Skip to main content

Tag: Chairman Statements

September 2020 – Chairman Statement

To all our incredible volunteers, sea serving spouses and families,

As our summer comes to an end and we enter our 6th month fighting this pandemic which continues to plague our world…we usher in the month of September with reasons to stay hopeful and maintain a positive outlook.

We are all experiencing unprecedented challenges this year. We have had to adapt and figure out a new normal. I am happy to share that Naval Services FamilyLine is doing an incredible job getting our programs out there “virtually” to all who seek and need it.

Our COMPASS teams have been working hard to translate our in-person sessions to virtual formats. They have held multiple training and practice sessions and are about to launch their first virtual sessions this month in Mayport, San Diego, Annapolis, and Norfolk. Our CORE teams, partnering with the Navy League of the United States, are busy collaborating and planning on presenting relevant topics…such as a workshop on the Exceptional Family Member Program, and a webinar for Chief Petty Officer spouses prior to Chief Selectee season. We are also working diligently to develop a platform to provide our Anchors Aweigh program in a classroom setting. Lots of great things to look forward to, and I cannot be more proud to work alongside these incredible volunteers making it all happen.

Volunteers contribute out of the kindness of their heart with little compensation other than personal satisfaction in return. I would also like to take this opportunity to give a shout out to all our Ombudsmen out there. September is the month we celebrate your dedication and service in helping the families and sailors of your respective commands. Working towards our shared goal to be a resource, advocate and support for our sea serving spouses and families…Naval Services FamilyLine applauds and appreciates all that our Ombudsmen do!

Despite how COVID19 continues to challenge us, please try to maintain a positive vision. Even though an end to this virus is uncertain and our daily situation remains fluid, remember you are never alone. You can find valuable resources through our website www.nsfamilyline.org and through the MyNavy Family App.

Naval Services FamilyLine stands by you and is determined to help you succeed in and enjoy your military life journey.

Sincerely,
Junifer Thomas
Chairman, Naval Services FamilyLine

4th of July – Chairman Statement

To all our incredible volunteers, sea serving spouses and families,

Happy 4th of July! Traditionally on this day we celebrate with friends, family, and neighbors our country’s Independence Day — the day our country adopted an important symbol of liberty, the Declaration of Independence. Our founding fathers wrote this composition with the intent to rally the troops, gain the support of foreign allies and to declare the birth of the United States of America…a nation in which every citizen has the freedom to pursue their happiness and live a good and meaningful life…a freedom secured in large part by the honorable men and women in our armed forces who selflessly and willingly sacrifice to defend it. So today, I hope you join me in celebrating the birth of our great nation, the men and women in uniform, and their spouses and families who continue to fight for what our country stands for.

Usually we celebrate by gathering in large groups for barbeques, parades, and firework shows that would entertain us well into the night. But as we are aware, this is not the usual year. COVID-19 continues to disrupt our days and proves to be a persistent enemy to the daily routines we are accustomed to. Even though some restrictions are beginning to lift, and cities are starting to open, I encourage you to practice public health mitigation measures and to follow guidelines set forth by health officials. If we each continue to do our part, we will get through this stronger and wiser…individually and collectively as a nation.

As a reminder, if you need help to get you through these challenging times, Naval Services FamilyLine is here for you, through our website, www.nsfamilyline.org, and through the MyNavy Family App. We are also starting to offer virtual Setting Sail courses as well as virtual Command Spouse and Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat Leadership courses. Our wonderful NS FamilyLine volunteers are also working hard to bring our COMPASS and CORE programs to you virtually. I am proud to be a part of this great team as well as excited about all that we are accomplishing. We are in this fight together!

As the year 2020 reminds us, ours is not a perfect world. But with a common resolve and the perseverance of the collective, nothing is out of the realm of the possible…even the rebirth of a greater nation. I encourage each of you to safely celebrate today. May this day be a symbol of joy, prosperity, and happiness in your lives. God Bless America…the land of the free, because of the brave!

Sincerely,

Junifer Thomas

Chairman, Naval Services FamilyLine

A Reflection by the Naval Services – FamilyLine Chairman

As we enter our fourth month of life with COVID-19, I hope this finds you healthy and hanging in there. We have been and continue to be challenged in the year 2020 – not only with the concerns about the pandemic, but through the actions of some who remind us that injustice can and does exist for many. Naval Services FamilyLine stands united with the nationwide call to end racism and the injustices that impact our country today. But it is up to us, as individuals, to ensure that it happens. For the past few months, to stop the spread of COVID-19 we had to condition ourselves to individually do our part so that collectively we keep our military and our nation safe. It has been challenging and difficult at times to give up the simple liberties we often take for granted. But we have seen it happen…in our world, our country and in our personal life…it can be done. We each must make the choice to make a positive difference, and collectively we will hopefully see the change our country needs.

The month of June usually marks the start of many beginnings…the beginning of the next phase in life as our children graduate from high school or college, the beginning of summer, and for many the beginning of the next chapter in their military journey as they PCS to their next duty station. But due to the conditions and restrictions we face, these beginnings are happening unconventionally. We can choose to ruminate on the disappointments and change in our expectations, or we can choose to acknowledge, learn, and grow stronger, more resilient from our circumstances. It is up to you as an individual to choose to see things positively. I understand and acknowledge that sometimes this can be difficult. You may need added guidance, assurance, and strength to help you to see the positives. Just know that if you need the extra help to get you through to the other side of this challenging time, Naval Services FamilyLine is here to help. Through our website, www.nsfamilyline.org, and through the MyNavy Family App you can find the resources that can help as you navigate through your military life’s journey.

With the end of COVID-19 still uncertain, so is the challenges and injustice some people face in their daily life. But we must maintain a positive outlook someday soon it will end. Individually we must do our part. Challenge yourself to be and see the positive change you want and what our country needs.

In closing, I would like to wish all the fathers out there a “Happy Father’s Day,” especially my father. He made the courageous decision long ago to enlist and join the United States Navy, that at the time was helping defend his homeland, the Philippines.

Even though he was faced with challenges, he chose to persevere and work hard to provide an opportunity for his family to thrive in so many positive ways.

Sincerely,
Junifer Thomas
Chairman, Naval Services FamilyLine

This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses

COVID-19 – Chairman Statement

To All Our Sea Serving Families and Volunteers,

In compliance with DOD and CNO policy to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, we are temporarily suspending our person-to-person educational and mentoring sessions, as well as any events or gatherings sponsored by Naval Services FamilyLine until May 2020. This includes all COMPASS, CORE, Command Spouse and Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat Leadership courses. Though we are planning to suspend our program sessions and events for a couple of months, our understanding of the coronavirus is evolving daily, therefore, we will keep monitoring the guidelines set forth by health officials and adjust our policy accordingly.

These are unprecedented and uncertain times. I know some argue that the precautions being taken across the country may be an overreaction… but as CNO said in his message to the fleet, “Our #1 concern is the health and safety of our Sailors and their families. For now, we must use an abundance of caution and follow the guidelines of health officials. America depends upon our military to help provide security and stability to our nation.” By following and complying with the precautions set forth above, we will be doing our part to help ensure our military remains that vital force for security. As a reminder, you can still find our valuable resources on our website at www.nsfamilyline.org.

Thank you for your patience, understanding and support as we weather this storm. Though we are experiencing uncertain times, I am certain that we will get through this…healthier, stronger and wiser!

Sincerely,
Junifer Thomas
Chairman, Naval Services FamilyLine