JAX AIR NEWS, NAS JACKSONVILLE, Thursday, January 10, 2008 13

ByMC3(AW)HarryRuckerIIIVP-5

In the spirit of the holi-days and competition, the “Mad Foxes” of

VP-5 put on a holiday door decorating competition Dec. 7 amongst the vari-ous shops in the VP-5 han-gar spaces. VP-5’s CMDCM Jeffrey Alcott headed up the competition saying that it was a good way to boost morale and ring in the hol-idays. “It was cool that so many Sailors participated and genuinely had a good time,” he said.

The stakes were high, as the winning shop would receive a pizza lunch and, of course, bragging rights.

The guest judges for the contest were CMDCM(SW) Chris Green, NAS Jax command master chief, C M D C M R i c h H a y , Commander, Patrol and Reconna i ssance Wing Eleven command mas-ter chief and CMDCM Les Hatfield, VP-16 command master chief. They com-mented how it was a great

event and they enjoyed see-ing such participation and team work. The special guest was the one and only Santa Claus who put big smiles on Sailor’s faces as he greeted them with “Ho-Ho-Ho,” and passed out candy canes.

It was a close competi-tion but in the end the Warfare and Development Department pulled out the victory. AT3 Kenneth Reed said, “we play to win,” and that “Chief Brian Bowins made it clear with a can do attitude we could get that pizza.” Not far behind in the chase, the Administration Department claimed that they should have won

because their door had a classic professional look. Operations YN3 Joann Gonzalez said giggling, “I just had fun and it was all about the holiday spirit, but the Ops door still should have won.”

At the end of the com-petition, the halls of VP-5 appeared a little brighter, not just because of the holiday decorations, but because of the smiles on every Sailor’s face.

W a l k i n g d o w n t h e hall, IT3 Joshua Predieri explained, “It’s very intrigu-ing that our command emphasized spreading holi-day cheer. I feel very joy-ful.”

FromtheNavyLodge

It’s hard to leave your best buddy at home when you’re traveling for any period of time. At the Navy Lodge

Jacksonville we now welcome both of you. The Navy Lodge now accepts four-footed

guests (dogs and cats) up to 50 pounds in weight when traveling with their owners. “More than 60 percent of all Americans have pets and the military is no differ-ent,” said Donato Nosce, Navy Lodge Jacksonville manager.

Military families need to come to the Navy Lodge prepared in order to stay with their pet. First, keep in mind how long you will be gone and bring appropriate food and other supplies and always travel with a pet carrier. When you are at the Navy Lodge, treat the area where you walk as if it were your own yard and always clean up after your pet, using the bags provided. Finally, before you leave town, schedule a visit with your veterinarian to update all medications or treatments required and bring a copy of each pet’s vaccination record. It is also a good idea to carry a health certificate for each animal traveling with you if travel-ing state to state or crossing international borders. Always remember to bring the fol-lowing on trips:

• A sturdy leash and extra collar • An old blanket or sheet to make clean-

up easier wherever the pet's carrier will be secured

• Old sheets to cover bedding and furni-ture once you reach your accommodation

• Some of your pet’s own bedding

• Food & water bowl set• Treats• Toys or chew items• All required medications, supplements,

and preventatives • Brush or comb and lint remover• For cats, a full litter pan with extra lit-

ter, liners, and newspaper to place under-neath for cats

• Waste removal bags• Old towels, carpet cleaner, disinfectant

spray, and trash bags for accidents; and flashlight for those nighttime walks

When at your Navy Lodge with your pet treat the area where you walk as if it were your own yard, always clean up after your pet, and use the bags provided. Your cour-tesy will spread to others.

Navy Lodges are on average 40 percent less expensive than comparable civilian accommodations, but still have all of the same amenities. Every guest room is over-sized with cable TV with HBO, a DVD, CD player, Internet connection, direct-dial telephone service and a kitchenette com-plete with microwave and utensils.

Navy Lodges also have housekeeping service, vending machines, DVD rental ser-vice and guest laundry facilities as well as handicapped accessible and non-smoking rooms. Free local calls, free in-room cof-fee and newspapers as well as convenient on-base parking are also available during your stay.

To make a reservation at Navy Lodge Jacksonville for you and your pet, call 772-6000 or toll free at 1-800-NAVY-INN.

FromFFSC

The NAS Jacksonville Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) Life Skills Education and Support

Program is the foremost preventive mea-sure for avoidance of personal and family problems.

All FFSC workshops and classes are free to service members and their families as well as Department of Defense civilian per-sonnel aboard the base.

Pre–registration is required. If special accommodations or handicapped access is required, please notify FFSC upon regis-tration.The following workshops are available in January:Jan. 7-10, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Transition Assistance Workshop (separating)Jan. 8, 9 a.m. to noon – Stress Management

WorkshopJan. 8, 1:30-4 p.m. – Smooth Move WorkshopJan. 14-18, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Command Financial Special WorkshopJan. 14, 9-11 a.m. – What About the Kids WorkshopJan. 15, 8 a.m. to noon – Anger Management WorkshopJan. 17, 1-3 p.m. – Military Spouse 101 WorkshopJan. 22, 9 a.m. to noon – Identity Theft and Predatory Lending WorkshopJan. 23, 1-3 p.m. – Federal Employment WorkshopJan. 24, 12:30-3:30 p.m. – Money, Debt and Credit Management WorkshopJan. 28-31, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Transition Assistance Workshop (retiring)Jan. 28, 1:30-3:30 p.m. – Parenting Workshop

For further information or to register, call 542-2766, ext. 127.

PhotosbyMC3(AW)HarryRuckerIIIFromright,CMDCM(SW)ChrisGreen,NASJaxcommandmasterchief,CMDCMRichHay,Commander,PatrolandReconnaissanceWingEleven,CMDCMLesHatfield,VP-16commandmasterchiefandSantaClausjudgeaholidaydoorcompetitionintheVP-5hangarspaces.VP-5putonthedoorcompetitiontoboostmoraleandspreadholidaycheer.

‘Mad Foxes’ deck the halls

New Navy Lodge policy allows pets to stay with you

PhotocourtesyofFISCJaxYN1(AW) Audra Mallory was presented with the Navy and Marine CorpsCommendationMedal on the Fleet and Industrial SupplyCenter (FISC) JacksonvilleQuarterdeckbyFISCJaxCommandingOfficerCapt.KarlRauJan.4.WhileservingatFISC Jax,Mallorymaintained executive schedules, administrationof policy anddailyadministrativeoperationsfor1,288military,civilianandcontractemployeesin21sitesacrosstheFISCJaxenterprise.Mallorywillretirethismonthwith20yearsofmilitaryservice.

FISC Jax Sailor recognized

PhotobyQM2NicoleBeattyMU2A.C.Smith,playingthetuba, leadstheNavyBandSoutheastBrassQuintet inaholiday classic,WeWishYou aMerryChristmas.TheQuintetwent caroling aroundNASJacksonvillestoppingbyBuilding1toentertainemployeesDec.12.

A little holiday cheer

FFSC offers educational and support programs