journal 091913

By MassCommunication

Specialist 2nd ClassJohn K. Hamilton

NSAB Public Affairsstaff writer

Naval Support Activ-ity Bethesda (NSAB),

with support from NavyExchange (NEX) Bethes-da and NSAB’s Morale,Welfare and Recreation(MWR), hosted a basewide event – the Free-dom 5K – September 11,in remembrance of the9/11 attacks.

“The purpose of the5K was to allow theNSAB community toshow their support andremembrance from theattacks 12 years ago,through running anddoing something theyenjoy,” said Rico Mac-

araeg, marketing andpublic relations man-ager of NEX Bethesda.“It was a great oppor-tunity, as the Navy Ex-change carries manyproducts that wouldsupport the race andMWR had all the right

logistical equipmentand coordination tomake it successful.”Capt. David Bitonti,

NSAB’s newest com-manding officer, was onhand to offer openingremarks and to beginthe race.

“As you all remem-ber, on 9/11, we lost al-most 3,000 Americansand in addition to that,125 of our colleagues,our friends and ourmilitary Departmentof Defense family werelost at the Pentagonas well,” said Bitonti.“That’s really whattoday is about; It’s inhonor of them and theirmemory. It’s also tohonor our mission hereat the base, which is tosupport the individualmission of the tenantsthat are here. And mostimportantly the mis-sion of the hospital asit relates to caring forour wounded warriorswho have been at thetip of the spear of ourresponse for the larg-est loss of Americanlives from an attack onAmerican soil. Pleasekeep that in mind as

Vol. 25 No. 36 www.cnic.navy.mil/bethesda/ September 19, 2013

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John K. Hamilton

Naval Support Activity Bethesda (NSAB)Commanding Officer Capt. David Bitontiaddresses the runners with opening remarksand gives the word to start the race duringthe Freedom 5K onboard NSAB.

Photo by Bernard S. Little

Service members, staff and family participated in the Freedom 5K Run September 11. Therun commemorated the attacks that took place on 9/11.


More than 300 runners came out to participate in the Freedom 5K.

Freedom 5KKeeps Paceat NSA Bethesda

See FREEDOM page 7

2 Thursday, September 19, 2013 The Journal

Published by offset every Thurs-day by Comprint Military Publi-cations, 9030 Comprint Court,Gaithersburg, Md. 20877, a pri-vate firm in no way connectedwith the U.S. Navy, under ex-clusive written contract with theWalter Reed National MilitaryMedical Center, Bethesda, Md.This commercial enterprise news-paper is an authorized publication formembers of the military services. Contentsof The Journal are not necessarily the of-ficial views of, nor endorsed by, the U.S.Government, the Department of Defense,or the Department of Navy. The appearanceof advertising in this publication, includinginserts or supplements, does not constituteendorsement by the Department of De-fense or Comprint, Inc., of the products orservices advertised. Everything advertisedin this publication shall be made availablefor purchase, use or patronage without re-

gard to race, color, religion, sex,national origin, age, maritalstatus, physical handicap,political affiliation, or anyother non-merit factor of thepurchaser, user, or patron.Editorial content is edited,

prepared and provided bythe Public Affairs Office, Naval

Support Activity Bethesda, Md.News copy should be submitted to

the Public Affairs Office, Building 11, lowerlevel, Room 41, by noon one week pre-ceding the desired publication date. Newsitems are welcomed from all installationsources. Inquiries about news copy will beanswered by calling 301-295-1803. Com-mercial advertising should be placed withthe publisher by telephoning 301-921-2800.Publisher’s advertising offices are locatedat 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, Md.20877. Classified ads can be placed by call-ing 301-670-1700.

