Page 8 - Florida Sentinel 12-10-19

Military
Tampa Native Assigned to USS John F. Kennedy Participates In Christening Ceremony
Lutz Native Serves Aboard USS Gerald R. Ford
NEWPORT NEWS, VA — - A Tampa, native, assigned to Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) participated in the christening of the U. S. Navy’s second Ford-class air- craft carrier during a cere- mony in Newport News.
The Navy christened its newest aircraft carrier on Saturday, Dec 7, 2019, dur- ing a ceremony at the Hunt- ington-Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding (HII-NNS) shipyard in New- port News.
Master-at-Arms 1st Class Jayce Valentin, who is assigned to PCU John F. Kennedy, discussed the pride in serving on board the sec- ond Ford-class aircraft car- rier.
On Nov. 6, nearly a month earlier, the crew of PCU John F. Kennedy offi- cially revealed the carrier’s seal. The seal is crafted to in- tegrate elements that honor President John. F. Kennedy, his service to the Navy, and his vision for space exploration.
The seal features 35 stars
service as Commander of Pa- trol Boat 109 in the South Pa- cific. Additionally, the moon backdrop represents Presi- dent Kennedy’s instru- mental role in the U.S.’s space program.
Anchoring these and other elements on the seal is the ship’s motto – Serve with Courage. Master-At-Arms 1st Class Valentin dis- cussed what Serving with Courage means to him.
“Serving with courage means that even in the face with adversity, you stand strong and take on any obsta- cle without fear,” Master- At-Arms 1st Class Valentin said,
PCU John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) is the second air- craft carrier in the Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)-class. With its embarked air wing and other carrier strike group assets, CVN 79 will serve as the cen- terpiece of national defense, providing the core capabili- ties of forward presence, de- terrence, sea control, power projection, maritime secu- rity, and humanitarian assis- tance.
ATLANTIC OCEAN —- Logistics Specialist Sea- man Peter Spoto, of Lutz, assigned to USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) supply de- partment, inventories boxes in one of Ford’s supply rooms. Ford is currently un- derway conducting an inde- pendent steaming exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist Seaman Apprentice Angel Thuy Jaskuloski).
FYI
LOGISTICS SPECIALIST SEAMAN PETER SPOTO
MASTER-AT-ARMS 1ST CLASS JAYCE VALENTIN
located on the outer ring of the seal that represents the life and presidency of the 35th president of the United States, John F. Kennedy. The 35th star is positioned after his middle initial and two gold stars are placed be- tween the CVN and the num- ber 79 symbolizing the second Ford aircraft carrier bearing John F. Kennedy’s name and legacy.
The Roman numeral “CIX” or 109, which is a trib- ute to President Kennedy’s heroic naval
Health Department Offers Free Flu Shots To Students
The Hillsborough County Health Department is part- nering with the Hillsborough County Public Schools to provide students with flu shots.
The shots are being of- fered because the Florida De- partment of Health has seen a spike in the number of flu- like illnesses in students who attend public and private schools throughout the county.
The department will offer no-cost flu shots at five flu clinics across the commu- nity. There are no out-of- pocket expenses. However, a family’s insurance company may be billed if the insurance policy will cover the shot.
Students must be accom- panied by a parent or legal guardian. The flu shots are available on a first-come first-served basis. The shots
will be offered on the follow- ing locations and dates:
Tuesday, December 10, 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., Sickles High School, 7950 Gunn Highway, Tampa, 33626;
Thursday, December 12, 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., King High School, 6815 N. 56th Street, Tampa, 33610;
Saturday, December 14, 9 a.m. until 11 a.m., Jefferson High School, 4401 Cypress Street, Tampa, 33607;
Tuesday, December 17, 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., Riverview High School, 11311 Boyette Road, Riverview, 33569; and
Thursday, December 19, 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., Plant City High School, One Raider Place, Plant City, 33563.
PAGE 8 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2019