The Signature | May 26, 2017

Memorial Day: Stay Safe this Season

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Aeolian Islands:

Don't Talk & Drive:

Close to Home, Beyond Ordinary

Italy Implements New Law

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MAY 26, 2017

Vol. 34 No. 20

Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia, Rear Admiral Rick Wil iamson Visits NAS Sigonella

By Nicole Ybarra NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia

(EURAFSWA), Rear Admiral Rick Williamson visited Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella and held an All Hands Call with Sailors, Marines and Airmen at the base theater May 22.

During his remarks Williamson spoke about the complex environment and increased operational tempo in the EURAFSWA area of responsibility (AOR) which spans three

RADM Rick Williams speaks to service members and civilians during an all hands call at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella. NAS Sigonella is an operational ashore base that enables U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to be where they are needed and when they are needed to ensure security and stability in Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Gordon/Released)

continents and sits on the critical seams of three Geographic Combatant Commands. He described how an installation is an operational platform like a destroyer, cruiser or carrier and how each is tailored to the mission. Furthermore, installations use the same eight lines of operations – security, air operations, port operation, safety, housing, MWR, Fleet and Family Support programs and core – to convert available base capacity to a combat support capability.

Williamson then fielded questions from the audience on a variety of topics ranging from the possibility of standard reenlistment bonuses being reinstated and the future status of U.S. Naval Hospital Sigonella. One Sailor also asked if budget cuts would affect PCS orders.

“The budget cuts will absolutely have an effect on PCS orders,” said Williamson. “Historically speaking, budgets tend to go up and then come back down. The budget fell in 2003 and began to go back up again in 2014 so it should continue on an upward trend.”

In closing, Williamson spoke to the increased operational

tempo in the Region noting a 150% increase in air operations in NAS Sigonella and a 300% increase in port ops at NSA Souda Bay and the need for additional resources.

“The airfield capacity at Camp Lemonnier Djibouti is 30 aircraft; on average, they have 53. We need more resources.”

Naval Air Station Sigonella: "The Hub of the Med," is a U.S. Navy installation and an Italian Air Force base in Sicily, Italy. Just as a ship performs lines of operation that provide a capability, Navy Region EURAFSWA bases perform the same eight lines of operation to provide capability to the fleet, joint and allied forces. These eight lines of operation are: air operations, port operations, safety, security, housing, MWR, Fleet and Family Services and what is called the core: the fuels, water and power that keep the bases running. Through our lines of operation, our installations are force multipliers that maximize combat capability of operational units.

For more news from Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnre/.

Department of Defense Kids Overseas Honored by American Ninja Warrior, Patriots, & DNCE

By DoDEA Sigonella

NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – From the Warped Wall to the Super Bowl Champions, students at Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella were treated to an action-packed Month of the Military Child program at Sigonella’s Knights Hall. The event hosted by Sigonella Middle High School, one of the Department of Defense Education Activity’s (DoDEA) 168 schools worldwide, included the annual “Kids Overseas Awards” which connects Department of Defense (DOD) kids overseas to many of their pop-culture favorites in the United States. With past contributions by Justin Timberlake, Nickelodeon, Shawn Mendes, CNN and Imagine Dragons, the 2017 edition of the show did not disappoint.

Produced in conjunction with the school’s sociology class which is studying the unique population of nearly 50,000 students who attend DoDEA schools overseas, the hour-long event was a mix of pre-recorded segments and live action performances focusing on the students’ lives.

To commence the show, the school’s NJROTC unit presented colors while cadet and flautist Milana Giustina played the National Anthem. Faculty members then appeared on the large movie screen stressing the importance of the pupils and how much they were appreciated by the staff. The faculty, half of which were “military kids” just like their students, stressed how much they have in com-

mon with their students while thanking them for their service.

Students then reported on the 30-year history of the Month of the Military Child and the 70-year story of DoDEA. In the weeks leading up to the show, the students voted online for many of their pop culture favorites from Favorite Music Group to Favorite Animated Movie. The votes were tabulated and used to determine the winners of the Kids Overseas Awards and to create a program focused on the students’ preferences.

The Kids Overseas Awards portion began with a two-minute highlight reel of the kids’ favorite reality TV show, American Ninja Warrior. The show pits contestants against a treacherous obstacle course and a running clock. With a mix of strength, determination and agility, American Ninja Warrior parallels the lives of many military-connected kids overseas who overcome the obstacles they face during their moves from duty station to duty station.

As the highlight reel ended, Shawn McCarthy, Sigonella teacher and producer of the Kids Overseas Awards, appeared on screen from the set of American Ninja Warrior. McCarthy had traveled to Florida in early April and filmed on the set of the show with the assistance of NBC Universal.

Students began to applaud as some of their favorite Ninja Warriors, such as Drew Drechsel and Jessie Graff, appeared on screen. “I know there are thousands of you serving overseas with

Joey Perroni (left) and Alex Noack (right) pose with memorabilia signed by Joe Cardona who is an officer in the United States Navy and the long snapper for the New England Patriots as part of Month of the Military Child events at Sigonella Middle/High School. (Photo courtesy of DoDEA Sigonella)

your parents” started Drechsel, “And this shout-out goes to all of you.” Graff, who is also a stuntwoman on Supergirl, added “Hi to all the kids overseas, I hope you are having some amazing ad-

ventures over there. Thank you so much for watching us!”

After the shout-outs the audience was

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MAY 26, 2017

Direct Line

Commanding Officer, Capt. Brent Trickel Buongiorno Sigonella, It has been awhile since I have penned a Direct Line as it has been quite busy lately due to work trips and preparations for this little thing called the G7 which I will talk about later. I was recently in Naples with my boss, Rear Admiral Williamson, and the other installation COs in the Region. Rear Admiral Williamson is Commander Navy Region Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia (EURAFSWA).

He is in charge of nine installations: Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti; Naval Air Station Sigonella, Naval Station Rota, Spain; Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy; Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece; Naval Support Activity Bahrain; Naval Support Facility Deveselu, Romania; Naval Support Facility Redzikowo, Poland; and Isa Air Base in Bahrain. It was a great experience meeting the COs of the other installations and hearing first hand from our boss just how important our Region and our installations are in protecting the U.S., Italy, and our Region Allies.

Last week I was able to attend the Italy / U.S. Joint Military Commission at Aviano Air Base in northern Italy which is about 80 kilometers north of Venice.

