Khor MC3(SW) Alexandra Arroyo MCSN James Norman
Blue Ridge Commanding Officer, Captain Daniel Grieco receives a check for the amount of 35 thousand dollars from Supply Officer Lt. Benjamin Nichols. The check represents a percentage the S-3 division quarterly profits that are returned to MWR.
Produced by Media Services division, Ext. 4155 Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ussblueridge View this issue online: www.issuu.com/ussblueridge Blue Ridge is an authorized publication for Sailors serving aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19). Contents herein are not the views of, or endorsed by the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Commanding Officer of the USS Blue Ridge. All news releases, photos or information for publication in Blue Ridge must be submitted to the Public Affairs Officer.
On the cover: Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class April Baisden. Photo by MC2(AW) Steven Khor
Hospital Corpsman Celebrate 113th Birthday Hospital Corpsman a board 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) will commemorate the Hospital Corps 113th birthday, June 17. Since 1898, Hospital Corpsman have provided fellow Sailors and foreign nations with medical care and hospitality. Aboard Blue Ridge, the medical staff has been participating in historical and humanitarian missions since the ships commission in 1970. In 1973, when refugees from Saigon, Vietnam were evacuated and transported from their country, Blue Ridge provided medical and surgery care for those who needed assistance. In 2010, the medical staff helped treat and care for more than 1300 patients as part of operation Pacific Partnership in the Republic of Palau and in Manilla, Philippines. Advanced X-ray Technician Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Justin Cayetano said he loves his rate, and appreciates the fact that he gets to help other people. “The feeling of helping other people medically, and 113th Hospital Corps Birthday List of Events... Morning: 0800 – Medical Dept. in formation for morning colors (7th Fleet band plays American/Japanese National anthems) 0830-1030 – Medical staff will wear uniforms that represent the Corpsman presence in each facet of the Navy Afternoon: 1100-1300 – Slideshow will be shown on the mess decks CO’s Call (TBD) Birthday message from MCPON/ Force HMCM Campa Reciting of the Corpsman pledge Poem Reading Moment of silence for fallen Corpsman Cake cutting EOT awards
emotionally is a very rewarding experience.” For 113 years Hospital Corpsman have grown to become the largest and most decorated rating the Navy has with 22 medals of honor. Cayetano said the birthday celebration is a representation of what our fellow corpsman have been through, and to give honors to our fallen corpsman. “This birthday will help celebrate where Hospital Corpsman have come from, where we are today, and where the future will take us.”
Bravo Zulu Congratulations O
On Your Advancement
Happy Father’s Day ET3 Jeffrey B. Wagner - One of the joys of being a father is watching my kid develop. It doesn’t matter how long i’ve been away, I always notice something he’s doing that’s different.
YN3 Kimhong Sar - Every time I see my baby it’s a beautiful feeling. Its like everything is perfect, she’s perfect. There are no worries, I have no worries.
LTJG Terence L. Gilbert – One of the greatest joys is being able to come home and see your kids’ happiness on their face when they see you. That’s my biggest joy.
Take Care of Wills and Power of Attorneys Before Deployment
Kohlmeyer adds that a will is not set in stone forever. “Wills are generally good until Preparing for a deployment can be destroyed or another will is drafted. a daunting task. Although Packing uniforms are usually in the forefront These are generally the only two ways a will becomes ineffective.” of everyone’s mind, Sailors should The next issue people often either also take care of their power of atoverlook or forget is a power of attorneys and wills too. torney. This document allows for a The first step of the will process person other than yourself to handle is realizing you need one. People legal matters and decisions on your usually don’t plan for an untimely death and not having a will can cause behalf. According to Kohlmeyer, there are serious problems, especially if the two kinds of power of attorneys, genservicemember involved owns a eral and specific. Each one acts difhome. According to Commander 7th Fleet ferently and individual circumstance would determine which to use. Judge Advocate, Lt. Daniel Kohlmeyer, not getting a will means your “Powers of attorney allow another individual to act legally on your beestate will be administered according to the laws of the state. “In most half for specific or general purposes. When separated from family, it may cases, this means your wishes will be necessary to have a power of atnot be carried out,” he said.
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Aaron M. Pineda
LTJG Robert A. Martin - Everybody wants to do for their kids more than their parents did for them, so I have an obligation to them to make sure that my son comes up better than me. It’s great for a dad. torney for a spouse to act on one’s behalf,” he said. Kohlmeyer said specific powers of attorney are usually what servicemembers need. “It is normally not a good idea to get a general power of attorney as the potential for abuse is much greater. We recommend getting a specific power of attorney that allows for individual tasks; for instance, selling a vehicle or a house,” said Kohlmeyer. A will should be reviewed from time to time. “For a will, it should be reviewed periodically every few years and also after a major life event such as marriage, divorce, children, etc. Specific powers of attorney also normally expire after one year.” For more information on how you can set up a will or power of attorney contact LN1 Alexander at the commander 7th Fleet Judge Advocate office.
