Photo By Jason Bortz | Navy Lt. Jo Ann Martinez, licensed clinical social worker, Naval Hospital Pensacola,...... read more read more
MOBILE, Ala. – When people showed up to tour the USS Alabama (BB 60) on Feb. 2, they were greeted by the sounds of grinding, chipping and the ringing of steel on steel. More than 30 volunteers from Naval Hospital Pensacola and its satellite clinics were hard at work rehabilitating parts of the old battleship to her former glory.
The Alabama was commissioned in 1942 and served in World War II in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. She was decommissioned in 1947 and retired in 1962. In 1964, the Alabama was taken to Mobile Bay and opened as a museum ship the following year. The ship was added to the National Historic Landmark registry in 1986.
Hospitalman Deanna Sanders, of Dothan, Ala., with Naval Air Technical Training Center’s Naval Branch Health Clinic, organized the volunteer work for the ship. Sanders volunteers frequently, but work on the Alabama is special to her.
“The USS Alabama [volunteer work] is highly rewarding because it has to do with the Navy and our history,” said Sanders. “It’s pretty rewarding to be able to see the museum rooms that you worked on the next time you come back.”
The morning started with the volunteers receiving a safety brief and being issued dust masks, protective goggles and tools for removing paint and rust. They were then split into groups and taken to different areas to work. One group chipped away paint and rust from one compartment, while another group started painting a previously prepared compartment.
Whether on their hands and knees painting the deck edges or standing on a ladder to scrape paint flecks off of a case holding the American Flag, the excitement and pride in restoring the Alabama were evident.
“This ship represents a rich history and tradition of service that helps define our Navy today,” said Capt. Christopher Quarles, executive officer of NHP. “It is a legacy that we should proudly maintain as it contributes to our culture and inspires us to be better Sailors and citizens.”
On a Saturday when most people were relaxing and spending time with their families, these individuals decided to spend time doing something for others.
“I could not be prouder of our staff and their contributions to this effort,” said Quarles. “We had a great turnout and I was thrilled by the fact that this was the second, third or in some cases the eighth trip for several of our Sailors in helping to maintain this great ship. This is just one example of our staff's reoccurring volunteer service throughout the Gulf Coast communities. Our staff turns out regularly for volunteer activities from New Orleans, La., to Panama City, Fla. These activities collectively offers us a chance to give something back to the Gulf Coast communities that give so much to support our men and women in uniform.”
| Date Taken: | 02.02.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 02.08.2013 14:12 |
| Story ID: | 101701 |
| Location: | MOBILE, ALABAMA, US |
| Web Views: | 123 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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