Naval Support Activity (NSA) BethesdaCommanding Officer: Capt. David BitontiActing Public Affairs Officer NSAB: John EppersonPublic Affairs Office NSAB: 301-400-2488

Journal Staff

Staff Writers MC2 John HamiltonMC3 Brandon Williams-ChurchMASN April BeazerSarah MarshallSharon Renee TaylorCat DeBinderRyan HunterKatie MolletKatrina Skinner

Managing Editor MC2 Nathan PardeWRNMMC Editor Bernard Little

Walter Reed National Military Medical CenterOffice of Media Relations 301-295-5727

Fleet And Family Support Center 301-319-4087WRNMMC Ombudsman VacantNSAB OmbudsmanJojo Lim Hector 703-901-6730Michelle Herrera 240-370-5421

Sexual Assault ResponseCoordinator Hotline 301-442-2053

Visit us on Facebook:Naval Support Activity Bethesda page:https://www.facebook.com/NSABethesda

Walter Reed National Medical Center page:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Walter-Reed-National-Military-Medical-Center/295857217111107

Uniformed Services University of the HealthSciences page:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Uniformed-Services-University-of-the-Health-Sciences/96338890888?fref=ts

WRNMMC Change of CommandA change of command ceremony forWalter Reed

National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC)will be today at 2 p.m. in front of the Tower on-board Naval Support Activity Bethesda (NSAB).Army Brig. Gen. (Dr.) Jeffrey B. Clark will assumeWRNMMC command from Rear Adm. (Dr.) AltonL. Stocks, the first commander of WRNMMC, thelargest academic medical center in the MilitaryHealth System. Clark will become the first Armyofficer to command WRNMMC when he assumesits leadership later today.

Prostate Cancer Support GroupTheWRNMMC Prostate Cancer Support Group

meets twice today in the America Building RiverConference Room, third floor, adjacent to the Cen-ter for Prostate Disease Research. The day ses-sion is from 1 to 2 p.m., and the evening sessionis from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. For more information,contact retired Col. Jane Hudak at 301-319-2918or [email protected].

Hispanic Heritage Month CelebrationThe Bethesda Multicultural Committee is spon-

soring the Walter Reed Bethesda Hispanic Heri-tage Month celebration on Sept. 26 at 11:30 a.m.in the America Building Atrium (Piano Area). Theevent will include music, dancing, staff talent andfree food samples. For more information, call Sgt.1st Class Jason Zielske at 301- 400-3542, or [email protected].

Healing, Recovery from TBIThe National Museum of Health and Medicine

will host a free program, “A Visual Journey ofHealing and Recovery from TBI,” Sept. 24 from 6to 7 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Building, Fen-ton Room, 1 Veterans Place in Silver Spring, Md.The program includes artist Eliette Markhbein’spersonal brain injury story, told through her re-vealing self-portrait and through the stories of12 other brain injury survivors. Join Markhbeinfor this review of her experiences and her exhibit“WHACK’ed ... and then everything was differ-ent,” which is on display at the National Museumof Health and Medicine until Sept. 30. This eventis free and open to the public. For more informa-tion, call 301-319-3303 or visit http://www.medi-calmuseum.mil.

Bethesda Notebook

I’d like to take this op-portunity to (re)introducemyself as the new com-mander of Naval SupportActivity Bethesda. I amhumbled, honored andfeel privileged to be giv-en this opportunity, andI take very seriously theresponsibility of serviceand support to the ten-ants, visitors, active dutyand civilians who come toNSA Bethesda. I am excited about thefuture of NSA Bethesda as we contin-ue to modernize and improve our base.I say “our” base because we all

have a stake in the success of NSABethesda. Although there is a differ-ence between being the base caretakerand being a tenant, we all must worktogether formulating new ideas to im-prove support and services; obeyingregulations such as the parking andpedestrian rules; keeping the instal-lation clean and clear of debris; andworking collectively to support eachtenant’s mission in order to betterserve our residents and guests. If youhave a good caretaker and tenant re-lationship, you all enjoy the benefits ofthe base. Over the past few years wehave been fortunate to have an out-standing caretaker here collectivelyknown as NSA Bethesda. I want tocontinue to build that relationshipwith you.The NSA Bethesda/my mission