It was a beautiful setting and I enjoyed

working with the other U.S. Base Commanders and our Italian counterparts as we updated the agreements that allow us to work alongside our wonderful Italian hosts protecting the interests of Italy, NATO, and the U.S. Has anybody noticed it is getting really busy around here? In case you haven’t heard, the G7 Summit is going on in Taormina and the leaders of the Group of Seven countries and their supporting casts are using Sigonella as their base of operations. Yes, this is a really big deal. If you haven’t already experienced it firsthand there will be disruptions while the summit is taking place. I ask that everybody be patient as we deal with the added security precautions that go along with visiting dignitaries.

The G7 was founded in 1975 consisting of France, West Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. Against the backdrop of the OPEC oil crisis, the goal was to discuss current economic and financial issues.

Canada was added as the seventh member in 1976, after which it was referred to as the Group 7 or G7 Summit. Russia formally joined the group in 1998, thus forming the G8 but they were rejected in 2014 after their takeover of Crimea.

The annual G7 Summit is attended

by the heads of government and the member country holding the G7 presidency is responsible for organizing and hosting the yearly summit which is why it is being held in Italy this year. This is a very special time to be in Sigonella. We are helping Italy host one of the most important government and economic forums in history and this is our chance to showcase our world class customer service and our outstanding installation.

An added benefit of helping host the G7 is that we get to meet our new Commander In Chief, President Trump. Yes, you heard right, we all get a chance to meet the President.

I highly encourage everyone to attend the All Hands Call with President Trump on Saturday, 27 May. As long as you have base access you are encouraged to attend the event. Active Duty, civilian employees, family members, contractors, Italian employees, NATO members and their families – you are all welcome to attend. The event will be held from 5 – 6 p.m. but you must be in the Global Hawk Hangar, NAS 2 by 4 p.m. All attendees will have to pass through metal detectors before entering the venue. The metal detectors will be operating approximately from 1400-1600 only. If you arrive after that time you will not be al-

lowed into the venue. For security reasons attendees should plan as if they are boarding an international flight.

Do not bring the following items: - No water/liquids - No knives or sharp objects - No bags (excluding a diaper bag for those with infants) - No chairs or umbrellas - No posters or signs Due to limited parking availability and limited access to the base, carpooling is strongly encouraged. Shuttles will be running from NAS 1 and from Marinai. Please check All Hands Messages and the NAS Sigonella Facebook page for more details.

Commanding Officer's Suggestion Box The ICE/CO Suggestion Box is for our community and Commanding Officer to discuss, with an eye toward constant improvement, how we are excelling* and how we can improve**. The community is strongly encouraged to leave contact information when submitting comments. This ensures that a response will come directly to you. The Signature and NASSIG Facebook Page typically publish comments and responses for the benefit of the Sigonella community.

Comments/suggestions are useful when objective, constructive, and specific. ICE/CO Suggestion Box is NOT a forum for mean-spirited attacks. Anonymous comments will be published only if they benefit the greater community at large. * If you submit a "BZ" about a specific person or department, PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR NAME in order to ensure comment authenticity and therefore publicly recognize employees or organizations. ** The Commanding Officer will ensure a response to all signed comments/suggestions and the vast majority of anonymous ones but reserves the right to disregard those comments/suggestions disinterested in the spirit of the program!

There are two ways to submit; go to: 1) Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE) home page on a One-Net computer at: http://ice.disa.mil, All Sigonella services are found under the Navy Europe Listing in the scroll-down menu.

– or – 2) NAS Sigonella's website www.cnic.navy.mil/Sigonella, go to the "About" drop down menu and click on "CO Suggestion Box".

Interactive Customer Evaluation Comment regarding “Marinai Traffic”: Traffic in front of Marinai can get out of hand, especially during high traffic hours.

It can be difficult for cars turning left into Marinai and for cars exiting because no one lets them go. Once a line of cars waiting to make a left into Marinai forms, cars start passing on the right which I think is not allowed but it happens anyway. Why can’t both Marinai gates be utilized? I understand manning is an issue so why can’t one gate be an entrance only and one be an exit only? Adding a strip of traffic spikes to the secondary gate may also help. That way, whatever gate is designated for exit only wouldn’t need manning. If that is not a viable solution, could there be a traffic light installed in front of Marinai to help direct traffic better?

Response:

I want to thank you for contacting me in regards to the Marinai Housing traffic issue. I understand there is a lot of traffic during peak hours and to help mitigate the issue, Security implemented a program where additional sentries are added to the ECP from the hours of 1545-1700. In regards to the hectic driving outside of the ECP, I ask of you and the Sigonella Community to use caution and due regard when driving on and off base. Regarding your suggestion to utilize the alternate ECP for outbound traffic—additional manning would still be required for that course of action, despite

the use of spike strips. Leaving the alternate ECP unmanned and open would create a huge vulnerability exposing our Sigonella Community to any non-vetted pedestrian, motorcycle, moped and/or bicycle to come and go as they please. Unfortunately, we do not have the ability to place a traffic light off base on an Italian road. I thank you for your comment and if you have any other questions or concerns please contact my Security Officer, LCDR Allen Richmond, at 624-6392.

Comment regarding “Rude Customer Service at MVRO”:

On 28 March I approached MVRO for vehicle shipment, and after quickly establishing that the Personal Property Office was on a different page than MVRO, the MVRO director immediately developed a hostile and disrespectful attitude, directly in front of junior Sailors, as well as other military personnel and civilians in the same room. I have never had such a terrible experience dealing with a department which services the entire base. The current MVRO director is unhelpful, disrespectful and displays a complete disregard for military bearing. Not to mention, he was operating in civilian clothes on a Tuesday in the middle of the day. Not slacks and a collared shirt and tie, but jeans and a t-shirt. I expect much more of my Navy, Sailors, and base-wide departments trusted in the hands of such personnel.

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MAY 26, 2017

"ICE" continued from Page 2

Response:

Thank you for your comment and concerns and I apologize for the negative experience you had with our MVRO. MVRO staff are following rules that are circulated by Naples MVRO HQ. MVRO and Personal Property also communicate closely in regards to vehicle shipments. I have reminded all MVRO staff to treat all customers with respect and dignity and uphold the rules and regulations in which we must follow. MVRO has provided customers with the NASSIGMVRO@eu.navy.mil address to send in their updates if they cannot make it to MVRO office.

This allows our customers to update routine paperwork such as safety inspections, vehicle insurance, orders, and driver’s license updates. If you have any further questions please contact the Security Officer LCDR Allen Richmond at 624-6392.

