Friday, September 21, 2012
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The South Potomac Pilot
Morning Side residents enjoy military speakers
NSASP Executive Officer featured in 9/11 program CARPOOL/VANPOOL WANTED Van or Car pool desired from Fredericksburg or King George to Indian Head, Monday thru Friday with one RDO, prefer 7-430, but hours can be negotiated. 703-909-3380. Riders wanted to start a carpool from the Northern Neck (Lively/Lancaster), passing through Warsaw at 0605 and Montross at 0615, arriving at Dahlgren by 0700; leaving Dahlgren at 1600. Call Lea at 540-653-6776 or 571-232-5412 (cell). From the Ferry Farm area to Dahlgren Bldg. 1500 area. Prefer early work hours. Call Mark, 540-653-2148. Riders wanted for van pool. Leaves from Richmond at Home Depot on Atlee-Elmont Rd. (exit # 86B off I-95) to Dahlgren. Call David at (540) 653-9203. Clinton, Md., to Dahlgren. Hours are flexible (0600 - 1700). Call Miranda at 703692-9590. Carpool/vanpool wanted from Montross area to Dahlgren. Can also take up to 3 or 4 riders from here if they would prefer me to drive. Call Doc at 252-670-6686. Early risers only.
Want to start a carpool? Need riders? “Commuter Clearinghouse� is a source for information on carpools or vanpools that already exist and need passengers, as well as a place for employees to advertise to start a carpool or vanpool. Whether you already operate a carpool or vanpool and are open to accepting new riders or need drivers, or if you are looking for a carpool or vanpool, provide us with information that might help you find or start a commuter opportunity, such as, where you will need to commute from and to, preferred schedule and contact information. You can send your information via e-mail to nsasp_pao_dlgr@ navy.mil or contact our office toll free at 866-359-5540, or DSN 249-8153, or 540653-8153.
FREDERICKSBURG RIDESHARING SERVICE GWRideConnect is a free ridesharing service that assists persons who are seeking daily transportation from Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, Caroline and King George counties to employment locations in Dahlgren among other employment sites. Go to www.gwregion.org/gwride connect.html.
By Andrew Revelos NSASP Staff Writer Cmdr. Elvis Mikel, executive officer for Naval Support Activity South Potomac (NSASP), delighted local senior citizens Sept. 11 when he visited the Morning Side House in Waldorf, Md., to talk about his career in the military. The group of senior citizens included several veterans representing every service branch and nearly every conflict since World War II. For other senior citizens who attended, Mikel's presentation evoked memories of time spent as a military spouse. Mikel began with a description of some of the many military activities hosted at Naval Support Facility (NSF) Dahlgren and NSF Indian Head. "We're the host activity, so we're kind of like the mayor of Navy town," he said. "We're in charge of fire, security, emergency management, environmental compliance, occupational health and safety. We also do utilities." Mikel also described how military equipment has evolved since past wars. "In the past, they'd put a gun on the deck and have a Sailor shoot it," he said. "Now, we have systems of systems. You have a gun, you have a radar, you have a fire control system. It's all tied together in a computer network." The seniors were clearly impressed with the day-to-day activities hosted by NSASP. "Do you ever sleep?" asked one woman. "I try to sleep," said a smiling Mikel. "I work that into when I eat, when I study, when I do my job and when I see my kids. So, two to three hours a day." After describing the command duties of NSASP and other commands at Dahlgren and Indian Head, Mikel told the
U.S. Navy photo by Andrew Revelos
Cmdr. Elvis Mikel (l.) meets with Bill Young and his wife, Jeanette, at Morningside House. Young, a former Sailor who once worked on Naval Support Facility Indian Head, celebrated his birthday with Mikel as part of the event. group about his life in the Navy. Members of the audience, which included several Navy veterans, peppered him with questions and compared military life today to the military life of yesteryear. Many members of the group professed fond memories of Hawaii, where Mikel once served. One elderly gentleman, who was very obviously a young-atheart Sailor, reminisced about "hula girls" during his time in Hawaii and treated the audience to a quick rendition of the hula dance from his chair. The questions put forward to Mikel by the seniors were various: How long has he served? Where is he from? How did he meet his wife? Does he like living in the Charles County? "We're very happy to be here," said Mikel. "My wife loves living in the area. My kids love it. We really enjoy being part of the community." Mikel thanked the many veterans in the audience for their own service and credited enlisted leaders for making him the officer he is today.The former enlisted men in the group seemed to appreciate the compliment and sat up a little straighter. For more than an hour, Mikel entertained the seniors and answered a
lively string of questions. Regina Cunninham, director of life enrichment at Morningside House, appreciated the effect the visit had on residents. "The residents really enjoyed it," she said. "This is the first time we've done anything like this and they were excited all week for this." Mikel's presentation came after an earlier presentation by an Airman. Morningside House requested the attendance of military personnel as a way to honor both service members and their residents on Sept. 11. "They are truly overwhelmed," said Cunningham of her residents. "It was a one-on-one thing; instead of seeing something on TV, they had someone to talk to them in-person. "To hear about things going on in the world directly from someone who is serving, they are really, really excited. It is a special thing for their hearts." Cunningham thanked Mikel for stopping by and sharing his life with residents. "Commander Mikel did an awesome job," she said. "Many residents can relate to what he's done and that's what made it exciting for them."
Safety
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Geckle, said that command-wide involvement has already benefited the command by involving employees at every level in the command. "We have continuously improved the safety and health in our operations as a whole," he said. "Our implementation of VPP principles has resulted in lower occupational injuries and mishaps." According to McCoy, the benefits of obtaining Star status extend beyond NSWC IHD's workforce. It also demonstrates to the local community that the command is world-class safe activity. "This allows us to do the complex and potentially hazardous work that the nation needs," he said. "The fundamental underpinning is that the local community has the confidence that this place is being run in a safe manner." While obtaining VPP Star status signifies the establishment of a sound foundation for ongoing safety improvement, it is really just one step in a longer journey. In about three years, OSHA representatives will return to Indian Head Division to con-
U.S. Navy photos by Matthew Poynor
Capt. Andy Buduo, NSWC Indian Head Division's commanding officer, accepts the VPP Star Site certification plaque from Teresa Penn, the regional manager for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Voluntary Protection Program. duct a recertification evaluation. Followon evaluations are held every three to five years, with site injury and illness rates examined annually. "Today's event is by no means the end
of our journey," Buduo said. "Obtaining and maintaining VPP star status isn't a sprint to the finish line, rather, it's more like a very long and continuous relay race."