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Subase Dedicates Month To Its Children: Women To Serve On Submarines
Subase Dedicates Month To Its Children: Women To Serve On Submarines
Vol. 48, No. 47 Serving the Military Community in Southeastern Connecticut since 1918 Thursday, May 6, 2010
SUBASE
dedicates month
to its children
By SN Joshua Hirschfeld
40 Sargent Drive
ters the pier as a young child looks up at his
crying parent. The dock is a melting pot of dif-
ferent people from different backgrounds, some
you have met and others you have not. You
wave goodbye to your mother or father as he or
she pulls out of port. You are too young to real-
ize it now but somehow you know that you’re
not going to see that person for some time. This
is no doubt the image that a military child has
imprinted in his or her mind from a parent’s
deployment.
The Naval Submarine Base New London
(SUBASE) month of April was dedicated to the
Month of the Military Child in honor of all the
young boys and girls who endure the hardships
and sacrifices that a child goes through while a
parent is serving.
To kick off Month of the Military Child,
Captain Marc Denno, Commmanding Officer of
SUBASE, visited the SUBASE Child Development
Center (CDC), March 29. Denno hosted a proc-
lamation signing in front of a pre-school class Photo by SA Michael Henderson
stating that greater than 60 percent of military
GROTON, Conn. – Al LaPorte (left) and John Banker (right) perform among a throng of dancing children outside the Naval Submarine Base New London
members have families with children who sac-
(SUBASE) Child Development Center, April 20. The two form the band “Island Rhythms,” and play a variety of instruments including the Steel Drum and
rifice much due to the constant separations,
Cajun Rubboard. The band ushered in classic songs to the new generation, including “Barbara Ann” and “La Bamba.” Island Rhythms can be contacted
See Children on Page 4 for specialty entertainment, concerts, and celebrations at (860) 887-1454.
PRSRT/STD
serve on
submarines INSIDE
By Commander
Submarine Forces Public Affairs
Challenge ...
Continued from page 1
generally made the Earth a bet- “Moving the bridge was
ter place. SUBASE personnel strenuous work, but the end
also gave presentations at Juliet result was well worth it,” said
Long Elementary, Catherine Information Systems Technician
Kolnaski Magnet School, Second Class Marcos Fisher.
Pleasant Valley Elementary, Earth Day is not simply a day
Gallup Hill Elementary, Ledyard to do something you wouldn’t
Center Middle School, and Dr. normally do. It’s a ribbon tied
Charles Barnum Elementary, around our finger, to help us
teaching children the impor- remember to stop and think. To
tance of Earth Day, and how to find new ways to improve our
keep our environment clean. environment, and ensure that
“It was nice doing my part we still have a habitable world
to help the environment,” to live in for our children, and
remarked Information Systems our children’s children. Whether
Photo by SA Michael Henderson Technician Seaman Garrett we ride our bicycles to work,
GROTON, Conn. – Captain Marc Denno, Naval Submarine Base New London (SUBASE) Commanding Officer, Commander Daniel Rossler, SUBASE Executive Hilton. recycle our cans and plastics, or
A few Sailors at the Denison just remember to turn our lights
Officer, Master Chief Raymond Powell, SUBASE Command Master Chief, and members of the SUBASE Environmental Division pose for a picture after plant-
Pequotsepos Nature Center off when we leave the house.
ing an Autumn Blaze Red Maple tree outside SUBASE Headquarters, April 30. The SUBASE Environmental Division planted two Autumn Blaze Red Maples in Manatuck Preserve even moved “It’s the little things we can
celebration of Arbor Day. a heavy, wooden bridge back to do today, to give ourselves a bet-
its proper location, after it was ter tomorrow.” said Commander
washed away by heavy flooding Daniel Rossler, SUBASE
Women ...
Continued from page 1
in early April. Executive Officer.