statement says that “as an installa-tion, we create an environment thatenables patients to heal, staff to thriveand guests to feel at home,” and as ahealthcare provider I witnessed exact-ly that on a daily basis. I very muchplan to continue that tradition of sup-port excellence. If you work for one ofour tenant commands, know that Ihave been on both sides of the fence

and understand the im-pact, both positively andnegatively, installationsupport can have on yourability to conduct yourmission. Your safety, se-curity and comfort is notjust a priority for me, it’sthe reason NSA Bethesdaexists as an installation.If you are one of the

NSA Bethesda staff, Iask that you “keep up the

good work,” and “thank you for whatyou do every day.”As I’ve had a chanceto get out and around the installationmore and see all of the things thatgo on behind the scenes to keep thisinstallation running smoothly, I amconstantly impressed at your level ofeffort and dedication.When I assumedcommand, I quickly realized that theNSA Bethesda staff was made up ofa top notch team. That allowed me tohit the ground running, and for thatI’m truly appreciative. I want to keepthe lines of communication open andask that you utilize the appropriateconduits for information; however, Ihave an open door policy and if some-thing is not right, I want/need to knowabout it. I look forward to getting outand visiting each and every one of youin your workplace as we continue to dogreat things for great people. I couldnot ask for a better team.Thank you for entrusting me with

the caretaker keys to the installation.This is a truly special place to workand live. Let’s all work together tomake Naval Support Activity Bethes-da the premier installation it can be.

All ahead flank,Capt. David BitontiNaval Support Activity BethesdaCommanding Officer

Commander’s Column

01040790

The Journal Thursday, September 19, 2013 3

By Master-at-ArmsSeaman

April BeazerNSAB Public Affairs

staff writer

In consideration ofthe recent tragedy thatoccurred at the Wash-ington Navy Yard,Naval Support Activ-ity Bethesda (NSAB)would like to issue areminder that codesafety is important foreveryone onboard theinstillation.

President BarackObama addressed thenation on the Washing-ton Navy Yard incident.“It’s a shooting thattargeted our militaryand civilian personnel,”said Obama. “These aremen and women whowere going to work, do-ing their job, protect-ing all of us. They’repatriots, and they knowthe dangers of servingabroad – but today,

they faced unimagina-ble violence that theywouldn’t have expectedhere at home. So we of-fer our gratitude to theNavy and local law en-forcement, federal au-thorities, and the doc-tors who’ve respondedwith skill and bravery.”

Having knowledgeabout the guidelinesand procedures to fol-low in the case of anactive shooter situationcan make a huge differ-ence.

Jim Ganz, NSABsafety manager, sharedwhat steps to take ifthere is an active shoot-er situation at NSAB.

“If you are not ableto leave the building,secure your immediatesurroundings by lock-ing and barricadingthe door(s); keep awayfrom them; turn off thelights; close the blinds;shut off radios and com-puter monitors. Keep

out of sight. Cover suchas concrete walls, filingcabinets, etc. may offersome protection. Don’tforget to silence yourcell phone.”

If you find yourselfoutdoors in the eventof an active shooter, fol-low the active shooterresponse guidelines forNSAB. The most im-portant thing is to keepyourself from increas-ing your risk.

“Do not make anyrash decisions basedon incomplete informa-tion,” said Ganz. “Be-fore you do something,have a clear indicationthat it is the right thingto do. I imagine that ifyou feel you must run,run in the proper direc-tion, take advantageof any “cover” that isavailable and try not torun in a straight line.Keep in mind, if there

Code Preparedness: A Vital Part of a Military Installation

The second step to securing an office space in the event of an activeshooter is to close any windows and blinds.

Photos by Master-at-Arms Seaman April Beazer

Chief Marty McQuagge demonstrates the first step of practicingsafety indoors in the event of an active shooter by securing his of-fice space.

