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Stennis Receives 2006 Thunderbird Award

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060412-10
4/12/2006

By Journalist 2nd Class Christopher Gethings, USS John C. Stennis Public Affairs

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- The Bremerton-area Chamber of Commerce honored USS John C. Stennis March 30 at the 2006 Thunderbird Awards Banquet for its significant involvement in the Kitsap County community.

This marks the first time the Chamber has presented the Thunderbird to an entire military command.

"We just couldn't ignore all the work Stennis has done for our community," said Silvia Klatman, executive director of the Bremerton Area Chamber of Commerce. "Not only did they [help the community] while they were here, they [were helping] the community even before they got here," Klatman added, referring to the Stennis Sailors who flew to Bremerton when the ship was still homeported in San Diego.

Klatman explained that this award shows the crew members of the Bremerton-based aircraft carrier just how much the community appreciates all they do for it.

"Stennis has embraced the community; we've embraced them right back," she said.

Stennis' Commanding Officer, Capt. Dave Buss, was on hand to accept the award for the ship’s force.

"It's an honor for me to accept this award on the behalf of the crew of the USS John C. Stennis," said Buss after he was welcomed to the podium by a standing ovation from the crowd of the nearly 200 attendees.

Buss, who flew from San Diego to attend, was welcomed to the stage after a special video highlighting Stennis' community involvement was played at the banquet.

"I couldn't be more proud of the 3,000 Sailors who make up the crew of the John C. Stennis,” Buss commented. "The crew of the John C. Stennis and the relationship with the community will only get stronger with time."

Stennis Sailors began calling Bremerton home in January 2005 and have since been helping the surrounding community by volunteering at local community events such as a Thanksgiving dinner handout for the homeless, in which Stennis Sailors prepared and served more than 70 turkeys; assisting in the city's annual Armed Forces Day parade; and moving residents' possessions back into a local veterans home after completion of a recent remodeling effort.

The criteria for receiving a Thunderbird award include having a significant impact on the community. The award's history dates back to 1968, where it was first awarded to the captain of USS Puget Sound (AD 38) for his crew's impact on Bremerton and Kitsap County.

Categories at the ceremony for the awardees were business recipient, government recipient and military recipient.