Navy to move quickly on integrat- also ensuring that we educate the crews assigned. out plan to phase in the female
ing female officers in submarines. force and their families.” The female officers would be officers to the selected SSGN and
“We need to open up the aper- SSGNs provide the Navy with assigned after completing the 15- SSBN submarine crews,” added
ture for submarine officer selection an unprecedented combination of month submarine officer training Donnelly. “Enabling these bright
to maintain our current selectivity,” strike and special operation mis- pipeline, which consists of nuclear and talented female officers to
said Rear Adm. Barry L. Bruner, sion capability within a stealthy, power school, prototype training, serve will be a great asset to our
Commander, Submarine Group clandestine platform, while and the Submarine Officer Basic submarine force, our Navy, and
Ten and leader of the Women in SSBNs are specifically designed Course. The SSBNs are billeted for the strength of our military.”
Submarines Task Force. “The key for extended strategic deterrent 15 officers and 140 enlisted, while For more information on sub-
to making this significant change patrols. There are currently 14 the SSGNs have a crew allotment marines go to the Commander,
happen successfully will be cor- SSBNs and four SSGNs in the of 15 officers and 144 enlisted. Submarine Force’s Web site,
rectly carrying out the plan and Navy’s inventory, each with two “We have created a well-thought- http://www.subforce.navy.mil/.
4 • THE DOLPHIN • Thursday, May 6, 2010
Captain signs
proclamation at CDC
Children ... Photo by SN Joshua Hirschfeld
Continued from page 1 GROTON, CONN - Children and staff of the
deployments and relocations which their parents’ job Child Development Center (CDC) cheer
requires. Furthermore, all personnel here at SUBASE are on as Captain Marc Denno, Commanding
encouraged to pay tribute to, and salute military chil- Officer, Naval Submarine Base New
dren, because when parents serve in the military, their London (SUBASE), signs a proclamation for
“Kids Serve Too.” the Month of the Military Child at the CDC,
April hosted a number of events benefiting the well- March 29. The proclamation stated that
being and appreciation of the children both at the CDC more than 60 percent of military mem-
and SUBASE Youth Center. Different lessons and activi- bers have children that sacrifice much
ties were taught over the course of April. Some activities due to their parents constant separations,
were in appreciation while others were teaching life deployments, and relocations. The procla-
lessons and preparing them for the next stages of their mation asked all personnel of SUBASE to
development. pay tribute to, and salute military children,
Nancy Sypolt, Licensed Professional Counselor from because when parents serve in the mili-
SUBASE Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) read tary, their “kids serve too.”
a fictional story called “Hey, Little Ant” to a pre-school
class earlier in the month. The moral of the story was if somebody else were in
your shoes and vice-versa, wouldn’t you treat people the way you wanted you be
treated?
Diana George, Licensed Certified Social Worker from FFSC came back to those
same classes and read a story with the lesson that hands are not for hitting. Children
were able to color in drawn out hands on a piece of paper in a color of their choos-
ing. Next, George took each individual child and let them color in a letter that spelled
S
out, “Hands are not for hitting.” Eventually those colored hands would be cut out
and become part of that very same poster.
T
Children of the SUBASE CDC and Youth Center had their fair share of activities
for Month of the Military Child. At the CDC, children and families were invited to a
O
Family Barbeque. Children and guests participated in activities such as a bean bag
toss, bowling, hoola-hoops, and arts and crafts while building up their hunger for
R
delicious hot dogs and chips.
The SUBASE Youth Center hosted the Navy “Fit Factor,” April 9. Children were
Y
able to utilize the entire gymnasium as they moved from one station to the next in
order to earn points online. The children were able to spend these points on the
Navy Fit Factor Web site to earn prizes. Prizes included T-shirts, key chains and
water bottles. Fit Factor was a Navy-wide event open to all children old enough to T
do some kind of physical activity.
Many other events took place at both the SUBASE CDC and Youth Center. I
However, of all the activities and lessons that were put on for the children, none
would be possible if it weren’t for the strenuous dedication of all the workers of M Photo by SN Joshua Hirschfeld
GROTON, Conn. - Children silently watch from afar as Nancy Sypolt, Licensed Professional
SUBASE CDC and Youth Center, and families and volunteers who made it possible.