See SAFETY page 6

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By Bernard S. LittleWRNMMC Journal

staff writer

Six Sailors werepinned chief petty of-ficers (CPOs) duringa ceremony at WalterReed National Mili-tary Medical Center(WRNMMC) on Sept. 13.

Chief Hospital Corps-man (HMC) Shaun Kes-tner (Navy MedicineProfessional Develop-ment Center), HMCMario Espino (NavalMedical Research Cen-ter), HMC Scott Bondar(WRNMMC), HMC Da-ryl Mercado (UniformedServices University),HMC Theresa Richards(WRNMMC) and HMCVilma Bauer (NMRC),achieved one of the Na-vy’s senior noncommis-sioned officer rate afterreceiving their CPO an-chors and covers fromtheir colleagues andfamilies during the cer-

emony filled with Navytradition.

Singing “AnchorsAweigh,” the six newCPOs marched intothe Memorial Audito-rium dressed sharplyin neatly pressed khakiuniforms. All Sailors inattendance then recitedthe Sailors Creed, pledg-ing to “proudly servetheir country’s Navycombat team with hon-or, courage and commit-ment,” and committingto “excellence and thefair treatment to all.”

“What a great dayfor the Navy and mili-tary medicine,” saidRear Adm. (Dr.) AltonL. Stocks, WRNMMCcommander. He chargedthe Fiscal Year 2014CPOs with expectingmore from themselvesbecause of their addedresponsibilities. He alsoencouraged the newchiefs to mentor others,and perform “outside

of their comfort zones,thinking outside of thebox to identify and solveproblems.”

Retired Master ChiefHospital Corpsman

Brian D. Pampuro, thefinancial educator andcounselor at Fleet andFamily Support Center,Naval Support Activity-Bethesda (NSAB), was

the guest speaker at theceremony. He explainedhe has come to knowthe new chiefs duringtheir arduous processand weeks of hard work

to become CPOs. “Theywere tested and triedboth physically andmentally” before being

Sailors Pinned As Chief Petty Officers


From left, newly promoted Chief Petty Officers (CPO) Daryl Mercado, Scott Bondar, The-resa Richards, Vilma Bauer, Shaun Kestner and Mario Espino proudly wear their new CPOanchors and covers following their pinning ceremony on Friday at Walter Reed Bethesda.

See CHIEF page 10

01040641


By Mass CommunicationSpecialist 3rd Class

BrandonWilliams-Church

NASB Public Affairsstaff writer

Naval Support ActivityBethesda’s (NSAB) GiantVoice Mass Notification Sys-tem is scheduled to go activeOctober 1.The Giant Voice will pro-

vide a rapid way of notifyingall personnel aboard NSABof destructive weather andother potentially hazard-ous situations, allowing im-mediate dissemination ofrequired actions and otherinformation, according toExecutive Emergency Man-ager, Ron Kunz.“The Giant Voice was de-

rived from the 2009 FortHood shooting after ac-tion report to provide ad-ditional safety and supportmeasures to the command,”said Jarrod Greene, deputyemergency manager forNSAB.The Giant Voice consists

of loud-speakers located ontowers and other structuresthroughout the installation.The loud-speakers are posi-tioned to provide sound cov-erage (sirens, pre-recordedmessages, live address ca-pability) to areas of NSABwith high populations orcritical missions and func-tions, regardless of environ-mental conditions.“The speakers are located

all over the base and willprovide coverage to close to100 percent of the base, pro-jecting all sound inwards tominimize spill-over noiseinto the surrounding com-munity,” said Greene. “Theyare located at the UniformedServices University of theHealth Sciences, the NavyLodge, the Navy Exchangeand around the hospital.”From Sept. 23 to Sept. 25

technicians will conduct livetests of the system startingat 9 a.m. and securing at 4p.m.During the testing phase

