4Newport News Ceremony Honors the Sacrifice of 9/11

5DRC Provides Services to Lincoln Sailors

6Out of Darkness Walk Raises Awareness of Suicide

Welcome Aboard!USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)

P E N N Y P R E S S

IN THIS ISSUE

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Commanding OfficerCapt. Ron Ravelo

Executive OfficerCapt. Todd Marzano

Prospective Executive OfficerCapt. Amy Bauernschmidt

Command Master Chief CMDCM(AW/SW) Lee Salas

Public Affairs OfficerLt. Cmdr. Tiffani Walker

Assistant Public Affairs OfficerEnsign Anthony Junco

Media Department LCPOMCCS(SW/AW) Hendrick Dickson

Media Department CPOMCC(SW) Amy Kirk

EditorMC1(SW) Mark Logico

Media Department StaffMC1(SW) Mark Logico

MC1(SW/AW) Josue EscobosaMC2 Ryan Wampler

MC2 Eric SotoMC3 Rob Ferrone

MC2(SW) Aaron KiserMC3 Patrick MaherMC3 Brandon DavisMC3 Juan Cubano

MCSN Ashley NorthenMCSN Jacques-Laurent Jean-Gilles

MCSN Allen LeeMCSN Matt Herbst

MCSA Josiah Pearce

Penny Press is an authorized publication for members of the military services and their

families. Its contents does not necessarily reflect the official views of the U.S. Government, the

Department of Defense, the Department of the Navy, or the Marine Corps and does not imply

endorsement thereby.

Front Cover PhotoMC2(SW) Aaron Kiser

Back Cover PhotoMC2(SW) Aaron Kiser

USS AbrAhAm LincoLn

Congratulations to Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Gunnar Donati for winning USS Abraham Lincoln’s Warrior of the Week on Sept. 9.

P E N N Y P R E S S

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson will host the 22nd International Seapower Symposium (ISS-22) Sept. 21-23 at the U.S. Naval War College (NWC) in Newport, Rhode Island.

Senior representatives from more than 110 countries, including many of their senior-most navy and coast guard officers, are expected to attend this biennial event.

“The world has become globalized to an unprecedented degree. Maritime traffic fuels the global economy; both cooperation and competition are growing at record pace,” said Richardson. “Amidst this record pace of change, ISS with its theme of “Stronger Maritime Partners” aims to deepen relationships with our network of international Navies and Coast Guards.”

“Contributions from all Navies - blue water Navies, regional security exporters, choke point guardians and coastal Navies- are needed for maritime security. More than 80 Chiefs of Navy and 15 Chiefs of Coast Guard will gather to discuss the continued protection of open and free sea lanes,” said CNO.

First held in 1969, ISS has become the largest gathering of maritime leaders in history. The symposium provides a forum for senior international leaders to create and solidify solutions to shared challenges and threats in ways that are in the interests of individual nations.

Richardson and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus will kick off the event with opening remarks on Sept. 21 in NWC’s Spruance Auditorium. Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work and Coast Guard

Commandant Adm. Paul Zunkunft will also address the symposium during the week.

ISS is the world’s capstone seapower conference, bringing together navy leaders from around the world to exchange ideas and broaden our international partnerships.

Representatives from participating countries are providing briefings, participating in panel discussions, and contributing to seminar sessions addressing regional and global maritime issues. The symposium’s breakout sessions are organized by region to encourage attendees to develop practical initiatives that will be pursued over the next two years.

CNO to Host World’s Largest Maritime Conference From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs

13th MCPON Retires, 14th Takes ChargeFrom the Office of the MCPON

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Michael D. Stevens was relieved by Fleet Master Chief Steven S. Giordano during his retirement and change of office ceremony held on Washington Navy Yard Sept. 2. Stevens served as the 13th MCPON for the past four years and served over 33 years on active duty.

“I will forever be humbled by the opportunity I was given to serve in the United States Navy and be trusted to lead and advocate for America’s greatest treasure -- those that wear the cloth of our nation and have sworn an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic,” Stevens said during his speech.

He continued, speaking about his service as the 13th MCPON.

