Flagship April 17, 2014

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More than 20 years of serving the Hampton Roads Navy family

Vol. 22, No. 15 Norfolk, VA | flagshipnews.com | 04.17-04.23.14

NMCRS volunteers recognized By MC1(SW/AW) Molly A. Burgess The Flagship Military Editor

NORFOLK

The Norfolk Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) honored more than 170 volunteers during their annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony luncheon at the Vista Point Catering and Conference Center on Naval Station Norfolk, April 10. The luncheon was in recognition of the men and women who volunteered their time to NMCRS, highlighting the many hours of dedication they gave toward helping the society through the many programs and assistance that the NMCRS provides for active duty Sailors and Marines, retirees, widows and their families each year. “It has been a busy year, with more than $5 million dollars in assistance, more than ever before. And we have had some unique challenges – sequestration, government shut down, the loss at HM-14, and recent fires in military housing. Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society was able to respond because of dedication and commitment from our Navy volunteers,” said Kathy Nelson, NMCRSNorfolk director. “They serve in a variety of capacities, but one thing is in common, they do it because they care, and they keep coming back because they know they make a difference.” Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society has been a volunteer-service organization since 1904 and in 2013, and through the help of volunteers, Norfolk NMCRS gave 49,571 accumulative volunteer service hours through the number of programs the Society offers. During the year, volunteers handed out 585 “Baby’s First Seabags,” equipped with hand-made layettes, to expectant families, provided more than $5 million in financial assistance involving 9,232 cases, $3.2 million

» see NMCRS | A15

A Sailor stands watch over the casket of Interior Communications Electrician 1st Class Leticia Jones in the hangar bay aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt. MCSN Kris Lindstrom

TR Sailors hold burial at sea Roosevelt Sailors lay fallen shipmate to rest

McNutt, a casket bearer for the ceremony. “Younger people looked up to her, and she was like a sister to me. She will be missed,” said McNutt. Capt. Daniel C. Grieco, commanding officer of Theodore Roosevelt, and Cmdr. Ryan Rupe, chaplain aboard TR, spoke at the ceremony. “It is with honor and humility that USS Theodore Roosevelt commits to the sea Interior Communications Electrician 1st Class Leticia Jones, our shipmate. We honor the legacy of service, commitment and honor that this Sailor provided to her country,” said Grieco. Burial at sea is an ancient Naval tradition and a sacred honor. The ceremony is available to active duty members of the armed services, retirees and veterans who were honorably discharged. It is also available to U.S. civilian marine personnel of the Military Sealift Command, and dependents

By MCSN Jenna Kaliszewski USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs

USS ROOSEVELT, AT SEA

Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) laid to rest one of their own in a burial at sea ceremony, April 10. Interior Communications Electrician 1st Class Leticia Jones was a member of Air Department’s V-2 division on board TR from November 2011 to August 2013. “It was very emotional,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Kapri Ragin. “I’ve known her since she first got here. She was great. I’m going to miss her a lot.” “She was a great leader,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 1st Class Shane

Jet Observer

VIRGINIA BEACH

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of active duty service members. “It is still very important to have a sacred moment to say farewell

around the world. But even as the active duty service member is recognized, their children’s sacrifices are often overlooked. But for the second year, a Hampton Roads school district has joined with military bases to recognized military-connected children with an art contest and reception. The “Art of Being a Military Child” kicked-off the Month of the Military Child in Virginia Beach at Lynnhaven Mall in Virginia Beach, April 2. The contest and exhibit is a partnership between Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, Joint

By Cathy Heimer

CHECK US OUT ONLINE!

online See more photos from the ceremony at flagshipnews.com.

<< local exhibit A student looks for her artwork during the reception for “The Art of Being a Military Child,” an art exhibit at Lynnhaven Mall featuring City of Virginia Beach Public School students’ artwork about military children.

ART OF THE MILITARY CHILD Across the U.S., there are nearly 2 million children who are connected to the military, either by one or both parents or guardians. On average, military students move three times more than their civilian counterparts and some attend up to nine different schools before their high school graduation. Growing up in the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001, many military-connected children know nothing but continual deployments and watching their family member head off to war halfway

MCSN Jenna Kaliszewski Roosevelt color guard members stand at attention while casket bearers carry the casket of Interior Communications Electrician 1st Class Leticia Jones.

MC2 Alysia R. Hernandez

APRIL IS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH See what local commands are doing for Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM).The theme for SAAM 2014 is “Live Our Values: Step Up to Stop Sexual Assault.”

» see A4-5

to our shipmates,” said Rupe. “In this way we can honor the wish of our fellow Sailor, give their family some comfort as they grieve and give all of our crew members a chance to say goodbye to her one last time.”

Fleet Week sets sail for NYC, ships announced Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Public Affairs NORFOLK

Three U.S. Navy ships and two U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) cutters will participate in the 2014 Fleet Week New York, May 21-27.

» see ART | A15

BATAAN DEATH MARCH REMEMBRANCE Sailors and Marines ran the Bataan flight deck and held a moment of silence commemorating the 72year anniversary of the Bataan Death March.

» see NYC | A15

EARTH DAY Hampton Roads celebrates Earth Day starting this weekend and into May with a number of events. Check out the front of On Liberty for more information!

» see B1

THE FLAGSHIP’S FREE HOME DELIVERY South Hampton Roads: Get the convenience of your Navy newspaper delivered right to your door for free!

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