Naples hospital corpsman is
named
Europe's top sailor for 2000By Anthony Burgos, Sigonella Bureau
Petty Officer 1st class Alston
McGann |
NAVAL AIR
STATION SIGONELLA, Sicily — For the second year in a row, a Naples sailor was named
the Commander Naval Forces Europe sailor of the year. Petty Officer 1st class Alston
McGann, a hospital corpsman from the U.S. Naval Hospital in Naples, was chosen as
Europe’s top sailor for 2000.
"It
wasn’t a competition," McGann said at a ceremony on Naval Air Station Sigonella,
Sicily, Friday morning. "Any one of us four could have won. But it’s an honor to
be chosen and have the chance to represent sailors in Europe."
The three
other sailors up for the honor included Petty Officer 1st class Curtis Szyszka, a yeoman
from Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Belgium; Petty Officer 1st class Ron
Fronheiser, an aviation electronics technician from Sigonella; and Petty Officer 1st class
Richard Whipple, a master at arms from Naval Station Rota, Spain.
"These
are four of the best out of 10,000 sailors the Navy has in Europe," said Capt. Randy
Dearth, the chief of staff of the Navy’s European command during his speech at the
ceremony.
The
sailors, their families and leaders from their commands, spent a week at Sigonella touring
the base and seeing local tourist attractions. The sailors tested in front of a board
comprised of senior Navy leaders to determine who would receive the distinction of the
regional sailor of the year.
All four
sailors were awarded Navy Commendation medals at the ceremony for their superior
performance. McGann also received a pocket PC from AT&T representatives, four sets of
uniforms from the Defense Logistics Agency, a television, mini-disc player and other gifts
from the Navy Exchange.
McGann will
travel to Washington, D.C., later this year for the Navywide Sailor of the Year
competition.
He credits
his success to the support from people in his command.
"I
want to pass on the mentoring and guidance that I have received," McGann said.
He plans on
carrying on the lessons he’s learned during his 12 years on active duty to his peers
in the service.
"If a
sailor wants to learn, I suggest they go to sea.
"It’s
an experience they must have that will help them in their career."
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