DVIDS – News – NSA Naples Holds Festa Americana

Service members and their families, Department of Defense civilians and local Italians came together at Naval Support Activity (NSA) Naples’ Carney Park for Festa Americana, June 29 and 30, 2019.
The annual event, crafted by the NSA Naples Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) team, is held to celebrate the independence of the United States of America and to share American culture with the local Italian community.
The gates opened on Saturday and Capt. Todd Abrahamson, the NSA Naples commanding officer, gave a speech welcoming the guests and thanking the contributors during the opening ceremonies
“There is nothing more rewarding than celebrating American independence, and I’m glad that we can all be here this weekend to do it right,” said Abrahamson. “It’s a fantastic opportunity not only to celebrate within our own community, but also to share a bit of American culture with our Italian hosts.”
The event had food vendors, carnival rides, DJ music and a performance by the band American Authors. The evening concluded with a fireworks show.
Chris Kasparek, the NSA Naples MWR community recreation director, felt immense gratitude for all of the volunteers and personnel that contributed to make the event happen.
"Festa Americana is one of the most challenging and rewarding projects of the year, and thousands of hours are spent collaborating, bringing to life an event that celebrates not only our freedom as Americans, but the friendships that have been forged with our local national community,” said Kasparek. “[Festa Americana] would not be possible without the family spirit that is NSA Naples. A family that is near and dear to my heart."
While most NSA Naples personnel and Italian guests celebrated the event, there were also volunteers and members of the NSA Naples team who stood the watch to ensure that all attendees had a safe and positive experience.
“The biggest challenge for Festa Americana, from a security standpoint, it that it is such a large event, which requires expert coordination between many entities including military, civilian, and law enforcement personnel to ensure the safety of all who are attending,” said Master-at-Arms Chief Petty Officer Matthew Birmingham, the security lead for Festa Americana.
Keeping the attendants safe was not the only challenge personnel had to overcome. Lt. Daniel Syzdek, the assistant public works officer, and his team had to get the park itself ready for the event.
“The Public Works department worked hard to make sure Carney Park was ready for Festa American,” said Syzdek. “[More than] the usual upkeep of Carney Park.”
Carney Park was ready to host the event, and attendees flooded the park. People were lining up to play carnival games and ride bumper cars, the food vendors were always busy, and the concert by American Authors gathered a large crowd. The faces of the event goers were full of smiles as they were illuminated by the flash of the fireworks show that ended the evening.
“Festa Americana was a great event to attend,” said Hospital Corpsman Seaman Dalton Reeves. “I really enjoyed myself, and the American Authors are a great band. It is just a fantastic place for friends and family to connect. Everyone is having a great time.”
Festa Americana 2019 was an enjoyable event and could not have happened without the help of our Italian hosts, said Abrahamson.
“Thank you for hosting us in your city, for helping us maintain this area, and for supporting Carney Park. This location directly impacts the morale of our personnel and their families,” said Abrahamson. “Thank you to our host nation authorities who have put in so much work to keep us safe and secure, not just for this event, but all year round.”
NSA Naples is an operational ashore base that enables U.S., allied and partner nation forces to be where they are needed, when they are needed to ensure security and stability in Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia.
For more news on NSA Naples, please follow us on Instagram @NSANaples, Twitter @NSA_Naples, and Facebook at facebook.com/NSANaples/.

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