Since the inaugural ‘Stand Down for Veterans in 1988,’ the Department of Veterans Affairs and a host of mili- tary veterans have worked hard to provide services for homeless veter- ans throughout the United States. Every year major cities across the country host a one to three-day event, specifically designed to give back to veterans. The term stand down refers to an order that soldiers receive to temporarily cease combat operations and observe a period of rest and recovery. This year, the Department of Veter- ans Affairs in Biloxi, served as the stage for this event. In attendance, were hundreds of retired veterans and active duty military service members all ready to give of their time and resources to give a hand to their brethren. Sailors from commands on board the Naval Construction Battalion Center (NCBC) and Airman from Keesler Air Force Base came to show their support and assist in any way possible. Also present at the stand down were hundreds of ap- preciative volunteers from the com- munity. Services such as haircuts, AFRH holds grand opening Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, Mississippi November 18, 2010 Vol. 47 No.21 www.cnic.navy.mil/gulfport NMCB 7 shis focus Take a look Around the Center Page 3 Page 6 Page 18 Lt. Cmdr. Terry Knapp, Naval Construction Training Center executive officer, leads more than 200 Navy, Army and Air Force stu- dents during the 2010 Gulf Coast Veterans Day Parade in Biloxi Nov. 13. More than 165 members from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1, NMCB 133 and the Mississippi Gulf Coast First Class Association, along with the “Bee Float, also participated in the event deemed one of the largest in its history. The Grand Marshall for this year’s parade was Apollo 13 astronaut, Fred Haise, Jr. (U.S. Navy photo by Rob Mims/Released) For more PARADE coverage see page 19 Leading from the front, celebrating service Seabee Center helps Veterans stand up during annual Stand Down See STAND DOWN page 3 By MC3(SCW) Michael Wright 22 NCR Public Affairs
Transcript
Since the inaugural ‘Stand Down forVeterans in 1988,’ the Department ofVeterans Affairs and a host of mili-tary veterans have worked hard toprovide services for homeless veter-ans throughout the United States.Every year major cities across thecountry host a one to three-dayevent, specifically designed to giveback to veterans. The term standdown refers to an order that soldiersreceive to temporarily cease combatoperations and observe a period ofrest and recovery.
This year, the Department of Veter-ans Affairs in Biloxi, served as thestage for this event. In attendance,were hundreds of retired veteransand active duty military servicemembers all ready to give of theirtime and resources to give a hand totheir brethren.
Sailors from commands on boardthe Naval Construction BattalionCenter (NCBC) and Airman fromKeesler Air Force Base came toshow their support and assist in anyway possible. Also present at thestand down were hundreds of ap-preciative volunteers from the com-munity. Services such as haircuts,
AFRH holds grand opening
Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, Mississippi November 18, 2010Vol. 47 No.21
www.cnic.navy.mil/gulfport
NMCB 7 shi�s focusTake a look Around the CenterPage 3 Page 6 Page 18
Lt. Cmdr. Terry Knapp, Naval Construction Training Center executive officer, leads more than 200 Navy, Army and Air Force stu-dents during the 2010 Gulf Coast Veterans Day Parade in Biloxi Nov. 13. More than 165 members from Naval Mobile ConstructionBattalion (NMCB) 1, NMCB 133 and the Mississippi Gulf Coast First Class Association, along with the “Bee Float, also participatedin the event deemed one of the largest in its history. The Grand Marshall for this year’s parade was Apollo 13 astronaut, Fred Haise,Jr. (U.S. Navy photo by Rob Mims/Released)
For more PARADE coverage see page 19
Leading from the front, celebrating serviceSeabee Centerhelps Veteransstand up during annual Stand Down
See STAND DOWN page 3
By MC3(SCW) Michael Wright22 NCR Public Affairs
Approximately 22 percent ofall U.S. service members arecurrently serving abroad. Formany service members, serv-ing abroad gives them the op-portunity to meet that specialsomeone. However, whentheir tour is over and theyhave to return home, the ques-tion becomes how to bringtheir foreign spouse back tothe States.In order to have their foreign
spouses immigrate to the U.S.,service members must workwith the Department of Home-land Security’s U.S. Citizen-ship and Immigration Service(USCIS). There are two mainways that foreign spouses canimmigrate to the U.S. Beforechoosing one, the servicemembers must ask themselveswhat is more important: seeingtheir spouse as soon as possi-ble or saving time and money.For the service member who
wants to see his or her spouseASAP, then he or she needs tofile the I-129F Petition forAlien Fiancé(e). Once ap-proved, this petition results ina K-3 foreign spouse visa,which usually takes eightmonths to process. However,this is a non-immigrant visa,which means the spouse can-not work in the U.S. Also, theservice member has to later
adjust the spouse's status tothat of a lawful permanent res-ident, known informally as aGreen Card-holder. In orderto adjust the spouse’s status,the service member must usethe USCIS’s Form I-485, whichrequires another filing fee andtakes an additional six - 12months to process.
For the service member whowants to do everything at onceand can wait a little longer,then he or she can file the I-130Petition for an Alien Relative.This petition grants an IR-1visa (or CR-1 visa if the mar-riage is less than two yearsold). The IR-1/CR-1 visa doestake a little longer on the frontend, usually two – threemonths longer than the K-3visa. However, the benefit isthat as soon as the spousereaches the U.S., he or she isconsidered a lawful permanentresident, has a Green Card,and can start working. It alsosaves the client from having tospend time and money on ad-justing the spouse's status tothat of an immigrant.If you have more specific
questions concerning thistopic, please feel free to calland set up an appointmentwith your Gulfport Legal As-sistance Office at 228-871-2620.This article is not intended to
substitute for the personal ad-vice of a licensed attorney.
Immigration: Two options for the foreign spouse
NCBC/20SRGCommanding Officer
Capt. Lou CarielloPublic Affairs Officer
Rob MimsEditor
Bonnie L. McGerrMass Comm. Specialists
MCC (SW) Terry SpainMC1(SCW) Demetrius Kennon
Special ContributorEO3 Mikayla Mondragon
22 NCR CommanderCapt. Kathryn A. Donovan
Public Affairs OfficerMCC(SCW) Jeffrey J. Pierce
Mass Comm. SpecialistMC3(SCW) Michael Wright
25 NCR CommanderCapt. Allen M. StratmanPublic Affairs Officer
MCC (SW/AW) Scott Boyle
NMCB ONECommanding Officer
Cmdr. Mike SaumPublic Affairs OfficerLt.j.g. Christopher Ely
Cmdr. Michael MonrealPublic Affairs OfficerEnsign Timothy Palik
NMCB SEVENTY FOURCommanding Officer Cmdr. Richard Hayes
Public Affairs OfficerLt.j.g. Sonny Rowland
Mass Comm. Specialist MC1 (SW/AW) Ryan Wilber
MC2 Michael Lindsey
NMCB ONE THIRTY THREECommanding Officer
Cmdr. Christopher KurganPublic Affairs Officer
MCC (SW/AW/PJ) Ryan C. Delcore
NCTC GulfportCommanding Officer
Cmdr. Bill WhitmirePublic Affairs Officer
Chaplain (Lt.) Rob Guilliams
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The Seabee Courier is an authorized publication for members of the mili-tary services and their families. Content does not necessarily reflect theofficial views of the U.S. Government, the DoD or the U.S. Navy anddoes not imply endorsement thereof. The appearance of advertising inthis newspaper, including inserts or supplements, does not constituteendorsement by the U. S. Government, DoD, the Navy, NCBC Gulfport orThe McClatchy Company of the products and services advertised. Allcontent in this newspaper shall be made available for purchase, use orpatronage without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin,age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any othernon-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. If a violation or rejec-tion of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser is confirmed, thepublisher shall refuse to print advertising from that source until the vio-lation is corrected. The Seabee Courier is published 22 weeks a year byThe McClatchy Company, a private firm in no way connected with theDoD, under an exclusive contract with the U. S. Navy. The SeabeeCourier solicits news contributions from military and civilian sources,but the Public Affairs staff reserves the right to edit and/or rewrite mate-rial selected for publication to conform with journalism standards. Thedeadline for material is close of business Wednesday the week prior topublication. Your comments are always welcome. The Seabee Courieroffice is in Building 1, Room 205. The mailing address is 4902 MarvinShields Blvd., Code 15, Gulfport, MS 39501. Phone: 228 871-3662., E-mail: [email protected]
Sailor’s CreedI am a United States Sailor,I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States ofAmerica and I will obey the orders of those appointed over me,I represent the fighting spirit of the Navy and those who havegone before me to defend freedom and democracy around theworld,I proudly serve my country's Navy combat team with Honor,Courage and Commitment,I am committed to excellence and the fair treatment of all.
Due to limited IG resources throughoutthe Southeast Region, all Fraud,Waste and Abuse hotline work will nowbe handled by the Region. To reportFraud, Waste and Abuse, contact theRegion at: Toll Free 1-(877)-657-9851Comm: (904) 542-4979 DSN 942-4979 FAX: (904) 542-5587, E-mail:[email protected].
CommandAction Line
By Lt.j.g. Wenhong You, JAGCNLSO Central – BROFF Pensacola
Navy Legal
The Naval Legal Service Office(NLSO), frequently sees servicemembers with questions about immi-gration and citizenship issues. In order to better assist service
members and dependents in the Gulf-port area with their immigration andcitizenship issues, the NLSO hasarranged for Immigration Services Of-ficers from the local U.S. Citizenshipand Immigration Services (USCIS) of-fice in Metairie, La. to come onboardNCBC Gulfport to provide one-on-oneappointments Dec. 2. They will behere to answer whatever questionsyou may have regarding a pending orfuture citizenship petition, visa appli-cation, or immigration problem.
These Immigration Services Officersare not from the Immigration and Citi-zenship Enforcement Agency (ICE),the agency responsible for investiga-tion and criminal and civil enforce-ment of the federal laws governingborder control, customs, trade, andimmigration.
Service members or their depend-ents can make an appointment to seean Immigration Service Officer for a nappointment Dec. 2 which will last 20minutes. Depending on the level ofdemand for these appointments, fu-ture appointment days will be an-nounced. Call the NLSO at228-871-2620 to schedule an appoint-ment or for more information.