“I’ve often been asked ‘What was your number one goal as the MCPON?’ My answer has never changed - ‘As a leader,

it has always been my primary goal to establish and maintain the conditions that provide all of our people with the opportunity to be successful. And to do this while treating one another with dignity and respect,’” said Stevens.

He concluded, “Tonight I will remove my uniform for the last time and will not wear it again until my eternal rest--but I do this with a smile on my face, knowing that I will always be a Sailor that served in the greatest Navy in the world.”

After Stevens spoke, he and Giordano conducted the ceremonial ‘Passing of the Cutlass,’ symbolizing the change of office, and Giordano assuming the title of the 14th MCPON. Giordano then delivered remarks saying, “Admiral, I am honored to have been afforded this opportunity and it is one I do not take lightly.”

He continued, “Now with one foot anchored smartly on the history and

heritage of our service, and one foot stepping forward into the future, I look forward to serving this great Navy of ours as the 14th master chief petty officer of the Navy with all the reverence, respect and action incumbent on the office.”

Following the ceremony a small reception was held where friends, loved ones and shipmates bid MCPON Mike and Theresa Stevens farewell and welcomed MCPON Steven and Elka Giordano.

City officials, service members, police officers and firefighters of Newport News participated in a

memorial service honoring the victims and their families of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

The event hosted speakers who talked about the 2,977 people who were killed in the attack on U.S. soil. The sacrifice of these men and women left behind a nation strengthened in the face of hardships.

“By showing up today I hope we can show the community that we have devoted our interests to honor all those who sacrificed their lives,” said Hospitalman Corey Lee. “By honoring them we can build on the future and continue to train hard to fight terrorism wherever it exists.”

Operations Specialist 3rd Class Andrew Koehler stated the horrific event ignited a spark of patriotism that they knew exactly how to stoke.

“I was in high school when I heard the news about the attack on the twin towers,” Koehler said. “I was angry and it took me a while to realize that the best way to honor those people was to join the Navy and help out however I could.”

Among the various audience members were several veterans who had felt the same calling before the 9/11 attack. Once it happened, it was a somber reminder of why they had served in the first place.

“Public service is a personal decision that has to be accepted as a serious responsibility and I took that on as part of my life,” said Lt. Terrance Dunbar, a retired Soldier and currently a member of the Newport News Police Department. “I believe we all live on through the acts we performed in this life and the sacrifice those people gave on that day speaks as a testament to their own heroism for this country.”

Although many American lives were lost, hundreds of those killed

were from countries outside of the United States. Diversity, a hallmark of American tradition brought up in a grave way, was and still is part of why the country perseveres through such horrible events.

“I serve alongside people of all race and faiths from different countries,” said Koehler. “I know for a fact that all of the people I work with train hard and would stand ready to do what their country needs at a moment’s notice.”

According to Lee, even though it can be difficult to define, a sense of “American spirit” was felt at the ceremony for all of those in attendance.

“Just being here and having people take time out of their day to talk about those who gave their lives means we are all one,” said Lee. “Our nation keeps the American spirit alive through this ceremony by remembering what it takes to get knocked down and come back ten times stronger.”

Newport News Ceremony Marks 9/11 Anniversary

Story and photo by MC3 Aaron T. Kiser

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In the same manner that a flashlight can’t shine without a battery, a ship can’t complete its mission without Sailors;

we are the driving force. Therefore, maintenance is not just limited to checking the operational capability of equipment, but also the personal well-being of Sailors.

Lincoln Sailors have several different outlets that address mental and emotional concerns: counselors at the Fleet and Family Support Center, command chaplains, and ship’s psychiatrists. Now, the crew just gained another resource; John Bellis, the deployed resiliency counselor (DRC).

The DRC is a relatively new billet, and as of now, are only attached to big deck ships such as aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships. The DRC is a civilian counselor who provides the same services aboard ship that clinical counselors provide at local FFSCs. Their goal is on provide short-term, solution-focused counseling.

“I was previously a counselor at

FFSC,” said Bellis. “Additionally, I’m a licensed political social worker, so I’ve had experience with this type of assignment.”

