Hospital corpsmen aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) celebrated the 114th birthday of the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps June 16 with a cake-cutting ceremony in the ship’s First Class Mess.

Corpsmen and departmental staff assembled together to pay tribute to the active duty and reserve men and women of the Navy’s Hospital Corps for their continued years of faithful service to Sailors and Marines all around the world.

“It’s a very important history,” said Hospitalman Grady Fox. “It’s a whole different standard that we are set up to be because we have so much history behind us that we have to make sure to uphold that care and responsibility and make sure that all that tradition isn’t

for nothing, make sure that it means something.”

The Hospital Corps came into actuality as an organized unit of the Medical Department under the provision of an act of Congress, which was then approved June 17, 1898. Shortly after World War II, a new Department of Defense was established and the Hospital Corpsman rating took a change in name and insignia. On April 2, 1948, the Navy made new names for the hospital corpsmen effective. The new names were Hospital Recruit, Hospital Apprentice, Hospitalman, Hospital Corpsman Third, Second, and First Class, and Chief Hospital Corpsman.

The corpsmen have the job of maintaining the healthcare of their shipmates. They have carried out a variety of healthcare, including giving immunizations, opening sick call and

immediate responses to emergency situations.

“Being a corpsman to me means to be able to help people, learn everything there is in the medical field, to be able to take care of people when they need it the most, to make sure that when they get sick we treat them,” Fox said. “We have to keep it to the point where the service members don’t get too sick or injured.”

“There’s going to be corpsmen everywhere you go in the military because we assist everyone,” said Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Scott Thrasher.

Over the course of 100 plus years, the basic principles of the Hospital Corpsman rate haven’t changed, said Thrasher. Taking care of Sailors, providing medical attention, these are the things Sailors found throughout the Navy can expect.

June 18, 2012 Vol. 1 Issue 21

Hospital Corpsmen Celebrate 114th BirthdayStory and photos by MCSN Jesse Monford

Hospital Corpsmen and departmental staff attached to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) give a round-of-applause during the Hospital Corpsman rate’s birthday ceremony in the ship’s First Class Mess.

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Marcello Periera, 42, and Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Theodore Gyrn, 21, the oldest and youngest Hospital Corpsman attached to the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), cut a cake during the Hospital Corpsman rate’s birthday ceremony in the ship’s First Class Mess.

Capt. Jeff Ruth, commanding officer of USS Nimitz, named Yeoman 3rd Class Jacob Whitis, Sailor of the Day, June 17 in the Pilot House. Photo by MC3 Ian Cotter

USS Nimitz’ Sailor of the Day

Commanding OfficerCAPT Jeff S. RuthExecutive Officer

CAPT Buzz DonnellyCommand Master Chief

CMDCM Teri McIntyrePublic Affairs OfficerLCDR Karin Burzynski

EditorMC2 Robert Winn Lead Designer

MC3 Jacob Milner

Nimitz News accepts submissions in writing. All. submissions are subject to review and screening. “Nimitz News” is an authorized publication for the members of the military services and their families. Its content 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.

200 Years Ago

Learn moreby visitinghttp://ourflagwasstillthere.org

War bill clears CongressAfter several days of debate, the Senate approves President Madison's war bill,eliminating the sole remaining legislative obstacle to entering into war with GreatBritain. In essence, the United States, in existence for less than three decades, hasdeclared war on the world's mightiest empire.

Page 2

USS Nimitz’ (CVN 68) Supply Department Food Services Division prepared a special Sunday brunch in honor of the fathers on the ship.

“Today is geared toward fathers,” said Chief Culinary Specialist (SW/AW) Glennmichael Delacruz. “We honored the mothers for Mother’s Day so we wanted to honor the fathers for Father’s Day.”

The brunch consisted of fish, chicken, mashed potatoes, rice, vegetables, a variety of breakfast foods, a steamship round of beef and shrimp cocktail. For dessert, there was a decorated vanilla cake and a variety of ice cream.