of the system, visitors andworkers to the base facili-

ties should hear the follow-ing message, “The followingis a test of the Giant VoiceMass Notification System.This is only a test. For thenext 60 minutes we will beconducting a test of the Gi-ant Voice Mass NotificationSystem. This test will con-sist of voice, tone or musicaudio transmissions. This isonly a test. Please disregardall transmissions from thissite.”The commanding officer

controls the system alongwith direction by the emer-gency services dispatchersand the emergency opera-tions that have access toactivate the system, saidGreene.From meetings to site sur-

veys, noise surveys, buildingdrawings and site manag-ing, the process for bringingthe Giant Voice to NSAB hasbeen a long and thoughtfulone.With the recent events at

the Washington Navy Yard,the importance of a massnotification system is rec-

ognized even more by theemergency managementteam.“It’s vital to help imple-

ment a system like this toinform workers of natu-ral disasters to man-madeevents in order to protect

the installation and thefamily members on it,” saidGreene.Visit the NSA Bethesda

and WRNMMC websitesand Facebook pages for fur-ther information.

Giant Voice Speaker System Set to be Implemented at NSAB

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Brandon Williams-Church

Speakers located on buildings throughout the basewill be able to project vital information to visitors andworkers on Naval Support Activity Bethesda. The Gi-ant Voice Mass Notification System is scheduled to golive Oct. 1.

By Bernard S. LittleWRNMMC Journal

staff writer

Walter Reed NationalMilitary Medical Center(WRNMMC) and NavalSupport Activity Bethesda(NSAB) joined the rest of theworld in observing the 12thanniversary of the 9/11 ter-rorist attacks with a remem-brance ceremony on Sept. 11in the Building 17 gymna-sium.

The Department of Pasto-ral Care sponsored the Wal-ter Reed Bethesda remem-brance for 9/11, and the RealLife Youth Choir of Wyomiss-ing, Pa., performed at the ob-servance. Chaplain Bob Wy-att of Church Army USA wasthe guest speaker, and RabbiRisa Weinstein, BrotherDavid Schlatter and ImamMohammed Khan provided“future visions tributes,” re-flecting on remembrance,healing, hope, forgivenessand the sanctity of life. Se-nior Chief Roger Brisley alsoprovided a time line reflec-tion of the tragedy on 9/11,as a Sailor rang a bell inremembrance of the eventsand its victims.

Rear Adm. (Dr.) AltonL. Stocks, WRNMMC com-mander, noted some mem-bers of the Real Life YouthChoir weren’t born whenthe terrorist attacks hap-pened 12 years ago, but heexplained to them threetimes a week, WRNMMC

receives wounded warriorsfrom the battlefield fightingto prevent another 9/11 fromhappening. “This is the firstplace on American soil wherethe severely injured come,”the admiral said. “This is thefirst place where they are re-united with their families.”

“[Sept. 11, 2001] changedour lives,” Stocks continued.He added although Sep. 11is now appropriately ob-served each year as a day ofremembrance for victims ofthe tragedy, it should alsobe a day of celebration of thepeople who on 9/11, “do whatwe do every day in America— go to work and keep thecountry moving forward.”He said many of them “un-selfishly” helped others onthat tragic day, and the dayswhich followed.

“That brings us to what wedo [here] – heal those heroes

and continue to support anddefend the cause of freedomaround the world,” Stockssaid. “Those [victims of 9/11]didn’t die in vain. They livedfor a good cause in America,and if there is any place onthis planet which also rep-resents that, it’s here andwhat we do at Walter ReedBethesda.”

Wyatt, a Vietnam vet-eran, agreed with Stocks,also saying, 9/11 changedthe lives of many people,and “everything seemed totake a sharp” turn on thatday. The minister also spokeof rebuilding communitiesand helping others, whichhe said, “really does work.Building communities buildspeople, and building peoplebuilds communities.”

“We heal by remember-ing,” said Weinstein. “Eachtragedy is an opportunity.

