Fleet Week Sailors Help Display National 9/11 Flag

By Mass Communcication Specialist 1st Class Jeremy K. Johnson, Navy Public Affairs Support Element East

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. (NNS) -- Sailors from USS Mitscher (DDG-57), USS Gonzales (DDG-66) and USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) joined members of the New York Says Thank You Foundation (NYSTY) in a brief ceremony to unfurl and display the National 9/11 Flag at The Sullivans Pier May 26.

Also participating in the ceremony were local Boy Scouts, New York Civil Air Patrol members, Fleet Week volunteers and Fleet Week attendees.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to participate," said Seaman Dustin Johnson of USS Mitscher.

The 30-foot American flag displayed was discovered hanging on the side of a building tattered and torn, close to where the World Trade Center towers fell on Sept. 11, 2001. The flag was recovered, and has been fully restored by NYSTY volunteers.

"There's a lot of love in this flag," said Jimmy Sands, a NYSTY volunteer and New York City firefighter. "We estimate probably about 6 million people have held this flag since 2008."

Volunteers of the NYSTY organization answered the call to serve after Sept. 11, 2001, and travel around the country to help rebuild communities affected by disasters.

The National 9/11 Flag contains patches from retired flags of all 50 states, patches of flags recovered after the 9/11 disaster, a patch stitched aboard USS Missouri (BB-63) on Pearl Harbor Day by World War II survivors, and many more patches representing the strong history and pride of our nation.

Fire Controlman 3rd Class Jeremy Kirby of Donald Cook said seeing this flag was a very moving experience.

"To see the way these volunteers came together to repair this flag is encouraging. It shows what we can do as Americans if we just believe in ourselves."

Held nearly every year since 1984, Fleet Week New York is the city's celebration of sea services. Fleet Week New York provides an opportunity for the citizens of New York City and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as see, first-hand, the latest capabilities of today's maritime services. More than 6,000 service men and women from the U.S. and coalition nations are participating.

This year, Fleet Week New York is one of the signature events around the country commemorating OpSail 2012, the bicentennial of the War of 1812, and the Star-Spangled Banner. The Commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 is a salute to all Sailors and Marines who fought gallantly in that conflict, who served in all our nation's conflicts since then, and who are defending freedom around the world.

Earth Day: Naval Station Newport Celebrates with Base Clean

By Bob Krekorian, Naval Station Newport Public Affairs

NEWPORT, R.I. (NNS) -- Active duty personnel and DoD civilian employees at Naval Station (NAVSTA) Newport conducted a base-wide clean up of debris, litter and trash, and recyclables, April 16-20, in conjunction with Earth Day 2012.

The shoreline areas adjacent to Narragansett Bay was the focus of this year's clean up, scheduled daily, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Available personnel from the various NAVSTA Newport departments and 12 tenant commands were assigned areas of responsibility. The base was divided into three areas to insure the entire installation received some attention: Coasters' Harbor Island, Coddington Point, and Coddington Cove.

The result of the clean up produced a total of 2,378 pounds of debris and litter. Recyclable material recovered included 1,120 pounds of wood; 221 pounds of bottles/cans/paper, and cardboard; and 500 pounds of scrap metal. Trash collected totaled 537 pounds.

The total amount of recyclables recovered, 1,841 pounds, helped contribute to a 77 percent diversion rate to local landfills.

"Our annual base clean up demonstrates that we can make a difference in showing our continued commitment to environmental stewardship," said Capt. Douglas Mikatarian, commanding officer, Naval Station Newport.

"By involving all possible NAVSTA departments and tenant commands, we achieved our goal of improving base appearance and keeping our shoreline free of debris and litter," Mikatarian said.

To accommodate academic scheduling at the Naval Academy Preparatory School, Newport, R.I., 200 Midshipman candidates started collecting debris, April 14.

