NECC sailors volunteer aboard Battleship Wisconsin

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Heather Brown | Operations Specialist 1st Class Lisa Kraft, assigned to Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, paints the bulkhead of the USS Wisconsin (BB 64), Oct. 5. NECC sailors teamed up with volunteers from Old Dominion University, The Home Depot and The Mission Continues as a community service project to help preserve the ship.  

NORFOLK, VA, UNITED STATES

10.05.2012

Story by Seaman Heather Brown 

Navy Expeditionary Combat Command

NORFOLK, Va. - Eleven sailors assigned to Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) volunteered to help restore the decommissioned Iowa-class battleship USS Wisconsin (BB 64) at the Nauticus National Maritime Center in Norfolk, Va., Oct. 5.

NECC teamed up with students from Old Dominion University, Home Depot Inc. and The Mission Continues to participate in painting the battleship.

Operations Specialist 1st Class Lisa Kraft, NECC First Class Petty Officer Association Community Service Coordinator, said she found the opportunity online through The Mission Continues organization. The Mission Continues is a nonprofit organization made of fellows who are post-9/11 veterans who have accepted the challenge to continue serving at home through the program. Kraft coordinated with Michael Leydet, a Mission Continues member, to support the volunteer event.

“I think it is important to participate in this particular community service event because not only does it help keep a piece of history looking pristine, but it ensures that those who are not from a military background or who are veterans see the best example we can provide of our naval history,” said Kraft. “Sailors of today's Navy should be proud to help preserve a piece of naval history for future generations to see and learn about.”

In 2006, Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act, requiring that the battleships USS Wisconsin and USS Iowa be kept and maintained in a state of readiness should they ever be needed again.

“It’s not every day that you get to stand on a warship with so much history,” said Master-at -Arms 1st Class Christopher Sacks, one of NECC’s volunteers. “It’s an honor just being able to assist with maintaining the ship.”

Wisconsin was first commissioned into naval service April 16, 1944, and since then has been recommissioned twice and decommissioned three times. Since 2000, the battleship has been berthed at Nauticus in Norfolk, Va., where she will remain unless ordered to be recommissioned to defend the country again.

“Whether it's painting a historic battleship, raking leaves at the Botanical Gardens or picking up trash around your installation; it is pertinent that we all take part in making an effort towards a cleaner community and a community united through services that require no payment,” said Kraft. “A simple thank you for a job well done can go a long way, and it's something that should bring you gratification, knowing you lent a helping hand for those in need.”

NECC is an enduring force providing capability across the full range of military operations in the maritime strategy to include forward presence, maritime security and power projection, now and in the future.

• Date Taken: 10.05.2012
• Date Posted: 10.09.2012 16:22
• Story ID: 95905
• Location: NORFOLK, VA, US