It’s a defining moment in ourpast, but it becomes the mo-ment from which we rebuild.We do not forget the pains ofthe past, we build with them.On this 12th anniversary of

Sept. 11, may we continue tofind ways to turn our paininto promise. May we neverforget what we lost, but may

Photos by Bernard S. Little

A joint color guard parade the nation’s colors dur-ing the 9/11 remembrance ceremony at Walter ReedBethesda on Sept. 11.

Members of the Walter Reed Bethesda communitypause in prayer during the 9/11 remembrance.

Walter Reed Bethesda, NSAB Remember 9/116 Thursday, September 19, 2013 The Journal

See 9/11 page 10

is any doubt about whetheror not you should leave yoursafe area, do not leave! Keepyour area secured.”

When emergency servicesarrive, be sure to proceedwith caution. They are re-sponding to a hostile situa-tion.

“Please remember; the po-lice that are attempting tosecure the area have a com-pletely different perspectiveand mission than you do,”Ganz stressed. “If securityforces enter your area, staydown, don’t rush at them ingratitude, keep your handsvisible and listen and followtheir orders. Security forcesmay view any other move-

ments and gestures as apossible threat to their per-sonal safety and may act inresponse to that.”

NSAB staff and residentsshould understand and fol-low “active shooter” proce-dures as well as any otheremergency situation.

“Just as everyone shouldknow how to evacuate theirworkspace in the event of afire, everyone should knowwhat their response shouldbe if this terrible situationshould ever arise here,” saidGanz. “[More information]can be found in the ActiveShooter Incident, Communi-ty Response Checklist in theNSAB Emergency Manage-ment Plan. This informationis freely available, and thatfact should be made knownto all hands.”

SAFETYContinued from 3

Photo by Master-at-Arms Seaman April Beazer

Chief Marty McQuagge demonstrates one way to protect yourself from the dan-ger of an active shooter.


you do your run andwhen you get home to-day thank your fami-lies for everything thatthey do to support youand your ability to doyour mission in orderto do the nation’s mis-sion.”

More than 300 run-ners attached to theinstallation partici-pated in the event, notonly to remember the9/11 attacks, but alsoto come together as ateam and show supportfor one another.

“I think this runsupports the remem-brance of 9/11 becauseit gives us all an oppor-tunity to come togetheras active duty, retirees,families, communities,

wounded warriors andjust simply, support-ers,” said Macaraeg.“We all were affectedby the events on 9/11and creating eventsthat will bring us to-gether will help thehealing process, aswell as allow us to nev-er forget.”

Numerous volun-teers were at theevent to help registerrunners and share thecorrect route to run inthe race. Several out-side vendors were alsoin attendance offeringrefreshment stationsso the runners couldrecharge after therace.

“Events such asthese are really ben-eficial to our base andour community,” saidMacaraeg. “We had anoverwhelming amountof requests from vol-

unteers to help, as wellas runners and dona-tors from outside thegates. These types ofrequests just reinforcethe support of our mis-sion here on base. Therun also allowed us totake a minute out ofour day and embracethe camaraderie andrelationships we havebuilt here on NSABand simply have fun.”

There were manyreasons for peopleto participate in theevent; the most re-sounding one was, tonever forget.

“This is a wonderfulopportunity to builda little camaraderiethroughout the baseand also to supportSeptember 11,” saidCulinary Specialist1st Class Wilson Cruz,senior enlisted leaderof Food Operations at

Walter Reed NationalMilitary Medical Cen-ter. “I was in my sec-ond week of boot camp

when 9/11 happenedand I’m originally fromNew York, so this is agreat way to show some

patronage to those wholost their lives and tomake sure they arenever forgotten.”


Volunteers on motorcycles helped to safely guide runners through the designated route.


Volunteers from the Navy Exchange and staff members from theinstallation were in attendance to help register participants forthe race.


Runners braved 90-degree weather to run the Freedom 5K.

