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ISSUE Naval Medical Center Portsmouth opened the upgraded Newborn Care Clinic with a ceremony April 7. See the story on A3.
More than 20 years of serving the Hampton Roads Navy family
Vol. 24, No. 15 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 04.14-04.20.16
By MC3 Matthew Fairchild Pre-commissioning Unit Gerald R. Ford Public Affairs
FORD UNVEILS NAMESAKE STATUE
NEWPORT NEWS
MC2 Ryan Litzenberger
SAPR
A 9-foot bronze statue on a black granite pedestal honoring President Gerald R. Ford’s naval service was unveiled April 7 aboard Precommissioning Unit Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) in Newport News. “He was a servant leader long before that became a term, and it is my fervent hope that his character and integrity reflect onto the crew of this ship,” Ford’s Commanding Officer Capt. John F. Meier said. “How fortunate we are to be part of a ship that bears Gerald R. Ford’s name.” The statue depicts Ford holding a sextant and looking out over the water. Ford began his Navy service as an ensign in April 1942. He served aboard the light aircraft carrier USS Monterey (CVL 26) from May 1943 to December 1944, excelling as the ship’s director of physical training, gunnery officer and assistant navigator. He was honorably discharged in January 1946 at the grade of lieutenant commander. “Being the namesake of an aircraft carrier is the tribute about which my father was grateful beyond words,” the ship’s sponsor Susan Ford Bales said. “What a wonderful day in the legacy of the man I am so proud to call Dad.” Sculptor J. Brett Grill has sculpted many other statues of the 38th president, including the statue of Ford in the U.S. Capitol building, and a one-third replica at City Center in East Grand Rapids, Michigan. This statue is unique in that it is centered on Ford’s life as a Sailor, not as a politician. “It is incredibly humbling to be part of a project like this and seeing the life and adventure that one of my statues is going to have,” Grill said. The Ford statue will become a permanent part of the ceremonial quarterdeck aboard CVN 78. “Today, and every tomorrow, may this statue and the words on its base be living reminders of the extraordinary life and legacy of your ship’s namesake,” said Greg Willard, corporate secretary and trustee of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation and close friend to the Ford family.
USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) Sailors hosted a walk in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month April 8 at Naval Station (NAVSTA) Norfolk. Donning teal ribbons and carrying sexual awareness and prevention response (SAPR) posters, service members walked from Pier 4 to Pier 14 to raise awareness about the Navy’s efforts to eliminate the crime of sexual assault. “Our SAPR mission on the Arleigh Burke is to provide knowledge, awareness and advocacy to our crew members,” Fire Controlman 2nd Class Elsie Gonzalez said. “The cultural shift on how to respond and how to help each other has been significant in a very positive way. We will do what it takes to provide all our Sailors a safe and healthy environment.” The SAPR victim advocates aboard Arleigh Burke
» see SAPR | A7
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The statue depicts Gerald R. Ford holding a sextant and looking out over the water in memory of his naval service during WWII.
First lady of the Commonwealth of Virginia Dorothy McAuliffe reads to children at Lee Hall Elementary School in Newport News April 12. McAuliffe visited three schools in the Hampton Roads area as part of her Month of the Military Child Recognition Tour to highlight the success and achievements of military children and the area schools that work diligently to help them adjust to their unique circumstances.
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Photo: Pre-commissioning Unit Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) ship sponsor Susan Ford Bales unveils a statue of her father, the ship’s namesake Gerald R. Ford, in the ship’s hangar bay.
First lady of VA visits local school
USS Arleigh Burke Public Affairs
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-PCU Ford CO Capt. John F. Meier
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Arleigh Burke takes a stand against sexual assault
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He was a servant leader long before that became a term, and it is my fervent hope that his character and integrity reflect onto the crew of this ship.”
MC1 Theodore Green
HONORING THE MILITARY CHILD By FC3 Kathleen R. Hinson Naval Station Norfolk Public Affairs
NORFOLK
Naval Station Norfolk (NAVSTA) Sailors, families and base leadership kicked off the Month of the Military Child with a cake cutting ceremony at
the Willoughby Child Development Center April 1. The month long observance, designated in 1986 by the DOD, was set aside as a time to recognize military families and their children for the daily sacrifices they make and obstacles they overcome, such as frequent moves, separation from their
HEROES AT HOME Members of the Navy Gold Star Program at Naval District Washington partnered with USO Bethesda to hold a luncheon for Gold Star spouses and children in honor of Gold Star Wives Day
UNIFORM CHANGE The first female recruits at Recruit Training Command were issued their new enlisted white hats, or Dixie cups, as part of the Navy’s efforts for uniformity in service members’ uniform April 4.
ART OF THE MILITARY CHILD The 4th annual Art of a Military Child recognition ceremony was held in Lynnhaven Mall April 6.
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active-duty parent and school changes. NAVSTA Commanding Officer Capt. Doug Beaver said although April is recognized as the Month of the Military Child, military children deserve full support year-round.
» see MILITARY KIDS | A7
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