Dream and Reach the Stars
To participate in this 2012 Spokane Lilac Festival, eight Seabees form Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 303, Det Bangor, started the journey to Spokane, WA. The trip started on a Monday morning on 15th May 2012. Since its official launch in 1938 after the Second World War, this year marked the 74th anniversary. The celebrations are usually organized annually. Every year witness the celebrations on the third week of May. Dream and Reach the Stars was this year’s theme. The celebrations were dedicated to those who strive to defend the American dream. The theme also offered motivation to the young generation to achieve their goals with no limitation as the youth follow their life dreams. The eight Seabees met the expectations of the 2012 celebration theme.
The trip to Spokane took five days in which Seabees and other participants had the opportunity to perform certain activities significant to the existence in the society. In the 120 hours, Seabees formed an alliance with Habitat for Humanity to execute a Veteran Repair Project. In the process, of executing the repair project, Air Force Retiree known as Mary Lynch had her home renovated. In a three days duration, Seabees conducted reinstallation of insulation, basement, flooring for the living room, kitchen, and bathroom. These touching gestures were supplemented with erection of the cabinet in the kitchen and arrangement of the tiles of the kitchen walls. The warmth gesture during the celebrations left Mary Lynch lacking words to express her gratitude for the volume and quality of work performed by the Seabees. “I will forever be grateful,” she said. “It feels great to get the help, but the fact that it is from the Seabees makes it much better,” she added later, referring to her father who is a former Seabee.
To top-up on the terrific job accomplished at Mary’s home, the Seabees were able to reach the people of Spokane. The contact was fruitful as the local people were able to learn vital information about the Seabees. Numerous locals were attracted to get involved in the Seabees display because of the static of their activities. The displays occurred at different levels. It included two Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) trucks. This facilitated the attraction of different society members regardless of age. Two fully equipped Seabee Tactical Amor Vest and a board approximated to be 15 feet tall were used to highlight the mission and achievements of individuals of the Naval Construction Force. The Seabees enjoyed every moment of talking to the people who approached their stand. Telling rich history of the Seabees to these people was the hobby of the group during the celebration. For the young kids who dream of one day serving in the armed force, Seabees during these celebrations presented the perfect examples and inspiration to pursue their dreams.
The fruitful celebration trip would be adjourned with the Armed Forces Torchlight Parade. The parade consists of over 200 high school bands, military units, veteran groups, community floats, and equestrian units. Society members regardless of the age took to the streets to cheer and applaud the soldiers who ensured their safety existence. All the cheering and applauses occurred as the Seabees drove for a 2-mile distance. During this perfect sending off, you are awesome, we love you, you rock and hoorah Seabees phrases could be heard from the overwhelming congregation. This was show of appreciation for the excellent work accomplished by the Seabees in defending the society. The efforts of the crowd were met with similar appreciation from the Seabees crew who noticed how their services went down well with the society.