“A lot of work and preparation went in to this meal,” said Delacruz. “We started at midnight because it takes six to eight hours just to cook the steamship. We cooked about 1,000 pounds of meat just for the aft galley. Another 200 pounds was used in the wardroom and 200 pounds for the

[Chief Petty Officer’s (CPO)] mess.”While being in the military has its benefits, it also requires

sacrifices. Missing out on holidays and birthdays are just one of the many sacrifices service members will make throughout their career. For some people, like Operations Specialist 2nd Class Lawrence Lowe, events like the Father’s Day brunch help ease the hardship of being away from home.

“I think the brunch is a nice thing,” said Lowe, a Los Angeles native, who’s spending Father’s Day without his 8-year-old son. “Shedding light on the small things like this helps with being away from family and home.”

Father’s Day was founded more than 100 years ago, at a Youngstown Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) in Spokane, Wash. It wasn’t until the 1930’s that this special day was recognized at a national level. Each year, Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday of June to honor and recognize fatherhood.

cheers to Nimitz fathersStory and photo by MCSN Jess Lewis

Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Prem Chhay cuts the steamship round on the aft mess decks of USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during a brunch for Father’s Day.

Page 3

This is the second year in a row Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Rene Diaz has missed spending Father’s Day with his wife and four children.

In a unique coincidence, Diaz also happened to miss his oldest son turned 8 years old June 16. However, Diaz tries to keep his head up while at sea.

“It’s kind of sad,” said Diaz. “Any time you spend a holiday away from your family it’s hard. But I feel a little bit secure knowing I’m out here protecting families, just like mine, with fathers, just like me.”

Diaz, who is temporarily assigned to Nimitz’ security forces, says he sticks to a plan to make sure that his morale stays high while underway.

“I make it a point to email them as often as I can,” he said. “I keep in constant contact with my wife and she always keeps me up to date on anything that happens. Other than that, I keep my mind occupied by my work.”

Age old photos hang from his locker door for him to see just before Diaz goes to bed and first thing when he wakes up.

“My wife likes to send me pictures of

the kids all the time,” Diaz said. “Like, right now, she just posted a photo of the kids celebrating his birthday at the skating rink.”

The key to underways is to make your shore time count, Diaz says. You should expect to be deployed or underway and be grateful on the times that you’re not.

“My wife will take the kids to do things while I’m away,” he explains, “but she’ll save some things for me to

do with them when I get back.” Despite being underway, there’s

nothing that could get Diaz feeling down on a special day like Father’s Day.

“It’s a blessing to be a father,” said Diaz. “It’s one of the greatest feelings a man can enjoy. Their accomplishments are your accomplishments. There’s nothing else like it.”

Diaz plans on catching up with his children when Nimitz pulls into its next port.

Father Stays Positive While Away From FamilyStory by MC2 (SW) Robert Winn

Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Rene Diaz greets his children on the pier at Naval Station Everett, Wash., following a Tiger Cruise which ended June 1.Photo courtesy of Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Rene Diaz.

Page 4

Fifty Sailors and Marines volunteered, June 15, for a cleanup project with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources at Todd’s Inheritance, a historic site with ties to the War of 1812.

Sailors from USS Donald Cook (DDG 75), USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), and USS San Antonio (LPD 17), as well as Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 26, stepped outside the city of Baltimore and into a rural coastal area of Baltimore County to tackle a slim piece of property that had been neglected for at least two decades. The work was part of a series of community relations events taking place during Navy Week Baltimore.

The site is more than 350 years old and played a role in the War of 1812 by way of the family who lived there. Two members of the Todd family were part of the militia that fought back the British when Baltimore came under attack in 1814.

Todd’s Inheritance Historic Site representative Larry Leone, a retired Army Major, said the project was critical for both aesthetic and safety reasons.

“Right now, you can’t really see the property from the road; it just gives a bad appearance,” he said. “So what we’re trying to do is clear this fence line so we can get it repaired. There’s a tree fallen, there’s stuff overgrown, the wood’s rotten; this is going to be an Eagle Scout project once it gets cleared.”

