Patrol Squadron FOUR family selected as Navy Family of the Year

Every year, the National Military Family Association holds a contest to find the National Military Family of the Year. The Association is celebrating its 40th Anniversary and one Patrol Squadron FOUR family has been chosen as the Navy Family of the Year. LTJG Joshua Caldwell and his family are the lucky recipients of this year’s prestigious award. LTJG Caldwell is a Naval Flight Officer for the VP-4 Skinny Dragons. Last week, it was announced that LTJG Caldwell and his family had made the Top Ten Families to represent the United States Navy. More recently, it was announced that his family was then chosen out of the top ten to be the Navy Family of the Year. With this award, LTJG Caldwell and his family will fly to Washington, D.C. and attend the National Military Family Association’s 40th Anniversary Reception on Wednesday, October 28, 2009. The reception will be held at the Ronald Reagan Building on Pennsylvania Avenue. At the reception, LTJG Caldwell and his family will represent the navy and compete against six other families representing their respective branches; Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, the Commissioned Corps of Public Health Service, and the Commissioned Corps of National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. These six families will compete for the grand prize winner as the 2009 National Military Family of the Year. Notable guests include; General James Cartwright, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Admiral Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations; Admiral Thad Allen, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard; Vice Admiral Dirk Debbink, Chief of the Navy Reserve; and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick West.

VP-4 Shines in Kauai Marathon

It was a day that began in darkness and ended in sweet success for Team Skinny Dragon. The Inaugural Kauai Marathon started in the wee hours of Sunday, September 6. Amid the darkness that was still present, it started to rain. The island of Kauai is home to Mt. Waialeale, known to many as the wettest place on Earth and Sunday was certainly no exception. The runners shoes had become waterlogged, their feet had become pruny, but their wills had not been broken. Eventually, the sun came out and everyone dried off and received a slight red tinge to cap off the morning's action.

The Half and Full Marathon Competitors ran side by side until mile 11. Then, the Half split off downhill, and the Full turned uphill. The Half participants ran the steady downhill all the way to the finish. Most of the Full participants regretted their decision at the split point, but every Skinny Dragon fought bravely through the pain. Mile 12 through 20 was generally uphill and many Skinny Dragons took the opportunities to catch their breath. After mile 20, the course was generally downhill. The Skinny Dragons then met up for the awards ceremony and celebration. Tropical fruits, massages, beer, and various other food were enjoyed by all.

Eventually, the Skinny Dragon Family went their separate ways to explore all of what Kauai had to offer. Waimea Canyon, Spouting Horn, and ziplining on the North Shore are some examples of activities enjoyed. All in all it was a great time and everyone was glad they came. For complete race results, go to http://www.thekauaimarathon.com/ and scroll to the results line.

Skinny Dragons Head to Kauai for Marathon

Over the next two days, approximately 35 Skinny Dragons will make their way to the island of Kauai for "the perfect getaway" weekend. Unfortunately for most, it will not be a lazy weekend underneath the Hawaiian sun. Many will participate in the inaugural Kauai Marathon by running the half (13.1 miles), but only a few brave souls will attempt the full (26.2 miles). All of the runners will be sporting snazzy Patron Four jerseys (see above design). The Marathon starts Sunday morning at 6am. Those not running will be volunteers and help distribute water, guide the route, take photos, etc. A VP-4 party will be held afterward. Check back here for complete Skinny Dragon results. Wish them luck!

New Blog Look

This is the new look for the Blog....keep looking back for further postings and updates on the squadrons activities.

Awards Ceremony 26 June

Families are highly encouraged to attend the Awards/Frocking Ceremony on June 26, 2009 at the Base Theater, starting at 0800. Please be in your seats and ready to go at 0750. This ceremony is to commemorate all awards not previously handed out from deployment. The uniform for those at the ceremony is summer whites for CPO's and above, summer whites or service uniform for E6 and below.

Taking a break

Right now the Skinny Dragons are in the middle of their post-deployment leave period. When everyone is back, they will begin getting ready for the next deployment. In the meantime, this blog is going to take a little holoholo. Tune in in mid-July for the next update and see how the men and women of VP-4 get ready for a deployment. Aloha a hui hou.

Lucky we live (in) Hawaii

There is a local saying that people who live in Hawaii use to describe their good fortune. No one understands the sentiment better than the Skinny Dragons. Having just returned from a seven-month combat deployment to Iraq, the members of Patrol Squadron FOUR and their families are out and about doing all of the things that they enjoyed before the deployment: hiking, surfing, scuba diving, etc. On a recent day, one family hiked the Olomana peak and took a panoramic shot of our home on the windward side of Oahu. Yes, we are "lucky we live Hawaii."