VOL.54 NO. 26 SEPTEMBER 24, 2015
SERVING NAVAL AIR STATION OCEANA, DAM NECK ANNEX, AND NALF FENTRESS Photo by MC2 Tony Rosa
JET
INSIDE
REMEMBERING POW/MIA — Page 3
2015 NAS OCEANA AIR SHOW Honoring the Vietnam Veteran Service Valor Sacrifice BY MC2 (SW) ALYSIA HERNANDEZ & MC3 KAYLA KING NAS Oceana Public Affairs The 2015 NAS Oceana Air Show, held Sept. 19 – 20, once again drew record crowds as it showcased the best of military and civilian performers while highlighting the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The theme of this year’s show was “The Vietnam Veteran: Service Valor Sacrifice.” Each afternoon the Virginia Patriot Guard’s motorcycles rumbled and roared in a flightline parade, escorting Vietnam veterans to show center for a commemoration ceremony.
Active duty service members presented each honored guest an American flag as Joe Jacobs read “Old Glory.” “The legacy of the Vietnam veteran began in the jungles of South Vietnam, in a war that wasn’t popular among the homefront. Still, our men and women fought the good fight with honor and distinction,” said Joe Jacobs, the commemoration ceremony speaker.“Upon returning home, they did not receive the hero’s welcome that our military receives today; quite the opposite. But through all that, the one thing that joins all of us Vietnam veterans is the enduring bond of pride. Pride in what we did, pride in how
we performed and pride in ourselves.” “When you see a Vietnam veteran today or tomorrow or any day in the future, remember their service, their valor, their sacrifice. Reach out to them, look them in the eye and shake their hand and offer a simple ‘thank you.’They deserve it,” Jacobs continued. Marine Sgt. Seth Hanson, said he felt honored to present the flag to Marshall “Wardog” Lefavor, a Vietnam veteran. “It’s an amazing experience to be able to meet these guys and pass on a flag to them, at least something of gratitude that we have for them. It’s an amazing experience and I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” said Hanson, who is attached to the Center of Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit (CNATTU) Oceana. Lefavor, said it gave him honor, pride and humility to be chosen by the commanding officer of NAS Oceana to be a part of the
— See Air Show, page 11
OCEANA HOSTS CHIEF PINNING CEREMONIES — Page 7
AIR SHOW PHOTOS — Pages 8 - 9
SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH CSADD 5K The FRCMA Oceana CSADD is sponsoring a 5K in honor of suicide prevention month on Sept. 25. Bring a donation of healthy breakfast items for each participant to feast on after the race. The 5K start point will be at the PRT startline across from the track. Check in is at 6:30 a.m.; the run begins at 7 a.m.