Comment regarding “NETFLIX at NGIS”:

There are days, when you are away from your family, that a little taste of home can be quite welcoming. Something as simple as catching up on a TV show can be quite uplifting. While I understand the task isn't simple - and it's entirely possible that it is in the works already – any assistance in getting Netflix at NGIS would be greatly appreciated. I have been aboard a number of bases overseas which offer this service, much to the benefit of improved morale for the Sailors, Soldiers, and Airmen.

Sincerely, Eric Scott

Response:

Dear Mr. Scott, Thank you for the suggestion. We are actively working the formal request to Netflix through our local Information Technology Management Office. We hope to have a positive update soon.

Comment regarding “BZ for Youth Center”:

I wanted to thank LaChelle and Joelle from the Youth Center and SAC center for their outstanding customer service. I attempted to register my child for one of the Youth Center events and I came late in the afternoon. The payment drawer had already been closed for the day. However, Joelle took the time to ensure the message

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got to LaChelle and even called me at home in the evening to tell me that I could still sign my child up the next day even though the deadline had technically passed. Thanks so much for going above and beyond!

Response:

Thank you for your patronage of the Youth and School Age Care programs. I appreciate you taking the time to recognize Joelle and LaChelle for going above and beyond. It's a pleasure to read that your experience with the program meets your needs and I will be sure to pass along your praise to LaChelle and Joelle.

Thanks again for your feedback.

Comment regarding “Morning Traffic Director”:

I just wanted to bring to your attention a situation that I experienced on the morning of 26 April at approximately 0645.

The morning traffic director was highly unprofessional, yelling and using profanity at the drivers entering and exiting the gate.

I understand that this is a stressful job, but the person directing traffic needs to understand that they are the first impression of U.S. Navy personnel for local nationals and that this type of behavior is out of line. I spoke with several of my co-workers and they all witnessed the same thing, one of whom stated that it occurred yesterday as well.

Response:

Thank you for contacting me in regards to the unprofessional conduct you witnessed at the NAS II Entry Control Point (ECP).

The person in question has been identified and appropriate remedial action has taken place. I assure you my Security Department does not condone this type of behavior and takes these situations very seriously. As you correctly state, the “point man” has a very stressful job as they often encounter a high number of non-compliant drivers who pose a severe risk for traffic accidents. However, they must also perform their duties in the highly professional manner I expect and demand. I thank you again for your comment and if you have any other questions or concerns please contact the Security Officer, LCDR Allen Richmond, at 624-6392.

Name: Master-at-Arms 1st Class Anthony Vazquez Department: Security Hometown: Bronx, New York One of the most important duties for Security on NAS Sigonella is to keep the gates secure and ensure only authorized personnel enter. But in order to stand that duty, Sailors must work with Masterat-Arms 1st Class Anthony Vazquez to get an up-todate small arms qualification.

Vazquez is the Small Arms Weapons Instructor for NAS Sigonella and tenant commands, as well as the Range Safety Officer.

“I qualify people on M9, M11, M4 rifle, M500 shotgun, and then issue their gun cards. I keep track of their qualifications and see when they are about to expire because they have to sustain every 180 days,” said Vazquez. “If I let these qualifications go, then sections won’t have qualified personnel to stand the watch.”

Along with his primary duties, Vazquez is also one of the mentorship coordinators for NAS Sigonella and enjoys the impact he has with that role.

“My favorite part of my job is interacting and meeting all the people that come my way,” said Vazquez. “I take advantage of that opportunity especially with new check-ins when they get qualified.”

In addition to his role as a mentorship coordinator, Vazquez is also an assistant coach for little league and also

just finished his master’s degree in organizational leadership.

“It’s been a busy year for me. I’ll be starting my doctorate in August,” said Vazquez. “School is one of the most important things for me.”

In his free time Vazquez does the standard travel and working out, and even helps train others in the gym. What most people are surprised about though is his love for piano.

“A lot of people are kind of shocked because I don’t look like I’ve been playing the piano for 19 years,” said Vazquez.

“When I go to the airport in Rome there are free-to-play pianos. My wife knows once I sit down at the piano I’m lost in there. She’s always worried we are going to miss our flight.”

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THE SIGNATURE U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA Commanding Officer Capt. Brent Trickel Executive Officer Cmdr. Charles G. McKinney II Command Master Chief CMDCM Mike Kaszubowski EDITORIAL Public Affairs Officer Lt. Andriana Genualdi andriana.genualdi@eu.navy.mil Assistant Public Affairs Officer Nicole Ybarra nicole.ybarra@eu.navy.mil Community Relations Officer Dott. Alberto Lunetta alberto.lunetta.it@eu.navy.mil Editor MCC Jessica Vargas Jessica.Vargas@eu.navy.mil PAO Staff Writer \ Photographer MC2 Christopher Gordon Christopher.Gordon@eu.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 PUBLISHER Stampa Generale S.r.l., Sig. Bruno Brandi, Publisher, Naval Support Activity Capodichino (Naples), Italy stampagenerale@tin.it Tel. 081-568-7884 Fax 081-568-7887 This civilian enterprise (CE) 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. The appearance of advertising in this newspaper, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the DoD or Stampa Generale S.r.l., of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factorof the purchaser, user or patron.

A confirmed violation or rejection of this equal opportunity policy by an advertiser will result in the refusal to print advertising from that source until the violation is corrected.

The Signature is published weekly by Stampa Generale S.r.l., Sig. Bruno Brandi, Publisher, Naval Support Activity, Capodichino (Naples), Italy.

Tel. 081-568-7884. Fax 081-568-7887.

E-mail: stampagenerale@tin.it.

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, guard mail stop #68 or hand-delivered to our office no later than the close of business on the Friday proceeding the expected publication date. All articles submitted by non-staff members will be considered contributing writers.

The Signature will not publish any anonymous articles. All advertisements in this publication are the property of Stampa Generale S.r.l. Any reproduction of advertisements in The Signature is unauthorized without the written consent of the publisher.

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2017 Memorial Day Safety Message B.A. Trickel NAS Sigonella Commanding Officer

Each year we observe Memorial Day, honoring the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to this great nation. As a day of remembrance it is only fitting that we pause, reflect, and pay tribute to those that have chosen to wear the uniform of any of our armed forces and lay down their life for the principles of liberty and democracy.

Memorial Day unofficially marks the beginning of the summer holiday season and a certain amount of excitement naturally accompanies these early days of summer. As you begin to plan and anticipate the thrill of outdoor activities

and getaways, I encourage all NASSIG citizens to enjoy the season without becoming a statistic due to off-duty accidents. Last summer the Navy had 16 traffic-related fatalities: eight motorcycle-related and eight vehiclerelated. I want all of you to have fun this summer, but still take safety into consideration. If you are going to drink alcohol, have a designated driver, have a plan, and consume responsibly.