The efforts of these people have no doubt left a feeling of kindness and development E Councilor for Fleet and Family Support Center, reads to them during story time in their pre-
school class at the Child Development Center, April 6. “Hey, Little Ant” was the title of the book
in the heart of each and every military child. read, as it emphasized on treating others as you would like to be treated.
GROTON, Conn. - Children of the Naval Submarine Base New London (SUBASE) Youth
Center participate in Fit Factor, a Navy wide event, where children can perform vari-
ous physical activities in the Youth Center, April 9. The children may log on to www.
navygetfit.com to learn about fitness and earn points for various prizes.
GROTON, Conn. – Parents bring their children to the Naval Submarine Base New London (SUBASE) Child Development Center (CDC)
during a red carpet event, April 30. As part of the Month of the Military Child, the CDC gave every child a pair of sunglasses and took
a family photo that the parents were able to pick up later in the day. The slogan for the event was “Every Child is Special.”
LET’S
S ccer
PLAY inf
BALL
Open registration for
Fall Soccer is going on
now. Dolphin Sports and
Recreation is accepting
all military and Town of
Photo by SN Joshua Hirschfeld Groton residents, ages 2
GROTON, Conn. - Captain Marc
- 14, for their co-ed soccer
Denno, Commanding Officer of Naval programs offered August
Submarine Base New London, Dennis through October. For ages
Popp, Mayor of the City of Groton, 2 and 3 the cost is $25 for
and Scott Nadeu, Groton Little League a four-week program, and
President throws the first pitch to kick includes a clinic T-shirt.
off the opening day of Groton Little The cost for ages 4-14
League at Washington Park, April 24. is $50, with a military
Dozens of teams came to participate
discount available, and
in the opening ceremony in which
every team was recognized for their
includes a uniform and
achievement and sponsors. an end of season award.
To register, visit www.
dolphinsportsandrec.
org. Registration is now
offered online registration
through eteamz.com/dol-
phinsports.
GROTON, Conn. - Winners of the Bodyworks Fitness Center Biggest Loser Competition are joined by the Bodyworks staff
to be recognized at the Fitness Center, April 23. The winner for the highest percent weight lost was Steve Cavanaugh,
with an 11.26 percent, 26 pound loss. Bob Gay was recognized for earning the most points throughout the competition,
with 423 points total. April Phillips was runner-up in both categories. The winning team for the group competitions
was Team Angie. All participants who finished the entire program were given Biggest Loser water bottles, along with
a cookbook put together by the Bodyworks staff with healthy recipes submitted by the competitors. Cavanaugh, the
biggest loser, was given a check for 26 dollars, one dollar for each pound lost. Knowing that he could not have done it
alone, he was grateful for the support he received from his fellow participants. “One of the things that kept me going
is everybody here,” said Cavanaugh.
6 • THE DOLPHIN • Thursday, May 6, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010 • THE DOLPHIN • 7
SUBASE CO welcomes
MCEC to Groton
Photo by MC1(AW) Peter D. Blair
GROTON, Conn. - Captain Marc W. Denno, Naval Submarine Base New London Commanding
Officer, welcomes the representatives from the Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC) to the
Groton-New London area during the MCEC meeting at Groton Inn and Suites, April 30. Denno
discussed why the MCEC is so important, and thanked the guests for the roles they play in
helping military children adjust to frequent moves, family separations, and deployments. The
Photo by MC1(SW/AW) Steven Myers MCEC was originally founded in 1998 as a way to help military-connected children meet the
challenges during their educational years that are posed by frequents transitions, and the dif-
GROTON, Conn. - Members of Boy Scout Troop 109 from Colchester, Conn., stop on the brow of USS Virginia (SSN ficulties that military life often bring with it. As the years have passed the MCEC has grown in
774) during a tour, April 21. The 10 scouts, along with their scout leaders, asked many questions and received its mission to ensure quality educational opportunities for all military children.
answers about Virginia, her crew and the technology aboard the vessel.
