The Signature | April 28, 2023

The TheSignature Signature

Three Patron Saints Festival to be held in Trecastagni, May 8-10

SAPR VA Sailor in the Spotlight

RISTORANTE BELLE ETNA WINS 2023

Direct Line A Proclamation on Month of the Military Child, 2023

As a Nation, we have many obligations, but we have only one truly sacred obligation: to prepare our troops we send into harm’s way and to care for them and their families while they are deployed and when they return home. Our military-connected children are at the heart of this sacred obligation. My Administration is stepping up to meet this obligation. We have expanded the Military Parental Leave Program, which enables service members to spend needed time with their families following a child’s birth, adoption, or placement for long-term foster care. Through the Joining Forces initiative, the First Lady is leading our efforts to support military-connected children in their classrooms and help ease the burdens created by the highly mobile military lifestyle. We are also investing to provide their parents with access to affordable, quality child care.

The English poet John Milton once wrote, “They also serve who only stand and wait.” Every day, military-connected children stand tall with pride for their parents and our Nation. They make sacrifices - big and small - so their parents can continue to serve and protect this country. These young people represent the very best of America, and we will always be grateful for their service to our Nation. May God bless our troops and their families, caregivers, and survivors.

This month, we honor the over 2 million children of our service members and veterans, whose support and sacrifice help keep our military strong and our Nation secure. These young Americans already understand what it means to serve, shouldering the unique demands of military life with courage and tenacity.

Whenever the First Lady and I meet with military children, we are amazed by their strength and selflessness. Most of these young patriots uproot their lives every few yearsstarting at new schools, making new friends, and learning new cultures and customs in different corners of the country and around the globe. They often celebrate birthdays and holidays with an empty seat at the dinner table. Many have marked graduations without one of their biggest fans in the crowd. So often, these children serve as Hidden Helpers, becoming caregivers for their wounded, ill, or injured loved ones - and far too many have grown up with the enduring grief of having lost a parent.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 2023 as the Month of the Military Child. I call upon the people of the United States to honor the children of our service members and veterans with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I also encourage Americans everywhere to find ways to support military-connected children, including by wearing purple during the month of April in honor of their service.

N WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-seventh.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

Interactive Customer Evaluation

Q. Hello! I’d like to provide feedback for the Commissary’s Click2Go app. It would be so wonderful but there are a few flaws, in my opinion. You can’t pay though the app so you have to go inside and, when I used it, I waited for so long for someone to help me. It was not quick at all. I feel like the baggers could make more tips if they became the runners. Or maybe I’m just hoping it’ll become Kroger :) I’m hopeful! Thanks for sharing the ICE comments and providing feedback!

A. Online payment is available and accepted with this program and customers should not have to wait; those orders are to be filled and ready when the customer arrives according to the scheduled times. Although, sometimes customers do arrive before their scheduled pickup time and this does cause hiccups. C2G is a no fee service and cannot use baggers as they work for tips.

Q. Can we please get the stereo and the floors in the group exercise room checked and fixed? The floor is warped under the TRX bands and cracked in another spot. I am worried someone will get hurt. Big shout out to our instructor Lynn who has been improvising with the stereo and keeps our class going! She is AMAZING! Her positivity and professionalism are outstanding! It is a blessing to have her! We all appreciate her and the effort and energy she puts into Zumba so much!

A. Thank you for your feedback and for your continued support of the Fitness Program. The flooring in the group X room is scheduled to be repaired through a NAVFAC project this fiscal year but we do not have an exact timeline yet. We are also in the process of researching a new system to replace the current stereo and order to improve the sound quality.

Q: There have been so many people asking for personal help and I always recommend fleet family here in Sigonella. They have been nothing but kind and generous and I’ve taken a lot of their classes, therapy, counseling, etc. The only thing I’ve been seeing that might need an improvement is that there needs to be more therapists or

counselors.

A: Thank you for taking the time to share your positive experience with our Fleet and Family Support Center. FFSC definitely strives to do our best every single day but resources, to include staffing, can be a challenge.

BZ’s

1. I recently took the transition assistance program class also known as TAPS. Our instructor, Javier Mendez was very helpful, thorough, and provided a wealth of information. The students had plenty of questions pertaining to benefits, life insurance, career help etc. and Mr. Mendez was able to eloquently explain the information provided.

