THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 4, 1995 TAG: 9501040451
SECTION: MILITARY NEWS PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: - Staff and wire report
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
STEFFAN WON'T APPEAL: A midshipman who was removed from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis after acknowledging that he is homosexual has decided not to appeal to the Supreme Court. The decision by the midshipman, Joseph C. Steffan, leaves intact a ruling in November by a federal appelate court that upheld his removal in 1987. He was dismissed under the old policy, strictly barring homosexuals from the armed services. A compromise policy that went into effect last year permits homosexuals to serve so long as they remain silent about their sexual preferences and abstain from homosexual acts.
BONE MARROW DRIVE: A bone-marrow drive for military personnel and their dependents is scheduled for Jan. 18 at the Norfolk Navy Exchange conference room, next to the commissary. The transplants help some of the estimated 16,000 American children and adults suffering from fatal blood diseases such as leukemia. On the day of the drive, donors will give only a blood sample. Their names will be added to the donor registry. They will be called upon as needed for a marrow donation - a procedure done through outpatient surgery using a local anesthetic. The Department of Defense aims to add 25,000 names to the national registry every year.
``GRAPE SHOT'' FOR BRITS: British sailors now have the option of sipping a glass of wine instead of beer as their daily drink ration, the Journal of Commerce reports. One reason for the change is the growing number of women in the Royal Navy - now, about 40,000. The change was immediately welcomed by some in the ranks. A woman aboard the aircraft carrier Ark Royal said, ``Most of the girls prefer wine. It's more feminine.'' In 1970, the Royal Navy dropped a 300-year-old tradition of serving rum as the daily drink ration. The U.S. Navy prohibits routine consumption of alcohol aboard ships.
FAMILY SERVICES
HELP WITH DEPRESSION: FHC Choice is sponsoring ``What You Need to Know About Depression,'' a 90-minute program that helps people to recognize the signs of depression, to learn how to cope with it and to find good advice on when they should seek professional treatment. The program will take place from 11 a.m. Jan. 13. Call 459-5300 for information. ILLUSTRATION: COMINGS AND GOINGS
THE SHRINKING NAVY:
Ships Active-duty personnel
1990 580 1993 Officers 71,446
1992 519 Enlisted 454,945
1993 464 This week
Officers 60,863
This week 384 Enlisted 397,323
BY THE NUMBERS
BREAKAWAY BOOGIE
STAFF Graphic
[For a copy of the graphic, see microfilm for this date.]
by CNB