NLSO Gulfport tooffer special immigration, citizenship appointments
MCPON sends2010 Veterans Day messageSpecial from Master Chief Petty Of-ficer of the Navy (MCPON)(SS/SW)Rick D. West
“Veterans, Shipmates and NavyFamilies,Veterans Day is a day we set
aside to pay tribute, honor and re-member the men and women whohave served in our nation’s de-fense. Our veterans have honorably
served and sacrificed throughoutthe world when our nation called,and many have paid the ultimatesacrifice, and it is with eternalgratitude that we take the timethis day to honor the memory ofour fallen while bringing along-side and thanking those heroesstill among us.Our veterans are woven into the
fabric of our great nation we callAmerica. They lend the characterand the core values they devel-oped while in uniform to the com-munities in which they live andwork, and we should take advan-tage of every chance we have totalk to, learn from and thank themfor their devout patriotism. I recently attended the Gulfport
Armed Forces Retirement Homegrand re-opening Nov. 9, and itwas an honor and privilege for meto attend this event and bring ourveterans home after it was se-verely damaged by Hurricane Ka-trina five years ago. Service to ournation has bound us together, andwe must continue to draw on ourveterans’ experiences and valuetheir dedication to our countryand our way of life whilestrengthening and forging the fu-ture for our next generation ofwarriors and veterans.Take the time to thank our veter-
ans this Veterans Day, they cer-tainly have a story to tell and weall need to listen, but once the hol-iday is over, keep them in yourthoughts, remembering their serv-ice and sacrifice that laid the foun-dation to which our servicemembers today build upon. Iwould also like to say ‘thank you’to the service members in uniformtoday, many in harm’s way, foryour continued service to ourgreat nation. Happy Veterans Day and
HOOYAH!”
messages and shaves were offered,while organizations such as the GulfCoast Center for Non-Violence, theHumane Society, the Coastal FamilyHealth Center, the Harrison CountyHealth Department and the SeabeeCenter provided Veterans with es-sentials such as food, water, toi-letries, backpacks and clothing.Above all, they gave Veterans asense of fellowship and hope.
Construction Electrician Construc-
tion Apprentice Rodney Peters,from Naval Mobile ConstructionBattalion 133, was extremely happyto be a part of this year’s event.
“It feels like a huge accomplish-ment standing out here and helpingmy military family in any way pos-sible,” said Peters. “These men andwomen were protecting our countryand standing the watch before Icould even write my name. I willcontinue to volunteer and help re-tired Vets in any way possible.”
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Aroundthe
CenterPolice Lt. Dominic Puzo, assigned to the security department of NCBC Pub-lic Safety, and military working dog, Alisja, perform a routine search ofNaval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 26's carry-on baggage atthe Training Hall on board NCBC, Nov. 8. NMCB 26 has completed themobilization process here and is preparing to deploy to Central Com-mand's area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass CommunicationSpecialist 1st Class Demetrius Kennon/Released)
Senior Chief Intelligence Specialist (SW/AW) JasonScott presents a flag box to Gerald Simmons (left)and Darryl Simmons of Integrity's Sport Shack inLong Beach Nov. 8. While on their recent six-monthdeployment to Afghanistan, 22 Naval ConstructionRegiment's (NCR) Chief Mess built a fallen warriormemorial and the company provided the brass nameplates for the memorial free of charge. To say thankyou, the Chief's Mess had a flag flown in theirhonor. The flag was encased in a flag box completewith a certificate centered between two 22 NCRChief's Mess coins. (U.S. Navy photo by MCC JeffreyJ. Pierce/Released)
Naval Construction Training Center (NCTC) studentsbring the 2010 Domestic Violence Awareness MonthHope Campaign sponsored by the Fleet and FamilySupport Center to a close by displaying the 1,520 sig-natures obtained for the "Pledge of Hope." Individualswho signed the "Pledge of Hope" made a commitmentto "stand with others to create a world free from do-mestic violence by grounding [their] relationships (ofall kinds) in love, respect and understanding." Thepledge was one of several activities that highlighted thecampaign during October. (U.S. Navy photo by PaulaIngram/Released)
Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Rodolfo Gallardo, assigned to NCBC Secu-rity Department, uses a radar gun to clock a driver passing throughMagnolia Housing. Speeding in housing is on the rise and SecurityForces are cracking down due to an increase in accidents. Housing areaspeed is limited to 10 m.p.h. (US Navy photo by Equipment Operator 3rdClass Mikayla Mondragon/Released)
SpeedersSpeederstake heed!take heed!
Top: Volunteers and veterans gather at the Gulf Coast Stand Down forVeterans held at the VA Gulf Coast Veterans Healthcare System inBiloxi, Nov. 5. Personnel from NCBC and Keesler Air Force Base workedwith volunteers from various groups including the American Red Cross,Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, and the Salvation Army inorder to donate food, clothing and many other essentials.Above: Chief Gunner's Mate Remon Peterson, assigned to the 20thSeabee Readiness Group, assists a homeless veteran at the Gulf CoastStand Down for Veterans Nov. 5. (U.S. Navy photos by Mass Commu-nication Specialist 1st Class Demetrius Kennon/Released)
From STAND DOWN page 1
STAND
DOWN
FOR
VETS
Members of Naval Construc-tion Training Center (NCTC)spent the morning at Pass RoadElementary School in Gulfportfor Career Day Oct 2. The school command sent
three staff members out to theevent. Equipment Operator 1stClass Jonathan Fulton, Con-struction Mechanic 3rd ClassPaul Case and Construction Me-chanic 3rd Class Robert Connellall enjoyed the morning with thekids. NCTC also transportedthree units of Civil EngineeringSupport Equipment (CESE) tothe school: a Caterpillar 924GFront end Loader, a Caterpillar120 Motor Grader and a MTVRWrecker. The day began early at 6 a.m.
as all of the members of NCTC’sTransportation Division gath-ered at the office and lined upthe equipment for the convoy toPass Road Elementary. Wheneverything was in order, thetroops from NCTC headeddown Pass Road with Construc-tion Mechanic 2nd Class Kristo-pher Waite and ConstructionMechanic 2nd Class DonaldWilliams driving safety vehiclesat the front and rear of the con-voy. At 7 a.m. the first wave of chil-
dren arrived with huge eyes andsmiling faces at the sight of theequipment and Seabees waitingfor them. “It made my heart warm as I
scanned the class for thesmiles,” Connell said. The kids loved climbing up on
the equipment and blowing thehorn. The Seabees were joinedshortly by the National Guardwho flew a helicopter in andlanded it in the field with theSeabee equipment. The kids enjoyed all of the
equipment and had to be pulledfrom the display by their teach-ers. Several classes had theirpictures taken with the equip-ment and the ‘Bees. NCTC Transportation depart-
ment head William Bailey alsocame out to see the Seabees per-form some simple operations ofthe equipment for the kids. “It sounded like a fireworks
show,” said Fulton. The kidskept on with the oohs andahhs.” In the early afternoon, the
NCTC convoy headed back tothe Seabee Center, with thesmiles on their faces as big asthe kids they had just shown theequipment to. “Knowing that some of the
kids have parents that are de-ployed overseas and that they
were so happy to see our uni-forms and equipment made merealize just how important it isthat we make our presence at asmany community service eventswe can,” said Fulton.
Fun and a great time was hadby both the Seabees and the stu-
dents of Pass Road Elementary. Next year can’t come fast
enough for these Seabees whohad one of their greatest days inthe military.
“NCTC Gulfport will continueto support this event every yearas long as the mission allows,"
said Waite. "It’s as important tous as service members as it is tothe children who come see us.”
The feelings of the group weresummed up by Case who said, “This has got to be the best com-munity service project thatNCTC does.”
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NCTC heads back to elementary school
Students at Pass Road Elementary School in Gulfport check out the equipment brought to the schoolby Naval Construction Training Center (NCTC) for Career Day Oct. 29. The Seabees spent the morn-ing at the school explaining to the children about the work that Seabees do as members of the NavalConstruction Force. (U.S. Navy photo/Released)
By CM2 Kristopher WaiteNCTC Public Affairs
Postal Service an-nouncesholiday mail deadlines forservice member mailoverseas . . . The MilitaryPostal Service of the DoD hasset deadlines for mailing holi-day packages to members ofthe U.S. armed services lo-cated overseas. Deadlinesare: Space Available, Nov. 28;Parcel-Airlift Mail, Dec. 4; Pri-ority and First-Class Letters orCards, Dec. 11. Because ofsecurity restrictions, mass-mailing operations such as“Operation Dear Abby” or“Any Service Member” cannotbe used. Electronic web sitesor e-mailed greeting cards aresuggested as an alternative.
Ad Space
Ad Space
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'Tis the season,'Tis the season,
and the MWR Christand the MWR Christ--
mas Tree Lightingmas Tree Lighting
has been set forhas been set for
Dec. 10 from 6:30Dec. 10 from 6:30
p.m. - 9:30 p.m. atp.m. - 9:30 p.m. at
the Youth Activithe Youth Activi--
ties Center,ties Center,
building 335. Thisbuilding 335. This
year we haveyear we have
planned a "Grinch"planned a "Grinch"
themed event wherethemed event where
we will welcomewe will welcome
all to Whoville.all to Whoville.
We will be showingWe will be showing
"How the Grinch"How the Grinch
Stole Christmas" onStole Christmas" on
the MWR portablethe MWR portable
theater and servingtheater and serving
cookies and milk.cookies and milk.
There will beThere will be
games, a DJ, carolgames, a DJ, carol--
ers, and of courseers, and of course
Santa. And, weSanta. And, we
have it on good auhave it on good au--
thority to expect athority to expect a
few "snow flurries"few "snow flurries"
in the forecast. in the forecast.
Naval Mobile Construction Bat-
talion (NMCB) 7 Seabees shifted
from Southern Partnership Station
(SPS) 2010 to Continuing Prom-
ise 2010 Nov. 5 to finish a project
delayed by the movement of Hur-
ricane Tomas in the Caribbean.
The 17 Seabees were part of the
joint-forces crew embarked
aboard High Speed Vessel Swift
(HSV) 2 and were scheduled to
conduct training and participate in
subject matter expert exchanges
with partner nations in South
America.
Instead, they will deploy to the
Republic of Suriname to complete
a ten day rehabilitation project at
a local girls’ boarding school and
library begun by another NMCB
7 detachment embarked aboard
USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), which is
now steaming to Haiti to offer hu-
manitarian assistance.
“We were scheduled to complete
a roof repair project in Concep-
cion, Chile, but unfortunately we
won’t have the proper amount of
time, so we’re continuing our sup-
port efforts in Suriname,” said
Chief Steel Worker (SCW) Gene
Murphy, NMCB 7 team leader.
“This is just another example of
our ‘Can Do’ spirit, because we’re
committed to supporting Navy ef-
forts in the region by joining Con-
tinuing Promise.”