FREEDOMContinued from 1

01040742

By Lt. Cmdr.Daron Patton

EnvironmentalHealth Officer

Walter ReedNational MilitaryMedical Center

Each year, your Mili-tary Treatment Facil-ity (MTF) provides theseasonal influenza vac-cinations.This year, staff and

beneficiaries can re-ceive their free flu vac-cine now through Oct.25 from 8 a.m. to 4p.m., Monday throughFriday in Building 9,first floor near Radi-ology. You must bringyour military identifi-cation card, staff badgeor common access card.Walter Reed NationalMilitary Medical Cen-ter (WRNMMC) staffonly may also receivethe vaccine today andtomorrow from 8 a.m.to 4 p.m. in Building 7,second floor, Occupa-tional Health.Immunizations help

protect you and yourfamily from influen-za and its complica-tions. The Centers forDisease Control andPrevention recom-mends everyone whois at least 6 months ofage get a flu vaccinethis season. People forwhom the influenzavaccine is especiallyimportant include:•Those with certain

medical conditions in-cluding asthma, diabe-tes, and chronic lungdisease•Pregnant women•Individuals 65

years of age and older•Those with house-

hold contacts and care-givers of people withcertain medical condi-tions including asth-ma, diabetes, chroniclung disease, or otherconditions that mightcompromise their im-mune system.Immunization Clin-

ics at local MTFs haveestablished multiplelocations and timeswhere you can get your

influenza vaccine witha minimal wait timeand no out of pocketcost. We encourage youto take advantage ofthe free influenza vac-cination your MTF of-fers to all eligible ben-eficiaries.

For more informa-tion, contact:•WRNMMC Immu-

nizations: 301-295-5798•Fort Belvoir Com-

munity Hospital Im-munizations: 571-231-1812.


Photo by Sharon Renee Taylor

Navy Capt. Brooks Cash, deputy command-er for medicine at Walter Reed Bethesda,receives the annual flu vaccine Mondayat Walter Reed National Military MedicalCenter.

Seasonal InfluenzaImmunization Program

Rear Adm. (Dr.) Alton L. Stocks, command-er of Walter Reed National Military MedicalCenter receives the annual flu vaccinationMonday at Walter Reed Bethesda.

01040173 01040686


By Katrina SkinnerWRNMMC Journal

staff writer

This year marks thetenth anniversary ofthe healing through thearts program, which be-gan at the former Na-tional Naval MedicalCenter and continuesat Walter Reed NationalMilitary Medical Cen-ter.

On Oct. 3 from 3 to 7p.m., WRNMMC’s Cre-ative Arts Program andOncology Services atthe Murtha Cancer Cen-ter will host its annualHealing Arts Exhibit inthe pavilion betweenthe America Buildingand America BuildingGarage. The exhibit willfeature guest speakersRon Capps, founder ofthe veteran’s literaryplatform, O-Dark-Thir-ty and poet Fred Foote.

In addition, featuredat the exhibit will bea variety of mediumsincluding digital pho-tography, paintings,

expressive writing, per-forming arts, puppetry,story-telling, spokenword, and various formsof music.

Deadline to submitan application to dis-play work at the exhibitis Monday. Applicationsshould be submitted toCmdr. Moira McGuire,WRNMMC, 8901 Wis-consin Ave., Building 8,

3rd floor, room 3131 ofthe Warrior Clinic. Ap-plications can also bescanned and emailed toSeema Reza at [email protected] orErmyn King at [email protected] or Cmdr.Moira McGuire at [email protected]. Accepted artworkmust be submitted nolater than Oct. 1.

Healing Arts Exhibit Opening Nears

Department of Defense photo by Terri Moon Cronk

A wounded warrior designed this montageto begin expressing his feelings about hiswar experiences.


it serve as a point on which we buildthe celebration of our future,” saidthe rabbi.

