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.
“The Seabees have a legendary role in major combat operations, but stay busy in times of peace also,” said Lt. John Daly III, an Atlanta native and a Civil Engineer Corps (CEC) officer assigned to U.S. Fleet Forces Command. “We do humanitarian projects all over the world, like drilling water wells in Africa.”
In 2017, the U.S. Navy Seabees, past and present, celebrated the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the “Fighting Seabees.” The Navy’s CEC also celebrated the 150th anniversary of its establishment.
Daly has served in the U.S. Navy for nine years. Prior to his commissioning, he worked as a consulting engineer. Daly said that the Navy offers him a wider range of duty and he loves it.
“The huge diversity of roles and responsibilities and chance to apply it worldwide is a perfect fit for me,” said Daly. “The scope of responsibilities is more than you can possibly prepare for, but you learn quickly. The work is rewarding and the sense of accomplishment is like nothing else.”
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.
Coulson is the fourth generation of his family to serve in the armed forces. Both of his grandfathers served in the Marines during the Vietnam War, one as a bugler and the other as an infantryman. His father served in the U.S. Army as well.
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: | 235503 |
| Location: | NY, US |
| Hometown: | ATLANTA, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 36 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Atlanta native volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
LEAVE A COMMENT