www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, October 17, 2024
1
IN THIS ISSUE
27 New chief petty officers pinned at Naval Station Norfolk 2024 Chief Pinning Ceremony Naval Station (NAVSTA) Norfolk’s Chiefs Mess pinned 27 new chief petty officers at the 2024 Chief Pinning Ceremony at the Wind and Sea Auditorium on NAVSTA Norfolk, September 27, 2024. Page A7 VOL. 32, NO. 38, Norfolk, Va. | flagshipnews.com
October 17-October 23, 2024
A Marine Corps Reservist donates a toy to kick off the annual Toys for Tots campaign Oct. 1 at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story. The drive continues through Dec. 21 with the goal of collecting 150,000 toys for local children. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY APRIL PHILLIPS)
Marine Corps Reserve kicks off Toys for Tots drive at JEB Little Creek By April Phillips
JEBLCFS Public Affairs
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Every year it seems like the holiday season starts a little bit earlier, with decorations in stores and Christmas music on the radio before we’ve even had a chance to pick out Halloween costumes. However, the Marine Corps Reserve Center onboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story (JEBLCFS) kicked off the Hampton Roads Area 2024 Toys for Tots campaign Oct. 1 and they’re hoping local communities will catch the holiday spirit and help a record number of children enjoy Christmas this year. Since Marine Corps Reserve Maj. Bill Hendricks began collecting toys for less fortunate children in 1947, Toys for Tots has distributed more than 600 million toys for nearly 300 million kids in all 50 states. Last year in the Hampton Roads area, a record 100,000 toys were given to 50,000 local families. This year’s Hampton Roads Toys for Tots coordinator, Staff Sgt. Matthew Gernoske, hopes to top that. “Our goal is to collect 150,000 toys this
year,” he said. “Our ultimate goal is to deliver hope to children this Christmas. We achieve that by working together as one community.” JEBLCFS Commanding Officer, Capt. David Gray, said the installation will be a big part of that community and is arranging to have toy drop boxes available across Little Creek and Fort Story. “I encourage everyone to support this drive and donate as many toys as you can. Children out there are depending on you to put smiles on their faces this holiday season,” Gray said. Gernoske is encouraging military commands throughout the area to become a toy drop site or to organize an event encouraging toy and monetary donations. He also said encourages early donations so he and his team can plan the distributions. “Each toy represents a moment of happiness for a child,” he said. “It’s a reminder that they are loved.” The Toys for Tots drive runs from now until Dec. 21. For information on becoming a drop site or hosting an event, visit https:// virginia-beach-va.toysfortots.org.
Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story Commanding Officer Capt. David Gray (center) and local Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots coordinators kicked off this year’s annual toy drive Oct. 1. The goal is to collect 150,000 toys for Hampton Roads children by Dec. 21. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY APRIL PHILLIPS)
Fort Story celebrates St. Theresa’s Chapel centennial By April Phillips
Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Members of the Joint Expeditionary Base Little CreekFort Story (JEBLCFS) community, area Catholics, and former parishioners celebrated the 100th anniversary of the dedication of St. Theresa’s Chapel Oct. 1, 2024. It was a commemoration filled with remembrances and love for the chapel and its namesake saint, known as “the little flower.” The ceremony coincided with the feast day of St. Theresa. The chapel was constructed in 1924, when the Cape Henry area of Virginia Beach was a resort community. It originally served vacationers, but as the small Army garrison nearby expanded into what
is now Fort Story, military families came to worship in the tiny chapel by the sea. Brenda Tierney Uyak made her first communion at St. Theresa’s Chapel in 1961. She also attended confirmation classes there. “I felt like I needed to come here today because there were hundreds of kids like me who attended services and classes here over the years. I feel like I’m representing them,” she said. Unfortunately, the chapel has not been immune to ravages of time and sea air over the decades. Damage to the structure of the flooring means that the chapel is currently unable to host worship services or special events like in years’ past. Turn to St. Theresa’s Chapel, Page 2
The interior of St. Theresa’s Chapel, and a painting of its namesake, known as“the little flower.” (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY APRIL PHILLIPS)
NMRLC member becomes U.S. citizen Congratulations LSSR Andrea Ordinola Valdez, on becoming a United States citizen, Oct. 8, 2024, during the Naturalization Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America ceremony. PAGE A5
THE FLAGSHIP’S FREE HOME DELIVERY SOUTH HAMPTON ROADS: Get the convenience of your Navy newspaper delivered to your door for free!
CALL TODAY! 757.446.9000