Plan your trips and give yourself plenty of time to arrive at your destination safely. Slow down and obey all traffic laws. The decisions you make will not only affect you; but your family, your colleagues and our mission.

Have fun, be safe, and look out for one another!

MAY 26, 2017

"DEFENSE" continued from Page 1 treated to a brief behind-the-scenes tour of the set, which included American Ninja Warrior hosts Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbaja-Biamila. Iseman, who also won this year’s installment of “Celebrity Apprentice,” stressed “how much we appreciate those who protect and serve our country and keep us safe and more importantly, their families.”

Former NFL player and American Ninja Warrior co-host Gbaja-Biamila added, “That’s right, you guys do so much because you give your family members to us to protect this country.

We are very appreciative of you.”

The hosts closed with a final message to the students. “We are thrilled to be part of the celebration of the Month of the Military Child,” said Iseman. “We wanted to say thank you, because in our minds, you are the REAL American Ninja Warriors.”

As part of their time on screen, the hosts also signed memorabilia that was given to the students as part of the grand finale.

Throughout the hour-long program, Sigonella students announced the winners in various categories. To the surprise of many in the audience, some of their favorite performers also participated in the show. Kira Kosarin, star of the Thundermans and winner in the Favorite Kids Show category, appeared on screen to a thunderous applause. “Hi military and DOD kids,” Kosarin began. “I just wanted to say thank you so much for all that you and your families do for us, the world and the country. You guys are amazing and you don’t go unnoticed. And thanks for watching the Thundermans!”

Singer Jordan Fisher, whose song “You’re Welcome” from the soundtrack of Favorite Animated Film “Moana,” also sent a shout-out to the militaryconnected kids overseas.

Near the end of the show, four Sigonella students performed an acoustic version of Demi Lovato’s “Nightingale.” Two students also read aloud their Month of the Military Child po-

ems. Ariel Derby, a sixth-grade student at Sigonella shared her prose which included the line: I am proud of my mother She works in the Navy But step in my shoes And you'll understand the challenges maybe In the finale of the program, Joe Jonas and the rest of his band DNCE appeared in a video message to the students. “Hey everybody in Sigonella, it’s us DNCE,” said the band in unison.

“We know that when your parents serve so do you,” Jonas continued. “We really appreciate it. You kids are awesome.” To show their appreciation the band also provided autographed posters and sent along a signed VIP pass from one of their recent concerts.

At the conclusion of the show, students were awarded items from a number their favorites. The New England Patriots got into the action by handing off memorabilia such as an autographed football and a pennant signed

by Joe Cardona who is an officer in the United States Navy and the long snapper for the Patriots. Fans of Star Trek received a special treat courtesy of Paramount Pictures’ Star Trek Beyond “swag bags” which were packed with t-shirts, films and other collectible items. Four students who had voted for Favorite Male Artist Shawn Mendes were selected to receive his most recent album. Another student even took home a guitar pick from one of Mendes’ concerts.

Whether it was a video message from one of their favorite actors or a football from their favorite team, the Kids Overseas Awards furthered the connection students at Sigonella Middle High School have with many of their pop-culture favorites back home.

Though connecting with such artists and personalities often seems improbable, Sigonella’s annual Month of the Military Child program is proving that for military-connected kids overseas anything is possible.

MAY 26, 2017

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Sigonella Youth Join “America’s Kids Run”

By Nicole Ybarra NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – Military youth in the United States, Bahrain, Greece, Puerto Rico, Germany, Japan, Iceland, England, and Italy participated in America's Kids Run May 18.

The annual event began in 1986 with the inaugural Junior Bloomsday run, the youth race held in conjunction with the annual Bloomsday race held in early May each year.

The event organizer, whose own boys were too young for Bloomsday in 1986, noticed that despite their ambitions, most children just couldn't manage the 7.46 mile Bloomsday course. So he decided a Run for children would capture the excitement of the annual Bloomsday run; thus Junior Bloomsday was born - an event for children ages 5 to 13. The younger kids would run a half mile, with the 7 and 8-year-olds running one mile, and the

older kids running two miles. Over the years 120,000 children have earned their own tee shirt by completing the annual spring run.

After 16 years of success, Junior Bloomsday realized a name change was in order to capture the national and international interest it was receiving by military bases, thus America's Kids Run reflected its growth beyond Spokane's borders. Erwert explains, "It is time to move forward with a name that truly identifies the wonderful event Spokane has authored.”

Youth from around NAS Sigonella participated in the event which was held on the school track May 18. Registered participants received a free t-shirt for completing the race.

The run has been recognized nationally in National Geographic World, National Road Runners Management, Runner World, USA Today, and voted Best Children's Run

by Runner World May 2003.

Sigonella youth participate in a half mile, one mile or two mile race around the school track May 18 as part of America’s Kids Run. The annual event began in 1986 with the inaugural Junior Bloomsday run, the youth race held in conjunction with the annual Bloomsday race held in early May each year. The run has been recognized nationally in National Geographic World, National Road Runners Management, Runner World, USA Today, and voted Best Children's Run by Runner World May 2003. (Photo courtesy of MWR Sigonella)

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MAY 26, 2017

Italy is Giving Away Free Castles Story by The Daily Beast

ROME— Ever thought about giving up everything and moving to Italy to live in a castle, if only it were free? Well, then Italy’s state property agency has got the online brochure for you. Go ahead, take a look and start dreaming. There’s a majestic castle with its own clock tower available along the Francigena pilgrim trail in Viterbo on page 179. How about a former convent near the Amalfi Coast on page 193?

Due to an abundance of rundown treasures the state can no longer afford to keep up, Italy is offering up 103 free farmhouses, castles, towers, convents, monasteries and villas.

There is, of course, a catch—or two. You can’t just fix up the rundown ruins for yourself. To acquire the property, you have to promise to develop it into a tourist entity. You can turn it into a hotel or spa, a restaurant or a special spot catering to pilgrims or cyclists. And the properties have to be returned to their former glory, which means no lofts added on to the turrets and no sun rooms on the windowless castles.

The state’s Tourism Ministry will help judge the proposals and give the winning entrepreneurs a nine-year free lease to realize the dream, which will probably take at least that long given Italy’s notorious time frames when it comes to construction. The new owners will have to pay for all the materials and labor, and will not be given any tax breaks or special dispensation for expenses. People under 40 will be given preferential treatment in the bid.