The Seabees rehabilitation ef-
forts will include installing a fire
escape, electrical system repair,
renovating a bathroom, and build-
ing bookshelves. The deadline for
the project is Nov. 14.
“This is an important job, and
the deadline we have is critical,
because the young girls who live
at this boarding school will be
homeless if we don’t meet our
deadline,” said Equipment Opera-
tor 2nd Class (SCW) John Rivera.
“But they can count on us making
sure it all works out.”
“This is a testament to the flexi-
bility and capability of the men
and women of NMCB 7,” said
SPS 2010 Mission Commander,
Cmdr. Mark Becker. “When
called upon to adjust their mis-
sion, they were ready and able to
move at a moment’s notice. My
hat’s off to them.”
Continuing Promise is an annual
humanitarian civic assistance op-
eration that provides opportunities
to establish new partnerships with
other nations, non-government or-
ganizations (NGOs), and interna-
tional government organizations
while learning from host nations
and civilian experts.
SPS 10 is an annual deployment
of U.S. ships to the U.S. Southern
Command area of responsibility
in the Caribbean and Latin Amer-
ica. The mission’s primary goal is
information-sharing with navies,
coast guards and civilian services
throughout the region.
Commander, U.S. Navy South-
ern Command (COMUSNAVSO)
is the naval component command
for U.S. Southern Command and
is responsible for all naval person-
nel and assets in the area of re-
sponsibility. COMUSNAVSO
conducts a variety of missions in
support of the U.S. Maritime
Strategy, including Theater Secu-
rity Cooperation, relationship
building, humanitarian assistance
and disaster response, community
relations, and counter-illicit traf-
ficking operations.
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Chief Master John Kinkela, a civilian mariner assigned to HighSpeed Vessel (HSV) 2 Swift, keeps a watchful eye as equipmentassigned to U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB)7 is being loaded off the ship as the battalion gets ready to shiftfrom Southern Partnership Station (SPS) 2011 to ContinuingPromise 2010 to finish a project delayed by the movement ofHurricane Tomas in the Caribbean. Continuing Promise is anannual humanitarian civic assistance operation that provides op-portunities to establish new partnerships with other nations,non-government organizations (NGOs), and international gov-ernment organizations while learning from host nations andcivilian experts. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Spe-cialist 2nd Class Ricardo J. Reyes/Released)
By MC1 Jeffery TilghmanWilliamsHigh Speed Vessel Swift Public Affairs
NMCB 7 shifts from Southern PartnershipStation mission to Continuing Promise
Over the past couple ofmonths, members of Naval Mo-bile Construction Battalion(NMCB) 1’s running club havebeen hitting the pavement witha variety of events. From Iron-man to 5k races, the participantsfrom the “First and Finest”enjoy the challenges each racehas to offer. Ensign Jeremiah Smith and
Construction Mechanic 3rdClass Michael Logan partici-pated in the Half-Ironman Au-gusta held in Augusta, Ga.,where Smith finished with a
time of 5 hours 30 minutes,while Logan finished in 6 hours7 minutes.
Another area event with battal-ion participation was the Paddle– Pant – Pedal Triathlon in LongBeach where Logan and his racepartner, Jared Cristman, tookfirst place for the two-man relayteam. Other members of theBattalion’s running club - En-sign John Crew, ConstructionElectrician 1st Class WesleyMalone, Steelworker 2nd ClassPatrick Heppner and Steel-worker Constructionman SeanHatchett, along with Logan par-ticipated in the Jazz Half
Marathon held recently in NewOrleans. The Ensign had thebest time in the group finishingin 1 hour 31 minutes, and wassoon followed by the othergroup members with timesranging between 1 hour 35 min-utes and 1 hour 50 minutes.
NMCB 1 started a running clubat the beginning of their home-port to help enhance fitness at abattalion level. The runningclub is open to any and all thatwish to participate. Upcomingevents include the MississippiCoast Marathon Nov. 27 at Sten-nis Space Center and a 50k TrailRun coming up in March 2011.
Jared Cristman (left) and Con-struction Mechanic 3rd ClassMichael Logan of Naval MobileConstruction Battalion (NMCB) arepictured with their 1st Place tro-phies at the Paddle, Pant, PedalTriathlon in Long Beach, Miss.(U.S. Navy photo/Released)
NMCB 1 Running Club members(left to right), Construction Me-chanic 3rd Class Michael Logan,Construction Electrician 1st ClassWesley Malone, Ensign John Crew,Steelworker ConstructionmanSean Hatchett and Steelworker 2ndClass Patrick Hephner are picturedafter the Jazz Half Marathon inNew Orleans. (U.S. Navy photoReleased)
‘First and Finest’ of NMCB 1 extendinvitation to all - ‘join the club’By CM3 Michael LoganNMCB 1 Public Affairs
A team of U.S. Navy Seabeesfrom Naval Mobile ConstructionBattalion 11 (NMCB 11) partneredwith Royal Cambodian Army(RCAF) engineers here over thelast month, going beyond the orig-inal project to build a variety of fa-cilities for children at Hun SenHigh School.
“We came here to build a headfacility at the school to double thecapacity for latrines and repairtheir only well,” said U.S. NavyBuilder 2nd Class Donald Jones,project leader for the EngineeringCivil Action Project.
“The new building is about 140square feet. It’s got a latrine sys-tem with a leach field. They don’thave much of a septic systemaround here because of the soils;most of the time waste just drainswhere it does. Our new latrineand leach field will really help be-cause it will last a long time,” headded.
Nearly a month after arriving,Jones, his 17-man Seabee teamand 15 RCAF engineers went farbeyond the basic requirements oftheir mission. They added a full-size cement basketball court with
brand new hoops, nets and bas-ketballs, retrofitted the school’sentrance gate and even repairedwater pumps for wells in the sur-rounding areas, restoring waterservices for residents in three vil-lages.
“This school [Hun Sen HighSchool] only had one hand-oper-ated well and it wasn’t working,”said Lt. j.g. Raul Cuevas, officer incharge for NMCB 11. “After weretrofitted the one here, some ofthe local people told us aboutwells in the surrounding area thathadn’t been working for years. Sowe just got some additional mate-rials and fixed three out in town.Most of them just needed to beretrofitted or re-drilled since somewere too deep or too shallow.Now they’re done right and bring-ing water where it hasn’t been in along time,” he added.
Just as the engineering teamswere finishing up work last week,they learned students were alsocrossing a very dangerous bridgemade of three logs laid over adrainage canal en route to school.Jones and his team used leftovertresses and cement to improvise a
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NMCB 11 Seabees build relationships in CambodiaBy MC2 Jason TrossCTG 73.1 Public Affairs
Builder 2nd Class Donald Jones, assigned to Naval Mobile Con-struction Battalion (NMCB) 11, stands in ranks beside RoyalCambodian Army engineers during a dedication ceremony atHun Sen High School. NMCB-11 spent nearly a month replacingwater well pumps in villages throughout the surrounding area andbuilt new restrooms at the school during Cooperation AfloatReadiness and Training (CARAT) Cambodia 2010. (U.S. Navy photoby Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Tross/Released)
NMCB 133, NMCB 1 takepart in Gpt ISD Fall Fest
Naval Mobile ConstructionBattalion (NMCB) 133 andNMCB 1 participated in theGulfport Independent SchoolDistrict’s Fall Festival Oct. 16.The Battalions teamed up
on the crisp fall day to volun-teer their time, equipmentand positive attitudes tomake it something to remem-ber for the community.The event began with a pa-
rade consisting of marchingbands, cheerleading squads,drill teams, the entire home-coming court and NavalConstruction Battalion Cen-ter’s (NCBC) Seabee float.The float was followed byapproximately 10 Seabeeswho drove their personallyowned trucks carrying stu-dents and an adult supervi-sor in the back. A World War II era U.S.
Army Jeep was driven in theparade by Utilitiesman Con-structionman Patrick Vantineof NMCB 133. All studentsriding in the parade werearmed with plenty of beadsand candy to throw to theonlookers who lined thestreets.The parade began in down-
town Gulfport and ended upat Milner Stadium where the
students, parents and facultyenjoyed events that appealedto all age groups. Cake-walks, face painting, potterymaking, numerous inflatableplayhouses, and even a rockclimbing station were amongthe offerings of entertain-ment and adventure. All thistook place on a clear dayunder a cloudless sky withthe smell of free hamburgersand hotdogs radiating fromthe outdoor smoker.
Through the “Adopt aSchool” program, both Bat-talions have become very fa-miliar with Central MiddleSchool and West Elementary.Seabees regularly serve asrole models, mentors, hallmonitors, and reading andmath tutors at both schools.All volunteers who attendedSaturday’s event were givenbright orange t-shirts statingthis year’s festival theme of“Drug Free.”
Parents, students and volunteers from the Gulfport communityparticipate in the Independent School District’s “Fall Fest.”Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 andNMCB 133 volunteered their time to help with the event and spon-sor Gulfport’s West Elementary and Central Middle Schoolthrough the “Adopt a School Program.” (U.S. Navy photo by Util-itiesman Constructionman Drew Verbis./Released)
By RP2 Kirk CogswellNMCB 133 Public Affairs
NCBC Marquee Message Procedure . . .The electronic marquees located at the Pass Road and Broad Avenue gates
are not in operation at this time. Until they are repaired, the Fleet and FamilySupport Center, Fitness Center and the Seabee Heritage Center marquees areavailable to display your messages. Please email your requests at least fivedays prior to the date you want the message posted. Make sure the messageis no more than 15 words to allow for placement on the marquees. There arespace restrictions unique to each marquee, so the messages will be brokendown to fit on the marquees properly. We try to accommodate all requests, though not all messages are guaranteed
to be posted. Postings are at the discretion of the Public Affairs Office. Formore information or to submit requests email bonnie.lindleymcgerr @navy.milor [email protected] NMCB 11 page 27
The idea of using a Seabee symbol for the new Fitness Centeroriginated during one of the many site visits while the facilitywas under construction. The conversation evolved into, “Howabout a model Seabee like we have on the grinder and hang itright here in the lobby?” What better place for all to see the sym-bol that represents the mission of this base? There was news within the Seabee community of a fiberglass
mold that was purchased by the Seabee museum in Port Huen-eme, Calif., and was being used to fabricate a replacement forthe old Bee in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The first Seabee that cameout of the mold was phenomenal. The request went out to ourPacific shipmates to produce one for our gym. That request went to Senior Chief Builder Tony Chance of
Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Hawaii SelfHelp in January 2010 and the process was under way to con-struct the Gulfport Seabee. A complication in the fabricationcame up when we told them that this Seabee had to be con-structed to be suspended rather than resting in a pedestal. Utili-tiesman 1st Class Daniel Dellamonica and Steelworker 2nd ClassJessica Majoy took it in stride and spent over 1,650 combinedlabor-hours to complete the 160 pound fiberglass Seabee. Theentire model was constructed with three different layers of fiber-glass that required substantial curing time between layering offiberglass. Then a seven color paint scheme utilizing a two stageurethane automotive spray paint system was applied. Thewings were custom fabricated of 3/8” aluminum round stock byhand on an anvil. This being the first Seabee to leave Hawaii meant additional lo-
gistical challenges for all involved! After several delayed com-pletion dates and a failed attempt to find a commercial carrier toship it within our budget, we turned to our FISCJ Det Gulfport
Support personnel who recommended us to try shippingthrough Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Pearl Harbor. Thatwas the ticket that brought it all together. The Seabee left DLAPearl Sept. 22 from Hickam AFB, then was flown to McCordAFB and trucked to Gulfport, where it arrived Oct. 7.