Repair Division ER09 gives Blue Ridge Sailors the Right Tools By Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Steven Khor
Most people would think Damage Control maintenance aboard USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) is done by Damage Controlmen, but in fact it is handled by Repair Division ER09, the ship’s Damage Control maintenance division. The purpose of the division is to maintain and repair all portable damage control equipment on board the ship. ER09 maintains and repairs includes fixed and portable fire extinguishers, battle lanterns, hatches and scuttles, watertight doors, drains, and ventilation. Other duties of the division is to find and fix Damage Control discrepancies around the ship’s numerous passageways and ladderwells, to include Photoluminescent tape, signs, safety hardware, and tags.
“Preventative Maintenance on Damage Control equipment is crucial to the overall functionality of the ship,” said ER09’s Division Officer, Lt.j.g. Kristina Gladstone. “If the Damage Control Petty Officers do not do their job right, the ship’s ability to fight casualties is diminished and people can get hurt.” She said that this gives many Sailors in ER09 the opportunity to learn skills and acquire knowledge from a wide range of other Navy professions. According to ER09’s Leading Petty Officer, Culinary Specialist 1st Class Jimmy Carroll, maintaining shipboard damage control equipment is vital to day to day operations. “Casualties big and small can occur at any time, and Blue Ridge must be ready at a moments notice to respond to with the knowledge that the Sailors in ER09 have learned while
at the division,” he said. Carroll believes being in ER09 affords the opportunity for Sailors to take a break from their normal duties and work on getting their Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist pin (ESWS) earlier than normal. “Sailors working in ER09 can learn from those around them that are of a different rate and learn the ins and outs of engineering on the ship which plays a vital role in keeping the ship running smoothly and safely,” said Carroll. Seaman Michael Jerome said being in ER09 enables him the time to work on his Enlisted Surface Warfare Qualification that he knows would not be possible if he was still in his parent division.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE FLEET
101-Year-Old Patient Receives Surgery Aboard Comfort By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Scott Wojciechowski, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command
TUMACO, Colombia (NNS) -Personnel embarked aboard Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) performed a cataract removal surgery on a 101-year-old woman while anchored off the coast of Tumaco, Colombia, June 6. Irene Becerra, a native of Araño, Colombia, arrived at the Escuela Max Seídel medical site, June 4, complaining of a headache and loss of sight in her left eye.
Lt. Cmdr. Francine Worthington, the patient administration department head aboard Comfort, performed Becerra’s initial screening. Shortly after her surgical screening with Worthington, Becerra was approved for cataract removal surgery. “I was nervous at first,” said Luz Becerra, the daughter of Becerra, of the trip out to Comfort. “We left it all up to God, but with the wonderful flight crew and medical staff, the flight was calm,” she added.
Becerra received her surgery aboard Comfort the morning of June 6. After a two-hour surgery and a recovery period, Becerra, the oldest surgical patient for the CP11 team to date, will soon gain vision from her left eye. “I want to thank God, the medical staff aboard Comfort, and everyone else involved in making this procedure possible,” said Becerra.
PHOTOS FROM AROUND THE FLEET
CONSTANTA, Romania (June 7, 2011) Capt. James W. Kilby, commanding officer of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61), speaks to Romanian media during a port visit. Monterey is on a sixmonth deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility and is part of the European Phased Adaptive Approach for missile defense. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Viramontes/ Released)
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (June 7, 2011) Navy Diver 2nd Class Ryan Arnold, assigned to Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2, snorkels on the surface to monitor multinational divers below conducting diving operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jayme Pastoric/Released)
JOPLIN, Mo. (June 7, 2011) Lt. j.g. Ryan Sullivan, front, and Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Travis Fitzgerald place debris in a pile near the street. Eight Sailors assigned to the fast attack submarine USS Missouri (SSN 780) are helping with clean-up efforts in Joplin. (U.S. Navy photo Chief Yeoman Michael Shea/Released)
TUMACO, Colombia (June 6, 2011) Navy ophthalmologists Capt. William Sray and Lt. Eva Chou remove a cataract from 101-year-old Irene Becerra aboard the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (TAH 20) during a Continuing Promise 2011 community service project. Continuing Promise is a five-month humanitarian assistance mission to the Caribbean, Central and South America. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Brian A. Goyak/Released)
A Sailor guides an SA-330 Puma helicopter for takeoff during a weapons onload aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington completed a routine six-month maintenance period and is underway conducting sea trials before a summer patrol. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Cody R. Boyd/Released)
Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Joel Rivera, right, assigned to Deep Submergence Unit, directs members of the media down the hatch of the Submarine Rescue Diving and Recompression System during a submarine rescue exercise as part of exercise Bold Monarch 2011.
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