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Celebrating 20 years of serving the Hampton Roads Navy family
Vol. 21, No. 17 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 05.02-05.08.13
NAVSTA NORFOLK MARKS DECADE AS TREE CITY USA
By MC3 Molly Greendeer Naval Station Norfolk Public Affairs
NORFOLK
Capt. David A. Culler, Jr., commanding officer Naval Station (NAVSTA) Norfolk, along with children and teachers from Willoughby Child Development Center (CDC), planted a tree in observance of Arbor Day, April 25. During the event, Culler explained the significance of a tree planting ceremony to the children. “A man from Nebraska thought there were not enough trees in his state, so he created Arbor Day, a holiday that everyone would get prizes for planting a lot of trees. On the first Arbor Day, his state planted more than one million trees,” he said. “Now, all over the county, we plant trees on Arbor Day to keep the Earth healthy and happy.” Arbor Day was first proposed in 1872 by J. Sterling Morton, who thought his home state of Nebraska was too barren of trees. He suggested Arbor Day be a tree planting holiday during which rewards were offered to counties and individuals for planting the largest number of trees. “Other holidays repose upon the past. Arbor Day proposes for the future,” said Morton, who found trees superior to cold marble in memorial of persons or events. “How much more enduring are the animated trees
» see ARBOR DAY | A7 Capt. David A. Culler, Jr., commanding officer, Naval Station Norfolk, along with children from the Willoughby Child Development Center plant a tree in recognition of Arbor Day.
MC3 Molly Greendeer
A table with items from a “Baby’s First Seabag” that is given to expecting parents who attend a “Budget for Baby” class was on display during the Norfolk 2013 Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society Volunteer Recognition Ceremony onboard Naval Station Norfolk, April 25.
Service members, vets to get REBOOTed in Hampton Roads Workshops address personal, social, professional aspects of transition By David Todd The Flagship Managing Editor
NORFOLK
Making the transition from military-to-civilian life can be a difficult challenge for many of our nation’s heroes. Topics such as employment, education, adjusting to new social en-
vironments and even living arrangements can leave some service members and their families in a situation of unfamiliarity. That’s where REBOOT Workshops can help make a difference. After successfully implementing the no-cost REBOOT Workshops in
San Diego, Calif., National Veteran Transition Services, Inc. (NVTSI), a non-profit organization, is launching a pilot program in Hampton Roads for their 15-day, three-week transition workshops, starting May 6 at Tidewater Community College (TCC) Center for Military and Veterans Education in Virginia Beach. Three initial sessions are currently
» see REBOOT | A5
Navy celebrates collaborative partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation ■ next Clean the Bay Day Registration is currently open for the June 1 Clean the Bay Day. To volunteer, visit www. cbf.org/clean
By Katisha Draughn-Fraguada NSA HR Public Affairs
NORFOLK
The Navy celebrated their partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) during their 25th Clean the Bay Day Anniversary Celebration at Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads, Lafayette River Annex, April 24. The ceremony marked the anniversary of the popular statewide Clean the Bay Day, which is dedicated to help restore the bay,
COLE FIRE DRILL USS Cole (DDG 67) participated in a realistic shipyard fire drill, April 18, which involved Cole Sailors and Norfolk Fire and Rescue firefighters teaming up to put out a simulated fire aboard.
» see A4
and its rivers and streams. It also kicked off this year’s event being held on June 1. “The Navy actively participates in this effort and we are proud of our role, and even prouder of our community,” said Rear Adm. Tim Alexander, Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. The Navy was named a hero for its involvement since the event’s inception in 1989. In addition to the Navy, the cities of Chesapeake,
» see SAVE THE BAY | A3
PCS TIPS FROM A MILITARY SPOUSE Fresh off a move, one military spouse gives some helpful tips on how to get organized for your PCS, making the process a little less stressful and more efficient.
» see B3
MC1 (SW/AW) Molly A. Burgess
Making a difference through NMCRS By MC1(SW/AW) Molly A. Burgess The Flagship Military Editor
NORFOLK
The Norfolk Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) emphasized this year’s theme “One Person Can Make A Difference” during the their annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony luncheon at the Vista Point Catering and Conference Center onboard Naval Station (NAVSTA) Norfolk, April 25. The luncheon was in recognition of the men and women who volunteered their time to NMCRS, highlighting the many hours of dedication they gave toward helping the society through the many pro-
grams and financial assistance that NMCRS provides for active duty Sailors, Marines, retirees, widows and their families each year. “The purpose of the luncheon is to recognize our volunteers, who, throughout the whole year volunteer at an NMCRS office. And whether it’s facilitating a Budget for Baby class, making baby afghan blankets or doing case work,” said Joe Schnurbusch, deputy director, Norfolk NMCRS. “We like to recognize our volunteers, because as a non-profit organization, we are a volunteer-service organization with more than 3,500 volunteers throughout the world.”
■ in 2012, volunteers: Presented 794 Budget for Baby workshops Knitted and crocheted 7,080 baby blankets Helped 108,131 thrift shop customers Assisted in 1,200 patient contacts by Visiting Nurses Provided more than $3.7 million in financial assistance
» see NMCRS | A3
FROM VA BEACH TO ARLINGTON The inaugural Virginia “Run for the Fallen” gets underway, May 2, as runners embark on a four-day, 230-mile journey, laying down a memorial trail through the state. » see C1
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