THE
SIGNATURE SIGONELLA, SICILY
VOL. 29 NO. 25
JUNE
29, 2012
cnic.navy.mil/sigonella
VP-9 and SPMAGTF 12.2 clean local historical site
Volunteers from VP-9 and SPMAGTF 12.2 pose for a group photo along with Catania Rotary Club 150 official Dott. Maurizio Catania, his wife Mariella Perconti, Italian Army General (ret.) Francesco Polizzi and Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella Community Relations Officer Alberto Lunetta, at the end of the cleanup effort which marked the first ever U.S. military volunteer project at archeological sites in Sicily. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Patrol Squadron 9/Released)
BY MCSN CAMERON BRAMHAM NAS Sigonella Public Affairs
S
ervice members from Patrol Squadron (VP) 9 and Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) 12.2 (deployed to Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella) participated in an historical cleaning and beautification project on June 23 in Catania, Sicily. The project was part of a community relations (COMREL) event headed up by service members from VP-9 and focused on cleaning an area in the center of Catania that holds the ruins of a Roman amphitheater, thermal baths and road. This was the first time in NAS Sigonella history (base opened in 1959) that U.S. military personnel were involved in cleaning an historic archeological site in Sicily.
"Participating in the clean-up of the Catania Roman amphitheater, in partnership with the Catania Rotary Club, was a memorable event which will resonate with all Sailors of VP-9,” said VP-9 Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Craig Mattingly. “We are honored in having the opportunity to give back to a host nation that has been so generous. I would also like to take just a moment to thank the Catania Department of Archeological Heritage for allowing VP-9 to participate. I look forward to the continued relationship with Dr. Buda of the Archeological Heritage and the wonderful leadership of the Catania Rotary Club." The project was sponsored by the Catania Public Health Department and the Catania Rotary Club
Duomo 150, who adopted the archeological sites. These groups also hosted a press conference earlier in the week which was attended by multiple Italian media outlets covering the event. "This project was aimed at bringing attention to the appreciation of our wonderful archaeological sites and to keep them free from litter. This is as important as keeping our beaches clean," said Dott. Maurizio Catania, a member of the Catania Rotary Club Duomo 150 and an official from the Catania Public Health Department. Service members from VP-9 and SPMAGTF 12.2 hope to participate in another COMREL event such as this one before they finish their scheduled deployment at NAS Sigonella.
“This was a great opportunity for us to say thank you for the hospitality of Catania, Sicily, and Italy,” SPMAGTF 12.2 Public Affairs Officer (PAO), 1st Lt. Dominic Pitrone said. “We hope to continue our involvement around [NAS] Sigonella over the upcoming months.” Photo at right: Despite the summer heat, volunteers worked hard to collect more than 50 bags of trash at two famous Roman archeological sites in Catania.
QUOTE
OF THE WEEK
“Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.” - Abraham Lincoln
Staying cool
Saint Paul Festival
Explore the island
Sigonellans get creative to help ward off the summer heat.
Palazzolo Acreide celebrates Saint Paul.
Travel the Trinacria! Sicily has so much to offer.
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