The White Falcon - 26.02.1993, Blaðsíða 9

Bee flys into existence will hover by bldg. 506
y J02 Colleen “Ghostwriter” Casper
Usually the seabees are “buzzing” around
the Naval Air Station, Keflavik putting their
varied construction skills to practice. But
last week Public Works welcomed a new
seabee to the shop, a sea bee mascot.
BU2 Kenneth D. Soderberg came up with
the idea of constructing a seabee mascot for
the outside of Public Works last September
and Birgir Eyjolfsson made the idea a reality.
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Eyjolfsson took a four-inch-long model of
e seabee and drew the figure on paper, blew
up and made the seabee image come to life.
The whole figure is made out of steel. It
was similar to constructing a ship, I started
with ribs and continued from there.”
He welded the pieces together until the
final form was complete. “After working
such a long time on the structure I feel like it
is part of me, I enjoyed seeing it come to life.”
Soderberg with assistance from other mem-
bers from Public Works painted the bee after
it was constructed. “Teamwork definitely
played a big factor in the project. Our next
monument will be for the Icelanders symbol-
izing teamwork.”
An official dedication ceremony was held
for the seabee mascot last Friday morning.
ADM Thomas A. Dames, Commander
Atlantic Division Naval Facilities Engineer-
ing Command, Norfolk,Va., was in atten-
dance. ADM Dames was here on a site visit,
was the former Public Works officer at Naval
Air Station, Keflavik, from 1979 to 1981.
AT. Mahan Elementary School students served more than 100 base personnel during the "Kid
Kuisine" held last Saturday. Nearly 20 children helped prepare the food, proceeds of which
went to the Parent Teacher Organization. (Photo by J03 (SW) Andreas Walter)
Baltazar retires after 26 years
DKC Vincent S. Baltazar, Jr., and wife Violet
are piped ashore to civilian life at a retire-
ment ceremony honoring Baltazar's 26 years
of naval service, recently. Baltazar started
and ended his Navy career overseas. For the
past four years, he has been stationed at PSD,
Keflavik. Despite the isolated aspect of life
here, Baltazar feels this has been his best
duty station. Yet, he says he is also ready to
face the future and move on. “I want to thank
the Navy for giving me the opportunity to
serve in the world's mightiest Navy. The
skills, training, and experience l have ac-
quired should enable me to find meaningful
employment in civilian life. I will leave the
Navy with optimism. I'm ready to face the
challenges and the uncertainties of a world
outside the military." The couple have two
children, Eric and Katinka. (Photo by J02
Carlos Bongioanni.)
February 26,1993
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