By Lt. Cdr. Jennifer Cragg
Navy Expeditionary Combat Command
NEW YORK – Sea service members, including U.S. Navy Seabee personnel, assisted Habitat for Humanity New York City (Habitat NYC) on restoration projects on Brooklyn and Queens as part of a Fleet Week New York (FWNY) community service project May 25-26.
Military personnel donated their time and skills on two home building projects in Brooklyn, two revitalization projects in Queens and joined “A Brush with Kindness” project to volunteer at a local community.
“Seabees are a different caliber of Sailor,” said Chief Engineman Lucas McBee, a Pflugerville, Texas, with Underwater Construction Team (UCT) 1 at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek Fort-Story, Virginia. “I was raised by a Seabee and have worked with Seabees for the past decade.”
McBee, who volunteered with Habitat for Humanity while participating in FWNY, has been nicknamed “McSeabee” by his fellow Seabees.
McBee hails from a long and distinguished military history dating back to World War I. His paternal grandfather served in the Horse Calvary in New York during the First World War, and his maternal grandfather served in the Korean War. Both his father and stepfather served in the military as well. The call to service even extends to his children.
“My oldest son is serving in the U.S. Marine Corps,” said McBee. He added that his middle son is currently serving in the U.S. Army.
The goal of the volunteer effort was to give back to the local New York community for their support during FWNY, and to provide a positive impact while connecting Americans with their Navy.
Habitat NYC, a non-profit organization, transforms lives and communities by building and preserving affordable homes with hard-working families in need – and by uniting all New Yorkers around the cause of affordable housing. With the help of thousands of volunteers each year, Habitat NYC builds and preserves homes for ownership by low-to-moderate income families throughout the five boroughs, creating a stronger and more united New York. Learn more at www.habitatnyc.org.
FWNY, now in its 29th year, is the city’s time-honored celebration of the sea services. It is an unparalleled opportunity for the citizens of New York and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as witness firsthand the latest capabilities of today’s maritime services. The weeklong celebration has been held nearly every year since 1984.
For up-to-date information on all FWNY events, visit the office FWNY website at www.fleetweeknewyork.com. “Like” FleetWeekNewYork on Facebook, or “Follow” @FleetWeekNYC on Twitter. FWNY photos can be viewed on Flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/fwnypao and Instagram at www.instagram.com/fleetweeknyc. Join the conversation on social media by using #FleetWeekNYC. Follow the Seabee Commemoration at #Seabee75th.
| Date Taken: | 05.26.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 05.26.2017 15:28 |
| Story ID: | 235496 |
| Location: | NY, US |
| Hometown: | PFLUGERVILLE, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 48 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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