www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, March 16, 2023
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IN THIS ISSUE
USS Nitze arrives in Valletta, Malta The USS Nitze (DDG 94) arrived in Valletta, Malta, for a scheduled port visit, March 11, 2023. The visit visit allows the U.S. to build on its important relationship with Malta and affords the ship’s crew an opportunity to experience the ancient Maltese culture. Page A2 VOL. 30, NO. 9, Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com
March 16-March 22, 2023
NAVSTA’s Commanding Officer recognized at MEAC’s Badge of Honor Night By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Emily Casavant NORFOLK, Va. — Naval Station Norfolk’s (NAVSTA) commanding officer was recognized by the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) during Badge of Honor night at the 2023 MEAC Basketball Tournament held at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Va. March 9. Badge of Honor Night is dedicated to saluting military, police, and first responders. “We think her story is amazing and she deserves to be recognized at our tournament,” said Ohin Gaston, executive assistant to the commissioner (MEAC). “We are a conference made up of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.” Capt. Janet Days is the first Black, female commanding officer of the world’s largest naval installation, NAVSTA . Since becoming commanding officer of NAVSTA Norfolk in February 2023, Days has been the subject of multiple news segments and public events to recognize and discuss her achievements. “It is overwhelming and humbling,” said Days. “The support and well wishes received have been amazing and the genuine congratulatory notes show that so many have a tremendous amount of respect for those who wear the nation’s cloth!” During the MEAC event, Days was seated with her husband on the guest of honor viewing stage. She was given the Badge of Honor award during half time followed by many guests waiting to meet her and congratulate her. “It is important to never lose sight of your purpose; selfless service, caring for and advocating for others,” said Days. Days began her military career in the Army, later joining the Navy and commissioning through the Enlisted Commissioning Program. Before reporting to Naval Station Norfolk, Days was the Commanding Officer of USS McFaul (DDG 74). “We were truly honored to have Captain Days at the game,” said Gaston. “It was a real treat for our fans, and student athletes.”
NORFOLK, Va. (March 9, 2023) Commissioner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), Sonja Stills, presents Commanding Officer, Naval Station Norfolk, Capt. Janet Days, with the Badge of Honor Award during the MEAC tournament quarterfinals at Scope Arena in Norfolk, Va. March 9, 2023. Badge of Honor Night is held annually during the MEAC tournament to salute military, police, and first responders. (PHOTO BY MC2 EMILY CASAVANT)
Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads participates in Read Across America Day By Katisha Draughn-Fraguada
Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads Public Affairs Office
Naval Support Activity (NSA) Hampton Roads leadership and Sailors celebrated the joy of reading by participating in Read Across America Day at Grassfield Elementary School and the installation’s child development centers on Mar 2. Launched in 1998 by the National Education Association, Read Across America is the nation’s largest celebration of reading and is a year-round program that focuses on motivating children and teens to read. “This is the highlight of my day, the ability to come out here and read to these amazing kindergartners,” said Capt. Matt Frauenzimmer, Commanding Officer of NSA Hampton Roads. “We have a great partnership with Chesapeake Public Schools so to have the opportunity to bring some excitement to the children and show them how important reading is made this day extra special.” Frauenzimmer; Cmdr. William Snider, Executive Officer of NSA Hampton Roads; and Lt. Cmdr. Roger Blake, Officer-inCharge of NSA Hampton Roads-Northwest Annex, all visited Grassfield Elementary School for some reading fun. “It’s always exciting to have our military members come into the school. It provides other role models for the students and they just get so excited to have someone else come and share stories with them,” said Kristen Anthony, Kindergarten Teacher at Grassfield Elementary School. “My main goal for the students is to have a love for learning and a love for reading. Events like today will definitely help spark that and I know it will just build from there.” This is NSA Hampton Roads’ second
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year collaborating with Chesapeake Public Schools to celebrate Read Across America Day. “As adults we know that it is important for children to develop an appreciation for reading, which supports cognitive development in many ways,” said Dr. Jeff McGee, School Liaison Officer at NSA Hampton Roads, who helped organized the event. “I am so grateful for the wonderful partnership we share with Chesapeake schools that enables our command to celebrate reading. Sometimes a
guest reader can spark a child’s imagination and make all the difference.” To continue in the celebration, NSA Hampton Roads Sailors read to young children at the Sewells Point and Portsmouth Child Development Centers. “I wanted to participate because I enjoy being around kids and it was great to see their smiling faces,” said Airman Drake Kurtz. “Being in the military means protecting what we have here at home and a big part of that is the children.”
The teachers and children were very thankful for the guest readers and even wrote them thank you cards to show their appreciation. “Children deal with a lot of stressors and challenges that we may not recognize or even think about,” said Frauenzimmer. “So for us to be able to come here and read to them and put a smile on their faces is so important, and it highlights our mission as a command and a Navy, supporting the fleet, the fighter and the family.”
George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group Returns to Souda Bay, Crete www.flagshipnews.com
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The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), along with the embarked staff of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10, arrived in Souda Bay, Greece, for a scheduled port visit March 10, 2023. Page A3
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