In the morning of May 15, eight Seabees from Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU) 303, Det Bangor, embarked on a trip to Spokane, WA with the mission to take part in the 2012 Spokane Lilac Festival. This year marked the 74th anniversary of the annual celebration which originated in 1938 after World War II and is celebrated every third week of May.
This year’s festival theme was “Dream and Reach the Stars”; it was a “tribute to those who defend the unique American dream, as well as a challenge to our youth to reach high and follow their dreams” said the organizers. The Seabees lived up perfectly to this year’s theme.
During the five days trip, they partnered with Habitat for Humanity to take part of a Veteran Repair Project. Such project consisted of helping renovating the home of an Air Force Retiree, Mary Lynch. During three days the Seabees reinstalled insulation for an entire basement, fixed flooring for the living room, the kitchen and a bathroom, put up cabinets in the kitchen, placed down tiles on walls in the kitchen. Mary, the home owner, could not finish expressing her gratitude for the great amount of work accomplished 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.
The Seabees’ work for the week however was not limited to the Veteran Repair Project, their static display, which they did two times, attracted many and educated the people of Spokane about the Seabees. The display included two Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) trucks, which attracted people from all ages, and two fully equipped Seabee Tactical Armor Vest and a 15 feet tall board, which highlighted the mission and accomplishments of the men and women of the Naval Construction Force. The enjoyed talking to the people who walked up to their table, enjoyed telling them about the Bees’ rich history and were perfect examples and inspiration for the young kids who dream of one day joining the armed forces.
The very rewarding trip would end with the “Armed Forces Torchlight Parade”, which includes more than 200 high school bands, community floats, military units, veterans groups and equestrian units participating. The Seabees would drive for a distance of 2 miles under the cheering and applause of thousands of people of all ages who took the streets to support the men and women who defend them. Phrases like “You are Awesome”, “We Love you”, “You Rock”, and “Hoorah Seabees” shouted by countless people throughout the parade route reminded the Seabees that they are appreciated for what they do and encouraged to keep up the great work. “It felt amazing seeing the people’s reaction” said BU3 Ross “We do what we do [build and fight] for them, and it feels good to know that our sacrifices are appreciated”.
NOTES
The article needs to be about the CBMU 303, Det Bangor Seabees taking part at the Navy Week. It needs to portray their work with Habitat for Humanity the veteran’s house, their static display was very helpful and educative to many, and how well they represented Seabees from everywhere very proudly.
I would like it to be rewritten completely. And please make it sound great. Thank you.
Could you lso come up with a TITLE also. Thank you.
