WASHINGTON SURVEYOR THE
Oct. 16, 2016
By PO3 Jacob Goff
voices A F LOAT COMMAND CHOIR HELPS RAISE SAILORS’ MORALE
By PO3 Wyatt Anthony
gw c e l e b r at e s NAVY’S 2 4 1 ST BIRTHDAY
By SN Jonathan Price
thespiritofspooky gw sailors get in the Halloween spirit
On the cover: Sailors in the command choir practice in the ship’s chapel. (Photo by PO3 Alora Blosch)
PHOTO of the DAY
Seaman Westly Stewart, from Land O’ Lakes, Florida, welds in the machinery shop. (Photo by PO3 Clemente Lynch)
staff Commanding Officer
Executive Officer
Command Master Chief
CAPT Timothy Kuehhas
CAPT Kenneth Strong
MCPO James Tocorzic
Public Affairs Officer
Deputy Public Affairs Officer
Media DLCPO
LCDR Gregory L. Flores
LTJG Andrew Bertucci
Editors PO1 Alan Gragg PO2 Jennifer O’Rourke PO3 Kashif Basharat
CPO Mary Popejoy
Content PO3 Wyatt Anthony PO3 Alora Blosch PO3 Jacob Goff PO3 Clemente Lynch
PO3 Bryan Mai PO3 Brian Sloan SN Krystofer Belknap SN Jonathan Price
The Washington Surveyor is an authorized publication for Sailors serving aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73). Contents herein are not the visions of, or endorsed by the U.S. government, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy or the Commanding Officer of USS George Washington. All news releases, photos or information for publication in The Washington Surveyor must be submitted to the Public Affairs Officer (7726).
*For comments and concerns regarding The Washington Surveyor, email the editor at kashif.basharat@cvn73.navy.mil*
By P O 3 Ja c o b G o f f
VOICESAFLOAT COMMAND CHOIR HELPS RAISE SAILORS’ MORALE
Cmdr. Philip Bagrow, a Navy chaplain from Adrian, Michigan, directs the command choir aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN73). (Photo by PO3 Alora Blosch)
“W
e’ll take it at letter B,” says Cmdr. Philip Bagrow, a chaplain aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). His foot begins to tap and his hands sweep across the piano keys, striking three notes. A chorus comes alive; five voices in three parts weaving together to form intricate harmonies. Intricate as the parts may be, the command choir is not a professional group of lifelong vocalists. It is made up of Sailors of all
ranks and skill levels. Lt. Cmdr. Aaron Miller founded the command choir, before it was a part of USS George Washington. “We brought it with us from the [aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN 71] and with Chaplain Bagrow it has expanded and grown,” said Miller. “We’ve sang at heritage events and family days. We’ve sang at a lot of different events and it’s been fun.” According to Bagrow, fun is one of
the choir’s main objectives. “If you’re up there enjoying the music, if you’re having fun, then anybody who’s listening to us is also going to enjoy it. Whether you realize it or not, that’s what makes it a great experience.” The choir is for everyone, even if you consider yourself a less-thanperfect vocalist. “Most people think they’re tonedeaf because they’ve never really been taught how to sing, but hearing a note (continued on next page)
(continued from previous page)
and singing a note is really a mental become external. “Imagine if the world was as it could exercise, and 97-point-something “A song on your heart makes life be. Imagine if the world was a thing percent of the population can actually easier,” said Bagrow. “You can go of beauty instead of a thing of tragedy learn it,” said Bagrow. “If you want to through the ship hanging your head and … imagine if everyone who wanted to have fun and if you’re just willing to closing your mouth and being in the sing felt safe enough to sing.” sing, I will teach you everything else mullygrubs, as we used to say, or you Experiencing that feeling takes you need to know.” can go through the ship with a song in no more effort than showing up at There is more to being in the your heart. Not only does it make your the chapel at noon on Tuesdays and c o m m a n d Saturdays. choir than just “I want to hear that it “If you’re up there enjoying the music, if you’re learning how grows big,” said Miller. to sing. Petty having fun, then anybody who’s listening to us is “I want to hear that [the Officer 3rd choir] goes out and starts also going to enjoy it. Whether you realize it or not, doing some amazing Class Felicia Noel, a soprano things.” that’s what makes it a great experience.” in the choir, has The choir sings “Let It Cmdr. Phillip Bagrow experienced the Be” and one final chord internal effects shimmers from the piano. of singing. day better, but it’s kind of infectious.” Five voices fade away and, after a “It’s fun. It makes me feel really An infectious song can have a ship- breath of silence, the singers shuffle good about myself being able to sing. wide effect which, Bagrow said, is their music back into its folder, warmly It just makes me happy” represented in a John Lennon song that say their goodbyes and file out of the Those internal effects can quickly the choir has been practicing. room, a song in their hearts.
