In November 2013, Marines and support personnel at NSA Philadelphia celebrated the Marine Corps birthday and participated in Operation Gratitude, collecting 4,435 lbs. of care package items for deployed service members, marking a significant increase from the previous year. The event involved 51 volunteers from various military organizations and aimed to enhance community engagement and support for those in service. Additionally, the document highlights pedestrian safety protocols, upcoming activities, and features a poignant presentation by a wounded warrior during Disability Employment Awareness Month.

1. November 2013
Marines assigned to NAVSUP Weapons Systems Support, Defense Logistics
Agency and tenant commands at NSA Philadelphia Celebrated the 238th
Marine Corps Birthday with a ceremony held in Bldg. 15 November 6. U.S.
Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ace Rheaume

2. Operation Gratitude
Employees at 10 Penn Center write
messages for deployed troops Nov. 8 at
an Operation Gratitude collection site
manned by Army Maj. Joseph Eggers,
DLA Troop Support and Navy Lt. Josh
Rosenbush, NAVSUP Fleet Logistics
Center Norfolk Philadelphia Office.
Several DLA Troop Support service
members joined others from the NSA
Philadelphia compound to gather care
package items at multiple downtown
office buildings. Photo by Michael Tuttle
NSA Philadelphia Servicemembers Take
Operation Gratitude Downtown
Story by Michael Tuttle, DLA Troop Support
Corporate Communications
Service members from Naval Support Activity Philadelphia collected boxes of DVDs, books,
socks and other care package items Nov. 8 from
Center City workers.
Spending the first of their four-day Veterans
Day weekend at sites in downtown office
buildings, they collected the items as part of
Operation Gratitude.
Operation Gratitude annually sends more
than 100,000 care packages addressed to service
members deployed in hostile regions, to their
children left behind and to veterans, first
responders, wounded warriors and their care
givers, according to its website.
“It’s a great way to bring attention to those
who are deployed in harm’s way,” said Army Maj.
Joseph Eggers, Defense Logistics Agency Troop
Support.
There were 51 military volunteers from
four NSA Philadelphia organizations: DLA Troop
Support, NAVSUP Weapons Systems Support,
U.S. Army Philadelphia Recruiting Command and
Navy Recruiting District Philadelphia.
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The collection totaled 4,435 lbs. of donated
items, a 233 percent increase from last year, said Lt.
Cmdr. Matt Brickhaus. Brickhaus is with NAVSUP
WSS and organized NSA Philadelphia’s Operation Gratitude efforts. He also said that $4,000 was
donated, 400 percent more than last year.
The volunteers collected at 23 locations, including two in New Jersey Nov. 7. There were also
collection areas in DLA Troop Support and NAVSUP Weapons Systems Support buildings Nov. 8.
Navy Lts. Gary Staffieri and Long Tran, both
from DLA Troop Support, were setup inside United
Plaza on 17th St. Among those who donated there
was an Army veteran who, while signing a Christmas card for a deployed service member, talked to
Staffieri and Tran about combat during the Vietnam
War in 1969.
“It’s great to see you guys out here today,”
said the veteran, who signed the card “Col. John.”
Since its inception in 2003, Operation Gratitude
volunteers have shipped more than 915,000 care
packages. For more information or to request a
package for a deployed service member, visit
www.operationgratitude.com.

3. Crosswalk
“STOP for Pedestrians in Crosswalks,
It’s the Law”
Since my children were old to enough to
understand (I have four children with a seven year
span from oldest to youngest), I’ve told them,
“Don’t argue with multi-ton vehicles.” Simply put,
if you are struck by a vehicle, no matter its shape,
size, weight, color or type, it can cause the human
body incredible harm, even death. Broken bones,
concussions, hospital stays, rehabilitation, time
away from the job, pain… “Don’t argue with multiton vehicles.” In a one-on-one altercation with a
moving vehicle, flesh and bone is no match for steel
or hardened plastic, especially when it has momentum. Even if you have the right of way, look both
ways before crossing the street and be prudent in
your judgment before proceeding. Watch your step
– even while crossing in a crosswalk with a sign –
it’s your responsibility.
I’m not giving drivers a pass, so here goes,
“STOP for Pedestrians in Crosswalks, it’s the Law.”
