PCU Mississippi Sailors Volunteer with American Red Cross in Pascagoula

By Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg, Commander, Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs

PASCAGOULA, Miss. (NNS) -- Sailors from Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Mississippi (SSN 782) volunteered with the American Red Cross in Pascagoula and packed hurricane preparedness materials May 30.

PCU Mississippi Sailors assisted the American Red Cross in advance of the kick-off to hurricane season, which begins June 1 and runs through Nov. 30.

PCU Mississippi, the ninth Virginia-class attack submarine, arrived in Pascagoula May 25 to prepare for the submarine's commissioning June 2.

In addition to assisting with the American Red Cross, PCU Mississippi Sailors also lent their assistance to Habitat for Humanity May 29.

Capt. John McGrath, PCU Mississippi's commanding officer, emphasized his crew's interest in assisting in volunteer projects while the submarine was in Pascagoula for its commissioning.

"PCU Mississippi Sailors amassed more than a thousand volunteer hours while the boat was under construction," said McGrath. "It was only fitting for my crew to do the same while we are visiting our namesake state."

Due to their extensive volunteerism the submarine received a Navy Community Service/Project Good Neighbor community service award in 2011.

Martha Duvall, American Red Cross communications officer, South Mississippi was pleased with the Sailors' support.

"We are excited and honored to have crew members from the USS Mississippi help assemble Red Cross emergency shelter kits," said Duvall.

Duvall added that the kits will be used throughout South Mississippi this hurricane season.

"Their volunteerism today will allow us to continue to be ready if and when called upon to open shelters," said Duvall.

Virginia-class submarines are built under a unique teaming arrangement between General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries - Newport News. Construction on the submarine began in February 2007.

Once commissioned in 2012, Mississippi, like all Virginia-class submarines is designed to dominate both the littorals and deep oceans. It will serve as a valuable asset in supporting the core capabilities of Maritime Strategy: Sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security and deterrence.

PCU Mississippi will be commissioned June 2 in Pascagoula, Miss. The ceremony, which begins at 10 a.m. CST, will be streamed live via www.livestream.com/usnavy as well as http://www.pentagonchannel.mil/. It will also be available via webcast at http://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/2421#.T7_T57BtaSo.

PCU Mississippi Sailors Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity in Pascagoula

By Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg, Commander, Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs

PASCAGOULA, Miss. (NNS) -- Nearly two dozen Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Mississippi (SSN 782) Sailors assisted the local Habitat for Humanity organization in Pascagoula with an ongoing housing project May 29.

PCU Mississippi, a Virginia-class attack submarine arrived in Pascagoula May 25 to prepare for its commissioning June 2.

Capt. John McGrath, PCU Mississippi's commanding officer said his crew was very interested in assisting in volunteer projects while the submarine was in Pascagoula for its commissioning.

"The Sailors of PCU Mississippi are true ambassadors of goodwill for not only the Submarine Force, but the U.S. Navy," said McGrath. "Since the early days of the boat's construction, my crew has diligently shown their volunteer spirit by giving of their off-duty time to various activities in Connecticut. It's only fitting for my crew to do the same in their namesake state of Mississippi."

Adele Lyons, director of development, Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast appreciated the support.

"Since Habitat for Humanity has been involved in an initiative to engage members of the military community, it is a perfect match to get Sailors from the Mississippi involved in one of our projects," said Lyons. "From past experience, we know these Sailors have a work ethic is second to none. We truly appreciate the Sailors wanting to give back to this community through volunteerism."

In December 2011, the submarine received a Navy Community Service/Project Good Neighbor community service award.

"When we were planning events to participate in during the commissioning week, many of my Sailors who regularly volunteered in Connecticut, were the first ones to sign up to participate in volunteer activities," said McGrath.

McGrath also added that since mid-2010, his Sailors assisted with countless projects in Connecticut that range from cooking food for veterans to educating students at John B. Stanton Elementary School.

While in their namesake state, PCU Mississippi Sailors will also volunteer with the local American Red Cross to pack hurricane preparedness materials.

Virginia-class submarines are built under a unique teaming arrangement between General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries - Newport News. Construction on the submarine began in February 2007.

Once commissioned in 2012, Mississippi, like all Virginia-class submarines, is designed to dominate both the littorals and deep oceans. It will serve as a valuable asset in supporting the core capabilities of maritime strategy: sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security and deterrence.

PCU Mississippi will be commissioned June 2 in Pascagoula, Miss. The ceremony, which begins at 10 a.m. CST, will be streamed live on http://www.pentagonchannel.mil/ and available via webcast at http://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/2421#.T7_T57BtaSo.

Military Works with Habitat for Humanity of Guam

By Shaina Marie Santos, Joint Region Edge Staff

TALOFOFO, Guam (NNS) -- Service members partnered with Habitat for Humanity of Guam to refurbish the home of an island resident in Talofofo, Guam Feb. 4.

