JAX AIR NEWS, NASJACKSONVILLE, Thursday, March 13, 2008 9 HS-7 family and friends celebrate the halfway point of deployment By Sunny Harvey Special Contributor Celebration! Excitement! Fun! These aren't normal- ly the words you would use to describe the families of deployed Sailors halfway through a seven- month cruise, but the Family Readiness Group (FRG) of HS-7, with the help of the base Morale, Welfare and Recreation Department, has done just that. The group threw a carnival for the children and loved ones of the deployed Sailors, on board USS Harry S. Truman March 1. "We wanted to give the children a chance to enjoy themselves and celebrate along with reminding them that their loved one will be home soon," said Lois Vaughan, who helped to coordinate the event. The event was held in the HS-7 hangar. "Many of the children associ- ate the hangar with their deployed parent and the important work that they do, so we felt that connection made it a good place to hold the event," explained Jill Mordhorst, another member of the committee. Instead of the usual helicopters you see surrounding the area, there was an inflated jumpy house and craft projects for the children to make and send to their loved one. The smell of pizza and popcorn masked the normal aroma of the area. The Jacksonville Zoo's education department was there with several animals for the children to observe, touch, and learn from. Children were running around having fun; everything you would expect to see at a carnival. Halfway through the event a laptop was set up which displayed a slide Photos by Sunny Harvey Family and friends of the deployed Sailors add sentiments to handkerchiefs that were pinned together and will be mailed to USS Harry S. Truman. show presentation from the "Dusty Dogs." CMC Jamie Vaughan had coordinated a recording of everyday life of the deployed Sailors from the ship and sent it back home for the carnival. At any given time you could see a loved one intently watching, learning what life was like for the individual he or she misses and hop- ing to catch a glimpse of his or her face. The FRG recorded the event to return the favor and will be sending it to their deployed loved ones. The vid- eographer walked around capturing the emotions, faces, and sentiments of the loved ones celebrating. "This is a tough time for the guys so we are hoping that the video will brighten their spirits and remind them that we Alyssa Harvey, 2, looks on as Ashlyn Dyer, 3, makes a handprint for her daddy, Lt. Bruce Lindsey. are here waiting," explained Mandy Dorsey, president of the squadron's Officer's Spouse Club. ON THE G0 WITH USO From the USO The NAS Jax USO is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Their phone number is 778-2821. Jacksonville Suns Baseball The Greater Jacksonville Area USO is fortunate to continue its affiliation with the Jacksonville Suns this year thanks to a grant from TPC Charities. The USO has purchased 18 seats for each home game. These 1 free tickets are available via" block request" from individual commands to help create "esprit-de-corps" and/ or to recognize deserving command personnel. Requests for a command block of tickets for a particular game will be accepted only from the unit CO/XO/CMC or service equivalent. Submit email requests directly to Bob Ross at bross@usojax.com by March 24 for April's games. Bob Coonan Memorial USO Golf Tournament The fifth annual Bob Coonan Memorial USO Golf Tournament will be held April 3 at the NAS Jax Golf Club. For more information, call 778-2821 or email kcmccarthy@usojax.com. ASE tests offered From the Navy College Office The Navy College Office is offering free Dantes test- ing for master auto technician (ASE certification) for active duty service members May 8, 13 and 15. To register, pick up a registration form from the Navy College Office in Building 110 and return to Rhonda Newton before March 14. For more information, call 542-2477 or email Rhonda. newton.ctr@navy.mil. * PASTOR REV DR. ALESIA SCOTT-FORD ' 535 Mclntosh Avenue Orange Park, FL 32073 Phone number 904-278-7037 Website httpJ/saintjamesame.org E-mail stjamesamc@bellsouth.net Worship Services & Meeting Schedule EVERY SUNDAYAT 8:00AM PRAYER MINISTRY AND 11:00AM WEDSNESDAYAT 6:30PM Morning Worship Service Need prayer call the church EVERY SUNDAY AT 9:30AM at anytime 278-7037 Church School FREE FAMILY COUNSELING New Member Orientation AND PRE-MARITAL EASTER SERVICES EVERYWEDNESDAYAT 7:00PM COUNSELING 7am Sunrise Service Adult and Youth Bible Study/ 8am Worship Mid-Week Service (mMre-llminthenti s5minulliB 9:30m Youth Service EVERY SECOND SUNDAY Ti a pick up frmh S11am -Worship Children's Church Call for a ride 904-278-7037 S12:30pm Egg Hunt Men's Ministry/Sons of Allen - "4 7OUetwan 9 e4acupataE (et ttctM P~aowaket asdi tc(ae a ?a