December 21,2007. US Navy Chief Petty Officer Winston B. Europa native of San Esteban Ilocos Sur was greeted with a heroes welcome by various organizations, friends, neighbors, his shipmates and his family upon returning from his tour of duty in Afghanistan.

The following is an excerpt from the award citation presented by the Commanding Officer of US Navy ETT, FOB Apache, Qalat Afghanistan to SKC(AW/SW) Winston B. Europa.

     According to the Commanding Officer of FOB Apache Embedded Team Training unit, Chief Europa volunteered for 455 days as an Individual Augmentee in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Afghanistan as the Director of Logistics (S4) for the Afghan National Army's Qalat Garrison, 2/205 Corps Regional Command Advisory Group, from October 2006 to December 2007. Through this period, his enthusiasm and dedication to duty has been instrumental in enhancing the overall Garrison training readiness, preparedness and overall morale. He added that Chief Europa is an outstanding combat proven expeditionary logistician and takes upon challenging assignments with grace and fortitude.

     Zabul Province, Afghanistan where he was assigned is known to be a stronghold of Taliban and Anti Coalition Militia forces and making the area one of the most hostile and dangerous provinces in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Facing daily threat of violence from these enemy forces, Chief Europa unflaggingly worked with the Qalat Garrison Logistics Officers to ensure the operational readiness of the Garrison and the five battalions of the Afghan National Army (ANA) 2nd Brigade 205th Corps (2-205th) operating in the ZABUL Area of Operations (AO). Afghanistan is the most difficult logistical environment US forces have operated in since World War II. Qalat province of Zabul is one of the most remote ETT Garrison sites, further complicating the logistics operation problem. Chief Europa maintained a relentless upbeat, positive, and energetic attitude as he confronted daily logistical hurdles that most U.S. Navy Supply officers will never face in their careers. In addition to challenges unique to this location, he also had to master the US Army Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), as well as the Afghan National Army SOPs. He quickly came up to speed and became recognized as an expert by US Army officers for his abilities in navigating the US Army logistics system.

     During an enemy attack Chief Europa is assigned to defend FOB Apache's west wall, and performed fearlessly in multiple attacks on the FOB. He has also participated in over 100 local and long distance convoys as the humvee Vehicle Gunner, Driver, and Vehicle Commander. Chief is one of the few selected Navy Gunner in country, trained and qualified to operate M-50 cal. MK-19 and the M240-B machine gun. His knowledge of enemy tactics, US SOPS was impressive, plus his intellect and common sense made him a valued member of any convoy. In all of the convoys, the threat levels were high with multiple and varied attack methods used. Convoys were conducted in the populated Qalat City area where the threats came from Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs), Vehicle-borne IEDs, Radio Controlled IEDs and Suicide Bombers. The long distance convoys were to Kabul and Kandahar, each a multiple hour journey. Besides the IED threats when traveling through the multiple villages and cities in these convoys, as a Gunner he had to be aware of ambushes, RPG-7 attacks, mines, and snipers. He never shirked from his duties and always could be counted on to volunteer for the more dangerous trips.

     Ready and willing to accept additional responsibilities, Chief Europa also served as the Target Range and Ammunition Officer, Education Service Officer (ESO), and Morale, Welfare and Recreation officer (WMR) providing a means in enhancing the morale and quality of life to all soldiers, airmen and sailors that he worked with. He also received massive support from citizens in the US for his campaign in providing toys, clothing, candies and school supplies to the children of the surrounding villages. His passion and contributions have left a profound impression on this Afghan National Army's Garrison and US Forward Operating Base (FOB) Apache. His actions have had a direct and tangible impact on readiness and improved both the US and ANA's ability to meet its mission. He has truly earned the respect of his supervisors, peers and subordinates. His contributions and innovations have truly set him apart from his peers. Chief Europa clearly warrants special recognition and by all measures has earned the professional conduct award, the Meritorious Service Medal. In addition, he also received the following service medals during this campaign: the NATO medal, Afghan Campaign medal, National Defense Service medal, Global War on Terrorism Service medal, Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service ribbon and the Marksmanship with "S" sharpshooter ribbon on M4/M16 riffles and M9 pistol. His performance in combat combined with his extraordinary dedication to duty in training and mentoring the Afghan National Army reflect great credit upon himself and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and the United States Navy.