A big thank you the VA for flying out Mr. Mendez to NAS Sigonella and to Fleet & Family, Mr. Javier Mendez and my Command who helped me sign up for this class.

Anyone can get easily overwhelmed or miss things to be completed while in the separation process.

2. MASN Mendizabalsalas at Security gave me the proper paperwork, let me explain my situation to her, helped me put together my thoughts, guided me in filling out forms, showed compassion and empathy and gave me information for legal so that I could get more resources, guidance and help. Thank you so much for helping me in a time where I felt lost, afraid, scared and more. You are truly a gem to Sigonella.

4. Excellent service from the cashier to the line servers, presentation and menu for the special meal for SAPR (sexual assault prevention and response)month. The food options were remarkable and well presented. Had to wait a little while but worth the wait. The Senior Chief I saw going back and forth making sure the team on the line was equipped and supplied was an outstanding display of support and leadership on what was a well thought out, time consuming menu and impressive spread.

THE SIGNATURE

U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA

Commanding Officer

Capt. Aaron Shoemaker

Executive Officer

Cmdr. Ronald Cappellini

Command Master Chief CMDCM Randy Dickerson

EDITORIAL

Public Affairs Officer Lt. Drake Greer drake.e.greer.mil@us.navy.mil

Public Affairs LPO MC2 Kelsey Culbertson kelsey.s.culbertson.mil@us.navy.mil

Community Relations Officer Dott. Alberto Lunetta alberto.lunetta.ln@us.navy.mil

PAO Staff Writer\ Photographer MR3 Max Rector Timothy.m.rector2.mil@us.navy.mil

CONTACT US Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily thesig@eu.navy.mil DSN 624-5440; 095-86-5440 PSC 812 Box 7, FPO, AE 09627-0001

This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services overseas. Contents of The Signature are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense (DoD), or the U.S. Navy.

Editorial submissions are welcomed from all Naval Air Station Sigonella departments, divisions and tenant commands. Editorial submissions should be sent to the Public Affairs Office via thesig@eu.navy.mil. All articles submitted by non-staff members will be considered contributing writers.

In the Spotlight

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handler) 2nd Class Jennifer Ceballos, from San Diego, maintains an attitude of mission first, Sailor always. Her work ethic and outlook in the Navy has led to her being recognized ahead of her peers.

“A wise Chief Warrant Officer once said to me, ‘be at the right place, at the right time, in the right uniform, and you will be successful,” said Ceballos. “Those words have been instilled in my brain since then as the basic foundation of being in the military but can also be applied to anything you face in life.”

Ceballos works in Air Operations at Naval Air Station Sigonella (NASSIG), and after being at the command for over two years, has many duties and responsibilities of a Sailor well above her paygrade.

“Working in airfield management occupies most of my mornings,” said Ceballos. “I make sure I contact any and all departments to acquire the inputs they have for a daily brief. I help with quality assurance of NASSIG’s airfield by conducting a daily inspection of the runways and aprons, and assure it is safe to conduct daily flight operations all while making the necessary calls to correct anything that may prohibit it. Additionally, I produce two daily products that are sent out to the triad along with all of our tenant commands. While that takes most of my mornings up, the rest of the day I spend coordinating any events happening in the airfield, upkeep the airfield by working with Public Works to fix any discrepancies and taking care of my collateral duties.”

Ceballos holds many collateral duties at NASSIG.

“I am one of NASSIG’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocates, making sure to devote my help and assistance to any possible victims needing or requiring assistance every time I am on the watch bill, and conduct divisional and departmental SAPR training when it is required,” said Ceballos. “I am currently one of

two of our department’s Information Assurance Officers, and this takes priority in my daily routine because I am responsible for new sailors needing computer access to be able to conduct daily duties. I am also one of NASSIG Color Guard participants and provide the presentation of colors in ceremonies around NASSIG and its tenant commands. I also hold other collateral duties such as alternate fire warden, alternate telecommunication officer, mail petty officer and divisional vehicle coordinator.”