The properties are spread across the country, but none are in high traffic tourist towns. There are 27 in Puglia and Basilicata, eight on the island of Sardinia and seven in Sicily.

The idea is to promote the “slow tourism” sector, according to Roberto Reggi, an agent with the State Property Agency who is in charge of showing the properties and collecting proposals. “The goal is for private and public buildings which are no longer in use to be transformed into facilities for pilgrims, hikers, tourists, and cyclists,” he said when he announced the project this week.

Almost half of the properties are along established pilgrimage routes and hiking trails, including the ancient Appian Way and the Via Francigena, which used to take Catholic pilgrims from Rome to Canterbury. Others are along cycling trails the country is trying to develop.

This is not the first time Italy has tried to unload disused property to get private owners to develop it. In 2015, they sold off a string of lighthouses and fortresses along the country’s coastline. Thirty of the lighthouses were sold, which are now being developed. In 2013, Italy also tried to sell off 50 of its most famous landmarks, including Castello Odescalch outside of Rome where Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise were wed. Only a few of those properties were sold.

In 2008, the Sicilian community of Salemi tried a similar scheme by selling properties for €1. They had tried to attract foreign buyers but the bureaucracy proved too daunting for most. Instead, many were bought up by local crime families who cut corners and exploited the program. In 2012, the Salemi city council was dissolved due to Mafia infiltration and most of the houses are abandoned once again.

This is the first time Italy has offered up so many properties for free, and they have already had a lot of interest, says Reggi, who says they received hundreds of calls and emails in the first few days since the online brochure was published.

Italian Judges Removing Children from Mafia Families Are Right to Think Long Term Story by The Conversation The youth tribunal in Reggio Calabria, in the Southern Ital ian region of Calabria, is pioneering a new form of intervention, aimed at breaking the family bonds between children and their parents who are under investigation, charged or convicted for mafia-related crimes. As the procedure falls under family law, the tribunal can intervene even in the

"mafia children" continued on Page 15

Leonardo like you’ve never seen him before. An immersive experience into Leonardo’s genius: Da Vinci Experience, the new Florence-based exhibition devoted to the Renaissance artist, uses modern technologies and communication techniques to draw visitors into the world of Leonardo and the Florence he lived in. The exhibition, which anticipates the celebrations for the 500th anniversary of Leonardo’s death in two years, has been set up in the former church of Santo Stefano al Ponte, near Ponte Vecchio and will be on display until Oct. 8, 2017. Video mapping projections have been installed on nine large screens and on the magnificent architecture of the church’s nave; there are also hundreds of digitized images, as well as full HD videos with 360° Dolby surround soundtrack. The exhibition includes several models of machines built by Leonardo, reproduced following the original designs by a Florence-based artisan workshop; the most spectacular is the nine-meter wing devised for human flight suspended in the center of the nave. (Story & photo by Italy Magazine)

MAY 26, 2017

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College in Your future? Tuition Assistance Dollars are Available!

By Ed Barker Naval Education and Training Professional Development Center Public Affairs

PENSACOLA, Fla. (NNS) -- For service members interested in pursuing or continuing their education

while on active duty, Navy tuition assistance (TA) is designed to help.

"Two of the questions we get asked most often are 'How do I get started with my education?' and 'How do I pay for it?'," said Naval Education and Training Professional Develop-

PENSACOLA, Fla. (April. 18, 2017) An information graphic created to provide guidance about the Navy College Program for Sailors pursuing voluntary education. The Navy College Program is now providing on-line access to tuition assistance and counseling through the Virtual Education Center (VEC). (U.S. Navy graphic by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brittany N. Tobin/Released)

ment Center Voluntary Education (VOLED) Program Director Ernest D'Antonio. "The answers are easy. 1) Start with the Navy College Program (NCP) website or Virtual Education Center (VEC), and 2) Talk with your Navy College Education Counselor to ensure TA eligibility and 3) Apply."

• TA can fund up to 16 semester hours, 24 quarter hours or 240 clock hours per fiscal year, and pay up to $250.00 per semester hour, $166.67 per quarter hour or $16.67 per clock hour.

• TA can be used to pay for courses leading to a first certificate, associate, bachelor's or master's degree.

• TA funded classes, combined with credits already earned from a service member's military training from their Joint Services Transcript (JST), may accelerate degree completion while on active duty. Also, Final Multiple Score advancement points are available for degree completion through the E-6 exam.

Lt. Cmdr. Nick Turner, Navy VOLED deputy director, stressed that TA money is currently available, and Sailors have a broad window in which to apply.

"The summer term is fast approaching and now is not too soon to begin planning for the fall term as well," said Turner. "Sailors need to ensure their WebTA applications are

submitted and command approved between 120 and 14 days before the term start date."

For Sailors in the Continental United States (CONUS), contact a Navy College education counselor with your questions via the NCP website at (www.navycollege.navy.mil) "Assistance Center," using Help Requests, CHAT, or call the Navy College Virtual Education Center (VEC) at 1-877-838-1659, DSN 492-4684.

Customer service hours are MondayFriday, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. EST. The VEC is closed on federal holidays. The website also includes training, informational videos, and briefs to help Sailors navigate the VOLED process.

For Sailors outside CONUS, visit your local Navy College Office or use any of the methods mentioned above.

All Sailors should also download the Navy College Program mobile app from the GooglePlay or Apple Store.

For the latest information on Navy Voluntary Education, visit www.facebook.com/NavyVoluntaryEducation/ or www.navycollege.navy.mil/.

For more information, visit www. navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Naval Education And Training Professional Development And Technology Center, visit www.navy.mil/local/NETPDTC/.

Navy HHG Provides Moving Tips to Help Sailors During Peak Moving Season

By Suzanna Brugler, NAVSUP GLS, Deputy, Office of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Naval Supply Systems Command Global Logistics Support (NAVSUP GLS) Household Goods (HHG) provided information and moving tips directed toward Sailors and their families who will be executing a HHG move during the current peak season May 17.

HHG peak season runs from the beginning of May through August.

Start the process early and be flexible.

The high volume of moves during peak season drives a 4-6 week lead time for scheduling moves. Moving company capacity challenges are already evident in Hawaii and the East Coast.

Start the process early by going to www.navsup.navy.mil/householdgood for information. Be sure to indicate alternate dates for pack out and pickup when completing the application.