Antonio Bagaygay, 91, lives alone on a lot that was once covered by trees and plants. The home was almost invisible to passersby, until a Habitat for Humanity of Guam employee found him and solicited the aid of volunteers.

"This project has had at least 20-30 people each weekend," said Habitat for Humanity of Guam's board president Shane Intihar. "It is very easy to get Sailors and Airmen out to these projects. This is the kind of stuff they love to do."

Ann Cruz, administrative assistant for Habitat for Humanity of Guam, was pleased with the turnout of service members.

"The militaries, the Andersen, the Navies, and every volunteer that I call, they have all the heart when they come out and they came here, they work, and they help us out," she said. "They like to do what is good for the people and what is good for the families. They show they really are one of the Samaritans here on our island and that's what we're looking for, people like them."

Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Bryan Darnell, of U.S. Naval Base Guam Security, was one of the many Sailors who volunteered at the event.

"I like helping out," Darnell said. "I like coming out and helping people around the island. We're showing a pretty good presence out here. We're showing a lot of military personnel out here are more than willing to help the local community."

Lt. Alex May, of Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Marianas echoed his sentiments.

"Habitat for Humanity got the word out that [Bagaygay] needs help, so here we are," he said. "It's very important that we keep in touch with the community and this is one of the great opportunities to do so. I thank every single one that's here to help out."

Bagaygay grew up in the Philippines, where he was recruited into the U.S. Army. When he arrived on Guam, he helped in rebuilding efforts after World War II.

"He's done a lot to serve both the U.S. military and Guam," Intihar said.

Norfolk Submariners Give Back to Local Community

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Kim Williams, Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic Public Affairs

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (NNS) -- Sailors from the Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS West Virginia (SSBN-736) volunteered with the non-profit organization Habitat for Humanity in Virginia Beach, Va., Jan. 18.

The crew of volunteers helped put the finishing touches on four newly constructed three bedroom, two bathroom homes, which Habitat for Humanity and its volunteers will present to families Jan. 21.

"For most people, buying a home is one of the biggest purchases you'll make in your life," said Chief Fire Control Technician Angel Rivera, West Virginia's fire control and torpedo division leading chief petty officer. "Imagine receiving a gift like this from a group of people. It is a great way to give back."

The submariners, along with several other volunteers from the Hampton Roads community, have volunteered at two sites in Portsmouth and Virginia Beach, Va. since their arrival in 2011.

"I love helping the families," said Missile Technician 3rd Class Robert Gloden from Yale, Mich., and West Virginia's volunteer coordinator. "I have met most of the families that we are building these homes for and they are great people. With the economy being the way it is now, these projects help people who may be struggling, working multiple jobs to make ends meet, get an interest-free mortgage," said Gloden. "It's helpful for the command to be supportive like this in the community and also lets them know that we are here to support Virginia residents and help out the best we can."

The team touched up paint, sanded walls, covered linoleum floors and performed small landscaping jobs at the Virginia Beach site, but has assisted with building homes from the bottom-up.

"We can do anything that they need us to do as long as there is a supervisor or someone there to guide us," said Rivera. There's no shortage of Habitat sites in Hampton Roads and helping the community is our number one priority. Since our ship is in dry dock for at least the next year, we have plenty of opportunity to volunteer."

In addition to all of their own efforts on the Habitat projects, the West Virginia Sailors have plenty of help from their veteran counterparts in the local community as well.

"It's great, rewarding work volunteering with Habitat for Humanity," said retired Rear Adm. Stanley Bryant. "It makes the community feel good to see the Sailors out here and it makes the Sailors feel good because they get to do some work in the community that they can recognize. They are nice young people and it's good to see them out here."

Bryant is the chairman of a newly established Habitat for Humanity program called "Habitat for Humanity For Heroes." The program will offer home ownership opportunities to active duty, retired, honorably discharged veterans and surviving families similar to the traditional Habitat for Humanity Program.

While the project Bryant and the West Virginia team are currently working on is not for a veteran's family, their efforts are still the same.

"These young folks are working hard no matter what it is they are asked to do," said Bryant. "We really appreciate getting up close and personal with the military volunteers because they always energize everybody," said Bryant. "You can't ask for a better qualified more fun group of volunteers."

West Virginia, commanded by Cmdr. Adam Palmer, is assigned to Commander, Submarine Group 10 and permanently home ported in King's Bay, Ga., but is currently undergoing an Engineered Refueling Overhaul at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Va.

The sole mission of ballistic-missile submarines like West Virginia has been strategic deterrence since their inception in 1960. The SSBN provides the nation's most survivable and enduring nuclear strike capability, always ready and vigilant in a secure and survivable posture to rapidly respond to national tasking.

