WHAT’ S NEWS IN MONROEVILLE
Melissa Adams
GATEWAY GRAD SERVES IN JAPAN ABOARD FORWARD- DEPLOYED SHIP
A 2013 Gateway High School graduate and Pittsburgh native, Melissa Adams, is serving the U. S. Navy in Japan aboard USS Germantown— a ship operating out of Sasebo, Japan.
A Navy seaman apprentice performs many essential functions to run a ship, including serving as a helmsman and lookout, standing security watches while in port or underway, paint and rust removal, compartment cleaning and numerous other deck-related responsibilities.
“ I’ m very new to this command,” says Adams.“ Right now we’ re learning a lot about Japan. They’ ve been teaching us do’ s and don’ ts, a bit of the language, we took a tour around Sasebo, learned some of the history of Japan.”
With more than 50 percent of the world’ s shipping tonnage and a third of the world’ s crude oil passing through the region, the U. S. has historic and enduring interests in that part of the world.
“ Our alliance is rooted in shared interests and shared values,” says Adm. Harry Harris, U. S. Pacific Command Commander.“ It’ s not hyperbole to say that the entire world has benefited from the U. S.-Japan alliance. While our alliance helped stabilize the region after the Second World War, it also enabled the Japanese people to bring about an era of unprecedented economic growth. And for the last six decades, our Soldiers, Sailors,
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Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen have worked side by side with the Japan Self Defense Force to protect and advance peace and freedom.”
Commissioned in 1986, Germantown is the second Navy ship named after the Revolutionary War Battle of Germantown. With a crew of more than 900 Sailors and Marines, Germantown is 609 feet long and weighs approximately 16,000 tons. Designed specifically to operate landing craft air cushion small craft vessels, Whidbey Island-class dock landing ships have the largest capacity for these landing craft out of any U. S. Navy amphibious ship.
“ It’ s very different here, but I feel very safe here,” says Adams.“ I take pride in the fact that I’ m helping provide some of that security.”
Sea duty is inherently arduous and challenging but it builds strong fellowship and esprit de corps among members of the crew. The crew is highly motivated and quickly adapts to changing conditions. It is a busy life of specialized work, watches, and drills.
“ The Navy has offered me a way out of the life that I was living and has given me a great step ahead in building a career for myself,” notes Adams.
The Navy’ s presence in Sasebo is part a long-standing commitment.
“ The U. S.-Japan alliance remains the cornerstone for peace and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region,” says Harris.
UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE MONROEVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Be sure to check out the following upcoming events at the Monroeville Public Library! The library is located at 4000 Gateway Campus Blvd. For more information, call 412.372.0500, or visit monroevillelibrary. org. n New Year’ s Eve EVE Can’ t stay up until midnight on New Year’ s Eve? The Monroeville Public Library will hold its annual ball drop early on the EVE of New Year’ s Eve, Saturday Dec. 30, beginning at 11:30 a. m. Party hats, favors, crafts and refreshments will be part of the festivities for all ages at this free event. n Lunar New Year Celebrate the Lunar New Year at the Monroeville Public Library on Saturday, Feb. 17, from 10:30 to 11:30 a. m. All ages are welcome to join in this free special event with an indoor dragon parade, crafts and refreshments. Red is a symbol of good luck for the New Year— so participants are encouraged to wear red.
TIANI ' S EVENTS 2017 HOLIDAY MARKET
Tiani’ s 2017 Holiday Market will take place on Sunday, Nov. 26, from 12 to 4 p. m. at the Monroeville DoubleTree Hotel. The event is free and open to the public, and will include over 50 vendors, visits with Santa, photo opportunities, refreshments, face painting, balloon artists, free massages, raffles and more. One lucky shopper will be drawn to win a Fingerling Monkey!
Search Tiani’ s Events on Facebook for more information.
THE PITTSBURGH CONCERT CHORALE 2017-2018 SEASON
Pittsburgh Concert Chorale’ s 2017- 2018 concert schedule offers a varied sampling of music from around the globe.“ The Pittsburgh Concert Chorale is excited to present musical selections from various parts of the world. The season began with our sixth annual Pittsburgh Sings: Pittsburgh Concert Chorale’ s Festival of Choirs at Carnegie Music Hall, which showcases high school choirs from the Greater Pittsburgh region. Our December Sounds of the Season concert features American favorites and classics from around the globe. Our March concert, Bella Musica!, will take audiences on a breathtaking journey through Italy with music that has resonated in cathedrals, piazzas and opera houses for centuries. Rounding out the season, in May, the PCC goes to Tinseltown for Hooray for Hollywood!, a concert of