Photo By Pvt. Kourtney Grimes | Seabees hug it out after a long night of laughter and dancing at their celebratory...... read more read more
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GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – “We are all gathered tonight to honor and celebrate the unique can-do heritage of the Navy Seabees,” said Cmdr. Ronald Jenkins, Master Public Works officer for the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southeast, Public Works Department, Guantanamo Bay.
Troopers, spouses, DOD contractors, and civilians gathered to celebrate the 72nd birthday of the U.S. Navy’s Seabees Saturday, March 8 at the Bayview Club.
“Tonight we are celebrating three birthdays: the 172nd birthday of Naval Facilities Engineering Command, 147th Birthday of the Civil Engineer Corps and, of course we all know we came to the Seabee Ball tonight, the 72nd birthday of the United States Seabees,” said Jenkins.
Seabees are a special kind of hard working sailor who are found throughout the U.S. Navy working diligently as construction mechanics, equipment operators, utilitiesmen, construction electricians, builders, steelworkers and engineering aides.
“From Midway Island to Iwo Jima, from Germany’s Rhine River to Korea’s Incheon shore, from the Quonset huts of Vietnam and the airstrips of the Middle East to the public works of homeport and the FOBS of foreign shores, Seabees have been the Navy’s builders, fighters and good-will ambassadors,” said Lt. Baron Miller, Chaplain, Naval Station Guantanamo Bay.
The celebratory night’s events included: the presentation of the colors, the singing of the national anthem by Petty Officer 2nd Class Timothy Owens, a remembrance ceremony for the lost and fallen, the recognition of the youngest and oldest Seabees and remarks from Rear Admiral Richard Butler, Commander, Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay.
“I’m really honored to be here for this celebration and have the opportunity to speak with you. I would especially like to extend a warm welcome to all the spouses, family and loved ones here this evening,” said Butler. “Your support and contributions to the military and our mission cannot be overstated.”
Events like this provide the Troopers with a chance to build camaraderie and time to learn about one another with different services coming together under different commands, said Jenkins.
The ability to work alongside Troopers of different services, DOD civilians and contractors is imperative to completing the mission.
“The diversity is all good,” said Butler. “It’s strength among the United States Armed Forces. No other country can really do it the way we do. Take people who may think a little bit differently and work side by side every day to accomplish the mission. Really, nobody else can do that.”
The Seabees here at Naval Station Guantanamo are vital to the upkeep, repair and construction that keeps this base running smoothly, said Jenkins. The Seabees here are currently working on improvements to the utility systems and finishing up a lot of military construction projects like the new gymnasium and child development center.
While the Seabees have been tirelessly working to continually make progress with the vast list of construction projects awaiting their attention, they still have a lot on their plates.
“We just turned over 22 new homes on Friday to the housing department, 124 more to go,” said Jenkins.
About a week ago there was a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new trooper chapel in the Camp America area and of course, Public Works, along with the help of others, had a hand in that, said Butler.
“Sometimes we get frustrated by the pace of things in GTMO, but we are making progress and that was one sign of it up there,” said Butler.
At the end of his speech, Butler quoted Gen. Douglas MacArthur, “The only trouble with your Seabees is that you don’t have enough of them.”
With projects and maintenance keeping GTMO’s Seabees busy, the only worry for the industrious Troopers is what they can do next.
“Seabees continue to answer out nation’s call to build and fight, provide needed humanitarian assistance and win the hearts and minds of local communities, governments and organizations through communities’ relations projects worldwide,” said Butler.
“This truly does underscore that our great Navy continues to be a global force for good.”
| Date Taken: | 03.14.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 03.14.2014 11:00 |
| Story ID: | 122006 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 74 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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