VOL. 53 NO. 48 DECEMBER 4, 2014
SERVING NAVAL AIR STATION OCEANA, DAM NECK ANNEX, AND NALF FENTRESS
JET
INSIDE
VFA-81 DEPLOYMENT An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the “Sunliners” of VFA-81 taxies onto a catapult during night flight operations on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Nov. 5. Carl Vinson, with embarked CVW-17, is deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, strike operations in Iraq and Syria as directed, maritime security operations, and theater security cooperation efforts in the region.
JOLLY ROGERS HOLD CHANGE OF COMMAND —Page 3
— For more about Carl Vinson’s deployment, see page 8
Photo by MC2 John Philip Wagner Jr.
CHAPEL HOSTS LONE SAILORS/ MARINES FOR DINNER
Miss Virginia speaks at FRCMA Oceana’s safety stand down BY CATHY HEIMER Jet Observer When the Fleet Readiness Center MidAtlantic Oceana held their Holiday Safety Stand Down on Nov. 20, organizers brought in a unique guest speaker who shared a very personal message with the command’s nearly 850 Sailors and Marines. Miss Virginia 2014 Courtney Garrett spoke at the base theater about her community service platform of “Disabilities Awareness and Advocacy,” subjects she knows well. Her
younger brother Austin, 18, suffered his first seizure as a toddler, which led to his eventual diagnosis of cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Nearly 6-years-old at the time of his diagnosis, she has watched Austin’s struggles for nearly her entire life. As his condition continued to worsen over the years, Garrett shared how her brother screams and cries in pain and wears a helmet to protect his head. “A lot of what I do is share his story and a message of advocacy and I bring a message to people in the community so they will understand the privileges they have that others don’t,”explained Garrett,who was first runner-
up in the 2014 Miss America pageant. Because the U.S. military protects their freedom, Garrett noted how some Americans take their rights, such as free speech or voting for granted. It’s the same with the skills such as reading, driving and even voice communication — also taken for granted. “Austin will never do those things. He doesn’t have those abilities,” she said. Garrett said it’s important to make wise decisions and respect the brain and body you have. “Our freedom is a gift. Our liberty is a gift. Our body and the abilities we have are gifts,” said Garrett. “Growing up with Austin was very eyeopening and very humbling,” she said. Her family, from Pamplin, Va., has lived with the possibility that a grand mal seizure could one
— See Disabilities awareness, page 9
—Page 5
FUN RUN The Jingle Bell 1.5 Mile Fun Run will be Dec. 5 , 11:30 a.m., at the NAS Oceana track, across from building 531. This is not a timed event. Pull out your holiday wardrobe as awards will be given for best Christmas sweater, crazy ski hat and best holiday getup. Awards will be given to top three places for both male and female runners. Call 433-3928 for more information.