For Her Knots and in the Rigging--She’s Judged Best

While pursuing a family tradition of military service, Petty Officer 1st Class Beth Blevins did something untraditional--she became the first woman to be named the Navy’s Sailor of the Year. The 1988 Chief of Naval Operations Shore Sailor of the Year award is a culmination of six months of competition among hundreds of men and women judged the best in their commands. “My father is a former Marine, and we were raised believing that being in the military and serving your country was one of the most honorable things you could do,” Blevins said. The 28-year-old native of North Ft. Myers, Fla., is assigned to Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 40 1635000436Blevins, who enlisted in the Navy in December, 1977, and reported for duty seven months later, works as an aviation structural mechanic. As part of her prize, she will be promoted to chief petty officer and be reassigned to Washington, where she will work for the master chief petty officer--the Navy’s highest-ranking enlisted person. She also will receive the Navy Commendation Medal. Her husband, Petty Officer 2nd Class James Blevins, also will be transferred to Washington.

--Pete Hamill will rejoin the New York Post roster to write a column three times a week on such issues as drugs, homelessness, local politics and the impact of national policies on New York, the paper said. “I also plan to examine the endless variations of that New York specialty, murder,” Hamill said. The column is expected to start next month. Post owner Peter S. Kalikow praised Hamill’s “inimitable style and unique perspective.” Hamill, 52, first joined the Post in 1960 as a reporter and stayed for 14 years. His other writing includes seven novels.

--New York Mayor Edward I. Koch reported that one of the five lesions removed from his face was cancerous, but his health is not threatened. “The biopsy came back and one of the ridges removed is a basal cell carcinoma which is not dangerous, doesn’t have to be treated,” Koch said. The lesion, Koch said, had been over his right eye. Three of the lesions removed Friday were caused by the sun and two came from an inherited condition, he said. The mayor has apparently learned a lesson. While spending the Memorial Day weekend at his sister’s on Long Island, Koch said he used a sunscreen to protect his face and bald head.