We can’t thank the men and women at NAVFAC Hawaii SelfHelp enough who constructed the bee and DLA Pearl Harborwho shipped it to us. The Seabee was suspended in its final po-sition by NAVFAC SE Public Works Gulfport personnel Oct. 27,and will be a great reminder for Seabees of all generations of ourproud heritage!
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“Going to try and headhome to spend time withfamily and friends.”UT2 Cody GallantNMCB 1Hometown: Columbus, Ohio
“I’m driving up to see mymom and dad. Eating lotsof food and taking lots ofnaps.”Don GriffithBase Comm. Office (BCO)Hometown: Long Beach, Miss.
“I’ve got duty, but I will tryto spend as much time withfamily and friends as I can. Iwill also be getting ready formy birthday party.”
How will you be celebrat-ing the Thanksgiving holiday?
EOCA Tammi Pratt20TH SRGHometown: Jackson, Mich.
By EO3 Mikayla Mondragon
Buzzon theStreet
New ‘Bee on watchat Fitness CenterBy Tony HalcinNAVFAC SE Public Works Department
Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast (NAVFACSE) Public Works Gulfport employees Mike Newkirk and TomLucas suspend the new 160 pound fiberglass Seabee in its loca-tion at the NCBC Fitness Center, Oct. 27. The ‘Bee was con-structed by the NAVFAC Hawaii Self Help department andshipped to Gulfport form Hickam AFB, Hawaii. (U.S. Navyphoto/Released)
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Drive with reason this holiday season
Naval Construction Battalion Center, Gulfport, morale,welfare and recreation (MWR) director Michele Shaf-fer informs Equipment Operator 2nd Class AaronAmbers, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Bat-talion (NMCB) 74, that he has just won a sweepstakesprize in the MWR sponsored event, “Ford OperationDrive One,” which includes a three night stay in ahotel, tickets for two to attend the 2010 Ford 300 and400 NASCAR Sprint Cup series Chase for the Cham-pionship races in Miami, Fla., as well as a $300 gift cardand a one out of six chance at winning a 2011 Ford Mus-tang. The grand prize is an opportunity to have coun-try music singer Toby Keith perform at the militaryinstallation of the winner’s choosing. Ambers’ wifeand former NMCB 74 family readiness group presidentCameron Ambers entered her husband into the sweep-stakes earlier this year and will accompany him torepresent the entire Navy’s active duty force this week-end. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Spe-cialist 2nd Class Michael Lindsey/Released)
Seabee wins free pass to NASCAR championship race
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The board results have beenapproved by the chief of navalpersonnel, and Navy Person-nel Command (NPC) is notify-ing commanding officers ofSailors who have not been se-lected for continuation.
Once notifications are com-plete, all results will be postedon BUPERS Online athttps://www.bol.navy.milwhere individuals may checktheir results personally, similarto advancement results.
“Commands have been di-rected to notify the Sailors notbeing continued and reportback to us that it’s been com-pleted; we’ll then release thefull list on BUPERS Online,”said Capt. Leo Falardeau,Navy Personnel Command as-sistant commander for careerprogression.
The Senior Enlisted Continua-tion Board is a performance-driven review of master chiefs,senior chiefs and chiefs withmore than 19 years of serviceand three years’ time-in-grade.It serves as a force stabilizationmeasure, like Perform to Serve,allowing the Navy to retain thebest Sailors.
The Senior Enlisted Continua-tion Board convened Sept. 20at NPC. The board reviewed9,096 active duty, full-timesupport, and Reserve recordsincluding 5,740 chiefs, 2,343senior chiefs, and 1,013 masterchiefs.
For more information visitthe Navy Personnel Commandwebsite at www.npc.navy.mil.
The NCBC Thrift Shop . . . CThe NCBC Thrift Shop . . . Cannot accept the followannot accept the follow--ing items for donation: computers, monitors, copiers, ing items for donation: computers, monitors, copiers, printers, non-working electronics such as televisions/DVDprinters, non-working electronics such as televisions/DVDplayers/VCRs, undergarments, mattresses and car seats.players/VCRs, undergarments, mattresses and car seats.
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NCTC Top Performers
Builder Constructionman Azzim Williamsreceives his certificate as the Honor Graduateof Naval Construction Training Center(NCTC) Builder "A" School Class 10730 fromSenior Chief Builder James Brooks. Williamswill be assigned to Naval Mobile ConstructionBattalion (NMCB) 11 after completing followon training. (U.S. Navy photo by Builder 2ndClass Scott Case/Released)
Builder Constructionman Recruit RickySquire II receives his certificate as the Mili-tary Excellence awardee of Naval Construc-tion Training Center Builder "A" School Class10730 from Builder 2nd Class Dylan Jay.Squire will be assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 7 after com-pleting follow on training. (U.S. Navy photoby Builder 2nd Class Scott Case/Released)
Recycling Saves . . . Recycling Pays
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Chief Equipment Operator (SCW) Michael Ingham and Master Chief Equipmentman (SCW) Chris Red-ding complete afghans for the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society’s Layette Program during a recent de-ployment to Afghanistan. Redding volunteers with NMCRS on a regular basis and recruited Inghamfor the program after teaching him to crochet. The NMCRS is always on the lookout for people whocan crochet or knit small afghans to give to attendees of their monthly Budget for Baby Workshops.The afghans are part of the free Junior Sea Bag issues to workshop participants. Active duty, retirees,civilian personnel and family members are invited to volunteer for this program. Interested partiescan contact Alice Huffman at 228-871-2610. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communications Special-ist Jeffrey J. Pierce/Released)
NMCRS volunteers'Bee in the Know . . . Visithttps://www.cnic.navy.mil/gulfport/index.htm to find outwhat's happening on the Center!
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Diversity Diversity CommitteeCommittee
serves serves “Soup for “Soup for the the Soul”Soul”
Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Di So, as-signed to NCBC, prepares to serve chiliat the Multi-Cultural Diversity Com-mittee's "Soup for the Soul" fundraiserheld at the Seabee Memorial Chapel,Nov. 16. The event's menu includes po-tato and ham soup, taco soup, Louisianaham and bean soup, Navy bean soup,Pho soup, chili and more. (U.S. Navyphoto by Mass Communication Special-ist 1st ClassDemetrius Kennon/Released
Click It or Ticket! Buckle Up for Safety - Every Time
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Student is A-OK!
Hikari James, third from left, daughter of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 74 SeabeeLt. Timothy James and Yoko James (far left), is awarded a $5,000 savings bond through the Navy Ex-change's A-OK program, which rewards students from first through 12th grades for receiving all B'sor higher during a quarter, Nov. 2. Presenting the bond are Julie Herring, (second from right), NCBCNEX general manager, and Capt. Lou Cariello, (far right) commanding officer NCBC/commander 20thSRG. To enter the next drawing, students can stop by any NEX with a current report card and havea NEX associate verify the minimum grade average. Eligible students will fill out an entry card andobtain an A-OK ID, which entitles them to discount coupons for NEX products and services. Sincethe A-OK program began, NEXCOM has awarded $504,000 in savings bonds. (U.S. Navy photo by MassCommunication Specialist 1st Class Demetrius Kennon/Released)
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NCBC School Liaison Officer is located in build-
ing 352, 1706 Bainbridge Ave., NCBC and may
be contacted at (228) 871-2117Spookfest - Fun for Spookfest - Fun for AllAll
Kids of all ages came out for Spookfest 2010 held Oct. 29 at the old gym. There wassomething for everyone . . . trick or treating, costume contests, a haunted house,hayrides, games and prizes and refreshments. The “Sauce Boss” was also on handmixing music with gumbo. (U.S. Navy photo by Equipment Operator 3rd ClassMikayla Mondragon/Released
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KANDAHAR AIR FIELD, Afghanistan - Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion(NMCB) 18 build a Southwest Asia (SWA) Hut at Kandahar Air Field. NMCB-18 is a Reserve com-ponent battalion operating in the RC South Region of Afghanistan. The Northwest Battalion mo-bilized through Naval Mobilization Processing Site (NMPS) Gulfport, in March. (U.S. Navy photoby Utilitiesman 2nd Class Vuong Ta/Released)
NMCB 18 continues work in AfghanistanSeabee Courier Readers . . . We need your opinion. Pleasetake a few moments to fill out a Reader survey on the content of theSeabee Courier. The Courier staff counts on your suggestions, so wecan continue to improve our base newspaper. To complete the survey,go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/zpf3tmk.
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The Seabees of Naval MobileConstruction Battalion (NMCB) 74completed their Field Training Ex-ercise and Final Evaluation Period(FTX/FEP) Oct. 23, at CampShelby which tested the battalionacross the full spectrum of theNMCB mission areas.
Not only does the successfulcompletion of FTX/FEP go a longway toward certification, it provesthat the battalion is ready for theirscheduled deployment later thisyear, as well as to be deployedanywhere in the world and capa-ble of executing any assigned con-struction mission.
FTX/FEP is not a “stand-alone”exercise, but the apex and culmi-nation of six months of homeporttraining evaluated by the battal-ion’s higher echelon command.The demanding 21-day exercisetested the Seabees’ ability to“move, shoot, build and commu-nicate,” a phrase used by NMCB74 to describe the basics of con-struction operations.
