Big ‘E’ donates big bucks to aid NMCRS

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SHUTTLE USS Enterprise (CVN 65) - Saturday, April 9, 2011

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Big ‘E’ Sailors donate more than $110,000 for NMCRS fundraiser

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Saturday, April 9, 2011

the SHUTTLE

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Enterprise News

Big ‘E’ donates big bucks to aid NMCRS

By MC3 Peter D. Melkus USS Enterprise Public Affairs

USS ENTERPRISE, At sea Thanks to a generous crew and a ship-wide fundraising drive, Sailors assigned to the deployed aircraft carrier USS Enterprise have donated more than $110,000 to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) as of April 8, and they’re not done yet.

Big ‘E’ Sailors and Marines began making donations to NMCRS in early March to participate in the Navy and Marine Corps-wide NMCRS fund drive sponsored annually by the Secretary of the Navy.

Enterprise’s donation total has already surpassed last year’s highest ship-wide donation mark of $97,000 set by the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). Enterprise’s fundraiser is scheduled to conclude April 11 with a raffle for various prizes including American flags flown over Afghanistan, spending the day with Enterprise’s commanding officer and having a winner’s name placed on an F/A18 jet.

All contributions from the fundraiser will directly support the NMCRS, a non-profit charitable organization founded in 1904 and sponsored by the Department of the Navy to provide financial, educational, and other assistance to members of the Naval Services of the United States, eligible family members, and survivors in times of need. All of the programs and services NMCRS provides

are solely funded by charitable contributions from civilians and service members alike, which makes the annual fund drive vital to the NMCRS mission.

“Through their exceptional generosity and voluntary spirit, the Enterprise crew has helped to set the standard for this year’s fundraiser,” said Lt. Jonathan Pohnel, Enterprise’s 2011 NMCRS fundraiser chairman.

“In my last squadron I knew Sailors who would not have been able to get home during times of struggle if it weren’t for the assistance of the NMCRS, so I have witnessed first-hand what a valuable resource it can be.”

Pohnel also praised the dedicated efforts of all of the NMCRS fundraiser

representatives assigned to each department aboard Enterprise, who all worked hard to motivate more than 1,500 Sailors and Marines to donate to a good cause.

“All of our command representatives put fourth a lot of their time and effort into getting Sailors to contribute to the NMCRS,” said Chief Yeoman (SW/AW) Todd Huntley, Enterprise’s primary command coordinator for this year’s fundraiser. “Our command-wide goal was originally $60,000 in donations, and hopefully we’ll come close to doubling that once it’s all said and done. It just goes to show how much Enterprise Sailors care for their fellow Sailors and Marines.”

Navy-Marine Corps Society Services The Society provides need based financial assistance to eligible recipients in the form of:

The Society can help:

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Interest-free loans and grants Scholarships and interestfree loans for education.

In addition, the Society offers the following services: • • • •

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Financial Counseling Budget for Baby Workshops Thrift Shops Visiting Nurse Services •

Active duty and retired active and reserve component Sailors and Marines Eligible family members of active duty and retired active and reserve component Sailors and Marines who died Reservists on extended active duty greater than 30 days Indigent widows and mothers (65 years or older) of deceased servicemembers who have limited resources and no family to provide for their welfare Ex-spouses who have not remarried and whose marriage to a servicemember lasted for at least 20 years while the servicemember was on active duty Source: NMCRS Web site.

Pohnel also said that the donation figures reported from Enterprise only reflect donations made by Sailors assigned to Ship’s company. Squadrons currently stationed aboard Enterprise are also conducting separate pledge drives of their own as well.

The NMCRS focuses on financial education and responsibility. When a Sailor or Marine can afford to repay, financial assistance is provided as an interest-free loan, which is normally repaid by allotment. If repayment would cause a hardship, assistance may be provided as a grant or a combination of grant and interest-free loan. NMCRS does not, however, assist with the purchase of non-essentials, nor does it supplement the income of persons who live beyond their means.

In the event of an emergency, such as a government shutdown, the Society is prepared to assist with rapid, short-term, interestfree loans to avoid hardship with essential items such as food, gasoline and other necessities.

Pre-approved financial assistance of $300 for single Sailors and Marines and $600 for Navy and Marine Corps families are available in the form of a check.

For information on NMCRS resources aboard Enterprise, contact your department’s NMCRS representative or visit the NMCRS Web site at www.nmcrs.org

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the SHUTTLE

Sailors of the Day

Quartermaster Seaman

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Logistics Specialist 3rd Class

Vincent E. Gary - Selma, Alabama

Ryan A. Barton - Houston, Texas

QMSN Gary, an assistant chart PO assigned to Enterprise’s Navigation department, joined the Navy one year ago “to accelerate my life and to better myself.” To Gary, the most rewarding aspects of his job are learning all about navigation and how to ensure safe and accurate travel, along with the benefits that allow him to take care of his daughter. Gary is working hard to make E-4 and earn both surface and air warfare qualifications while striving for success and refusing to settle for less. In his spare time, Gary enjoys spending time with family and friends, along with traveling.

LS3 Barton, a supply clerk and night check supervisor assigned to the “Rooks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137, joined the Navy one year ago to find a direction in life while seeing the world and carrying on his family’s naval tradition. To Barton, the most rewarding aspect of his job is “hearing about the ground troops we are supporting and knowing that I played a part in helping to make sure they get home to their loved ones safely.” Barton plans on finishing college and starting a family of his own one day and would like to be a teacher after his naval career is over. Barton enjoys playing video games and relaxing with friends during his free time.

Photos by MC3 Michael Croft

FUN ZONE!

Down 1 Tennis shot 2 Inland sea of Asia 3 Bog 4 Swiss city 5 Friends co-star 6 Directed 7 Ankle bones 8 Chicago Loop trains 9 Electrical gauge 10 Honey 11 Lazy sort 12 Paul Anka hit 13 Broadway backer 14 Rhineland region 20 Delhi attire 22 Greek letters 23 Mata ___ 24 Elevator inventor 25 Conductor Klemperer 26 Strip 30 Barrel ring 31 Caveman discovery 32 Consumer 33 Minus 35 They’re inherited 38 Not always 39 Soup dishes 40 Walks firmly 41 Most popular 44 Long-term convict 45 Poe’s middle name 46 Blackboard material 47 Cinematic Scarlett 48 “Two Years Before the Mast” author 50 Speck 51 Affirm decidedly 52 Diamond of music 54 Celebrated apple-pie maker 55 Bit of hope?

Across 1 Thrash 9 Reebok rival 15 Eastern 16 Saudi city 17 Obstacles 18 Fortified wine 19 Camera accessories 20 Comparatively calm

21 Three-sided 23 Crested bird 27 Greek war god 28 Sit in on 29 Joyous 34 ___ of passage 35 “Major Barbara” playwright, briefly

36 River near Chantilly 37 Cut off 40 Coasts 42 Albacore or bluefin 43 Drunkards 44 Desperation option 48 Humdingers

49 Hired killer 53 Blazing 54 Restyled 56 Make trim 57 Aeschylus trilogy 58 “Gunsmoke” star 59 Adept