www.flagshipnews.com | The Flagship | Section 1 | Thursday, December 8, 2022 1
IN THIS ISSUE
FRCE recognized for environmental efforts
Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) earned state recognition for its environmental efforts when North Carolina Secretary of the Environment Elizabeth Biser presented the depot with the P2 Award for pollution prevention. Page A2 VOL. 29, NO. 46, Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com
December 8-December 14, 2022
NORFOLK, Va. (Dec. 03, 2022) Sailors and volunteers greet Gold Star Family members during the annual Snowball Express event at the Norfolk International Airport Dec. 03, 2022. The Snowball Express is funded by the Gary Sinise foundation and sends families of fallen service members on a trip to Disney World to help them bond and strengthen relationships with other Gold Star families. (US NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS EMILY CASAVANT/ RELEASED)
Snowball Express is leaving the station! By MC3 Jordan Grimes CNRMA Public Affairs
NORFOLK, Va. — More than 300 Sailors assigned to Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic and other local commands volunteered to send off spouses and children of fallen service members as part of Snowball Express at Norfolk International Airport Dec. 3. Snowball Express, a Gary Sinise Foundation program, is a 5-day adventure at Walt Disney World Resort for families who have experienced a loss relating to military service. Active-duty service members say they were reminded of their own experiences in losing loved ones as they cheered on the families boarding the flight.
Yeoman 2nd Class Aderonke Ogin, a volunteer from Expeditionary Strike Group Two, said it is easy to imagine what the families involved in this program have gone through. After losing her mother during her time in bootcamp, she said she is able to relate to the emotions these families are experiencing and hopes programs like Snowball Express will help them during a difficult time in their lives. “I hope that it gives them a sense of comfort and it helps them — especially the kids — to know that their parents volunteered their life to help the country,” said Ogin. “I hope that they are proud of their parents and they look back and just feel honored that their family member was involved in helping the country and helping others.”
Snowball Express is a support system for spouses and children after they experience the loss of someone so close to them. Erin Milliken, along with her 9-yearold daughter, Emme, and 11-year-old son, Finley, attended the trip in honor of their husband and dad, Kyle. Kyle Milliken was a Navy SEAL killed while deployed in 2017. Milliken said Snowball Express is a source of stress-relief for her as she navigates parenting alone. “When you’re a solo parent, it’s hard to plan trips and do them all by yourself — especially Disney,” said Milliken. “To have this fully planned out for me, takes a load of stress off. And for the kids to just be around other kids who have lost their mom or dad, it’s nice for them to know that they’re not alone.” Civilian volunteers from the Virginia
Patriot Guard stood alongside active-duty service members in supporting the families. Wayne Anderson, the Assistant State Captain for Hampton Roads District 5 of the Virginia Patriot Guard, said his favorite thing about Snowball Express is seeing the military response. “When that line is formed and the families walk through, tears are flowing,” said Anderson. “The support given by these service members is awesome.” Upon their return to Hampton Roads, these families will once again be greeted at the airport by volunteer service members. For more information about Snowball Express, visit garysinisefoundation.org.
Free transit service officially launches on Naval Station Norfolk By Kelly Wirfel
Naval Station Norfolk Public Affairs Officer
NORFOLK, Va — Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) in partnership with Naval Station Norfolk held a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the official launch of the Base Express, Dec. 2. The Base Express is a free daily transit service that connects personnel to popular destinations on and off the installation. The service is open to all personnel living and working on NAVSTA Norfolk. “The Base Express is a critical service that fills a significant gap for those living and working on Naval Station Norfolk. Previously all elements of our workforce were forced to walk miles due to gaps in services.” said Capt. David Dees, NAVSTA Norfolk Commanding Officer. “Not only does the service connect to various parts of the installation and Navy Exchange Complex, it allows them to connect to the entire HRT system and this great community.” The Base Express has two separate routes, the Gold Route and Blue Route. The Gold route runs on base, connecting to the Navy Exchange off base. It runs every 30 minutes
and offers service seven days a week. This service will provide last-mile accessibility for employees who wish to arrive at the base on foot, bicycle, scooter, or transit or by parking in the Exchange area outside the gate. The Blue route runs on base, every 15 minutes, Monday through Friday. Both routes have multiple stops throughout the base including housing, key administrative buildings and the pier. Both routes operate Monday-Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Gold Route also operates on the weekends, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. “The Base Express has the potential to improve regional accessibility, ease congestion around the base and improve air quality,” said Councilman Aaron Rouse, Chair, Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads. “But above all, it’s going to improve the lives of thousands of sailors living here at Naval Station Norfolk. And here’s the best part: the service is completely FREE to use.” This free service is being funded by a grant for the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. Turn to Transit Service, Page 4
Norfolk, Va. (Dec. 2, 2022) Hampton Roads Transit in partnership with Naval Station Norfolk held a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the official launch of the Base Express, Dec. 2. The Base Express is a free daily transit service that connects personnel to popular destinations on and off the installation. Those assisting with the ribbon cutting include Commissioner Amelia Ross-Hammond, Hampton Roads Transit President and CEO, William Harrell, Delegate Anne Tata, Commission Chair, Councilman Aaron Rouse, Naval Station Norfolk Commanding Officer, Capt. David Dees, Delegate Jackie Glass, Norfolk Mayor, Kenneth Alexander, and Executive Director of Hampton Roads Military and Federal Facilities Alliance, Rick Dwyer.
SURFLANT Hosts First-Ever Junior Officer Training Symposium www.flagshipnews.com
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Rear Adm. Brendan McLane, commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic (SURFLANT), hosted the inaugural SURFLANT Junior Officer Training Symposium (JOTS) onboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Dec. 1. PAGE A5
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