     When asked what he feels about his tour in Afghanistan his response was, "what I experienced is not of utmost importance it is the desire, support and sacrifice my wife Susan and my three young children (Guine, Shine & Weisz) for what they endured and went through the whole time I was gone is the one that made the difference and they are the true heroes".

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 The following are the results and different activities during the Town Fiesta celebration this year.

     The Commission on Election (COMELEC) Officer II, Mrs. Gaudelia Agpalo, and Mrs. Charen Tabin, assistant Election Officer, submitted the list of Barangay Candidates/ list of winning Candidates with votes obtained arranged from highest to lowest last October 30, 2007.

     The Barangay election in our municipality went peacefully and orderly with the proper guidance of the COMELEC officers and volunteers (mostly teachers) to serve in the proceedings of the elections and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

     According to Mrs. Agpalo, 80% of the registered voters cast their votes. The reasons maybe, some were out of town, deceased, unfit to vote or some just chose not to take part in the Barangay Election due to work, school and other obligations.

     The following are the results of the Barangay Election 2007.

CRISTO REY CELEBRATION

     The annual celebration of the Feast of Christ the King falls on the last Sunday of the month of October. The last municipality who hosted the event was the town of Bantay, Ilocos Sur.

     After 34 years when we last hosted the feast, Cristo Rey was again held last November 25, 2007 here in our town. Months before the actual celebration, Cristo Ari was welcomed to by every Barangays, the days of His stay corresponds to the number of their Simbaan Sangkakarrubaan (SISA). Barangay Poblacion was the last Barangay visited by Cristo Rey. The visit lasted for five days in Barangay Poblacion, for we have five SISAs.

     Everyone in every Barangay had the chance to show their devotion and adoration to Cristo Ari. They had novenas, prayed the holy rosary and attended mass.

     The delegates of the Integral Youth Ministry (IYM) from other towns congregated on the 24th. The group of our youngsters organized and executed different religious activities at the respective host for the different vicariates and at Don Antonio Maceda Civic Center from as early as 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Several foster families hosted at least 2 delegates.

     As early as 11:00 o'clock in the morning the people from different towns of Ilocos Sur and some from distant provinces came to attend mass at church premises. The concelebrated mass was officiated by Most Rev. Ernesto Salgado, D.D., Archbishop of Nueva Segovia and was assisted by the different parish priests in the province.

     Despite of the inclement weather we experienced on the day of the celebration, it's a blessing that the rain stopped at noon and organizers had the chance to redecorate the make shift stage intended for the mass. The concelebrated mass started at 2:00 in the afternoon and lasted up 5:00 pm. And that was the time that it started to rain again which caused the scheduled procession within the town to be cancelled. Fireworks display was also called off.

New ABC and SK President Elected

It's a customary that after the election of Barangay captains and SK chairmen, the Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) and Federated Sangguniang Kabataan in our municipality will elect its President. Both will represent their federation in the Municipal Council.

The ten (10) Barangay captains in our town met last December 11, 2007 to elect their president and other officers. Unopposed San Nicolas Barangay captain Ray Elaydo II was voted president. Cabaroan Barangay captain Helen Eleccion was chosen auditor and voted as board members were Mario Corpuz of San Pablo, Ferdinand Estomo of Bateria, Nestor Eligio of Apatot and Mario V. Racela of Poblacion. No vice president was elected because nobody filed his/her candidacy for that position. The new ABC president RJ Elaydo immediately appointed Mr. Racela as ABC Secretary and Mr. Corpuz as ABC Treasurer.

As for the election of the president of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) the candidates were Elena Mae S. Vergara of Poblacion and Darryl Jones Ysmael of San Pablo. Miss Vergara prevailed to the score of 6 to 4. She got the support of Barangays San Nicolas, Cabaroan, Cappa-cappa, Apatot and Bateria while Mr. Ysmael was supported by barangays Villa Quirino, San Rafael and Ansad.