www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, March 9, 2023
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IN THIS ISSUE
USS George Washington Earns Distinguished Retention Excellence Award The Best in Class award, was a new addition in 2022 and is given to the top command in each of 18 different sea duty platform types. Page A5 VOL. 30, NO. 8, Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com
March 9-March 15, 2023
NAVIFOR kicks off Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Active Duty Fund Drive By Joshua Rodriguez Naval Information Forces
SUFFOLK, Va. — The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Active Duty Fund Drive runs from March 1 to April 30, 2023 and has two primary purposes: To raise awareness of the programs and services available to active duty Sailors and Marines, and to raise funds to support the programs and services offered by NMCRS. The theme of the 2023 Active Duty Fund Drive is “By Our Own, For Our Own.” Leaders from Navy and Marine Corps commands across Hampton Roads gathered at U.S. Fleet Forces Command March 1 to officially kick off 2023 Active Duty Fund Drive. Vice Admiral Kelly Aeschbach, Commander of Naval Information Forces, and Vice Admiral Jim Kilby, Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, as well as Ms. Dawn Cutler, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer of NMCRS, spoke at the event. Aeschbach, who serves as this year’s Active Duty Fund Drive lead coordinator for all commands across Hampton Roads, kicked off the event by highlighting the importance of NMCRS’ mission to the lives of Naval family members. “That work that every member and volunteer of the Society across the globe is doing is so critical to Sailors and Marines in need, or who are dealing with unexpected challenges,” said Aeschbach. “I’m pretty passionate about what the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is focused on. When I was a commanding officer back in 2012 and 2013, I found that the Navy-Marine Corps Relief [Society] provided vital support for the Sailors that were working for me. They do it in a confidential way, and often are able to provide assistance to help Sailors from needing more serious intervention on the part of the Navy when it comes to pay challenges, or frankly, just some of the challenges that they’re facing while raising a family or taking care of loved ones... the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society is always there. They always come through. They’re always able to respond and help.” Last year in Hampton Roads alone, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society provided more than $8.2 million of financial assistance to Sailors, Marines and their families, assisting 7,500 members. “When I’m reflecting on the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, and thinking about these events, the services that they provide are significant: not only interest-free loans and grants for Sailors, but Budget for Baby classes, educational benefits, emergency travel funds, disaster relief, and providing Sailors who have a need the ability to go to a resource,” said Kilby. “So it makes a difference that we support this effort to help
From left to right, Mr. Rick O’Rawe, director of the Norfolk Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS); Force Master Chief Petty Officer Laura Nunley, force master chief petty officer of Naval Information Forces (NAVIFOR); Col. Gabrielle Hermes, commander of Headquarters and Services Battalion, Marine Forces Command; Vice Adm. Kelly Aeschbach, commander of NAVIFOR and lead coordinator for the Hampton Roads area NMCRS fund drive; Vice Adm. James Kilby, deputy commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command; and Ms. Dawn Cutler, executive vice president and chief operations officer of the NMCRS cut the cake at the Hampton Roads NMCRS Active Duty Fund Drive kick-off ceremony. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY JASON RODMAN/RELEASED)
ourselves, and I want to echo my support.” The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society was founded in 1904. It is a nonprofit, charitable organization that partners with the Navy and Marine Corps to provide financial, educational, and other assistance to members of the Naval Services and their family members. The society has more than 200 offices located around the globe, ashore and afloat, and more than 3,000 volunteers. Cutler, who served in the Navy and retired in 2017, emphasized the critical role the annual Fund Drive plays in assisting Naval family members in need. “The [Fund Drive] message is twofold. Number one, there are financial resources and education resources to help Sailors, Marines and their families deal with today’s economy and just help them be financially
ready so that they can go serve our country in the job for which they were hired,” said Cutler. “The second message is this is an opportunity to make a charitable contribution to the Society so that they can help their fellow Shipmates and Marines and their families when they’re having hard times.” “Historically, the Active Duty Fund Drive has brought in about 60 percent of the revenue that we bring in to run the Society and to support Sailors, Marines and their families,” continued Cutler. “I encourage all of those in uniform to learn more about the programs and services of Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society that help them become financially self-sufficient, and give everyone the opportunity to help a Shipmate out by their charitable contributions.” During the fund drive, Sailors and Marines
in commands across Hampton Roads are encouraged to learn more about NMCRS and to consider donating. Sailors and Marines can contribute to NMCRS quickly and easily through military pay allotment, cash, check, or credit card. More information is available at www.nmcrs.org. NAVIFOR’s mission is to generate, directly and through our leadership of the IW Enterprise, agile and technically superior manned, trained, equipped, and certified combat-ready IW forces to ensure our Navy will decisively DETER, COMPETE, and WIN. For more information on NAVIFOR, visit the command Facebook page at https:// www.facebook.com/NavalInformationForces/ or the public web page at https:// www.navifor.usff.navy.mil.
No task too small for CNRMA’s firefighters By Ninoshka Basantes, Public Affairs Specialist
Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic
NORFOLK, Va. Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic’s Fire Department answered a call to action at the Navy Federal on Naval Station Norfolk, April 27, 2023. The call came after 4-year-old Sabine Bean got her arm stuck in a door crack during a game of peek-aboo with her little brother. “Mama, I’m stuck,” said 4-year-old Sabine Bean. Nina Bean, Sabine’s mother, went to her aid and realized her daughter’s hand was stuck between the door jamb and the door. After several failed attempts to pull her daughter’s arm out, the fire department was called by Navy Federal staff members. The firefighters arrived at the scene and assessed the situation. The only way to release Sabine’s arm from the door was by removing the door from the hinges. They quickly removed the door, releasing her arm. “They were really awesome with her, and I knew she was in great hands,” said Nina. As soon as she was released from the door, Nina said she was relieved. Sabine was finally in mom’s arms and Navy Federal staff gave her candy. Nina wants to make sure the Fire Department receives her gratitude. “Thank you so much for assisting with my daughter and making her calm and getting her free as fast as possible,” said Nina. “Not all heroes wear capes!”
Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic’s Fire Department answered a call to action at the Navy Federal on base April 27, 2023. (PHOTOS COURTESY OF NINA BEAN)
NNSY Volunteers Participate in Annual Read Across America Day www.flagshipnews.com
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Norfolk Naval Shipyard partnered with Churchland Elementary School in Portsmouth for the annual Read Across America Day March 2, an observance on the school day closest to the anniversary of Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Page A2
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