THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 18, 1995 TAG: 9511181598
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KERRY DeROCHI, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
Tracey Patrick stared at the flashing green and red lights, unsure of which one to push and uncomfortable at the prospect of choosing.
Normally, it wasn't her job to answer the phones. She hadn't been trained on the system. She really didn't know what to say.
But the phones kept ringing.
``What bothers me is telling people who sound like they need help, `Sorry, there isn't anybody here,' '' said Patrick, a staff assistant assigned to the Navy Family Services Center in Norfolk.
``I just wish we had more information to give these people. It would make people feel so much better. But we have nothing to say.''
Welcome to the sights and sounds of a federal government shutdown.
Friday morning, 10 military service members scrambled to do the work left behind by 71 civil service employees who were sent home because of the budget impasse in Washington.
The phones were the only signs of life at the maze of buildings and trailers off Hampton Boulevard, where military members and their families go for help with everything from finances to private counseling.
The parking lot was empty and bright yellow cards were taped to the building's front door. The lights were turned out. A vacuum cleaner roared in a back hallway.
``We're trying to do what we can; we can't hope to cover it all,'' said Cmdr. Connie Walker, director of the center.
``Folks feel like they're in limbo. I wish I had a crystal ball and could tell them when we'll open our doors.''
Master Chief Norm Aurland sat at a long wooden conference table, flipping through slip after slip of the upcoming briefings the staff had agreed to give on Monday and Tuesday.
There were 26 in all.
How to survive the holidays, financially, for 50 people.
Suicide prevention for 300.
Resume writing for 20.
Pre-deployment briefing for 40.
``We'll work everything we can, but most of the stuff we can't,'' Aurland said. ``We'll have to pick and choose.''
The shutdown has come at a critical time for the center, which is bracing for the onslaught of anxieties and problems brought on at the holidays.
In recent days, long hours have been spent calling service members and telling them their appointments have been canceled. Those who rely on the center to help chart their finances have no one to go to. Those suffering from grief or enduring marital problems cannot meet with their counselor.
``It's hard, you know there's nothing you can do to help these people,'' said Patrick, 24.
``You try to sit here and let them tell you what they need to tell you, but you just don't feel like it's enough.''
Time is running out, too, for the crew members assigned to the George Washington battle group who are getting set to deploy early next year. Crucial pre-deployment briefings designed to prepare families for the six-month separation have had to be canceled or rescheduled.
A few days ago, Walker was introduced to another Navy officer who grinned and said, ``Oh, you're the family services center that's shut down.''
The remark stung.
``We're not shut down, we're doing the best we can,'' Walker said. ``We've built a reputation of being extremely supportive to the fleet.
``It's very painful.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by MARTIN SMITH-RODDEN, The Virginian-Pilot
Master Chief Norm Aurland sits in a room usually staffed by a dozen
workers at the Navy Family Services Center. ``We'll work
everything we can, but most of the stuff we can't,'' Aurland said.
by CNB