www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, November 14, 2024 1
IN THIS ISSUE
HSC-26 embraces history and heritage ahead of Veterans Day 2024 HSC 26 hosted a former aviator from its predecessor squadron, HC 6, to walk through squadron history and heritage following the 249th birthday celebration of the U.S. Navy. Page A7 VOL. 32, NO. 42, Norfolk, Va. | flagshipnews.com
November 14-November 20, 2024
EOD Group 2 holds dedication ceremony for Navy Special Operations Memorial By Lt. Chelsea Cannaday
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group Two
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 2 held a dedication ceremony for the newly constructed Navy Special Operations Memorial at the EODGRU 2 compound on Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Nov. 7. Mounted on the granite arch in the focal point of the memorial are two bronze plaques bearing the names of 55 fallen Navy EOD Technicians and 28 fallen Navy Divers who died in the line of duty from 1942 to present. The ceremony served as a moment of pause for the Navy Special Operations (NSO) community to honor the 83 EOD Technicians and Navy Divers who have given their lives in the line of duty. During the memorial ceremony, Rear Admiral (ret.) Frank Morneau, a former EOD Officer and current chairman of the board of directors for Navy Special Operations Foundation (NSOF), made a vow to the Gold Star families of the fallen that the Special Operations community would never forget the Sailors named on the memorial who paid the ultimate price. “Those 83 Sailors are not only a part of our history; they are a part of America’s history,” said Morneau. “These are people who we love and we will always remember. We will always say their names and we will continue to move forward with their names written on our hearts.” Morneau also thanked the service members who are currently serving. “It takes a lot to sign up for something that could make you leave everything on Earth, but you all do it willingly every time you wear that uniform,” said Morneau. Many local commands came together to make the dedication ceremony a meaningful event for the community. The ceremony featured a flyover by the “Gladiators” of Strike Fighter Squadron 106, followed by speeches by key leaders from the Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal community, then a reading of the 83 names on the memorial, a wreath laying, and a 21-gun salute by the Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic honor guard, as well as music by the U.S. Fleet Forces Band. Members of the NSO community concepTurn to Memorial Ceremony, Page 6
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Thursday, Nov. 7, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2, in Virginia Beach, held a dedication ceremony at our command for the newly constructed Navy Special Operations Memorial. The memorial holds the names of 83 EOD technicians and Navy Divers who have died in the line of duty between 1942 to 2022. (EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE DISPOSAL GROUP TWO)
Anything to help: How Hampton Roads provided aid following Hurricane Helene By Petty Officer 2nd Class Simon Pike USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74)
NORFOLK, Va. — Catastrophic, devastation, and utter decimation are just a few words many have used to describe the horrors that Hurricane Helene wrought upon her path. Helene made landfall with wind speeds peaking at 140 miles per hour and left a path of destruction from Florida up through Tennessee and North Carolina. Trying to measure the damage exacted by the deadliest storm to hit the U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005 is difficult; attempting to rebuild is a much larger task and requires far-reaching support. The Hampton Roads NBC affiliate, WAVY-TV, reached out to the community to gather volunteers to help provide relief and support for those effected. Mercy Chefs, a faith-based, non-profit disaster and humanitarian relief organization, helped coordinate a disaster relief donation drive. Companies and organizations across the region pitched in to support, including U.S. Navy personnel. For three days, starting at 10:30 a.m. and ending at 7:00 p.m., Sailors and volunteers worked tirelessly, taking drop-off donations from the community, sorting and boxing supplies, and loading semi-trucks to be delivered as relief to families impacted in North Carolina by storm. Mercy Chefs’ mission statement is to “provide restaurant-quality meals to victims, volunteers and first responders in natural disasters.” Amy Chesney, Mercy Chefs team member ensured the event ran smoothly. “It’s an amazing thing to see come together, to watch Hampton Roads come out and support our neighbors,” said Chesney. “North Carolina is right next to us, just six hours away. That is a weekend trip. We have a lot of people who have come through the line. People who still haven’t found their friends and family. It is so close to home that it hits us even harder.” Religious Programs Specialist 2nd Class Devon Fernandez, assigned to U.S. Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia, led the Turn to Anything to help, Page 3
NORFOLK, Va. (Oct. 10, 2024) - Sailors volunteering at the request of the U.S. Fleet Forces Command organize supplies during a community relations event to provide disaster relief to victims of Hurricane Helene, in Norfolk, Virginia, Oct. 10, 2024. Sailors responding to a request from Fleet Forces collaborated with volunteers from Mercy Chefs and WAVYTV10, collecting and packaging donations to be distributed in North Carolina following the wake of the Category 4 storm. (U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS SIMON PIKE)
Naval Station Norfolk AMC Terminal reopens renovated USO centers NAVSTA Norfolk’s Air Mobility Command (AMC) hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the newly renovated United Services Organizations (USO) centers located throughout the AMC Terminal, Nov. 6, 2024. PAGE A5
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