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Seabees on Guam Celebrate 68th Anniversary

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100311-13
Release Date: 3/11/2010 12:46:00 PM

By Jesse Leon Guerrero, U.S. Naval Forces, Marianas Public Affairs

Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs

SANTA RITA, Guam (NNS) -- More than 200 Navy service members and their guests celebrated the Seabees' 68th birthday on Guam March 6.

The event, the Seabee Ball, also celebrated the establishment of the Navy Civil Engineer Corps in 1867 and Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) in 1842, when NAVFAC was known as the Navy Bureau of Yards and Docks.

Rear Adm. Michael Giorgione, commander, NAVFAC Pacific, attended as guest speaker. Giorgione shared personal stories with the attendees, focusing on the Seabees' "We Build, We Fight" spirit shown through base support for the military and humanitarian assistance performed around the world.

"I think our nation is very fortunate; our world is very fortunate for what you do," Giorgione said. "I hope you're very proud of what you do. I think we're all proud of each other."

Capt. Peter Lynch, commanding officer of NAVFAC Marianas, praised the Seabees for not only improving facilities in a joint military environment, but for also volunteering in the community such as painting public schools and teaching math to young students.

"Our Seabees serve as great role models through their work for the Navy and in our community," Lynch said. "It's very exciting to see the amount of time our young men and women spend with tutoring and mentorship."

Attendees enjoyed dinner, dancing, and a traditional cake-cutting ceremony led by the oldest and youngest Seabees in attendance.

Ensign Kristen Krushinski, of NAVFAC Marianas, provided one of the highlights of the party when she presented the command's 14.9-pound, concrete-filled boot at the front of the stage, while singing the Seabee song along with all of the other attendees. As the newest ensign at NAVFAC Marianas, Krushinski has had to protect the boot for nearly a year as a part of a long-standing NAVFAC tradition.

"The traditions are great," Krushinski said. "I like partaking in them because there's a little bit of story that goes with each and every one of them."

The theme of this year's celebration was "Preserving Our Past, Building Our Future."