Vol. 37 No. 12 July 24, 2020 SIGONELLA NAVY ORTHODONTIST HONORED MEET THE POLISH WITH VIRDIMURA AWARD MILITARY CONTINGENT pages 6 & 7 CAMPING IN THE SICILIAN OUTDOORS 2 The Signature July 24, 2020 3 Direct Line NAS Sigonella Commanding Officer Capt. Kevin Pickard eam Sigonella, T Today, I want to try and open the discussion on a topic that can be uncomfortable to talk about, but is absolutely essential that we address: race and racism in America. Although we have not been able to host a traditional all hands call due to physical distancing requirements, I intend to use every available communication channel to let you know where I stand on racism, to enable healing conversations on race, and to raise racism awareness here at NAS Sigonella. If you think that racism doesn’t exist today or that it isn’t a problem, it’s time to take a seat, listen and learn about the experiences of your fellow shipmates, because I can tell you, unfortunately, racism is still alive and well, even in 2020. Overcoming racism and raising racism awareness is an issue, much like the scourge of sexual assault, that will require continued dialogue and active participation from each of us. However, for many of us, it is also a time to listen first and to seek to understand people’s experiences that may be different from our own. Our nation and society have thrived due to the efforts of an incredibly diverse array of people from all walks of life. And it is a fact that diversity is one of our greatest strengths and significantly contributes to what truly continue, as the Constitution says, “to form a makes our country, our military and our Navy more perfect union.” exceptional. As the COVID pandemic has altered our Throughout our discussion on racism, we normal routines and patterns of life, 2020 has must celebrate and embrace our diversity, but been a year full of unexpected twists and turns. we will also recognize and reinforce those In my discussions with many of you, I have things that bind us together as Americans, as also heard and understand how emotionally citizens, and as members of the military. While painful it can be to see the tumult at home and our nation may have been founded by imperfect how it directly impacts friends and families. men, the indelible ideas that they presented Yet, day in and day out, I am proud to see our to the world created the foundations of our Sigonella community work together and display freedom and Republic. The ideals enshrined flexibility and resiliency as we navigate these in the Constitution remain the bedrock of our challenges together. democracy and a shining beacon of what we It is up to all of us to confront racism aspire to be. We have all sworn to protect wherever we find it. I assure you that the NAS and defend those ideals, even with our lives, Sigonella leadership is united against racism if required. I firmly believe in our ability to and absolutely committed to celebrating the dismantle racism wherever we find it, and to varied and diverse cultures within our society. 2 The Signature July 24, 2020 3 Cover photo is a digital illustration with image of Polish Military Contingent aboard NAS Sigonella InteractiveInteractive CustomerCustomer EvaluationEvaluation added. Comments Regarding Holiday We look forward to providing you with the THE SIGNATURE Closures: best service we can. As a member of the Sigonella community Comments Gym Cleaning Crews: U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA since 1987, I have never used or complained Since going back to the gym on NAS1 about anything that was done at Sigonella. this past week, I have witnessed, on multiple Commanding Officer But with the Commissary being closed occasions, the cleaning crew in the men’s Capt. Kevin Pickard now on Italian Holidays (too); I feel we locker room wearing no masks. It is very veterans and members of service and private concerning that they will be cleaning the Executive Officer contractors are all being wronged! In the last building but not wearing a mask to prevent Cmdr. Patrick J. Moran three decades there have been challenges the spread of possible contaminates to that the Base and Commissary have always what I am assuming is a good portion of the Command Master Chief overcome. But now, because of covid-19, building. CMDCM Nancy Estrada I feel that the decisions are not warranting Response: EDITORIAL the proper resolve. Before covid-19 the Thank you for your feedback. Just like all Commissary was always open, and only patrons of the gym, the cleaning crew should Public Affairs Officer Lt. Karl Schonberg closed during American National Holiday’s be wearing masks. If you see someone not [email protected] and festivals like Thanksgiving, etc. But now, following