During a break from pulling out vines and overgrowth, Marine Lance Corporal Justin Murphy said hearing about that, combined with pieces of the property’s history, left him in awe of the place.

“I didn’t know much about the War of 1812 before we came up here. So far I’ve enjoyed it. The history is amazing,” said Murphy. “The fact that the British burnt it down, and then the family rebuilt it using just what they had on their own land, that’s pretty amazing.”

The sea service volunteers were led in their efforts by Park Rangers from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Ranger Bob Iman said he was glad to have them there.

“I like working with them, and with the tie-in with what the British did here, they walked the same identical road here right in front, and the British burnt it on the way out,” Iman explained. “I think it’s pretty cool and these guys ought to take pride in being here.”

Despite the significance of the place, some volunteers came out simply to lend a hand where it was needed. Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Phillip Rin, assigned to USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43), said history was not on his mind when he signed up, but he also enjoyed working on site.

“It’s a historical place and I learned a lot, but I enjoy doing these events. I like to help out,” Rin said.

Navy Week Baltimore is one of the signature events around the country commemorating the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner. The Navy week is part of Baltimore’s Star Spangled Sailabration and commemorates the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the writing of the Star Spangled Banner. The United States Navy and its partners will commemorate the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 from 2012 to 2015, honoring all who fought and continue to defend safe passage on the sea.

Sailors Help Clean Up War of 1812 SiteStory by MC1 Jeremy Johnson, Navy Operational Support Center Baltimore Public Affairs

Page 5

Continuing Carrier Quals

While on its way to participate in the 2012 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises, the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) continues carrier qualifications by performing both night and day flight operations.

An aviation boatswain’s mate (equipment) operator guides an arresting gear wire as it is drawn back into place across the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Photo by MC3 Jacob Milner.

An F/A-18C Hornet from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323 is waved off above the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Photo by MC3 Ian Cotter.

Lance Cpl. Matthias Petzold of the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323 works to remove a flare and chaff magazine from an F/A-18E Super Hornet in hangar bay two of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Photo by MC3 Jacob Milner.

Sailors from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 6 cross the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) as an HH-60H Seahawk helicopter takes off behind them. Photo by MC3 Ian Cotter.

Page 6

An aviation boatswain’s mate (equipment) operator guides an arresting gear wire as it is drawn back into place across the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Photo by MC3 Jacob Milner.

Airman Cristina Mays uses a tractor to move an F/A-18C Hornet of the Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146 across hangar bay two of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) under the direction of Aviation Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Enrico Rabina. Photo by MC3 Jacob Milner.

Sailors from Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ ) 142 stand beside an E/A-6B Prowler secured to the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Photo by MC3 Ian Cotter.

Cpl. Jareden H. Cousino, from Monroe, Mich., applies primer to an F/A-18C Hornet from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323 in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) to prevent corrosion on the aircraft. Photo by MC3 Ian Cotter.

Page 7

Channel 29Channel 8

1000 / 2200

Dear John

1200 / 0000

Bend It Like Beckham

1400 / 0200

Remember Me

1600 / 0400

Field Of Dreams

1800 / 0600

The Open Road

0800 / 2000

The Last Song

Channel 6Channel 5

Sherlock Holmes

The Losers

Green Zone

Iron Man 2

Kick Ass

The Transporter

The Blind Side

Silent House

Star Trek

How To Train Your Dragon

Book Of Eli

The VowHappy Gilmore

The Bounty Hunter

The Joneses

A League Of Their Own

She’s Out Of My League

Furry Vengeance

2 - AFN Sports3- AFN NEWS 4 - AFN XTRA5 - 8MM MOVIES6 - 8MM MOVIES7 - 8MM MOVIES8 - ROLLER9 - DVD TRAINING10-FLIGHT DECK11-CNN29-DVD MOVIES