USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62)

Story By: JO3 Jason L. Moore
email: pamoor52@cv62.navy.mil
Date: March 2, 1998

The results are in for the Navy/Marine Corps News Cyber Sailor Command Homepage Challenge — and the winner for large commands afloat is Independence.

More than 200 pages make up the Indy homepage which is created by Journalist 3rd Class Joseph Rehana from Carterville, Ill. Since the homepage went on-line November 24, 1997, visitors to the web site have exceeded 40,000.

The tremendously popular Notepad section is a shipboard daily diary.

"Cyber Sailor" praised the Notepad for providing a link between the crew and their family and friends back home.

According to Rehana, he receives approximately 30 e-mails daily, complimenting the web site. Ten to 15 people also e-mail asking to locate Indy Sailors. Rehana forwards the e-mail to asked-about crewmembers.

The Notepad is a daily publication that features crewmembers for family and friends back home.

"I’m sure people have been surprised to open their e-mail and find a letter," Rehana said. "I feel like I’ve vicariously become a part of the crewmember’s family by e-mailing between the Sailor and his loved ones."

PH2 Freddie Rodrigue "Cyber Sailor" named Indy homepage the best in large afloat command.

A section of the Indy Web site that has recently become very popular is the Command ballcap giveaway. Once a week a visitor can e-mail Rehana with a ballcap giveaway submission. At the end of the week, the Commanding Officer draws the winning number for the "Don’t Tread On Me Ballcap" and command picture.

Another section of the website, the Careline, allows family members to read messages from the Commanding Officer, Capt. Mark R. Milliken.

Whether a reader’s favorite section of the Indy Homepage is the Notepad, ballcap giveaway or the Commanding Officer’s Careline, the site has been getting a lot of attention.

"Winning this award puts the finishing touches on all the work that we’ve put into the web site," Rehana said. "It couldn’t have been possible without the support of the Public Affairs department."

Rehana’s efforts of telling the Navy story through the Information Highway are being highlighted by "Cyber Sailor," but the winners are also the families and friends that have been linked together from his efforts.

Indy homepage is #1 for large afloat commands

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