COVERING WHIDBEY ISLAND’S NAVAL AIR STATION COMMUNITY
Whidbey
VOLUME 1, NO. 39 | 23 DECEMBER 2011
www.whidbeycrosswind.com
VP-40 Sailors lend Santa a hand Fighting Marlins pay visit to students By K ATHY REED Whidbey Crosswind
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Sailors from Patrol Squadron 40 carry gifts through the halls of Oak Harbor High School on Dec. 16. KATHY REED/WHIDBEY CROSSWIND
(Left) Holly Worrell opens the door to VP-40 and Cmdr. Brett Mietus. (Above) VP-40 personnel hand out gifts to students in the Life Skills Class. KATHY REED/ WHIDBEY CROSSWIND
embers of Holly Worrell’s Life Skills class at Oak Harbor High School got a special visit last Friday from Santa’s Elves — but these were very special elves indeed. Personnel from Patrol Squadron 40 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, including Cmdr. Brett Mietus, carried in armloads of gifts, winning delighted cries from students, which elicited big grins from the Fighting Marlins. The event was the brainchild of Naval Aircrewman Operator Second Class Glyn Schopen and his wife, Lonnie, whose son, Jayson, is in the class. “Every time we relocate, wherever it is, we adopt a class,” explained Lonnie. “When we got here we found out (Ms. Worrell) was buying class supplies out of her own money and we wanted to help.” The Schopens asked Worrell to make a “Christmas” list of all the supplies she needed. Glyn took it to his fellow Fighting Marlins. “I addressed the shop, telling them I’d like for us to raise money or donate gifts to help these kids out for Christmas,” Glyn said. “They were on board.” In all, VP-40 personnel raised $300 in cash and donated another $100 in gifts. The Schopens matched the amount and went shopping for items on the list. At the party, students opened packages containing items like Legos, small white boards, mops, plastic storage bins and much, much more. “It’s breath-taking. I did not expect this,” said Worrell, who has been at OHHS for about a year a half. “It’s going to be insanely helpful,”
SEE GIFTS | PAGE 2
Navy Band NW plays a merry melody By Kathy Reed Whidbey Crosswind
Anyone in need of a good dose of the holiday spirit had only to attend the “Home for the Holidays” concert by Navy Band Northwest last Saturday to feel infused and enthused. In a performance before a nearly packed crowd at the Oak Harbor High School performing arts center, Navy musicians and vocalists brought the holidays to life. The annual performance is a tradition for many in the community.
SEE BAND | PAGE 8
THIS EDITION Yellow Jackets head back from Iraq................pg. 2 Liberty Program still needs cookies ..................pg. 2 Sarah Smiley: A lesson in sunrises .................pg. 4 Ladies Auxiliary throws party for seniors ..............pg. 5
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