“I would say that ‘move, shoot,build, communicate’ covers thekey aspects of what a naval mo-bile construction battalion does.As we are getting ready to moveinto the field we want to exerciseour ability to move, exercise ourability to set up a defensiveperimeter and defend ourselves,
exercise our ability to performconstruction operations and lastlyto exercise command and controlacross diverse operations. As theCO [commanding officer], what Iwant to see on the exercise as weare coming up here on FTX is ourability to execute each of thoseand execute them well,” saidCmdr. Richard Hayes, III.
Personnel safety is first priorityfor Seabees setting up a newcamp. Due to the fact that Seabeesgo ahead of the war fighter, thearea often poses many dangers.As soon as the first troops hit theground the area was systemati-cally swept for potential dangers,such as mines or explosives, andsecured against the threat of ene-mies.
“As soon as you hit the deckyour security gets set, because youcan do nothing without security.First thing you have to do is pro-vide 360 degree security for therest of the work to be done,” saidGunnery Sgt. Jason Neale, battal-ion military advisor.
Much like the “Fighting Seabees”of history, construction operationsduring FTX are accomplishedunder constant bombardment andhostile activity. Around the clockaggressors and role-players at-tempted to penetrate the defense,which meant long hours of watchalong the lines and constant vigi-lance at the entry control point.Each of the battalion’s companies
was assigned an area of the campto defend and each two-man teamassigned a sector of fire to defend.The teams each spent eight hoursin the two-man firing positions,called pits, before rotating to theirworking hours.
“Continuous improvements arealways in fighting positions nomatter how long you stay there.There is always something to bedone, because your ground’sgoing to start to collapse, yourparapet is going to start to deterio-rate, your camouflage is going tostart to go away. You’ve got toconstantly recheck your left andright lateral limits, your aimingstakes, to make sure they’re notgetting shifted. There is alwayssomething you can do, always,”said Neale.
During this FTX the battalionhad a main body site, project de-tachment, air detachment andbridge detachment; all with theirspecific tasks and mission for suc-cess. Although at day’s end the battal-
ion succeeds or fails as a whole,each site demonstrated a sense ofpride in their personal accom-plishments under the hot and dryconditions.
“I like the work, being outdoors,getting dirty. It’s a lot closer towhat I initially thought theSeabees were all about; comingout somewhere and setting upcamp, building, buildin’ andshootin’ and movin’, said BuilderConstructionman Apprentice EricMaldonado, a project detachmentcrew member. “It’s been fun.” The bridge crew was no less
proud of their performance. “Bridge Det. is awesome. We’ve
got like a little family in here. Westart. We don’t stop. We just keeppushing through and get it done,said Assistant Bridge MasterBuilder 3rd Class NicholasTurner. “We got 240 gunners, wetake down people and we buildbridges.”
At every camp-site daily opera-tions were accomplished undernearly constant simulated attacksalong the lines, mortar rounds androcket propelled grenades firedinto the middle of the camps andnumerous chemical, biological, ra-diological attacks. Under suchconditions, an understanding ofbasic self-aid and buddy-aid and
the ability to effectively communi-cate is essential. All Seabees in thebattalion are trained in both.
“It [self aid/buddy aid] is a bigpart [of being a Seabee], since weget put in a lot of situations wherethey’re not going to have a lot ofhelp around, so they [otherSeabees] have to know how totake care of themselves and takecare of other people,” said Builder3rd Class Amber McCrary, med-ical first responder. “I took a fewclasses on it [buddy aid], mostlyin ECS (expeditionary combatskills) and a few in homeport.Other than that I went with in-stinct. If I had an injury like that Iknow what I would want done. Ididn’t have time to put quick-cloton it, because I was more worriedthat a firefight would start outagain. I just rushed them here, tothe BAS (battalion aid station).”Before FTX was completed, onemajor task had to be completed;the camp had to be disassembled,moved tactically to a new site andreestablished in just the same wayas the first. All equipment wasstowed and loaded on trucks formovement by convoys organizedby the battalion’s combat securityelement. “Everyone camp-wide,battalion-wide, every companytouched a part of it [the campmove], taking up were they werethere, packing up, getting theirpeople where they needed to be,
getting their gear where it neededto be. It went efficiently, certainlysafely and we got everything overhere. It was a good move,” saidCamp Move Officer-In-ChargeBobby Kendall. FTX is a demanding exercise for
any battalion, but the hardshipscreate opportunities for teamworkand camaraderie that few otherscan. Squads come together topush through long hours of workand watch, while leaders have theopportunity to demonstrate theirconcern for their troops. “Hon-estly, the best thing about beingout here is getting to know yourguys, because when you’re backat the shop you don’t really get toknow them on a personal level.You get to know their strengthsand weaknesses, so from that as-pect it’s a really good opportu-nity,” said Construction Mechanic1st Class Christopher Melio, anAlfa Company squad leader.“Being out in the field you’redoing your number one job [as aleader] that you’re supposed to bedoing, which is looking out for thewelfare of your guys; hey are youdrinking enough water, are youguys doing okay, getting enoughsleep, you hungry, do you needfood? That’s all you do is take careof them. You get the opportunityas a squad leader to run up and
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NMCB 74 trains to move, shoot, build, communicateBy MC1 Ryan G. WilberNMCB 74 Public Affairs
Members of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 74’sbridge detachment move a 300 pound medium girder bridgeramp in place during the battalion’s Field Training Exercise.NMCB 74 has entered the Final Evaluation Phase of their FTX atCamp Shelby, Miss., which will determine the battalion’s readi-ness to deploy later this year. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communi-cation Specialist 1st Class Ryan G. Wilber/Released)
Steelworker 3rd Class Jason Dalton (left) and Construction Elec-trician 2nd Class Bradley Hinton, both assigned to Naval MobileConstruction Battalion (NMCB) 74, project detachment, scantheir sectors of fire from a High Mobility Multipurpose WheeledVehicle during the battalion’s Field Training Exercise. (U.S. Navyphoto by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan G. Wilber/Re-leased)
See FTX page 27
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Coast Coast Veterans Parade Veterans Parade
Nov. 13, BiloxiNov. 13, Biloxi
Parade Grand Marshall, Apollo 13 astronaut, FredHaise Jr., gives a wave as he rides in a vintage NavySeabee Jeep. The annual event is being hailed as oneof the largest in its history. (U.S. Navy photo by RobMims/Released)
Members of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1 salute the re-viewing party during the during the 2010 Gulf Coast Veterans Day Paradein Biloxi Nov. 13. More than 365 service members from Naval ConstructionBattalion Center participated in the event. (U.S. Navy photo by Rob Mims/Re-leased
Local bikers show their support to the veterans andSeabees in the "Veteran's Day Parade" in Biloxi,Miss. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communica-tions Specialist Ryan Delcore/Released)
Service members from the Mississippi Gulf Coast First Class Association manthe ‘Bee Float as it leads the members from NCBC during the Veteran’s DayParade. (U.S. Navy photo by Rob Mims/Released)
Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion(NMCB) 133 march in the "Veteran's Day Parade" inBiloxi, Miss. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communi-cations Specialist Ryan Delcore/Released)
Being at the right place at theright time probably savedCapt. Scott Thallemer’s life.
The 81st Surgical OperationsSquadron surgical nurse wason temporary duty at the Uni-versity of Maryland R. AdamsCowley Shock Trauma CenterSept. 6 when two fellow nursessaved him from certain death.
“I was out running PT withtwo ICU (intensive care unit)nurses from Wilford HallMedical Center at about 5 p.m.when, without warning, I wentdown face first into the street,”the captain said.
The next thing he recalledwas regaining consciousnessas he was being placed into anambulance.
Since he obviously didn’tknow what he had experi-enced, the following was pro-vided by one of the nursescredited with saving his life,Capt. Annemarie Nesbit. Theother was Capt. Katie Knott.
Nesbit wrote in a report toher supervisor, “Capt. Thalle-mer, Cap. Knott and I were allout for a two-mile run. Thiswas not above and beyond anyof our capabilities. We had alljust met a few days before atthe beginning of CSTARS(Center for Sustainment ofTrauma and Readiness Skills).
“As we were nearing the endof the run, we were goingthrough a crowded crosswalk.I was just ahead of them mov-ing around some people whenI heard Capt. Knott scream,‘Annie!’ It was a scream thatinstantly made you knowsomething was wrong. Iturned around a saw Capt.Knott sitting on the groundholding Capt. Thallemer.
“(He) hadfallen to theground,striking hishead on thecurb. Capt.Knott wasjust in frontof him andshe lookedback overher shoul-der just as hewas collaps-ing. She turned him over andheld his head in the critical C-spine position that maintainsan open airway. I yelled at abystander to help me lift himonto the sidewalk.“At his side we assessed him,
called his name to no responseand, realizing he had no pulse,started CPR. We maintainedthis position of holding C-spine and continuous CPR forover 10 minutes. We know thisbecause we asked a bystanderto call out the time to us inone-minute increments.“We were yelling at the top of
our lungs for an AED (auto-mated external defibrillator). Ifelt a lady gawking at me and Ilooked up directly at her andyelled, ‘We are in the InnerHarbor! There are a millionrestaurants and police allaround! Go get me an AED!’She took off and retrieved thepublic-access AED. By thistime he was the worst shade ofblue and gray I have seen andfoaming at the mouth. I placedthe AED; it advised shock. Itwas at that moment I looked atCapt. Knott and, for the firsttime in over 13 years as anurse, I can say I was truly
Homeless Coalition needs 30 volunteers (military orcivilian) to assist Nov. 22 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. atthe Donal Snyder Community Center in Biloxi with aProject Homeless Connect (PHC) event. The event isa one-day, “one-stop” opportunity to provide peopleexperiencing homelessness with access to a broadrange of community agencies, professional servicesand personal assistance. If you are willing to con-tribute to or participate in this wonderful effort,please contact Brandi Clarke Open Doors HomelessCoalition at [email protected] or call at 228-669-8876.
Build a stage – More than 15 volunteers areneeded to help build a portable stage at the Han-cock Middle School. For more information, call JudyTurner at 228-697-1386.
Carport Build – Volunteers are needed to helpconstruct a carport for a disabled couple in Saucier.Please contact Gail Preston at 228-209-0503 oremail her at [email protected]
PT instructors – Two volunteers are needed onan ongoing basis to help out at the Job Corp Centerrunning their PT program from 5 to 6 p.m. Mondaysand Wednesday. Male and female volunteers areneeded. Job Corps is a free education and trainingprogram that helps young people learn a career,earn a high school diploma or GED, and find andkeep a good job. For eligible youth at least 16 yearsof age, Job Corps provides the all-around skillsneeded to succeed in a career and in life. For moreinformation, call Lou Anna Claveau 228-870-7238.Visit
https://www.cnic.navy.mil/Gulfport/CNICP_A176357?ssSourceNodeId=2&ssSourceSiteId=Gulfport for allcurrent opportunities.