Bellis’ said he prefers to work from a preventative method rather than reactive. In his three short weeks aboard, he has begun working toward solving problems that he foresees happening as Lincoln Sailors transition out of the refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) and back to the fleet.

“As the time comes closer to redeliver the ship, I know the workload is going to increase,” said Bellis. “I’ve started talking to some Department Heads to put programs in place that are tailored to each individual department’s problems; the key is to treat each department as its own entity.”

Bellis’ said it is important to get to know Sailors on the deckplates and has been making his rounds to introduce himself and talk to Sailors one-on-one.

“I’ve been making an effort to talk to a few Sailors and familiarize myself with the ship, so that I can try to understand certain situations that

I would not normally be in if I was back at FFSC,” said Bellis. “I think the fact that I don’t wear the uniform allows me to be more approachable. Approachability is important, because the first half of solving any problem is identifying the problem.”

With the redelivery of the ship and a deployment looming in the near future, fast approaching, the DRC is another outlet for Sailors feeling overwhelmed.

DRCs work in collaboration with the ship’s psychologists and chaplains as part of a support network for Sailors. They are trained to know what to look for and understand the early warning signs which could help prevent issues from becoming larger problems and help Sailor develop skills to handle challenging situations. Resiliency is the ability to ‘bounce back’ when things get tough, and the military is certainly tough” said Bellis. “I tell every Sailor that no matter how bad things are, you’re never stuck.”

Lincoln Sailors can locate the DRC at 03-115-2-Q.

Meet the DEPLOYED RESILIENCY COUNSELORStory and photos by MC3 Brandon Davis

“I tell every Sailor that no matter how

bad things are, you’re never stuck.”

-John Bellis

P E N N Y P R E S S

Several hundred Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) participated in the 11th annual Out of the

Darkness community walk on Sept. 8 in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Sponsored by the Hampton Roads Survivors of Suicide Support Group, the Out of the Darkness community walks raise awareness about suicide prevention and depression. Abraham Lincoln Sailors used this event as an opportunity to recognize the effect that suicide has on friends, families and a command.

“We’re in a stressful situation being in a shipboard environment, and a lot of people have been affected by suicide,” said Legalman 2nd Class (SW/AW) James G. Cameron, a participant. “By raising awareness and finding positive outlets for our stress, we can turn lives around and save people from the devastation of

suicide.” The event is held across the country

to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the leading national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide, research, education and advocacy.

According to AFSP, the walks give people the courage to open up about their own struggles or losses, and provide a platform to change our culture’s approach to mental health.

“Suicide is a life changing decision for all involved, not just the person who commits suicide. It devastates families

and friendships, and it affects us as a Navy because although we can replace a person’s billet, we can’t replace the Sailor. That’s why I feel so many of us came out here today, to show that we care.”

The walk was not just geared to helping those who have suffered from the loss or near loss of a loved one, but also to help those in need and raise awareness of the resources available to those who are suffering from depression.

“The response from the crew to support this walk was absolutely incredible,” said Air Traffic Controller 1st Class Mark Summers, who helped organize the Lincoln volunteers. “By supporting this event, we are saying to our friends, loved ones, and shipmates that they are not alone.”

Information on suicide prevention is available at the Navy Suicide Prevention Program Webpage: www.suicide.navy.mil.

Out of Darkness Walk Raises Suicide, Depression Awareness

Story and photo by MC1 Josue Escobosa

“It’s important to support people who have been affected by suicide, be it the person contemplating suicide or the family and friends affect by suicide, ” said Personnel Specialist 1st Class Violet Sandoval.

THE COMMAND

Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Franco Shimizzi serves food during lunch. Photo by MC3 Derry Todd

Sailors conduct damage control training. Photo by MC3 Ciarra C. Thibodeaux

Lt. Creveling talks about proper zone inspection procedures. Photo by MC3 Aaron Kiser

Cmdr. Meghan Forehand speaks to Lincoln Sailors in the forecastle. Photo by MC3 Aaron Kiser

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Joshua Billings removes rust from the flight deck. Photo by MCSN Matt Herbst

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N E V E R F O R G E T09.11.2001