Schlatter agreed it is importantto remember, heal and rebuild. Hesaid out of the despair, fear anddeep wounds of 9/11 have emergeddetermination, drive, healing andrebirth. “But most importantlywhat we have come to experience,know and cherish, as strong as anyweapon of war, as more powerfulthan the evil that can lurk in thehuman heart, and something moreimmense than any building we canbuild, is God’s mercy, [which] em-braced us as a country, embraced

our sorrow, embraced our leader-ship, and has moved us forward,”said the Franciscan brother.

“As we remember the tragedy ofSept. 11, it is difficult not to feelangry and sad, but we are called toput our trust in the Lord and not tofall into despair and hopelessness,”said Khan. “We must continue to dowhat God has called us to do, putour trust in him, perform good deedsand stand witness for justice andtruth.” The imam added the Qur’ansays people were created to “knoweach other, not despise one another.”

“I ask all of us today, to love life,for it is [God’s] greatest gift,” Khansaid. “Respect life, yours and thelives around you. For when we loserespect for life, we lose respect forhumanity. When we lose respect forhumanity, we lose respect for God’screation. When we lose that, wehave lost everything.”

9/11Continued from 6

A copy of The Washington Post from Sept. 12, 2001 was part of thedisplay at the ceremony.

accepted into “the strongest frater-nity on the globe, and that’s the ChiefPetty Officer Mess,” he said.

Pampuro encouraged the newCPOs to “take care of your people andlead from the front, reaching out tofellow chiefs for support and assis-tance, knowing they will be observedby others, and continuing to plantacorns to grow the future Navy.”

The financial coach and educatoralso urged the chiefs “to find a bal-ance in [their] lives, saving and in-vesting smartly for the future whilenot being afraid to enjoy their incomenow as well. That same theory holdstrue when you step back and assesswhere you are as a chief petty officer,mom, dad, husband, wife, son, daugh-ter, brother, sister or friend; you needto find a balance [between your workand home life],” Pampuro concluded.

Master Chief Keith Staples ex-plained the new chiefs had to partici-pate in “a year-long training evolu-tion” before earning the rate CPO.

Beginning in September of lastyear, the first class petty officers eli-gible for chief were required to passan advancement examination andhave their records reviewed by a se-lect group of master chief petty offi-

cers and senior naval officers.“Needless to say, competition is

quite keen and only the very bestqualified are selected,” Staples added.“Less than 10 percent of all enlistedSailors will reach this milestone,”said the master chief, adding CPOselectees must continue more focusedtraining lasting approximately twomonths, culminating in the pinningceremony.

Those who rate chief, which theNavy first created on April 1, 1893,are counted on to lead and mentorothers, as well as set the standard ofgood order and discipline, Staples ex-plained.

Following their pinning, chiefs wel-comed the new CPOs into their rankswith the reading of the Chief PettyOfficer Creed. The new chiefs thenleft the auditorium as they entered,in formation, marching proudly andsinging “Anchors Aweigh.”

“I was given the opportunity tolead extraordinary Sailors. I also hada leading chief petty officer who al-lowed me to walk beside him daily.Leadership and followership are thedirect reasons why I was selected forchief petty officer,” said Kestner, oneof the new chiefs. He said his goal asa new CPO is to “lead, guide, educate,train and mentor Sailors to the bestof [his] ability, [and] ensure each Sail-or is given the tools to succeed.”

CHIEFContinued from 4

Respect for the Victims

Photo by Sharon Renee Taylor

As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violenceperpetrated on Monday at the Washington Navy Yard, the flag ofthe United States will be flown at half-mast in front of Walter ReedNational Military Medical Center until sunset, September 20.

Joseph W. KastlAttorney

Military Law in BethesdaFREE Initial Consultation

• Defense You Deserve• When It’s You Against the System• MEB Downloadable PDF(Medical Evaluation Board)

Schedule PhoneAppointment

1-800-651-5950

www.militarydef.net01040450

Retired Senior Military Judge

01040796


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