NBK Honors Earth Day

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Ryan Batchelder | 180420-N-EH218-0089 SILVERDALE, Wash. (April 20, 2018) Culinary Specialist (Submarine) First Class Jake Lourcey, from Fulton, N.Y., removes debris and vegetation from a curbside during an Earth Day clean up event aboard Naval Base Kitsap Bangor. Earth Day is celebrated annually worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection, and Sailors throughout Navy Region Northwest participated in various base-beautification projects to contribute to a better, more sustainable environment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ryan J. Batchelder/Released)  

SILVERDALE, WA, UNITED STATES

04.20.2018

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Batchelder 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Det. Northwest

SILVERDALE, Wash. – Sailors assigned to Naval Base Kitsap (NBK) and its tenant commands took part in an Earth Day clean up event aboard NBK-Bangor and NBK-Bremerton, April 20.

The Navy’s 2018 theme for Earth Day is “Global Reach, Local Action,” and it serves as reminder to everyone involved that the Navy is a constant presence in the environment at sea, on land, and in the skies.

“Getting out here today to help clean up the place that we live and work in is a great feeling,” said Aviation Boatswains Mate (Handling) Third Class Alaina Growney, a native of Medford Lakes, N.J. “Keeping up our standards is important, but I think that we all get a lot of fulfillment from this on a personal level, too.”

As a part of the cleanup efforts, volunteers removed vegetation, picked up trash and recyclable materials and cleaned curbsides and parking lots. The focus on NBK’s ground maintenance was part of a larger Navy effort to educate Sailors and other personnel on conservation methods and practical ideas that will ultimately help keep the Navy sustainable and able to support its mission.

“All of us use these facilities on the base and it’s great to get out of the office as a team to work toward a common goal,” said Culinary Specialist (Submarine) First Class Jake Lourcey, from Fulton, N.Y. “We work alongside each other every day and this is another chance for us to keep building those relationships and to take pride in our base.”

Earth Day is celebrated nationally every year on April 22, but the Navy hosts various cleanups, events, and efforts throughout the months of April and May in an effort to help protect the environment and foster stewardship throughout the field and fleet.

“We had a beautiful day today to be outside and do our part,” said Growney. “It takes all of us every day to protect the environment, and even though we celebrate Earth Day every year, it takes more than one day of work to make a difference.”

• Date Taken: 04.20.2018
• Date Posted: 04.20.2018 16:42
• Story ID: 273913
• Location: SILVERDALE, WA, US
• Hometown: FULTON, NY, US
• Hometown: MEDFORD LAKES, NJ, US