VOL. 53 NO. 24 JUNE 19, 2014
SERVING NAVAL AIR STATION OCEANA, DAM NECK ANNEX, AND NALF FENTRESS
Elks Lodge hosts Flag Day ceremony at Oceana
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BY MC2 (SW) ALYSIA HERNANDEZ NAS Oceana Public Affairs Flag Day was celebrated June 8 at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana with a commemoration ceremony, hosted by the local Elks Lodge at the Flame of Hope Memorial. Flag Day, normally observed June 14, honors the adoption of the stars and stripes as the official flag of the United States. Members of the Elks Lodge began with opening remarks and introduced the Princess Anne Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC) who presented the colors, followed by guests reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. “The purpose of this service is to honor our country’s flag, to celebrate the anniversary of its birth and to recall the achievements attained beneath its folds,” said Joel Marquez, exalted ruler of Elks Lodge 2268 in Virginia Beach. During the ceremony, each of the nine flags that have represented the United States were presented by a veteran, as a description of its history was read by Bonnie Shoemaker, an Elks Lodge member. “The evolution of the American flag marks the progression of the government of the American people,” Shoemaker said. “In a response to a general demand of a banner to be more representative of our country, Congress, June 14, 1777, provided that the flag of the United States be 13 stripes of alternating red and white and that the union be 13 stars, white on blue field, representing a new constellation,”Shoemaker explained, as the first American flag representing the stars and stripes, also known as the Betsy Ross flag, was presented.
— See Flag Day page 8
VOLUNTEERS BRING CLEAN THE BAY TO DAM NECK’S BEACH —Page 9
Photo by MC3 Joshua Card An F/A-18E Super Hornet attached to the “Tomcatters” of VFA-31, prepares to launch from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) June 15. George H.W. Bush, with embarked CVW-8, is supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH MOVES INTO ARABIAN GULF From Office of the Secretary of Defense Public Affairs WASHINGTON (NNS) — Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel ordered the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) to move from the North Arabian Sea into the Arabian Gulf on June 14. The order will provide the Commanderin-Chief additional flexibility should military options be required to protect American lives, citizens and interests in Iraq. Bush was accompanied by the guidedmissile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and the guided-missile destroyer USS Trux-
tun (DDG 103). The ships completed their transit into the gulf later that evening. USS George H.W. Bush, with embarked Carrier Air Wing 8, departed her home port of Norfolk in February of this year and is operating in the Middle East region as part of an on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations. American naval presence in the Arabian Gulf continues to support the United States’ long-standing commitments to the security and stability of the region.
EVENT PAIRS SPOUSES WITH VARIETY OF RESOURCES —Page 11
BEACH BLAST Dam Neck will be hosting the Family Beach Blast TODAY, June 19, 3:30 - 8 p.m. Live entertainment will be provided by The River Boys. Also featured at the event will be a DJ, balloon artist, roving magician, carnival games, hayrides, photo booth, prizes, concessions and inflatables. For more information, call 433-3301.