Lincoln Sailors Build New Homes during Navy Week LA

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Brian Brannon, USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs

LAWNDALE, Calif. (NNS) -- Wielding hammers, saws, trowels, and drills, 25 Sailors from the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and the mine countermeasures ship USS Champion (MCM 4) volunteered with Habitat for Humanity to make two families' dreams of living in safe, affordable housing come true, July 26.

Erin Hale, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater L.A., thanked the Sailors for their skill and professionalism in working alongside her team.

"We're very excited that the Navy's out here because we know that not only have these Sailors given tremendous service to our nation, they've also done a lot of service and humanitarian aid while they're out at sea. The fact that while they're here in Los Angeles at the port, that they're spending time with Habitat for Humanity means so, so much to us," she said.

Candy Royce is scheduled to move into one of the homes around Thanksgiving, along with her mother and three adopted children. She was honored to have Navy volunteers help build her new home and encouraged Sailors to leave messages on the unfinished walls.

Although the notes will eventually be covered with drywall, Royce is collecting photographs of the faces and writings of everyone who has worked on her home.

"Almost everyone writes messages on the walls," she said. "They have some funny things that they say and some very sincere things. And I can say this house was built with love."

With instruction from regular Habitat for Humanity volunteers called "Rusty Nails," Sailors framed porches, built stairs, added trusses, put stucco on walls, and performed electrical work.

Lincoln Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 2nd Class Rockie Johnson enjoyed the chance to make a difference in the community.

"We're helping good people out here; a good family," he said. "I wasn't too fortunate before coming in, and to give to someone else that's not, it's just [satisfying]."

Navy Week is an opportunity for the officers and crew of the visiting ships to help the Navy showcase the quality of its personnel to local citizens. Lincoln's participation in L.A. Navy Week will demonstrate to area leaders and the general public that the Navy remains an effective and vital tool of national defense and a viable career opportunity for young men and women.

The Navy conducts approximately 20 Navy Weeks each year, reaching out to communities across the country to showcase for Americans the investments they have made toward their national defense.

Participating in L.A. Navy Week 2011 are Lincoln, Champion, guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59), guided-missile destroyer USS Chafee (DDG 90), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, and personnel from Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9, Maritime Expeditionary Security Group (MESG) 31, Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron (MSRON) 3 and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit 1.

The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is in Los Angeles between at-sea training and certification periods ahead of a deployment scheduled for the end of the year.

Milwaukee Air Guardsmen volunteer with Habitat for Humanity

By Senior Airman Ryan Kuntze

128th Air Refueling Wing

Sixty-five Airmen and family members from the 128th Air Refueling Wing volunteered to help Habitat for Humanity renovate four houses on North First Street on Saturday, June 4.

The Airmen placed drywall in the houses from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., said 2nd Lt. Gregory Damask, the logistics readiness officer for the 128th Logistics Readiness Squadron.

Damask has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in the past, and he organized a similar volunteer effort last year.

"Let's find a way to get the 128th's name out there," he explained. "Let's give back to the very community that gives to us."

Damask said the volunteer efforts were experiences that showcased the Wing's teamwork and willingness to come together.

"It was a good feeling to know everyone volunteered their own time," he said. "The home owners were there, and they had nothing but compliments."

The response from Habitat for Humanity has been very positive, too.

"They asked for us to come back every month," he said.

Airmen from the 128th Air Refueling Wing are going to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity in 2012, which will make the event an annual volunteer program that assists local Milwaukee citizens.

"[Volunteering] is in my nature," Damask said. "I was brought up to give. I've been blessed with many benefits, and my personal belief is that if I have the ability to help others, I should."

Quad Cities Navy Week Sailors Help Habitat for Humanity

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Steve Johnson, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to Navy Operational Support Center Rock Island and Navy Recruiting District, Minneapolis, volunteered to help build a home during Quad Cities Navy Week 2011, as part of a Habitat for Humanity project in Rock Island, Ill., June 21.

The volunteers, which also included U.S. Army Soldiers, installed insulation and sheets of drywall to the interior rooms of the two-story, three-bedroom home being built in the west end of Rock Island.

"An event like today focuses us inward, and it makes me think of the contributions our Navy makes and the partnerships it has with the local communities," said Rear Adm. Tilghman D. Payne, commander, Navy Region Midwest.

This was the 71st home built by Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities since 1993, said Kristin Crafton, director for the nonprofit organization. Habitat for Humanity offers their homes without interest rates to families who qualify, and then help work on the house with 250 hours of 'sweat-equity.'

Ed and Judy Connelly, project manager of the new home the Sailors and Soldiers assisted with, have built 13 homes since 1993. This is the first time the Navy and Army have participated together as one force to assist Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities, according to Judy Connelly.

"We appreciate everything the Navy Sailors and Army Soldiers are doing to help us help people," she said. "This is truly a win-win situation for everyone involved."