While I didn’t write the law, I do have a hand in
enforcing it, so this time with a tad more emphasis,
“STOP FOR PEDESTRIANS IN CROSSWALKS,
IT’S THE LAW.” Hopefully, this is all I have to say
to drivers for them to understand. I’ll let Security
say the rest.
Overall, we need to follow the three E’s of
Traffic Safety - Education, Enforcement and Engineering. Check out these traffic safety hints for both
pedestrians and drivers:
Pedestrian Safety and Responsibilities:
•
Use only designated crosswalks to cross
streets/roadways
•
Never assume drivers will stop
•
Always use caution and good judgment before
crossing
•
Be mindful that you may not be seen, if
possible, wear bright colors or use reflectors at
night
•
Pay attention to what you’re doing and where
you’re going
Driver Safety and Responsibilities:
•
Always be attentive of what’s going on around
you
•
Don’t be a Distracted Driver
•
Be alert and cautious that pedestrians are not
always noticeable
•
Remember when turning on a green light,
pedestrians have the right of way
•
Pedestrians crossing at an uncontrolled inter
section have the right of way
•
Do not pass vehicles stopped for pedestrians
You are our most precious resource and you
are what makes the Command’s you serve, this base
you work on and this country you protect, great. Be
good to yourself and one another because you are
one asset we can’t replace. Respect each other.
Personnel with concerns or suggestions
regarding pedestrian safety should contact either
Lee Adams at the Security Office, 215-697-6692,
online at stanley.adams@navy.mil or John Devany
at the Safety Office, 215-697-1163, online at john.
devany@navy.mil.
Both Pedestrians and Drivers are important to
us, so please, watch out for one another.
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4. NAVSUP WSS Disability Employment Awareness Month
NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support
(NAVSUP WSS) Contracting Director
Capt. Sonya Ebright presents Jason
Braase, Wounded Warriors Project, with
a NAVSUP WSS Commander’s Coin on
behalf of Rear Adm. John G. King after
Braase’s memorable presentation during the annual Disability Employment
Awareness Month program in Philadelphia on October 23. Photo by Shannon
Nortz, NAVSUP WSS.
Wounded Warrior Shares Inspirational
Story During Annual Disability Employment
Awareness Month at NAVSUP WSS
Story by Margaret Kenyon-Ely, NAVSUP
Weapon Systems Support Office of Corporate
Communications
As soon as Wounded Warrior Jason Braase opened
his Disability Employment Awareness Month program
keynote address on October 23 with “Today is a great
day to be alive!” those in the NAVSUP Weapon Systems
Support Philadelphia audience knew they were going to
hear an inspirational story.
Military and civilians alike sat in rapt attention as
Brasse shared his stirring tale of service in the Army National Guard beginning in 2001, detailing the fateful day
when his convoy was struck by an Improvised Explosive
Device (IED), followed by his struggles with depression
and suicide, and finally culminating in how the Wounded
Warriors Project changed his life.
“I was plagued with losing my leg. Of being in
a wheelchair. Of not being able to walk down the aisle
with my bride. Of not being able to one day run with
my children,” said Braase, in relating how he felt during
the early days he spent at Walter Reed National Military
Medical Center.
Braase underwent 13 surgeries, which did wind
up saving his right leg below his knee that had been torn
up by rocks projected through his leg creating a gaping
hole, and today he is very physically active, including
being an avid mountain biker and swimmer.
He credits a Wounded Warriors Project backpack
filled with daily necessities given to him at Walter Reed
as providing that much-needed ray of hope.
“They honored and empowered me every step
of the way,” Braase emphasized, saying that before he
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became actively involved with the Wounded Warriors
Project he felt that he had no one to talk to and that he
had no forward plans for his future.
“The organization has been there for me,” he
continued. “I’ve been told ‘thank you for your service
a hundred thousand times,’ and not one time have I
ever taken it for granted.”
NAVSUP WSS Contracting Director Capt.
Sonya Ebright kicked off the program highlighting the
organization’s success in recruiting and hiring Wounded Warriors.