Pre-move survey Once the service member initiates the move online, the shipment contract has been awarded, and the transportation service provider (TSP) assigned, the TSP will contact the service member to schedule and perform the pre-move survey. Be aware the TSP will conduct a pre-move survey no later than three business days prior to the first scheduled pack date.

The pre-move survey allows the TSP to establish a more realistic weight estimate, determine how many crew to assign, determine what packing materials are needed and whether any special equipment is needed.

All dates for packing, pickup and delivery are finalized between the service member and the assigned TSP. Of note, there should be only one moving company at the residence at any given time. Cases that involve multiple carriers, such as a HHG shipment com-

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Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (Mar. 24, 2004) - Navy family members relax on their front lawn while movers deliver household goods to their new home on Ford Island. The new housing development is part of a $35 million project to design and construct 140 homes on Ford Island and 30 homes at Radford Terrace. The homes are three and four-bedroom units arranged as duplex and quad-buildings. They feature such amenities as metal framing, garages, central air conditioning, solar hot water systems, modern kitchens with energy-saving appliances, and full-size washers and dryers. The new community includes a host of improvements such as: underground utilities, recreational areas and new roads. More than 2,300 Navy family homes have been replaced or renovated on Oahu since 1996, at a cost of $426 million. (U. S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class William R Goodwin/Released)

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MAY 26, 2017

Aeolian Islands: Close to

By Nicole Ybarra NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

You’ve made it to Friday and are looking for something adventurous to do on the weekend but don’t want to spend hours traveling. What do you do? Hop the ferry to the Aeolian Islands and soak up the Sicilian sun against the backdrop of the Tyrrhenian Sea. You can catch the ferry from the port of Milazzo, which is about an hour and a half drive from NAS Sigonella. We booked our tickets ahead of time via the Liberty Lines website, but it is also very easy to purchase them right at the port.

The ferry appears to operate on “island time” as our ferry to Lipari was 20 minutes late but once on board was very quick (about one hour to Lipari).

Lipari is the largest an populated of the Aeolian Isl as a good base camp to ex islands. We passed Vulcano to Lipari and the smell alon deter me. Those who can ge of warm rotten eggs can take therapeutic sulphur mud bat hot springs on offer on the isl From Lipari we took a (20 minutes) to the Island o home to the Malvasia wine. W tour of the Barone di Vi winery which involved a 30-m through brush but the extra worth it as we were treated t view of the vineyards and t reached the top. A little more

MAY 26, 2017

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o Home, Far Beyond Ordinary

nd most heavily lands and served xplore the other o Island en route ne was enough to et past the aroma e advantage of the ths and steaming land of Vulcano. short ferry ride of Salina which is We took a private illagrande Salina minute hike uphill a cardio was well to a breathtaking the sea once we e walking and we

reached the house where we had lunch and a wine tasting.

After the tasting we made our way back down to the ferry port and had some more wine in the piazza while we waited for the ferry. The water was crystal clear and in the warmer months of summer would be great for swimming. You can also charter boats to take you around the islands where you can swim in the sea, go snorkeling and enjoy the slow pace of the islands and a good glass of Malvasia wine.

We didn’t have time to venture off to Stromboli but the nearby island, also accessible by ferry, offers nighttime hikes up the volcano which I’ve heard is a great experience. So if the Aeolian Islands haven’t made it on to your bucket list just yet, be sure to check out this hidden gem!

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MAY 26, 2017

NAS SIGONELLA COMMUNITY PAGE All Hands News Bulletin: (MWR) FOOD VENDOR APPLICATION FOR RED WHITE AND BOOM 2017

FOUR LENSES TEMPERAMENT WORKSHOP FOR COUPLES

Command, Department or Organization: MWR Date of Event: 30 JUNE 2017 Location of Event: NAS 1 Point of Contact Name: KARLIE GALIAS Point of Contact Phone Number: 624-5602 Point of Contact Email Address: KARLIE.GALIAS@EU.NAVY.MIL Additional Information: MWR invites all eligible Command Authorized Private Organizations to apply for a food vendor's booth at Red, White and Boom.

This year's celebration will be held on Friday, 30 June 2017 from 1700-2200 on NAS 1.

Sigonella Religious Ministries Department Worship Services Phone Numbers: NAS I 095-56-3975, NAS II 095-86-9049, Chaplain Duty: 335-831-4493, RP Duty: 335-786-1950.

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/Naval Air Station Sigonella Chapel

NAS 1

Mondays AA Meeting: . . . . . 1800-1900 Tuesdays Protestant Women of the Chapel: . . . . . . . . . . 0900-1100 Daily Mass: . . . . . . . 1130-1230 AWANA: . . . . . . . . . 1645-1900 Youth for Christ (YFC) Youth Meeting: . . . . . . . . . 1200-1430 Wednesdays Protestant Men of the Chapel: .

0600-0700 Daily Mass: . . . . . . . 1130-1230 Catholic Ladies' Guild (3rd Wednesday): . 1600-1800 Thursdays Daily Mass: . . . . . . . 1130-1230 Youth for Christ (YFC) Youth Meeting: . . . 1200-1530 Choir Practice: . . . . 1630-1800 The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA): . . . . . . . . . . 1800-2030 Fridays Daily Mass: . . . . . . . 1130-1230 First Friday Mass and Holy Hour: . . . . . . . . . . . . 1700-1830

Command, Department or Organization: HEALTH PROMOTION AND WELLNESS CENTER Date of Event: 09 JUNE 2017 Time of Event: 0900-1230 Location of Event: NAS 1 CHART ROOM Point of Contact Name: Giuseppe Licari Point of Contact Phone Number: 624-4710 Point of Contact Email Address: usn.sigonella.navhospsigonellait.mesg.hp@mail.mil Additional Information: Do you want to discover your couple's true color personality? The Four Lenses Temperament Workshop is what you're looking for! Facilitated

by CDR Goldberg, the Hospital's Internal Behavioral Health Consultant, this class will give you a deeper understanding of your own and your significant other's personality! A FREE catered lunch will also be provided. Open to individuals and couples (single or married). Max 16 participants. Sign up by May 31.

