Area veterans present flags to Cole families

Local veterans presented special flags at a memorial ceremony Sunday to the families of 17 sailors killed aboard the destroyer Cole in a terrorist attack in Yemen eight years ago.

Veterans from Norfolk Branch 5 of the Fleet Reserve Association donated nearly $4,000 to present personalized Honor and Remember flags.

Several families and some of the ship's crew attended the ceremony at Norfolk Naval Station.

The Honor and Remember flags were created locally by George Lutz, father of Army Cpl. Tony Lutz, who was killed in Iraq in 2005. Lutz and retired Master Chief Petty Officer Tom Leisher of the Fleet Reserve Association presented the flags.

Survey, Inspection to be held

The Joint Commission, a health care accreditation agency, will survey the 1st Medical Group, which operates medical facilities at Langley Air Force Base, Monday through Thursday. The survey will evaluate the medical group's performance and compliance with national health care standards. The Health Services Inspection Team will also conduct an inspection to evaluate medical operations and medical readiness.

Patients who have information about such matters may request an interview with the commission's field representatives by calling (800) 994-6610 or e-mailing complaint@jointcommission.org.

Group honors Hampton soldier

Members of the 820th Security Forces Group gathered at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia on Tuesday to remember a fallen comrade, Airman 1st Class Leebernard Chavis.

Chavis grew up in Hampton and graduated from Phoebus High School. He was killed by sniper fire three years ago while on patrol near Baghdad.

He was honored with a fund raiser for scholarships benefit ing family members of those killed in action. Donations will be collected until Oct. 24. To donate, call Staff Sgt. Heather Stanton: (229) 257-5306.

Pharmacy repairs will continue

Renovations to the pharmacy at Adm. Joel T. Boone Clinic at the Little Creek Amphibious Base are expected to continue through the end of the year. The pharmacy sustained extensive water damage during a rainstorm in June, according to a news release.

Until renovations are complete, the pharmacy is unable to fill new outside prescriptions. Those may be filled at Portsmouth Naval Medical Center or the branch health clinics at Oceana and Sewells Point.

Boone patients needing refills are advised that processing will take five business days. They may call the refill line at (757) 953-6337. Refills may be picked up from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Ground broken for Bethel Manor

Construction crews broke ground Wednesday on the first phase of a $311 million housing project in Bethel Manor that will give Langley airmen 1,431 new or renovated housing units.

The construction, part of housing privatization, is scheduled for completion in September 2014, according to a news release. Families can expect to begin moving into new units as early as August.

Military briefs are published on Fridays. Send submissions to military@pilotonline.com.