Kitsap Sailors key in to motorcycle safety

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Northwest Navigator> KITSAP/EVERETT EDITION • Friday, MAY 21, 2010
Kitsap Sailors key in
to motorcycle safety
By MC3 Lawrence Davis
NPASE Det. NW
MC3 Lawrence Davis
A service member executes a “cornering challenge” obstacle course
as part of a motorcycle safety stand-down at the NBK Naval
Undersea Warfare Center in Keyport, May 12. The stand-down
helps service members practice fundamental riding and handling
skills and focuses on the key-points of motorcycle safety. It has been
an annual event in Keyport for three years.
Sailors, Marines and Department of
Defense (DoD) personnel from Naval
Base Kitsap (NBK) participated in a
motorcycle safety standdown at the
NBK Naval Undersea Warfare Center
in Keyport, May 12.
Service members engaged in interactive discussions about personal riding experience, executed fundamental
riding and handling skills on a basic
training course, and learned keypoints of motorcycle safety.
“Today’s event is a refresher course
and a reminder to practice safety
before the warm season when [riders]
start getting back on their bikes,” said
Marty Goldenpenny, regional safety
specialist and installation traffic coordinator.
The standdown consisted of three
events designed to help riders practice
basic fundamentals including a “cornering challenge”, “box master” and a
“slow-ride” competition.
More than 100 attendees participated in the NBK-sponsored, free event.
“It’s great to see so many people supporting this event,” said Lt.j.g. Dillan
Masellas, reactor control assistant,
USS Maine (SSBN 741) (Blue) and
attendee. “I’m really impressed with
the riding community up here.”
Masellas, who has attended several
rider safety stand downís expressed his
appreciation for the training.
“It makes you realize how much
better of a rider the training has made
you,” said Masellas. “It’s really made a
difference in my riding ability.”
A standdown is also scheduled to
occur on other installations in the
Northwest including Naval Air Station
Whidbey Island and Naval Station
Everett.
According to the Naval Safety Center
website, eight Sailors or Marines died
from motorcycle related accidents in
2009. The Navy continues to support
motorcycle safety worldwide to ensure
that its members practice safe and
proper riding habits and remain fit for
duty and are mission-capable.
“Training is an ongoing thing no
matter how long you’ve been riding,”
said Goldenpenny. “If you don’t use
the training you’ve gained, you tend
to forget it.”
NHB celebrates 30 years
By Douglas H. Stutz
NHB Public Affairs
The day was marked not
so much by celebration as
by recognition. The fanfare
was downplayed, but not
the appreciation for Naval
Hospital Bremerton turning
30 years last week at its current Ostrich Bay location.
“Thirty years ago the
great reputation of NHB
was enhanced by the move
into this new facility and
it remains perhaps even
stronger than ever today,”
said Capt. Mark Brouker,
NHB commanding officer.
“Our reputation began with
our plank owners, several
of whom are in attendance
today, and thanks to them,
we continue to follow their
lead.”
On hand for the birthday
ceremony was two of the
three original plank owners
still at the command; Karen
Clements, NHB’s certified
executive housekeeping
manager and Rick Smith
of material management.
Lynda Fournier, a contracting officer who also served
at NHB 30 years ago, was
out of office.
“I remember being
involved in moving almost
everything, including the
patients,” said Smith, who
has worked at NHB for
37 years and for 22 commanding officers. “This has
always been a great place to
work.”
“This is truly my home
away from home,” added
Clements, who has been
employed for 30 years and
worked for 15 COs at NHB.
“We celebrate 30 years in
our facility that is not just
a hospital for the sick, but
is a monument for compassion,” said Cmdr George
Mendes, NHB Chaplain.
“We have been a source of
support and care during
the most fragile time for
those in need. Our doctors,
nurses, hospital corpsmen
and support staff continue
to reach out and provide
help to others.”
Before the present site,
NHB spent more than 68
years on Naval Base Kitsap
MC1 Charlemagne Obana
Cmdr. George Mendes recites a prayer on the quarterdeck of Naval
Hospital Bremerton at a ceremony last week commemorating 30
years at its current location.
Bremerton, including some
departments in the current
administration building.
Before that the hospital was at several locations
on Puget Sound Naval
Shipyard. During the early
years of PSNS, from 1891
to 1903, medical activities
were performed aboard the
small gunboat USS Nipsic.
After relocating to the
current site, NHB underwent a $24 million expan-
sion project that was completed in 2001 that added
the three-story Family Care
Center wing, home to family
medicine, pharmacy, medical records, immunization
clinic, Health Promotion
and Wellness Center and
TRICARE Service Center.
The three-level underground parking garage for
approximately 200 cars was
also completed at that time.
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