“In the case of Wounded Warriors we are certainly fortunate to have them among our ranks. Those
with prior military experience positively benefit our
organization with their talent, especially with their
energy and self-discipline. We are lucky that they want
to continue to support our country in another way after
their military service has ended,” said Ebright, adding
that currently there are 40 Wounded Warriors working
at NAVSUP WSS and there are another ten being processed to come onboard within the next few months.
After Brasse’s presentation, Ebright presented
him with the NAVSUP WSS Commander’s Coin on
behalf of Rear Adm. John G. King.
The NAVSUP WSS Command Equal Employment Advisory Committee (EEOAC) coordinated the
event with members Norman Cooper and Tony Montelone serving as Chair and Co-Chair. Cooper also took
on the emcee duties during the program.

5. HTCS Brautcheck Reenlistment Ceremony
Senior Chief Hull Technician Charles Brautcheck is reenlisted by Commander Robert Speight, Naval Support Activity Philadelphia
Officer In Charge, November 13. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ace Rheaume
4th Quarter FY13 SOQ
Information Systems Technician First Class Michael
Phillips is congratulated by
Commander Robert Speight,
Naval Support Activity Philadelphia Officer In
Charge, for being selected
as NSA Philadelphia 4th
Quarter FY13 Sailor of the
Quarter November 5. U.S.
Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd
Class Ace Rheaume
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6. 238th Marine Corps Birthday Ceremony
Marines assigned to NAVSUP Weapons Systems Support, Defense Logistics
Agency and tenant commands at NSA Philadelphia Celebrated the 238th
Marine Corps Birthday with a ceremony held in Bldg. 15 November 6. U.S.
Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ace Rheaume

8. Sheltering-in-Place
at a Navy Installation
Preparedness Empowers You
It saves lives, property, and time.
Emergencies happen, often with
little or no notice. By taking action
beforehand you can be prepared
for any emergency.
Be Ready Navy!
I am. Are you?
It is your responsibility to understand the mass warning system at
your installation and, when notified, be prepared for the following:
» Evacuation
» Moving to designated safe
haven
» Moving to civilian shelter
» Temporarily sheltering-inplace
In the event of an emergency, Navy regional and installation emergency management
organizations have plans and procedures to direct personnel to evacuate or take
some form of shelter. For nonessential and nonemergency personnel, the preference is generally evacuation. In specific instances, evacuation or moving to a civilian
shelter or designated place is more dangerous than remaining where you are, such as
with short- or no-notice emergencies, including hazardous materials events. In these
instances, you may be directed to shelter-in-place.
Sheltering-in-place means to take temporary protection in a structure or vehicle—
typically your workplace or residence.
Installation procedures designate which responsible party or office will order
personnel to shelter-in-place and for how long the order is expected to be in effect.
Each installation is responsible for developing Shelter-in-Place Management Teams
in designated high-risk or high-occupancy buildings or areas. You should plan ahead
by having an emergency supply kit with needed food and supplies in the locations
you spend most of your time.
❶ Be informed. Know how to turn
How to Prepare
off your heating, ventilation, and
air conditioning (HVAC) systems
without damaging the components.
❷ Navy personnel with NMCI or
OneNet access must self-register
all home phones, cellular phones,
pagers, and e-mail addresses, etc.
in the Wide Area Alert Network
(WAAN) to receive notifications
wherever they are.
❸ Know how to close and secure doors,
windows, vents, and other exterior
openings quickly.
❹ Identify potential interior space for
sheltering-in-place.
❺ Make family emergency plan,
including an emergency communication plan, to cope with possible
separation of family members.
❻ Build and have an emergency kit
ready.

9. MWR
2014 reservations are available for the MWR Picnic
Pavilion Area. The rental fee is $70 and includes use
of the MWR pavilion, sand volleyball court, horseshoe
pits, the basketball court, and assorted lawn games.
Access to a refrigerator and indoor restrooms is also
included. (Payment of the rental fee is required to
reserve your date.)
Looking for something fun to do after work? Fran's
Hangar Bay (MWR All Hands Club) is open Wednesday
and Thursday nights at 4:00. The Club is also available
to rent for your next special occasion.
