There are many important days in the Month of March. Here are a few:
March 3, 2017 – Navy Reserve’s 102nd birthday. The Navy Reserve was created on March 3, 1915, in response to the start of World War I. The Naval Reserve is a valued partner of the Navy’s active duty department. It offers citizens the chance to serve on a part-time basis, training near home until called to Active Duty. A reservist can pursue a full-time civilian education or obtain special military training while serving. Today, the Navy Reserve is compromised of more than 20 percent of the Navy assets and, when called to action, can be found aboard, on shore, in the air or at sea. The Navy Reserve’s involvement with the Navy continues to grow. Currently, 56,448 Navy reservists stand by to join the fleet when needed as active parts of the largest powerful naval force in the world.
March 5, 2017 – Seabees’ 75th birthday. The earliest Seabees were recruited from civilian construction trades and were placed under the leadership of the Navy’s Civil Engineering Corps. Because of the emphasis on experience and skill rather than physical standards, the average age of Seabees during World War II was 37. More than 325,00 men served with the Seabees in WWII, fighting and building on six continents and more than 300 islands. The word “Seabee” is a heterograph using the initials of the words “Construction Battalion,” i.e. C.B. or Seabee. There are currently 7,000 active personnel with 6,972 reservist .
March 12, 2017 – Daylight Savings Time Begins.
March 13, 2017 – K-9 Veterans Day.
VA To Host Summit for Woman Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Women Veterans is slated to host the Summit for Women Veterans in Dallas from April 19-20, with original dates pushed back with the intent of catering to as many people interested as possible. The summit will be the first national-level event for women veterans since 2011. Topics will include training, information and guidance particular to female veterans, regardless of VA enrollment. There will be lectures, panel discussions, exhibits and open forums promoting forward-thinking dialogue, collaboration with industry best practices and research. The target audience includes women veterans, public sector partners, academics and community partners. “Attendees will have an opportunity to hear from VA leadership, and participate in breakout sessions focused on employment, mental health, entrepreneurship, military sexual trauma, reproductive health, culture change and more. Additionally, plenary sessions will focus on VA care and benefits, partner organizations, and a special “Voice of the Veteran” panel,” said Kayla Williams, the director of VA’s Center for Women Veterans.
Women’s History Month Art Exhibits
The Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Women Veterans has announced 10 VA Medical Centers that will display female veteran artists’ work throughout the month of March to celebrate Women’s History Month. The Center for Women Veterans partnered with Veteran Artist Program to select the 10 artists who will be featured.
POW/MIA Update
Navy Fireman 1st Class Charles W. Thompson was assigned to the USS Oklahoma, which was moored off Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, when Japanese aircraft attacked his ship on Dec. 7, 1941. Thompson was one of 429 crewmen killed in the attack. Interment services are pending. Air Force Capt. Robert R Barnett was a B-57B pilot with the 8th Bomb Squadron. While on a strike mission over Laos, Barnett’s aircraft reportedly crashed with no parachutes seen. The hostile threat in the area prevented a search and rescue mission and Barnett was declared killed in action on April 7, 1966.
Till next week, praying for all service members.
– Charles Castelluccio