this directive, do not hesitate to our Commissary employees here at Sigonella report the issue to desk staff. They have Assistant Public Affairs Officer are also being allowed to have off more and Megan Mills the responsibility to ensure that people are [email protected] more Italian holiday’s too. I am now seeing wearing appropriate personal protective Public Affairs Leading Petty Officer the Commissary being allowed to close for equipment while inside the gym facilities. MC1 Kegan Kay more and more holidays, e.g., American and Comments Regarding Stray Cats [email protected] Italian holidays. How does this benefit the on Marinai: Sigonella community? Now the Commissary Community Relations Officer We have received multiple comments Dott. Alberto Lunetta is being allowed to be closed twice as much about residents feeding stray cats in Marinai. [email protected] as they were in comparison to previous This is a friendly reminder that all pets decades. How does this benefit the Sigonella on Marinai should either be kept indoors PAO Staff Writers \ Photographers community, as the Italian stores are also or within fences. In addition, we remind MC2 Joshua Coté closed on Italian Holiday’s. Maybe we should everyone that it is base policy to not feed [email protected] look at this inconvenience a little bit better, stray animals. According to NAS Sigonella’s or higher/use American employees only? MCSA Triniti Lersch General Order Number 1, “it is strictly [email protected] Response: forbidden to feed or encourage the presence Thank you for sharing your perspective. of any stray animals aboard any property in CONTACT US The precautions taken due to COVID-19 the AOR of U.S. Naval Air Station Sigonella, Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily [email protected] have created unparalleled challenges for to include but not limited to NAS 1, NAS DSN 624-5440; 095-86-5440 everyone, including us here at NAS Sigonella. II, Navy Munitions Compound, Niscemi, PSC 812 Box 7, FPO, AE 09627-0001 Formal Navy policy was to align as closely as and Marinai Housing.” Lastly, violating this possible to host nation policy. Therefore, order may result in administrative or punitive our policies were directed by higher Navy action. This newspaper is an authorized publication authority and directly informed by Italian for members of the military services overseas. Contents of The Signature are not necessarily decrees designed to mitigate the spread of Bravo Zulu the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. COVID-19 at the local level. Since Italian Government, the Department of Defense (DoD), or the U.S. Navy. decree mandated closures of grocery stores BZ to PSD: Everything was great. A special thanks during Italian holidays, we followed suit. Editorial submissions are welcomed from Additionally, the Sicilian decree required all to Mr. Reinaldo for his great attitude and all Naval Air Station Sigonella departments, assistance in helping us out today. divisions and tenant commands. Editorial shops to be closed on Sundays. In response, submissions should be sent to the Public the commissary added hours on Mondays BZ to the NEX: Affairs Office via [email protected]. All articles submitted by non-staff members will to continue to serve our community during Anna is such a wonderful person. She is be considered contributing writers. this crisis. As the decrees have continued to professional, so helpful and always puts you change, so have the hours of the Commissary. "BZ" cont’d on page 11 4 The Signature July 24, 2020 5 Name: Santo Urzi Command: Public Works Department: HVAC By MCSA Triniti Lersch, NAS Sigonella Public Affairs ur everyday operations of 75 degrees Fahrenheit or less is very wide, so I assign the jobs Oonboard Naval Air Station during the summer and winter to my collaborators according to Sigonella would simply not be to provide the Sailors with a their professional knowledge,” possible without the incredible highest-quality of life possible. said Urzi. contribution of our valued local His shop is required to work Urzi enjoys working with the national employees. on all the equipment and find military as he continually meets One critical local national the solutions to all the possible people who desire to improve employee is Santo Urzi, from problems that they may have. themselves. He also said that he downtown Catania, who started “Every day I come in at 0700 meets smart people from different working here as a blue-collar in the morning, receive work cultures, and he enjoys being worker in 1993. In 2018, he was orders, approve the work orders,” able to transfer his knowledge. selected as the supervisor of said Urzi. “I then send the work But work is not his only focus.