thedrifter
04-23-08, 08:27 PM
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Navy Honors Medical Corps at Blessing Ceremony
by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) David Ham
Journal staff writer
Navy Surgeon General Vice Adm. Adam Robinson, Jr., unveiled a new exhibit at the Navy Memorial and Heritage Center Saturday. The exhibit showcases Navy Medicine’s efforts in providing quality health care to America’s wounded Sailors and Marines.
The exhibit’s unveiling took place during the Navy Memorial’s 17th annual Blessing of the Fleets ceremony. Passed down from generations of sailors and mariners, the centuries old tradition is still celebrated today in many port communities around the world. The ceremony is intended to protect ships and their crews from the dangers of the seas through blessings from religious servicemen at the water’s edge.
Navy Medicine Force Master Chief (FMF) Laura Martinez said the ceremony becomes a monumental event to the men and women who ‘‘wear the cloth of our nation.” She said the ceremony gave Sailors a chance to reaffirm the commitment to protecting the world’s waterways.
‘‘Every year, we have an opportunity to honor a community in the Navy,” Martinez said. ‘‘This year, Navy Medicine is honored for its commitment as part of the maritime services deployed around the world protecting our country [and its allies].”
For the past 20 years, the Navy Memorial Plaza and Heritage Center — where the ceremony was held — have been dedicated to honor Sailors past, present and future, said President and Chief Executive Officer for the Navy Memorial Richard Buchanan.
He said on behalf of the Navy, memorial and residents, he was pleased to share in witnessing the ceremony and everything the district has to offer its visitors and residents.
‘‘Thank you for joining us today to witness a time honored tradition,” Buchanan said. ‘‘The 17th annual Blessing of the Fleets.”
Robinson said the concept of faith binds Navy Medicine with the Blessing of the Fleets, making them integral parts of how other countries view the compassionate spirit of America.
‘‘It’s very fitting that I stand before you today to offer Navy Medicine’s part in heritage to our Navy and also our nation,” Robinson said. ‘‘[Navy Medicine is] uniquely committed to protecting and saving lives both on land and at sea as well as in the air and in every ocean and on every continent in the world.”
Robinson said each medical professional keeps with the philosophy of faith-based patient care, making sure it is grounded, focused and centered. He said doctors, nurses, administrators, corpsman and contracted personnel are accomplishing the highest levels of patient care Navy Medicine can give to its patients.
‘‘Navy Medicine embodies a concept of care, which is faith, patient and family centered,” Robinson said. ‘‘Faith in our mission, in our people and our shipmates, faith in our ability to make a difference through our love and concern for our fellow human beings, faith in our God who provides us with the knowledge, resources and abilities to encounter any challenge and overcome it with determination and with dignity.”
Robinson said the new exhibit personifies what Navy Medicine’s commitment to its people is. He said it symbolizes the sacred trust in the health care professionals who work in the naval medical facilities worldwide and the patients who receive the medical care they require no matter where they serve, what uniform they wear or condition of their injuries. It’s their duty, honor and privilege, he said.
‘‘We may not always be able to relieve suffering and pain — and we do not heal, we take no credit for the healing,” Robinson said. ‘‘But we can always be there to help our patients during those very hard and lonely times as well as times of joy and happiness.”
The fountains at the memorial were then brought to life as members of the Navy Ceremonial Guard poured water from the major bodies of water on Earth ushering in the spring season.
Ellie
Navy Honors Medical Corps at Blessing Ceremony
by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) David Ham
Journal staff writer
Navy Surgeon General Vice Adm. Adam Robinson, Jr., unveiled a new exhibit at the Navy Memorial and Heritage Center Saturday. The exhibit showcases Navy Medicine’s efforts in providing quality health care to America’s wounded Sailors and Marines.
The exhibit’s unveiling took place during the Navy Memorial’s 17th annual Blessing of the Fleets ceremony. Passed down from generations of sailors and mariners, the centuries old tradition is still celebrated today in many port communities around the world. The ceremony is intended to protect ships and their crews from the dangers of the seas through blessings from religious servicemen at the water’s edge.
Navy Medicine Force Master Chief (FMF) Laura Martinez said the ceremony becomes a monumental event to the men and women who ‘‘wear the cloth of our nation.” She said the ceremony gave Sailors a chance to reaffirm the commitment to protecting the world’s waterways.
‘‘Every year, we have an opportunity to honor a community in the Navy,” Martinez said. ‘‘This year, Navy Medicine is honored for its commitment as part of the maritime services deployed around the world protecting our country [and its allies].”
For the past 20 years, the Navy Memorial Plaza and Heritage Center — where the ceremony was held — have been dedicated to honor Sailors past, present and future, said President and Chief Executive Officer for the Navy Memorial Richard Buchanan.
He said on behalf of the Navy, memorial and residents, he was pleased to share in witnessing the ceremony and everything the district has to offer its visitors and residents.
‘‘Thank you for joining us today to witness a time honored tradition,” Buchanan said. ‘‘The 17th annual Blessing of the Fleets.”
Robinson said the concept of faith binds Navy Medicine with the Blessing of the Fleets, making them integral parts of how other countries view the compassionate spirit of America.
‘‘It’s very fitting that I stand before you today to offer Navy Medicine’s part in heritage to our Navy and also our nation,” Robinson said. ‘‘[Navy Medicine is] uniquely committed to protecting and saving lives both on land and at sea as well as in the air and in every ocean and on every continent in the world.”
Robinson said each medical professional keeps with the philosophy of faith-based patient care, making sure it is grounded, focused and centered. He said doctors, nurses, administrators, corpsman and contracted personnel are accomplishing the highest levels of patient care Navy Medicine can give to its patients.
‘‘Navy Medicine embodies a concept of care, which is faith, patient and family centered,” Robinson said. ‘‘Faith in our mission, in our people and our shipmates, faith in our ability to make a difference through our love and concern for our fellow human beings, faith in our God who provides us with the knowledge, resources and abilities to encounter any challenge and overcome it with determination and with dignity.”
Robinson said the new exhibit personifies what Navy Medicine’s commitment to its people is. He said it symbolizes the sacred trust in the health care professionals who work in the naval medical facilities worldwide and the patients who receive the medical care they require no matter where they serve, what uniform they wear or condition of their injuries. It’s their duty, honor and privilege, he said.
‘‘We may not always be able to relieve suffering and pain — and we do not heal, we take no credit for the healing,” Robinson said. ‘‘But we can always be there to help our patients during those very hard and lonely times as well as times of joy and happiness.”
The fountains at the memorial were then brought to life as members of the Navy Ceremonial Guard poured water from the major bodies of water on Earth ushering in the spring season.
Ellie