Sitkan Serving at U.S. Navy
Aviation Schools Command
Ensign Aidan Raffaele, of Sitka, is serving the U.S. Navy at Naval Aviation Schools Command.
As a student at NASC Raffaele is serving among sailors, Marines and guardsmen developing the skills needed to be combat-ready aviation professionals, a press release said.
NASC, located at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, provides an educational foundation in technical training, character development and professional leadership.
Raffaele joined the Navy six months ago and now is a student naval aviator.
“I joined the Navy because I had a passion for aviation and volunteering,” Raffaele said. “I wanted to see the world and I thought this would be a way to give back to my country.”
Raffaele said the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Sitka.
“Growing up in Alaska, I learned to never quit,” said Raffaele. In fiscal year 2021, ATS staff conducted 2,250 hours of classroom instruction and 17,095 hours of flight instruction; graduated 1,140 pilots and 217 Naval Flight Officers. AEATS graduated 1,237 students, ARSS graduated 245 students and AWS, including Detachment Swim Sites Norfolk and Pearl Harbor provided training for 6,479 students.
Serving in the Navy means Raffaele is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy, NASC said.
“The Navy is a vital asset to national security because it demonstrates force protection and executes essential missions on a daily basis,” Raffaele said.
“I’m most proud of commissioning as a naval officer,” Raffael said. “Being able to serve alongside and after so many prominent naval aviators has made me feel honored.”
Raffaele is a 2017 Sitka High School graduate, and 2021 graduate of University of Idaho, Moscow, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminology with a minor in justice studies.
Kevin Patterson
Services June 13
Funeral services for Kevin Daniel Patterson, 55, will be 4 p.m. Monday, June 13, at Sitka National Cemetery.
Kevin was born June 12, 1966, and died Sept. 23, 2021.
Swan Lake Kid’s
Fishing Day Set
The Sitka Rotary Club, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and U.S. Forest Service invite kids to participate in the annual Swan Lake Kid’s Fishing Day on Saturday, June 11.
Registration begins at 8 a.m. Fishing will take place from 9 am to noon. Prizes will be awarded throughout. The free event is for children, ages 4-12 years, accompanied by parents.
Fishing may take place from shore or by boat. Flotation jackets are required for boaters.
The Sitka Rotary Club will be selling hot dogs, chips, and drinks for $1.
Waterfront Jazz
Concert on Tap
Tickets are available for Sitka Fine Arts Camp’s gala fundraiser, Jazz on the Waterfront 7 p.m. Saturday, June 25, at Odess Theater.
The evening of music, food and friends will feature a 20-piece professional big band. The gourmet French meal will be prepared by Chef Patti Peck, winner of the Food Network TV show ‘‘Chopped,’’ and French-born and -trained Chef Olivier Pheulpin.
Reserve seats at www.fineartscamp.org/shows. The show supports scholarships for kids to attend the Sitka Fine Arts Camp.
4th of July Parade
Theme Announced
‘‘The Many Faces of Sitka’’ has been announced as this year’s Fourth of July parade theme.
Registration is open for groups and floats. Prizes for Best of Theme, Best of Parade and Most Enthusiastic will be given following the parade, the Chamber of Commerce announced.
Lineup will be at noon on Lake Street between the roundabout and KIFW radio station. The parade will begin at 1 p.m. It will proceed to the stoplight, turning right onto Lincoln Street, continuing past City Hall, turning left on Harbor Drive.
Go to business.sitkachamber.com for more information and to register. More information also is at 907-747-8604. The entry fee is $25.
Those who have an event to add to the Fourth of July event calendar for July 1-4 can email membership@sitkachamber.com.
Waterfront Jazz
Concert on Tap
Tickets are available for Sitka Fine Arts Camp’s gala fundraiser, Jazz on the Waterfront 7 p.m. Saturday, June 25, at Odess Theater.
The evening of music, food and friends will feature a 20-piece professional big band. The gourmet French meal will be prepared by Chef Patti Peck, winner of the Food Network TV show ‘‘Chopped,’’ and French-born and -trained Chef Olivier Pheulpin.
Reserve seats at www.fineartscamp.org/shows. The show supports scholarships for kids to attend the Sitka Fine Arts Camp.
Bahá’ís Set Youth
Summer Camp
The Bahá’ís of Sitka are letting Sitka youths know about a summer camp opportunity being offered by the Alaska Bahá’í Institute.
The five-day statewide camp for junior youths (ages 11-14) and youths (ages 15-24) will take place on the Kenai Peninsula July 6-10.
The focus of the camp is to inspire young Alaskans to develop their own inherent potentialities and ways they can contribute to the betterment of society, the local group said.
The study themes include topics such as service, prayer, race equity, the equality of men and women, marriage and the importance of the development of spiritual qualities such as truthfulness, empathy, kindness, love, compassion, forgiveness and forbearance, the group said.
The camp will offer arts and crafts, music, games, outdoor activities, swimming, storytelling and theater.
Those interested can request the registration form by emailing info@sitkabahai.org. For information email the Alaska Bahá’í Institute Junior Youth Team at: abijunioryouth@akbnc.org.
STA Tribal
Council Meets
The Sitka Tribe of Alaska Tribal Council will meet 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 15, via Zoom.
Tribal citizens who wish to make public comments are encouraged to email their request to Anne Davis at Anne.Davis@sitkatribe-nsn.gov no later than 4:30 p.m. on June 15. The meeting agenda and zoom link are available on the STA webpage at www.sitkatribe.org.
Mystery on Titanic
Program at Library
Teens and adults can solve a mystery on the Titanic through a Sitka Public Library self-paced program that is part of the “Oceans of Possibilities” summer library program.
It includes murder, mystery and deceit. Participants are to figure out who is the culprit before the RMS Titanic makes it to port. Packets are available at the circulation desk. The free take-home activity will be available June 15 to 25, while supplies last.
Call 747-4020, or e-mail Maite at maite.lorente@cityofsitka.org for more information.
School Board
Seats to be Filled
The Sitka School District School Board has received six letters of interest to fill the vacant School Board seats until the results of the municipal election on Oct. 4 are certified.
Candidates are Valorie Nelson, Tristan Guevin, Mitch Mork, Beth Short-Rhoads, Sarah Harris and Laurie Serka. Public input on the candidates will be accepted in writing or by email at info@sitkaschools.org until 4 p.m. June 14.
At the June 15 special School Board meeting, the candidates will be interviewed and two will be appointed by a majority vote, the board said.