Thirty Scouts and their adult chaperones from Boy Scout Troop 7, Middletown, R.I. and Boy Scout Troop 4, Riverside, R.I., are visiting Naval Station Newport, April 20-22, for an overnight encampment that includes a litter and debris clean up at Morale, Welfare and Recreation's Carr Point Recreation Area.

Last year, more than 2,800 pounds of debris were bagged during a similar weeklong clean up; recyclable material recovered totaled 1,700 pounds.

NAS Jacksonville Hosts Boy Scouts

By Personnel Specialist 3rd Class Moses Mckelvey, Navy Region Southeast Public Affairs

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- The Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville Environmental Department hosted 51 Cub Scouts and eight Boy Scouts at the Black Point Interpretive Center, July 25–29.

The five-day camp gave Scouts the opportunity to earn merit badges, improve leadership skills, and to learn more about nature. This year's focus was on Native-American customs and traditions.

"This is a nature camp that gives Boy Scouts the opportunity to get nature merit badges in a short period of time. They utilize the resources we have here to achieve within a five-day period what would take longer otherwise," said Angela Glass, NAS Jacksonville's assistant natural resource manager. "This is a great opportunity for the Scouts to see how the Navy plays a part in recycling and reusing natural resources. A lot of kids thought that naval bases consisted of just aircraft, concrete, and ships."

This was the fifth year Boy Scouts from the Northeastern region of Florida have come to NAS Jacksonville. While earning merit badges, the Boy Scouts improved their leadership skills by mentoring the younger Cub Scouts.

"This week gave me a chance to come out and have fun with my friends and also mentor the younger kids coming up through scouting," said Donnavan Krenert, a 1st class scout and den chief. "It will also help me out when I get ready to go to college."

Each merit badge earned by a Scout assists him in reaching the level of Eagle Scout. Upon reaching the rank of Eagle Scout, a Scout may submit a college scholarship application to the National Eagle Scout Association.

The camp featured various events throughout the week, including a visit from NAS Jacksonville's Fire Department, Smokey the Bear from the United Sates Forest Service, different types of sporting events, arts and crafts projects, and a nature walk.

"I am a third-generation Scout, and I've been in and around scouting for 51 years," said Cub Master Glynn Wood of Pack 360. "Scouting teaches these kids how to be patient, courageous and how do to the right things in life. The rest of the counselors and I just want to keep learning fun for the boys."

Boy Scouts Learn About USS Constitution

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kathryn E. Macdonald, USS Constitution Public Affairs

ALTAMONT, Tenn. (NNS) -- USS Constitution Sailors taught Boy Scouts about the ship's 213-year history in Altamont, Tenn., June 17.

Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Roxanne Rhoades, Sonar Technician (Subsurface) 1st Class (SS) Mark Comeiro, Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 2nd Class (SW) Jacob Wallace, Aviation Electrician's Mate Airman Matt DeAngelo and Fireman Jakquelynn Mejia participated in the event as part of Chattanooga Navy Week, June 12-19.

"Being an Eagle Scout myself and following the Scout oath and law, allowed for an easy transition into the Navy," said DeAngelo. "I hope that they were able to see how everything I learned from the Scouts has helped me and that it will challenge them to a potential future of serving their country."

Sailors also ate lunch with the Scouts and then answered questions about their jobs in the Navy and what they specifically do aboard Constitution.

"Having the Sailors talk to the Scouts really excited them," said Jim Bowen, chaplin, Skymont Scouts Reservation. "It will be a moment that they will remember for the rest of their lives."

Sailors assigned to Constitution undergo 20 weeks of naval history training along with additional weekly training.

The primary purpose of Navy Week is to increase Navy awareness by presenting the Navy to Americans who live in cities that normally do not have a significant naval presence. Chattanooga Navy Week showcased the mission, capabilities and achievements of the U.S. Navy and provided residents the opportunity to meet Sailors firsthand.

Constitution is located in the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston and is the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat. The ship welcomes more than 500,000 visitors a year.