www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, June 20, 2024 1
Navy Medicine recognizes the magic Fisher Houses bring to force readiness U.S. Navy Deputy Surgeon General Rear Adm. Rick Freedman’s visit highlighted the importance of the Fisher Houses in easing the burden on families of wounded, injured, or ill service members and veterans receiving treatment at nearby military hospitals. PAGE A5 VOL. 32, NO. 23, Norfolk, Va. | flagshipnews.com
June 20-June 26, 2024
The Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) Veterans Employee Readiness Group (VET-ERG) are joined by Deputy Shipyard Commander Capt. Randy Reid and Sturtevant Funeral Home’s Robie Gardner to celebrate their annual flag collection in honor of Flag Day. The 101 donated flags are provided to the funeral home as part of their Retire Your Flag program and will be draped over a veteran at the time of cremation to honor their service. (PHOTOS BY PETTY OFFICER 1ST CLASS CHRISTIAN VICTOR BAUTISTA, NORFOLK NAVAL SHIPYARD)
Norfolk Naval Shipyard honors U.S. Flag and Veterans with annual flag collection By Kristi R Britt
Norfolk Naval Shipyard
Each year, we celebrate Flag Day on June 14, a holiday instated by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 to honor the adoption of the U.S. flag in 1777. To carry on this honor and tradition, the Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) Veterans Employee Readiness Group (VET-ERG) held their annual collection of worn or used United States flags. The flags, which have been collected annually since 2016 from NNSY employees as well as members within the Hampton Roads community, are gathered and donated to Sturtevant Funeral Home as part of their Retire Your Flag Program. The flags are draped over fallen veterans at the time of cremation to honor their service. This year, 101 flags were presented to Sturtevant during a ceremony June 11. “When a veteran choses to be cremated, we lay these retired flags with them as a proper tribute for their service,” said Sturtevant Funeral Home Representative Robie Gardner. “It’s an honor to be able to work
with the NNSY VET-ERG in this effort. It’s so humbling to see our community come together to answer the call.” “This is such a wonderful initiative and I’m glad to see our NNSY team and the community come together to honor our nation’s veterans,” said Deputy Shipyard Commander Capt. Randy Reid. To learn more about the Retire Your Flag program, visit https://sturtevantfuneralhome.com/retire-your-flag/retire-your-flag. If you are interested in joining the VET-ERG team, meetings occur on the second Thursday of every month at 8 a.m. in the first-floor conference room of Bldg. M-32. Meetings are open to all shipyard employees. For more information, email the VET-ERG Officer Group at NNSY_ VET-ERG_Officers@us.navy.mil.
Norfolk Naval Shipyard Deputy Commander Capt. Randy Reid provides the first flag to Sturtevant Funeral Home’s Robie Gardner as part of the annual flag collection in honor of Flag Day.
Navy Medicine advances strategic readiness with Forward Deployable Preventive Medicine Unit Two participation in Trident 2024 By Desmond Martin
Navy and Marine Corps Force Health Protection Command
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Forward Deployable Preventive Medicine Unit Two (FDPMU 2) demonstrated Navy Medicines commitment to readiness by participating in the annual Trident exercise from June 3-7, 2024, at Joint Expeditionary Base — Little Creek. Trident is a joint-maritime exercise designed to certify and validate training that is focused on key areas for special operations and conventional forces to work together effectively. During the event, FDPMU 2 played a crucial role. Their mission was to develop and simulate the delivery of agile, scalable, trained, and certified medical units, providing enduring support for joint forces in crisis and combat scenarios. Turn to Trident 2024, Page 2
Chief Hospital Corpsman, Coby Davis, the senior enlisted leader with the Navy Environmental Preventive Medicine Unit Two (NEPMU 2), attached to the Forward Deployable Preventive Medicine Unit Two (FDPMU 2) educates participants about the PG-36 Pressurized glove box during the annual Trident Exercise, Jun. 5, 2024, on Joint Expeditionary Base – Little Creek, Virginia Beach, Virginia. The PG-36 allows qualified personnel to safely test the sample as well as provide protection for the outside environment around the sample as well. Trident is a joint-maritime exercise designed to certify and validate training that is focused on key areas for special operations and conventional forces to work together effectively. During the exercise, Navy Medicine delivered agile, scalable, trained, and certified medical units to provide enduring support to the Fleet, Fleet Marine Force, and Joint Forces in high-end competition, crisis, and combat. (NAVY PHOTO BY DESMOND MARTIN)
Don’t get ‘ripped’ by currents and tides this summer If you’re hitting the beach this summer, Naval Safety Command urges you to be mindful of water conditions and associated risks. Rip currents account for more than 80% of rescues performed by surf beach lifeguards. PAGE A4
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