Her hard work has left an impression on senior SAPR VA coordinator Senior Chief Boatswain’s Mate William Garcia, Port Operations Department Leading Chief Petty Officer.

“It has been a long time since I saw the Second Class with the initiative and the motivation to get things done,” said Garcia. “Her leadership skills have flourished within the Command, allowing her to mentor Sailors in and outside the department. Petty Officer Ceballos is not afraid to step out of her comfort zone to help NAS Sigonella and the tenant’s Command succeed and complete the mission. Her efforts never cease with her attitude of mission first, sailors always. She is looked up to by her senior leadership, peers, and junior Sailors throughout the Command.”

Since being in the Navy, Ceballos has achieved many goals, and one of her proudest moments was qualifying as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), and her favorite part of her job is working on the flight deck during flight operations. Serving in the Navy means to be brave, said Ceballos. “For those I love, I will sacrifice,” said Ceballos. “I know all the decisions and sacrifices I make one a daily like being away from home, and choosing certain career decisions that may put other things like starting a family on hold is a sacrifice that will pay its dues in the long run. Serving to me means sacrificing now so my and mine can

Name: ABH2 Jennifer Ceballos

Command: NAS Sigonella Air Ops

Story by Mass Communication 2nd Class Kelsey S. Culbertson

NAS SIGONELLA NAMED

BEST OCONUS GALLEY

Naval Air Station Sigonella’s galley, Ristorante Bella Etna, was awarded 2023 Capt. Edward F. Ney Memorial Food Service OCONUS General Mess of the Year, Apr. 6, 2023.

“This award is a great honor,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Joe Mattia, from Dallas, Food Service Officer of Ristorante Bella Etna. ”It’s amazing that we’ve won the Ney here so many times. It’s a testimony to all the hard work that our Sailors and employees put in.”

Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central (EURAFCENT) installations have won the OCONUS Ney award six years running. Ristorante Bella Etna won 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021’s Ney awards. This is their fifth win in six years.

The Ney award was established in 1958 by the Secretary of the Navy and the International Food Service Executives Association (IFSEA) to improve food service operations, and is given annually to galleys both at shore and sea. This award recognizes the best general messes in the Fleet who achieve a 5-star rating from a Navy evaluation team. It is the highest honor given to food service workers in the Navy.

Ristorante Belle Etna is a critical part of the mission at NAS Sigonella. The galley feeds Sixth Fleet’s P8 squadrons, U.S. Air Force components, Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center, and several other essential tenant commands that make NAS Sigonella the “Hub of the Med.” NASSIG is strategically located to provide mission-essential support to the fleet and warfighter throughout the European theater. Belle Etna fuels the service members providing that support.

The award is a rigorous process that involves a surprise spot-inspection of the galley and of the food itself. The inspection is conducted by IFSEA members and senior Navy messmanagement leaders who conduct a thorough inspection. While the inspection is considered to be difficult, demanding excellence and every category must score a 95% or higher, for NAS Sigonella, it was just like another day.

“It was like any other inspection for us,” said McClair. “The inspection has three separate days for three separate inspections. The inspections cover sanitation, production, administration, food, every aspect of the galley, and its production

from start to finish. From our back dock to the food lines, we are inspected.”

On the first day, the administrative side was inspected.

Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Cherry Andres was responsible for handling four separate categories in food service administration. Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Louise Anne Ramos, from Bulacan, Philippines, handled the administration for the logistics of running the galley, to include more than 120 binders, constantly updating instructions and food orders to ensure everything was up-to-date.

On the second day, sanitation was inspected.

“Everything is inspected during the sanitation day,” said McClair. “From the back door, to the front, everything in-between is inspected. Absolutely everything has to be within safety standards, from refrigeration temperatures and inventory. Anything can be inspected and if something is out of line, it’s considered a critical hit. Our cargo team was an immense help.” The last day, considered “The Show,” was the third and final day of the inspection.

“We had pizza and pasta to showcase our Sicilian counterparts that work here,” said McClair. “We had a local drummer and flag twirlers so the inspector could truly immerse himself into the Sicilian culture.”

The galley welcomed support from Culinary Specialists at housing, Logistics Specialists at First Division, and Culinary Specialists at the hospital all showed up to give support.