Weekly Traffic Report: May 15 - May 22, 2017

Saturdays First Saturday Rosary and Mass: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1100-1200 Sundays Catholic Mass: . . . . 0900-1000 Catholic Religious Education (DoDDS): . . . . . . . . 1045-1200 Protestant Service: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1100-1200 Latter-Day Saints Service: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1330-1600

NAS 2

Wednesdays Knights of Columbus (1st Wednesdays): . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1700-1800 Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC): . . 1800-2100 Thursdays AA Meeting: . . . . . . 1800-1900 Sundays Protestant Service and Fellowship: . . . 1800-2000

Ristorante Bella Etna

As a reminder to everyone: There are no PTUs allowed at the Galley. Appropriate athletic gear is authorized at the discretion of the Galley staff. Please remember that for sanitation purposes and for the consideration of other customers, if you have been out for PT, been working out at the gym, or have just been engaged in any physical activity where you and or your clothing has become soiled or sweaty you will be asked to turn around.

MAY 26, 2017

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Summer Fire Safety: Tips to Stay Safe this Season

By Steven Deida NAS Sigonella Fire Department

NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – During this summer holiday season when traveling off island or just staying around the community, it is important to remember that danger could be waiting right around the corner. Inattentive cooking is one of the major causes of home fires.

BBQs should be kept at a 10foot distance of any combustibles and 30 feet away from any vehicles. It’s also a good idea to keep a three-foot safe distance around your grill to keep kids and pets safe. If you are going to be using a gas grill, check all your fittings with soap and water. Before lighting the grill remember to light the grill with the grill lid open. If you prefer to use charcoal please do so in a safe manner and use the correct briquette fluid, not other accelerants. When you are done cooking, let the coal cool before placing them in a metal container with a lid. Never dispose of charcoal coals in the dumpsters that around the Marinai Housing areas.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that 1,345,500 total fires were reported in 2015.

That is an increase of 3.7% more than fires in 2014 which was 1,298,000 total fires. The fires in 2015 resulted in 3,280 civilian fire deaths, 15,700 civilian fire injuries and $14.3 billion in property damage.

The numbers reported in 2015 would amount to a fire department responding to a fire every 23 seconds.

Fireworks are often associated with the celebration of Independence Day. Prior to buying fireworks, please keep in mind that they are very dangerous and need to be used in a safe location with adult supervision. Sparklers are often given to children as a lot of adults seem to think that sparklers are harmless.

Sparklers burn at 2,000 degrees and at that temperature can melt some metals. Studies from the United States

Consumer Product Safety Commission show that the most injured body part from fireworks are 36% to hands and fingers, 19% to the head, face, ears and eyes, 11% to the trunk, 10% to the legs and 5% to the arms. Keep in mind that 50% of the injuries were burns.

As a reminder, the NASSIGINST 11320.1J clearly states that “the possession, use, storage, transport, sale or distribution of any type of fireworks aboard Station or leased housing is prohibited.”

Stay safe, Sigonella and enjoy the summer season!

Inattentive cooking is one of the major causes of home fires. BBQs should be kept at a 10-foot distance of any combustibles and 30 feet away from any vehicles. (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Most Pets Importable Stateside

By Robert Szostek USEUCOM Customs PAO

WIESBADEN, Germany - People moving stateside this summer may take most types of pets with them if they plan ahead. However, endangered species laws prevent people from taking some turtles, birds and reptiles to the United States.

“Dogs must be free of disease and be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before they reach the US,” said Tim Sellman, director of the U.S. European Command's Customs and Border Clearance Agency. “Puppies younger than three months and dogs in rabies-free areas such as the United Kingdom may be exempted, however.”

Requirements vary by state, but generally unvaccinated dogs will be inoculated on arrival and confined for 30 days at the owner’s expense. Cats must show no signs of disease and rabies

vaccination is required in most states.

People wanting to ship pet birds should consult the U.S. Department of Agriculture website for the latest information on shipping birds as procedures can change at short notice. The address is: www.aphis. usda.gov/wps/portal/aphis/ ourfocus/importexport Arrangements to ship pet birds to the U.S. must be made 120 days in advance of the PCS. Hawaii is the only place in the U.S. that is permanently free of rabies. Personnel moving to the Aloha State should check the Hawaii Department of Agriculture web page to find out about their special quarantine requirements for pets at: hdoa. hawaii.gov/ai/aqs/animalquarantine-information-page/ For more information on shipping pets and endangered species legislation, visit a military customs office or consult the military customs website at: www.eur.army.mil/opm/ customs/pets.htm.

MAY 26, 2017

MAY 26, 2017

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GAMEZONE BUCHANAN LINCOLN A JOHNSON GRANT HAYES GARFIELD ARTHUR CLEVELAND B HARRISON MCKINLEY T ROOSEVELT TAFT WILSON HARDING COOLIDGE

HOOVER F D ROOSEVELT TRUMAN EISENHOWER KENNEDY L JOHNSON NIXON FORD CARTER REAGAN G H W BUSH CLINTON G W BUSH OBAMA

MEDIUM

WASHINGTON J ADAMS JEFFERSON MADISON MONROE J Q ADAMS JACKSON VAN BUREN W HARRISON TYLER POLK TAYLOR FILLMORE PIERCE

EASY

Find and circle all of the Hockey words that are hidden in the grid.

The words may be hidden in any direction.

DIFFICULT

USA Presidents Word Search

PAGE 13

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"NAVY HHG" cont'd from Pg. 7 bined with non-temporary storage items and/or unaccompanied baggage, the service member must space out the timing of the moves during the premove process in order to avoid items being packed in the wrong shipment.

Pack out and pickup availability Service members or their designated releasing agents must be available between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on all pack out and pickup dates. Agents may specify during the pre-move survey specific times when they are not available (i.e. before 10 a.m.), however, if the assigned moving company shifts their workload or finishes another job early, the service member or releasing agent must be available to meet them on the scheduled date.

An example is if the agent specifies that they will not be available before 10 a.m. on the scheduled pack out date, and due to a schedule shift the moving company shows up at the residence at 9:30 a.m. while the agent is not present. In this case, the service member may be charged for an attempted pickup. The best general practice is for either the service member or the designated releasing agent to remain at the residence for the entire duration, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

While the moving company is at the residence, service members or their agents should not plan to leave for an appointment or pick up children, unless a designated agent is present.

Additionally, movers can remain at the residence up to 9 p.m. the day of the scheduled move to finish packing or loading the truck. If they wish to stay longer, it must be agreed upon by both the service member and the movers.

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Self-packed items Items service members may have packed themselves or that still in their original boxes may be opened and repacked. This is done so that the moving company knows what is inside the box, and can appropriately inventory the items to ensure they are not damaged before taking possession.

Move date notification Be sure you have a confirmed date for your pack out and pickup before you inform your landlords or turn off your utilities.