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Installation Antiterrorism Note . . . All personnelshould be alert and inquisitive about strangers, especially thoseseen loitering, taking photographs or notes near the installa-tion's perimeter or gate areas. Be suspicious of items that don’tbelong in the area and be alert for abandoned parcels. All sus-picious activity should be reported immediately to Security at(228) 871-2361.
It is critical to have accurate recalland emergency contact informa-tion on all military and civilianpersonnel in case of a disaster,emergency or mishap.
The emergency informationpulled from Total Workforce Man-agement Service TWMS is thestarting point for creating Evacua-tion Orders for personnel. Fulfill-ing emergency data inputrequirements is a two-step processwhich consists of the following:
1. Chain of command notifica-tion. In the event of an emer-gency, personnel must musterwith their respective departmentheads and keep their chain of com-mand informed of their statusthroughout the emergency.2. Total Workforce Manage-
ment Service . All base person-nel who are attached to a CNIcommand (UICs CBC-62604,CBC-Security-49368, Pascagoula-68890, CNRSE forward deployedunits-09697) are responsible forensuring that recall and emer-gency contact information is upto date in TWMS which is lo-cated at the following URL:https://twms.nmci.navy.mil/self-service. Once you enter theTWMS self service site, use thePersonal/Recall Information linkand review information for cor-rect base location, building num-ber, home address, e-mailaddresses, supervisor's name,work phone, cell phone or pagernumber, home phone and emer-gency points of contact.
All personnel (contract, active
duty, non-appropriated fund civil-ians and appropriated fund civil-ians) who have questions orencounter problems with TWMSshould contact CBC’s TWMS pointof contact at 228- 871-2954 beforeattempting to contact the regionalTWMS administrator. Contractemployee records must be createdmanually either by someone in theBusiness Ops Office, or a man-ager/admin POC in your depart-ment who has been granted aTWMS account. Security person-nel should contact Kerri Torres.You do not need to have a TWMSaccount to be able to view yourown personal records. Simply ac-cess the self service module at theURL listed in the first paragraph.Your CAAC card will identify youat the site.
Remember to keep youremergency info currentFrom NCBC Public Affairs
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Auto HobbyStop by between noon and 4 p.m.
to let us check your brakes, forFREE, before you travel this holidayseason. Anchors and EaglesNow a Wi-Fi hot spot! Located in
building 303, open Tuesday-Thurs-day from 2 - 9 p.m. A&E is a fullservice bar with covered patio foryour enjoyment. The rental fee isonly $25/hour so call and book yourspecial event today. Call 228-424-6892 or 228-871-4750 for more in-formation.Beehive LoungeLocated in building 352 (next to
the Grinder), with the best atmos-phere and friendliest bartendersaround. With low prices and withinwalking distance to anywhere onbase, the Beehive is the place foryou and your friends to come andhave worry-free fun. The GrillThe Grill has a new look, so come
on down and check it out. Beat thelunchtime rush and place your to-goorder by calling 228-871-2494. Stopby every Saturday and Sunday andget a large cup of coffee with anybreakfast purchase. Outdoor RecreationJoin us Nov. 18 at the Grill for our
"Thanksgiving Before ThanksgivingCelebration" from 6 - 8 p.m. We willoffer a guide to good matches be-tween styles and types of beer aswell as advice on how to determinewhich food will go with a particular
beer. Cost is $4/person and will in-clude food and beverage. (Must be21 to participate in beer tasting.)For more information, contact Out-door Recreation at 228-871-2127.Are you looking for something fun
and different for you, your family and friends to all do to-gether? Stop by Outdoor Recre-ation, bldg. 456, to pick up acalendar full of amazingevents planned for No-vember. VisitBellingrath Gardensto view their Christ-mas decorationswith Outdoor Recre-ation Nov .27 de-parting at 4 p.m.Tickets are $15/adultsand $10/children 5-12. The ChristmasLights will be likemagic! Call ODR at228-871-2127 formore information.Pack your blankets and chairs to
watch "Where the Wild Things Are"(PG) on the lawn between The Grilland Outdoor Recreation Nov. 29 at6 p.m. Bring the family and enjoythe free entertainment. Call ODR at228-871-2127 for more information.Take a leap into the new bounce
houses at Outdoor Recreation. Funfor kids of all ages. Call to beginreserving some bouncing fun today.Delivery, set up and pick up is in-cluded in the price with the largerunits and will be available for the
smaller units for a small fee. Stopby building 456 for more informa-tion or call 228-871-2127. Youth Activities CenterFall for Fun Holiday Camp: Come
sign your energized youngster upfor this four day theme camp!!!Camp will run from 6 a.m. - 5:30p.m. Nov. 22-Nov. 24 and Nov. 26.Many Thanksgiving crafts, games,activities, and a field trip areplanned. Snacks will be provided,but children will need to bring alunch. Please call the Youth Activi-ties Center at 228-871-2251 to findout about fee scale information. Mighty Mite Basketball League: Is
your 3-4 year old ready to learn thebasics of basketball and have someFUN? Then this IS the program for
you! Registration begins Dec.1 and ends Jan. 3. The
fee is only $35 perchild and includes t-shirt, shorts, and amedal for participa-tion. Call JJ at 228-871-2251 fordetails.Sign-ups begin
Dec.1 for the annualWinter Break Camp.
Please sign up atthe Youth Activi-ties Center be-
tween the hours of 9a.m.-5:30 p.m. Snacks
and lunch are included for all partic-ipants each day. Call 228-871-2251for details. Dates of camp followthe City of Gulfport and Long BeachSchool Schedules: Dec. 20-23 andDec. 27-30. Children currently en-rolled in the Before and AfterSchool program will automaticallybe enrolled for the Winter BreakCamp. Fitness CenterFitness Incentive Program-The
purpose of this program is to re-ward active duty service membersfor pursuing and maintaining alifestyle dedicated to fitness, healthand wellness as well as positivelypromote troop readiness. The Fit-ness Incentive Program kicks offtoday! If you have questions pleasecontact the Fitness Center at 228-871-2668.All Lunchtime Group Fitness
Classes are now be held at noon.We have added another group fit-
ness class to the schedule. BootCamp is a 30 minute circuit styleclass using body weights for resist-ance and will be held on Tuesdaysand Thursdays at 12:30 p.m.Spin off the pounds before you eat
in mounds! This two hour Thanks-giving Day cycling spin off takesplace from 7 – 9 a.m. There willonly be 30 bikes available so signup early. Patrons will have the op-tion of participating in either bothhours or just one. Drawings will beheld every 30 minutes and refresh-ments will be served. For additionalinformation please contact JoanHudson at [email protected] orJosanne Paden at 228-871-2668.Information, Tickets, and Tours(ITT)Miss. Surge Hockey tickets are
available in the Blue Level seatingfor $12. This is a great deal, sohurry while they last.Shop until you drop holiday ex-
travaganza! We will be offering twoseparate holiday shopping trips inNovember. The first trip is Nov. 20to Turtle Creek Mall in Hattiesburg.The second trip is Nov. 27 to Lake-side Mall in Metairie, La. This is agreat way to get all of your Christ-mas shopping done without thehassle of being stuck in holiday traf-fic. Sign up today; space is limited,cost is $10 per person.Walt Disney World Resort Special-
Now through Oct. 2011, Active Dutyand Retired Military can receive upto 40 percent off on selected WDWResort Standard Rooms. The num-ber of rooms available at theserates are limited. Additional charges
if more than two adults per room.No group rates or other discountsapply. Active and retired militarypersonnel must present valid identi-fication at time of check-in. Ad-vance reservations required.The Snack BarExperience the quality of fast,
friendly, and tasty service at theSnack Bar. Everyone needs a treatonce in a while. The Snack Bar isready to fill cravings you have withsomething savory and delicious.228-871-4775Liberty CenterCatch Monday Night Football on
the big screen Nov. 22, Nov. 29,Dec.6, and Dec.13. Come in and compete in our many
tournaments which are free to play.Black Light Pool Nov. 23, Texas Holdem Poker Nov. 30 and Dec. 8, orPool Dec. 2 at 6 p.m.Come enjoy a full traditional
Thanksgiving dinner with all of thefixings for free Nov. 25 at 7:30 p.m.while supplies last. Shop with Liberty on Black Friday
as we provide a free shuttle to theFoley Outlet Mall at 6:30 a.m.Help the community and volun-
teer. Lend a hand to the animalsNov. 27 with the Humane Society ofSouthern Mississippi at 9:45 a.m.Help out at the Armed Forces HomeDec. 1 at 5:30 p.m. All participantswill earn a Letter of Appreciation.
November Movie ScheduleNovember Movie Schedule
Nov. 18: Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore,PG at 6 p.m.Nov. 19: Disney’s A Christmas Carol,PG at 6 p.m.Nov. 20: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,PG at noon; Dinner for Schmucks,PG13 at 3 p.m.; Salt, PG13 at 6 p.m.Nov. 21: The Other Guys, PG13 atnoon; Vampires Suck, PG13 at 3p.m.; Cyrus, R at 6 p.m.Nov. 22: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, PG at 6 p.m.Nov. 23: Despicable Me, PG at 6 p.m.Nov. 24: Salt, PG13 at 6 p.m.Nov. 25: Thanksgiving Day-CLOSEDNov. 26: Disney’s A Christmas Carol, PG at noon; Catsand Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, PG at 3 p.m.;Despicable Me, PG at 6 p.m.Nov. 27: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, PG at noon; Vam-pires Suck PG13 at 3 p.m.;Cyrus, R at 6 p.m.Nov. 28:The Other Guys, PG13 at noon; Dinner forSchmucks, PG13 at 3 p.m.; Salt, PG13 at 6 p.m.Nov. 29: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, PG at 6 p.m.Nov. 30: Dinner for Schmucks, PG13 at 6 p.m.
