Battle of Midway remembered ... There will be a Battle of Midway Commemoration June 4 in 10 a.m. in the National Naval Aviation Museum onboard Naval Air Station Pensacola. Veterans, cryptographers and historians around the United States will take time next week to recall the battle considered to be the turning point in the fight for the Pacific. For a historical perspective, see today’s Gosport page B1, “Life” section.
VISIT GOSPORT ONLINE: www.gosportpensacola.com
Vol. 83, No. 21
M AY
IS
M I L I TA RY
A P P R E C I AT I O N
May 31, 2019
MONTH
Pensacola military spouses honored • Opportunities for spouses, career and licensing resources highlighted at luncheon Story, photos by Jason Bortz NAS Pensacola Public Affairs
The Pensacola Navy League hosted an annual Military Spouse Appreciation Luncheon May 22 in Pensacola, Florida, to honor 23 spouses from the local commands. “The Navy League exists to support and advocate for the sea services,” Dan McCort, president of the Pensacola Navy League said, “and the sea services cannot do their job without the support of military spouses.” Breanna Wesley was nominated by her husband AB2 Timothy Wesley, Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola Honor Guard. “I really appreciated the opportunity to nominate my
wife,” Wesley, who is from Midland City, Alabama said. “She deserved being nominated. She always supported me while I was on deployments.” Breanna and Timothy met while playing basketball in college at Bishop State Community College in Mobile, Alabama. They have only been married five years, but have already experienced life as a military couple – two deployments and months of separation. “It was rough when he was gone,” Breanna, who is originally from Gautier, Mississippi said, “but I had a lot of support from my family and other spouses.” The guest speaker for the luncheon was Jennifer Kinsella, wife of Commanding See Spouses on page 2
(Above) The Pensacola Navy League hosted an annual Military Spouse Appreciation Luncheon May 22 in Pensacola to honor 23 military spouses from the local commands. (Right) Breanna Wesley accepts an award from Dan McCord, president of the Pensacola Navy League, at a Military Spouse Appreciation Luncheon May 22. Breanna was nominated by her husband AB2 Timothy Wesley, NAS Pensacola, and was one of military spouses honored at the luncheon.
Service members: tips for first time automobile buyers By Greg Mitchell NAS Pensacola Public Affairs
Most service members will buy a car at some point during their enlistment, and car payments is usually the highest bill a person will have – second only to a mortgage. First-time purchasers are limited often in experience that can make them targets for car salesmen looking to make a quick sale. Having money for a down payment can reduce the overall cost and save thousands in interest over the term of the loan.
Solid credit scores are also important for acquiring a car loan and free scores can be acquired on various credit score websites. Poor credit can often be improved dramatically in a few months by making payments on time and aggressively paying down debt. The difference in the annual percentage rate (APR) a buyer will pay can amount to thousands of dollars, which will pay off later down the road. Deciding on financing is also very important. Applying for a loan and securing a pre-approved loan before visiting a dealership can help the transaction
run smoother. Financing through a dealership can sometimes bring higher interest rates. Before securing financing, check to see if the interest rate is reasonable or if there are better options. When considering what car to purchase, research is the key. There are several automobile sale websites geared towards helping car buyers decide on a vehicle and how much that vehicle should cost. If a buyer does the research, the dealer attempting to sell them a car will have a more difficult time taking advantage of them. Also, consider purchasing a used vehicle. Buying See Car buyers on page 2
HT-8 honors fallen Marines at Veterans Memorial Park By Lt. Michelle Tucker Chief of Naval Air Training Public Affairs
Marines from Training Air Wing 5’s “Eightballers” of Helicopter Squadron 8 (HT-8) at Naval Air Station Whiting Field (NASWF) honored fallen U.S. Marine Corps aviators during the Memorial Placement Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park in Pensacola May 17. Hosted by the Veterans Memorial Park
Foundation of Pensacola, the ceremony marked the unveiling of 158 newly inscribed granite memorial bricks commemorating the lives of 311 Marines and other service members, including 210 heroes who have lost their lives since 9/11. HT-18 members landed a TH-57 Ranger trainer helicopter at the park prior to the event as part of a static display for See Marines on page 2
Memorial Day observance at NAS Pensacola ... Naval Air
Members of Helicopter Training Squadron 8 (HT-8) at Naval Air Station Whiting Field (NASWF) participate in a static aircraft display with a TH-57 Ranger helicopter as part of the Memorial Placement Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park in Pensacola, May 17. Photo by Lt. Kaila Millis
Station (NAS) Pensacola Command Master Chief Mario Rivers offers opening remarks during the Gulf Coast Veterans Advocacy Council-sponsored Memorial Day observance May 27 at Barrancas National Cemetery onboard NAS Pensacola. Rivers, along with members of the NAS Pensacola Honor Guard and Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) Performing Arts Units, attended the two-hour ceremony, designed to honor service members killed while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Photo by NAS Pensacola Public Affairs
Published by Ballinger Publishing, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of the Navy. Opinions contained herein are not official expressions of the Department of the Navy nor do the advertisements constitute Department of the Navy, NAS Pensacola or Ballinger Publishing’s endorsement of products or services advertised.