Admiral kicks off Kansas City Navy Week, touts new submarine
U.S. and Allied officers accepted the unconditional surrender of
By Lt. Patrick Evans the Japanese at the end of World War II on Sept. 2, 1945.
Submarine Group Two Public Affairs Officer “There are few ships that have served in World War II that are
as well known as the Battleship Missouri - the Mighty Mo,” Nixon
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Commander of Submarine Group 2 beamed during a news conference in Jefferson City. “Now, the
officially kicked off Kansas City Navy Week April 26 beginning a people in our state proudly anticipate the day when another ship
celebration that gives area residents an opportunity to meet Sailors christened the USS Missouri becomes part of the most-advanced,
and learn about the Navy’s critical mission and broad-ranging best-trained Navy in the world’s history.”
capabilities. Prior to meeting with Gov. Nixon, McLaughlin spoke with
Rear Admiral Michael McLaughlin serves as leading spokesper- submarine veterans, other veterans groups and the Navy League
son for the event, which runs through May 2. in Springfield. He also spoke to local business leaders during a
“There are actually 7,000 Sailors from Missouri serving the luncheon, providing them with an update of the submarine force
nation as we speak, and there are about 7,000 retirees in Missouri. and thanking them “on behalf of our Sailors and their families for
So, even though Kansas City and the state are landlocked, there your continued support for all of us who wear the uniform. The
still is a deep tie to the Navy,” said McLaughlin. conditions under which we live and serve is made better by your
The Navy conducts about 20 Navy Weeks each year, reaching support and dedication to us.”
out to communities across the country to show Americans the In addition, McLaughlin met with members of the USS Missouri
investment they have made in their Navy. The Navy’s precision Commissioning Committee, an IRS-designated 501(c)3 nonprofit
flight demonstration team, The Blue Angels, will headline Kansas charity created to raise at least $300,000 to fund events surround-
City Navy Week, performing at the Sound of Speed Air Show May ing Missouri’s commissioning.
1 - 2. Photo by Lt. Patrick Evans McLaughlin was also the guest speaker at the University of
As part of Navy Week events, McLaughlin will participate in a JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Rear Adm. Michael McLaughlin, commander of Submarine Missouri’s Joint Reserve Officers Training Corps Awards Parade
“Caps for Kids” visit at Children’s Mercy Hospital and a presenta- Group Two, presents a group ball cap to Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon during a news con- in Columbia.
tion to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. When commissioned in July, Missouri will become the seventh
ference in the governor’s office, April 23. McLaughlin is in Missouri to raise aware-
While in Missouri, McLaughlin also worked to raise awareness Virginia-class submarine to join the fleet. Missouri is built to
ness of Virginia-class attack submarine Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Missouri (SSN
about Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Missouri (SSN 780), the new- excel in anti-submarine warfare; anti-ship warfare; strike warfare;
780) and serve as the leading spokesperson for Kansas City Navy Week. special operations; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance;
est Virginia-class attack submarine. According to McLaughlin, it is
important to establish a bond between the state and the submarine, During his visit, McLaughlin has visited different parts of irregular warfare; and mine warfare missions. Adept at operat-
which is scheduled to be commissioned July 31 during a ceremony Missouri to discuss Navy Week and the submarine. In Jefferson ing in both the world’s shallow littoral regions and deep waters,
at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn. City, he met with Missouri Governor Jay Nixon, who recounted Missouri will directly enable five of the six Navy maritime strategy
“The ship’s crew absolutely loves feeling that pride of owner- that submarine Missouri is the fifth Navy vessel to be named in core capabilities - sea control, power projection, forward presence,
ship that the people of Missouri have, and I think it really moti- honor of the people of the “Show Me State.” The last one was the maritime security, and deterrence.
vates the crew to do their job the very best that they can,” added legendary battleship USS Missouri, which was the site where Fleet For more news from Commander Submarine Group 2, visit
McLaughlin. Adm. Chester Nimitz, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, and many other www.navy.mil/local/Subgru2/.