Training Hall Theater, Movie Hotline 228-871-3299Training Hall Theater, Movie Hotline 228-871-3299
***Movies contingent upon training requirements***
CONGRATULATIONS!!Tournament Championship:
First Place: CBCRunnerup: Galley
SPOOKFEST 2010
This holiday season, customerscan expect to find the best brandsat the best buys at their local NEX.NEXs offer a wide variety of itemsin all price ranges including pres-tige brands, national mass brandsand private brands. “We are extremely aware of who
are customers are … from retireeswith two incomes to enlisted fami-lies living on one income,” saidTess Paquette, Senior Vice Presi-dent, Chief Merchandising Offi-cer, Navy Exchange ServiceCommand (NEXCOM). “TheNEX carries merchandise in allprices ranges. So, no matter whatour customers’ economic circum-stance, we have something to fitevery budget. Plus, on average,customers save 23 percent overother retailers on top of no salestax.”Additionally, the NEX offers a
price matching guarantee for anyidentical in-stock item sold locally- same brand, manufacturer, sizeand model number. The pricematch policy gives the NEX theflexibility to accept verbal pricechallenges based on a customer’sword that a local competitor’sprice is lower. Price differencesup to $5 will be honored on thespot at any NEX cash register. Aprice difference over $5 will re-quire model and price verificationby a store supervisor. Customersshould bring a competitor’s salesflyer to the NEX showing the pricedifference. However, dependingon the dollar amount, approval bya supervisor or the store managermay be required. Overseas, NEXsaccept price challenges on itemssold at local retailers as well asfrom catalog and Internet sitesfrom JC Penney, Wal-Mart andSears. Freight charges, if applica-ble, will be added to competitor’sretail price.The NEX also offers a 14-day
Price Guarantee on any item origi-nally purchased from the NEX. If
the identical item is offered at alower price by the NEX or a localcompetitor within 14 days of pur-chase, the customer is entitled to arefund on the difference. Cus-tomers are required to bring acopy of the advertisement and re-ceipt to the NEX customer servicecounter.For customers who choose to
purchase holiday gifts with acredit card, the MILITARYSTAR® Card, the military ex-changes in-house credit card, is agreat option for added savings.Among the card’s many benefitsare a lower interest rate thanmany other retail credit cards, 10percent off the first day’s pur-chases (up to the customer’s creditlimit) for new card holders, 24-hour Customer Service includingonline access, zero-percent interestpromotions and no annual fee.“We want our customers to make
wise purchasing decisions basedon their own financial situation,”said Paquette. “Using credit forpurchases isn’t for everyone, butfor those who choose to use credit,we encourage looking into the fa-vorable interest rate and benefitsof the MILITARY STAR® Card.”For customers who prefer not to
use credit, the NEX offers a lay-away program. A minimum de-posit of 10 percent of the purchaseprice plus a $5 non-refundablelayaway fee is all that is required.Once all payments are made, cus-tomers can bring the merchandisehome. Depending on the categoryof merchandise purchased, pay-ments can be spread over 180days. Customers are encouragedto check with their local NEX forother specific details relating tolayaway as some stores may limitthe number of items permitted onlayaway due to space constraints.Customers now have the added
convenience of shopping online atthe new NEX web-based store at
Thanksgiving (and the holi-days) is upon me. I am hostingThanksgiving and I am so ex-cited. I love the house full oflife and activity. I love thesmells of baking, candles andthe warmth of friends andfamily. Scott’s family is com-ing; several single Sailors willjoin us as well as a fewspouses of deployed Marines.With Thanksgiving around thecorner I am busy cleaning,menu planning and decorat-ing. Did I mention menu plan-ning?
This year I have a dilemma.Growing up Thanksgivingdinner was the traditionalbaked, stuffed turkey, mashedpotatoes, fruit salad, sweet po-tato casserole and of course thetraditional green bean casse-role. I fear this menu is nowout-of-vogue. As I gleefullyplanned this menu conversa-tions arose that led to doubt.“Do you deep-fry your turkey?You know that is the juiciestturkey.” You don’t put thestuffing IN the turkey, doyou?” One conversationstopped me cold . . . “Afterphotographing the ‘pardonedturkey’ at Disneyland, howcan you have a turkey on thetable?”
ACK! What is wrong with thetraditional menu? What iswrong with turkey? What iswrong with sweet potatoessmothered in marshmallows?It’s not like I serve that calorie-
rich meal every day. And,don’t forget sweet potatoes areGOOD FOR YOU. I ate turkeywith the stuffing baked in itfor over 30 years (and I amfine) before they said it wasbad for you. What’s up withthat? In the past week I’vepolled my friends on that mostweighty issue, “To stuff or notto stuff.”Why do we have to ‘vil-
lainize’ one of two legitimatedays to enjoy a calorie over-dose? Can I just enjoy mystuffed turkey, all the trim-mings and sugar-ladendesserts in the company ofpeople I love without a guilt-trip? PLEASE?? I promise touse a meat thermometer. Ipromise to bake all goodieswith Splenda to avoid creatingdiabetic comas. I promise towork out TWICE (does theaerobic gyrations of watchingfootball count as a workout?). Ipromise to be good on my dietthe rest of the year (except formy birthday and Christmas).Oh heck, forget it! I don’t
care. Call me old-fashionedbut I will BAKE my turkey inthe oven WITH the stuffing inthe cavities. I will smootherthose yams in marshmallows; Iwill over fill my plate andenjoy every bite. I will not givein to the pressure to fry orgrill. No I will hold fast to mytraditional Thanksgiving andafter my gluttonous meal I willcollapse on the couch in fulltryptophane stupor.Most of all, I will express
gratitude that I have a turkey
on the table when many in theworld do not. I will givethanks that I am surroundedby a community, my militarycommunity, which literallylays it on the line to protect thenation whose roots began atPlymouth Rock. I will givethanks for friends and family,those enjoying a meal with me,those deployed, and those sep-arated by miles. I will givethanks, and I will pray for, thisAmerican experiment; that wewill honor this day as did thePilgrims and their NativeAmerican friends. I will givethanks that even the poorestamong us is RICH in compari-son to most of the world’spopulation. I will give thanksthat I am alive, that I amhealthy, that I am loved.Happy Thanksgiving!Connect with Beth on Twitter(@Beth_Wilson), Facebook(facebook.com/Enlisted-SpouseCommunity) or hernew website www.enlisted-spousecommunity.com.
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Questions on Recycling? Call CBC Recycling at:
228-871-4738
Homefront in Focus: To Stuff or Not to Stuff, andother holiday decisions
By Beth WilsonMilitary Spouse Contributor
Beth Wilson
NEX helps customers staywithin their budgets thisholiday seasonBy Kristine Sturkie NEXCOM Public Affairs
See BUDGET page 33
This holiday season, the Navy Ex-change (NEX) wants to make return-ing gifts as easy as possible. Sincegifts may be purchased well beforethey are given during the holidays, allNEXs will accept returns through Jan.30, 2011 This includes items typicallycovered by the 14-day return policy, such as computers, com-puter equipment, software, digital cameras and the 45-day re-turn policy for all other merchandise. This extended returnpolicy applies to original purchases made Nov. 17 - Dec. 24 ei-ther in a NEX or through the NEX web store. Customers areasked to include any packaging material along with the receiptwhen making a return. Any returns without a receipt will beplaced on an NEX Gift Card.
“We want to take care of our Navy family this holiday season,”said Mike Powers, Navy Exchange Service Command (NEX-COM) Director, Retail Operations. “We know that the holidayscan be hectic. We hope that by giving our customers extra timeto return gifts are the holidays will help ease some of theirstress.”
One gift that won’t be returned is the NEX Gift Card. It can beused just like cash for most merchandise and service purchases,make layaway payments or place special orders. NEX Gift Cardshave no fees and no expiration dates. NEX Gift Cards can be pur-chased in varying amounts from $5 at any NEX or on-line at my-NavyExchange.com by both exchange-authorized andnon-authorized customers.
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NEX holiday returnpolicy meanssatisfaction for youBy NEXCOM Public Affairs
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new and safe bridge for the chil-dren to cross.
“We even had a cow cross it lastweek,” said Jones. “I think we cansafely say it will hold up for thekids,” he added.
The Seabees and RCAF engineersalso made time to stop work andplay with local children from theschool and surrounding areas.“Working with the kids was great.They liked to bring their toys byand we gave them candy everyday,” said Jones
From NMCB 11 page 7
down the lines, check on yourguys, see what they’re thinkingabout.”
The exercise is designed to simu-late the conditions and projectsthe Seabees could expect to en-counter while on deployment. Thesuccessful accomplishment ofmore than 20 graded exercises in-dicates that the battalion’s troopsare well prepared to meet the up-coming challenges.
“This exercise is the reason whythe troops have gotten as close asthey have. They’ve built that team,that family, because of the exer-cise: the long hours, the hardwork, the end goal, and that’sgoing to follow us to Spain (de-ployment) without doubt,” saidSenior Chief Construction Me-chanic Shawn Hollister, Alfa Com-pany leading chief petty officer.
rison Community Center, 4470 Espy Av-enue, Pass ChristianStart your holiday shopping off at this an-nual upscale Christmas shopping bou-tique featuring fabulous MS Gulf Coast &Alabama vendors! Everything from jew-elry, art, children, & adult clothing, plants,food, a style show, Christmas carolingand more! Lunch and gift-wrapping avail-able! This is your one stop holiday shop-ping – get everything you need – foreveryone on your list – in one place!Don’t miss this fabulous and FUN shop-ping experience! Admission: $5 - In-cludes Both Days!
Reynoir Street, Biloxi, 228-896-4276A Coast Tradition! Ring in the holidayswith seasonal music favorites! Plus:Gulf Coast Symphony Youth Orchestra.Presented by The Gulf Coast Symphony! Admission: Call for tickets!
Smokey Stepputat for details @ 228-392-8281Event is open to motorcycles, cars andtrucks or just about anything on “wheels!”This is an annual charity motorcycle rideto benefit needy children! Rain or Shine .. . we “RIDE” for the “KIDS.” Join us forthis worthy “fun”draising day!
p.m. nightly, Balbock Resident,181100 Commission Road, LongBeachSee a spectacular display ofover 40,000 Christmas lights & deco-rations encompassing over threeacres! This awesome sight continuesto grow each year and is a MUST tosee & enjoy! Call for directions ifneeded – 228-669-2123 Admission:Free!
25th Annual Christmas in the PassDec. 3, 5- 8 p.m., Downtown Pass
ChristianStart the holiday off right with fun - PassChristian style! Enjoy the lighting of theChristmas tree, a holiday parade, ven-dors, & shops featuring ONLY busi-nesses and artisans from Pass Christian,along with a special visit from Santa!Spectacular fireworks display sponsoredby United States Marine! Come out &help us celebrate our silver anniversary -it promises to be one of the best YET!Admission: Free!
