USS Constitution Sailors Teach Students Naval History

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kathryn Macdonald, USS Constitution Public Affairs

April 26, 2010 - WAUKEE, Iowa (NNS) -- Sailors from USS Constitution gave a naval history presentation to more than 450 students at Prairieview Middle School in Waukee, Iowa, April 22.

Lt. Cmdr. Anthony Savage, executive officer of USS Constitution, Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (SW) Laura Worden, Culinary Specialist 2nd Class (AW) Rob Rademaker, Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Airmen Dylan Roberts and Fireman Esteban Quintero taught students about Constitution's 212 years of history. The event happened as part of Navy Week Des Moines, April 19-24.

"It was fun," said Rademaker. "The students seemed to really enjoy us being there."

Sailors talked about Constitution's construction, one of her most famous battles during the War of 1812 with HMS Guerriere and her status today.

"It was really interesting to learn the different facts about the ship that we didn't learn before, like how the ship came to be," said Gabby Magee, an eighth-grade student at Prairieview Middle School.

Sailors assigned to Constitution undergo 20 weeks of naval history training, along with additional weekly training. Due to their extensive knowledge, Savage, a Waukee native, specifically requested his Sailors provide naval history presentations at local schools during Navy Week Des Moines. Ultimately they gave six presentations at four different schools.

The primary purpose of Navy Week is to increase Navy awareness by showcasing the Navy to Americans who live in cities that normally do not have a significant naval presence. Des Moines Navy Week showcases the mission, capabilities and achievements of the United States Navy and provides residents the opportunity to meet Sailors firsthand.

USS Constitution is located in the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston. She's is the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat and welcomes more than 500,000 visitors a year.