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Vol. 24, No. 20 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 05.19-05.25-16
Rear Adm. Fung helps kick off Roanoke Navy Week
honors | part 3 of 4
By Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs
VIRGINIA BEACH
Honoring our shipmates: The heritage of the military funeral and burial at sea By Annalisa Underwood Naval History and Heritage Command Communication and Outreach Division
Honoring the deceased is a centuries-old practice that includes many traditions across cultures. The customs and traditions behind military funerals and burial at sea date as far back as ancient Greece and Rome. In the Navy’s
culture, as we give the final honor to our shipmates, we employ traditions that not only signify the service of the deceased, but also display our commitment to their legacy. Reversal of Rank In Royal Connell and William Mack’s “Naval Ceremonies, Customs, and Traditions,”it is noted that the rever-
sal of rank at military funerals is modeled after an ancient Roman custom of “reversing all rank and position when celebrating the feast of Saturn,”showing that, at death, all are equal. This is signified by positioning the honorary pallbearers and all other mourners, if practicable, in reverse order of rank.
LOCAL SAILOR TURNS DREAM INTO REALITY By Chris Wyatt Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center Public Affairs
NORFOLK
Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC) Rigger Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Richard D. Vissoh earned his 3rd Mate Unlimited Oceans certification from the Mid-Atlantic Maritime Academy (MAMA) in Norfolk, May 13. In earning his 3rd Mate certification, Vissoh becomes a member of the deck department, a watch stander and a ship safety officer in addition to being fourth in command. Vissoh dreamed of this moment and knew it would eventually come – he just didn’t know when. During his many deployments, Vissoh would often stand watch on the bridge and have discussions with new Navy ensigns and senior officers who attended maritime schools in New York. He would often talk about his desire to become an officer in the Navy and the many opportunities that come with that designation. A few of the officers Vissoh spoke to had the 3rd Mate
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certification in their backgrounds. “I always had a goal to become an officer in the U.S. Navy and just assumed that you had to be an officer to be able eligible for 3rd Mate,” Vissoh said. “Once I came to MARMC, I met a recruiter from MAMA and found out that I could register for the program. I knew opportunities like this one only come around a few times in one’s lifetime. I didn’t second guess it and I was fully committed to completing the program.” The 3rd Mate Unlimited Oceans certification process is a rigorous program complete with numerous classes ranging from basic entry level courses all the way up to bridge resource management and celestial navigation. Vissoh completed 23 night courses, with each class lasting from one to four weeks. After completing the courses, Vissoh’s next step was to complete thirty seven individual assessments – very similar to personnel qualification standards. Once the assessments were complete, they were sent to the U.S. Coast
CHRIS SCORBY, WIFE OF CNRMA REAR ADM. JACK SCORBY, READS TO LOCAL CHILDREN
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The crew of the Bayfieldclass attack transport ship USS Hansford (APA106) honors the deceased during a Burial at Sea For information on requesting military funeral honors, visit www. dmdc.osd. mil/mfh.
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NECC officer provides medical assistance to WWII vet during an honor flight By Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Public Affairs
NORFOLK
What was supposed to be a routine flight from Virginia Beach to Los Angeles, turned into a not-so ordinary flight for a 95-year-old WWII veteran. Underwater Constructions Team (UCT) surgeon at Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Lt. Christopher Ferguson was traveling to UCT 2 in Port Hueneme, California, to per-
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INVICTUS GAMES 2016 Navy wounded warrior athletes brought home more gold for the U.S. team as the Invictus Games came to a close in Orlando, Florida, May 12.
Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) Reserve Director of Maritime Operations Battle Staff Rear Adm. Mark Fung participated in three-day visit to the Roanoke Navy Week, May 15-18. To officially kick off the Roanoke Navy Week, the city presented Fung with a proclamation proclaiming May 16-22 as a special time to show appreciation for America’s Navy. In addition to receiving an official proclamation, Fung visited with leadership from the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and conducted a memorial ceremony at the National D-Day Memorial for all D-Day veterans. “Participating in Roanoke Navy Week provides a great opportunity to showcase the power projection our naval forces provide,” Fung said. He also met with educators to discuss science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) outreach at Virginia Tech and Roanoke College. “The world’s oceans give the U.S. Navy the power to protect America’s interests anywhere, at any time,” Fung said. “Presence helps deter potential conflicts, and it avoids escalating the situation when tensions rise. It also gives our nation’s leaders the chance to act when needed. Again, being there matters, such as being here to take part in Roanoke Navy Week.” The admiral’s visit was part of the national Navy Week outreach initiative to educate local communities on their Navy’s current relevance and worldwide capabilities. He reached out to veterans and community members, expressing the Navy’s role in American security, global commerce, and future career opportunities. Navy Weeks exist to share the Navy’s story to an area without a significant force presence. NECC is an enduring war fighting force providing sea-to-shore and inland operating environment capabilities across the full range of military operations, which is focused on delivering combat-effective expeditionary forces ready for worldwide operations now and into the future.
■ May 25-31: Fleet Week New York Local ships are sailing to Fleet Week New York, now in its twenty-eighth year. FWNY is the city’s time-honored celebration of the sea services and an opportunity for the citizens of New York to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen.
ARMED FORCES NIGHT TAKES PLACE AT HARBOR PARK The Norfolk Tides honored the armed forces, May 14, during the annual Armed Forces Night at Harbor Park.
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