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Celebrating 20 years of serving the Hampton Roads Navy family
Vol. 21, No. 39 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 10.03-10.09.13
Navy celebrates first disable and homeless veterans’ rental housing
Above: Quilts of Valor decorate Cedar Grove Veterans Apartments, the first permanent rental housing for disabled and homeless veterans in the Hampton Roads region, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Left: Legacy Veterans, from the Navy Riverine Squadron, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, proudly wearing their vests in support of all veterans in the Hampton Roads region. Right: Vice Adm. Nora Tyson, deputy commander U.S. Fleet Forces, gives a speech during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Photos by MC2 Indra Bosko
By MC2 Indra Bosko Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 2 Public Affairs
VIRGINIA BEACH
In an effort to combat homelessness, more than 200 veterans, current military personnel, advocates, dignitaries and local citizens participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Cedar Grove Apartments; a $6.6 million development of the first permanent rental housing for disabled and homeless veterans in the Hampton Roads region, Sept. 26. The ceremony, hosted by non-profits Virginia Beach Community Development Corporation and Southeastern Virginia Housing Corporation, was attended by guest speakers, Vice Adm. Nora Tyson, deputy commander U.S. Fleet Forces; Virginia Beach Vice Mayor Louis R. Jones; Commissioner, Virginia Department of Veterans Services Paul Galanti; and representatives from Congressman Scott Rigell’s office and local corporations. Guest speakers celebrated the completion of the veterans’ housing project but especially noted in their speeches how this project will help take veterans out of the streets and into a clean new home. Tyson, the first female to command a carrier strike group, shared her views on the first housing project for veterans of the Armed Forces.
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Seventy-three Sailors stationed aboard USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) ran in increments of at least 30 minutes for a period of 24 hours, running a total of 4,560 laps equaling about 380 miles.
Health care practitioners learn advanced pain care skills at NMCP
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By Rebecca A. Perron Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Public Affairs
PORTSMOUTH
Courtesy Photo
Fort McHenry Sailors ‘Run for Life’ By Ensign Stephanie Migut USS Fort McHenry Public Affairs
NORFOLK
Sailors stationed aboard USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) kicked off a 24hour “Run for Life” event in support of Suicide Awareness Month, on the ship’s flight deck Sept. 25. Hosted by the ship’s Religious Ministries Team (RMT) and led by Personnel Specialist 3rd Class Marc Hargreaves, Sailors ran in increments of at least 30 minutes for a period of 24 hours to encourage a sense of community and to help raise awareness for suicide prevention. Upon conclusion of the event at morning colors on Sept. 26, 73 Sailors ran a combined total of 4,560
laps equaling about 380 miles. “No one Sailor could run for 24 hours straight, but together, shipmates can. No one person can stop suicides, but together, shipmates can,” said Lt. Kevin Johnson, the ship’s chaplain. “So many suicides can be prevented by shipmates helping shipmates.” Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Robert Strickler said he participated, “to support the cause.” The run also provided an opportunity to support physical readiness standards. Strickler said he was able use some of his run time toward improving his physical shape by adding in push-ups and sit-ups. The run extended beyond individual Sailors. Many of the ship’s
organizations, divisions and departments participated as groups. For example, Deck Department ran for an hour and produced the top seven finishers in terms of mileage. The lead runners were Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Sheunqua Williams (37.67 miles), Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Christopher Anderson (34.67 miles), and Seaman Britton Lyczkowski (22.67 miles). As part of the event, at least one Sailor was running on the flight deck during the entire 24-hour period. Command Master Chief Lee Salas summarized the effort, “Fort McHenry Sailors are willing to do what it takes – even stay up all night – to save a life.”
More than 260 military and Veterans Affairs health care practitioners from all over the country, Europe and Asia gathered at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth Sept. 18-20 for the third annual Pain Skills Training, which certified practitioners in advanced pain medicine techniques so they can offer their patients more options in their treatment. The training was sponsored by Joint Task Force National Capital Region Medical Command’s Wounded Warrior Pain Care Initiative and coordinated and hosted by NMCP. The joint training was open to practitioners from all armed services with a role in treating chronic pain, including doctors, nurses, hospital corpsmen and medics, and allied health and medical technicians.
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LOCAL GOLD STAR MOTHERS HONORED To honor the continuing pain and sacrifices suffered by military families, Naval Station Norfolk and JEBLCFS recognized Gold Star Mother’s Day during two services and a reception at JEBLCFS chapel Sept. 29.
GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN Read the Commander in Chief’s message to government employees regarding the government shutdown which took affectTuesday, Oct. 1.
VIRGINIA CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL The AT&T Virginia Children’s Festival is scheduled for Oct. 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. atTown Point Park in downtown Norfolk.
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