“This award isn’t just a galley prize anymore,” said McClair. “It’s an award for NAS Sigonella.”

Other Ney Award winners for 2023 representing CNIC are Silver Dolphin Bistro at Joint Base Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in the category for the West Coast, and Capt. Edward F. Ney Hall in Naval Station Newport, R.I., for the East Coast.

NAS Sigonella’s strategic location enables U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to deploy and respond as required, ensuring security and stability in Europe, Africa, and Central Command.

Italian News

Artichoke festival continues in Niscemi this weekend

By Dott. Lunetta

Make sure to mark on your calendar the mouthwatering Artichoke Festival (Sagra del Carciofo) that continues through the weekend in Niscemi. Marking its 41st edition this year, the festival celebrates the Violetto di Niscemi, a delicious variety of artichoke that is still grown the way it has been grown for centuries.

The Italian word for artichoke “carciofo” comes from the Arabic “Al kharshuf”. It is a thistle like plant that originated in the Mediterranean region over 2000 years ago. Ancient Greeks and Romans loved artichokes. Roman writer Pliny wrote that artichokes were delicacies, which were enjoyed only by the upper classes. An artichoke recipe appears in the writings of Roman chef Apicius showing that those vegetables were very popular in ancient times.

During the Middle Ages, Saracens cultivated artichokes in Sicily, South of Spain and North Africa. Historic chronicles tell that, in the 16th century, noblewoman Catherine de Medici brought with her chefs and artichokes to the French court, when she moved there after marrying King Henry II of France. In 1806, French immigrants who settled in Louisiana brought artichokes to the United States. Artichokes are very healthy and delicious. Scientists maintain that this vegetable can lower blood cholesterol, promotes bile secretion, helps diuresis and prevents liver problems.

Food stalls selling delicious artichoke-based dishes are open through May 1st (Italy’s Labor Day) from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Festivalgoers can enjoy a wide variety of tasty selections featuring a different specialty every day. Today, food booths will open in Largo Mascione at 10 a.m. selling mouthwatering carciofo specialties. The festival also features art exhibitions at the town library (Biblioteca Comunale) and at the town’s museum (Museo Civico), night live music entertainment and arts and crafts. For more information and detailed schedules, visit https://www.facebook.com/profile. php?id=100069735258168

Carciofi time continues in Niscemi! Tons of Violetto di Niscemi artichokes are the highlight of the annual mouthwatering festival which celebrates one of the largest artichokes -producing town in Italy. The “Sagra del Carciofo” (Artichoke Festival) continues through May 1st featuring artichoke-based specialties, arts and crafts, art exhibitions, folklore parades and entertainment.

(Photo by https://www.guidasicilia.it)

Three Patron Saints Festival to be held in Trecastagni, May 8-10

By Dott. Lunetta

“Viva St. Alfio!” (Long live Saint Alfio!). This is what devotees scream during the annual “Three Martyred Brothers” Alfio, Filadelfo and Cirino (St. Alphius, St. Philadelphus, and St. Cyrinus) Alfio, Filadelfo and Cirino, one of the most interesting and spectacular religious festivals in Eastern Sicily. Alfio was the oldest brother and therefore, over the centuries, his figure became prominent among devotees. The Sanctuary is perceived as a gift received from God as it invites pilgrims to reflect on the story of the painful journey, which those beloved martyrs undertook on foot from Apulia to Lentini, where they were eventually executed for not giving up their faith.

Every year, Trecastagni townspeople show publicly how deep their faith and gratitude is towards the three patron saints, their helpers and intercessors in heaven, whose prayers can reach God. Devotees typically undertake long barefoot pilgrimages, which can last several hours, from local towns surrounding to the Sanctuary of St. Alfio just to thank them for being saved or cured during an illness or a disaster. “Some of them come here at dawn before they get to work,” said father Torrisi. Sometimes, the pilgrims’ gratitude takes the artistic form of “Ex Voto,” small paintings depicting the incident occurred to the devotees which are donated to the sanctuary. Ex-voto also include artificial limbs which pilgrims donate to the sanctuary, after they are healed. Trecastagni has an impressive collection of hundreds of these small icons, which are authentic works of art mainly made by Aci Sant’Antonio Sicilian carts’ craftsmen, which date back to the 19th century. These art pieces talk about the hopes, joys and sorrows of thousands of people who have been turning to the brother saints for assistance for centuries. Women suffering from difficult pregnancies, young men who survived a car crash or a deadly illness, all people who, for different reasons, found themselves in need for help. Celebrations, dating back to the 16th century, feature religious processions and dramas as well as spectacular Sicilian carts parade, town bands’ shows and the traditional garlic fair, which celebrates springtime.