Planning a trip to New York City? Did you know that
you could book a show, tours or dinner through MWR's
Broadway Spotlight Ticket Program? Visit the website
at http://www.broadwaygetaways.com/packages/packages.taf?pid=136215 to see all of the wonderful opportunities available to you. Want to enjoy a delicious
meal before or after the show? Make reservations for
a three course meal at the famous Russian Tea Room
or Sardi's. You can even purchase tickets to visit the
Empire State Building Observatory or Top of the Rock
at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
For more information, please contact the ITT office at 215697-5392 or NSAPHILITT@navy.mil or the Club office at
215-697-4101 or e-mail NSAPHILMWR@navy.mil.
Classifieds
Carpool: 20 years experience, Warminster area, and towns
along routes in. Wed and Thurs. 630 to 5 p.m. Currently
down to 2 people saving gas and wear and tear. For more info
please contact Mike Gross (215) 737-5354
-------------------------------------------------------------------------The Freedom Flyer will publish free listings of personal items
for sale by personnel of the Naval and Defense Activities at
Philadelphia. Such items and services must represent an incidental exchange between personnel on the installation and not
be business operations. Ads are limited to 15 words, include
Command/Code, one per employee, and photos are highly encouraged. Work extensions may only be used on car and van
pool ads. All others must use a home or cell phone number.
Ads are printed on a space available basis.
Send submissions to MC2(SCW) Ace Rheaume at
ace.rheaume@navy.mil.
Find us on Facebook!
“Naval Support Activity Philadelphia”
Commanding Officer
Capt. Jeffery T. Rathbun
Officer-in-Charge
Cmdr. Robert Speight
Deputy Site Manager NSAP
Dennis Donahue
Site Manager PNY
HTCS(SW) Charles Brautcheck
Editorial Director
MC2(SCW) Ace Rheaume
The time to make an impact this holiday season and
bless a child or family in need is upon us. The annual
Toys For Tots campaign will run until December 12.
There are many locations at NSA Philadelphia where
you can donate a new unwrapped toy. For more
information on NSA Philadelphia locations and the Toys
for Tots campaign please call x3122 or x3488.
The Freedom Flyer is an authorized publication for
members of the military service and civilian personnel
of the Navy and Department of Defense commands and
activities located at the Naval Support Activity (NSA)
Philadelphia and the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Its contents do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S.
Government, the Department of Defense, nor the U.S.
Navy, and do not imply endorsement thereof. The
editorial content of this publication is reviewed, prepared, and distributed by the NSA Philadelphia Public Affairs Office. For more information please contact
MC2(SCW) Ace Rheaume, NSA Philadelphia Public Affairs Officer, at 215-697-5995 or ace.rheaume@navy.mil.
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10. Tips To Be Tobacco Free
1.
FIND YOUR REASONS TO QUIT. You may have support to quit or even peer
pressure to continue using tobacco so the decision comes from you!
2.
SELECT A METHOD THAT FITS YOU. Going cold turkey, cutting back, using medication or
finding what works best for you.
3.
SET A QUIT DATE. Plan a time. Choose a day in the next few weeks and commit. Circle
that date on your calendar or planner. Plan to be tobacco free.
4.
SUPPORT. Ask your friends and family to support your efforts. Ask former dippers and
smokers what helped them quit.
5.
RECOGNIZE YOUR TRIGGERS. Which triggers may be easy and which triggers seem to be
difficult? For example: upon awakening in the morning, after drinking coffee or after a
meal? Plan in advance how you will handle these situations without using tobacco.
6.
MAKE A QUIT PLAN. When is the best day? Which method will work best? Who will
support me? How will I make my surroundings a tobacco free zone? What other
strategies will I use?
7.
TELL SUPPORTERS. Inform your family and friends of your quit date. Ask for their support
and remind friends not to ask you out to the deck or to offer tobacco. (You didn’t run out,
you quit!)
8.
MOTIVATION. Write down reasons for quitting. Read it several times during the day,
especially when you have cravings. Keep written reasons where your pack or can used to
be. Instead of grabbing the tobacco products you’ll grab a hand full of reasons to quit!
9.
QUIT WITH SOMEONE. Everything is better when you do it together! Spouses, friends,
co-workers or maybe a group may want to give it a try. You can take breaks, walk and talk
with the same people, and quit together.