4th Shaggy’s Christmas in the PassBoat Parade
Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m., Pass Christian Har-bor, Pass ChristianLighted boat parade with festivities andprize money awarded for the best-deco-rated boats! Held in conjunction withChristmas in the Pass! Boat Paradesponsored by Shaggy's restaurant! Admission: Spectators Free!
Biloxi Lighting of the Town Green!Dec. 3, 6 p.m., Biloxi Town Green, 710
Highway 90, BiloxiJoin in as Biloxi “lights” up thetown…town green…that is! Visits & pic-tures with Santa, decorating of a largeChristmas tree (everyone is asked tobring an ornament so they can partici-pate in the decorating) and hot chocolateand cookies served! A holiday celebra-tion for the whole family! Hosted by theCity of Biloxi Parks & Recreation Depart-ment! Admission: Free!
Christmas at Beauvoir!Dec. 3-5, 5 – 8 p.m., Beauvoir, 2244
Beach Blvd., BiloxiTour the exquisite Victorian decoratedhome of the last home of JeffersonDavis, view a miniature Victorian Christ-mas Village, Santa Claus makes a spe-cial appearance, and marvel @ theChristmas decorated grounds! Come jointhe festivities, enjoy a unique nighttimetour, and step back in history to Christ-mas Past where things were much sim-pler and the celebration of the holidays
much more special! Come enjoy Christ-mas @ Beauvoir! Admission: Admission Charged
25th Annual Christmas on Water BoatParadeDec. 4, 6 p.m., Mississippi Gulf Coast -
Biloxi Join in on a community-wide celebrationthat offers something for all ages and allinterests! Boats parade in full holidaydécor with a fireworks show after the pa-rade! Best parade viewing locations: be-tween the Biloxi Small Craft Harbor andCasino Row, or between the Biloxi Light-house and Beau Rivage Resort &Casino! Admission: Spectators Free!
3rd Annual Estates of Penny Lane Hol-iday Lights & Decor GalaDec. 4 – Jan. 1, Saturdays 2 – 6 p.m.,
Sundays 1 – 5 p.m., Light Show –Nightly, Location: Estates of Penny Lane,20015 Pineville Road, Long Beach. Enjoy a Holiday Light and Decor Galawith Christmas lights synchronized to hol-iday music, holiday décor, & carriagerides through the luxurious neighborhoodof Penny Lane Estates! Refreshmentsales benefit local charities.
Run, Downtown Long Beach, Call 228-596-7403 for info5K Fun Run! Run starts and ends at theTown Green - Old Harper McCaughanSchool Site on Jeff Davis Avenue -Downtown Long Beach! Proceeds bene-fit Long Beach Substance Abuse TaskForce! Admission: FUNdraiser - EntryFee Charged
Long Beach Christmas in the ParkDec. 4, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Long Beach
City Park, 208 Pine Road, Long BeachFamily FUN event featuring arts & crafts,food, entertainment and more!Admission: Spectators Free!
5th Annual Biloxi Christmas in the CityDec. 4, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Vieux Marche
and Downtown Biloxi
Over 100 of the region's favorite artisansand antique dealers offering beautifulmerchandise for all your gift-givingneeds, in addition to delicious and spe-cialty foods. Enjoy great entertainment,pictures with Santa and special Biloxitreats! Admission: Spectators Free!
D'Iberville/St. Martin Christmas ParadeDec. 5, 2 p.m., Downtown D’Iberville
Christmas parade with floats and goodiesto kick off the holiday season! Parade be-gins in the St. Martin Community Center,Lemoyne Boulevard, and disbands at theparking lot on Central Avenue inD’Iberville! Admission: Spectators Free!
9th Annual Christmas on the BayouDec. 11, 6 p.m., Gulfport Lake, Bayou
Bernard: Call 228-324-2724 or 228-896-7919 for info.Lighted boat parade down BayouBernard! The Parade begins in GulfportLake, down Bayou Bernard to the conclu-sion at the mouth of the Bayou at BigLake. Bleacher seating available for pub-lic viewing at Gulfport Lake, and at thefoot of the Cowan Lorrain Bridge! Admission: Spectators Free!
Three Rivers Holiday Extravaganza!Dec. 11, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Three Rivers
Elementary School, 13500 Three RiversRoad, GulfportHoliday festival which features a HomeDepot Workshop, Crafts, Vendors, LaserTag, Food, Professional pictures withSanta, and a very special happening...Come find that special Christmas gift forthat special someone! Sponsored by theThree Rivers Elementary PTA!Admission: Spectators Free!
For more information on upcoming GulfCoast holiday fun, visit http://www.gulf-coast.org/
Gulf Coast Holiday Calendar of Events
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scared. I really thought Scottwas going to die.
“He was shocked and I im-mediately resumed CPR. Ionly stopped when after abouttwo more minutes he said,‘OWWWWW.’ I was so re-lieved and amazed that he wasawake and talking. He actuallywas trying to get up and saidhe felt fine! That was whenCapt. Knott said, ‘Boy! Youwere just shocked! You earnedyourself a C-collar, a back-board and a trip to the ER!’
“While I am very proud toserve and very proud to be anurse, being a Wingman iswhat I would emphasize.
“I have been a nurse for morethan 13 years — over six ofthose in acute critical care —and in the Air Force for lessthan one year! I have beentrained to instinctively actwhen a critical event takesplace. But it is times like thesethat push us to remember thatnothing can move forwarduntil the basics are accom-plished. We were not in a hos-
pital, a clinic or even in thefield with any equipment tohelp us. We had our hands,our strength, our hearts and aWingman who needed us. Icannot express how amazing itwas to see Capt. Thallemer vi-brant and joking around liter-ally moments after we hadshocked him and broken a fewribs. Nothing will ever be thesame.”Capt. Thallemer said Cap-
tains Nesbit and Knott stayedwith him in the ER and fol-lowed him to the cardiac cathlab. “The doc asked me if I
minded if they watched theprocedure through the win-dow,” Thallemer said. “I toldhim, ‘We’re here for trainingso absolutely, yes!’ They didn’tleave my side until I went intothe ICU (following the proce-dure).”He explained that in the cath
lab, the doctor needed to locatethe blockages and see whatwas going on with his heart.“The doctor went in with an
endoscopic bypass through
three small incisions in theright side of my chest,” hesaid. “He took the right mam-mary artery and placed it onmy heart to bypass the con-gested coronary artery. I alsoreceived an internal defibrilla-tor and a stent for anotherclogged artery.”The captain remained hospi-
talized for 14 days because ofan infection that developed onthe site where the ambulanceEMTs had inserted an IV. “I would have been there for
four days otherwise,” he ob-served. After another stentwas placed in an artery Oct. 4,Thallemer returned to KeeslerOct. 6.Once back here, “Our guys
checked things out so theywould know how to treat me.Other than cardiac rehab,that’s about it; just gettingback to my baseline. That’s re-quired a lot of treadmill andbike exercise to get my heartback to where it was before.I’m the youngest guy in the
From LIFE page 20
See LIFE page 32
Coastline Community College . . . Spring Registra-tion for the “A” Term which runs from Jan. 31 to March 28 willbegin Nov. 22 and end Jan. 5. Additional information can beobtained in the Navy College Office, building 60, room 239 orby contacting Dr. David Drye at 228-871-3439 or [email protected].
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rehab class. Everyone else isbetween 70 and 90 years old.”
Recalling the entire episode,Thallemer said, “I can’t getover how lucky I was. I’m gladthere were two nurses therewho had just completed ICUtraining. They started CPRprobably within 10 seconds (ofthe event). Having to come tomy aid in the middle of thestreet without any medicalequipment was remarkable.The doc said before doing theprocedure they saved my life.”
Ironically, Thallemer wascredited with lifesaving ac-tions himself while attendingSquadron Officers School atMaxwell Air Force Base, Ala.,Feb. 24 to April 15.
“We were a couple of weeksinto the course when a class-mate called to say anotherclassmate had come out of thegym feeling kind of dizzy. Istopped by and did an assess-ment. I found her neurologicalsigns all over the place andcalled 911. An ambulance re-
sponded and took her to thehospital. The captain (a 27-year-old missile officer fromF.E. Warren AFB, Wyo.) wasdiagnosed with arterovenousmalformation causing bleed-ing into her cerebellum. “She needed to be transferred
to a hospital that could treather — the University of SouthAlabama Medical Center inMobile — but due to badweather, she couldn’t be flownthere. She had to be taken byambulance from Montgomeryto Mobile and I rode with her.She was taken to the ER wherethey did tests and an MRI. Inthe meantime, I notified hercommand and her husband.The doctor told her she had togo to surgery and had a veryslim chance of survival. Sheasked me what she should do(again, Thallemer is an ORnurse) and I told her sheneeded to be there for her fam-ily. She was immediately takeninto surgery.“Her husband arrived six
hours later and I had to tellhim she had already had the
surgery. I spent 30 hoursstraight talking with her fam-ily and commanders. Thank-fully, she recovered with fewside effects. If she hadn’t beentaken to the hospital and hadthe surgery, she would havegone to sleep and never awak-ened.”The captain remarked, “To
have both these events occurin a relatively short time spanis pretty remarkable. In eithercase, if I hadn’t been there forher or if those two nurses had-n’t been there for me, neitherone of us would have sur-vived.” Thallemer, who hopes to re-
turn to work this month, be-lieves someone was lookingout for him.“I had changed the date I was
going to attend CSTARS threetimes. Obviously, someonewanted me there at that timewith the right people.
However, what I want peo-ple to take away from these ex-periences is for them to knowhow important your Wingmanis!”
From LIFE page 30
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myNavyExchange.com. The web-based NEX fea-tures select merchandise such as tactical gear, Navyuniforms, Navy Pride items, fitness apparel andshoes, motorcycle safety gear, home store products,baby products, watches and sunglasses. The site alsocontains a product information center that gives cus-tomers access to pricing information as well as prod-uct images, descriptions and specifications for TVs,
cameras and computers that are available for pur-chase in NEX stores.
In addition to the value gained from shopping theNEX, customers can be satisfied knowing that 70 per-cent of NEX profits are given back to the Sailor in theform of quality of life contributions to Morale, Wel-fare and Recreation (MWR). In 2009, that amount to-taled over $51 million.
For more information on the benefits the NEX hasto offer, log on to myNavyExchange.com.
From BUDGET page 24
Center Chaplain’s: Lt. Cmdr. Michael Brown,
Protestant ChaplainLt. Yoon Choi,
Protestant Chaplain
For information concerning other faith groups,call the chapel office at (228) 871-2454