In Trecastagni, Garlic is the symbol of the devotees’ participation in the festival and is traditionally believed to keep evil away and grant health and protection from illness.

Feasts of the Three Saints are also held in other parts of Sicily (St. Alfio, St. Fratello and Lentini), Italy (Vaste near Lecce) and the world (Lawrence, Massachusetts (USA) and Sidney (Australia). According to tradition, the name of Trecastagni is linked to the three saints. Some believe that the three brothers ate “Castagne” or chestnuts during their visit to the town. There is a legend that tells that three chestnut trees, which are very common in the area, would miraculously sprout form the empty shells dropped by the brothers. Other traditions maintain that Trecastagni comes by the Latin words “Tres Casti Agni” (Three Chaste Lambs), a name that remembers the tragic sacrifice of these three young heroes of Catholicism.

Life of the Three Saints

The first historical sources talking about the three saints could be found in a manuscript by a monk who lived in the 11th century and in a book, dating back to 1691, written by priest Filadelfio Mauro. Both lived in Lentini. The Three Saints were born

in Vaste (Lecce) in the III century. During the persecutions made by the Romans against the Christians, they were arrested and forced to leave Sicily to go to Rome where they were convicted and tortured. Historic chronicles tell of miracles worked by the saints like for instance the fact that every place they visited became a Catholic community. Since they belonged to a noble family, Romans feared that they could influence other aristocrats therefore they used them as scapegoats to convince the others to stay away from the Catholic religion.

After being tortured in Pozzuoli and then back in Sicily, they were eventually martyred in Lentini on May 10, 253 AD. Although the festival was meant to celebrate all three saints, the devotion of St. Alfio somehow darkened the memory of the other two saints. This is probably due to the fact that Alfio was the elder brother and consequently was the one who always spoke on behalf of his family.

During the centuries, people tended to ask St. Alfio rather than to his brothers’ intercession for healing from serious illnesses and injuries. Once the miracle is granted, devotees feel obligated to thank the saint. That is why today the Nudi still perform with spectacular processions carrying heavy wax candles that can weigh up to 220 pounds. Around the candle a red ribbon with a picture of the saints is tied.

Festival Schedule Highlights

During the days preceding the festival, processions of the three candelore leaving from the Saint Alfio’s sanctuary, (heavy wooden floats, about six meters in height, with a big main wax candle surrounded by sculptures representing the martyrdom of the three saints) are held several times throughout the city center. On May 8, after the towns’ bands performances throughout the historic center, the procession of the relics of the Saints begins from the main church at 8:30 p.m. The procession lasts until late evening and features a Cantata and church music.

The “Nudi” barefoot pilgrimage, which is performed on the night between May 9 and 10, (during which devotees wearing white shorts and a red band on the chest also walk (some barefoot) from Catania and other Etna towns to the Sanctuary of St. Alfio) is s mustsee.

The actual festival’s day is May 10. It starts with the unveiling of the Tree Saints’ Statues that is performed before a huge crowd of devotees at 1 a.m. in the morning. The big ceremony takes place at the Saint Alfio’s Sanctuary, located in piazza St. Alfio, where the statues are usually kept. After that, the statues are placed on the “fercolo” or carriage to be ready for the long afternoon procession. Later on, the first solemn procession during which the statues will be carried throughout the historic center begins at 1 p.m. among screaming devotees and paper stripes with the phrase “Long Live St. Alfio,” written on them, filling the air. After the stop at the main church (Chiesa madre di San Nicola) the procession is repeated at 6 p.m. and lasts until late night. Fireworks and band music will be performed during the festival.

As the schedule might be subject to changes, you can also check the updated schedule by visiting: https://www.facebook.com/ LaFestadiSantAlfioaTrecastagni/