Sailors Support Caps for Kids during Spokane Navy Week

By Mass Communication Specialist Kathryn E. Macdonald, USS Constitution Public Affairs

SPOKANE, Wash. (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to USS Constitution, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 74) and Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Spokane gave Navy ball caps to children during a Caps for Kids event at Shriners Hospital for Children in Spokane, Wash. May 15.

Culinary Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Kevin Linney, assigned to Constitution, Quartermaster 3rd Class (SW/AW) Jennifer Boyle and Operations Specialist Seaman Greg Masters, assigned to Ronald Reagan, and Master-at-Arms 2nd Class (SW) Thomas Gowing and Quartermaster 2nd Class Brandon Pockell, assigned to NOSC Spokane, participated in the Navy Office of Community Outreach-sponsored event as part of Spokane Navy Week, May 14-20.

"We are so grateful the Sailors took time out of their day to visit our patients," said Kristin Monasmith, public relations specialist for Shriners Hospital for Children. "It's such a great treat for the kids. They absolutely love having the Sailors visit."

The idea for the Caps for Kids program originated at Children's Hospital, New Orleans in 1993 by Dr. Stephen Heinrich, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon.

"You can see the impact our presence makes on the smiling faces of the children we have the privilege to interact with," said Pockell. "The simple act of handing a ball cap and having a conversation with them makes a world of difference to these kids."

Caps for Kids became a national outreach effort in 2000. Since then, more than 500 commands and thousands of Sailors have donated ball caps to hospitals across the U.S. Most of the children who were given ball caps are dealing with long-term or lifelong health issues.

"When I handed the ball caps to the children, it gave me a great sense of pride," said Linney. "I hope that these ball caps will stay with these children for most of their lives and gives them pride in their military. They're just as important to us as what is going on in the world around us."

Spokane is the third of eight Navy Weeks Constitution Sailors are scheduled to participate in during 2012, celebrating the bicentennial of the War of 1812. The primary purpose of Navy Week is to increase Navy awareness by presenting the Navy to Americans who live in cities that normally do not have a significant naval presence. Spokane Navy Week will showcase the mission, capabilities and achievements of the U.S. Navy and provide residents the opportunity to meet Sailors firsthand.

Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat and welcomes more than 500,000 visitors per year. She defended the sea lanes against threat from 1797 to 1855, much like the mission of today's Navy. America's Navy: Keeping the sea free for more than 200 years.

Constitution's mission today is to offer community outreach and education about the ship's history.