NAVAIR Depot Jax employees attend Teammate Appreciation Picnic

By Daphne Burke, NAVAIR Depot Jax Public Affairs Specialist

On June 25, the Naval Air Depot Jacksonville’s Civilian Employee Recreation and Welfare Committee (CEWRC) hosted a Teammate Appreciation Picnic at Sea King Park, the last event scheduled to close out June Teammate Appreciation Month. According to Charlie Martin, CEWRC President, approximately 400 Depot personnel braved the recently tumultuous weather to attend the picnic.

“CEWRC did a wonderful job coordinating this event,” said Depot Executive Officer Capt. David J. Beck. CEWRC volunteers grilled up hamburgers and bratwurst and provided all the fixings for a picnic lunch, including beverages and potato chips. “We want to show appreciation to our teammates,” said Carl Gay, aircraft engine repairer and CEWRC member. “This a great time for people who work in different areas around the Depot to meet and get to know each other,” said Henry Williams, electronics mechanic and CEWRC member.

Not The Norm, a band comprised of three Depot employees and one retired Depot employee, entertained picnic attendees with their renditions of popular music. Not the Norm members are: Mike Blanchard, retired, Dennis DeCiancio, sheet metal mechanic, Norm Owings, sheet metal mechanic, and Rodger Erastain, electronic integrated systems mechanic.

While the band played, Depot employees played horseshoes and volleyball and mingled with coworkers. One topic of conversation was the $375 Teammate Appreciation Award which Depot employees received for their contribution to the success of the facility, which was recently reiterated through the awarding of three major safety awards: the Secretary of the Navy FY01 Award for Achievement in Safety Ashore and the NAVAIR and Chief of Naval Operations 2001 Aviation Safety Awards. When asked what they planned to do with their award money, employees responses were mixed. Some are planning to use the money for practical purposes. “I am going to use mine to help pay for my son’s tuition at the University of West Florida,” said Steve Nabholz, electronic industrial controls mechanic. Curtis Merrit, machinist supervisor, said, “I’m going to buy my son a truck, $375 won’t pay for it, but, it’s a start.” Others are planning to have a little fun with their money. “I am taking my 7-year-old son, Curtus, to Disney World,” said Ray Bozeman, production machinery mechanic. Richard Middleton, electronic industrial controls mechanic, used his money to buy a new kayak and has already tried it out in Trout Creek.

Most employees attending the picnic participated in a free CEWRC sponsored drawing for door prizes. Jeff Simoneaux, quality assurance specialist, won two tickets to Silver Springs waterpark; and Jason Beers, preservation servicer, won two tickets to Arabian Nights.

The picnic was one of several scheduled events that took place at the Depot during Teammate Appreciation Month. Other events included a visit by the Navy Band Southeast’s Dixieland Band. The Dixieland Band toured the Depot on June 20 making stops at various locations throughout the Depot to entertain employees with musical favorites like When the Saints Go Marching In and Mississippi Mud. Commander, Naval Air Systems Command, Vice Adm. Joseph Dyer stopped by the Depot on June 5 to talk with employees and express his gratitude for their continued support. In addition to the scheduled events, employees received Teammate Appreciation lapel pins sporting the new NAVAIR logo and mission cards. “We value our employees all year long,” said Beck, “but it was great to dedicate the month of June to show our employees just how much they are appreciated.”

– USN –

Photos by: Susan Brink, Public Affairs Specialist

Photo 1 caption: NAVAIR Depot Jax Civilian Employee Recreation and Welfare Committee (CEWRC) representatives prepare food for picnic.

Photo 2 caption: NAVAIR Depot Jax employees enjoy Teammate Appreciation Month Picnic.