THE
SIGNATURE SIGONELLA, SICILY
NOVEMBER 23, 2012
VOL. 29 NO. 44
cnic.navy.mil/sigonella
Service members from Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF-13.1) 13.1 painted the railing outside of the San Giuseppe Church in the Pigno Parish community during a community relations (COMREL) project, November 17. (Photo by Sergeant Vanderbilt Gaditano)
SPMAGTF-13.1 volunteers in local community BY MAJ RAFAEL MILANES AND CAPT. NICHOLAS GRADER SPMAGTF-13.1
C
atania, Italy – Service members from Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF-13.1) 13.1 stationed at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella kicked off the holiday season by giving back to the local community during a community relations (COMREL) project, November 17. "This was no easy task," said Staff Sergeant Charles Mauldin, facilities staff non-commissioned officer-incharge. "But we were committed to getting the job done." During the COMREL, volunteers cleaned and painted areas of the San Giuseppe Church in the Pigno Parish community, getting rid of old construction material, weeds and unnecessary debris around the church yard where children gather to play after mass. They also sanded and painted the entire outside church rail.
“We thoroughly enjoyed the time spent working at the Catholic church and assisting the community," said Mauldin. "It gave us a chance for fellowship and we took pride and joy in our involvement.” The community was grateful for the volunteers efforts. Neighbors and passersby often stopped to thank the Service members for what they were doing to help their local church. The San Giuseppe church was inaugurated in 1968 in the “Pigno” village. The village itself was built in the late fifties to quarter immigrants coming largely from the center of Sicily. Today, the parish is led by Father Gilbert Mukanda. “We are grateful to [SPMAGTF-13.1] for your generosity and collaboration to our community,” said Mukanda.
QUOTE
Service members from Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF-13.1) 13.1 volunteered during a community relations (COMREL) project, November 17. (Photo by Sergeant Vanderbilt Gaditano)
OF THE WEEK
When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light. Give thanks for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. And if perchance you see no reason for giving thanks, rest assured the fault is in yourself. - Shawnee Chief Tecumseh
Around Sigonella
Festivals around Sicily
A stone’s throw from Sicily
Find out what’s been going on.
Mark your calendars for two upcoming festivals.
Paris is the city of love.
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