Tips To Be Tobacco Free
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11. 10. MAKE A QUIT BAG. Get a survival bag with items to help you. Some common things are
toothpicks and cinnamon sticks, sugarless hard candy and gum or stress balls, pens and
rubber bands for your hands.
11. RESIST CRAVINGS. When a craving strikes, try to distract yourself. The four D’s can help:
Deep breaths, Drink water, Do something else, and Delay.
12. AVOID UNHEALTHY REPLACEMENTS. Replacing tobacco with alcohol, high calories drinks,
candy, fatty foods and deserts can lead to other problems. Your metabolism changes
when you quit smoking. If you replace one habit with another, make a healthy choice.
13. INCREASE EXERCISE. Exercising will help you stay in shape, feel better, rid your body of
toxins and keep your weight in check.
14. LEARN FROM THE PAST. If you have tried to quit before and suffered a setback,
remember your triggers. Be prepared! Stay motivated! If you slip up, remember it is
never too early or too late to try again.
WANT ADDITIONAL HELP? Call or Log onto:
http://www.ucanquit2.org/
http://betobaccofree.hhs.gov/
http://www.nmcphc.med.navy.mil/Healthy_Living/
National/ State Free Quit Line 1-800-QUIT-NOW 1-800-784-8669
Call the Tricare Smoking Cessation Quitlines:
North Region 1-866-459-8766 / South Region 1-877-414-9949 / West Region 1-866-244-6870
Tips To Be Tobacco Free
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12. Veterans Day Ceremony
Servicemembers representing the various branches of military present colors
during a Veterans Day Ceremony November 11 at NSA Philadelphia. U.S.
Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ace Rheaume

14. NSA Philadelphia PWD
A worker shreds a small tree at NSA
Philadelphia during the tree removal
project. Photo courtesy of Public Works
Department Pennsylvania
NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic
Road To Platinum
Story courtesy of Public Works Department Pennsylvania
NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic
With the magnifying glass pointed directly
at energy conservation and utility bill reductions,
NSA Mechanicsburg, NSA Philadelphia, Philadelphia Navy Yard Annex and regional Reserve Centers have risen to the challenge of obtaining the
prestigious 2013 SECNAV Gold Energy Award
for the second year in a row!
Attaining the Gold level award highlights
our successful regional program that has resulted
in meeting energy intensity reduction goals.
Some of FY13 accomplishments include:
•
Establishment of a Building Monitor Pro
gram to identify building deficiencies and an
Installation Energy Board to serve as a leadership
forum for establishing an integrated energy path
and sharing best practices,
•
Execution of approximately $38M in energy-specific projects resulting in an estimated
$2.8M of annual energy cost savings, and
•
Creation of an aggressive Energy Awareness
campaign with Energy Fairs, electric vehicle demonstrations, Earth Day clean-ups, and awareness
material dissemination.
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The Region is heavily focused on energy conservation for the upcoming years. For FY14,
approximately $4M in energy enhancements projects will result in an estimated $900K of annual
savings and, in FY15, $14M in executable energy
improvement work will provide an estimated
$1.55M of annual energy savings. Some of these
key projects will include natural gas heating conversions, lighting upgrades, building insulation
improvements, and building automation systems.
Many thanks to you--our dedicated and
energy consciousness colleagues—for helping to
achieve this prestigious award. We trust that with
your continued commitment, we are on the path to
achieving the next energy milestone: the
PLATINUM award.

15. NSA Philadelphia Tree Removal
Story courtesy of Public Works Department Pennsylvania
NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic
Over the past month, trees and vegetation at
the Godfrey Gate and along Tabor Avenue have been
removed in accordance with Anti-Terrorism Force
Protection (ATFP) standards. The project is intended
to enhance security at the installation by increasing
visibility of our fence line.
John Potts, NAVFAC Public Works Department,
with the counsel of NSA Security, is overseeing the
contract, which also includes vegetation removal and
clean-up at the Cheltenham Gate, along the perimeter
of Building 8, and the Strict Yard, as well as mulching of the flower beds at Godfrey Gate. The project is
anticipated to be completed by mid-November and a
plan is already in place as funding becomes available
to plant new trees that will be a suitable distance (30
feet) away from the fence line.
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