The command choir sings the national anthem during the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration in the mess deck. (Photo by PO3 Bryan Mai)
By P O 3 Wyat t A n t h o ny
GW
CELEBRATESNAVY’S
241 STBIRTHDAY
O
n October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to cast their votes to create a navy. They ordered two sailing vessels with carriage guns, swivel guns and manned crews of 80 for the interception of transports carrying munitions and stores intended for the British Army in America. This legislation constitutes the birth of the U.S. Navy. Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) celebrated the Navy’s 241st birthday with a cakecutting ceremony, Oct. 13. Petty Officer 2nd Class Keizer Rosales was in charge of preparing the celebratory cake, which required 16 pounds of butter and 12 bags of powdered sugar to make the icing. “There is always pressure when I have to make a cake for a big occasion,” said Rosales, “but my chain of command always entrusts me to make something that I, and they, can be proud of. It’s an honor for them to trust me and put that amount of responsibility on me, and the cake turned out pretty nice.” Capt. Tim Kuehhas, GW’s commanding officer, spoke to the crew and wished them all a happy Navy birthday. Then, Master Chief Petty Officer James Tocorzic, GW’s command master chief, addressed the crew with an excerpt from the Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson’s birthday message: “Team, we’re all proud of our Navy’s 241 years of history and heritage. From 1775 to today, our Navy, with our Marine Corps teammates, has protected America from attack, and preserved our influence in key regions around the world. At and from the sea, we have enhanced safety, security and stability, which has led to American prosperity. We are all blessed to be part of the Navy team. Happy birthday, Shipmates.” After Tocorzic’s address, the crew prepared for the ceremonial cake cutting. In keeping with Navy tradition, the oldest Sailor stationed aboard joined the youngest Sailor to do the honors. Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Flores, GW’s eldest Sailor, at 58-years old, and Airman Onaje Jones, GW’s youngest Sailor, at 18-years old, shared the spotlight at the cake cutting. “It’s a really cool experience to be a part of a celebration the entire Navy takes a part in,” said Jones. “Being out to sea, and doing our jobs and what we are meant to do, while celebrating this is something that makes this even better and makes me very proud.”
Master Chief James Tocorzic addresses the crew during the Navy’s 241st birthday celebration. ( Photo by PO3 Wyatt Anthony)
From left, Master Chief James Tocorzic joins Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Flores, the ship’s oldest Sailor, Airman Onaje Jones, the ship’s youngest Sailor, and Capt. Tim Kuehhas, in cutting a birthday cake during the Navy’s 241st birthday celebration. (Photo by PO3 Wyatt Anthony)
THE
SPIRIT
Cmdr. Michael Bratley helps Sailors carve a pumpkin. (Photo by SN Jonathan Price)
L
ong ago, or so legend has it, a man nicknamed Stingy Jack invited the Devil to have a drink one night. The Irishman, staying true to his name, convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin to pay for the drinks. The Devil did so, and Jack slipped the coin into his pocket next to a silver cross so the Devil couldn’t change back into
his original form. Jack freed the Devil under the condition, should he die, the Devil not claim his soul. When Jack eventually died, he wasn’t allowed into heaven or hell. Instead, the Devil sent Stingy Jack off into the night with only a burning coal to light the way. Jack put the coal into a carved-out turnip and has been roaming the Earth
ever since. Stingy Jack’s ghostly figure is referred to as ‘Jack of the Lantern’ or more commonly now, Jack O’ Lantern. People began placing their own versions of Stingy Jack’s lanterns by carving scary faces into turnips or potatoes and placing them in their windows to frighten away wandering evil spirits.