Transit times Minimum transit times for moves are determined by the Defense Travel Regulation. For example, on domestic shipments moving companies are given a minimum of 14-20 days to drive from the East Coast to the West Coast, depending on the weight of the shipment and the start and end locations.

International transit times can be anywhere from 30-90 days, depending on the start and end locations.

NAVSUP GLS provides global logistics for a global Navy. The organization is made up of approximately 6,300 military and civilian logistics professionals operating from 105 locations worldwide, providing an extensive array of integrated global logistics and contracting services to Navy, Marine Corps, joint operational units, and allied forces across all warfare enterprises.

For more NAVSUP Global Logistics Support, visit www.navsup.navy.mil/ navsup/ourteam/navsupgls/news/ or www.facebook.com/navsupgls/.

For more information, visit www. navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Naval Supply Systems Command, visit www.navy. mil/local/navsup/.

MAY 26, 2017

Italy Implements Tough Enforcement on Mobile Phone Use while Driving

By Caterina Di Bella Regional Legal Service Office

NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – Social media has been awash lately with news that Italy has modified its traffic laws to impose harsher penalties on using mobile phones while driving. While these changes haven’t yet gone into effect, here are the facts: Texting and talking while driving using handheld devices is already prohibited in Italy – even if you are stopped at a red light! This prohibition applies to all interactions you may have with a smart phone, and while fines (currently approximately €160 per violation) may be going up to €646, those changes haven’t been enacted by Parliament yet.

The proposed changes to the Italian law also include a suspension and the immediate withdrawal of a driver’s license for one to three months for a first violation, while currently the confiscation of the driving document is only

applied if the violation is a second or greater offense. While these changes are not yet law, they may soon be! So keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel.

For U.S. personnel and dependents, a violation of Italian law or NAS Sigonella Instruction 5114.1H (Registration, Operation, Supervision, and Disposition of Motor Vehicles) can also result in confiscation or suspension of the AFI Translation for a period of up to one year at the discretion of the NAS Sigonella Commanding Officer, along with the assessment of the fine by Italian authorities. The NAS Sigonella Commanding Officer retains authority to suspend driving privileges for U.S. personnel and dependents at all times. On NAS I, NAS II, and Marinai, the use of cellular phones while operating a motor vehicle is strictly prohibited and can result in loss of AFI driving privileges throughout Italy for up to one year.

Stay safe out there, Sigonella!

MAY 26, 2017

"mafia children" cont’ from Page 6 absence of a charge or a conviction of the parents.

Once anti-mafia authorities start an investigation, children of suspects can be removed from their parents.

Since 2012, around 40 proceedings have successfully limited or removed paternity rights within mafia families, almost exclusively aimed at fathers. The children affected receive support from social services, including inclusion in the foster system, and they are often sent outside the region as part of special education programs.

There was a peak in removals after a partnership agreement in 2013 with district prosecutors. Then in mid-2016, the president of the youth tribunal, Roberto Di Bella, published a decree to codify the procedure, explaining how to justify the removals under Italian law. This now means that the procedure is applicable to the whole of Italy, although so far it has only been applied in Calabria.

The reasons why the authorities have turned to this extreme policy is closely linked to the situation in Calabria. The families involved are members of the ’Ndrangheta, the most globalized, powerful and wealthiest part of the Italian mafia.

While the ’Ndrangheta clans are deeply rooted in Calabria, investigations over the last 30 years have shown the spread of their presence to the rest of the country, especially in the north of Italy.

The term ’Ndrangheta also refers to a set of behaviors. These are characterized by the use of intimidation, disregard for authority and the law, involvement in criminal activities and preoccupation with personal gain. All of this is imbued in the cultural and social codes of the Calabrian region.

The most traditional manifestations of Calabrian culture, from religion to community organization, are linked to the centrality of families. Marriage is used between families to preserve reputation and social prestige.

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This explains why the youth tribunal argued that the ’Ndrangheta clans’ grip on the territory should be understood as a “socially inherited phenomenon”, where family relationships play a crucial role. Mafia culture is based on the centrality of the father figure: at the same time both boss and pater familias. Mothers instill the mafia culture and transmit values such as omerta’ (the behavior of keeping silent when things do not relate to you directly), honor and respect. Sons are expected to step into their father’s shoes and daughters are crucial for strategies of marriage and alliances.

Breaking up the bonds between parents and their children in areas such as Reggio Calabria is therefore an effective way to stop criminal traditions being passed from generation to generation.

The ‘Ndrangheta – the most international of the various branches of the Italian mafia – needs to keep its local roots intact and strong to be able to move criminals and criminal activities abroad.

The removal policy has not been without controversy, particularly regarding the welfare of the children removed from their families. Critics have questioned the legitimacy and impact of relying on judicial intervention as a form of “child saving.”

More widely, removing children from home has been criticized as a punishment to the children rather than a mechanism to protect them.

Some have also argued that policies in which children are removed from their parents can eventually lead to children being used as objects through which to accuse and punish parents even more.

However, a small study has also shown improvement in the quality of life of children who are removed from negligent homes. As my research has also highlighted, programs of child protection as part of policies to tackle organized crime are also present in other countries under the auspices of crime prevention.

In the fight against the ’Ndrangheta so far,

PAGE 15 child protection can be justified on the basis of the pervasiveness of the mafia subculture within the home. But it may take generations to tell whether the policy will have a long-term impact on the culture of these mafia families.

Italy Mulls Plan to Scrap One- and Two-Cent Coins Story by AFP Italy’s ruling Democratic Party on Monday unveiled a proposal to get rid of one- and twocent coins from 2018 onwards.

Scrapping the small change would amount to savings of €20,000 each year, said the party’s Head of Innovation Sergio Boccadutri, who proposed the measure as a budgetary amendment.

According to the MP, each one-cent coin costs 4.2 cents to manufacture, while a two-cent coin costs 5.2 cents.

Since the introduction of the euro in Italy, the mint has spent billions on creating the small denominations, which are rarely accepted in parking meters, toll booths, or vending machines - meaning they often end up forgotten in drawers or old coat pockets.

Across the eurozone, four countries have already largely stopped the production of the two lowest-value coins. In Belgium, Finland, Ireland and the Netherlands, prices are often rounded to the nearest five cents when consumers pay with cash, though the small coins remain legal tender.

Boccadutri previously suggested introducing rounding in Italy in 2014, when he was an MP for the now-defunct Left Ecology Freedom party.

The Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of Italy’s parliament, voted almost unanimously in favor of the proposal, committing the country to “examine the possibility of introducing measures to reduce significantly the demand for one-and two-cent coins.”

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