Banner, displays at Navy Fleet Store honor ‘Year of the Chief’

Chief Construction Electrician Rolando Cayetano, (left), and Senior Chief Operations Specialist James Hastings, set up a banner at the entrance of the Pearl Harbor Navy Exchange Fleet Store entrance May 21, commemorating the "Year of the Chief."

Assistant Editor

Sailors placed a ceremonial banner and informational display boards at the Pearl Harbor Navy Exchange Fleet Store entrance May 21, commemorating the “Year of the Chief.”

Chief Construction Electrician Rolando Cayetano of Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 303, Det. Pearl Harbor and Senior Chief Operations Specialist James Hastings of Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet set up the banner and display boards so they can be viewed by fleet store patrons. The banner and displays will remain at the store at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam until June 15.

The United States Navy Memorial is spotlighting the Year of the Chief, which began April 1 and runs through March 30, 2013.

Cayetano explained that the banner will have streamers on it representing the various Navys’ Region Hawaii chief’s messes. The flag will be sent to several memorials around Oahu. Ultimately, the banner will be donated to the Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C., Cayetano explained.

“It is a privilege to be part of the Year of the Chief, spotlighting the accomplishments of the past and present chiefs, and also the contributions of their families,” Cayetano said.

“Coordinating this for Navy Region Hawaii is a huge honor,” Hastings added.

According to one of the display boards, the Year of the Chief commemoration honors all chief petty officers who have served, past and present. The Navy Memorial’s museum will feature displays depicting chief life, work, history and accomplishments.

Numerous events through-out the Navy will be held all year to highlight the chief, including a VIP pre-opening reception, a pictorial coffee book designed and produced to feature the 119 years of chief history, including Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy one through 12. The commemoration also includes special coins, leadership seminars, book signings and a virtual tour.

For more information on Year of the Chief events, visit the Navy Memorial’s website at www.navyme morial.org and click on the CPO link.