SPOOKY
OF
By S N Jo n at h a n P r i c e
GW SAILORS GET IN THE HALLOWEEN SPIRIT
Sailors pose with their carved pumpkins. (Photo by SN Jonathan Price)
T
hough it may not be haunted by Stingy Jack or evil spirits, the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) held a Pumpkin Carving Competition to get into the Halloween spirit sponsored by the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Depar tment. Pa rtic ipants got creative with pumpkin carvings ranging from spooky to goofy. “I had never actually carved a pumpkin before and I really wanted to
try it out,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jamie Kroll. “It is festive for the season and we wanted to have a real, carved pumpkin as part of our ‘Spook your Space’ for a more Halloween feel.” Some of the carvings were more sentimental and gave Sailors a touch of home. “I used to carve pumpkins with my aunt when she was still here,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Shannon Clayton. “Since then I’ve really
enjoyed t h e H a l l o w e e n season. When my friend said we could carve pumpkins on the mess decks, I jumped at the opportunity.” Whether the pumpkins ward off that pesky Stingy Jack or just make people laugh, the Sailors who carved pumpkins transformed the Spirit of Freedom into the Spirit of Halloween. MWR hosts a Spook Your Space contest as well as more events leading up to Halloween celebrations.
underway
movie
Channel 4 0800 House at the End of the Street 1000 End of Watch 1200 Paranormal Activity 4 1400 Twilight Saga: Braking Dawn pt. 2 1600 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 1800 Rise of the Guardians 2000 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 2200 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey 2400 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 0200 Flight 0400 Fun Size 0600 Alex Cross Channel 6 0800 Cool Hand Luke 1000 Godzilla 1200 Rio 2 1400 Draft Day 1600 Movie Request Call 4988 1800 Transcendence 2000 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 2200 Cesar Chavez 2400Movie Request Call 4988/7170 0200 Repentance 0400 Veronica Mars 0600 Blended Channel 4 0800 Sinsiter 1000 Gangster Squad 1200 Broken City 1400 Life of Pi 1600 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 1800 Parental Guidance 2000 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 2200 Monsters Inc. 2400 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 0200 Happy Feet 0400 Doom 0600 Ratatouille Channel 6 0800 Robocop (1987) 1000 Robocop 2 1200 The Other Women 1400 The Quiet Ones 1600 Movie Request Call 4988 1800 The Equalizer 2000 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 2200 Brick Mansions 2400 Movie Request Call 4988 0200 Million Dollar Arm 0400 How To Train Your Dragon 2 0600 Jersey Boys
schedule
Oct. 16th 2016
Oct. 17th 2016
Channel 5 0800 Superman 1000 Superman II 1200 Superman III 1400 Batman 1600 For a Movie Request Call 4988 1800 Batman Returns 2000 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 2200 Batman Forever 2400 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 0200 Iron Man 2 0400 Captain America: The First Avenger 0600 Thor Channel 7 0800 American Sniper 1000 The Wedding Ringer 1200 Wild 1400 Top Five 1600 Movie Request Call 4988 1800 Blackhat 2000 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 2200 Strange Magic 2400 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 0200 The Woman in Black 2 0400 McFarland, USA 0600 Big Eyes
Channel 5 0800 London Has Fallen 1000 The Choice 1200 Deadpool 1400 Zoolander 2 1600 Movie Request Call 4988 1800 10 Cloverfield 2000 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 2200 Barbershop: The Next Cut 2400 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 0200 Witch 0400 The Divergent Seris: Allegiant 0600 Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice Channel 7 0800 The Spongebob Movie: The New One 1000 The Boy Next Door 1200 Mordecai 1400 Run All Night 1600 Movie Request Call 4988 1800 Black or White 2000 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 2200 Project Almanac 2400 Movie Request Call 4988/7170 0200 The Loft 0400 Jupiter Ascending 0600 Focus
Department: Navigation Favorite Sports Team: Nebraska Huskers Hobbies: She loves to travel
Department: OPS/OC Favorite Sports Team: Carolina Panthers Hobbies: Reading and snowboarding
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